5 Valentine's Day Dinner Outfit Ideas

I received so much great feedback from you all when I shared my NYE outfit ideas post, that I knew I wanted to share the same format for my Valentine's Day post. This time though, I'm sharing some Valentine's Day outfit ideas that you can work together with items in your closet, as well as some top picks for pieces you can wear for V-Day and well after.

If you don't really do much for Valentine's Day, don't worry, you aren't alone. The past few years we have played it low key and made dinner at home. Having just come off the coattails of the holidays and my birthday, I honestly typically don't ever want to spend the extra money. This year, with everything going on in our lives, I decided I wanted to do a little more for V-day to carve out some QT, so we made reservations for dinner at The Broadmoor. And of course, that has me wondering what to wear for Valentine's Day dinner.

Whether you are spending love day with your beau, or your gal pals, I have pulled together some inspo for your Valentine's day date night outfit below. I recommend sticking to reds, pinks and blacks and whites when it comes to Valentine's day looks. You really can't go wrong there. I'll be doing another blog post this week with some casual pieces you can pick up for Valentine's Day, as well.

5 Valentine's Day Dinner Outfit Ideas 

Red Sweater and Leopard Skirt - If you don't have a leopard skirt in your closet by now, I don't know what you are waiting for. It's such a versatile piece that you can wear to work and play. This would be such a fun day-to-night- Valentine's Day look, which is just what I'm wanting on V-Day.

Black Slip Dress - I made a case for this slip dress in my birthday post. It's such a chic and versatile piece that is a MUST add to your closet. It's also made out of recycled paper, which is just the coolest.

Pink Dress - You really can't go wrong with a pink dress for Valentine's Day. I love this one from Chicwish, because you can wear it now and then wear it again all Spring/Summer. If you live in a warmer climate, this is a great look for love day.

Two Piece Set - Similar to the pink dress above, this is definitely wear now, wear later look that will last you all summer.  I linked to a few adorable sets below.

Black on Black - This is a classic look you can't go wrong with.

If you are looking to pick up something for you Valentine's Day date night, I linked to a ton of great pieces below. Check in later this week to see my casual Valentine's Day picks.

Tops + Sweaters for Valentine's Day

Dresses

33 Random Facts About Me

It's my birthday! I mean...not that I had to have a reason to throw on a slip dress and a fur stole, but here we are. You guys asked me for a post on 33 things about me, to ring in my 33 birthday, and we'll get to that, but first...let's talk about this outfit.

I'll always be a trendy kind of girl that enjoys having variety in my closet, but lately I've been trying to invest in interchangeable basics that will stand the test of time. These 3 pieces fit that bill, and are a worthy investment if you ask me.

I've had my eye on a slip dress for a while now. It's the perfect piece to take from the holidays, to pretty much any event throughout the year. It's a versatile piece that can easily be dressed up or down, by slipping switching out footwear and accessories. I've heard a lot about the brand Reformation, and have been wanting to try them forever. (Many of my favorite bloggers have been repping it forever, but I've always shied away due to the sometimes steep price tag.) When I saw this slip dress by Reformation though, I had to make it mine - and the price isn't too bad either. I didn't realize how cool the brand was until I received my dress and read the tag. Reformation makes sustainable clothing, and their whole brand mission is super legit. (You can read more about that here.) My dress, for example, is completely biodegradable and that is seriously badass, if you ask me.

As for the fur stole, it has become one with my body. When I die, this is my formal request to bury me with this piece! It's such a chic accessory that can be worn with dresses, sweaters and coats, alike. (It's on sale for under $30, too!) I'm also super into this SPANX sheer bodysuit. It's perfect to layer under you tanks and dresses to give them an instant winter glam vibe.

Ok...now back to my birthday. By request I'm sharing 33 Random Facts About Me. Tune in Monday, and I'll be sharing another birthday post with some life lessons I've learned in my 33 years.

33 Random Facts About Me

1. I grew up in Bakersfield, CA. I spent 24 years of my life there, before making my way to Colorado Springs.

2. I met Brandon here in Colorado Springs, working at the same office we still work at today.

3. I come from a combined family and am the youngest of 5 children - all of which are much older than me, due to my parents' previous marriages.

4. I used to want to be a professional singer in some capacity. In fact, it was my big dream. When I lived in California, I would record songs and definitely had dreams of making it big. I also hardly sing at all anymore, and let me tell you...when you don't use it, you lose it.

