February 14, 2016

10 fun Valentine's Day questions answered


At least a couple of years ago I started to see the the questions in today's post make the round in the blogging and YouTube worlds, but hadn't had a chance to answer them yet.

Like on most holidays, Valentine's is not a time when I want to delve into lengthy posts or heavy topics, so taking a stab at these today seemed like the ideal light and fun post. If you'd like to play along - today or any time - by all means feel free to do so as well.




1. What is your favorite Valentines Day treat? Ooohh, that's a toughie! I'm partial to a rich Black Forest cake, berry topped cheesecake, or double chocolate brownie, but really, am open to most sugary treats on this sweetest of special occasions.





2. Sweethearts or chocolate covered strawberries? It's chocolate covered strawberries all the way for me. Tony adores them, too, so I usually whip up a batch with chocolate dipped banana slices and marshmallows, too (sometimes sprinkling a little toasted coconut on top for extra crunch and flavour).




3. Are you pro Valentine's Day? Massively so! I've said it before and I'll happily say it again, I love love and beyond that, I think that this day is the perfect time to reflect on, and be grateful for, all of the people and things that we adore and are blessed to have in our lives, so I'm in favour of Valentine's Day big time!




4. What movie would you rather watch on Valentine's Day: Pretty Woman or You've Got Mail? Definitely Pretty Woman! I grew up with that (now) classic and it will always be one of my favourite romantic movies (that I quote lines from surprisingly often :)).




5. What celeb would you not mind having as your Valentine? Grumpy Cat! I know that she isn't exactly famous for being a fan of, well, most anything (positive), but I think that with enough cuddles and kitty treats, I could bring her around to the pro Feb. 14th camp (and if not, hey, I'd still get to spend the day with Grumpy Cat! :D).




6. What would you do on your perfect Valentine's date? Spending it with my sweet husband, Tony. Beyond that, anything is just the icing on the (heart shaped) cake. I think that it would be incredible to celebrate it one year in his homeland of Italy - arguably, after all, one of the most romantic countries ever!




7. Red or pink lips on Valentines Day? I'd say it depends on the colours in my outfit, but as a general rule, red (specifically my beloved MAC Russian Red) wins out.




8. What is your ideal Valentine's Day outfit? I love sporting red and/or pink on this day (especially in velvet form), but will often swap one or both for burgundy as well, with black, grey and/or gold being frequent supporting players. Beyond that, some thoroughly Feb. 14th approved jewelry (say, a vintage heart shaped brooch, for example) and red shoes + purse cap off my look, which varies from year-to-year.




9. Homemade or store-bought gifts? Either is 100% okay and very sweet. Who doesn't love a thoughtful gift of any type?




10. Would you wear your hair up or hair down for a date night? Ideally up, but that's something of a challenge as a full-time wig wearer. Instead I'll usually sport a partially pulled back 'do with a festively hued chapeau.



{Please click on an image to be taken to its respective source.}




♥ ♥ ♥



So fun! I love a great, speedy little tag like that. :) Now a question for all of you: how will you be spending this February 14th?

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! With all my heart, however you like to celebrate, I hope that you have a beautiful, fun filled holiday!


*PS* And speaking of questions, this week I had the immense honour and pleasure of being interviewed by none other than the beautiful trio that is the Boyer Family Sisters over on their equally lovely blog. They asked me some really stellar questions - including who my biggest role model is - and I can't thank them enough for our awesome digital chat!

44 comments:

  1. happy valentines day!!!!
    <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
    i saw "pretty women" first time on my flight to british columbia in summer 1990!!! :-)
    you found some wonderful images - that velvet dress! the lipstick add!!! sigh....
    my valentines wish for you and tony is that you get the opportunity to celebrate the day in italy!!! maybe in venice? :-)
    hugs&kisses! <3 <3 <3

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    1. What a cool coincidence that saw Pretty Woman for the first time while on a flight to none other than my own province (what are the odds!).

      That is an awesome wish and one that wholeheartedly hope is able to come to fruition. I have no doubt that we'll eventually make it to Italy together and that thought alone makes my heart soar with joy.

