Valentine's Hand-Beaded Coin Purse by Two's Company$15.95
Located in the Valentine's display on the Hut
I never really got over my childhood love of beaded things, so these beaded purses are right up my alley! We've got them in three eye-catching designs of pinks and reds that just scream Valentine cheer. My personal favorite is the psychadelic heart purse pictured to the right. The great thing about these is that they're sturdy, and larger than your average coin purse--they could probably even double as a tiny clutch, if you don't plan to carry much stuff on your V-Day excursion this year. The beading is tight, the inside is lined with satiny pink, and they have a pleasantly solid weight to them that I rather like. Just perfect for a little goofy-love-eyes-inducing surprise!
I Heart You Toast Stamper by Accoutrements$3.95
Located in the Valentine's display on the Hut
What better way to wake up someone you love than with breakfast (or brunch...or lunch!) that tells them you care? Just press this toast stamper into a piece of bread, stick it in the toaster, and when it comes out, voila! A message etched by the flames of your love. (Not really, unless you have a very special toaster, but you could tell people it was etched with the flames of your love.) A sweet, silly, simple way to brighten somebody's V-Day!
Kiss It Make It Better Adhesive Bandages by Two's Company$5.95
Located in the Valentine's display on the Hut
Love always has its bumps and bruises, but these band-aids are the perfect TLC. Use them to kiss and make up, or cover that burn you got trying to bake sweets for your sweetheart, or as a little reminder to your loved ones that you care. However you use them, you've got 30 tries in one little box to get it right!
Only U Love Pennant by Accoutrements$3.95
Located in the Valentine's display on the Hut
Let someone know you're in their cheering section with this clever mini-pennant. Painted felt just like the real thing, this fun gift comes with its own heart-adorned envelope that's just the right size, making it even easier to show your romantic spirit. Even better, it's just the right size to adorn a locker or a cubicle wall--and if you put one up for yourself, well, only you will know who it's really from. ;)
Love Pirate Heart Eye Patch by Accoutrements$3.95
Located in the Valentine's display on the Hut
Do some swashbuckling this V-Day with this awesome accessory! A flexible, bendable plastic patch covered over in satiny red fabric, it's the perfect aid in stealing hearts and looting booty (you know...treasure!). The comfy elastic band will keep your heart in the right place, even through the stormiest seas, and if there are some unexpected kisses, well...blame it on the lack of depth perception.
Also, I'm sure another of the fabulous bloggers will put together a Valentine's book roundup for you all, but I can't resist naming a few titles that aren't strictly holiday related--or even strictly romance. Sure, there's tons of vampire/werewolf/mythical creature love stories out there these days, and some of them are awesome. If you're ready for something different, though, here are a few books you might want to try:
Ash by Malinda Lo$16.99 in hardcover
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room
My staff pick of this book made it into an earlier blog post, but I can't make a list of unique choices for this holiday without including it. In a lesbian retelling of Cinderella, Ash must bear the death of her parents and the cruelty of her status-hungry stepmother, fulfill her bargain with a fairy godmother like none you've ever seen before, and find a way to follow her heart where it leads her--straight to Kaisa, the dashing and kind King's Huntress. This is my favorite lesbian YA novel since Annie On My Mind, and that's saying something.
Feed by M.T. Anderson$7.99 in paperback
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room
In the not-too-far future, the internet has evolved into the Feednet, a constant flow of information and advertisements through a chip implanted directly into the brain. Privacy has become a thing of the past; conglomerates can mine thoughts for marketing data, the government can subpoena memories, and people can speak "telepathically" with one another via M-chat. Titus has never considered a world without the Feed until he meets Violet during a trip to the moon. Violet is different--Violet wants to fight the Feed. It's sometimes hard to find good sci-fi for young adults, and not only is Feed an awesome read, but it's a refreshingly unique futuristic romance.
How They Met and Other Stories by David Levithan$9.99
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room
"...Here are 18 stories, all about love, all kinds of love. From the aching for the one you pine for, to standing up and speaking up for the one you love, to pure joy and happiness, these love stories run the gamut of that emotion that at some point has turned every one of us inside out and upside down." - from RandomHouse.com
I haven't had the pleasure of reading this collection yet, but what better way spend a relaxing Valentine's afternoon than reading love stories? I can't wait to check it out!
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow$17.95 in hardcover
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room
Marcus is wise in the ways of the networked world, and has no problem finding ways to hack his school's intrusive security system so that he and his friends can skip. They get more than they bargained for, though, when they're caught up in the aftermath of a terrorist attack; Marcus is apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security, held captive and interrogated in a secret prison. When he's finally released, Marcus comes home to find San Francisco devolved into a police state. When nobody believes his story and conditions worsening by the day, Marcus has no other option but to take down the DHS himself--with the aid of the fourth girl he's ever kissed, Ange. An excellent geek-chic story with a techno-romance to match!
The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd$16.99 in hardcover
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room
"It’s Dade’s last summer at home. He has a crappy job at Food World, a “boyfriend” who won’t publicly acknowledge his existence (maybe because Pablo also has a girlfriend), and parents on the verge of a divorce. College is Dade’s shining beacon of possibility, a horizon to keep him from floating away. Then he meets the mysterious Alex Kincaid. Falling in real love finally lets Dade come out of the closet—and, ironically, ignites a ruthless passion in Pablo. But just when true happiness has set in, tragedy shatters the dreamy curtain of summer, and Dade will use every ounce of strength he’s gained to break from his past and start fresh with the future." - from PenguinGroup.com
Yet another book on my V-Day to-read list, this one was recommended to me by a librarian friend, and was the winner of this year's ALA Stonewall Book Awards in the Children's and YA category. Looks like Valentine's is going to be all about reading for me this year!
Graceling by Kristin Cashore$8.99 in paperback
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room
We here at the George are big fans of Graceling, and we've blogged about it before, so I'll try to contain my fonts of praise. I can't round up great romances, though, without including Katsa and Po. Their romance is one of the funniest and most appealing I've read in some time, full of obliviousness, confusion, angst and stubbornness. If you're tired of the same old love-at-first-sight storyline, then this is the book for you.
Whew, that's a lot of love! I'll catch you soon for a return to my regularly scheduled What Rachel Wants in the next week or so.
No comments:
Post a Comment