Naughty or Nice Love Notes

I love stumbling upon lovey-dovey (or "lovey-sexy" might be more appropriate) treasures like this... thought I'd pass my discovery along!

..perfect for the holidays! I found this at Confessions of a Working Mom. Go there to download!

...just a little big favor!

so...you know how I asked you to nominate me for the Top 10 Marriage Blog List?

Well, no good deed goes unpunished...because NOW I'm asking you to VOTE because Love Actually is a finalist! :)

Just click on the link on that green button above or on the right sidebar to go VOTE! I'd like to say it's your civic duty as a follower of this blog, but since I didn't even register in my last local elections, I can't even pull that one! BUT, if you vote, you'd make this one little love blogger a happy girl! How's that? :)

Thanks soooo much!

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you enjoy the holiday with your friends and/or family!

"Remember When" Valentine's Banner

Michelle from Through Michelle's Lense is a follower of Love Actually and just so happened to do the "12 Lays of Christmas" for her hubby. He loved it so much that she decided to create another version of the 12 lays....this time for Valentine's Day!

Michelle wrote,

I have been reminiscing on some of our fun memories lately, and thought it might be fun to incorporate them into this idea. I made a banner that said "REMEMBER WHEN" (with one letter on each "pendant"). I wanted to do it for the 14 days leading up to Valentine's Day, so I added 2 blank spaces between the two words. On the back of each heart pendant, I wrote a memory, and then a way to reenact it, or spice it up a bit that night.

I wanted to make it cuter, but I knew that it would mean more to him if I didn't spend money, than if I had "cutened" it up. :)

Michelle used the free heart printable from TomKat Studio.

What a fun, inexpensive and creative idea that even the most macho of husbands might just love! Thanks for sharing, Michelle!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway this week. $30 Vinyl Lettering/Decor Giveaway from Say It On The Wall. Go HERE!

"I only have EYES for you!"

Looking for a spooky way to show your hubby (or wife...) you love him this Halloween?

All the Pretty Pages created this cute little greeting card... You can download the card on her blog HERE

{You could attach this to a baggie of little eye ball chocolates or gummies}

Thanksgiving Love Notes for the Happy Hubby

I love all you creative women who are "thinking outside the box" when it comes to loving your hubbies...

The Happy Home Fairy did just that...

...just look at those! How clever!

The inspiration behind her cute lil' love notes:

As Thanksgiving approaches, I wanted to make something to bless my hubby. He does so much to fill my life with happiness that I am always bursting with gratitude for him. The more I brainstormed about him, the more I realized that my love for him is kind of like my love for Thanksgiving Dinner...

You can head over to her blog HERE to download the notes!

You better hurry, though! You've only got 3 days from now until Thanksgiving to give these notes... maybe give 2-3 a day left in random places or even emailed to her might make him feel just a little more thankful for such a loving wife! (easily applied to a wife, for all you male readers, too.)

Valentine Favorites & Freebies

Well, hello there strangers! {Oh, yeah...it's me who's been estranged lately. whoops.}

I thought I'd pop back into the neighborhood to do a few Valentine shout-outs. There are so many cute things out there this year, and wanted to make sure you were getting some fresh ideas for this sweet little holiday...

Here are a few of my favorites:

Would you like love with that? Fry Box Template & Tutorial from Then She Made

Super-Sized Valentine Subway Art from Tatertots and Jello. Amazing!

Family Photo Wreath from The Crafting Chicks. It doesn't get any lovelier than this!

Free printables from Becky Higgins. I love the simplicity of these designs!

Udaman Candy Bar from Jeane Winters/Inspiring Ideas (found via tipjunkie.com) - seriously. I love this. My husband will be all over his wrapped Symphony bar this year.

Free Printable Valentine Subway Art from eighteen25 ... this is my favorite subway art so far! I'm working on getting this framed for my vday decor right now!

For the digital scrapbookers out there, here are some cute Valentine freebies:

Delicious Scraps

Chelle's Creations - 2 Quickpages

Word Art from Bygone's Scrapbooks

Valentine Words from Connie Prince

OH, and don't forget the good ol' days when I was posting like a crazy woman during the days leading up to Valentine's Day. You can search all my previous Valentine Idea posts HERE. (scroll down to the bottom)

And if you're running behind and need a little extra help this year, don't forget these low-cost items in Love Actually's Boutique.

