12 CARDS FOR A VALENTINE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR!

I love Valentine's Day. Honestly it's probably because it's so close to my birthday. I know all the other kids out there who grew up with their birthday near a holiday can understand...you don't really have a choice but to embrace it.

Here are 12 awesome cards for Valentine's Day that offer up a bit of wit or humor!

All images are via the shops below- click the name of the card to purchase!

I would climb a moderately size mountain for you // by: postlovedesigns

You keep my feet warm // by: sadshop

Brie mine // by: beckagriffin

You're one in a melon // by: nicerpaper

To my significant otter // by: nicerpaper

Their They're There // by: bettieconfetti 

I love you, even when I'm really, really hungry // by: doodlelove

You've Caged my heart // by: turtlessoup

I think you're super hot // by: smoochiepaper

Couples that fart together stay together // by: hellafreshdesigns

I've fallen for you & I can't get up //  by: diamonddonatello 

Let's makeout // by: aviatepress

Which of these cards would your Valentine love?

I think "brie mine" miiight be my favorite.

xo, lp

*for more valentine's goodness, go HERE*

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE FOR THE GUYS

Since our birthdays are only a couple days after Valentine's Day- we don't exchange presents on the 14th, but I love shopping around to find good joint V-day/B-day gifts for Michel!

Here's some cool gifts that caught my eye recently- get one of these for YOUR guy!

1. FOR THE HEALTHY (or lumbersexual) GUY: S'well water bottle- keeps cold things cold for 24 hours- or hot things hot for 12 hours. I LOVE the manly wood finish- perfect for the lumbersexual in your life :)

2. FOR THE IPHONE LOVING GUY: Does your guy love his iPhone so much he doesn't want to cover it with a case...but wants to keep it protected? These Corners4 iPhone rods clip onto his phone and keep it from getting scratched or scraped.

3. FOR THE SENTIMENTAL GUY: Yup, giving a picture frame with your cute face in it is totally still a viable gift idea- especially when the frame is this awesome!

4. FOR THE MUSIC LOVING GUY: I've heard awesome things about this Nixon wireless bluetooth speaker- this is definitely on the short list for Michael!

5. FOR THE GUY IN THE CITY: I know, an umbrella is SO not a gift most people would think to give- but if your guy walks to class, or work, or parks his car outside - giving a practical gift (that's also stylish) is one that in the long run, he'll love you for.

6. FOR THE GUY THAT TRAVELS: Shoe bags- are they sexy? No. But if your guy is a constant traveler- whether it be for work or play- these things are so dang handy. They keep your shoes packed up separately so you don't have to worry about them getting dirt (or something more disgusting) on the clothes in your suitcase :)

Which of these gifts would be great for the guy in your life?

That Nixon speaker just might be the ticket for Michael!

xo, lp

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS TO GET (yourself!)

Valentines day is coming UP y'all!

I know, I know. A lot of people hate this holiday, or think it's useless- I totally get it.

But see... my birthday is 2 days after V-day, so I've always loved it since I was a kid- because it was almost like a pre-birthday celebration!

If you're on the "loving Valentine's Day team", here are some FABULOUS accessories (all with free shipping)  to help you celebrate the day:

KATE SPADE PHONE CASES: I mean, I would use these things year'round- not just during February...

L O V E LIGHT UP SIGN: The perfect home accessory for the twenty to thirty something to have!

PALE PINK COIN & CARD PURSE: I mean, again this would be great year'round- but would be EXTRA perfect out on a Valentine's Date!

HEARTBREAKER COIN PURSE: This one is a little more theme-y than the last- but I love that it's blue so not to be overly girly...

HEART STUD EARRINGS: Um, one of each color, please?

HEART WATCH: What really gets me is that the minute hand is an arrow- COME ON!

If you had to grab one of these sweet V-day treats, which one would you take?

That Rebecca Minkoff coin & card purse is calling my name!

xo, lp

VALENTINE'S DAY ICE CREAM SANDWICHES!

Ooooh friends- do I have a great treat for you today! 

Feast your eyes on THESE babies:

These ice cream sandwiches are the perfect Valentine's treat- whether you're making them for you favorite girlfriends, you significant other, or even your kids! 

They're made with some homemade M&M cookies, ice cream, and LOTS of sprinkles....

