I don’t believe in Valentine’s Day but here is a list of acceptable gifts…JUST IN CASE.

I think Valentine’s Day is bull shit. If you care deeply or love someone shouldn’t you show that love all year round? Seems insane to me that we dedicate one day to buy overpriced roses, go out to eat with a bazillion other people and declare our undying affections for one another. On the off-chance my spouse is reading this: Hi Mikey! I love you 365 days and like you most days. xoxo

However, inevitably social pressures get the best of us and we cave, scrambling last-minute to find a box of chocolates and a reservation somewhere before 10PM. Despite my disdain for this Hallmark holiday, here is a list of Valentine’s Day gifts I find acceptable.

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Unicorn Light Up Slippers – Amazon

Fluffy unicorn slippers that light up – essentially every girls dream.

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Drivemocion LED Car Sign – ThinkGeek

Sixteen messages or faces to help express my road rage?! What more could a girl ask for?

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Whiskey and Rum Making Kit – uncommongoods

No explanation needed.

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Emergency Clown Nose – uncommongoods

Because honestly – life is too much sometimes or we just take shit way to seriously. We ALL need Emergency Clown Noses. Everyone. Frankly, I think the world would be a better place

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Pokemon Inspired Earring Gift Set – CloudNineDreams

Stud earrings are a must and these cuties are a necessity. I would ROCK those little Squirtles!

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Taco Magnetic Bookmark – craftedvan

Books are amazing. They take you to an entirely new place. But what good is a book if you can’t remember where you left off? This etsy vendor makes the coolest bookmarks! However, I am partial to the jumbo taco because duh. Books + tacos = HEAVEN.

There you have it – a list acceptable Valentine’s Day gifts that any totally awesome person would graciously accept. AND most of them are completely affordable. There is no need to get into a financial conundrum over a stupid holiday.

So, what do you want for Valentine’s Day?

Reasons to be Happy

What are your reasons to be happy? Like REALLY think about it. What fills you to the brim with unadulterated joy? What gives you butterflies of glee? What makes you warm and tingly and just full of peace?

Well. I’ve decided to keep a running list of my Reasons to be Happy. I used to randomly blog a reason to be  happy but I think the running list approach is so much more satisfying. I find myself eager to add to it and way the list grow. And it’s here to share with all of you (assuming there is actually an all).

But I want you to really think about what I asked. What are your reasons to be  happy? It could be anything. The way the light touches glass just right and casts a rainbow in the room. The smell of fresh-baked cookies. Black coffee. But figure it out. Note it somewhere and hold on to it. It’s important to reference this list when you find that you aren’t happy. To read through it and even do some of the things on it. Because at the end of the day – we are only given one life to live. Let’s not completely fuck it up with things that don’t make us happy.

Confessions – 5th ed.

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If you are just joining the shenanigans – I like to confess shit. Just put it out there. Kind of takes the weight off my shoulders and makes me feel just a little lighter. I’m a big girl so shedding even a little is a big help. You know? I strongly recommend it. What are your confessions?

  • I am officially one of those people who has an Instagram for their dogs. Yes – judge the shit of me because I don’t give a damn. It’s so much fun connecting with other pet accounts, pet brands, advocates and lovers. It’s an epic community and I am not ashamed to say I am part of it. Also – Alvin and Ollivander are wicked cute. So there’s that.
  • I LOVE LOVE LOVE FALL! I’m ready for sweaters, hoodies, scarves, Birkenstocks, fires and all the yummy comfort food that comes with it.
  • Fifth boss in ten months now at work. I am SO OVER IT. Keeping my head down and working but it’s hard. Moral is generally down. I’m doing my best to focus. We still have so much to execute on. Just because things aren’t going well doesn’t mean the work stops. I tend to welcome change because it’s a sign of progress but this much is difficult to keep my feet under me.

“Times is hard. And things are a changin’. I pray to God…” – John Legend, It Don’t Have to Change

  • I talk to myself. But frankly, sometimes I need the company.
  • Books have always been bae. However, as of late I am crushing it. I killed my goodreads reading challenge for 2016! And am still reading several more books because why not?! The Dayton Metro Library lets you check out a bazillion books at a time – both physical copies and digital. It’s amazing! If you’re a local Daytonian and avid reader – make sure to join this library if you haven’t already. They have so many locations and their digital library is impressive.
  • I think I might wear my Potter/Weasley shirt everyday until this election is over. Because that’s how I feel about it.
  • We have a neighbor who thinks its okay to park their cars in front of our house even though they have plenty of room at theirs. This is not a smart way to make friends with me. You will be unsuccessful.
  • I like to play Pokémon. Yes I’m grown. No I don’t care what you think. Major Poké goals. MAJOR.
  • I am going to start Christmas shopping this weekend. There are only TEN weekends until Christmas. And four of those weekends we will be traveling. I am starting to PANIC!
  • I’m in this perpetual cycle of messy desk, clean desk, disaster desk, clean desk. It never ends.
  • Settling on an EC Life Planner is easily one of the biggest decisions of my year. It dictates how I plan for 365 days! And every time I think I have my mind made up, the woman comes out with another edition that only messes up everything I’ve concluded. So…I’m struggling. This is my vise. Also – if you don’t use an EC Life Planner – you are running your life wrong. I’m not sponsored or anything, I’m just right. Check them out!

 

These are my confessions.

Shop shop shop!

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I did my Black Friday shopping online and found some pretty good deals at Target, Justice, Bath & Body Works, Kate Spade, American Girl and Old Navy. YAY! I put a HUGE dent in my list of things to get and I got to do it all in my pajamas on the couch. Now – that’s my kind of shopping!!

Thought I would share a few of the deals I used:

American Girl: Use GIFT20 to get 20% off!

Bath and Body Works: They have mix and match – buy 3 get 3 free on the entire store! Also use 10CANDLE to get a 3-wick candle for just $10 with a purchase of $35 or more. Use BBWNOV25 for free shipping on a $25 or more purchase.

Justice: 50% off the entire store, plus free shipping – use 826!

Kate Spade: Surprise 75% sale! Check it out!

Old Navy: HUGE sale – 40-60% nearly everything. Check it out!

PLUS I earned cash back on nearly ALL of my purchases using Ebates. Do you use Ebates? It’s easy – just activate cash back at all the normal places you shop and you earn CASH BACK. And it gets direct deposited into your PayPal account to use on whatever you want. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!??! If you’re interested – join Ebates now!

Are you shopping today? In store or online? What awesome deals did you come by?

*Please note: I was not paid or sponsored. Opinions are my own.*