sweet little luxuries
your last-minute gift guide for your honey (and yourself!) on valentine's day
alexa, play stupid cupid <3
we’ve made it, my loves. valentine’s day is finally here!
if you’re like me, you may sometimes…wait until the last minute to get everything of importance done. i fear it’s now too late to make those dinner reservations. the silver lining here: there are no real rules to this silly holiday. keep it simple and stay cozy at home, or go all out and buy a dozen red roses and chocolates, for your partner OR for yourself.
yesterday, i asked my angel friends on instagram what their favorite valentine’s day gifts are. the majority of responses were extremely sentimental and warmed my cancer (sun and moon, yikes) heart. i was happily surprised that tangible items were not highly requested this year-it’s truly all about the loving v i b e s.
7 of you said: you prefer a homemade dinner with your significant other.
6 of you said: you would like to receive a handmade card/love letter.
4 of you said: you’re focusing on self-care and taking time for yourself this year-making dinner/ordering takeout, wine/mocktail in hand, rom-com mode, face mask ON.
5 of you said: you want some roses!
2 of you said: you’d love to be gifted with a new perfume.
lauren vaccaro (check out her amazing substack, pastiche, please and thank you!) said: flowers and a homemade card. she is also baking a strawberry, heart-shaped cake for her friends. (i’m crying over here.)
kim delgado at mary stuart flowers (she’s beyond talented. buy some flowers from her, asap. and consider hiring her for your future wedding…stay tuned!) said: a spa day followed by an overnight at a hotel, ALONE. “this one’s for the moms” <3
julie almand at the verdant maiden said: self care and flowers. She is the owner of the absolutely stunning nantucket apothecary, carrying a wide variety of plant-focused products. my new england friends will be so excited to hear that her pop-up at bow market is now open until march 29th! younger me would’ve absolutely freaked over her store being in somerville; i lived in davis square in my early 20’s. i cannot wait to visit. verdant maiden has everything you need for a last-minute gift, for anyone on your shopping list:
iris & rosehips bath soak by daughter of the land is a personal favorite of mine. i’m a bath girl, through and through.
sisal body brush by baudeclaire
she even carries ghia! (delish)
thank you, friends, for taking the time to send in your responses. it meant the world to me-and made me incredibly inspired to write. here are my favorite gifts for valentine’s day!
this wouldn’t be a “jen” post if i didn’t list some sentimental offerings for your significant other: quality time together and long conversations, leaving small notes for each other during the day, bringing a pastry back home for them that you know is their favorite, creating a piece of art of a memory you both share. <3
alright, now on to the fun stuff. let me preface this by saying, i’m writing this in the hopes that you’ll try out some of these activities with your closest friends, not just with your partner. and if any of these gifts catch your eye, treat yourself.
a pottery class at your local studio. (clayhouse brooklyn)
a facial, because everyone should get one every six months. (i’ve made up this rule in my head)
a membership at your favorite movie theater. amc stubs is worth it, especially if you’re there at least once a week. “we come to this place…for magic.”
super-plush robe from brooklinen.
liplights by rms beauty. their overnight lip mask works wonders on chapped lips, too. (credo)
vegan collagen spray-on serum by kosas. (credo)
cocofloss! (credo)
redemption body scrub from aesop. currently out of stock on the site; it’s just that good. hoping it’s in store for you. and the price is high, i know. i’m sorry for even putting this on the list because you will be obsessed.
seriously any and all products by kerastase. (sephora)
if you’re in brooklyn, take yourself, your friends, or your sweetie to farmacy for the best ice cream sundaes. they have a special valentine’s day menu right now that is too cute. i walked by the other night and had to take a photo of their beautiful window display:
stop by your local bookstore (shoutout books are magic)
have a casual dinner date tonight, with friends, and sit at the bar. go early to secure seats before the dinner rush! i’m dreaming about the burger at swoony's right now.
buy yourself a bouquet at a flower shop near you. plantshed always has the best selection.
my loves, i truly hope you have such a special valentine’s day. no matter what you do, or who you’re with, please know that you deserve it all.
if you liked reading, please share with your friends! i appreciate your support. :)
sincerely,
your friend, jen
What a fun read! One of my 2024 goals is to finally sign up for a pottery class :-) I also got my partner the super-plush robe from Brooklinen after months of him stealing mine — so excited for him to get home from work and see it! Happy Valentine day ❣️