Sexy — I think almost everyone that celebrates Valentine’s Day wants it to be sexy. But sexy is defined differently for everyone. For some it’s a vampy red lip, for others it a saucy, ankle flattering stiletto. . . well, here’s my personal sexy protocol & the items that make me feel, ahem – in the mood.
Set The Mood
Candles
The latest collection from NEST — Sultry — is a smoldering collection of three mood igniting candles. The Sultry collection is deigned to rev up “the olfactory pleasures of consumers looking to set the right mood and ambiance for their late night activities, whatever they may be.” The collection includes:
One O’ Clock: Luminous notes of wild orchid, night-blooming jasmine and frangipani flower are layered over a blend of exotic woods, black pepper and vetiver. ($34)
Two O’ Clock: Cedarwood and a soft suede accord are blended with bergamot and enhanced with a spicy mélange of cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon bark. ($34)
Three O’ Clock: Precious essence of Mysore sandalwood is entwined with subtle nuances of smoldering embers, black amber and frankincense. ($34)
Bubbly
To narrow down the choice of bubbles, I called up my local wine shop, Total Wine, West Orange, NJ and spoke to Lee. I asked for four bubbly options — two champagnes, because you can’t beat the authenticity and romance of champagne and two choices that sparkle but are easier on the pocket. Lee’s suggestions are below:
Montaudon Extra Dry – A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. It’s a very elegant and fruit forward champagne. A lot of citrus character and a wonderful texture that really coats the entire palate. Montaudon harvests their own fruit as well as sources many of the top name Champagne Houses in France. ($34.99)
De Margerie Grand Cru Brut – This is my favorite Champagne in the $30-$50 range. 90% Pinot Noir. It leaves a long, long finish of cherry flavor on the palate. It has a toasty texture that, like the Montaudon, really explodes in your mouth. It’s produced by Georges Vessellle and harvested from the Bouzy region of Champagne, one of the most celebrated regions in France. ($37.99)
Francois Montand Blanc de Blanc Brut or Extra Dry – Both are made with 100% Chardonnay and have a very nice creamy texture. They are some of the best values in the store for sparkling wines since they exhibit much of the same characteristics you’d get in an actual Champagne. ($12.99)
Jaillance Cremant de Bourgone – This is a unique blend for a Sparkler, using three grapes of Burgundy, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay. It has almost a Sauvignon Blanc quality to it with its citrus fruit and bright acidity. The chardonnay is very apparent in the creamy texture. ($14.99)
Chocolate
What would Valenine’s Day with carte blanche to indulge in chocolate? This year, it would be just another Thursday. Try Edward Marc’s Valentine’s Day box and harness the power of cholcolate’s aphrodisiac qualities. Each heart shaped offering is filled with an assortment of the companies best selling chocolates that feature a “truly global flavor profile; including nuts from the coast of Africa and the Middle East, coconut from the tropics, and luscious creams and caramels made with milk from America’s dairy farms.” ($35)
Dress the Part
Lingerie
No matter what you find sexy, you will find something suitable at Adore Me. Adore Me is trendy online lingerie club that offers a unique personalized shopping experience, and affordable lingerie for women of varying shapes and sizes. ($39.99)
Shoes
I love cleavage – toe cleavage, that is. Dress up your lingerie with classic pointy pump with a slight twist. This Charles by Charles David pump has a low cut top that shows a bit of toe cleavage and works for just about everyone. This shoe will elongate even the shortest legs and the four inch heel will instantly tone and define calf muscles. If you are going bare-legged, check out this post and scroll down to Dr Dennis Grossman’s Alpha Beta Glow Pad with Vitamin D. ($98)
Jewelry
There is something very sexy about understated jewelry, especially if it conveys a message and the Sydney Evan Gold and Pave ring says it all. ($438)
Body Care
Get touchable soft skin with LaLicious Sugar Kiss Collection of body care products. The line include a Souffle Scrub ($34,) Body Oil ($24,) Whipped Body Soap ($18) and Body Butter ($25.) All products are formulated with all natural ingredients and use citrus, rose, and vanilla essential and fragrant oils to deliver a delicate, sweet aroma. The body oil and the whipped body soap are my favorite…both are formulated with coconut oil, a natural antioxidant. It penetrates multiple layers of the skin to provide superior moisture and protection.
Beauty
The glow of love is real. But often not so visible to those who see us every day. These products are designed to work with your body’s chemistry to amplify your beauty and create a shade that is uniquely you.
Stila Self Adjusting Blush is a pH-based powder that reacts to skin tone and individual pH of the wearer to create a perfect personalized shade. The blush delivers velvety, luminous, flawless finish. ($20)
Color Awakening Lipglow
Dior Addict Lip Balm contains Color Reviver technology that responds directly to the unique chemistry of each wearer’s lips before releasing its color ingredient. Lips are instantly moisturized and appear full and radiant. The lip balm contains wild mango, luffa cylindrica and SPF10 to provide continuous moisture and protection. ($32)
