Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and perhaps you are still searching far and wide for ideas to capture that loving feeling.  Well then, can we suggest a little something to awaken the senses?  Rest assured, there is something in here for everybody, whether you are a lover, a dreamer or a singing green frog:

Sight
“This was love at first sight, love everlasting: a feeling unknown, unhoped for, unexpected — in so far as it could be a matter of conscious awareness; it took entire possession of him, and he understood, with joyous amazement, that this was for life” – Thomas Mann
My Mistress’s Sparrow Is Dead: Great Love Stories, from Chekhov to Munro ($16.47)

Miramax Inspired Romance Collection (Amelie/Like Water for Chocolate/Il Postino/Chocolat) ($58.99)

Sound
“The sound of a kiss is not so loud as that of a cannon, but its echo lasts a great deal longer.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
It Is Time For A Love Revolution ($9.99)

Love in the Time of Cholera Soundtrack ($12.99)

Smell
“When two people understand each other in their inmost hearts, their words are sweet and strong like the fragrance of orchids” – I-Ching
Calvin Klein Euphoria Men Valentine’s Day Set ($65.00)

Dior Addict ($65.00-$85.00)

Touch
“See how she leans her cheek upon her hand. O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek.” – Romeo & Juliet
Benefit Cosmetics Bathina Gettin’ Steamy ($26.00) and Benefit Cosmetics Bathina “Touch Me Then Try To Leave”… Cream ($28.00)

Overhaul by LUSH ($49.95)

Taste
“What I do and what I dream include thee, as the wine Must taste of its own grapes” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Geoff & Drew’s Signature Red Box of 16 Fresh Baked Brownies ($32.00)

Godiva Chocolate: 15 pc. Valentine’s Day Hearts G Collection ($50.00)

Previously: Ayyyy! Valentine’s Day cometh!

Happy Lunar New Year, dear readers! May prosperity and abundant happiness visit you in the Year of the Rat! According to our resident soothsayer, this year we can look forward to a good number of celebrity scandals, breakups, pregnancies and fashion disasters. So, business as usual! Also, people born in the year of the Rat have a penchant for scurrying about kitchen floors foraging for scraps of food. 

If you don’t know already, plug in your birthdate here and see which of the following celebrities have the good fortune of sharing an animal sign with you. Also, here are some things that may help you with celebrating your inner animal:

Rat (Ben Affleck, Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Garner, Hugh Grant, Jude Law, Julianne Moore, Sean Penn):
Dangermouse: The Complete Series ($80.99)

Ox (Christian Bale, George Clooney, Heidi Klum, Jack Nicholson, Jim Carrey, Kate Moss, Keira Knightley, Tyra Banks):
The Secret Life of Cows ($10.17)

Tiger (Ashley & Mary-Kate Olsen, Jodie Foster, Lindsay Lohan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rosie O’Donnell, Tom Cruise, Victoria Beckham):
Two Brothers ($10.17)

Rabbit (Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Conan O’Brien, David Beckham, Drew Barrymore, Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Milla Jovovich):
Watership Down ($10.20)

Dragon (Al Pacino, Colin Farrell, Courtney Love, Keanu Reeves, Orlando Bloom, Reese Witherspoon, Russell Crowe, Sandra Bullock):
His Majesty’s Dragon ($7.99)

Snake (Ben Stiller, Charlie Sheen, Daniel Radcliffe, Hayden Panettiere, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sarah Jessica Parker):
Snakes on a Plane ($10.17)

Horse (Adam Sandler, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Harrison Ford, Helena Bonham Carter, Katie Holmes, Kiefer Sutherland, Salma Hayek)
The Man From Snowy River ($9.99)

Sheep/Goat (Bruce Willis, Christopher Walken, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Julia Roberts, Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, Pamela Anderson)
Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story ($15.61)

Monkey (Christina Aguilera, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, Naomi Watts, Tom Hanks, Will Smith)
Sock Monkeys: 200 out of 1,863 ($16.47)

Rooster (Britney Spears, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Natalie Portman, Matthew McConaughey, Paris Hilton)
Chicken Run ($11.99)

Dog (Bai Ling, Donald Trump, Kid Rock, Kirsten Dunst, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Sharon Stone)
Shaggy Muses: The Dogs Who Inspired Virginia Woolf, Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Edith Wharton, and Emily Brontë ($16.47) and Amazing Gracie: A Dog’s Tale ($8.76)

Pig (Amy Winehouse, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christina Applegate, David Letterman, Denise Richards, Ewan McGregor, Hugh Laurie , Rachel Weisz)
Porco Rosso ($21.49)

Can you feel that tangible shift in the air? Lovers’ bodies quivering with worry as they struggle to come up with the perfect gift to express such a complex emotion. There are many beautiful and covetous things to be had, so why not start dropping hints all over the place. It’s as easy as sending a link to this wishlist:

Agent Provocateur Massage Oil Trio ($60)

philosophy amazing grace 5-pc. deluxe fragrance collection ($106)

Leigh Bantivoglio raspberry satin crystal lace detail ‘Clara’ camisole ($109.99)

D.L. & Co. Heart Box Votive Set ($125)

Gucci Silver Stud Bamboo Earrings ($140)

Oriental Wishing Pendant with Swarovski Crystals ($154.90)

Diane von Furstenberg ‘Malloricita’ Dress ($169.90)

Kristen Blake Standup Collar Wool Blend Coat ($178-$188)

