valentine

vd.

it's valentines. my fave. 
i've not kept hidden the degree to which i love this day. the loving, and the coming together of mutually emotional people (even if said people are equally bitter) to enjoy one another's company - whether it be for valentines, galentines, or just enjoying a good old fashioned steak and beer (or, my much preferred, poutine). that is all to say.... i just love today.
so when minted approached me and wanted me to take a look at what they have to share with the world, then this lovely day of magical perfection was upon us.... incredible. timing. right?
minted is a site that crowd-sources independent design and art. it allows for designers and artists from all over to have a space in which their art is featured - and the space for that art to be produced in a variety of ways.
they also host a beautiful blog called julep - filled with wonderful images, guest posts from some of my favourites (like sfgirlbybay), and original DIY project... all in a beautiful space (which, to me is important in setting a blog apart).
whether it's cards, invitations, announcements, or simply prints of beautiful art, minted does a beautiful job of making life things easy. they've truly figured out what matters in making life easy. they will address your wedding invitations for you. they'll create beautiful calendars filled with photos or artwork - nothing like the ones my sisters and i used to make as kids (dare i say, gifts to make my mom cry the hardest at Christmas this year?? anyone else play this game? no? cool).
i have a dear friend who every year, sends me a personalized christmas card - with her and her husband's name on it. it's always spectacularly printed, and reminds me of bridesmaids - as though she's helen (but MUCH more likeable), and the rest of the world (me included.... ok. mostly just me) is annie. i can now say i've figured it all out. minted. i'm going to blow her out of the WATER this year. any site who can create a beautiful, personalized card for me to send all of my friends? dreamy.
and, of course, they give credit where credit is due - by creating a space for artists to sell their artwork, to people like you and i, in formats that will make our homes beautiful. prints of graphics, paintings, drawings, and anything in between. enough to make people wonder what kind of fancy pants art scene you're part of...
photos styled: 1  //  2
it's all too much really. beautiful art. personalized printed goods done right. a blog hosting some of my favourites, and some original, simple, and beautiful DIYs. 
go buy a love print. send out some cards. read the blog. you can come back and thank me later. 
---------------------------------------
**as I make every effort to make this blog about transparency and reality, it is important that i share that this is a sponsored post. however, what's important to note is that i NEVER endorse products/services on my blog that i wouldn't truthfully use in my day to day life, or seek out without a sponsorship. with this said, you can trust that everything written in sponsored posts is my honest opinion, and my own reflections of the product or service(s) i'm sharing. really. these things are just plain awesome.

it's the most wonderful time of the year

IT'S VALENTINE'S DAY.
everyone. listen up. did ya hear? it's the special day.
i love today. i love it. 
i know, i know. i am the antithesis of love. how can i adore a hallmark holiday? how can i sell out, and bask in the enjoyment of other's misery, to the delight of those in looooooove?
it's not that. it's not romantic love that i love.
you know what i love? giving heart pencils to my coworkers, and sending child valentines to far away friends. i love that when i was 6, our school set up a legit post office, and we could mail valentines to people in the school - post marked and everything. i love that even if people are bitter, and hate the day, it even pushes those people to spend it with their best friends in the world, just to rant about those in love.
guess what angry people - joke's on you. you spent the day with people you love TOO! take that.
so. today, i share my favourite love things. because it's my blog, and i get to do what i want. and, i know that SOMEWHERE down there, if my cold black heart was get a bit more squishy today, yours can too.
read this. justin created this stunning love letters for his girlfriend. neighbouring camps. it's all in there. perfection. hand designed address labels, beautiful calligraphy, love letters sent from place to place. i want these - not love letters, just someone to send me things that are so painstakingly designed as the detail on these envelopes!

this was a tote done by fieldguided - they don't have it anymore, but they have a 'there is thunder in our hearts' tote (heart, heart. same, same), which is equally beautiful. carrying love. plus, it's practical - as love should be - and simple, so you can use it for everything. or, go with the skull and roses bag ('mr. horticulture') from danielle at dinosaur toes. equally love related - because who doesn't love a skull full of roses!

feeling exceptionally bitter? watch one of these 10 worst valentine's films ever. i am so in love with the movie revolutionary road, it only makes sense to dedicate many valentines days to it. that's true love - i'm telling you (photo via). movies that are dripping in hate, heart wrenching agony, and the reality and truth of relationships and love. cheating, lying, heartbreak, lonliness. reality. and then, you can feel sorry for people in love, instead of being pissed off at them.

sam does these incredibly artistic valentines. and she encourages people to print them and send them! whaaaaaa?? and even if you're not going to send them, just take a look. they're beautiful. easy peasy valentines for friends and colleagues you may have forgotten about (oops).

i always spend the day listening to anti-valetines music (don't try to figure me out - this brain of mine is a real fun house of confusing proportions). you can listen to these people rant about love. alternatively, you can listen to lovey dovey music here. which only salvages itself because robbie williams is on the list.

and, in case all of those lovely things didn't help, or quell your distaste and overall hatred of this wonderful holiday, then some things to remember on valentines. (hint: CHEAP CANDY). here's my holiday tip - stock up on candy hearts, and freeze them. THEY WILL LAST ALL YEAR. yes. things i've learned from years of pining for those lovely firey hearts year round, without being able to fulfill cravings.
call someone you love today. mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin. friend, colleague, someone you lost touch with. call them. do it. and then, eat red candy that only comes once a year, and watch a horror movie. what would valentines be without a horror movie??!?!
i'm spending valentines handing out pencils and candy to friends, and then having poutine, and beer in a travel mug with jeff. it's just the way i like it.

last minute nellies - don't worry.

ahhhhh it's the day before valentines what are you going to DO?!?!
don't worry. i gotchu.
make a heart elbow pad sweater - that's what!
but seriously. here are some awesome valentine's DIYs. no shame in giving THOSE as gifts (and absolutely no shame in doing them yourself the day before).
do you mean serious business with your vday gifts? homemade suckers. fo suckas. (sorry).

stiched felt valentines heart pins. huzzah!

heart elbow patches (see? i wasn't joking about that).

tights! with hearts on them!

this wall is made of CHOCOLATE! guys. that is important for everyone. 

and then elsie and emma of a beautiful mess helped immensely  by rounding up their top 20 DIY ideas on their own blog. perfection!

my challenge? make yourself a chocolate wall tonight. THEN. when you wake up, you will have a chocolate wall gift - TO YOURSELF. 
genius.