Flowers that ship direct from eco-friendly, sustainable farms on a Volcano? check
Gorgeous floral arrangements that start at just $40? check
Flowers that can be delivered for Valentine's Day with Free Shipping? check

View fullsize

Today's post is going to completely amaze you if you love beautiful blooms from farms on a volcano, bouquets that are affordable and will arrive to celebrate Valentine's Day with. You may want to drop a few hints to your guy if you fall in love with these flowers. Or you might even want to surprise your maid of honor and/or bridesmaids :) At The Bouqs, you can order beautiful flowers from the traditional rose bouquet, to the unexpected and untraditional style bouquets. Today I'm sharing with you some of my favorite bouquets from The Bouqs Valentine's Day collection - which would also make gorgeous floral centerpieces for bridal showers. Are you ready to fall in love with some beautiful blooms {and their names} that are romantic and heartfelt gifts?

Take 20% Off Your Valentine's Day Order + Free Shipping with Code: VDAY20

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Take 20% Off Your Valentine's Day Order + Free Shipping with Code: VDAY20

————> Come Shop The Bouqs for these gorgeous Valentine's Day Flowers
top left to bottom right {row by row}:
1. XOXO features Gillyflowers with amazing antique purple blooms
2. Desperado is a beautiful combination of Roses with purple accents
3. Cake n' Cream is a sweet treat with the mixed Ranunculus
4. Bubbly is an untraditional bouquet with the lovely Gillyflowers in an antique color
5. Charmed, I'm Sure features Purple Lisianthus flowers
6. Infinity features pink Lisianthus blooms
7. Pucker Up is a lovely bouquet of mixed color hydrangeas
8. Everlasting Love is another Gillyflower bouquet in antique purple and yellow colors
9. Happy Together is a pretty bouquet of Gillyflowers in purple and green blooms
10. Super Cute features romantic carnations in a mix of reds, pinks and bi-colors

The Bouqs is a proud affiliate of Brenda's Wedding Blog

Today's inspiration board {from the archives} is a great starting point for a Valentine's Day wedding or a fun theme for a bridal shower. I'm loving the looks of that red velvet hot chocolate and wouldn't the pearl wreath look amazing at the entrance to your event? See the original post here.

View fullsize

Photo Credits: red velvet hot cocoa : Une-deux senses // love flower earrings : Yifat Bareket // bride with red rose bouquet : Project Wedding // red slip with pearls : deviantART // red place setting : Kay Ellen // shoes with pearls : George Street Photo // handmade pearl wreath : Better Homes and Gardens

Wouldn't this Two Strand Silver and Pearl Necklace be a great choice for your special day? Plus, it's just $65.

View fullsize

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you have something fun planned today that involves either treating yourself or another special someone to some simple sweet love. Speaking of love, I've recently pinned several cakes that had one thing in common - they all had one large accent on them and I have to say, I'm totally loving this idea. And, with today's being Valentine's Day, the first cake I have to share is one with a large ruffled heart. Aren't these cakes amazing?

Pastel Cake with Ruffled Pink Heart by Kelly Warwick Cakes

Both cakes from Cotton and Crumbs: Lace & Blossoms Wedding Cake + Lace Fringe Wedding Cake

Black, white + gold floral tiered wedding cake with large pink flower by Hey There, Cupcake!

Happy Valentine's Day Eve - I'm thrilled to welcome Great Performances {one of NYC’s premier event production companies} to the blog today. They are here to share their tips for turning an ordinary Valentine's Day celebration into an extraordinary one! First up is the menu . . .

Menu Planning

1. Focus on aphrodisiac menu items such as oysters, dark chocolate, truffles, red wine and ginger to set the mood for your romantic evening.

Recipe Suggestions:
Mini Truffle Mushroom Pizzas
Chocolate Decadence Cake
Carrot Ginger Soup

2. Create a menu inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins with rich and creamy items representing gluttony, gold leaf garnishes for greed, a spicy dish for anger or beautiful desserts for vanity.

Recipe Suggestions:
Mae Mae Café Pasta with Kale and Sausage
Spicy Vegetarian Chili
Sylvia’s Table Meringue Kisses

3. As a nod to Cupid, serve a kabob style dish skewered on Cupid’s arrows.

Recipe Suggestions:
Tequila and Lime Chicken Skewers

Decor

1. Create a dramatic and romantic atmosphere by buying inexpensive candles in bulk – with varying heights and widths – so you can fill your space with the warm glow of hundreds of flickering candles. Cover every surface with candles to make a bold and beautiful statement.

2. Stop in to your local bodega or corner market and buy several dozen of their inexpensive rose bouquets. At checkout, have the store bundle all of the bouquets together to create one huge assortment of bright red roses. By skipping the florist and taking this semi-DIY approach, you can make a giant bouquet for a small investment.

3. Rethink the usual reds and pinks and use deep purples and golds to create a more dramatic and sophisticated table. Adding in a touch of black lace ups the ante with a seductive flare.

4. Be playful with your centerpieces – a collection of ostrich feathers on the table are a light and seductive accent for the evening.

Misc.

1. Instead of simply giving a gift, design a special treasure hunt for your special someone. Incorporate each course of the meal by hiding clues under plates or with certain dishes – get creative!

2. If you don’t have time to cook a full meal, you can still make the evening special by setting a beautiful and simple table – don’t forget the candles! – and ordering in from your favorite takeout restaurant. This way you don’t have to worry about dishes and will have more time for a relaxing and romantic evening together.

About the Guest Author: Great Performances is New York City’s premier catering company spearheading the evolving “food as fashion” movement. The company is known for incorporating seasonal ingredients into its delicious, innovative and beautifully designed food presentations. Counting many of the city's most high-profile cultural institutions and landmark properties as clients, such as Sotheby's, The Plaza, Asia Society, BAM, and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (at the Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center), Great Performances is the only New York City caterer to own and operate its own 60-acre organic farm, Katchkie Farm, in Kinderhook, NY.

Images Credits for Decor Ideas: Purple and Gold Place Setting via fabyoubliss.com, Ostrich Feathers, Roses from Market via kimberlytaylorimages.com

this post contains an affiliate link

With Valentine's Day around the corner, The Wedding Outlet is here today to share some of their favorite heart themed wedding favors.

These delicious Hearts Chocolate Bar Favors are always popular with guests! Personalize the candy bar label with your names and wedding date or two custom lines, plus choose a label color that matches your event colors. Great for weddings, bridal showers, anniversaries and more.

These Heart Acrylic Boxes will make a wonderful keepsake of your Valentine or heart theme wedding. Fill each box with your favorite treat and give them to your guests as a special "thank you" for being part of your special day. Choose the label color and personalize them with your names and date or three custom lines.

Pink favor boxes, featuring heart-shaped, acetate windows, make beautiful thank-yous when filled with colorful treats. (Ribbon and contents not included)