Valentine’s day is quickly approaching and is the perfect opportunity to show the ones you love how much they mean to you. If you’re buckling under the pressure to plan a special evening, follow these simple steps to ensure a romantic Valentine’s Day.

1. Be Creative- Every girl loves the standard roses and chocolates but there is a lot to be said for a more personalized gesture.
2. Plan Ahead- Valentine’s day is extremely busy for most restaurants, hotels and concert venues so plan make reservations and arrangements as far ahead as possible (book now!).
3. Play up the element of surprise– Make sure your date knows your planning something but let the rest be a surprise- flowers at work, a weekend away, you name it.
4. Have a gift– A Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t need to be expensive or huge. A heartfelt card and breakfast in bed will please almost anyone.
5. Arrange for transportation- Rather than calling a cab, arrange for a limo or town car to make the night feel extra special. It’s not as expensive as you may think.

Don’t forget to check out these great local vendors for all of your Valentine’s Day needs:

• Room No. 3– For amazing lingerie and fabulously comfy loungewear (for your lucky lady or to treat yourself), stop by this divine Edina boutique.
• Uber– Wanting to book a town car without the extra cost? Download the Uber app and have a town car at your door within 15 minutes for nearly the same rate as a cab.
• Paperista– Stop by this paper haven at 50th and France to pick up the perfect card and small little something.
• Chez Bloom– Delivering to the twin cities and surrounding suburbs, Chez Bloom creates unique and affordable floral designs.
• Sweet Retreat– Surprise your date with scrumptious cupcakes from this delicious 50th and France cupcake boutique.

If planning still seems a bit overwhelming, contact Brass Tacks to make all of your arrangements for you. We’ll find you a dinner reservation, arrange for transportation, order your flowers and even shop for your gifts and wrap them to Valentine’s Day perfection.

It is chilly in Minnesota and by chilly I mean temperatures below zero. Yes, it’s that time of year when most people are thinking up a way to leave the state for vacation or perhaps for a few months of sunshine at a second home. While planning an extended time away can be fabulous, the pesky Minnesota winter requires you to take some necessary precautions for your home. If you’re away when the mercury dips well below zero make sure you protect your pipes:

• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Have Brass Tacks check on your home weekly and run your faucets.
• Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. Have Brass Tacks check your home regularly to ensure it is warm enough to prevent freezing.