5. I have naturally curly hair, and if you've been following me for a while you know that. I stopped wearing it curly when I chopped my hair off (it looks so bad short and curly!), and it basically forced me to learn how to properly style it. You can see my curly hair here, and you can read more about how I style my hair here.

6. I was captain of my cheerleading squad throughout high school.

7.  I was seriously the most accident prone child. I was in the hospital a number of times for really random freak accidents.

8. I was bit by a dog on my face with I was 7, and still have the scar to this day. I still love dogs though and it didn't make me afraid of them at all.

9. I don't get star struck by celebrities, but if I see a blogger I love in public, I will lose my mind with excitement.

10. I am a MAJOR foodie and will eat pretty much anything. Mexican > everything though.

11. I love to cook and bake, I just never have time for it anymore.

12. I've had more zits in the past 2 years, than I have my entire life. #adultacne

13. I only went to college for about 6 months, before stopping and starting my career.

14. I love a good glass of wine, and am a sucker for tequila.

15. I have never been to Europe, or anywhere outside of the western hemisphere, but I dream of going to Italy and Bali.

16. I'm an early riser. It's not always the easiest for me, and sometimes I wish I could sleep in, but I get so much done in the early hours of the morning and enjoy the time to myself with my coffee.

17. I started my career in mortgage home loans, with my mom, at 18. When I moved to Colorado, I switched gears and got into Real Estate.

18. My favorite quality about myself is my ability to look on the bright side of almost every situation.

19. I have big feet, but I swear they have shrunk! I used to be a solid 10, but I find myself buying 9.5 these days.

20. I had braces when I was younger, because of a snaggle tooth I had. When I got older, I discovered braces ruined my mouth and caused some serious "root resorption" and I had to have my lower molars pulled on both side. My have an implant on one side, but I still need to get them done on the other.

21. I've had tea with Julie Andrews.

22. I always thought I had some sort of Native American in me, but my 23 and Me says I'm 83% Irish. Also, I hate the fact that I did 23 and Me and offered up my DNA. Regret it ALL the time!

23. I spent all of last year thinking that I was an enneagram 7 and now I'm having an existential crisis thinking I might actually be a 3. #whoami

24. My love languages are gifts and acts of service. So, basically buy me things and do things for me and I'm happy. ;)

25. There are two items in my closet that I really don't know what I would do without. These jeans and these sunnies.

26. My favorite piece of jewelry is my David Yurman bracelet and a pair of black hills gold earrings my mom gave me.

27. I'm obsessed with the Real Housewives, and wish I were besties with pretty much all of them.

29. I could eat oatmeal for breakfast everyday.

30. I was about 25 pounds heavier when I met Brandon.

31. I love living in Colorado Springs, and couldn't see myself anywhere else now, but Brandon and I dream of retiring in California by the beach.

32. My favorite family tradition is "Christmas Eve Gift". Basically, on Christmas Eve, we say "Christmas Eve Gift" to each other and whoever says it first gets a gift from whoever they say it to.

33. I love Jesus, but I cuss a little. Or a lot.

That took way longer than I anticipated and was one of the hardest things ever! Seriously, try writing 33 things about yourself. It feels crazy.

I hope you guys enjoyed learning more about me, and if you have any questions, drop them below. 

We Bought A Fixer Upper!

After 3 long months and a crazy roller coaster ride, we are finally closed on this home! We are going to be in renovations for the next 3 months, turning this dingy, dated Victorian into a beautiful modern farmhouse. For those wondering, we'll be hanging on to our current home, and using it as a rental. (We've always dreamed of being land barons and slowing building our portfolio through Real Estate.) The home we are buying is actually right next door to our current home, and our 3rd house on the SAME street since we've been married, which is pretty funny. 

Some of you may know that Brandon and I had big dreams to build a 3 car garage with an apartment over it, in our own backyard. We had been working on that project for years, spending a lot of time and money on this dream. The day before we met with our fourth contractor - that told us what we wanted to do was actually insanely expensive, our neighbor's house went up for sale. Brandon has dreamed of this house and acquiring it, since the day we moved in next door. I, on the other hand, had heard rumors of how much work it needed, from friends that had previously previewed the home, and I had zero interest. Still, I agreed to go tour the home with him. My resistance changed the second we walked in, and I instantly knew this was the right move for us. More importantly, it felt like God was wanting us to take this step. The timing of it all was too perfect, with us finding out about the garage around the same time this house went up for sale. You know what they say...when one door closes, another one opens.

