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 Give the object of your affections a love token to let them know exactly how much you care. Whether you're looking for a one penny sweet or something flashy and expensive, we've got a gift to suit your budget.
 Lush Unit 7 & 11, The Piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RB Trust Lush to come up with some imaginative and quirky ways to get scrubbed up at Valentine's. The homemade cosmetics company have a glittery heart-shaped love soap that smells of roses, a Strawberry Feels Forever massage bar and a boxed gift set called 'Guess Who?' which comes with a mysterious '?' tag on top. The heart-shaped box contains everything a fragrant lover could want, from a Sex Bomb bath ballistic laced with the aphrodisiac jasmine to a chocolate-centred Soft Coeur massage bar. Give a selection of Lush love bombs to your Valentine and they'll not only be feeling the love but they'll smell good too. Address: Unit 7 & 11, The Piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RB Phone: 020 7240 4570 Nearest Station: Covent Garden tube Lush - Information   Hatton Garden | Nicholas James | ec one | Ben DayIf you're ready to pop the question and you want to give your other half something shiny and pretty, a trip to Hatton Garden, London's jewellery quarter, is the place to go. Something of a rite of passage for the newly engaged, this area of East London has the largest concentration of jewels and gems. Among a bewildering amount of jewellers to choose from, seek out Nicholas James where the minimalist lay-out and modern designs make investing a month's salary in a big rock all too easy. Another favourite are the ec one shops (at Clerkenwell, Chiswick or Ledbury Road). These gallery-shops owned by husband and wife team Jos and Alison Skates sell Jos' own statement pieces alongside jewellery by more than fifty designers including Alex Monroe, Alexis Bittar and Stephen Webster. Alternatively, try Ben Day who sells his bold, colourful gem stone designs from his shop and studio close to Spitalfields Market. These unique pieces are all about conveying love, lust and passion. He suggests shimmering pink kunzites framed with star dust diamonds for Valentine's though you can't go wrong with red hot rubies off-set with voluptuous chalcedony drops. Hatton Garden - Information Nicholas James - Information ec one - information Ben Day - Information  Myla | Pyjama Room | Coco de MerIf the thought of buying underwear makes you feel like the priests in that scene from 'Father Ted', you need help. We've come up with a few basics to help you through the potential mine field: only consider buying underwear if you've seen her in hers already. Think of what she'd like - this is meant to be a present for her, not you. Avoid anything red and lacy, especially if it's from Ann Summers. If you're still not sure, you can't go wrong with something from Myla, the classy undie shop that sells vibrators designed by Tom Dixon. They're the ones who did the Lace & Freshwater Pearl G-String as worn by Samantha in 'Sex and The City'. The Pyjama Room is equally classy, a favourite of Nicola Formby, they have lacy camisoles with matching undies as well as cashmere cardis that she'll love lounging around the house in. At the other extreme, a visit to naughty knicker shop Coco de Mer in Soho is an experience in itself. The shop's changing rooms come complete with peep holes so that, if shopping with your beau, he can see the goods before buying. Incidentally, you can also meet the shop's founder in person at a special Sam Roddick on Seduction talk at 11.30am at Conway Hall on Sunday 15th February. To book call 020 7833 1010. Myla - Branch Information Pyjama Room - Information Coco de Mer - Information  Ryantown126 Columbia Road, E2 7RG Rob Ryan makes beautiful paper cut designs and screen prints that are exquisite, sentimental and poignant. These delicate designs, often adorned with words, make a beautiful romantic gift. Come by his shop Ryantown on the fragrant Columbia Road which, like the Flower Market is open on weekends only, and you can buy cards, cushions, T-shirts and even sticky tape all stamped with his elegant cut out prints. His work has been displayed at The Horse Hospital in London and he has produced a limited edition book for Paul Smith on the theme of love. "If you believe in love, but find it difficult to explain - this is for you", he says of his book, aptly titled 'This is for You'. Address: 126 Columbia Road, E2 7RG Phone: 020 7613 1510 Timing: Sat 1pm-4pm & Sun 9am-5pm Nearest Station: Bethnal Green Tube Ryantown - Information  Paul SmithWestbourne House, 122 Kensington Park Road, W11 2EP If you can't afford the full Paul Smith suit - this is 14 February, after all, not all your Christmases come at once - then check out their special gifts just for Valentine's Day. There are eco friendly shopping bags with 'Make Love Not War' on them, heart-covered hankies, key rings and cufflinks - the perfect gift for your fella and one that won't break the bank. These designs by Paul Smith, well known for his quirky yet classic clothes and accessories, make a desirable Valentine's Day present. Westbourne House, his unique flagship shop in Notting Hill, recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and is certainly worth a browse around. While you're in this pretty part of West London there's much to see, including the famous weekend Portobello Road Market - a day spent wondering around here will inevitably lead to picking up more than a pair of cufflinks. Address: Westbourne House, 122 Kensington Park Road, W11 2EP Phone: 020 7727 3553 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-6pm, Closed Sun Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove Tube Paul Smith - Information  Hope and Greenwood1 Russell Street, WC2B 5JF Specialising