Even if you don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, an excuse to buy a loved one a fun gift or bake them some goodies is always welcome in my book.

1. A vintage copy of Lord Byron is ideal if you have a true romantic on your hands ($22).
2. Great for Valetine’s Day movie night, The Princess Bride is both romantic and hilarious. It also has one of the best soundtrack scores in existance.
3. Pull together a romantic mix and cook him dinner. I recommend Neil Young’s After the Gold Rush, Billie Holiday’s Love Songs and, of course, Kind of Blue.
4. This Sony USB turntable ($100) will convert your man’s old vinyl to digital; after which he can sell said records and take you on a vacation with the proceeds.
5. Don’t hate me, I lost the link to this card!!
6. Have a statistics nerd on your hands? This Venn diagram card ($4) is totally adorable.
7. He will fall in love with you all over again if you bake him these red velvet cupcakes. The source? Paula Deen! Don’t scoff, if you want a good red velvet cake, you go to a Southerner. These come close to rivaling Cake Man Raven, and that’s saying a fuck of a lot.
8. A chambray tie is classic but on-trend, and a bit more casual than your typical silk ($60).
9. This poster from Seattle Show ($24) would be great mounted in your bathroom. The couple that pees together, stays together.
10. On a budget? Sneak onto his iPhone and upload a romantic (and free) wallpaper.

1. I don’t know anyone who would not love a pair of these classic red heart sunglasses ($11).
2. Vintage-inspired red rosebud earrings add a tiny pop of romance ($11).
3. Nothing says “I love you, friend” like a good bottle of wine. My personal favorite is Navarro’s chardonnay (any vintage will do). Their other wines are excellent as well, and most are moderately priced ($10-$70).
4. Get your dance on and watch It’s All Gone Pete Tong. Just skip the coke, please.
5. These pink peppermint marshmallows would be a fantastic treat atop spiked hot chocolate.
6. As I said with the movie, dancing makes everything better. Make your friend a mix featuring your favorite booty-shaking tracks. I recommend LCD Soundsystem, Le Tigre and Phoenix.
7. Say it all with a poster from Seattle Show ($30).
8. This love bird recycled tote is perfect for shopping at the farmer’s market or stocking up on booze ($10).
9. A friend who adores reading will love vintage copies of her favorite books. These D.H. Lawrence titles are 6 bucks!
10. Have a bitter single friend on your hands? Give her a mani/pedi using BB’s Dick Weed polish ($13).
11. Going out with the girls? Give everyone a ridiculously large cocktail ring ($12) to wear to the bar. Perfect for keeping the riff-raff away.

1. How fucking amazing are these pie pops (not to mention this totally mind-blowing site)? A lot of work, but they look irresistable. He will think so too.
2. You may call it a gag gift, but these vintage Playboy books ($6) may just get you in the mood.
3. I love Hello!Lucky and they always have a great range of Val letterpress cards. I especially like the “I’m Nuts For You” design ($4.50).
4. This classic digital watch ($45) is totally Wall Street redux, and will ensure he’s never late for a date.
5. How great are these maple type blocks? You could buy him a heart or his first initial ($50). Scoot, these are only available through Valentine’s Day!
6. Budget alert! Try this free vintage Valentine’s Day card. You can print it out yourself at home.
7. Want to get in his pants? Watch Stealing Beauty. It was always my “get the boys riled up” secret (sorry Grandma).
8. After the movie, put on some sexy make out music. The Stealing Beauty soundtrack is excellent, I also recommend Charlotte Gainsbourg’s 5:55 and Fiest’s Let It Die.
9. These headphones ($68) are not only cool because of the awesome retro mint green color, but you can plug in another set of headphones/ear buds and listen to music together. Isn’t it romantic?

• Gourmet Today (I might need to pull a Julie/Julia and make every recipe).
• Ad Hoc at Home (amazing, I recommend, and Todd’s brother-in-law had to hit three stores to find it).
• Fish Without a Doubt, a book about sustainable fish, with recipes.
• Shop America, this totally rad book about mid-century storefront design.
• A book about the elements, which is super cool.
• The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Three Cups of Tea, Why We Buy and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
• A donation in my name to Planned Parenthood.
• A gift certificate to my favorite restaurant.
• A gift certificate to my salon.
• A stocking full of goodies.
• Coffee from Peet’s and Stumptown.
• An electric toothbrush!

