Date night: What I'm wearing is less important than who I'm with.

            

    Steve and I had a date night with another couple last night.  I’d been looking forward to our double date all week, which usually includes me spending time thinking about and planning my date night outfit.  This past week was hectic and I was preoccupied with work, kids, home, etc. up until 45 minutes before we were set to leave.  As I did my makeup and hair, panic mounted when I realized I had nothing to wear.  Let’s be honest, it felt like I had nothing to wear.  My closet is full of clothes, but nothing was calling to me.  Spring weather in Portland can be tricky.  We have had many beautiful days this Spring, but yesterday was grey and cold, and also a little humid.  The temperature was too cold for my summer dresses and too warm for any winter clothes I have long grown tired of wearing anyway.  I like any opportunity I can to dress up for my husband, myself, and pretty much anyone else who crosses my path. It’s kind of my thing, but especially on a night out with my hubby.

                My 2 daughters helped me eliminate a couple of dresses, shoes, and jackets, and as time was running out I decided on the outfit I’m wearing in the photo.  None of what I am wearing is new or spectacular but my 12 year old told me that she loved my outfit and that I should write a fashion blog about it.  Thus, here we are: when my 12 year old speaks words of encouragement, I listen.  Usually I’m embarrassing or annoying her.   This outfit is not one I would typically blog about, but taking a cue from Harper, I realized that it does not have to be new or exciting to be date worthy. So I decided to embrace the outfit and mostly embrace my time with my husband and friends, and actually embrace my husband. J The outfit doesn’t make the date, time with the man I am married to does:  The man who took care of me half way during the date when I had an awful back spasm; (Ah, the joys of getting old) The man who traded his decaf latte for my pomegranate margarita at the end of the evening because the drink was too strong for me and his latte looked better.  He didn’t want to drink any more alcohol but he’s pretty selfless that way.

                Here is a rundown of my thrown together, last minute date night outfit: The dress is from Anthropologie and has never been worn.  I bought it the day after Christmas two or three years ago and got a screaming deal.  I heart the sale rack at Anthro the day after Christmas!  The denim jacket from Gap is also a few years old and is a basic for evenings when it is chilly but not cold.   The necklace is from White House Black Market a few months ago.  The Frye boots are one of my favorite things I own and were given to me by my husband for Christmas several years ago.  Frye boots make me swoon.  Like most of my bows, the cream bow is from Claire’s, and the mini bag is from the My Flat in London collection from Brighton.  I like how the necklace dresses up the outfit and the jacket and boots keep it from being too dressy. 

 My 12 year old taught me that I don’t have to wear something new and fancy, although that is definitely fun, to enjoy date night.  As usual, Steve was probably oblivious to the details of my outfit, but he was attuned to me. We enjoyed a fun evening with each other and our friends, and that is better than the perfect outfit, even for me.             

 “The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows and the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.” Audrey Hepburn 

Love always,

Rebecca