VALENTINE'S DAY DESSERT BOARD

I LOVE a good theme especially when it comes to Holidays. And this year, I thought it would be fun to create a Valentine’s Day inspired dessert board. Whether you’re celebrating with your love, or with girlfriends for Galentine’s Day, or maybe just need a fun kids activity…..this is an easy and inexpensive way to celebrate the occasion.

And what I love most about creating dessert boards, is that anything goes! You can easily make it your own and use a combination of any desserts you love.

I bought everything from Walmart, Target, Homegoods and Trader Joe’s. Total cost was under $25 (minus the board which I already had at home).

Everything I used:

• Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies from Walmart

• Pink Starburst from Target

• Mini Heart Cookies from Trader Joe’s

• Cupid’s Mix M&Ms from Target

• Hershey’s Heart Shaped Milk Chocolates from Target

• Sugar Coated Heart Shaped Cherry Gummies from Homegoods

• Heart & Lips Shaped Cookie Cutters from Walmart

How to build board:

1. Start with a board of your choice. Choose a size based on how many items you’re planning to use.

2. Then take your largest item(s) and place them on the board first.

3. Next, position your cookie cutters on the board.

4. Then start to fill in your cookies, chocolates and candies, starting from the middle then working your way out. Keep in mind the layering of each item and choose contrasting colors next to each other.

5. Move around any items as needed until you reach your desired aesthetic.

6. Finish by filling in any gaps on the board.

You can easily re-create this Valentine’s inspired board for a Date Night, Galentine’s Brunch or an after school treat for kids.

Can’t wait to see y’all put together your own Valentine’s Day Dessert Boards! Make sure to TAG me on INSTAGRAM @reinventingrae

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

XO, DANA RAE

14 WAYS TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY AS A SINGLE GAL

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

I’ve had my share of Valentine’s Day as a SINGLE gal and I actually don’t mind it. I love LOVE just as much as the next girl, but I also love my independence. And I’m not afraid to embrace being Single and making the most of it. So if you find yourself Single or dating with no commitment this year, this post is for YOU. Because Valentine’s Day isn’t just about being in love with someone. It can also be celebrated with all of the people around you that you love. Don’t let this Hallmark Holiday get you down in the dumps about being S-I-N-G-L-E. Instead use it as an excuse to treat yo’ self, gather with girlfriends or just have a day to celebrate YOU.

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

1. Host a Galentine’s Night with your girlfriends. You can keep it low key with movies & wine. Or have a theme and go all out with decorations and specialty cocktails.

2. Go to a local wine tasting with friends.

3. Cozy up at home w/ a Sex & the City marathon. 

4. Get dressed up and go out with your girlfriends for a night out on the town.

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

5. Spend the evening at home and treat yo self with your favorite bottle of wine, face mask & chocolate to indulge in. 

6. Gather your girlfriends to have a nice brunch at a local spot you all love. 

7. Have a spa day. Get a facial or mani + pedi. Self care is the best care. 

8. Have a coffee date with a friend at a fancy coffee shop.

9. Find a Singles event in your city to attend. Maybe Cupid will strike.

10. FaceTime a friend and have a virtual wine night while you catch up with one another.

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

11. Find out what your Love Language is. Take the quiz here.

12. Take a bubble bath at home and apply your most elaborate skincare routine. And pop a bottle of bubbly.

13. Show yourself some love. Buy some pretty flowers & your favorite chocolates.

14. Grab takeout from your favorite restaurant, open a bottle of wine & watch all the Rom Coms on Netflix from the comfort of your home in your pajamas.

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Celebrate in any way that makes you happy. Love comes in many forms. And the most important relationship in life, is the one that you have with yourself.

XO, Rae

WHY YOU SHOULD EMBRACE BEING SINGLE ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine's Day is all about LOVE, right?! Wrong. It's mostly about the pressure of buying the right gift for your significant other along with planning the perfect night and the stress of what to wear for said perfect night. But not this year. Because you're SINGLE. Before you start to drown your feelings in that bottle of wine. Here are some reasons why you should absolutely embrace your SINGLENESS this Valentine's Day. 

