To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.
February is here, which means it’s time for another edition of My Five Favorites, the monthly series I co-host with my wonderful friends—Kris from Driven By Decor, Pam from Simple Details, and Jennifer from Dimples & Tangles.
This month, we’re excited to welcome Ann from On Sutton Place as our guest host! Ann’s blog is a treasure trove of home inspiration, covering everything from decor and gardening to recipes, sewing, and crafts. While recovering from the flu recently, I found myself deep in a Pinterest rabbit hole and landed on Ann’s post about zhushing up your front door. Before I knew it, I had spent hours soaking in the beauty of On Sutton Place! Her home is full of inspiration, and I know you’ll love it just as much as I do.
Speaking of inspiration, Ann has some fabulous ideas for sprucing up your front entrance. Just look at how charming her planters are! I’m already dreaming up ways to refresh my own front steps this spring. Be sure to stop by On Sutton Place—you’ll be so glad you did!
5 Easy Ways To Refresh Your Front Door
But today, we’re shifting our focus to something extra special—celebrating love!
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’re all sharing our favorite ways to make the occasion meaningful. When my kids were little, Valentine’s Day meant endless crafts, baking, and handmade cards. Mark and I have never been ones to exchange gifts or go out for fancy dinners, and I’d honestly rather he not spend $7 on a greeting card. Instead, we enjoy a cozy dinner at home, using the day as an opportunity to be just a little sweeter, a little more thoughtful, and a little less caught up in the daily hustle.
One of the biggest lessons I hope to teach my kids is that love isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action. Small efforts and thoughtful gestures can make a lasting impact on the people around us. So, whether it’s February 14th or any ordinary day, here are five simple ways to show love to the people in your life.
“Spread love everywhere you go.” – Mother Teresa
CINNAMON ROLLS… WITH SPRINKLES!
Yes, you read that right. Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls. Pop them in the oven for 20 minutes, and suddenly, you’re crowned Mom of the Year. The secret ingredient? Valentine’s sprinkles!
Pro Tip: Do NOT forget the Valentine’s napkins from the grocery store. This is a critical step—skip it, and you may as well declare Valentine’s Day a failure. NAPKINS.
Looking for more Valentine’s breakfast inspiration? Trader Joe’s chocolate croissants or monkey bread make for an easy yet impressive treat. And if you’re feeling ambitious, whip up The Pioneer Woman’s famous cinnamon rolls—they’re legendary for a reason!
ICE CREAM SHAKES… WITH SPRINKLES!
Want bonus points? Use Valentine’s sprinkles on these too, and you might just win an imaginary cruise to the Bahamas. 😉
For an extra touch of magic, coat the rims of your fanciest glasses with a little corn syrup, then dip them into a plate of sprinkles. Fill them up with a simple homemade shake—just blend ice cream (or frozen yogurt) with a splash of milk.
This, friends, is why we go all out for Valentine’s Day. Because one day, your little ones will be in high school, and you’ll wonder how time flew by so fast. So get the sprinkles while you still can. And refer back to the very important note on Valentine’s napkins above.
FANCY HORS D’OEUVRES… FOLLOWED BY TAKEOUT
This one’s for the grown-ups. And by “fancy,” I mean ridiculously easy, two-ingredient bites that feel festive but require minimal effort—because the real Valentine’s dinner is the takeout arriving soon after. A glass of wine? Highly recommended.
Need ideas? I’ve got you covered with some super simple yet impressive appetizers perfect for Valentine’s Day—check them out here!
HOMEMADE GIFTS OF LOVE
Sometimes, the best way to show love is with a thoughtful homemade gift. Whether for a friend, your mom, a favorite teacher, or yourself, small gestures can mean the world.
Some easy DIY Valentine’s gifts:
Coconut & Vitamin E Body & Face Oil
Raw Sugar Scrub with Essential Oils
Homemade Cinnamon Honey Butter (because who wouldn’t love this in a cute little jar?)
A little love in a homemade package goes a long way!
FLOWERS ARE ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA
Sure, a dozen long-stemmed roses are romantic, but honestly? A $5 bouquet from Trader Joe’s brings just as much joy. Whether for your best friend, your mom, or even just yourself, flowers are always a beautiful way to spread love.
Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay. Love isn’t love until you give it away.
Wishing you a February filled with love—both given and received!
Be sure to visit these wonderful blogs for even more Valentine’s inspiration:
Ann from On Sutton Place
Kris from Driven By Decor
Pam from Simple Details
Jennifer from Dimples & Tangles
And if you’re looking for more of my Five Favorites, check out these past posts!
TLA & 4-EVER! LYLAS!
What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family. – Mother Teresa
