photography by Matthew Shelley

(clockwise from top left) La Perla Studio baby doll, $227; Via Delle Rosa demi lace bra, $227 and brief, $140; Studio Soft Baroque push-up bra, $107 and thong, $72; and Jean Paul Gaultier “Frou Frou” bustier, $1,127

(left) Christies “Mon Amour” corset bra, $245, and thong, $155.

(right) Mimi Holliday “Bisou” padded bra, $98 and “Paradis” thong, $85

See more from Trousseau.

Triangular "Smoking" bra, $193

My favorite underthings boutique in town is conveniently (and dangerously) close to my place. It makes running over and snapping pics of my favorite V Day things breeze. Jump and enjoy some of the beautiful bras, corsets, and accessories at Trousseau right now.

(from top) Damaris sheer bralettes $170-$200, black lace-up waist cincher, $268; Jezebel red and black panties, $38; Maison Close little luxuries; red stocking from Wolford; and Damaris floor-length tulle gown rhinestones.

Chantelle "Icone" demi bra, $90, and Shorty bottoms, $52 (photography by Jessica Acklen)

It’s that time of year, so shopping intern Jessica Acklen headed over to NorthPark’s beloved lingerie store, Intimacy, to select (and photograph) her favorite sets for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy.

photography by Jessica Acklen

First row:
Chantelle ribbon bra, $105, and ribbon panties

Second row:
Mary Green satin chemise, $84 and  Chantelle “Eternelle” bra, $105, and tanga panties, $54

Third row:
Lisa’s Folly Luxe rose print set, $130

CHOCOLATE
Whether you’re into Albatross fudge with dark chocolate with dehydrated blue cheese and sea salt or raspberry ganache with crystallized violet lavender or traditional turtles, check out our favorite chocolate shops in Dallas, which await you with a delightful treat for every taste. photo: chocolate covered caramels from Nib Chocolates. (photography by Manny Rodriguez)

DATE NIGHT OUTFIT
There are shops we turn to for brunch attire and shops we love for polishing up for big meetings, but then there are these: the boutiques we can count on for extra special dates and swanky nights out with our girls. Click for a list of top ten shops we’ve deemed perfect-date worthy. For Her. For Him.

LINGERIE
Buying pretty underthings is half the fun of this holiday. Need an excuse to ditch the nude bra for a strappy pink one with lace trim? You’ve got it. Feeling guilty about spending the big bucks on designer undies only you can see? Don’t. It’s Valentine’s Day, and that’s what’s it’s here for. Click here. photo: Damaris “Naked bra” Trousseau, $176

JEWELRY
Skip James Avery. Go for the good stuff. Diamonds are a girls best friend, after all. Click here for eight of our favorite jewelry boutiques you can rely on for bling that’ll make your heart sing and wrist glitter. photo: Heather Moore Harriet Stone necklace from Ylang23. (photography courtesy of Ylang23)

EVENTS
Our top picks from events editor Liz Johnstone include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Theatre Three, a musical about romance, jazzed up with song, dance, and comedy and the Valentine’s Double Feature at Lakewood Theater. The night begins with lives tunes from Ricki Derek and the Cupid Quartet (think Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole) and ends with a screening of Casablanca. Check out Liz’s full list of V Day events here.

WHERE TO SHOP FOR DATE NIGHT DUDS
FOR HER:

(photography by Matthew Shelley, style assistants: Jessica Acklen and Meagan Paparella)

(in photo) Yigal Azrouël maxi skirt and one-shoulder crepe top ($665 and $465, Forty Five Ten); Azzedine Alaia eyelet shell dress over slip ($3,275, Forty Five Ten); and Shirin Askara jewel-tone print dress ($375, Melanie Gayle)

Barneys New York: For delicious designer garb.
Chanel: For its famous ladylike chic look.
Demerara: For a bit of glitz and a lot of glam.
Diane von Furstenberg: For colorful dresses that fit like a glove.
Elements: For a little of everything, edited down.
Flirt Boutique: For affordable frocks.

(photography by Matthew Shelley, style assistants: Jessica Acklen and Meagan Paparella)

(in photo) Minimarket drape dress, $132; Minimarket sheer-legged romper, $310; and Abi Ferrin scoop back dress, $300, from Piermarini Boutique

Forty Five Ten: For exclusive designer pieces.
Hemline: For of-the-moment pieces that won’t break the bank.
Krimson & Klover: For flirty styles at affordable prices.
l.Bartlett: For the latest trends organized by colors.
Lela Rose: For Dallas-based design.
Lilli London: For sleek cocktail dresses.
Mal Malouf: For style that mimic the latest from designers.

(photography by Matthew Shelley, style assistants: Jessica Acklen and Meagan Paparella)

(in photo) Park blouse and Pleasure Doing Business bandage skirt ($192 and $135, l.Bartlett); French Connection pleated, belted dress ($198, l.Bartlett); and Parker floral maxi dress ($286; Melanie Gayle)

Melanie Gayle: For versatile dresses you can dress up or down.
Neiman Marcus: For a little of everything.
Piermarini Boutique: For under-the-radar design labels.
Scoop NYC: For a stylish look to turn heads.
Stanley Korshak: For personalized service to find the perfect piece.
Turtletique: For dresses you can rework into office apparel.

