Foodie Friday: For The Love Of Chocolate

Warning. This post may cause weight gain. I feel like I have gained five pounds just writing it up. I don't think I am alone in being a chocolate lover. "Mr. Shop This" likes to say that I am addicted to the cocoa bean. :) If you love chocolate, too, this post is for you. 

Chocolate Martini

Nothing like a boozy beginning or ending to a date night. This is your Valentine cocktail. I am not a vodka drinker at all, but a chocolate martini hides all of that flavor. It's creamy, sweet, and chocolatey. You need to try it once in your life.

Sweet Serenity Kitchen

Chocolate Truffle Tart

Well, this is pretty fancy, and one of the first assembled desserts taught in a pastry class. But don't fear, the recipe author states that it is so easy that even a beginner can make it.

Sprinkle Bakes

Hot Chocolate Macarons
These hot chocolate macarons are made with an indulgent chocolate cookie shell and a dreamy marshmallow filling.

Broma Bakery

Boozy Coconut Hot Chocolate

A decadently delicious way to warm up. I adore hot chocolate but stay away from dairy, so this recipe is great for me or anyone. It's made with rum, but any type of liquor can be substituted.

Windy City Dinner Fairy

Best Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe

Isn't this a showstopper! And yes, that is whipped Cream on the top. Mounds of it! 

The Cookie Rookie

Dark Chocolate Blood Orange Bundt Cake
Simply decadent! And yes that is Chocolate Ganache being generously poured on top of the finished cake. To go along with those beautiful blood oranges, there is orange liquor in the batter. Talk about elevating a recipe!

Feasting At Home

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies

Have you had these? Those at The Zodiac Room of Neiman's truly are the best I have ever had. This recipe is supposedly the same. There's a story about how this recipe came into the right or wrong hands. I, for one, am going to try it. As I remember them, they are thick and chewy, as they should be!

Cooking Classy

Chocolate Lovers Coconut Milkshakes with  Sea Salt

A really good hand churned milkshake is hard to be as a sweet treat. I absolutely love them, but the feeling isn't mutual. In this case, the risk may be worth the reward. YUM!

How Sweet Eats

 Stuffed Hot Chocolate French Toast Gluten & Dairy Free

This dish is proof that food can be delicious and still good for you. Truth is, gluten is not good for anyone. I think I will try this on Super Bowl Sunday.

Saucy Kitchen

Gluten Free Super Moist Chocolate Cake

What this recipe lacks in gluten (who needs it?) it makes up for in pure chocolate.

Pure Wow

Salty Dark & Milk Chocolate Skillet Cookie

One of the best things you can make in your cast iron pan. I never had a skillet cookie but this looks divine and I bet, fun to make and eat!

The Modern Proper

Devil's Food Layer Cake

There's a secret to this recipe, which I have never done. Can't wait to try it.

Williams Sonoma

Homemade Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate, Heavy Cream, a touch of butter, and vanilla, is all you need to make this recipe. The toppings are up to you. You can find empty heart shaped candy boxes at Amazon.

Sally's Baking Addiction

Baked Chocolate Fudge Glazed Doughnuts

With 125 five star reviews, this recipe is one to try. These are said to be super easy and very yummy, They look delish!

Half Baked Harvest

Whipped Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate Ganache is a chocolate lovers dream spoonful. It's chocolate and cream melted together.  I just made this recipe last weekend. I used it as the filling between layers on a chocolate cake. OMG! It is so light and fluffy. You will love it.

Baking A Moment

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Saturday Sweets From Shop This

Love Is In The Air!

Love is in the air, and it smells so good. Don't you enjoy walking into a wonderfully scented space?  With the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day coming up, you may be expecting guests, going to a party, or creating a romantic evening at home. These pretty products will make every Valentine gift, football party, or bubble bath, better.

New New York Wellness Collection

Ease your mind and soothe your spirit with these Himalayan Sea Salt and Rose scented candles, diffusers, liquid soaps and more. They feature notes of rosewater, geranium, salted amber, and white woods. A lovely self care gift to yourself or others.

