Get yourself in the mood for V-Day.

Valentine’s Day is not for everyone. But pretty much everyone can be sorted into one of two categories vis á vis the pinkest day of the year.

Category A: you experienced sweaty palms and heart-wrenching anxiety while trading Valentine’s Day cards in grammar school, afraid that no one would remember that you heart stationary, too. You were left so emotionally scarred that you inadvertently sabotage whatever romantic situation you’re in two weeks before the big day. For you, Valentine’s Day is the loneliest day of the year.

Category B: you were the type who had to employ three brown paper lunch bags instead of half of one to get all your admirations, candies and pastel colored cutouts home after the most scintillating day of the school year. You love love. You love Valentine’s Day. You will love these three Valentine’s Day decoration ideas.

1.) Order 48 mini prints from Printstagram for $12 and make a wall heart. 

2.) Create some mood lighting with a package of doilies from the craft store and a set of strung up lights. Just poke the lights through the paper.

3.) Set a romantic table with a bouquet of flowers and raspberries in your champagne. Bring out the dishes you don’t normally use and write a love note underneath the dish on an old book page.

Enjoy. If you can.

Image: Helga Weber; Loving Living Small; French Lark Spur, jaroslavd

The post 3 DIY Ways to Say I Heart You This Valentine’s Day appeared first on EcoSalon.

I’m not a lover of red roses, so it’s a good thing I never receive them. Guess the word is out. Never give her red roses.

I don’t equate scarlet blooms and chunky diamonds with being well loved, despite my mother’s attempts to train me. Court me with orchids and chunky beads and I will purr like cat curled up by a heater vent. But since some of you are traditionalists when it comes to symbols on Valentine’s Day, I shall lead you down the less thorny path of organic and fair trade. Be Mine doesn’t mean be sprayed and be dyed! Let’s have a heart-to-heart about greener ways to share your affection on February 14.

Organic Roses

Roses are ready, but don’t be blue. You aren’t stuck with tainted American beauties. Opt for ones from companies like Fifty Flowers. Whichever assortment you choose, you are supporting organic growers (as we encouraged last Mother’s Day) and giving the thumbs down to chemically-grown, color-altered flowers.

Free Trade and Organic Chocolates

I give my husband chocolates on Valentines Day because it’s important to spread the endorphins….happy, happy hormones released when we eat this gift of the gods. Plus, he’s tired of those goofy, print boxers. We have sung the many praises of chocolate and when buying an assortment, invest in organic and free trade. The lovely box with a single stem is a free trade, limited edition gem made by women artisans in Thailand, and filled with an assortment of amazing organic truffles from Sjaaks, $29.95. Many other online companies offer organic delights, including the Grand Heart from Lake Champlain Chocolates, $39.95. For vegans, order from Sweet Earth Chocolates. This box from the organic, fair trade line, is filled with alternative fillings like caramel and peanut butter are covered in deep, dark chocolate, $22. When shopping online, remember to order early. That’s the best way to shop with a conscience and get what you want on time.

A Card That says I Love You to Women of the World

Why be limited in giving your undying affection? Purchase a Salay handmade paper heart card with dried press flowers, $4.50, made by women in villages of the Philippines at Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade company that helps the poor in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere.

Scents and Sensibilities

Don’t bother with sexy lingerie. We strip it off too quickly to enjoy it! Why not cozy up to these chocolate boxers and tee from Sleepy Heads? Soft and organic with hearts in all of the right places, the Life is Good set is $52. The soft drink is questionable but the recycled Mountain Dew can and green foam heart earrings make quite a fun, quirky statement, $9.00 from Repurposed 4 You. Check out a recycled poetry book at Biblio where prices are low and sentiments high. For him, Nautica Oceans green products (cologne, after shave, deodorant sticks) offers that manly, surfer smell without the alcohol. This one is water-based and both the ingredients and packaging is biodegradable.

All of these things are sweet – but there’s always room for the non commercial gesture: a poem you write for someone, a tree you plant in their honor, a dinner you whip up and clean up. You never can go wrong if it comes from the heart.

Love Always,

Luanne

Image: alfaneque

The post A Heart-to-Heart appeared first on EcoSalon.