Carving out a Winner!!!

The polls are now open (well, the comments section is, anyway). So, pick your FAVORITE pumpkin picture and leave a comment with its corresponding number. The submission with
the most votes, wins!

May the best pumpkin win!
(remember, the only criteria was that this activity united the family...something they did together...or otherwise family-oriented!)

(I feel that this one needs explanation--she and her hubby grew this pumpkin together!)

I was very pleased with the variety of the submissions--so thank you to all who sent me your pictures!

PLEASE VOTE!
(That goes for everyone...not just those who submitted!)

Saying I'm Sorry

Let's face it... marriage can't always be lovey-dovey. Sometimes, you're going to make each other so flippin' mad... and, yes, I know the feeling. (I think some people think that my marriage is an exception to this because of this blog...think again!)

But, sometimes we get out of hand and an apology should be in order. Those words don't come easy for me, so I look for alternative more creative ways to express my apology. Perhaps you can benefit from some of these, too!

Here are two other cute ideas:

*Tie a small note around the collar of your pet and have it deliver your apology. While the person you're saying sorry to might not want to see you right now, who can resist that cute little cat face or puppy dog eyes?

*Chicago's "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" has some perfect lyrics..."After all that we've been through, I will make it up to you. I promise to."
Find something to use as a makeshift microphone and when he/she gets home, have the music blairing while you lip-sinc to the words. If they aren’t laughing (or trying hard not to) in 30 seconds, then surely you've done something beyond repair. (maybe buying them a new car will work.... kidding.)

Now, don't go looking for reasons to make your spouse mad just so you can apologize---I know it's tempting after fun ideas like these, but give it time....I'm sure something will come up. I wish you the best when it does. :)

Fantasy Football

Football season is now in full swing and men everywhere are turning their attention to the TV. (well, my guy, anyway) Instead of turning into a football widow, try turning date night into a fun and sexy afternoon or evening watching the big game!

Here are a few ideas to spark some romance, bringing a whole new meaning to your husband's “Fantasy Football”.

Throw him a Tailgate Party

• Put your camping chairs in front of the TV.
• Get some manly appetizers and drinks: (chicken wings, chips/salsa, soda, etc.)
• Let him explain the game to you (if you aren’t a football buff yourself).
• Throw around an inflatable football (available in the LAB Boutique) during commercial breaks.
• Wear his team’s football jersey….(pants optional) or his team’s colors if no jersey.
• Get some shot glasses marked “1st Down” “2nd Down” “3rd Down” and “Touchdown”. At each down your team gets, each of you take a shot of whatever you’re drinking. (mmm...Root Beer shots for us!)

You don't have to go out and buy these....get some clear ones at the dollar store and mark them with a sharpie!


Plan your own half-time show!

During half-time, tell your man he’s been chosen for the football draft for “Team _____” (insert your last name).

Set up a basement or large room in your house as a football field. Use masking tape as yard lines and get an inflatable football. Play a version of flag/tackle football against each other with these rules:

1. Each person has 3 flags (ribbons, cut fabric, etc.) attached to them. The point is to try to steal the other person’s flags before they steal yours!
2. Tackles are perfectly acceptable and count as downs. Sneak a kiss for every first down.
3. Whenever one scores a touchdown, the next person has to take off a piece of clothing.
4. After each touchdown, give the scorer a chance to score a field goal. (kick the football in between your arms (held up like field goal posts).
5. Call “timeouts” so you can enjoy a football snack or makeout...

If you really want to kink spice up the “strip football” aspect of this, you can buy or make your own underwear like THIS which say:
Joe's Tight End (on back of underwear) or Joe's End Zone.

At the end of your game, surprise him with an MVP certificate and trophy (a king-size candy bar or something he’ll actually enjoy).

You can download my design HERE or HERE.

With a date like this, how could your husband NOT think you are THE coolest wife on the planet?! This date will go down as a touchdown in his playbook for sure!

Feel free to comment with any further suggestions!

Chinese Date Night

Dim the lights, clear the furniture away, leave the forks in the drawer, and enjoy dinner on the floor with chopsticks for this Chinese Date Night.

This is a themed date night which may require a little planning and perhaps a trip to the party store, dollar store, or a stop by the Love, Actually Boutique (when it's actually ready--not quite yet!)

