OK, Valentines Day is right around the corner… what does that mean for you?  Yikes! The pressure is on or… can’t wait to pull out the stops…

Speaking as a happily married woman and have said before~ there are two ingredients that keep romance alive in our relationship: knowing each other and surprising each other!

In other words, keep them guessing by paying attention to them.  Sound cryptic?  Sorry about that but it’s different for everybody.  No two couples are alike and no one knows your mate better than you do!

The beauty of knowing each other is a lifelong process and one you can embrace, every day. Wondering about the surprise element?  Simply stated, SURPRISE HIM (btw, this idea should work both ways!)

For instance… You hate stock-car racing but he LOVES stock-car racing.  Surprise him with tickets and cheer with him the whole day, acting like it’s a blast to watch cars crash into each other.  The day might not be too miserable after all and besides, it’s not about you it’s about him and that is my point!  Trust me, he will appreciate it!  I encourage you to use your imagination and add spice to make your date even more memorable. Wink

OK, Valentines Day specifics…

Mood or Ambiance:

1. low level lighting

2. R&B in the background

3. dining in with favorite foods

What to do:

1. redo, redefine or rediscover a memorable date

2. write a love letter

3. go to dinner, a walk

4. Fill your place with flowers

Aphrodisiacs… (ok, even if they are fact or fiction, you can’t deny the history behind the idea of them…

1. oysters: (for me yuck, but my husband loves them)

2. le chocolat:

3. almonds

4. asparagus (really? It’s the Vitamin E)

5. chili peppers

No need to spend a lot of money~ nothing will touch the heart of your partner more than your thoughtfulness and allowing what is special and unique about your partner~ to lead the way!

Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts?

My first tag~ by the lovely Amy Jean of Relentless Bride

THE RULES:
Step 1: respond and rework-answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.
Step 2: tag-eight other un-tagged people.

So, here we go!

Make a list of things you can see without getting up: right now: two orchid plants, computer, pics, window to the great outside

What were you like when you were five? Lived in the city and loved to climb anything and everything.

What are you wearing now? Jeans and striped sweatshirt

What color is your bedroom? rose/cream walls w/ white lights above window.

What’s the last thing you read/are currently reading? The Shack

Do you nap a lot? Nope. But, if I need to… a good 10 minute-er will do the trick.

Who was the last person you hugged? My husband.

What’s your favorite candy? Hot tamales

What was the last thing you ate today? Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal~ or something like that.

What was the last thing you said aloud? Good Morning Rene’

What websites do you always visit when you go online? Google Reader, twitter, Email

What was the last thing you bought? Small dark roast at Caribou

What are you listening to right now? Rene’ tapping on her keyboard

What movie are (or were!) you most excited to show your kids? Wind in the Willows

If you could have any super power, what would it be? wipe out evil

What is your favorite weather, and why? Cool, comfortable fall weather

What time do you usually get up? 5:30AM

What is your most challenging goal right now? Finding the time to stay in shape.

Say something to the person who tagged you: Amy Jean, you are a doll! Your tender heart touches so many! You are a jewel…

If you could have a house-totally paid for, fully furnished-anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? In Oregon, on the coast.

Favorite vacation spot? Around Hayward, WI

What is your favorite children’s book? Pippi Longstocking books

Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you: eating just one more piece of pizza!

If you could meet anyone famous – dead or alive - Can I pick 2… George Washington & Emily Dickinson

What is your favorite… sunset or sunrise? sunrise

I tag the following: Furrie Fotographie, BrideChic and  Wellspring Photo Brilliant Event Planning

It’s time once again to celebrate the fabulous photography I’ve seen around the web this week.   There is so much unique talent; I could literally spend my entire day exploring and scouring blogs for more, more more!

So, without further ado… Via Pink Galoshes, allow me to introduce NYC photojournalist Agaton Strom.

I’m enthralled by the softness… playfulness… and the intimacy of the above photo and the expression of a thousand words in the beautiful bride below. Stunning.

And, from Jared Wilson Photography…  Loving this adorable couple having the funnest fun in their engagement shots in the snow, while it’s snowing.  Yikes!  Look how deep the snow is!

And, via Snippet and Ink, these outstanding shots from One Love Photo.

A stolen moment in the garden….  Earthy and romantic.  LOVE IT!  I’m also LOVING those blue shoes!

And how about this lil cutie pie who’s definitely got her dancing shoes on?

and finally, from Jenna Walker Photography… This bride is radiant!  And, wow wow, what a church! Do I spy Honeycomb cereal at the candy bar…? Perfect.

Do something nice for yourself and spend some quality time checking out the rest of these real weddings on their blogs.  It’s time well spent! Each talent and style so distinct…

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know you were here!

I attended an outdoor wedding last spring held at a rural camp in an absolutely gorgeous setting ~ miles of rolling hills covered with various green texture and dotted with wildflowers here and there, the totally charming feel of ruralness complete with country-bred buildings, warm and simple furnishings and lots and lots of wide open space.

The ceremony was held in the side yard of the mess hall facing aforementioned stunning hilly backdrop and the guests sat on benches designed for campers during story hour.  It was a beautiful May afternoon, the wind just a tad brisk and lots of warm sunshine.

The reception of this beautifully simple wedding was held in a large white tent in which several round tables were covered in white linen with fresh flowers scattered around the sweetest, most personal centerpieces I have ever seen.  This adorable couple, both of them professional photographers, placed a different photo of themselves on each table inside a thin glass frame.

The effect was a classy, simple, definitely organic centerpiece that showed off both their good looks and incredible talent.  The guests seated around our table passed the photo around, and it started a conversation among perfect strangers about how we knew the couple.  We all learned something new about the bride and groom while getting to know some really nice people, too!

A centerpiece doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to look fabulous.

One very smart couple decided on a signature drink for their reception and part of their table decorations included a small pitcher for each guest along with the recipe for that signature drink ~ sparkling ginger lemonade.  Imaginative, clever, and oh so simple.

Do you have a little piece of your lives that you could somehow incorporate on your reception tables?  What could you use for a centerpiece that would be elegantly simple and yet entertaining at the same time?

Here’s to helping you keep costs down,

Cheryl

Photo courtesy In Style Weddings