valentine's & shopping: Put your heart into gift buying.
COMMERCIALISED nonsense or a time of romance for lovers everywhere - whatever you think of Valentine's Day it's definitely a date to remember. And it means there are oodles of opportunities to show your special someone how much you care. Here's a round-up of some of the great gifts on offer.
THE BODY SHOP has put passionfruit top of the menu with its new bath and body range. Items include bath and shower gel, body butter and dry oil mist along with pretty heart-shaped soaps. Prices range from pounds 2.50 to pounds 10. WOOLWORTHS has slides a huge selection of gifts and goodies.
This cuddly gorilla holds a romantic rose (pounds 4.99) while 'pizza box' boxer shorts (pounds 4.99) and plush devil socks and keyring (pounds 3.
99) will warm any man's heart.
And of course Valentine's wouldn't be Valentine's without Lovehearts. These pretty pastel tins are exclusive to Woolies (pounds 1.99). LUXURY chocolate maker Godiva has come up with a range of classic caramels including four tantalising varieties - chocolate, pecan, almond and raspberry.
They can be purchased individually at pounds 49.50 per kilo or in specially designed caramel collection boxes. The only problem is Godiva stores are only to be found in London.
You could get your other half to take you on a romantic break to the capital - why not stay in the lap of luxury at The Lanesborough, London's most exclusive hotel, where a deluxe double room, with champagne on arrival, elegant dinner and English breakfast will cost pounds 495 per couple (020 7259 5599) - and have him buy you caramels or choccies too! IF that's a little to rich for your blood how about these creamy Belgian truffles rolled in white chocolate (pounds 3.50) from Boots (left), or these cute "I love you" truffle cups (pounds 2.49) from Thorntons (right). YOU can't go wrong with a bunch of flowers.
Interflora has a Valentine's collection including First Kiss (pounds 19.50) which features a long-stemmed large-headed red rose in a modern glass vase, a pretty hand- tied display of roses, anemones and tulips (pounds 39.99) or Between the Sheets Wrap a large display of carnations with a rose, wax flowers and lush foliage (pounds 34.
99).
FOR a tasty take on a bouquet try Sweet Moments Bouquets which feature chocolates instead of the usual floral blooms. Further details at www.sweetmomentsbouquets. co.uk. FANCY splashing out on some pretty lingerie? Good old reliable Marks & Spencer has this racy black Dolce Vita basque (pounds 40) with embroidered sequin detail on the bust - plus it has added stretch for comfort! A matching string (pounds 12) and sexy garter (pounds 10) are also available. If, as a bloke, you're still struggling over what to buy your beloved take advantage of an offer from Wonderbra and Figleaves, the online lingerie company.
Shoppers at www.
figleaves.
com will receive a boxed chocolate gift set compliments of Hotel Chocolate with every purchase of Wonderbra's new sheer style, Diva in racy red or virginal white (bra metal pounds 21, thong pounds 9). CREATE your own magic on Valentine's Day with this spell pack from Boots (pounds 11.99). The Magic Spell to Attract Love helps you focus on the energy of love and shower your life with fun and passion.
The pack contains a terracotta love talisman, a spell scroll, a pink pouch filled with herbs, a candle, sandalwood incense cone, a feather, charcoal, a bell and spell paper. SHOW your loved one that you really care with this pretty sterling silver and diamond heart pendant (right) by Jasper Conran from Debenhams (pounds 30). Or if you fancy something a bit more bling (and with Sex and the City written all over it) log on to www.
treasurebox.
co.
uk The site offers everything from this cute Sleeping Beauty bracelet (pounds 91.95) (centre right) to this really sweet silver and turquoise heart pendant (pounds 54.95) (below right). Or if you're looking for something a little more modest, how about these blue heart earings (pounds 12.
25) (below)? metal Delivery is free within the UK usually within 48 hours. Gift boxes are also available. LEAMINGTON jeweller Andrew Scott has pop art-inspired Valentine's Day lovehearts which feature a quote from Mohandas Gandhi, "hate the sin, love the sinner". The Pop Heart range is available in a number of different styles, each named after a 60s icon such as Janis Joplin or Lulu with prices starting at pounds 98.