Deep Metallic Cherry Red Home Chocolate Fondue Fountain ($199.95)

Juliana Jabour Twisted Handle Satchel ($222)

Did you get that memo about today being the single most depressing day of the year? Oh but surely it’s nothing that a wave of your credit card can’t fix! Here are a few things to get you through this difficult time and any other time you feel the Monday morning blues:

The Blue Day Book ($9.95)

The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack Recording ($12.97) and Blues Brothers 2000: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren ($14.99-$46.99)

UglyDoll Bop N’ Beep Blue 12-Inch ($19.99)

Hues N Brews Blue Mugs with Coasters ($48.95)

Furla turquoise ‘Lovers’ double french wallet ($81)

Sky Blue Unlined Italian Leather Gloves ($87)

Kenneth Cole Reaction Knot Waist Shirtdress ($139)

Sony Cybershot DSCW55 7.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom ($164.99)

Nanette Lepore Hollywood Satin Wrap Blouse ($185.90)

Barely a week into 2008 and already some of us are unravelling or lapsing back into bad habits.  As for me, I’ve emptied out the contents of my mind and it sits like a bare bookshelf waiting to be enriched by new ideas and possibilities.  I suggest you do the same so that we can pull through the next 12 months together.  Maybe this is the year we’ll: 

1. wipe the slate clean – A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book

2. get that payrise or that certain someone to take out the garbage – Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People

3.  figure out what to do with that leg lamp – Decorating Idea Book

4. always have some great to wear – Harper’s Bazaar Great Style: Best Ways to Update Your Look

5. wake up in a strange bed and not be ashamed about it – Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips

6. feel enthused on Monday mornings – Make the Right Career Move: 28 Critical Insights and Strategies to Land Your Dream Job

7. eschew quick returns for long-term gains – SmartMoney the Wall Street Journal Magazine

8. be a bit more selective about what we put in our mouths – The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth

9. find some calm amid the clutter – The Life Organizer: A Woman’s Guide to a Mindful Year

10. do our bit for the planet (and not just because some celebrity said so) – You Can Prevent Global Warming (and Save Money!)

The Braindead Megaphone ($8.40) and In Persuasion Nation ($16.29) – absurdist satire to warm the cockles of your black heart

Rosanna Dessert Plates with Gift Box (Set of 4) ($20.97) – a civilised way to eat dessert

Flat Out Bear MILK 100% Australian Sheepskin Teddy Bear ($43.75) – suitable for flat surfaces including Keira Knightley’s chest

Bare Escentuals Buffing Brush Collection ($49) – use responsibly or you may end up channeling Kelly Osbourne

Twin Peaks The Definitive Gold Box Edition ($69.99) – try not to watch it all in one go for sanity reasons

Simplon Express 16in x 20in Vintage Canvas Print ($79.99) – it will make you pine for Venice, grand journeys and possibly murder mysteries

Fossil Leather Chronograph ($105) – count down the seconds until the next celebrity gets out of a car without wearing underpants

DKNY Wool Blend Belted Walker Coat ($119.99) – ladies, it will serve you well when you choose to venture outside

Coby 8-inch Digital Picture Frame w/ MP3 player ($135) – a classy display for your favourite celebrity mugshots

Asus Eee 4G-Galaxy 7″ PC Mobile Internet Device ($399.99) – for the ultimate Ayyyy! addict, see pics of Sharon Stone’s cameltoe wherever you go

Previously:
Xmas gifts for Her
Xmas gifts for Him
Xmas gifts for the Home

For illuminating moments – Orrefors Drop Votive ($23.98)

For folding into fancy shapes – Thomas Paul set of 4 aqua cotton canvas ‘Rose’ napkins($24)

For items to be handled discreetly – Alessi Magic Bunny Toothpick Holder ($29.95)

For a good cup of tea and some irreverent gossip – Kitchen Aid Cinnamon Tea Kettle ($39.95)

For a welcoming mood – Antica Farmacista Home Fragrance Gift Set ($58)

For the finest fruit of the season – Alessi Girotondo Round Basket ($59)

For your favourite Kodak moments (or celebrity mugshots) – Mariposa Beaded Frame ($62 – $108)

For a glorious slumber – Fresno Green 4-piece Comforter Set ($69.99)

For easy entertaining – Eva Solo Glass Carafe Gift Set with Tumblers ($81.95)

For when the flower deliverer comes knocking – Nambe Torso Vase ($99.95)

For the intense gamer – Bioshock (Xbox 360/$56.99, PC/$39.99), Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii/$49.99)

For the passionate wine handler – Rabbit Deluxe Corkscrew ($59.95)

For the confirmed hedonist – Zagat Survey: Top Hotels, Resorts & Spas ($34.95) and Zagat Survey: 2007/08 America’s Top Golf Courses ($34.95)

For the smooth operator – John W. Nordstrom Patterned Wool Scarf ($75)

For the action movie aficionado – Blade Runner Five-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition ($54.99) and The Jason Bourne Collection ($34.99)

For the life of the party – Paul Smith Mini Car Striped Cuff Links ($95)

For the avid listener – Uncle Kimono the band t-shirt ($39) and Shure E2c-n Sound Isolating Earphones ($69)

For the handsome fox – Harrison navy cashmere crewneck sweater ($115)

For the urban wanderer – Stone Island Travel & Duffel Bag ($145)

For the always prepared – Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS Navigation System ($189.99)