I am writing this post from an airplane (gotta love gogo internet!) flying home to Seattle. I arrived earlier today in LA where I meant to hang out with my brother and sister in law for the evening and then film a Valentines Day segment on “DIY Cute and Sexy Valentines” with Billy Bush and Kit Hoover for Access Hollywood early tomorrow morning.

When my plane arrived I found out that due to the tragic passing of Whitney Huston that not only my segment, but all of the segments that were set for tomorrow have been cancelled. The entire show will now be a tribute to her. Of course, this was out of everyone’s control, and while it was very disappointing for me, it was also appropriate.

So it turns out that my older brother and his wife drove all the way to LAX to give me a hug, and then I ran upstairs to book a flight straight home to see my husband and children. And now I am sitting on an airplane watching a Twilight movie and sucking down a bloody Mary while simultaneously eating Junior mints and writing this post. I didn’t say it was pretty.

I know that this is on the opposite end of the spectrum from my “Family friendly Valentines Day Breakfast” Segment, but I still want to share the crafts with you because I worked really hard on them, and if I do say so myself they are pretty darn “cute and sexy”!

Also, if you are a Seattleite, I will also be featuring them in 4 live segments on King 5 news Tuesday morning, so please tune in!

ADORNED CHOCOLATE BOXES

I purchased inexpensive boxes of chocolates at the drug store and embellished them with wrapping paper, origami and scraps of ribbon.

I also found some scrapbook embellishments that really made them pretty.

BATH and MASSAGE GIFT
I used 4 stacking boxes to create this gift idea.

1) Homemade Massage Oils: They are simply a combination of jojoba oil and essential oils, (the ratio is about 5 drops essential oil to every Tb of jojoba oil.) I used the scents of Jasmine: sensuality, Lavender: Relaxation, Grapefruit: Happiness. Combine in vials or bottles and cork or seal.

2) Homemade Bath Salts: 1 cup Epsom salt, ½ cup Kosher salt, 12 drops essential oil. Shake and store in an airtight container to preserve fragrance.

3) Bath Tea. I just chose some organic chamomile tea and attached two stickers (with the string in between) where the tag originally was. A few bags in a tub of hot water are lovely. I also love Jasmine Pearl tea.

4) A homemade gift certificate for a massage (to go with the oils) would undoubtedly be well appreciated by your loved one!

HOMEMADE CUOPON BOOK

These accordion style books were meant to be full of special mementos, gift certificates (homemade or purchased) and certificates for “romantic gestures” of your choosing.

I used a mailing box, card stock paper, double stick tape and then all different envelopes, note cards and items, quotes and poems that were personal.

Of course, these could also be made for your children and filled with sweet things for them, or for you to do together.

EDIBLE BODY PAINT

Ooh-la-la. This is where we get to the good stuff. Maybe it’s better I didn’t have to show Billy Bush how to use edible body paint- I might have died of embarrassment.

I used a wooden flower box and spray painted it red and then covered it in wrapping paper.

I used the four open compartments of the box to hold the goodies.

One was filled with paintbrushes, some small, some are big fluffy Japanese calligraphy brushes. I tied them with red satin ribbon.

The second and third compartments were filled with caramel sauce and hot fudge sauce. The perfect, ahem, edible paint.

The fourth is a little more exotic. I simply took a brand new (crayola) watercolor tray and popped the paints out. Then each empty color compartment was filled with a different color of luster dust. When you mix a few drops of vodka (I used dragon fruit flavored) into the luster dust, it become edible, (and beautiful) edible body paint.

Ok ladies and gents. Let your imaginations run wild, and have a wonderful Valentines Day!