Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing all of you a romantic and delicious day ..... LET LOVE RULE!

VALENTINE'S DAY TABLETOP DECOR

A Valentine's Day Table for Your Dearly Beloveds

This is a fun and chic way to decorate your tabletop for a colorful and interesting Valentine's Day Affair. It is easy to make and you will enjoy every step.

Make a love statement. Say it with papier-mâché letters ($4 each, Joann) découpaged in pretty paper (Pacon Spectra, $10.89 for 100 sheets, paper.com). Trace the letters onto your paper and cut them out. Use a print for the edges and a solid red for the front and back. Stick the paper shapes onto your letters using a foam brush and a few top coats of Mod Podge ($4.12 for 8 oz., plaidcraftexpress.com).

Hit the grocery aisles for a festive, budget-friendly centerpiece! You'll need two vases, one that’s clear and big enough to hold the smaller vase.

Fill the smaller one with water and a bunch of light and dark pink carnations, and place inside the larger vase. Fill up the space between the vases with red pistachios!

Surprise your loved ones with simple valentines wrapped around their dinner napkins. Cut out hearts from colored paper, then use rubber stamps and ink pads from Michaels to stamp on a few cute images with greetings to match. Here, we paired a cup of joe with "I like you a latte." Punch a hole in the top of each heart, thread with ribbon and tie around napkins. A 12-inch lace paper doily (craft or grocery stores) slipped under everyone's plate makes for a sweet place mat.

Use delicate laser-cut filigree cupcake wrappers ($13 for 12, paperorchid.com) to pretty up after-dinner treats like colorful chocolate candies.

And voila, there you have a masterpiece for the heart!!

Courtesy of delish.com 

FOODS TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so I thought I start the month sharing a few delectable ingredients to start getting you in the right groove to set the mood for your sweetheart!

6 Aphrodisiac Foods to Get You In the Mood

While aphrodisiacs (foods thought to increase your sexual desire and prowess) aren’t scientifically proven, they’ve been around for centuries. You may have already heard about chocolate and oysters, but did you know about asparagus? Read on for little known ways to feed your appetite — and your sexual one too.

Truffles

The earthy, pungent aroma of these fungi reminds us of the musky scent of many colognes. Since you typically catch a whiff when you’re close to your man, you may associate the smell of both musk and truffles with sexual experiences.

Caviar

Well, it is an egg after all! This indulgent food also has a high zinc content, which is essential for blood flow (if you know what we’re saying…).

Asparagus

Back in the day, any food resembling human sexual anatomy was thought to be an aphrodisiac. (Which definitely explains the oysters!) So given its phallic shape, asparagus’ libido-boosting rep as an aphrodisiac shouldn’t be a complete surprise. Did you know that in 19th-century France, bridegrooms were served multiple helpings to help their lovemaking? But there’s more to asparagus than its appearance: with its high nutrient content — including potassium, fiber, folic acid, and vitamins A, C, and B6 — asparagus boosts histamine production, which is necessary for the ability to reach orgasm in both sexes.

Strawberries

Legend has it that strawberries were considered an aphrodisiac back in the day because of their many tiny seeds, which was thought to symbolize fertility. And literary and artistic references to strawberries as “fruit nipples” have been found. Okay, so that’s not a scientific connection, but come on, they’re just a sexy food.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has been shown to increase appetite (both physical and sexual). Some people even rub cinnamon oil onto their bodies to produce powerful sexual stimulation. Or, you could just eat it.

Honey

There’s a reason it’s called a “honeymoon.” Honey has long been associated with sexual desire — it’s been called the nectar of Aphrodite (yes, the goddess of love). In medieval times, people would drink mead (a fermented honey drink) to increase sexual desire. Not enough basis to give you a sweet tooth? Well, honey is rich in B vitamins, the same vitamins needed for testosterone production.

Courtesy of delish.com