Friday Fancies #6: Spring Fever

     It's Friday's Fancies times again, ladies and gents! This week {av} gave us the theme of Spring Fever. I have to say, this week in Virginia it's been in the 60s, so it's already warmer than the Springs I'm used to in the Midwest! When I planned this outfit- I focused on being able to wear it through the ever changing sunny and rainy MN/WI season!

A few highlights:

1. Great rainboots are a necessity- and these black ones are somehow practical and stylish- I mean they're Burberry..so naturally they look good!
2. Floral and pastels are everywhere in the Spring forecasts, so this simple pink over-sized tee and floral scarf are a great way to start the season out right!
3. If you're going to have to cover up a great outfit, it might as well be with a great coat. This MiuMiu khaki one is pure class.
4. This green Clare Vivier bag is quite the object of my affection these days (sorry Michael). Gotta have a touch of green for Spring!
5. Do I even need to justify the sunglasses and Marc Jacobs bangles? No? Good.

Don't forget to head over to {long distance loving} to see what others are doing to cure their Spring Fever!

V-Day Guest Post #2: {long distance loving}

You didn't think I'd stop at just one guest post, now did you? No way! Today we have the ever talented {av} from {long distance loving}, and I know you are all going to LOVE what she's come up with for her V-Day gift guide. If you don't already link up to her Friday's Fancies- check it out this Friday-- if you see it and love it (which you I'm sure you will)- join the party! Okay, I'll stop with the shameless plugging, and let {av} take it away!
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Hi friends! It's {av} from {long distance loving}! I am so thrilled Laura asked me to pull together a fun little Valentine's Day gift guide for long distance couples. My husband, {cv}, and I spent three February 14ths in different cities during our distance years. I tried to pick gifts which would make his life easier or make him think of me.  My best prezzie for {cv}? Engraved collar stays with little messages he could read as he got dressed for work every day. Here are a few every day items which should make your significant other smile...

{glasses: his + hers | keychains: his + hers | wallets: his + hers}

Many thanks to Laura for having me today! Hop over to {long distance loving} for other ways to love from afar :) Have a great Thursday! xoxo {av}

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No, thank YOU, {av}! Love the idea of the engraved collar stays...so sweet! 


Do y'all have any other great Valentine's gift ideas that are practical and thoughtful like these? 

Valentine's Candles

    What do you do when you buy an obscene amount of Red Hots that you don't in fact need? I guess not a question you might encounter in everyday life, but after my Valentine's Flower Vase FAIL the other day, I had to ask it. Maybe I couldn't fill a vase with the candies, but I sure as heck could fill a candle holder with them. And you know what, I did just that. 

   

     I got a handful of tea lights and mini votive candles at the dollar store and tried to make as many different vessels to put them in as possible. I realize some of them may be a little tacky- but guess what folks, it's Valentine's Day- that's kinda the name of the game. You'll have to turn to Martha for more sophisticated ideas this time my dears, sorry.

Candle #1

1. Take glass vessel.

2. Dump Red Hots in said vessel.

3. Push candle in said Red Hots.

Rocket science, I know. The benefit of this is a warm cinnamon smell when the candle burns. Mmmm-mm.

 Candle #2
1. Be a klutz and break a plate while trying to load it in the dishwasher (yes, this really happened).
2. Wash said broken plate that magically didn't shatter- but rather perfectly cracked in half.
3. Set weird half plate against a wall and begin to fill with Red Hots.
4. Push candles in Red Hots.

Ooooooh one more step than Candle #1, hope you're still with me here...

 Candle #3:
1. Take votive candle and spread glue from a glue stick around the bottom 1 1/2 inch
2. Cover the bottom part with paper, leaving a little glue exposed, and sprinkle with glitter color of choice.
3. Repeat step 2.
4. Repeat step 2 again. Only this time you clearly don't need to cover the bottom. Woo hoo!

End result: Sparkly gradation. Can't go wrong there.

 Candle #4: Fail Candle

1.Stupidly decide to try and free hand a heart with your glue stick, getting a poorly shaped heart and random glitter ALL OVER your candle and fingers.
2. Throw Fail Candle away.

You know, with a stencil, this would have turned out. I was glittered out at that point and didn't try it- but if you try it, let me know how it goes!

Candles #5 and #6:

1. Take empty jars (from pesto) and sprinkle glitter in the bottom of one, and Red Hots in the bottom of the other.
2. Add tea light.

Yes, I'm almost 24 and I "made" candle crafts a 4 year old would laugh at. Back off.

Finally, group 'em all together and enjoy!

     Like I said, I'm aware these aren't high-end, fancy, labor intensive candle crafts. Is there such a thing? Maybe. Either way, other than the dollar candle box, this was all free 99.

Have any fancy, high-end candle crafts I should keep in mind for next year, if I decide to make V-Day a classy affair??

** {av} from {longdistanceloving} will be here tomorrow guest posting with the perfect v-day gift guide, make sure to stop  by tomorrow to check it out! ***