Articles about Valentine’s Day

If You’re Making Dinner for Valentine’s Day, You Need This

Aprons in "Swirled Roses" and "Plush Hot Pink" (photography courtesy of Haute Hostess)

If you’ve skipped perusing our list of restaurants and their V Day menus in favor of cooking a homemade meal with your honey this Valentine’s Day, you should pick up one of these Haute Hostess Aprons by Elizabeth Scokin. These rose-themed chiffon smocks are lined with matching satin and tied with a chic, black ribbon. Find them for $350 at Stanley Korshak. No need to look like a mechanic in the kitchen, ladies.

posted by Raya Ramsey | February 13th, 2012 10:46am | filed under Valentine's Day | (0) Comments »

Lovely La Perla and Jean Paul Gaultier Lingerie

La Perla’s unmentionables already made my heart pitter-patter and then they partnered with Jean Paul Gaultier, and I nearly had a stroke. Check out these pretty spring pieces from La Perla and the Gaultier “Frou Frou” bustier below. All need loving homes and are waiting for you at Neiman Marcus NorthPark. Looking for something else? Take a look at what we found at Trousseau of Dallas and Intimacy, too.

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

posted by Raya Ramsey | February 10th, 2012 10:43am | filed under Valentine's Day, lingerie | (0) Comments »

Bathe in Valentine’s Day Beauty

photography by Matthew Shelley

I love holidays. Unlocks the guilt gate so I can go flooding happily into any shop I want. This week, it’s Valentine’s Day. I’ve told you where to get date night gear and where to pick up pretty underthings, but have I showed you these adorable V Day-inspired beauty products? No, I have not. It’s criminal. Pick up the cute, chemical-free Hugo Naturals handcrafted Spanish Rose Heart soaps above at Whole Foods for $4.99 a piece. Lush lovers can enjoy the vegan Love Potion cocoa butter bar which melts slowly into massage oil for $7.95 from Lush boutiques at Galleria and NorthPark. (It smells like heaven, i.e. apple blossom, orris root, bergamot, and jasmine.) If you’re a V Day hater, that’s cool, too. Enjoy with devilish delight the Lush Ex-Factor bath bomb voodoo and watch that jerk crumble to shreds in your tub of bubbles. Need a silly gift to replace the ol’ doily-on-construction-paper note? How about the You’re the Cutest conversation heart-flavored lip balm from Not Soap, Radio, $10 at Stanley Korshak.

posted by Raya Ramsey | February 9th, 2012 10:03am | filed under Beauty, Valentine's Day | 3 Comments »

Our Favorite Intimate Finds from Trousseau in Dallas

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. (more…)

posted by Raya Ramsey | February 8th, 2012 2:28pm | filed under Valentine's Day, lingerie | 2 Comments »

Our Favorite Intimate Finds from Intimacy in Dallas

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.

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posted by Raya Ramsey | February 8th, 2012 12:02pm | filed under Valentine's Day, lingerie | 1 Comment »

Dallas’ Best Valentine’s Day Spa Packages

photography courtesy of Flickr user The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa

I love holiday themed spa treatments. So festive.

ADRIFT FLOAT SPA
Couple’s Float:
Enjoy togetherness, relaxation and rejuvenation with Valentine’s couple’s floats from Adrift Float Spa, Dallas’ first luxury floatation spa. Couple’s Floats from February 11- February 19 will come with champagne, roses, and chocolates and include all Adrift amenities: robes and slippers, full- accommodation changing rooms, relaxation room with massage chairs and underwater color and music therapy. $139

HIATUS SPA + RETREAT
100% Pure Love:
Spa love, that is….indulge in an 80-minute Hiatus Massage, a Body Glow with rose and ylang ylang essential oils, a signature Facial + the award-winning Mani-Pedi Retreat.
Love Thyself:
With a Heart-Chakra Balancing Massage, Body Glow, Spa Manicure and Perfecting Facial + Peel….the perfect way to get in the mood!
Love On the Rocks:
Or hot stones, if you prefer! This package for two features the 60-minute Hot Stone Couple’s Retreat and Hot Stone Spa Pedicure, plus a glass of bubbly, naturally.

