A few Valentine's Ideas

Since my sweetie and I don't do the whole Valentine's thing but I DO like to write about it in my zines, I constantly do research to find fun and easy things to make and do for those who do celebrate. I do like to give fun gifts to friends though a few have told me not to because they are very anti-valentine even though I do something for fun. haha. Oh well! (most of my friends are male anyway!)

I stumbled upon a few ideas, not necessarily Valentine's themed but I thought this would be nice to give to female friends (or male friends who like a little colour on their lips! sure why not??) Petroleum Jelly is not vegan but they do sell vegan petroleum jelly at healthfood stores so you may use that as well.

Coloured Lip Gloss

2 tbs of petroleum Jelly
few shavings of beeswax
10 drops of food flavouring (not extract, make sure it's flavouring)
1/2 stick lipstick for color. (I like to use a more neutral one like a peach or lightish pink, not everyone can wear really dark colours, you can use one you don't wear or get one at a dollarstore)

Melt the jelly, lipstick and beeswax on low in a microwave and make sure not to overheat. Stir and pour into (preferably) tiny glass jars or even a recycled film canister (yes they still exist!, I get mine at walmart) The dollarstore also has small containers in their craft section. Let cool, then label! You can also use chocolate chips instead of the lipstick, i saw a recipe like this somewhere, this makes a nice chocolate gloss..mmmm

Mailing a Love Letter, Snail mail!

All anyone seems to get in the mail these days are bills, junk mail and flyers. Who gets old fashioned hand written letters anymore? We all email each other these days!  I came up with this idea beacuse I am going to be away with my friend Jake in Mexico for Valentines day. Again, sweetie doesn't care about that day but I know he'll miss me so here is what I did: I wrote him a letter, then made a fun list of 10 things I love about him (some were funny and cheezy because that's how we are). I will purchase him a gift card for his favourite pizza place (he tends to forget to eat all the time..he's slim but loves pizza!) and wrote that I didn't want him to forget to eat which is why I included the gift card. Of course you can include anything like a photo, calling card (if you are not in the same city) or anything relevant. I will be mailing it Wednesday (as I am leaving Wed night) to his workplace (he rarely checks the mailbox  at home so sending it to his work insures that he'll get it!) Most people don't expect a handwritten letter in the mail, so this could be fun and inexpensive.

Rose Plants planted in Heart Shaped Thrift Vase.

I had a friend a few years back who gave me this great idea which is included in one of my earlier zines. He was a starving student at the time and purchased a tiny rose plant he found at the grocery store (I think he paid $3 for it), then went to the Thrift Store and found a small heart shaped vase for 25 cents. He planted the rose in the vase and if I can remember correctly he may have even put a ribbon around the vase. Too bad his girlfriend at the time didn't appreciate it though (she was a little materialistic). Personally i thought it was the sweetest thing I had ever seen. I always tell people to purchase plants instead of flowers. They last longer! Right now I am seeing tulips in pots at the grocery store, that would be great too!

Make a Fun Cinnamon Latte

This is something I came up with once. We're lucky because we have a fancy machine that frothes milk and makes espresso but you don't need one to make this. Get a to-go cup ready, Steam some milk maybe 2/3 cup (any kind: soy, rice, almond...) you can do this in the microwave or on the stove. If you have one of those frothers (i've seen these hand ones at the dollarstore, tiny thing that frothes milk) use that. . Pour one ounce of espresso (or VERY strong coffee) at the bottom of the cup, then pour the milk on top and drop a few of those cinnamon candies inside. You can also sprinkle with red coloured sugar (sugar and food colouring), cinnamon sugar or red sprinkles. Makes a great gift if your honey has to work in the morning!

If I think of more ideas I will post them :O)

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