I bought Todd a book about restaurant and bar design (his fantasy job) and a weekend trip to San Luis Obispo, where he went to college.  He’s been dying to take me there since we started dating, so I bought us train tickets and we’re staying at a B&B.  We bought his sister books on green home remodeling, his brother-in-law a sweater from J Crew and their new baby, Alma, some perfect classic letter blocks (perfect for a family who loves Boggle and Scrabble).  His dad got a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black and a book about our national parks.  His mother got a Build-A-Bear (I can now confess, this is where I was interviewing for a director position, and I had built a bear while visiting a store) and a scarf.  For my family, we draw names, and I got my mother.  She also got an electric toothbrush :-)

On Christmas Eve, Todd’s dad made this fabulous pork tenderloin with a pomegranate sauce, asparagus and a barley risotto with wild mushrooms.  We had a great bottle of wine that my boss gave me for the holidays.

I made some great appetizers to bring to my family’s house–asparagus wrapped with prosciutto (and pan fried), polenta with carameized onions and sausage and baked brie with mushrooms.  My family is INSANE with the food, it’s a wonder we’re not obese.  My uncle, the meat lover, made two turkeys (one deep fried) and two hams.  He is the master ham griller.  In any case, we have a lot of leftovers.

Of course, I didn’t take any photos.  New year’s resolution number one, take more photos for the blog!

I did receive a book that I already own, The Road.  It’s amazing, albeit a bit of a downer.  Instead of returning it, I figured I’d just do another giveaway.  Let me know how your Christmas went in the comments and it may be yours.  I will draw a winner in the new year.

xoxo

Fashion, Design & Style

For the Style-Challenged – Nina Garcia’s Style Guides

• The Little Black Book of Style
• The One Hundred
• The Style Strategy

I rarely recommend style-guide books; they tend to regurgitate the same tired lines and never offer any earth-shattering advice. Garcia does repeat some of the tried and true mantras–splurge on great shoes and bags! Dress for your body!–but with more aplomb and more humor than you’d expect from the poker-faced Project Runway judge. Added bonus: Ruben Toledo provides the illustrations. Buy all three and tie them together with a bow. A great gift for the style-challenged, for under 50 bucks.

For the Consumer – The End of Fashion, How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever

Teri Agins’ book is a bit dated (published in 2000) but still incredibly relevant. My copy is dog-eared and filled with post-it notes and highlighting. It’s an interesting and accessible read for anyone interested or involved in fashion, marketing/branding or retail.

For the Model/Designer Fan – Fabulous Designer Biographies/Retrospectives & Fashion Photography

• Chanel & Her World
• Balenciaga
• Dior
• Valentino
• The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
• Nick Knight
• Avedon Fashion: 1944 – 2000

Taschen and Assouline are great publishers for fashion/designer-related books.  I own the Chanel book and was recently given a sample of the Nick Knight book at work, and it’s AMAZING.  For the Valentino fan, I also highly recommend the recent documentary on the designer.

For the Fashion Student – Fashion History

My ex-boss bought me this book and, as someone who studied textiles/apparel and loves fashion, it’s a wonderful resource. It’s like having the V&A Costume Gallery wrapped up in a book. It explores fashion from the 18th century to the present in beautiful detail.

For the Home Design Freak – Inspiration!

• Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy
• Tricia Guild Pattern: Using Pattern to Create Sophisticated, Show-Stopping Interiors

Don’t bother buying the Domino book for anyone who’s held onto all of his/her copies of the now defunct magazine; it’s basically a compilation of previous issues. However, if you have a friend or loved one who devours home design blogs and brings up how great Domino was, this is a perfect gift.  Tricia Guild is a master with color and pattern, and her books are insanely inspirational.  Her pattern book is my favorite.

For the Audrey Fan – The Little Black Dress

Forget yet another Audrey Hepburn book, give your Audrey-obsessed friend The Little Black Dress. Trust me, it will be right up her alley.

For the Magazine Lover – 20th Century Fashion: 100 Years of Apparel Ads

Because, after all, who doesn’t love retro apparel ads?