What you'll need to make it happen:

-Valentine's Sprinkles (I got mine from Target)

- Ice cream 

- M&M Cookies (recipe makes 2 dozen cookies - 1 dozen sandwiches):

1 1/8 cup flour  ::   1/2 tsp salt :: 1/2 tsp baking soda :: 1 cup Valentine's M&Ms

1/2 cup brown sugar ::  1/4 cup granulated sugar :: 1 large egg :: 1 stick unsalted butter  :: 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Bake your cookies! (Cream sugars & butter until mixed. Add egg and vanilla & mix. Add flour, salt, baking soda & mix. Stir in M&Ms. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees)

Step 2: LET YOUR COOKIES COOL COMPLETELY. No really. If you don't wait, your ice cream will melt errywhere- and NO one wants that, right?

Step 3: Take 1 cookie- scoop about 1/3 cup ice cream on it, and press down with another cookie

Step 4: Roll in sprinkles, and put back in freezer right away.

Step 5: Bring out again right before you're ready to serve!

Oh man these things are good! Plus, if you don't need 1 dozen sandwiches- then just eat the cookies on their own :)

Looking for other Valentine's Recipes?

Try making my Conversation Heart Cookies or Raspberry Cream Cheese Heart Pies!

xo, lp

psssssssssst: let's be friends on Instagram! you can find me here --> @lpodlich

Blogger Buzz, v.7: Dream Dates

The Blogger Buzz is back. 

This month we're sharing our celebrity dream dates, just in time for Valentine's Day!

1. Laura Podlich of Beauty & the Beard // Aaron Rodgers—the QB from my favorite football team would be a perfect date!
2. Katherine Nolden of The Duchess of Plumewood // Michael Phelps—those abs and that smile! I'd live in a natatorium for him...
3. Meghan Anderson of Downtown Daydreams // My initial thought is Ryan Gosling, ever since The Notebook, I've been hooked.
4. Lauren Felix of La Petite Fashionista // Ryan Reynolds! I can't resist a guy who makes me laugh (and he's easy on the eyes!)
5. Ashley Fine of One Fine Day // When I think of John Krasinski, I think of Jim Halpert. Swoon! He's adorable. 

Now that we shared our celeb dream dates, it's your turn to dish. 
Who's your ultimate celeb Valentine?

xo, lp

Image Credits: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETIE

Maybe you're not into Valentine's Day- but I bet you'll be into these desserts!

Tell 'em you love them with some sweet Sugar Cookie Conversation Hearts!

Love Oreos? Love PB? Then you'll love these Oreo Peanut Butter Chocolate Pops!

Need a sweet breakfast treat? Try these Raspberry Cream Cheese pie tarts!

What sweets will you be making for your sweetie?

If you have a must-try recipe, send it my way or leave it in the comments!

xo, lp

HATE IT OR LOVE IT

I'll make this post short and sweet.

Some of you hate today, some of you love today.

You can find my thoughts on it here.

You can see M's tradition for V-day here.

The few things of note today:

- My dad & mom send me a Valentine's Day card every year. This year's was glitter Hello Kitty. Epic.

- Michael got his coworkers Bieber valentines that come with heart tattoos and dumb phrases like "Valentine, never say never"

- I made pink rice krispie treats with sprinkles for my coworkers. Bet you wished you worked with me!

- I'm wearing a grey sweater with a HUGE pink heart on it. #stylin

(recipe)

If you love today, I hope you have a wonderful ooey-gooey day full of pink candies, red flowers, and love.

If you hate today, at least enjoy the fact that all retailers are on crazy sales to get your business. My favorite is Gorjana's special V-Day selections are 30% off with free shipping. Enjoy!

Do you love today or hate it?

I bet you'd love it more if you had a glitter Hello Kitty card... just sayin'!

xo, lp

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE POP TARTS

I fully believe when you see great ideas on Pinterest- you should GIVE CREDIT to the websites you originally got said ideas from. There are people behind the pictures, my friends. Give credit where it's due.

Now, that being said, allow me to share the two awesome ladies that inspired these delicious raspberry cream cheese treats! Thus, if my recipe isn't up your alley, check out these talented ladies!

- Jessica @ Novice Chef shared her Nutella Pop Tarts (that gave me the cut out heart idea)

- Sarah @ Cake Student shared her heart Cherry Cheese Pie (that gave me the cream cheese & fruit idea)

With that, here's my creation. Ridiculously easy, ridiculously delicious.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Heart Pie PopTarts!

