Valentine’s Day is a day designed to celebrate love. Whether you are gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual or transgender, everyone wants to be loved. I put together a list of items (not the traditional flowers or candy) that you can give to your loved one(s), or if you are single, that you can buy for yourself to celebrate this wonderful day of love. I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Week. (A day is too short!)
Jewelry
Lucky Dog Leather – makes some of the finest handmade leather jewelry around
“Your Special Day” Calendar Ring with Swarovski Crystal
The Not Just Any Old Day…It’s YOUR Special Day Calendar Ring is a newer addition to the 
signature Calendar “Datesake” collection. With its one-of-a-kind design, the Calendar Ring might just be one of the most sentimental and special pieces you ever receive! With this ring, you can keep your cherished anniversary or wedding date on your hand and treasure it always. The ring is adjustable and made from recycled lead-free pewter in the USA. Retails for $65 and up.
Argenti Jewelers
Locally Marc Silver, owner of Argenti Jewelers makes so many hand made wonderful pieces. Here are just a few:
Black Triple Wrap Leather Bracelet, with a Stainless Steel Hook on sale for $45.00
Black Single Wrap Leather Braceletwith a Stainless Steel Hook on sale for $39.00
Sapphire & Diamonds in 14K Yellow & White Gold Gemstone Band Rings; Custom. $1,995.00 each
14K Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver Soft Hammered 6mm Band Rings; Custom. $395.00 each
Skin Care Products
School of Wash – Nothing shows you care like handmade shave products. The School of Wash 
line of Handmade Shave Soaps, Body Lotion, Dusting Powder, Shave Mug and Badger Hair Shave Brush are the perfect gift for that special someone this holiday season. Designed to meet all your shaving needs, give the gift of a luxurious shave with products made for even the most sensitive of skin. Each School of Wash product is handmade upon ordering and delivered FRESH to your loved one. $9 to $90. SchoolOfWash.com
Evolution Man “The Sport Guy Kit” includes full sizes of: Face & Body Wash, Nu Noir
Moisture Protect SPF 20 (Oil free), Lip Balm SPF 15, EVMAN Sport Bottle all in an EVMAN Square Dopp Kit Bag. Retail $80 ($131 value) Evolution-Man.com
Badrick’s Better Beard Kit. Retail $30 ($45 value)
Includes a Mug Scrub, DaBalm, and Badricks Branded Towel
Aurora DeJuliis, MD Skin Care – includes a whole line of products for anti-aging. 2 of the 
products I enjoy are: Ginseng Mineral Toner – this hydrating toner includes natural proteins that help maintain elasticity, bio-extracts that hydrate, and minerals that enhance the skin’s natural repair process (8 oz – $ ) and Sage and Citrus Moisturizer – This lightweight crème has specially chosen ingredients to help condition and tone the skin. Sage, Watercress and Lemon bioflavonoids help to purify and revitalize oily combination skin conditions. The anti-oxidants vitamins A, C and E are also incorporated into this formula to protect and improve skins elasticity (2 oz – $ ).
Pleasure – We are all creature that love pleasure so here are a few things that will make you feel better.
Lifestyle Condoms – Lifestyles.com
TURBO is a category innovator that will help increase circulation by relaxing and dilating blood vessels to enhance blood flow. Unique in that it heightens sexual pleasure for both partners with Excite gel lubricating the inside and the outside of the condom.
FUN BUMPS – Created to stimulate the most sensitive areas for maximum pleasure, Fun Bumps condoms feature 420 intensely stimulating studs, strategically placed along the condom to excite in all the right areas. The latest advancement in textured condoms, Fun Bumps’ extreme-raised studs feature over twice the volume of rubber in every stud than LifeStyles’ standard studded products. Fun Bumps’ studs are also 25% larger in diameter and 100% deeper than traditional studded condoms. Heightening the experience and pleasure of safe sex with the help of silky, long-lasting, UltraGlide™ lubricant to extend pleasure, Fun Bumps add excitement with a hint of fresh mint flavor, making these condoms a natural choice for oral sex as well.
