Jumbo Smarties!

Have you ever seen these JUMBO Smarties?

My husband loves Smarties, so I saved these up for a special occasion... (hello, hubby doesn't get jumbo smarties for any old reason... he's gotta work for it!)

I thought his White Coat Ceremony, a Dental School milestone, would be an acceptable occasion to surprise with these jumbo sweets. I just wanted to show him in a simple way that I was proud of him.

So, here's what I did:

You can buy one roll of jumbo smarties HERE for $1.29 or check around your local stores.

You could use this simple idea for any occasion where your hunny has achieved something to be recognized:

*an undergrad test
*an "A" on a tough paper
*graduation
*an certification exam for work
*after writing a dissertation
*after receiving a pay raise or promotion
*when he/she helped you with something you didn't know
*etc. etc.

Although I can't buy you the Jumbo Smarties, I can provide these FREE printable notecards. (You know, you could always tie a bunch of regular-sized smarties together and get almost-the-same-effect).

You can pick up my freebie HERE. (Note: This is a zipped file. You must extract before accessing the files.)

In case you're interested, here's me and hubby at his White Coat Ceremony (I'm beaming with pride!)...

"The Celebration Board" - Somewhat Simple Feature

Happy Monday everyone! I am excited to be here on Cher's site- this place is so fun!

My name is Stephanie and I am usually found on my site Somewhat Simple

Several months ago, I made a fun project for my home. We call it "The Celebration Chalkboard" - its our family's place to write any reason at all to celebrate for the day- it just makes me smile looking at some of the reasons my kids come up with!

(This was MY reason to celebrate- our whole family seen by the dentist and not a single cavity in anybody's teeth! Its a miracle!)

In sticking with Cher's theme of this site, I thought this board could definitely be used to show your significant other some love and encouragement, or simply put a smile on their face with a cute message. This idea is a great way to keep marriage positive....instead of coming home to complain about the negative things that happened that day, each spouse writes a reason to celebrate!

Here's how to make your own:

(just click on the pictures if you need to enlarge them)

So make your own "Celebration Board" and you'll always find some reason to be happy, no matter how silly the reason is!

I'd love for you to come see what else I've got going on at somewhatsimple- each day is something new and its always simple and its always fun! Please consider yourself personally invited to add your link to our Link Parties that I host every Thursday. I'll see you then!

Cher, thanks for having me here today! Have a great week everyone!!!

Improvements & Winner!

Hey all! I've got three items of business for you...

#1

Check out the new and improved IDEAS tab!

Once you're on the Ideas Tab, just click on a category button (like the ones you see above) and then SCROLL DOWN..... and you'll get a listing of every idea I've ever posted on the topic (as seen below). Niiiiice.

Then, scroll back up, click on another category button and repeat (preferably over and over again).

I hope this will be a much more user friendly way to browse all the fun ideas on Love Actually...and then know where to find them again later!

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#2

Have you noticed some new sponsors on the top of my sidebar? Hooray! Love Actually is getting into the advertising business!

If you or someone you know is interested in advertising to an ever-growing population of women (and a few good men...), check out my Advertising Tab for rates and details.

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#3

Okay...now the winner of the $25 Gift Certificate to MyWeddingFavors.com:

Kimberly @ Let Go Laughing

Congrats!! Please email me at loveactuallyblog @ hotmail.com to claim your prize!!

Show Some Eggstra Love this Easter!

You already know by now how much I enjoy love notes...on every surface. So far, I think I've recommended love notes on the bathroom tile floor, mirror, shower wall, hidden around the house... and if those were enjoyed even just a little bit, then these oughtta be a hit.

Egg Love Notes, anyone?

Of course, this idea was designed with the upcoming Easter holiday in mind, but, it's one of those ideas that works for anytime of the year as well! I don't know about you, but me and hubby eat eggs all year round.

For these, I just took a mini alphabet stamp kit (found at Michael's for $1.00) and hand stamped my messages directly onto each egg.

In case for any reason you can't read the messages, they say:
"You're eggsciting"
"You're eggstraordinarily handsome"
"Eggschange for a kiss"
"Eggscellent Husband"

If your spouse frequents the egg carton, then this will be easy. If he does not, you may have to ask for a little help in the kitchen when he's around, knowing for sure he'll have to grab you some eggs. :)

If stamping just isn't your thing, just write your message with a sharpie! If your handwriting is anything like mine (less than desirable), then I suggest this option:

1. Hard-boil some eggs.
2. Print out my freebie below.
3. Attach each word strip to a colored paper strip.
4. Use glue-tape to adhere the strip to the egg.
5. Pack in your husband's lunch.

It should look something like this:


Download Word Strips HERE

I would normally end my post with some catchy phrase, most likely using the word "egg"...but I think you've had just about enough already. :)

Don't forget to get entered for the current GIVEAWAY ending today!!

