As we all know, this is the month when it feels like the entire world is wrapped up in the Valentine’s Day-ness of it all. You really can’t turn a corner without seeing a heart taped to a shop window, calling on you to remember to declare your love…in a completely unique, well articulated and exceedingly thoughtful way. Oh, but no pressure.

How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? Do you see it as a chore, a hallmark holiday, a day just like all the rest?  Or do you see Valentine’s Day as a moment to remember the sweet things about your beloved, the minutia of why you fell in love in the first place? If you’re single – do you abhor the thought of a V-Day spent alone, or do you enjoy the empowerment of turning a little love on yourself to remind you of your well honed awesome-ness? Do you suffer from the gifting-is-a-nuisance bug or do you plan a thoughtful gift ahead of time, reveling in the secret of your covert sensitivity?

Friends, with my business, I have seen it all in the V-Day department. Whether it be heading out for last minute ‘thoughtful’ go-to grabs for a client, to filling a room with hand crafted and antique objects focused on the declaration of love, to a request to choose gifts for the three ladies in someone’s life (ahem, this one I just couldn’t accommodate), I’ve now been privy to the mental mayhem that those particular 24 hrs can inspire.

I’ve spent some time this past week thinking about ways to remind us that Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to be mindful, thoughtful, considerate of the one you love. I’ve shared some of these ideas with a few of my favorite blogs and hope that you will check it out and find something that inspires…inspires in you a reason for you to look forward to Feb. 14th.

The beautiful Shiva Rose, of the holistic lifestyle blog The Local Rose and I discuss V-Day giving tips that are loving to the environment. Be prepared to spend some time getting lost in Shiva’s site – it is chock full of goodness.

Elaine, of the uber-savvy site The List Collective and I have been thinking about creating an A-List for a while now. As luck would have it, the starts aligned for Valentine’s Day. I culled together some of my favorite finds that won’t break the bank. Check out the top – ten here.

Over at Bungalux, the super chic one stop shop for all things luxey (new word?) & lifestyle, founder Alex Brunkhorst and I chat gifting. We get down to the nitty gritty of my own greatest gifting challenges, some favorite shopping spots and of course, V-day giving advice as well.