to love and be loved

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved bring a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.

-Oscar Wilde

Happy Valentine's Day!! I just love this holiday. It is pink and red and white and full of happiness. I am not big on celebrating with roses and such, but I just love the idea of celebrating love. Hug someone! Here are some things that have inspired me this holiday season, along with a few love-themed gifts to treat yourself or someone you love to a Valentine's Day surprise!

Macarons // Valentino Heels // Sarcasm //  Andy Warhol Lips Art // Mantle Decorations via The Glitter Guide // Issa Spring 2013 Maxi Dress // DVF Clutch // Valentine Card // All Red via Atlantic-Pacific

Marc by Marc Jacobs Studs // Deborah Lippmann 'The Groove is in the Heart' // Coco Mademoiselle

Kate Spade Watch // Hunter Wellies // NARS 'Schiap' // Target Dessert Plates // Christie Martin Jewelry Heart Ring Diptyque // Miss Dior Cherie // Catbird NYC // Diane von Furstenberg iPhone Case // Kate Spade Tumblers

I made a few of the gift choices above through personal experience. I received the Marc by Marc Jacobs studs from my little sister for Christmas. I love, love, love them! I got my older sister the Catbird heart ring for Christmas as well, and it is so dainty and cute. But most importantly, each and every Valentine's Day, my daddy buys each of his girls a bottle of Coco Mademoiselle. It is such a special tradition for me, since my daddy will ALWAYS be my first true love! 

With the being said, HAPPY Valentine's Day to my second true love, John Payton Joyner! 8 years and counting. He has been my rock through just about everything and loves me just the way I am... ornery, sappy, silly, crying, laughing, yelling, setting pans on fire, overflowing the bathtub, falling asleep in the movies, texting while driving... It doesn't matter. And that is so important and means so much more than a silly card or roses. I know that I can count on him to understand me and sometimes pretend to understand me when he really doesn't. He keeps me calm and relaxed in a way that only he can, and it is so special. So if you're reading this P-Jamz, I love you big as the sky!