VALENTINES FROM THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

The New York Public Library’s collection was the work of Helen Adams Masten, a children’s librarian for 33 years, from the 1920s until her retirement in 1961. She had a personal passion for Valentines. Her collection numbers into the hundreds, and she donated it all to the New York Public Library for the benefit of future researchers. The collection includes Victorian cards, handmade Valentines, pop-up cards and even Valentines that Helen received from her young readers in the children’s room.

The New York Public Library’s collection was the work of Helen Adams Masten, a children’s librarian for 33 years, from the 1920s until her retirement in 1961. She had a personal passion for Valentines. Her collection numbers into the hundreds, and she donated it all to the New York Public Library for the benefit of future researchers. The collection includes Victorian cards, handmade Valentines, pop-up cards and even Valentines that Helen received from her young readers in the children’s room.

See more Valentines from the New York Public Library after the jump . . .

Be Mine Party Time

As you all know, Valentines Day is coming... Wait! Before you roll your eyes at me for wasting time on an over-commercialized corporate pay-out... read on...

Whatever your thoughts are on this slightly obnoxious cheese-fest of a day, it's still a good excuse to get together with people you care about. Love is worthy of celebration, even if its only for your cats. But I'm going to assume you have some friends too... I'm all about positivity- and if you can dedicate a day to it, what's the harm? Perhaps you too can plan to get together with loved ones- even if it's just to complain about how silly the day is- just share it with people you care about. This year I'm helping my friends plan a Valentines party at their place and I'm not gonna lie- I'm pretty excited. Any excuse to decorate is a good excuse. I've been collecting images from all over to get inspired for their little shindig... And plan on getting creative enough to not have to give big corporate America my hard earned cash- because us crafty people get a kick out of throwing parties without throwing away our money on stuff we can make ourselves! Oh yaaaa.

 1. Photo Heart Collage | 2. Kissing Booth  | 3. Paper Bag Valentine  | 4. Oragami Hearts

5. Paper Book Heart Art  | 6. Paint Chip Valentines  | 7. Wooden heart Labels  | 8. Valentines Tree

1.  Pepperoni Pizza Heart | 2. Be Mine Cookies  | 3. Decorated Cookies 

4. Striped Cake  | 5.  Moustache Lollipops | 6. Lace Cookie Pattern

1. Lace Twinkle Lights  | 2. Colorful Ribbon  | 3.  Twine & Clothes Pins

| 4. Hanging hearts | 5.  Cupcake Wrap Garland | 6. Book Garland  | 7. Poms

8-9. Strungs Heart | 10.  Heart Doorway | 11.  Sewn Decor  | 12. Photo Hearts

1-2. Floral Heart Arrangments   | 3.  Whimsical Night Table

4. Colorful Outdoor Valentine  | 5-6. Pink Table Top

Illustrious Thursday : Buying Lingerie for Valentine's Day

When it comes to buying lingerie, men can be a little helpless. Mr. Porter knows this as well as we at Wilderness ... and so we have a little tip for the perfect solution: a lovely, oh-so-informative illustrated guide that covers all the basics.  Bookmark this and reference often.  Check out Mr. Porter for a rundown on brands as well.  Illustrations by Joe McKendry.

see the full editorial at www.mrporter.com

10 BEAUTIFUL V-DAY GIFT WRAPPING IDEAS

For those in search for some last minute Valentine's gift wrapping inspiration I have composed this post with 10 great ideas to give your Valentine's presents a unique and personal touch. I hope you enjoy them. You can find the links to sources and/or instructions at the end of the post. Good luck with all V-Day preparations!

1. DIY Christmas tree gift toppers | 2. olive twig decoration (you can also use rosemary twigs) | 3. gift wrapping with prints | 4. Fall inspired gift wrapping | 5. beautiful wrapping by An Magritt | 6. DIY biker paper for dads & dudes | 7. name tags from dough or clay | 8. tape with text ‘pretty things inside’| 9. free downloadable gift tags by Fellow Fellow | 10. Cambiando Strada.