Valentine’s Day is an especially memorable holiday for us because Dash is our Baby Cupid and shares a birthday with the day we celebrate love, but there’s a number of other reasons I love this February holiday–namely, having good reason to pull out Valentine-inspired things out of my closet. I’m looking at you, pink neck bow. Speaking of neck bow, taking the #1 spot in the list below is the perfect romantic neck bow blouse, at Target now. Also in this list–my favorite red shoes, the prettiest bra I own and a red skirt that made angels sing in the dressing room at Anthropologie last week. My Valentine-inspired favorites:
- Who What Wear Blouse with Neck Bow
Let’s have a round of applause for the neck bow, please. You know I love my neck bows, and this blouse does it right–big enough so it doesn’t hang limply and balanced out perfectly by the delicate blush color. And I love the sleeves–fitted around the wrists and then subtly ballooning out into a little poof. - Noonday Collection Orbital Earrings
Aren’t these fun? They’re part of Noonday’s new spring collection, and every piece is divine. White t-shirt, jeans, and these babies is all you need. - This Matte Lipstick (Color: Love)
I keep this in my car console so I can quickly fix one of those “Dear God, I need help” situations when I pull the rearview mirror down to take a look before I step out of my car. It’s the perfect matte red, and it instantly makes you look put together. - Heart Sunglasses
Super affordable and F.U.N. I’ve been wearing them on my runs to trick me into thinking running is fun. - Glossier Cloud Paint (Color: Puff)
Santa slipped this in my stocking last year, and I’ve used it every day since (I also use it in Dusk). I love this soft pink color–all you need is a little dab on the apples of your cheeks to give you that natural flush. - The Bee & the Fox “Mother” Tee
Whenever I’m looking to add a new graphic tee to my collection, Bee & the Fox is one of the first places I go to. I love their simple tees, and this one’s blush/red combo is perfection. - Halogen Emilia Loafer
These were my favorite shoes I bought last year, and I wear them all the time. Red shoes are my favorite way take an outfit up a notch, and these work with everything–skinny jeans, skirts, black pants, overalls. And I love the shiny patent leather! - Free People Adella Bralette
I have this bra in three colors, and it’s the prettiest one in my drawer. It’s not super supportive, but it’s really great for loose shirts, strappy or off-the-shoulder shirts or anything low cut because it’s pretty and delicate enough to peek out without screaming “I’m a bra.” The tiny double string straps are a work of art. - Pink Vans for Madewell (super affordable, on sale)
The perfect blush color, retro vibes and that subtle platform sole…total score. - Scarf Hair Tie
I was given a couple of these for my birthday, and I’m in love. Lainey’s already stolen one of them. Instantly turns a workout ponytail into something chic. - Anthropologie Sandra Belted Skirt
Very Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley. I fell in love with this skirt the second I saw it on a rack when I walked in Anthro last week, tried it on, and the rest is history. If I wasn’t sold already, the other women in the dressing room did it for me. One woman walked out to go find one for herself and another told me, “If you don’t buy that, you’re crazy.” Thank heavens for the gift cards I saved.
Are you a dress up for Valentine’s Day kind of gal? There’s always the subtle route of a little pair of conversation heart earrings or shoe clips.
Now, with more hustled schedules and responsibilities, I find I often need a reminder to pull it out, and not just to take photos of the kids–although I do want to make sure I capture their evolving ages so that the photo archives don’t fizzle when they lose their baby teeth. It’s that I want to stay connected to this thing that has brought me so much joy, and use it to pay a little more attention to the world around me–maybe even broaden my lens when motherhood feels all-consuming. I want to remember to take photos of the tulips in the mason jar when that sliver of sunlight is hitting the dining room table just right, or the hallway pile of little tennis shoes that makes me smile, or a close-up of Nella’s braid, its loose hairs and red ribbon creating art against her eyelet blouse. The years of photo archives in my computer are like volumes of diaries–the moments and scenes that have inspired me to grab my camera. Those scenes change with time, but everyone has a life full of them–people and places and little things that interest us, delight us and make us pay a little more attention to the world and its light.
I’ve been taking photos of these things for years and am always surprised when I hear people say things like “I wish I could take better photos, but I’m not creative” or “I’d take more photos if I had something to photograph” because the joy of photography shouldn’t be limited to certain people or lifestyles. So last year, I created FRAMED!, a 3-week interactive online photography course to help make beautiful everyday photography more accessible to people who want to take better photos but are overwhelmed by all the technical aspects. Or maybe you used to take photos but lost your inspiration; or you do take photos, but they all sort of look the same and you’re looking for some new creative perspectives. I created FRAMED! for all of those reasons, and the third round starts next week (February 11).
It’s my favorite thing to lead–three weeks with assignments, lessons, online support and an amazing creative community; and it’s all intended to inspire you and motivate you to try new perspectives in your photography and give you tips and tricks in layman’s terms on how you can use light, angles, colors, space and editing to make your photos come to life and share them in engaging ways.
You can read a number of testimonials from past participants (25% of them came back after Round 1 to take Round 2 again!) 
So, class starts next week, and if you’d like to join us, you can sign up 
Click here
