Happy Valentine's Day.

Five years ago today, I had a grim Valentine's Day. There was a huge blizzard in New York, and I was trudging home from work in the dark, with soggy shoes and a lonely heart. As I dodged slush puddles, I wondered if I'd ever meet my soulmate. Didn't seem likely. Little did I know that two weeks later (just two weeks!) I would find the love of my life. As I've said before, it goes to show that you never know what's around the corner.

What are you doing today? Remember how lovely and wonderful you always are. xoxo

(Illustration by Ellen Van Engelen)

How to feel gorgeous on a date

With Valentine's Day (and mating season:) fast approaching, let's chat about our beauty secrets when going on dates! Here's my little routine...
First, Bare Escentuals foundation with SPF has changed my life. It makes your skin look clean, pretty and glowing. Honestly, I've felt a little self-conscious about my skin as I've gotten older, but this foundation is a miracle. It covers everything beautifully, without looking like you're wearing makeup. It's my holy grail foundation, and I highly recommend it.
Second, I wear this Fresh Sugar Passion lip treatment when I'm on a dinner date or bike ride with Alex. The hint of bee-stung color brightens up your face, while the hydrating treatment makes your lips soft for kissing.

What makes you feel naturally beautiful? Please share your secrets...

(Photo of Gemma Arterton by Elle Magazine, via W&D)

10 Valentine's Day gifts for men

The Sisters Brothers. All my guy friends are obsessed with this page-turning thriller, which is described as a Coen Brothers film in novel form. Spooky. $16.
A John Derian tray for his desk, for keys, change and reminding him how lucky he is, $66.
In this 9-minute film, Rendezvous, a man gets into a sports car and drives at terrifying speeds around Paris. He actually runs red lights, dodges pedestrians and screeches around corners, then finally stops the car and meets a beautiful woman. The 1970s film is taken from the driver's viewpoint and was shot illegally early one morning; the director Claude Lelouch was rumored to have been arrested when it first aired. Trust me, you will be the coolest girlfriend ever if you give him this gift. $29.95.
If he's a foodie, get him something crazy obscure and awesome from Gilt Taste, like beer sausages, basil-fed snails or scotch and stout truffles.
A stinky cheese class for you to take together. New York or San Francisco, $75/person.
Artwork for your bedroom, to make him laugh, or smile. $20 to $60.
I Could Eat a Horse pasta measuring tool, plus a homemade pasta feast. $15.
Silver frame with a photo of when you first started dating, so you'll both remember falling in love and getting butterflies. (You can upload a photo and get the frame here.)
Temporary tattoos to wear on your shoulder when you go out to dinner that evening. $5/each.
A sweet love note and a kiss.

P.S. 10 Valentine's Day gifts for women, and many more gifts for guys.

(Car in Paris photo via Yanidel)

10 Valentine's Day gifts for women

The Miraculous Push-Up Bra, for obvious reasons. $58. (This is sexy, too.)
Cool heart hoops by Marc Jacobs, $48.
A gift certificate for a foot massage. Have you ever gotten one? Pressure points on your feet correspond to other parts of your body (your head, your arms, your back) so you leave feeling relaxed and floppy all over. Amazing and such a treat. $115 for an hour.
Flowers, and here's the kicker: Send them to her office. It's so much fun to get flowers at work! Her heart will secretly skip a beat when the delivery guy walks in and calls her name, and they'll look gorgeous on her desk for a week. (P.S. Skip the traditional dozen red roses and mix it up a little or a lot; and be sure the bouquet includes a vase. Call up a local florist, or Teleflora and Proflowers are great, too. xoxo)
Ampersand necklace to show your sweet connection. (The font was inspired by the alphabet magnets on everyone's fridges growing up!) $124.
Etta James CD, with classic songs to make her starry-eyed. $4.99.
Giant heart balloons to have waiting in the bathroom, bedroom, hallway and living room when she wakes up.
A notepad with your favorite schmoopy photo, $12.99.
A brownie of the month club. (This exists!!!) $65 for three months.
A good old-fashioned love letter, since that's all she really wants anyway.

What kinds of gifts do you like to get (or give) for Valentine's Day? I'd love to hear more ideas...

P.S. A men's gift guide coming up tomorrow! And past gift guides...

Valentine's Day card

Sweet. :)

What's your relationship status these days? Single? Dating? New relationship? Old relationship? xoxo

Valentines print

What a sweet print.

Valentine stickers

Twig & Thistle made these adorable downloadable fruit stickers for Valentine's Day. Alex has a banana for breakfast everyday; I might sneak one on there and see if he notices. :)

Venn diagram posters

So sweet.

(Via the hilarious Nerd Valentine)

Valentine's Day countdown

This February, I'd like to share love-themed posts every day until the fourteenth. Anyone with or without a Valentine can come here for some heartfelt Valentiney wishes. :) First up, how sweet is this print, below?
(Photo by Corey Arnold)

Harold & Maude

I'm in a posty mood today. Maybe it's because I'm so excited for tonight: Alex and I are going to see Harold and Maude, one of my all-time favorite movies, at Lincoln Center. The film is hilarious, goofy, wonderful...Plus, Cat Stevens did the soundtrack!

Love is in the Air

I'm loving everyone's Valentiney posts today. Look at this gorgeous photo by Pia. P.S. Also nice advice from Marie...

Valentine's E-Cards

I've never met an e-card that I didn't find cheesy. But Kate Spade now offers these adorable (free) Valentine's Day e-cards by top graphic designers and artists including the lovely Lena Corwin. I just sent like twenty to my friends and family.
(Via GlamChic and Unruly Things.)

You Da Best

How cute would it be to wake up and find tags saying "The Best" sewn into all your shirts? What a sweet little surprise.

My Sexy Valentine

What a sexy back from Erica Toogood.
Ditto from DooRi.

Love slang

My friends have developed relationship slang over the years. A few of my favorite (and most frequently used) terms are:

* a deep & meaningful = a serious talk about the relationship's future.
* the slow fade = letting a relationship die out by slowly stopping contact, versus having a talk about it.
* the long, dirty road = breaking up but continuing to sleep together.

What relationships slang do you have, dear readers?
(Photo by Julie Simon.)

Escape

Baby, it's cold outside. Let's take a fantasy trip to Spain and wear this. (Photos by Yosigo, via Vic.)

Valentine Underwears

These are less in-your-face sexy than the underwears I usually post, but don't you love their come-hither sweetness? Cotton! Hearts!

Will you share my toothbrush?

Now that's true love.
(Card by Bella Muse.)

Red Lipstick

I have an idea: This Valentine's Day, let's all wear red lipstick! It makes you feel sexy and glamorous, in a fancy white dress or ratty old sweater.

Heart glasses

A few years ago, I discovered The Coolest Glasses Ever. When you put them on, all points of light--candles, lamps, headlights--turn into hearts. It's so amazing and romantic to walk down a city street.
(Top photo via Black Eiffel; bottom photo by Elif Sanem Karakoc via Beautiful Tumblr.)