valentine's breakfast for two :: pretty in pink

After winning the Pottery Barn Mystery Box Challenge last month, I was given another opportunity to do some more styling work with Pottery Barn products. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I decided to do a romantic Valentine's breakfast for two. All the items from Pottery Barn happened to be pink, so I ran with that scheme and created a "pretty in pink" display. 

For starters, let me share with you the specific samples that arrived on my doorstep...

Items #1, 2, and 3: The Homescent Collection - Heirloom Rose 

(Botanical Pillar Candle, Candle Pot, and the Potpourri respectively)

Item #4: Nesting Heart Bowls

Item #5: Bird Cage Lovebirds Salt & Pepper Shakers

Okay, now do you want to create a table for your sweetheart on the 14th? Beyond the products provided, everything else I already had. I hope this little set-up inspires you to be creative with things you have around your house. I walked from room-to-room and found a few props - a shower curtain, my daughter's hair bows, a very old cake topper (more on this later) and scraps of vintage paper. Use your imagination! Also, don't stress about the food; it doesn't need to be extravagant. Since it's completely acceptable to carb-load on a holiday (oh, that's right, that's just my own justification) I included a large chocolate muffin and brown sugar cream of wheat and strawberries. Some form of chocolate and strawberries are a must to any Valentine's spread, right?! To drink, I made a sparkling cranberry juice.

On a personal note, I found more inspiration from a few items I have from my grandparents' wedding day. I love this photo of their young faces as they started their life together. Maybe even more cherished though is their cake topper. Yes, that is their original cake topper from 1947! How romantic, right!? (Now, is there anyone who wants to try a bite of the piped frosting leftover on the bottom?)  

{Disclosure: All design and styling by A. Party Style, LLC :: Products provided by Pottery Barn}

valentine surf and turf

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

In an effort to simplify my life/office, I am slowly going through all my old magazines, cataloging my favorite articles (hard copy to digital) and then recycling the issues. (One of my 2011 resolutions.)  I came across this tasty, and festive, valentines dinner for two in an old Better Homes and Gardens (Feb. 2007).  The shrimp heart detail is so cute and the recipe sounds delish to boot!

easy mixed grill

ingredients  

• 2  3- to 4-oz.  beef tenderloin steaks (cut 3/4-inch thick)
• 1    sweet Italian sausage link, cut into 1-1/2 to 2-inch slices
• 4    jumbo shrimp, 16 to 20 per lb., peeled and deveined
• 4  6-inch  wooden skewers
• 1/4  cup  fresh lime juice or lemon juice
• 2  cloves  garlic, minced
• 2  Tbsp.  olive oil
• 2  Tbsp.  chopped fresh cilantro
•     Fresh cilantro sprigs
• 1  recipe  Herb Ketchup (see recipe)

directions

1. Place meats and shrimp in resealable bag set in shallow dish. Soak skewers in water.

2. In bowl stir together lime juice, garlic, olive oil, cilantro, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; pour in bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator up to 2 hours, turning occasionally. Drain; discard marinade. Thread 2 shrimp on each of 2 skewers. Thread sausage on remaining skewers.

3. For charcoal grill, place sausages on rack of uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill 15 minutes or until juices run clear and no pink remains (160 degrees F), turning frequently. Grill steaks 8 to 10 minutes for medium-rare, turning once. Grill shrimp skewers 2 to 3 minutes per side or until shrimp are opaque.

4. Place steaks on platter. Add cilantro sprigs. Remove shrimp from skewers; place atop each steak, forming heart shape. Add sausage kabob. Serve with Herbed Ketchup. Makes 2 servings.