Patio Pizza + Celebrating Life

There is not much I love more than celebrating all of the little and big details of life. The more I look around the more I see to celebrate.

This was something I learned from my mom. She was big on creating happy memories. When she picked me up from my first day of work at my first ever job, she brought me a CD she knew I had been dreaming of purchasing. On Mondays we would go eat at a local Mexican restaurant that had a dessert called the Volcano. It was just a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream, but served in a double bowl with dry ice in the lower bowl. It would create the most magical, smoky dessert experience just perfect for celebrating the start of each new week.

Now, I am passing this celebration tradition on to my son, and I hope also inspiring you to celebrate every chance you get.

This summer we started doing Friday night pizzas on the patio. We recently bought an outdoor pizza oven and it has already created so many wonderful memories and so many reasons to celebrate.

There is not much better than an evening on the patio with pizza, wine, and your favorite people.

Tell me, what are some big and little things you like to celebrate?

Click HERE for my favorite pizza oven.

Simple Patio Pizza Sauce:

• 1-2 cans San Marizanno whole peeled tomatoes

• heavy drizzle of olive oil

• 2 large pitches of salt to taste

Blend all ingredients in a blender. Strain mixture with a fine mesh strainer until desired pizza sauce consistency. I like to make mine pretty thick, so I drain quite a bit of the liquid from the tomatoes.

Summer Salads + Sweet Simple Pleasures

If these past few months have taught me anything, its to take the time to truly savor all of the sweet simple pleasures this life has to give. There is so much joy to be found in the slow and simple things.

Every summer we love to visit Fredericksburg, a small town just outside of San Antonio, to pick up farm fresh peaches. The drive is filled with highways lined with wild flowers and homegrown, local wineries.

We make all kinds of things with the peaches we purchase. Everything from cobblers, ice cream, jam, and syrup. But my favorite of all is this peach caprese salad.

Friends, it’s what sweet and savory summer dreams are made of. It’s delicious on its own and amazing when served with something right off the grill.

Enjoy it on your patio while sipping something cold and enjoying the company of your favorite people.

For the Peach Caprese Salad you will need 4-5 chopped fresh peaches, half a cup of fresh basil, mozzarella cheese cut into rounds, olive oil, and balsamic glaze. Layer the ingredients alternating between the peaches, mozzarella, and basil. Then drizzle the olive oil and balsamic glaze on top, and serve.

Take a few minutes this summer (and always) to build a simple pleasure into your days. Maybe its the swirl of cream as you pour it into your coffee or the birds chirping outside your window. Whatever it is, create it and savor it.

Tell me, what is your favorite summer meal?

BONUS summer salad: Watermelon Mint Feta Salad you will need 3-4 cups chopped fresh watermelon, half a cup chopped fresh mint, half a cup of feta cheese, salt, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Add all ingredients to a bowl, toss, and serve.

February Everyday Love Favorites

Every month with the release of the Everyday Love magazine, I will also be sharing a few of my favorite products that we used to help make the magazine just as love-filled as possible as well as a few things that are bringing me joy each month.

1. Roomba - oh the joy that this one single appliance brings me!

2. Gallery Wall Frames - memories relived with every print of a photo. So much happiness.

3. Nespresso Machine - my favorite way to make coffee. Every cup feels special.

4. Love Maker T-Shirt - uniform for the rest of forever.

5. Hello Sunshine Doormat - such a sweet way to welcome someone into your home.

6. Heart Shaped Sunnies - forever favorites.

7. Glitter Tennis Shoes - new to me this month and can’t imagine what I was doing with my feet before them.

8. Heart Shaped Earrings - so fun for Valentines Day and comes in tons of cute colors.

9. nutpods - my favorite creamer - click HERE for 15% your first order or use code - THELOVELETTERLIBRARY

10. Soda Stream - the most fun way to create a sparkling mocktail.

11. Smash Mallow - the best marshmallows and one of my favorites to add to my Kindness Corner.

As a subscriber to the Everyday Love magazine, you will have access to shop all of the products in the magazine. Don’t miss a thing, subscribe HERE.

