Weekend Highlights: Valentine’s Day Edition

I’m sorry this post came so late – we had a really busy (but wonderful) weekend and we didn’t have today off like the majority of you lucky people! Our Valentine’s Day was amazing though. Completely low-key in traditional Sanchez style, but very romantic and special.

I was woken up in my new Cynthia Rowley sheets (yes, those are pink and orange stripes and dots) by my hubby and our two adorable Boston Terriers! We had exchanged our gifts and cards on Friday night – we have absolutely no self control whatsoever.

I got the hubs a custom guitar pick necklace with his favorite Smashing Pumpkins lyrics, which he plans on tattooing on his arm later down the line. He got me not only the Fujifilm Instax Mini, but also the White Slim Angel with Super Fat Lens by Superheadz! He is the bestest. Only downside is I can only use it during the daytime, but I’m sure I’m going to get some incredible shots with it. I plan on putting it to use this weekend!

We then headed out to a picnic brunch complete with bocadito sandwiches, cold fried chicken (yum), Sara Lee pound cake and white wine. We had this brunch on the floor of our new home’s kitchen. Although this may seem pretty strange, it is a tradition. You see, the hubs proposed to me 4 years ago on the patio of our current apartment before we officially moved in. It was very sweet and romantic. Plus, this is big, people. These are the first teaser images of our new home posted anywhere! We are set to close at the end of this week. Please cross all body parts for us.

We then got inspired by the house and decided to make a road trip to IKEA (my happiest place on Earth) to look for new light fixtures. We were lucky enough to find almost all interior fixtures and got some great ideas for future items. I’m pretty sure I didn’t want to leave – I just want to live in one of their showrooms!

I started the evening’s dinner menu with Martha’s Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail. It was so ridiculously simple and so flippin’ delicious! The recipe was for two and we ended up making a pitcher for 6! Such lushes! For the recipe, see here.

The main course was a low calorie Chicken Parmigiana. While looking at the recipe and the pictures in the magazine, I was so sure I was going to make a mess and my dish was going to look more like a big brick than anything edible. I cannot believe I made the delicious nom-nom-ness in the photo above! It was so good. And I made it. Definitely motivation to continue cooking and learning new recipes. For this one, click here.

And then it was time for dessert! Although the recipe for the tarts called for heart-shaped pastries, we couldn’t find heart cutters anywhere and just settled for some little star cutters we had left over from a friend’s birthday. The hubs whipped up a yummy whipped cream to go along with it. If you want to make your own pear and raspberry tarts, check out the recipe here.

We finished an awesome night by playing Star Trek scrabble. The hubs and I have never played scrabble (sacrilege, I know), but after becoming obsessed with the iPhone application, Words with Friends, I decided I needed the practice! We got a little frustrated, but had a great time laughing at our made-up words and at the Star Trek theme period. I love how my husband and I can still have so much fun together.

I hope the rest of you had a very special and fun Valentine’s Day, no matter your relationship status!