SICKA THAN AVERAGE

KOTUR Valentine's Day Astier D'Abo Clutch, $1149. Visit KoturLTD.com

Founded by Fiona Kotur Marin in 2004, KOTUR specializes in exquisite brocade clutches and opulent minaudieres constructed using exotic python, wicker, polished gold, rosewood veneer, tortoise shell, snakeskin and more. This luxe clutch is covered with hand set Swarovski crystals that glimmer like precious rubies. What better present to give the light of your life?

DSquared2 Barber Shop Sandals, $665. Available at Zappos.com. Call 212.244.5070 for more details.

My friend once told me how, when his newborn son would catch a bad case of colic, he'd stroll him right to the nearest barbershop, which had one of those old-school, red-and-white poles by its storefront. Somehow, the sight of those swirling colors would soothe his infant son until he stopped crying. Why do I bring up this story? Well, because if someone gifted me with these red satin peeptoe sandals with those striped lacquered heels, I'd get over any crankiness and colic of my own. Seriously, the tears would vanish!

Givenchy Ange Ou Démon Diamantissime Edition, $74 for 1.7 oz. bottle. Visit Nordstrom.com

Givenchy's magnetic Ange ou Démon fragrance is getting an elegant makeover with the launch of the Diamantissime Edition. The original pendant-shaped bottle designed by Serge Mansau features a two-toned crystal, so that the diamond color at the bottom fades into a rich, enigmatic blue, and four, tear-shaped Swarovski crystals adorn the front, giving the entire bottle a precious jewel-like feel. The fragrance, with its lily and oakwood heart, remains untouched — but then, why mess with perfection?

Ajne "Aphrodite," $180 for 0.5 oz.; Ajne "Adonis," $180 for 1 oz.. Visit Ajne.com

Matching "his" and "hers" sweaters? Highway to corniness. Female and male scents that complement one another? Synergy at its best. For Valentine's Day, luxury perfumery Ajne is releasing two new scents: Aphrodite, a women's fragrance named after the Greek goddess of love and beauty, and Adonis, a men's cologne named after Aphrodite's mate, the Greek god of desire.

COACH Valentine's Day Scarf Print Top Handle Pouch, $168. Visit Coach.com

Those fluorescent, '60s-style, Pucci-like colors and geometric shapes give this bag a lighthearted retro charm.

Slane & Slane Ra Omega Earrings in Sterling Silver with Diamond Center, $630. Visit SlaneAndSlane.com for locations.

Forget flowers for V-Day. Those bouquets will last a week at best. If you want to give flowers to your sweetheart, why not buy these precious earrings from Slane & Slane? They're like Marigolds for the ears!

Mosley Tribes Gates Sunglasses in Red, $235. Available at RevolveClothing.com

If you were a devoted fan of A Different World (Lawd knows I was!), then you remember Dwayne Wayne's flip-top sunglasses. This season, Mosley Tribes drew inspiration from Kadeem Hardison's on-screen character and released this whimsically goofy, nerd-chic "Gates" style, which — you guessed it— flips right on up.

Katrina Kelly Jewelry Garnet Lace Heart Necklace, $2964. Visit KatrinaKellyJewelry.com

The interlaced gold pattern in this 18k green gold pendant is as sexy as some Agent Provocateur lace stockings. Lace itself is such a fascinating cultural signifier — on the one hand, it can underline innocence and purity (hence why it's such a popular choice for newborns and brides); on the other hand, most male fantasies involve unclasping or removing some lace undergarment. Katrina Kelly's lace garnet necklace captures this duality — it takes the innocent, age-old heart icon and by adding a web-like pattern and some staggered garnet stones, she imbues it with an aura of mystery and sensuality. It's the perfect gift for the woman of intrigue.

Miss Oops Pucker Protector, $14. Visit MissOops.com

Expect to do a lot of kissing on Valentine's Day? Then juicy, plump, smooth lips are a must. Miss Oops' Pucker Protector has the healing effects of a lip balm, moisturizing, nourishing and protecting your lips (it even provides SPF protection) but it comes in a sassy lip gloss tube, plus it has a bit of a silky finish for a faint shimmer.

 
Matina Amanita for Sretsis "I Love You, I Love You Not" Ring, $88.Visit ManitaAmanita.com to find a retailer near you.