Vday Countdown Calendar

Love Checks

Date of the Month Club
(customized for Vday rather than Christmas)

Coming up this Monday is a super fun giveaway... I hope to see you back here then!

Now Taking Orders...

I am now taking orders for customized "Date of the Month Club" kits!!

If you weren't a follower of Love Actually last Christmas, allow me to introduce you to a one-of-a-kind homemade Christmas gift for your spouse....a gift that lasts throughout the year!

Enroll him (or her) in the Date of the Month Club!

Here's the jist: You've enrolled them in this club, which has lots of great "membership benefits".

{the membership "brochure"}

You can present this to him anyway you'd like. In a binder with plastic sleeves, in a box, in a folder, or in a 12x12 scrapbook pocket page like I did.

{ A closer look }

What comes in the kit?

Monthly Date Calendar:
Give your hubby a list of 12+ dates on a card or a full size page (depending on how you are presenting it). The more he can choose from, the better. Keep in mind, these don't all have to be fancy dates from my blog. Guys like simple dates, too...like, throwing a frisbee at the park. Put some of his interests in there as dates with you. Then, provide him another sheet which has each month of the next year listed. He will choose which date he wants for which month. Then, it's up to you keep that card and plan those dates each month (Hence, "date of the month club").

Romance Reward Tickets:
These are "love coupons" of sorts...the trick is actually honoring them when he/she decides to use them throughout the year--no backing out! And, make sure you really personalize them.

Here are the tickets I used:
(I put two of each in the package)

• Breakfast in Bed - hot & ready, or however you like it!
• Mental Health Day - Need a break from the daily grind? Play hookie and we'll have some real fun...anything you want to do!
• Sick Day - Redeem this for some pure pampering on a day you aren't feeling too hot... I'll make you feel better.
• Treat Ticket - Your craving is my command!
• Massage of Your Choice - Where does it hurt? Let me rub it better.
  
  

  {Options for the tickets are endless, though...}

Vacation Packages for Two:
Give him at least 2 options…but only give him as many as you can handle having to plan throughout the year! (make sure he knows these are not REAL getaways...otherwise what’s the need for a homemade Christmas?)

My package included "a trip to Las Vegas" and one to a romantic bed and breakfast suite--he gets to choose the suite theme.

Hershey Hugs & Kisses:
Redeemable for the real thing....


Once it's all set, wrap it up and put it under the tree!


I am offering you the full set of digital elements for the Date of the Month Club...personalized with your choice of wording, your date choices, your colors, etc.

Here's what's included:

Membership Brochure - colors, border color, wording, name of recipient (optional)
Tickets - color of ticket and wording on tickets (5 customizable tickets included) $1 each additional (Note: You can print as many of each ticket that you want).
Vacation Packages - wording, related image, border color, (2 customizable packages included) $2 each additional
Calendar - 2 different files: date option list is fully customizable, background color, text color
Title - (text color, striped paper design not included)

All of these items will be saved as a JPEG file (available to you by email/download) so you can insert them into Word, Publisher, etc. and make them any size you want. Then, you can print right from your own computer.

for just $19.99
you will have a unique, personalized and memorable Christmas present!

How to Order:

Email loveactuallyblog @ hotmail.com NOW so I can get started and get your digital products to you in time for you to get this under the Christmas tree!

*If you'd like anything in addition to this package created digitally, let me know and I will quote you a price.


{Credit: For my "romance reward tickets", I used the Tiny Tickets design by Gunhild Storeide}

---------------------------------

Here are a couple of examples of customized styles I've created for purchasers last year:

I'll only be making a limited number of kits this year (I realized last year that it wore me down by taking all requests...) So, order early!

{Giveaway} - Say It On The Wall

I have been increasingly selective about the giveaways I do on Love Actually, especially since I've been on my "leave of absence" as I call it for lack of better terminology... :) But when it comes to vinyl lettering, I'm all in...

