The English Maximalista

Happy Valentine’s Day!

As you may have noticed, I don’t generally post new blogs on a weekend unless there is a special occasion… such as today, Valentine’s Day, February 14th, which in 2026 has landed on a Saturday. So here I am, sending lots and lots of platonic love to all of you lovely people! 

My Valentine’s Day has been terrific. I hope yours has been, too.

Mine started mid-week with a decidedly unromantic proposition from my husband, who casually approached me the other day with the following opening remark: you didn’t want to go out to dinner on Valentine’s Day, did you?

Let’s pretend I calmly responded with: no, my sweet and precious lover, I was going to cook us a delicious, nutritious meal, served at our beautiful dining table here at home, that way, *we can both wear our sweat-pants.

[*Said neither of us, EVER.]

Let us also pretend I did not respond with suspicion, and curt and/or tart questions, such as: Why? WTF, Mr Maximalista?!

Fortunately, Mr Maximalista was quick to notice my “tone”, and defensively recovered with great haste, thus his rejoinder was: I thought we could go to that big thrift store in Denver on Saturday morning, and then afterwards I could take you out to lunch instead of dinner?

Marital crisis averted! That actually sounds like the PERFECT way to spend Valentine’s Day!

*****

And guess what, gentle reader? It was a perfect day — Mr M and I had so much fun!

First off, we went to Re-Store [Habitat for Humanity], because I was looking out for a few boring construction-y type thingies on my shopping list, such as a counter top to put on the washer and dryer, or travertine tiles for the bathroom.

We didn’t find those, but we did find the perfect new light fixture for our media room, which has four spot lights but needed a little pizzazz on the 10’ high ceiling… something that wouldn’t hinder our view of the tv. And here it is — we love it!

Then we went to the Arc Thrift Store on University Boulevard in Centennial. This branch keeps showing up on the Best Thrift Stores in Colorado lists, and it didn’t disappoint. 

I scored a ton of stuff, the majority of which was 50% off because Arc has a massive store-wide sale every Saturday! My favourite bargain was a crystal Tiffany candlestick, which I recognized immediately because I already have a few pieces from their bamboo collection.

It cost me only $5!!

And as if the morning wasn’t already lovely enough, we discovered there was a Goodwill just up the road, so we went there as well! Woot!

*****

For lunch, Mr M made reservations at ViewHouse, also in Centennial. (You may recall we went to their location in Colorado Springs, last Summer?) 

There are four ViewHouse locations in Colorado; we have every intention of trying out the remaining two sometime soon. If you’re in the area, check them out!

Granted, the poke bowl I ordered was not as phenomenal as the one I was raving about to you when I was at the Gulf, last month, but it was nevertheless very good!

After our busy day of driving, shopping, our bellies full with amazing food, we decided to spend our Valentine’s evening at home with the dog.

I genuinely was going to cook us a Valentine’s dinner, but we were so stuffed from lunch we decided to save that meal for Sunday instead.

Tonight, we are simply going to have pizza, then spend the evening holding hands on the couch whilst watching a movie on Amazon Prime.

How romantic!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Lots of love, 

M xo