What the Heart Wants — Check out Part 2 of our Valentine’s Gift Guide!
Yesterday, we kicked off our Valentine’s Day coverage and, today, we’re keeping the momentum going as we move closer and closer to February. Below, you’ll find more darling gift options — whether you’re a guy shopping for your wife, betrothed, girlfriend, or crush; you’re a single gal and, as your own Valentine, you want to treat yourself to a little somethin’ somethin’; or you’re buying presents for parents, siblings and friends (it is, after all, also the Day of Friendship). Ready to be swept off your feet?
TOMS Multi Hearts Vegan Classics, $54. Available at TOMS.com
Socially conscious brand TOMS has earned a massive following both thanks to its founder’s “One for One” philosophy (for each pair of shoes purchased, another is donated to a child in need) and thanks to the comfort of its slip-on shoes. This vegan-friendly style, made using no animal products, features a whimsical pattern print all over its uppers and is equipped with a cushioned canvas insole and a latex arch insert for greater support. Could it be the Queen of TOMS Hearts?
Carrera y Carrera Cordoba Yellow Gold Hoop Earrings, $5,250. Available at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide.
Spanish jewelry brand Carrera y Carrera paid homage to the architecture in Córdoba, Andalucía — in particular, the Moorish architectural details of the Cathedral of Córdoba (also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba) — with its aptly dubbed Cordoba collection. These hoop earrings, for instance, feature intricate cagework in geometric angles that recall the gilded dome over the Maksoureh, an anteroom for the caliph and his court in front of the mihrab.
Prada Infusion D’Iris Eau de Parfum Absolue, $88. Available at Bloomingdales.com
Who said Prada had finished writing the book on its Infusion d’Iris fragrance collection? If you were enthralled by the Prada Infusion d’Iris Eau de Parfum and the Prada Infusion d’Iris Eau de Toilette , then get ready to turn the page and enjoy the new chapter in this fragrance story: the Prada Infusion d’Iris Absolue. Blended by perfumer Daniela Andrier, the Infusion d’Iris Eau de Parfum Absolue is intended to feel a bit more extravagant and exotic than the Infusion d’Iris EDP , mainly thanks to some minor changes in the fragrance composition like the addition of some spicy and warm oriental notes and the omission of some of the woodier notes in the original scent. Whereas the Infusion d’Iris Eau de Parfum featured top notes of of galbanum, mandarin orange, and orange blossom; heart notes of iris, cedar, vetiver; and base notes of frankincense and benzoin, the Prada Infusion d’Iris Eau de Parfum Absolue features orange blossom, absolute, and Italian iris top notes (note that the mandarin orange and galbanum notes are no longer featured in this iteration of the scent); middle notes of Laos benzoin and white musk for a sensual and ephemeral twist (as opposed to the iris, cedar, and vetiver in the EDP); and base notes of Venezuelan tonka bean and Madagascar vanilla for a creamy and seductive aromatic trail that lingers on seductively. The result is an exquisite floral scent with an amber-like warmth (thanks to the benzoin heart note) and the smooth, seductive quality of both musk and vanilla.
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Carelle Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Pavé Set After Dark Ring, $14,500. Available at Carelle.com
Part of Carelle’s After Dark collection, this glamorous ring features a prong-set, oval-shaped pink tourmaline stone with a domed, multi-faceted surface that allows it to reflect oncoming light in a way that accentuates the stone’s fiery beauty. Around the pink tourmaline’s perimeter, meanwhile, you’ll find an 18k rose gold rim adorned with round, pavé set diamonds, so that these crystalline beauties encircle the colored center stone.
Betsey Johnson Heart Mesh Bra in Candy Apple, $38, and Heart Mesh Cheekini, $18. Available at Nordstrom.
You’ll feel like dancing around in your underwear — or maybe even doing a cartwheel or two — in these perky undergarments from fun-loving designer Betsey Johnson, both featuring metallic heart details over a semi-sheer mesh fabric.
Moyna Isabelle Beaded Clutch, $195. Available at CalypsoStBarth.com
Hand-beaded and embroidered by artisans in India, this Moyna New York clutch feels like a tribute to Mumbai thanks to its bold color scheme and intricate beadwork. Featuring a fold-over flap with a hidden snap closure, the clutch is embellished with oval cabochon stones in coral red and cerulean blue, round and bean-shaped glass and plastic beads of various sizes, and flat sequins.
Everly Forever Zig Zag Blouse, $38. Available at ShopSosie.com
Geometric patterns are all the rage this season, and the chevron theme in this Everly blouse reminds us of just how much fun can be had with even the simplest of prints. The flowing tunic features a boat neck and a rounded hemline, as well as long, billowing sleeves cuffed at the wrists.
MASSI Coraggio Stud Earrings, $140. Available at GiandoMassi.com
You’ve likely heard the term “druzy” a thousand times in recent years, but what exactly is it? Well, it’s a coating of fine crystals within a rock formation or geode, one of the many examples of the untouched beauty that nature offers. These heart-shaped stud earrings, then, celebrate nature via their fuchsia-colored druzy interiors, which look like pieces of rock candy thanks to the crystals’ sharp points.
