Shop windows are decorated in all shades of red for the day when the otherwise forgetful spouse brings home a dozen roses, a sparkling something in a small box or a large bottle, or the news that you have dinner reservations at La Panetière.
Shop windows are decorated in all shades of red for the day when the otherwise forgetful spouse brings home a dozen roses, a sparkling something in a small box or a large bottle, or the news that you have dinner reservations at La Panetière.
Whatever you do on Valentine’s Day, celebrate the occasion. Turn off the cell phones and the kids. Enjoy a few hours off and the chance to laugh about the travails you’ve survived and talk about all the things you’d really like to do together — soon!
This is one day you can eat dessert first, so order a heart-shaped ice cream cake from Longford’s or a big assortment of cookies and cakes from Patisserie Salzburg, June & Ho (it’s one-stop shopping as they sell fresh-cut flowers, lovingly chosen by June), Corner Stone, or Rye Country Store.
Chocolate lovers will find their heart’s desire at Blue Tulip, in the form of hand-painted chocolate hearts. Candy Rox has milk chocolate roses by Madeleine.
For those unable to experience romance first-hand in Paris for Valentine’s Day, a convenient alternative awaits at Wine at Five where Cai & Co. have not only brought Le Tour Eiffel to Rye, they’ve filled it with a fresh, sparkling Conti Di Buscareto Rosé Brut.
Flowers to go with that bubbly? You have an array of dazzling choices at Greene Willow, Green Wood Flowers (don’t miss the Rose Red Monsters), and Rockridge.
For Garnet fans, and who is not, Royal Jewels takes Garnet fever to a new level with a heart made of small oval garnets – or step up to a heart made with a total of 3 karats of diamonds.
At Woodrow Jewelers, everything sparkles. Win her heart with a set of Roberto Coin mother of pearl and 18-karat gold accessories and put them in one of the colorful jewelry boxes by Swing Design and she’ll be eternally yours. (Put a Baume & Mercier watch from the Classima Collection in there for yourself, in case she forgot.)
Reciting a Keats poem — on your knees — never fails, but giving him or her a great and romantic work of fiction or non-fiction is sure to please. Consider “Clementine: the Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill” by Sonia Purnell — she stood by, and above Winston by a few inches, for 57 years. For the youngest of Valentine’s, “LOVE from the Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle is a keeper. “The Portable Veblen” by Elizabeth McKenzie brings new meaning to romance. Arcade Books has lots of lovely suggestions.
