Things I Love Thursday: Special Valentine’s Edition

I’ll admit ~ I can be a fool for love. I’m also a fool for anything red or pink ~ or chocolate ~ and let’s not forget that I write (and read) romantic fiction! And while I can’t say doilies and red-cheeked Cupids are exactly my style, I do think it’s hard to go wrong with a day entirely devoted to LOVE in all shapes and forms.

So, in honor of next week’s V-Day, here are some supercute ~ or superdelicious ~ neat-o, maybe non-traditional, Valentine’s Day things I love from around the webs. Enjoy!

1. Raspberry White-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars via MyRecipes:

For the non-chocolate-eating loved ones in your life.

2. From GeekSugar: 50 Geeky Valentine’s Day Dates

Including: Make a pot of Earl Grey tea and watch a Star Trek marathon ~ which sounds like a normal day around here! Hahaha. It’s true. Especially now that you can Netflix all of the old Star Treks! All of ‘em! Oh, geeks. Yes, we are.

3. Super-great bike-themed Valentine e-cards from the San Francisco Bike Coalition:

4. Easy Melted Crayon Hearts from Martha Stewart Living:

Especially good if you have extra crayon nubs that you just know you can do something crafty with.

5. How to have a romantic Valentine’s Day alone, via The Frisky:

I personally would ditch the socks and do a pedicure instead, but to each her (or his, I suppose) own.

6. Awesome e-cards from someecards, always telling it like it is:

7. How to Make a Realistic Duct Tape Rose, via Instructables:

I think my honey might end up with black and silver roses. So Goth!

8. Via various craft blogs & Pinterest: Make a Deck of Cards Love Book

(from http://transcraftinental.blogspot.com)

(from http://papervinenz.blogspot.com/)

Beyond Valentine’s Day, I feel like this “book made with a deck of cards” has so many possibilities!

9. And don’t forget Rover and Fluffy! Valentine’s Day treats for your pets, via Etsy:

Not sure about Goldie and Tweetster, though…

10. Finally, I think this necklace says it all. Via Etsy (of course!):

I lurve youuuuuu! Have a fab-o weekend, y’all! <3

Are you a lover of love? A dreamer of dreams? Or a more practical, common-sense type?

Do you have any special Valentine’s Day plans?

Things I Love Thursday

Happy almost-Friday! It’s a big weekend around here ~ NO, not because of the Super Bowl. Our beloved 49ers did not make the cut. Big because on Sunday, I’ll be running my very first half marathon! I’m excited and only a little bit nervous, and I promise to post a post-race update

On other notes, I feel like there were some amazing blog posts, images, and news in the past week or so. Do you feel the same way? It was tough to pick just ten this week! Without further ado, here are the ones that made the cut. Enjoy!

1. From Smithsonian Magazine, gorgeous pictures from the Orchid Olympics:

2. The Beauty Department passed along some great tips for Blow-Drying Heavy Bangs.

One thing I always forget is their very first tip:

Always blow out your bangs while your hair is super wet.

D’oh! So that’s why my bangs frizz in weird ways some days. Click through the post for more excellent advice.

3. Via Dollar Store Crafts: Two-Ingredient Strawberry Fudge.

Seriously. It’s only two ingredients! And it’s pink! So easy and cute!

Did someone say Valentine’s Day??

4. Dolphins have learned to speak whale!

Via Boing Boing but posted all over the place. Okay, this is like a mermaid dream come true.

5. The Zhush displayed some beautiful ideas for decorating with stars.

6. The Subversive Copy Editor had some excellent tips for Responding to Electronic Editing.

Including what I personally think is a huge, vital, very valuable tip:

It’s best never to click Accept All Changes in Document, because that would render invisible your own new insertions and deletions, which your editor needs to see.

Click through for the rest. Writers AND editors, check it out!

7. Smitten Kitchen shared Buttermilk Roast Chicken.

Whoa. All-day chicken? Sounds like a Super Bowl party dream come true!

8. Confused by women’s clothing sizes? Slate explained why they will never make any sense.

What kills me is when I buy vintage clothes that are, like, ten full sizes larger than what I normally wear. Or how I can wear a full THREE SIZE DIFFERENCE between Old Navy and Ann Taylor. It’s so crazy!

9. Apartment Therapy showed off this stunning indoor swimming pool:

I am literally swooning with envy.

10. Finally, Real Simple had a quiz that might surprise you: What’s More Eco-Friendly?

Boo hoo! I did not do nearly as well as I thought I would. How good did YOU do?

Aaaaannnnd…. I’m out! Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

What are some great things you’ve seen this week?

Got any fun plans for the weekend??