So last post pretty much illustrated the fact that Valentine's Day brings out my super cheesy side. What can I say, the girl can't help it. Aside from celebrating it this year in our new place, I'm also excited because it falls on a Thursday which allows me a solid excuse to drink on a school night. Get your damn hands up. The precious bottle of bubbly is nestled safe and cozy in the fridge ready to be busted open in about 48 hours. Yes, I'm counting down.
In the mood for indulgences and feeling totally fem, here are a some fun things that have been getting me all aflutter for this year's Valentine's Day....
My little coquine box? Oh là là. My dear friend Kristen (also known around these parts as Madame Kale) passed on this little preciousness from her My Little Paris February delivery. I took it upon myself to jazz it up with candy hearts because nothing says coquine more than a heart that reads "Adore Me". But no really, who would ever say that?
To see the contents of this goodie box, check out Mary-Kay's post on Out and About in Paris for the scoop! I'll give you one hint: black panties. Is it just me or does that make anyone else giggle?
After dinner glasses that I picked up on sale at Ikea.
Although I seldom partake in an after dinner drink,
I couldn't resist the red polka dots that go perfect with the
Keith Haring tray I found last year at
Le Musée en Herbe
Although I seldom partake in an after dinner drink,
I couldn't resist the red polka dots that go perfect with the
Keith Haring tray I found last year at
Le Musée en Herbe
Like the dangling door heart, the decoration action continues.
I'm not kidding when I say that I can't help it.
I'm not kidding when I say that I can't help it.
But wait...it gets worse.
I just had to have the Valentine's Day themed
hors d'oeuvres and mini fondue kit from Picard.
So ridiculously kitch that it actually strums on my heart chords.
I'll let you know how the lip-shaped block of foie gras is.
To me this rings more Rocky Horror than day o' love,
but we shall see..
As for gifting, I'm offering my Valentine a D.I.Y scrap book with photos and souvenirs of the past two years, complete with my captions.
So ask me one of the things I really do miss having access to in the States?
Three words: Michael's Craft Store.
Where else could I find red polka dot card stock, French flag ribbons, a blue Vespa sticker that resembles Séb's and a blue raspberry Airhead to nosh on while I wait in line? Not in Paris that's for sure.
Je te love!
And...
...a peek at the wedding invite!
2 countries, one big party, indeed...
I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day.
Eat, drink and laugh!
Bisous.
Here's what was happening last Valentine's Day!
2 countries, one big party, indeed...
I'm sorry guys, I'm sure I'm probably making some of you really sick with my merriment for a day that most people absolutely despise. Rest assured that I'll be back to my biting, cynical, crass self next week. How could I not? My mother will be here. She'll make sure of it.
I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day.
Eat, drink and laugh!
Bisous.
Here's what was happening last Valentine's Day!
Even though I'm single (mostly by choice), I still love Valentine's Day. And I like to watch others love it too. Reading you gush is wonderfully uplifting; so glad that you did it! Enjoy your Valentine's Day, and your mum's visit. (PS. I'll celebrate mine with wine for one and some sort of romantic movie ... or two ... and some chocolate. It's all good!) ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm like you (must be an Evergreen thing!), I love Valentine's Day even when I'm single. Why shouldn't we? Other than indulging in a day to eat sweets and drink bubbly 9or wine), it's knowing that January is long behind us, the days are noticeably longer (it gets completely dark by 6:30 now!) and spring is just around the corner!
DeleteI hope you had a fabulous day with your movies and chocolate. Sounds perfect to me. : )
Love the kitsch!:) A few years back, I bought tacky red and white heart-shaped pasta for dinner;) It was a laugh:) We usually celebrate V-Day by buying each other a bottle of liquor and a super tacky card:) And as luck would have it, my husband's birthday is the next day:) And I'll be working on both evenings. Oh well:) I'm taking him out to brunch in a "spinning" restaurant (yes, it spins 360 degrees above Ottawa;)) sometime this month and to a Diana Krall concert on Oscar night!;) Which reminds me that I should really get him a couple of tacky cards before Thursday;)
ReplyDeleteLove the lippy foie gras;) Very Dr Frankenfurter-like;)
I love the idea of this pasta! You had mentioned it last year and I was on the lookout for something like it this year....but no such luck.
DeleteOooh I love spinning restaurants! I ate in the rotating Space Needle restaurant. Over priced and a bit tacky but so much fun to get a 360 view of Seattle. I love that city.
Diana Krall! Excellent.She's my writing music, actually. They play her all the time on TSF jazz here, which makes me happy because I would never hear her on American radio. .
I hope you had a lovely day yesterday and an even lovelier birthday weekend together! : )
ROFLMAO, that foie gras slays me!
ReplyDeleteHahaha! It's pretty ridiculous, isn't it?
DeleteAre you kidding? I LOVED THIS! I doubt we will be doing much of anything this year (Kipling would be our gift) so I will live vicariously through you.
