Have a Heart

Happy Valentine's Day, dolls! Valentine's Day means hearts and cupids, and since we're not that into naked babies with wings, our focus is on heart shaped everything!  While hearts are representative of Valentine's Day, we think they're appropriate all year round, as they represent love and happiness. So this Valentine's Day, wear your heart on your sleeve... and ears, body, etc. Take a look!







Carry your heart with you, along with your lipstick, cell phone, car keys, and maybe a tiny mascara. We love this heart shaped bag from Modcloth, which is a perfect compliment to any Valentine's Day ensemble.  Wear it with a black dress, Mary Jane pumps, and a sweet smile for your sweetie.







Another option is this sweet heart patterned clutch from Etsy seller blota. It can be used as a quirky clutch for a spring wedding or even as a very stylish cosmetics bag. We particularly love the inside lining of the bag, which makes it fun and fresh -- perfect for spring time!







 We love this elegant pressed heart necklace by Kathryn Cole. Made from sterling silver, the necklace is carved, hammered flat, and polished to give it a nice little sparkle. The necklace has a distressed but delicate quality, making it perfect for the urban girl.







Decorate your home with this simple heart shaped screen print from  mengseldesign. The design is handmade with tiny leaf detail, ensuring that your print will be one-of-a-kind. It's also available in pink, but if you're going for decor you may want to stick with the blue... otherwise your guy may end up vetoing the pink heart.







If your girl likes to get organized, then these heart shaped nesting boxes from Urban Outfitters
are perfect for her. It'll add some glitz to her dressing table, plus it will be useful storage space for those delicate pieces of jewelry that always seem to get lost. 






 
If your girl has a sweet tooth, then set her up with these heart shaped measuring cups. We suggest making it part of a larger gift bundle. Throw in a cute apron, some gourmet cupcake mix, and you can even throw in the matching measuring spoon set as well!







 Give the key to your heart this Valentine's Day with this gorgeous brass skeleton key necklace from our friends Gypsy Warrior. This is a perfect gift for a girl with laid back style who doesn't want too much fuss.







You're allowed to have a sense of humor, even on the most "Romantic Day of the Year," which is why we recommend this heart design pillow from tadaboutique. Sure, it may be taking the heart theme a little too literally, but that's the charm of it! This way, your lady can cuddle up with your heart any day of the week.







 Show your sweetie where your heart resides with this customizable print from Lily Gene. It's a very touching way of putting your love "on the map" (so to speak), and you can customize it by choosing your country, state, etc. and by selecting your own color scheme to match her home decor. 



XOXO,
Jen & Saira
Source URL: https://quinnfabrayhair.blogspot.com/search/label/romance
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Money Can Buy You Love

Okay... maybe money can't buy you love, but it can help you show someone how much you care! Valentine's Day can be pretty cliche with the roses and chocolates (which isn't always bad) but usually you won't buy roses for you man. Here are some fun and romantic gift ideas for the men in your life.







Gifting tickets to a Broadway show is a lovely and very popular gift for Valentine's Day. Frankly, this may be preferable to trying to attend a show on Valentine's Day, which can be more hectic. Plus it leads to one more special evening! There are over 40 Broadway shows to choose from and, while us ladies surely love Wicked, there are choices that your guy is bound to love too, like Rock of Ages.







 Making your girl a mixed tape is a classic Valentine's Day gift (in our opinion). Of course, technology has advanced, and now even mixed CDs seem a bit archaic. Now you can make an MP3 mix and save it on a USB, and present it inside a "cassette tape" to give an authentic feel to your tech savvy gift. You can also write your own little message on the tape, such as "Love Songs" or "U + Me = Us". The best part about this is that you can store 900 minutes of songs, so now you won't have as much trouble sifting through all your favorites.






This is a little bit pricier, but what good would an MP3 mix be if you didn't have a good way to charge your phone?  These wooden iPod docks are so unique and interesting, adding a little old fashioned vibe to your most modern technology.







A cozy pair of moccasin slippers would be a great gift for the guy who enjoys lounging around and unwinding after a long day of work.  Minnetonka makes durable, high quality products and these, with their fleece lining, look extra comfy.







