romance is not dead

everyone says that valentine's day is a hallmark holiday, its overrated, blah, blah, and blah; but i tend to disagree. i dont need roses and chocolates, but i think that there is something to be said for appreciating the special person in your life and putting a smile on their face. And that includes your parents, siblings and anyone else that you are close to! here is a whole bunch of inspirations from different websites for your special someone.

romantic bedroom ideas
handmade card ideas
martha craft and homemade gifts


STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE:

Serves 6

FOR THE SHORTCAKE
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup cold heavy cream
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water or milk, for egg wash


FOR THE STRAWBERRIES
2 pints fresh strawberries
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier liqueur
Sweetened whipped cream

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Sift the flour, two tablespoons sugar, the baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Blend in the butter on low speed and mix until the butter is the size of peas. Combine the eggs and heavy cream and, with the mixer still on low, add to the flour and butter mixture. Mix until just blended.
3. Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough ½-inch thick. You should see lumps of butter in the dough. Cut 16 biscuits with a two-inch plain round cutter and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Brush the tops with the egg wash. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned and the insides are fully baked. Cool.
5. To serve, toss the strawberries with the granulated sugar and Grand Marnier. Place the berries in martini glasses, top with a dollop of whipped cream, and serve with two small shortcakes on the side.


"If you have the time to marinate the strawberries for a half hour, they'll make a sauce that's delicious."
"This dough is quite wet. Use lots of flour when you roll it out so the biscuits don't stick."

BBM

(BBM) came out with these fireplace screens that aren't for sale (sucks).

via stray dogs

lady of the manor

loving anthro's wallpaper selection...perfect for lining your dresser drawers, your closet walls, or maybe behind your bookshelf for a pop of pattern...just a suggestion.

 

modern goes country

even though i am not a huge modernist fan, who doesn't like dwell magazine? dewell's november issue is all about 'Back to Basics. Modern Goes Country.' the cover below is some house in europe, which i couldn't find images for (so go buy the magazine), but the inside to me feels unfinished compared to the outside.

the second house is couple of hours outside chicago and i think the getaway cabin is well done and simple.

 

 

andrew pinkham

found out about a new local artist during the fall festival that i volunteered for this weekend. he does portraits for all of the species, however, i think that the animals are far more interesting.

ellen hanson

nyc interior designer ellen hanson's new york apartment below. check out all the pictures from design sponge.

via design sponge

yaya chou

yaya chou makes creative choices in her artwork. materials that i would never think to use. check out the gummi bear items she has made.

 

this is glamorous

love these shots of the country.

 

photos from the following:

country living via vt interiors;  

elle decor via the city sage;

photography by mark scott via four walls and a roof;

 

winn perry

i just like how this store is laid out. see more at design sponge.

empire vintage

this is what i imagine my new place; at least having the same feel: from lynda gardner's home.

 

 

 

cookie cutter

you have a piece of ikea and so does everyone of your neighbors within your 100 miles radius. use this website to change your piece up a bit, by laminating over your piece.

certainly wood has every type, shape, color, tree wood veneer you could every want. and its only about $1-? a square foot. so not bad, and they take any size order (however, you might have to buy in their sheets, which can be up 125" long). 
below this piece is $2.50sq ft and it comes in 24"-36"