So many of us tend to get caught up in the glitz and romance of Valentine’s Day, but we sometimes forget that the most resilient and unwavering love many of us will encounter in our lives comes not from a human partner, but from our lovable canine companions.
Therefore, in honor of our dogs, I’ve compiled a list of 5 yummy treat recipes from across the web that your dog (and maybe even you!) will absolutely love!
Check em out!
No Bake Coconut Treats
“Everyone’s coconuts for coconuts these days. To get your dog in on the act, try these no bake coconut dogs treats! With just 4 ingredients and 4 easy to follow steps, your dog will be chowing down in no time.” – Prettyfluffy.com
“While we made these for use as pet treats, they could easily make for a protein-packed people snack. Sweeten them up by tossing a few in a bowl with drizzled honey.” – 17apart.com
“These grain-free treats are a breeze to make, have 5 healthy ingredients, and are deeelicious – Our treat testers can attest to that last part! The dried cranberries add a pop of fruity flavor to each bite size treat. Your pup won’t be able to resist these little love tokens.” – Prettyfluffy.com
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, but more importantly, so is Deadpool.
So if your sweetheart is a fan of the fowl mouthed anti-hero, then consider merging the two events together by having a geeky day full of love, fun, laughs, and untimely dirty jokes.
If you don’t even know where to begin to make this a reality, fear not! I’ve created a 4-step process to help aid your loving, violent journey this Deadpool Day:
Step 1: Pick out the perfect card
Let’s be real here, it just wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a flat, folded dead tree with generic expressions and sentiments written all over it.
Getting your love a card is something you’re pretty much socially obligated to do, but if you really want to give your geek a Valentine’s card that will make them laugh and smile, then skip the drug store and head to the most beloved place on earth: the internet.
There are plenty of cute and hilarious Deadpool inspired cards on Tumblr and Pinterest, but just in case you’re illiterate with those websites (or lazy – no judgement), Google Images works fine as well.
Just pick out your favorite one and print it out! Bonus points if you use photo paper. Or you could just make Walgreens do it – that works too.
Funko Deadpool Fabrikations Plush $19.99 – Amazon
Step 2: Procure the perfect gift
If there is one thing that geeks love more than their fandom, it’s incredible merchandise related to it.
So instead of purchasing one of the many cliche Valentine’s gifts that every retailer pushes on you (think boxed chocolate, flowers that will realistically die in a week, and ridiculously over-sized and useless teddy bears), consider getting your Deadpool fan one the following items instead:
Framed ‘vintage’ Deadpool comic books from the 1990s
Collectible figures and plushes from Funko
Clever and hilarious graphic tees
A replica of Deadpool’s katanas (which would be awesome mounted on a wall)
Deadpool socks (I mean, who doesn’t love socks!?)
Deadpool inspired wall art to compliment their home or room
But okay, maybe still get those chocolates. Yum.
Step 2: Din din
Time to make the chimi fuckin changas.
Honestly, If you’re having a Deadpool day with your love and you’re not eating this yummy Mexican dish, then you’ve totally failed at life.
Make a reservation at a classy Mexican restaurant for you and your love, or opt for a romantic night in by preparing this famous Mexican dish yourself. If you end up doing the latter, then just know that there are plenty of amazing chimichanga recipes available online that will satisfy even the most restrictive diets (plus, there’s vegan options!)
Step 3: The Movies
This is where you obviously take your love to see Deadpool. Crucial.
Step 4: Set the mood & let your imagination fly
Now that you’ve seen Deadpool and have exhausted yourselves with fangirling (or fanboying) throughout the day, it’s time to simmer down and get straight up funky.
Let the passion between the two of you burn hotter than any fire by attempting to recreate Deadpool’s seductive fireplace pose for your lover. Put on your best cosplay outfit, get a sweet, sweet bottle of wine, and let them know that the fire isn’t the only thing that’s stoked.
…Or just spend the night eating Haagen-Dazs together while watching Making a Murderer on Netflix. That works, too!
