Shouldn’t I love a day filled with love, chocolate, champagne and lacy things? It’s one of the few things happening in gloomy February and it seems to be about the senses (*cough* among other things). However, I don’t love the holiday. I have a wonderful husband and access to champagne and chocolate every day of the year. I expect to be spoiled. But, this wasn’t always the case. Valentine’s Day was either a lonely day or a day that stressed me out because it had to be more “special” than the day before. As a person that expects to be spoiled, I do hate expectations 😉 But, I do love an excuse to receive flowers and pretty little things…

Here’s my 2012 gift guide filled with 14 little luxuries that you can buy for yourself or for others:

 For irresistible lips

1. Not Soap Radio You’re The Cutest High Shine Lip Balm – This rather large tub of lip balm with a clear sheen smells like those conversation hearts that you would get as a kid. I’d never eat those things now but I do like the nostalgic scent. This retails for $10 and is available at Not Soap Radio. *This makes a great gift for teens and younger gals.

2. By Terry Baume de Rose – This rose scented balm with SPF 15 nourishes lips and can be used on cuticles. There is no stickiness! It’s very luxurious and it should be at the price of $59. But, I love the stuff. I love to layer this rose scented balm over red lipsticks. It can be purchased at SpaceNK.

3. LUSH Sweet Lips Lip Scrub – This sugar scrub smells just like chocolate and includes cocoa and vanilla absolute. Delicious. This is a great product for getting smooth lips and a must have for priming winter lips for bold colors. It retails for about $9 at LUSH.

4. Hourglass Aura Lip Stain – I assume that some of you want a transfer resistant color on this day/night. I love this lip stain by Aura (here’s my review). It comes in 3 sheer, flushed shades. It retails for $26 at Sephora.

For smooth skin

5. Providence Perfume Co. Amber Cream Body Oil – I know you’ve seen this natural oil in my gift guides before but I love it. It’s such a nourishing oil with a sweet and creamy amber scent that layers nicely under anything. Seriously, any fragrance seems to go well with this blend. The packaging is gorgeous. A bottle retails for $26 at Providence Perfume Co.

6. L’Occitane Rose 4 Reines Pearlescent Body Cream – This rich cream is heavily scented with rose. That may seem a bit cliché for Valentine’s Day, but I love rose any day of the year! The subtle pealescent sheen looks wonderful under candlelight and dim light. It retails for $36 at Nordstrom.

7. LUSH R’os Argan Body Conditioner – This all-natural in-shower body moisturizer smells delightful. It’s a sweet rose jam. Perhaps my mind plays tricks on me but I do pick up a small about of toast. This product makes my skin feel so good. It retails for about $30 at LUSH.

8. The Art of Shaving Rose Absolute Shaving Cream – Obviously, this is a gift to give yourself. If a man ever gave me this as a Valentine’s gift, I’d have to slap his cheek with my satin glove. That being said, this is a wonderful gift for yourself. This rich shaving cream is scented with roses. I’ve been using this stuff for years. It retails for $26 and is available at Sephora.

Smell Wonderful

9. Sonoma Scent Studio Velvet Rose EDP – This is the time of year that I love rose scents. Velvet Rose is a dewy rose soliflore with wonderful projection. It’s lush and in 3-D. A large spray retails for $65 at Sonoma Scent Studio.

10. Neela Vermeire Creations Mohur EDP – I just tried this line last week and I’m in love. Mohur is a spicy rose oud with edgy leather and an approachable orris. It’s stunning. It retails for $250 at Luckyscent.

11. aroma M Geisha Noire Perfume – I don’t like to use the word “sexy” to describe fragrance but let me tell you, Geisha Noire is SEXY. In fact, it’s hyper sexual and that’s why I love it. I learned the hard way that this is not a work friendly scent. This is a thick amber in a leopard print push-up bra. This potent and powerful oil retails for $55 and is available at LuckyScent.

Ambiance

12. Belle Fleur Mayan Tuberose Candle – This candle line created by a rockstar of a florist, Meredith Waga Perez, is luxurious. Every detail has been thought out and executed to perfection. This candle is a heady white floral that is perfect for the boudoir. The candle retails for $48 at Neiman Marcus.

13. Gabriel’s Aunt Royal Couple Candle – Seattle based Gabriel’s Aunt uses the finest natural ingredients to create eco-friendly candles. Royal Couple is a blend of expensive rose and jasmine essential oils in a veggie and soy wax base. This handmade candle retails for $30 and is available at Gabriel’s Aunt.

14. Aura Luscious Candle – If florals aren’t your thing, I recommend Luscious. This is what the name implies. It’s a rich blend of creamy vanilla and sandalwood. Many people use the word “sexy” to describe this scent. Here’s my review. It retails for $24 at Candles Off Main.

After putting together this gift guide, I think that maybe I do love Valentine’s Day. If it’s an excuse to buy fancy lip products, scented candles and rose fragrances, then it can’t be bad!

Here’s my Valentine’s Day Gift Guide from 2011.

Post contains affiliate links excluding Not Soap Radio, Providence Perfume Co., Sonoma Scent Studio, Luckyscent, Neiman Marcus, Gabriel’s Aunt, and Candles Off Main.  Debra Paget photo from www.fanpix.net.