Valentine's Day!

I love Valentine's Day, don't you? For me, Valentine's Day isn't just about romantic love. It's about the real, true love one has for family and friends. And Valentine's Day comes at just the perfect time of the year. It's always kind of a let down to take down the Christmas decorations, say good-bye to visiting friends and family, and go back to work. I usually get in the mood to clean out and declutter in January and then before I know it it's time for another holiday!

Wouldn't you know that I would marry someone who couldn't care less about Valentine's Day? In fact, he actually kind of dislikes Valentine's Day. I've tried my best in the ten plus years I've known and loved him and I've pretty much ... almost given up on him. Isn't that the way it goes?

But I've decided to not let it get me down. I just direct my Valentine's Day affection elsewhere.

The house was looking so bare after putting away all the Christmas stuff. I don't have much in the way of Valentine's decor and I'm not going to buy the adorable decorations out right now at full price (maybe in March at 80 or 90% off). I decided to give myself an hour to quickly add some free Valentine's love to a few areas of my home.

I Valentine-ized the dining room table with some red and white that I already owned.



My mother-in-law gave me the candles one year and my mom gave me the napkins, heart frame and Waterford violet vase.

I love these little vases. They are perfect for a real flower or two or, in only select instances, a bunch of fake ones.

I love these votive holders I got at Big Lots several years ago. I bought several for myself and gave them as gifts, too.

Candy is an inexpensive way to decorate. I got some Hot Tamales in my stocking and they work perfectly in my little candy tower. (And this way I don't eat a whole box in one evening since they're part of my decor.)
I bought two amaryllis at Marshalls after Christmas and they work well on the buffet.
They were only $7.00!
Pottery Barn sells just the flower for $12. I thought these looked pretty realistic but the bulb seemed a little odd. My mom (the horticulturalist) informed me that the yellow bulb is a "dead giveaway" that these are fake. So I will be painting these brown in the near future.

Next year when I pack up the Christmas decorations I'm going to try to look at things through rose-colored Valentine's glasses. I know I have other red, white, or sparkly things that could be mixed together in a new way for Valentine's Day.

In the bathroom (yes, Valentine's Day is honored in the bathroom, too) I just grouped together some pink and red bath products along with some cute washcloths from my mom.

Gels and bubbles are near the bathtub (makes sense, right?).

And lotions are on my vanity.
I just like walking in and seeing little displays. It makes me happy.

Another thing that makes me happy is this quick and cute DIY project that doesn't even need instructions once you see it.

I made this in college with a picture from the February Formal and it still makes me all warm and fuzzy when I see it. He does, too. :)

What do you to decorate for Valentine's Day?

My Big Secret: Big Lots

I hope I don't lose any readers after this post. You all know I shop at outlets. I'll dig through bins of accessories at NBC. I've even tried on clothes at Goodwill. But you might be surprised to know that I shop at Big Lots.

"Oh Holly, that's OK" you might be thinking. "You can get stocking stuffers for your nieces and nephews there." The thing is, I'm not buying crappy kid trinkets when I go to Big Lots. I'm buying for myself. And I'm buying MAKE-UP. Gasp.

I love make-up. I don't think of myself as wearing a whole lot of make-up and if I'm not going to be seeing anyone I know, I often don't wear it at all. (So if you see me darting in and out of Mooyah or Starbucks and I act like I didn't notice you, you'll know why.) But that doesn't mean I couldn't spend hours in Sephora trying all kinds of products on the back of my hand until it looks like I have a serious skin condition. (I know you can try the products on your face, but who does that?! Gross.)

Let me explain myself. First of all, not all Big Lots are created equal. I've been to some that are clean, bright, and well organized with loads of name brand items months to years away from their expiration dates. I've also been to a Big Lots that was dark and dirty and most of the stock was on the floor. Find a clean one and get to the make-up aisle.

Realistic expectations are crucial. It's not going to look like this.

It's going to look like you're at a dinky Walmart or Walgreens, but that's OK with me because the prices are even lower.

My last trip to Big Lots wasn't planned. I wanted to go to Tuesday Morning to look through their Christmas leftovers, but they were closed. I hate that. I never think to check before I head over there. Big Lots was nearby so I thought I'd make a quick run through to see if there was anything I couldn't live without. There was. Good thing I stopped in.

I got some new lip gloss for $2.00. This stuff is my favorite.

It's nice and shiny with a fair amount of color and it doesn't taste or smell weird. Very important. I have it in several shades. It used to sell for $8.00 at Ulta although I haven't checked recently since I have my new supplier.

I think these special value trios were my best deal of the day. So I got two.

An eyeshadow trio, eyeliner and mascara for $3.00!

I got a new lip gloss to try.

But I don't like it.

It has a funky flavor/taste and it's not a sponge applicator like I was expecting. It's like a nail polish brush which makes for an unwieldy, on-the-go application. Sorry, Ideal Lip Gloss. Back to Big Lots you go. (Note: If you make a Big Lots return, be prepared to deal with some attitude from the sales associate. I don't know why they care if you return something or not, but inevitably they'll act like the transaction is the most challenging and draining activity they've faced in a long time. And they'll make sure you know it's because of you.) Moving on.

I was excited to find this shade of nail polish amidst a sea of bubble gum pink and pale peach lacquers.

I like Revlon nail polish even better than Essie and for $2.00 it's a steal.

My total for all of this:

Only $12.00!

Now, don't go to Big Lots with your list in hand of all your favorite drugstore make-up items expecting to find them for less than a latte. Who knows what they'll have? And it will change week to week. Go with an open mind and a $10 bill and you'll be able to create a new face tomorrow morning!