RIVIERA SPA
Chocolate & Roses Facial:
Rich Hungarian cocoa and nutrient loaded organic roses satisfy your craving for deliciously flawless skin! Your highly trained esthetician will cleanse, hydrate and tone with rich Hungarian red roses to refine and renew your skin. Love your skin with a soothing masque of blended roses, rose tea, strawberries and chocolate. Includes a relaxing Hungarian scalp, neck and face massage. Customized for all skin types! (60 min. Reg $110, February special $95)
Couples Massage with Soothing Rose Massage Oil Candle:
Spoil you and your sweetheart with a relaxing Swedish couples massage on rose petal massage tables in our luxurious couples suite. Our YonKa Rose Candle is a natural candle of shea butter, andiroba oil, mango butter and essential oils of rose that melts into a warm, smooth massage oil, melts away stress and leaves your skin nourished and moisturized. This treatment includes complimentary champagne, strawberries & chocolate and a rose candle for you to take home. (50 min. $240)

Jump for the full list, which will be updated daily as I get more info.

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posted by Raya Ramsey | February 8th, 2012 10:45am | filed under Beauty, Holiday, Spas & salons, Valentine's Day | (0) Comments »

A Guide to Valentine’s Day in Dallas


DINNER RESERVATIONS
In honor of the love holiday, restaurants all over town prepare indulgent multiple course menus to delight the senses and pamper the diner. We’ve rounded them up and put them in one place. Click here for an extensive guide to dining in Dallas in for Valentine’s Day. Menus included. photo: charred octopus at The Cedars Social (photography by Kevin Marple)


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.

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posted by Raya Ramsey | February 7th, 2012 12:41pm | filed under Edible Things, Events, Shopping, Valentine's Day, lingerie |

Have Dessert for Dinner on Valentine’s Day

Brandied cherry, raspberry, strawberry balsamic, and hand-painted hearts from Chocolate Secrets. (photography by Manny Rodriguez)

On SideDish, you’ll find a list of Valentine’s Day dinner menus being served around the city. If you’re like me, however, and you don’t give a fig about foie gras (ew) or fancy salads (whatevs) because you only care about dessert, plan instead for the four-course chocolate and champagne spread at Chocolate Secrets. Champagne French macarons, raspberry mouse chocolate cups, rose profiteroles, and mini red velvet cupcakes will be served with Moet & Chandon for $98 per couple. I’m sure you’re worth it, and if you aren’t, a raspberry mousse chocolate cup surely is.

Dates include Friday, February 10 (7:30 pm to 11 pm); Saturday, February 11 (7:30 pm to 11 pm); Sunday, February 12 (1 pm to 4 pm); and Tuesday, February 14 (7:30 pm to 11 pm). Email
or call for reservations.

Check out more of our favorite chocolate shops.

posted by Raya Ramsey | January 31st, 2012 9:32am | filed under Edible Things, Valentine's Day | (0) Comments »

Your Sweetie Should Buy You Chocolate from These Dallas Shops for Valentine’s Day

High heel chocolate mold with assorted truffles from CocoAndré Chocolatier (photography by Manny Rodriguez)

We’ve made it easy for your partner in crime. They can skip the Russell Stover heart-shaped boxes from Walgreen’s and go straight for the good stuff. It’s like comparing cubic zirconia to diamonds.

Here’s a guide to the best chocolate shops in Dallas. Think raspberry ganache with crystallized violet lavender. Yeah.

posted by Raya Ramsey | January 19th, 2012 4:00pm | filed under Edible Things, Valentine's Day | (0) Comments »

Newly Remodeled Trousseau Hosts a Sale

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Trousseau in West Village has redesigned its storefront. The new, more glamorous look matches the gorgeous new lingerie sets inside. In honor of its makeover, Trousseau is offering shoppers a 20 percent discount on everything in the boutique.

posted by Raya Ramsey | February 12th, 2010 1:43pm | filed under Boutiques, Events, Sales, Shopping, Valentine's Day | (0) Comments »

Valentine’s Day Treats Under $50: Fresh Sugar Rosé Lip Balm

Maybe we talk about Fresh’s Sugar Lip Balm way too much, but we can’t help it. It’s our favorite. It’s smooth as butter, smells delicious, and it’s a perfect little I-love-you gift for Valentine’s Day. And it’s only $14. Buy one for a friend, keep one for yourself.

