Will you be my Valentine?

I love love!!

In case you've been trapped under a wintery weather mix (or many feet of snow as I've heard our friends up in Boston are!) I'm here to remind you that Valentine's Day is right around the corner, this Saturday, February 14th. Now I don't subscribe to the overly commercial glorification of this "hallmark holiday", but I absolutely love love and I think any day that asks us to pause and appreciate the people we love is a day worth honoring. So here to help you forgo the sappy cards and do better than a box of red chocolate (though don't get me wrong, chocolate is good!) are some merry meri tips for the loviest holiday of them all!

Sometimes the best way to say I love you is with a cheesetastic homemade card! Thankfully I've got a bunch of amazing, adorable and easy DIY valentine ideas for you right HERE (seriously punny:)

* Merry Meri Tip: Valentine's Day means major markups at the florist and crowded restaurants with boring price fixe menus. Send your sweetie flowers in advance of the big day (they'll be just as appreciated on Thurs or Fri!) and since Valentine's Day falls on a weekend, consider a lovers brunch or lunch date to avoid the dinner crowds. Plan the day and then see where the night takes you:)

Want to be "that mom" who rocks your preschooler's Valentine's Day celebration harder than anyone else? How about these adorable "main squeeze" valentines?
Pin it HERE, Full tutorial HERE.
For more candy free valentine options, click HERE.

If you're looking to get crafty with your kiddo, I love this heart-inspired "Bee Mine" craft.

Pin it HERE, Full tutorial HERE.
Another cute kiddo craft idea from favorite blogger Naomi HERE.

Perhaps an adult themed craft is more what you had in mind!?
Amazingly easy step by step instructions for transforming the toy "bang" gun into a "bang me" gun (and where to get the gun) HERE.

* Merry Meri Tip: You don't have to spend a lot or go out to have a romantical night with your babe. Consider cooking together (order your first box of Blue Apron!?) or host your own semi-potluck where each of you is responsible for preparing a dish and you surprise one another with the final results! Set the dinner table with candles and the nice dishes (or at least don't eat at the coffee table (like we always do!)) and enjoy.

If you ask me, sentimental is always the way to go on Valentine's Day and nothing is more romantic than a hand written note. This year, consider getting old fashioned on your sweetie (or friend or beloved family member) and write them a note (or a bunch, like the pic above) telling them just how much you care.

And though Dr. H and I don't usually do big gifts for this holiday, that certainly doesn't mean gifts aren't lovely (right ladies!)? For some more awesome gift inspiration visit HERE (all under $40!); HERE (for him and her); HERE (the most adorable options); HERE (for ma high rollers); HERE (for him); HERE (edible, wearable and quirky), HERE (insanely easy and perfect for friends/coworkers)

Plus, some super cute cards (better than Hallmark!) HERE. Also, check out Urban Outfitters, they've got some serious greeting card game lately and though a bit overpriced, I think having a crude, sarcastic, sexy card is worth the extra $1!

* Merry Meri Tip: No significant other? No sweat!! One of my best Valentine's Days ever was a Gal-entine's Day (thanks Leslie Knope!) with my girlfriends in college. We held a "Secret St. Valentine" gift swap of gag gifts, played "pin the manhood on the man" and wore every share of red, pink and hearts that we owned. It was a BLAST. Love is love people, so spend your holiday with people you love!!

Your Annual Gift Guide Guide!

Tis the season for trees on the street & shopping!

Every year my favorite bloggers scour the web for the chicest, most thoughtful and unique gifts for everyone on your list. Every year instead of doing the same, I collect their lists and share a list of my own... Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the Seek to Be Merry Gift Guide Guide, a guide to some of the greatest gift idea lists on the web. So whether your looking for Mom, Sis, husband, girlfriend, co-worker or kiddos, there's inspiration here for you. Happy shopping!

* For the Ladies (Mom, Sis, Friends, etc)

List 1

List 2

List 3 (for a cozy, Nordic loving gal)

List 4 (for the organic lover in your life)

List 5 and List 5.5 (both for your jetsetter)

List 6

List 7

List 8

List 9

List 10 (for a gadget loving gal)

List 11 (all under $100, mostly under $30!)

List 12

List 13

* For the Gentlemen (Dad, Hubby, buddy)

List 1

List 2

List 3

List 4

List 5

List 6

* For the Kiddos

List 1

List 2

List 3 (for babies and mamas!)

* For Co-Workers

List 1

List 2 (for when you want to be thoughtful without spending too much)

* For your Holiday Hostess

List 1

* For Everybody Else...

Pinterest has a great curated list of every sort of person and every sort of gift they'd enjoy. Check it out HERE.

