{Valentine's Week} The (2nd) Date

Last year the mister and I shared a casual Valentine's Day date, filled with cupcakes, D&D and piggy back rides (remember?). Fast forward a year, and not much has changed. Although our social calendars and obligations may have amplified a bit, there's still nothing we'd rather do than spend time together in the most delightfully casual of ways.

One of my very favourite things to do on the weekend is cozy up in a coffee shop with my boo. Downing caffeine and pastries while making plans for the week ahead is all it takes to make me a happy girl, while Mr. AiF is more of a hiking-up-the-mountain kind of dude. So while I wouldn't be caught dead being outdoorsy in the winter (seriously though, that's cray!), a mini compromise was in order.

After I got my coffee/macaron/lover-man fix, the mister got to enjoy as much time strolling around town as our freezing winter temperatures would allow... It's no great outdoors, but hey, it's better than nothing!

Zara faux fur coat; J.Crew shirt; Gap jeans; Chapters Indigo clutch; ShoeMint booties; Zara necklace

Happy Valentine's Day, love bugs — however you choose to celebrate, I hope it's super! xx

Photos by Brittney Le Blanc

{Valentine's Week} DIY Alice + Olivia Heart Flats

I've been eying the Alice + Olivia Hilary Heart D'Orsay flats for weeks now, but just couldn't bring myself to shell out a couple hundred dollars for such a trend item. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good heart motif as much as the next girl, but on a cost-per-wear basis, the numbers just weren't adding up. So off I went to Forever 21 to track down a neutral pair of flats that I could DIY into the Alice + Olivias of my dreams... And you know what? The end result ain't half bad.

I was able to score these patent flats on the cheap (around $20!), so the DIY process that ensued was relatively pressure-free, which is why I think it ended up being so much fun. It's been a while since I've painted — let along painted little red hearts — so the process was almost as therapeutic for the soul as it was for my wallet... now THAT'S my kind of DIY!

 

What started with laziness turned into full-on intention as I free-handed the hearts across the shoe's surface. The result is rough and a little unpolished, which I kind of love considering the prim and proper nature of the motif... Take that, hearts!

All in all, this is probably one of the funnest projects I've done in a long time, and I've literally been counting down the days to share it with you. So if you end up giving this a try too (come on, you know you wanna!), I hope you enjoy it as much as I did... Go, team DIY!

First photo shot by Sam Brooks; all other photos by Adventures in Fashion

Weekend Reading: 02.08.14

Dying over these mini bubblegum machine valentines — seriously though, how cute are they?!

If you have patience and a steady hand, treat yo' self to this dope mani. 

Loving this oversized heart chain.

"I Make My Living Off a Blog No One's Heard Of" made me rethink my blogging strategy.

Kelly's jeweled heart sweater DIY would have been just the thing for my bedazzled week... dang.

I wish I could sew, because this xoxo heart clutch is amazing.

Suuuuuuper feeling this necklace right now.

Here are some social media management tips from Alex.

Caitlin's French Kiss cocktail has Valentine's Day written all over it... Cheers!

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{DIY} Conversation Heart Ring

I'm a total sucker for conversation heart candy (but really, who isn't?), so I thought it would be fun to make a ring of my favourite Valentine's treat. It's fun, easy and a super cute way to embrace this time of the year, so if you want to be a cheeseball and join the fun, here's what you've got to do!



Using soft FIMO clay, warm a small piece between your hands for a few minutes to make it malleable. Roll out the clay and smooth any bumps or ridges from the surface. Using a knife, cut out a heart shape, working the edges so they're smooth and the heart is symmetrical.

When you're happy with your shape, pop that bad boy in the oven and bake it following the package instructions (mine took about 30 minutes to harden). Once that's done, allow the shape to cool fully.


From there, paint the heart using an acrylic paint (you could even use nail polish!). I chose light pink because it reminds me most of the candy, but you can get as creative as you like with this one. Once dry, use a felt tipped pen to write your message. I had a hard time choosing between "Cute Tush," "Hollah At Your Girl" and this one, but "Text Me Maybe" won out in the end, hands down.


Let the ink dry for as long as possible to avoid smudging, then glue a ring to the back of the heart, pressing firmly for about 30 seconds to adhere... How easy is that? xx

Final photo by Sam Brooks

{WW} 10 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas For Her

Listen up fellas: Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and if you're in need of some gift inspiration for your lady loves (wink wink), here are 10 suggestions to help keep you out of the doghouse. Or, if like me, you enjoy treating yourself to a thing or two this time of year that's sickeningly cute (those shoes!), this here's for you too, ladies... From heart shaped clutches (swoon!) to lip-emblazoned everything (my CC Skye ring is still in heavy rotation), there's no shortage of heart day treats to chose from... Let the shopping begin!