Sweet and Subtle Love Letter Garland

Part of loving your life is creating a happy home for yourself. I love to use simple ideas that bring the maximum about of joy.

This heart garland is just right for creating a loving and subtle Valentine’s Day feel in your home.

Each heart is filled with the words from one of my recent favorite love letters from The Saturday Love Letter Series.

I chose this love letter because it is such a testament to living a happy life no matter the circumstances.

By being intentional about how I create a home filled with happiness, I am loving my life on purpose. I am using what I have from where I am to love my life as much as possible.

Join me, and let’s let love lead the way.

Dear friend,

Take my hand and let’s dance. Let’s dance through the rainy, windy days that make you feel like you might not be able to hold on. Let’s dance through the fields of flowers that bring so much joy. Let’s dance through the sunshine as it teaches us to shine our own light. No matter what life may look like for you right now, take my hand and let’s dance right on through it with smiles, tears, late night phone calls, a little too much wine, and each other. Each twirl you make you are living and learning the steps of life. With every shift and change this life gives you, it is, and always will be, your choice to dance or to hide. I choose to dance and I hope you take my hand, and join me.

xo,

Nicole Ahr

LOVE LETTER GARLAND HOW-TO:

What you will need: a printer, paper, glue, yarn or string, MT washi tape

1. Print out as many hearts as you think you will need.

2. Cut out the hearts.

3. Lay a row of hearts out with the love letter print facing downward

4. Lay your string or yarn along the center of the hearts (remember to leave a little extra string at the top to hang them with)

5. Use the glue to coat more hearts one at a time and place each heart printer side up on top of each heart. You are basically creating a little sandwich with your string. This will keep your hearts adhered to the string.

6. Hang your hearts from windows, doorways, along banisters, fireplace mantels, and anywhere you think might need a little love.

   BONUS: I LOVE to use MT washi tape to hang things like this. This is not regular washi tape. It works so well and doesn’t leave any residue or take the paint off of your walls.

   You can CLICK HERE to get my favorite MT washi tape.

Did you know we have a monthly digital magazine? Everyday Love magazine is filled with ideas, recipes, DIY’s, articles, and TONS of printables all designed with the intention to help you create love in your heart, in your life, and in your world. CLICK HERE to subscribe.

Want to receive a free love letter sent right to your inbox every Saturday? Sign-up at the bottom of this page, because Saturday’s are for love and love letters!

Kindness Corner

Be what you want to see.

I believe in intentionally and purposefully stepping forward as everything that you want to see in the world.

I want to see more good. I want to see more love. I want to see more kindness.

That is why I created the Kindness Corner, a central location in my home that houses all of the things that I need to create Everyday Love in the world.

The beginning of each month is a great time to begin to get your Kindness Corner ready. All you need is a basket, drawer, cabinet, or space that is designated to all things love!

Here’s how to do it:
1) next time you’re at the store, grab a few extra things that would work as fun and easy gifts. I love to collect Boom Chicka Pop popcorn, chocolates, and different kinds of trail mix.

2) print and cut out the gift tags and cards from your Everyday Love Magazine and have them ready to attach to a gift anytime. (Subscribe to the Everyday Love magazine HERE, so you don’t miss any of these amazing printables.)

3) the next time you need to give a thank you gift, a hostess gift, a celebration gift, a just-because gift, reach in your Kindness Corner for something you already have prepared and GIVE!

BONUS - I love to add ribbon to gifts, so keep some of your favorites in your Kindness Corner as well!

There is no limit to the amount our heart has to give. Make it easy for yourself by setting up a Kindness Corner in your home.

PS - The Everyday Love magazine is the perfect way to intentionally be what you want to see. It is filled to the brim with ways to help you love your heart, love your life, love your world. Click HERE to subscribe today and let’s change the world one kind act at a time.

