Valentine’s Day. The day of overpriced flowers, stuffed bears holding chocolate boxes, and the impossible to get dinner reservation. Now, to be fair, this year might look a little different on the going out to dinner part… but you get my point.
This is a surprisingly controversial day in our culture. Some rebel against the idea that you have to celebrate romantic love only and instead celebrate the love of friendship, family, or a pet. Personally, I think Valentine’s Day is a bit ridiculous. I like to celebrate love ALL the time. I don’t need an excuse to throw on something spicy and seduce my husband. And I find the notion of giving flowers on Valentine’s Day to be a bit… much. I love roses. But not at $100. PLUS- my husband better be giving me flowers all throughout the year… not just as a copout for February 14th. To that end, here are the ways we keep Valentine’s Day interesting… please note- some spicy content ahead.
First, let’s talk about lingerie. I hate buying it. I hate shopping for it. It’s sort of a daunting process! With that said, here are my top 3 favorite places to shop for something sexy.
Nordstrom– Nordstrom stores and online have a plethora of really classy pieces in all different price points. I would say that their selection is classified as more “traditional” pieces.
H&M– H&M has a varied selection of lingerie online (some physical stores differ in their inventory). I definitely think that H&M is budget friendly but still gives you the “wow” factor you are looking for.
Lovehoney– Lovehoney is sort of my favorite spot to shop for lingerie. Please note: they carry other items on their website so don’t freak out if you click the link. I love their super sexy variety of outfits. And when I say sexy, I mean sexy AF. They are always changing up their inventory and have great sales! They also have something for everybody… you know what I mean? Ahem.
Ok, lingerie? Check.
Now on to dinner. Dinner? In a pandemic? With a toddler? PLEASE. Even before this pandemic, getting a babysitter was hit or miss. Issy and I love to wine and dine. We love a good night out. Last year we discovered one of our favorite spots was doing a Valentine’s Day dinner to go special (pre-pandemic… maybe they had a feeling?) and OMG, it was delicious and perfect for our schedules in regards to work, baby, etc. This year, we are looking to do something similar. In order to make it feel more like a date we will most likely do a super late dinner after we put our little girl to bed.
If you know me, you know I LOVE champagne, cava, bubbly goodness, etc. One of the best parts about Vermont is that when it snows you can cool your champagne on your back porch IN the snow. It happens to be incredibly romantic. There is something so special about pulling a bottle out of the snow, filling up our flutes, sticking the bottle back in the ice cold snow, and snuggling in to watch a movie with my husband. Truly, it’s the best. But- bubbly can be a little expensive, right? WRONG. Head to your local Trader Joe’s for affordable and decent bubbly options. If you are a bit of a snob like yours truly, find a local wine shop and support local business! In Vermont, I head to Dedalus in Burlington. Their staff knows their stuff and is great at helping me find new bottles based on my tastes and past purchases.
Flowers and chocolate. Ok. Like I said, I LOVE flowers. But Valentine’s Day flowers just seem super pricey and it’s not something I need to celebrate the day. But- that’s me. If you are a person who wants flowers- of course, go to your local florist. If you are a woman or man on a budget, then, once again, head to Trader Joe’s. They have ALL kinds of flowers and bouquets at great price points. You do not need to break the bank. And while you are there, check out their chocolate options. Once again, Trader Joe’s delivers GREAT choices at GREAT prices. I cannot recommend them enough for your Valentine’s Day needs.
So, with that said, go forth and enjoy the day in whatever way you want! Spoil your pup and snuggle up for a nap on the couch. Virtual cocktails with your girlfriends? YES, please! Romantic night in with your partner- definitely, yes please. Life is a smidge unpredictable these days… embrace yourself and what you want to make the day have meaning (if you even want to- you don’t have to!) and have fun. Personally, I will wine and dine with my husband at home, wear something comfy, have some bubbly, and make my husband watch Sleepless in Seattle.Cliche? Maybe. Fun? YES.
The Salty Exchange 