PARTY CRUSH Monica Hart ~ In the PINK

Hat Box Gift Baskets ~ Monica Hart for 425 Magazine, Rodrigo DeMedeiros Photo

Whether you’re in a relationship or single, it’s SO worth it, to add a little Valentine’s Day luster and  r o m a n c e  to your life, leading up to Valentine’s Day and  beyond!

{As I’m writing this, I am sipping on grapefruit bubbly (sparkling water, it’s only noon) from a pink can and listening to the soundtrack from BRIDGERTON. What?}

I call it GLOW-up  and I’m here for it! It’s all about simple romantic notions that you can create for him, for her or for YOU!

Okay, I’ve corralled just a few of my (own) favorite PARTY CRUSH-worthy Valentine’s ideas to try from my 425 Magazine Invite features and Instagram posts starting with these pretty white ‘hat box’ gift ideas.

A white patent leather like (The Container Store) box, in the round, is heaped with: a posy of plucky blooms, delicious chocolates, scented soaps, flavored olive oil, champagne sips and sparkling gummy bears…who wouldn’t LOVE this! AND the box is so fun!

Next up….Taper LOVE.

 

                         Photo Monica Hart

Tall Tapers, they are my romantic ‘glow-to’ candle pick of the moment! Especially pretty, reflected in a beautiful mirror. These tapers are from The Floral Society  and I’m smitten with the petal pink and clay colors.

Speaking of glow…

                          Photo Monica Hart

Everything is coming up rosy thanks to my (thrifty) new pink lightbulbs in hues of

magenta to soft blush. Get the rose-colored glasses glow – on Amazon.

 

Flirty Floral Ice is NICE

Monica Hart for 425 Magazine Rodrigo DeMedeiros Photo

Sprinkle a few of these ravishing rose ice cubes into your pink Champagne ice bucket!

So pretty and easy. Pick up inexpensive roses at your local market.  If you want to add the cubes to a cocktail, make sure the blooms are organically grown.

 

Paper Runners

Monica Hart 425 Magazine, Rodrigo DeMedeiros Photo

 

Love adding simple but beautiful paper runner accents to my Valentine’s Day Bar tables.

The collapsible bar tables are great for entertaining and easy to store.

The paper runners come in cool colors, playful patterns….no storing or washing required. BONUS!

(Paper Runner from Hedge & Vine, Bellevue)

 

Cheery Champagne tower

Monica Hart for 425 Magazine, Rodrigo DeMedeiros Photo

 

Sip, sip, hooray! Never, ever underestimate the power & charm of a champagne tower, even a mini one!

Three of my Grandmother’s antique coupes + one bottle of really good bubbles = C H E E R S  y’all!

TIP: Always use some kind of tray base, to protect your furniture and surfaces from the

inevitable spillover!

 

And finally, let’s bring back the handwritten note ~

                         Photo Monica Hart

Email and texting is fine…but there is nothing quite like a handwritten, Valentine’s Day card or note.

Some say handwritten is a lost art, let’s bring it back.

Recently, I assembled this simple writing tray. Cards, notes, envelopes, pens, stamps, in short, everything I might need at my fingertips to actually send a handwritten note through the old-school mail. Like, where you go to a post office.

There is still time to send a handwritten card to someone you love for Valentine’s Day.

Be Beautiful,

XXO

Selected images 425 Magazine

Rodrigo DeMedeiros Photography