Here's what you'll need:

• Chopsticks (see if you can snag 2 sets from a take-out place nearby)
• Take-out Boxes (you can usually find these around $1.00 at craft stores)
• Oriental Music - I just played these sample clips from Amazon
• Red, Gold and Black accents (decor)
• Chinese Food for dinner...see below
• Fortune Cookies (real or paper....check these out )

Optional:
- You can also look for Oriental clothing (I found the hats below at iParty).
-I saw slippers which matched the hats at Target for $2.50 a pair.

*picture, candle holder, mats, and chop sticks all from Target. (spent $10)

Now, for the food.
There's a few ways you can do this, which I have categorized for your convenience. :)

Lazy - Have "takeout" delivered.
Easy - Have your spouse pickup takeout.
Not-hard - Buy "frozen takeout" (orange chicken from Costco, Trader Joe's, etc.)
Superwoman Style - Make your own Chinese food.

If you want to be "Superwoman", then by all means...try these recipes.

Orange Chicken


Sweet and Sour Chicken


Beef Noodle Bowl


Wonton Salad


Egg Rolls and Fried Rice


After Dinner:

Have a fortune cookie(s) in a take-out box (I would have one real one to eat, and then a paper fortune cookie with your own fortune in it..)

Ideas for fortunes:
"Tonight will be a lucky night for you..."
"A secret admirer will soon send you a sign of affection."
"The time to make love is now..."

I'll let you take it from there....Best of luck!

Fortunate to Have You!

Look at these cute Paper Fortune Cookies... I found them on Angela's Blog, but for a different purpose than how I'll be using them. You can find the tutorial for these HERE.

I would put a few of these little "cookies" in a takeout box which you can find very inexpensive at any craft store or make your own from this template.

Attach a tag to the takeout box which reads,
"I'm so fortunate to have you!"

Of course, I would put my own little "fortunes" (i.e. love notes) inside each cookie for my husband to read.

You could also pop a paper fortune cookie in his/her lunch as a simple and cute way to say you love them...

Come back on Wednesday for a Chinese-themed dinner date at home!

You are BOO-tiful to me!

Great news, people! You get three posts from me this week, starting with today. I normally don't post on Sundays, BUT... I have an entire week off to spend with my mom who's flying across the country to hang out with her only daughter. (I'm really not excited....okay, just a lot). :) We're gonna spend a couple of days in NYC and then back to Boston so she can experience the beautiful New England Fall!

So, I don't anticipate checking in all that often this week... but before I abandoned ya'll, I wanted to tell you to go grab yourself this FREE download for Halloween....

As it gets closer to Halloween, surprise your hunny with a treat tucked inside one of these cute matchbooks! I especially like the yellow "Boo-tiful" one... for obvious reasons.

You can pick these up until Wednesday (10/14) HERE!

Don't forget your manners---be sure to tell Juli "thanks" for the download!

Three Things.

Hey all!

Three things.

First, I hope you like the new design. I think it's fantastic.... thanks to Carolynn from My Blog Makover!



You've got to check out her site---lots of cute and FREE layouts (you know my feeling on cheap and FREE stuff) and she has terrific prices for blog makeovers. She was so great to work with on my design as well.

Here are 3 of her SUPER CUTE and FREE layouts that Love, Actually is sponsoring...

Second, I have only 3 submissions so far for the PUMPKIN CONTEST! Keep em' coming!! It's worth a personalized rubik's cube if you win!

{Click image for details.}

Third, I have a new button design as well.... If you currently have a LAB (love, actually blog) button on your site, please update it with the new one! If you don't have one, feel free to grab the code on my sidebar! I thank you in advance for helping me spread the word about LAB...and your friends will thank you later! :)

Oh, and (I know this counts as 4...) please take the time to comment when stopping by the new posts twice a week. I appreciate those comments more than you know... I'm gonna try to respond more in the comments section as well...

And that's all. I'm done. Have a great weekend!

Halloween Hunt

Today's idea comes from one of Love, Actually's followers, Lizzy. I appreciate her sending this in---it's such a creative idea and can easily be adapted to fit your needs....

