Gift Guide Eight: Sweet Tart

a dollop of coral + a dash of rose mixed with a swizzle of claret + a sprinkle of pink

wishing you a delicious, divine, marvelous day of love!


1. Stirrings Tart Cranberry Cocktail Soda 2. Kate Spade Date Night Ring 3. Love to Bake Measuring Cups 4. Rifle Be Mine 5. Signature Now & Then Cake Stand

Fig Tart: Tartist LA Image: J.Crew

So Sweet

I know I've been bit absent, but moving is a chore, isn't it?

The sugary lining of this adventure are the 2 minute walks to stare at the pastries at Bottega Louie. Lately it's the Valentine's Day-hued macarons that are looking back at me saying: take me with you, but aren't we too pretty to eat? Yes you are. A beautiful escape from the brown moving boxes.

Chocolate + Love + Design

I'd like to speak to the soul who decided that every year, chocolate has to be placed in a red heart-shaped box, covered in a big (ugly) bow and sent on Valentine's Day. Now really! There is no need to sacrifice chic or clever design to send something sweet. Every corner of the globe, from Los Angeles to Tokyo, has a fantastically delicious and smart chocolatier. Here are a few.

Marital Bliss Bar anyone?

The Locals

A. Valerie Confections B. Jin Patisserie C. Compartes Raspberry Rose Chocolate Truffle

Out of Town

D. Kika's Treat Caramelized Graham Crackers in Milk Chocolate E. TCHO 12-Bar Sampler F. Chocolat Moderne Bistro Bar-Havana Heat G. Coco-luxe Spumoni Bar H. Dylan's Candy Bar-Milk Chocolate I. IT Bar-Dark Chocolate Layered with Milk J. Chocolate By Numbers 55% K. Cocoa Vinoso Pinot Noir L. Fat Pig Chocolate M. Chocolate Editions Neopolitan Bar N. Coco-Luxe Assorted Chocolate Truffles

Beyond the Sea

O. Cocoa Absolute IND/32 Bar P. 100% Chocolate Cafe Valentine's Tab Q. Kshocolat Hot Choc Sampler R. Hacienda Iara Organic 72% Dark with Chili & Pink Peppercorns S. Alice Dark Chocolate T. Hotel Chocolat Vintage Dark Chocolate Buttons U. Kshocolat Little Black Box-Milk Chocolate Black Currants V. Bloomsbury Marital Bliss Bar

Say It Right

A funny thing happened during a crafting event last year--I didn't craft a thing. However, I did meet Andria, the wonderfully talented and cool co-founder of Peach Press, a letterpress company that recently launched their online store. So what timing! That send-a-card-(or-else) holiday is around the corner where we all profess our amour via love notes and cards. If there is anything I love just as much love, it would be food and thanks to these local "Peaches", you can say the right thing with their Sweet Nothings line of food + love (+ a camel) cards. Congrats Megan and Andria!