Valentine Musings

The fanciest, most fabulous Valentine Gifts, Goods, and Designs

Housekeeping Note: I’ve changed the way I link the products referenced. Click on the images to view the items directly.

My darlings, just as I was ready to hit “Publish”, I attended Shoppe Object and found so many more fabulous things to share. Here goes:

The things I’ve always loved about Valentine’s Day are the fun, the fancy, and the old-fashioned. Homemade cards with paper doilies and fun scrap papers, the handwoven basket my mother filled with home-sewn heart pillows in various sizes and shapes, edged with lace, and Linzer hearts filled with different jams. While I eschew a dinner out on Valentine’s Day (restaurants are always packed and disappointing), I’ve come to appreciate some of the finer things. These are my bests.

Valentine, but make it fashion

I found the most fabulous pair of red lace gloves at Bergdorf’s. Do I have any place to wear these? Absolutely not. Will I be making up a place to wear them? 100%. Now let’s talk hearts. While I loved them on those little heart pillows my mom sewed, I have long been disinclined to wear or use them. People change, and Bottega Veneta has me rethinking that one with their adorable Jodie bag. Just the right size for the essentials. Heart optional.

Want something on the lower price end? I found these fab glass beaded bags from La Casa, and the one I loved most was the rose on the black background. They’re handmade in Guatemala by a women’s cooperative and inspired by the patterns of huipiles (traditional Mayan women’s blouses).

Now let’s talk strawberries. I know chocolate-covered strawberries are like a THING for Valentine’s, but unless they’re the locally harvested extra-specially delicious strawberries from Fink’s Country Farm, I don’t like them. I do, however, like the berry fever that has taken over design this past year, and Loewe does it right with their strawberry bag charm. Created in a strand of three strawberries topped with leather “leaves”, it’s kitsch yet chic. Another fun accent? Helena Simon’s Violet Cluster/Posy pin. It’s the perfect purple accent and beautifully handmade.

This brings us to jewelry. While my newfound appreciation of hearts is deep, it does not extend to jewelry, and that’s just one reason I’m in awe and adorance of this hummingbird cuff. Did you know hummingbirds represent love, resilience, and energy? I can’t think of anything better for Valentine’s Day.

I know that lingerie is the most popular nightwear for Valentine’s, but P.J.’s are my love language, and I may be one of the greatest lovers of all time of good jammies. Typically, a button-down long-sleeved shirt with pants is my go-to. So when I found the Love Letters cotton pjs with a ruffle… well, dreams came true.

Finally, feathers. A coat made of them. In pink. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.

Where Love Lives

A Valentine’s themed room seemed a little too saccharine for The Chic Peek, BUT, spaces filled with stories and things we love? That I can go for. So I built out this entry, and quite frankly, she’s amazing. The backstory: Some people are born with good taste, and some people develop it. I fall into the second category. My go-to is gloss and sparkle and shine and Dolly Parton nails and hair and all of the things. After 50 years, I’ve learned to tone it down. A little.

And so I present to you, the almost perfect foyer. Ceiling wallpapered in gold-foiled cork from Astek Home adds texture and will absorb the sound of my high heels clacking on the classic black-and-white tiles from Edward Martin. I pulled in a James and James Abigail sofa table to hold the things I truly love. Books, a dragon blanc de chine sculpture, and an Alfredo Barbini Murano bowl for bits, bobs, and keys upon entry. All she’s missing is some art. What would you put there?

At long last, I also created a Valentine’s party space. She’s valentine-y but not so much so that you couldn’t use her on the daily. The art is probably my fave, a circa 1945 Geoffrey Humphries piece that is provocative and elegant. I also love the barely lilac shade of the Murano chandelier and the salmon velvet on the banquette.

BONUS!! I’m still mastering renders, so I couldn’t include all of these extra items that would put your event right over the top. Think paper garlands strewn through the chandelier and little love-themed ornaments at each place setting.

Until next time, lovers.