She made "clues" for her husband in advance for this Halloween Hunt. While he was on the treadmill, she slipped the first clue under the door, which read:

Eye of the newt and heart of the bat
A pinch of this and a dab of that
In my witches cauldron
I have prepared a Shower for you,
Wash yourself clean, Then find your next clue!

Then while he was in the shower, she slipped another clue under the door, which said:

With monsters and ghoulish creatures galore…
Do you dare test this old folklore?
I invite you to a ghoulish romantic treat,
Meet me in the living room, *Claighton my sweet
*insert your husband's name

Mood Setters:
*Fire lit in the fireplace
*Black & orange candles all around living room
*carved and lit pumpkins around the room

*2 black-stemmed wine glasses

*Bottle of wine

*A big black bowl filled with kettle corn

*Black silk roses/baby's breathe from a craft store

*Halloweenish movies:"Interview with a vampire" "The Crow" "Goonies"
*Caramel Apples

She had to be quick in setting everything up so he wouldn't suspect anything going on prior to being on the treadmill.

She also gave him a card that said:

Trick or Treat: which will it be?
Come on over, and you will see
Whatever your bleeding heart desires tonight
Will be your wish and my ghoulish delight!

So, obviously...you may need to make a few changes...but this gives you the base you need! If you've done anything similiar or put your own spin on this version, please let me know by submitting your idea from the menu bar!

Couple's Halloween Costumes

Every Halloween, there seems to be some function that requires a costume. Be prepared this year and go together as a pair....

Here's a list I've pulled together that you might consider:

Cookie and Glass of Milk
Morton Salt and an Energizer Battery (assault and battery)
Hershey Hug and Hershey Kiss
UPS or FedEx Delivery Guy and Package
Barbie and Ken
Burger King and Dairy Queen
Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head
Raggedy Ann and Andy
Aladdin and Jasmine
Bam Bam and Pebbles
Batman and Cat Woman
Batman & Robin
Beauty (Belle) & the Beast
Cinderella and Prince Charming
Donald and Daisy Duck
Dwarf (one of seven) and Snow White
Elastic Girl and Mr. Incredible
Marge and Homer Simpson
Tim & Heidi (from "Home Improvement")
Mickey and Minnie Mouse
Morticia and Gomez (from "The Addams Family")
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell
Shrek and Princess Fiona
Superman and Wonder Woman
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
Hugh Hefner and Playboy Bunny
Adam and Eve
Pocahontas and Capt. John Smith
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Sonny and Cher
Christmas Tree and Gift
Ball and Chain
Bee and Beekeeper
Bride and Groom
Cheerleader and Football Player
Devil and Angel
Doctor and Nurse
Farmer and Wife
Fisherman and Mermaid (she's hooked on his pole or caught in his net)
Granny and Grandpa
King and Queen
Nerdy Couple
Pair of Dice
Police Officer and Prisoner
Priest and Nun
Prom King and Queen
Ventriloquist and Dummy
Danny & Sandy (from "Grease")
Dorothy & the Scarecrow, Lion, or Tin Man
Steve and Terry Irwin (from "Animal Planet Show")

And a few that need a little explanation:

Salt and Pepper: one spouse would wear all black and the other would wear all white and contrasting letter on our shirts to the color we are wearing.

Fred and Wilma Flintstone: Fred could have a car, like the one they drive with the feet sticking out, held up by suspenders

Bun in the Oven: Great for pregnant couple. Woman wears box painted like oven and man wears baker's hat and apron!

Caught in Lover’s Lane: Man can wear a button-down shirt buttoned all wrong, lipstick kisses on his face and shirt, pants slightly unzipped, shoes untied or on wrong feet and hair messed up. Woman can wear skirt tucked into back of pantyhose, missing one shoe, make up smeared, hair messed up, buttons of shirt buttoned wrong, etc.

"Boo-Hoo": A ghost (boo) and an owl (who)

Heinz Mustard and Ketchup: Dress in all red or all yellow, with felt M or K on chest, birthday hat painted the same color for top)

There are lots of other ideas on the web, but I thought this was a good list of inspiration. One of these me and my hubby will actually go as "Sonny and CHER"---haven't brought myself to do it yet. :)

Construction Zone!

Hey all....

Just wanted you to know that I've got a new blog design going up (hopefully on Saturday). It's gonna be TERRIFIC!

...SO, things might look a little funny over the weekend. By Monday, it should all be perfect!

