Best Valentine's Day EVER!

It all started with a dress. :) A couple of weeks ago my friend Heather and I went shopping at my favorite boutique Diva Dollz. I found the most amazing red 1940s style dress that I deemed would be my Valentine's Day dress. Of course no trip to Diva Dollz would be complete without the staff dressing you up to the nines and showing you just how to accessorize what you are wearing. The point they made about wearing a red dress is that you have to wear the dress - it can't wear you. To drive the point home, they draped a most gorgeous hand crafted five strand pearl necklace around my neck. To say that it took my breath away would be an understatement. This necklace MADE the dress. Of course I inquired about the price. Sadly, once that was revealed I quickly realized there was no way I could afford to buy them - not on top of the other purchases I was making that day. :(

Fast forward to the week leading up to V-Day. I had been experimenting with my hair all week to achieve the perfect 1940s hairstyle that would compliment my outfit. I also spent time researching make up and accessories to make sure I could pull off the look just right. Many evenings were spent setting my hair in pin curls (you women of the 40s - I have so much respect for you!) and playing with the results the following day. I found an extremely handy book that detailed how to achieve these classic 40s hairstyles and that went a long way in helping me with my 'do. :)

So let me just tell you, Valentine's Day 2009 will go down in history as THE BEST Valentine's Day ever. B went to extreme lengths to make sure I was spoiled absolutely rotten. I can't get over what an amazing day he had planned for us!

• After waking up with Caiden, B took him out to get bagels for breakfast. He came back with a lovely card and heart shaped chocolate chip bagel.
  
• Later that morning, B took Caiden out for a walk so that I could enjoy some time home alone in a nice quiet house.
• In the early afternoon, B arranged for Carrie and I to go have mani/pedis at LD Nails - my favorite place in downtown Redmond.

Later that afternoon, I started working on my hair and makeup. Luckily, I got most things done right on the first try, so I didn't have to worry about rushing around too much. I was dressed and ready to go just as Carrie got back to our house to watch Caiden for us while we went to dinner.

I found a couple cheap sets of faux pearls that worked fairly well with my outfit. B was quite fond of my look but told me that the necklace and earrings I was wearing simply would not do. He took them off and presented me with a wrapped box. I opened it up and was ecstatic to find the necklace from Diva Dollz with a pair of matching earrings!!! Is he amazing or what!?

And of course I have to tell you how dapper B looked in his get up. He went out and got a brand new fedora, found himself a 3 button sport coat, learned how to fold a pocket square, and overall just looked damn fine!! I was extremely impressed!

After taking a few photos, B escorted me outside where I found yet another surprise! He hired a car to drive us into the city! I couldn't believe it!! We climbed into the car and away we went to the Pioneer Square district of Seattle. Our dinner reservations were at an Italian restaurant called Il Terrazzo Carmine. A charming place complete with a back alley entrance. :) We were a little early so we enjoyed a drink at the bar before being escorted to our table. After ordering, I excused myself to the ladies room. When I came back, I found yet another surprise waiting for me. There was a delicately wrapped little gift box on my chair. I opened it up and was stunned, stunned to find this nestled inside the jewel box:

This stone is going to replace my existing stone in my engagement ring. It is double the size of my current stone and is absolutely beautiful!! I was SO very surprised and overwhelmed by B's thoughtfulness and generosity.

The rest of the evening passed by in a blur, (Altho the Italian Amarena cherries that accompanied my entree were the most divine cherries I'd ever had the pleasure of eating. Words cannot describe how decadent they were.) and we were on our way back home before we knew it.

Without a doubt, this was the most incredible Valentine's Day I have ever enjoyed. B completely outdid himself, and I promised him that even if we stayed at home for the next 10 years, I'd be completely happy because of how amazing he was to me this year.

Without further ado, here are the photos we took before going out (and more photos including close ups of my hair.):