Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Day 8 (26 + 25 + 20)

26 Grey hoodie sweater + 25 Nude net ruffle dress + 20 high heeled docs =

Day 8 (26 + 25 + 20)

Image 245

I was originally going to wear the navy blazer (I know! It looked grey, which made me feel kind of like a liar when I realized, but I didn’t mean to lie. It’s Navy.) but I decided to go with this one for one reason and one reason only. Comfort. This is as comfortable as pajamas. The navy one looked great as well, and I may still do that pairing before the 30x30 is up, but I have to think about it. This dress has spaghetti straps, which means the blazer could not come off at all during the day. With a knit blazer? No worries! With a blazer blazer? A bit more concern. I’m not sure I’ve ever worn that blazer in that kind of a situation and I KNOW I always end up removing it to let me arms breathe. But maybe I can wear it out one night instead!

Day 8 (26 + 25 + 20)

Day 8 (26 + 25 + 20)

This year I have decided to share The Seven Days of Valentines with you. The Seven Days of Valentines have been around since year two of our relationship. On year one Nathan said “Oh, I didn’t actually get you anything, I didn’t realize we celebrated Valentine’s Day”. He decided to make up for it the next year and a tradition was born. The Seven Days of Valentines has two parts. The poems, and the gifts. Neither are elaborate. The poems are more funny and punny than romantic. The gifts are often only a buck or two. It’s not how much the gifts cost, or how long the poems take to write. It’s the consistency. Year after year, Nathan pauses for seven days to say “Hey. I still think you are really special and I’m glad to have you as my girl.”

It’s my favorite time of the year.

The poem comes first. On simple strips of notebook paper cut to fit the poem. He writes them each morning just a few minutes before presenting the gift. Today’s poem:

Day 1 poem

The poem is a joke about how I get this gift every year, see? And also a clue “gnome more of these” about what the gift might be. I knew right away it was a gnome gift…

Day 1

A plate! Every year Nathan gets me at least one plate. My dream it to eventually have a 12 piece serving set of all different plates, glasses and bowls. I have not started collecting anything but plates yet due to limited space, but I adore each one he has given me.

(If you hate Valentine’s Day, you may just want to skip my blog for the next seven days, but I hope you won’t. It’s not meant to make anyone feel bad or sad or jealous. I just wanted to celebrate this really special thing Nathan does this year.)


Knit Blazer, Target
Dress, Target
Tights, We Love Colors (including black!)
Boots, Doc Martens
Bag, Fossil

50 comments:

grace said...

Oh Lord. That is the cutest thing I have ever heard. Adorable. You are lucky to have each other.

Anonymous said...

What an adorable, sweet tradition. I adore that little gnome plate, too cute!

You look great in this easy, slightly balletic outfit. Beautiful!

Ana said...

Awww, cute! Nate sucks at Valentine's Day. And most romance. Sigh.

I love your outfit, so feminine and pretty!

Ana said...

Awww, cute! Nate sucks at Valentine's Day. And most romance. Sigh.

I love your outfit, so feminine and pretty!

Ana said...

Awww, cute! Nate sucks at Valentine's Day. And most romance. Sigh.

I love your outfit, so feminine and pretty!

Melody said...

that is so cute! Josh (my boyfriend) doesn't really buy me stuff for valentines day instead he'll surprise me with something on a random day. Yesterday I got new shoes!

Alessandra said...

Love your blazer with that dress. Actually, pretty much love your style. Period.

Sian Thomas said...

You look lovely =) And that Valentine's thing is an amazing idea!! The poem is so cute, and that plate...just adorable!! =) Can't wait to see the rest of the 7 days =D
http://xrebelangelx.blogspot.com/

Rebecca said...

Nathan sounds really plate. The gnome plate is adorable!

The Suburb Experiment said...

That is such a special tradition! You two are lucky to have each other.

I want everything you're wearing. Badly. I hope that is a new dress from Target because I'll be pretty disappointed if I go there tomorrow and can't find it.

Did you see Target is bringing back all the best dresses from all their designer collections from the last 5 years? I think in March. I don't know if I can handle it!