Have a great weekend!

Carving Out Some Family Fun!

Does anyone else just LOVE Fall? I do. I love everything about it. Especially.....carving pumpkins. This has always been a pre-Halloween must-do for my husband and I!

This was our first attempt at carving pumpkins together...

(in case you didn't know...our last name is Castle)

...and I think it was the best so far!

I thought it would be fun to hold a Pumpkin Carving Contest to be judged by YOU right here on this blog!

I hope you'll all join in! Here are some more specific details:

1. Email a picture of a pumpkin that you/your family has carved (this can be from year's past... it just has to be YOURS!)

2. Contest runs Oct. 1 - 25. All submissions will be posted on this blog from Oct. 26 - 30 to be judged/voted on. Winner will be announced Oct. 31.

3. Winner will receive a Personalized Rubik's Cube. (Winner must email me 6 digital images which I will use to create the rubik's cube like the one below...)

Submit your Pumpkin Pictures to: ccloveactually @ gmail.com

What are you waiting for?
Hit the pumpkin patch and get carving!

Let the contest begin!

Delighting the Senses

How do I love thee? Will all of my senses...
{This idea is similiar to last week's "head to toes" but just different enough that it's worth posting!}

This is a fun gift idea for any occasion (birthday, V-day, anniversary) or none at all...

Here's the idea:
Find a gift for each of the 5 senses. Fill a basket, gift bag, etc. Attach a card that says something like this, "I love you with all my senses..."

Sight: new lingerie, mini-scrapbook of both of you
Sound: a favorite CD/homemade CD mix of music, iTunes giftcard
Smell: new Perfume/Cologne, scented candle,
Taste: favorite treat/candy, coupon for favorite dinner, sparking cider or wine
Touch: massage oils or lotion, a coupon for a back or foot massage.

This picture came from That's So Cuegly. She did a whole post on each sense/gift...way cute! She provides great inspiration---check it out.

{Double Your Pleasure}

I'll bet you remember this old jingle for Doublemint gum, "Double Your Pleasure…Double Your Fun!"

How could I possibly relate this to romance? Don't you know by now that I can relate anything to romance...?

What you'll need:

35 cents

Text reads: Today, you get to pick your favorite pleasure for me to double! Just let me know what you want and it's yours....twice!

This may seem a little boring, but my husband told me it's one of his favorites because it's something he doesn't have to do anything for and he'd have something to look foward to all day (while he thought carefully about what he wanted...twice!) If your spouse is big into physical stuff (massaging, etc...) this could be a big hit!

I'd love to know what you think!

From Head to Toes...

This is a fun way to tell your spouse how much you love them....with a thoughtful little gift.


"I love you... from your head to your toes."
Inside a gift bag, box, or basket, have several little packages or loose items representing loving him/her from their head to their toes:

Here are some suggestions:
(I'd try to keep the items body-related as much as possible)

Upper-body: hair accessories, hair gel, new shampoo, eye shadow, gum, a new toothbrush, lip gloss, chapstick, finger nail polish

Mid-body: lotion, victoria secret gift card, perfume

Lower-body: new socks, slippers, gift card to footlocker, toe nail polish, gel insoles

...everyone likes getting new items every now and then (even if they are just day-to-day items), so why not make a gift of it....a lovey-dovey gift!

...also, check out a Love, Actually follower's adaptation of this idea HERE. I love to see what YOU do with my ideas. Feel free to submit to: loveactuallyblog @ hotmail.com

Romantic Rubik's Cube

I'm super excited about today's post because I put A LOT of work into it. I have a backache to prove it (from leaning over this project for several hours yesterday). So, if I only get a few comments on this baby, I'm afraid I'll do something drastic (....like delete this blog!) :)

I thought I'd break away from my traditional posting and do an actual tutorial for all you who like a fun craft project now and then. Here it is, my friends. Enjoy!

{I plan to open a "Love Actually Boutique" soon...watch for these!}

So, it's really not very hard...just takes a little bit of time, but it turned out so cute (although, I am biased.) Unfortunately, I'm not a rubik's master, so until I am, this will be proudly displayed on a bookshelf in my office.

This project does not have to be limited to wedding pictures...obviously, BUT, be creative!

