From Day to Night ~ Valentines Day Outfit

This time of year means cold weather with snow or ice on the ground here in Alaska.  I recognize that many other parts of the United States are experiencing harsh winter weather. As much as I want to dress up and feel pretty, it can be a challenge to balance style with comfort.  Here I go stepping out of my comfort zone a little as I share a Valentine’s Day outfit which can go from day (office) to night (out with your sweetie) all while being well-suited for a cold winter day.

Valentine’s Day Outfit ~ Layering Basics

This outfit pulls from basic pieces in my wardrobe: a classic dress slack in black from 212 Collection (purchased at Kohl’s this winter), an off-white Liz Claiborne tank top (purchased at JC Penneys over a year ago) and a gorgeous berry colored cardigan from Cross and Barrow (Kohl’s last year.)  Layering is key here in Alaska where the outside temps are chilly, but many public buildings feel like a sauna inside. I have tried wearing long sleeves under a cardigan like this in the past and have ended up feeling sick from being overheated indoors. 

While a nice short boot with a heel would work, what I have in the house and use the most right now is a pair of Liz Baker black boots purchased at JC Penneys years ago.  I have wide feet and these were not only my size, but also on clearance!  The best thing is that I can wear thin wool socks under the boots to help keep my toes a little warmer.

Rounding it off is a set of pearls (necklace and bracelet) that were given to me many years ago when graduating high school.

Polishing Your Valentine’s Day Look: Hair and Makeup

Makeup and hair are something that I rarely play with these days.  I tend to go for a more neutral pallet with a splash of color on the lips.

For this look, I have on a mineral powder foundation, cheek color in a berry, and eye color in Moonshine and Hazelnut  (all from Mary Kay and in need of replacing soon!)  I used a little dark brown eyeliner to help the eyes pop more. And, some powder went on top as a finishing touch. The lipstick is a personal favorite, Ginger Flower from Clinique, which I need to replace as my tube is almost toast.

As my hair is getting longer these days (almost 2 years since it was last cut), I wanted a style that would have it up.  I curled using hot rollers to even out the natural waves on my right with the straight on the left. Then, I did a small pompadour on top with the sides pulled up and pinned behind as shown in this YouTube video by Vintagious. It didn’t come out quite as I hoped, but not terrible for a first go.  I need to work on getting curls to stay put better so they can flow down my back.

Finally, I wanted to complete the look with some bright nail polish.  I chose Pink Chiffon from L.A. Colors Color Craze line as I felt it fit a ‘pretty in pink’ theme.

Overall, this is a great outfit to fit a variety of situations up here in Alaska.  I’ve worn this into a work environment, to church on Sunday, and would definitely wear it for date night.

What is your favorite casual outfit that makes you feel pretty?
What colors do you equate with Valentine’s Day?

 
More Beauty & Fashion Ideas for Valentine’s Day

If you’re looking for other ideas to make your Valentine’s Day a little bit more special, I’m sharing a few ideas from my favorite bloggers.

• Easy Valentine Nails from The Socialite’s Closet
• Romantic Date Night Outfit from Style on Main
• Peppermint Chocolate Milk Bath Recipe from Pretty Opinionated
• DIY Rose Sugar Lip Scrub from Philzendia
• Winter Beauty from The Guavalicious Life
• Leashes and Collars for Valentine’s Day from Two Little Cavaliers
• Rock and Roll Valentine’s Day from April Golightly