Love and Self-Care for Valentine’s Day

Card tutorials, movie and book recommendations, and a scrumptious recipe!

Valentine’s Day is approaching, and though I haven't always felt at ease with the commercial aspect of this particular holiday, I can't help but get excited at the sight of hearts and flowers and beautiful desserts and love poems and romantic films… You get the idea. We all experience some level of love in our lives, and I find that it is my children that I get most excited to celebrate this holiday with. Artwork, baking, special meals and movies… this particular holiday can teach a very important lesson: love yourself, then you are better equipped to love others. When we are patient with ourselves and show self-care and grace, it is much easier to extend such tendencies to those we love.

So, in honor of the upcoming holiday, I invite you to spread love to yourself and others by making homemade valentines (tutorials included), read a lovely feel-good or indulgent gothic romance novel (recommendations included) , bake something decadent (one of my favorite words... recipe included), and watch your favorite romance movie (recommendations included).

HOMEMADE VALENTINES

Each year this is a favorite with my children. We have gotten quite creative in the past, and here are a few I've made this year to help inspire your own creative homemade valentine.

SUPPLIES:

Pencil

Fine Point Pen

Scissors

Watercolor Paints

Watercolor Paper or Cardstock

Start with a basic outline softly drawn in pencil on some watercolor paper or card stock. When you are satisfied, go over your drawing with a fine tip marker. Proceed to fill in with color using watercolors of your choice. This is the fun part where you can feel free to experiment with mixing and blending your own colors. Have fun with this since that is, after all, the goal of creating!

BOOKS & MOVIES

Whether it's the food I prepare, the books I choose to read or the movies I prefer to watch, a lot of what I love and indulge in throughout the year is closely correlated to the season. I am sure I'm not alone in this! I compiled lists of my favorite films and books inspired by this upcoming holiday of love. What started out as my top ten, it quickly turned into much longer lists. I just couldn't narrow it down!

**Please know that many of the following movies are not suitable for young and impressionable minds. A helpful resource I like to use, even for just myself, is commonsensemedia.org .

FILM RECOMMENDATIONS

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

DECEDANT DESSERT RECIPE

I recently had a craving for a delicious rich chocolate cake. Who doesn't get that craving from time to time?? So I took to the web and simply searched "Best Chocolate Cake Recipe" and chose the one most promising. It was DELICIOUS, let me tell you. Dark and rich with a hint of espresso... it's a crowd pleaser. This recipe also includes a recipe for the icing! Whatever you do, don't overbake! Top with ice cream or bourbon soaked cherries (for the grownups, of course)....

LINKS:

Decadent Dessert Recipe

Slow down and take time to do the things you love for the people you love, including yourself. Hopefully some of these recommendations help.

Happy Valentine's Day! ♥️

About the Content Creator:

Christina resides in her hometown of Franklin, Indiana. She studied Psychology and Studio Art at Franklin College and has since continued to grow in both painting photography. Married with two handsome boys, you will often find her photographing landscapes and cityscapes, as well as creating watercolor illustrations. In addition to creating, she also enjoys reading and hiking with her family.