3 Ways to Start Your Morning with Love

1) Before you even put your beautiful feet on the ground, put a smile on your face. It is a brand new day with limitless potential. Smile for the possibilities that are about to come your way. This kind of action takes practice. I don’t just naturally wake up happy, but I know that with practice and a mindset shift anything an become a habbit.

2) Take a few moments for gratitude. For the past few years, I have used the time when my coffee is brewing to jot down what I am feeling grateful for. It is the perfect time to create space for thankfulness. Are you subscribed to the Everyday Love Magazine? Every month there is a newly designed gratitude list printable. Click HERE to subscribe today and start this impactful and meaningful morning routine addition.

3) Make your bed. Start your day with feelings of productivity with this easy task. You know that accomplished feeling of checking things off of your to-do list? Making your bed is a great way to harness a little instant gratification to get your day moving in the right direction.

Bonus:

Diffuse some essential oils. This has been such a game-changer for me when it comes to waking up and continuing into my day with the kind of mindset I want to have. For more information about oils and how I use them to bring so much love into my life, CLICK HERE to email me.

Make Someone Feel Special - Gift Ideas

The season for giving is every season.

There is never a better time than right now, in this moment, to give a little something special to someone that you care about.

I like to make giving to others a fun habit in my life. There doesn’t need to be stress or worry around sharing love with those around us.

Here are some easy and intentional gift ideas for anytime of the year

(but, during the holiday season these fun gift tags are FREE from me to you!)

1) Homemade Foaming Handsoap - This easy gift is so fun to create and customize for each person you are giving it to. I love to use essential oils and make a scent that I know the person receiving the gift will love.

How-To Make the Soap:

• 1-2 ounces of unscented castile soap

• 10-12 drops of Young Living essential oils

• Water

Add all ingredients to a foaming hand soap dispenser, shake, and wash hands.

The gift tag is FREE when you subscribe to the Everyday Love magazine.

Click here to subscribe.

Links to create this gift: TOWELS // SOAP DISPENSER // SOAP

If you are interested in essential oils, click send me an email and let’s chat (dearfriend@theloveletterlibrary.com).

2) Cinnamon Butter - If you follow along on Instagram, then you know that this is one of my all-time favorite gifts to give. It comes together super easy and is always a hit. It is even so fun to pair it with a package of pre-made rolls.

You can find my favorite recipe for the cinnamon butter HERE.

The gift tag is FREE when you subscribe to the Everyday Love magazine.

Click here to subscribe.

3) Pre-Made Treats - Tie a ribbon or bow around some pre-made goodies from the store, add a gift tag, give it to someone you love, and make their day!

I like to make intentionally loving on those around me as easy as possible. That is why I created the Everyday Love magazine. It is a way for you to intentionally love your heart, love your life, and love your world. In the magazine, you will find ideas, practices, recipes, and DIYs all ready for you to use.

Subscribe today and join us.

Festive Fridays - Love Your Neighbors Printable

The idea of taking the time to love your neighbor has been on my heart so much lately. Do you know your neighbors? Since moving into a new home, I have made it a point to make friends with my neighbors. I stop to chat with as many people as I can. I want to live in place where the people we see are friends, and so that is what I am intentionally doing.

Loving your neighbor is what brought about the idea to do Festive Fridays.

Each Friday evening, during the holiday season, my husband, son, and I will hop in the car, put on son Christmas music and drive around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights.

When we see a house that knocks our festive socks off, we will take them a small holiday gift with the free printable card attached, and let them know how much we love the joy that they are bringing to our community.

This simple gesture holds so much power. We each have everything it takes to make the world a better place.

If you are looking for more ideas for how to spread some holiday cheer, check out this blog post here from Nesting With Grace, where the original idea came from.

3 Ways To Make Whipped Cream Special

I’m constantly asking myself how I can make a moment or an experience just a bit more special. The answer is almost always simply with the addition of one extra ingredient. It might be a smile, an act of kindness, or maybe even a touch of whiskey.