Clinique Happy Heart Perfume Spray, $37. Available at Clinique.com
This optimistic fragrance livens up spirits with a mandarin orange top note that, combined with a cucumber note, feels zesty without being overpowering, sunny yet also mouthwatering, while middle notes of carrot and water hyacinth add green but aqueous nuances to the overall aroma. Through December 31st, Clinique Happy Heart is available in a limited-edition packaging, tucked inside a white box featuring pink and orange heart illustrations that look like they were made by children using crayons and markers. The packaging speaks to Clinique’s commitment to the Happy Hearts Fund, a non-profit organization that strives to build schools for children in areas that are impoverished or which have been devastated by natural catastrophes — from post-earthquake Haiti to post-tsunami Thailand. Not only has Clinique donated $250,000 to the HHF, it has vowed to donate $10 from the sale of each Happy Heart fragrance to the organization. By buying this scent, then, you’ll be spreading the love in many directions: to the recipient of this lively perfume, to the hard-working folks at the HHF, and to the children whose lives will be enriched as a result of your contribution.
Bodycology Sweet Love Nourishing Body Cream, $5.99. Available at BodycologyStore.com
This body cream lives up to the “Sweet” portion of its moniker with its sugary scent, which can best be described as an ultra saccharine mix of whipped cream, pink peony, and blush rose. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this lightweight lotion will feel like quite the treat — and, of course, it contains shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera, soybean oil, and vitamins E and C to smooth, soften, hydrate, and protect the skin.
Courvoisier Gold, $24.99 per bottle. Available at
The latest offering from Courvoisier combines two rather unexpected spirits: cognac and Moscato wine. Though it’s not exactly appealing when served at room temperature, once properly chilled, Courvoisier Gold tastes less like cognac and more like a sweet, fruity wine, which is precisely what the company intended since it relies on 70% Moscato from the South of France and 30% Courvoisier cognac. Like Moscato, it has a sweet floral aroma and tastes like a mixture of grape, apple, pear, and vanilla — but with a bit of a kick thanks to the cognac in the formula.
Beautiful Bottoms Tropic Padded Wire Bra, $89.50, and Tropic Ruched Knicker, $47. Available at BeautifulBottoms.com
Though the print on these luxurious undergarments is dubbed “Tropic,” don’t expect toucan-worthy colors or samba-style feathers and embellishments. Instead, this padded, full-coverage bra with a supportive underwire and adjustable straps that allow you to push the “girls” up as much as you desire, along with the matching low-cut panty, featuring a ruched waistline, both feature a floral print that’s at once lush and delicate, with branches and leaves along the backdrop in a moody gray shade and pink peonies in full bloom bringing light and optimism to the overall design.
Nissa Jewelry Sydne Jeweled Bib Necklace, $98. Available at NissaJewelry.com
A statement necklace can take any ensemble from drab to fab. Featuring a 4.5″-wide, crescent moon-shaped bib made of pink leather and adorned with chartreuse-colored crystals in round, square, and pod shapes, this Nissa number will brighten up outfits and attitudes.
Blessed Charm 10K Rose Gold or 10K Yellow Gold Life Link Necklace with Diamond Stone, $465 each. Available at BlessedCharm.com
Jewelry can sometimes feel so impersonal. Even when you buy a necklace that says “Love,” “Angel,” “Cherished,” or “Sweetheart,” these pieces, however sophisticated, still feel generic, which then minimizes the sentiment they’re meant to convey. Thankfully, designer Emily Rabinowitz decided to fill the void in the market with her Blessed Charm Life Link necklaces, available in rose gold, sterling silver, and yellow gold. Each necklace features a rectangular bar that measures 1.25″ in length and can be engraved with any word, date, or symbol (up to 20 characters, of course), so that it can truly feel like a personalized token of affection. Customers can also pick whether they want to add a diamond stone to their necklace for a bit more dazzle. Another plus: if you’re on a tighter budget, you can pick up a 14k rose gold or 14k yellow gold piece for only $120.
Oscar & Anna Cleo Bag in Hot Pink, $468. Available at OscarandAnna.com
Do you carry your entire life in your bag? Then you’ll appreciate the design of the Oscar & Anna Cleo bag, which features a lower compartment into which you can stash bigger items (be it a book, iPad, 1 liter Fiji water bottle, or makeup train case) and an upper compartment in which to store smaller, more urgent items like your cell phone, keys, and wallet. A zipper along the top allows you to reach your essentials quickly, while a side zipper makes accessing the larger items less of a hassle (yes, girls, no more sifting through a seemingly bottomless pit!). Made of Italian leather and measuring 14″ in width, 13″ in height, and 4″ in depth, this sleek and elegant number is as stylish as it is practical.
Schwinn Rendezvous 2 Bike, $650. Visit SchwinnBikes.com for stores.
The Schwinn Rendeszvous 2 bike’s pale pink color might remind girls of their very first bikes, complete with training wheels and handlebar streamers, but this two-wheeled phenom is certainly not meant for child’s play. Featuring a step-thru steel frame with a double top tube and rigid steel form, the bike boasts a Shimano Altus rear detailleur with a 7-speed drive train and a Tourney Revo shifter that allows riders to switch gears depending on the terrain they traverse. It also tips the adorable scale thanks to its green front basket , which features a built-in coffee cup holder, making it great for both leisurely rides and for morning trips to work.
Sweethearts Green Enamel “Kiss Me” Stud Earrings, $119.99. Available at SweetheartsJewelry.com
Who can forget the powdery, heart-shaped, pastel-colored Necco Sweethearts candies you ate as a child and which you shared with your friends, making sure to give them a piece with the appropriate message: “Kiss Me” for the boy whose name you doodled inside your notebook, “Be Kind” to your BFF, and so on. Modeled after the candies you so loved, these 12mm-tall sterling silver stud earrings, coated in green enamel and stamped with the words “Kiss Me,” will cater to your nostalgic sentiments.
Shea Moisture Organic Lavender & Wild Orchid Massage, Bath & Body Oil, $9.99. Available at Walgreens stores.