Image via MyDomaine.com

Do You

You can stay home and binge Netflix while eating Ben & Jerry's in bed. You can have an at home spa night. You can meet up with your girlfriends for brunch and consume bottomless mimosas. Or you can have a Girl's Night Out in celebration of Galentine's Day. The point is that you can do anything you want without the pressure of it being the perfectly planned out.

Indulge

Eat all the chocolate you want. Judgement FREE. So make sure to stock up on all those heart shaped boxes of chocolates. Or you could go all out like Miranda, in that one episode of 'Sex and The City' where she bakes a whole chocolate cake, grabs a fork and never looks back. 

Wine about it

If all else fails, there’s always WINE. Go ahead and break out that expensive bottle of wine you've been saving for a special occasion. After all, you are celebrating your singleness. . CHEERS! 

Grab your Girls

Because being single doesn't mean you're alone. You have amazing friends and an amazing life that a guy would only be lucky enough to be a part of. Call your girlfriends, let them know how much you love and appreciate them being in your life. Invite them to brunch or a day of shopping and celebrate your friendships.

Image via Pinterest

To all my SINGLE LADIES: Embrace your SINGLENESS. And treat yo' self to the Valentine's Day you deserve. 

How will you be celebrating this year?!

XO, Rae

8 GIFTS GIRLS REALLY WANT FOR Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. And if you’re in need of some gift ideas for your Sister, Best Friend or Girlfriends….here are some ideas any GAL is sure to LOVE! And if you're a SINGLE gal, like ME. Why not treat yourself to a gift along with the chocolate and bottle of wine you plan to consume on Valentine's Day. No judgement here.

And GUYS, if you’re reading this, take notes! Your lady may have sent this to you as a hint on what to get her this Valentine’s Day!

1. Professional Glam Session

Who doesn’t love having their makeup done by a professional?! Or a blowout at DryBar? And thanks to companies like Glam Squad, beauty services can be booked easily and take place in the comfort of your home. This would make a great gift for the Gal who’s deserving of some pampering but maybe doesn't have a lot of time in her busy schedule.

2. Spa Day

A spa day is the ultimate gift with treatments from facials to massages and anything in between. Book Solo or as a Couples Massage, or even as a Girls Day of pampering. Not sure which Spa to book? Try Spafinder to purchase a gift card that can be used for local spas.

3. Hand Written Card

A handwritten note is always a good idea, especially for your long distance friends. I always like to send cards to my closest Girlfriends for Galentine’s Day. Just to remind them that I’m thinking of them and appreciate their friendship. If you like cards with funny sayings, check out Chez Gagné (one of my favorite online print shops).

4. Weekend Getaway

GUYS: Nothing says “I love you” more than a romantic getaway. And she will swoon over the fact that you planned it all by yourself. Think of places she has always wanted to travel to or places that are meaningful to the both of you!

LADIES: If you have any friends that are Moms, they could most likely use a weekend away or a Staycation somewhere nearby. Make it a GIRLS WEEKEND and invite all your mutual gal pals.

5. Jewelry

For the accessory lover. Jewelry is one of those gifts that can be simple, like a fun pair of statement earrings or can be sentimental, like jewelry that’s personalized. Kendra Scott literally has something for everyone! And I also love Alex and Ani bracelets to give as gifts.

6. Sweet Treats

You can never go wrong with chocolate. Whether it’s her favorite cookies, cake or cupcakes. Or maybe even a baking class? If you’re local to NYC, Butter Lane Cupcakes offers baking & decorating classes as well as Milk Bar.

7. Wine

When in doubt, give the gift of WINE. Treat her to her favorite bottle of red, white or bubbles. And if she really enjoys wine, a wine subscription makes a great gift.  What girl wouldn't love wine just showing up on her doorstep every month?!

8. An Experience

Sometimes the best gifts aren’t gifts at all, but rather an experience. Like taking a Cooking Class, a day pass to a Museum exhibit, Concert tickets to her favorite band/artist or even a night out to a fancy restaurant with a tasting menu. Think of something unique and meaningful that she would love.

I hope this was helpful and gave you some gift ideas for Galentine’s & Valentine’s Day! And feel free to share this post with your Sister, Best Friend or Significant other to drop hints. 💘

XO, Rae