I love ME / Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's the challenge:

this Valentine's day, celebrate yourself.

I've realized that I'm happiest when I am trusting my gut. Loving who God created me to be. Taking risks. Just doing me. This seems to be the theme for The Refined Woman this year.

We are done playing it safe. We are ready to step into bigger and better -- even if it scares us.

I am finding that this also applies to how I dress. We've always said that clothes are an expression of what's happening within. The right outfit can make you feel good, but there has to be something inside to start.

This outfit represents me saying YES to my own voice and NO to others. Even if the other voices are good ones.

For example, my husband doesn't like this dress (which I'm wearing as a top). He doesn't think it's flattering. But I kept coming back to it. Something about the silhouette inspired and delighted me. So I bought it.

My very best friend -- who I trust on all style-related things -- gave these jeans two thumbs down when we were purging my closet for my Fall Capsule wardrobe. Not flattering. Too wide. Weird pockets. But I love them, and it's hard for me to find good denim that's long enough. So I put them in the winter bin. Recently I revisited the bin in anticipation of my Winter Capsule and I decided I still love them. It's happening. So why not pair a big dress and wear that as a shirt with big pants and just let it all go. It makes me happy! It may be man-repelling but I'm cool with that.

Happy Valentine's Day, lovers.

What will you do to celebrate your unique style on the 14th? I'd love to know.

If you want to see behind the scenes on how to do the makeup for today's post - be sure to visit Melissa Hoffmann Beauty to get the step-by-step tutorial!

XO,

Em