Wednesday, January 29, 2014

sweet touches of valentine's day decor

 I've always liked Valentine's Day. It's one of those non-committal holidays ~
you're not expected to do anything for it (no big dinner, no company, no presents,
no going crazy with the decorations), but if you choose to do so, it can actually
be fun. When my kids were little, they used to get a kick out of having a heart-
shaped meatloaf for dinner and then a heart-shaped cake for dessert.
I still like putting little touches of decor around the house...


That porcelain box that says Love Letters? I've had that since I was a teenager.
I do have it filled with some of the love letters that I wrote to Brian when
we were dating.


 The framed family photo is from 2003, when we had our one and only "real" 
family vacation to Cancun, Mexico.


I found these little heart plates and bird salt and pepper shakers on sale at
Target last week.


And how cute is the matching bowl with the little bird perched on the edge?
You may remember the white metal cage I found while thrifting last week and
that I was saying I could use it for all kinds of decor...so there it sits on the
black tray filled with vintage teacups and a couple of red hearts.


Do you "celebrate" Valentine's Day in your home?

Linking up with Green Willow Pond: What We Accomplished Wednesday

27 comments:

  1. I am not really a decorator for valentines, but I have of course made my crochet heart garland which I like! I like all of your little decorations, just pretty little touches here and there to remind you it is Valentines, but not over the top! Very pretty. xx

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  3. HI Melanie;
    I so agree with you about Valentines Day decorating! Do as much or as little as you want, or do none. Last year I made crayon and wax paper hearts with my grandchildren. Put wax paper on ironing board covered with old towel or craft paper. Lay shredded crayon (easy to do with small paring knife) and put wax paper on top. Iron and let cool. Cut out in heart shape and cut small hole in top, use fishing line to hang. They loved it. This year we will make hearts out of fabric. Cut out with pinking shears and sew on outside. Stuff and sew. Not my idea, found it on another blog. Stay warm and Lets be Valentines! Love and Hugs, Nana

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    1. That is so sweet that you make Valentine's Day crafts with your grandchildren. You should put pictures on your blog! :-)

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  4. I don't think I ever have decorated for Valentines Day. Just skip right over it because a few days later is my b-day.
    Brenda

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    1. Since you love red so much, I could totally seeing you decorating for Valentine's Day using lots of red and pretty hearts.

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  5. Your decorations are so cute.

    I just set out all my Valentine decor today and am going to photograph it for a post tomorrow. Looking at your decor gave me an idea for my birdcage so I guess I am not finished. I'm not sure what I will put in it, but I think it needs something.

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    1. Can't wait to see your Valentine's Day decorations, especially now your birdcage!

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  6. Your decorations are so sweet, Melanie. I used to decorate more than I do now, but I've gotten rid of some of that stuff in the past few years. It was just getting too much to store it all. I do have a garden flag collection, and I like to change it for each season or holiday, so I put up my Valentine's flag the other day. It looks festive as you walk up to the house.

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    1. I wouldn't be able to stick a garden flag in our ground right now - it's covered with a foot of snow! ;-)

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  7. In the UK Valentines's Day used to be for children. (I'm talking about the 50s) As darkness fell a child would wait for a knock on the door. On the doorstep would be a small gift..colouring book crayons, a ball etc. This would happen several times during the evening. Of course the gifts had been bought by our parents, with neighbours taking the part of St Valentine. It always felt magical. I think this delightful custom has disappeared now, and the emphasis is all on cards, flowers, chocs etc for adults. Just anther little piece of magic gone from our world/

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    1. That is such an interesting custom, Lesley! I'd never heard of that. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. Love your little white lamp with the red trim, Melanie and it looks so fresh and pretty against the soft blue wall. Also, your buffet/sideboard is such a unique piece and I love the contrast of the walnut brown against the blue wall, too.

    I used to decorate for Valentine's Day when I first got married, and then again when Liberty was growing up, but I haven't for the past 10 years or so, unless I'm throwing a party for the occasion, in which case I'll do a tablescape and gifts for my guests.

    Poppy

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    1. Thank you for the compliments on the lamp and the buffet/sideboard, but that piece is really a butler's table. I know you can't see the whole thing in the photo. No party here for Valentine's Day - just the two of us!

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  9. Everything looks so sweet. Love the bowl with the bird perched on the side. Yes! We celebrate Valentines day. We stay very quiet and make a lovely dinner together complete with red, pinks and cute little valentines ;-)

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    1. I think staying home and making your own dinner is better and more romantic than going out. :-)

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  10. I wanted chocolate for Valentine's Day this year, but the cats are voting for tuna... I have a feeling I won't get any chocolate!

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    1. I think you should buy yourself some chocolates along with that tuna for your kitties!

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  11. Melanie,
    I enjoy decorating for Valentines Day too (as you know) I guess it just is a happy little mix of love and color. I really like how you used your birdcages and I am also
    liking how you incorporated your family vacation and frame into your vignette! Very, very pretty!

    xx-
    Jemma

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  12. I'll be decorating for Valentine's Day this weekend. I don't have lots of decorations, but enjoy the little touches of "love" around the house. :)

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    1. Your little touches of love are your sweet grandboys. :-)

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  13. I have a new blog address....http://simplybalisha.blogspot.com/ I have had countless problems with my computer and this was the only way to blog....Please come visit.
    Balisha

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  14. What nice little touches for Valentines. I used to do more when the kids were little, but I do always get them a little something and decorate minimally. I love the sentiment behind most of your decorations. Thank you for sharing it at to What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great week! ~Deborah

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