Fiction

• Push
• The School of Essential Ingredients
• The Exorcist
• The Bell Jar
• London: The Novel

Someone on Jezebel described Push as a “love letter to literacy,” and I could not agree more. Yes, the subject matter is tough, but the novel will lift its reader to a level of hopefulness that is both surprising and thought-provoking. The School of Essential Ingredients is one of those novels that will please almost everyone. It follows subjects who have signed up for a cooking class for any number of reasons and are explored through the lens of food, cooking and companionship.

The Exorcist is fairly self-explanatory, I think. I have not read it, but it seems like the perfect gift for someone who loves a good scare (such as myself). I tend to geek out about The Bell Jar. I fall into the category of women who were greatly impacted by the book, although I realize not everyone loves it. I do think it’s a great gift for someone in her late teens, early 20′s. Lastly, for the historical fiction addict in your life, London: The Novel is a real treat. It follows a cast of characters living in and around London beginning nearly 2000 years ago. It’s a monster at 800+ pages, but a fascinating read.

Non-Fiction

• When You Are Engulfed in Flames – I came to Sedaris late (I knew of his sister long before I knew much about him), and this was his first book that I read. His humor is totally intoxicating, and as I turned the last page I was dying for more.
• My Life in France – For anyone who has read (and seen) Julie and Julia, this book is an essential companion.
• Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! – Something you may not know about me…I’m a total physics nut. I LOVE physics. Richard Feynman is a fascinating character, he worked on the Manhattan Project, which saw the creation of the first atomic bomb. His books are a hilarious and totally accessible look at the physical world
• Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do – This is one of those books that you’d never think about reading, but if you received it you’d start flipping through it immediately. After all, who doesn’t want to know more about how and why we drive? Ideal for anyone who suffers a long commute to work.
• The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath – As I said above, I am a Plath fan. Her journals are really, really fascinating. Every time I read this I am just baffled by her talent and how she was able to tap into her sadness. It’s really breathtaking.
• The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson – What can I say, I love her :-)
• Notes from a Small Island – Ah, Bill Bryson. I read this book before traveling abroad to live in London, and I got a huge kick out of it. He travels through the UK and talks about the culture and people in a fun, easy read.

Cooking

For the Drinker – Vintage Cocktails

For the New Cook – The Joy of Cooking

For the Wine Novice – Red, White & Drunk All Over

For the Home Chef – Larousse Gastronomique

For the Cookbook Lover – Sunday Suppers at Lucques & The Zuni Café Cookbook

For the Baker – The Bread Baker’s Apprentice

For the Foodie Reader – The Nasty Bits & How I Learned to Cook

For the Lover of Italian Food – The Classics

• The Essentials of Italian Cooking
• Biba’s Northern Italian Cooking
• Molto Italiano
• The Silver Spoon
  

Great Gift Books

• The Onion: Our Front Pages
• The Contact Sheet
• Vanity Fair’s Proust Questionnaire
• The Elements of Style Illustrated

Photo: Veer

I hope you all have a lovely Easter and the weather treats you well.  It’s clear and crisp in Northern California!  I’m envisioning all of the kids scampering around, hunting for Easter eggs; it makes me smile.  My family is not religious so we never formally celebrated Easter.  My favorite memory is visiting my great aunt’s house – she would throw a huge Easter extravaganza at her home in the woods.  I grew up on the coast near Mendocino, CA, which is covered in beautiful redwood forests.  My aunt would hide hundreds of Easter eggs in the woods around her house and us kids had a BLAST hunting for them.  So much more fun than our skimpy backyards!

Today David and I decided to have my parents over on a whim, as we haven’t seen them in awhile.  We’re having a late lunch.  I have no clue what to cook, so I am off to poke around the Internet for Easter-appropriate menus.

Feel free to share your Easter memories or plans for today in the comments!

xo

Photo: Lottie + Doof

What about you? Are you cooking at home for yourself or your partner, hitting a party or going out for a favorite dish?

