tea time

It seems to be a tradition to have high tea with my mom sometime during the winter.

Oten we go with a group of ladies and sometimes it's just us two. There are almost always Kir Royals involved.

This year, for the first time ever, we went with our sweet heats. The four of us dressed up and lifted our pinkies while we sipped Earl Grey at the Biltmore in Montecito.

The Biltmore is so fancy that's it's definitely just for special occasions. But oh boy do they make tastey treats. This year they added macaroons to menu.

That's my dad asleep behind the strawberries. He's more of a coffee guy.

Tradition

Our handmade Valentine tradition continues. These bear a strong resemblance to last year's love notes.

everyday is Valentine's Day with you, dude

Mr. C and I have no grand plans for this Valentine's day. He works. I work. Maybe we'll exchange hand made cards, as is our tradition. We really have so many great days together... any random Wednesday could lead to a lovers adventure. It's like everyday is Valentine's Day.

Also, today is my ma's birthday. So she gets our love and attention too.

Valentine Baby

Saturday we went to hight tea at the Montecito Biltmore for my mom's birthday.

It's becoming somewhat of a tradition to celebrate there (you might remember last year's post). Rather than birthday cake, we have divine little sandwiches, kir royals and, of course, tea.

I had the peach & ginger loose leaf. And for desert...

... a 3 tiered tray of the most beautiful sweet treats.

It seems fitting to celebrate the birth of a Valentine Baby with such an elegant affair. We always get dressed up in our fancies and valet park. It's such a luxury, but one that I know my mother really and truly enjoys.

His & Hers

I came home today to a handmade Valentine from my sweetheart...

... and he came home to one from me.

Mr. C and I have been dreadfully ill for these days leading up to the St. Valentine Holiday. We really we're too bad off to plan anything super special. But I love that rather than running out to buy each other last minute gifts, we both took time out of our days to hand craft true-love Valentines. I sure love that man.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. And happy birthday Mom.

Blue Valentine

I've been sort of disappointed with the crop of movies in theaters as of late, so I've been watching older ones I'd missed. But it's time to start looking ahead for those up and coming (possible) screen gems. Blue Valentine is one that I am particularly excited about. The trailer alone makes my eyes well up and my heart ache.

in bloom

A week later and my Valentine flowers are still blooming. Amazing.

Hope you all are having a lovely weekend .

Love

to everyone: Happy Valentine's Day

to my mom: Happy Birthday

to my sweetheart: I love growing up with you & I'll be glad to grow old with you.

Sweet Idea

Absolutely loving TCHO's take on a Valentine favorite. Mat Kisman's "Love Collection" tops boxes of confections with beautiful graphic prints. Perfect for the chocolate lover, the art lover and any other kind of lover.

{order some for your Valentine here}

February's Darlings

Happy Birthday to all you February babies. Here's to a month of love, groundhogs, presidents & saints. And most of all, here's to you.

{photo from arienzackary's photostream}