If bunny-shaped Peeps are affiliated with Easter, then NECCO Sweethearts are the definitive Valentine's Day candies (sure, people buy chocolates for V-Day, but the only product is exactly the same as what we consume year-round, save for the themed packaging). Now, what if instead of a box filled with "Be Mine" and "Call Me" candies, you got a heart-shaped, enamel-coated gold ring bearing one of those sayings? Isn't that a sweet and innocent way to show someone you love them? These Matina Amanita for Sretsis rings, which come packaged in a colorful box covered with candy illustrations, make me think of young love — passing notes in class, arranging "secret meetings' in the school hallway, slow dancing at the school gym… Ahh, memories…

Michael Kors "With Love, Michael Kors" Set, $40. Visit Macys.com

Do you find that Michael Kors perfumes attract more men than flames do moths? You're not alone. Most women will cite a Michael Kors fragrance (whether it's Island Capri, Michael Kors Eau de Toilette, Michael Kors Hawaii or Very Michael Kors) among their top perfume choices, particularly when it comes to feeling desirable. With this travel-friendly trio of rollerball perfumes, you can dab on some "sexy" nectar whenever necessary. The set includes a Very Michael Kors tube, a Michael Kors Eau de Parfum tube and a Michael Kors Eau de Toilette tube.

D&GTime EDEN ROC watch, $325. Visit DolceGabbana.it

There's something about this chunky, jeweled watch that makes me think of an Ian Shrager hotel in Miami, of an excursion on a luxury yacht along the Bahamas, of sun hats, bikinis, and white linen cover-ups… From the island-ready colors to the sleek, mod white cuff, this watch is the perfect way to bring in the warmer climate.

 
Bjorn Borg "Pure" Mini Shorts in Phlox Pink, 22.95 EUR, and "Fun Stretch" Hipster in "Valentine —With Love From Bjorn Borg" Print, 19.95 EUR. Visit BjornBorg.com

If you were to have a Cameron Diaz moment and you wanted to dance around the room in your underwear, I'd advise doing so in some Bjorn Borg undies. The  Swedish apparel line stocks some sporty, cheeky bikini briefs and boy shorts in jaunty, zippy prints like the "Valentine With Love From BB" print pictured at bottom. Oh, and even better, the company's mission for Valentine's Day is to help everyone find love. Yes, I'm serious. Check out their Love for All Campaign here.

Casio EX-Z150 Digital Camera, $179.99. Visit Exilim.Casio.com for a list of retailers.

Make memories with your loved one and capture them for posterity with Casio's EXILIM Zoom EX-Z150, which features a wide-angle 28mm and 4X zoom lens, a CCD-shift anti-shake function, a 3.0” LCD monitor and an 8.1 effective megapixel resolution.  Not that this camera is short on features — exactly the opposite is true. The slim camera (3.81" wide x 2.26" high x .79" thick) also features voice recording, face detection (meaning it can tell when you're photographing a person), a YouTube capture mode, and more.

 Soap & Paper Factory Rosewood Scented Drawer Papers, $28 for box of 6. Visit SoapAndPaperFactory.com

With their earthy brown backdrop and paradise garden of blushing pink floral motifs, these sheets are so gorgeous they're worthy of being hung up as wallpaper. But, of course, that's not their purpose — line your drawers with these tissue paper-thin sheets, which smell like rosewood, and allow your clothes to be enveloped in the warm scent. Imagine how much more tempting your lingerie will be if it smells like rosewood!

SOMERS Sterling Silver Heard Pendant on 5 Leathers, $310. Visit SomersJewelry.com to find a store near you or call 505.986.0288.

If you're enthralled by the sculptural nature of this heart pendant, you'll get a kick out of this tidbit: each and every piece in the SOMERS jewelry line starts out as a hand carved soapstone sculpture by Santa Fe artist Somers Randolph. In fact, the jewelry line was launched after his wife Hillary discovered a trunk full of miniature stone carvings, which she felt could be transformed into gold and silver jewelry pieces. The TLC artisans give their works is palpable in every piece — just look at the free-spirited energy captured by this sterling silver pendant.

Kiehl's Bright & Warm Lipgloss Set, $29. Visit Kiehls.com

Packaged in a purple and lilac box with a heart-shaped window, Kiehl's "Bright & Warm" lipgloss set includes three shades: French Rose, Downtown Peach and the brand new Lights On Broadway hue, a subtle but inviting golden brown. These colors will brighten up any girl's face and the gesture will certainly warm up her heart.

Betseyville by Betsey Johnson Lip Dome Bag, $109. Available at MetroParkUSA.com

You'll have plenty of kisses to give with this roomy Betseyville by Betsey Johnson bag, which features a lipstick mark print and ruffled polka dot and gold trim.

