Loveliness on Valentine's Day: 2012

Hello Readers,

Last year, I published a blog post (Loveliness on Valentine's Day) about the holiday we all love to hate at some point in our lives. In this post, I wrote about my decision not to wear the color black on Valentine's Day as a symbolic action of my new attitude toward the day's celebrations, even as a single woman in her mid-twenties. Yep. I had a new attitude.

This year when I woke up, I planned to wear a reiteration of last year's Valentine's Day outfit, but there was snow on the ground and I had errands to run in the cold, slushy morning.... so I threw on a red wool sweater, a pair of jeans, wooly socks with snowflakes on the side, my trusty snow boots, and my coat. The day started out well, as far as holiday appropriate winter wear.

I ran my errands with great efficiency, buying a raspberry beret cupcake at The Cup, groceries at Dierberg's, and spending a gift card at Starbuck's (thank you Quists!) without any hitches or long lines- but when I returned I was less than enthusiastic about the holiday. I needed a change of attitude, or at least a change of outfits.

Last year's outfit was too cheery... I needed something that made me feel just as confident, but more mysterious. A vintage black and navy dress was the perfect remedy for my feelings of discontent. Paired with a white cardigan, embellished purple ribbon, solid purple tights, and spectator-esque pumps provided just the right amount of elegance and sass needed to survive this year's Valentine's Day.

Holding my roomie's cupcakes

In a way, this outfit helped me make it through a day I dread. What really helped me through this day was the community of friends I have at home, here, and even across the globe! I wasn't alone, spatially or metaphorically, either. My small group had a get together where we took communion and then exchanged bread and words of appreciation/affirmation with each other. This tradition, known as a "love  feast" is most common in the Methodist tradition of faith, but can be traced back to the Moravians. Woah!

I suppose I never liked Valentine's Day very much because it made me feel alone. I felt left out. But, this year I was not alone or left out. I was surrounded by friends who have been like family to me during my year of adjuncting. Their words, hugs, and constant community reminded me of the love present in my life, even away from family and even without a boyfriend or husband. I'm not single... I'm surrounded by a community of people who care about me and remind me of the One who loves me extravagantly- God. I have so much love in my life!

I'm smiling.... but check out that hand on my hip! Sass!

Yummers

Retail Details:
Black and Navy Vintage Dress: Gifted
White/Cream V-Neck Cardigan: Victoria's Secret
Purple Belt: A Ribbon Embellished with a Clip-On Earring
Goldtone Peacock Earrings: Macy's 
Purple Tights: Hue (via Nordstrom Rack)
Cream and Tan Spectator Pumps: Seychelles (purchased at a boutique in San Francisco)
Smile: Courtesy of my friends!

Oh Hey, It's a Giveaway!!! (Heart Brooch by Vane & Joya)

Happy Valentine's Day Readers!

Today, I am proud to present the very first eclectic and elegant giveaway for this blog! Here it is!

This lovely brooch, purchased from the Anthropologie store at the St. Louis Galleria, is absolutely delightful. In honor of this week's holiday, Valentine's Day, I selected this gold-tone heart shaped locket brooch, featuring a solid perfume located in the interior of the brooch.

And what an aroma! This perfume has three layers of notes: the top notes are orange blossom and honeysuckle (these are the first you smell, usually), the middle notes are jasmine, lily of the valley, and honey, and the drydown notes (usually the last scents you notice) are a delightful arrangement of sweet musk accord. It's difficult to articulate scents, but this perfume has the sweet and floral air of what I would imagine a vintage perfume to carry.

SO. . . how do you win this fragrant treasure? Here's how:

-if you do not already have a blogger account, please set one up. That way, I can contact you if you are the winner!

-between now and Friday at 4:00 PM CST/5:00 EST leave a comment after this post with the name of favorite romantic movie. This can be a comedy, a romance, a drama- a movie that you think is romantic.

-on Friday, after the deadline, I will print out a copy of the comments left on this post, cut them into little strips of paper, and put them in a hat. Then I will randomly draw a name from that hat to select a winner.

-on Saturday morning I will repost the winning comment and attempt to contact the winner for their mailing address, and then send their prize early next week.

I look forward to hearing about your favorite romantic movies readers! Good luck!

what lovely and lively details!

orange blossom, honeysuckle, jasmine, lily of the valley, honey, sweet musk accord- yum!

Giveaway Tomorrow!!!

Readers,

The time is near. Tomorrow, and the rest of the week I will be running a giveaway. I still won't say what this lovely giveaway is, but it is something special from my favorite store, and the item has something to do with Valentine's Day.

Back when I was in undergrad, at Greenville College, I would often find myself watching Oprah. It wasn't a daily ritual, but if I was flipping through the channels and her show was on, I would watch it. There was an episode (or a type of episode), however, that I couldn't miss- when Oprah would give away her favorite things to the audience. Wouldn't that be great to be in the audience the day that she gave away her favorite car, or favorite jewelry? I think there was one favorite things episode where she gave away some sort of spa retreat too- that would also be a great favorite thing to receive.

Anyways. . . I am not Oprah, and I cannot give away all of my favorite things to all of you, but can give away one of my favorite things to one of you.

Tomorrow I will reveal this giveaway and the contest details. Keep your eyes peeled readers!