Sneak Peek: Greenleigh’s (Candy Free!) Bubble Valentines

Okay, so I’m not one of those moms that’s against candy.  Really, I’m not.  A little bit here or there doesn’t hurt, and even if they go crazy at a party or on Halloween, I don’t really mind.  But Valentine’s Day is a day full of candy…literally, a holiday centered around hearts and love and too much candy.  And last year, although I felt Greenleigh’s lollipop flower Valentines were cute, I kind of contributed to the problem.  Just one more piece of candy to add to the pile.

So this year, I decided to go a different route for Greenleigh’s Valentines.  If you follow me on Facebook (which you totally should because it’s fun and all the cool kids are doing it), you may have seen me post a link to Amanda Jean Event’s Valentine’s Day Pinterest board earlier this month.  She had so many cute ideas from Valentines to party ideas to crafts, treats, and more.  I posted that I wanted to do every single one, and I wasn’t kidding.  But, well, I’m not as crafty as I look, people.  Leave me with a computer and blank piece of paper and there’s no way I’ll come up with a cute printable.  Printables and I just don’t mix.  Ever seen me offer one on this blog?  No?  There’s a reason for that.  So I did what any mom would do in that situation and contacted Amanda herself.  “Please help with my Valentines…you know, if you want to…and you have time to.  Please?”  Begging much?  I know, I’m shameless.  But I wanted needed cute Valentines.  Luckily, she was there in a second to bail me out and sent me these amazing cards not more than a few days later, ribbons and all:

So cute.  And exactly what I wanted.  She even made sure to ask what Greenleigh’s favorite colors were so the graphics would be in those colors.

Next it was off to the craft store to pick up some bubble wands.  Amanda offered to put together the whole thing for me, but I promised her I had this part covered, after all, I was sure I knew exactly what I wanted…I should have just let her do it, because this mom is always short on time and left it to the last minute.  Naturally.

So late last week, I headed to the craft store only to find that they sold bubble wands in cases of 100.  Eeek.  100?  I need 15.  Awesome.  I mean, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to find a package of 15 and was content to have some extras, but 85?  So I decided to put off the purchase until I had a 40% off coupon, that way at least I wouldn’t pay as much for the overage.  And as luck would have it, when I went back with my 40% off coupon, they had packages of 24 – in PINK!  Seriously, how often does it work out that way?  Wait until a few days before Valentine’s Day and end up with a better deal?  Remind me of this the next time it doesn’t work out quite so perfectly.

Then it was back home to put it all together.  Ta-da!

Add in the cute little Valentine’s Day mini bucket that I got for less than $1 while I was at the craft store (see, it really did pay to shop the week of Valentine’s Day) and you have one cute arrangement.

Love, love, love them.  And a special thanks to Amanda Jean Events for bailing me out!  Make sure to check out her Pinterest boards for party ideas, holiday decor, and lots of other fun stuff…she even has a St. Patrick’s Day board already set up with tons of cute ideas!  And don’t worry if you’re not in my local area, Amanda can always put together a printable for you or ship the finished product right to your home.

Hopefully, tomorrow I’ll get a chance to highlight Hazeline’s Valentines.  They have candy in them though.  Can’t win them all, right?

Disclosure:  Amanda Jean Events provided me with the Valentine’s above at no cost, because she’s awesome like that.  I wasn’t asked to post about it, but I decided to, because again…she’s awesome and I love my Valentines.  And isn’t highlighting my favorite things exactly what this blog is supposed to be about?