SKYN – The world’s first clinically-approved polyisoprene (non-latex) condom – SKYN is widely known as “the closest thing to wearing nothing.” SKYN provides greater sensation and more comfort than other latex and even non-latex condoms on the market today, as ascertained by clinical trials of the condom. Research also shows that 66% of condom users convert to SKYN once they’ve experienced the unique benefits of polyisoprene.
Big Teaze Toys – BigTeazeToys.com
The VerSpanken H2O 5 Piece Kit – for men!
This 5 piece kit includes: the housing and 2 sets of water filled, interchangeable inserts (2 smooth, 2 bumpy). • The interchangeable inserts can be heated or chilled in warm or cold water for different temperature and texture use. Suggested MSRP: $59.95
The new I Rub My Duckie Travel-Size Paris in Gold & Silver:
These new colors will make great gifts for holidays, weddings, 
anniversaries and more and is made to use when you are traveling! Suggested MSRP: $24.99
Books
The Chosen’ takes a refreshing break from the traditional male/female love story as one Prince longs to find another. The neighboring kingdoms of Oscia and Arcathia have been at a tentative peace for three years after centuries of warfare. Prince Severin of Arcathia has been brought up to put duty before all else and as the only son of the King and Queen, it is his duty to marry and produce an heir. His parents want him to marry an Oscian princess to cement that tentative peace. Unfortunately Severin isn’t interested in princesses. Havyn has been a slave all his life. When his aptitude for wizardry is discovered, he finds himself purchased and freed by Prince Severin and apprenticed to the royal wizard, Ildar. His duty is to stay chaste to keep his powers strong, but his feelings for Severin sorely test his resolve. With kingdoms at war, the throne hanging in the balance, magic in the air, and outside forces trying to keep them apart, can the two men find happiness together, or is duty more important than love? ‘The Chosen’ is available now Amazon.com for $10.96 or the Kindle version for only $4.99
Stuffed: The Ultimate Comfort Food Cookbook – Our favorite comfort foods are often considered tried and true recipes. But how can you take favorite comfort foods like macaroni and cheese, a hamburger, or even ravioli and make them even more comforting, more filling, even more delicious? Blogger and author Dan Whalen knows how and by following his recipes home cooks will learn how to turn their favorite comfort foods into new and exciting dishes. Page Street Publishing, January 2014, $19.99 US.
Marten Weber’s new novel “Benedetto Casanova: The Roman Diaries” is the continuation of the bestselling book, Benedetto Casanova, and the sexual adventures of Casanova’s, gay brother, Benedetto. .$19.99; MartenWeber.com
Legally Wed (Dreamspinner Press) by Rick R. Reed. Reed gives his unique experience getting his marriage license the first day it was legal in Seattle and includes what he’s learned through the years about true love, and how he incorporated these lessons into Legally Wed; Struggling with his sexuality during his marriage to a straight woman; Raising a son who is also gay, and how parents everywhere can learn from his experience, and learning to accept himself, and his advice to other young gay people. Available at Amazon.com, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. The kindle version of the book is available for $6.99.
DVD’s
2 great movies from Twentieth Century Fox:
Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare’s epic and searing love story has been revitalized for a 
whole new generation by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes and acclaimed director Carlo Carlei. Douglas Booth and Academy Award Nominee Hailee Steinfeld lead an extraordinary ensemble cast as Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed youths who fall for each other in spite of their feuding families. Filled with lush, enchanting imagery amid its original setting in Verona, Italy, this legendary tale of romance remains timeless and transcendent…and as powerful as ever. 142 minutes, rated PG-13.
