Browsing Category

Lifestyle

Lifestyle Tips & Tricks

Free (Or REALLY Low Cost} Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Because there are plenty of Valentine’s Day Gift Guides out there designed to get you to part with your hard-earned cash, I decided to do something a bit different and offer your guys a list of free Valentine’s Day gift ideas. Each idea is based on one of the Five Love Languages, a book that my husband and I both read before we got married and one that I highly recommend to other couples.

free-valentines-day-gift-ideas-homemade-card

THE LANGUAGE: Words of Affirmation
THE TRANSLATION: A Homemade Valentine’s Day Card

For some folks, receiving compliments and praise are what they value most. So forget Hallmark, and break out the construction paper and lace doilies to write down those sweet little nothings and profess your love! My husband and I started dating when we were a pair of broke college students. We’ve come a long way since then, but some of my most treasured possessions are a box of handmade notes and cards that he gave to me in the early days of our courtship. The one I’m holding above is probably circa 2001’ish, and it still melts my heart to this day!

free-valentines-day-gift-ideas-scrapbook

THE LANGUAGE: Receiving Gifts
THE TRANSLATION: Make a Personalized Scrapbook

Now most of us love gifts – but for some folks, gifts can carry a LOT of weight.  Just remember that gifts don’t have to be expensive or over-the-top, so long as they’re meaningful. And what could be more meaningful than a personalized scrapbook filled with your favorite photographs and memories?! And if you want to start planning for next year’s V-Day, how about journaling just one thought each day for an entire year about why you love the other person? It’ll be a guaranteed page-turner – not to mention a potential tear-jerker.

free-valentines-day-gift-ideas-massage

THE LANGUAGE: Physical Touch
THE TRANSLATION: Give a Candlelit Massage

The physical touch language doesn’t have to be exclusive to the bedroom. As a precursor to other, ahem, extra-curricular activities, spend an extra 30-minutes or so giving an amazing candlelit massage. Better yet, brush up on your technique beforehand by perusing a massage therapy handbook to make sure you’ve got your moves down pat.

free-valentines-day-gift-ideas-chores

THE LANGUAGE: Acts of Service
THE TRANSLATION: Get Out of Chores Free Card

Sometimes the best way to show how much you care is to lend a helping hand. Since offering to take out the trash or sweep the garage doesn’t really scream romantic, a more pleasant way to extend the offer would be to print up a DIY coupon book custom-tailored with your special one’s least favorite chores.

free-valentines-day-gift-ideas-netflix-and-chill

THE LANGUAGE: Quality Time
THE TRANSLATION: Do I really have to explain?!

Ok, this one’s a little toungue-in-cheek, but hear me out. Block out an entire evening with NO distractions… yes, that includes cell phones and computers! Dim the lights, pour some wine, lay out your significant other’s favorite snacks, and fire up an old, romantic movie. What happens next is up to you…

And there you have it folks! Five free or low-cost ways to express how much you care this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!

Everyday Outfits Fashion My Style

Falling…

{SACHIN & BABI Dress, CULT GAIA Earrings (similar), STAUD Handbag, 3.1 Phillip Lim Shoes (similar)}

Fall is hands-down my favorite season, but I’m strangely finding it hard to let go of summer this year. It seems odd to say, but even through all of the turmoil and uncertainty we’ve faced this year – in many ways I’ve had one of this best summers of my life. As Charles Dickens so eloquently put it, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

That being said, the world keeps on spinning (both literally and figuratively), so I’m slowly but surely getting myself into a fall state-of-mind – starting with this gorgeous dress by Sachin & Babi. It’s made of a substantial cotton that’s perfect for those in-between early fall days. And the autumnal color scheme incorporates this season’s hottest combo: chocolate brown and robin’s egg blue. I’ve never been one to blindly follow trends, but I do like to keep my looks current. I love how this dress simultaneously feels elegant and timeless while still managing to be on trend.

Fashion My Style

The Best Dramatic Straw Hats for Summer

Dramatic Straw Summer Hat{H&M Midi Dress, & OTHER STORIES Straw Hat (similar), STAUD ‘Moreau’ Bag, MADEWELL ‘Boardwalk’ Sandals}

“A lady is never fully dressed without a hat.”

Over the years, I’ve grown a pretty impressive summer hat collection. They’re the perfect accessory to add a little drama to an otherwise plain outfit. As I get older, I find myself being drawn to larger more over-the-top iterations. In fact, I’ve got my eyes set on this one as my next acquisition. As I found myself traveling deeper and deeper down the internet rabbit hole seeking out my perfect summer topper, I decided to share a roundup of the best of my finds at every price point. Keep scrolling for my top straw hat recommendations to round out your summer wardrobe.

Happy shopping!

Dramatic Straw Summer Hat

SUMMER HATS UNDER $100

SUMMER HATS $101 & UP

Dramatic Straw Summer Hat