Be My Valentine: A Wish List

Valentine's Day is one of my favorites. From a time when I was small and my Mom decorated our picture window with cupid and heart cutouts and we traced valentines on colored paper--I have loved it. Valentine's Day certainly makes February brighter, no matter who your love is-- a significant other, a really special friend, or your children. A special day set aside to tell your people how much they matter sounds perfect to me. 

This February we are going on a sunny vacation for winter break, so I told my sweet that I didn't need a special valentine this year. However....should someone feel the need to go crazy....well, I guess I better have an ultimate wish list, just in case. 

Weeks ago I saw that Billy Idol was coming to The Paramount Theatre on February 13th, but neglected to get tickets for the now sold out show. I am not going to spend what would amount to a really cool handbag on a night to see one of my favorite 80's icon, so I guess I will download some iTunes classic Billy and call it good. Gift idea #1--tickets to a show, musical or movie that you know your sweetheart would love. 

Gift Idea #2: I am totally in love with this Shark Tooth Cuff Bracelet in sterling silver from the mecca of cool, Hitchcock Madrona. This store is totally amazing and so is this bracelet. Its is a half inch wide and in addition to sterling silver comes in bronze, yellow gold or rose gold plated over bronze. Take a trip to this sweet little Madrona neighborhood and good luck getting out of there without a package. 

Gift Idea #3 is one of the classic great gifts. glassybaby votives are always fabulous to own and to give, and with a portion of the proceeds from sales given to charity, they are the gift that gives back. I happen to need a pink glassybaby, so I chose the rosy colored "Smooch", which is perfect for Valentine's Day. Oh, and I like things in threes or fives, just because even numbers when it comes to decor pieces don't look right to me. So three "Smooches" would be perfectly uneven. 

While perusing the great world wide web last week I came upon a startling fact. DSW, (that is Designer Shoe Warehouse for those of you who have been living in the woods) carries some major luxury brands online. They have Gucci, Fendi, Chloe, Prada, and Valentino, just to name a few. I am a little obsessed with Valentino Rockstud and when I happened upon this gorgeous little crossbody in the perfect pop of pink--I was smitten. Gift Idea #4 is a Valentino Valentine. It really sounds good together, doesn't it? 

PLAY Comme des Garçons is the ultimate is cool street style with its funky heart logo, a collaboration between Comme des Garçons founder Rei Kawakubo and Polish graphic artist Filip Pagowski. Found on everything from shoes to sweaters, the usual red heart logo is in gold this time, a large bunch of love across a soft heather gray cropped tee. This is the ultimate groovy girl Valentine attire and is on my list as Gift Idea #5.

Christian Louboutin doesn't want you to wear your heart on your sleeve, he wants you to wear it on your toes. The Corafront Flats have everything that I love in a flat shoe: a point-toe, patent leather, and a classic red sole. You can find these in a sexy black heel as well, but for me flats suit my life a little better. Gift Idea #6, be still my heart.

Want a fun and original Valentine card to go with your perfect gift? The Sad Shop, a Seattle based company, makes great cards that have a perfectly punchy line ."You Always Bring Me Snacks", "I Like You and Cake", (Kari Hatlen--this is for you) or "Let's Make A Blanket Fort" make the perfect funny Valentine. Sad Shop cards are available locally at Phinney Books, Queen Anne Books, Horseshoe and Elliott Bay Book Company or online at http://sadshop.etsy.com.  You can stop by and meet the owner, Kate, at a Sad Shop Pop-In at Nordstrom Flagship on Thursday, February 12 and Friday, February 13 from 4-8 pm. 

These ideas are all lovely things, but in the end it isn't what really matters to me on Valentine's Day. This February 14th I am going to cherish the "I love you's", and the cards from my people and the perfect Valentine dinner in, complete with a heart shaped flourless chocolate cake and bubbly. Happy Valentine's Day to all the loves of my life. I am a lucky girl.