Easy Date Night Look + 3 Valentine's Date Ideas

Shirt - Enza Costa | Jacket - HM (similar here)  | Jeans - Free People | Shoes - Manolo Blahnik (great budget option here) | Lipstick - Tom Ford Dylan | Bag - Gucci

I know, I know...Valentine's Day is a gimmicky holiday fueled by the greeting card companies or something like that, right? I personally have never been opposed to recognizing or celebrating Valentine's Day whether I was in a relationship or single. Gifts weren't necessary but I do enjoy the idea of celebrating love - love for your significant other, your kids, yourself, your pets, LOVE in general! Yay love! Frankly, the world needs more of it, ya know? Stan and I have switched it up over the years from fancy dinners, to nights in, gifts, no gifts - it's never the same each year which is kind of nice. So I thought I would share 4 date ideas (that don't actually have to take place on the day) but can be fun ways to celebrate with those you love (significant other, child, pet or just yourself). Stan and I have done all these over the years and while they aren't groundbreaking ideas, it's nice to be deliberate sometimes and go the extra mile to have a good time and make memories.

1. Get all dressed up in your fanciest clothes.....and then stay in. Ha! Fooled ya, didn't I? You know those clothes in your closet that you bought for "special occasions" which only end up getting worn once or twice ever? Put them on! You need to wear something around the house (unless you live naked #nojudgement), so why not make it fun and put on those clothes you never wear. Either cook a meal together or order take out, but something about getting spruced up can be so fun. And if you have kids, let them get involved too! It doesn't have to be perfect, but a little extra effort can really make the time together special.

2. Go be tourists for a day. This used to be one of our favorite things to do back in NYC because it was so easy to do. And as I said, Valentine's Day doesn't necessarily have to be celebrated on February 14th so this could be done on a day that works better for your schedules. Stan and I still love to visit tourist spots near us, see all the attractions and check it off our list. Sometimes we forget to take advantage of these popular places that we have so accessible to us, but it can be so much fun to be a tourist in your own city. 

3. Take a day trip somewhere beautiful, take pictures of yourselves...and then don't share them on social media. Ha, fooled ya again! Typical blogger suggesting you go somewhere and take pictures of each other (or your family), but if there is one thing I do love about blogging is that it's a visual record. Visit a local mountain and hike to the top, head to the beach, go to a local park - whatever it is make sure it's visually beautiful and then just use your phone to take photos of each other and also together (ask a stranger or do it selfie style). Then come home, print them out and frame them! Don't share them on social media, let them be something you have for yourselves that you can put up in your home. If you have a fancy camera great, but frankly it's not about the quality of the photos, it's about the deliberate action of going somewhere beautiful, taking in the surroundings and then capturing the moment to enjoy for years to come. 

Told you, these ideas are not fancy or exceptionally unique but sometimes it's the simplest things that we overlook or forget. What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate? 

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