What you'll need to make it happen:

- Heart cookie cutters

- Premade pie crust

- Cream cheese

-Raspberry preserves (use any kind of fruit!)

- granulated sugar

- egg white

- parchment paper

How to make it happen:

Prep: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and set our you cream cheese to soften 15 minutes before starting

Step 1: Using your big heart cookie cutter, cut out as many big hearts as you can, re-rolling the dough as necessary to get as many as you can. Set aside half of them to be your tart toppings.

Step 2: Spread out a thick layer of cream cheese on half of your hearts, and a thick layer of preserves on top of that. Leave a good half inch around the outside so you can press your top layer firmly without any of your filling spilling out!

Step 3: Cut a small heart in the center of the large hearts you set aside, and before placing it on top of your filled heart, lightly spread the dough so it's just a little bit larger than the bottom heart.

Step 4: Cover your filled heart, using your finger or the edge of a cookie cutter to fully press together the edges. 

Step 5: Cover the top with a quick egg wash and a healthy sprinkle of sugar, and let it bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown

Eat & Enjoy!

Enough photos for you?

I just am trying to portray how delicious they are! It's for your own good, I promise. These hearts are not only good for a very sweet Valentine's breakfast, but also an easy treat to make for your coworkers.

Thanks to Jessica & Sarah for the inspiration!

Have a Pinterest full of great recipes?

Leave your Pinterest name or link so I can find you!

xo, lp 

Here's a full- Pinterest friendly version for those of you who want to save this recipe for later:

To check out my Pinterest boards, click HERE!

10 MINUTE DIY HEART ART!

Last year I was all about decorating for Valentine's Day. I had flowers and garlands and tacky candles galore.

This year? Well, this is about all I came up with. I could pretend it was some super fancy process that takes skill, but let's be real. It took about 10 minutes and could probably be done by a kid.

Eh, I love it anyway.

Try it, friends:

All you need:

- Contact paper

- Red acrylic paint

- Sponge brush

- Scissors

- Thick cardstock or painters paper

- Vinyl letters (I used 2" Helvetica from Office Depot)

Make it happen:

I don't think a step by step is needed here, right?

Just one tip: Contact paper doesn't always stick suuuper well, so paint going from the outside of the heart into the center to keep a crisp outline!

There she is. Framed in all her glory. 

 (yup, those are a couple of the flowers from the V-day tradition I shared last year)

How are you decorating for Valentine's?

Don't have any ideas or any time? Try this 10 minute DIY!

xo, lp 

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OREO POPS

Last week I shared with you some sweet Conversation Heart Cookies...but you didn't think that was the only V-day treat I had up my sleeve, did you? 

This is one that is super easy to make, but looks like you put a lot of time into it. Plus, just change up the color of sprinkles and you're good to go for any holiday!

I present to you:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oreo Pops

What you'll need to make it happen:

Double Stuff Oreos

Creamy Peanut Butter

Lollipop Sticks (available at Michael's and Target)

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Shortening (Crisco works well)

Red Candy Melts (available at Michael's and Target)

Sprinkles

Ribbon

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Carefully put your lollipop sticks in your oreo and push them about halfway through without cracking the cookies

Step 2: Apply a thick layer of peanut butter to the tops of the cookies, and stick 'em in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Set up a double boiler and melt your chocolate chips and shortening. Pull out your oreos from the freezer and quickly coat them with chocolate. Do this using a spatula quickly- or else the peanut butter will melt all over!

Step 4: Add any sprinkles you want directly on the chocolate right away! Put them back in the freezer for another 15 minutes to harden everything up again.

Step 5: Melt your candy melts in the microwave and drizzle/dip your remaining cookies.

Step 6: After the chocolate is fully hard, tie little bows around the sticks and you're good to go!

Cute, right!?

The best part is you can make them ahead of time and keep them in the freezer so they'll still be great for Valentine's day! 

I really dare you to find someone who doesn't love these. Make them and tell me if you do!

What's your favorite easy-to-make treat?

Share a link from another blog/Pinterest in the comments!

xo,lp

Pssssssssssst: If you'd like to give a whole bunch to one person, try this:

Take a small cardboard box and poke small holes it it using a pen tip. Push your cookie pops into the holes and surround with colorful tissue paper!  You'll have the sweetest bouquet possible! 

