Can you believe Valentine's Day is this Sunday already? Eddie and I seldom go out on Valentine's Day, and this year we have even less reason to. Because this year presents different challenges than usual, and because it's a Sunday, we'll likely be celebrating with the kids at home. I'm dropping a few ideas here that you can adapt to your situation and still enjoy Valentine's Day! 

Set your table, make a beautiful breakfast board, and let everyone dig in. Don't forget the mimosas for the parents! There are also a few restaurants doing special Valentine Brunch specials, so look them up and help support your local small businesses!

They've got a "pizza" your heart, so show them with this adorable pizza setup! You can also buy all the ingredients and make it an activity by making the pizzas together!

One of Caleb's favorite things to do is have family movie night. This is a great option! Some movies to consider: Beauty & the Beast, Gnomeo & Juliet, The Little Rascals, Disney/Pixar's UP, The Princess Diaries, Trolls, The Little Prince (Netflix), Princess & The Frog, Over the Moon (Netflix). Set up a snack board, pop some popcorn, and snuggle up on the sofa! 

Pack up a picnic and head to a park or the beach or your yard! If you're somewhere where that isn't really possible, set up in your living room!  Eddie and I love picking up stone crabs and a few sides from the deli counter. Pack some sparkling cider for the kids and some wine for yourself, and make an afternoon out of it. Pick up some Pudding Parlor Red Velvet Pudding, Bakey Key Lime Pies, or a smash cake from Divine Sweets & Vicky Bakery. 

Order in and plate your food, cook yourselves, set your table, turn off the TV, and turn on some smooth music. Give yourselves the full restaurant experience without having to leave the house! Bonus points if you can send the kids to the grandparents house - if not, eat once they go to bed! Check out my table setting below - the placemats are from Chic Tables, the napkin rings are from Plume. 

Look up a tutorial on making a cocktail, or making a craft. Sign up for a virtual class to paint at home, do a workout together, or make a meal you've never made before! Virtual wine tastings can be lots of fun, too. Make it a group activity and get some friends to sign up with you. 

I asked for ideas on Instagram and you delivered! 

• "Family backyard picnic with cute kid desserts." @mrskb26
• "Hire a chef to make dinner for 2. Leave kids with grandparents LOL" @roxanainfanteariza
• "Outdoor dinner at one of the restaurants at Merrick Park." @jmunee12
• "We never go out on Valentine's Day instead we treat ourselves to stone crabs at home!" @itscynthiann
• "Schnebly's [winery] has movies on the lawn." @angelicanoelle12
• "Make pizzas at home." @lvgonz

I hope this helps you come up with a fun idea for Valentine's Day this year! If you have more ideas, send them in and I'll add it above!

xoxo, 

​Jenise

In July 1714, a young girl named Addie makes a deal with the devil in a moment of desperation. She asks for freedom, and is given the gift of living forever - however, nobody remembers her. As soon as she is out of their line of sight, or a door closes, they forget that she existed.

Addie learns over three centuries that while she may not be remembered, there are still ways in which she can leave her mark on the world. Her face is interpreted by artists throughout time, and songs are composed about her. 

But everything changes when after 300 years, a boy in a bookstore remembers her name.

I enjoyed The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue by V.E. Schwab, but I was sort of left deflated at the end. I felt like in all her years, Addie never learned the big lessons. She floated around like a teenager for 300 years. But reading about what it felt like to not be remembered was jarring. I couldn't even wrap my head around the idea. Every time she realized she was going to be forgotten, my heart broke for her. The book is popular, and I understand why. The premise of living forever is something we have all thought about at one point or another I'm sure. The storytelling is well done, and it kept me captivated, although the beginning was a little slow for me. Overall, it was a book I enjoyed. 

Get the book.These are affiliate links. I will earn a small commission if you purchase a book through these links. 
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Get the book from Amazon.
​Get the book from your local bookstore. ​

Men aren't always the easiest to shop for. Most of the time, I just ask Eddie what he wants, but it gets kind of old to buy the same cologne, or a shirt, or workout clothes year after year. Here are a few ideas that are none of those! 

