I’ve found myself on both sides of the day’s fortunes – mushy in love and Les Miserables-style On My Own. What I’ve learned through the years is that the cliché gifts that get a groan when mentioned – flowers, chocolate and the like – have gotten a bad rap. The success or failure of these standards, long synonymous with unimaginative gift-giving, is all in the execution. Below, how to outsmart Cupid and make standard tokens of affection feel anything but. 

FLOWERS 
 

Teleflora “Brights” bouquet ($54)

Long-stemmed red roses are to Valentine’s Day as Mel Gibson is to action thrillers. No longer relevant.
 
Update your floral gift-giving with a more modern bouquet. Bonus points if you know your lady love’s favorite flowers, but if not, what about her favorite color? Anything to give the florist a jumping off point to work with.
 
These days, bigger is not better when it comes to flowers. Skip the waist-high bouquets in favor of tightly-packed buds in a short vase. Have the arrangement delivered to her work to give her the added satisfaction of showing off how great her guy is to all her co-workers.
 
Oh, and include carnations at your own risk.

JEWELRY

Jess LC Braille “I Love You” Necklace ($58)

I’m all for jewelry – a well-chosen token will be cherished long after it’s given. But remember, if you’re not planning to pop the question this Valentine’s Day, avoid presenting your sweetheart with a ring-sized box. That means no elegant stud earrings (yes, even if they’re diamonds) or a bauble that goes on any finger other than the one next to the pinkie. Have I scared you enough? Good, then here’s some help – a necklace delicate enough to be worn every day is always a crowd-pleaser.

LINGERIE 

 Eberjay Bluebird Isabella bralette & culottes ($32, $20) ((also, you’re welcome))
 
Listen closely: step away from the Victoria’s Secret catalogue.
 
Despite what the card may say, a gift of lingerie is always in danger of telegraphing, “This is a gift for me, not you.” The trick is to go for “lovely,” not “sexy.” Trust me, if she feels beautiful (as opposed to trashy) sexy will come naturally. Also, your first inclination may be to go with an a padded push-up and a flimsy bottoms, but consider a pretty bralette and boy short in lace. This set from Eberjay will set her heart aflutter and yours racing.
 
So skip the red, the leopard-print, and especially, the mall brands.
 
CHOCOLATE

Marie Belle Hot Chocolate Tins ($42)

I’m not a huge chocolate fan, but I am a sucker for beautifully boxed foodstuffs. Like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, I’ll break into song for brown paper packages wrapped up in string.
 
Shun the drugstore heart-shaped box of boring milk chocolate in favor of a pretty package containing tasty contents. And you don’t even have to wrap it. I like Marie Belle for upscale chocolate in fancy boxes. They make amazing ganache (I’ve been told), but I’m all about their hot chocolate and the lovely tins they come in. The best part, she’ll think about how sweet you are every time she makes herself a cup.

DINNER
 

(via realsimple)

Please, please don’t go out to dinner on Valentine’s Day. Even the best restaurants will be running an overpriced prix-fixe with a choice of salmon that’s been sitting under heat lamps, ribeye that’s been sitting under heat lamps or pasta that’s been sitting under heat lamps. No thanks. Instead, step into the kitchen and cook your specialty. Set the table with the best dishes you own and lots of candles. Use cloth napkins if you’ve got ‘em.
 
Don’t have a specialty? Try this easy recipe for a can’t-miss win.
 
If she really wants to get out of the house, after dinner head to the nicest restaurant in town – you know, the one you drive by thinking, “Someday…” – and share a romantic dessert at the bar.
 
 
Now you’re all set for your most stylish Valentine’s Day ever.

The post The Style Girlfriend Guide to: Valentine’s Day without the Cliché appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

I’ve saved this column for the week before Christmas because, let’s be honest, some of you guys are just starting your shopping. Amirite? Don’t worry, me too.

Below, what to buy for all the ladies on your list:

The girl you just started seeing

It’s early, so you agreed not to exchange presents. She is LYING. She got you something and expects you to do the same. If you’re even thinking about going Facebook status-official with this person, buy her a gift, like these adorable (but non-committal) puppet mittens.

“Snow Day” animal convertible gloves ($24)

Your girlfriend that’s expecting a small, ring-shaped box…but isn’t getting one

NOT jewelry. If you aren’t planning to pop the question, don’t tease the poor girl with earrings. Get her a bike or a coat or a kayak – anything that doesn’t say “I might be housing a diamond.” These Frye boots will help her walk off the disappointment.

Frye tall riding boot ($348)

Your Harried Mom

For the mom who takes care of everyone but herself. Help her carry the world on her shoulders a little more stylishly with a well-made leather bag in a color that pops.

Coach “Kristin” leather hobo purse ($298)

Your New Mother-in-Law

If you’re still calling her by her last name, go for a gift that at least suggests warmth. Get one step closer to “Mom” with an elegant soy candle from Archipelago. They burn clean, smell amazing and won’t break your budget.

Archipelago Candle in Lilac ($30)

Your Younger, Impressionable Sister

As a big brother, you have a responsibility to guide your female siblings down a stylish (read: non-slutty) path. This tome, by Men’s Vogue blogger Amanda Brooks, will help keep sis in line with helpful tips and sartorial tricks.

I Love Your Style, by Amanda Brooks ($14)

Your Politically-Minded Neighbor

For the woman who wants to do good, and smell good doing it. Kiehl’s and artist Jeff Koons collaborated on a line of products to raise money for The Koons Family Institute, which fights child trafficking, child pornography and child abduction.