      Huge hugs & happy wishes for the second half of February,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. These questions are so tough - I wouldn't be able to choose between Pretty Woman or You've Got Mail!! Happy Valentines Day :)

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    1. Thank you sweetly, my dear. I hope that you and your honey had a marvelous one. Ours was really nice - lowkey, which is exactly what we needed after the last 2 - 3 tumultuous, highly busy weeks.

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. I'm planning to spend my Valentine's Day with making lots of pretty jewelry. Well, perhaps not lots, but pretty for sure :D
    Love your blog. And wish you a great Valentine's Day!

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    1. That sounds like a splendid way to celebrate a day that is so heavily centered on love, beauty and happiness - all things that pertain to jewelry, too.

      Thank you very much for your kind words and festive wishes. It's a pleasure to "meet" you, Katrin.

      Have a fantastic week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. Wishing you and Tony a wonderful love filled day. My day is with my boys, although being teenagers they seem to prefer their phones, o well. Keep well my dear and I send many hugs xx

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely Emily. I hope that your day with your sons was a lot of fun. Our 14th was certainly a nice one. Relaxed, easygoing and enjoyable - which is precisely what we needed after the hectiness of recent weeks.

      Many hugs & tons of happy wishes for the rest of February!
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. Awww cute post! I'm not big on V-Day like I mentioned before, but these photos are very adorable! And yes yes yes to red velvet pieces for today!! I could use a red velvet dress myself... *runs to Etsy*

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    1. Isn't red velvet the bee's knees and then some! I absolutely, positively adore it as well and simply must make it the star of a future Valentine's Day (or Christmas) outfit post here.

      Big hugs coming your way, dear Nora!
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. Hello! How nice this post, so relaxing! I love the red, still, I choose red lipstick and strawberries! Oh, it's so long since I do not eat strawberries, I have to wait a few months .. Meanwhile, a lot of chocolate, perhaps too much ..! My Valentine began yesterday, I went to the supermarket with Marco and we took a Sacher torte with lots of little hearts pink sugar: us at home we ate it all! It was a rainy day (like today) and the chocolate is so heartening! I hope that you and Tony can spend a fantastic holiday in Italy soon! Something romantic and absolutely beautiful there is still this nation of people too distracted! This morning I had a meeting with the few remaining partisans of World War II (they are much older but they have a spirit so young ..), we were in an old building from the early '900, much neglected but still charming, with those arches , ancient stone staircases and balconies with beautiful floors in glittering stones that invite to the dance, I'm a little touched and softened looking at how the past is still so beautiful. This afternoon we have seen one of my favorite movies: "Fumo di Londra" with a great Alberto Sordi and then Marco made bread, is now in the oven and there is a delicious smell ... with this I wish you, dear Jessica, and your Tony, a wonderful day!

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    1. That sounds like a splendid Valentine's celebration, sweet dear (and, really, is one doesn't indulge in chocolate on February 14th, when can they?! :)). I'm delighted to know that you and Marco had a marvelous one and also that you were able to spend time with some of the small number of Italian WW2 partisans who are still alive. What an incredible experience. There is so much to be gained from spending time with those those who experienced the immense challenges of the war years firsthand.

      Many hugs & sincere thanks for your terrific comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. What fun! A happy Valentine's to you, dear friend!

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    1. Thank you very much, darling gal. I hope that your Feb. 14th was a splendid one. I'm happy to report that ours was lovely. Relaxed, fun and snow-free! :)

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. Totally with you on the chocolate dipped anything ;) hope you had a lovely Valentines with Tony. We took a long dog walk and the sun was even out, but I'm not sure if call it romantic with an over-enthusiastic large puppy bounding through muddy puddles at every turn. Fun though, for sure! We don't go in for doing anything out of the ordinary, but we had a lovely day together all the same :) x

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    1. That sounds positively lovely to me and is in the same vein as ours (lowkey and relaxing). How fun that you got to spend part of it with a cute puppy. Aww! Celebrating one's love of pets/animals on Valentine's Day is as important to me as doing so with people.