Take a look at some of these cute vinyl decorations from Say It On The Wall

(Car decal)

Any, you gotta check out her entire Valentine Day section. All of her Valentine themed products will be 40% off until February 1st with promo code LOVE40. One of those products is a fabulous little idea in itself!

Date Dice

4 dice included:

1 - that tells who has to plan it

1 - that tells whether it's a single, group, or double date

1 - that gives a budget

1 - that gives a theme to get the creative juices flowing

So fun!!

Say It On The Wall is offering a $30 gift certificate to their store!

To enter:
1. You must be a follower of Love Actually -------->
2. Become a fan of Say It On the Wall on facebook

Bonus Entry: Follow the SIOTW Blog

*You must leave a separate comment stating that you did each. Please include your email address in at least one of those comments. Giveaway ends: 1/31 at 5:00 PM EST.

Say It On The Wall also has a great affiliate program if you are interested in receiving some FREE vinyl! You can get all the details HERE.

"Gwen In Love" Feature

Hello. Hello. Hello!

I must say I do miss posting...but I am sure enjoying having time for everything else in my life! But, I'm back just for a moment today to feature my newest sponsor,
Gwen in Love

Gwen professes to be in love and thinks everyone should have a marriage that is "as rockin' hot" as hers! She's here to help all of us after saying "I do". Her blog offers a lot of great advice for the more intimate aspects of marriage...

Here were a couple of posts from her blog that I fell in love with...


Gwen's Idea of Father's Day

A classy monogrammed tie clip that has a secret message on the back with "Love ties us together." or... "I want to tie you up". Clever!

Friday Night Dance Party

Gwen suggests a little private dance party for you and your man... She's got a playlist for you and everything!

Flirty Apron

After playing mom and maid all day, emotions can run high for Gwen. Her favorite way to change her mood is to "throw on a sassy little apron" It helps her to embrace her household duties and feel less like a maid and more like her husband's sexy girlfriend!

She's got some CUTE blog buttons you can snag as well...

And there's plenty more! After your visit, I think you'll find yourself in Love with Gwen in Love... Hop on over to her blog here...

Thanks for sponsoring Love Actually Blog, Gwen. Can't wait to see more from you!

Creative Christmas Love Notes

The Happy Home Fairy has done it again...

You may remember her cute lil' Thanksgiving love notes. These ones are for Christmas.

She instructs you to "hide these cards in his laptop case, the visor in his car, under his pillow at night, taped under the lid of the toilet seat, or one in his stocking each day… be creative and have a Merry Christmas with that man of your dreams!"

Download the cards on her blog HERE.

The 12 Lays of Christmas

Thank you all for nominating Love Actually as one the Top 10 Marriage Blogs. If you haven't yet, I hope you will!

Here's how:

1. Just copy my URL: http://loveactually-blog.blogspot.com

2. Go to THIS site and submit!

As promised, I have a fun new idea for you with a free download. And, it's just in time for Christmas. Now, for all you who don't like any mention of anything intimate (even within marriage), then you'll probably wanna mosey away from this blog right now.

With that said, I love this idea and find it so very clever! I don't think it's dirty in the least bit, rather an exciting Christmas present that any husband would die for!

A friend of mine came up with this and asked that I keep her anonymous. But I asked if I could share the inspiration behind her idea and she agreed to let me post her words:

"Around Christmas time it's easy to forget what it's all about, and I tend to get stressed out about the presents and money, and the never ending to-do list of shopping, cooking, wrapping, mailing, etc.
And my husband gets a crazy, frazzled wife to deal with through the holidays.

Well, the other day I was (already) stressing about what to get everyone for Christmas with a very low bank account, and I asked my husband what our budget was and what he wanted. He replied, "You KNOW what I want." I just laughed at him and said, "No really, what do you want?" He just looked at me and said, "Why can't I want that? I just want you." Anyway, we kept talking and he said he really just wanted to use the little money we had to get the kids some presents- and he didn't need anything- just me.

Afterward, I started thinking and realized- you know, I don't think he's just being nice- I think that's REALLY all he wants. Of course, I'm probably going to make him a couple of other small presents- but I'm excited to surprise him with the 12 Lays of Christmas. Because I know he's going to love it- and I know it's going to help me remember what it's all about. So this year I'm giving my husband a happy, stress-free wife- and a lot of lovin'. :) There's nothing better than giving yourself!!!"

