Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day dear readers. Are you all celebrating this lovey dovey holiday? I have to admit, I have always loved this syrupy-sweet day. But let’s get down to brass tacks on this one already, its origins are not as sweet-hearted as you may think. While I admit, I don’t love this lover’s day for the doilies and bon bons as much as I do for the excuse to celebrate, I had no idea the possible origins of St. Valentine’s Day were so dark.

It all started in Rome as much in our Western history has- those Romans really had a way with making some serious history. Apparently, young women would line up at the chance to have Rome’s men hit on them and by that, I do mean quite literally hit them. What seems nuts to us, was ceremonial for them- part of the annual feast of Lupercalia. The women of the time thought that these whippings and lashes would make them fertile. A (potential) mother’s love knows no boundaries. Not exactly the Hallmark holiday we’ve come to know and love, filled with cut-out hearts and tangy candy, is it?

In any case, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Well, I do anyway. My hubby does by default. If it weren’t for me pointing out this day on a yearly basis sometime around say January 15th, it would come and go without him batting an eye. I don’t blame him, it is sort of silly. Why celebrate love on this one specific day? Why not show it in small ways throughout the year? But then again… why not? For me, any excuse to take time and celebrate is aces in my book. I’ve officially put C on Valentine duty. He has obliged and apparently planned something fun and wacky (which is one of my specifications) for us this evening.

Valentine Cocktails and a Few More Thoughts on Love and Some Other Random Things:

What I’m Drinking: 

This lovely little Valentine rosé champagne cocktail cut to be a bit less sweet (nothing worse than a super sweet cocktail- blech!) to start St. Valentines evening off the right way- a classic cocktail and it’s pink. And… maybe this Prickly Pear Fizz too.

A Few Things: 

1. 10 Best Love Stories. Says who? Says Jennifer Rose Smith at Camille Styles. Ok, I was a bit dubious when I clicked on this article but it had me at Paul and Joanne- pretty much my personal all-time favorite couple in the history of coupledom- so much so that one of the dinner tables at our wedding was named after them (we had a favorite couple theme for our long family style tables). Paul and Joanne- it just doesn’t get any better than you two.

2. What a great little hot pink heart print- this would be super smart on a gallery wall.

3. I love these Valentines from Indigo Bunting.

4. This not-too-sweet rosé champagne cocktail is what I’m drinking tonight.

5. Is this custom heart stamp cute or what? What a great engagement or Valentines Day gift, if you go in for that sort of thing.

6. Rome. The obvious choice for a destination Valentine getaway. I mean come on, as far as we know this whole holiday originated there, a couple of people by the name of Valentine were executed there and above all else, the eternal city is absolutely dripping with amor and gigantesco Italian passion. Paris- nah, it’s Rome all the way. At the very least, we should go and pay homage to all of those poor souls who endured those ridiculous whippings in the name of love- read the full story here.

And A Few More Things: 

When in Rome… check out American food and travel writer/sommelier/art historian/travel guide Katie Parla’s Rome Restaurant Guide and App. She’s an expat whose been there for years and knows the eternal city like the back of her hand. An insider’s guide to eating well in Rome, to be sure. Do as the Romans do, right?

And while we’re still talking about Roma, this recipe for the classic Roman pasta dish, Bucatini all’Amatriciana looks divine. This dish was my dad’s favorite so I’ve always had an affinity for it (mine senza guanciale)- a great dish for a cold winter’s eve and a good bet if you’re staying in tonight and want to make something molto bene.

A fun look at a day in the life of designer Clare Vivier.

Want to make some cute heart-shaped cookies for your cupid but no cookie cutter in sight? Fear not, here’s a great little DIY heart-shaped cookie cutter.

The dinner party plates of my dreams- vintage Fornasetti Malachite- Come. On.  If only I could find a full set. Pricey but totally worth saving up for.

Ha ha. I would love to be sitting next to this guy.

And totally randomly, don’t you wish you were here right about now?

Cin Cin and Happy Valentines Day!

Related posts: