No date for Valentines? No problem!

We've got 8 Dateless-Valentines-Day-Goodies and you won't need anybody but yourself. 

1 Gluten-Free Chocolate Avocado Pudding (See recipe below!)

• Eating chocolate is almost like falling in love. We came across a wicked healthy chocolate pudding recipe and it takes 10 minutes to make! See the recipe after the jump -------

2 Lush bath bombs

• A nice relaxing bath with Lush's bath bombs is sure to make you feel smooth and revitalized. If you're still feeling a little bitter about the whole "alone on V-DAY" thing, pick up the "Ex-Factor" bath bomb (here) for $4.95 and watch your worries go down the drain.

3 Four Tet, Patti Smith and Death Grips

• For your listening pleasure, we have chosen a unique combination of records that are created by inspiring, independent artists. Each group has their own obscure and out-of-the box sound. Take some time to find the creative person within yourself and do something great like these three groups. 

4 Bear Flag White Wine 

• Initially, we picked up this bottle of white wine because of it's catchy label full of indie inspired drawings. It wasn't until we started drinking that we realized it has these cool little arrows on the side telling you at which point of drinking you turn from a pessimist to an optimist. If you enjoy a full, fruity wine pick up the Soft White blend - if you're looking for a dryer white, I'd go for the Bright White Blend. 

5 Chocolate and Macaroons

• So cliche, but everybody wants chocolate on V-Day. Why don't you go ahead and spring for a box of sweets from the prettiest bakery in the city, I recommend Nadege Patisserie on Queen W in Toronto where they have cute Valentines inspired treats for you and ... yourself!

6 St Ives Facial Scrub

• Whatever, we all need a good scrubbin' now and then. Wash away your troubles and your tiny flaws to make your face feel smooth and rejuvenated. Pick up this simple facial scrub and a cleansing mask at your local drugstore.

7 Auroshikha Incense

• Candles are the obvious choice, but we really only burn incense in this house. Auroshikha's natural incense comes in a ton of different scents (I like the eucalyptus and lemongrass the best) and are "pure light and inspiring". If you're living downtown Toronto, check out Shanti Baba on Queen W for these. Light one, grab a glass of wine and have a nice Lush bath.

8 Victoria's Secret

• Who said you can't be sexy for yourself? We all want to feel good about ourselves and there's no time you'll look better than half naked in your sexiest lingerie sprawled out on your silk sheets surrounded by candles, incense, a tall glass of wine and a good record.

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Gluten-Free Chocolate Avocado Pudding (See recipe below!)

Ingredients:

     • 3 avocados (skinned and chopped finely)

     • 1/3 cup chocolate chips

     •1/3 cup natural cocoa

     • 1/2 tsp salt

     • 1/2 cup sugar 

     • 1/2 - 3/4 cup almond milk

     • 1-2 tbsp cultured coconut milk

     • 2 tbsp honey

     • Optional (to taste): cinnamon, coconut flakes, peanut butter, agave etc...

     • Use a hand blender and a big bowl if you have one, if not use a blender but add the    ingredients slowly

VEGAN: For this recipe, you can substitute the honey and sugar for agave, however use less almond milk in the process to make sure it still keeps the pudding texture. Add a little bit at a time to your preferred taste and texture.

Instructions:

•  Cut avocados in half, scoop out the pit and throw away, remove skin. Chop the avocados into fine pieces and set aside.

•  Add 1/2 cup of almond milk to bowl or blender. Add dry ingredients (sugar, cinnamon, salt, coconut) and blend. 

•  In a bowl, melt the chocolate chips and honey and pour into mixture. Blend right away.

•  Slowly add chunks of avocado and blend into mixture. 

•  If needed, blend in more milk during this process.

•  Scoop into bowl, chill and serve pudding in a number of different ways. You can stuff strawberries as found here on the Damy Health website, you can use pudding as fondue with cut up fruit (as we did), or you can use as a light frosting when baking. If you guys find any other uses let us know! :) 

Enjoy & go get sexy ;)

Love,
LeahBradley

Summer Love

by Derek Dotto

I’m in love! It may be a day late, but I’m making my Valentine’s Day declaration. I’ve found the one, well the ones, I should say. There are two of them. They’re stylish, Italian, and oh so sweet. Their names: Righty and Lefty, and they make up the perfect pair of summer shoes.

