BLAH - BLAH - BLAH...Ok, Happy Valentine's Day ;-)

Yes, it is February 14th, Valentine's Day, and yes, I will post, but no, I will NOT get personal...so if you're here to try to get "juicy details" - move on...about as personal as I'm going to get today is to let you know that one of my best Valentine's ever was waiting for me this morning from Hannah (2 yummy special treats, of course) but a wonderful card declaring me to be the best mom ever (and she "seconded" the sentiment in her own writing :-)). Now you know that will warm my heart for a long, long time!

I did do some online surfing to see what Valentine goodies might catch my eye to share with you today and found some fun things and great new shops...

I LOVE this card from Hidenseek, an Etsy shop in the UK. This extremely talented artist brings to mind old-style children's books and fairy tales....and I couldn't resist the little girl's red dress and brown hair, although my hair was always cut in a pixie!

And, yes, now you know where my post title actually comes from - these soaps caught my eye when I was searching with the keyword "Valentine" and MariaElenaEvents has them in a large assortment of scents to choose from - a great deal! Plus, I really had to appreciate her sense of humor...

Now, for those of you who just can't make up your mind today...you may need this from FiligreeandFindings on ArtFire! What a great find!

Sometimes I like to window shop, and yes, even buy occasionally when I can, jewelry instead of making my own (I know, it's shocking, isn't it!)....if I could, these babies would be in my cart today! Maybe tomorrow (if you don't beat me to them!) ~ from one of my favorite artisans and a great pal, too...AbeleesHandcrafted on 1000Markets:

So, I do wish you a very wonderful Valentine's Day ~ may you be surrounded by all those who love you and filled with love yourself ~ blah, blah, blah! ;-) Peace...

P.S. A little "Valentine 101 Romance Advice" from Hannah as we're driving home from the "mountain" today ~
HANNAH: "Y'know, I think, alotta guys think it's romantic to teach their girlfriends to snowboard on a day like this and they're wrong."
ME: "Really?"
HANNAH: "Yeah, I mean, I can't tell you how many times I've heard on the lift, 'Why did you tell me to do that?' or 'You told me to do it that way!' or 'I just want to go home!' They should just let them learn on their own. I don't think I would want anyone trying to teach me how to snowboard."

You heard it here, guys -- listen up! Dinner and a movie - don't make it complicated.

PRETTY IN PINK

26 days and counting! :-) We celebrated yesterday by having the "final" baby shower for Sarah, themed appropriately, "Pretty in Pink," with lots of the designated color present ~ in gifts, decorations, apparel, and food. "Pink" was the "word" of the day. Guests included family and friends for a wonderful afternoon of hysterical games (Nicole, where do you come up with some of these?? "Break Your Baby's Water!"), great stories ("Bubbles and Suds"), delicious food (if you haven't tried out the new cake bakery in town ~ The Ribbon Box ~ make it a must do!), and most importantly, a showering of love on our favorite mama-to-be.

This new necklace and pair of earrings were inspired by our "Pretty in Pink" fun this weekend ~ and as I wait for the arrival of my first granddaughter, this may be the beginning of a new collection! Wait and see!

~Pretty in Pink Necklace

~Pretty in Pink Earrings

PRETTY IN PINK

You can tell by the "widget" on here, if you haven't already heard (!), that I'm on "MIMI" watch -- aka waiting to become a "grandmother" for the first time (and yes, I am being Mimi because I have "issues" with the "g" word so there...I've admitted it).

My daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Mike, have been married almost 3 1/2 years now and are expecting their first child, a daughter, in just over a month so life is very exciting right now. They live just a few blocks away from "soccer girl" and myself -- a real blessing, especially at this time!

Sarah's favorite color has always been pink so it was no surprise that to celebrate the upcoming "delivery," the nursery was "decked" out in traditional pink and white, and a final baby shower we have scheduled this week is themed "Pretty in Pink." :-)

Being the "good" Mimi-in-training that I am, I am really enjoying browsing and shopping for my new little granddaughter -- I've got some wonderful "pink" lovelies for the shower this week! Here are some absolutely new favorite finds -- pretty in pink and so much more!

An adorable gift set from ArtFire's flatplatypus ~

A precious sleeping gown from thepatacakebaby on Etsy ~

This wonderful, cozy hat from Etsy's bubblegirlknits ~

Ready for Valentine's Day? How about this onesie from sweet3leafprints at Etsy ~

Be prepared in style with these fashionable burp cloths from ImNotSpoiledDesigns on ArtFire ~

Oh, what fun! Reminds me of Sarah's very first "doll" when she was just days old - the sock monkey! From 1000Markets' monsterbugblankets ~

LIFE IS...

a box of chocolates! (Thank you, Forrest Gump!) And you know how I LOVE chocolate! So, let's celebrate life AND chocolate with a look at some favorite finds I've come across ~ and a new listing of mine as well! :-))

First things first -- self promotion is encouraged here! A new listing for me at the Art Fire shop, "Box of Chocolates" with deep, dark bronzite -- hmmm, dark chocolate - my favorite!

From VickiOrion, at Etsy, this "yummy" glazed donut...

Oh, these look so YUM-O from Whimsy&Spice!

Ok...so I LOVE blueberries and I LOVE dark chocolate ~ I'm SO guessing that THIS would be INCREDIBLE from Seth Ellis Chocolatier ~ oh, my!

Decisions, Decisions...

Midnight Inspiration Necklace
Originally uploaded by signaturesterling

Decisions, decisions....new creations finally photographed and ready for listing, but now the big decision! In which venue to place them! LOL!

Well, at least for tonight they can preview here and on Flickr until I make the final placement tomorrow...stay tuned or check out Etsy, ArtFire, and 1000Markets to see where these end up! :-)

January Blues Necklace

January Blues Earrings