Since It's Almost Valentine's Day...

Kalli on Etsy

Alright, so Valentine’s Day can be a lot of pressure for both singles and couples - guys and gals. Guys, your best bet is to be original – make it memorable for the lady in your life! Hallmark has over 1330 different cards specifically for Valentine's Day.. but the sweetest cards are homemade.. (hint hint) or buy handmade on Etsy

February 14th doesn't only have to be for the ones in love. Single ladies and guys alike can have a great day they can look forward to as well.

With the holiday falling on a Monday this year (ugh!) Some of you will be looking for fun Valentine's Day ideas that might force you to celebrate a few days before or after.

Here are our top 10 Valentine’s Day (or week) ideas for both Singles and Couples. Enjoy!

Singles guide to surviving Valentine's Day:

1. In need of some lovin'? Plan on adopting a pet at your local animal shelter. It's a quick way to help change the life of a new friend like these little guys!

2. Schedule a day at the spa. New Image Med Spa offers chocolate hot stone pedicures, chocolate truffle manicures and pedicures, and chocolate body scrubs.. yes please! Guy's, don't feel left out. They have a "just for him package" as well.

3. Make a toast to the single life! Dress up and go out for cocktails and dinner with your closest single friends. Pick a place with a great atmosphere such as the new Hubbard Grille in the Short North. Statistics show Valentines Day is the best night of the year to meet someone for a potential new date.

4. Throw an "Anti-Valentine's Day" soiree with a killer black and red menu. Include spicy foods, foods full of garlic, maybe some wine and stinky (but delicious) cheeses. Make funny anti-love fortunes to put in homemade fortune cookies or bake a 'broken hearted' chocolate mousse raspberry cake.

5. Feeling a little bummed out about the whole thing? Grab some friends and head out to The Big Bang Bar for a guaranteed great time. Not into it? Columbus offers a number of fun comedy clubs that will definitely take your mind off of Valentines Day.

Couples night out:

1. Forget about the chocolate box.. wow her with a dessert tour! Columbus Food Adventures offers a tour around Columbus starting at the renowned Pistacia Vera in German Village, moving on to hit hot-spots such as Sugardaddy's, Pattycake bakery, and Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream where you can sample bits of their favs.

Hurry...tickets are going fast!

2. Sur La Table is having a hands-on Valentine's Chocolate Workshop right after the big day. What a fun way to spend two hours with your honey.

3. Feeling adventurous? How about a plane ride around the city! JP's BBQ Ribs and Chicken is hosting a Valentine's Day dinner buffet and airplane ride around downtown Columbus.

4. Want to get out of Columbus but don’t have the time? Set the mood and reserve your seat for Valentine's Day at Cameron Mitchell's M and feel as if you’ve stepped into a chic south beach restaurant and bar.

5. Looking for something more laid back? Clayspace is having a Valentine's Date night. Enjoy two-hours of private lessons on the potter's wheel on February 12th.

Be Creative on Valentine's and most importantly be thankful for your singleness or for your loved one!

Bedford II

The grand entrance greets you as you check in at the Bedford Springs Resort

(Here are the rest of the pictures I promised to highlight from our 2 day getaway)

The Crystal dining room. 10 American presidents have dined in this stylish room. Comfort food at its finest.

Relaxation and planning for 2011 was achieved in style

Repose in Bedford

Louie and I have decided to journey out for a much needed break from all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We are taking time to be thankful for 2010 and prepare for exciting 2011. We are settling down at the beautiful and luxurious Bedford Springs Resort and spa.

Bedford Springs is an American original. The stone Inn was built in 1805 and much later in 1984 the hotel was designated on the National Historic Landmark and than closed two years later. In 2004, was the start of an extensive restoration and expansion and reopened in 2007. Classic American elements with a fresh clean colorful palette are the design theme at this grande hotel.

Stone Inn

Behind these doors awaits our peaceful luxurious room.

Time to kick off our shoes and take it all in.

As I wander these corridors of the hotel I will be bringing more pictures and the experience we are enjoying.

Christmas Cheer

Merry Christmas! As an end to this wonderful day I am sharing an inside tour of our "Southern Hospitality" home we showed the exterior of on a previous blog. We are thankful to this family and the joys we had decorating their home.

We used this iron chandelier to create a focal point over a table in the lower level bar. Finishing it off with candlelight gave it a warm glow for all the festivities.

My favorite were the 2 special girls own personal trees!! The screams of delight made my Christmas.

This was a pink explosion....and divine it was. A dream come true for any girl who loves pink!

Lollipops dancing in our heads.

Just a little bit of color!!! Adding the striped pink teddy bear was a great addition into this tree.

Hope it was a Merry Christmas and to all a good night.

Southern hospitality influencing southern design

The southern influence of the stunning fresh wintry garland is just the beginning of what is inside the door of this home. The southern hospitality of my friend, Darci is like none other. She has definitely earned her crown as "queen of entertaining." Halloween, birthday, Thanksgiving, OSU football, cookie baking party for 20 -6 year old, and of course the GRAND Christmas party. (this is only naming some of them and did I mention that this was all w/in 2 months after just moving into a new home a month earlier?)

Yes , many of us are tired just reading this. I am always amazed at how she pulls this off with 3 active but darling kids, many other daily activities, meeting friends, charity events and who knows probably training for a half marathon again. This doesn't all happen without the support of Shawn. Today, I saw first hand the team work these two have as we were working on the finishing touches of the Christmas decorations. The next blog I will be featuring the interior of this well loved home. (7 trees in this home)

My friend, Brian is responsible for the beautiful work above. I love love the mix of the various pine with the magnolia leaves.