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.

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

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.

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

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.

GRAND SPA
Couples Retreat:
80-minute Swedish massage, personalized facial, spa cuisine, and deluxe pedicure, $630/couple, 4.5 hours
Couples Deluxe:
50-minute Swedish massage, European facial, and deluxe pedicure, $450/couple, 3 hours
It Has to Be YOU:
50-minute aromatherapy massage, Love Me facial, and seasonal pedicure with champagne and truffles, $260/couple, 3 hours
Couple A La Cart:
Core: 50-minute Love Stone massage with champagne and truffles, $230/couple
Love Me Facials: facial for two, $200/couple
Single Services:
50-minute Love Stone massage with champagne and truffles, $115
Love Me facial with champagne and truffles, $115
Seasonal pedicure with champagne & truffles, $60

EQUINOX SPA
- Valentine’s Day 50 minute Deep Tissue 3-Pack for $285 (originally $345)
- Valentine’s Day 50 minute Chocolate or Strawberry Facial 3-Pack for $390 (Originally $465)
- Valentine’s Day 50 minute Deep Tissue and Chocolate or Strawberry Facial 3-Pack for $675 (Originally $810)
The New Strawberry Facial:
The conditioning facial with specialty strawberry mask is perfect for all skin types. Strawberry contains a high level of vitamins and natural alpha hydroxyl acid, a substance that aids skin renewal for a smoother and more youthful complexion. The mask contains milk protein, strawberry extract, aloe and wheat protein which improves blood circulation and strengthens cellular metabolism, giving skin a uniform, clean, and whiter appearance. Regular price: $155 (see above for promo 3-pack pricing)
The Chocolate Facial:
The conditioning facial with specialty chocolate mask contains milk protein, cocoa extract and aloe leaf extract to moisturize. Chocolate contains a high level of anti-oxidants that improve skin’s elasticity for an overall improvement of skin texture. The mask has anti-inflammatory benefits as well and is excellent for dry or dehydrated skin. Regular price: $155 (see above for promo 3-pack pricing)

THE SKINCARE PROFESSIONALS
Chocolate Decadence Facial:
The Chocolate Decadence Facial is a true indulgence and sweet treat for the skin- without the calories! The treatment combines chocolate, which is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with clay, which facilitates toning and deep cleansing of clogged pores. The sweet experience is topped off with a gentle cleanse using oatmeal, honey and coconut milk that gently exfoliates and replenishes moisture to thirsty skin cells. The treatment lasts 50 minutes. $95

SPA HABITAT
Green Peace for Two Massage:
Retreat to a couples suite and receive side-by-side massages along with hot stone therapy for the back. 50 min for $200, 80 min for $270
“Peace & Love” Spa Package:
Green Peace for Two Massage (50 min), Organic Foot Rituals for Two, and Little Green Facials for Two. Allow 2.5 hours – $490 (for two)

ZASPA AT HOTEL ZAZA
Couples Massages (50 min Swedish) with Tantra Vibrational Oils, paired with a Couples Bath for $135/person. ($270 per couple)

THE SPA AT THE RITZ-CARLTON
Couple’s Side-by-Side Pedicure:
$85 per person. For couples booking this on Monday through Thursday throughout February, complimentary Veuve Clicquot champagne will be provided to the couple to add to the romance.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.