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Happy {Belated} Valentine’s Day!
My #VDayBoxSwap Reveal + Valentine’s Activities


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#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014

 
If you’ve never participated in a Valentine’s Day Swap, I highly recommend joining in on the fun next year. I’ve swapped two years in a row now, and not only does it give you the opportunity to get to know other bloggers (who doesn’t like making friends?), but you get to give and receive a special Valentines-themed package from a new friend. It’s basically like Cupid’s version of Christmas.

This year I got to know Ashliegh, The Darling Prepster, and I’m not even kidding, y’all… I think we may be sisters or something. Not only does she compete in pageants, but she’s a preppy, monogram-obsessed, pearl-loving doll with high standards from Ohio. Needless to say, she was super easy to shop for… because I was basically shopping for myself.

 

Now, I’m all about giving more than receiving, but in Ashliegh’s case, I preferred the receiving. My #VdaySwapBox was filled with all of the things I love. We exchanged five random facts about ourselves to help get to know each other, and she hit the nail on the head with her selections. Plus, she sent me this adorable card with a message written inside that genuinely made my heart smile. It’s crazy, but I’ve met some of my all-time favorite people through my blog, and she is hands down one of them.

 

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014

 

So what was in my box exactly? First thing’s first… this. Not only am I lucky to have a customized painting from a talented artist, but it’s monogrammed… on a Lilly pattern. There are no words.
 

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014
 #VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014
 
Secondly, she clearly caught on to the fact that I’m slightly OCD about my Lilly Pulitzer planner and making lists. Ashliegh sent me adorable magnets, pens, notebooks, post-it pads.. and the list goes on. Heaven. I immediately brought all the professional goodies into my office, where I’m sure they’ll inevitably be “borrowed” (euphemism for stolen) once noticed.

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014
 #VDayBoxSwap, Valentine's Day, Lilly Pulitzer Agenda

 

Then there’s the whole beauty queen bond we share. What girly girl doesn’t want a rhinestoned heart mirror? This was instantly added to my Beauty Queen Survival Kit.

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014

 
Mary Kay’s fabulous red lip gloss was also among the contents of my #VDaySwapBox. I’m a huge proponent of bold red lips, so this gloss is a wonderful supplement to my MAC Ruby Woo lipstick. I wore this dynamic duo pretty much non-stop during all of my festive social activities.
 

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014, Mary Kay

 
On Valentine’s Eve (I don’t think that’s actually a thing), Guys with Ties, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference in the communities they serve around Greater Central Florida, hosted their progressive Cupid’s Adventure Dinner, and I jumped at the opportunity to attend. Their events are always so well done, and the proceeds benefit a different local charity each time. The dinner kicked off its first course at The Avenue downtown, then moved to Kasa for the next two courses, then finished at Ghost Bar on Pine for chocolate fondue. My gorgeous friend and fellow beauty blogger Mash Elle was kind enough to accompany me to the dinner, where we hung out with the president and board members of Guys with Ties. We had a blast, although we were apparently responsible for holding up the entire first course… because we were socializing at the bar. Oops. You can’t take us anywhere.
 

Guys with Ties, Cupid's Adventure Dinner
 

 
And oo la la, we even got red roses.
 

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014, Guys with Ties, Cupid's Adventure Dinner
#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014, Guys with Ties, Cupid's Adventure DinnerDress: Old Cache- Similar Look Here | Coat: Express Military Coat | Lipstick: MAC | Hair: Drybar 3-Day Bender 1.25″ Curling Iron

 

Moving back to the box.. I know I’ve been saying all this great stuff about Ashliegh, but I’m actually kind of salty at her. She sent this hilariously tempting and cruel bag of amazing Hershey Simple Pleasures chocolate, and I ate it all the day I got it—pretty much right after this photo was taken actually. I did manage to tie a pink bow around my candy dish before the massive ingestion began, though. They just like… disappeared or something. 

 

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014
#VdayBoxSwap

 

Again, in case I didn’t emphasize how much I love monograms, she also sent me this gorgeous S necklace from Benevolent Jewels, which I wore with a bright pink strapless dress to a Valentine’s Day benefit event. Everyone, primarily including myself, loved it. Staple accessory. for. sure.

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014
#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014

 

…and then there was Valentine’s Day. I’ll be honest; I had no expectations whatsoever about feeling even remotely special this year. One of the main reasons I’m so fond of Valentine’s Day Blogger Swaps is because they ensure you receive a little something on Cupid’s Birthday. This year, not only did Ashliegh send me the best Swap Box ever, but a witty little sweetheart of an MD sent me flowers, accompanied by the most amazing card ever made. In addition the card itself, he wrote me a 16-line poem, which was impressively close to iambic pentameter format. An excerpt from his poem read, “You have the looks and class of Princess Belle, and you’re hiding lots of brains in that thick candy shell.” If you understand the Tommy Boy reference, I love you 10x more than I did before.

 

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014, Roses
#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014, Roses

 

As if this wasn’t already enough, my coworkers brought me a handful of individual red roses (who says chivalry is dead?), chocolate, donuts, and a four Sweet mini-cupcakes. I’m fairly certain they’re not-so-subtly trying to make me obese. Also, I was finally able to don my gorgeous Infinity x Infinity Diamond Pendant Necklace, inspired from ABC’s amazing show Revenge, from Helzberg Diamonds. Nothing makes a lady smile more than flowers, friends, calories, and diamonds.

 

#VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014, Roses
 #VDaySwapBox, Valentine's Day 2014, Roses, Helzberg Diamonds
 
And last but certainly not least, my family went above and beyond to make sure I felt the love this year. I haven’t had the best experiences in my love life over the past twelve months, so it’s very touching to see everyone reaching out in their own individual and thoughtful way. My dad sent me the sweetest card, along with homemade Pad Thai and heart-shaped cookies, and my pretty mama took me out to dinner for our own mother-daughter version of Galentine’s Day. I hate to say it… but my skepticism about the horror surrounding this holiday is rapidly depleting.Did y’all enjoy your Valentine’s Day? How did you celebrate? I hope it was filled with laughs, love, friendship, and a whole lot of sugar.

 

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16 thoughts on “Happy {Belated} Valentine’s Day!
My #VDayBoxSwap Reveal + Valentine’s Activities”

  3. The Rachael Way

    You are just the SWEETEST! Super excited to be following along on your blog now!
    Ashliegh is the best and you guys are totally similar! (she's my real life bestie 😉 )
    Where did you get that gold clip for your Lily planner? It's perfect!!!

    Reply ↓
    1. [email protected] Post author

      Aw, how fun!!! I love when real life besties blog together! Ashliegh really is the best; I'm so lucky to have gotten partnered with her. Oh, and the gold clip is apparently from Italy– my dad brought it back from one of his trips! Happy Presidents Day! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  4. Kendwy Valdez

    I love it! You really do like monograms! You look so pretty in all your pictures. She was so thoughtful.
    I did a swap also, but we were unable to meet up because of my schedule 🙁
    We mailed but had so much fun doing it. It was my first one, I'll be sure to do it again next year!

    Kendwy @ MindofKiwi

    Reply ↓
    1. [email protected] Post author

      Thanks, Kendwy! We didn't get to meet up either unfortunately 🙁 Michelle is another blogger who lives down here in Florida for the time being. Still, they're a blast! Glad you had a great experience, too! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  6. Liliana Ayala

    Awe, you had such a sweet holiday! I love your necklaces! I am obsessed with anything monogram, so classy! I enjoyed reading this and I'm glad you have a wonderful holiday, you deserved to get spoiled!
    xo

    Reply ↓

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