Spiked Hot Chocolate for Valentine's Day- "YUM-O"

Ahhhhhh, February 14th will be here before you know it. So now the dilemma. What to buy, what to buy for your better half. Well, I found what I think is the perfect thing. It's a gift from the heart, for the tummy ... not too personal, not too non-personal, sweet and is full of sentiment and chocolate : )

Instead of the typical box of chocolates that you just can't stop eating, how about a great Hot Chocolate drink spiked with a shot of Kailua and whipped crème? You can even spice it up with a great movie, a fireplace (if you have one) or whatever else you can think of. Just remember it's all about the presentation; which means, real whip cream, real cups (not Styrofoam) and cook it ... don't microwave it : ) Without further adieu, here is the recipe:

SPIKED HOT CHOCOLATE

• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup Heavy Cream
• 1/4 Cup Whole Coffee Beans
• 2 Oz. Semisweet Chocolate chopped
• 2 TB Kahlua
• 1 Tsp Confectioners' Sugar
• 1 TB Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Chopped

Directions:

• In a saucepan (of course), over medium heat, combine milk, 1/2 cup cream and whole bag of coffee beans. Bring to a simmer, turn off heat, cover and steep beans for 1 hour.
• Strain liquid and return to saucepan, discard beans.
• Bring milk and cream mixture back to a simmer, add chocolate and whisk until mixed.
• Remove from heat; whisk in Kahlua.
• Whip remaining 1/2 cup cream and the confectioner's sugar until soft peaks form.
• Divide hot chocolate between two cups and garnish each portion with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of chopped chocolate covered coffee beans.
• Serves 2
• 
  Oh and I forgot, what would really seal the deal is if you are wearing our adorable Marilyn Bandeau Apron set.... believe me, you will see the population rise in about 9 months after wearting this adorable outfit : ) And below, some unique cups you could use to serve this delectible drink....
  
  
  

Porcelain Espresso Cup

Use this over-the-counter pill cup set to cure all your ailments. Whether you need an espresso fix, a cure for your sweet tooth and hunger pangs, or just want to relax with a cocktail, this ceramic pill cup is just what the doctor ordered. The red and white cups with male and female symbols can be stacked for storing and pulled apart when in use. Perfect for coffee, tea, cocktails, desserts, soups or souffle. Includes two miniature ceramic spoons for stirring and eating. Made in France. Sold as a set of one red cup, one white cup, one rubber attachment ring, two spoons.

kate spade Larabee Road Demitasse Cups & Saucers, 8-piece set

The road less-traveled is paved with polka-dots. Breathe new life into your entertaining style with the Larabee Road Demitasse set. Packaged in a hat box. Includes 4 demitasse cups and 4 saucers in assorted colors.

Wear Your Heart on Your Cake : ) Heart Cake Toppers

Where there's cake there's a topper; and your topper personalizes your cake and you as a couple. What is more traditional than the heart? Below are contemporary versions and traditional. They've come along way ... toppers that is, below are some of the newer designs and we think they are beautiful!

Love Knot Cake Topper - A refreshing departure from a classic figurine this glazed porcelain sculpture has a distinctly contemporary look . The knot at the base of the heart represents your commitment to love, honor and cherish for eternity. Each cake topper measures 6.5" tall and is meant to be displayed as a keepsake after your wedding.

Tropical Bliss Cake Topper - Not all beach weddings are barefoot-casual, and this glazed porcelain piece is made to be displayed at the most luxurious of tropical settings. Its simple-chic design looks great with minimally decorated cakes, and if your cake is to be elaborately embellished with flowers, seashells or icing, it serves as an appropriately subtle finishing touch. Each figurine measures
5.75" tall.

Love and Lace - From smooth pearls to lacy embroidery, a wonderful play of textures makes this romantically styled cake topper stand out. The white resin base looks like white icing so the transition from cake to topper is very subtle. Each piece measures 8" tall and includes a secret compartment for storing a keepsake after your wedding.

Hearts Flourish - Spirited and spontaneous, this glazed porcelain design is meant to bring a distinct contemporary style to your cake top. After the wedding your cake topper becomes a keepsake and a beautiful object d'art on a bookshelf or in a collector's cabinet. This piece measures 6.5" tall.

Take My Hand - A modern version of the traditional figurine, this cake topper depicts a romantic moment between the bride and goom as they're framed by a heart. Each piece is crafted in glazed porcelain so the topper has a smooth finish and a bit of shine. Measures 5.75" tall.

Conversation Hearts ~ New twist on an old theme.

Conversation hearts are an old stand-by that are both recognizable, represent love, whimsy, youth and memories. Who doesn't remember their first little box of these confections. Inexpensive yet expressive they can be used any time of the year for any type of event. From bridal shower, wedding shower, birthday party or even child's party. Here are some new twists on an old favaorite.

