I love Valentine’s Day. I grew up with a mom who made every single holiday feel like Christmas. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, etc. were celebrated in full force with home decor, thoughtful gifts, themed dinners, and more. She still does this, but as I’m not living in CT anymore, I try to carry on that energy in my Brooklyn life.
Another tidbit she instilled in us about Valentine’s Day is that it’s not just about celebrating love with a romantic partner. It’s also about love for your family, best friends, and pets. While this doesn’t make me immune to feeling a certain type of way on Valentine’s Days I spend single (like this year), it does help me continue on the celebration and not want to crawl under a rock.
Here’s how I am getting in the mood this week -
Whether it’s trending or not, I love the color red. A classic red cardigan is a perfect staple to brighten up any plain look. I have been wearing this thin cardi from Madewell on repeat, and it’s on sale now at Nordstrom.
It’s no secret that I’m a Nuuly girl. I especially love leaning into clothing rentals for holidays like this. I might not get much wear out of a heart-adorned midi dress all year, but thanks to Nuuly, I’ll be wearing it this Friday and returning it next week. P.S. Nuuly comes quickly, so if you order today, you’ll likely get a look in time for Friday!
“We should buy cute things anyway just for ourselves 💕” a text from my sweet friend Carly when we were discussing lingerie (follow her amazing interiors Substack here). I agree! You don’t have to wait for a partner to wear beautiful lingerie, and For Love and Lemons is my favorite.
I love wearing red socks (with my pink ballet flats, especially), and these cute ones with hearts from Amazon are cheap and fun.
For days when you don’t want to wear lingerie but instead comfortable, well-fitted, cotton underwear, look no further than Negative. I’ve had my eye on this brand for a while now (but they’re not cheap), so I asked for this pack for Christmas (thanks, mom!) and can now confirm they’re worth the price.
I have purchased these flats from Everlane in a few colors, and when I recently saw the classic ballet color on sale, I grabbed them immediately. They are the only pair of flats that I’ve had that take no time to break in and can be worn for a long day of walking in NYC (I had the opposite experience when I tried their “The Day Glove” style, though).
Clementine Bakery in Clinton Hill is not only vegan but also has the cutest holiday-themed treats, and I’ve been enjoying their Valentine’s Day pastries for five years now. Pro tip: Get there early on Valentine’s Day; they sell out quickly!
I’m not sure how I hadn’t heard of Pomp and Circumstance in Williamsburg before, but I am now a big fan. The Mediterranean food was delicious, the natural wine flowed, and our waitress was SO sweet.
I’m planning on becoming a regular at Plus de Vin after visiting for the first time this week. You walk into a beautiful space, with perfect lighting, and the friendliest energy from the woman working (I didn’t catch her name, but she was blonde and so bubbly. Especially after a long Monday, walking into her uplifting energy was a treat). The wine and snacks were great, and I’m looking forward to returning to enjoy their garden.
Baba on Withers! Baba Cool in Fort Greene is my favorite co-working spot, so I was excited to see that they had a bar in Williamsburg. The cocktails were especially good, and their wine list included some of my favorites. Again, the staff here was awesome. (I was especially lucky with friendly faces this week!)
I wanted to find some small decorations that would bring the Valentine’s Day spirit to my apartment and found these medallions at Anthropologie. I have them hanging from my fireplace mantle, which I love because I have been missing my Christmas stockings! I used the same stocking holders to hang them, too.
Pura is the easiest way to have your home smell fresh consistently. They have scents from one of my favorite candle companies, Brooklyn Candle Studio, and their scent “Love Potion” is perfect for February and beyond.
My mom gifted me this glass from Anthro last year for Valentine’s Day, and I love drinking from it all year round. I’ve purchased it many times since as gifts and bought myself the glass with other icons (like a black cat for Halloween!).