This holiday season, enjoy a few extra special moments with these easy whipped cream recipes.

Start with a traditional whipped cream recipe.

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar

In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until it begins to form peaks. Then add in the rest of the ingredients and whip until you reach the desired consistency.

Maple Whipped Cream

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Maple Whipped Cream pairs best with pumpkin pie.

Almond Whipped Cream

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• teaspoon almond extract

• 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar

Almond Whipped Cream pairs well with apple or cherry pie.

Whiskey Whipped Cream

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream (minus two tablespoons)

• 2 tablespoons of your favorite whisky

• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar

It should be noted, that this whipped cream is my favorite of all whipped cream and pairs well with just about everything, but pecan pie and/or on top of coffee will make all your dreams come true.

I hope these recipes adds just a bit more special to your holidays this year. If you try them, please tag me on Instagram at @theloveletterlibrary - I love to see you sharing in the excitement of life!

For the cherry pie, I used pre-made pie crust and caned cherry pie filling. Easy peasy. Using a star cookie cutter to make the tops of the pies, makes it so so special.
click here for my favorite cookie cutters.

4 ways to create everyday happiness

Happiness is all around and at every turn. Sometimes we are so busy doing all the things that we forget to notice it.

These are my top 4 ways to create everyday happinesss as often as possible.

1) Set happiness reminders. Once the day gets going, it is so easy to lose track of time. Before you know it, you blink and the day is gone. I love setting alarms to remind myself to do all of the important things like, change the laundry, leave to go to the doctor, begin prepping for dinner. However, setting alarms to remind myself to look up from the to-dos of the day, are the most important alarms I set.

Grab your phone and schedule as many alarms as you want to remind yourself to stop and notice the happy, the love, the goodness that is all around you. I label mine as something simple like, “Happiness is happening“ or “Look up and love“ etc. It doesn’t really matter what you label them as long as you know that when it goes off, it is time to stop and notice the love!

2) Meal prep. This may sound like an obvious thing, but meal prepping for the week has totally changed the amount of time I have to spend in the kitchen and this makes me oh so happy! Cooking isn’t my favorite, so the least amount of time I have to spend in the kitchen the better. I chop and wash all of my fruits and veggies at the beginning of the week. I also try and have a big pot of beans (made in the infamous Bean Machine, ha) and some rice already made. These make easy staples to add to meals as we go about the week. Do you meal prep each week?

3) Have a wellness routine. This time of year keeping everyone healthy can be a major task. I try very hard to build wellness habits into our everyday activities.

• We make sure we get time outside as often as possible (hello, vitamin d), but when the weather doesn’t allow, we supplement with Vitamin D and elderberry syrup.

• We use essential oils for immune support and good sleep habits (if you are interested in learning more about essential oils click HERE)

• Most importantly, we listen to our bodies. If we are feeling run-down, we rest. Taking one day to care for your health, can sometimes save you from a week of sick leave and doctors visits.

4) Celebrate the little things. Take time to build in celebrations throughout your day/week/month. The big holidays are easy to lean on as enough celebrations, but I find it so much fun to integrate your own celebrations as well. Around here, we love to do charcuterie nights for dinner, no matter what it is, it gets served on a charcuterie board. It’s especially fun on spaghetti night! Friday Night Dance Parties are also such a fun way to fill the house with laughter and excitement. By building in tiny special moments like these, you are reminding yourself that life is reason enough to celebrate.

Loving Fall Favorites

With the sweetest and smallest of actions we can create moments of Everyday Love.

My birthday falls at the end of the July, and as far as I’m concerned the day after is the start of fall.

Against ALL signs that fall is no where close to arriving, I get out my decor, my sweaters, my fall scented essential oils, and I will fall to come just a little bit faster.

Filling my days with everyday loving activities and routines has always been my jam, but this time of year, I tend to amp things up just a bit.

