Sweet on the Columbia Museum of Art

Last Saturday's Sweet on CMA event was so fun.  Lunch Money performed--you've heard me profess my love for them before here and here.

 There were multiple Valentine's-related craft stations.  

that's a good Daddy- making tissue paper flowers

And there was a photo booth.  And it was all FREE!

Jones and his friend from school, McCall!

Our little family enjoyed the heck out of it.  Thanks CMA and Junior League of Columbia for hosting!

XO

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Minted, Julep, & Independent Art

Supporting independent artists is pretty awesome, right?  I recently read about a creative contest hosted by Minted and West Elm on this cool new blog, Julep.  What better way to get your art seen than by entering this contest? Creative friends, get on it; entries are due Sunday!

The Julep blog also has fun, easy DIY projects, like this precious stamped hearts valentine, which I will be attempting with Jones soon.  (He is slightly obsessed with ink stamps these days!)

While on the Minted site, I was looking for some cute toddler-friendly cards that Jones could send out as thank-you notes for his recent 3rd birthday gifts. My momma taught me that a thank you note is ALWAYS in order, and I figure it's time to start teaching my children the same.  I found these precious cards that he will be 'stamping with thanks' shortly:

While on the site, I also perused the Art Prints and found this:

 The type-writer font and the handwriting samples are so rad!  The history portrayed in this old library check-out card is so great. I typically only buy used books for the sole reason that I love imagining the people who have read the books before me. 


And original art is always a welcome gift, don't you think? Valentine's gift, maybe?  And speaking of Valentine's, they have awesome original-art cards for kids or adults.


So, if you're in the market for some affordable, unique art by independent artists, or cute stationery, I highly recommend the quality items at Minted.  And the Julep blog has been added to my blog roll as a place for craft-inspiration!

*I was asked to write a post for Minted and Julep, and in return, received consideration for free products.
Opinions are 100% my own.
All photos are courtesy of Minted and Julep.

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My Valentine's Surprise

I totally forgot to fill everyone in on the super-secret, exciting, and so sweet surprise that I got for the hubs for Valentine's Day...

We will be attending the March 19th Ben Folds and a Piano show at The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC! And we are staying in a hotel that night too...(when you're relatively poor, a night in a hotel is so exciting).

A big thanks to my friend Rebecca for suggesting and handling the logistics for this awesome surprise--she and her husband Matt will be joining us on our Charlotte extravaganza!

Got any fun spots to hang out post-show? Anyone ever been to The Fillmore?

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Local Etsyians V-Day Wish List

Valentine's Day is never a huge production in our house. My husband currently works in the service industry, (and has since we met), so he never has the day off, and besides, I'm just not an overly sentimental person. V-Day is generally a bit cheesy for my taste. (If you've ever heard the story of how James asked me to marry him, and the reason behind it, then you know exactly what I mean--if you haven't heard it, I'll post about it soon).

But, who doesn't enjoy getting a gift every now and then?! So, I reminded my hubs last night that I had indeed bought him a gift for V-Day...(not-so-subtly telling him that he better get me something too...).

Hence, the text that I got while at work today: "Babe, I looked on your blog to see what you wanted for Valentine's Day, but couldn't find anything." I hadn't even thought to post a Valentine's Wish List, but since he asked...

This is a list of items listed on Etsy, but from local sellers only:

From Nella Designs Fine Paper Studio, located in Columbia, SC:
Custom Couple Silhouette Print with Date This listing is for an 8x10 and is only $20.

image via here

From Flash Forward Photography, located in Lexington, SC:
this Ole Oak Tree 8x10 print-- gorgeous, and only $10.

image via here


From softspoken, located in West Columbia:
this Chain Drop Circle Scarf- you choose the color, $35. Tres chic, don't you think?

image via here
{I also follow softspoken's blog here}
{softspoken's scarves are carried locally at The Bohemian, which just moved to 707 Saluda Ave in 5 Pts}

And finally, for the men, from Garnet & Moss of Columbia, SC:
this Travel Gift Set for Men, only $12.50! Isn't the packaging so fresh and clean!?

image via here

I love finding locally-made gift items--such talent in Columbia, SC! What are you giving or receiving for V-Day?

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Local Treats for V-Day Weekend

image via here

Want a lesson in what to do when love goes bad? Head to the Barnes & Noble at Midtown at Forest Acres at 7 pm Friday evening for a book signing by SC first lady, (and soon to be divorced), Jenny Sanford. She will be signing copies of her new book Staying True.

Looking for a Creative and Unusual Valentine's Date or Un-date, as the case may be? Check out 701 Whaley's "What's Love" event. The What's Love Fest 2010 is a sensual celebration of art in all forms- visual art, music, and dance. There will be visual art from over 20 local artists, 4 performance art groups, including the Unbound Dance Company, and music from the quartet Les Paramours, which includes Danielle Howle. There will also be last-minute Valentine's gifts for sale from local vendors, and BBQ from Blythewood restaurant, Smoke. Wow--that's a lot. Starts Saturday at 7 pm, tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Click here for more information.

image via here

Monday is Pawley's Front Porch Party for their debut on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Never seen the show--click here to get an idea of what you're in for. Beginning at 7:30 pm, enjoy cheap drink specials and giveaways as well as miniature versions of the 3 burgers that will be featured on the show. There is even a Guy Fieri look-alike contest! The show airs at 10 pm. Click here to see Free Times' Eva Moore's blog post about the event.

image via here

Love Animals? The Humane Society has started a new fundraiser that will happen once a month. A local restaurant will give 10% of your meal cost to the Humane Society on the particular night. The date for this month's event is next Tuesday, February 16th from 6-9 pm. February's restaurant is M Cafe at 1417 Sumter Street, Downtown Columbia. Print the card here, give it to your server, and 10% of your meal cost will go to help animals locally!

What are your plans for the Valentine's Day weekend?

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February Faves

So, now that the big race is over, and our Super Bowl party is history, I feel the need to enumerate some things to look forward to in the next week, so here goes:

1. My sister's Baby Reveal Party! Tomorrow night I am going to a Gender Reveal party for close family and friends where my baby sister will let us know the sex of the baby that she is due to have on June 28th. I am so excited to find out...she's doing a really cute-themed party where we have to wear blue or pink based on which sex we think it is, then we'll bite into cupcakes and see which color icing is inside to find out the actual sex! (We got the idea from Hostess with the Mostess' blog post here).

2. Going to see An Education at The Nickelodeon this Wednesday night. This film has received 3 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.



3. Valentine's Day...I will be babysitting my nephew, Ben, for the night and allowing his parents to celebrate V-Day, as my husband will be working all day and night. We plan on celebrating V-Day the following night. I am super-excited about the gift that I will be giving my husband this year! (Thanks for the idea, Rebecca).

4. Beginning my book club book of the month, Breakfast at Tiffany's.

5. My second week weigh-in tomorrow night for Hampton Hills Biggest Loser. I am crossing my fingers that not drinking and dieting for 2 weeks has continued to pay off in weight loss!

What are you looking forward to this week?

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