      Big hugs & happy Tuesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. Congratulations for the interview, dear Jessica! I will read it soon! I loved this tag and it's so nice to know more about you! I am on a ban of chocolate :( for months, due to allergy. So this Valentine's was different, since I can't eat chocolate and before, used to receive boxes and boxes with pralines :) Maybe next year :) I love red lipsticks, but tend to wear pink. Then when I see, it seems so pale, and then I put a coat of red over pink :) And I liked the hair styles, well done for having a way to style yours (wig or not, it's a hair style!) Hope you have a lovely week!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. Hi sweet Denise, thank you very much for your great comment, my fellow red lipstick adoring lady. I'm sorry that you've developed an allergy to chocolate. My step-dad has had one for many years, too, so I'm quite used to not cooking/baking with it when whipping up meals that he'll be partaking of. Do you like carob? It's a decent substitute for chocolate, especially in the form, I find, of carob chips. It's completely chocolate free and comes in a lot of different varieties (chips, powder, squares, etc) these days, so if you can find some carob, perhaps it could help give you back a sense of eating chocolate again (for, really, everyone who wants to do so should be able to, IMO).

      Many hugs & all the best for the rest of February,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. I hope you had a lovely Valentine's day! We usually keep it rather low key around our house. We went out for a pizza slice and then came back and watched some shows on the couch with a fire going. Red is my color of choice for Valentine's day, it's always been one of my favorite colors.

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    1. Ooohh, same here, big time! Red rocks and I cannot get enough of it in my wardrobe the whole year round.

      That sounds like a great Valentine's Day. I whipped up some homemade GF pizza for our dinner, so we both tucking into that tasty meal on the 14th. :)

      Have an awesome week, sweet dear!
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. Awww, how sweet! I'm dying a little bit over the fact that Grumpy Cat is the celeb you'd choose as your Valentine - that's just too funny! Great answers all around, though.

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    1. :D She was the first celeb that sprung to mind and while Stella might give me a quizzical eye if I brought her home, she really would be an awesome Valentine's Day companion, especially if one wasn't in a mushy "hearts and roses everywhere" sort of mood.

      I hope that you guys had a terrific 14th and that your week is off to an equally enjoyable start.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. Grumpy Cat would be an adorable Valentine :)

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    1. Wouldn't she though! :) She's just the cutest thing and seems (if cats could talk) like she's have some very spirited opinions to share regarding Valentine's Day. :D

      I hope that your 14th rocked, Ashley!

      Have a beautiful week,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. Good answers. I've never seen either if those films though. Happy valentines to you and your hubby

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    1. Oohhh, I really hope you're able to catch them both. They're lighthearted, easy viewing rom coms that will leave you with a big smile on your face.

      Many hugs & happy Tuesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. Gostei das perguntas. O filme é meu favorito.
    Casa Cherry

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    1. Same here! Total classics all the way! :)

      Sending lots of hugs & happy wishes for the rest of February your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. Wow, it's Jessica's World and we just live in it! You're everywhere now! The good thing is you're smart, informed and have something to say. These answers are amusing and I'm off to read your other interview now.

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    1. You never fail to make me smile with your sweeter-than-sweet, and wonderfully touching, comments, Ally. Thank you so much!

      Have a fantastic week,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Kelsey Pekarek (GoldieAndTheBears)February 15, 2016 at 5:04 PM

    Wonderful post! What fun questions, and what lovely answers.

    I spent this Valentine's day at an archery shoot, with friends, family, and my wonderful husband. Can't imagine a better Valentine's day than doing something I love with people I love!

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    1. Very well said, Kelsey. It's wonderful that you got to enjoy a fun Feb. 14th with your family doing something that really appeals to you. We should all strive for as much come each and every Valentine's Day.

