I took down my Christmas decorations yesterday (yes I’m speedy like that) and after I removed them the mantle seemed so bare.
It was depressing.
I decided I needed to decorate for Valentine’s Day. I’ve hopped on the bandwagon with all those other crazies that redecorate for every single holiday of the year.
Okay that is untrue. You won’t see me doing this mantel in green for St. Patricks! This I solemnly swear! Also I didn’t decorate for Halloween…so there’s that.
Valentine’s Day is a day we don’t even celebrate. We celebrate on the 16th, for the day we first met.
These are the worst months of the year for me. Jan – Mar. They are brutally cold, endless, dark and basically crap on a stick. Decorating with bright red and the theme of love cheered me up.
It really goes to show you that it is the little things in life that can affect our mood.
When I decided I was going to make some Valentine Day home decor I went all in. I spent the day sewing that fabric banner, making the button heart, sewing the letters LOVE in red velvet (which you don’t even see here because I don’t like them as a banner but think they should go on a pillow instead and well let me just say, I don’t think that’ll happen tomorrow, or ummmm…EVER! oh well ), putting together that little marquee sign and making the floral crown for the antelope (you can bet that Zoë will be sporting that soon!). All the other bits I had hanging around the house.
I had the whole mantel decorated but really wanted a place to add some text. First I thought of writing in lipstick on the mirror…
Oily, hard to wipe off and not easy to write with.
Then I thought of dry erase markers! It was my genius “light bulb” Oprah creative moment. I patted myself on the back for being so damn brilliant (it’s important to acknowledge genius when you come across it!) and rushed off to buy some markers. I used the fine tip dry erase markers and drew away. Just be aware when you are writing not to touch anything that you’ve drawn otherwise it’ll just wipe off with your hand.
I can see that I will be using these all over my house now. No mirror will escape. It is such a fun way to add a love note (romantic for Valentine’s Day!), or even doodle, a list, picture frames, a beard and moustache (ha!) whatever. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
I went ahead and added some little lights too…
Here are some other cute options for Valentine Day Home Decor that I’ve pinned…
This is a cute option for Valentine’s Day gifts. I also find most men are over-the-moon when they get this. No joke. My husband LOVED that. He wants one every year for the rest of his life. Especially the “you win: I’m wrong” coupon.
Do you put up any Valentine Day decor in your home? Or are you “normal” and just go out for dinner somewhere?
Linking up with: My Girlish Whims – Your Whims Wednesday
I don’t decorate for Valentine’s (or any holiday, really), but I love this. Your mantel looks so great. I especially love when it is all lit up. I can see why this brightened your mood. It is so pretty and cheerful! Now, I am off to write a love note on my husband’s mirror in a dry erase marker. Brilliant!
Lovely! This could be a year-round theme, if you so chose. We don’t decorate for any holidays, but I love seeing your creativity and warmth on display. xox
That is lovely! so warm and inviting- I can see how it would cheer up these winter months- isn’t it brutal how the same months where you try and lose the weight you put on at Christmas are also the same ones where you want binge eat comfort food to escape the dreariness? or is that just me;)
I had NO idea anyone decorated for Valentine’s Day! Seriously, it’s not A Thing here at all, at least not with people I know. I just about manage to put up a tree at Christmas, and that’s it! But your mantlepiece looks great, you’ve got a great eye. xxx
I agree. You ARE a genius. I love to decorate for holidays. I’m such goofy that way. And didn’t you just love making Valentines in elementary school? All that pink construction paper, doilies and glitter!!!
Oo I have those markers and aren’t afraid to use them – I’ll be leaving a love note on a mirror tonight! Genius idea x
You Genius you! I normally put a heart shaped wreath I made a while back on the door and that’s about it. You know I used to do all that holiday decorating myself, now, I just can’t be bothered. Oh, and we’re a pair of rebels, not for us conformity…we go out to lunch.
I agree that this would cheer me up too! The weather is so gloomy and dark lately! I love the mantel! I love that you celebrate on the 16th for the day you met instead of the 14th! That makes it so much more special! The lights and the bunny are the perfect little touches!
