GIFT GUIDE: everything i want to buy myself for valentine's day

because a day dedicated to pink & red & hearts & roses should not be slandered

over the past few years i’ve noticed a twinge of nihilistic pessimism embedded in conversations i’ve had with people surrounding major “hallmark holidays”. i’m talking new years eve, valentine’s day, st. patrick’s day (?), halloween etc.. on one end i understand the distain for surged uber prices, bad pre-fixed menus and expensive bar tabs… but in my opinion these holidays are best spent in silly low stakes settings surrounded by people who make you forget there is even an expectation to have a glittery instagrammable night to end all nights.

valentine’s day is one of my favorite holidays despite being extremely single (if anyone wants to set me up my DMs are wideeeee open). i love being single, i have never felt any shame or guilt around not having a date to a school dance or telling a friend i am catching up with that i am “still single”. i can be picky because i love my time spent alone and the past few years of my 20s i’ve spent single have brought me the richness of new friendships and the self confidence to know what i like to do by myself for no one else.

and that is something to celebrate! which is why i love valentine’s day. a day offering up a glimmer of red and pink ostentatiously peaking through the gray curtains of winter. a day to celebrate yourself and buy a special treat. a day dedicated to recognizing love in all forms- friendships, family, romantic partners, a new crush, your bodega man who sees you sweaty from a yoga class and still greets you as if you are dressed in a ballgown…

you are never “alone” on valentine’s day.

these are gifts i want to buy for myself <3

1. i am extremely tempted to buy this copy of the new yorker from feb 14th 1977. this is my favorite new yorker cover to date and the fact that it is from valentine’s day is so special to me.

   

2. umm this is more of a manifestation than a tangible item but a girl (me) can dream. the minute i saw the satin rose bags from prada’s fw19 show my eyes grew to the size of saucers and my heart skipped a beat. this bag would be the perfect valentine’s day present

3. i love taper candles and antique silver candelabras, there is something so earnestly romantic in how fast the wicks burn. love can be as fleeting as a flame <3

   

4. i plan on getting myself a large assortment of bon bon candy on feb 14th and i recommend you do the same with whatever overpriced candy is your vice

   

5. a pair of comme si silk boxer shorts have been on my wishlist for a while now and when i heard their dumbo pop-up location was offering custom monogramming i became even more intrigued. this would be the ultimate treat !!!!

   

6. i vividly remember seeing the ysl heart shaped watch upon scrolling on tumblr in high school and said out loud to my family dog, george, “i want this”. eventually one will be mine! but today is not that day. (a more accessible option would be this red marc jacobs watch).

   

7. i’ve gotten really into ties lately, i stumbled upon this one on etsy. the only thing i want this valentine’s day is for one of you to buy this !!!!!!!!!!!!!! so good.

   

8. being single on valentine’s day is a great excuse to buy those red comme des garcons ballet flats in your size on the real real btw

   

9. i really love orfayo’s art and a lot of his themes center around love/connection in a … way that is not lame. i have my eye on this piece

   

10. teddy bears will eternally be a cute valentine’s gift in my eyes- but what is even cuter is if you can personalize his little sweater with custom embroidery

    

11. this is a good time to buy a new matching underwear set just because- this one from agent provocateur is great

    

12. i’ve been looking for an excuse to buy this simone rocha t-shirt and maybe this is it ….

    

13. sydney bought angelina and i the most special gift for christmas: customized zippo lighters which we will treasure forever <3 a fun version of this for valentine’s day would be customized compact mirrors for you and your girls

    

14. also if anyone wants to buy me a tiffany elsa peretti bone cuff that would be great

    

.. delivered in this vintage ceramic pink sofa jewelry box :)

!!! make sure you know all of your friend’s favorite flowers. <3

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY XOXOXOXOXO