"Our Love Rocks" Date

February 13th was our Valentine's Day this year since M had the day off.. I planned a rockin' little day for the two of us!

I presented him with a tube of chocolate rocks (World Market) to declare that "OUR LOVE ROCKS!"

This next little card introduced the first activity of our rockin' fun day together: ROCK Climbing!

(seriously...a ton of fun! We decided that we have got to do this more often! Something that made it even more fun were some [dirty] Rock Climber's Pickup lines from here and here. I memorized a few of my favorites and used them as we climbed. Seriously, hubby was cracking up!)

We worked up quite an appetite and this next card was ready for him as we walked out of the gym....

Hard Rock Cafe in Dallas. mmm...mmmm. (I'm referring to the food and the hunk there in that picture) :)

We headed home after our late afternoon lunch to this.... A Hot Rock Massage. (perfect for sore muscles after climbing)

DIY Hot Stone Massage

Miss Cheapo here didn't want to spend a lot buying a Hot Stone Massage Kit (they're kinda expensive!) so here's my version:

-River Rocks (smooth rocks with no sharp edges. a variety of sizes is best. Mine are decorative river rocks from World Market. I didn't have any large ones like a real kit would have, but these sufficed for an at-home rock massage. You can also search craft stores, your local river, or a rock quarry.

-Massage Oil or unscented lotion

-Crockpot (put rocks in, cover completely with water, heat on high for approx 45 minutes or 140 degrees, remove with strainer spoon, dry with towel, let sit for 1-2 minutes, then rock and rub!)

If you're really going to do this, I suggest these two links:
1. Creating Your Own DIY Hot Stone Massage Kit

2. Hot Stone Massage Techniques - a GREAT youtube video showing you how to give a stone massage!

After things get a little steamy with the rock massage, next up is:

There are bazillions of songs with "Rock" in it, but these were my favorites and the most fitting. Seriously, as the words play out, you'll know what I mean.

Rock With You - Michael Jackson
You make me rock hard - Kiss 
 Rock Me - Great White
Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim
Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake
Roc Ya Body Mic Check - MVP
Feel like a RockStar - Tim McGraw

Spending a WHOLE day with my hubby was pretty sweet, but there was still room for dessert! 

 Rocky Road Ice Cream is his faaavorite ice cream so that was a gimme, but I also made these Valentine Rocky Road Crunch Bars (a recipe found at Barbara Bakes). Super rich, but tasted great with the ice cream. 

Hopefully this gives you an idea for your own Rock Date. Some other ideas for activities?

-playing rock band
-if you're a guy, take your girl shopping for a new rock (a fasion ring)
-skip rocks down at the river
-watch The School of Rock movie

In case you want to do it the same way, I've got the printables for you!

The first set is for a Valentine's Day date. The second for any date (not V-day specific)

Stud Muffin

I thought this was a really cute idea...especially if your guy is a "country boy" who appreciates some fresh muffins in the mornin' that he can share at work.

This idea was found at Let Me Count the Ways. The box was made out of 2x4's by these handy wives!

The poem that goes with this is perfect!

Any which way you cut it
Measure it however you can
You have certainly nailed it
As my lovin' STUD MUFFIN man!

This would be a great "just because" guesture for your man!

Love Note Messenger (AKA: your pet)

If you have a pet, why not include them in your Valentine's plans this year? Or, if you've got your Valentine's festivities all planned out already, save this for a just a fun and quick midweek romance tip!

Attach a little love note to your pet's collar right before your spouse will be returning from being away from home. Imagine their surprise to be greeted not only by your pet, but by a special love note! Who can resist that?

I have a crazy kitten/cat who doesn't wear a collar so this was a new experience for her... She seemed more than happy to oblige with the rediculous amount of treats I was giving her to cooperate. :)

Jannypie Crafts sent me the link to their oh-so-cute DIY Valentine Pet Collar. You can download a free PDF instruction sheet from that link above.

I'm "paws"itive your spouse will think this is pretty much "purr"fect.
(Okay, okay...I know that was cheesy..... I couldn't resist. Even so, those would be cute little lines in your love note! [Life with you is purrfect or I'm pawsitive you're the one for me forever!])

BOLD Valentine's Day

Today I am featuring a post from a follower of Love, Actually, Katie Wallace at My Life as a Wallace. This is something her husband did for her last year...and it's such a great idea!

Her husband gave her a card with instructions to read it out loud and stop when she got to a bolded word. Each time she stopped, she got a present.

Here was what he wrote:
Katie, I just wanted you to know that I love with all my heart. I'm sorry sometimes when you don't know enough. Unfortunately for you we will be SHACKed [The book; "I knew you needed something to read and I've heard this is really good." He said. I've heard that too.] up together forever so you have to deal with me. Hopefully I can prove not to be like a COUPON [coupons for him to wash the dishes...this could possibly be my favorite gift] and you will get exactly what you paid for with me. I want our love to be so amazing that people have to buy TICKETS [To see the theatrical version of The Crucible on Thursday, which will help me mark another thing off my 101 list!] just to get to see it. I promise to be a good husband and not WINE [a bottle of wine! I am in shock that my husband bought a bottle of wine...craziness] when I am unhappy but to put you first and love you with all my heart.
Your hubby,
Cody

Such a cute idea, right? The world needs more guys like him...way to snag a good one, Katie! Thanks for letting me share!

