Target, how do I lurrrve thee?

Let me count the ways:

1. Orla Kiely for Target- As you may know, I adore Orla (Huz once rightfully accused me of picking out our home color scheme based on the colors on my Orla Kiely handbag). Now that my wallet's a tad tighter, I can't afford everything Orla, and was so excited to see she's joined the "design for everyone" movement. I bought four of her melamine dinner plates and four of her salad plates. Who cares what your food looks like when it's served on such lurrrvely patterns? With my cooking, I need all the distractions I can get! They were out of the mugs and bowls and only had one of each plate style left, so I got one of each for a super colorful table:






2. Target Home Organic Sheets - Even though they had 450 thread count sets for about the same price, I opted for the greener and softer 250 thread count organic sheet set in white (which is really an off-white). You can't beat the comfort of organic cotton, plus they were on special for less than $50 for the queen set (regular price online is $49.99):




3. Greenroom Eco File Folders - I work from home and little things like pretty patterns for my folders and notepads make mundane tasks a little more doable. Plus, it's nice to know that I'm filing away my priceless thoughts in products made from recyclable materials and non-toxic soy-based inks. Unfortunately, I can't find these on the Target site, which leads me to believe they're in-store only. But it's worth the trip:

What to get for the one you lurrrve.

The big day is coming up...are you ready? We have some great, last-minute suggestions to keep you from panicking on Friday night when you realize you completely forgot that the next day is Valentine's Day.

ALEXANDRIALEIGH LURRRVES...
For Her: Flowers
It may be cliché, but I think flowers are pretty romantic. You could give your girl a flowering plant, because then she can have flowers practically year-round, but if you're worried about upkeep (or your significant other has a black thumb), you can't go wrong with the classic Valentine's Day gift: A bunch of red roses.

And what could make a bunch of red roses better? How about if they're fantastically gorgeous, smell wonderful, AND are natural, organic, sustainable, and fair trade. Like these, from Organica Deluxe:

Red Freedom Russian Cut Roses, $59

For Her: A Token
I love puns, so I guess it's no surprise that I also love gifts with meaning. Take this little statue from Stray Dog Designs, for instance. It's a love bird, but it doesn't scream "Valentine's Day" -- it's subtle, with the tail ending in a heart shape, and it would look charming atop a stack of books in your sweetie's bookshelf. Plus, it's handmade, and you can choose her favorite color.

Love Bird, $45

For Her: Goodies
Who doesn't love a man who cooks? I do. Especially if he bakes, because personally, I am a failure with baked goods. This is practically the perfect gift--it's inexpensive, good for sharing, romantic, and thoughtful. I recommend Bakerella's Red Velvet Cake Balls, because I love red velvet cake, they're festive, and I think they'd be romantic to share with some champagne.

(Image via Bakerella)

For Him: Help for the Junk in his Trunk
My guy always has a bunch of man-stuff in his trunk: a football, some rags, a flashlight...you know, stuff. And it used to drive me crazy, because every time he'd make a turn, it would go rolling from one end of the car to the other. Until, that is, I bought him a trunk organizer like this one from Uncommon Goods--it even has a cooler to keep your beer cold, which seems pointless to me but probably would sound like a GREAT idea to my husband. It's not the most romantic gift, but he'll love it. Trust me.

Collapsible Trunk Organizer, $32

For Him: Grill Pan & Panini Press
I have one of these, and I think my husband might like it more than I do. There's just something about guys and sandwiches...it's a match made in heaven. Le Creuset products are my favorite--they're well made and will stand up to generations of use, especially if you buy the cast iron stuff. I recommend the skillet grill pan with the matching panini press. You'll use them, I promise.

Square Skillet Grill

LINDSEY LURRRVES...
For Her: Fragrance
One of the best gifts I ever got was actually a bridesmaid gift from my sister, but it would make a thoughtful present for anyone you hold near and dear. Essens creates personalized, custom fragrances based on your loved one's personality. Fragrance Designer Kathleen Dreier uses a detailed questionnaire to capture your sweetie's signature scent in 1/4-ounce of pure alcohol-free essence. The bottle comes with a card that explains what was put into the fragrance and why. They say a bottle lasts 9-12 months, but I've made mine stretch to a year and a half. Sad to say I'm finally running out (hint, hint).

$100, essens.com

For Her: Shoes
A woman always needs another pair of shoes. These cozy kicks from Keen combine the comfort of a slipper with a rubber outsole that can also take her out and about. Less clunky than clogs, she'll get plenty more wear out of these stylish slip-ons before the warmer weather rolls in. And they come in beet red -- be still my heart.

Timberline Shoe, $65

For Her: Earrings
It can be daunting to pick out jewelry, but your gal should appreciate the design behind these earrings from the husband and wife team at 2ReVert. They make all of their jewelry from damaged and broken skateboards. And each piece is one-of-a-kind, just like your Valentine.

Cube Earrings, $30

For Him: Say it with Steaks
If your man is a meatatarian, he'll salivate over the selection from Diamond Organics. Choose from several cuts of grass fed lamb, beef and buffalo, or splurge for one their samplers, which start at $149. With overnight home delivery, it's not too late for last-minute Valentine's meatfest.


For Him: Branch Out
For your tree hugging honey, a gift from Trees Instead makes a great green gesture. Plant a tree in his name in any U.S. state, Israel or the Amazon. He'll get a certificate with a special number so he can find the tree's location online.

Valentine's Day Tree, $25

For Him: Perfect on Paper
Men like journals, too... you just have to find the right one. My husband's a fly fishing guide, and would go ga-ga over the weather-proof products from Rite in the Rain. Known for their all-weather writing paper, they also make all-weather pens that work in -30F and upside down (you know, for all those times he might need to write hanging from his feet off of a cliff). You can buy the notebooks on their own, but the kits, complete with pouch, journal and pen, make a great gift and come in several styles.

Rite in the Rain Fly Fishing Kit, $34.69

New favorite: Boho Mag

I adore magazines. Sure, sometimes they're not exactly what I would call feminist, but the ones I continually go back to (Self, Real Simple, skirt!), are magazines that feed my soul--while also giving me new things to covet.

I may have a new one to add to that list, after a glance through the premiere issue of Boho. It promotes itself as "100% recycled, re-styled, re-used," and it's printed on 100% post-consumer paper, processed chlorine free and recycled certified. Wow. Here's a magazine that practices what it preaches!

The content is all about empowerment (although not of the in-your-face variety), but also includes wellness, beauty, fashion, and lifestyles. Not only that, but it's really pretty, too.

Kate O'Brien's 2009 Calendar

I discovered Kate a few months ago and shared her talent with you, but I just have to bring her up again, because her 2009 calendar is now for sale:

It is fantastic, and I am ordering one for myself (and possibly one for my sister, too) right now.

$23.75 -- Get it here.

Lurrrvely stamps

A while ago, I bought a roll of "forever" stamps from the post office, partially because I hate going to the post office (and always need stamps at the least convenient times), and partially because I use stamps so rarely now that I figured it would be nice to have them around and know they were the right denomination when I did need them.

Honestly, though? Forever stamps are U-G-L-Y. Especially after seeing these Charles and Ray Eames stamps:Aren't they gorgeous? I am feeling slightly pathetic for coveting stamps, though.