Love bites

It’s that time of year again, to whisper those three little words…

No, not Latest Homes Interiors… tsk, perish the thought! No, we’re talking about those three little words, the I-love-you’s; after all, it is nearly Valentine’s Day. Say it with flowers, chocolates, or shout it with a special (sparkly, princess-cut) Brighton rock if you like, there is NO escape from 14 February. Looking for a gift to bring your beloved closer to home? Well, we might just be able to help.

All that glitters…
or sparkles
Don’t have the budget for something large, sparkly and Princess cut to grace your beloved’s finger? Never mind. A matching pair of crystal champagne glasses might go some way towards making up for it – especially if you give a bottle of something to try them out with as well. We’re suckers for all things shiny and glittery on Valentine’s Day, truth be told, so if you’ve got time to go out and hunt down a shimmery, shiny trinket well, what’s not to like? Here at Latest Interiors, we’ve given Mr LI a different kind of heart each Valentine’s Day for the last dozen years. We’ve had cut glass, semi-precious stones, paper, shell and even leather, but we’re still really saving up for a real gemstone. Well, you’ve got to hold something back, right?

Take me to bed
Well, it’s a bit forward, but if you know someone well enough – or want to drop a hint – you could buy them something beautiful for the bedroom. Pure crisp linen, a soft sheepskin throw, or fleecy brushed cotton for when the nights are chilly – should make your intentions clear. You could also add some scented bath oil (we love Ren’s Morrocan Rose bath oil, £30, www.johnlewis.com), a silky bath robe, maybe some massage oil and a scented candle, and that’s your Valentine’s evening sorted.

A gift that grows
Nature-loving Valentine’s will enjoy the simple beauty of a flowering plant or fruit tree for the garden. Scented or climbing roses, lavender, gardenia, jasmine, honeysuckle, or a cherry tree all say ‘I love you’, naturally.

Tried and tested
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with flowers and chocolates. Opt for a mono-bloom (or monotone) hand-tied bouquet: Red, pink, lilac or cream roses, pink or white hyacinths (for the heavenly smell) or a ginormous bunch of classic lilies. And Brighton has some of the finest chocolatiers around: check out the wonderful Montezumas (dark chocolate with chilli is about as good as chocolate gets: www.montezumas.co.uk). Choccywoccydoodah, or Audrey’s if you need proof!
Stony-broke? Try breakfast in bed, a single hand-picked spring bloom, a hand-made card or a home-made meal – As Oscar Wilde once said: “Who, being loved, is poor?”