Anti-Valentine’s Day Treats

I’ve never been much of a fan of mushy romance. Oh sure, I have my moments like anyone else, but more often than not you’ll find me and my boyfriend trading (affectionate) insults rather than showing coo-worthy public displays of affection.

If you’re like me, you’ll probably be a fan of more alternative Valentine’s Day greetings, like the ones from Able and Game and Snarky Cards by Alisa Starr.

Able and Game is a Melbourne, Australia based brand started by Anna Laura and her partner Gareth after shopping for Mother’s Day cards last year and realizing there was nothing available that they would want to give their own mothers. They decided to design their own cards instead, and now they’re offering up plenty of quirky, witty V-day cards. I’ve gotta admit, I’m thinking about ordering this one for the boy, because it strikes such a chord. (We were just talking about how the new Amazing Race season is about to start and yet again we totally missed the contestant submission deadline!)

Snarky Cards is just what the name implies. If you’re lucky enough to live in Portland, Oregon, you can catch Alisa Starr peddling her handmade brutally honest greeting cards at one of many local bars. As she says, “I sell them in bars from a box that hangs beneath my boobs.” If you’re not in Portland, you can still check them out and purchase online via her Etsy shop. Just the names of the shop sections alone is worth the visit. Here’s one of my faves:

If you’re a New Orleanian like me, you can come hang out with the New Orleans Craft Mafia on Friday the 13th and get all of your anti-Valentine’s Day bemoaning out of the way. We’ll be doing a St. Valentine’s Day Massacre art market at the Bridge Lounge (1201 Magazine Street, NOLA 70130) on Friday, February 13th from 5-9pm. (That’s during happy hour!) It promises to be a lot of fun, and as it’s the first night of Mardi Gras parades, it’s right off of the parade route too!

AND… If you’re totally into Valentine’s Day, or even if you’re not, you should definitely check out this adorable Bee Mine banner created by Jen from Indie Fixx. Go here to download the free template.