D&G Jewel GEISHA necklace, $425. Visit DolceGabbana.it for locations

Knotted jewelry is going to be a huge trend in 2009 (mark my words, ladies!), and this Asian-inspired necklace by D&G definitely sets the bar rather high. But, then again, isn't D&G always a step ahead of the pack?

Clinique Happy in Bloom Perfume Spray and Lip Compact, $52.50. Visit Clinique.com

The pink floral motifs on the packaging will add a bit of sunshine to a girl's life. But once she opens up the box and sprays on this fresh floral fragrance, that's when she'll really start smiling. Clinique Happy in Bloom features the muguet, white freesia and mimosa accord notes from the original Happy scent, but it also boasts crisp green and yellow plum top notes and transparent amber and white wood base notes. The result is a softer, more feminine scent that's got more of a floral (rather than citrus-y) heart. The perfume comes with a lip compact packing an exclusive "Happy in Bloom" shade.

Swarovski Heart Ware Vitrail Light USB Memory Key, $180. Available at Swarovski.com

If there's one thing you learn after having a computer crash and burn, it's the need to back up your files. Seriously, backing up isn't just something Juvenile rhymes about. As more folks have learned their lesson, USB memory drives have become designers' favorite tech gadgets to sass up. This Swarovski USB memory key is a perfect example — shaped like a heart, you can snap it open to reveal the USB component and then close it back up and wear as a pendant or keychain accessory. Genius, right?

California Baby "I Love You" Spritzer, $13.49; Aromatherapy Bubble Bath, $13.99; and Aromatherapy Massage Oil, $12.49. Visit CaliforniaBaby.com

Gentle enough to use on tender, sensitive baby skin but yummy enough to tempt adults,these "I Love You" products from California Baby will bring your sweetheart some aromatic relaxation thanks to the mix of rosewater, aloe vera, ylang ylang, sweet orange, acacia, cactus and yucca extracts. You can soak in the tub with your man and enjoy a nice bubble bath (the bottle comes with two wands for blowing bubbles so that should be extra fun!) or five each other full-body rubs with the "I Love You" Massage Oil.

Bing Bang by Anna Sheffield Arrow Two-Finger Ring, $215. Visit AnnaSheffield.com

Hit the bullseye with this two-finger, yellow gold ring by Bing Bang, which features dorado and silver Swarovski crystal details along the arrow's vanes and point. Cupid's arrow ain't got nothing on this!

Love Moschino Women's Cuore Peeptoe Pump, $359.95. Visit Endless.com

These peeptoe pumps are the perfect, Jolly Rancher-esque red, and the raised heart embellishment adds a nice '80s-style flavor.

Tokidoki x Mimoco Pink Meletta USB Flash Drive, $24.95. Visit Mimoco.com

Tokidoki left fans fiendin' for more last year, after launching their first collection of Mimobots, the funky, character-driven USB drives for fashionable techies and toy collectors alike. Mimoco and Tokidoki have once again teamed up for a special pink version of the popular Meletta character. Isn't it fly?

New Balance Bonita Run Dress, $55; New Balance Printed Tempo Tank, $36. Visit NBWebExpress.com

Sporty types will appreciate some pretty, feminine clothing in which to work out — and New Balance offers some affordable options to go from the gym to the streets. The Bonita Run Dress, pictured at top, features a built-in sports bra and a breathable material to keep lock in any sweat and keep it from your body, plus it's stylish and simple enough to wear outside while running some quick errands before or after the gym. The Printed Tempo Tank, meanwhile, features a flattering empire waist and a girly flower motif, adding a feminine sensibility to any exercise-ready outfit.

Zina Beverly Hills Modern Heart Pendant, $150. Visit ZinaBeverlyHills.com

A simple yet undeniably chic and timeless piece, this sterling silver heart pendant from Zina Beverly Hills is expertly sculpted so that every curve suggests movement. The differing widths of the silver sides, meanwhile, add to the fluidity of the piece and create interesting illusions based on how they reflect light. It's a minimalist treasure.

Betsey Johnson Women's Heart Bangle Watch, $62.50. Visit Amazon.com

I'm very fond of watches that double as bracelets, and this Betsey Johnson bangle watch is the perfect example of style meeting function in that regard. I love how the hearts face in so many different directions — it gives the pattern a more dynamic energy and adds an unpredictability factor.