FOR HIM:
Barneys New York: For designer gear that’ll surely impress.
Cowboy Cool: For quality country-meets-rock-and-roll clothing and accessories.
Culwell & Son: For
Daniel Taylor Clothier: For preppy looks with an on-site tailor.
Demerara: For upscale brands that aim to show off.
Forty Five Ten:For stylish guys in the know.
J. Hilburn Men’s Clothier:For personalized service and customized shirts.
Ken’s Man Shop: For an expert staff and brand name sportswear.
Neiman Marcus: For finding everything in one stop.
Original Octane: For serious denim and European button downs.
Piermarini Boutique: For off-the-radar New York designers.
Pockets Menswear: For contemporary suiting and Italian accessories.
Sebastian’s Closet: For sharp suits, designer denim, and cool accessories.
Stanley Korshak: For contemporary styles and hands-on customer service.

WHERE TO SHOP FOR LINGERIE
Trousseau: For the best in the biz. Glamorous sets at every price point. See photos.
Intimacy: For respected, high-quality sets to fit and flatter. See photos.
Neiman Marcus: For designer underthings. See photos.
Anthropologie: For sweet sets under $100.
Dallas Pin Up: For vintage-inspired head turners.
H&M: For trendy on the cheap.
Lingerie Collection: For reliable sets and floor-length gowns.
Loretta’s Intimates: For customer service and every size imaginable.
Maddox Shop: For an expert staff and custom fit.
Soma Intimates: For everything from cozy loungewear to lacy sets.

Cathy Waterman "Love" necklace and Sydney Evan love ring from Ylang23, Tiffany bracelet, Naomi pearl earrings, and Montblanc watch from Bachendorf's (photography courtesy of retailers)

WHERE TO SHOP FOR JEWELRY

Cartier: For celeb favorite love bracelets.
Bachendorf’s: For world-renowned expertise and quality.
deBoulle Diamond: For a friendly staff to help you shop.
Eiseman Jewel: For exclusive collections of jewelry and custom-designed pieces.
Naomi Designs: For elegant pieces designed in-house.
Matthew Trent: For future family heirlooms in a dazzling array of colors.
Stanley Korshak: For an edited collection of designer jewelry.
SWAG: For on-trend jewelry you can expect to last.
Tiffany & Co.: For the famous turquoise box.
Urban Flower/Grange Hall: For exquisite (and often odd) designs no one else carries.
Ylang23: For the lastest and greatest from favorite jewelry designers.
William Noble: In-house designers can help you create your dream jewelery.

A peek of the Damaris silk tulle floor length gown with Swarovski crystals at Trousseau.

Here’s a sneak preview of a lingerie post coming soon to ShopTalk (just in time for Valentine’s Day eve). This is a snippet of a floor-length sheer tulle Damaris gown, embellished with Swarovski jewels. It is so beautiful you’ll want to wear it in public. Find it at Trousseau.

Check ShopTalk daily for new gift suggestions. See all of our stocking stuffer ideas here.

The Empreinte Collection

Our favorite underthings store now has The Empreinte collection, a lingerie line that aims to dress all ages of women with volume up top. Head into the shop for a personal fitting with Nasrin, owner of the boutique, and you’ll wind up looking like a goddess in your new bra and panty set.

I swore I'd never been one of "those" people that dressed up my dog, but Hank HAD to be festive for the V-Day party, right?

I stopped by the Foxy Paws Valentine’s Day party in honor of the Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas, and I can’t help but share these photos with you. I’ve never seen so many dogs dressed up in my life. It was hilarious and adorable. If you’re wishing you had attending the Plano canine extravaganza, don’t be sad. Foxy Paws owner Michelle hosts dozens of these event year-round. Jump for pictures that will surely make you smile (or smirk).

Doggies fully dressed and accessorized

The festive decorations drew quite a crowd.

Cupcakes and s'mores (and plenty of booze) were available for humans.

A tutu-ed fluffball and a very ladylike Chihuahua that I HAD to hold.

Twins poodles in pink.

Hank tries on a pair of shoes for size.

A couple of pugs strut their stuff in red.

Cosabella bra, $75 (left), Mimi Holliday bra, $88, and Mimi Holliday thong, $78.



I.D. Sarrieri bra, $485, and thong, $198

Oh la la Cheri bra, $59; thong, $32; garter belt, $35
La Perla bra and panty set and one-piece sheer bodysuit, $500-$700
Honeydew ruffled shorts

Pink bra, $29 and high-waisted panty

(from left) Chantelle shorty and bra, $153; Cosa Bella chemise, $76.80; Aubade demi bra and panty, $214

Check these mommas out, all up for grabs at Intimacy in NorthPark.

photography by Matthew Shelley

When I first saw the soft white Royal Highnies bag filled with two pairs of the softest boxers I’ve ever laid hands on, I was thrilled… until I saw the price tag. Why in the world would a pair of plain boxers be nearly $70? Well, because the mission of the company was to “create the perfect boxer short.” I’d say a crisp white pair in 400-thread-count cotton comes pretty close. Plus, you can’t ignore a company with a sense of humor. See excerpt from Royal Highnies website below:

The story began as a question to create the perfect boxer short. We viewed it as a locating the perfect home for the family jewels. It needed to be a custom home, handmade, including a spacious ballroom with full seating and a sturdy front entrance so that no one slips out unexpectedly. This home should be built with the finest 400 thread count Pima cotton with virtually no shrinkage (on our part).