Guys enjoy a little pampering too sometimes.  Does your guy love the feel or a really close shave?  Or, do you just love how soft his skin feels after?  Well, treat your man to a luxurious shave with this all natural, vegan, kit. Complete with old fashioned brush and beer soap!







Clothing is always a safe choice! Thanks to websites like Woot and Threadless, there are so many awesome t-shirts out there to choose from at such incredibly reasonable prices.  Bonus: some are even printed on American Apparel t-shirts - good deal!






And, finally, if you're really cutting it close and can't find the perfect gift, what about a magazine subscription he can enjoy throughout the year?  Jen's husband loves to build things, so Make Magazine is one of his all time favorites.  There are basically magazine for ever type of topic or activity so you're bound to find something to suit your guy.



XOXO,

Jen & Saira
Source URL: https://quinnfabrayhair.blogspot.com/search/label/romance
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February is For Lovers

Alright fellas, this post is for you. Valentine's Day is approaching and you may or may not be hard pressed for ideas. We have to hand it to you -- it must be hard thinking of something fun and interesting to do every single year, when expectations run so high. While what constitutes romance varies based on your relationship style, here are some solid ideas for you this Valentine's Day, most of which are experiences you can enjoy together:







We're not going to lie, we have Black Swan fever... so chances are your gal does too. An amazingly romantic Valentine's Day present would to check out a beautiful ballet performance. The New York City Ballet is currently performing Swan Lake, but our guess is that tickets will be limited at this point.  If you can find tickets though, and are willing to sit through the whole performance (which is beautiful), you will be man of the year!







Ice skating can be incredibly romantic, especially if you can find an outdoor venue. There's nothing sweeter than circling the rink, holding hands, while gazing adoringly at one another. It's also a pretty budget friendly activity. All you need is some hot chocolate to make it a perfectly romantic evening.







A weekend getaway to a bed and breakfast is a perfect way to spend your Valentine's Day, especially as it still falls on the end of a long weekend. Pick out a cute, picturesque town where you can engage in some fun, outdoor activities and cuddle up to a blazing fire every night.







On a similar note, take advantage of the long weekend and go away snowboarding. This is how we plan on spending our Valentine's weekend - hitting the slopes and spend

ing our nights cuddling in the lodge. We get that this is a much more expensive way to spent Valentine's Day, but we're guessing a splurge like this means no gifts involved? Maybe...







A timeless and incredibly sweet Valentine's Day tradition is to make a romantic meal at home. Whether you make it together, or surprise your date with a beautiful spread, this is a very intimate way to spend your evening. You avoid the frantic rush to get a reservation on the big night, and you can plan around your budget. And please don't forget a dessert... chocolate covered strawberries are delicious and easy!






A fun way to cook together is to take a cooking class together! Make it a one-night thing, or sign up for a few classes together, and taste the fruits of your labor! Also, when choosing a class, think of what would be fun for you to do together. A sushi making class would be perfect for sushi lovers, or you can stick to desserts only if you girl has a sweet tooth. Or, maybe you'd like a dance class or wine tasting..whatever you end up doing, this will surely be a Valentine's Day to remember.






Or, if you prefer to give a tangible gift then this one would be for your.  Of course, there's nothing wrong with the traditional Valentine's Day that involves dinner at a fancy restaurant, a bouquet of red roses, and a box of chocolates. But you can show your softer side by writing her an old fashioned love letter. For inspiration, check out the book featured in Sex and the City, which features letters written by Lord Byron, Napoleon, Shakespeare, and Tolstoy, to name a few. Nothing is more romantic than hearing your guy list all the ways he loves you on paper!



 Time to sweep her off her feet!