Amen! Here's the idea:

The night before the 12 Lays of Christmas starts (Dec. 13^th) leave this note for your husband, explaining how it will work (basically that you two are going to be making love every night for 12 days straight leading up to Christmas):

Along with the note, you can also leave a pocket advent calendar to count down the 12 Lays of Christmas. It’s really easy- you just get a pack of Dentyne gum (or any brand that has 12 pieces of gum in a pack) On the back of each square of gum, use a sharpie to label the numbers 1-12. That way, they can eat a piece of gum each day of the 12 Lays of Christmas. (If you want, you can also replace the Dentyne label with your own decorative label) Attach this note to the gum…

And remember what I say,
It must be done every day.
Just so you won’t forget-
Grab this pack and your set.
You can’t chew your piece of gum,
Until the deed is really done.

Then, leave a small present (the idea for each present is in bold text at the end of the post) each day for your spouse to find along with the accompanying note, to remind them that “the deed must be done every day.”

Here are the notes I made to go along with each day's little gift.
{click to enlarge}

You can download the entire set of Notes & Gum Pack Label HERE!

For those of you who want to design your own, here is the text so you can adjust the wording but not retype the whole thing!

(Pear scented body scrub)

LAY 1: December 14

Tonight calls for a partridge in a pear tree,

But that’s just not romantic, you see.

So how about some pear body scrub in a tub

Then you and me can rub a dub dub!!

(Chocolate turtles or Dove chocolate)

LAY 2: December 15

Tonight calls for two turtle doves

But birds are still not cutting it, love

So instead, how about the chocolate kind

It’s an aphrodisiac- I don’t think you’ll mind

(Hershey’s kisses)

LAY 3: December 16

Tonight calls for three French hens

(Here we go with the darn birds again)

So I’m replacing them with French kisses instead

But I’ll give more, not three like they said

(A whistle)

LAY 4: December 17

Tonight calls for four calling birds

But a call from you would be much preferred

So use this whistle to give me a call

When you’re ready for a little bedroom brawl

(5 gold rings from the dollar store with a piece of lingerie rolled inside each one)

LAY 5: December 18

Tonight calls for five golden rings

But my golden rings come with sexy things

So pick the outfit that you like best

And I will go get ready and dressed

(Rolo candies)

LAY 6: December 19

Tonight calls for six geese a-laying

But it’s not the geese that will be laying and playing

So just ROLO-ver, okie dokie?

It’s time for the horizontal hokey pokey!

(Bubble Bath)

LAY 7: December 20

Tonight calls for seven swans a-swimming

But I’m thinking you & me- with the lights a-dimming

Here’s some bubble bath for our private swim party

Meet me by the tub at bedtime- don’t be tardy!

(Milk duds)

LAY 8: December 21

Tonight calls for eight milking maids

But I was hoping that you’d consider a trade

Instead, how about just milk duds & me?

I promise I’m worth it- just wait and you’ll see!

(CD of Romantic songs)

LAY 9: December 22

Tonight calls for nine ladies dancing

But you just need me for some dancing, romancing

So let’s put on some slow songs and waltz ‘round the bed

Tonight it won’t be sugarplums dancing in your head

(Red Hots and Mountain Dew)

LAY 10: December 23

Tonight calls for ten lords a leaping

But you’re the only man I care about keeping

I know what’ll get you leaping, (you gotta admit)

We’re red hot- so let’s just DEW it!

(Party Blowers)

LAY 11: December 24

Tonight calls for eleven pipers piping

But, I confess, I have done some swiping

I stole their pipes to give to you

Just blow one when you’re ready for some- yabbadabbadoo!

(Paper Ticket)

LAY 12: December 25

Tonight calls for twelve drummers drumming

But you are the man who’s got me succumbing

So take this ticket for a private concert, you see,

Instead of a drum, you can bang on me!

The day after Christmas, leave your husband this note:

The 12 Lays of Christmas is over already,

But we don’t need an excuse to get hot and heavy!

So just let me know, whenever the mood hits…

And we’ll find our way back to toe-curling bliss!