The night is yours, my geeky lovers. Enjoy it, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
How will you be spending your Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments!
Toothless Build-A-Bear – $25.00
Giving someone a stuffed bear is a total cliché that screams “I forgot to get you something so I bought this at Walgreens. I had a coupon.”
Give your valentine a stuffed Toothless instead. You can stuff him yourself at Build-A-Bear, AND you have the option of putting in a customized sound box. Sounds like the perfect excuse to woo your loved one with your best dragon impersonation.
Han and Leia Hand Towels – $19.99
This is the perfect gift for committed couples. Each time you wash your hands will serve as a reminder of how deep your eternal love is.
…Or you’ll just be reminded of how anxious you are for the Star Wars sequels to come out. Ugh.
Young Romance: A New 52 Valentine’s Day Special #1 – $7.99
Let your fan girl/boy’s see the more romantic side of their favorite DC heroes in a special edition DC comics release for Valentine’s Day.
We’re talking Batman and Catwoman, Wonder Woman and Superman and more.
… Forget a valentine, I may just have to buy this for myself.
R2-D2 Yoga Pants – $39.99
Your valentine will love how comfortable and geeky their new yoga pants are, and you’ll love how great their bum looks in them!
I call that a win-win.
By the way, why hasn’t anyone thought of YODA pants yet?
Game of Thrones Cast Autographs – Price Varies
Your valentine will absolutely freak out when you give them an autographed poster or photograph from their favorite Game of Thrones star.
Bonus points to you if you get it framed for them!
Dancing Baby Groot – $36.99
He dances along to either pre-installed tunes or your own music! Your valentine will be so in awe that all they just won’t have the words.
Except maybe “I am Groot”. That always is acceptable.
Ah, Valentine’s Day. It’s a day dreaded by some and obnoxiously over-adored by others. New couples and those who have just begun dating may find it awkward and have no idea exactly what to do. Then there are those who have celebrated Valentine’s Day with the same person every day for several years, and they may have run out of material. In addition to not knowing how to spend V Day or what to get our mates, we are hit with a barrage of corny suggestions about how we should observe the Feast of St. Valentine from melodramatic women’s magazines, the greeting card industry, and pretty much anyone trying to sell anything. Not only does this put unnecessary pressure on all of us, it also takes away from the significance of the day.
For us geeks, however, Valentine’s Day can be a fun way to use our nerdy craftiness and creativity to show those we love just how special they are. So what geeky goodies can you concoct for the tech-loving, graphic-novel reading, cosplaying nerd in your life? Here are a few gift ideas that even the most discerning geek in your life (paging Dr. Sheldon Cooper) will adore.
Craft an Action-Packed Geek Gift Basket
Who doesn’t go nuts for a nice gift basket, especially when it’s themed and filled with all of your favorite things? Gift baskets are perfect on a variety of levels as they’re easy to put together, can be customized, and can be given to anyone. In love with a gamer? Pop in your local GameStop, and pick up some of the latest video games, or go old school and track down a few older games for that throwback game console he still uses.
Besides games, include other video-game theme swag like T-shirts, character figurines, or movies based on your partner’s favorite games. Remember to add some edible treats like gummies shaped like popular Nintendo characters or bake your own treats like cupcakes that look like small versions of the mushrooms of Mushroom Kingdom. No matter what you throw in your basket, make sure that it follows along with your theme.
Put on a Cosplay Burlesque Show
Valentine’s Day presents the perfect opportunity to showcase your creativity through costume play. If your guy or girl is into cosplay, this is a great way to take part in his or her favorite hobby, or it can be an ideal introduction if they’ve never ventured into any sort of role play. Don’t just throw on any ordinary costume and chill around your house, however. Spice things up by adding sexy embellishments like fishnets to that Sailor Moon getup or bright red patent leather boots that creep up your thighs for your Wonder Woman outfit and put on a show for your lover.
