What I've Been Crushing On

{Non-traditional Valentine blooms}

{Give a little love}

{Morning treats from a friend}

{My kind of Monday}

{Homemade latte made with love}

What's At Steak

For as long as I can remember my father had the best way of seasoning steaks. They were the best I had ever tasted.  I still have no clue what he put into whatever it was he seasoned them with besides some beer and a myriad of other powdered substances. Typically it was something he would fire up on the grill during the summer months, but I am that person that likes steak year round. I like it made at home too. I like it best when it's made for me. Basically I like it when someone makes me dinner instead of the other way around. Until that happens I have found my own way of giving my steaks a little something extra without overwhelming the meat with too much seasoning.

I prep the steaks the night before by rubbing them down with a mix of capers, paprika, olive or cooking oil, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate.

Cook on medium-high heat until medium well in a cast iron skillet.

The smell is intoxicating.

I saute onions and more capers in a separate skillet and then combine the two to finish the cooking process.

By cutting some red skin potatoes in thirds and tossing them with olive oil and season salt, I bake them at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Add some steamed peas and I am in heaven. Gateway to my heart. So if you want in. This is the key.

Staying Grounded

{Brown Sugar Honey Coffee Scrub}

There are a bevy of beauty regimes that a girl (or a guy) can take part in in order to feel refreshed and renewed. I fantasize about spending a day at the spa like the ones I see online, and what it would feel like to be whisked away for a weekend of nothing other than relaxing and soothing treatments. Unfortunately, it has been my experience, that they are so costly and somewhat time intensive that neither of those are something that I could immerse myself in on a regular basis. Lately I have fallen completely in love with the whole idea of pampering yourself at home. You can enjoy everything and not have get dressed and drive anywhere, You can slip into your robe, grab a glass of wine and just chill. My kind of evening.

3 tbsp ground coffee

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp honey

Mix the dry ingredients first and then add the liquids.

Makes your skin feel refreshed and soft. With the antioxidant and ant-inflammatory properties coffee contains, it is a great way to wake up your skin, and a great way to use those left over coffee grounds. Remember to use hot water so they don't clog your tub, and I would recommend rinsing in the shower for best results.

Grounds can be stored in an air tight container for up to 2 months in the refrigerator.

All Black Everything

When everything seems to be going super wrong in my life, and I feel like I need to reclaim what little control I may have over what is happening, I gravitate toward simplifying things at every level. Even in dressing for my job or an evening out I will go back to what always works well. A simple black ensemble can take you anywhere day or night and you will always look polished and sophisticated. I just never want it to be boring. There has to be some unexpected element in every outfit so that I feel like I am being true to myself. These boots and this summer romper give me those things. Comfortable, cool, and classy with a bit of sex appeal just to keep everyone guessing. Natural makeup, and minimal accessories, bring the all the attention back to the woman who wears it. Simple just got complicated. 

Boots are Windsor. Romper is Swell. Blazer is Lauren Conrad for Kohls.

Good Morning Gorgeous

{Here I blended vanilla yogurt and powdered sugar for a new take on standard syrup}

Sometimes after the Valentine's Day festivities have subsided, there can be the dreaded let down the morning after. Maybe you had this romantic night out together followed by a couple of drinks and a movie at home only to wake up the next day and think.....is that it? It definitely doesn't have to be this year. Red velvet is a favorite of mine and I think makes the BEST possible come back after a less than stellar morning after. Here's to love.

              I use Kroger brand pancake mix in this recipe because you only need to add water.

                                                   2 cups mix and 1 1/3 cup water
                                                                  4 tbsp cocoa
                                                           4 tbsp powdered sugar

                                                               red food coloring
              (I use the heavy duty version purchased at a specialty store to get the deep red)

{This version would melt my heart}

The Bomb.com

One of my personal goals for this year was to try and write more thank you notes. I know that it seems as though at this point, with email and text and so forth, that that type of communication is a bit outdated. I just always feel that anything made by hand for someone you care for means so much more than anything you can spend a ton of money on. I recently was gifted some homemade bath salts and for the first time in as long as I can recall, I have started taking long, hot baths. It is so incredibly relaxing and stress relieving for me, that I wanted to find something simple you can make at home for someone you care for this Valentine's Day.

Mix the dry ingredients first and then add the liquid.

8 oz baking soda

4 oz citric acid (lemon juice makes a great substitute)

4 oz cornstarch (or flour)

4 oz bath salts (or Epsom salt)

1 tbsp water

4 tbsp oil

assorted food coloring or sprinkles etc that will dissolve in the hot water

The lemon juice altered the color of the mixture a bit so be aware of that. Divide into separate bowls and add desired colors. We stayed with red and pinks. 

You can use formed cups of any kind or simply PACK TIGHTLY into cupcake pans. 

It needs to dry overnight for best results. Flip out of the pan, and wrap as gifts or drop into the bath for your own little escape. 

Rub a dub dub.

Wrap Me Up

Valentine's Day this year for me is so special because there is so much love all around me. I have four weddings and two new babies up and coming, and I cannot wait to celebrate that with the women who mean so much to me. They have given me the best gift anyone can bestow on another person...friendship. For all the hours we spend talking over important life decisions and new challenges we face every day, I am awe struck by their strength and conviction to all the things they want for themselves. They have taught me the importance of putting myself first, and having the confidence to be the person I am, and making no apologies for who that is. It is with that understanding that I am able to step out and celebrate this year solo. Because it goes without saying...if you can't be with the one you love honey...love the one you're with. 

Dress is Choies. Ray Ban aviators. Vintage clutch. Shoes are Lauren Conrad. Earrings are old JCrew. Wrap coat is Urban Oufitters.

Nick Jonas