1. Valentine’s Day
Do I think that love should be celebrated 365 days a year? Heck, sure, why not? But I’m still glad it gets its own day. The chocolate and baby cherubs deserve their time in the sun.
Plus…it’s a textbook, absolutely perfect excuse to wear red lipstick, which someone I know did last weekend when he/she went to the symphony.
2. The cherry blossoms
They’re officially coming along, to which my allergies protest, “HELL TO THE NO, WOMAN!”
You want to know something weird??
Of course you do. 🙂 You’re reading MBB, LOL!
OK, here it is: every time I go for a walk around the neighborhood, I check to see if any of the cherry trees are bearing real cherry fruit.
I know, most are strictly ornamental, but when I was a teenager, my friend Jen’s family had a bad-@ss cherry blossom tree in their front yard that was grafted from two different plants, and one side had white flowers, and the other side had pink flowers and actual edible cherries that YOU COULD EAT!
I used to pick some to eat on the way to school in the morning, so now whenever I see a cherry tree in bloom, I take a close look at it to see if any fruit type action is going on.
Because you never know…
3. Having dinner outside (even if it’s just once before the cold weather returns)
Here in Northern California, it is entirely possible to enjoy a meal outside in February.
Just not every February.
Some years, though, when we hit a mysterious stretch of early spring-like weather, you can do amazing things like eat wine and cheese outside at a French Bistro in San Francisco on a Saturday afternoon, which will make you temporarily forget that the Bay Area is one of the MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES ON THE PLANET TO LIVE.
4. Spring makeup
I like how with spring makeup it’s still perfectly acceptable to load up your looks.
Maybe not as much as fall and over the holidays, but it’s still totally cool to wear lots of makeup in spring if you want (well, it’s cool to wear whatever you want, whenever you want to wear it, but you know what I mean). The looks aren’t as stripped down or minimal as they are in summer, and I also love spring’s ladylike looks.
5. Freedom from socks (at least while the unseasonably warm weather lasts)!
As much as I support cats and the wearing of cat footwear and cat socks, there’s just something about toe freedom.
TOE FREEDOM! Last weekend I tooled around town with uncovered toes.
Of course, it got overcast and cold again, but my toes were happy for a day, nevertheless.
Soon…it’ll be time to bring the sandals down from the shelf for good, and cold feet will be a distant memory. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
February is one of the least favorite months for me, I am glad it’s so short. The weather in MI is absolutely horrendous- 0 degrees, icy and I feel like the snow is never going to melt…I am so ready for sandals, or even flats for now and not having to put on a million layers to go out to a mailbox. And I am looking forward to sunny weather so that my skin can stop being so dry!
I am going to Vegas in 3 weeks, it’s not super warm there but definitely better than here 🙂 I can’t wait!
Hi Agata,
Don’t forget to bring moisturizer to Vegas! It’s dry this time of year.
Will you be going for work or for fun?
Can you recommend a really good moisturizer that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?
I am going for fun!
Cerave is great! You can get a huge jar at the drugstore for not that much and it’s super moisturizing. 🙂
My neighbor has a fruit-bearing cherry tree that is on the way when I walk Phoebe at night 🙂 I always stop and sneak a couple of cherries if the birds haven’t gotten to them first!
Oh, gosh, Karen. I read your last sentence as “I’m going vegan in 3 weeks” and had a moment of panic! Haha I don’t think I could ever go totally vegan.
Is it weird that I love wearing vampy colors MORE in the Spring? Idk if it’s residual AHS:Coven stuff, but I love looking dark and grungy in the spring.
Whoops, that was Agata’s sentence. I need more coffee, man…
Hi Estefania,
Ha! I’ve been tempted to snack on my neighbor’s fruit trees, lol! You’re not alone. I may or may not have eaten a persimmon or two. But of course that would only happen if the tree had a TON of fruit on it and I could get away with it unnoticed. *ahem*
How long do you and Phoebe go for walks? Do you guys do one long ones? Or a bunch of short ones?
Oh, and I don’t think it’s weird that you wear vampy colors more. It’s a good time to do it! 🙂
I used to walk her a lot more when we lived in an apartment. We used to go at least three times a day, sometimes with an extra “free-time” on our campus fields 🙂
Now that she has a backyard, she spends most of her time running around outside (and chasing pigeons) until we take a longer walk in the afternoon.
She’s really energetic for such a small puppy! Haha
I bet she loves the backyard. Um, does she actually catch any of the pigeons?!
About that…. She actually did catch a baby pigeon once, and I caught her shaking it like it was a toy. I had to scold her and ended up taking the bird to a wildlife shelter where it healed (Phoebe broke its leg) and was released back into nature.
