Valentines Inspiration From The Blogasphere

Time surely does fly, it seemed only yesterday I was gathering inspiration for last years Valentines post and here it is again but this time I have found some fresh inspiration. I think the most important thing about Valentines day is that we show love and care, it shouldn't be about spending lots of money, just spending time with the one you love. A candlelit dinner at home and some pretty flowers are suffice for me but if you want to make it a little more special, maybe you will be inspired by some of the lovely ideas below. I also believe it should be about spreading the love. Maybe you don't have a Valentine, but a great group of girlfriends you could host a Valentines lunch for. Or maybe you can extend some love and kindness towards someone elderly or alone. Creating something hand made makes it special and I believe means so much more than something store bought. I still have the  home made cards my boys gave me when they were little telling me how much they loved me on Valentines day, so spread a little home made love...

Above: I'm donuts over you, free printables from Sugar and Charm, download...here

Above: Fondant love letter and scripted heart cookies - Instructions and recipe at Sweetapolita. 

 DIY heart love mobile, instructions on how to make the easy pom poms and hearts at Design Love Fest

Above: I adore these pretty breakfast in bed Valentine printables from October Ink. Print the full size labels here. I noticed October link also run some great photoshop classes for bloggers.

A sweet 'key to my heart' idea from Tonya at The Gunny Sack 

 Now for something special, I absolutely love the sentiment behind this next idea ...

Above: Little hearts and a mason jar with a lovely story behind them. To find out what to do with these little hearts, read Katie's guest post at Moorea Seal .

I hope you've enjoyed this selection of ideas as much as I enjoyed discovering them. I'd have to say my favourite is the "I Love You Jar". If you want more ideas and Valentine printables, you can find inspiration from last years Valentines post, or over at my Pinterest board where you will find over 100 Valentines  ideas.

Lee oxo

I will be sharing this post with the following blogs:

I should be Mopping the Floor
The Dedicated House
DIY Showoff
The Blissful Bee

Savvy Southern Style
Not Just A Housewife

No Minimalist Here
The Real Housewives of Riverton

My Romantic Home

The 36th Avenue

Valentines Pavlova - Fail Proof Recipe

This Typical NZ Pavlova recipe was given to me by my mothers care-giver, Thank you so much Jane for sharing your recipe and for being such a wonderful, gentle caregiver to my mum ☺ I've adapted this recipe for Valentines by forming a valentines shape and adding pink food colouring but normally Pavlova is white.  There are a few secrets to making the perfect Pavlova, please read these before you begin.

Perfect pavlova recipe

Ingredients

6 egg whites separated

1 ½ cups of castor sugar (fine sugar)

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon cornflour

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

3 tablespoons cold water

Pink food colouring

Fresh whipped cream for topping
Fresh strawberries or other fruit for topping

Method:

Beat egg whites until stiff (food mixer is invaluable here!)

Add water (replace 1 teaspoon of the water with pink food colouring if you are adding colour), add sugar little by little continually beating until thick peaks start to form.

Add vanilla essence, cornflour and vinegar and continue beating until it is so thick and shiny that the peaks stand up on their own without flopping over.

Place your sheet of non stick paper onto a baking tray.  Draw the shape you wish to make your pavlova, in this case a large heart. Then take a large tablespoon and big scoops of meringue filling, dropping them in the shape spoon by spoon making sure they all join together. Once you have covered the shape then add another layer of your meringue on top.  If you smooth over the top then it will not crack on cooking, however, I keep the rough shape as I like the more rustic look to my pavlova and I feel the cracking is part of its character.

Bake at 150 degrees Celsius or 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes then turn off the oven and leave it to cool completely, this could take around another hour and a half.  Be patient and don’t peek.

When cooled completely you can whip your cream for topping and then add sliced strawberries or any other fruit you may wish. 

A medley of fruits such as kiwi, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are also lovely , mix and scatter rather than placing perfectly.

Make your pavlova the night before, leave it in the oven until your ready to decorate and serve.  Once you add the cream it will need to be refrigerated, hence leave the decorating until the last minute...it is doubtful you will have a trace left to store away!

This recipe is absolutely delicious and turns out perfect if you follow the secrets to a perfect pavlova. You will crunch through the top and the marshmallow centre will melt in your mouth!...Yummy!

If you like this recipe you may also like

my valentines Raspberry Tiramisu which is a no cook easy recipe

 created in a mason jar.


Sharing with
Craft O Mania Monday
Mop it up Mondays at I should be mopping the floor
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Show and Tell Friday at  My Romantic Home

Lee oxo

&

Poppy

More valentines to come so visit again soon ☺