      Many thanks for your great comment. I hope that you have a beautiful week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. Congrats on the interview, Jess!
    You have summed everything up in a profoundly honest, easy-to-read and informative way (with just a hint of being quirky) - two thumbs up for your Yukon ancestors! :)
    Your interview glorifies what vintage-loving world is all about. Many have lost themselves in promoting and advertising I know, it's where the "blogging money" is, but for the love of vintage, there should be a line! Some folks turn their blogs into shops and forget to "shout out" every once in a while - making their place a shop that's over time loses it's "vintage-feel"
    You are doing GREAT.
    Heck, don't take this as an insult (English is my second language - he, he.. I get to use that phrase when I need to) :) .. you are a great juggler! You are making the perfect mix of fashion, etsy-shop, baking and heart-to-heart posts... a gift so few have, my dear.
    ...
    So, this comment turned "off topic".
    Intentionally?
    Yeah, most probably. :) Valentine's is a touchy subject when you're single and approaching the round 3-0 number of years. Besides, it's a holiday that collides with our culture greatly - I'm sure you've read it on my blog.
    ..
    Just so you know: I blame coffee for this post - I wrote until I've finished it (and since it's day off over here, it took time). :)

    M.

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    1. Far from an insult, that is a huge compliment, dear Marija, and something that I wholeheartedly appreciate you saying. I really strive for a good balance and have zero desire for my blog to ever become overly commercialized in the slightest. That isn't who I am, nor the sort of blog that I want to present to the world. I'm very grateful for my sponsors and the opportunities I have to work with many wonderful companies and small businesses/fellow bloggers alike, but I always try to present such organically and tastefully. The fact that you pick up on as much really means a lot to me.

      Many hugs & joyful second half of February wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

      *PS* Your English has always knocked my socks off! Like Tony, you clearly have a gift for languages and it's something I admire immensely in both of you.

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  18. Chocolate covered strawberries are simply amazing. We had them at our wedding reception and I'm pretty sure that's most of what I ate at the reception. :P Grumpy cat is a bit of an unexpected answer... :) I like that

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    1. So many yums!!! We love to do a trio of chocolate dipped strawberries, banana slices, and classic white marshmallows. My mouth all but waters at the mere thought! :)

      Have an awesome week, dear Rachel!
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. All those hairstyles are wonderful, wish I was better at hair dos! Love the Dorothy Grey lipstick advert. I haven't heard of the brand, is it Canadian?

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    1. Aren't they just incredible! I love vintage hairstyles as much as I do fashions from that era.

      Dorothy Grey was a US brand of cosmetics and beauty products in the early to mid-twentieth century who were/are especially well known for their lovely compacts. Despite being quite famous back in the day, they're not nearly as well known nowadays as some of the other big US players in the field. Perhaps I'll do an "Adventures in Vintage Advertising" post on them one day. They deserve the spotlight more, if you ask me.

      Big hugs & happy (almost) weekend wishes, my dear friend,
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. Happy (belated) Valentine's Day, Jessica! A lovely post, as always. :) Although I'd have to vote for "You've Got Mail" over "Pretty Woman," because I love Meg Ryan in anything. :-P

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    1. Thank you sweetly, dear Grace. Meg is great and so iconic of the 80s/90s, much like Julia. Both movies are a delight and just the kind of easy viewing I adore relaxing with come Valentine's Day.

      Big hugs,
      c♥ Jessica

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  21. I love your Grumpy Cat response! I was at Target a few weeks back and saw a box of Grumpy Cat Valentine's cards. They were brilliant! Sadly I didn't buy them but I totally should have! Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's day lovely lady!

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    1. Too cute!!! I didn't see those up here in Canada or I would have totally bought them. I adore Grumpy Cat and have two plush toys of her (one of which is on the tall upright jewelry box in our bedroom).

      We had a great Valentine's Day, thank you very much, sweet dear. I hope that yours was fun, too.

      Many hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. Oh that dessert looks like its easy enough for me to try.
    Hope you had a good Valentine's day ..:)

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    1. Doesn't it look fantastic! I love ladyfingers. These days we so often associate them largely just with tiramisu, but they really do work awesomely with a wide array of scrumptious sweet treats.

      We had a lovely Valentine's Day, thank you. Casual, lowkey and fun (my favourite kind of holiday). I hope that yours was enjoyable, too.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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