Be Mine.

Romance... transcends species.

With just 3 days to go until Valentine's Day, it is officially game time! If you haven't already, get those cards in the mail and be sure to schedule any delivery items asap (FYI boys, I don't think there's anything wrong with avoiding the rush/up-charge and having gifts arrive Thursday:) I know it's corny and commercial, but Valentine's Day is a moment to pause and share your love, and I don't think anyone should miss out! Here to guide you through the loveliest of holidays are a few final inspiring ideas for friends, lovers, kiddos and family. Plus, don't forget to visit past SeektobeMerry recommendations HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE!!!

Super easy to make (no baking required!) and beyond adorable to share with friends, I'm totally smitten with these "Cupid's Donut Hole Arrows". Click HERE to Pin it or HERE for the full instructions from Squirrelly Minds.

Looking for a way to keep your tiny Valentine occupied while you're hiding from the cold weather? This simple craft requires only paint and a perfectly pinched toilet paper roll to capture your heart (hehe). Pin it HERE.

And while we're on the subject of kiddos, here are 20 No Candy Valentine's for your young (or young at heart) buds.

Click HERE for the Pin or HERE to the site with links to each idea!

Gents, not sure how to show your heart to your lady? Well it couldn't be easier thanks to this awesome collection of adorable heart themed gifts curated by exPress-o:

Get all the details you need to make a purchase by clicking HERE.

And if you're wondering what to do on Valentine's Day... Time Out New York suggests THIS LIST and New York magazine has THIS AWESOME "Ditch Dinner and a Movie" list. Now get planning!!

Father's Day is Sunday!?

John & Caroline, 1958

So if the weather where you live has been anything like the weather where I live, it's nearly impossible to believe that we are solidly in the middle of June. Standing outside, I'd guess mid-April, maybe May on the occasional warm and sunny day that's teased us. As a result of the bizarro weather, I've totally lost track of time and almost forgot that Father's Day is 72 hours away! Yikes.

BUT, if you're right there with me, do not despair - 3 days is plenty of time to nail it... Maybe just whip up something like THIS (who knew ice cream cakes were so easy to make!), or buy one of THESE (or THESE... I mean that scratch map? the stadium blueprint? a whiskey and rum making kit!?), or just give THIS (my dad loves his!) Whatever the gesture you pick, if you fill it with a little love and TLC, I'm sure your Dad will be thrilled.

Jack & Jennifer, 1969

Sammy David Jr. & Mark, 1964

Dustin & Karina, 1969

And for more of these completely charming, iconic Daddy photos, click HERE (if your ovaries can handle it!)

Hear it, Read it, Make it, Love it.

babe'in it up beach style... coming soon.

Hellllo Friday! This week Dr. H and I booked a little trip to Florida for the end of the month so my spirits are flying high with thoughts of sunshine, family and dipping my toes in the sea. (This is scientifically proven by the way... "vacation anticipation" says that people are happiest in the pre-vacation, planning phase, more so than even during or after their trip!! Thanks to the NY Times via CupofJo for that tidbit). Anywayssss... it's been a while so to send you off into the weekend, here's another installment of "Hear it, read it, make it, LOVE it" for your listening/reading/crafting/buying pleasure (previous posts HERE and HERE). Have a good one!

Hear it

Months ago, Sis's (awesome) boyfriend J introduced me to "Thrift Shop", the Macklemore/Ryan Lewis track that everyone is digging right now. Ever since then, I've been preaching that their entire album, The Heist, is the freakin bombdiggitysmack (<-- official term) because it really is. Back in November, Rolling Stone called The Heist, "one of the year's big sleeper hits", but I think we're all finally waking up to the awesomeness that is Macklemore. Plus, he stands for goodness like THIS. 

Thanks to the always hip Nana (Dr. H's beloved grandmother) I am now subscribed to Architectural Digest. Shortly after we moved, Nana thought I would enjoy reading the home decor magazine and she was totally right! Though Pinterest and online shopping dominate most young people's decorating decisions, there's something really refreshing about the shiny pages and brief articles which accompany what is essentially a picture book for the home decor obsessed. If you like thinking about design and creating "special spaces" pick up a copy! 

One of my favorite go-to gifts for any occasion is to assemble several relatively inexpensive items and wrap them together cutely. Most people appreciate the creativity and thoughtfulness and get to enjoy the practical items that you bundled together for them. Click HERE and HERE for some adorable "wrap it up pretty" inspiration.

I have finally found "my kind of camping". Perfect for bringing your bed and a full size dinner table along with you (also, for watching the rain in style or star gazing all night long) I think owning one of these Transparent Camping Tents would be completely impractical, but totally awesome.