Playing Dress-Up

Is it so much to ask to just want to get dressed up for a night out or a fancy party every once in a while? I am a big time sucker for a cute dress and pair of heels, but I VERY seldom get to actually wear such an outfit. My everyday work outfit consists of blue jeans, a t-shirt and a hoodie or thermal shirt (it's too friggin cold in GA right now! Summer...come to me!) The closest thing to me being able to "dress up" is when I go out for Mexican with my family every Thursday. Sad. I know. So I put on my skinny jeans, a cute top and heels only to be surrounded by people who :

A.) Just got off work and don't give two craps what they look like


B.) Are moms with 8 screaming kids - complete with "mom" jeans and sweatshirts


C.) Redneck men with Wranglers and Skoal rings (no offence to those of you whose boyfriends/husbands rock this look...I'm just sayin!)


Moral of my story is this is pretty much the only time I get to feel like a girly-girl. That's why I'm absolutely giddy about visiting my boyfriend for Valentine's Day. I am V-Day freak! Repeat - FREAK! I loooove this holiday and always have! I know some people think it's too commercial, and you shouldn't have to only show the people you love special attention one day out of the year - agreed. I love it anyway! I always start planning way in advance cute things to get the ones I love. No one is left off the list; from my boyfriend to mom to little cousins. So I thought I'd share some of my ideas so far :

FOR MOM

My Mom is a very frequent grocery shopper and is always talking about these cute reusable bags...and since I'm always trying to save the environment, what could be better?

FOR BROTHERS

Weird that I get my brothers boxers...? Nah! One less thing my Mom has to buy them!

FOR OTHER RELATIVES/RANDOM FRIENDS

I LOVE baking! These super easy sugar cookies are adorable wrapped in colored cellophane with ribbon.

My BF is a different story. I'm still on the fence about something for him. I'm trying to get really sentimental and sweet this year. Music is his passion in life and he plays a ton of instruments plus listens to music pretty before his time. ( Think Eric Clapton, Jimmy Hendrix, The Beatles) I asked him what a few of his favorite albums ever were, and he said he'd have to think about it for a while. After he gets back to me on this one, I'm going to attempt to paint it on a canvas for him. I'm pretty artsy (used to be, anyway!) and have wanted to get back into painting for a while now, so hopefully this will be a jump start. What do you girls get your guy on Valentine's Day? Any other good ideas?