XOXO,



Jen & Saira
Source URL: https://quinnfabrayhair.blogspot.com/search/label/romance
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Lovely in Lace

Lately we've been feeling a little dark and romantic, a common side effect of Edward Cullen overload, something that we are continuously suffering from.  If you want to look the part of the future Mrs. Cullen, then you have to don the fabric of his time... and it's not cotton.  Lace is elegant, mysterious, childish, sexy, and innocent all at the same time, it just depends on how you wear it.  Here are some ways that you can incorporate this glorious fabric into your wardrobe:







This is the dress that started it all. We both fell (separately) in love with the Lady Jane dress available at ModCloth.  It is sweet and understated, with a bit of a Gothic feel due to the lovely lace overlay.  So of course, Saira bought it, and we can confirm that it is just as beautiful in real life as on the website.  The lace is a bit on a rough side, but it helps keep the adorable bell shape of the skirt. Just don't all buy it at once, it'll be a little awkward to show up at the next wedding in the same dress -- unless you're a bridesmaid.






If you liked the Lady Jane dress, but black lace is a bit too much for you, then dry this lovely cream lace dress from Anthropologie. The textured fabric gives it a nice, rich look which is perfect for the cold weather. We can just picture you wearing your black tights, Mary Janes, and adorable winter coat on your way to Christmas caroling... or whatever.







Need a great tote bag to carry around all your school supplies, work papers, or just general every day items?  We love this lace embellished tote because it's casual, but the diagonal lace dresses it up, adding an element of modern, romantic style.









Looking for a casual but stylish shirt? Try this cropped lace top from  Hot Topic. It's on sale for $5...  need we say more?







We love lace leggings to wear with pretty much anything... except an oversized top, as pictured above, because tights are not pants.  Nonetheless, these lace stirrups from American Apparel are solid quality and has just the right ratio of lace to nylon. But if stirrups aren't your thing, then just grab a pair of lace hose from Target and call it a very sexy night!







 Of course, all lace everywhere can be a little much, so how about a little lace embroidery on an otherwise muted cardigan? Dress like Emma from Glee, and pair this cardigan with a cute little pencil skirt and matching accessories.









We love this wine color for the fall, and think it looks fab in lace form as well.  This dress from  Free People is a bit Gothic coffeehouse meets 12-year old ice princess, but in a good way! It comes in a few different colors and the flared skirt makes it extra feminine.







When we saw this dress, of course we thought Serena van der Woodsen!  Very sexy and fitted, this black lace dress from Top Shopis definitely something our favorite Upper East Sider would wear, and we think it's perfect for cold weather occassions.  Just remember to lay off the black eyeliner, or you'll be more Little J than S.







Lace pumps are very in right now, and can be very pricey! These pumps by Steve Madden are the perfect fit for the frugal fashionista.







A real lady wouldn't be complete without a lovely little clutch for special occasions.  Here is a lace bag, by Natalie Gerber, that we think is so girlish and gorgeous.  Plus, the colors are neutral, perfect for the bride in need of a stylish bag for her big day!







And, of course, we can't leave out the most glamorous of all lace apparel, the lace wedding dress!  Show off your figure in this ultra feminine, super romantic gown.  The delicate pattern, intricate beading, and sexy shape are the epitome of modern elegance with vintage charm.



XOXO

Jen & Saira
Source URL: https://quinnfabrayhair.blogspot.com/search/label/romance
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Great Reads in Teen Fiction

As "Eclipse" week comes to a close and the initial excitement has wained, we figured we would remind our readers that there are plenty of things to fill the time until "Breaking Dawn" is released. We love "Eclipse" and the Twilight Saga... but at this point we're sure many of you have probably already finished the series in it's entirety, including Breaking Dawn and also the newest novella The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner.  Now until Ms. Meyers comes out with some new things, we've got to keep ourselves busy and explore some other options.  But, let's get serious here -- will we continue to subject ourselves to more and more teen novels even though we're halfway into our twenties? You bet! With so many similar books out there, we've got to wonder, is there anything that can compare to the excitement that Twilight brought us?  Luckily, there is!  Here are a few easy reads in the area of Teen Fiction/Fantasy that we think are perfectly acceptable and engaging for young adults and the young at heart.







