Darlings, I wanted to share one of my favorite DIY Valentine’s Day gift ideas with you, in case you are racking your brain trying to think of a way to show your Valentine how you feel (like I am!). I call this a Love Jar or Love Bucket and you simply fill a handsome jar with tiny heart-shaped love notes.

Here are the steps:

1. Find a jar and/or bucket in which to put your love notes. (I used a vintage decanter {similar} and silver bucket {similar} from my fave store in San Francisco, Past Perfect, but you can use whatever vessel strikes your fancy. I chose both a jar to put the love-note hearts in and a silver bucket so that my valentine, Fred Baby, had a place to put the notes he had read.)

2. Pick up a sheet or two of pretty paper. (I used Paris map wrapping paper from Paper Source. Papyrus and Kate’s Paperie also have great options. Be sure one side is blank so you can write on it!)

3. Cut out tiny hearts! (Or, use a heart-shaped punch, which is probably much easier. The number is up to you. I used our anniversary, 2/18, and cut out 218 hearts, which admittedly is a lot, but you could do whatever number means something to you and yours. Or, add a twist: Start with 14 for Valentine’s Day and then add a new one each day – that would be such a fun tradition!)

4. Use a pretty pen to jot down your favorite memories. Ideas of what to include: things you love about your Valentine, special dates, adventures, nicknames, inside jokes, or whatever you want to express (our Love Jar is filled with a lot of food references and travel adventures – big surprise!). It’s amazing how writing something as simple as “ancho fudge pie” or “San Marino snow” can bring back a flood of memories.

5. Deliver your Love Bucket to your love bucket! While it’s technically a gift for your valentine, it’s really such a gift to yourself, too, as you get to travel down memory lane with your favorite travel partner.

Do you have any favorite Valentine’s Day or anniversary gifts that you’ve given or received? Do tell, lovelies xx!

[Photos by BussBuss; art print by Shelby Healey]

There’s so much to love about Valentine’s Day — candy hearts, chocolate galore, the prettiest red-white-and-pink palette. But Valentine’s Day can be a total stressfest, too. What to give your Valentine to show just how much you love him (or her)? Here, a few of my favorite ideas…

A vintage typewriter for writing love notes to tell your Valentine why (s)he is just your type.

The most darling postcards for sending handwritten love notes. (Try sending one a day until Valentine’s Day — or spell out a secret message for your Valentine to put together at the end of the week!)

A 5 Year Diary for keeping track of your adventures together (one of the best gifts I’ve ever given and received; Fred Baby and I each have one and write in them every night).

His and hers boxers for lazy weekend lounging and cuddling.

White bedding that makes your bedroom feel like a glamorous hotel for luxurious spooning at home. (My secret source for high-thread-count white cotton sateen sheets and duvet covers at the best prices).

The Audrey Hepburn Collection which includes the most charming and romantic movies ever: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Roman Holiday, and Sabrina. (What could be better than a romantic movie marathon cuddled up on the couch with your favorite someone?)

Chic, vintage-inspired luggage for your adventures abroad or just a few hours down the road. (I find ideas for fun, romantic getaways for a steal here and here).

Speaking of, this print is a good reminder to get away… (Where would you go?)

A honey bear vase for your sweet bear.

An impromtu picnic for two. Because the best gift is spending the day together doing nothing.

Do you have any favorite Valentine’s Day gifts you’ve given or received (or secretly wish for)?

Love is in the air, and we’ve got the heartfelt Valentine’s Day gift ideas to prove it. Behold, darling ideas to make your Valentine swoon.

1. Rifle Paper Co. Custom Portrait – a rendering of you and your sweetheart is the gift that keeps on giving

2. Lip Tease Teacup and Saucer – because your kiss is on his list

3. Q & A a Day: 5-Year Journal – for the lover of the 5 Year Diary who sometimes needs a prompt

4. Rifle Paper Co. Valentine’s Day Cards – the perfect backdrop for your love letters

1. Portable Bamboo Wine Picnic Table – because picnics are your favorite thing to do together (well, almost)

2. ASOS Bow And Dot Ankle Sock – because she’s too socksy for plain Jane socks

3. EmersonMade Flower – an imaginative way to tell someone you like like them

4. Sweetheart Dice – because that is how you roll

See 8 More Unique Valentine’s Day Gifts!

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Cupid and his bow are just around the corner. Be ready for him with these lovely picks for lovely people (psst, you’re the loveliest of them all!).

