Valentine's Day doesn't have to be just hearts and flowers

Because I write this blog on Sunday, I’m a hoping you’ll be able to use some of these ideas for Valentine’s Day next weekend. Also see my bonus outfits at the bottom—one for a casual night at home, the other outfit for a fancy night out.

First, consider an out-of-the-box option restaurant for your Valentine meal—your local Waffle House. (Wear your casual outfit here.) Many Waffle Houses across the country are taking reservations. The menu prices will be inexpensive and feature heart-shaped waffles and steak specials.




Or consider a spa night in your own home. This recipe for a homemade hand and foot scrub is inexpensive and uses ingredients you probably have in your kitchen:

1/2 cup sugar (white or brown)
1/4 cup olive oil
Mix ingredients and store in an air-tight jar. Scrub skin in shower or bath, using 1 tablespoon at a time. Rinse well.




Martha Stewart shares a delicious and easy recipe for Valentine cookies. You’ll need:
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more, for dusting
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon canola oil or pure vegetable shortening
Directions
1. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in flour and salt. Wrap dough in plastic wrap; chill at least 2 hours, or overnight.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough until 1/16-to-1/8 inch thick. Cut out hearts cookie cutter. Transfer cookies to an ungreased baking sheet; chill for 30 minutes.
3. Heat oven to 300 degrees with a rack in the center. Press the tines of a fork into each cookie to make designs. Bake about 18 minutes.
4. In the top of a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl set over simmering water, melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally. Stir in oil. Dip half or one third of each cookie into the chocolate mixture. Add sprinkles if desired.




If you’re staying home, the following free one day coupon codes should work for any Redbox movie. Offer should be good until February 16th:

NDNQM3QK
5DKH9WZQ
29T7MWGX
VXHTNG54
92494TK3


And here are the bonus outfits for Valentine's Day. Enjoy!