 
Carol's Daughter "Love to Love You" Fragrance Oil Set, $36. Available at CarolsDaughter.com

Lisa Price's latest aromatic gift set includes four fragrance oils that create a sensuous olfactory experience. The set includes: Roses & Honey, a seductive scent that features notes of fresh cut roses, honey, almond, anise and banana; Creamy Amber, a spicy mix of honey blossom, tobacco flower, jasmine and orange flower; Love Petals, a simple and crisp vanilla and ylang-ylang blend; and Sweethoneydip Chocolatebrownsugah (gotta love the Jill Scott reference!), a sinfully sweet mix of chocolate, honey and sweet vanilla bean.

CB2 Ada Hanging Vase, $6.95. Visit CB2.com

Say you love flowers (real or fake) but you can never seem to find a surface on which to put a vase — maybe your decor style is minimalist, you haven't gotten around to fully furnishing every room with tables and such (happens to the best of us), or you just have too much clutter and you can't ever seem to clear some space. If this sounds familiar, then here's a lovely alternative — just nail CB2's Ada Hanging Vase, a twice-fired porcelain piece designed by James Burgess, to your wall and you'll experience the joy of fresh flowers AND  some hot wall decor.

NIKE Air Jordan 1 Valentine's Day sneaker. Available at select NIKE retail locations.

Every Valentine's Day, NIKE releases some red, white and pink kicks for the ladies. Truth be told, though, they're not always the best looking kicks — a red and white color scheme with a random heart here and there doesn't make necessarily for a sneakerhead delight. Fortunately, NIKE upped the ante this year with these limited-edition Jordans. I love the design along the side panels, the fact that it's a hi-top (finally! girls tend to get the shaft when it comes to his), and the bright, candy-like shades of gumdrop pink, jelly bean red and minty white.

Prescriptives Custom Blend Lip Gloss, $26. Visit Prescriptives.com

The heart wants what it wants, but so does the mouth. See, when it comes to lip gloss, women often have an idea of the precise shade they'd like — and they don't like settling for anything less than what they'd envisioned. Fortunately, they don't have to. Prescriptives offers Custom Blend lip glosses, a service through which women can build the lip gloss of their dreams. All they have to do is select the base shade (whether it's light beige, dark rose, medium fuchsia, light red or any other hue), finish (whether it's full color, luster, glitter, chrome or sheer sparkle) and flavor (options include melon, tropical, vanilla, berry and cocoa). It's heavenly. Special shout-out to Ashley for concocting some delicious lip glosses for me to try — the melon flavor is so yummy!
 

Luxe Link "Angelina Swarovski", $79.99. Visit LuxeLink.com

Do you love your purse? Do you keep it in its dustbag or its original box? Then why would you ever let it get dirty? With your own Luxe Link, you no longer have to worry about soiling your bag. If you go to a restaurant and you find that, not only is it impossible to rest your bag on your chair, but there are no empty chairs on which to rest it, then take out your Luxe Link, unravel the hook and adhere the round sphere to the bottom of the table. A portable purse hook makes for an endearing product but, when you add in the cutesy heart motif on this one, your affection for this gadget becomes love squared.

AVON Heart Pendant Necklace on Multistrand Chain, $19.99. Visit Avon.com

These bulbous heart-shaped pendants make me think of helium balloons and speech bubbles in cartoon strips (I think the latter association comes from the curved, asymmetrical nature of the heart's point). Available in gold or silver, this is a stylish and affordable way to express your love.

PF Flyers Bob Cousy All-American sneakers, $70. Visit PFFlyers.com to find a dealer near you.

Sure, they're nothing splashy or glitzy about these  PF Flyers, but they do have an irresistible, All-American charm. And what says Valentine's Day louder than the color red?

Sex and the City Eco-Friendly Packing Pockets, $19.99 for set of 3. Visit HBO.com/store

Keep your goodies perfectly organized the next time you hop on a plane with these eco-friendly packing pockets, which are labeled for maximum convenience. Hey, suitcases never have enough pockets and zippered compartments, right?

Sarah Perlis necklace, $1725. Available at Homeward Bound. Visit HomewardBoundStyle.com

Even the most die-hard city girl craves some interaction with nature. This ethereal, handcrafted 22k gold and fine silver leaf necklace by Sarah Perlis will transform any woman into a free-spirited forest princess. The necklace is available at New England-based Homeward Bound, a store that specializes in green design, offering organic home furnishings, clothing and other eco-friendly goods.

New Balance 996 Sneaker in White/Pink, $110. Visit NewBalance.com

Don't these New Balance sneakers remind you of tiny candies? Right away, I think of red Mike & Ikes, pink Laffy Taffy, pink-coated M&Ms, cherry and strawberry Starburst squares and more. And it's fitting, really, since these are a treat for any style-hungry feet!