Feelin' The Love

We get it. Valentine's Day is super cheesy and commercialized and lame, and you're all too cool for it. Even Leslie Knope's Galentine's Day is going mainstream!

But let's be honest: we can all actually use a reminder to slow down and appreciate those around us.

And we can do so without being total sell-outs.

We're wishing you more than just a day full of chocolates and flowers and teddy bears holding hearts embroidered with "BE MINE" (but knock yourself out if that's what you're into). Use this Valentine's Day as a chance to remember the things that fill your soul and make you happy.

Because we're no good to anyone else until we're good to ourselves.

Carve out some time for those you love -- whether it's your partner, your friends, your family, or your pets -- but don't forget to do the very same for yourself. We're busy dishing out care and compassion each and every day, but it's also so dang vital to conserve some of that for the (wo)man in the mirror.

Whether you're looking to pamper yourself or your loved ones (or hopefully both), we've got a handful of ideas that are sure to please -- as well as a Valentine's Day-inspired playlist to get you groovin'!

FRAMED: A Conversation With Featured Artist Holly Farrell

Holly is a 25-year-old artist currently living in her hometown of Lancaster, Pa., and for the past year and half, she's been spending her time making pottery and ceramic sculpture at the Lancaster Clay Studios in Landisville, Pa. In 2012, she graduated from Tyler School of Art with a BFA in painting and drawing. And through all of that, she never touched clay. She found herself often dismissing 3-D disciplines since, in her mind, painting was really her strong suit.

Let us just go on the record saying we sure are glad that she gave ceramics a try. Her pieces feel so relatable and accessible, like a modern day folk art. The ladies are a little lumpy, a little left-of-center, a little bit just like how we see ourselves -- and we absolutely love that about them.

We caught up with Holly about her background, her process, and why she draws a whole bunch of inspiration from spring break culture.

Stash Gift Guide: Housewares + Stationery

Sure, we're known for our curated selection of kick-ass vintage, but we also carry some one-of-a-kind, handmade products from American-based artisans. Some of them are friends, and some are family members. Some of them are people whose work we've had in our own homes and closets for years, and some are artists we've recently stumbled upon -- whether by running into them in Central Pa. or discovering them by clicking our way down an Instagram rabbit hole (come on, we've all been there).

And as we find ourselves deep in the trenches of the season of excess and mass-production, we'd like to take a minute to recognize these little guys. By supporting them (and heck, us, too!), you're putting your money right back into the American economy, encouraging a culture of creativity, and offering meaningful gifts that each come with their own special story: the story of the people behind the product.

This week, we're all about the artists that create stationary and housewares.

Meet the Makers: metalledwith

Beyond the racks and stacks of vintage that we offer at Stash, we're also known for having a selection of handmade goods and ever-changing artwork. These works all come from special individuals, many of whom are part of the Central Pennsylvania community. In this ongoing series, we'd like to introduce you to some of the friendly faces behind the products you know and love.

Meet Richelle Dourte, creator of the handcrafted botanical metalwork jewelry line metalledwith. Richelle spends lots of her time out in the woods finding natural specimens to preserve within her beautiful, wearable artwork.