After a summer of uncertainty, let’s all create some intentional Everyday Love in our lives. What if instead of focusing on all that is out of our hands, we simply made a conscious effort to see the good that is still found everywhere, every day.

Charcuterie boards, cozy blanket, new diffuser blends, red wine, good books, gratitude, and warm yummy coffee - these are things that I am intentionally bringing into my fall.

These are things I will be building around my time spent with friends and family as well as my time spent alone.

I just love having things that I can reach for that make ordinary everyday moments turn into magical moments filled with everyday love.

1. Platers and Boards 2. Milk Frother 3. Charcuterie Board 4. Instant Pot 5. Iridescent Wine Glasses 6. Slippers 7. Thank You Cards 8. Diffuser 9. Pom Pom Blanket

What are your favorite things about fall?

Productivity Weekend

We are quickly approaching the end of the month and if you are like me, you still have items on your to-do list from this month…or last month…or the month before. HA

Procrastination is in my nature, so I am constantly looking for fun and interesting ways to hack my lazy. It was from complete laziness and procrastination that my idea for Productivity Weekend was born.

Productivity Weekend is celebrated (yep, celebrated just like a holiday!) on the last weekend of every month and it is a time to take some major action on that to-do list.

How Productivity Weekend Works:

• Start now by making a to-do list of all the things that you didn't get done this month. TIP - put the things that will take 10 minutes or less at the top of this list and the longer timeframe items at the bottom.

• Use Saturday and Sunday to be PRODUCTIVE and tackle as much on your list as you can. 

• On Sunday evening as you are admiring all of the items that you have crossed off of your list, CELEBRATE! Order food in, make yourself a nice dinner, drink a glass of wine, put on your favorite slippers and jams and watch your favorite show, have yourself a dance party. Do whatever it is that brings your heart joy and celebrate the heck out of how productive you were!

Here is my Productivity Weekend to-do list:

Most of these things I was able to get crossed off of my list in less than 2 hours.

And yes, I was driving around since July with an expired license. oops.

I am very conscious of the products I bring into my home, and I have very high standards for what I allow around my sweet boy, Ever. I know that what I clean his toys in will eventually end up in his mouth, so there is no question that it needs to be toxin-free.

Thieves Household cleaner meets all of standards and as a bonus it smells like Christmas morning. Click blow to join for Young Living with me. I’d love to have you be a part of this community. 

Productivity Weekend has cleared my mind of things I was “going to get to“ for so long. Hack the lazy, my friends it is totally worth it!

I’m thinking that this is going to be a last weekend of the month tradition.

What are some fun ways that you hack your lazy?

The Magic of Starting

She is sitting on the couch eating a bowl of fresh popped popcorn while watching Gilmore Girls for the 465th time and thinking, “I should get up and go for a walk.”

Another handful of popcorn enters her mouth. “Tomorrow is a new day,” she thinks.

Have you ever found yourself caught in the trap of “tomorrows”? 

And when tomorrow comes, what usually happens? Did the motivation to do the thing you promised magically appear? 

Yeah, not for me either. 

“Monday, I will start that diet.”

“Tomorrow, I will organize my closet.”

“Next month, I will join that mom group at the park.”

We seem to get trapped in the elusiveness of tomorrow, or Monday, or January 1st. These ideal times that we imagine hold the secret ingredient to our success to start something new or begin a new goal. 

I have a radical idea for you, and hear me out, because it is a bit out there.

What if instead of waiting even just one more second, you jumped up and you started RIGHT NOW! 

Even if you did just one teeny tiny thing that was going to move you towards whatever it is you were wanting to start, you would be one teeny tiny bit closer to it. And one teeny tiny bit further away from not doing it. 

Remember that first tiny step you took? Now it’s time to take another, and then another.

As you walk the path of starting something new, celebrate your accompaniments, no matter how small. 

I’m talking toss confetti in the air, do a happy dance in your kitchen, put it on the refrigerator kind of celebration. Don’t just celebrate the end result, the beauty is in the process. 

