Art of a Simple Valentine’s Day

Many of us may not have traditions established for Valentine’s Day. Maybe you’ve called around to find a restaurant that would take reservations on the same day. Or maybe you’ve gifted a card and chocolates in the past. Beyond what you’ve done in the past, this year make Valentine’s Day special – add a personal touch that she’ll always remember.

Styling by Taylor Bennett and Photography by Kelly Moore Clark

HEART-SHAPED DONUTS IN BED

Who wouldn’t love these heart-shaped donuts served piping hot while still snuggled under the covers?  Perfect for mom, dad and kiddos, these confections are perfection.

1 8-count can refrigerated biscuit dough

2 cups canola oil, for frying 

* see glaze recipe at end

     Pour 2 cups of canola oil into a medium sized cast iron skillet and begin heating on medium-low heat. Open the biscuit dough and separate. Use a heart cookie cutter roughly the same size as each biscuit to punch a heart shape from it. Punch additional heart shapes until the remainder of the dough is used.

     Check the temperature of the oil using a thermometer– it needs to read 350 degrees F. Increase heat gradually if necessary.

Once oil is ready, drop hearts in. Let cook for about 2 minutes, then turn and cook an additional 2 minutes on the other side. Donuts should be a nice golden brown.

Let hearts cool completely. Stir each the glaze until smooth, then dip each donut, and immediately turn glaze side up on a cooling rack. Sprinkle with Valentine’s sprinkles.

     * To make a glaze, heat 1/3 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 tbsp of butter in the microwave for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup white chocolate chips and microwave an additional 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Let cool around 5 minutes before glazing donuts.

imagine a relaxing bath of rose petals and citrus with a candle burning and your favorite body scrub ready to go.

Ready to make her swoon? Take advantage of a Sunday Valentine’s Day and have a bath drawn for her after breakfast. Get Alexa to play smooth jazz while you prepare for her to soak in fresh cut citrus and rose petals. • Extra points if you have a heated towel and a gift certificate to her favorite spa ready when she emerges.

HAND-WRITTEN LOVE LETTER

Everyone loves a love letter. A hand-written love note may be one of the most overlooked gifts for Valentine’s Day. While most people flock to the store to buy a card, it takes time to write down your feelings. This Valentine’s Day tell your loved one how you feel – in your own words. It doesn’t have to be on beautiful stationery or sealed with a wax stamp, (but that doesn’t hurt) for it to be meaningful. Write about your past and what you hope for your future, tell your spouse or children what you adore about them, and then seal it with a kiss.

RAINBOW TABLESCAPE

Make Valentine’s Day dinner fun with this whimsical tablescape inspired by Abby Gifford. To achieve this look, find some vintage books at a local antique store and paint them in the color story of your choice. Taylor used candy hearts arranged in an ombre pattern to coordinate to the painted books and placemats. Next, order your favorite meal from a local restaurant and serve with love.