Embrace the Valentine's Day Tropes and Treat Yourself to These LA-Made Goods
Is Valentine’s Day a cliché, capitalist holiday? Well, yeah. Of course it is! But regardless of your opinions regarding this once-a-year love fest, it’s not going anywhere. So, you can either choose to ignore it (good luck with that, considering the fact that you can’t even go to the grocery store without being bombarded with plush gorillas holding hearts emblazoned with “I Love You” or a buckets filled with red roses and baby’s breath), or you can find your own unique way to celebrate — how much you want to embrace the tropes, that’s up to you.
Maybe Valentine’s Day is simply a good reminder to tell anyone — romantic or otherwise — in your life that they’re cherished. Or maybe it’s a perfect excuse to set aside much needed alone time, honoring the things that make you (and no one else) feel loved. In terms of the latter, if your love language if defined by gift giving, there’s no shame in doing a little shopping as part of your V-day ritual.
So go ahead, buy that set of sexy lingerie even if no one but you ever sees it. Or get that luxury skincare product you’ve been eyeing but thought it was too indulgent. If nothing else, this is the season of decadence. The gift ideas we’ve rounded up allow you to practice self-care by way of some typical traditions, but they also happen to be sustainably and locally made, so you’re also giving love to independent and ethical brands, too.
Something Sexy
This sustainably made set by Clare Bare screams Valentine’s Day in the most traditional way: It’s red and pink and lacy and that va-va-voom kind of sexy. And for some of us, fully embracing your inner pin-up is a radical act of self-care.
Our love for Botanica Workshop’s bralettes and undies knows no bounds. Nothing is sexier than feeling comfy and this combo of organic cotton with the slightest touch of spandex hugs every curve in the coziest way. Plus this Orchid shade feels so spring-y and romantic.
Something Sweet
Valerie Confections Rose Petal Petit Fours ($55)
Rose petals and passionfruit — what could be more quintessential Valentine’s Day? These petit fours are as pretty to look at as they are scrumptious to eat.
Date Better Peanut Butter Crunch - Pack of 6 ($36)
We can all agree on one dynamic duo to celebrate this holiday, and that’s peanut butter and chocolate. For a fancy version, try these confections from LA-based brand Date Better. These Medjool dates are stuffed with PB and crunchy cacao nibs (an aphrodisiac, for what it’s worth) before being blanketed with organic, fair trade 85% dark chocolate. And all Date Better’s treats happen to be free of dairy, soy, palm oil, artificial sweeter. or preservatives.
Something Scent-sual
Boy Smells Slow Burn Magnum ($108)
No matter what mood you’re trying to set, you can be sure there’s a Boy Smells fragrance for that. The brand’s genderful candles, fine fragrances, and body products specialize in balancing the sweet with the spicy or the herbaceous with the gourmand and so on. Our pick for Valentine’s Day is Slow Burn, a Kacey Musgraves collab that was so popular, Boy Smells has kept it around. Combining spicy (black pepper and ginger) notes with fruit and floral (rose absolute and raspberry), grounded by smoky, woodsy ones (cedarwood and amber), Slow Burn is perfect for lighting up while you sip a bourbon cocktail and rewatch Normal People for the third time. Just an idea!
Musc et Madame Ambrette Rose ($185)
Roses don’t have to be cheesy. And that includes rose scents. This Ambrette Rose eau de parfum, made by LA’s own Capsule Perfumerie, is pure decadence, balancing a blend of Bulgarian, Moroccan, Egyptian, and Turkish rose absolute with bergamot, pink pepper, patchouli, vetiver, musk, vanilla, sandalwood, and ambrette among other notes.
Something Boozy
Greenbar Distillery Grand Poppy Amaro ($32.99)
California Spritz is a thing, can you can toast with one this Valentine’s Day (and any day following) using this LA-made amaro inspired by the state flower. Just mix one part amaro to two parts soda water and garnish with your citrus of choice — plus a little edible flower, if you’re feeling fancy.
Vinovore Feeling Lucky Rosé ($20)
You deserve the good stuff this Valentine’s Day, so skip the Two Buck Chuck and try this rosé by Vinovore, a local, WOC-owned wine shop and label. Feeling Lucky is fruit, floral, and a little bit earthy, which means it’s perfect for pairing with pizza delivery and gossip.
Something Pampering
Flamingo Estates Euphoria Body Oil ($60)
Not only does this luxurious body oil have an intoxicating scent (with pink peppercorn, rose, bergamot, and sandalwood), but it’s antioxidant rich formula with sustainably sourced plant oils (grapeseed, meadowfoam, and jojoba to name a few) which means your skin is going to love it.
Agent Nateur Holi(bath) Rose Infused Coconut Milk Bath ($65)
Truly nothing says self-love like a good ‘ol soak in the tub. Add a sprinkle of this soothing, hydrating milk bath to the tub for the ultimate indulgence. A few candles and a glass of that rosé wouldn’t hurt either.