It was a for sale by owner, which made the transaction pretty challenging from the start. (It's like, hi...use a Realtor people. Also, hi...use me. #shamelessplug) We negotiated with the seller for 10 days before we finally got a signed contract. We kept praying that if this is what God wanted for us, He would make that clear and if he didn't He would shut that door. I swear to you that we didn't see anybody else stop and look at this house the entire time we were negotiating (we live next door so it was easy to see what was going on) and the day we went under contract SOOOOO many people stopped and took down the number on the sign, from there on out.

The home was strictly sold as is, so we had to do all our due diligence on the front end. We starting inspections, and meeting contractors to figure out how much the remodel would cost. I have to be honest, coming off the coattails of having spent a ton of time and money on a project that didn't work out, I was a little nervous to jump into something else that was risky. I just really didn't want to waste any more money on something that was going to be too much to take on, again. I just really kept praying that God would make it clear if he didn't want this home for us.

 We found out the sewer line needed to be replaced, as well as the roof, along with some structural work that needs to be done. And of course, the home was sold as is, so....all of this work falls on us. Still I didn't take these to be signs that the home wasn't for us, just all things we had to consider in the overall renovation budget. The numbers still made sense, so we kept moving forward.

The real plot twist happened when we did a meth test and it came back positive. Yes...a METH test.

As a Realtor, I always recommend meth tests on homes to my clients because you just never know what's going on in a home, so we took our own advice and did one on the house we bought. What's crazy is I actually never in a million years thought it would be in the actual house that had it, because the tenants that lived there were the sweetest people ever. There is a detached garage that has a tenant and I had suspicions about that space, but it turns out, it was positive IN the actual house. It's weird because I don't for a second believe that the tenants I knew were doing that, but it just goes to show that you never know what's really going on in a home, or the history of it. When the test came positive, we asked the seller to take care of it. (By law, they have to.) But, we didn't find out until like 5 days before closing that the home was properly remediated and PASSED the clearance test, so that we could close. I think that's why I've been so nervous to share anything about the house, because I just had no clue if the issue would get cleared up and we could actually close.

Now the house is officially ours, and we are starting months of pretty intense renovations. I can't wait to share our journey with you. I'll obviously be sharing a lot on Instagram, but will be documenting it all here as well.
Let me know if you have any quesitons about the process or even any tips! I'm also in search of a good hashtag to use, so let me know if you have any suggestions, in the comments below!

Top Picks For Madewell 40% Off Sale

Quick post today to share that Madewell is having a HUGE 40% off sale. (My coat pictured below is part of the sale.) I was able to snag this poncho that I've had my eye on for months, for just $24! #winning

I've linked a ton of my top picks below. This is a great time to stock up on the best jeans and sweaters. Simply click on the pictures below to shop the product. 

My Plans For 2019

This post was sponsored by Yealands wine. All opinions are my own.

Now that the holidays are over, most people make resolutions to cut out all sugar and alcohol and pretty much all the fun. Luckily for me, my birth month is January so I always keep the party going! Honestly, the idea of cutting out sugar and alcohol makes me cringe - so my birthday is a welcomed excuse to continue indulging and I think you should too. ;)

As we head into the new year, I always like to set intentions. (And obviously as I mentioned above, ones that allow me to keep my indulgences.) My goals usually have more to do with personal growth, than weight loss. With self improvement, over work goals. And aiming to spend more time living in the present, and less worrying about tomorrow.  It’s funny because, for once, I don’t have a word for this year. No big goals. No quiet intentions. I feel really good about where I left things off in 2018, and I'm looking to keep that trend going for 2019. 

It's no secret that I work a lot. Like, A LOT. But, I've realized that there is nothing that fills my cup more than time spent with my husband and/or friends, and a good glass of wine mixed with laughter and conversation. It is my lifeline. I plan to keep doing a lot of that in 2019, because doing the things I love the most helps me be the best version of me, which fuels me to be better in all aspects of my life - especially work.

Good times spent with friends deserve good wine to accompany them, which is why I'll be sharing this Yealands Sauvignon Blanc at my table, this year.