April Fool's Day

Research shows that humor can go along way in a marriage! April Fool's Day is a perfect opportunity to play a little prank and then laugh about it for years to come. Here are a few ideas I've found that you may be interested in trying this year...you've got a week and a half to pull your prank together!


Prankster Pancakes
From: Bliss Guild

Purchase a yard of muslin fabric and cut several 6 inch circles from it (the strong muslin holds up well for the pancakes). Prepare your favorite pancake batter and have your griddle greased and preheated. Dip the fabric circles one by one into the batter making sure each side of the circle is completely covered. The pancakes will cook like normal ones except they will not bubble through. Take a peek every so often so you know when to flip. Serve them with all the fixings and watch your family struggle to cut a simple pancake! Have edible pancakes warming in the oven so your family doesn’t go hungry.


Rearrange
From: Martha Stewart

Rearrange your spouse's drawers to make him wonder if he's still asleep.

Cheater
From: my imagination

Arrange with a friend (who's number won't be familiar to your spouse) to send a photo of a girl winking or blowing a kiss into the camera to your husband's phone. Make sure the photo is sent after you're both in bed (hopefully you don't sleep with your phones in the room. If he gets it first, it won't work as well). Then at a designated time, get up to get a glass of water. You'll return with his phone saying that "someone sent you a text..." as you open it. Fake a "freak out" when you pull up the picture of another girl on his phone. Keep it going until you can no longer hold in your laughter.


Health Food
From: A Year of Romance

Call him in the afternoon before he comes home from work, “I’ve made us a really healthy meal tonight…" Mention some really gross stuff that he probably wouldn't like. When he pauses or moans, assure him that "it's not as bad as it sounds! When you mix it together with (something else gross) it tastes really good! Besides, we gotta start eating healthier.” This may cause your husband to mope all the way home, but when he gets home, you'll actually have a favorite home-cooked meal on the table. An April Fool's trick with a happy ending!

Car Switch
From: Roots & Wings Go

Anjeanette enjoys pulling the same prank on her husband every year. She drives to his work and parks a few parking spots away from where her husband's car is parked. Then, she drives his vehicle home. That way when he finishes work for the day and goes out to his car, it's gone and instead a few spaces away is her car. Leaves a person confused I would imagine! He does have keys for both vehicles on him, so it's not a mean prank leaving him stranded. He does always end up calling her a little shocked, before he realizes what happened.


Parking Ticket
From: Love Actually (last year)

Cover a regular sized envelope with a piece of orange cardstock (print the words right on the cardstock and cut out to envelope size). If your spouse drives to work, make a visit to the lot where they park the car. (best case scenario: about an hour before they get off work). Place the ticket under the wiper or in the gap of the driver's side window. He may have a second or two of anxiety until he realizes what's inside, a love note saying how "I'm a fool for you!"


Happy Pranking!! A fun idea for Easter is coming up on Wednesday!

"...Then Comes Baby" Week!

Just wanted to let everyone in on an exciting little event happening right here on Love Actually the first week of April!

...and more!

I encourage to invite your friends, coworkers, family members, whoever to join in the fun! You'll need to stop in everyday to get qualified for each giveaway! Can't wait to see you then!

LUCKY Giveaway from MyWeddingFavors

When I browse through MyWeddingFavors.com, I seriously want everything! And, for what it's worth, I'm not being paid or offered anything for saying so. This is all for you!

They have such a fun selection of cool stuff! And, being that today is St. Patrick's Day, I thought you'd like to see just how lucky you can be... You might be the winner of a $25.00 e-certificate to My Wedding Favors.

To enter:

1. Follow Love Actually Blog
2. Browse MyWeddingFavors.Com

3. Vote for me on TopMommyBlogs HERE

**Comment saying you did all 3 EASY things!

May the Luck o' the Irish be with you!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Leprachaun Kisses

Here's a sweet little treat for St. Patty's Day.

I found these on 2CleverBlog, which is fitting because hese are just too clever! 2Clever Blog has all sorts of other creative ideas!!

The poem says:

Here is a wee present for you
full of luck and wishes
Celebrate this St. Patricks Day
with these Leprechaun Kisses!

To the Moon and Back...

Congrats to the winner of the $50 Gift Certificate to The Vintage Pearl,

Jess...

...whose husband loves her "to the moon and back"!

Congrats, Jess! Please email your mailing address to me at
loveactuallyblog @ hotmail.com

Many thanks again to Erin from the Vintage Pearl for offering this giveaway!

St. Patrick's Day Ideas

Today I wanted to share a bunch of fun foods, crafts, and ideas for St. Patrick's Day that I've been collecting from all over the web. Perhaps you'll find one or two ideas to help make your green holiday festivities that much better!

