Valentine’s Day might not be your favorite holiday, but, if nothing else, it’s a reason to dress up and celebrate. Whether you’re spending the evening with your partner, gathering your crew for a night out, or honoring the occasion with a bottle of wine at home, the holiday is a great excuse to get yourself a brand new outfit. We’ve gathered pieces to make you look and feel fabulous this Valentine’s Day, regardless of how you spend it. Casual, chic, or cozy—you choose your vibe:

Galentine’s Day

Maybe you’re single and not ready to mingle, but you want to take advantage of the season of love. Grab your closest pals and hit the town! Dinner, drinks, and dancing await you. What to wear? Simple. Something bright, young, and beautiful.

ROMANTIC DINNER

Though Valentine’s Day might not be your anniversary, it’s a momentous occasion for couples nonetheless. A nice dinner for two requires a look that is elegant but not over-the-top fancy. Heels, a new dress, and a smoky eye are all it’ll take for this type of date.

CASUAL DATE NIGHT

Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone, but it might be hard to ignore the many restaurant and bar deals. The perfect look for this means decking out your go-to jeans and booties outfit with a stylish twist like pleather pants and statement shoes.

CHILLIN’ AT HOME

Need an excuse to buy that pajama set you’ve been eyeing up? Now is your chance. Loungewear is the easiest way to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day. Something soft, trendy, and totally worth spending the evening at home is exactly what this Valentine’s vibe is all about.

Step aside, diamonds! Sparkling blue and dazzling purple gems are sweeping jewelry stands across the nation. Rough-cut and bright, geode jewels are all the rage.

Take in the outdoors while the sun is still warm and the days are long; it’s the perfect time to unwind with a picnic.

B. Willow to open in Canton
After two years of laying down roots on West 27th Streetin Remington, everyone’s favorite plant palace, B. Willow, is opening a second location in Canton. The two-story space just off O’Donnell Square will host their already excellent array plants and terrariums, as well as a selection of furniture and home goods from Cedar & Cotton, a local company specializing in new and vintage furnishings. We have a feeling that everything in this store will spark joy. Sorry Marie Kondo. 2822 O’Donnell St.

Radcliffe Jewelers thrives in new Kenilworth home.
This past September popular local jeweler Radcliffe made the move from Towson Town Center to The Shops at Kenilworth and has been received with open arms—and more parking spaces. After over 30 years in the mall, Radcliffe is happy to be in a new space that has a real community feel with other local retailers like Ruth Shaw, About Faces, and South Moon Under. Along with their new digs, this location offers styles from Rolex, David Yurman, and many more. Keep an eye out for upcoming trunk shows and their big annual sale in April. 800 Kenilworth Dr., Towson, 410-321-6590

Poppy and Stella to open in Old Ellicott City
Fells Point favorite Poppy and Stella announced they will be opening a location in Old Ellicott City this April. The store, which was once home to toy store All Time Toys, will feature a similar assortment of shoes, apparel, accessories, and gift items from brands like Sam Edelman, Knot Sisters, and Dolce Vita to name a few. Follow along on social media for more details on the new store and an opening date. 8185 Main St., Ellicott City

Cohen’s Clothier closes after 115 years in business
It’s the end of an era for preppy style institution Cohen’s Clothier. After 115 years in business, the shop announced via Facebook earlier this month that it would be closing its doors for good. Originally located on South Broadway in Fells Point, Cohen’s was first opened in 1904 by Max Cohen and has stayed in the family as it evolved, expanded, and relocated to its Cockeysville location. In a message to his customers, owner Gilbert Cohen explained that their current lease was up and that the time had come for him to retire. “Goodbyes are never easy,” states Cohen. “But the satisfaction of filling a need in our community for so many years will remain.” 64 Cranbrook Rd. 410-666-8020

You may have noticed a lot of zoo-inspired prints at your favorite shops this season. It seems we’ve said goodbye to the ever-popular floral prints and opted instead for bold animal prints in natural—and not so natural—colorways. From leopard to snake, there are many ways to incorporate this statement-making trend into your wardrobe.

Eric Michael sandal ($108) at Poppy & Stella.
Brilliant Ideas journal ($10) at In Watermelon Sugar.
QRTZ watch ($30-$40) at Poppy & Stella.
Bloomingvale palm plate ($12) at Su Casa.
Crap Eyewear sunglasses ($58) at Brightside Boutique.
Mama mug ($13.50) at Trohv.
Miya mini plate ($7) at Curiosity.
Mother’s Day Card ($4.50) at Bmore Babe Design.
Canteen bag ($165) at Bosom Buddy Bags.
Turkish towel ($29) at In Watermelon Sugar.
Instax mini pink camera ($57.95) at Service Photo.
Blush No. 2 ($11.01) at Boordy Vineyards.
Apricot Jam ($16) at Trohv.
Miya mini plate ($7) at Curiosity.
Beatle dish ($4) at In Watermelon Sugar.
Palm Server ($34) at In Watermelon Sugar.
Aromatic Savory Salts ($13.50) at In Watermelon Sugar.

Sit back, relax, and allow yourself to be transfixed by the swirling color explosion and amazing smells of these bath bombs—guaranteed make your bath time much cuter, calmer, and cleaner.

