The title of this post seems sooooo out of touch. I mean, who CARES what anyone is wearing on Valentine’s day, right? Or what they’re cooking for that matter – there is so much going on in the world right now that caving into society’s outdated expectations of a Hallmark holiday feels wildly inconsequential.
So if getting out of sweats is too much for you right now, that’s totally OK, you do you. If all you feel like cooking up is the best combination of dishes from your favourite takeout, great. And if celebrating love comes in the form of going for a long run or peaceful meditation, perfect. Love is love is love, and while it’s worthy of celebration, there is no “right” way to honour it.
So I’ll do it in the only way I know how – through style. And food. (Of course, food. Despite my Italian heritage, I’ve only just realized that food and love are deeply connected for me) And maybe a cocktail. Because pandemic.
A traditional February “date” would have me heading out into frigid temperatures and having to navigate through snowbanks while looking “cute”. This year? THE WORLD IS MY OYSTER. I don’t have to worry about wearing snow-appropriate boots! I don’t have to wear clothes that will camouflage layers of thermal merino! I don’t have to worry about fancy earrings getting caught in my scarf! I could go on.
So this year, I’m embracing Valentine’s Day at home and wearing my vintage Dior dress. It’s something I usually only wear in summer because it is so fine and light. With the fire on, I’ll be perfectly comfortable.
I’m feeling a bit nostalgic for time in Italy, so I’m going to wear my wedding shoes which I wore when we got married in Puglia. I’ll add some bold earrings and my Ana Luisa necklace of my own design. 10% of every necklace sale goes to the World Federation for mental health, and I’m so proud that my necklace is made of a 100% recycled sterling silver base. Click here to shop it.
I am VERY far from a food blogger or even someone who is talented in the kitchen. But I am the kind of person who pins 5,879 recipes on Pinterest in the hopes that someday, I will take the time to actually make a recipe. That day has come, my friends.
For the cocktail, I’ve chosen a lovely aperitivo from my pal Yvonne over at Taste and Tipple. I’m going to try her Strawberry Fields gin cocktail, except I’ll use rose-infused gin and regular simple syrup because that’s what I have. And if we’re being really honest, there is also a 100% chance I will not be cutting a strawberry into a rose. Because Yvonne’s cocktail will be so much nicer than my effort, here is a photo from her blog for your viewing pleasure:
For the main, I am going to indulge and make myself a pasta dish. I don’t eat pasta as often as I would like, so it’s a treat when I do. For fancy occasions, risotto is normally my go-to, but I’d like to feel truly comforted, so I’m going to make the Date Night Rigatoni from Pinch of Yum. A recipe entitled “date night” – predictable? Yes. But predictability is what I need right now. I’ve been craving the chewy, heavy texture of rigatoni lately (probably because it’s so cold), and I love that this recipe has kale. I’ll likely use spinach and turkey sausage instead of the suggested ingredients. On a completely unrelated note, I’ve decided heavy cream is now a grocery staple in my house.
So – I’ll probably cook all of this for my parents and my husband since we’re all in the same bubble, and that’s totally OK. Love is love is love and that’s what I’m going for.
photography by: Laura Kelly