My favorite purchase (maybe ever) is this fake fireplace from Amazon. It took me about 1-2 hours to put it together myself (and I am NOT handy), and it has completely changed the vibe of my apartment. It makes the space feel so warm and homey. I live in an older Brooklyn apartment building, so I am always sweating (IYKYK), so I don’t turn the heat on, but it is an option.
This flush balm from Merit is an easy, versatile product that I use on my cheeks, lips, and even eyelids sometimes. I used to dot it directly on my cheeks, but found that I was accidentally ending up with too much product, so now I dab my brush on the blush, and press it into my cheekbones.
I get my nails done at PH7 in Fort Greene, and the shade “It’s Raining Men” from Deborah Lippmann is my favorite color for my toes (the name might have something to do with that).
I’ve never shied from a red lip but have been leaning in lately. As someone who historically wears heavier eye makeup with a cat eye, I’ve been loving the “French Girl” look - minimal eye and face makeup with a bright, red lip. I just got this gloss stick from Fenty in the shade “The MVP.” I love the color and that it’s not sticky.
As someone who’s experienced body acne for almost 20 years (figuring out and typing that was shocking for me…), my butt has been no exception. Especially when I want my by butt to look it’s best ;), I have purchased the “Le Tush” butt mask from megababe many times.
Burn, baby, burn! I received this massage candle from Maude in a gift bag years ago and have purchased it since. Whether you want to use it for a romantic night or some self lymphatic massages, the oil feels and smells great.
I am prone to migraines and very specific about perfumes, for a long time not wearing any. I was invited to The Maker’s hotel shop in NYC (you might know them from their beautiful hotel in Hudson, NY). The woman was very knowledgeable and incredibly helpful in picking scents that worked for me. I went home with “naked” and “wild,” which have become my daily scents. (Bringing someone there for the experience would be a great gift too…).
“I’m Still Here” is the movie of the season! I am still on my quest to watch every film nominated for an award this season (tracking list here). I’ve now seen every movie nominated for Best Picture, and my choice would be “I’m Still Here.” It was a beautiful and heartbreaking true story with incredible acting. The film is in Portuguese, but it was so engaging that I didn’t feel distracted reading the subtitles. I saw it at Alamo Drafthouse.
I watched “Blitz,” as it was nominated for some BAFTAs and a Critic’s Choice Award. It is a World War II story about the London Blitz. I enjoyed it but wouldn’t say it is a must-watch. I watched it on Apple TV.
I loved “Sing Sing” and can now understand why so many people were disappointed by its Best Picture Oscar snub. It’s based on a true story about a theater program in a prison. Some of the actors are formerly incarcerated men playing themselves - they were amazing along with the talented Colman Domingo. I highly recommend this one! I rented it on Apple TV.
I’ve been balancing out the seriousness of this year’s Oscar noms with reality TV. I’m a big “Love Island” fan and am enjoying this all-stars season. It’s not anywhere near last year’s Love Island USA, though. I’m watching it on Peacock.
I still love watching all of the Charlie Brown holiday shows as I did growing up, and “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” is a favorite. You can find this nostalgic one on Apple TV.
Tonight is night 3 of Grant Ellis as “The Bachelor.” I like Grant so far and think this group of girls is fun. This show doesn’t thrill me as it used to, but I’m still along for the ride. I watch this live on YouTube TV or Hulu.
I think Fresh Sends is such a cute, fun way to send flowers as a gift. The flowers come wrapped in newspaper, and now you can even add another gift.
More stuffed animals for adults! Warmies can be warmed up, and they smell like lavender for extra comfort.
Kate Mcleod body stones smell amazing and feel incredibly nourishing. I have used others from her before, but this heart-shaped bar is a perfect gift!
As much as I’ve eyed the puffy heart trend, I haven’t pulled the trigger on a piece yet and am regretting that this week! This necklace from Roxanne Assoulin is an updated way to gift jewelry this year.
That’s all for now! I hope everyone has a love-filled week and enjoys the long weekend.
xx Erin
Love all of this ♥️🏹 and here’s to buying cute things just for ourselves forever!