10 Date Night In Ideas for valentines day

It’s pretty likely that most of us won’t be getting dolled up for a fancy steak dinner this Valentines Day. So with pajamas (cute heart ones of course) as the attire, here are 10 ideas that you and your partner can do at home for a memorable Valentines celebration!

1. Pasta Making

Have you ever made pasta from scratch before? It’s quite the process! So if you’re going to be in the kitchen all night cooking together, make it an experience! About a year ago, I created a “trip to Italy at home” date night for Brian and I. I set the tone with Italian music, bought us new aprons, had wine and antipasti to enjoy while we made the pasta- it was seriously one of the best at home dates we’ve had!

Not feeling Italian? Try another cuisine! Whatever you pick, just go all out with the theme to really “transport” yourselves to another world for the night!

2. Scavenger Hunt

Take your partner on a fun adventure in your own home by leaving them clues all around the house. From the washing machine to the freezer to the back of the toaster- even the backyard (weather permitting)- nothing is off limits! Have a cute stuffed animal or box of chocolates waiting for them at the end. It’ll be fun to watch them go a little goose hunt!

3. Mixology Night

A few days before Valentines, Google some new cocktail recipes to try out! At the store, grab everything you’ll need including liqueurs, mixers, and garnishes. I suggest trying 2-4 recipes, some more in your taste palette and some more in your partners. Who knows, you might find a new drink you both love!

If hard liquor isn’t your thing, you could always pick up a variety of wine and set up a wine flight! It’ll be a private little wine tasting, just the two of you.

4. Heart Shaped Everything

And I mean everything- challenge yourselves to turn as many food items into the shape of a heart as possible. I recently saw someone make hamburger buns from scratch and the patties into hearts! The options are endless and it’ll provide some laughs while entertaining you both for a while!

5. A New Board Game

I’m sure we’ve all played our share of games this past year, but start looking now for one you two haven’t played together. There are endless options on Amazon or you could borrow one from a neighbor. Or switch things up and go virtual- they now have Monopoly in the PlayStation store, putting a fun spin on a classic!

6. Charcuterie

I think you all know my love for charcuterie boards by now ☺️. But don’t feel like you need to make it fancy! Pick out your favorite meats, cheeses, and crackers then arrange them nicely on a board. It’s the arrangement and way you eat the meal that’s fun and encourages conversation while nibbling. It can also be eaten while enjoying that new board game 😉.

7. Fondue Night

Probably one of the most romantic food options out there, fondue is always a winner. Whether you opt for cheese or chocolate (or both!), top off the experience with a bunch of candles. Candlelit dinner with melty cheese? Yes please! 😋

8. Build A Fort

Let your inner child out with this one! Brian and I have built at least 6 forts in our 3.5 years together and it always makes for a fun night! Start by gathering your couch and other large cushions on the floor, then pile on the blankets and extra pillows, leaving your sheets and lightest blankets to build the the “roof” and walls. Chairs with tall backs are great for draping the blankets across- we’ve even been known to use our step ladder! 😆 Just get creative and have fun with it. We like to keep the “door” side open to the TV so we can cuddle up and watch movies 🥰. Bonus points if you get some twinkle lights in there!

9. Brunch

Who says Valentines festivities need to take place at night? Brunch is personally one of my favorite meals! I certainly don’t think you could go wrong with surprising your partner with bacon, eggs, waffles, and mimosas- don’t forget the flowers!

10. Take a Drive [Down Memory Lane]

Okay so this one isn’t 100% “date night in,” but it’s still Covid friendly! Hop in the car and drive around town visiting spots that are special to your relationship - where you had your first date, most memorable meals together, maybe your most fun activity. Just stop at each spot and talk about what you remember and how much fun you had together!

You could end the car ride by placing a “pick up” order from a favorite restaurant (they could sure use your business right now!) and taking it back to your house to enjoy while watching a movie marathon.

