Top 10 Date Ideas for Valentine's Day

Take it from someone like me, planning dates is hard! Hubs and me have tried time after time to make a date night which somehow always ends in Netflix (and chill LOL JOKES!) Here are 10 fun ideas on how to celebrate V-DAY with your man or BFF!

1. Breakfast in bed
Although I do enjoy a good brunch out, I enjoy making brunch in even more! I can make my veggie bacon and eat it too! ;) And while this is typically enjoyed in our dining room, prepare a cute tray for your special someone and wake them up with breakfast in bed! The hubs did this once for me when I had knee surgery and once when I was sick…it seriously lifted my mood and set the tone for the day! (Please do yourself a favor and make these ricotta pancakes STAT!)

2. Tour the Loudoun wineries and breweries
If you’re looking for the perfect reason to check out the latest wineries, breweries and distilleries in Loudoun, now is the time!! A few of my favorite spots are:

Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, VA
Keep walking past the main building by the parking lot and head to the adults-only tasting room. This lodge-like room has all the cozy feels and all the awesome wine.

Bluemont Vineyards in Bluemont, VA
Come for the views, stay for the awesome wine and cheese!

Belly Love Brewery in Purcellville, VA
My FAVORITE brewery in the area. By far. They have some of the best beers I’ve tasted (the Eye of Jupiter stout is my fave!) and the space is super cool.

Catoctin Distillery in Purcellville, VA
If spirits are more your speeds, you won’t want to miss this pit stop in old town Purcellville.

3. Get a couples massage in your home with Zeel
After finally getting back into the swing of working out last week, I’m feeling the burn. But my schedule has been so hectic lately that I haven’t been able to really find time to go get a massage - thank goodness for Zeel. Literally all you do is download the app, choose a male or female masseuse, type of massage and book it. It's SO easy.  AND you can get $30 off a couples massage pre-booked between 2/1 and 2/11 and taken during Valentine’s Day Weekend (Friday, 2/12 through Monday, 2/15). Use code VDAY2016.

4. Take a cooking class together
We did a Cookology class for Shawn’s birthday a few years ago and LOVED the experience! They have everything from wine and cheese pairing classes to full on French cuisine. The next class I’m eyeing is from Knead + Know, a croissant class!!

5. Watch a Beatles tribute at The Hamilton
I love watching shows here! The venue is super intimate and the food/drinks are always on point. And who's more romantic than the Beatles? Get tix here.

6. Cupid’s Undie Run
Who needs workout clothes when you can run in your undies? Strut your stuff during this fun 1 miler with proceeds all going to a great cause.

7. SoulCycle ride
You can either do this soul-reviving session on Valentine’s Day OR they’re doing some sweet themed rides prior! Join Wayne at the Bethesda location’s Hip Hop Love themed ride on Friday, February 12th at 5:30pm. All my single ladies can catch Cat at SoulCycle Georgetown is doing a Single Ladies themed ride on Saturday, February 13th at 11:45am. RSVP on their site.

Image via Soul Cycle

8. Do a little bit of everything at Bethesda Row
If you’re not sure what you want to do, but want a place where you can do a little bit of everything, head to Bethesda Row. For a romantic dinner, head straight to Mon Ami Gabi or Redwood, both of which are offering special Valentine’s day menus. For your sweet tooth, stop by Dolcezza for some life changing gelato with instagram-worthy digs or pop into Sugarfina, a grown-up candy store! If you want to get prettied up, Drybar is one of my favorite places to feel pampered (send your love over to Roosters for his own fair share of pampering - this is my hunny's favorite spot!)

Image via Upstairs Bethesda

9. Cook a romantic meal with your partner
This is something we just don’t do enough. There’s nothing better than turning on some John Legend, opening a bottle of wine, and cooking a romantic meal (filled with pasta, bread and some roasted veggies!) with the one you love. But meal planning and prep can be stressful - take it easy and order this romantic dinner tray! Just add wine. ;)

10. Do a romantic movie marathon
Skip The Notebook and opt for my favorite love movie, About Time! Also stars Rachel McAdams but is funnier with a time traveling twist. Totally not sponsored, just my favorite movie of all time. ;) Other personal favorites include Silver Linings Playbook, 50 First Dates and anything with Audrey Hepburn.

