valentine's day – Wandering the Gap

With February 14 right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share some Valentine’s Day gift ideas for animal lovers! Instead of flowers or chocolates, consider putting your money toward a good cause this year if, like me, you’re passionate about animals but don’t care about all the lovey-dovey traditions. These North Carolina Valentine’s Day fundraisers for animals in need are a great way to give back and spread the love to rescue dogs and cats throughout the state.

3 Cute + Creative Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Animal Lovers

Virtual Valentine Grams – Cumberland County Animal Services

Valentine's Day gift ideas, by lifestyle blogger Wandering the Gap

Image via Cumberland County Animal Services

Now through February 12, a $5 donation to Cumberland County Animal Services earns you a personalized digital Valentine from a shelter dog or cat! All proceeds go directly to the shelter’s medical fund, which supports injured animals under their care. Comment VALENTINE on this Facebook post for the donation link and details.

Neuter Your Ex – Carteret County Humane Society

Image via Carteret County Humane Society

Get the ultimate revenge by neutering a shelter animal in your ex’s name through the Carteret County Humane Society. Donate $50 by 12pm EST on Valentine’s Day to receive your “Certificate of Neutering” and benefit shelter animals by combating the issue of overpopulation. Click here for all the info!

#CrappyEx – Fayetteville Animal Protection Society

Image via Fayetteville Animal Protection Society

Give that not-so-special someone a taste of their own medicine (and support homeless cats while doing it) with the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society’s #CrappyEx fundraiser. Until February 13, donate at least $5 to have your ex’s name written on a piece of paper for a rescue cat to “do its business” on. Talk about karma! Donate via PayPal (include your ex’s name in the notes section) and get more details here.

Please consider supporting these initiatives even if you don’t live in North Carolina. I also recommend searching for similar fundraising opportunities in your local area to have an even greater impact this Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and whether you have a significant other in your life or not, it’s always a fun excuse to celebrate and share the love. Even if you’re celebrating solo, I encourage you to take yourself out on a date and really treat yourself, because you deserve it! If you need some inspiration for Valentine’s Day or otherwise, here are 5 fun date ideas in the Seattle area.

Dinner and a show at The Pink Door

Image courtesy of ThePinkDoor.net

The Pink Door is a well-known, speakeasy-style restaurant located along Post Alley in Pike Place Market. The restaurant is cozy and eclectic, with gorgeous waterfront views. I took myself on a date here a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed their antipasto of the house and linguine alle vongole (pasta with baby clams and garlic in a white wine sauce), though the menu does change regularly to feature fresh seasonal ingredients. The Pink Door is also known for providing some spectacular entertainment ranging from aerial performances to jazz bands and burlesque shows.

Catch sunset at the top of the Space Needle

Image courtesy of Trip 101

I know, I know – the Space Needle has a reputation for being a major tourist trap in Seattle. But sometimes it pays to be a tourist in your own city, and experiencing sunset from the top of the Space Needle is truly incredible. You’ll be rewarded with stunning 360-degree views of the Puget Sound and surrounding mountain ranges that are hard to find anywhere else in the city. You can enjoy the Space Needle through general admission or by sipping on some drinks at the Loupe Lounge, a rotating cocktail bar located at the top.

Walk through the Volunteer Park Conservatory

I recently visited the Volunteer Park Conservatory for the first time (enjoy my photo diary here!) and was blown away by how beautiful this spot is! Volunteer Park is located in the heart of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood and the greenhouse pictured above is over 100 years old! The conservatory is very peaceful and features all kinds of trees, flowers, cacti, and everything in between. This is a great spot to go solo or with a loved one, especially on a rainy day.

Hike to West Point Lighthouse in Discovery Park

Discovery Park is a gorgeous area of hiking and walking trails, and one of the highlights is West Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is perfectly picturesque, and the hike there will lead you through forests, meadows, and sandy beaches. At 4.4 miles roundtrip, it’s definitely a solid hike to get there, but the stunning views will make the effort well worth your time. While the trail is especially beautiful in the spring and summer when wildflowers are abundant, you’ll still catch some beautiful sights if you go before then.

Picnic at Gas Works Park

For first-time visitors to Seattle, Gas Works Park is always at the top of my recommendations list. The park, which used to be Seattle Gas Light Company plant, is a super cool spot that mixes industrial with the outdoors. The park offers fantastic views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline, and is an awesome place to fly kites, walk, bike, or picnic. I love visiting Gas Works whenever I’m in town, and have enjoyed several picnic dates on its rolling hills.