---
I'm taking orders for the Love Checks for 2 more days--after that, I'm spending the Valentine's Day weekend AWAY from my computer and with my hubby! So, be sure to email me right away if you want to order! As an added bonus: anyone who contacts me today will receive 20% off their order! (sorry, this does not apply to orders previously placed!)

Sweet & Simple Gifts with Conversation Hearts

If you know that you just won't have time to plan a fabulous Valentine's Day surprise for your spouse, don't just do nothing....(cuz that would be totally lame!)

Here are three really simple ideas that require little effort and can be whipped together in no time...like, on February 13th...or the morning of of the 14th if you're really a slacker. :)

1.

Just empty out those nasty candies and replace them with your own sweet love coupons...sure to leave a better taste in your Valentine's mouth!
(Ideas for Love Coupons)

2.

How about a handwritten love letter using conversation hearts...however silly it may be!

3.
Okay, Okay....so you don't even have time to go buy a little box of converation hearts? Really? If you say so...

You can create your own personalized conversation hearts HERE.

See, here's mine:

You can write whatever you want (with a certain # of characters) as many times as you like and it allows you to save each as a JPEG. So, you could type a letter on your word processor and insert your custom images into your letter, or just print each custom heart image and glue onto your handwritten letter. Easy-peasy.

Free Valentine Printables

Before I get to today's post...

The winner of the Big Red Barn giveaway was:

Brooke & Ryan Ross!!

Congrats!! Thank you everyone for entering...don' worry, more giveaways are on their way!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In case you are running out of time and no ideas have struck your fancy yet...

Here are some fun and free printable downloads from all over the web that can help make your Valentine's Day a little more fun!

Oopsey Daisy - printable Lovey-Dovey Conversation Magnets

Creature Comforts - 3 styles of printable Tea Bags and tea tags

Design.Wash.Rinse.Repeat - Freebie includes 4 patterned cookie circles plus 10 fortune labels

Schlosser Designs - Valentine's Pillowbox (designed template & tags)

Rubber Punkin - 6 cute mini cards

Kodak Project Center - Customizable Candy Bar Wrappers

Schlosser Designs - Freebie includes Chocolate Nugget Labels and Tin Case cover

Cottage Industrialist - Teeny Envelope template with teeny love notes!

The Project Girl - 4 Mini Cards

Design.Wash.Rinse.Repeat - Freebie includes designs and templates for box and chocolate nugget labels!

Controlling My Chaos - Magnetized Bookmarks with *tutorial*

Handmade Valentine's Cards

I'm not one to buy a store bought card for a $4.99 or more. Sure, there's the 99 cents selection...but my husband is worth more than 99 cents! (apparently not more than $4.99, though...) hehe. So, I prefer to make my own cards. In case you are like me, or not, but looking to expand your creativity this year, take a look at these:

1. Button Card - I'll be making this one for Vday this year!
2. P.S. I Love You
3. Together, Life is Sweet - (given with their favorite sweet treats, perhaps?)
4. You Make My Heart Race - (given with tickets to a race, or something?)
5. Cherry On Top - (ya, I'm a loser and lost the link...)

6. You're my Queen/King of Hearts
7. I found this somewhere and thought it'd be awfully funny for a husband who's into Star Wars!
8. Hand Cards - how funny! I love these! "Handsome"...haha!
9. Accordian Heart Card
10. I Love You "hand"made card

11. A Note of Love - Perfect for a music lover!
12. Perfect Match Card - this is probably my favorite of all!
13. Ticket Card - um...stinkin' cute!
14. Picture Card - exchange the cute little girl with you!

I know there are so many more out there...but, there's always next year!

Mini Love Albums

I'm a big fan of mini scrapbook albums or mini albums highlighting things you love about your spouse.

With a little creative spirit, this would make a really cute (and inexpensive) gift for any occasion, especially Valentine's Day...but you better hurry, V-day is fast approaching!

1 - The Junk Box - Chipboard Book: "100 Things I Love about You"
2 - Little Birdie Secrets - "How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways" Her post shows pictures of the inside of her book.
3 - Taylored Expressions - You've GOT to check out the cute tin she put this accordian album in!
4 - Somewhat Simple - "Top 10 Reasons I Love You" She used only 5 chipboard circles and shows each piece of the album AND a tutorial.
5 - Everyday Moments - Love Flip Book. Her post includes more pictures.
6 - Inspiring Creations - Mini Heart Album. Her post includes a tutoral and more pictures.

If you've seen other albums like these or made one yourself, please share your pictures and/or link. Email to loveactuallyblog @ hotmail.com

Valentine's Blog Backgrounds

Before I get to today's post, I wanted to announce the winner of last week's giveaway! I wasn't sure at the beginning how I'd pick this winner, but I decided to go with a random pick after reading all of them.

