Must Be Love On The Brain

For all of your Valentine's Day needs

Feb 04, 2026

Shitters! Valentine’s Day is around the corner, which means I have to ask:

Normally I love Valentine’s Day! Single, coupled, or somewhere in between, who doesn’t love little treats and red hearts and love stories?! But I just started Belle Burden’s new memoir, Strangers (which seems to be taking the city by storm at the moment), and am suddenly feeling less gung ho than usual… It’s gripping and well done and there is almost certainly an inspiring message of resilience at the end, but I gotta say, perhaps NOT the best seasonal reading material!!!

Newfound anxieties aside, I want to preface this guide with a caveat. Some of my favorite Valentine’s ideas don’t lend themselves to the traditional gift guide collages and links. I love an experience gift—something new and fun that you can do together—or something specific that only you could have come up with, that would only make sense to give to them. But part of the magic of those ideas is that they come from your brain and your heart. My hope is that this guide (or even just this reminder) gets your wheels turning along those lines!

What you’ll find below are some fun ideas to start you off for all of your favorite people!

Pour Moi

If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with SIBAL

Listen, my wishlist was gonna go at the end of the letter, but this was my favorite collage of the bunch, so I guess we’re shopping for me first! Starting strong with the top of my list: MEOW. I’m sorry, what could be better than a snuggly, pint-sized Valentine?! Similarly soft: Suzie Kondi Cashmere pants in this chic shape. And you know I’m a jewelry girl. Next on my list is Fewer Finer’s intricate hand engraving. Look at those minis!! A rose for your rose?! Just perfection.

Speaking of flowers, I will never say no to a wild extravagant arrangement, but this ceramic Diptyque will last longer (and might be my underrated favorite of their whole line??) I don’t think you get the full effect until you actually burn it—to me it smells like the dewiest fresh garden roses. Also underrated: Late Night by Reservation Parfums (PRIYANKA15). I went into this line fully expecting to be a Jasmine Haze girl, but this one felt softer and more inviting—sexy, but not in a way that tries to be (the best kind).

Did I mean to put four purses on my wishlist? I made it, so obviously yes. Starting strong with vintage Celine (selfishly hoping none of you buy this so I can treat myself with my incoming TRR credit). Next, a similarly Valentine’s-appropriate Bottega clutch—the perfect finishing touch for your date night look (with about enough room for a lipstick, keys, and a card). The price tag on this palladium Juju Vera number is criminal, but it is unfortunately perfect in every way—a hallmark of a fabulous gift if I’ve ever seen one. And don’t even get me started about the vintage satin Chanel I passed on a few weeks ago… guess I didn’t have enough old regrets haunting me on Valentine’s Day, I had to get new ones!!! If your partner has similar taste but your budget is not aligned, this is a cheeky alternative (lets hope they have a sense of humor).

I will never not use Valentine’s Day as an occasion to treat myself (though I doubt anyone would think I needed an occasion to do that…). On my radar: 1) Super Loaded highlight. It looks insane (crazy) in the pan, but it looks insane (amazing) on whenever Gucci Westman demos it. 2) These wine colored tassels (random, I know, but the color makes it applicable, and I love the way they look on door handles). 3) Crown Affair’s Renewal Mask (PRIYANKA15). It’s the common denominator between several people with phenomenally thick long gorgeous hair, which is convincing enough for me!

For Them

Was the flavor of this section influenced by good old Robby Bobby? Who’s to say… Treat your Valentine to a Peacock subscription so you can cheer on America’s favorite Traitor (and I guess our Olympians) together.

I don’t know about you, but I love a coordinating gift for Valentine’s Day. For example, he takes you on a trip out West, and you get him these boots to wear there! If that skews impractical to you (fair), there are other ways to apply the concept. Example 2: Treat each other to an espresso maker and matcha set (especially good if you just moved in, or are spending most of your mornings together). Who said practical gifts couldn’t be sweet too!

If you’re feeling sentimental, spring for matchbook art—pick a memorable restaurant or hotel, his favorite golf course, or build your own with your special spots (they have everything from the Ritz Paris to Waffle House). Try this candle for the guy whose ideal day is spent on a mountain somewhere (these vibrating sleeves are also perfect post-ski recovery). And if you like a themed holiday tie-in, Roz’s Scalp Scrub (PRIYANKA15) and NakedBeauty MD’s Rose Gold Eye Masks (PRIYANKA15) are two plays on roses he’ll actually enjoy (show me a boy who doesn’t like sharing your luxe beauty treats and I’ll show you a LIAR).

Tasteful man jewelry didn’t make the cut for the collage (oops), but it’s a solid option, alongside the JMM look at Jimmy Fairly prices. Thank God he has you in his life to buy him cool shit like this belt. And when in doubt, sleepy boxers will never fail (though perhaps opt for the bamboo pants if it’s too freezing for the boxers at the moment).

For You

For you, for them, for your friends—who cares! Love isn’t limited to the romantic kind and your gifting doesn’t have to be either. There are a lot of special things in this guide, but I love Forgrave’s Customized Tea Caddies most of all. Their calligraphy is gorgeous, and their glass cigar is the chicest way to infuse loose leaf teas (at just $15, it won’t break the bank either!).

Other top tier little treats: BonBon’s sweet and sour mix (switch it up from chocolate!), a spicy little romance (831 Stories are so fun!), playful pops via Westman Atelier and Fara Homidi (who doesn’t love something kissable for Valentine’s Day?! PRIYANKA15 works on all things Violet Grey), and chic unmentionables (even if they’re for your eyes only). Re: lingerie, I love the look of balconettes, but I’ve never found one that doesn’t pinch me. IMO, this mesh plunge gives a similar vibe with a much better feel.

Bigger treats: Diamonds. I will never not love an ear cuff on a cool girl (PRIYANKA15). Venus et Fleur’s florals are also forever—this mini in dusty rose is the perfect deskside companion. Dom… so what if you bought it on Quince, I won’t tell! And of course, the piece de resistance—these incredible Lucchese’s. Just don’t murder me when you see the price tag.

I mostly wear black to workout, but sometimes a pop color hits the spot (and this brand is by far the most comfortable of everything in my collection). If neutrals are more your thing, don’t pass on White and Warren’s cashmere wraps. I just treated myself to the white to channel the Juju Vera styling from collage #1 (PRIYANKA20 trims a bit off the top). And am I on board with Doen’s new going rate for little white blouses? Not really, but perhaps justifiable if you call it your Valentine’s Day gift!