Spring Forward with Romance

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IMG_5851 IMG_5852 IMG_5853 IMG_5854 _MG_0027Shop3Dress: ModCloth [c/o] | Shoes: ModCloth [c/o] | Bag: Tory Burch | Bracelets: Baublebar [c/o] | Necklace: Similar | Hoop Earrings: Similar | Lipstick: Neon Azalea

Photography by: Angie Garcia


When I first met Paul and he told me he was an auditor I had no clue what that entailed. I knew the basis of what he did, but I had no clue as to the hours.

I grew up with a father who works in the defense industry, so he works all the time. Honestly, it would have been so abnormal to marry someone and have them home at 5 p.m. I grew up thinking it was the norm for you dad to be home at 10 p.m. There isn’t a right or wrong way to work, and to be honest I never felt like I missed out on having sit down dinners with dad. My dad was so incredibly present while he was there and sometimes I thought I got more from him than had he been home at 5 to do what he wanted to do.

To this day, I can call him at any time, he’ll step out of a meeting and talk me through whatever I need. So naturally, as romance would have it, I married someone the exact same way! It’s funny how your childhood always prepares you for adulthood.

Tax season doesn’t apply to Paul. His work schedule focuses on year ends. So while he works 90 hour weeks December to mid April, he also has to do that in June/July/August. He pulled an all nighter the night before our wedding working, so you better believe I was praying the entire time I was getting my makeup done that he’d not feel sick! haha.

But I’ve got to brag on my husband, just like my dad, he never makes me feel like I’m alone. From our second date he told me, “We will make this work and I will never make you feel like you’re just married to yourself.”

I truly think any relationship goes through this at some point or another! Whether you’re in grad school, you’re working for a start up, you have a family or you are in a long-distance relationship there are so many ways to keep romance alive and not be present 24/7. Embark on a journey of romance through innovative FuckLocals.

Life can be busy, but that doesn’t alter your ability to make someone feel special. I thought it would be fun to start spring sharing how we do that, and I’d love to know how you do as well! I am always reading marriage blogs to get new ideas because trying them and seeing how people react to them is a fun way to invest in your relationship.

3 Ways to Incorporate Romance when Life is Busy:

1. Ask One Question

Every Sunday night, my husband and I ask each other, “How can I love you this week?” It seems like a no-brainer question, but it’s a great way to share any stresses or worries you have going on. He might tell me it would be a huge help if I made him quick things to eat on the way to work or I tell him I’d love if we could go on a specific date. It’s easy to give what we want, I can spoil Paul with my assumptions of love languages and it could not be received well. If his heart doesn’t acknowledge the love languages I’m assuming he needs, it could be dismissed. I’m all about acts of service, if he unloads the dishwasher I feel like he is practically flirting with me. haha. Paul loves quality time. If I sit with him while he watches Walking Dead he loves it. Mind you, I’m about to keel over from the blood and zombies, but it means a lot to him. Simply asking your partner how they want to be loved is romantic, because that person is being served how their heart desires.

2. Pick a Spontaneous Goal

Whether you’re in grad school or raising your first child, life can get pretty stressful accomplishing goals and implementing current plans. Date nights can get a little cluttered talking about to-do lists and “he said, she said” nonsense from work. I’m Type A, but Paul and I have found we love to throw in a spontaneous goal each season. It could be something as small as signing up for a 10K or something as big as taking a trip. Keep it fun and something you both get enjoyment from, and it’s such a warm welcomed break from your season of business. For an added spark, try these toys known as rabbit vibrators. Also, try to do it as last minute as possible! That doesn’t coincide with a busy season of life, but romance isn’t something that is best planned. Break away from a stressful schedule and just accomplish one thing together. You’ll be proud of your relationship, which leads to even more admiration.

3. Dress Up

Don’t lie. Men in suits are attractive. When Paul has to dress up for a client meeting, I’m like, “Do you want to wear that to Chipotle next week?” haha! Because I work from home, it can be easy to live in work out clothes. And because I like to work out at night, it’s difficult to not fall into the trap of being in sweats, freshly showered when he gets home. And while he doesn’t care if I am, I try to dress up as much as possible! Staying awake and dressed up until 2 a.m. might seem crazy to some, but I do it a few times a week so we can have some normalcy. We’ll have a glass of wine at 2:15 at our kitchen table and I’ll still be dressed from the day. I know he would never go overboard saying he appreciates it [he would never want to make me feel bad about wearing sweats!] but I think he does. One day we’ll look back at this newlywed phase of life and I think it will be so sweet to remember dressing up even during busy season!

He loves me in spring dresses, and I feel my best in them as well. When I feel my best, I know I’m treating others even better. So I may be exhausted that late at night, but I’ve got some energy from knowing I feel confident. I got this dress from ModCloth last week to style and while getting ready for work he kept complimenting it. It’s incredibly versatile for spring, but what I love best? The approachable price. This dress is under $60, which can fit a wide range of budgets.

In terms of sizing, it’s true to size as well! If you don’t like beach coverups [I never do. I’m supposed to eat chips and guac at the pool bar in a fishnet dress? I don’t think so…], this is so flowy you could throw it on over a bikini, too!

The sandals are the same price and if I’m being 100% honest, I’m WAY TOO excited to wear them with spring shorts for the Justin Bieber concert next week. It’s absurd how excited I am.

