Homefront: Valentine's Mantel Decorating

 My mantel post is late this month! I kept it low key with only one obvious Valentine decoration, my large glittery red love bird heart. I couldn't find my Valentine decor box, but that's fine. After seeing the photos, there are some changes I would make, but I'm trying to not be too fussy right now. One thing I miss though, was my heart doily arch from last year in our old home.

 This little tiny pic of us was when we were engaged about 8 years ago. Our first Valentine's Day, was a tad over a month after we met. We exchanged Fossil watches (total coincidence) and was the first time he officially told me the "L" word... unless you count the other time he said it on accident when we were hanging up the phone one night, so we totally pretended it didn't happen ;)

I finally found our family pictures, so while I have no frames, I thought it looked cute on the clipboard for now.

I made my paper heart garland out of a newspaper and twine, it took 15 minutes to make, and my 5 year old helped. Just cut out lots of hearts, stick some tape on the backs and hole punch over the tape. Thread it on the twine and you're done. I got lucky in that my paper had lots of valentine and marriage references in it. Justiana Blakeney has a good tutorial on this at Design*Sponge.

I am rally wanting to hang this mirror above the mantel shelf. Can you spy something that doesn't belong in this photo?
 

*More beautiful mantles here and here.*

Valentines Favorites

valentine arrows tutorial by the thompson family via design sponge

As with all holidays, I enjoy learning a bit of the history, who was the Saint, what were the pagan beliefs, how was it commercialized and spread worldwide? Go here for some excellent reading on Valentine's Day.

 But I also love the treats, the warm feelings declared by not only lovers, but friends and family as well. The decorations and of course, the treats are definately a huge plus as well! What is your favorite association or anti-reasoning of this holiday?

valentine cookies by i am mommy ... cookie and frosting recipe here

valentine fort tutorial by justina blankeney via design sponge

shakespearean paper garland by bookity

 valentine heart cake tutorial by i am mommy

vintage inspired paper heart garland by edge inspired

love swan valentine shadow by by jessica jane

 lots of free valentine printables  complied at living locurto (those shown by pepto girl)

valentine cards free pdf images and garland idea from vanessa of a fanciful twist

 valentine mice by betz white

valentines mantel by the stories of a2z linky

(her mantle here

valentine strawberry chocolate cupcakes recipe by tidy mom

*Bakerella's valentine baking round up. 

*Living Locurto's valentine baking round-up

*I am mommy valentine baking round-up

Get the Look: Cozy Little Aqua Sitting Room

lonny mag

A room I have been enamored with for a while. Just a simple little space, full of character, color and coziness.

Here are a few little found favorites that would help you achieve a similar fee, if you felt so inclined.

vintage red wing violin 1950's wall pocket via antionettes whims

mirror hollywood regency gold gilt french style wall mirror via fabulous mess
(Okay, so this mirror has a very different style than the one in the original room, but I still love it.)

spray paint these white if you must: shabby chic lime green syroco wall shelves sconees via rubys girl

vintage turquoise and gold vases via betty sells sea shells

 woman pencil portrait via faffina 

cloud birds pillow cover by skinny laminx

 morroccan lantern via casbah decor 

snuggle pillow dark yellow faux fur cover by pillow talk 33

vintage crewel embroidery pillow cover via eberplex

 

 8 point whitetail deer antlers via kennys antiques 

 laerke duvet cover turquoise urban outfitters

vintage yellow shabby chic roses painting via lady green jeans

mantida rug by anthropologie

 handcrafted jones end table by nyen designs

modern solid brass letter g via jolly time one

Inspired Color: Pinks and Wild Florals

floral pink footed bathtub by lama designs

I feature pink a lot on here, (like here) or sfgirlbybays post here). It's something that can be very soft and sweet, but I love it with a hint of a gothic feel, even masculine. I'm not a big 'hot pink' person, but there is a fine line with the intensity of the color and what it's paired with for a mature audience.

 Paired with these pink touches, there seems to be an element of some nature inspired flourish. Flowers, branches, zebra stripes or whatever, I'm seeing a recurring theme and I'm loving it.

rustic dining room ~ shilobyrd

living room ~lonny mag

pincusion chair pumpkin pouf plumo

 floral tapestry wallpaper, french provencal bedroom

 fireplace pink and white eclectic fireplace with zebra rug ~ domino

joy isaacs london home via tea party crasher blog

 deer painting colorful white interior via atlanta homes and lifestyles 

Illustrator: Jason Holley

 Jason Holley is an illustrator and art teacher at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. I am quite fond of these prints of his, I especially adore his "The Newest Indians." There is quite a bit of charm and depth to his little subjects, he obviously has a lot of respect for nature and science.