Jeff Koons Limited Edition Creme de Corps box set ($27)

Your Female Boss

Barring any very good reasons for *not* doing so, a bottle of Veuve is always appropriate for a boss – male or female. Help her celebrate the coming new year in style with this chic bottle of bubbly. The best part? This gift looks best unwrapped, with just a bow (and a nice card, of course) topping it.

Veuve Cliquot Brut ($45)

The post The Style Girlfriend Guide to: Holiday Shopping for Her appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

That said, a good dad deserves a good gift and I wanted to make sure I found the perfect one for him. Even if clothes weren’t your pop’s strong suit (ha, see what I did there?), he’s still responsible for passing down a great head of hair, or maybe an enviable metabolism that’s kept your waistline the same diameter since college.

Below are some stylish gifts to celebrate the man who first showed you what looking good is all about:

A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SHAVE

The male equivalent of a day at the spa, getting a traditional barber shave is the kind of luxury most men won’t treat themselves to. Making it a perfect present for Pop. Treat the man who gave you your first razor to a session at The Art of Shaving. He’ll love the “Royal Shave” – from the hot towel to the straight razor and even the aromatherapy skin treatment (which is not nearly as girly as it sounds). He’ll feel like a million bucks, and at $55, you won’t break the bank.

LAPTOP CASE

Chances are good that dear old dad has moved (grudgingly or not) into the 21st century, conducting business from a work-issued laptop. If he’s still using the nerdy case the IT guy gave him – you know, the scratchy polyester one with the company logo on it – he could use a new one. Try this case from Ben Sherman ($60) for a stylish upgrade

MONOGRAMMED TIE

Show some love to the man who gave you your last initial by monogramming his on a snappy new tie. Any solid-colored one will do – I’m loving this silk knit number from Land’s End ($13) for a fresh take on throwback preppy. Next, take it to your local tailor for a quick, and inexpensive stitch. For a look that’s of the moment, try a pastel hue against a dark color for fall.

REALLY SWEET HEADPHONES

You can’t update your dad’s music collection (no matter how many iTunes gift cards you give him), but you can update how he listens to it. This dad-plaid pair from Able Planet($95) will help him jam in style, whether it’s to Mozart or Mos Def.

As for my own present for Pops? Well, after all the research that went into my gift planning, I’ve officially missed the window for getting a package to my parents’ doorstep on time. So…happy belated birthday Dad! Hope you like what I got you…when you get it.

The post Dear ol’ Stylish Dad appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

…Ok, yes, I’m jumping the gun a bit on the celebration, I know. I’m turning the big 2-7, and, while I don’t necessarily embrace getting older, I do embrace presents. Lots and lots of presents. And flowers. And skywriting. Oh, and fireworks. Actually, since my birthday is only a couple days after Independence Day, I always think of it as the country celebrating my birth, just a little early.

While compiling my wish list this year, I realized that part of having style is knowing how to give a good gift. Knowing someone well enough to know what they want, or, barring that, knowing what to get when you don’t know them that well at all – that takes some class. So I thought I would give a few pointers here. With one of these great gifts in hand (wrapped up nicely with a big bow on top, of course), you’ll be the coolest boyfriend, husband, son, brown noser, whatever – around. Here are a few things to show that special lady – or hey, not that special. who am I to judge – in your life that you care:

AN AWESOME PURSE

Chicks love bags. They love huge bags that hold their life in them. They also love tiny purses that barely fit their ID and an extra twenty for cab fare (the petite size makes them feel dainty). These two from Marc by Marc Jacobs and Topshop fit both bills.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Tote, $558 Topshop bag, $60

CANDLES

Yes, it’s generic, but it’s also the kind of thing women don’t buy for themselves. So go all out and get the fancy kind that won’t leave a ring of smoke on her ceiling. Try Diptique, a favorite of Jennifer Lopez. And feel free to sop up the bonus points on this one: mention she and J.Lo are now flame-burning friends; she’ll be impressed (even if she won’t admit it).

Gardenia Scent, $60

A CUTE JACKET

Clothes can be hard because maybe you don’t know her size, and maybe you don’t want to ask. But generally, jackets come in small, medium, large, so you’re pretty safe in eyeballing this one. Check out one of this season’s military-inspired jackets for a look that’s fashionably utilitarian. In an olive shade like this one from Ann Taylor Loft, her new coat will go with everything and easily take her from summer to fall.

Ann Taylor Loft, $48

JEWELRY

I’m talking an interesting piece of jewelry. One time, a guy gave me a necklace he bought at a crafts fair that had a butterfly wing in a jar at the end of the chain. He said it was “strange, but lovely, just like its wearer,” which might just be the best compliment I’ve ever received. Weird? Yes, Awesomely memorable? Definitely. Another plus to jewelry, every time she puts it on, she’ll think of you. That’s always a good thing.

Anthropologie, $38

CUPCAKES

Yes, sending her flowers at work is always appreciated, but if you really want to get on her good side (and the good sides of her co-workers), send something edible! These cupcakes from Crumbs Bake Shop will win over the most jaded, sugar- deprived hearts.

Crumbs, $24 for 12

Til next week, when I’m older and (hopefully) wiser….

The post What a Girl Wants: a birthday gift guide for ME! appeared first on Style Girlfriend.