All posts in: For Love & Lemons

01 Feb 2020

A Valentine’s Day For Yourself

Every year, my friends fall into a number of categories when it comes to Valentine’s Day. There are those that are single and hate it, those who are single and revel in it, those that are coupled up and dread it, and those that are coupled up and love it. The latter is typically the smallest pool as you might imagine. Say what you will about Valentine’s Day being a corporate money-making holiday, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s not just a day for couples to celebrate love; it can be a celebration of yourself too. So, if you find that your newly engaged friend is celebrating the day with her partner, perhaps by going out for dinner or by gifting him chocolates wrapped in personalized candy wrappers, do not feel low (or do not hate your single life).

Instead, look for ways to celebrate this day in solitude. Who’s to say you need to be coupled up to be happy anyway? There’s nothing that can stop you from treating yourself to a special gift, perhaps a valentines day bracelet (you can try here to purchase some), a special meal, or a spa experience to show yourself some love. Why not go with your other single mates and enjoy the day together? Or, you could all go for a massive meal and really annoy those couple’s trying to have a romantic dinner. It’s better than wallowing in self-pity whilst you eat a tub of ice cream watching Netflix by yourself!

If you’re one of those that are single and revels in it, good for you! You’ve obviously found happiness in and of yourself, and you don’t need anyone to regulate your emotions! Whether you enjoy going out on the pull for a casual hookup, or you just enjoy watching videos of Angela White or some other porn star in the comfort of your own home, this day is just as much for you as it is for anyone!

If you’re one of those that are coupled and dreads it, you’re not alone. Valentine’s Day brings with it a lot of pressure to perform in terms of finding the perfect gift, cooking the perfect food, and even doing well in bed. It can be stressful trying to perform in all areas, and then you have to out-perform yourself compared to last year too. The first part anyway could be sorted out by getting a customized gift designed solely for your partner. You could choose from a variety of custom-made gift options available online. For instance, you could go for a canvas printed with your couple photos, a coffee mug, or even a cute hoodie (here are some premium custom hoodies); go for anything that would charm your partner the most. When it comes to excelling in the other parts, take a step back and remember that this day is simply a day of love. a step back and remember that this day is simply a day of love. It doesn’t need any grand gesture – your partner should already know that you love them. Keep things simple and you’ll both enjoy the day much more.

If you’re one of those that are coupled and loves it, well, this article isn’t for you. Go away and be happy together somewhere away from the rest of us. You’ve obviously found the magic ingredient, so congrats on that.

This year, we’re putting together a gift guide of things that might be nice to have for yourself. No one needs to know where it came from and you don’t owe anyone an explanation. Happy Valentine’s Day to YOU and happy gifting!

[Urban Outfitters Hannah Velvet Jewelry Box] – $34

Style

25 Dec 2017

What To Wear: New Year’s Eve 2018

Talulah Slip Mini Dress – ~~$125~~ – 62.50

Every year, New Year’s Eve is the holiday that I look forward to the least! Except… for this year because I’m ditching the Seattle cold and bar scene for a relaxing New Year’s vacay poolside in Palm Springs. This is the first time that I’m ever traveling for this holiday, but very much looking forward to it. If there was any downside at all, it was figuring out how to pack from San Francisco for two very extreme climates. Happy to share the news that we survived that ordeal.

New Year’s Eve can be a hit or miss. Since everything is planned so last minute, you have a 50% chance of having your plans fall completely flat or having them be completely fun and spontaneous. Those are the stories that I love hearing about! Here is to a surprising midnight event for y’all, a fantastic outfit to kick things off in, and a very happy new year. Here are some of my very favorite last minute picks!

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29 Nov 2017

Holiday Party Wear 2017

Free People Cabbage Rose Velvet Jumpsuit – $98

It’s so hard to know when exactly to start writing this post to give everyone ample time to start their holiday party shopping. I’m also not the best example of this because I have purchased my dress just one week before and then also five months before the party – as in I didn’t even know the date yet, but I knew I wanted that dress! This year, for the first time ever – I have two holiday parties, but both being very different. My own company’s holiday party will actually be in January and will be somewhat non-traditional in that it’s not how most tech companies celebrate the holidays and I won’t be dressing up, but it will still be very special in its own way. The second holiday party will be with Google at the MOMA this coming Saturday! It’s the first time I’ve also gone to one this early, but I’m very excited to accompany one of my favorite couples – Mandi and Eric for what is considered more traditional – an evening of eating, drinking, museum-ing, and dancing!

