{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} Girls Night In

There's nothing like Valentine's Day to get Kassie and I in the mood for sweet treats (understatement) and friendship photos (exhibit A and B), only this year we opted to keep things a little more casual. Ice cream, manis and a Sex and the City marathon was all we needed for a happy heart day, because really, is there anything better than a good old fashioned girls night in?

{ These lip slippers are probably my favourite gift this year — Mr. AiF popped them into our shopping cart after I eyed them up at Joe Fresh, which I thought was so sweet }

Forever 21 sweater | Aritzia leggings | J.Crew necklace | CC Skye lips ring | J.Crew bangles | Michael Kors watch

{ Making ice cream sundaes with heart sprinkles and maraschino cherries made us feel like kids again }

{ "I know it sounds mental, but sometimes I have more fun vegging out than when I go partying. Maybe because my party clothes are so binding" — Cher Horowitz }

J.Crew tee | Anthropologie cardigan | J.Crew necklace

{ Having a white nail moment with this American Apparel polish — is there anything better than painting your nails with a girlfriend? }

Good friends make life all the more sweet, which is why it's so important to make time for loved ones and celebrate the little things... So grab your bestest bestie and let her know that she'll always be your Valentine. xx

Photos by Aaron Camponi

{Valentine's Week} DIY Love Bug Pins

I've had the idea to make "love bug" pins for months now, so I'm super excited to finally be able to share this DIY with you guys... Seriously though, how cute is this? I'm so in love with these little guys and all I can think about now is what else I can turn them into... Rings, earrings, stir sticks — the possibilities are pretty much endless!

So if you want to make a set of your own, here's what you'll need:

— Small plastic bugs (you can find similar ones in toy stores).
— Gold spray paint.
— Red acrylic paint.
— Thin paint brush.
— Pin backers (available at most craft stores)
— Strong adhesive.

Start by spraying a coat of gold spray paint evenly over the figures. Once fully dry, paint a small heart on their sides using acrylic paint. My best advice would be to make two parallel dots and then join them together in a 'V' shape.

From there, secure your pins to the back of the insects using a strong glue, pressing down firmly for at least 30 seconds to adhere. Allow them to dry fully before clipping them on and heading out the door... So easy!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you guys enjoyed today's Love Bug DIY! Stay tuned for more fun Valentine's posts throughout the week... xx

{Valentine's Week} Put A Heart On It

Tshirt- Comme des Garcons PLAY (mens) | jeans- Forever 21 (similar style) | plaid blazer- Joe Fresh | heels c/o Forever 21 | bag- 3.1 Phillip Lim | beanie- Zara | necklace- Barefoot Contessa | bracelet- vintage | ring- House of Harlow

Valentine's Week is finally here, so it only seemed appropriate to bust out a heart motif — especially when said motif falls on the more PLAYful (get it?) side of the spectrum. I love a good casual look this time of year, with subtle nods to the holiday trumping overt displays of Valentinesiness (can that just be a word for today?). Plus I would never turn my nose up at a red jean, so there's that.

Stay tuned for more Valentine's-themed goodness coming at you throughout the week, and as always, thanks for reading, lovelies! xx

Photos by Andrew Tarver

{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