The magic of starting is found in the celebration of each step along the way. 

What have you been putting off starting? 

I don’t want you to even think about all those times you never started a project or goal. 

That was the old you. That was the you before you knew the magic of starting. 

Now, what is one thing that you want to start RIGHT NOW?

Write it down.  Write down one thing you can do right now. Then write down what the next 3 steps are. 

After that I want you to write the word - CELEBRATE. Yes, I want you to schedule an intentional celebration for yourself. Next to the word celebrate, write what you will do to celebrate this step. It doesn’t need to be complicated or extravagant, just something that you know your heart will appreciate. I have found that the more light you bring into any situation the better it will become.

Need a friend to celebrate with you?

Comment below and tell me what you are working towards and I will cheer you on along the way.

Fierce Self-Love Can Change The World

I believe that we have everything it takes to change this world. Each one of us, with our two hands and our open heart, has the absolute power to change this entire world. I know that is an audacious claim, but my mind cannot comprehend a world where the opposite might be true. 

Each one of us holds the key, the ticket, the secret sauce to make a change so great that it touches the hearts of people across this incredible home we share. 

But, where to start? How do we even begin to start this vast change?

Place your hand over your heart. That beating you feel, is where you start. 

That face in the mirror, is where you start. 

The only person you have control over is yourself. Although that might seem like not enough to make this great change, I assure you, it is the most powerful thing we have. 

When you wake each morning, you choose the mindset that you will carry throughout the day. When you sit down to breakfast, you choose foods that will either build and nourish or tear down your body.

When you walk into the world, you choose how you will interact with others. 

Change in the world, happens first with a change in your heart and a change in your heart cannot happen until you have learned how to fiercely love yourself. 

You cannot pour your heart out to the world, without first filling it up with love. 

When we actively and intentionally show ourselves love, we unknowingly teach others to do the same. 

Imagine a world where people treated themselves with so much love and compassion that they recognized that when they hurt another, they were actually hurting themselves. 

Imagine a world where people offered themselves, so much grace and forgiveness that they gave the same to the people around them. 

Imagine a world where people loved themselves so unconditionally that theythen turned around and modeled that same unconditional love to others. 

How do you care for your heart? How do you fiercely love yourself? 

I’m not talking about bubble baths and massages (although those are nice). I’m talking about grand, unapologetic love. 

This is the kind of love that has the power to change the world. It has the power to shift mindsets, to save lives, and to grow the love that will heal us all. 

It all starts, right here, with you and with me. 

Friends, I have started a new group called The Self Love Club. This is a group for people who want to intentionally change their lives by fiercely and unapologetically loving themselves. 

This is a space for courage, celebration, and community. 

I believe that what we give to the world is a direct representation of the love we give to ourselves. Let’s fill our own cups so we can go out into the world, and group hug the heck out each and every person.

My First Love Letter in Months

CONFESSION:

Today was the first time in months that I sat down and wrote a love letter. Life has been a bit sad, a bit dark, and a bit overwhelming lately and without even realizing it, I stopped writing. I stopped sharing my heart. I stopped loving in the way I like to love most.

So, to celebrate the moment of opening my heart again to my love letter writing practice, I went to a cozy spot, ordered something warm and yummy, and let the words flow right on out of me. It wasn’t easy at first, I felt guarded. I felt almost like I needed to protect my heart from the feelings I was about to feel, but with a little grace and a lot of love, my words came flooding out of me.

It’s funny how sometimes we have a tendency to hold things in or bottle things up and hide them away as if they don’t even exist. The mentality that, if I can’t feel it then it isn’t there. Does anyone else do this? That’s where I have been for months. With the death of my grandmother, my mother being in the hospital for a few weeks, and being pregnant through it all, I went into survival mode and for me that means hibernation. No feelings coming out or going in.

This. Is. Not. A. Healthy. Place.

As a friend once told me, “Its fine if you are in a hole, but don’t decorate it, you don’t live there.” Gosh, that is just the best advice EVER.