Brunching in Blush: My Valentine's Pick

So remember last week when I showed you the outfit my hubby picked out for Valentine’s Day? He did the cutest job finding this A-line black and white Shoshanna dress from Rent the Runway! He thought it was the perfect outfit for a museum-date followed by a fancy dinner.  (He sure knows the way to my heart!) Art + food = LIFE.

And while I totally loved that Valentine’s idea, my dress pick is ALL about that brunch life. To be honest, I mostly was focused on finding a dress that left plenty of room for the food baby that’ll be sure to happen. And this See by Chloe dress from Rent the Runway fit the bill perfectly. Darling details like the white stitching, silky fabric and expandable waist-tie (wink-wink) say, “I’m not trying to be a Valentine’s Day billboard but I’m also totes celebrating with all the champagne later.”

One of my favorite places to celebrate any occasion is Mosaic District, where these photos were taken. I know I talk a lot about this place, but it’s because I love it so much! They don’t pay me to write about them, they don’t give me free clothes - I just really stinking love them! From Mom + Pop coffee shop (where my hubby patiently waits for me while I spend ALL THE MONEIES in Sophie Blake) to my favorite new French hot spot, Requin, there are so many little areas to celebrate the big and little life celebrations. Or just grab an awesome cup of coffee. ;)

Stay tuned later this week for more Valentine’s Day outfit inspo and a sweet little video that features my very own Instagram husband! Until then, XO!

Wearing See by Chloe dress, Badgley Mischka clutch and Lele Sadoughi bracelet via Rent the Runway (complimentary rental - get 3 for 1 rental with code: 3FOR1VDAY16), Sophie Blake earrings, Rachelle Celine rings c/o, Maison Martin Margiela boots (similar) and Ciate nail polish.

You're Invited!

I wanted to invite each of you to a fun event I’m hosting this Saturday night at the Sophie Blake + Erika Schrieber Collective pop up in Mosaic District! It's open to the public, so feel free to bring a friend! Here are all the details:

Date: February 6 from 5-8 PM

Location: Sophie Blake + Erika Schrieber Collective in Mosaic District
2905 District Avenue, Suite 100
Fairfax, VA 22031

What: See what your lip print says about you with lipsologyst, Ariana Lightningstorm and preview the latest designs by Sophie Blake Jewelry! Enjoy light bites and bubbly while getting ready for Valentine’s Day (or just plain ‘ol shopping) with yours truly!

If you’re interested, please RSVP directly to Sophie at contact@sophieblakeny.com or RSVP here! Hope to see you there!

Blush and Bordeaux

Wearing Justicia Ruano dress via Estiletta, Boohoo jacket, M.Gemi pumps (similar), Sophie Blake earrings, Jeffrey Levinson clutch in "sand stone" c/o

I’d like to tell you a story. You see, most days, I ride the bus to work. It’s hardly glamorous, but definitely beats driving over an hour each way. Anyway, there’s this older lady on my bus. I’ve seen her a handful of times and every time I do, she is dressed to the nines. I’ve always admired her and wanted to tell her, YOU HAVE THE BEST STYLE multiple times but have always chickened out for looking like a complete fool.

Yesterday, I noticed her again. She got onto the bus and swiped her Smart Trip card. The something happened. She sat next to me! I couldn’t believe my luck! Should I give her a compliment or will that scare her away? Should I try to strike up a conversation on my fairly strict “NO TALKING” bus? She turned to her right and started chatting up a woman across the way. YES! A rule-breaker, I like her already.

The bus suddenly came to a halt - our bus driver had knicked the side of something. Although I was ticked off that I’d be late AF getting home, I knew now was my chance.

