Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks so much for helping me decide which outfit to wear for Valentine's Day!

The Alchemy Shop Mint Cardi with the bow details and red polka dot dress got the most love, so that's what I'm wearing today. It was actually my favorite, too! :) Here were all the contenders in case you missed them: Help Me Dress for Valentine's Day.

Always the sweetheart, Matt got me a dozen ombre roses that transition from yellow to pink. So gorgeous! <3

He also gave me Valentine's Day M&Ms with cute images and messages on them. Sweets from my sweetie.

And I baked him chocolate cupcakes. They were originally supposed to be red Funfetti cupcakes, and I had mixed the batter and popped them in the oven. But then I noticed a peculiar smell wafting through my kitchen. The culprit? Vegetable oil with a "Best Used By" date of May 4, 2010! Oops.

Everything went in the trash, and I went back to the grocery store for fresh oil and new cake mix. There was no Funfetti mix left, so chocolate was the next choice. I don't think Matt minded--he took some of the cupcakes to work and just texted that I should open my own bakery! I'll make sure to check expiration dates on all the ingredients before I sell any treats to the public! :)

Cleo is joining the Valentine's Day fun with her striped "L<3VE" T-shirt. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Cutest. Dog. Ever!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day! Thanks so much for all your love and support of this blog. I appreciate each and every view, follow and comment. <3

Help Me Dress for Valentine's Day

Over the past few days, I've posted four outfits that I might wear on Valentine's Day.

Now, you can help me choose which one I'll wear!

Which is your favorite? Should I wear it as is? Should I combine pieces from different outfits? Tell me how you think I should style my Valentine's Day look in the comments!

Original Posts

1. Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Mint and Polka Dots

2. Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Vintage Shift Dress

3. Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Red Rose Cardi and Black

4. Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Corset Back Dress

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Red Rose Cardi and Black

I really miss Fred Flare.

The online store was a haven where all things cute, fun and quirky were sold to people like me to give as gifts to friends and family. In November, the shop closed after 15 years because it was no longer profitable.

The Fred Flare blog has continued, but even that looks like it's about to be shut down. In a short message Sunday, Fred Flare founders said the post would be their last. What a sad day indeed.

In addition to novelty gifts, Fred Flare offered cute clothing and accessories. It's where I found this rose cardigan and the black-and-white purse.

I put them together in an outfit that just might be perfect for Valentine's Day. Compare it to my other V-Day options and tell me what you think!

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Mint and Polka Dots

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Vintage Shift Dress

Outfit Details:
Tulle Sweater via Fred Flare (old)
Target Dress (old)
Target Leggings (old)
Urban Outfitters Shoes (old)
Fred Flare Purse (no longer available)
Tatty Devine Necklace via ModCloth (old)
Handcrafted Ring (gift)

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

This post contains Tulle, Urban Outfitters and ModCloth affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Vintage Shift Dress

I don't usually do shift dresses.

A-lines and fit-and-flares are more flattering on me. But when I found this vintage shift at Revolve Clothing Exchange in Tampa's Ybor City a couple years ago, I loved the print so much that I had to try it on. Once I found that it fit, there was no turning back.

I haven't worn this dress since Matt and I went to a Jeff Mangum concert in Orlando a year ago. But it might be time to bring it back out for Valentine's Day. Especially with these heart flats. What do you think?

Here's my other V-Day outfit option: Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Mint and Polka Dots.

Outfit Details:

Vintage Dress

Target Tights

Francesca's Shoes

Urban Outfitters Purse (old)

Letterpress Necklace from MIMAboutique (read more about it here: What's the Perfect Gift for a Writer?)

Handcrafted Ring (souvenir from a 2011 trip to Finland)

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

This post contains Urban Outfitters affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Mint and Polka Dots

If you couldn't tell already, I'm excited for Valentine's Day. I've enjoyed it ever since I was a kid exchanging those little store-bought Valentine's with my classmates. Now, I like it especially because I have a sweet, thoughtful honey to share it with.

Matt and I don't usually do anything too over the top on Feb. 14. He typically gets me flowers and a sweet treat (one year brownies, another cake pops!), I gift him with something random, and we go out to dinner at one of the restaurant chains down the street. Not too extravagant, but just special enough.

I'm already thinking about what I'll wear on Valentine's Day, and this outfit is a top contender. Mint green with red is one of my favorite color combos! And the bows on the sweater and polka dots on the dress are just too cute.

Are you looking forward to Valentine's Day? What are you going to wear? Tell me in the comments!

Outfit Details:

The Alchemy Shop Sweater

JCPenney Dress (old)

Target Tights (old, similar)

Amalgam of the Year Flat in Mint and Ivory from ModCloth

Fossil Scooter Charm Necklace

Earrings and Ring from different craft fairs

Vintage Purse

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

This post contains ModCloth affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Valentine's Day Nails Using YouTube Tutorials

Valentine's Day is only a couple weeks away, and I've painted my nails for the upcoming occasion.

I tend to follow various YouTube nail art tutorials when creating these types of designs. Here, I'll share the tutorials I used for a few of my nails.

Thumb: "simple dot rose nail art, sweet for Valentines day." by sewcrafty1
I started out by painting my nails a light blue. To create these roses, I used the four dots and swirl technique from this video with a dotting tool. Then, I added dark and light green leaves using stripers, which are just polishes that come with skinny brushes for precise designs.

I've also used the technique from this video by bubzbeauty to create roses. You can get similar results by using a toothpick instead of a dotting tool.

Index Finger: No YouTube tutorial required
I just painted my nails a pale pink color and added white dots using a dotting tool. Don't have a dotting tool? You can make your own by following this tutorial by cutepolish.

Middle Finger: "Valentine's Day Heart Nail Art Tutorial" by SimpleNailArtDesigns
OK, so this tutorial actually involves using tape with the shape of a heart cut into it as a stencil you put on your nail to create a heart-shaped gradient. I tried, and I failed miserably. But I did use a makeup sponge like the one shown in the video to create a gradient on my nail. Then, I added hearts in pink, blue and red using dotting tools. Cutepolish has a perfect technique for creating these types of hearts in this video.

Ring Finger: No YouTube tutorial required
I just painted my nails red, and then used a white striper to write an "X" and an "O."

Pinky: No YouTube tutorial required
I painted my nails a light blue, and then used a dotting tool to create a red heart. Then, I used a smaller dotting tool to create a smaller pink heart on top of the red. Again, cutepolish has a perfect technique for creating these types of hearts in this video.

What are your favorite YouTube nail art tutorials? How are you decorating your nails for Valentine's Day? Tell me in the comments!