Craving some more Meyer?  Then "The Host" is the perfect one to start with.  Although technically categorized as Sci-Fi, it is certainly as addicting and enthralling as Twilight but without the teeny bopper overtones.  This is a more adult book in general in terms of the theme and writing, but still involves the love triangles that we so adore in a good romance.  We went into this book quite skeptical and came out extremely pleased with it.  We don't want to give too much away with this one; you really need to read it for yourselves! We promise you will not be disappointed!








The Vampire Diaries, now a hit TV show on the CW, is probably your best bet if you are seeking another dangerous and seductive vampire romance.  Elena Gilbert is the main character of these novels, by L.J. Smith,  and in this story she quickly gets wrapped up in a love triangle with the handsome and irresistibly charming vampire brothers, Stephen and Damon.  The twist: Elena is a dead ringer for Stephen's first love and now the boys are fighting to win her love.  Many people might be upset with us for saying this, but we think these books are on par with, if not better than, Twilight because they have a stronger, more alluring plot and much more well developed characters.







"The Hunger Games" will quickly pull you into it's post apocalyptic world of politics and corruption in which working families starve while the rich just get richer.  In this book, children are chosen at random to fight, to the death, in a ring where people watch from home much like a reality TV show. The clever reader will notice that this story bares a striking resemblance to "Battle Royale," a controversial Japanese film released in Japan (currently not distributed in the US), but as the plot progresses, the book develops into a unique and entertaining piece of fiction.  It focuses on the main character, Katniss, and her relationships with her family back home, her allies and romance in the games, and her struggle to survive not only for the sake of living, but to ensure that she wins and is able to feed and provide for her family back home.  It's an emotional, thought provoking, adventure that we're certain you won't be able to put down!







You wake up in a metal box that opens up inside a large area surrounded by big stone walls.  You have no memory of your life, except for your name, and have no idea how you got there or where exactly you are at all.  All you know is you are in the "Glade" and there are other boys there with you, all with a similar lack of memory.  You then come to find out that every day the stone walls open up into a maze and every night the stone walls close and the maze changes itself; no one has ever solved the maze and no one has gotten out. To make things more interesting, the next day a girl arrives, the first and only girl ever to arrive in "The Glade", and she has something mysterious written on her hand. Sound like something that might interest you?  Then, "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner is for you. While it does get off to a slow start, keep reading because the ending is certainly worth it. It is the perfect mix of adventure, action, and mystery that keeps you entertained and you'll be pleased to know this book is 1 or 3, so there are more to come.  






"Shiver", by Maggie Stiefvater, is the only one of these that neither of us have read yet.  We put it on here because of the fabulous reviews it has received from our most trusted friends, and also because it has been on our "to read asap" list for months.  Anyway, the synopsis: Grace, one of the main characters, is obsessed with the wolves that live behind her house and one wolf in particular, the one with the yellow eyes, is obsessed with her right back. Sam lives two lives, one as a wolf and one as a human...but the longer he spends as a wolf, the harder it is for him to go back to human form until one day he won't be able to change back at all.  The story, told from the alternating perspectives of the two characters, deals with the relationship, romance, and struggle of the characters as they fall in love and fight to stay together.  How does this not sound like a captivating story?  Plus..it's a series!  Woohoo!






And, finally, there's "Beautiful Creatures" - co-written by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.  This book features Ethan, a high school aged boy, as the main character (weird..right?).  Ethan's life is pretty normal, until he starts having recurring dreams of a girl that he has never met before.  Then, one day, Lena arrives in town and Ethan realizes that she and the girl from his dreams are one in the same.  He also learns that she has seen him in her dreams as well and for some reason there is a very strange connection between them that leads him to wonder if his dreams are really dreams or visions of a past life.  As they work together to uncover the mystery behind their dreams, Ethan discovers things about Lena and her family's dark curse that threaten to ruin their relationship for good. For those of you tired of the whole vampire fiction category, "Beautiful Creatures" offers a  refreshing and uniquely told story that pays homage to the witchcraft, curses, and magic that was so popular back in the mid 1990's. 









XOXO
Jen & Saira
Source URL: https://quinnfabrayhair.blogspot.com/search/label/romance
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