Tag Archives: valentine’s day

14 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Men Under $10

valentine's day gifts for men under $10Shopping for dudes is challenging– especially when you’re on a budget. But after my $100 holiday challenge, I learned that shopping for they guys in my life isn’t so bad if I do my research. And here’s the best part: I did the research for you! Today I’m sharing 14 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Men Under $10. And bonus: they’re all available to buy online, so you can stick with your budget, no excuses! Just click the picture below to buy.

Siracha Keychain
This Siracha keychain is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while. It’s perfect for the hot sauce lover (which is almost every man I know.) I kind of want one for myself too!

Bark Thins
Bark Thinks are George’s and my favorite new snack. It’s a departure from the regular ol’ V-day candy and with add-ins like pumpkin seed you can pretend like these dark chocolate delights are good for you.

Tanka bar
Tanka bars are another one of our favorite snacks. Tanka bars are buffalo jerky with a touch of added sweetness from cranberries. They’re gluten-free, nitrate-free, msg-free, hormone-free AND it’s a native owned company.

Chillin’ Cubes
I’ve been thinking about buying these ice cubes for wine and iced coffee for sometime. They’d also make the perfect gift for the whiskey or scotch drinker in your life. And at less than $10, they’re a steal.

Copper cup
I wanted to buy everyone copper cups for Moscoe Mule makin’ this Christmas, but man, they are expensive. This one I found online is a total deal though. And it’s pretty too!

Beerzicle
These things really work! I recently tested them at a friend’s house and wow! They really do keep your beer cold. Beerzicles would be perfect for those pool parties I’ve been dreaming about.

Wall Mounted Bottle Opener
Every man cave needs a wall mounted bottle opener! And this one is so pretty I wouldn’t mind it being in a woman’s cave either!

Rosewood Pocket Comb
This teensy tiny wooden comb is perfect for combing unruly, manly facial hair. It even fits in your man’s pocket or wallet!

Working Hands Cream
I specifically put this one on here for my man, George. Honey, you need this hand cream. He’s a manly man, but sometimes manly mens need to take care of their rough hands!

Slouchy Beanie
This slouchy beanie is perfectly slouchy. So cute for men or ladies!

Wool Socks
These Wigwam socks are so warm. I have a pair myself and I love them! The gift of warm feet is gold!

Emergency Fire Starter
This emergency fire starter would be great for the woodsy man in your life. Or even the not-so-woodsy one. You never know when you’ll need an emergency fire starter.

Swiss Tech Key Ring
I’m amazed at all the things this little key ring can do. It’s multiple screwdrivers, including a flat screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver, and a micro-sized screwdriver. It also includes a bottle opener, straight blade knife, and serrated blade knife. What else do you need?!

Digital tire pressure gauge
This digital tire pressure gauge is a deal! I’ll never have to stop at a gas station again to check my tire pressure? Yes, please.

And if you’re more the homemade type, last year I made these cute printables to add to bagged nuts. Print them out, bag some nuts and go enjoy your valentine!

love,
melanie

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Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas

We’ve been snowed in for the past couple days and things are getting pretty weird around here. Last night we screamed at each other just to scream. Not fighting, just yelling. My butt hurts from laying in bed for a prolonged period and I’m afraid we’ll run out of wine soon. It’s not the most romantic of Valentine’s Days, for sure. But tonight I’m planning on making dinner and maybe tomorrow we’ll get to venture out into the snowpocolypse for more romantic sustenance. Or at least sustenance that requires changing out of pajamas.

Here’s some ideas for tonight’s meal:

Baked Brie with raspberry jelly and walnutsThis baked brie with raspberry sauce would be a great way to start your meal.

Pork Chops I don’t think it gets more romantic than bacon. Who’s with me? Check out the recipe for these bacon-wrapped pork chops.

Pizza with an egg on top!

Pizza is my favorite Friday night meal. It’s quick, easy and cheesy. Doesn’t get much better than that. Click here to learn more about my favorite way to serve pizza.

pudding2This rice pudding is a great way to end a meal. I affectionately refer to it as love puddin’.

how to make snow creamAnd since we’re snowed in, it’s only appropriate to serve snow cream! Learn more about snow cream here.

