Valentine’s Day gift guide: Totally her
Beyond the sappy cards and seemingly endless rows of heart-shaped chocolate boxes, there are, indeed, some stylish ways to celebrate the woman in your life this Valentine’s Day. Win points in the romance department by moving beyond grocery store floral bouquets to heartfelt gifts that match her personality.
For the trendsetter
The girl who is passionate about fashion and fuschia is sure to love this haute pink frock. Local designer Jenni Kayne’s silk tunic dress picks up on the 1960s vibe that is all the rage for spring-summer. Both easygoing and elegantly understated, it can be dressed up or down for almost every special occasion, with minimal fuss. (Jenni Kayne silk dress, $650 at jennikayne.com and Jenni Kayne, 614 N. Almont Drive, West Hollywood, or Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St. in Brentwood)
VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT GUIDE: Gifts for him
For the Gosling groupie
Swooning over Ryan Gosling? Why not spend Valentine’s Day watching your star crush in “Blue Valentine” or “Crazy, Stupid, Love” while doodling in this Gosling-themed coloring book? Created by British artist Mel Simone Elliott of ilovemel.me, the book boasts 15 sketches, including Gosling shirtless, scruffy and with main squeeze Eva Mendes (yes, you are allowed to scribble on her). (Mel Simone Elliott’s “Colour Me Good Ryan Gosling” coloring book, $14.50 at Reform School, 3902 Sunset Blvd. in Silver Lake, reformschoolrules.com and Kitson, 151 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly)
For ladies who lounge
These sweet nothings are something to lounge or sleep in. Part of a new collaboration between fashion-forward lingerie line Lake & Stars and Kate Spade New York, the five-piece collection includes a silk sleep shirt and tap pants, as well as a bikini brief, bra and hammered silk chemise. (Sleep shirt, $188, and tap pant, $78 at Kate Spade New York stores in Century City, Glendale and Newport Beach)
For the air kisser
A flirty, lipstick kiss-print dress is sure to beckon love on Valentine’s Day and beyond. Inspired by lipstick impressions on cocktail napkins at a dinner party, New York designer Erin Fetherston created a custom kiss pattern with lipstick smacks from all the ladies who work in her studio. (Strapless Marianne dress in Lipstick Kiss print, $365 at French Lesson Boutique, 1327 Montana Ave., Santa Monica and revolveclothing.com)
For the exhibitionist
How about a game of peek-a-boo? A sheer clutch handbag is a clear gift choice, given all the transparent accessories that are in stores for spring. Bonus: It forces you to downsize and get organized or your hot mess will be on view for all the world to see. (Gucci plexiglass clutch in Begonia Pink, $1,150 at Gucci, 347 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, or gucci.com)
For the hopeless romantic
With the help of this little leather book, bring back the nearly lost art of hand-penned love letters. The gilt-edged pages of Smythson’s “Love Letters” are filled with amorous notes from the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Victoria, Mozart, Virginia Woolf and Oscar Wilde. Grouped into categories, such as Flirtation, Intoxication and Separation, they are sure to encourage some good, old-fashioned romance. (Smythson “Love Letters,” $255 in red or fuschia hard-bound calf leather at smythson.com or call [212] 265-4573. Rush delivery available)
For the partner in crime
Cure the most serious case of cuff love with this arresting bangle. In an ode to society’s obsession with security, innovative Los Angeles jewelry and accessories brand Cast of Vices introduces a collection that transforms security sensors into brooches and security cables and handcuffs into bracelets. (Handcuff bracelet in gold, silver or black rhodium, $275 at castofvices.com and at A + R location at 171 S. La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles and 1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice)
For the skater girl
Say it with flowers in the form of a skateboard. Artist and designer Didi Dunphy, who once called Venice home, takes inspiration from the town’s vibrant, bohemian beach lifestyle. Her Modern Convenience Recess Play furniture and accessories line includes an upholstered seesaw bench, oversized indoor swings and multi-use skateboards. In full bloom, these wooden skateboards with bright wheels and hand-applied vinyl graphics are her latest designs. (Didi Dunphy Zinnia Skate and Bachelor Button skateboards, 7 1/2 inches wide and 33 inches long, $225 each, plus $45 for second-day delivery at dididunphy.bigcartel.com)
For the commitment-ready
Give (or get) a token of enduring love. According to legend, couples who attach a padlock to a bridge railing and toss away the key will seal their love forever, and from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, to the Pont des Arts in Paris, France, the practice continues today. Louis Vuitton’s new Lockit jewelry collection pays tribute to this tradition with its iconic steamer trunk padlock motif. In silver, 18-karat yellow or rose gold, the 15-piece collection includes rings, necklaces and bracelets, some laden with diamonds. (Louis Vuitton Lock-It necklace, $2,060 at Louis Vuitton, 295 N. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills)
For the dazzler
Bling it on. Santa Monica-based luxury jewelry line Hoorsenbuhs, designed by Robert Keith and loved by stars such as Kristen Stewart and David Beckham, is winning hearts with its ethically sourced stones and classic yet cutting-edge designs. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Hoorsenbuhs has teamed up with Forevermark to introduce a line of diamond stud earrings and engagement rings. Settings are embellished with the line’s signature tri-link motif. (Hoorsenbuhs for Forevermark Classic-Link diamond stud earrings in platinum and 18-karat rose gold, yellow gold or white gold, from $2,235 at barneys.com and Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills)
For the new flame
Actually, old and new flames alike may be captivated by the scent of Diptyque’s new, limited-edition Rose Duet candle. Named for a hybrid rose with petals that are light on one side and dark on the other, this new fragrance from the renowned Parisian candle and fragrance company infuses the lush scent of a fresh rose bouquet with notes of blackcurrant. (Diptyque Rose Duet candle, $65 at diptyqueparis.com, Nordstrom stores and Space NK in the Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St. in Brentwood)
For the gold digger
Keep that pout in fine kissing form with Clark’s Botanicals Ultra-Rich Lip Tint, now in a new shimmery gold-flecked shade, dubbed 24k Kiss. The cult beauty favorite is packed with natural moisturizers, such as shea butter, aloe leaf extract, jojoba and sweet almond oils, as well as “marine collagen microspheres,” said to help lips retain moisture. (Pucker up! Clark’s Botanicals Ultra-Rich Lip Tint in 24k Kiss, $19 at clarksbotanicals.com or Fred Segal New Beauty, 500 Broadway, Santa Monica)
For the Boho babe
Here’s one to have and to hold. Local celebrity stylist Simone Harouche, who counts Nicole Richie and Christina Aguilera among her clients, also designs limited-edition handbags, iPad totes and cosmetic pouches. Crafted from vintage and antique textiles, each piece is hand-stitched in Los Angeles and uniquely finished with decorative tassels, coins and beading. (Simone Camille small cosmetic/jewelry bags from $98 at https://www.simonecamille.com or $124 at Roseark, 1111 N. Crescent Height Blvd., West Hollywood, or 1111 Montana Ave., Santa Monica)
For the sweetheart
To be properly celebrated, this holiday pretty much requires a sugar fix. Look no further than gourmet destination, Joan’s on Third, for an array of yummy options, from Rice Krispy heart pops to pink meringue confections. These heart-shaped sugar cookies and chocolate shortbread cookies are hand-decorated with pink sugar, white chocolate and valentine sugar hearts. Packaged in a white box, tied with red or pink ribbon, the treats are ready to give. (Box of 12 heart-shaped cookies, $18 at Joan’s on Third, 8350 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood)
