Valentine's Day Romantic Red Dresses

Pink Lace Hearts, £15, Dragon on the Fly on Etsy

Saint Valentine has a lot to answer for, don't you think?

Whether it's cards with squidgy Cupids telling you you're 'the one' or bunches of extortionately priced roses, the event now sparks much animosity from singletons and couples alike.

But I can't help getting sucked in. I blame Valentine's Day 1991 which saw a boy in my Reception class give me eleven cards throughout the course of the day. It kind of set me up for years of disappointment, but also years of expectation. Needless to say I never received eleven in one day again; clearly I peaked at the age of 4.

But I've never been upset by the day - the possibility and mystery keeps me entertained. And furthermore, I never perceived it as validating in any way. 

For years I would receive beautiful cards, postmarked from various locations in the UK, and I vividly recall opening the pannier on my bike to discover a red foil covered chocolate heart. For years I didn't wonder who it was; I just enjoyed the excitement and the knowledge that someone was thinking of me. I later discovered it was my grandad (Poppa Ridley) - charmer to the end - who had arranged these acts of kindness. And such events kept my belief in romance alive.

February seems to encourage a relationship rush; the NEED to be with someone. February 14ths of old have seen me with a few boyfriends; one who sent a garish metre tall card; another who made me walk to his house to pick up a bouquet of roses because he was too hungover to get out of bed; and one who mistook me for a burglar and nearly knocked me out.

Which one do you think I stayed with? The correct answer is C. I had skived work and travelled to his parents' house to cook him a meal and surprise him in my finest brand new lingerie. He saw the light on, recruited the help of his neighbour, and swung for me with a log. The neighbour hasn't been able to make eye contact with me since. That was our first Valentine's day, and since then, we decided to be more low key for health and safety reasons. 

A meal at home; swing music playing and perhaps a small gift is all we do. And it's lovely. 

But it wouldn't be Valentines Day without a suitably romantic red dress - So whether you're with someone or not, put on your prettiest frock and deliver chocolate hearts. Happy Valentine's Day ladies xo

Heritage Bicycle - Jane, £990, Heritage Bicycles on Etsy

Innocence Dress, Topshop £48

Nadia Peplum Dress, Hale Bob, $150

Shrug effect dress, Notte by Marchesa, £670

Pout tulle dress, Alice + Olivia, £610

Free People, £178

I just love this! Second star to the right and straight on till morning...John Lewis £120

Fabulous, Ganni, euro149.90

Spicetree Dress, Anthropologie, £238

Red Poppy Dress, £110, Katastrophic Design on Etsy

Red Lace 1950s Vintage Party Dress, £132, Foxy Brit Vintage on Etsy

Satin Jacquard Vintage 1950s Dress, £57, Floria Vintage on Etsy

Vintage 1940s Silk Taffeta Dress, £76, Manic Vintage on Etsy

Tissue Pom-Poms, £13 on Etsy

“What are you going to do with your life?" In one way or another it seemed that people had been asking her this forever; teachers, her parents, friends at three in the morning, but the question had never seemed this pressing and still she was no nearer an answer... "Live each day as if it's your last', that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn't practical. Better by far to be good and courageous and bold and to make difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. 

Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.” 

― David Nicholls, One Day