Casual to Dressy Valentines Day Looks

 

Welcome to the last day of January, the longest month of the year!  Tomorrow February will be upon us and I find February usually goes by rather quickly.   Are you someone that looks forward to Valentine's Day?  Do you do something special with your partner, girlfriends or kiddos?  I've said it before on this blog, V-day isn't something we really celebrate around here.  I like to decorate and I enjoy the festivities with the kids at school, but Mr. and I don't make a big deal of it for the most part.  Sometimes, if it lands on a weekend, we will plan to go out for dinner, or we get a nice box of chocolates and wine to enjoy, but it isn't a tradition or expectation.  

I do however like to put an outfit or two that I can wear around the holiday for fun.  I've featured Valentines day looks in the past here and here.  Today I am showing you how I created a really simple shirt to wear to work, but also how it can be dressed up for a date night.  I purchased the long sleeved tee at the Gap outlet for $10 and used my Circuit Air 2 to create this cute XOXO tee.  I love that it's super simple and I can just throw it on with jeans or black pants for work and look festive.  While I've been eyeing up a few cute sweaters, I decided to refrain from spending money in January as I am hoping to go shopping in February when we get away to the mountains and hit up some stores we don't have locally.  

Casual Look

This is 100% going to be a look I'll wear this year.  I love how red looks paired with white jeans.  It's super simple and easy to pull together.  I paired it up with simple gold studs, necklace, metallic flats and a cup of coffee to take to work.  The perfect casual day outfit.

Dinner Look

I actually really like how this everyday shirt looks dressed up with tights, the black and white checkered skirt, and  my new black purse.  I added some dangly, statement earrings to dress it up and I am ready to have a lovely dinner out with Mr. or girlfriends or maybe we'll do a mix of the two and go out on a double date.  

                                               What are your Valentine's Day plans?   

Do you plan an outfit or two that gives a nod to the holiday 

or do you carry on as usual?

Shop This Post:

Aldo Hand Bag (sold out; similar)

Old Navy White Jeans

Skirt (old; similar)

Gap red shirt

Red Pants for Valentines Day, or Any Other Day

Is it really a Valentine's Day outfit?!?  Not really.  I'd wear it ANY day of the week.  These cropped  red pants have been on repeat since last spring when I picked them up on a "sisters weekend" trip up to Edmonton, AB.   I love the way I styled them with my polka dot top in the spring, see here, but I am also digging this winter outfit with a simple black turtleneck and some booties.  I love how a black turtleneck comes off polished, strong and sophisticated.  It also helps create  very definitive lines and curves.  It took me a while to find the right turtleneck last winter but once I did, I instantly knew it.

Anyway, we are very low key for Valentines day.  No presents.  No special plans.  Not even  cards honesty.  We just never really got into it as a couple.  Sure when we were in high school, we bought the cheap heart shaped boxes of chocolates and a card, but we don't even make an effort anymore.  This is not to be confused with not caring or not putting each other first.  We do.  But I think we do these things throughout the year that V-Day just isn't really a big deal to us.  We  used to schedule a  date nights every month or month an a half,  but now that the girls are so much more independent we actually spend a lot more quality time just doing stuff like skiing together, going for walks, going shopping, walking around our city, etc.  That all being said, my perfect date night is going for dinner or a walk in our city, and then winding up at home with a good bottle of wine and delicious chocolates from a specialty chocolate store such as Purdys.  Also last year we were in Mexico and I loved getting all dressed up for to celebrate the holiday, see here.  In fact that was my  favorite Valentines Day  outfit and date ever 💗.

This year we'll drive up to the lake for an extra long weekend as a family.  We might visit with the neighbors, enjoy outdoor activities, play some games, but Logan and I will likely end our evenings together exactly like this, having a glass of wine together.  It's perfect to me.
So what are your Valentine's Day plans?

Shop This Look:

Zara Red Pants

Black Turtleneck (similar @ Zara)

Wool Coat ( similar @ Aritzia)

Valentine's Day Looks

 

Oops.  My regular Friday post didn't go up yesterday so here it is today.  Valentine's day is just around the corner and I've been inspired to pull out some of my old favorites to play and wear to work.  The first and obvious color that comes to mind is RED, so I've styled two different looks with that inspiration.  