As I have begun to climb out of this hole I swear I was about to start decorating, I realized that man o’ man, I needed some major reflection time. Weeks went by before I gave myself permission to do this. I kept telling myself that I would deal with it tomorrow and before I knew it, tomorrow turned into almost a month. Listen, I am all about grace, but this girl needed a plan, swift kick in the tail feathers, and some ding dang motivation.

PLAN:

1) Self love in the form of movement and diet - get off the couch and put down the marshmallows.

2) WRITE! - This is the ticket for me! I needed to write. Just start. Just start. Just pick up the pen and START!

3) Write love letters - Well, friends this is where I stumbled and procrastinated and distracted myself into doing anything else. This was the real work. This was the heart work that I needed so so badly, and today, after the weeks of stalling, I wrote my first love letter.

It wasn’t effortless. It took me several tries to my words right. To find the words I truly wanted to express to the world and to shout into the void. However, with a little bit of patience they came and I find myself sitting here, wondering why I waited so long. Why did I put off doing the things that I know would heal and help?

I wish I had answers to these questions, but for now, I leave you with the words I shared in the first love letter I have dropped in months:

Dear Friend,

Every season is meant to teach us something new. The lessons might not always be clear. They might not always be perfectly tied up with a bow easy for us to understand. Instead, they might be hidden in the muddy hole, and we might have to get a little dirty to find them. However they may come, these lessons we are given are each there like a treasure for our hearts and souls to use in order to keep moving us forward. Don’t be fearful of anything that is to come. It is all shaping us into the people we are meant to become. Be grateful for each experience and fill your heart to the brim with the love and life that is still to come.

xoxo,

Nicole Ahr

Founder - The Love Letter Library

Valentine's Day Love Letter Dropping Fun

I love Valentine's Day.

Not because of the obvious love-y dove-y reasons, but because in my heart every day is a day to celebrate ALL kinds of love.

In my wildest dreams, life would be a constant parade of love with heart-shaped balloons and love letters everywhere. In my wildest dreams, every person on this earth would be walking around with hearts filled with the knowledge that they are deeply loved. In my wildest dreams, people would give love to others as freely and as openly as they breathe. In my wildest dreams, we would choose love above all else. 

Join me this Valentine's Day by dropping these simple and love-filled love letters. It is so easy to change the course of someone's day and maybe even their life. Take this opportunity to grow love in your own heart as well as in the hearts of others. 

How-To

• Download the PDF below.
• Using white card stock (or any paper you have), print this page. 
• Cut out love letters.
• If you’d like, write a loving message or inspirational quote on the back.
• As you go about your day, leave behind these love letters as a reminder for others to know that they are so very loved. 

“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change. Kindness that catches us by surprise brings out the best in our natures.” Bob Kerrey

If you choose to join us in this Valentine's Day Love Letter dropping fun, please share on social media, tag us @theloveletterlibrary and use the hashtag #StopDropandLoveLetter.

We will be giving away several 5 pack sets of our Stop Drop and Love Letter Stationery to  lucky social media participants! 

Happy Valentine's Day, my sweet friends. 

I hope you know how much you are truly loved. 

xoxo - Nicole Ahr 

Founder - The Love Letter Library

As soon as Christmas is over, I am instantly ready for Valentine's Day. I am such a sucker for heart shaped anything (for obvious, I love, love reasons) and my heart just wants to buy pink and red everything. 

I have decided to share with you my Valentine's Day outfit(oooor this might be the February uniform). You can find everything on Amazon and it is all Prime-able. What more could you ask for? 

The clutch is by Dear Drew, Drew Barrymore's clothing company. As soon as I saw it, I fell in love. If there was ever a bag for me, this is it. The ever eclectic Betsy Johnson designed the swoon worthy, glitter heeled boots that I am not sure I will ever take off my feet. LOVE.

