Let's try Valentines over

Valentine's was a disaster. I had a lovely meal planned out, a lovely and romantic evening planned for my honey and me and it all went to pot. Literally.

It was the day before, Wednesday, when I started to feel really horrible. We had already had an episode of the stomach bug in our house and I was praying like mad that it wouldn't happen again. Well, mother nature had a different plan.

I got the dreaded stomach bug and was knocked off my feet. I finally started feeling like myself 5 days later.

I decided to do all the fun and cute things I planned for Valentine's, just a week later. 

I had ordered a cute set of items from a girl I found blogging. 

I gave Stephen 5 little notes I had written over the course of 2 weeks. Each had a different thing I loved about him written, with the last asking him to be my Valentine. 

That Saturday night, I cooked a feast! With the help of my friend Amber, who sent me some delicious recipes and items from my February Carabox, we had a very romantic and fun evening.

Stephen wasn't allowed in the kitchen while I was cooking. 

I made Bang Bang Shrimp, ribs, and apple crisps and ice cream for dessert. 

I added candles, set the mood lighting, required him to wear a coat and I grabbed a dress.

I allowed Stephen to come in once everything was ready. Stephen brought me beautiful red roses and peanut butter Oreo (YUM).

We chatted about random stuff and went through a questionnaire of 7 questions we about our ideas of romantic evenings and marriage.

Once we were done eating with the meal, we headed into the den for a movie and snack. We lounged on the couch, watched, chatted and had a blast.

It was definitely the evening I had hoped it would be and we had a really great date night!

Here are a couple of pictures from the evening. I forgot to take pictures of the main meal, but got some of the gifts and dessert!

 Apple Crisp - delish!!

You planning a fun date night anytime soon?

Cara Box Reveal {February}

It's that time...It's Cara Box!

Awesome things in the mail + Meeting new women + Encouragement = Cara Box

Kaitlyn at Wifessionals started this monthly box swap. Each month there will be a different theme. Anything from a season, to a color, to a topic (like fashion or childhood).

Everyone is paired up with another blogger and she with another. That way, you get to know 2 new bloggers. Cute huh?!?  

Towards the middle of the month you will create a box or package, specifically for the woman you were paired with, and ship it off to her. You will then get a Cara Box from the girl who was paired to get you. 

You can read more about it here if you want to join.

This months theme was Club Sexy. The plan was to make a fun date for you and your significant other. I sent my friend Ashley from Always Ashley her box and Amber from The Chickapea & Me  sent me an incredible date night box!

I told Amber our favorite date nights were dinner and a movie at home. 

The tools for a perfect date night!

It started with a really sweet note from Amber...

And some wine to get the date going...

A recipe for homemade Bang Bang Shrimp (our favorite when we eat at BoneFish)

Some bread to go with the meal...

All the ingredients to make the shrimp...

Even the 3 steps already mixed and ready to add!! This was super thoughtful and so appreciated!

And fabulous chocolate chip cookies to top off the meal. 

We love movies at home, so Amber sent a classic movie...

And popcorn to go with it!

To finish off our Club Sexy evening, a facial and some bath bubbles.

And a wonderfully scented candle to set the mood as well. 

Thanks Amber for the AMAZING Club Sexy package! We loved it all and thank you for our date night!

Valentines Red Velvet Cupcakes {Recipe}

Cupcakes! Valentines! What a great combination!

I bought some cute cupcake paper cups and heart inserts awhile back and wanted to use them. Great reason to bake, right?

So I thought I would make some red velvet cupcakes to go with the red theme. 

Ingredients for cake:

1. 2 1/2 cups flour

2. 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3. 1 tsp baking soda

4. 1/2 tsp salt

5. 2 cups sugar

6. 4 eggs

7. 1 cup sour cream

8. 1/2 cup milk

9. 1 ounce red food color

10. 2 tsp vanilla extract

Ingredients for vanilla cream cheese frosting:

1. 1 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened

2. 1/4 cup butter, softened

3. 2 tsp sour cream

4. 2 tsp vanilla extract

5. 1 (16 ounce) box confectioners sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.

2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. . Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

3. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.

4. Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, softened, butter, sour cream and Vanilla Extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth.

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