1.  Velvet Red:   It's been so cold here so this cozy red velvet sweater was perfect for a work outfit with black pants.  Casual, cozy and looks on trend.  I had so many complements, because the velvet throws off so much shimmer and shine.    The second outfit is what I might wear for a Valentine's day dinner.  

 

 

2.  Red Dress:  This dress is probably the second oldest piece of clothing in my closet.  I purchased it early into my career and just love it.  It's my POWER house dress.  BOSS babe dress.  I reach for this dress whenever I need a little confidence boost.  Though I don't wear it much anymore, it brings back memories and somehow in Marie Kondos words it actually "sparks joy" for me.  Anyway, a few years ago I styled it here with a blazer and cardigan.

 

3.  What to Wear?  This year we will be in Mexico for Valentine's Day so help me decide what to wear to dinner that evening,  pink romper, or midi-pleated skirt?  (sorry the indoor picturs is not ideal, but it's way too cold to get outside.) 

Tell me in the comments below which one you would choose?

 

 

Fashion Friday: Blush Lace & Red Bows

This is what I would wear if I did Valentines Day.  

Valentines day is just not something we really celebrate in our home.  Logan and I don't do anything at all on this particular day and never really did even prior to having kids.  I don't really get the hype honestly and the idea of having to think of something grand to do or to give seems daunting.  LOL!  I am sorry to be such a downer.  Anyway, if we were to be super dooper romantic and going out for a fancy dinner I would totally wear this.  I have a massive crush on this adorable skirt.  Lets all just agree that the bow is it's winning feature but the cut and color would keep it a permanent staple in my closet.  Normally I wouldn't pair blush and red together but they seem perfect for each other when it comes to Valentines Day. 

 If you are going out or doing something special for Valentines Day, I hope you have a lovely time.  As for me and Mr. I think we will just indulge in a good bottle of wine, some delicious chocolates, cuddle time on the couch and my warm, fuzzy p.js (at least they are cute).  That's as good as it gets.

Shop This Post:
Skirt (Chickwish)
Ruffled Shirt (H & M- sale for $9.99!)
Lace Top (H & M)
Blush Heels (Justfab)
Clutch (Rosegal)
Rose Gold Bracelet (H & B)
What are your Valentines Day plans?

Kid Valentine's Day Craft: Clothespin Butterfly

As much as Mr. & I don't celebrate Valentine's Day in any grand way, I do always end up doing some sort of craft or class gift idea with the girls.  It's a fun way for us spend time and be creative together.  It's also a good time to revisit  what it means to be a good friend and different ways to show kindness.  I think it's the teacher in me that is always searching for new ideas and this one was adapted from  Crafty Morning blog.  In the past we've decorated special cookies, made our own valentines day cards, and last year we made You Make My Heart Bounce treat bags.  Halie, grade 5, is no longer interested but Anya is still happy to enjoy crafting with me.  This year she wrote cards and little packs of Smarties for everyone in her class but she also decided to make "special" gifts for her best friends.  

Materials You Will Need:

• * Hugs & Kisses (250 gr.) - we used two bags to make 5 butterflies 

• Self-adhesive googly eyes (tiny size) 

• Wooden clothespins

• Pipe Cleaners (we used red)

• Snack size Ziplock bags

• Red paint (tempera or acrylic)

• Black Sharpie

*You can also use M & Ms, Skittles, Smarties, Red Hearts, Swedish Berries (we choose to use wrapped candy for hygiene reasons, but I don't think the kids would care either way)

Steps:
I always encourage the kids to do as many of the steps on their own, regardless of how the final product turns out.  I really value the process much more so then the product.

1.  Paint the clothespins.  A. did two coats and let them dry overnight.  

2.  Add a smiley face and googly eyes on the top portion of the clothes pin.

3.  Fill the small bags with candy, we used 18 hugs & kisses in each bag.  We were able to make 5 butterflies from two bags.  