I think biggest key to a successful Valentines date in is to just have something planned out. Otherwise you’ll find yourselves flopped in front of the TV, browsing Netflix like every other night. Whichever activity you choose, I hope it’s a special experience that brings you and your partner closer together! 🥰 Happy Valentines Day! 💕

An Ombré Vday

Picking this year’s Valentines Day theme was super easy to me! I knew I wanted to do an “ombré” theme so I can ran with it. Here are ideas on how you can incorporate ombré into your next party!

First up was creating a dessert to go with the theme! I didn’t want to spend too much but wanted a custom look. I also didn’t want to spend a ton of time. The best of both worlds? Use box cake mix and store bought frosting and color everything with food coloring!

I divided the batter into four bowls, leaving the first plain and coloring the other three with pink and red food coloring. Once the cupcakes were done baking, I did the same with the frosting.

I think they turned out so pretty! But what really puts them over the top are these heart cupcake toppers! I strung streamers in my four main colors to be the backdrop of the setup.

Next up was an ombré candy board and fabric! I bought the four fabrics from Joann’s- they were a little on the pricey side, but I can reuse them again. The two signs are made by Chalk Designs By Me and can be found on Etsy when her shop is open. The felt garland can be found here and this is the heart shaped cutting board I used!

No party is really complete without balloons! This ombre balloon garland was so perfect for my theme! And too pretty to not get a picture with. 😉

Everything came together so beautifully and this might just be my favorite styled setup yet!

Do you decorate for Valentines Day? Tell me in the comments below!

BYEEE 2020 - NYE at Home

Oh my gosh I don't know if I've ever been so excited to celebrate a new year in all my life! I'm honestly more excited about it than I was about Christmas (😳). I know things are not magically going to get better overnight, but it's a new fresh start and mentally feels like a little weight will be lifted. PLUS I'll be celebrating in my sweatpants!

In true Chelsea fashion, I still had to go a little over the top, even if it's just going to be the two of us! Brian and I plan on indulging in some delicious appetizers. On the menu: bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers and buffalo chicken meatballs, yum! Not to mention King crab legs! I'm pretty dang excited about those babies. 

There of course needs to be champagne involved and what better way to serve it up than an amazingly sparkly bar cart?!

This just might be my favorite bar cart setup I've styled yet! So much gold, glitter, and sparkles- I just love it! There's a good chance it might all need to stay up past Friday.

I started with the backdrop using white, black, and yellow streamers. For a metallic touch, I added in silver stars (Ellie and Piper Co) and gold fringe (Party City). These items are sold as a solid backdrop or “door curtain,” but I cut out individual strands to randomly place them throughout.

I'm pretty obsessed with using trays, and this gold and marble one from World Market was the perfect place to setup all the cute details. The mini disco balls are again from Party City (sold as a giant necklace, so I cut them off the string) but the little champagne bottle from LulaFlora really steals the show! It's actually a mini pinata- how cool is that?! She customizes each order with different text, I thought “Byeeeeeee” was pretty appropriate 😂

One of my favorite details from this setup happens to be one of the smallest- the 2021 stir sticks! These drink stirrers are laser cut and are the perfect little detail to top off any festive libation! I paired them with the disco ball stir sticks I found at Party City and then took things over the top with a sprinkle rim featuring the “Wanderlust” sprinkles from Fancy Sprinkles.

However you plan to celebrate, I hope it’s a safe and joyous occasion! Let’s maybe go into the next year with low expectations, but high hopes 💛 Happy New Year! ✨

Traditional Red & Green | A Vintage Inspired Christmas

To say this year has been hard would be a major understatement. It's been one of the toughest, longest, most grueling years – and everyone is drained because of it. So how do you decorate for the holidays? How do you try to bring back some joy for the season? I think a lot of us tried extra hard to bring the cheer this Christmas. People decorated way earlier than normal and I've definitely noticed an increase in outside lights. 