I felt awful about it 🙁 Now every time she sees a pigeon she looks at me like, “I can’t… right…?”
Oh my. Good thing you were able to get the bird to a shelter! I wonder if it stops by to visit Phoebe… Hey, it could happen.
My dog Shauna (RIP, *sniffs*) was a birding dog too! She loved to chase and catch birds.
So lovely, It’s still really really cold in France 🙁
Not a chance for those toes.
I just love your dress, i’m so jealous !!!
Hi Astou,
Bonjour! Where are you from in France?
BONSOIR !!! it’s evening in here.
I’m near Paris, a big city called VITRY SUR SEINE.
I’m so excited, i can’t believe i’m talking to you !!!
You have so many followers.
I’m such a big fan of yours, you are so beautiful and SO funny, and beautiful…
I don’t know what to say so i’ll just stop i’m becoming creepy !!!
Sorry for my poor english, have a GREAT GREAT DAY 🙂
Bonsoir, Astou!
You are so sweet. It’s nice to talk to you too!
How lucky that you live near Paris. I visited once and enjoyed it very much. I’m hoping I can go back someday soon.
Have you ever visited the US? I live in Northern California, near San Francisco.
Yeah…
All that does NOT apply here, lol 🙂 But I’m glad you’re enjoying this month so far!
Hi Melissa,
When does it warm up in your neck of the woods?
Late March, early April? But I do love winter. I just don’t like the in-betweens. It should be winter, summer, winter, summer, winter, summer,…!
We are opposites. I love the in-betweens, especially fall and late spring. Our weather isn’t that extreme though. Maybe if I lived someplace with snow I’d feel differently!
Hi, no i’ve never been to US.
N-california scenery is so green, and beautiful.
I hope you can come back to France very soon and enjoy more that just Paris… 🙂
Between the freezing cold weather and endless snowstorms (I’m in Boston – 93 inches of snow people!) I have embraced online shopping which means while I don’t get to go out and play at the store I can have my goodies delivered right to my front door sans jacket, scarf, hat, mittens, boots, and 3 layers of clothing. Which by the way makes it a pain the a** to go into stores anyway and don’t get me started on even attempting to swatch anything without stripping down because it’s so dang hot in the department stores. What’s up with that anyway? Anyone else notice this? Last time I came home with the whole bottom of my coat covered in peach glitter!?
I have a friend in Chicago who told me once that she has an intense wardrobe of specialized coats that she needs in order to get through winter. You know what department stores need? COAT CHECK.
That’s brilliant! And I agree with your friend. There is an arsenal of winter gear in my closet depending on where I’m going and how long I’ll be exposed to the elements. It’s insane! I feel like a fool trying to juggle bags and clothing all in the name of blush. In this weather you can’t just run to and from the car without a coat and all your gear without risking frostbite. It’s the kind of cold that gets into your bones and camps out for days.
I can imagine. I visited the east coast a couple times in the fall. It was cold, but not dead of winter cold, but still — IT WAS COLD. I remember my butt bones feeling like frozen popsicles!
LOL, I should start a coat check business for department stores. Hmm…
Are you originally from Boston?
Yes originally from Boston however my hubs and I had a small stint out in Cali from 2011-2012. We had been looking at the 10 foot snow bank outside of our house for months, much like we are doing now, and decided we were done with winter, sold our house, packed up a Uhaul and drove out to Cali with our 2 fur balls in tow. Even though we had family out there we missed Boston. It was just too much of a change for us.
I bet it was a huge change! At least you can say you did it, though, right? So many people wish and wait and they never actually move. I think it’s awesome that you guys at least tried. Where did you live in California?
So we didn’t really know where we wanted to move to but we wanted to be close to family who were spread out all over (Woodland Hills, Petaluma, Novato, Walnut Creek, Half Moon Bay, Windsor and Idyllwild). My husband got an opportunity to open up a restaurant in El Dorado Hills so we decided to settle down in Folsom.
The things you describe weatherwise will probably Happen around Mai where I live…
But I think February is awesome anyway: There is my birthday, Little Beabs birthday and usually some time off of work, whether I go snowboarding or flee to summer like right now.
Hi LindaLibraLoca,
When is your birthday? 🙂
I’ve been loving both Chanel spring releases! I’m also a sucker for cherry blossoms. Though they always remind me now of Ken Wantanabe in the Last Samurai.
I’m so incredibly jealous of your spring-like weather in Cali right now. Where I live we got almost a foot of snow yesterday. Granted, we’re in a state of emergency now and everyone gets a snow day, buuuuuuut I’d much rather be able to have a meal outside than have to layer up and risk dying by an icicle stabbing every time I step outside.