Nest New York

Jo Malone Pastel Macaroons Candle

Of course, the scent is the most important detail, but take a good look at this terribly chic container. It's part of Jo's Townhouse Collection. The scent is warm and inviting like freshly baked pastries right out of the oven. Add a teaspoon of sugar and almond, and you have an inviting recipe for a warm welcome into your (or anyone's) home.
Jo Malone    Or.   Bloomingdale's

Hotel Collection Room Sprays

Vacation in a bottle. Mist these room sprays on your sheets and pillow, close your eyes and be transported to a place far away. Hotel Collection is having a big sitewide sale now. There's a scent for wherever you want to be.

Hotel Collection

Diptyque Paris La Droguerie

Start from the floor up. Having loved their candles for the longest time, I am surprised, but happy, to know that this French brand has a home cleaning line. What a lovely luxury!

Nordstrom  Or  Diptyque

Fornasetti Rossetti Flora Candle 

I love it when a candle is really a work of art. Rossetti is the Italian word for lipstick. So appropriate for Valentine's Day and beyond. Inside the vessel is the signature Flora fragrance. Guaranteed to fill your home with both scent and style. They will keep the container for a lifetime.
Bergdorf Goodman

Jo Malone Peony & Moss Charity Candle

With a gossamer like lightness of delicate peonies grounded in earthy green, this was created to beautify a space, and benefit mental health charities. 

Jo Malone London

Jonathan Adler Vice Love Candle

With a delightfully suggestive scent, this candle celebrates love. It smells like Grapefruit piquant, virgin mint, freesia, marine accord, watery cyclamen,  and iris. The container will live on after the candle is burned out. (That sounds like a song.)

Saks Fifth Avenue

Diptyque Scented Tapers

 Romantic dinner at home? Diptyque's scented taper candles brighten every dinner. They bring a subtle fragrance of Amber, Wood Fire and Berries to the table. 

Bloomingdale's

Kai Fragrance Room-Linen Spray

Winter on the outside. Spring inside. I haven't had this in quite a while, but it is so very nice! It's the kind of scent you want to spritz on gauzy curtains, so you get a whiff of gardenias whenever a breeze comes through the windows. It's on sale now at

Amazon

Antica Farmacista Bubble Bath

If you want your bathroom to smell delicious, add some Prosecco Bubble Bath in your tub water. And that bottle. I kept mine after the bubbly was gone.

Antica Farmacista   Neiman Marcus

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Come Inside & Get Cozy

Put A Ring On It: Styles You Can Afford To Give Yourself

This Valentine's Day, many guys and girls will be putting an engagement ring on someone. For them, love is grand. For those who aren't in a relationship, why not treat yourself? Each one of these unique styles are affordable, with prices beginning at $25. Go ahead, put on your own ring!

Pearl Charm Adjustable Ring

For girls who love pearls. Nest Jewelry has designed a statement ring with Freshwater Pearls and gold plated brass. It's under $200 and a super fun ring to own.

Neiman Marcus

Dans Les Rues Srls Lux Ring

Anyone who loves black and bling, will heart this playful piece. Designed with a faceted heart crystal and a chunky enamel silhouette.

Shopbop

Hotlips By Solange

What a pouty piece! Created in the United Kingdom, it holds a place in the Victoria & Albert Museum. Many of the world's most stylish women have at least one in their collection. Available in nine chic shades including white. 

Net-a-Porter

Take A Bow Ring
Here's a present that keeps on giving.....you compliments. It sure makes a sparkly statement.

Kate Spade

Spiral Lucite Ring

Clearly chic and contemporary, this ring is a sacred symbol representing the journey and change in life. It's been totally handcrafted. The shop is just fabulous!
Chofa

Mounser Ring Pops

Color Pop. Candy colored hues catch the light with stylish shapes. At under $100, you will want one for every finger.

Shop Bazaar

Bloom Ring

The only flower you need this Valentine's Day. It just blooms with style.

Cult Gaia

Kenneth Jay Lane Kidney Shape Ring

For all of your winter and summer whites. This style will add a big pop of color to everything you wear.

Kenneth Jay Line

Lapis Statement Ring

A chunky stone cocktail ring will always be a fan favorite. It's a lot of look for under $100.

Neiman Marcus

Layered Gold Ring

With the look of continuous motion and negative space, this ring makes a statement. Love how the ring is worn on two fingers here. More is more, when it is this good!

