[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2383207″]
It’s no secret that Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite days of the year. I live for the cutesy boxes of candy and chocolates, can never say no to a cheesy teddy bear or two, and want to buy (and wear) heart prints all day every day during the month of February. Regardless of whether I’m coupled up or blissfully single, Valentine’s Day has always been my jam. Needless to say, I don’t mess around when it comes to planning my Valentine’s Day outfit and activities. Below are some of my personal Valentine’s Day tips, in case you need a few ideas.
1. #ChooseToSmooth
While I don’t generally encourage people to go out bare-legged in February, Valentine’s Day is certainly an exception to the rule. Wintertime can be quite rough on skin in general, and while some people use this time to let their leg hair grow wild, I find that shaving my legs regularly helps keep my skin nice and smooth, especially when I use Gillette Venus Swirl razor and shave gel. Venus razors are specifically designed for women’s curves with 5 individually adjusting Contour blades, and give me a quick (but long-lasting) shave, while gently exfoliating the skin all at the same time. And even when I’m too lazy to use the shaving gel, the water-activated MoistureGlide serum provides enough glide for a smooth and comfortable shave. As a result, my legs look and feel great during those rough winter months whether I’m grinning and baring it for Valentine’s Day, doing Barre on weekends, or just lounging around the house with le bf.
2. Plan Ahead
If you plan to go out on Valentine’s Day, then making a reservation ahead of time is key. Most restaurants will have various Valentine’s Day specials, but if you take too long, your options may be quite limited. If you’d like to try something new, Lavelle (where these photos were taken) is one of the city’s most beautiful new restaurants, with super romantic views of the city and a Valentine’s Day menu to drool for. Pre-buy your tickets online, and enjoy a (stress-free) romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.
More after the jump!
3. Book a Staycation
As someone who’s done it several times, I highly recommend travelling somewhere warm and exotic for Valentine’s Day. Getting away with your love for a few days of sun and surf in the dead of winter is the best cure for those cold weather blahs. But if travel is just not in the cards, surprising your partner with a staycation in your city can be just as fun. Book a swanky hotel room for the night, tell your lover to pack his/her bags, and whisk them away to a sweet suite…even if it’s only 10 minutes away from your actual home. Being away from the daily routine can do wonders for any relationship, and who doesn’t love room service?
4. Thoughtful Gift > Expensive Gift
While it may be tempting (and easy) to go for a cliche Valentine’s Day gift and call it a day, with a variety of options at our fingertips, there’s really no reason to phone it in. If your partner isn’t into flowers, then even the most expensive roses may not be as well-received as you may hope. If you don’t already know, you still have time to sleuth out your partner’s specific likes (tip: check their instagram for clues!), and watch their face light up when they realise that you actually put some thought into their present. It can be a small thing like knowing the specific type of candy that they like, or something that reminds you of a memorable moment in your relationship. You shouldn’t treat Valentine’s Day like Christmas, but a small thoughtful gift can make the day a lot more special (for cute gift ideas, check out our gift guide here).
5. Dress Up
Whether I go out or stay at home, I always try to put a bit of extra effort into my Valentine’s Day outfit (any excuse to dress up, really). This year, I am loving the slip dress trend, which is both sexy and so easy to wear. Slip dresses can be worn with heels, ankle or over-the-knee boots, and paired with a cozy sweater, t-shirt, or a sleek dinner jacket for a look that’s not too high-maintenance but is still put-together. This Valentine’s Day, I will accessorise my dress with furry pom-pom earrings and glittery heels worn with bare legs (thank goodness for cabs).
So tell me, do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? What are your tips and traditions? Share in the comments.
I Wore: Dress, Jacket – H&M; Shoes – kate spade new york; Pom Pom Earrings – Hayley Elsaesser; Bracelet – Jenny Bird x Indigo
Photo Credits: Mauricio Calero
This blog post was created in partnership with Gillette Venus. All views and opinions are my own.
