When it comes to Valentine’s Day, everyone loves a sweet treat, especially when it involves chocolate. These decadent, gooey, baked brownie cups are as fun to make as they are delicious to eat, and of course the kids can pitch in in the kitchen and help make them, too!

We found some cute heart-shaped ramekins that are absolutely perfect for baking and serving these brownie cups—and are totally appropriate for Valentine’s Day. This dessert has the rich chocolate flavor of your favorite fudge brownie. The top has a chewy crust that gives way to a rich, dense, pudding-like interior.

Make sure you serve these while still warm, preferably topped with a dusting of powdered sugar; although if you wanted to go all-out you can top it with some vanilla ice cream, but we think they’re rich enough on their own.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sugar
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350º. On the lower rack, place a baking pan half-filled with water.

In a medium bowl, place chocolate chips and butter. Heat in the microwave for a minute on high to melt. If not completely melted, cook for another 20–30 seconds. Set aside and let cool a little.

Sift together all dry ingredients into a mixing bowl, except sugar. Set aside.

Beat the eggs and sugar together in an electric mixer fitted with a wire whisk attachment, beat the eggs and vanilla until frothy and light. Add the sugar and continue to beat until fluffy.

Stir in the chocolate and butter mixture, then fold in the dry ingredients. Pour into ramekins—you’ll be able to fill 4 to 6, depending on the size.

Place ramekins in the water-filled baking pan already in the the oven. The water should come up about halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

Bake for 30 minutes or until brownie cups have risen up above the tops of the ramekins and the tops are cracked. The tops should be firm to the touch.

Let brownie cups cool for 5–10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

I might be the utmost qualified ladylove to touch in on this subject; I cry at every Zales commercial ever aired.

The elshane motto of a brighter life is woven stems from catering {lewks} for specific celebrations, and Valentine’s Day is high up on the mega list of favorite holidays to play dress-me-up.

And why is this night different from all other nights, we ask? Because on this night, we dress for our significant other(s) (it’s 2012, peoples!), or the imagination of one(s). Trends are left in the dust of classic sex appeal. Edginess may have gotten you the date, but your inner {Sofia Vergara} is paying the bill tonight…

(Jennifer Behr for DVF turban; DVF maxi; vintage necklaces and handbag; TopShop boots)

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Table For Two…

Steak and Martinis? A dress, of course, is required. Red, of course, is required. Leave the cliché comments at the babysitter’s door. Tonight you are dressing for the ultimate date night of 2012. You are your best self: the dress, the hair, the makeup, the shoes. Leave no step behind. Take the diamonds out of the safe. Bat those lashes and deserve that second drink without a peep…

“Roughing It” with Ham Sammies? A more low-key dinner out is often preferred by most Valentine-goers because of the clockwork overpriced holiday menus. {Ru-uude!} Doesn’t mean your wardrobe should reflect that change of sassy pace. On a night like Valentine’s Day, the fantasy of romance is between you and your partner– there is no one else in the room tonight! Stand out with a body-con pencil skirt and low cut printed top. Add a bright heel to keep your partner’s eye wandering…from head to toe.

Posing as Chef Betty? Nothing says female empowerment like a home cooked meal! Light candles, dim the lights, and serve up your famous Saucy Special in a dramatic non-formal maxi dress (chiffon, silk, or cotton). And, don’t forget the heels! If you are bringing the restaurant “home” into the kitchen, keep all restaurant rules in play tonight. Last time I was in a restaurant shoe-less was, well, last week in Tokyo, Japan… So unless you’re searing sea bass and slicing sashimi, stay stiletto strong!

The Brooding Bunch? For every whimsical Sally running through daisy gardens with effervescent fervor, there is a crew of {hit the beat, DJ!} To All My Single Ladies! who will gather together this evening and reflect on bad dates, celebrating their fabulousity! {You go gurl!} Forget red and black: go bold! This is your time to celebrate yourself: go Green {with envy} for your untouchable swagger cool. GAP and Joe’s Jeans make green denim that skinny-fy any leg and add a winter zaa-zaa-zoorific to a snowy or shiny backdrop. Bring the look home with a wildly entertaining top and rewarding accessories.

