valentine's masterlist
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January is over. Finally. I can unleash my slightly embarrassing love for Valentine’s Day. I know this is a contentious holiday for some, and for good reason. The holiday that was once rooted in love, sex, and debauchery in ancient times has been commercialized in the modern day as just another opportunity to sell cards, candy, and stuffed animals.
Of course, the Valentine’s season can also rub salt in the wound if you’re single or going through a breakup and everywhere you turn, every store you enter, is shoving love down your throat. While I’ve definitely spent my fair share of Valentine’s bitterly alone, I’ve found that the holiday has grown on me in recent years. The pink and red color palette reminds me of my childhood, when hot pink was my favorite color in the world, and everything I owned needed to be in a bright, bold magenta. I’ve fallen in love with the aesthetics of Valentine’s Day, but I’ve also taken it as an opportunity to celebrate all kinds of love, not just romantic or sexual. Send valentines to your friends! Buy your mom flowers! Eat an entire box of chocolates by yourself and masturbate until the sun comes up! You can also reject the Valentine’s Day consumerism and make homemade valentines, bake sweet treats from scratch, and spend quality time with the people you love.
This masterlist is full of my recommendations for Valentine’s decor, media, foods, date ideas, and toys to enhance your Valentine’s evening. ;)
One of life’s simple pleasures in my opinion is filling an online cart full of things you’d definitely buy if you had an endless supply of money, and then closing the tab. If you’d care to do some online window shopping with me, then I’d like to invite you to review this carefully curated list:
my Valentine’s wishlist:
Felt heart garland - I own and love this one.
Glossier Rose Balm Dotcom - Valentine’s makes me crave anything pink, pretty, and rosie.
Glossier You candle - The peppery, ambrox scent is so romantic, and the red glass jar makes it perfect for subtle Valentine’s decor.
Anecdote XOXO candle - Another pretty candle with a pink peppercorn scent.
These drinking glasses - Imagine sipping raspberry lemonade out of these.
Heart-shaped serving platter - Pair it with these little dessert plates.
Red heart pillow - I might actually crack and buy this one.
Slippers - Valentine’s Snoopy!!
Tea towels - More Valentine’s Snoopy :)
Pet sweater - I could stuff my cat into this.
Throw blanket - Tossed over the arm of the couch?
Coupe glasses - These would look so cute on a Valentine’s tablescape.
More coupe glasses - Same goes for these!
Taper candles in gold candle holders - To complete the Valentine’s tablescape.
Chocolate magnets - These are so fucking cute.
Puzzles - This one, this one, and this one.
scents:
Glossier You - Of course. Notes: Pink pepper, iris, ambrette seeds, ambrox.
Annabel’s Birthday Cake - This scent is so flirty and fun. Notes: Heliotrope, lemon sugar, balloons, tuberose frosting, candied rose petals, cake fresh-out-the-oven, honeycomb, roasted tonka, cocoa absolute.
Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume - My all time favorite scent, so musky and sexy. Note: Cetalox.
By Rosie Jane Rosie - I’m not usually a fan of rose scents, but this one is very well balanced. Notes: Nude musk, sweet rose.
Caswell-Massey Marem Perfume - Musky and sensual. Notes: Red currant, neroli, eucalyptus, rose, amber, cedarwood.
movies:
The Princess Bride (1987) - The ultimate romance movie.
Bound (1996) - A sapphic crime thriller (with a happy ending)!
The Handmaiden (2016) - Another sapphic crime thriller with a happy ending!
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (1996) - Sapphic period piece with a heart-wrenching ending.
Pretty Woman (1990) - Classic.
In the Mood for Love (2000) - Yearning, visually stunning.
Titanic (1997) - Part love story, part tragedy. Highly recommend this article about how the movie was made, written by one of my favorite creators and host of You’re Wrong About, Sarah Marshall.
listening:
Valentine’s playlist - Handcrafted by my girlfriend and me :)
Just Break Up - A relationship advice podcast, but from a queer, anti-capitalist perspective.
books:
Want by Anonymous, collected by Gillian Anderson - A peek into the sexual fantasies of others.
Anything by Emily Henry - Getting me to care about straight romance is a feat, but every Emily Henry book is absolutely masterful.
Sovereign Erotics by Qwo-Li Driskill - A collection of poetry (most, but not all erotic) by Queer, Indigenous, and Two-Spirit authors.
A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen - A sweet sapphic YA love story.
Come Together by Emily Nagoski - For reconnecting with your partner(s).
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage work by John Gottman - Full of excellent, evidence-based relationship advice—not just for married couples.
All About Love by bell hooks - A rethinking of self-love and love for others by the renowned feminist philosopher bell hooks.
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen R. Ghodsee - This book will completely blow your mind.
Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman - Our friendships deserve the work.
treats:
Rose lattes - I love rose as a flavor. Anyone who says it tastes like grandma perfume is lying.
Dark chocolate covered strawberries - Classic and decadent.
Oreo truffles - My favorites since I was a kid.
Red velvet M&M cookies - I get mine from a local bakery, but you can also bake your own.
Raspberry lemon spritz mocktail - Raspberry puree, lemonade, lemon lime soda.
Sweet wine - I’m cheap and my fave is Cupcake Moscato d’Asti.
Strawberry sake - I buy Ozeki Nigori strawberry sake from my local asian market.
A box of chocolate - For your lover, your mother, your friends, or yourself.
dates:
Ice skating - Before it gets too warm.
Visit a jazz lounge - Here’s a local recommendation.
Dinner at home - Might I suggest chicken piccata with arugula salad, white wine, and chocolate cake for dessert?
Explore an art museum - One neither of you have been to before.
Paint each other - Who’s the better artist?
Visit a local bookstore and pick out books for each other - Schedule many reading dates to follow.
Host a Valentine’s dinner party for your friends - A perfect excuse to revisit the Valentine’s tableware listed above.
for pleasure:
Disclaimer: All of these recommendation are NSFW.
Satisyfer Pro 2 - My favorite toy ever.
AirThrust by Bellesa - This one’s at the top of my wishlist.
Cute dildo with hearts - Never will I ever purchase a dildo that looks like an actual dick.
Glass dildo - I want one so bad.
Lingerie - Loving this matching bralette and thong from Cou Cou Intimates.
As a bonus, my favorite adult brands - Lovehoney, Satisfyer, Wet for Her, and Unbound Babes.
I hope your February is full of love. <3
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