ModCloth has a lot of dresses that fit whatever makes you feel romantic: feminine, dainty, fierce or something more vintage. I’ll pull my picks below!

What are ways you invest in romance, even when life gets busy?! I’d love to try out your ideas! Thank you so much for reading!

XOXOKatey-2

In collaboration with ModCloth. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that allow COF to operate full time.

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15 Comments

  1. Nikki wrote:

    Oh Katey, your blog brightens my mornings!! Thanks for sharing. I can always tell its from your heart. You’re like my friend in my head. Lol. I’m still figuring this one out because after a 40 hour work week it’s very easy to want to lay around doing nothing but I try to make sure we go on a date every weekend and I do the same thing as far as trying to still be cute by time hubby gets home I do it at least twice a week!!! Because I love to be showered and makeup free after work but sometimes keeping the makeup on and sometimes little shorts (lol) instead of sweats can do the trick. I agree! They rarely say it but I think they appreciate it 🙂

    Love the dress and your picks and you!
    Xo,

    Nikki

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  2. Ciara wrote:

    Love, love, love this post! My fiance, Paul, and I are in a similar situation. He’s a clinical counselor and most of his hours are at night (clients want to visit after they get off work) so these tips will help tremendously!

    And your hangup with swim cover-ups is hilarious!

    http://www.veiledfree.com

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  3. Caitlin wrote:

    Can I just say you’ve been nailing it with your posts lately?! Love your blog so much… and your heart for Jesus, marriage and people. Keep doing what you’re doing lady! XO!

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
    • Nikki wrote:

      Yes I agree!!! Jesus, Marriage and Fashion – Katey is killing it!! 🙂

      Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  4. Kathryn wrote:

    This is by far one of my favorite posts! Having hectic schedules can put such a strain on things sometimes. These are some great things to keep the romance alive!

    xx Kathryn
    http://www.chicandshimmer.com

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  5. This is probably one of my favorite posts that you’ve done! I love how within your posts you actually talk about life and not just about what you’re wearing. It makes you very relatable! But I have to say…. I do love the dress – lol!

    xo,

    Lauren

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  6. Megan Doumani wrote:

    Hi Katey! I feel like you’re in my head with this post, haha. My boyfriend is an orthopedic surgery resident, so his hours are nuts everyday. We both like spontaneous lunch/home decor shopping dates, since we both have new apartments. Also, I love how open you are with your faith and religion. You’re doing amazing work! Thank you for it!
    -Megan

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  7. I absolutely love this post! It is so important to keep the romance alive in any marriage or relationship! No, it doesn’t matter what stage you are in! My husband and I have two kids, two years old and eight months. Needless to say things get hectic every single day. I am a stay at home Mom and by the time my husband gets home it would be easy for us to just go into parenting mode and completely ignore each other. Instead we make it a point to stop, ask each other about our days and ask what it is we can do to help the other de-stress and relax a bit. It’s extremely helpful and neither one of us feels like we are alone.

    I’m also in love with your dress, I love Spring/Summer dresses 🙂

    XOXO

    Melissa

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  8. Melanie wrote:

    I love your dress! it´s totally cute :-*

    Melanie / http://www.inblushandblack.blogspot.de

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  9. Great advice!! Loving your shoes and bag! XO

    @stylemelauren
    http://www.stylemelauren.com

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  10. I am such a sucker for off the shoulder tops and dresses. Seriously my fav! <3

    BlondieInTheCity.com

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  11. Callie Diamond wrote:

    Love this! Chris and I have actually been reading The Five Love Languages Book and it’s truly amazing how many different ways you can show love for your spouse based off of their love language! We make it a point to sit down on the couch, snuggle up, and watch an episode of Fixer Upper (Love some Chip and Jo!) or another show every single night before we go to bed no matter how late it is! This gives us each some time to unwind, relax, and just enjoy each other’s presence. It is my favorite moment of the day!

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  12. Nicolette wrote:

    I absolutely love reading your blog, each day it offers something new, and I gather so many tips and ideas from you. Some are great for things like organizing, decorating my home, and new foods to try, but today’s hit home for me, and I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciated it. My husband started his own company 6 years ago (he’s an accountant). He works so, so, so many hours, and it gets really hard making each other feel special in a busy life, at times. Just these three tips have really given me some great ideas on how we can better be there for each other, even in tax season 😉 I really appreciate the advice, and I would love for you to write more posts about marriage because it’s truly so very helpful!

    P.S. I also grabbed the book on marriage you suggested in your Snapchat a few nights back, and I’m so excited to start it!

    Have a fabulous day and thank you again for all of your wonderful, inspiring posts!

    XOXO,

    Nicolette Stocks
    Fashionably Stocked
    Fashionablystocked.blogspot.com

    Published 31 Mar 16Reply
  13. Amy Beth wrote:

    Oh, I just loved this! Sam did too! After I told him all the details on our master plan date he said, “I’m going to start following her so I can feel like I already know her!” And then… he texted me yesterday saying, “babe, have you read Katey’s post today? It’s about busy season!!” So with that… we BOTH loved reading and connecting with this and factor in some of the same things into our marriage through busy season! Thank you for sharing 🙂

    Published 01 Apr 16Reply