Letterpress Workshop // Prove Your Love

My friend Tom and I are both currently interning at Salt and Cedar letterpress, and today we helped prep for the Valentine workshop event, Prove Your Love. After fresh cups of Great Lakes coffee, both he and I got to work by setting up a variety of paper goods for the class. 

To start the morning off, Megan O'Connell lead the group by explaining the letterpress and movable type printing process via hands-on demonstration. Each couple then had the opportunity to create their own customized valentine notes. Everyone was encouraged to take sporadic breaks to indulge in fresh sliced baguettes spread with a triple-cream brie, and topped with choice of raspberry jam, raw honey, salami and/or a balsamic vinegar. The students were really wonderful, and great times were had!

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upcoming salt and cedar events:

- advance base concert, february 15 @ 8 p.m. (purchase tickets here)

- book & bread, february 23 @ 6 p.m.

A Loving Mixtape

I put together a small valentine mix together for you and your loved one to listen to while prepare a homemade dinner. The following are a few recipe ideas I recently came across: a clam linguine , a roasted cauliflower sage and almond risotto, and for dessert these dark chocolate strawberry cups look  utterly delicious. Enjoy!

Track listing:

thieves | she & him

by your side | cocorosie

there is a light that never goes out | the smiths

i want to sing | regina spektor

you and i | wilco

cupids chokehold | gym class heros

you will be loved | death cab for cutie

merry happy | kate nash

little bit | lykke li

can't stand it | nevershoutnever

sea of love | cat power

anyone else but you | michael cera & ellen page

toothpaste kisses | the macabees

popular mechanics for lovers | beulah

if i ever leave this world alive | flogging molly

the reasons | the weakerthans

us | regina spektor

love will come through | travis

i really do | seapony

xo.

(photo source: 1 / 2)

Valentine-ish Images

Don't get down on yourself if you're single, as I am. I haven't made any special plans for tomorrow night at all. Instead, call up a few close friends and spend the evening preparing a simple dinner and watching a heartwarming film.

Sometimes it can be nice to look back on old memories by rummaging through valentine cards and sweet notes from past loves. I tend to keep a modest collection of heartfelt pieces from past relationships. It can be painful too look at these soon after a breakup though, so you may find it wise to tuck them away for a while before being able to fully appreciate them again.

The following is a letter from years ago that made me smile...

August 2005

 Renee,

Ever since the day I met you, my heart has pounded through my chest. You can make me smile when I am in the worst mood, you have the most beautiful personality of anyone I have met, there are just so many great traits about you that it would take me a week to write them all down. I have never been happier or more satisfied than I have been with you. You truly are a one-of-a-kind girlfriend. You mean so much to me that I am at a loss of words. Thank you for letting me hold you in my arms. I have never felt so complete.

Sincerely, 

A.L.

I do hope everyone has a nice valentine's day!

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a few related links:
- a collection other people's love letters
- a decadent french recipe for coeur a la creme
- dear old love may leave a melancholy aftertaste
- one, two, three, four, five love quotes
- a love letter written in one sentence

(photo sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7)