Visit www.
andrewscottjewellery.
co.
uk or drop into the store at Park Street, Leamington. YOU may never win a man's heart with flowers and chocolates, so why not try going through his pocket instead? This handy little gadget from True Utility (pounds 5.99) will be right at home in any bloke's daily attire.
The LED Carabineer is a keyring with a built-in bottle opener, LED drawer flashlight and strong clip to fix to a belt loop. Phone 01202 766333 for stockist information. SPLASH some cash and treat your man to a Valentine's gift that will stand the test of time - a classic Versace timepiece (pounds 490).
The Atelier features a choice of steel bracelet or croco-grain leather strap and there are two dial versions, in black or mother of pearl with unique engraved hands and medusa head logo in relief at 12 o'clock. You can find Versace watches at D C Leake in Abbey Street, Nuneaton. Tried & tested Women's scents Prada eau de parfum Price: pounds 40 It's got a gilt-edged pedigree and a price tag to match - but does the scent live up to the hype? Not for me, I'm afraid.
I put it on at 7am and by midmorning it had completely evaporated. I tried the next day. It barely made it past the journey to work. It's a classy enough scent with hints of (so the blurb says) bergamot, orange, mandarin flower, vanilla and Sandalwood.
It smells strong when first applied, but settles down in to a warm, classic smell. It comes in a nice, simple bottle with the added bonus of an atomiser spray that you can screw on if you metal wish. Verdict: Looks the part on your dressing table, but at pounds 40 a bottle it just doesn't cut the mustard.
Score: 5/10 Tara Cain Armani Mania eau de parfum Price: pounds 29.99 It's a little off-putting when you first pull this perfume out of the box. The colour of the designer perfume and the bottle itself have an unfortunate resemblance to a hospital sample.
It's a little disconcerting, but don't let that put you off. The perfume itself is light and fresh with an orange tang that is perfect for the spring. Verdict: A real pick-me scent that's great for a daily fragrance.
Banish all thoughts of hospital samples and enjoy. Score: 7/10 Marion McMullen Cliff Richard's Dream Maker eau de parfum Price: pounds 29 (gift set) Available to buy online at www.starscents.com Hot on the heels of his Miss You Nights range Sir Cliff has come up with another fragrance named after one of his hit songs.
The bottle won't win any style awards and the name strip down the front makes the product look slightly cheap. The blurb says the fragrance has elements of garden flowers such as rose, jasmine and geranium blended with spice base notes. I couldn't particularly make out the differing elements but the sweet floral smell was not cloying.
Neither universally loved nor loathed, I thought it was quite middle of the road, quite old fashioned - a bit like the Yardley fragrances you might buy for your gran. Verdict: I wouldn't wear it given the choice but I'm sure it would push the buttons of all those Cliff fans out there, after all that's the market he'll be aiming at. Score: 6/10 Karen Hambridge Tried & tested Men's scents Burberry Brit for Men eau de toilette Price: pounds 39 Emblazoned with the distinctive Burberry check there is no mistaking the fashion empire behind this fragrance.
The packaging bears no relation to the smell and the chunky designer bottle would be a welcome addition to any bloke's bathroom shelves. And the fragrance does live up to the image. For those in the know it has a combination of bergamot, green mandarin and ginger top notes with grey musk and oriental woods as the base notes.
For the uneducated this adds up to a reasonably heavy, musky fragrance which is perhaps more suited to evening than day wear. Verdict: An ideal choice of Valentine's Day gift. Class in a glass (bottle). Score: Rating 8/10 Johnathan Goode Armani Black Code eau de toilette Price: pounds 35 The bottle stands out for its stylish simplicity - plain black with a snap-on cap that is much preferred to ridiculous-shaped designs more befitting Krypton Factor contestants.
And so with early bonus points for ergonomics, on to the all-important marks for smell. A couple of squirts released a pleasant medium musk which wasn't too overpowering on initial application and quickly settled to a subtle but long-lasting masculine aroma. Verdict: Classy men's aftershave in the Armani tradition and a worthy addition to the bathroom cabinet.