And what will I be wearing? I’m going Chef Betty on this holy night. Meaning… while my Beef Tenderloin Tips and Truffle Mac n’ Cheese are a-roastin’, I’ll be doing a swift oil-proof rapid quickfire change into a beachy chiffon pink snow leopard maxi and tough chick booties. Hair long and wavy, heavy on the eyelash, and strong on the ’07 Malbac.

Ambiance and all smiles.

xoxo,

elshane

In our home, the kids love to make their own greeting cards to give out on birthdays and holidays. Valentine’s Day is of course no exception, and this year we created cute and classy heart cards using homemade stamps cut out from vegetables.

Yes that’s right: vegetables. A russet potato, in fact, although you can use other dense and smooth-fleshed veggies like turnips or large carrots. If you can cut a design into it, you can use it!

This card project is really easy and fun, and the kids think it’s neat that they’re using something they usually eat for dinner to create a craft.

For this project, we gathered up:

• 2 or 3 potatoes
• Assorted small heart-shaped cookie cutters
• A sharp paring knife
• White and colored paper
• Paint in assorted colors
• White glue
• Foam craft brushes
• Glitter

To create your potato stamp, cut a potato in half cross-wise, so you have two halves, each with a round end. Push a heart-shaped cookie cutter into the flat round surface of the potato half. Make sure it goes in at least half way so you can get a good heart shape that stands out.

Leave the cookie cutter in place, and, with the paring knife, cut away the potato around the outside of the heart. Leaving the cookie cutter there will assure that you don’t cut through your heart shape. When you’re done, you’ll have a heart standing out from the potato, as in the accompanying photo. Needless to say, these steps should be done by grownups.

Now, you can either cut the heart stamp off the potato (which makes it easier for little fingers to grip) or hold on to the potato half and use the whole thing as the stamp.

Dip a brush into the paint of your choice and lightly brush paint onto the heart shape, then press it onto the paper to make colorful hearts. Make sure you give it a little pressure to thoroughly apply the paint. Alternatively, you can brush the stamp with some white glue, stamp the paper, and then sprinkle with glitter for a beautiful glittery heart.

Let the kids be creative and use their imaginations to create their own unique cards. It may take a little practice to get the technique down, but once you figure it out it’s fun and the cards are really beautiful.

It’s officially February, which means two things…we’ll find out tomorrow if we’ll be whipping out our sandals or keeping on our Uggs and, more importantly, it’s the month of love and time to show the people around you just how much they mean to you!

With most gift giving holidays, it’s the thought that counts. We especially feel that way about Valentine’s Day. The smallest, most thoughtful gesture will go a long way with your loved ones. And while most people focus on their significant others, kids and families, we like using this holiday to show our appreciation to co-workers, teachers, neighbors, clients, etc…

Some of our favorite small gestures:

• You nailed it, Valentine- nail polish
• Sealed with a kiss!- lip gloss
• Have a sweet Valentine’s Day!- bottled sweet tea
• I mustache you a question, will you be my valentine?- lollipop with a mustache on the stick
• I’m bananas for you!- candy bananas with a monkey made from paper
• I have a crush on you!- bottles of Crush soda
• I’m diggin’ you!- cellophane bag filled with M&M’s with a sand box shovel
• You rock!- bag of Pop Rocks

If you’re in charge of snacks for your office or kids’ school on Valentine’s Day, heart shaped ice cream sandwiches are the perfect touch. Simply buy several boxes of sandwiches and use a heart shaped cookie cutter to create heart shaped sandwiches.  Next, dip the edges in heart sprinkles.  Now you’re ready to spread the love!  You’ll definitely win their hearts over with this one.

You have two weeks left, so no excuses for making a last minute trip to the store. Remember, it’s the thought that counts so make it REALLY count!

We’ll have more Valentine’s Day ideas for you next Wednesday, so make sure to stop back by!

Sealed with a kiss,

Kelli & Lisa