Unknown said...

That is so sweet! I love gnomes :)

Katie | FashionFrugality.com said...

1. I am in love with this dress. I always stray away from nude colors because I'm so pale that I'm worried I will just... disappear... but you have me thinking otherwise. This looks BEAUTIFUL!

2. Your poem/gift thing is the cutest thing ever. I love stuff like this - I could care less about getting gifts from my boyfriend, but I love it when it is cute and thoughtful things like this. Can't wait to see more!! :)

laura said...

the seven days of valentine is just soooo sweet :) j'adore!

Unknown said...

That is way too cute of a tradition - how sweet is your guy :)??

And I totally ADORE this outfit - it is beautiful. I love how you paired a structured blazer with a flowy dress and then added lace-up boots - perfect style mixing!!

Chalkdust and Boots said...

Nathan is a sweetie and you look gorgeous. If I may gush more about your glasses, I think they're framing your face beautifully, especially when - like today - you have your hair up. (Although I think you look fantastic with your hair down, too)

Lola said...

I love this outfit - definitely my favorite of your 30x30 so far! And the Seven Days of Valentines thing is so sweet! You are a lucky lady :o)

Melissa said...

You look SO pretty in this! I love the soft color of that dress with the soft gray blazer and the contrasting black tights.

I'm realizing this year that I might be sad on Valentine's Day, especially when my daughter will be with her dad for the first year. Ugh. But, I'm not going to stop reading your blog! :)

Elissa said...

Can I borrow Nathan for,I don't know, like a week, when I'm feeling lonely and ignored? He is too good to be true. Your Valentine's Day tradition is even better than you described to me over dinner. I love that you included today's poem. I can't wait to see what Nathan has in store for the next week!

P.S Your outfit is wonderful. Just sayin'.

www.dresswithcourage.com

Anja said...

love that dress and the bag!! also think it is great how you tuned it down with the blazer! nice outfit :)

Liz said...

Loving the pretty feminine pink color of your dress and how you Erin-fied {or is Erin-fyed} it with those boots and darker tights!

Collette Osuna said...

Your outfit is so cute....love the flowy dress and cool blazer..great complimenting colors....NOT as cute as these little love letters!! Lucky girlie!! Love the plate too!

Stop by and say Hello♥
Let’s Rock the 30x30 Remix..check it out!!♥

Jenny said...

You two are adorable! I love this sweet tradition and this is what Valentine's Day should be about not overpriced flowers and overcrowded restaurants. My hubby's bday is actually Feb. 14 so its always complicated :)

Erin said...

I love this tradition! And I love hearing about the good bits of your relationship (it gives me hope of finding my own awesome man).
BTW, I finally got off my slack self and linked your blog on my Links page. Yay! Because I *heart* your blog almost as much as the 7 days of Valentine's.

C said...

Ah, the sweetness! That is too wonderful for words. Needless to say, I'm quite excited to find out what the other 6 days bring. Though I don't know if the gnome plate can be topped.

Also, when I opened your post, I literally said out loud "Woah! I love this!". This is a killer outfit.

Kelly said...

How sweet! Erik and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day. For some reason I looove celebrating it by doing things for and giving presents to my friends and family, but when it comes to the man I'm actually in love with, I'm just like, "uh, you know I love you, right?" - I'm kind of the worst girlfriend to have on Feb 14.

ANYWAY your bag is gorgeous. Seriously pretty.

archives vintage said...

aw! that is sooooo stinkin cute!!! :D

Elly said...

How sweet! That sounds like a great tradition, and lovely that you two have your own special version of the holiday.

Also, I really like your blazer outfit! Looks so comfortable and stylish...

FutureLint said...

I love how ethereal the dress is with the casual blazer! That is the cutest tradition ever and I want that plate! None of my cups, bowls, spoons, forks, knives, plates, etc. matches. I buy them at TJ Maxx and thrift stores and it's so fun and I don't care if one gets chipped or lost!

Anonymous said...

So cute and sweet (both Nathan and your outfit)!