Yeti Mug - Perfect for keeping his coffee hot while he helps you with the kids in the morning. Or just for keeping his coffee hot. 
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Mobot Water Bottle - If your guy is anything like mine, his foam roller is really important to him. I thought this water bottle was so cool, especially because you can take it with you when you travel, and it won't take up a ton of space in your suitcase!

Moisturizer with SPF - As women, we tend to be very conscious about our skincare and protecting it from the sun. Men don't always think of that, so give him a gift that tells him you care about him (and keeping him looking young). 

Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit - Get him this kit so he can make his own fancy cocktail! Plus, this is a local company, so you will be supporting a local small business. 

Monogrammed AirPods Case - Because who don't love a good monogrammed product? 

Bamboo Pajama Shirts and Shorts - Women aren't the only ones who let their sleepwear get dingy. Give him this super soft and super comfortable set, and he'll be cuddling right up to you. 

Catchall Tray - If he can't find his keys or his wallet on a regular basis, this beautiful catchall tray gives him a place to put everything as soon as he gets home. When he's ready to leave, it's all in one place!

Truff Hot Sauce & Mike's Hot Honey - If your man likes to eat things with a little kick, you can't go wrong with these! Eddie absolutely loves them. 

Theragun - Also for the man who works out hard - the Theragun is amazing for soothing aching muscles and undoing knots. 

Candlelight Miami (not pictured): If he's been missing live music, this is a very cool event where they are playing classical music by candlelight. COVID precautions are being taken - social distancing, masks must be worn, and it is outdoors, but it looks like a very cool event. 

I hope this helps you find something for that special guy in your life! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

Valentine's Day is 2 weeks away and if you're stumped on what to get for your kids, here are a few ideas! 

Chapters Not Chocolates - You can never go wrong with a book. Check out the idea my friend Jenny from Princess Turned Mom started a few years ago and we started doing as well. I even brought it to the kids' school last year and the media specialist has turned it into a really great program for the month of February! Check out some of my favorite Valentine books on my Amazon storefront! ​

Teaching Tiny Humans ABCs Play Doh kit - We received one of these kids back in the fall, and my kids have been absolutely obsessed with them. The dough dried up already, so I figured I would get them a cute new themed kit for Valentine's Day. ​These sensory kits are great and keep them busy for hours at a time. So it's a gift for them, but also a gift for mom! 

Jewelry - Taudrey has very cute jewelry for little girls - they would make a great gift for Valentine's Day! Chloe still has this bracelet set and still wears it often! ​Use the code topknot10 for a 10% discount!

xoxo, 

​Jenise

With a little less than a month to go, it's time to start thinking about Valentine's Day gifts. Eddie and I actually don't usually exchange anything big for Valentine's Day, because our anniversary is just a couple weeks later. But these are all things that would be on my list! You can treat yourself or you can not-so-subtly send the link to this in an email to your significant other! (Or maybe do both? lol) A lot of these would also make great gifts for a girlfriend. 

​Cozy Earth Pajamas* - Hands down, the softest, most comfortable pajamas I've ever worn. The fabric is bamboo-based and the fit, the drape, and comfort is just perfect. They help with temperature regulation and they have helped me sooo much in that department. These are a nice splurge gift, but they are worth it if you can swing it! Use the code ATODDLERANDATOPKNOT40 for 40% off your order. 

Taudrey Bracelet Set - Late last year, I partnered with Taudrey again and we re-worked my Have a Little Faith Bracelet Set*. If you haven't snagged your set yet, this would be a great gift (get the bangle engraved with an important date and you're golden!). Use the code topknot10 for 10% off your order!

Boho Birch Personalized Planter - This planter is very cute and you can personalize it with any message you'd like! I love that my kids' names are on this one, but you can do it with an important date, your name and your significant other's name, or a sweet message!

Barefoot Dreams Blanket* - If you have someone you love who is always cold or who loves to snuggle up on the sofa, this is the SOFTEST blanket I've ever had. Perfect for an at-home movie night!

Stel Gal No Wrinkles Desert Hat - Dreaming of summer? Make sure they have something to look forward to with this Stel Gal No Wrinkles hat. It will make them feel stylish, but the best thing about it is that it will help protect their skin from that pesky sun damage!

xoxo, 

Jenise