Gift Guide: 12 Valentine’s Day Gifts from DC Businesses
February 10, 2016 by admin
Filed under Choosing Lingerie
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Framebridge’s “Heartstagram” via Framebridge blog
February 14 is fast approaching and in true romantic style, you are probably leaving Valentine’s Day shopping and planning to the last minute. In Washington, D.C., we can’t help but be crunched for time, as Metro delays and presidential motorcades test our patience. Meanwhile, we are reminded of the upcoming Hallmark holiday with not-so-subtle details around us, like the hearts on the side of Starbucks cups and pink displays in every storefront. But if you’re looking to local merchants instead of big-box retailers to pick up a gift for your sweetheart, here are some local stores where you can score special Valentine’s Day products.
The “Double Marilyn” via UrbanStems
UrbanStems: This flower delivery startup, originating in D.C. two years ago, is now a go-to flower provider in the District and multiple locations in New York City. The Valentine’s Day lineup of special bouquets is inspired by famous leading ladies. There’s the “Ava” for the “red carpet stunner” made of lavender spider mums, pink and green roses and green dianthus for $35. The “Jackie”, for the “style icon” filled with roses, calla lilies, mums, veronica and succulents for $45. And if you’re all in, there’s the “Marilyn” for the “true romantic”, comprised of two-dozen red roses and a green succulent for $90. They deliver at a moment’s notice, so you really can’t go wrong here.
Here’s What UrbanStems Is Doing to Prepare for Valentine’s Day
GW Succulents Sale: Happening Thursday, Feb. 11, the GW Green sustainability organization at GWU is running a succulent sale at Kogan Plaza, located on 2121 I St, NW. The Facebook event page says, “Succulents will be potted with care and Valentine-themed, (puns included), and are guaranteed to outlive your bouquet of roses. $5 recommended donation.” The succulents are free, but the suggested donations go toward GW Green’s organization to make GW more eco-friendly.
Undone Chocolate: This local, vegan and certified organic dark chocolate company sells its bean-to-bar products at locations around D.C., including Glen’s Garden Market, Pleasant Pops, Compass Coffee, Yes! Organic Market, Union Kitchen Grocery, Little Red Fox and more. Their Valentine’s Day lineup includes a spicy dark chocolate and a spicy drinking chocolate in red packaging, as well as a salted bar with pink packaging. They are going to be featured in a gift pack that make for a perfect Valentines Day gift.
Image via Olivia Macaron Facebook
Olivia Macaron: French desserts are doubly romantic, and macarons are so Instagrammable. The bakery recommends either choosing your own flavors for a personalized gift box, or nine themed ones for $30 or 20 for a $60 gift box. The Valentine’s Day-themed macarons are decorated in pink, red and shimmery white, some with conversation heart-sayings and lips. The special flavors are Salted Caramel, Red Velvet, Lychee Rose and Champagne. The three delivery options are: in-store pickup (four hours notice), local delivery and nationwide shipping. Tout de suite!
Tiny Jewel Box: Its website calls the recently-expanded store on Connecticut Avenue, NW “Washington’s premier jeweler for over 80 years.” This antique jeweler has vintage selections as well as collections from top designers including Alex Sepkus, Marco Bicego and Penny Preville. You can never go wrong with gifting something sparkly and classic.
Kramerbooks Afterwords: Looking for the perfect Shakespeare sonnet? One of DC’s most well known bookstores is a prime spot to pick up some volumes of love poetry for a romantic occasion.
Image via T-J Winery
Thibaut-Janisson Blanc de Chardonnay: Go local with your sparkling wines with this selection from Charlottesville, Virginia. The T-J Winery describes its Blanc de Chardonnay sparkling wine as “crisp, aromatic, bright” with “subtle notes of apple, white peach with hints of hazelnuts.” And retailing around $30 a bottle, you can feel good about shopping local and not breaking the bank.
Wax Candle Co.: These candles help create a Valentine’s Day atmosphere complete with pleasant scents and sounds. This DC-based company makes all-natural American grown soy wax candles. They are clean burning with cotton wicks and aromatic fragrance oils. In addition, the company gives customers access to discover free new music! According to its website, “Wax mixtapes are available for free download with any Wax Candle Co. purchase. You will receive the download password with your order.” The lavender candle and mixtape pairing seems to be the most romantic bet for Valentine’s Day.
Coup de Foudre: This European lingerie store, its name meaning ‘love at first sight’ in French, takes it up a notch from your typical underwear store. Its website recommends lace chemises, silk dresses and special Valentine’s Day Hanky Panky brand items. There’s free shipping, though the store is located on 1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, and the site offers men help in the sizing department, using a list of various fruits and sports equipment as a guide for bra sizing. Half of a grapefruit = C cup, half a tennis ball = B cup. And to make your shopping a little more stress-free this week, the store is offering champagne during the afternoons in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. They have your back.
S.O.A.P.: (Scented, Organic, Artisan, Pure) This boutique store in Maryland (180B Waterfront St, Oxon Hill) sells handmade bath and body products. It has free shipping on orders over $49 and free gift-wrapping. Oprah has even picked out her favorites from the store, which are displayed online. Some of the Valentine’s Day recommendations and best sellers are the sugar cookie bath syrup, sweet pea soap, sweet cream hand body lotion, sugar fig swirl soap and lavender vanilla whipped shea body butter.
Grey Moggie Press: This local letterpress and stationary company sells heartfelt greeting cards, prints and social stationery. From its Etsy account, it is “inspired by urban life, dusty etiquette books, letter writing, and typography.” The love and friendship section of the online store has Valentine’s Day-themed cards that say “I want to hug you all the time” and “Will you be my pen pal?” and “With you it’s forever.”
Framebridge: This custom framing company takes your photos, posters, diplomas, etc., and artfully puts them on your walls. “Heartstagram” is the perfect answer to an Instagram-obsessed millennial population, and is a Valentine’s Day gift for those wanting to give photos in (gasp) hard copy form. The website says, “Each Heartstagram includes limited edition Valentine’s Day-themed paper backing and a gift note with a personal message from you!” You upload a photo to the Framebridge website, pick one of six frames and they frame it in a heart-shaped background. Double-tap. The deadline for Valentine’s orders, with expedited shipping, is 11:59 PM PST on Tuesday 2/9, but for local orders, Frambridge is going to help you out right up through the weekend. For DMV shoppers, order at framebridge.com/heartstagram by noon on February 12th and use promo code DCLOVE at checkout. Then you can pick up your finished frame on Saturday, February 13th (between 12 and 3pm) at Union Market’s Salt Sundry.
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Roses Are Red. Violets Are Blue. If You’re Vegan, These Gifts Are for You
February 6, 2016 by admin
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Been struck by Cupid’s arrow? If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift for your partner, wear your heart on your sleeve by choosing compassionate, cruelty-free gifts!
No one should suffer for your display of affection. But cows on dairy farms live desperate, miserable lives for the milk used in many chocolates. And on fur farms animals endure horrific cruelty and confinement for just a little fur trim. Even some lingerie is made from silk, which requires some 6,600 silkworms to be killed just to make 1 kilogram of the stuff. Luckily, compassionate lovers can still enjoy sexy faux-fur and slinky synthetic products as well as dairy-free vegan chocolates:
Want to go all the way and veganise your sex life? For down bedding, feathers may be violently torn from live geese and ducks, and some condoms can contain animal ingredients. Celebrate love by choosing vegan-friendly products.
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