This would be great for:

- Stocking Stuffer
- Home Decoration
- Gift for a spouse who enjoys puzzles
- Bridal shower or small wedding gift (using pics of the couple)
- Father's Day/Mother's Day

Black & White Photos could make this really classy...

What would YOU use this project for?

Personalized Crossword Puzzles

How fun would it be to solve a crossword puzzle all about you...and your spouse!

This idea could be used for many purposes including: midweek romance, a fun time-killer on a date, clues for your next date night, or a walk down memory lane as you relax in a suite on your anniversary.

Here are some links to sites that let you create your own personalized crossword puzzle:

http://www.puzzle-maker.com/CW/
http://www.edhelper.com/crossword_free.htm

So, all of the clues and answers should have to do with your relationship, marriage, and perhaps as a re-cap of your dating days.

It'd also be fun to do one of these annually, that way you could document all the "little things" about your relationship and they'd never be forgotten (if you keep the filled out puzzle each year). OR, if you were trying to tell him/her something,

Here are some ideas for clues:

Where you first said “I love you”
The place where you first kissed
The nickname you had for each other when dating
Where you went on your first date
Details about your wedding
The name of a hotel you stayed at on your honeymoon

(Try to dig deep into fun things you've done or memories that you'd like brought back up--it helps to look through journals, pictures, scrapbooks, etc. to get ideas for clues).

Special thanks to Rachel, one of Love, Actually's followers, for providing extra inspiration for this post!

Happy Labor Day!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to drop a line to let you know that I've been a little slow in posting lately because I've been in the process of moving! It was a relatively simple move (not cross country or anything!) and we are loving our new place....today was spent hanging curtains and wall decor, assembling furniture, and making my house look like home! (Oh, and we took a break and hit the beach for some Labor Day fesitivities with friends.)

So, FYI---I'm not quite set yet, so hang in there....browse some of my earlier posts that you missed and get an idea for your next date night. There's plenty here to keep your love life together for the next week or so!

~ Cher

The Red Carpet Treatment

We all can't live the lives of those who frequent the Red Carpet, but maybe just once we can treat our spouses as the VIPs we know they really are...

This is a date night meant for a night in...the best part is that it probably doesn't deviate from your normal plans too much. I know that a lot of couples tend to just kick back and watch movies for time together. This night will be no different...except for just a few details.

Step 1: Plan with your spouse to watch a movie that evening.
Step 2: Before he gets home, get all the details in place.

"VIP Parking"

Put up a little sign in your garage, near the driveway, anywhere it's obvious as he parks the car.

"The Red Carpet"

• I bought this large, rectangular plastic table cloth at the dollar store to use as my red carpet.
• Cut out gold and black stars from cardstock or you can find these at party stores. My stars came from iParty.
• I took my living room curtains down and rigged them up to provide a more exciting entrance. The "VIP Entrance" sign you can easily make yourself (mine came from iParty.)
  

"Concession Stand"

Sign, Stars, and Popcorn Tubs from iParty--again, you can easily and cheaply make your own!

"VIP Pass"

I found this lanyard/all-access pass at iParty, too. Yes, I single-handedly keep that store from going under. I really should get paid for promoting their products!


Additional Important Details:
Hopefully you will get a chance to set up your living room/TV room ahead of time so that the following is possible:

• When he/she gets home or before you start your evening together, direct them to your bedroom where they'll need to change into their "evening attire". (For example, I'd have my husband's tuxedo suit sitting out for him on the bed). Then, get into your best attire quickly (a dress for you lovely wives out there and suits for you hunky husbands...c'mon, who walks the red carpet in pajamas? hello?!)


• Meet them in the bedroom once they are ready and hand them the "VIP Pass". Tell them, "You'll need this to get in tonight..."


• Direct them where to go, but have him/her wait just a minute so you can get a head start. You'll want to be at the end of the red carpet flashing your camera like a papparazi...(adds to the effect, you know...) Oh, and have some music playing too...something upbeat!


• So, when they make their entrance, you're snapping photos w/ flash, music's playing, they're surprised, and you're excited that you've put on this big spectacle JUST to watch a movie at home.

I would set this night up for a time when his/her favorite new show just came out on DVD and they've been dying to watch it...This will add to the whole idea of them being VIPs at this "Movie Premier....on DVD"