So, congrats to "The Clark's" who said:
I just found your website and from a mother of 10 month old twins, I want to thank you. I have known for sometime that my husband and I could use a little bit more romance but haven't had to time to do anything about it. I just started thinking that V-day would be a great time to make an effort. It has always been special to us since we got engaged on Valentine's 4 years ago. I am going to become a follower and make the cute mail box for my kids as a new tradition and also I LOVE the calendar idea. Just what I needed THANK YOU!!!!!

{Please email your address to me at loveactuallyblog @ hotmail.com so I can mail your prize!}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's now February...which means it's a great time to decorate your blogs with some fun Valentine's Backgrounds. I've put together a list of free Valentine themed backgrounds....and a few pictures of my personal favorites!

Love Birds from My Blog Makeover

Adore by Bling on the Blog

Share the Love from The Cutest Blog on the Block

Most of these are linked directly to the Valentine's Themed Backgrounds.

My Blog Makeover
Shels Scraps

Bling on the Blog: Here and Here

Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates

Cutest Blog on the Block
Delightful Dots
Izzie Grace Blog Backgrounds

Scrap-e-Blog

Sugar & Spice
My Style Backgrounds

Allie Brown's Layouts

Aqua Poppy Designs

My One Cute Blog

You gotta give these designers credit. They do a fabulous job and are so generous to share these designs for FREE. Be sure to leave a comment of thanks if you use one of their backgrounds.

If you didn't find one you loved, check out THIS link from Delightful Dots where she linked up a bunch of other great freebie sites.

Happy Blog Decorating!

You've Got Mail!

I love these cute little mailboxes because they tie romance and crafting together...two of my favorites!

Wouldn't it be fun to write your spouse a love note and put it inside a mini mailbox? Don't want to do a full love note....how about a series of mini love notes leading up to Valentine's Day? Each evening, put the flag up so they'll know that "they've got mail"!

Here are some embellished mailboxes that I think are ridiculously cute!

Alayna's Creations

Taylored Expressions

For Love of Paper


Beautiful Mess

Simply Rae

Stamp Talk with Shannon Lawrence

BIG Love...It's not what you think!

...I thought this might raise a few eyebrows considering the TV show, "Big Love" which I'm not a fan of, by the way. Regardless, it was a fitting title for today's post! :)

Looking for a way to make a BIG impression this Valentine's Day?
Jordan Ferney and Things to Play With have just the trick.

Note: I'm guessing the saying on her love note is an inside joke?

Jordan provided the instructions for how she made hers:

1. Write or print out the saying you want on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.
2. Take it to a Kinkos with one of those large scale printers and have it enlarged {costs around $4.} She made hers a few feet wide.
3. Fold it up into a little square and wrap it up with an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. You can print their name or a message on the outside wrapper.

I think this would be a great way to show just how big your love is!
If you try this, please send me your photos: loveactuallyblog @ hotmail.com

Postmarked with Love

If you're thinking of writing a little love note or card to your spouse this year, why not let it be postmarked with love?

You can mail it to Loveland, Colorado (the "Sweetheart City")where it will be hand-stamped with a unique four line poem & pictorial postmark. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce heads up this yearly romance project with cards going to all 50 states and to over 100 foreign countries annually.


Cool, right? Just enclose your pre-addressed, pre-stamped Valentine's card in a larger envelope and mail to:
Postmaster - Attention Valentines
446 E. 29th St.
Loveland, CO 80538-9998

To ensure delivery by Valentine's Day, mail must be received in Loveland by February 8 (for cards being returned to US addresses). Further details here.

You can also send it to postmasters of these other cities too:
Loveland, Ohio 45140
Valentine, Texas 79854
Valentine, Nebraska 69201
Kissimmee, Florida 32741
Loving, New Mexico 88256
Bridal Veil, Oregon 97010
Romance, Arkansas 72136

You know...this could be a fun tradition to start. Every year, send your love letter to Loveland's Postmaster and save each year's letter. You'd have quite the collection of love letters after so many years... (imagine the legacy you'd leave behind!)

Valentine's Day Advent

So, I've already showed you my version of a Valentine's Countdown Calendar.

But, there are some other cute ones I wanted to feature.

I found this cute advent calendar over at Katie's Nesting Spot. She provided a tutorial on her blog.

And how about this Muffin Tin Advent seen on Studio 5 . Pioneer Party in Lehi, Utah created this project.

Cute, Cute.

Somewhat Simple recycled this chocolate box to make a fun Vday countdown. She provides a tutorial on her blog as well.

Valentine's Day is less than a month away...have you decided what all you're going to do? Don't forget about the fun Valentine's Checks that I'm selling as a customized, unique Valentine's gift that your spouse will LOVE! You can find them in my boutique by clicking on SHOP above on the menu bar.

Oh, have you voted for Love Actually yet on MomBlogs? I'm almost to the Top 25!!
And, don't foget to enter the *giveaway* ending Sunday!!