"Heart to Heart" Ceramic Conversation Heart Box (Set of Six) Perfect for a Valentine's Day wedding - or any other wedding!These ceramic "conversation heart"" boxes are memory makers your guests will love you for!Each set of six comes with two pink hearts, a yellow heart,an orange heart, a blue heart and a teal heart, all with word of love like ""BeMine"", ""Marry Me"", ""Cute Stuff"" and more. Each heart box measures 2"" x 2 ¼"" andare sold as a set of six.

of course you want to fill the boxes with these

Wedding Conversation Hearts Candy Fillers (1 lb bag) Traditional Conversation Heart candies have been tailored for weddings!!. These wedding theme conversation hearts are the perfect filler for your candy favors. Each white mint flavored candy heart is 3/4"" and imprinted with many different wedding sayings such as Kiss the Bride I Thee Wed To Have and To Hold I Love You and many more. Each 1 lb (16 oz) contains approximately 150 pieces.

and these place cards will ensure that you have carried out your theme:

Sweet Talk Conversation Hearts Place Cards/Photo Holders (Set of 6) These adorable conversation hearts place card holders double as
favors as your guests can use them for special photos and love notes after the
event. These conversation hearts are handpainted wood on steel memoclips with red bases. The set comes in assorted sizes with the largest holder measuring 1.5"" x .75"" x 5.3"".

for more heart favors visit our laptop bride site: Laptop Bride.com

Plantable Heart Favors for an Eco-friendly or Green Wedding

Green or eco-friendly wedding? These plantable heart favors are both affordable and great for a
"green" wedding!

Plantable Heart Wedding Favors - $ 1.85
The Plantable Heart Wedding favor is a seeded favor made with handmade seeded paper. This seeded favor grows a colorful blend of wildflower when planted. The seeded wedding favor includes a tag affixed with your choice of satin ribbon.

Heart Themed Favors for Everyday of the Year

Here are some inexpensive yet elegant favors great for Valentine's day or actually any other day of the year too!

Bag of Hearts Impress guests with your attention to detail by offering them five distinct versions of the universal symbol of love. Our bag of hearts makes great favors for engagement parties, wedding receptions ... more info.

Cinnamon Heart Candy
These darling heart shaped candies make great favors for bridal showers, wedding receptions, anniversaries, and Valentine's Day celebrations. Their hot cinnamon flavor will spice up your event and ... more info.

Clear Top Favor Tins
Showcase your tiny favors in these adorable clear top favor tins for a presentation that's sure to impress. Fill them with mints, candy, pastel Jordan almonds, or silver coated amorini hearts. Add a ... more info.

Heart Shaped Bath Salt Wedding Favor

Available for $1.70 each at Cheers Favor Company

Love Story Bookmark Wedding Favor

Available for $1.60 each at Cheers Favor Company

For more Heart Themed Favors visit Laptop Bride!

A Little More Conversation... Great Valentine Favors that Speak to the Heart

I know, I know, It's an Elvis song! " A Little More Conversation" but hey, it works with wedding favors too. Especially when it's a gift for and from the heart. Take these adorable "Love Notes" Remember your first love note in school, passed from pupil to pupil until it fell into your hands1/2 These "Love Notes" Sticky Notes are designed to bring back that old feeling! Each sheet, etched with "Love Notes" in pretty pink, lets that special someone know how you feel. The perfect favor for Valentine's Day parties, wedding showers, anniversary parties and more, your delighted guests will send the first note to you! The 2" x 2" notes come in a perfectly fitted, white box sprinkled with pink hearts and enduring sentiments like "Hold Me Tonight". A shining, silver heart charm and a pink-and-black bow of sheer organza and satin complete this "notable" favor.

Perhaps you prefer the old fashioned Conversation hearts. A favorite Valentine's Day treat has been updated for weddings! These cute conversation heart candies are the perfect filler for guest favors, coming imprinted with all the classic slogans given a wedding twist: Kiss the Bride, I Love You, and many more. Sold in one pound bags, of approx. 150 pieces.

I "HEART U" - Heart Inspired Favors Never Go Out of Style!

I "HEART U" Mini Cinnamon Hearts

Celebrate your "burning love" for each other or play up a
Valentine's Day theme with these heart-shaped cinnamon hearts and mini pastel hearts wedding favor candy. Tiny little hearts fit into any wedding favors packaging and guests will love the thoughtful sweets. Cinnamon hearts have a mildly spicy cinnamon kick like classic Red Hots and mini pastel hearts are sugary sweet. Perfect for wedding favors and bridal shower favors.

For more heart shaped favors visit our site at Laptop Bride!

Heart Shadows ... Pictures by Creative People : )

Interesting photo set on Flickr ... Heart shadows created by rings and a book. Thought I would share ... Here is a sampling, if you have time check out the other photos. Some people are very creative : )

Two Hearts Unity Candle Set...

Two Hearts Candle Set. Includes 3"x 9" unity candle , two 6" dripless taper candles and stand , and two 3"x 6" gift candles .

A traditional design gets a touch of whimsy with two floating hearts dancing above your names and wedding date. Includes 3"x 9" unity candle, two 6" dripless taper candles and stand, and two 3"x 6" gift candles. You can specify white or ivory candles, silver or gold accessories, ink colors, name, and wedding date.