ReplyDeleteHappy St Valentines a day early!!!
xo,
h
Thanks so much Heather! I had fun this year with the trinkets and such! I just can't help it. : )
DeleteKipling is such a beautiful Valentine's day memory for you two to share. I hope he's recovering well and no gnawing at his stitches. I'll have to hop over to Arles to see what's going on chez vous!
You made the box look so cute! I'm also loving all the sneak peek photos of your apartment decorating. Everything looks great. Aside from the gift, I've done nothing for V day. I better get on it... Sir L deserves a nice dinner! Happy happy hearts day to you both! x
ReplyDeleteThanks! The apartment isn't done yet but when it is I see a ladies lunch happening. I'm thinking a spring revival theme!
DeleteWhat did you guys end up doing? I'm sure whatever it was, it was elegant and chic comme vous! : )
Omg!! I totally want those lips from Picard, too!! I think they're ridiculously hilarious! Re: the craft stores, have you heard of Rougier et Plé? Head to the one at Filles at Calvarie - 4 floor arts & craft store!
ReplyDeleteAren't the lips hysterical? That was one of the few times that I bought something immediately after seeing an ad in the metro. Did you end up getting them?
DeleteThanks for the tip on the crafts store! I used to live in this area, I can't believe I never noticed it. I can't wait to check it out. Really, thank you so much!!!
I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day too, Miss Lauren Loo. : )
Yes! He loved them! He's even saving them for a special occasion which means something because, well, he's a guy, and has no self-control when it comes to food!
DeleteYou're so totally welcome about the craft store address, it's my pleasure to share. They're actually a group of stores, but I like this one the best. BHV also has a rad craft section and there's 'Le Géant des Beaux-Arts' over in the 13e but it's very much a 'fine arts' store.
Had a splendid day, thank you! Hope you had a great day, too! xx
You're such a coquine, Mlle Ella! The good folks at "My Litte Box" should have consulted with you about what to put inside YOUR box! They definitely missed out on the little candy hearts.
ReplyDeleteI love how you've decorated your mantlepiece, including the pic of Seb and you! Best wishes for a very romantic Valentine's Day. Just one word of warning, be sure to cover your Picard lips with plastic wrap if you put them on a plate in the refrigerator. I didn't and they dried out - the end result was less than sexy.
Thanks for the shout-out!
Hahaha, they really should have consulted with me! That would have been a super fun project! Maybe next year! Hahaha "my box", why MK you sassy, sassy minx you.
DeleteWe didn't have the lips yet, we're going to have them this weekend, but good to know about wrapping them. I wouldn't have thought to do that. Thanks for the warning!
I hope you ate lots of chocolate and drank some bubbly with your family!
I love this post! Like a lot! It sucks that Valentine's Day falls during the week, because that means I won't be able to spend it with J. It's our first one together (and my first one in a serious relationship), and we don't even get to celebrate it. I'm sure we'll do something this weekend, but it's just not the same. If I didn't have my first law class on Friday, I'd sure as hell be off to Lille.
ReplyDeleteI hope you both enjoy Valentine's Day!
Thank you so much Shannon!! Didn't you know that Valentine's Day lasts the entire weekend? I'm sure you two will find a way to make up for not being together on Thursday! : )
DeleteBon week-end!
Apparently, he has something up his sleeve for this afternoon! I can't wait!
Deletewell this valentine's my hubby is out of town so I'll have to celebrate with my son..haha...
ReplyDeleteand Duchesse....Diana Krall on Oscar night?? I"ll be in the Dominican on Oscar night but still have to watch it.
Well, she's only in Ottawa that weekend and I couldn't get a ticket for the Saturday night show:( But I'll be taping the Oscars and watching them when I get home, so I can fast-forward the boring bits (which is most of the show anyway if we're honest here...;)
Deleteyou have a point my friend.
DeleteHi Ladies!
DeleteDeb - I hope you had a nice Valentine's Day with your son. I've spent a lot of mine with my mom, and they were some of the best. My favorite was in 2007 and we were snowed but found a bottle of pink Veuve Clicquot that she had left in a gift bag in her closet for a year. We polished that puppy off while watching Lifetime movies. And ooooh you're going to the Dominican? Good for you!!!
Duchesse - Good call on fast-forwarding the Oscars "fluff". That award ceremony is the one time of year I actually feel sorry for the celebrities because they don't have the luxury to fast-forward like we do! Mwuahahaha!
Well you have certainly inspired me. From Valentine grump to present fairy. My husband will be so pleased!
ReplyDeleteFeels much better to be cheery than a grump! How do you do a smiley face )- -(... whatever!
I'm so glad that I brought out your inner cupid! I'm more than happy to be a positive inspiration especially when there is love and gifting involved! I hope you two had a lovely day yesterday!
DeleteEverything looks so cute... Except that foie gras, which looks shady as!
ReplyDeleteWe didn't eat them because I forgot to defrost them before leaving for work. We'll have them this weekend and I'll tell you how they are. What Gwan, you don't want foie gras in the shape of juicy red lips? : P
DeleteI love it Lisa!