Alexis Bittar

BuDha Girl Rings

Mindful Glamor. Each one of these special sparklers are under $100. 

BuDha Girl

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All The Pretty Palettes

Isn't It Romantic? Valentine Gifts For The Two Of You

No matter what your relationship status is,  Valentine's Day is worth celebrating. This year, think about going beyond the bouquet. This roundup of romantic gifts is just for the two of you. You'll find something for a romantic night at home that might involve cooking, caviar or a cocktail. There's fragrance for lovers, pillows that promise, and a luxurious escape for mind, body, and soul. Scroll down and shop in the name of love.

Remedy Place: A Social Self-Care Staycation For Two

Here's a gift that is good for your mind, body, and soul. It's an escape for two that promises to offset the stresses of life, and reconnect the two of you. With services like: hyperbaric oxygen chambers, coached breathwork ice bath classes, and private suites where you can enjoy IV drips, private infrared saunas, or lymphatic compression suits, this is a gift that keeps on 

giving. Read more of the romantic details at...

Moda Operandi

Muse Eyes Crystal Glasses

Gift he or she with these chic cocktail glasses. Present them with a note that says: My eyes adore you." 

Bergdorf Goodman or on sale at Jonathan Adler

7 Lovers Eau de Parfum Travel Set

The name itself offers thoughts of romance. Created by former Vogue Paris editor, Carine Rothfeld. This set charts her travels to the world's most romantic cities. Each of the seven scents has a distinct personality and unique character, just like her (or your own) fictional paramours. All of the romantic details are wrapped in a lovely leather case.

Net-a-Porter

Thomas Keller's Siberian Baerii Caviar

 One of my favorite things in life. For $139 with Free Shipping, you can impress and indulge your sweetheart with this guilty pleasure.

Goldbelly

Smythson Bees Knees Journal

Take note. This is for hopeless romantics. He or she will be reminded daily just what you thought of them this Valentine's Day. It's old school cool for modern men or women.

Smythson

Date Night At Home Wine Tasting Experience

Inside each box, you'll find 3 carefully crafted glass tubes, carrying a world class pour of exquisite wine, including two exotic reds, and a single crisp white from exceptional European vineyards. There is a box for each of you. Cheers to love.

Vinebox

Kisses Loung Set & Boxers
Not all couples are black lace and garters. If love and kisses in pima comfortable cotton is more your love language, these are a fun idea.

Lake Pajamas

Table For Two

Hot off the presses this month. Now every meal can be romantic with this recipe book made for two. Cook together or treat each other. 

Anthropologie  Or  Amazon

Patricia Altschul Tonight/Not Tonight Pillow

The Grand Dame of Southern Charm really does create pillows. This one is both fun and stylish. It reverses from "tonight" to the words "not tonight."

This gift just keeps it real.

HSN

Washable Silk Bedding

With a motto of "Good In Bed," Lunya is a fabulous company that designs with only the finest of fabrics, to include silk. This is a splurge gift for the two of you, but a good night's sleep is priceless. While you are there, pick up some washable silk PJ'S for both of you. 

Lunya

Lelo Flickering Touch Massage Candle

Burning love. If you are staying in, why not make it a spa day or night? This massage candle was voted as the best by Oprah Magazine.  Pick your favorite of 3 scents. I'll take the Vanilla Cream De Cacao. After burning, the candle turns into the most wonderful massage oil. This little candle might be the best Valentine's gift of all for less than $25.

Amazon

The Favourite Eau de Parfum,

Let her know that she is your fave! British brand Penhaligon, calls this a fragrance of great delicacy that's also sweet and sensual. It captures the sophistication of a Duchess. Is that hint that royalty wore this? It's beautifully presented and something different from the same ol' thing.

Bergdorf Gooodman  OR  Penhaligons

Byredo Mister Marvelous

Feed his ego with this fresh scent.  He will just love the name. The scent is without gender and it's full of gestures that surprise. You'll notice spicy notes of black amber, fresh mandarin leaves, bamboo and green lavender. Yummy. But really, this fragrance is all about the name. It also has a cult following.

Byredo  OR   Bloomingdale's

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Little Tokens Of Love $50 & Under

Sweet Hearts For Your Little Loves