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.

There are ten days left to show off a little flair before we head into the voting booths and many design labels have taken this time to incite a little fashionable democracy. The message that is being delivered is not partial to one specific political party, but rather it is the opportunity to be fashionably vocal in a very important election.

Kate Spade’s spot of patriotism comes in a canvas tote decorated with buttons that read, “Speak your Mind,” “Have Courage,” and “Play Hooky.”

The buttons are reminiscent of vintage election flair from the 1950s-70s - however, both parties can wear the Vote Tote comfortably. The buttons were also used to create a poster as a part of the Wolfsonian’s “Thoughts on Democracy” exhibit in Miami on show now through December 7th, 2008.

Likewise, Gap’s Vote T, lets the wearer choose their own slogan. Fill in the blank (”Vote for…”) with a slew of non-political endings like: “beautiful art”, “rocking out,” or “the power of love,” to the more skewed: “cheap gas,” “change,” or “science,” to the plain nutty: “cupcakes,” kittens,” or “beer.”

Tags: Campaign, Election, Fashion, Gap, kate spade, Voting.