I had an idea of how I wanted to decorate this holiday season (I change it up every year) only three days after last Christmas. I found a wooden sign with a cute vintage red trunk on clearance at Home Goods for only $3. I bought it thinking it might be nice to do more traditional colors for once. 

Months went by and of course the pandemic came. Fast forward to October when the stores and small shops started selling their Christmas decor- I noticed a popular theme among other creators of lots of pinks and blues. I thought about using these colors as well – they are super cute (and I just might use them one day)! But it just didn't feel right. Then I remembered my idea of going traditional and it seemed perfect. After the year we've had, something nostalgic was just what I needed. ❤️

I spent all of my holidays as a child at my grandparent's house. I had the best Christmases! So many gifts under the tree every year (I was a little spoiled being an only child), decorating cookies at the kitchen table, watching Christmas movie after Christmas movie in my Santa pajamas- it was a small home, but it was perfect. My grandma always had a million candles lit and my grandpa always wanted more red decorations- it is his favorite color after all 😊

Nothing is better than childhood memories at Christmas time; everything felt so magical. Even if I could bring two percent of that feeling back again, I had to try. So I started shopping with this feeling in mind, picking out the white pom pom garland and red ornaments for the tree, red taper candles for the mantel, and cable knit stockings to hang on the fireplace. Our living room has such a warm and cozy feel- it's brought a sense of calm amongst the chaos. 

I am very happy with how everything came together and I hope you love it too! Whatever color scheme you chose this year, however you decorated or celebrated- I hope it brought you joy. We all deserve some happy memories this holiday season. Wishing a very merry Christmas to you and your family!

How to Create a Cozy Fall Date Night In!

If there's one thing this year has made me appreciate more, it's date nights at home! At the beginning of quarantine we resorted to board games, movie nights and lots and lots of wine tasting 🤪. It didn't take very long for things to become redundant and boring. We've been able to go out more lately which has been nice, but it still doesn't feel safe to do so all the time, so we're still having a good amount of “date nights in.” And to be honest, we're still doing these same activities but I've been able to make them feel new and different by mixing up the setting!

I think one of the biggest keys to a great date night is the atmosphere. We obviously can't do much to change where we live, but we can change the feel of it. One of the best times to take advantage of change is during the changing of the seasons. I am a summer girl through and through, but there's just something about a crisp fall evening with the warm glow of candles and a cozy blanket to snuggle together with 🍂

Even in our limited city outdoor space, I was able to create an intimate fall date night that you can easily recreate in your yard or on your porch too!

First up, lighting! If there's just one item that you put effort into, let it be the lighting! There's a reason most restaurants are dimly lit- it creates a romantic vibe. Picture your space and think about where you can add (or take away) light. You don't want it to be too bright that it's not relaxing, but also not too dark that you can't see each other! No need to spend a lot either, a simple strand of twinkle lights and some candles will make the space feel magical ✨

Next up, create a cozy environment! By this, I mean think of the textures in the space- you'll want something nice and comfy. If it's on your couch, add a few extra pillows and throw blankets. These items can be taken outside too (like I did here) for the night. Just make sure you take them back in when the nights over if they aren't made of outdoor material. 

Don't forget food! Generally date nights involve some sort of dinner, but don't think you need to go all out with a 4 course meal (unless you want to- I'm sure your significant other would appreciate it!). We honestly prefer to have nibbles, like a cheese plate, to graze on throughout the evening. Eating like this encourages conversation and enhances the relaxing vibe. A tip for making the platter super festive: try using cookie cutters to create shapes with the cheese! Oh and don't forget the wine!!

Lastly, layer with accents! This part is totally optional, but highly suggested if you want that “over the top” look. Think of items that are seasonal or just pretty. The obvious choice here was to add in fall elements- pumpkins, mums, and even a corn stalk. Just have fun with this part and shop your home by using items from different parts of the house.

There are so many options when it comes to making a date night at home a little extra special and these tips are definitely a great place to start!