4.  Wrap a pipe cleaner around the bag,  I had to  help Anya with this step.  Fold the Ziploc seal to the back and then wrap the pipe cleaner dividing the bag into two halves.  Twist as the top, leaving equal lengths on both side to be curled into antennas.

                         

   

5.  Slide the top of the clothes pin between the two halves of the butterfly.  The opening/closing portion of the clothespin is below so that it can hold a Valentine card.

Happy Valentines Day!

Fashion Friday: The Little Red Dress

Two nights ago, Logan and I had a date night with some friends that included a dinner and a live play.  I was super excited to check out our local, gluten free fine dining restaurant, Leyda's.   The food was 100% delicious and was a hit all around!!

 

In the spirit of Valentines Day that is fast approaching, I decided to wear this little red dress that's been hanging at the back of my closet for forever.  This dress is OLD, like 5 years old, but it's a classic piece and in great condition so I keep it around.  This dress used to be my GO-TO dress for anything important, presentations, parent teacher conferences, interviews, etc.  I always felt good in it.  I remember my colleague Jaime saying to me the morning we were going to present to a group of teachers, "I knew you were going to wear your red dress today, because you always wear it when you have to present."  It's been in retirement for a few years but once I put it on I was reminded why I love it so much. 

 

#1 Red dress, blazer and booties.  I will be wearing this to the office on Valentines Day. (I just realized that I seem to have a lot of sass in the second picture which is not like me, and I will be  leaving it at home)

#2 Red dress, fuzzy cardigan and strappy heels.  I wore this out for dinner mainly because it was -35C.  Brrr.  I really needed to keep toasty warm during dinner and the play so it just felt like the better choice for the freezing cold weather.

 

I added some bling by wearing my H & B rose gold jewelry, which I always wear.  I decided to stack the H & B bracelet with my pearl bracelets as well to make them stand out a little more.  I also added a skinny black belt just to pull in the waist a little bit.  Overall I am happy with both outfits and thrilled to have this dress out of retirement!

 

Happy weekend all!

 



Shop this post:

Modcloth A-Line Dress (similar)

Pink Martini Sweater (similar)

H & B Rose Gold Earrings, Bracelet (similar),  Necklace (sold out)

Strappy Suede Pumps (The Bay)

 Aldo @ The Bay Booties (similar)

 

Valentine's Day: "You Make My Heart Bounce" Treat Bags

It's that time of year again when the kiddos get all wrapped up in the excitement of Valentine's Day.  They think about what cards they are going to give their friends and what they will receive in return.  Each year the girls and I search Pinterest for an idea that inspires us create a gift for each of their school friends.  I am a firm believer that the ideas we choose must be child friendly, age appropriate and cost effective.  Generally, I  do not believe in making the gifts perfect or doing all the work for my girls.  I would rather have them put the effort and creativity into the gift so that they can truly say they made it (obviously I help if needed).  Last year we had an abundance of full sized chocolate bars in our pantry so  utilized them to create our own Valentine's Day chocolate bars, check it out here.  

 This year we manufactured our own "You Make My Heart Bounce" treat bags. 

 

Materials:

• Bouncy balls (Dollarama) 

• Ziplock Valentine's Day themed bags (Dollarama)

• Chocolate Hearts (Walmart)

• You Make My Heart Bounce labels (download below)

• Stapler

 



 

 

Anya wrote out her friends names and her own on the little treat bags, and then assembled them by placing four chocolates and a bouncy ball in each bag.  She randomly put the balls in, while Halie right away noticed that some would be more appropriate for "boys" or for "girls" depending on their color (insert eye roll from me).   She hasn't made hers bags yet, hence no pictures of her.  

 

This year for Valentine's Day I plan to give each girl a little something special along with some chocolates.   Anya is getting a Jojo bow from Claire's and Halie loves Justin Bieber so she is getting a JB signature charm bracelet from Amazon.ca.  

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

 

Anya is getting a new Jojo bow from Claire's.

Halie loves Justin Bieber and so we are ordering this charm bracelet for her from Amazon.ca