Valentinesday

Here is a sketch direct from Swiss watch maker Blancpain showing their upcoming Saint Valentin 2010 watch. This will be their annual women's watch for St. Valentine's day next year. It is certainly an usual looking watch. While it does display the requisite heart for the occasion, the dial looks like a tear drop framed by a bending snake as the bezel. Hopefully that tear drop indicates tears of joy. The diamonds all over the bezel structure look almost like reptile scales - sorta cool.

The dial is in pink and white mother-of-pearl mixed nicely together. Nice round-cut diamonds are placed on the dial as hour indicators, while a tenth diamond cut like a heart sits as the 12 o'clock indicator. The watch case itself will be larger than expected at 33mm wide and 48mm tall - made out of 18k white gold. The bezel will be set with an additional 404 diamonds and 66 pink sapphires. Over 2 carats of stones total. Inside the watch is actually an automatic mechanical caliber 615 Blancpain movement, which is less common for such jewelry timepieces that tend to have quartz movements. In fact, according to Blancpain, the caliber 615 is the smallest automatic mechanical watch movement in the world. This little luxury for the day of love should be available by next February as a limited edition of just 14 watches.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tis the season for love, hearts, and girliness, and the Big Heart Zip Clutch by Marc Jacobs doesn't fail us! Leather appliqués in varying shades (of pink and purple of course) and textures generously cover the front and back, and almost look like they're floating around the bag as opposed to being stuck on it. Other than the hearts aplenty the design is pretty simple, featuring a gold hardware zip-tip closure, fine textile lining, and an interior patch pocket.

I really like it, although the color scheme gets on my nerves a little (I think red, white, and black would be awesome). $795

Valentine's Day just isn't complete without a glass of good wine. Instead of focusing on the most expensive and impressive wines available I decided to add to the ambiance with romantically-inclined labels to help set the mood. Fun, fanciful and approved by cupid these wines or vineyards pay tribute to heartfelt emotions and amorous longings celebrated each year on February 14th. This list should at least get your gears turning in the right direction:

• Seduction from O'Brien Estate, California
• Cupids Arrow from Wild Rock Winery, New Zealand
• Amore Winery, Pennsylvania
• Valentine Vineyards, California
• Terra Valentine, California
• Loves Leap Vineyard & Winery, Kentucky

If none of these fit your Valentine's plans perhaps a pink-hued champagne would strike the right, bubbly note.

Jewelry has been one of the hardest hit retail areas but some jewelers are striking back this Valentine's Day by giving the stuff away. All across the country, jewelers are offering giveaways of free silver necklaces. The Independent Jewelers Organization has worked with many jewelers to give away free gifts of heart necklaces to those who have been hard hit by the economy. The giveaways began at Fox Fine Jewelry in Ventura, California and now over 45 stores around the country are participating. Most stores are giving away 100 silver necklaces worth $99 to the first people to show up with a a termination or foreclosure notice and an ID. You can find the full list of stores participating here.

Other stores are finding other ways to give it away. In Cleveland, Ohio, Alson Jewelers is giving away 10 pieces of jewelry, one per day, scattered throughout the city. The ten gifts will total about $2,000.

We headed over to Dylan's Candy Bar to check out what's new and what's hot for Valentine's Day and found a ton of amazing goodies - edible and otherwise!

There's more at Dylan's Candy Bar (the upscale candy store and lifestyle brand created by Dylan Lauren, a.k.a. Ralph Lauren's daughter) than just sweeties for your Valentine's Day sweetie. We found a great line of canvas bags, the most adorable little raincoat, scented reeds, jewelry, and a gym bag we very nearly stole (at right - that's me in my "going to the gym" pose. I don't know why it's like that.). We liked the bright yellow towel in there, too!

So have a look through our gallery and see which treats spark your fancies. There's a lot of see at Dylan's Candy Bar!

Here's one last chance for a Valentine's prize. Flora2000 is giving away three Valentine's Days bouquets, to be sent as gifts. Just fill in this sentence: "A romantic thing I would do for my valentine would be ... " and enter here. Winners will be announced on the morning of Thursday, February 12, so enter quickly!

The perfect meal can set the tone for an entire romantic evening. But it isn't just about how much you're willing to spend -- you have to choose a spot based on its ambiance, service and, of course, the meal. From coast to coast well-known venues are serving special menus to celebrate Valentine's Day with you. All you have to do is decide which one to reserve!

In Hollywood, Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood has a myriad of tantalizing options all involving a seven-course, prix-fixe menu. Inside the restaurant this romantic meal is $200 - $300 per couple while a private 'engagement' dining room for two is $1,000 and the rooftop poolside cabanas are $1,150. Both the private dining rooms (there are two) and poolside cabana seatings include a bottle of Cristal upon arrival, a dozen red roses, and a take-home keepsake.

In NYC's Plaza Hotel, the recently renovated Oak Room is offering a sumptuous menu including seafood, steak and, of course, chocolate to suit your tastes for $140 per person.

At Denver's historic Brown Palace Hotel, the esteemed Palace Arms is showcasing a decadent six-course meal incorporating chocolate in every dish for $150 per couple.

Dallas' premiere restaurant, The French Room inside the Adolphus Hotel, is featuring a delicious three-course meal for $115 per person.

Lastly, The Herbfarm located outside of Seattle in Woodinville, Washington, has created a themed evening deemed "A Menu for Two Hearts" available Feb. 12 - 15 for $189 to $205 per person.

