Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Although in many ways I am an Honorary Brit through-and-through, I’ve somehow managed to retain my American zeal for all things holiday. Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, 4th of July (especially) — you name it, I want to ‘Woo!” and celebrate it.
Valentine’s Day, however, is my weak spot. I have mixed feelings. Chocolate, love, flowers, pink-and-red: this I can get behind. Expensive Tuesday date-nights and awkwardly-placed romance adverts? I’ll leave it, thanks. This is why, this year, Stag and I have decided to make the most of Valentine’s Day: by celebrating it at home.
It seemed as though Christmas 2016 was like The Coming of the Cozy; suddenly everyone wanted some ‘hygge’ and fleece-lined-whatever, and they miraculously remembered the awesomeness that is lighting a candle. And then, come January, it was all “Productivity!” “Goals!” “Motivation!” “The best 2017 yet!” Yes, this is a phenomenon I like to call the January-Gym-Goers who Give Up by February, except replace gym with Hygge, when everyone gives up their cosy endeavours.
And then there’s me, rolling my eyes going, “Yawn, it’s Feb I’m still half asleep on the sofa in my sherpa-lined Uggs, see you wake-up-at-6-for-a-run fools later.”
Not to sound all high-and-mighty or anything — but I was cosy before it was cool.
That’s why this Valentine’s Day is going to be so perfect. A Date Night In is the perfect balance between what I love most about Valentine’s Day, and what I love doing most: being with Stag in our home.
“Oh hello, excuse me, is today Valentine’s Day? I haven’t noticed.”
What I’m Wearing/What I’m Doing
Pyjama Set: ASOS | Notebook: Rifle Paper Co | Pen: Kikki K (similar) | Book: Domino: The Book of Decorating
As much as I do love getting dressed up and going out for a date, I find it just as rewarding — maybe even more so — to have pyjamas and loungewear that’s just as beautiful and of good quality. These ASOS rose pyjamas are my absolutely favourite. Beautiful, floral without being too girly and a soft, light-weight cotton.
Seriously, I love pyjamas so much that I’m actually going to do an entire post just dedicated to where you can buy quality British-made pyjamas. Until then, here’s a spoiler: Desmond & Dempsey do the best (but be prepared to splash out), Jigsaw is the best on the High Street and Wild Geese is best for quality-meets-price.
What’s our actual plan for Valentine’s day tonight? Stag is going to cook me steak for dinner (he really does make the best steak this side of a steakhouse). After dinner, we’ll watch an Oscar film with popcorn and pretend we’re at the cinema. Me in my cute PJs.
The perfect Valentine’s Day at home.
5 Things You Can Do on Valentine’s Day At Home
(Replace SO/significant other with BFF/girl gang/ and it’s still just as fun)
1. Open a bottle of red wine. Have an epic Scrabble Night — no TV on, just you, your SO and 7 unusable letters.
2. Open a bottle of red wine. Watch an Oscar Film that you’ve been meaning to watch. Heckle.
3. Open a bottle of red wine. Get a really nice takeaway meal. Dress up and pretend you’re on a ‘date.’ Ask all the awkward questions.
4. Open a bottle of red wine. Have a ‘hobby night,’ where you both attempt to learn some new craft via youtube video. Commiserate that you’re very bad at crafts.