Seller jujuisgoodluck (LOVE that Etsy name)

Seller uccellocurioso

Seller Earmark

Photo: weheartit via Le Love

I dislike Valentine’s Day, but not for the reasons you may think.  I don’t mind the throngs of men shuffling around the grocery store at 7pm on February 13th, on the hunt for flowers and Mylar balloons.  I can deal with the influx of young couples treating themselves to romantic dinners at all my favorite restaurants.  All of the red and pink hurts my eyes, but there are worse things in this world.

No, I don’t like Valentine’s Day for two main reasons.  One, I am ambivalent about Romance.  Two, I work in an industry driven by social occasions and holidays.  I was working with Val product in DECEMBER.  In fact, I’m nearly done with Easter.  I’ve moved on!

In the end, though, I really just hate forced romantic gestures and disingenuous (not to mention, largely useless) gift-giving.

David and I are a great fit because we both shrug our shoulders with a “meh” when it comes to Valentine’s Day, Christmas, anniversaries and even birthdays.  Before you start to think we’re a couple of sad sacks, consider this: since I have known David, he’s bought me an iPod video, Uggs (which I am wearing right now, thank you very much) and an awesome armoire for all of my clothes.  He’s come home with flowers on a Tuesday, a nice bottle of wine on a Thursday and he makes me lunches in the morning (with notes!).  On our fifth date, he gave me a single dried red rose, which he had plucked from a vase on our second date.  He took me to Mexico on a whim and he runs me bubble baths when I am cold.  And none of these gifts and gestures have occurred for any particular reason, aside from the iPod, which I believe may have been a birthday gift.  The man is not lacking in the romance department.  I am the un-romantic one in our relationship, in fact.

Therefore, my very first gift recommendation for Valentine’s Day is this; be romantic all year long.  Do kind things for your partner.  Try to make him/her happy.  Surprise with simple and thoughtful gifts, listen intently, be flexible and open.  Gifts are fabulous.  I love giving them and receiving them.  But, they don’t need to happen for a reason.

I do not, however, begrudge those who give gifts on Valentine’s Day.  Who am I to say it’s wrong?  I simply take issue with those people who only feel motivated to do something nice because of a holiday.  So, without further ado, my Val gift recommendations!

Upgrade Your Flowers

Flowers are lovely.  Roses are…..okay.  Lots of people love roses.  Many people don’t, so keep this in mind.  Ask for a bouquet featuring your partner’s favorite color, such as green/white, yellows/oranges, even red.  Look for seasonal flowers, buy local from your farmer’s market and make the arrangement yourself.

And don’t discount plants.  Depending on your audience (if your wife or girlfriend has been hinting at her desire for 2 dozen roses, I don’t recommend this idea) a plant is a lovely gift.  If my boyfriend came home with a lime tree AND planted it for me, I’d be one happy girl.  In a few years time I’d have ample limes for cocktails.  For home cooks, herbs are a great option.

Chocolate: Less Is More

Trust me on this, a single truffle that tastes beautiful will be far more appreciated than a heart shaped box of chocolate-flavored wax.  I recommend Scharffen Berger!

Polyester Is Not Sexy

Step away from the Fredricks catalog.  Do not think about buying those silk boxer shorts with hearts.  If you really want to make your man happy, buy him some slippers – it’s cold out.  Crank up the heat and get naked, he likes you best that way anyhow.  Don’t get me wrong, I really like lingerie.  I’ve done my fair share of prancing around in a garter belt and thigh-highs.  But for as much time as it takes to get into that shit, when it’s just going to come off within minutes anyhow, it’s not worth it.

Do me this favor, if you’re giving (or wearing) lingerie, opt for a chemise.  They’re sexy, comfortable, and it will be worn again.  I recommend Cosabella.  It’s not cheap, but it lasts (I’ve had some of their underwear for longer than I care to admit).  And if you’re going for classic lingerie, go for broke.  If David and I were not on a strict budget, I would definitely ask for something from Agent Provocateur’s Love collection.

Cosabella Ceylon Babydoll, $132

Photo: Agent Provocateur

Sex Toys, Porn & Booze

All go fabulously well together; the Three Lovemaking Amigos!  This might be the time to tell you that I have major issues with my libido (thanks, Prozac), but I do appreciate a good sex toy as a gift.  Early 2 Bed is a really fantastic and approachable resource for those new to buying sex toys and porn.  They have a lot of great information and recommendations.  I honestly don’t know anyone who wouldn’t appreciate a nice basket filled with vibrators, lube, porn and wine.  And if not on Valentine’s Day, then when?