If you aren't close to one of these culinary wonders don't fret -- your community is bound to have something spectacular happening at their own local venues. Just be sure to avoid the chain restaurant on a night like Valentines.

I have a friend who mentioned the other day in passing (I think she might be secretly hoping that her boyfriend hits me up for hints about what she likes) that she loves hearts in jewelry, especially heart-shaped gems. When she said that I couldn't help but remember a situation years ago when another friend actually cried when her boyfriend got her a heart-shaped amethyst pendant for her birthday, saying "how could he not know that I hate hearts in jewelry?"

Some women see hearts as corny and immature, while others see them as a universal and age-old symbol of romance and love. What's your take?

Maybe this is the year you want to send a valentine to the planet, express your love for the environment, in addition to impressing the object of your desire.

Luxury gifts that just might turn the tide against climate change abound, and there are plenty more that are chic reminders that going green looks good these days -- like Stella McCartney's just-released organic lingerie line.

Don't forget all-organic romance: flowers (like the dozen roses at right, sustainably farmed and harvested using fair labor practices), truffles, champagne and candles. See the gallery for inspiration.

Valentine's Day is almost here and it's time to start thinking about the finishing touch on the gift for your sweetheart: the card. If you haven't already picked one out and are reluctant to go buy one "off the rack" at your local mall, consider one of these pretty art cards from Katie's Paperie. Created by artist Natalie Sarabella, the card above is hand painted and has Swarovski crystal accents to complement the classic music and hearts design, and the simple phrase "You make my heart sing" on the inside. A card that's also a unique, beautiful little piece of art. $75

Via ForbesLife

Those familiar with Jaquet Droz will recognize the brand's consistent use of its figure-eight styled dial layout in this new women's watch for Valentine's Day. I've always liked this dial design for its emphasis on the seconds hand subsidiary dial (which is obviously larger than the hour and minute subdial) that adds an increased level of visual movement to the watch face. Not to be out done by Piaget who consistently releases a new Valentine's day watch each year, Jaquet Droz will offer something more subtle that the standard Piaget jewelry watch fare for 2009. The Grande Seconde Medium Saint-Valentin watch comes in a limited edition of just eight pieces, and has pink in all the right places - with pink hued hands and a pink toned hand stitched alligator strap.

The 18k white gold case is 39mm wide and thin, with Jaquet Droz's caliber 2663 automatic mechanical movement with a sapphire caseback window revealing a decorated 22k white gold rotor. The watch face is ivory colored enamel with painted dials and number markers. Don't miss the gentle heart situated at the end tip of the seconds hand completing this Valentine's day horological treat. Price is almost $24,000 for eight lucky ladies.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The thought of confused men wandering aimlessly around the lingerie sections of department stores this time of year makes me laugh, and it also makes me wonder how many men actually buy lingerie as Valentine's Day gifts? I think these days it's more about women buying it for themselves, and then the wearing of it is the gift for the man in their lives. Lingerie can be expensive, but I think it's totally worth the splurge. After all, it's one of the few things that makes both people happy.

So ... red, white, or black? That is the question.

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Ralph Lauren to create a one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day getaway for stylish couples, called "Ralph Lauren Romance Always Yours." Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ralph Lauren's Romance fragrance and the launch of their newest scent, Romance Always Yours, the package is available at select Rosewood properties including the famed Carlyle Hotel in New York (above); Rosewood's flagship hotels in Dallas, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and Rosewood Crescent Hotel; as well as the Inn of the Anasazi, A Rosewood Hotel in Sante Fe; the Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence in Atlanta; and CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort in San Martin, CA.

The two-night package, which starts at $799, includes a luxe room stocked with gifts including a bottle of champagne upon arrival and a custom monogrammed Ralph Lauren cashmere throw. A private candlelit dinner, created specially by one of Rosewood's acclaimed Executive Chefs, will be served en-suite. The indulgence will continue the following day with complimentary spa treatments for two and a limited edition bottle of Ralph Lauren's Always Yours, featuring a delicately hand-crafted glass dauber faceted like a diamond, to take home as a souvenir of an incredible weekend. See the gallery for pix of the participating properties.

Who doesn't like package deals especially when it comes to 'wow-ing' your honey on Valentine's Day. Mauboussin, a French jeweler known for capturing emotion in their exquisite pieces, is offering a fantastic deal in partnership with Eleven Madison Park. If a patron purchases $1,500 worth of jewelry at Mauboussin's flagship store on Madison Avenue they will be treated to a complimentary three-course lunch including wine, tax and gratuity on Valentine's Day at the nearby French restaurant. Of all their unique glittering items, often using colored stones, the 'Sexy pour Toi' for $21,490 was my personal favorite but below in the gallery are the pieces recommended by Mauboussin to treat your Valentine this year.

Seems like everywhere I turn I'm seeing ads for sweepstakes involving jewelry or other high-end prizes. It must be the two-fold punch of a sagging economy (spend money! win stuff!) and Valentine's Day. So indulge me -- or yourself, if you win -- because here's another: Teleflora's Rubies & Roses Sweepstakes. Select Teleflora rose purchases will be delivered with a game piece and PIN. The sender and recipient both can enter to win these prizes: Grand -- $60,000 ruby and diamond necklace; 100 winners -- $600 14k gold ruby and diamond heart-shaped pendant; 1,000 winners, $150 10k gold diamond and created ruby heart-shaped pendant. Official rules here.

P.S. Not sure your guy knows which flowers to send to you? Send him this.