Trending 1.23.17: Valentine's Day Gifts for your Sweetie

I know it's a little early, but now is the time to start brainstorming for the perfect something for your sweetie.  If you're ordering a gift online, it's best to get moving on it earlier rather than have to pay for expedited shipping. Besides, I am coo-coo, and I love having my Christmas gifts bought and wrapped prior to December, so you know each holiday is similarly ridiculous. bahaha! Guilty as charged.

I can tell you all what I got Mike for Valentine's Day because I surprised him with it early. So the previous owners only gave us one garage door opener when we closed. I guess it's becoming more common because people just program their cars to have openers. Well, my 2009 Corolla doesn't really have that capability LOL (but I love it, thanks, Dad!), and Mike's 2006 Matrix, with nary a hubcap, lacks that option. Therefore, we were in major need of a second opener. Mike is a saint, as always, and let me have the one. He took to backing out, closing the garage, sprinting and jumping over the sensor to get to his car each AM. Not fair to him.

I surprised him by getting our garage door reprogrammed and two new openers!! He was SO excited! Let me know if you need a garage door company in the suburbs-- the guys I went with were awesome. :)

Now, onto the top ten gifts for your Valentine!

[1.0] A Lat & Lo bracelet or necklace with an important location for the two of you.
This could be where you met, where you had your first date or where you got married! It could be your first home or your new house's latitude and longitude. This company, Lat & Lo, is so friendly and helpful. Mike bought me the rose gold cuff (below) for Valentine's Day last year. You also get to have something engraved on the inside of the bracelet or back of the necklace.

The bar necklace (c/o Lat & Lo) has our apartment latitude and longitude and then on the back it reads, "Our First Home". 

The packaging is ADORABLE! 

This cuff bracelet is the rose gold. It's the address where I met Mike-- the Geneva Ale House.

Inside, it is inscribed with "love from first kiss". 

[2.0] A perfect dress for work or your Valentine's Day date!

This bright pink is adorable for Valentine's Day, but you can also continue to wear it all year to work! Paired with black tights and knee-high boots for winter, you're professional and stylish. Paired with an open-toed wedge for spring, you are ready to tackle the warm temps.

[3.0] This bell-sleeved top-- a new release from J. Crew.

That color is such a beautiful shade of pink! The bell(e) sleeve is completely on trend right now. Your sweetie can rock this on your date and then to work with black pants. This is a nice transitional piece, too. She can wear it now with pants and booties, and then she can wear it in the spring and summer with skirts and shorts. It's pre-order only right now, but the ship date will be January 30, which leaves plenty of time for arrival before the 14th.

[4.0] This heart idiom bangle from Kate Spade.

I've never met a Kate Spade bangle I didn't adore. They can stack with her watch and other bangles. This cute gesture will constantly remind her of you with every wear. 

[5.0] A signature scent, like this Marc Jacobs perfume.
Mike bought me this perfume two years in a row, and I absolutely adore it. I hadn't smelled it before, but he went to Von Maur and did a search for a wonderful-smelling scent, and landed upon this one himself. I LOVE it! I get a ton of compliments on it, too! It lasts all day, and it is not overbearing. Any scent you give your significant other will remind her or him of you! It's a proven fact! Dr. Megan Turk told me that, and she's a professional :):):) Also, the packaging of this bottle is beautiful! So fun to have out on display on my dresser.

[6.0] Anything by Bow & Drape! Particularly these emoji tees.
Bow & Drape caught my eye with their sequined graphic sweatshirts last year, and now they are adding more pieces to their collection, including adorable makeup bags and tees. Check these out! Your Valentine would get a HOOT out of the emoji pocket-tees!

[7.0] Comfy/fun jammies.
Let's be honest: women like to sleep in comfortable pajamas! It's the truth! Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. LOL. I love all my old SMC/ND tees and a sensible flannel pajama pant! Comfort trumps all else when you're sleeping in the winter months. That being said, check out these adorable avocado and taco jammies! I lol'd when I saw them. Amazing. It just so happens that Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday... taco Tuesday? Or these adorable Vday themed ones? Also loving the buffalo plaid navy ones!

[8.0] High-waisted moto-leggings.
These Alo Yoga leggings FLY off the shelves. Alo fits so well, too! Your Valentine will be the hit of her Pure Barre classes in her new moto leggings. Opt for the high-waisted; they're so flattering! I am loving the classic black and navy. It's harder to treat ourselves to more expensive pieces for working out, but they are SO WORTH IT! The beauty of the moto legging is that she can wear them outside the studio, too! They're perfect for running around, and they are the most flattering yoga pants EVER.

[9.0] A beanie with a pom-pom on top.
The pom-pom winter hat made a huge comeback this season! I love the cableknit version from The North Face. Just be sure the color you choose matches her winter coat :) A cozy winter hat will carry her all the way through the season. 

[10.0] This question-a-day journal for couples!
My friend Caitlin started me with this question-a-day 5 year journal as a bridesmaid's gift for her wedding in May of 2013. It was THE COOLEST gift! I loved seeing my answers change with each year, and seeing myself grow in my career and personality was very eye-opening. This year for my birthday, she surprised me with the couple's version of this journal. Each day, Mike and I write our answers in the book.  Some example entries are pictured below. Also, my friend, Fran, found me this Jane Austen line-a-day journal! LOVE it! These are so fun to do while I eat my breakfast each morning. (We mark the pages with our wedding save the date bookmark, made by our incredibly talented SIL, Molly!)

What are your Valentine's Day plans? Who is lucky enough to be celebrating with you?
Mike made us reservations at one of our favorite Geneva restaurants, Villa Verone, for the weekend before V-day! IT IS THE BEST Italian food ever! And the owner is AWESOME!
xxoo
Mary