You can then study up on some hot burlesque moves and put on a saucy cosplay striptease for him. Perform your private show live for him in the boudoir or surprise him (and appeal to his techie side) by sending him a “confidential” file containing a video of your spicy burlesque number. By doing it securely via Sharefile, which offers safe and secure file hosting and transferring, you’ll make sure that your gift won’t get into the wrong hands. I think I speak for everyone when I say you don’t want that to happen! Regardless of your delivery method, with the right cosplay gear and stellar burlesque routine, your Valentine’s Day will surely be memorable.
Try Something New
While your nerdy partner may be in to exploring new tech gadgets or unknown galaxies that are far, far away, getting him or her to try something new may present a major challenge. Use this Valentine’s Day as an excuse to be spontaneous and participate in an activity that the two of you have never taken on alone or as a couple. Take the day off and go on a road trip or spend the day at the beach learning to surf. Try learning a hands-on skill or trade such as pottery or wine making. Not only is this a unique break from the traditional V day festivities, it’s also a wonderful way to make your relationship stronger, your bond tighter, and, of course, expand your mind.
GeekGirl World has partnered with Crazy Dog T-Shirts to do a Valentine’s Day Giveaway. Just like our facebook page and comment on the post located HERE. One lucky girl and lucky guy will each get one of their This Guy or This Girl Loves Valentine’s Day t-shirts.
Joanne Arnett is an artist on a mission to spread love this Valentine’s Day. Her Kickstarter project, Secret Admirer, has already received a huge response with over 500 backers supporting her efforts to bring a little joy from Loveland, OH to their loved ones and secret crushes. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Joanne about art and romance in general.
Ari: When did you first start crafting and making art?
Joanne: I’m one of those kids who always wanted to be an artist. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t making something
Ari: Do you think handmade papercrafting is becoming a dying art?
Joanne: I visited the SOFA expo in Chicago this fall and there were some great paper/craft based pieces exhibited. Artists are working with the paper in books and maps and making something completely new. The Hansel & Gretel: a shadow theater note book project currently running on Kickstarter is a beautiful example of contemporary paper craft. I think craft in general is experiencing resurgence and paper is certainly a part of that. So no, I don’t think it’s dying.
Ari: Where do you normally get inspiration from for your art or crafting ideas?
Joanne: I take a lot of inspiration from photography. The process of developing an image is sort of magic, and that experience of seeing an image appear is important to my work. I’m drawn toward awkward and imperfect images, bad yearbook portraits, mug shots, folk and outsider art.
Ari: What advice do you have for others, particularly women, who are interested in art and crafting as more than just a hobby?
Joanne: Get your work out there! You can make the best quilts, sketches, letterpress cards, whatever. But if you don’t get your work out there no one will know and others can’t enjoy it.
Ari: Did you ever expect such a huge response to your Kickstarter idea?
Joanne: Nope. I hoped there would be fifty people who wanted a $5 postcard so the project would be funded, and if things went really crazy well I might be 200% funded. Surprise! The response has been wonderful. I’ve started writing messages and each one makes me smile. I feel so lucky to be sending out so many lovely notes.
Ari: What do you love most about Valentine’s Day?
Joanne: We should probably all tell those we love that we care about them more often than we do, so I think it’s nice that there is one day of year designated as a time to do just that.
Rogue Gallery Detail
Ari: What would be your idea of the most romantic Valentine’s Day surprise?
Joanne: A bottle of champagne and a handmade card.
Ari: Are you inspired by any romantic movies and what are your favorites?
Joanne: I don’t know if this is really considered a romantic movie, but that moment when Johnny Depp swings past Mary Stewart Masterson’s window in Benny & Joon is just perfect. And I think Lost in Translation is a beautiful love story, although it’s about a different kind of love.
Self Portrait
Ari: What are some other art pieces you are working on?
Joanne: I am currently creating thesis work for a master of fine arts degree at Kent State University. I break apart the materials used in traditional photography, paper becomes cotton yarn and the metals used in light sensitive emulsions become silver wire, and I build portraits by weaving the new materials together. The image is visible when light bounces off the shiny wire, and it disappears as the viewer’s perspective changes. It’s exciting to create art in a way I’ve never seen before.