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca
Wow, that takes some dedication to decorate like that… I don’t really decorate, I make a sort of half-assed attempt once in a while, but I’m too lazy. And I live out of a suitcase (it’s an attitude, if not always a fact) And I am the most unromantic woman on the planet, my husband would agree. I let him buy me flowers sometimes, but not nearly as often he would like to. Valentine’s Day, I think I will be travelling then, and then falling asleep over a supposedly romantic dinner (I blame the time difference)…
Welcome to the bandwagon! You know I’m one of those chronic re-decorators. I’ve just taken down our Christmas stuff myself (whoops). It’s always depressing taking down the tree, but I always feel a little better replacing the holiday whimsies with pink and red Valentine-themed pretties. I just adore your bright, sweet mantle, and the bust wearing the flower crown is my favorite touch.
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
What a great idea…I have never decorated for Valentine’s Day! I really like what you have done here especially when its lit up.
Nora
http://www.jacketsociety.com
I don’t really decorate for holidays other than maybe Christmas, but I can totally see how this would be a mood lifter to make and to then look at.
Also this: ” Just be aware when you are writing not to touch anything that you’ve drawn otherwise it’ll just wipe off with your hand.” This is a left-hander’s life. For anything. For everything.
We don’t decorate or celebrate Valentines. Personally, it’s just a hallmark holiday so I refuse to participate to eating overpriced dinners and receiving over priced flowers.
We do try and find the silliest cards to exchange to each other.
We don’t decorate for St. Patrick’s day but the Leprechaun always visits our home and causes havoc and of course we consume corn beef with cabbage too.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
This is really lovely. Our mantel looks so bare right now, and I hadn’t thought to decorate for Valentine’s Day. The dry erase markers are genius and I will be copying you asap!
Ok, this is truly Brillaint!
You are having a Martha Moment, and i do hope you spread the word!
Love the dry erase of the mirror, and love the lights, and banners,
I am impressed with your creatiivty and craftiness!
End product looks truly fab.
I hate to end this I am so excited post, with the boring admission that I do not decorate at all, just a card for hubbby, and some macaroons or reese’s cups for moi!
Dinner out on valentines? NOT us, we order iN.
30 years of marriage and we are so over the inflated prices and lousy service of our favorite eateries on this made up holiday.
and of course I buy myself some jewelry!! I am getting smart in my old age. so i guess i am a romantic after all. 🙂
LOve this!
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com/
I’ve actually never even thought to decorate my home for V-Day. After the annual V-Day events I host, I get just plumb sick if hearts and glitter before February even hits!!
Well, you know me and decorating, so I’m absolutely in love with your mantle piece. I’m thinking we really need to have a little ‘girls get together’ like tomorrow. (yea, I know, we don’t live next door to one another, dang.) Isn’t it so inviting and inspirational when you have this all done? Love your mirror idea, I actaully use those fun markers on my mirrors in my bathroom and bedroom with little daily quotes.
Thank you for sharing your valentine decor with us.
You did a lovely job on your mantel – it looks very pretty. I’ve never decorated for Valentine’s Day, and don’t celebrate it, even when I’ve been in a relationship. I like your idea of celebrating the day you two met.
Looks very romantic!
http://stylesprinter.com/
No, we don’t celerate Valentines Day, Ron and me. Sometimes a hug and a kiss or a card, but no celebrations.
I can however understand you did this to lift your mood. Very well done. And I like the expression “crap on a stick” hahaha.
Greetje
I’m like you Suzanne: I don’t do winter very well, so decorating for Christmas and Valentine’s Day is fun and brightens up dreary cold days and nights. We leave our Christmas tree up all January until I start decorating for Valentine’s. February, being my birthday month, means I get one card for both, which is fine with me. I LOVE hearts and you have transformed your mantel into an altar of love!!
♥ carmen
You darling dry erase genius! I thought more of a Martha Stewart moment, then of an Oprah moment, but ok, either way: genius!
I’m so with you in the “I hate winter”- corner. Yayks! Can’t wait to go back to sunnier destinations. Soon, curly, soon.
We’re also together in the “Pimping (decorating, beautifying) my whole world” corner. Don’t ya just love our nooks;-)?