If I were pulling together a basket, I would choose the following:

Ferrari-Carano 2006 Chardonnay, $22-$26

This is a chard that is well worth the splurge.  It’s one of my absolute favorites.

Mudlark Luminaire d’Amande Candles, $12-$20

I am addicted to Mudlark almond-scented candles.  Luckily, I can get them for free through work, but I highly recommend them if you enjoy almond.  They are subtle and absolutely wonderful.  The soaps are also glorious, triple-milled and delicious.  You can purchase single/double-wick or travel candles, soap or gift sets.  The product art is also totally beautiful.

Voyeur, Vol. 3: Switching Partners, $22

Obviously porn is totally personal for each person or relationship; I chose this video because it’s great for those who are new to porn (or new to sharing with a partner).  It’s fairly tame and there’s a lot of quiet storyline so there’s time to focus on one another without being too distracted.  It’s great as a nice background turn on.  And, this volume is themed around switching and adding partners, something I think a lot of couples fantasize about.

Hitachi Magic Wand, $50

Alright, full disclosure, I don’t actually own this vibrator.  But, I plan on buying in the near future.  I’ve heard nothing but great things about it, mostly thanks to Tracie (and countless commenters) at Jezebel.

Cruiser Vibrator, $18

This I do own.  And I recommend it.  That is all.

How I Adore You: Erotic Stories, $15

I don’t own this book, but I do own another by Mark Pritchard, and he’s great.  Based in SF, he explores a range of sexualities and really helps the reader to open up and experiment with his or her fantasies.

Climax H2O Lube, $16

For obvious reasons.

A Mix CD, Free

Any music that turns you on.  For me this might include Emiliana Torrini, Air, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Bebel Gilberto, Thievery Corporation, Feist, The Doors, EBTG, Portishead, etc etc etc…..

Dinner

I prefer to stay away from restaurants on Valentine’s Day.  I’d rather order a pizza and stay in, personally.  If you do want to take your partner out, take the opportunity to try a new cuisine.  Or, you could always cook!  If you’re after recipes I recommend Lottie + Doof for everyone and 101 Cookbooks for vegetarians/vegans.

Classic Gift Giving

In the end February 14th is just like any other day, and if you want to give your partner a gift, make it personal.  If your boyfriend has been talking about new running shoes or guitar strings, why not?  It’s an ideal time to give your wife a cooking lesson if you think she might enjoy it.  A kiss, a cupcake, a foot rub…..it’s all appreciated.  And it’s love.

This year it’s been very interesting to see what my family has been asking for. I am buying for my father, who asked for a $100 gift card for newegg (because he’s a computer nerd). My cousin is buying for me, and I provided him with a link to my Amazon wish list. I’ve asked for some books at the new Ladytron CD. Which, now that I think of it, I should probably remove as I have a friend who reps the band and I can likely get the album for free. My boyfriend is buying for my uncle, and he asked that his $100 be donated to Loaves & Fishes. My father is buying for my aunt, who has asked for a Coach clutch. And on and on we go…….

My boyfriend’s mother pressed me for a wish list, and I told her the only thing I wanted was a ticket to see Gloria Steinem speak at a local engagement.

My friends and I don’t buy for one another, although a close friend is returning home from Boston, and we’ve agreed to exchange cheap (read: free, she works for a magazine and gets cool samples, I work for a retailer and have awesome sample sales) gifts and meet up at my house for lots of drinking and an Absolutely Fabulous marathon.

As much as I love stuff, and I LOVE stuff, it’s really the simple shit that’s the best, isn’t it?

What is on your Christmas wish list this year? Does your family do anything unique around gift giving for the holidays? What about your partner or kids?

I’ve collected some tips I believe will be useful for those hoping to keep a tighter lid on their spending this December.

Tip One – Get Your Family/Friends/Partner On Your Side

My family ditched traditional Christmas gifting a few years back, when I was in my early twenties. We now each draw names and place a limit on how much we spend. Two years ago it was $250. This year it is $100. And yes, even children are included.