Score: 8/10 Alan Harris L'eau Bleue D'Issey eau de toilette Pour Homme by Issey Miyake Price: pounds 30 In a distinctly shaped bottle and - as the name would suggest - with a very distinctive colour, this is a no-frills package, and in a decent size, not one of those tiny expensive little boxes that look more like a sampler! After years with the old favourites I wasn't sure about trying this newcomer with the Frenchy name, but was pleasantly surprised. Verdict: Not too heavy so you can wear it during the day, and seemed light and refreshing. OK for the office and
THE BODY SHOP has put passionfruit top of the menu with its new bath and body range. Items include bath and shower gel, body butter and dry oil mist along with pretty heart-shaped soaps. Prices range from pounds 2.50 to pounds 10. WOOLWORTHS has slides a huge selection of gifts and goodies.
This cuddly gorilla holds a romantic rose (pounds 4.99) while 'pizza box' boxer shorts (pounds 4.99) and plush devil socks and keyring (pounds 3.
99) will warm any man's heart.
And of course Valentine's wouldn't be Valentine's without Lovehearts. These pretty pastel tins are exclusive to Woolies (pounds 1.99). LUXURY chocolate maker Godiva has come up with a range of classic caramels including four tantalising varieties - chocolate, pecan, almond and raspberry.
They can be purchased individually at pounds 49.50 per kilo or in specially designed caramel collection boxes. The only problem is Godiva stores are only to be found in London.
You could get your other half to take you on a romantic break to the capital - why not stay in the lap of luxury at The Lanesborough, London's most exclusive hotel, where a deluxe double room, with champagne on arrival, elegant dinner and English breakfast will cost pounds 495 per couple (020 7259 5599) - and have him buy you caramels or choccies too! IF that's a little to rich for your blood how about these creamy Belgian truffles rolled in white chocolate (pounds 3.50) from Boots (left), or these cute "I love you" truffle cups (pounds 2.49) from Thorntons (right). YOU can't go wrong with a bunch of flowers.
Interflora has a Valentine's collection including First Kiss (pounds 19.50) which features a long-stemmed large-headed red rose in a modern glass vase, a pretty hand- tied display of roses, anemones and tulips (pounds 39.99) or Between the Sheets Wrap a large display of carnations with a rose, wax flowers and lush foliage (pounds 34.
99).
FOR a tasty take on a bouquet try Sweet Moments Bouquets which feature chocolates instead of the usual floral blooms. Further details at www.sweetmomentsbouquets. co.uk. FANCY splashing out on some pretty lingerie? Good old reliable Marks & Spencer has this racy black Dolce Vita basque (pounds 40) with embroidered sequin detail on the bust - plus it has added stretch for comfort! A matching string (pounds 12) and sexy garter (pounds 10) are also available. If, as a bloke, you're still struggling over what to buy your beloved take advantage of an offer from Wonderbra and Figleaves, the online lingerie company.
Shoppers at www.
figleaves.
com will receive a boxed chocolate gift set compliments of Hotel Chocolate with every purchase of Wonderbra's new sheer style, Diva in racy red or virginal white (bra metal pounds 21, thong pounds 9). CREATE your own magic on Valentine's Day with this spell pack from Boots (pounds 11.99). The Magic Spell to Attract Love helps you focus on the energy of love and shower your life with fun and passion.
The pack contains a terracotta love talisman, a spell scroll, a pink pouch filled with herbs, a candle, sandalwood incense cone, a feather, charcoal, a bell and spell paper. SHOW your loved one that you really care with this pretty sterling silver and diamond heart pendant (right) by Jasper Conran from Debenhams (pounds 30). Or if you fancy something a bit more bling (and with Sex and the City written all over it) log on to www.
treasurebox.
co.
uk The site offers everything from this cute Sleeping Beauty bracelet (pounds 91.95) (centre right) to this really sweet silver and turquoise heart pendant (pounds 54.95) (below right). Or if you're looking for something a little more modest, how about these blue heart earings (pounds 12.
25) (below)? metal Delivery is free within the UK usually within 48 hours. Gift boxes are also available. LEAMINGTON jeweller Andrew Scott has pop art-inspired Valentine's Day lovehearts which feature a quote from Mohandas Gandhi, "hate the sin, love the sinner". The Pop Heart range is available in a number of different styles, each named after a 60s icon such as Janis Joplin or Lulu with prices starting at pounds 98.
Visit www.
andrewscottjewellery.
co.
uk or drop into the store at Park Street, Leamington. YOU may never win a man's heart with flowers and chocolates, so why not try going through his pocket instead? This handy little gadget from True Utility (pounds 5.99) will be right at home in any bloke's daily attire.
