Pax and I have both had the flu, and I’m feeling uncharacteristically – and dramatically – gloomy. So I started going down a Valentine’s Day rabbit hole in order to distract myself. Honestly though, I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day, simply because the real purpose (I’m convinced!), is to make a random winter day feel a little festive.
hearts | lipstick | mug | marshmallows | heart charm | Apres All Day | Ripe Figs | Kitchen Matrix | Stacked | To Asia, With Love
I’m not a Going-Out-On-Valentine’s-Day kind of person, though. My move is usually something “exciting” at home. When the kids were little, “exciting” might mean filling the house with balloons. These days, if the boys are into it, I’ll make them do a fun baking project with me (homemade conversation hearts, maybe?), or if not, I’ll treat myself to a new cookbook. Even slipping into sexy-ish PJs that night (surprise!) counts as doing something “exciting”.
Fun, Valentine’s Day Finds (To Use All Year)
From my sickbed (haha) I started rounding up a few things I’m planning to use for our at-home Valentine’s Day celebration, as well as a few pieces I can personally recommend and/or desperately (madly, deeply) want.
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1/ Sexy Sweatshirts & Tees From Sezane
Sezane makes the best graphic sweatshirts and tees – like, literally, they’re fantastic. 100% cotton and fits TTS, they have the most charming, playful, flirty little graphics. I have both their La Chamade sweatshirt (the one with the heart) and the graphic tee version – they’re great for when I want to wear boring outfits. But don’t overlook Sezane’s French Kiss sweatshirt, their Je t’aime tee (I love you), Amour Club tee, and their Bisou Sucre sweatshirt and tee (it either means ‘sweet kisses’ or ‘sugar lips’ haha). That last one might be the coolest-ever gray sweatshirt I’ve seen, ooo la la.
2/ These Dark Chocolate Cherry Hearts
I brought these home from the grocery store (Commodities has them, if you’re in Stowe) and BAM! They were gone. The cherry filling is so tart, addicting and delicious, and I’ve resorted to hiding the (new) bag. I trust NONE of the boys in this house.
3/ Something To Build
This is the little project I’m going to bring out on Valentine’s Day. It’s perfect activity for those nights that we’re too tired for board games, but want to do a little something before settling in with a movie. And I LOVE the resulting sculpture – would be so cute on a shelf somewhere.
4/ Cozy Accessories
One easy little Valentine’s Day gift is always some sort of cold-weather, cozy piece. My kids almost always need a new hat (and I LOVE getting new hats), so this is an easy win. Mittens (or gloves) work, too.
5/ Winter Gear (But Fun)
Wrapping up some new ski socks or heated mittens (if you’re really going all out) is another go-to move of mine on Valentine’s Day. By now I’m realizing how many baselayer tops my kids sweat through vs. how often we do laundry, so Valentine’s Day is a good-enough excuse for some of these practical pieces, too.
6/ For Guys: Cute Underwear
I get such a kick out of novelty boxers for some reason (probably because i’ve been borrowing Mike D’s since 1995, haha) but this is always an easy win. Mike’s favorite underwear is always Lululemon, but they never have cute prints. My teen boys like American Eagle underwear, and those prints are seriously fun.
Here are a few that caught my eye:
7/ Warmies Heart Plush
My mom bought the boys these ‘Warmies’ for Christmas a few years ago – they’re basically heating pads that you heat in the microwave – and my boys LOVE them. This would be such a cute and charming gift for Valentine’s Day.
8/ Favorite Daughter Sweatshirt
Favorite Daughter, in case the “Favorite Daughter” sweatshirt wasn’t direct enough, just came out with this one, THE FAVORITE. Period. I can’t stop laughing. I want this one SO BAD.
Favorite Daughter actually has a ton of really cute-n-cheeky sweatshirts (and the quality is really high end – like Anine Bing). Check ’em out:
9/ Anthropologie Strawberry Drop Earrings
These pretty drop earrings are so sweetly charming, and they come in all kinds of foods (blueberries, cherries, olives) as well as a pair of hearts that are just lovely. Highly recommend for a little Valentine’s Day gift.
10/ Clare V. Heart Charm
I bought this charm and stuck it on an old necklace, and now I get questions whenever I wear it. It’s such a surprisingly good piece – highly recommend.
11/ Staud Juliet Bag
THIS. This is the quirky, romantic bag I’ve been lusting after! Not only would I wear it now, in the winter, with all of my black wool sweaters, but it would be really cute in the summer, too, with white linen dresses and tan sandals.
If anyone swoons over a good, quirky bag as much as I do…voila! 🙂
12/ Negative Underwear Whipped Lounge Set
I was going to round up some sexy little pajamas, but honestly? Nothing – and I mean NOTHING – is as good as this exact set from Negative Underwear. It’s beyond comfortable and shockingly sexy, in a girl-next-door kind of way. Gold star, you guys. I promise.
13/ Pilcro The Kenna Barrel Jeans
Someone found these (either Jess or Abby, I think), and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them! Statement jeans that skew a little quirky are kind of my jam, and I can see myself wearing them all summer, too, with flip-flops and little tank tops.
14/ Art Deco Coupe Glass
Mike gifted me this set for Christmas, and it’s suuuuch a fun way to make any night feel like a party, whether drinking champagne or mocktails. If I were to make a list of items in my house that “bring joy” these are at the top of that list.
15/ Jennifer Fisher Puffy Heart Earrings
Ok. Yes. So: I’ve been stalking these exact earrings for 2 years now. I have been pausing because, yes, they are hearts. But also…sooooo freaking cool. Like the kind of thing I *would* actually wear year-round. And it’s like the scale is so big that they end up looking more subversively cool than hearts usually do. Again, can’t stop thinking about them.
ps. Jennifer Fisher rocks because she manages to make serious earrings much lighter in weight than expected. For example, these look huge, but are completely hollow.
16/ Kule Ski Tote Bag
Abby surprised me with a simple tote this December that says only, “LE SKI.” (sadly, now sold out). But it’s the only freaking thing I’ve been using as a purse lately. I kind of love how these simple (cheeky?) little totes look with all of my puffer coats.
17/ Alohas Rife Sneakers
What in the beautiful heck are THESE??? I mean. Juuuust when I think sneakers can no longer surprise me, a pair like this comes along and steals my breath. Wow, wow, wow. It’s one part Office of Angela Scott and one part bouquet of flowers. Bravo, Alohas!
Here’s to love and stuff.
xo,
S
