I'm sure having a little girl in our house now is getting my creative spirits going for every holiday, but something about Valentine's Day this year has me very excited. I know it's a controversial holiday at times, some may say just another holiday to convince you to buy each other cards + presents, but filling my house with flowers and hearts has been so fun!
I knew I wanted to decorate so as one does, I ran to the internet for some inspiration. I found many cute neutral ideas - white flowers, white hearts on the walls + white and tan heart pillows on the couch. I wanted full-fledged pink + red this year - very unlike me.
I found some incredible scores at Target, I'm talking heart garland to line the opening into our kitchen, sale florals at Michaels for a large and in-charge arrangement at the top of our shelves (see below) + the cutest lumbar pillow for our bed. I scored some good sales when shopping mid-January, however, pro tip is to purchase holiday decor at the end of the season for next year. Pottery Barn, Crate + Barrel, and West Elm usually have some killer finds!
One must for any holiday, is always sugar cookies with the theme in mind of course. We have a very special sugar cookie recipe from my great-grandmother Helen, whom my middle name is actually named after, that is made for many holidays. I was given permission to share the recipe, so instructions are below if you want to make them!
Great-Grandma Helen's Sugar Cookie Recipe
Cookies
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2-1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
Mix butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and mix until fluffy, then add vanilla and baking soda. Slowly add in the flour. Once combined well, refrigerate for 2-4 hours until the dough is firm enough to roll out. Roll out and use cookie cutters to cut shapes. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes until the edges start to turn brown.
Icing
1/2 stick butter, softened
1/2 package cream cheese, softened
1lb powdered sugar, use less if the frosting is getting too thick
Mix butter and cream cheese then add in vanilla. Slowly add in the powdered sugar little by little until the desired thickness is achieved. Color frosting if desired + fill into piping bags to decorate.
We hope you have a wonderful Valentine's holiday season, life's short, so celebrate them all!
XOXO,
Caitlin