Frock Fridays: Be Mine, Valentine

It might be because I went to an all-girls' school from fourth all the way through twelfth grade, where public displays of loving friendship were the norm - don't get me wrong, we had our share of mean girls and then some - but Valentine's Day never seemed like it had to revolve around a romantic relationship.  (Yes, many of this month's posts have been about Jon, except for this one and this one, but it's true nonetheless.)  On Valentine's Day in high school, we dressed up in our finest reds and pinks, bought each other carnations, and passed around cartoon cards and candy as if romance were superfluous to what we shared.

I think I only realized that Valentine's Day wasn't this fun for all unattached women while at college.  Freshman year, a high school classmate who went to Columbia with me was my "date" to a Valentine's Day party at Bliss on 57th.  We knew it was an evening for single girls - we were excited about the champagne, desserts, and free eyebrow waxes and manicures - but what we didn't realize was that every other woman had shown up to worship at the feet of some professional matchmaker who was speaking at the event.  I don't know if anyone there put the yenta's teachings to good use, but what I learned from the evening is that you can have a blast with bubbles and brownies or you can focus on what you feel you're missing.  And who doesn't want to have a good time?

Since I do have a significant other but he's very far away, I've decided to celebrate each side of Valentine's Day to the fullest.  So yesterday I donned my red party dress and my cute flats and the skinny belt with a bow on the buckle and my girliest jewelry... and I passed out conversation hearts at work.  And you know what?  Everyone loved it.  Bubbles and brownies win every time!

[ dress / earrings / bracelet / belt / bag / shoes ]

(In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that my outfit yesterday wasn't quite as high class as the one above.  Everything is at least a few years old so there aren't links available, but the dress is Calvin Klein, the shoes are Sam Edelman, the belt is Banana Republic, the bag is Nine West, and I honestly don't remember where the earrings are from but the bracelet is David Yurman!)