ReplyDeleteIf there is a day you should not feel ridiculous to be corny, cheesy, silly, or whatever pleases you, is this day...why not?
Have a wonderful Valentine's, drink lots of Cremante and eat lots of chocolate!
Enjoy being in love.
♥♥
Thanks Sylvia! You're absolutely right! If there's any day to cheese it up, it's Valentine's Day! I certainly filled my quota for the season. : )
DeleteWe actually had champagne last night. Like real champagne! Since we've been so good with budgeting this year, we owed to ourselves to the treat of the real stuff!
I hope you had a lovely day as well. I will hop over to your blog to see what's going on with you.
Good ideas for Valentine's Day! I find it so difficult finding a gift for a man, but at least mine loves chocolate. Next year I hope to make a craft-y card so hopefully I'll be able to find some of those Michaels-esque craft supplies SOMEWHERE in this country.
ReplyDeleteMan gifting is the worst! Anything that they really want is almost always expensive because it's usually found at the Apple store, you know?
DeleteI bought him a massage kit and it came with one of those wire scalp massage tools that send chills all throughout your body. I love those things...luckily so did my fiance. He practically melted off the chair!
Lauren Lou posted above that there's a place called Rougier et Plé by the Marais. Good to know! I'm going to check it out this weekend and will report back!
I hope you had a lovely V day!
If those are your wedding invites than all i can say is, "Perfect!" Love, love, love all your ideas. You make me want to fall in love all over again.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm so glad you like them, they're much more fun than the original invites that my grandmother wanted for the NY wedding. I'm starting to realize that all of that happened for a very good reason!
DeleteThanks for commenting and I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day!
Your decorations, goodies, homemade cards and trinkets are just TROP CHOU ! Enjoy the bubbly, the fondue and the romantic evening with your chéri ! <3
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day!
I received a bouquet of flowers this morning from mon barbu (who's in Asia) so I'm happy. :)
Trop chou and trop cheesy! I'm bonafide cornball. There. It's out there for all to know!
DeleteWe had a nice night of homemade pizza, champagne and strip poker! : )
Hope you guys make up for lost time this weekend! Oh la la! ; )
Just be happy you didn't buy the special Picard Valentine's Lasagne.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, I didn't see it! I probably wouldn't have bought it because we made a homemade spinach pizza last night.
DeleteDid you buy it? Was it awful?
I hope you had a lovely V day!
Apparently the "beef" in it is actually horsemeat. Huge agrobusiness scandel right now both here and in the UK. Picard says they've pulled their stock of lasagne and spagetti bolognese (the offenders!) but still...I'd stay away from their (and Findus') meat-based products for now.
DeleteLovely V day...roses at work, dinner at a fancy restaurant (which ironically featured steak de cheval on the menu!)and a Meteo France thermometer thingy so I can tell how cold it is outside before I get dressed and actually have to go outside.
Aw, romance.
We never do anything for Valentine's day, but this photo of foie gras bisous made me go to Picard today ;-) I hadn't read the comments under this post till now, I can see I'm not the only one who finds them irresistible... Have a nice evening!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that I had to leave it out for a few hours, so we didn't end up eating them last night. We will this weekend. How were yours?
DeleteThe biscuit is a little too thick and tends to mask the taste of the other ingredients, but it's still good and quite funny. I left them in the fridge for 3 hours before serving. Enjoy!
DeleteThanks for the review! Looking forward to them later today!
DeleteAnd I'm very flattered by a certain detail on pic n°4 ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe love it so much! Thank you for giving us the Paris vs. New York book! It's so clever and so "us"!
DeleteIt's been a long and winding road to romance. No one would begrudge you your happiness. Shout it from the rooftops, sista'! Here's hoping your joie de vivre rubs off on me! Happy VD to you and your one and only.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your invitations are cool!
Thank you so much for this comment, really. I sometimes worry if I'm communicating that my life now is "so awesome" because I'm in a relationship. Of course, it's great but I do believe that true happiness comes from within. I've spent some of my happiest and liveliest years as a single girl, now that's something to shout from the rooftops!
DeleteThank you again for your comment and Happy Valentine's Day to you mystery reader! : )
That wedding invite is ADORABLE. So cute! My aunt works at Michael's... and let me tell you, that is a dangerous store to have a discount at! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! We're having a hipster wedding by default because it's cheaper so we figured we'd start with the invites!
DeleteDiscount.at.Michael's.
I'm short circuiting right now. That's so awesome. That place is paradise!
It's only the coolest wedding invitation ever! (I'm keeping mine on the fridge)
ReplyDeleteWhy oh why didn't I got to Picard??? I had no idea they would have all that cute stuff for Valentines Day! I feel like a failure.
And seriously Ella, the more I read your posts, the more I know that you and I have to hang out... the Rocky Horror and Keith Haring references did it for me this time :)
Happy belated Valentine's Ella!
ReplyDeleteLove the gifts you cooked up this year but adore your wedding invites even more!