There's a First Time for Everything...

Did you know that for 30 of my 31 years I've been a hopeless romantic to the point of let down? And that I have always had a love/hate relationship with Valentines day? Because every year I always hoped that someone would express their crush on me....or do something sweet....or send me mysterious flowers. Then I met my husband and I would tell him how much I hated Valentine's and then secretly hope there would be a surprise when I woke up or got home from work. It happened one year (the very first year Mr T and I were together)...I was given a very sweet poem. Then skip a few years and my surprise was heart shaped steak.

Yup...I did not stutter....

But I believe there was candlelight with that heart shaped steak. Although, truthfully, it's hard to remember because one doesn't forget heart shaped steak....(Sorry husband...but it's funny. Now...)

But FINALLY I was smart and came to the realization "I should NEVER expect anything because of 2 things....1) My husband is NOT romantic....and 2) he's good to me every day, so what does one Hallmark Holiday mean?"

BINGO.

It was finally the best Valentine's day I've ever had. No disappointment. No expectations. In fact, Mr T was kind enough to pick me up a pair of gloves because he said my hands are always cold. I'll take it. It was a random act of kindness and for me, that's what V-day is all about.

Actually scratch that. That is what marriage is all about.

AND... I decorated. What? I like hearts...and pink...and red...and all of it together. Plus Pinterest just puts way too many cute ideas out there! So I got creative. (Did you know that candy hearts are much cuter than they actually taste?) But I thought everything turned out cute...plus it allowed me to keep up some Christmas-y things by just adding hearts. Because I hate that feeling of an empty house when all the Christmas stuff comes down. :)

You know what else happened for the first time in my life? (It's been an exciting February) I refinished a piece of furniture.

You know that empty house feeling I mentioned? Yes...it created a monster. I got hit with the decorating bug big time. But rather than shop and go nuts (since I still don't have that money tree I've heard of) I decided to try my hand at refinishing a piece that my mother-in-law picked us up at a rummage sale. I had actually started it before Thanksgiving but the Holidays are busy, people! So I let it sit and sit some more. I finally made myself start up again and then I realized that it wasn't that hard....and that I actually enjoyed it!

I'm working on my $6 chandelier as we speak! Can't wait to see how that turns out!

AND here's my furniture redo!

BEFORE

AFTER
(I used DIY chalk paint tutorial from here.
3 coats later, waxed, buffed and new handles)

It has the perfect spot in our front entrance way.

Our farmhouse entrance. (The husband
even got to keep his deer up.)

I'm making the best of this long, miserable winter!

 Thanks for visiting!