Valentines for him on a dime

I'm really looking forward to this Valentine's Day. It's our time to take another break from wedding/marriage planning and just have fun with each other. But V-days always presented some sort of challenge for me. I never knew what to give my guy on Valentine's Day. Everyone always says it's a chick's holiday, but it doesn't seem right to forget about my significant other on a day about love.  But every site suggesting V-day gifts for him always named some sort of electronic gadget, and we all know any tech toy beginning with an "i" ain't cheap. So how do you show the guy in your life how much you love and appreciate him without shelling out major $$$? Well, if your guy is anything like mine, he'll love the thoughtful things much more than the expensive stuff. Seriously, it's the little things you say and do for him that will really get him!

My favorite budget gifts for him:

1. Dinner and a movie
So you may not be Paula Deen, but guys love a home-cooked meal. And if you don't make dinner often, it could be something really special you two can do together. What's more romantic than making dinner together, sitting down and having a great conversation over your culinary achievements? Sure it might be just Prego pasta and salad, but it's the time together that really counts. Follow up dessert snuggling on a couch with a rented movie.

2. Random love notes
An unexpected "I love you" note can really make your day. What makes them really sweet is leaving them in places around the house where he'd least expect it. How about leaving notes describing a favorite memory each of you had with one another, with the last note being a gift certificate or coupon for another new memory you can make with other another?

3. Love Coupons
Making him some "I owe you's" might make him excited about things to come. How about a massage? A dinner? A night at the movies? A day doing whatever he wants? If you're not crafty, you can download them for free .

4.What about doing things you both will enjoy, not just whatever he or she wants to do? For us, it would be a day hiking, a day trip sampling new cuisines, or trying something new and fun, maybe rock wall climbing, paint balling or bike riding along the beach. Look into your community's entertainment guide and you might find a lot of inexpensive or free ideas.The possibilities can be endless!

Winner of the My Shining Lights Giveaway

Yay! My first giveaway is officially over and I'm pleased to say we had a great response! Thank you to everyone who entered! Unfortunately, I had to pick just one lucky person using http://www.random.org/ and the trusty random generator chose...

Thelma who tweeted about the giveaway and won a lovely pearl necklace and earrings set from My Shining Lights! Congratulations! The winner has been emailed.

If you didn't win, don't fret! There's a few giveaways coming up that I'm really excited about! Stay tuned!

Freebie Friday 2/12/10-2/18/10

I know I'm late with today's Freebie Friday, but here you go! Watch out for several of my own giveaways coming soon!

Photography
* Get a free engagement session from Jessica Feely!

Jewelry:
* Mint Green with Envy is giving away two items of your choice at Sweeter Than Me Designs!

Beauty
* We all know that brides are in serious need of R&R! Let a $25 gift certificate to Ulta help! Enter at The Backyard Bride!
*Get 15 samples of Mineral Basics at Mint Green with Envy!
Other stuff!

* PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is giving away a $250 Victoria's Secret Giftcard to one (randomly selected) Facebook Fan. Hurry! The winner will be selected on 2/13.
* Shoot, why worry about a budget when you can have a $100,000 dream wedding from Crate and Barrel!

Last Chance: My Shining Lights Giveaway Ends Tonight!

If you haven't entered to win a lovely necklace and pearl earrings set from My Shining Lights, today's you're last chance! The contest ends tonight at 11:59 PM (PST). Good Luck!

Finding "The One"

I expected to burst out into tears when I found "The One," but when my tear ducts remained dry, I was discouraged. Isn't that what everyone said I was supposed to do? Like all of sudden, have this, "You had me at hello," bond with a dress? I didn't. But when I finally made up my mind on The Dress, I was ecstatic. Really. I actually did this goofy dance, clapped my hands and jumped. Nerdy, huh? But that was my reaction.

*Future Hubby, if you are reading this, DO NOT READ FURTHER!

Freebie Friday

Once you start following wedding blogs you're prone to another addiction: Web Giveaways! Why not? I haven't won anything just yet, but I know quite a few people who seem darn lucky with these. And who doesn't enjoy free stuff, especially when you're planning a wedding and all those little things start adding up? After entering countless giveaways, it's hard to keep track of all of them. Well, I decided to make things a little easier for you (and for me) by featuring all the giveaways I come across on a weekly feature called Freebie Friday. Click on the links below and you'll find details to various contests on the Web. Do not comment on this post to enter any of these giveaways...your entry won't go anywhere! Thanks!

Jewelry:
* Looking for jewlery to wear on the big day, or maybe gifts for your bridesmaids? Enter Brenda's Wedding Blog Giveaway for a $100 gift certificate at Tilly Jewels!
* Win a $50 gift certificate to Madison Reece Designs.

* Channel your inner Bella Swan and win a pair of "Twilight" inspired jewelry at Etsy Mom
* Of course there's my own giveaway, sponsored by My Shining Lights. Win a lovely necklace and pearl earring set. Details here!

Beauty:
* Looking for a cute gift for one of your bridesmaids? Beauty Beau is giving away a beauty kit of mascara, lip balm and earrings in a nifty cosmetics purse!
* I Heart Cosmetics is giving away a makeup kit of MAC makeup, nail polish, lipstick and eyeshadow.
* Loads of nail products at Babbling Brooke!
* Eyeshadow, lipliner and more at Computer Girl
* Eyeshadow, nail polish, lotion and more at Plane Beauty
* Love natural mineral makeup? Then you'll love this giveaway featuring natural mineral eyeshadow from Handmade Beauty

Printing
*Need STD's or Thank You cards? Vista Print has you covered with 100 free postcards at With This Ring, I Thee Blog
* Get free online poster printing from Shooting For a $3000 Wedding

Other cool stuff:
* Last but totally not least, you can enter to win a free Fuji Instax Mini Camera! We all know Polaroid is no more, but the Fuji camera gives you the same instant printed pics Polaroid gave you. Check out details at Creature Comforts

* Please note, I am not the host of the giveaways I mention here or connected to them in any way, unless otherwise noted.

20 down, 980 to go!

I was actually serious when I said we were going to attempt to fold 1000 paper cranes in 6 months. Never mind that I had never folded one in my life before. I can't even fold a paper plane without messing up. But I love the symbol of paper cranes. They're auspicious birds in a lot of Asian cultures, including China and Japan. Legend says if a couple folds 1000 paper cranes, they can look forward to lucky marriage.

Source

And when I heard you can actually donate your efforts toward cancer research, I knew this was a done deal. Instead of putting our time, money and effort into a DIY favor that no one will take home, we wanted to do something meaningful and hopefully make an impact. What better way than making a donation to a charity?