Oh wow! I will send you some virtual California sunshine. 🙂
Haha, I would love some sunshine! It’s currently dumping some more snow here! I shouldn’t be complaining really, since today is my third snow day from work 🙂 That’s always nice!
So awesome that you can see cherry blossoms in Feb! I was just telling my husband yesterday that we really need to play the lottery so we can move somewhere warm. Although for now, I can live vicariously through your pictures and I know I will really appreciate the warm weather when it comes around. I’m going to do some online shopping for sandals so I can dream of toe freedom. 🙂
TOE FREEDOM! Where are you doing your shoe shopping? DSW? If you find anything cute you have to share!
Help me I’m drowning in snow. Oh but how your post lifted my spirits and made me buy a bathing suit online today (no lie). #Boston #BostonSnow #7FeetInMyBackyard #saveMe
Hi Leah,
Nice! What color suit did you get?
I’m jonsing for beach weather too, le sigh!
I wish we could wear sandals here. We are still getting snowstorms. The cherry tree sounds lovely and mmm… at the edible cherries.
I eagerly await spring collections for both makeup and clothing. 🙂
Freshly picked edible cherries are THE BEST. They totally beat the ones you get in the store. 🙂
After reading this, I’ve decided that I like Novato in February (isn’t that where you are?). Never mind that I’ve never been there! No more snow today, thankfully, and the sun did peak through for a while. Not enough to melt the snow, or warm things up, but it felt somewhat normal when I awoke from my afternoon nap. Of course, that was before I went downstairs & saw the snow out my front window.
I’ve always wanted to try Lady Danger but I never remember to swatch it or play with it when I go to MAC. Perhaps that will change this summer/spring 🙂
Hi Kwmechelle,
Yup, I’m in Novato. I moved here a few years ago and quite like it! It has a lot of beautiful hills and the weather is nice. Plus wine country (Napa) is only a hop, skip and a jump away.
Glad you were able to see some sun today (get your Vitamin D on, girlfriend)! When does it warm up enough to melt the snow?
So, Lady Danger. If you like orangey reds you’ll probably dig it. I think you’d pull it off very well! It really helps to have a lip pencil though. I forgot to bring a red one (sigh) so I ended up using a nude lip pencil as a base. Gotta love makeup improv…
Novato sounds absolutely picturesque. Funny thing about Vitamin D, during my checkup last month, my Dr. said my Vitamin D is low & he prescribed some for me. The snow may not melt until the weekend but we’re slated to get more snow tomorrow. Then rain this weekend. Definitely a slow week around here. And I’m all for makeup improv….I made some of my best discoveries that way 🙂
Hi Karen!
We having the same kind of weather as you although I think it is a little warmer in Cali.
I laughed when I read the bit about the cherries. My dad does that and we keep on worrying that he is going to die from eating some poisonous fruit, considering we do not have a clue what is poisonous and what is ornamental.
I just realised that there is a CHANEL store in San Fran. I adding that to my list of things to do when I visit in August.
Enjoy the sunshine!! I will be sleeping as I am on nights (YEH!).
HAPPY TUESDAY!
Hugs from The Great Up North! 😀 😀 😀
Hi May,
Glad you’ve been able to enjoy the sunshine. 🙂
Yes, there is a Chanel store, and it’s HUGE!
February is freezing here in North Dakota, but at least the days are getting longer! Being single the last couple years, I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day either! I’m much more looking forward to spring/summer!
So we didn’t really know where we wanted to move to but we wanted to be close to family who were spread out all over (Woodland Hills, Petaluma, Novato, Walnut Creek, Half Moon Bay, Windsor and Idyllwild). My husband got an opportunity to open up a restaurant in El Dorado Hills so we decided to settle down in Folsom.
Cherry trees are my fave but we don’t have any. We have pear, apple, plum and a crab apple that I’m hoping will have that pink “cherry” vibe in the spring. And, by spring, I mean June. HAHA! We are literally having a “heat wave” today because it will get up to 20 F. It’s been well below zero every AM – this is the longest super-cold streak I can ever remember. Not that my memory is fab for the weather. 🙂
Also going with the “so jealous since it’s not going to get much above 0F here today”. I called my parents on Saturday and they were doing a beer crawl in SF, said it was 70. I was huddled in my car at 5F. Way would have preferred the beer crawl and 70F.
Karen, just reading your post made me green with envy! Here in Montreal, it has been bitterly cold since early January, and I can only dream of sandals and meals outdoors.
Consistently frigid temperatures here in Michigan have me going “Bah, humbug!” to February. It was 14 degrees out thus afternoon, and that felt warm!