THE SAVVY SHOPPER: Happy Valentine's Day

Showing posts with label Happy Valentine's Day. Show all posts

Monday, January 23, 2023

The Heart Shaped Bags Are Back

For 2 years in a row, retailers are bringing out their heart-shaped bags in time to buy for Valentine's Day. Last year I featured Valentine's Day themes in luxury brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton (see that link below). You can now look for their inventory + several inspired labels at 2nd hand stores, outlets, and discount retailers this year.

Kate Spade New York

Customers should keep an eye out at T.J. Maxx for Kate Spade's heart-shaped bags and Karl Lagerfeld's bags have landed at Saks Off Fifth Avenue.

Karl Lagerfeld Paris

My favorite brand Coach has 2 styles in 2023, a top handle in crossgrain leather at the Coach Outlet plus this year's edition in glovetanned leather sans a top handle at Coach's flagship store, as well as, selling in major department stores -- catch the sale days, or you may have rewards dollars to spend for it.

BTW, you must see all the things Coach has launched with a Valentine's Day theme in 2023, as they are so darn cute!

Coach in glovetanned leather -- which I prefer when I can get it. It's a preference as all of Coach's leathers are beautiful and durable.

Although Forever 21 (in bankruptcy) cut down its store count to 450, the retailer is making a strong comeback by opening 100+ new stores together with its e-store, where you'll find a less expensive faux leather heart-shaped bag for under $25 because sometimes it's all you really need to pick up a novelty or trendy bag. A structured bag that looks to be a sensible size to hold essentials! I've missed popping into Forever 21 in New York City to browse inexpensive accessories.

Forever 21

Unsurprising to readers, I love the Coach Outlet bag and despite its $199 price tag, 2022's crossgrain leather is a bestseller for the retailer and nearly twice the cost of my ampler rectangle-shaped Coach bags. Charming isn't cheap!!

Paying the piper depends on how often you'll grab it. What is Valentine's Day cuteness worth to you?♥

Friday, February 12, 2021

Valentine's Day Truffles

All photos: Wallpaper unless noted

Mostly I stick to baking and skip candy making. Making candy is tricky ... more precise. You need a candy thermometer to control temperature. It's easy to end up with messy, uneditable goo, or ruined pots and pans due to how blazing hot melted sugar gets. I don't want 1st degree burns either. But featured today is a candy we can make without all the hazards, fuss or failure.

Luscious Valentine's Day truffles are ultra easy to make, and the ingredients are few! My kind of homemade candy, lets's get stared!:

Ingredients:

Photo: Gina Mork

12 ounces of dark chocolate (semisweet or bittersweet)

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or half vanilla/half rum, your choice)

Directions:

1) Break up (if needed) chocolate into small pieces and toss into a saucepan along with heavy cream. Add the butter.

2) On low heat, melt and whisk together the chocolate, heavy cream and butter until uniform and creamy. If you have a double boiler, use it; if not, follow my slow, low-heat, in a pan, on a stovetop, with continued whisking method.

Photo: wallpaper

3) Turn off the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. If you want to add some rum or bourbon for flavor, now is the time.

4) If you select the right sauce pan, you can cover and place it directly into your refrigerator without having to transfer the chocolate mixture into another dish that needs to be washed. Hey, it pays to think ahead!🙂

Photo: Gina Mork

5) Refrigerate for 2 hours. If you allow it to get too hard (because you forget the time), let room temperature soften it some so you can scoop and form into balls.

6) Use a tablespoon or small scooper to make 1-inch balls.

7) Roll the truffle balls in (1) rich cocoa powder, (2) crushed nuts, (3) shredded coconut, (4) crushed peppermint, (5) crushed English toffee, or (6) candy sprinkles ... whatever you like. Some of each looks lovely.

8) Plate your truffles and keep cool in the refrigerator until ready to eat!

Hugs and kisses, xoxo.

Happy Valentine's Day, my lovelies!💋

Friday, February 14, 2020

Be My Valentine

Wishing all my readers a Happy Valentine' Day. As the saying goes, "no wo/man is an island." Today we celebrate being part of an us ... i.e. relationships ... as friends, family, or partners.

Whether it's: I like you. I love you! I want to be near you. You make me happy. I'm glad you're in my life.

A day set aside to express our fondness with hearts, cards, sweets, red wine, flowers, a lovely dinner, or jewelry. The words and deeds are up to you ... whatever makes sense in the relationship.