You give me a thrill that nothing can beat.

So let’s keep staying tangled up in the sheets.

Thanks for being so charming and cavalier

You were my very favorite present this year!

oh, I love it!
May all your "lays" be Merry and Bright!

Under the Mistletoe...

Don't forget about a cute little way to sneak an extra kiss or two this holiday season....hang some mistletoe in a conspicuous space and lure your hunny underneath it.

Design-Aholic dressed hers up just a tad so it doesn't look like you have a dead plant hanging from your ceiling. :)

Check out her post HERE.

Merry Kissmas to you and yours!

"The Bachelor" Finale Party

So, the Bachelor proposed last night...did anyone watch?! eeee. (that was a squeal, by the way.)

You shoulda heard the screaming in my house the moment that Chantal's limo pulled up first. We all knew that meant that she'd be the first to go...and that left Emily there with Brad. She was the one. Bittersweet moment, really. Chantal seemed to really have her heart set on Brad and as great as she was, Emily was just, well, Emily. That's hard to top.

THEN..... the "after the rose" special was heart-breaking! They are finding out that love isn't as easy as receiving the Final Rose. I guess it's a good lesson to learn, but I hope they can keep it together!

A few girlfriends and I have rotated houses most every Monday this Bachelor season.. I thought we'd end it with a big affair.

I'm sharing my party details mainly because I searched the internet high and low for "The Bachelor" themed parties and found nothing! So, here it is for you to adapt for future Bachelor seasons.

It started with invites to the ladies....

(PS...the word "suite" reads like "sweet".... I know, if I had to explain it's just not as cool. oh well.)

*also, if you'd like the Photoshop file of this invite, feel free to leave a comment with your email and I'll get it to you!

...That was shortly followed by 2 favors asked of the husbands (without the wives knowing!)

1. To plan a date for their wives in the near future and tell me what he's planning (so I could make a "date card" for each girl).

2. To show up that night in a suit right before the Final Rose Ceremony to give his wife a rose.

If you'd like an example of my email/letter to each husband, you can download it HERE.

Our guys were such good sports and the night was so fun because of them!

Decor/Food

The girls brought the "suites" and I had chips, salsa, and dip along with punch.

You can download the food table label/photo for the

Cocktail Party Punch HERE

Fantasy "suites" HERE

Game

Prior to the Finale starting, I had the girls split into teams and each team had strips of paper which had facts about both Chantal and Emily. They had to determine which fact belonged to each girl. The team with the most correct won. (I found these facts from just google searching each contestant).

...and the prize?

Yup. {seriously} They are about that big, too. I found these ginormous rings at the Christmas Tree Shops for 3 bucks a pop! ....(they are actually napkin ring holders, but just for that night they played the part of giant diamond rings).

Commercial Breaks

I quizzed the group with trivia about The Bachelor and the contestants, but the funnest part of our commercial breaks were "knocks" at my door when a DATE CARD arrived for each girl. (They came at random times all throughout the night. By "came" I mean, I tried to sneakily set them by the door and then I'd pretend to hear a knock)

Some of my favorite lines during the reading of our date cards that night:

"My card doesn't say anything about LOVE!" (quoting Michelle from this season)
"I hope I don't get on a group date...I'm not here to make friends." (quoting Michelle again)
"There's a date card, girls...eeeee! I hope it's me!" (quoting every girl in Bachelor history)

These were dates the husbands actually had planned for their wives!

And then, the time came for the Final Rose Ceremony. During the final commercial break, in came our Bachelors with roses. The girls were surprised and so excited to their suited "bachelors"!

We all graciously accepted our roses...especially considering that we were the ONLY ones getting a rose from OUR man. :)

I sent each couple home with this little item from my table decor... (found these at the Dollar Tree 10/$1) that had 2 Ring Pops (heart-shaped, in fact) in them.

We are missing a few Bachelors in this shot, but all of them were there!

What a fun night! We got two for one.... a Girls Night turned Group Date. Who's ready for next season?! (The Bachelorette premiers in May with Ashley H...)

Oh. PS. I went searching to see if anyone else had done a Finale party last night, and found this...free printables from Emilie Handmade! sweet...wish I had found them sooner!