in delicious-looking sweets with an old fashioned feel, Hope and Greenwood is the place to get your hands on some love hearts. The classic Valentine's Day gift says it all in sugar, with sweet sentiments like 'Kiss Me' and 'It's Love' embossed into the heart-shaped candy circles. You'll fall in love with the shop itself with its glass jars of bonbons lining the walls and pretty packages tied up with red ribbons. Husband-and-wife owners, Miss Hope and Mr Greenwood, started with the original store in West Dulwich and have, thankfully, opened up this central London shop opposite the Drury Lane Theatre so we can all get our sweet tooth satisfied. You can also get a Sweetheart Truffle selection with champagne truffles in the heart-shaped box, or a Love Shake full of mallows, chocolate and jelly hearts. The perfect place to get sweets for your sweet, sugar for your honey. Address: 1 Russell Street, WC2B 5JF Phone: 020 7240 3314 Timing: Mon to Sat 10.30am-7.30pm & Sun 11.30am-5.30pm Nearest Station: Covent Garden Tube Hope and Greenwood - Information  Sh! Women's Erotic Emporium57 Hoxton Square, N1 6PB This friendly erotic boutique in Hoxton Square is usually one for the girls with men only allowed in if accompanied by a woman. But, just for one day, they're allowing the men in, giving them a chance to get expert advice on what women want. Valentine's Gentleman's Day takes place on 11th February, 12pm-8pm, so that the guys can stock up on gifts for their girls before V Day. It's a chance to buy lingerie, kinky playthings, books and erotica, in a relaxed environment with valuable advice from the female point of view. Customers are provided with a cup of tea (usually the strong, builders' brew variety) which makes the whole thing very friendly and the staff are both knowledgeable and approachable. They're also putting on a special single girls' night on Valentine's Day istelf so if you're haven't got a boyfriend this is a good place to go and shop for a substitute while enjoying a glass of bubbly. Address: 57 Hoxton Square, N1 6PB Phone: 020 7613 5458 Timing: Daily 12 midday-8pm Nearest Station: Old Street Tube Sh! Women's Erotic Emporium - Information  Miller Harris21 Bruton Street, W1J 6QD Miller Harris founder Lyn Harris specialises in bespoke perfumes, created in consultation with the customer. Creating a personal scent for your partner must be one of the most thoughtful Valentine's gifts you could give, and a bottle of this bespoke fragrance can't fail to impress. You'll be guided by one of their experts to discover a scent that's unique to you, working from the base notes up. The elegantly designed bottles are works of art in themselves - with the simple yet distinctive black floral design snaking up the clear glass bottle. If you want to buy off the shelf, the Coeur de Fleur is a perfectly romantic, floral fragrance. It combines a base of Florentine iris, amber and Madagascan vanilla with a heart of sweet pea, mimosa, Egyptian jasmin, raspberry and peach. With a brand new shop just opened in Monmouth Street, there are now three Miller Harris shop across London - with this new opening joining the flagship shop in Mayfair's Bruton Street and the Miller Harris store in Notting Hill. Address: 21 Bruton Street, W1J 6QD Phone: 020 7629 7750 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-6pm Nearest Station: Green Park Tube Miller Harris Mayfair - Information Miller Harris Notting Hill - Information Miller Harris Covent Garden - Information  Elemis Spa | The Spa at Mandarin Oriental | Agua at Sanderson |The Elemis day spa is offering a relaxing spa treatment that you can do together. 'Time for Two' couples massages is a luxurious way to unwind and there's something quite intimate about sharing the experience with your partner. Tucked away in Lancashire Court, down a side street off Bond Street, the Elemis Spa is among the best. Using their own brand of aromatherapy oils, facials leave you feeling revitalised and massages are all about well-being and de-knotting. If you want to give your girlfriend a spa gift voucher, the Mandarin Oriental has a great spa which caters to the well heeled ladies of Knightsbridge; your girlfriend will love a treatment here, and she can pop into Harvey Nicks for some retail therapy afterwards. Another highly rated relaxation spot is the clinically clean Agua spa at the Sanderson which has consistently glowing reviews from blissed out city girls. Once you've sampled the Aromatherapy Associates Jet Lag Revival treatment you'll know why. Day packages start at £150 or you can go a la carte and make up your own wish list. We like the sound of the Bed of Roses Body Booster - very appropriately named for Valentine's Day. Elemis Spa - Information The Spa at Mandarin Oriental - Information Agua at Sanderson - Information  Alfred DunhillBourdon House, 2 Davies Street, W1K 3DJ This upmarket branch of luxury brand Alfred Dunhill, housed in the former London residence of the Duke of Westminster, includes a small spa and barber shop. Opened in August last year, the Bourdon House flagship store extends beyond the suits, aftershave and accessories associated with the luxury menswear brand. The three floor emporium includes a spa, barber's, cellar bar and 12-seater screening room, available for private hire. The spa on the first floor, open to both men and women, has two treatment rooms while the traditional barber's is lined with wallpaper made from old Dunhill ads. Also on this level is the Discovery Room, where the discerning gentleman can get his tailored suits custom made. A very fitting Valentine's Day present for the man who likes to think he's an old fashioned gent. Address: Bourdon House, 2 Davies Street, W1K 3DJ Phone: 0845 458 0779 Nearest Station: Bond Street Tube Alfred Dunhill - Information |
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