Da Bomb Bath Fizzers Earth Bomb ($4.99) at Target

Sparkle bath bomb ($5) at Katwalk

ME! Bath Pomegranate Mini Ice Cream bath soak ($9.99/12oz package) at Target

Pink shimmer bath bomb ($6) at Brightside Boutique

 Barr Co. Lemon Verbena bath bomb ($7) at Poppy and Stella

Sex Bomb ($7.95) at Lush

ME! Bath Cucumber Melon Mini Ice Cream bath soak ($9.99/12oz package) at Target

Blue and gold bath bomb ($6) at Brightside Boutique

Intergalactic bath bomb ($7.95) at Lush

Da Bomb Bath Fizzers “F” Bomb bath soak ($4.99) at Target

Wine and dine your special someone without even leaving the house with these romantic and thoughtful items for a date night in.

Lavinia heel ($149.99) at Ma Petite Shoe

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Bordelle bralette ($405) at Polina’s Prive

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Raaka Pink Sea Salt Chocolate ($8.69) at Ma Petite Shoe

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The Food Market at Home ($30) at Trohv

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Narwhal corkscrew ($25) at Su Casa

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Mercury Prism candle ($18) at Poppy and Stella

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XL 4 inch matches ($6) at Poppy and Stella

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Come As You Aren’t adult game ($14.99) at Trohv

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For Love and Lemons appliqué bralette ($122) at Polina’s Prive

Beginning on January 1, 2018, visitors to Fells Point will notice cleaner streets, security patrol, and a few newly planted shrubs as they stroll down Broadway. As a part of Waterfront Partnership’s mission to create a “cleaner, greener future” for Baltimore, it has expanded its reach to one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

Waterfront Management Authority (WMA)—a business improvement district under the umbrella of Waterfront Partnership—provides maintenance, beautification, and security waterfront locations Harbor East, Harbor Point, and the Inner Harbor and will now do the same for Fells Point. 

“This big expansion really addresses some of the root problems in Fells Point, like safety and cleanliness,” said Nick Johnson, president of Fells Point Main Street Association (FPMSA) and owner of Su Casa. “It demonstrates that the neighborhood is headed in a new direction.”

About a year ago, Fells Point business leaders initially wanted to develop a plan to address the rising concerns. But they knew the issues were too big to tackle without outside assistance. 

“We needed to join and work with the local government to get where we wanted to be,” said Kelley Heuisler, owner of Poppy & Stella and president of Fells Point District. “It’s been proven that, in Baltimore, having these private-public partnerships is successful. It is a way to really expand upon the services individual communities need and Fells Point is certainly no exception to that.”

After vetting all possible options, FPMSA decided that working with Waterfront Partnership made the most sense—citing the success of WMA’s placement in Harbor East and Harbor Point. 

In order to make the expansion possible, Councilman Zeke Cohen and Councilman Eric Costello introduced a bill to the city council in May, which would allow WMA to expand its boundaries to include commercial properties in Fells Point. 

After the required hearings, the bill was passed and signed by Mayor Catherine Pugh in August and, then, 58 percent of Fells Point property owners needed to agree on the expansion. With 79 percent of the votes in support, Waterfront Partnership was able to move forward with the plan.

Although the majority of business and property owners in Fells Point support the expansion, the increase in annual tax bills was a factor for the opposition. Johnson estimates that the taxes for Su Casa may increase to roughly $2500 a year, but sees it as an investment for the long term.

“No one likes to have taxes or fees imposed,” said Waterfront Partnership executive director Laurie Schwartz. “At the end of the day, I believe the owners saw that the services they receive are well worth the amount they’ll pay. They’ll need the additional services to remain a competitive neighborhood in the city.”

Some business owners also believe that the city should be responsible for providing a safe, clean place for residents to visit and seeking outside sources to fulfill those needs should not be necessary.

“You can’t argue with that—it’s absolutely, 100-percent true,” Johnson said. “Yes, we shouldn’t have to pay above and beyond what we are already paying in taxes, but we have to think of it as an investment in our neighborhood.”

Although the expansion is focused on the commercial portion of Fells Point, some residents with homes within neighborhood boundaries will benefit from the improvements. Schwartz said that some have even gone so far as to call Waterfront Partnership to offer financial contributions for the expansion.

“This expansion is about giving the people that come a better experience,” Heuisler said. “We’re all very excited about what this means overall for Fells Point—it’s going to be huge.”

Transitioning between seasons can be tough on your closet, especially when the weather feels like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. We put together some outfit options featuring our favorite fall trends to ease you into autumn.

Weekend Wear
Layer a loose-knit sweater with a bomber jacket. Everyone looks cool in a bomber jacket. Rag & Bone bomber jacket ($650) at Ruth Shaw. Willow & Clay sweater ($84) at South Moon Under. AGOLDE Los Angeles high-rise skinny jeans ($158) at South Moon Under. Kate Spade Devoe Street Tinley bag, ($278) at Handbags in the City. Sam Edelman Leya leather slides ($100) at Sassanova.

SFW (Safe For Work)
Embroidery is huge this fall. We paired it with a textured bag and comfy flats. Tory Burch Sadie rug shoulder bag ($498) at Handbags in the City. Restricted Jazzie flat ($50) at Poppy & Stella. Tanya Taylor Caro embroidered dress ($550) at
Ruth Shaw.

Formal Affair
Midi-length dresses are great year-round. Add a fun accessory and you are ready for a night on the town. Azalea dress ($500) at Ruth Shaw. Patti black leather round-toe stilettos ($98) at Poppy & Stella. Milly Bite Me acrylic clutch multi OS ($295) at Sassanova.