Baby's First Valentine's Day

Good morning my dears, 

How was your Valentine's Day? Was it different than in years past? Ours was. We traditionally celebrate Valentine's at The Ballantyne with an afternoon tea. However, this year with the pandemic, urging us to stay-at-home, and of course with an 8-month old baby, we decided to stay-at-home. That doesn't mean it has to be like every other ordinary day, it can be a special, memory making, time together as a family. 

For me, I like to plan ahead, and so I started my Valentine's Day tablescape shortly into the new year. That way, whenever Drew would take a nap, I could slowly add my chintz tea cups, loose leaf teas, miniature bud vases with stems of freshly cut pink roses, my Susan Branch books, fuzzy felt hearts, floral napkins, etc. until it felt like a sweetheart tea party could be served. 

My Susan Branch books, Sweets to the Sweet and Love. 

This Valentine's Day was special for another reason, as it was Drew's first. He joined us at the table in his high-chair in his darling red corduroy overall. We sipped on loose leaf teas from our travels to England, and ate strawberry jam sandwiches (which I attempted to cut into heart shapes), pink lemonade cupcakes, and sugar cookies which we frosted and decorated. It was a special day, one we'll remember forever ~ or until we loose our memory. 

- Family Home Movie - 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Valentine's Day, 

Kiki Nakita 

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5th Annual Valentine's at the Ballantyne

Good afternoon my dears.

We recently celebrated our 5th annual Valentine's at The Ballantyne. Its always delightful to have an excuse to dress up; chit chat over pots of loose leaf tea, nibble on delectable tea sandwiches, and taste tasty treats. You'd be surprised at how filling a three-tier cake stand can be, we didn't make it to the top tier - the third course. 

After tea, we asked for someone to take our picture under the arbor. The view overlooks the golf course and all the beautiful trees in bloom. One of my favorite things about the south, is that you often see rocking chairs under arbors or on front porches.  

We enjoy having traditions. Once you establish traditions it becomes effortless to think about what to do on certain holidays. I'm so thankful to live in this beautiful state, where there's so many places to dress up and go for tea. It reminds me of my childhood days in the heart of England. 

1st Annual, 2nd Annual, 3rd Annual, 4th Annual 

- Video -

Wishing you and yours a happy Valentine's Day. 

Tell me, do you have a tradition of how you celebrate?

-Kiki Nakita-

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin' or YouTube

A Bahamas Cruise & A Few Little February Updates

Good afternoon my dears.

Happy love month to you all. Here's a few February updates that I'd like to remember. 

ONE

We started our month on a Bahamas Cruise to Princess Cays and Nassau. It was the perfect amount of sunshine to put smiles on our faces. Some pictures from our balcony stateroom. 

FORMAL EVENING

ISLAND DAYS

HOME MOVIE

A travel diary of our Bahamas Cruise.

TWO

Seashells are one of my favorite souvenirs. We have collected them from around the world on our travels. They may look different or unique when we discover them on the beach, but once home and together with the rest of the collection they look the same. Do you collect seashells on your travels too?

THREE

The weekend after our return was our 4th annual Valentines at the Ballantyne. 

FOUR

Our weather this month has been beautiful. Yes, we've had some rain showers, but all the blossoms starting to bloom bring me so much unending joy.

FIVE

Last but not least, a little IVF update. We went to our REI on Friday and they performed more tests. I had a CD 12 ultrasound, a sticky test, and endometrial scratch, and all my results came back good. So thankful. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

Kiki Nakita

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