NARS Lipstick | Lulu Guiness Lips Clutch | Alice + Olivia Heart Flats | CC Skye Lips Ring | 
 Chicwish Heart Sunnies | Gorjana Griffin XO Studs | L'Occitane Rose Lip Balm | Lulu Guiness Quilted Lips Umbrella | Diptyque Rose Scented Candle | Julia Child's 'My Life in France'

{Baking} 6 Valentine's Recipes To Try

Sugar makes my world go round (which you'll know if you follow me on Instagram), so when it comes to Valentine's Day, the more sweets the better. In between baking sugar cookies and stuffing my face with chocolate (truth), I often find myself creeping food photos on Pinterest this time of year. So if you have as big of a sweet tooth as I do, here are 6 must-try Valentine's recipes to try... and hey, I'm always around if you feel like sharing. xx

Conversation heart donuts | M&M chocolate chip cookies | Linzer cookies | Orange flavoured beetroot waffles | Red velvet soft pretzels | Peppermint marshmallows

Weekend Reading: 02.01.14

 

1. This here is one seriously fascinating read: The state of the blog union.

2. Kelly's DIY conversation heart balloons are the cutest.

3. Crushing on this cheeky sweatshirt, big time... I may just cave and buy it.

4. My girl crush on Amy Poehler is growing by the day.

5. Check out these great tips for dry brushing.

6. Loved the way Caitlin asked her besties to be her bridesmaids over this fab brunch.

7. 10 moisturizing lip balms you gotta try (I'm making my way through the list as we speak)

8. Stephanie's uber cute workspace makes me want to run out and redecorate.

9. What actually happens to clothes left at the dry cleaner.

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{Valentine's Week} The Date...

My mister and I are diurnal creatures, so the majority of our jaunts happen during daylight hours... Dates included. It just so happens that our favourite activities are better suited to daytime, like leisurely strolls, brunching (our fave!), vintage shopping and coffee-drinking galore (trust me, late night caffeine and I do not mix). Kassie and her adorable hubby snapped some pics of us during a double date last weekend, and despite the piggy backing and Dungeons & Dragons, these photos pretty much capture a typical lobbie day-date... Photos (much to the dismay of Mr. AiF) and all.

In other news, I want to thank Hayden Reis for sending me this adorable striped tote, which is quickly becoming my new favourite work/gallivanting bag. It just has so many pockets and handy snaps that I've found myself lugging it around on the daily, which is always good because my current tote has seen better days... And speaking of better days, I recently replaced my four-year-old coat with this snazzy — albeit nautical — Zara coat. Gotta love end of season sales, am I right?

Happy Valentine's Day, friends — Hope everyone has a fun, sugar-filled day! xx

Outfit details: coat- Zara; beanie- Old Navy; dress- Zara; rain boots- Michael Kors; polka dot tights- Joe Fresh; striped tote c/o Hayden Reis

{Valentine's Week} Two-Tone Lipstick...

When I first saw the makeup from Holly Fulton's S/S 13 show, I instantly became obsessed with two-toned lips and filed the idea away in my mind for this very occasion... And by occasion, I of course mean Valentine's Day (don't hate). Seriously though, when else is it permissible to walk around sporting pink and red lipstick in the light of day if not V-Day? Please don't say never...

Happy Wednesday, friends! xx

{Valentine's Week} DIY Glitter Heart Pins & Shoe Clips...

Valentine's day is nothing without a little glitter and a whole lot of hearts, so when Kassie and I found ourselves having an impromptu glitter heart pin and shoe clip DIY session last weekend, it felt completely natural to us. I mean, why wouldn't you sit around gluing sparkly bits to the girliest of girlie motifs with your bestie? Exactly.

Want to make some festive hair pins, brooches and shoe clips of your own? Check out my shrinky dinks DIY for a how-to guide when making your heart base, as well as this glitter watch DIY for Mod Podge instructions. Then simply super glue a pin or clip to the back of your heart (avoiding contact with your skin, unlike Kassie!) and you're ready to rock... Happy Valentine's week, friends! xx

On me: feather dress- Forever 21; striped blazer- H&M; necklace- Ily Couture; pumps & tights- Joe Fresh // On Kassie: top- Anthropologie; skirt- Jason Wu for Target; coat- Old Navy; pumps- vintage; necklaces- Joe Fresh

{Valentine's Week} Pink + Red...

You guys know I'm a sucker for girlie, over-the-top proclamations of love and the like (ummm, hello!), so naturally a theme week was in order... First up, the colour scheme. Nothing says Valentine's day quite like a little pink-and-red action, so to honour that I went waaaay overboard with both. Typical. To bring this point home, let me tell you a little story: When I described this outfit to my friend Ashley yesterday, she lifted her hand, drew a deep breath and matter-of-factly said "no" before I could get past the varsity jacket. She was probably right but what can I say, I'm a sucker for a little festive colour blocking... Bring it on, Valentine's! xx

Outfit details: varsity jacket- Forever 21; blouse- Topshop; dress- Forever 21; necklace- Urban Outfitters; navajo sequin clutch- Topshop; pumps- ShoeMint; bracelet- House of Harlow; watch- Michael Kors