The RAI is the stand out in John Fluevog’s fabulous Spring 2011 collection. The two-toned loafer is the latest addition to Fluevog’s Radio family, a group of shoes named after public broadcast radio stations around the world. Available in black and brown, the RAI has enough Italian style and vintage flare to live up to its namesake, Radio Audiziono Italiane.

I can’t wait to stomp around town in these bad boys, without socks, pants rolled up.

Photo courtesy of www.fluevog.com

Love is in the Air!

By Natalie S. Kushnir

Love is in the air and the pink has been released! It is February and it is impossible not to be overwhelmed with hearts and chocolate. It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and ladies you know what this means...on the hunt for the perfect lingerie. The question is, where to go? No doubt about it, you need to sneak in a stop at Victoria’s Secret.

Reveal a secret to your man this Valentines Day. Remember, Valentine's Day is like Halloween, chocolate and an excuse for girls to dress up as they desire. So what do you desire? Heat things up with something spicy, keep it classy, or play it sweet and sexy?

Relationship getting boring? Need to spice it up a bit?

Bring home an outfit like this and you’ll be sure to turn things around.

Afraid to play it nice, but too shy to be naughty? Stick to the

classics: a corset, garter belt, and thing high pantyhose.

Classic will always be sexy.

Are you his princess, his everything, and want to give him something

back? Keep it sassy and sweet, sometimes the simplest things are the

sexiest.

"Make it a Valentine's Day (& night) to remember in lacy racy, & irresistible lingerie". Don’t wait ‘till last minute! Go shopping...how could you not have fun trying on these outfits!

Don’t have a Victoria’s Secret near you? Check out their website for online shopping!

Between Cliches and Diamonds

By: Erin Powers

A few days ago I received a phone call from a male friend in Valentine's Day gift buying distress. The new lady in his life had begun dropping hints about the upcoming festivities and he was unsure as to what an appropriate gift for the occasion would be. He also said that he wanted to stay away from the "lame, cliche heart shaped chocolates, flowers or lingerie" (side note gentleman this is more a gift for yourself, rather than your significant other) and get her something a little more special, but he was definitely not ready for diamonds yet.

So as I started to ponder my friend's dilemma I got to thinking two things:

1. I was shocked and more than slightly amused that my friend had even thought to step out of the commonplace heart shaped gifts in the first place. He has always been a midnight Valentine's Eve at the drugstore kind of shopper.

2. When your relationship is between cliches and diamonds, what would most ladies consider as a great gift?

If your lady is the fabulous jet setter type I would suggest the Marc Jacobs Daisy Solid Perfume Ring. It's not only a playful and sophisticated accessory, but the top twists off to reveal Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume solid, helping to get her from check - in to take off without having to deal with maddening baggies and security hold - ups about restricted liquids. A two in one statement accessory - who wouldn't love this? The ring retails for approximately $40 and can be purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs and www.marcjacobs.com

If your Valentine is more of a haute hippie, an environmentally friendly piece of jewellery may be the way to go. http://www.upcycledjewelry.com is a great website to find super stylish and totally recycled pieces of jewellery that will make all her friends green with eco - chic envy. This line carries a multitude of pieces ranging from film strip necklaces to glass earrings so you will be sure to find the perfect gift to impress your naturalist. Just be sure your wrapping is as eco - friendly as your gift!

If you are buying for a more sentimental girl who loves a personalized gift, steer clear of the mixed tape idea (Friends episode anyone?) and go with a fabulous, totally one of a kind Pandora Charm Bracelet. All of the charms and beads on this bracelet will be hand-picked by you (think favourite colours, birthstones and hobbies), and there is even multiple ways to knot the end of the bracelet itself ensuring that your gift is the ultimate in bespoke jewellery. These bracelets are available for purchase online http://www.pandora.net or to find the closest retailer to you there is a handy store locater on the website as well.

Happy Shopping :)