This past weekend marked another Valentine’s Day – Mr. Dressed and I celebrated with our usual flare: getting fancy, a dinner at Manna (one of our favorite restaurants in town), followed by presents back at the homestead. And as we are barreling towards our 10 year wedding anniversary, I can’t help but marvel at how lucky I am to have found someone with whom I simply fit.
A lot of people bemoan Valentine’s Day – and I can certainly understand it. Whether you’re in a couple but just don’t buy into the whole schmoopy-pink heart frosting-colored holiday, or you’re single and don’t need a day that makes you feel excluded, it’s not a celebration everyone buys in to. But from Day 1 of being together, it’s always been a day me and my Mister embrace with pizzazz.
While we have a zillion small ways on any given normal day to show we love each other, I like to see Valentine’s Day as an opportunity: An opportunity to get all frocked up in this most amazing Juli Lynne Charlot stunner. An opportunity to stop in all of the hustle and bustle and appreciate what an awesome husband I have. An opportunity to shower him with a bit of extra love. Hallmark holiday or not – it’s a good reminder to savor every minute and never ever take the people we love for granted.
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
Robert Herrick
Almost exactly a year ago, a very dear friend of mine passed suddenly. He was young, with a beautiful wife and new baby, and was taken from all of us far too young in a tragic accident. It’s hard to believe that an entire year has gone by to be honest. I still get teary thinking about what the world lost.
Losing him around Valentine’s Day will forever serve as a cue to hold onto those we love. To remember of how precious today is – and how precious every normal day is. How grateful I am for each of these moments with my beloved. For a night that I get to stop and focus just on him, before racing back out into the fray. To gather those rosebuds, when the world sends an annual reminder.
Whatever you chose to do on Valentine’s – indulged in some self-care, went out for a celebratory Galentine’s, had a family dinner, a first date or a 500th – here’s sending you a reminder that you have a lot of love to give. And that you are so very loved.
May we all hold those we love so tight.
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Skirt & top: Juli Lynne Charlot, eBay (similar modern & vintage here, here, & here)
Bracelet: Swarovski (similar)
Handbag: Mary Frances
Shoes: Betsey Johnson
Lip Color: Dior Rouge 634
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Any items marked with a “c/o” (courtesy of) a retailer mean I was provided with an item for free in exchange for a review and/or feature on my blog. I always provide my honest opinion of any item I’m reviewing, regardless of whether it was sent to me as a courtesy item or if I purchased it myself. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links or ads on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase at no cost to you, which helps with the day-to-day running costs of my blog.