“Did you see what happened?” I asked my neighbor. I didn’t mean to smell her, but she smelled just like my Nana…and I instantly wanted to be her very best friend.

“I didn’t but he’s standing out there with the police now. I wish he’d tell us what's going on!” she said. While she could have been pissed when she said those words, she wasn’t. Almost cheerful. A good attitude amidst the madness - definitely not something you see around these parts.

“Did you know there’s a new Parisian patisserie opening in our town?” I asked, hoping to impress her with my wealth of knowledge and good taste in food.

“NO WAY!” she shrieked, “when is it opening?”

And the rest is history. We chatted throughout the trip (quietly, for the most part!) After we parted ways, I realized how much of an impression she had on me. Not just her impeccable style, but for her gracious, cool and slightly-rebellious attitude. I want to be just like her.

Today’s outfit is something I imagine my Badass Bus Lady would wear. A perfect combination of cool and glamorous…and the cutest idea for Valentine’s Day that isn’t overdoing it. Regardless of what Man Repeller says, you just won’t find me in neon pink and cherry red. It’s just not happening. Bourdoux and blush? That’s more my speed.

I had no idea how much I needed a faux fur coat until I tried this one on from Boohoo. It adds the most perfect vibe to literally anything. And this dress?! It’s everything - I rented it from Estiletta when I met Andre Leon Talley, a former vogue editor and writer of “Oscar de la Renta…” I paired it with the chicest clutch from Jeffrey Levinson, one of my favorite bag designers of all time. I’m all about finding classic silhouettes with a punch of coolness (these SLEEVES THOUGH) and I think this outfit did the trick.

What are you wearing for Valentine’s Day?! I have a few more looks up my sleeve, so stay tuned for more later this week! XO!

Dreamy Valentine

Valentine’s Day is one of those days of the year that come with SUPER high expectations. Like New Years - people expecting you to stay up until midnight (I’ll just go ahead and admit that I BARELY lasted until 11:30), wear your most sparkly dress and have the most champagne-filled instagram of all.

Valentine’s Day can have a similar vibe. Who is going to have the prettiest peonies? Who’s going to make the grandest plans of all? Did you make heart shape pancakes for breakfast? Because cereal isn’t gonna cut it today, guys. And while I’m sharing some SUPER fun Valentine’s Day ideas next week, I’ll be the first to admit it can all be a bit much.

Over the next few days, I’m forgoing the typical heart-scattered, red and pink filled posts for more subdued, romantic looks. Because let’s be real - take a look at my Instagram. Hearts, stars and horseshoes? Hardly. To be honest, I had no idea how neutral my fashion has been lately until I noticed that BASICALLY every outfit I’ve worn over the past few months have been black and white (with splashes of blush and maroon thrown in for good measure.)

When planning my Valentine’s Day looks, I had to swing by one of my favorite local shops, South Moon Under at Mosaic District. They carry my favorite romantic brands like Free People, Gorjana and ban.do! I love that they’re always thinking ahead, so I was able to pick up this cute outfit that’s great for layering in the winter, but could be worn alone once the weather warms up! (Like it did this past weekend - BLESS.)

This flowy Free People blouse I picked up from SMU has the perfect flirt factor without ONLY being for Valentine’s Day.

I paired it with the most versatile faux suede skirt (that I’ve worn apprx. 10 times since I bought it last weekend) and my color block Maison Martin Margiela boots. To take the look up a notch, I added a bold, orangy-red lip from Makeup Meltdown and my favorite blush cross-body bag from Estiletta. I imagine I’d wear this to a wine bar near our house before a late dinner (like the Europeans do!) We watched A Good Year last night and so of course, I’m all like, ‘let’s rent a villa in France and drink all the wine!’ Because why not! ;)

Wearing Free People top, suede skirt, Gorjana bracelet and leather belt via South Moon Under c/o, Maison Martin Margiela boots (similar), VASKA bag via Estiletta c/o, Free People necklace c/o and Makeup Meltdown lipstick in "Siren" c/o.