Be.Mine.

This month has already gotten off to a romantic start — Mr. Magpie and I toasted to our six month wedding anniversary on February 7th, and we’ve been reveling in newylwed-hood for the duration of the month.  How appropriate, given that it’s Valentine’s month, and love is in the air…

…quite literally, if you take on the DIY “glittered love garland” project I stumbled upon via the Lovely Indeed blog.  I’d string this up in our apartment to set the mood for our romantic dinner for two, which we’re having catered by BlackSalt {oysters + lobster + desserts = oh my!}, and which will be accompanied by a bottle of Pierre Paillard grand cru, which came highly recommended from our favorite wine aficionado, Julio of Best Cellars in Clarendon.

I spent the majority of my Sunday “Valentine-ing,” baking little love notes in the shape of sugar cookies and starting to assemble the tablescape for our dinner:

{The bottle of sparkling rose was also a Best Cellars find — Mr. Magpie and I went nuts and bought a mix-and-match case of delicious-looking wines and champagnes.}  I had intended to buy some roses at the florist for the occasion, but mini-carnations in a variety of pinks and reds caught my eye.  I normally despise carnations — they read “tacky” to me, for some reason — but the spray of Valentine’s Day colors lulled me into their purchase, and I found myself buying three dozen in varying shades and happily assembling them into a happy little “love-day” arrangement:

Aren’t the colors to.die.?  It’s totally inspired my Valentine’s Day getup, which can most easily be explained via  a simple dressing equation: floaty little top + skinny jeans + spiffy shoes + bling-bling = one pretty little Valentine.  I’m opting for a shirt like this happy geranium-hued find ($22, Madewell), paired with skinnies and some splashy flats (Bloch, $200, Net-A-Porter):

A stack of red and gold bangles are a downtown-chic addition (Amrita Singh, $100, Pink Mascara) —

(I obsess over the mismatchiness of this stack — it looks like a collection you’ve been carefully assembling for years, and over multiple continents.)  I’d probably finish with my blush pink blazer, which is definitely the favorite piece in my closet at present (this version is by Paul Smith — $330, MyWardrobe):

Killer (and I mean killer) shades (I’m obsessed with these scallop-design Chloes — $330, Nordstrom) and a slouchy black bag is the perfect counterpoint to the frou-frou fruitiness of the rest of the outfit (Alexander Wang, $1,360, Mrs. H)

Or how cute would you look in a cowl-neck sweater in cherry red ($152, TheOutnet) with this kitschy kiss-print scarf ($178, ShopKitson)?

I’d finish with some black suede booties (Giuseppe Zanotti, $572, Bluefly):

The Wang hobo above would look slick with this look.  Just finish with a black fur-accented topper — I’m obsessed with my recent Loeffler Randall score, even though Mr. Magpie calls it my “gorilla jacket.”  It looks super chic with streamlined black jeans and sky-high black booties.  If you have the means, this R13 variation is bananas  ($1,560, Farfetch):

Especially with some glammed up bling, like these Ben-Amun studs ($230, Charm and Chain) and this jaw-droppingly fierce statement necklace ($539, LuisaViaRoma):

Any of these work day-to-night, although I’m looking forward to something a touch on the more dolled-up side for my dinner — I’ll be pairing a silky, tomato-red blouse with probably my single favorite pair of shoes in the universe — these hot pink Louboutins, which I display prominently in my closet and smile at every day:

And my other favorite fashion find of the year: a white channeled fur, cropped-sleeved jacket by (this will shock you) Juicy Couture of all labels.  (It’s the same one Kourtney Kardashian wore here and here, and you can still find it at Zappos for $358!)

Get the look yourself with a floaty red chiffon top ($70, TopShop), skinnies, and some fuschia pumps (Sergio Rossi, $252, TheOutnet):

Go heavy on the glam factor with sparkling add-ons, like these vintage-style Elizabeth Cole baubles ($138 for earrings, $198 for bracelet):

A glittery clutch is the perfect finishing touch (on sale for $172! — Kate Spade):

Don’t forget a spritz of your favorite evening-ready perfume (mine is Chanel Mademoiselle — $80 and up, Sephora):

If your plans call for dressier garb, something like this Anlo silky dress has my name written allover it ($278, Thistle Clover)

I’d pair with nude pumps ($260, FootCandyShoes) and a fun little clutch (Lanvin, on sale for $543, Matches):

Some sparkle is necessary here, and I’m loving these ladylike drops ($98, Max and Chloe), and this glittery bangle (Alexis Bittar, $195, Intermix):

Alternately, I’m head.over.heels. for this asymmetrical, pleated number by Richard Nicoll ($315, Net-A-Porter), which I’d pair with these gorgeous Kate Spade enorma-studs ($125, Kate Spade):

I’d pair it with some bright red peeptoes (these coral-red Louboutins have been on my love list for far too long…swoon — $715, Barney’s):

And then maybe round it out with this blush glittered clutch ($35, Dorothy Perkins):

And finally: the absolute dress of my dreams?!  This unbelievable Giambattista Valli shift (d.i.e. — $2,230, Net-A-Porter):

Let the dress do all the talking.  Just add some nude/blush pumps (Jimmy Choo, $495, Net-A-Porter) and some deco-style earrings (l.o.v.e these Lulu Frosts — $350, Charm and Chain) and you’re the perfect Valentine:

And hey — if you’re flying solo this year and just need a little perk-me-up for yourself — a little self-serve Valentine — consider this delicate heart-shaped necklace ($140, Erica Anenberg):

Or how about these delicate-yet-organic-looking finds by ByBoe ($38 for ring, $40 for studs):

For something on the higher-end of the scale, how much would you cherish one of these darling little heart-shaped Louis Vuitton money purses ($405, Louis Vuitton)?

Or go all out and let your bag do all the talking for you with these gold “Amore” clutch by Moschino (on sale for $598, Moschino):

Ooh la la.