On V-Day three years ago, right before my dude and I started dating, we were both invited to a "single and bitter" party (the host didn't know we were kinda-sorta-but-not-really seeing each other). He showed up with daisies, dark chocolate, and a card with monkeys that said "I Naturally Select You" for me, and I was hooked.
-Katie

BiblioMOMia said...

Such a lovely outfit! Soft pinks and greys are such a beautiful combo, and I love the soft skirt against the tailored jacket. I'm wearing a grey knit blazer today for EBEW, too, actually!

Erin said...

How adorkable are you both? Nathan for the valentines and you just in general, sweetie!

Linda said...

A blazer as comfortable as PJs? Sign me up!
When the fella and I loved apart for a year, he emailed me daily haikus so there would be one waiting for me every morning. It's the little things that mean the most. Glad Nathan does that for you!

The Auspicious Life

A said...

This outfit is made of WIN. I love it, and the flowy prettiness of that gorgeous pale dress with the blazer & boots. Awesomesauce.

Also, I was just thinking of your plates the other day and wondering how many you had now, so it's really funny that you got one as your first day of valentine's!

Kuenz said...

Your boy is the best! What a great tradition you have - it warmed my heart and I'm not even a part of it! I heart reading your blog - it's by far my favorite of all the blogs out there. You mix fashion with fun and you always pleasantly surprise me. Keep up the great work! You and Nathan make quite a team.

Sheila said...

That is so sweet! I love the gnome poem.

You are rockin' the 30 for 30, by the way! Enjoying your outfits!

Rachael said...

I love the sweet, fluffy dress paired with the business-y blazer! And thanks for sharing the Valentine's tradition - it sounds sweet.

Cara said...

That dress is adorable! SO is the gnome plate... and poem... and 7 days of Valentine's Day... so jealous!

WendyB said...

You're definitely going to see that Gnomeo and Juliet movie, right?

Chantele Cross-Jones said...

Aww that is such a cute look. I love how you have dressed down the smart dress it makes that dress so much more versatile!

Daisy Dayz Home
Cross-Jones-Photography Home

Kathryn from Schoolmarm Style said...

Love, Love, Love!

TrophyBoutique said...

Yay! This gnome plate cheered me up after reading about Indiana's doggie on her blog (Adored Austin).

You two are so cute.

I feel the same way about blazers. They can't be worn like cardigans because they just aren't snuggly enough.

Brittney said...

c.u.t.e.n.e.s.s. and yes, i just typed that out with a period between each letter. look at me, almost as adorable as nathan. but actually not. at all. that's totally inspiring, i think i'll steal the idea. the 6 days of valentines doesn't have QUITE the same ring to it, but it'll have to do for this year.
you look awes. as always.
-brittney
http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com

Keep Warm (Danielle) said...

A friend once told me that you know you're in love when it's THE BEST thing that you can think of. And that's how you know that you are meant to be together. This tradition is THE BEST and I love it!! Thanks for sharing this part of your real life!
PS the dress is so pretty and romantic! Perfect for the 7 days!

Ariana said...

what a great blazer, can't believe it's from target! Cute look!

JavaChick said...

I think your Seven Days of Valentines is adorable!

I have a soft spot for Valentine's day because that was the day my husband first asked me out. At the time I was caught completely off guard and I kind of freaked out, but we've been together for 15 years now, so it all worked out. :)

Linley said...

what a fun plate! (you should share what you have so far!)

love the mixing of that super soft and romantic dress with the dark tights and shoes! looks great!

Laura said...

This is an adorable look! I love the dress and the blazer looks so comfy!

Ms. Falcon said...

love this nude dress. it looks so good with this grey blazer.

http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

that dress is from target? swoon!

http://snappycasual.tumblr.com

Heather - Inner cupcake said...

I love this outfit (and not just because it means that I get to be twins with someone as awesome as you, or because I can potentially steal outfit ideas from how you style this dress). And I want to steal your blazer- I love structured pieces made from flexible mobile fabrics, but haven't found a good blazer yet.