Valentine's Day Gift Picks

Hard to believe Valentine's Day is only 2 days away. Here are a few of my top picks for gifts. Some for men and some that can be shared. A lot of sites are running promos on shipping right now for those last minute shoppers! 

What was on your wish list?

1. Amore Champagne Flute Set- I have been obsessing over this champagne flute set since I saw it on Red Envelope. I think they are very unique, and not to mention perfect for the occasion. This is a great gift to use and share with your loved one.

2. Dom Perignon- I am a champagne lover so it comes as no surprise that Dom Perignon would be on my top picks. Usually regarded as for special occasions, Dom would make the perfect bottle to enjoy with your loved one on Valentine's Day....in the amore champagne flutes perhaps!

3. Ralph Lauren Heraldic Crown Tie- I felt cliché selecting a tie, but there is always the type of guy that likes to stick to the "traditional" gifts so to speak one it comes to holidays. Ties are always a great option for the business type man. I love this one with crowns by Ralph Lauren Black Label.

4. Randolph Engineering Concorde Sunglasses- I love Randolph sunglasses, and this model is featured in a new tone- rose gold. The quality of their products is amazing and you cannot go wrong with the rose gold tone as it has become quite the trendy shade of metal. These glasses are actually plated in 23K gold! Available directly from Randolph Engineering.

5. Prada Card Holder- A cardholder is the perfect accessory for the man about town, especially in today's world of card based transactions. They are sleek and less bulky than wallets, yet very functional. I love the preppy undertone of houndstooth of this Prada option available from Bergdorf Goodman.

6. His & Hers Philip Stein Watches- A true luxury gift that two can share is this his&hers Philip Stein Watch set.  Made specially for Valentine's Day, the male version features a black calf strap while the female version features a diamond bezel. Both watches incorporate the natural frequency technology for which the brand is known. Available from Philip Stein.

Decorating with Memories

Interior decorations from Jonathan Adler and West Elm are wonderful and add great touches to any apartment, however, sometimes a little personal touches that are very simple and contain memories add a distinctive touch as well. 

I was recently telling someone at an event about my utilizations of wine bottles, corks, and boxes as decoration around my apartment, and she said "oh my gosh! You have to send me photos for inspiration!" So I snapped a few photos and sent them off. 

Wine bottles and corks make the perfect touch to a kitchen or shelf because they add a French flair and they also contain memories. These bottles all serve as conversation pieces when guests come over, especially those who have never seen them and react in a way that is usually something along the lines of "wow look at all those bottles!" This is when I usually chime in and mention the various occasions or stories behind the various ones, like a little throwback.

I also like saving the corks and dating the ones that are from special moments. They are great to put in vases and glass jars and place on shelves next to candles or plants. It is fun to seem the jar get full overtime with different memories.

We all probably have those special bottles of champagne from memorable holidays and events that usually come in nice boxes. I like to place them throughout bookshelves to add interest among the books and various objects. Again, it is fun to look at them and reminisce about the moment when you received them.