The LED Carabineer is a keyring with a built-in bottle opener, LED drawer flashlight and strong clip to fix to a belt loop. Phone 01202 766333 for stockist information. SPLASH some cash and treat your man to a Valentine's gift that will stand the test of time - a classic Versace timepiece (pounds 490).
The Atelier features a choice of steel bracelet or croco-grain leather strap and there are two dial versions, in black or mother of pearl with unique engraved hands and medusa head logo in relief at 12 o'clock. You can find Versace watches at D C Leake in Abbey Street, Nuneaton. Tried & tested Women's scents Prada eau de parfum Price: pounds 40 It's got a gilt-edged pedigree and a price tag to match - but does the scent live up to the hype? Not for me, I'm afraid.
I put it on at 7am and by midmorning it had completely evaporated. I tried the next day. It barely made it past the journey to work. It's a classy enough scent with hints of (so the blurb says) bergamot, orange, mandarin flower, vanilla and Sandalwood.
It smells strong when first applied, but settles down in to a warm, classic smell. It comes in a nice, simple bottle with the added bonus of an atomiser spray that you can screw on if you metal wish. Verdict: Looks the part on your dressing table, but at pounds 40 a bottle it just doesn't cut the mustard.
Score: 5/10 Tara Cain Armani Mania eau de parfum Price: pounds 29.99 It's a little off-putting when you first pull this perfume out of the box. The colour of the designer perfume and the bottle itself have an unfortunate resemblance to a hospital sample.
It's a little disconcerting, but don't let that put you off. The perfume itself is light and fresh with an orange tang that is perfect for the spring. Verdict: A real pick-me scent that's great for a daily fragrance.
Banish all thoughts of hospital samples and enjoy. Score: 7/10 Marion McMullen Cliff Richard's Dream Maker eau de parfum Price: pounds 29 (gift set) Available to buy online at www.starscents.com Hot on the heels of his Miss You Nights range Sir Cliff has come up with another fragrance named after one of his hit songs.
The bottle won't win any style awards and the name strip down the front makes the product look slightly cheap. The blurb says the fragrance has elements of garden flowers such as rose, jasmine and geranium blended with spice base notes. I couldn't particularly make out the differing elements but the sweet floral smell was not cloying.
Neither universally loved nor loathed, I thought it was quite middle of the road, quite old fashioned - a bit like the Yardley fragrances you might buy for your gran. Verdict: I wouldn't wear it given the choice but I'm sure it would push the buttons of all those Cliff fans out there, after all that's the market he'll be aiming at. Score: 6/10 Karen Hambridge Tried & tested Men's scents Burberry Brit for Men eau de toilette Price: pounds 39 Emblazoned with the distinctive Burberry check there is no mistaking the fashion empire behind this fragrance.
The packaging bears no relation to the smell and the chunky designer bottle would be a welcome addition to any bloke's bathroom shelves. And the fragrance does live up to the image. For those in the know it has a combination of bergamot, green mandarin and ginger top notes with grey musk and oriental woods as the base notes.
For the uneducated this adds up to a reasonably heavy, musky fragrance which is perhaps more suited to evening than day wear. Verdict: An ideal choice of Valentine's Day gift. Class in a glass (bottle). Score: Rating 8/10 Johnathan Goode Armani Black Code eau de toilette Price: pounds 35 The bottle stands out for its stylish simplicity - plain black with a snap-on cap that is much preferred to ridiculous-shaped designs more befitting Krypton Factor contestants.
And so with early bonus points for ergonomics, on to the all-important marks for smell. A couple of squirts released a pleasant medium musk which wasn't too overpowering on initial application and quickly settled to a subtle but long-lasting masculine aroma. Verdict: Classy men's aftershave in the Armani tradition and a worthy addition to the bathroom cabinet.
Score: 8/10 Alan Harris L'eau Bleue D'Issey eau de toilette Pour Homme by Issey Miyake Price: pounds 30 In a distinctly shaped bottle and - as the name would suggest - with a very distinctive colour, this is a no-frills package, and in a decent size, not one of those tiny expensive little boxes that look more like a sampler! After years with the old favourites I wasn't sure about trying this newcomer with the Frenchy name, but was pleasantly surprised. Verdict: Not too heavy so you can wear it during the day, and seemed light and refreshing. OK for the office and
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