For more ideas, see our V-Day gift guide.

posted by Raya Ramsey | February 12th, 2010 1:10pm | filed under Beauty, Valentine's Day, gifts, under $50 | (0) Comments »

Valentine’s Day Treats Under $50: Urban Blossom Flowers

One of Ubran Blossom's "Under $50" arrangements.

I know. Some people think flowers are so impersonal. Like a gift card, it can feel as if the giver didn’t really think about it much and just grabbed whatever was easiest. However, I beg to differ. I don’t care if it was a last minute gift. I never tire of fresh flowers. Never. You know why? Because they’re such an indulgence. They’re sooo beautiful and the scent makes me smile every time I’m near them, but I simply can’t justify spending my hard-earned money on something that won’t last more than a week. So to get some as a gift is never a disappointment. And don’t think they have to be expensive to be appreciated. Simple and lovely is often all we need. So if you are on a budget but still want to spread some floral love check out The Urban Blossom’s creations under $50. The key to not spending a lot on flowers without having them look like you got them at 7-11 is to buy them from an ultra-creative florist like The Urban Blossom. They do some really fantastic small arrangements that are so unique no one would ever notice their size. And remember, size doesn’t matter anyway.

posted by Kristin Hull | February 11th, 2010 3:58pm | filed under Valentine's Day | (0) Comments »

Valentine’s Day Treats Under $50: Champagne

Here’s a keep-it-for-yourself V-Day gift: champagne! Better yet… no date? Grab your girlfriends and share the following bottles of bub. Michael Lefko, head sommelier of Charlie Palmer’s restaurant here in Dallas, recommends the following three bottles, all under $50: Montsarra Cava for $21, Villa M Brachetto Rosso for $19, left, and the Diebolt-Vallois Tradition Champagne for $47. All are available for purchase the Next Vintage wine shop, adjacent to the restaurant.

*Correction: Diebolt-Vallois is actually the only bottle that is a true champagne. The other two are sparkling wines. (But still delicious.) Carry on.

posted by Raya Ramsey | February 10th, 2010 2:09pm | filed under Shopping, Valentine's Day, gifts, under $50 | (0) Comments »

Makeovers and Valentini’s for Valentine’s Day

Aside from weddings, what’s a better excuse to have your makeup professionally done than a hot V-Day date? Exactly. There are none. With that said, head on over to Uptown Makeup this weekend for their Valentine’s Makeover Event, featuring makeovers (obv.) and Valentini’s. While there is a two product minimum purchase with each makeover, trust us… they’ve got such a great selection, it’ll be hard to stick to just two. Saturday from 10 am-7pm and Sunday 1pm-6pm. Email mara@shopuptownmakeup.com to make an appointment.

posted by Christine Sracic | February 10th, 2010 10:47am | filed under Beauty, Events, Makeovers, Valentine's Day, drinking and shopping | (0) Comments »

Cupcakes and Champagne with Citizen Sweet

From the ladies of Citizen Sweet (see below for a delicious deal on cupcakes for V-Day!):

Join Veritas Wine Room and Citizen Sweet on the Thirteenth of February for an evening of heavenly bites and smooth spirits. Come and enjoy sips and sweets as we couple five vintages of champagnes and sparkling wines from across the globe with some delectable delights. Oh yeah… We’ll give you some sugar.

Bring $10 for the unlimited bubbly and cupcakes. I’ll be there, Marie Antoinette style. Saturday, February 13, from 5 pm to 8 pm. Veritas Wine Room. 2323 Henderson Ave.

posted by Raya Ramsey | February 9th, 2010 1:46pm | filed under Events, Valentine's Day, drinking | (0) Comments »

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