Baggage Claim – Paula Patton leads a hilarious cast in this first-class comedy that’ll keep you laughing and make your heart soar! Flight attendant Montana Moore (Patton) is smart, sexy and sick of being single. She’s determined to get engaged before her younger sister’s wedding, leaving just 30 days to make her connection. Fortunately, her co-worker crew has cooked up a high-flying scheme for Montana to “accidentally” bump into all her ex-boyfriends, leading to hilarious encounters as she attempts to land the perfect guy!
97 minutes rated PG-13.
Spirits and Wines
Choosing champagne for Valentine’s Day (I love Champagne if anyone wants to send me a 
gift…LOL) doesn’t have to be complicated. For new couples, I suggest the affordable Chandon Rosé ($22). Been dating a few months now, but aren’t quite ready to dish out the dollars on expensive gifts? Opt for the always impressive Moët & Chandon Rosé ($45) or the Veuve Clicquot Rosé ($69). For those planning on the popping the question this Valentine’s Day, try popping a bottle of the exquisite Dom Pérignon Rosé ($299) first.
Crown Royal XO is an ultra-premium, blended Canadian whisky handcrafted by Crown Royal Master Blender Andrew MacKay for extraordinary smoothness. The unique blend of more than 50 of the finest Crown Royal whiskies is finished in cognac casks from the French Limousin Forest, resulting in a complex expression of the signature blend.
Crown Royal XO is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks or as the key ingredient in a number of classic cocktail recipes. Suggested Retail Price: $49.99 (750ml).
George Dickel No. 1 Foundation Receipe – Over the last 140 years, the Foundation Recipe has 
served as the backbone for where George Dickel Tennessee whiskies including No. 8, No. 12 and Barrel Select begin. Handmade from the finest grains and legendary Cascade Spring water before being finished through George Dickel’s signature Chill Charcoal Mellowing process, George Dickel No. 1 is an un-aged whisky so smooth George himself called it “Mellow as Moonlight.” Suggested Retail Price: $21.99 (750ml).
At an affordable $11.99 a bottle, the Thorny Rose Red Blend is a juicy, 
full bodied wine with notes of, black cherry, dark plum, chocolate and medium mocha oak, and pairs perfectly with the box of chocolates you hope to receive from your loved one.
The Dreaming Tree wines – a collection of California-based wines from world-renowned musician Dave Matthews and award-winning winemaker Steve Reeder, are accessible, approachable and fun wines that are food-friendly and best savored with close friends and family around the dinner table. Even better, the Dreaming Tree Wines are committed to sustainability as the natural cork closure is sustainably grown, the bottle’s label is made with 100% recycled kraft brown paper, and the bottles are made using clean burning natural gas.
Other
Numi Organic Chocolate Pu-erh Tea – Pu-erh (Poo-air) is an ancient healing tea picked from 500-year-old organic, wild tea trees in the mountains of Yunnan, China that are said to give forth “chi” or life energy. Numi’s Pu-erh Teas are prized for their health benefits as much as for their rich and delicious flavors. With a rich velvety, chocolate aroma, Numi’s Chocolate Pu-erh is an enticing blend of deep, dark pu-erh and organic cocoa nibs. Whole vanilla beans and sweet accents of orange peel enhance this blend along with nutmeg and cinnamon rounding off a spicy finish. (SRP $8.99)
That’s So Gay! A new trivia Game of LGBTQ discovery featuring more than 2,400 questions of 
LGBTQ history and current events, the game can be played by two or more people and is ideal for parties and social events. To purchase for $25 go to ThatsSoGayGame.com.
Andrew Christian is offering a Valentine’s Day Grab Bag which includes 3 underwear’s, 1 jewelry and 10 hot guy stickers all for only $29.95 at AndrewChristian.com
Looking for a Man – A new relationship website, 
MarriageMaterial.co, is changing the dating landscape by offering marriage-minded singles, both straight and gay, a place to connect with others seeking a serious relationship. Founding President and CEO Dana Michel recognizes that we live in a diverse world. She asserts, “I have created an online relationship community that reflects my life experience where people of all kinds interact on a regular basis.”