Ditto with friends. If you’ve traditionally exchanged gifts with your girlfriends, suggest gathering for a pre-holiday dinner or potluck. Rent corny holiday movies, bake cookies and drink cheap champagne. Anything that takes the pressure off buying gifts for one another.

Striking a No Gift Deal is easiest with a partner. I’m 29 and David is 30. We’re not buying gifts for one another this year. It’s not necessary. Then again, I don’t place much weight on holiday/birthday or (god forbid) Valentine’s Day gifts. I am lucky to have a boyfriend who brings me flowers on a random Tuesday night. I don’t need a box of candy on February 14th to know he loves me. Trust me, it’s easy. And, if you feel you must do something – how about opening an ING Savings account and agreeing to deposit money each month to save up for a vacation?

Tip Two – Food, Food, Food

Yes, I know that everyone eats too much during the holidays. However, I am not much of a “crafts” person, so if I make something homemade, you can bet it will be edible. Skip the usual cookie/fudge/fruit cake route and try something new and different. Try making some fruit preserves or create soup mixes, adding beans and herbs and rice with instructions to throw in some vegetables and water. The great thing about these gifts is that you can add on a small, inexpensive coordinating item. For example, a wooden spoon paired with the soup mix, or a cute monogrammed mug with a homemade hot chocolate mix.

Tip Three – Those Who Can’t Give, Write

Instead of buying gifts, buy a few boxes of holiday cards, a roll of stamps and stretch out your fingers. But, for the love of baby Jesus, no printed out “What’s Been Up With Us” novellas. No one reads them.

Tip Four – (Almost) Everyone Likes Music

If you have decent taste in music or your family or friends are always asking you to load up their iPod, then you’re in luck. A great (and cheap) option for holidays gifts is to create a holiday CD mix for everyone on your list. If you need some inspiration, hit up NPR’s music blogPitchfork.

Tip Five – Follow The Passion

Every Christmas growing up, my grandmother would stuff my stocking full or art supplies. I LOVED to draw. So does my boyfriend. Last year for Christmas I gave him a sketchbook and a Micron. Simple, useful, and cheap.

Almost everyone is passionate about something – cooking, cycling, fashion – you name it. Pinpoint your gift recipient’s passion and buy them something small and nice that will get a lot of use. Trust me, it will be appreciated.

Gift Ideas Under $15

Stationery
Featured Vendor – Orange Art
Their Brookfield Letterpress square notes are great for the home or office. I use these at work and at home. They are a great upgrade from your run-of-the-mill post-it note. Cards are square and printed with a letterpress icon. Bonus: they come in a square box that is entirely giftable.

Books
Featured Vendor – Powell’s
If you’ve never had a chance to visit Powell’s in Portland, Oregon, you can certainly peruse their extensive website. I recommend the Staff Recommendations. I am also a big fan of supporting local bookstores. This also guarantees less hassle if the book needs to be returned or exchanged.

Wine
Featured Vendors – Bonny Doon, RH Philips
You can find many, many wonderful wines for under $15. In fact, you can find a great value for under $10. I am partial to California wines and recommend RH Philips Tempranillo and Bonny Doon Big House Red or White for gift giving. The wine editors at the Wall Street Journal recommend South American wines, especially those from Chile. Check out their articles here.

Calendars
Featured Vendor – Cavallini
It kind of bums me out that no one gives calendars as gifts these days. And, I’m not talking the cheesy wall calendars you can pick up at the mall. I love giving Cavallini easel desk calendars as they are useful for referencing dates, compact, sophisticated and nearly everyone has a desk, right?

Coffee
Featured Vendors – Stumptown, Peet’s
Along with wine, this makes a great gift for anyone who loves their caffeine. Buy them a pound, ground or whole bean, and call it done. Try your best to find a local brewer with decent beans. If you can’t, I recommend ordering from Peet’s or Stumptown.

Home Accents & Hostess Gifts
Featured Vendor – CB2
Buying a unique (albeit cheap) home accent can be fun. A vase or some cool glasses. Take your pick. I have linked to CB2′s gift giving page.

I recommend Paper Source and Papyrus for great wrap and ribbon.