{ valentine }

Valentine's Day was lovely with just the right amount of feminine details during the day and a low key celebration at night. (We had already exchanged gifts on Sunday - I'm not exactly patient!) How was your evening?

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On Bedknobs & Baubles: more Valentine outfit details & a gorgeous bracelet for just $3

{ happy valentine's day }

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Treat yourself to something special, even if it's just a handful of conversation hearts.

Happy Valentine's Day

{ valentine's day } Gifts for You

No guy? No problem. I'm joining the ranks of the single ladies this year and splurging on a pretty gift for myself. Why should gals in relationships have all of the fun?

1. Long Single Crystal in Gold/Topaz, Tiger Lily, $100
2. Driving Gloves, Modcloth, $49.99
3. Westerly Stud Earrings, Gorjana, $35
4. Ruffle Strap Mini Dress, Thread Social, $545 $218
5. Chiffon Pouchette, J.Crew, $98
6. Karolina Pumps, Kate Spade, $298
7. Arty Ovale Ring, Yves Saint Laurent, $195
8. Heart-Shaped Paperclips, Modcloth, $8.99
   

{ valentine's day } Gifts for Him

He'll never ask for an indulgent gift on his own, which is exactly why you should treat your man to something unexpectedly luxe this Valentine's Day. But if he doesn't go for that sort of thing - or if you just started dating - The Zombie Survival Guide is sure to make him smile. For you long-term love birds, slip a note inside the Filson duffle detailing the plans of a romantic weekend together at a campground.

1. Wallet, Ben Minkoff, $135
2. Fulton Leather Shoehorn, Coach, $48
3. Leather Belt, Will Leather Goods, $125
4. Memo Pads, Field Notes, $9.95
5. Madras Pocket Square, J.Crew, $39.50
6. Cuff Links, Alexander McQueen, $255 $99
7. The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks, $13.99
8. Wool Duffle Bag, Filson, $250
   

{ valentine's day } Gifts for Her

Everyone can use a little bit of sweetness on February 14. After all, no boy can resist a girl batting her eyelashes in a pretty frock. And for you lovely ladies in relationships this year, go ahead and leave this window strategically open on your boyfriend's computer. There's nothing more effective than a "subtle" hint.

1. Heart Mug, Reiko Kaneko, £14.95
2. Franklin "I Love You" Necklace, Jess LC, $58
3. Glitter Heart Clutch, Urban Expressions, $55 $46.75
4. Rose Gold Love Knot Ring, Avanessi, $275
5. Icing Atop the Cake Dress, Modcloth, $89.99
6. Studded Chain Bracelet, Wendy Mink, $160
7. Lace Pillow, Comfort & Samuel, £60 £48 (with code STYLOBS)

Sugar, Sugar

Unfortunately, it's no longer appropriate to hand out pint-sized Valentines to each person in the hallway.

But I still wanted to pass along a sweet gesture to my coworkers.

And rows of heart-shaped sugar cookies topped with pink icing is always a welcome gesture.

The end result is almost better than my winning Valentine box design in third grade - a two-foot tall Hershey kiss, mounted atop a heart-shaped base (and yes, my dad may have had to use a jigsaw to help construct it).

I'm quite persnickety about sugar cookies. Here's my family's tried-and-true recipe:

Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter (leave it out until it's room temperature and soft - don't put it in the microwave to soften)
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Cut in butter and blend with a pastry blender or just an electric mixer. Combine eggs, vanilla and sugar in a separate bowl. Add to dry ingredients. Blend until well mixed. Once you're done mixing, the dough will look crumbly. Use your hands to combine the dough into a ball.

Chill dough then roll out on a floured board/sheet/counter using 1/2 c. flour and 1/2 c. sugar. Spread some of the flour/sugar mix on your rolling pin to keep it from sticking to to the dough.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 9 - 12 minutes. Be sure not to overbake. If the edges turn golden brown, you'll have crunchy cookies. I prefer mine softer, so I take them out just a bit earlier.

Frosting
Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbs softened butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
milk

Mix together about 2 cups powdered sugar in a bowl with about 2 tbs softened butter and 1/2 tsp vanilla.

Pour in a touch of milk (a little bit at a time) and stir by hand.

If the consistency is too thick, add more milk. Too thin? Add more powdered sugar. Eventually you'll get the right consistency.

My Funny Valentine

I've unceremoniously made my way through four bags of conversation hearts. (And with two more weeks until Valentine's Day, I guarantee that another bag will meet its demise.) As an added bonus, the hearts have become real conversation fodder for my coworker and I as we form sentences with the candies. He came up with my favorite:

"Call Me - Love Bug - Wink Wink"
a.k.a. a cute way to tell someone you have an STD

Love bugs aside, conversation hearts always get me in the mood for the pink-hued glory of Valentine's Day. I hope for a delivered bouquet of flowers to make my coworkers jealous. I yearn for a candlelit dinner that I didn't have to make. Even a heart-shaped box of chocolates makes me swoon (expanding waistline be damned!).

But even us romantic traditionalists wish for something special on Valentine's Day. If your loved one needs a little help this year, here are my picks for holiday-appropriate gifts you'll appreciate throughout the year. Go ahead, "forget" to close this window when you leave the computer - blatant hints work.


(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)

Tracy Reese, Scalloped-Trim Dress, $155 (on sale)
Gorjana, Petal Drop Earrings, $65
Chasing Fireflies, Giant Heart Lollipop, $24
François Dallegret, Art Breaker Paperweight, $65
Kate Spade, Kellis Pump, $285
Tory Burch, Valentine's Day Cosmetic Case, $75
Museumize, Love Paperweight, $68
J.Crew, Flutter-Flower Clutch, $128
Banana Republic, Promise Knot Ring, $25
Jess L.C., Lucky in Bed Necklace, $40