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.

My followers on Instagram know me as Nut Ella (amanda_nut_ella) - (after my obsession with the delicious chocolate spread of the same name).

Start the day with Nut Ella heart-shaped toast.

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

Start the day with a romantic breakfast such as Nut Ella's heart-shaped French toast.

This Valentines cocktail is made with Pin Gin, which is produced in Louth.

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

This Mediterranean cheese board is ideal for relaxing in front of a romantic movie.

4 slice small brown bread

2 beaten eggs

1tsp sweetener

1tsp cinnamon

Our Valentines Lip Scrub makes your lips extra kissable.

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

Top with fruits of your choose and serve with Nutella it’s the food of sweethearts

HOME-MADE VALENTINES WAX MELTS

2tbsp of coconut oil

The first step to a romantic home is to make it sparkling. Get cleaning with a Minky - his loveable heart-shaped sponge is super absorbent.

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