It’s funny how every year I go into holiday party mode thinking that I want one kind of dress and actually end up purchasing one completely different. This year, I wanted to throw in a not so holiday party dress color – millennial pink! I know it would’ve been a challenge trying to find the perfect one (likely Topshop) but before I even got to searching, I ended up finding a long-sleeved, mock-neck, lace mini from Aritzia. Stick with what you know, right?

Well, in the brief shopping moments that I’ve had, I’ve been noticing a lot of beautiful pieces for this holiday season. I’m taking a break from work this evening to share with you some of my favorite looks!

Topshop Velvet Lace Mix Midi Dress – $90

Is It Bikini Season Already?!

For Love & Lemons Ibiza Bikini Top / Bottom – $275

It isn’t. But I’m headed to Puerta Vallarta at the end of the month to celebrate one of my favorite girls getting married in 2016 and after assessing what I would be packing with me, I realized that I could probably use a few more swimsuits. It’s been a while since I’ve actually been on a vacation like this or a beach – which is absurd right, cause I live in California? I didn’t think that I’d be able to find anything that I’d like right now much less know of any retailers having their collections out, but we’re in luck! Last year, we were really into cut-outs in swimsuits, but this year, we’re kind of gravitating towards something a little different. One of my friends recently bought a wrap bikini top and she looked amazing! I’ve seen loads of gorgeous bikinis on Instagram so it’s been quite fun going through lots of pictures and getting some inspiration. When it comes to swimwear, comfort is key for me. I want to wear something that makes me feel really confident and sexy. Honestly, I want something that can help me show off my smooth skin (which anyone can get if they consider opting for a Semper Laser Hair Removal Treatment and body scrub). The truth is I spend a lot of time picking out my new swimwear pieces because of this reason! I like to go for a variety of styles like one-pieces, bikinis, tankinis, etc. Shopping for swimwear is definitely my forte, so websites like Hermoza are frequently looked at. So here are a few things I’ve had my eye on and maybe you can all help me pick out one or two that you like best so we can get it ready for Mexico! I can’t wait to go!!

Style

26 Dec 2015

What You’ll Wear to Ring in 2016

Modern-Citizen Handkerchief Draped Dress – $88

Can I just say this? I don’t like New Year’s very much. I think the holiday (if you can even call it that) is completely overrated. There’s so much pressure to have plans and do something very extravagant and as I’m getting older, that’s just not something that I want to do. I just want to have a nice meal and chill. Except this year, we have a Gatsby’s themed party to attend so that’s more exciting than any other day. Last year though, my friends and I spent almost $100 on tickets to see Mayer Hawthorne at some club in San Francisco. Now I love Mayer Hawthorne, but I didn’t love this event. It was crowded, a little bit uncomfortable, and just not worth the money we paid for it. Whatever the case, we’re not going to slum it for New Year’s Day so you won’t be seeing us in leggings or sweats so here are some last minute grabs for whatever event you’re going to.

Style

16 Nov 2015

How We Holiday Party in 2015

Lovers + Friends Primrose Dress – $170

No matter how badly you want things to go a certain way, no amount of effort or time can change what’s supposed to actually happen. You would think that I would’ve learned this valuable lesson by now. For the last two years, I’ve worn black dresses – both very similar to each other. So in my third holiday party with my company, I vowed to be a little bit different. This year was going to be the year that I wore a white dress! So we started the search and the dream dress that I had wanted ran out the day after I had found it online. The dress that I ended up buying was beautiful and a steal as it was 50% off, but it didn’t feel like it was the one – I just wasn’t sure so I had to go to the mall and do my due dilligence – try on all the holiday party dresses to be sure that I was happy with the one I had purchased. Sure enough, I found one and it wasn’t white, but it was the one. You know how sometimes people talk about when they’ve found the one and they just know and they have no other reason that they give, but that one reason? That’s how I felt about this dress today and I can’t say the same for the others.

Now that I’ve finally got THE dress, we can write this post without much worry. I’ll be sure to share the one I actually wear next month in a later post, but since I’ve done some pre-research, the selection I’ve provided below is real good. I’ve scoured everything.