Valentine’s Day holds dear for many as a sentimental holiday. Remember the exciting fuss of passing out cookie-cutter valentines in grade school? As adults though, many cringe at the thought of having to acknowledge loved ones on February 14th with a supermarket sweep of roses, Russell Stover chocolates and Hallmark greeting cards. Contrary to cynical belief, Hallmark did not actually invent the holiday which had became popular in the days of Chaucer when written love notes to friends and loved ones first appeared.

Let’s continue the tradition and count the ways we love our significant others, friends, and ourselves with these non-supermarket ideas..

A love note for the arm: Valentine’s Tote available at Kate Spade / What could be a greater symbol for amour than the Love Bird, available at Anthropologie / Woo her with a pink stretchy bracelet that looks like candy hearts. Pink Sand Stretch Bracelet available at Marni

The Australian label Lover represents “romance, drama and a touch of rock’n'roll swagger,” just as any modern-day love affair does. Gloria Lace Dress by Lover available at Revolve Clothing / What could be more romantic than cherry red shoes? Lattice Pumps by Chie Mihara available at Far Fetch

A Lolita-worthy maillot: Retro One-Piece available at Urban Outfitters / No more standing on your tippy-toes for a kiss: Pierre Hardy for Gap Platform Sandals available at Gap / The eyes are the window to the soul! Express your love with Tom Daschle-inspired glasses: Round Vintage Eyeglass Frames available on eBay

Further Reading: Urban Outfitter’s Young & In Love

Tags: Chie Mihara, Gap, Gifts, hallmark, Holiday, kate spade, love, Lover, Marni, Pierre Hardy, valentine's day, vintage.

I recently discovered these colorful vintage looking Christmas ornaments made by the Steinbach company of Germany. Inside each red and white tree-lined box lies a superbly detailed 4 inch ornament. A teacher rabbit “wears” a white fur coat and wire rim spectacles, while her ears are made of bright pink felt. The bee keeper’s veil lifts to reveal a a tiny bee perched on her hat while her honey pot swings beside her. Each ornament has a profession (sometimes a fantasy job like an Ice Santa) and the clothes to go with it.

The cheerful primary colors, round eyes and cheek spots recall wooden toys of the 1950s, like these Kay Bojesen policemen figures. I could see a tree decorated with these lovely little people and animals alongside pink and red construction paper looped garland.

Steinbach Ornaments Flickr Set

Tags: Christmas, Germany, Kay Bojesen, ornaments, steinbach, toys, vintage.