What I Wore, What I Ate & the Sweetest Surprise This Valentine’s Day

A Valentine’s Day featuring a first, a Michelin meal, and an outfit that just made sense.

This Valentine’s Day was extra special for a few reasons—Noka’s first, a surprise dinner reservation, and Lebo finally getting his American driver’s license (yes, after years of driving).

We started the day by dropping Noka off at my parents’ house so he could spend time with his grandparents. He wore the cutest little red onesie that said “My First Valentine’s Day” and pulled up in his stroller holding a card and a Valentine’s balloon—his grand entrance was everything.

Then, it was off to the DMV because Lebo was getting his American driver’s license. Even though he’s been driving for years (and is a really good driver), the process of switching from a South African license to an American one meant he had to start from scratch—learner’s permit and all. It was funny watching him take the road test, knowing he’s been confidently navigating Atlanta traffic for the past two years, but of course, he passed with flying colors.

After that, I had a little quiet time to get work done before heading to dinner—where Lebo had a surprise planned.

Lebo had made a reservation weeks ago but wouldn’t tell me where we going. All he said was:

1. It was in Buckhead

2. Our reservation was at 5 p.m.

3. We needed to leave the house by 4 p.m.

Naturally, we left a little late (mostly my fault). And if you know Atlanta traffic, you already know Friday at 4 p.m. is already crazy—add Valentine’s Day to the mix, and you have a mess. The GPS said we’d be over 30 minutes late.

Lebo was a bit stressed about missing the reservation, so I told him to call and let them know we were running behind. That’s when I found out where we were going—Tomo Japanese Restaurant. I was so excited. Tomo is on Atlanta’s Michelin Guide, and it’s exactly the kind of restaurant I’d pick for myself. I really appreciated that he took the time to find a place I’d love and keep it a surprise.

Luckily, the restaurant was understanding about the delay and held our table. When we finally arrived, the space was beautiful with its sleek, intimate design, warm wooden accents, a neutral color palette, and thoughtful lighting that makes it feel modern and cozy. The sushi bar is beautifully displayed, lined with sake bottles and set against wood paneling. Overhead, soft, sculptural lighting adds a chic feel.

We ordered the Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu, and everything was amazing. The sushi was so fresh it melted in my mouth, and I had cod that was too good. My favorite was the 98 Degrees Roll—a mix of spicy crab, avocado, and crunchy goodness inside, topped with seared salmon and sliced lemon. I could honestly eat sushi every day and never get tired of it..

What I Wore

I initially wanted to wear pink or red but didn’t have anything in my closet that felt right. Instead, I went for:

• Silky blouse and skirt by Sézane

• Brown kitten-heel boots from Zara (here are a similar pair from Madewell, and they’re currently on sale!)

• Rose choker for a pop of pink (I found a similar rose choker from Etsy)

• Chloé sunglasses from The RealReal (I found a similar pair here from Saks Off Fifth)

• Pink boucle clutch that I got from Zara in 2018 (I found a similar clutch from COS here)

• Hair in a sleek bun

• YSL Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick in Watermelon High—a perfect soft pink that’s not too sticky

• Jones Road Beauty’s What The Foundation in Honey—light, moisturizing, and just enough coverage

I ended up feeling really good in my look. It felt effortless but still put together, which is exactly the vibe I love. (I linked my entire look here if you’re interested.)

After dinner, we stopped by Phipps Plaza and walked through Saks. I saw a pair of shoes I’m now obsessed with (I found them in black on The RealReal but only in a size 8), and Lebo picked up a new fragrance. '

Then, it was time to head back to pick up Noka from my parents’ house. There is nothing quite like seeing him after being apart for a few hours—his smile really makes my day even more special.

What did you do for Valentine’s Day? Are you a dress-up-and-go-out person or a cozy-night-in type of Valentine? Let me know!

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