This was my first time trying a New Zealand wine, and it was a happy entry into this region's wine offerings. I love how wine flavors are uniquely formed by the regions that produce them, and carefully crafted by the winemakers who create them. Yealands has won a ton of awards for being one of the leading vineyards when it comes to sustainability and that's certainly a philosophy I can get behind - especially since I'm focused on a better way of life in the new year.

I love the crisp fruity flavor and the minerality of this Sauvignon Blanc. It's easy drinking and sure to be a fan favorite for any get-together. I hope this post helps you take the decision making out of your wine store experience, and focus more on the quality of your conversation making with friends.

 Linking with I Do deClaire / Straight A Style / The Blended Blog / Seeking Sunshine / Walking In Memphis In High Heels / Weekend Wear Link Up / Style Splash / Turning Heads Link Up / 

What are some of your intentions for 2019? Let me know in the comments below!

5 Last Minute Outfit Ideas For New Years Eve

It seems like New Year's Eve creeps up on us every year, and every year we scramble to make last minute plans, with little time to properly prepare a NYE outfit. I took the approach of choosing my NYE look first this year, hoping the plans would follow suit. We're actually having a low key dinner with good friends, so my outfit choice might be a little extra but hey...what's new?

With New5Years Eve around the corner,  if you find yourself pulling together some last minute plans, I wanted to help you pull together some last minute outfit ideas as well. I've collected 4 of my own past outfit posts to round up 5 last minute outfit ideas for new years, that will work for all types of plans. I hope you get some inspo and I hope you have the best New Year's Eve!! 

Outfit Idea 1: Wide Leg Pants And A Satin Shirt. 

I feel like every closet should have a chic pair of dress pants. Pair it with your favorite crop top or sweater and you can't go wrong. Full post here

Outfit Idea 2: Velvet Blazer and Jeans. 

A velvet blazer adds the perfect fancy touch to a regular jeans and t-shirt look. If you are looking for the casual glam approach, this is it. Pair the look with fun sequin accessories to take it to the next level. Full post here.

Outfit Idea 3: All black everything. 

This sort of vibe works in almost every situation, almost every time. Grab your favorite black skinnies, and throw on a black sweater, cute top, or even a black tee. Layer the look with your favorite wrap coat and a statement belt, for added dimension and pop. 

Outfit 4: Midi dress with OTK boots.

I love this look for a dinner party! It's probably what the more appropriate choice would be for me this year, but I'm wearing the sequin jumpsuit no matter what! Pair your favorite midi dress with your favorite OTK boots, but a chic, dressy casual look. 

Outfit 5: Sequin Top

When all else fails, go with a sequin top. Dress it up with wide leg dress pants or down with your favorite ripped jeans. Throw on a pair of cute heels and you've got one cute and NYE appropriate outfit. Full post here.

Leopard Skirt + Red Sweater

Did you all have a Merry Christmas? Ours was so perfect getting to spend some quality time with family. I honestly feel like a kid again, because we got so many awesome gifts. Brandon and I have been spending the last few days playing with all our new toys, and taking some time to relax and recharge after an unseasonably busy work December. I'm having to work a little more than I had planned to, but it's nice to end the year on a productive note!

I posted this leopard skirt and red sweater on Instagram the other day, and wanted to get in a quick blog post about it.

I'm going on record and saying that a leopard midi skirt is the staple style of the season - and for good record, too. Let's face it, leopard is neutral, so investing in a leopard skirt is a no-brainer when it comes to versatility factor in your closet. You might remember this skirt from this post. It's been on weekly rotation, for work and play ever since.

I'm also making a case for a good red sweater. A lot of people wear red strictly around the holidays, but I feel like it should be worn all through fall and winter. Nothing says glam like a pretty red sweater, paired with a perfect red pout. It's also a versatile piece in that it can be worn with denim jeans, mini or midi skirts or wide leg pants. I've had this one for a few seasons, but I linked to some lovely options below.

New to my closet (the pièce de résistance) is this Gucci belt. It's safe to say you'll be seeing this on major repeat. I've been trying to play with it and pair with as many different outfits as I can think of. I've always said that expensive pieces are worth it if you can justify how much you'll wear it, and I'm working on getting my pay-per-wear down on this baby.

Be sure to come back tomorrow, cuz I'll be rounding up some NYE outfit inspo - with items you probably already own. 

Leopard Skirts

Red Sweaters

Gucci Belt