Are you cooking at home for Valentine’s Day? Let me know in the comments!

love and happy Valentine’s!
melanie

 

 

 

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts

I, just like every human on earth, am guilty of waiting until the last minute to do things. There’s  something about that last minute pressure that really puts the heat on. This year I actually purchased George’s Valentine’s Day present early and had it shipped to the house. And he opened it before I got home! It was an honest mistake, but I was so mad! I can’t ever surprise that dude. Anyway, now I’m rushing to make something small to give him so he actually has something to open tomorrow.

Here’s a couple ideas for those last minute Valentine’s Day gifts:

rp_Nuts-about-you-1024x616.jpgThis Valentine’s Day printable is super-cute. You don’t even have to make the nuts recipe if you don’t have time. You can just attach it to a bag of nuts! Click here for the printable.

how to make vanilla extractIf you’ve got a honey that loves to cook, homemade vanilla extract would be a great gift. Maybe they’ll get the hint to make you those cookies you’ve been wanting. Click here for the how to.

infused liquorsInfused liquors are so easy to make and instantly elevate a drink. I’d let the liquor infuse for a few days, but it’s a gift that you both could enjoy this weekend. Click here for the tutorial.

gifts for male teachersIf your darling isn’t a drinker, then a personalized mug filled with coffee or chocolates would make a cute gift. Just make sure you don’t put it in the dishwasher! Click here for the details.

Here’s to homemade Valentine’s gifts! And waiting until the last minute!

love,
melanie

 

Polymer Clay Hair Accessories

Polymer Clay Heart Hair Accessory DIYFor Valentine’s Day I like to add a little something-something to my outfits. This year, I thought a hair accessory would be just the thing.

For this project, you’ll need polymer clay, bobby pins and a tiny bit of cloth. I used leather, but felt will work well too.

I had a little extra polymer clay left over from my For the Makers project. So I thought hey, why not add a little food coloring to it?! This dummie got red food coloring all over her hands and went around with pink hands for two days. Make sure if you decide to color the clay with food coloring, use gloves! Or just buy pink clay. So much easier and so much less embarrassing.

Polymer Clay HeartsI fashioned the clay into hearts. Then, to bake the clay, I placed the hearts on a cookie sheet.  Bake according to the manufacturer’s directions. After the clay cooled, I broke out my trusty hot glue gun, cut a few pieces of leather, secured the bobby pin between the leather and glued it to the clay.

Back of Clay Heart Hair AccessoriesWhere’s the easy button? ‘Cuz this project was eeeeeezzzzzz.

love,
melanie

 

Nuts About You: Valentine’s Day Recipe and Free Printable

Nuts about you

I secretly love Valentine’s Day. I know it’s not cool to like the lovey-dovey holiday, but George and I had our first date on Valentine’s Day and I can’t help but be nostalgic about it. This year instead of the heart-shaped cookies, candy and cakes, I wanted to do something a bit different.  Who comes to the rescue once again? Our beloved friend, nuts!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup of walnuts
  • 1/2 cup of pecans
  • 1/2 cup of cashews
  • 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
  • Sea salt for sprinkling

Melt the coconut oil in a skillet over low heat. Throw in the nuts and toast until slightly brown. Remove from heat and spread nuts on a cookie sheet lined in wax paper. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or impromptu double boiler (a larger pot over a slightly smaller pot 1/4 full of water.) Stir chocolate constantly and when smooth drizzle over nuts. Sprinkle with sea salt. Chill nuts in fridge until chocolate sets.

Chocolate covered nuts

To make the bags, I took a Ziplock bag and cut off the resealable edge. Then, I added the nuts. To make the printable, I drew a little peanut cartoon (then George told me it sucked and re-drew it) and scanned it in Photoshop. But you don’t have to do that because I created a downloadable one for you right here! Just click on it for the full image!

Nuts about you printable

Finally, I cut out the image, punched a hole and tied it to the bag. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Make them for anyone and everyone you are nuts about!

love,
melanie