February 9, 2014

The Love List

Between you and me, Valentine’s Day could be the dumbest holiday ever. Not a fan, never have been. I have no idea why we need a “day” to show our love for each other. Valentine’s day, in MY opinion, is a big waste of money. Cards, Flowers, Chocolate, no thank you. Yeah, maybe I am the scrooge of Vday but I believe it is doesn’t need to be a “holiday”. My husband feels he was blessed that he gets a free pass on this day. I am more than happy to give it to him.

However, for those of you who LOVE Valentine’s Day, I have created a “Love List” of presents that may spark your interest. They are not the norm but maybe they will bring some “love” into your partner’s day (maybe forward this to your partner!)

To get in the mood, how about some VDAY POLISH! Limited Edition $16

With SOOOO Many Treat options here are a few of my fave:

I love Treat House! Could be one of my fave goody stores in the city. This Valentine’s Day they whipped up adorable treats! I would LOVE these!! You can now order nationwide ONLINE!!! They are $2 per treat or $24 for a 12 pack!

For my Paleo peeps, these are a MUST HAVE! This is the FIRST real Paleo website I have found that is not “Fail-eo”. There are a ton of paleo recipes all over the web that claim to be paleo but they sneak in “non-paleo” ingredients such as peanuts, soy, raw cane sugar, “Enjoy” chocolate chips, etc. You can see the list here. Paleo Treats are simply amazing and a staple in my home when I must have something chocolatey but don’t want to feel bad afterward. They are gluten free, grain free, and dairy free, without preservatives and stabilitzers. LOVE them!

Valentine’s Day Breakfast? These mini bite size Bantam bagels are PHENOMENAL!!!

Cookies & Milk bantam is a brown sugar walnut bagel filled with sweet walnut cream cheese
Red Velvet bantam is a red velvet bagel filled with cream cheese icing cream cheese
French Toast bantam is a cinnamon nutmeg egg bagel filled with a buttery maple syrupy cream cheese

Each Valentine’s Box comes with 4 bantams of each delicious flavor for only $12 and is a new and creative way than giving your standard box of chocolates! After all, they do say a way to someone’s hearts is through their stomachs.

Available at Bantam Bagels in NYC.

I tried to think long and hard about gift ideas that would be meaningful and not the average chocolate covered dipped roses (sorry Steven Singer). I am a HUGE fan of Etsy and figured I would highlight a few incredible artists I found.

For the avid reader and book lover :

Cheryl Sorg, a California collagist, creates some of the coolest work I have ever seen tearing up old books and turning them into incredible artwork. Her newest art is 18×24 custom fingerprint portraits that are made using your fingerprint and a list of your favorite books. How it works “Once you placed your order on Etsy, Cheryl will mail you an inkpad to stamp your finger and return the print along with a list of 50-60 of your favorite books. She then cuts the titles and authors out of corresponding book jackets and uses those strips to create a magnificent spiral that matches your fingerprint.($225)

If you aren’t into the book idea she can create any personalized piece – thumbprint portrait, couple portrait, maps collage, ketubah, you name it – with all the things that are special to you. It could be favorite books, quotes, song lyrics, places traveled, wedding vows, hobbies & passions, anything! You can email Sorg for more info.

We have seen it done a million times but I did love the way Sandi put together these Hand Stamped Jewelry of the fam! This one is $60 as is but there are so many different options. You must check out her store.

I also love these cufflinks not expensive and a heartfelt gift for the man in your life. ($81). Obviously you can customize however you want! These also make a fab Father’s Day gift (maybe file this away somewhere).

Husband a big music fan? Guitar pick bracelet from the kids! $24

Create a book of YOUR STORY! This Our Story love book captures the essence of your relationship and puts it into storybook form. The entire book is completely customizable and includes illustrations to accompany the text that you decide on. Love this and it is only $35!

On the sexy side

A bouquet of 12 Hanky Panky Thongs! (my fave underwear)($300)

Or you can choose the 3 pack for $54

I would love to write a blog post on lingerie and who wears it anymore or ever did, lol BUT I thought this was the most tasteful, pretty lingerie I found for a Valentine’s Day evening. I am not sure the man in your life would agree. It is not exactly “red room” attire but I am sure those who are reenacting 50 Shades have a stash of their own. $95

Speaking of the red room, need an activity? XXXopoly – Adult Board Games! This is not your ordinary Monopoly game. Players roll the dice and land on a sexual space. Each sexual space is a sexual task. Tasks range from French kissing, to full on intercourse. Woohoo! Sounds like a rocking night!

Send your man on a beer trip around the world without him having to leave the house. $120.

Since I was a kid I kept every single concert ticket I ever went to. They still sit in a brown locked box in my attic. There is finally an answer: Ticket Stub Diary you can preserve your precious memories from concerts, museums, movies, sporting events, Broadway shows and more. This book comes with clear sleeves that fit a variety of ticket sizes, plus space in the margin to write down your memories from the event. This is an amazing gift for any concert, show lover!

Lastly, have you always wondered how to make those beautiful designs in your latte? You can now learn how! Joe Coffee in NYC and Philly has classes whether you are a coffee newbie or a seasoned aficionado. Giving classes is such a great gift because we area all so wrapped up in our lives so many of us never find the time to take a class here or there learning more about something we love. Sure we find time to workout but I am talking about cooking, theater, whatever you LOVE! Here is a fun gift for all those coffee lovers out there!