1. Markus Lupfer Lips Sweater – for the lovely who loves to pucker up (via OhJoy!)

2. Lisa Congdon Vintage Airline Tags Print – for your favorite jetsetter

3. Scented Teddy Spa Therapy – for your beary best friend

4. Diane von Furstenberg Love is Life Tote – because it’s true

1. Kate Spade Artist Portfolio Prints – because you’re ready to fall head over heels

2. ban.do Pop Flower – because this one will never wilt

3. Banderole Pencil Set – for writing love notes and doodling hearts

4. ban.do Heart Shoe Clips – so she feels loved from head to toe

More Valentine’s Day gift ideas coming tomorrow!

Do you believe in signs, darling? You will after seeing designer William Dohman’s of Oh Dier. I’ve been on the hunt for art to spice up our entryway and the hunt is officially over. The only question now is Shut the Front Door or a simple Hello? Mr & Mrs would make the loveliest of Valentine’s Day gifts or wedding/anniversary gifts and would be so cute in a master bedroom. For the kitchen or dining room, Bananas or Eat? The clever choices are endless. If only there was a sign…

CLICK HERE to find yours.

Aren’t they darling? You can still send one to someone you love. Just click here to send a little love with a whole lotta style.

p.s. Kate Spade is having a fun Pop of Color contest on Facebook where you can win a custom Kate Spade bag by sending in a colorful picture. I’ll be choosing my entry now… Hurry, ends March 8.

[photo credit Agent Provocateur; survey via She Finds]

I love romantic comedies (cue the cliché cloud over my smiling head), and Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge. Here, my top 10 favorite romantic comedies, in no particular order.

• The Apartment
  Breakfast at Tiffany’s
  Roman Holiday
  Sabrina
  Love in the Afternoon
  Sleepless in Seattle
  When Harry Met Sally
  Annie Hall
  Bridget Jones’s Diary
  Clueless

Do you have a favorite? Please share!

Often times, the best things come in small packages. And no, we don’t mean diamond earrings (oh wait, that’s good too).

To send the sweetest sentiment in a small but highly impactful way, get thee to the World’s Smallest Postal Service.

Simply fill out and submit your custom letter or card, which will then be transcribed onto tiny stationery (1 x 1.5 inches!). The tiny envelope will even have a mini wax seal with your initial on it and the letter comes with a magnifying glass so your recipient can read your miniment (that’s miniature + sentiment for you math majors).

Or, opt for a Valentine’s Day Cute as a Button package, which comes with a strip of paper reading “You are as cute as…” and then underneath the teeny crumpled paper, a vintage button.

Hostesses with the mostestess, brides and moms-to-be, World’s Smallest wedding, party invitations and birth announcements are also available.

How to get to the World’s Smallest Post Office?

Click right here.

We love giving (and receiving) art for Valentine’s Day and anniversary gifts and wedding gifts (well, and any occasion really), so when we spotted these incredibly sweet heart-themed pieces by UK-based Sarah & Bendrix, we nearly melted.

Choose from feathery white or bolder red pieces – or even bookish and blue options. Either way, the little reminder that love is all you need will be a pick-me-up every time you see it.

Where to fall in love?

Right here.

[ clockwise from top, l-r: Holly Golightly Dress - the perfect LBD custom-made for you; Holly Golightly Sleep Mask -- the chicest way to shut out the world; Holly Golightly Blue Tassel Earplugs -- to keep the noise out, daaahling; Bath Tub Couch -- because dreams can come true, in 4-6 weeks ]

Thinking of something someone loves, whether a movie, book, country or hobby is always a great hopping off point for gift giving. What Breakfast at Tiffany’s fan wouldn’t love items inspired by the movie?

[ Vintage Olivetti Valentine Typewriter -- because, like Fred, er...Paul, you too are a writer and would be inspired by a gorgeous vintage typewriter; Multi-Strand Bow Necklace -- a modern update on the classic multi-strand pearls; Audrey Hepburn Collection (Breakfast at Tiffany's / Roman Holiday / Sabrina) -- the movie, of course, plus a few more romantic classics for your viewing pleasure; Tiffany Earrings -- for obvious reasons; Breakfast at Tiffany's (Essential Penguin) -- the book that started it all; Washburn Banjo, 5 String -- for when you're inspired to strum Moon River; Pink Studio Gypsy Ballet Flats -- because Holly and Audrey made ballet flats chic; Breakfast at Tiffany's Paintings -- the sweetest art to commemorate your BaT love ]

Not only is a themed gift like this great to get, but it’s so much fun to give. For a wedding gift, we once had a blast finding Roman delights for friends who were spending their honeymoon in Rome (think Roman Holiday, books on Rome, Italian wine,  all wrapped in paper with a vintage world map and topped off with a card with a Vespa on the front).

Every couple seems to have a song. If you and your guy have a movie, get inspired by all of the great Living In posts here. Or maybe you share a love of Paris? Or of camping. Maybe he adores a certain book. Hunt down a first edition. Give a writer a fabulous pen and journal, or a coveted vintage typewriter. Maybe photography’s his passion? A vintage or silly, fun camera would be cute. Just showing the one you love (or kinda like a lot) that you know them, will melt his/her heart.