Start With Love - Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

 

I am not a breakfast person. I love breakfast foods, but very much dislike eating early in the morning. My first meal is usually around 10 am and even then it is something small. However, this chia seed pudding recipe has been a breakfast game-changer. It is light, delicious, and filled with nutrients and fiber that keep me full for hours. 

Even better than that, it is easy to prepare and keeps in the refrigerator for days. 

This recipe is a simple way to start your day with love by giving your body the fuel it needs to carry you through your day. 

If you find yourself making this recipe, leave me a comment below. I would love to know what you think.

Start With Love - Chia Seed Pudding

(This recipe makes one chia seed pudding cup)

• 2 tablespoons of Organic Chia Seeds (I use this brand - click here)
• 1/4 cup Organic Canned Coconut Milk (I use this brand - click here)
• 2 tablespoons of Califia Farms Almond Toasted Coconut Milk (or any milk alternative) 
• Dash of Organic Cinnamon 
• Pint-size jars (I use this brand - click here) 

1. Shake canned coconut milk well to combine the solid (fat) with the liquid (coconut water).
2. Pour coconut milk into a jar.
3. Add chia seeds, almond milk, and cinnamon.
4. Shake Jar for a few minutes. Let it sit in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes and then shake again. 
5. Allow chia seed pudding to set-up for about an hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
6. Top with your favorite fruit and enjoy!

If you are interested in making more than one batch of chia seed pudding, you can divide the entire can of coconut milk between 4 pint-sized jars and follow the recipe from step 3 for each jar. 

Start your day with love and a little bit of chia seed pudding! 

XOXO,

Nicole Ahr - Founder The Love Letter Library

Everyday Christmas

I am just a girl who loves love and loves Christmas. I listen to Christmas music year round and the theme of my July birthday party has been Christmas more than once. I love so much about Christmas, but the music just speaks to my soul! It is on in my car year-round and when I was a classroom teacher, you can bet that my students listened to it year-round as well. I created this playlist for you to listen along with me. I am so pleased to share some of my all-time favorites like Hanson (yes, the boy band Hanson!) and Reba alongside some of my new go-to's like Kacey Musgraves and Johnnyswim. 

I would love to know your favorite Christmas songs as well. Leave me a comment and let me know what is on your playlist from year to year. 

Cozy up by a fire, make yourself a cup of cocoa and listen with me to the Everyday Christmas playlist. Merry happy everything to you, my friends! 

Follow The Love Friday

For the past few Fridays I have been dropping love letters and taking my Instagram followers along with me via the stories features. It was been so dang fun to share with you all of my favorite places to drop love letters. My heart swells with gratitude for people following along, cheering along, and joining in. Follow us on Instagram and join in the love letter dropping fun. 

Want to join us and drop love letters in your area for Follow The Love Friday? Click the link below to get our Stop Drop and Love Letter Stationery.

Let's write love letters and change the world.

Memorial Trees + Moments LikeThese

A dear friend of mine recently sent me this image of her daughter, Lana with a love letter while on their family vacation to New York City. During their stay they dropped many love letters, but one in particular made quite an impact.

As they walked through the World Trade Center's Museum and Memorial looking at pictures and talking about the events that had taken place there many years before, Lana asked if she could leave a love letter there. 

When my friend, Melissa text me explaining that Lana had chosen to leave her letter at the Memorial Tree at the World Trade Center, my entire being was filled with gratitude. My eyes filled with tears and goosebumps covered my body. In a situation where most feel helpless and hopeless at the knowledge of hate of this magnitude, this young girl made a choice to grow love. She found a place in this world that had been completely destroyed by hate and she planted a seed of love. 

Her love letter is now housed in the museum along side the other artifacts that have been left and will be left for many years to come. 

We could all take a moment to learn from these tiny hands.

In place of hate, grow love. 

In place of greed, grow generosity.

In place of discontent, grow gratitude. 

Thank you, to this beautiful family for taking my simple idea and turning it into the very best thing I have ever been lucky enough to be a part of. 

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Join us by purchasing your own set of Love Letters For Littles 

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