In love with my Minky on Valentine's Day
Love is in the air - but whether you are single and spending Valentine's Day with friends or planning a romantic meal for your partner at home, preparations don't have to be as stale as last year’s strawberry heart-shaped cupcakes.
Let me introduce myself - I am a Skegness single mum with a teenage son, three dogs and my own hair and beauty business in Chapel St Leonards - and a self-confessed obsessive, compulsive cleaner.
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Hide AdMy followers on Instagram know me as Nut Ella (amanda_nut_ella) - (after my obsession with the delicious chocolate spread of the same name).
My son tells his friends to 'go with it' when they meet me ready for battle armed with my 'Minky' - but putting order in my home helps me cope with everyday challenges and stresses.
The trick is to make it not a chore and have fun. So when I was invited to do a regular column for the Standard with hints and tips, starting with the perfect Valentines Day, I couldn't resist.
OK darlings, well a little bit of effort goes a long way - whether you are entertaining a new date or you've been married for years
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Hide AdStart the day with a romantic breakfast such as Nut Ella's heart-shaped French toast.
Setting the mood is equally as important as the food, so fill the air with the scent of love - try my home-made Valentines wax melts, so delicious.
After your evening meal, snuggle up with romantic background music and dim the lights for a romantic movie and great foodie nibbles Get some wine and maybe a great cheese board.
Or relax Nut Ella style a romantic gin cocktail
NUT ELLA'S HEART-SHAPED FRENCH TOAST
4 slice small brown bread
2 beaten eggs
1tsp sweetener
1tsp cinnamon
Mix in a bowl add the bread few secs
Can use cookie cutter for effect if required
Cook in frying pan or air fry with little spray oil for 2 mins each side
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Hide AdTop with fruits of your choose and serve with Nutella it’s the food of sweethearts
HOME-MADE VALENTINES WAX MELTS
2tbsp of coconut oil
1oz beeswax
Essential oils I use orange 1tsp mixed spice
Glitter for top
METHOD
Make double burn pan simmer water and glass bowl Add bees wax and coconut oil Allow to melt Take off the heat and add essential oils Pour into mould cool in fridge Then your ready to use Happy aroma burning
VALENTINE'S COCKTAIL
25ml of Pin Gin (made in Louth)
15ml rose water
250ml cava
Dried orange and dried rose buds
Ice and an edible straw (available on internet)
VALENTINES DAY MINKY
The Valentines Day minky, made famous by Mrs Hinch, is a trusty friend - great for washing up to wiping down, Super absorbent Minky is dual-sided for effective scrubbing to make light of the clean-up before your Valentine's Day celebration. The Pink Stuff is a miracle paste that cleans everything from saucepans to cooker tops. Paired up with a Spontex pad and microfibre pad you're on to a winning team.
KISSABLE LIP RECIPE
Add half white sugar and half olive oil to small jar and mix well
Apply to the lips
Sugar natural scrub and healer and olive oil repairs and moisture. Rinse well Makes lips plump and great when apply lipstick