YES THIS POST IS LOVELY. AND FULL OF BAD PUNS.

** Update: I realize I never mentioned in this post that this is not a sponsored post. I reached out to these shops on my own, and they were kind enough to offer the discounts! Purely my own, un-bought opinions!! 

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Hi. This post is lovely. There. That's the only pun I'll use.

Let me start this post by addressing two groups of people.

1. To the people who love Valentine's Day: 

This post is full of quirky, creative, gorgeous cards to give for the holiday. Enjoy the pretty cards, a few discount codes, and the fact you're supporting local artists.

2.  To the people who loathe Valentine's Day: 

This post is full of cards you can give at any time to anyone you love. Stop freaking out. You can buy them now and give most of them at any time. 

Whew. Glad we got that out of the way. Let's begin.

I think there is something so special about getting valentines from smaller shops. Rather than giving a Hallmark card that literally THOUSANDS of people across the country get, you have something special and unique. On top of that, all of these cards equally double as sweet art you could frame. Really. Grab a 4x6 at IKEA and you are good to go. 

So this time around, let's buy cards for our boyfriends, girlfriends, moms, sisters, grandmas that are thoughtful, beautiful, and support smaller artists, shall we?

Allow me to share with you my favorite love-themed cards on Etsy. Some of these amazing shops have offered discount codes for all- so be sure to stop by and show them some love!

Shop 1:

It was seriously hard picking just 4 from this shop to feature.

Simple heart cards for the not over-the top lovey-dovey people in your life.

Big LOVE cards for the very over the top lovey-dovey people in your life.

Manly blue/black/texture cards for the manly man in your life.

AND Shannon is offering 15% through Feb 6th -just use code BATB15 at checkout!

Shop 2:

This shop is full of Eco-Friendly cards that I promise you'll love!

How awesome is the "you're my lobster" one? Any other FRIENDS fans out there?

All the illustrations in Kristan Lynn's shop are simple, sweet, and even quirky. Check it out!

Shop 3:

You all know I love kraft paper, right?

Bubby and Bean's cards caught my eye right away. I am completely obsessed with the XOXOXOXO card. If the brown kraft paper look isn't your jam like me, this shop has tons of other styles too! 

If any of you feel like sending me a valentine this year, feel free to send any single one of these:

Shop 4: 

I'm going to try not to go into a long diatribe about how much I love this shop. Gah. 

Reese and Jon are so dang talented- I majorly want their artistic skills. They have cards, calendars, brooches...and...crap I'm babbling. They have a card for anyone you can think of. I love the "You are the salt to my pretzel" and the foxes in love. Even if you aren't looking for a V-day cards, check out the shop and snag a few for future celebrations. 

Jon & Reese are offering 10% off all orders through 2/28 with the code HSWBB10. 

So there you have it. 4 amazing, talented, artsy shops to love and support.

Which of these 4 shops is your favorite?

Clearly you know I can't pick. They're all too good!

xo, lp

Pssst- those discount codes are good for a while, use 'em up team!

LOVELY THINGS OF VALENTINE'S DAY PAST

 If you've been hanging around here a while, you might remember last year how I confessed my reasons for loving Valentine's Day. [hint: heart patterned socks play a big role]

If you haven't been around, allow me to share with you a few favorite treats from last year. Links can be found in the descriptions to the original post!

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Let's start with the sweetest of them all, shall we? 

Ombre sugar sprinkle cookies. 

 Next in line? Fishing line + free paint chips=

Valentine's Hanging Heart Garlands (that were added into the post about V-Day traditions)

 Clearly I couldn't leave out valentines, so I made 5 different styles using watercolors, glitter, and more paintchips!

Valentine's Cards Ideas

Then there are these watercolors...that have been repinned a good amount on Pinterest (thank you!!), and were insanely easy.

Valentine's Watercolors

I dabbled a little in decorating candles, which I can't say I'd do again [read:GLITTEREVERYWHERE], but they sure were fun and festive!

V-day DIY Candles

And quite possibly my favorite- my flower failure that turned into this pretty mason jar display!

Valentine's flowers...and failing.

So there you have it kids. 

A lot of Valentine's projects...some better than others...all made with love. 

OH COME ON. You didn't expect one cheesy pun? It's Valentine's Day people, that's what it's all about.

Any fun V-day DIYs up your sleeves?

Share away, friends!

xo, lp