What’s your movie?

You might also like:

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

25 Valentine’s Day Dresses to Impress

Valentine’s Day Shoes

Giveaway: A Box of Hanky Panky Thongs from Bare Necessities!

[clockwise from top, l-r: Kate Spade Genny Pump; Marc by Marc Jacobs 693181 Flats; Diane Von Furstenberg Zia; Giuseppe Zanotti E06112]

[Nina Elga; Harajuku Lovers Ida; Chinese Laundry Ladybug Pumps; Elizabeth and James Maddy]

[Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Melissa Lady Dragon; Kate Spade Gwen; Badgley Mischka Randee; Nine West Every]

[Elizabeth and James Mason; Betsey Johnson Calandra; Logan Glitter d'Orsay Pumps; Nina Electra]

[Kate Spade Kylie; bebe Bailey Platform Pump; Romantic Soles Meggie; Steve Madden Toppazz]

What we’re giving away? A darling heart-shaped keepsake box filled with Hanky Panky thongs (worth $99!). They’re so cute and comfy too.

Winning couldn’t be easier.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Sign up for The DailyBuss email (our free & fab newsletter; see the right-hand column to subscribe) OR follow us on Twitter.

2. Then, leave a comment below here on this post. We want to know about your most memorable Valentine’s Day. The good, the bad, the ugly.

3. Giveaway ends Monday, February 14, 2010 at midnight PST.

The winner will be chosen at random and announced here after they’ve been notified {via email} and accepted their prize. Best of luck!

U.S. residents only. You must be 18 or older to be eligible to win. Void where prohibited.

Velvet Ganet Tunic Dress — if you liked Kate Hudson’s white hot look on the red carpet, why not rock the look yourself?; Rachel Pally Diamond Wrap Dress — sexy, sleek and chic, perfect for first dates and third; Patterson J. Kincaid Daisy Zip Dress — pop in a frock that makes carnations look good…

MINKPINK Alchemy Sequin Dress — great gams were made to sparkle in this frock;LA Made Blake Ruffle Knit Dress — the flirty ruffle, the sexy racerback, blondes like Blake Lively would look gorgeous in this cool and comfy dress; Gap Chambray Drawstring Dress — the perfect dress for a daytime date…perhaps a picnic…through wine country?

French Connection Lilly Dress – the kind of flowers we all really want on Valentine’s Day; French Connection Cairo Dress – sparkly and stylish; Rose Peplum Stretch Dress — everything’s coming up roses!

ASOS Twisted Slinky One Shoulder Dress — because baring your shoulders is sexy, baring your soul not so much (well, not on the first date anyway); Rare Lace Bow Front Jersey Tunic — present-perfect and charming for the day of hearts; ASOS Contrast Cup Mesh Dress — bodycon and chic; ASOS Folded Neck Ponti Dress — classic yet h to the o-t…

Splendid Modal Jersey Bell Sleeve Dress –feminine and flirty, he’ll be charmed, we’re sure; Free People Queen B Ponte Dress — wild and cool, seeing the world in black and white has never been so much fun.

Davilla Jersey Dress — elegant yet tantalizing in a super-soft fabric for happy canoodling; Cherry Blossom Mini Dress – charming in cherry blossom; Party Pose Knit Dress — go on and show your stripes this Valentine’s Day.

Jessica Simpson Sleeveless Floral Twill Bubble Hem Dress — sometimes it’s good to let them see you in black and white ; Alayna Shirt Dress – for flirty femme fatales; Kensie Sleeveless Ruffled Flower Jacquard Sheath — you’ll feel anything but blue in this lovely frock; INC International Concepts Sleeveless Ruffle Skirt Dress — it’s the most wonderful time of the year for romantic ruffles.

ASOS Chiffon Bubble Hem Dress — one dress can be worn so many ways – just pick your fave hue (Cat Deeley likes blue).

Velvet Trishelle Dress — roses are red, his heart will be true once you stun him in this mini in a brilliant hue; T by Alexander Wang Detail Stitch Stretch Tank Dress — sporty and sexy with a surprise cut-out in the back.

Don’t ask us how, but Valentine’s Day is less than a month away already. We’re still feeling the effects of Christmas, so for Valentine’s Day we aim to keep things simple, lovely and low-key.

A truly sweet gift that won’t break the bank?

Custom birch pins by April Hiler Designs.

The cute little pins can be customized with your initials, which are lightly carved into the birch bark heart.

At just $5 each, you can pin one on your lapel and on your valentine’s.

Valentine’s ornaments and Love pins are also available, so you can express yourself in any sweet way you choose.

Where to fall in love?

Right here.