VALENTINE'S DAY | MEN'S GIFT GUIDE

Travel Kit | Boost your man's ego on the daily!

Prints | Leah and I are both married to Star Wars fanatics! These prints would look great in an office or media room.

Beard Maintenance Set | Our men need new beard care. We are hoping they might enjoy this peppermint scent.

 Cocktail Ice mold | For the cocktail lover in your life that likes an impressive looking glass.

Sneakers | duh! Anyone can wear these, no matter their style.

Beanie | For the baldy in your life. (raising my hand)

Mug | Obsessed! I may need to purchase a his and hers version. My husband wouldn't even be mad if I woke up to Justin's "mug" on my mug. Can we say Man Crush?

Marble Controller Skin | This is a game controller that would actually look sleek sitting out in your living room if need be.  MUCH cheaper version here. Great ratings also.

Wireless Speaker | Both of our guys work in the music industry, so music on repeat is a daily thing for us. How cool is this speaker?

Tee |  Fries... all day err day.

XO!

YODA BEST CLASS VALENTINES (FREE PRINTABLE)

 If your house is anything like mine, it's Star Wars everything all the time! We found these mini glow sticks (light sabers!) and Yoda key chains at the Target dollar spot. You could really use any Yoda toy or our Yoda tattoos HERE.

Simply punch two holes for a light saber (glow stick) and thread through. Or if you're tying a key chain, punch two small holes close to each other and use string to tie it on.

Download the Yoda Best free printable HERE.

Find our Yoda tattoos HERE.

Download our other class Valentine's Day designs below by clicking on the titles:

1. Balloon Valentines

 2. Sticker Valentines

 3. Harry Potter Valentines

4. Matchbox Car Valentines

5. Pirates Booty Valentines

6. Food Eraser Valentines

7. Nose Pencil Sharpener Valentines

8. Valentines Nap Time Card

9. JT + Jimmy Valentine Card

HEAD TO TOE | ALL ABOUT THE FUR

Happy Monday friends! Tennessee weather really showed off over the weekend. We got several inches of snow, which is such a big deal for us. Considering that it felt like Spring during Christmas this past year, we gladly welcomed all of the beautiful white stuff that kept us snowed in for a couple of days. I purchased this extremely warm faux fur vest just before Christmas, but it just has not been cold enough to wear it without looking ridiculous. However, a snow day makes for the perfect day to do so.

We are girls on a budget over here at L&L. We shop sales, so the items that are currently sold out are linked to similar or even better options :). 

Leah and I both have these earrings, and LOVE them!

We are huge fans of Just Black denim. They hug our donut eating bodies just right. Seriously, they are so comfy!!

Hat | Earrings | Button Up sold out, but loving this similar one. | Vest sold out, same length here | Denim | Backpack- Target last year, but wanting to purchase this one also... hello tassels! | Sneakers

THE PERFECT CUPCAKE

Yes, you read that right! We have theeeee perfect cupcake recipe for you today. Leah may have "stolen" it from a NYC bakery. Shhh! These are our go to cakes for any grown up secret eating time after our kids go to bed and no one is watching celebration, but ESPECIALLY Valentine's Day, right? I am not a box of chocolates girl myself, but put a piece of cake in front of me, and its gone in two seconds flat. What can I say? These cupcakes will eat any other cupcake for dinner. And the frosting..... Ohemmmmmgeeeeee! The lightest, fluffiest, not overdone buttercream frosting we have ever tasted! 

Our secret baking tip (well, I guess its not a secret) is to under bake. Even if it means cutting off the last few minutes. It makes such a difference in the moisture of the cake here. Promise!!

CUPCAKE:

(Makes 30 cupcakes)

-1 3/4 c cake flour

-1 1/4 c unbleached all-purpose flour

-2 c sugar

-1 T. baking powder

-3/4 tsp. salt

-1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter

-4 large eggs

-1 c whole milk

-1 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder & salt. Add butter, mixing just until coated. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture in three parts. Bake 17-20 minutes. REMEMBER... We underbake. I am always checking mine around the 15 minute mark. I stick a toothpick in and take them out just before the toothpick comes out completely clean.

*rotate pan half way through cooking for even baking!*

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING: 

(Makes 4 1/2 cups)

1 c butter, softened (not melted)

1/4 tsp. salt

1 (32 oz.) package powdered sugar

6 to 7 T. milk

1 T. vanilla extract ( alter if you like. I love the frosting with or without the vanilla)

Beat butter and salt at medium speed with an electric mixer 1-2 minutes or until creamy; gradually add powdered sugar alternately with 6 Tbsp. of milk, beating at low speed until blended and smooth after each addition. Get it to your desired consistency and then stir in vanilla. 

* The one thing I adore most about this frosting is that it is perfectly spreadable right after its made. No refrigerating necessary!*

We promise you..... you will thank us!

XO!

FOOD ERASERS CLASS VALENTINES (FREE PRINTABLE)

More non-candy class valentines for ya! We both stumbled on these erasers in the dollar section at Target at HAD to use them somehow! What's more fun than everything in miniature? 

If you can't find these exact erasers at Target or with the link that we have below, more ideas are our food tattoos HERE, food key chains, charms, or stickers. Or you could tie to a box of donuts because - duh. We go together like... burgers and fries, milk and cookies, peas and carrots, peanut butter and jelly... you get the idea.

Scroll down for sources and the free download!

The erasers don't really stick with tape well, so we just threw them in a bag and taped the back with washi tape. Easy peasy!

SOURCES:

VALENTINE CARD: Download HERE and print on card stock for best results.

BAGS: You can purchase clear bags at any craft stores or buy HERE in size 3" x 5".

ERASERS: We found these erasers in the dollar section at Target!! You can also purchase HERE.

WASHI TAPE: Tape be found anywhere on Etsy, craft stores, or of course, Target... THIS burger and fries tape is to. die. for.

CUTTING BOARD: THIS is our fav!

Download our other class Valentine's Day designs below by clicking on the titles:

1. Balloon Valentines

 2. Sticker Valentines

 3. Harry Potter Valentines

4. Matchbox Car Valentines

5. Pirates Booty Valentines

6. I Pick You Valentine

7. Yoda Best Valentine

8. Valentines Nap Time Card

NOSE PENCIL SHARPENER CLASS VALENTINES (FREE PRINTABLE)

I have a five-year-old boy, so these were really a no-brainer. If I could have only found a toy that would have gone with a poop-pun, I would have won mom of the year for sure.  Butt but... this will do the trick until then.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Purchase nose pencil sharpeners HERE on Amazon - only $6.50 for a pack of 12!

2. Download the free printable HERE FOR COLOR or HERE FOR BLACK AND WHITE .

3. Print on card stock or heavy paper for best results. White for the color download and red/pink/kraft paper for the black and white download. Cut out cards. We use THIS paper cutter for ease.

4. Force your child to write their name neatly on each card like a good tiger mom should.

5. Punch a hole in the top left corner of your card and cut a small slit from the SIDE of the card to the hole. Slip the hole through the nostril (the side without the sharpener). If you don't have the right size hole punch or it's just not working for you, you could always use string.

6. Hand out to your pals and make booger jokes. Nice.

Download our other class Valentine's Day designs below by clicking on the titles:

1. Balloon Valentines

 2. Sticker Valentines

 3. Harry Potter Valentines

4. Matchbox Car Valentines

5. Pirates Booty Valentines

6. Food Eraser Valentines

7. Yoda Best Valentine

8. Valentines Nap Time Card

9. JT + Jimmy Valentine Card