1. Jello Poke Cake - My husband's favorite! (sorry, no source!)
2. Cute St. Pat's Table Setting (sorry, no source!)
3. Green Breakfast - (sorry, again, no source!) :(
4. Lucky Livesavers from Nicole Heady
5. St. Pat's Table Setting from MixMingleGlow

6. Blessing Biscuits from Skip to my Lou
7. Lucky Shamrock Notes from 24/7 Moms
8. Rainbow Cake from 2CleverBlog
9. Luck o' the Irish Dinner from Tastefully Entertaining
10. Clover Terranium from 2CleverBlog
11. Shamrock Ice Cream Sandwich from Bucket of Ideas for Holidays

Oh, and don't forget to ENTER THE GIVEAWAY. Today is the last day!!

"Lucky You" Paint Can

Okay, how cute would this be as a gift for St. Patrick's Day?

Found at Treasure of Memories.

I'd attach a tag that said,

"Lucky You...to be married to ME!"

{hehehe}

You can find these plastic paint cans at most craft stores...I've seen regular and mini sized at Michael's Craft Store.

Tip: I've found that gold chocolate coins can be really expensive. Substitute for Rolos and you get the same effect.

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For other last minute St. Patrick's Day ideas, here are a few of my ideas from last year:

The leprechauns found his shoes and left some leprechaun loot!

I popped this into my husband's backpack and he found it while sitting in class... Nice Surpise? I'd like to think so.

Popped Full of Luck... I found this at:
http://brightideas.com/bright_idea.aspx?ID=93

Studio 5, a mid-day show in Utah, has some clever ideas as well!

Customized St. Patrick's Day Clothing

In case you were looking for something green to wear for your Shamrock Saloon Date Night or for any other reason...here are some fun options from CustomizedGirl.com

Fancy Lucky Charm Shirt -$7.97
Simple White Lucky Charm Shirt - $7.97
Classy Lassie - $10.97
Lucky Charm Shirt w/ Green Sleeves - $10.97
Lucky Charm Hot Shorts - $15.97 (sorry, I just can't bring myself to post this pic)

They're on sale right now. So, hop on over and customize one for yourself and your hubby...there is manly attire, as well.

The Vintage Pearl Jewelry Giveaway!

I'm in love. And I'm not talking about by husband.

I'm talking about The Vintage Pearl! If there ever was such a thing as romantic jewelry, this would surely be it!

Just look at these!

See what I mean? l-o-v-e.
(hint: maybe you can ask for one for Mother's Day...not a mom? you will be someday, so ask anyway!)

A friend of mine told me just the other that she had just bought one with her and her hubby's name on it and I thought, "How sweet..." So, I immediately contacted The Vintage Pearl and they were so generous to sponsor a giveaway on Love Actually. (thanks!!)

To get entered for your chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate, here's what to do:

Must-Do:
1. Be a Follower of Love Actually Blog
2. Go check out The Vintage Pearl and tell me your favorite piece!

Bonus Entries:
1. Vote for Love Actually on Top Mommy Blogs by clicking HERE
2. Follow Love Actually on Twitter and/or Facebook ---->
3. Post Love Actually button on your blog

**This giveaway ends on March 10 at 11:59 PM EST.

Clover Cash

Here's another "green" idea for St. Patty's Day, but quite a bit simpler than those previously posted.

This idea is a relative of love coupons, with it's own twist.

First, you'll hide these little "Clover Cash" cutouts around the house in places that hopefully only your husband will find. If you have kids, you'll either need to let them in on the secret or be more creative in hiding them.

Download the PDF Sheet of 4 Clovers HERE

Give your husband a Clover Cash Card which tells him what his clovers are redeemable for.
He can save them up until all 12 are found, or use them when he finds them and has enough to redeem them for a reward on the Clover Cash card. Of course, they must be used by April 1 (coupons like this can be deadly weapons if accrued, forgotten about and then redeemed years later all at once!)

Downlad the Clover Cash Card (1 complete, 1 blank for you to fill in) HERE

Need ideas of where to hide the clovers?

Inside their towel.
Inside a book your love is currently reading.
Taped behind a cupboard.
Behind the car sun visor.
On their pillow.
Inside their shoe.
Taped to their favorite beverage.
The bottom (outside) of a clear glass.
Hanging on a doorknob.
Taped on the backside of the remote control.
Inside the microwave. (I know...fire hazard waiting to happen!)
Inside their wallet or purse.
Laminated in a bubble bath.
Tucked in a pet's collar.
Very large, taped on an outside window.
Attached to your love's key chain.
In your mailbox.
On the ceiling, above your bed.
In a dresser drawer.
Inside a CD or movie sleeve.
In their work briefcase or bag.
Tucked in a toilet paper roll.
In a box of their favorite snack.

See, that's simple, fun...and cheap! No purchase required. Enjoy!