Gifts of love for your favorite Valentine

Slip a silvery box studded with pearls and garnets, $275, into her hand, clasp a shiny silver and pearl necklace, $240, around her neck, then seal the deal with a matching bracelet, $60, all from Sabai (924 Royal St., 525-6211; 3115 Magazine St., 899-9555).

This year you can be jeweled, be sweet, be colorful, be whimsical or even be Zen when expressing your love for that someone special. No matter which way you want to go, here are gifts that will hit the mark.

A sure way to convey that your girl is a unique beauty is with a one-of-a-kind Edwardian choker woven with antique aquamarine Bavarian glass beads and gray Austrian crystals, then finished with diaphanous ribbon trimmed with tiny Japanese seed beads designed by Janet Bruno-Small, $320, from Mon Coeur (1537 Metairie Road, Suite C, Metairie, 828-3888).

You'll never lose at this shell game. It features Chan Luu's chokers made of pearly heart-shaped shells painted with tiny flowers by designer Chan Luu, $156, from Mirabella (115 Metairie Road, Metairie, 828-3888).

Each of artist Jessica Bohus' wire circus figures, created as an homage to Alexander Calder's circus sculptures, is a miniature work of art and a valuable reminder of the lighter -- and sometimes Felliniesque -- side of the three-ring circus called life. Horse, $75; clown-hat dog, $60; "flop-down clown," $90; all from Lighthouse Glass Gallery (743 Camp St., 529-4494).

If you want to be noticed, wear red. For her, a scarlet bralet, $58, and panty, $58, by Cosabella. For him, satiny boxers with bright red lips, $28, all from House of Lounge (2044 Magazine St., 671-8300).

The gift of relaxation doesn't have to cost the price of a ticket to the Caribbean. A Zen Mat in a washable zip-up case allows even the busiest stress junkie to enjoy some quiet time wherever and whenever. Great for exercise, meditation and even naps, $79, from Futonia (3811 Magazine St., 899-4356, www.futonianola.com).

Red hearts, the consummate Valentine's Day symbol, shine with extra élan in designer Dominique Giordano's playful silver and black pearl settings. Necklace, $120, earrings, $140, and stickpin, $75, all from Dominique Giordano Jewelry Design (5420 Magazine St., 895-3909).

Rings for him or her are always a Valentine's Day delight. These unisex rings by B. Tiff are made of brushed and polished surgical steel with a laboratory-produced crystal held in place by thousands of pounds of pressure, $119 each, exclusively at Dress To Kill (207 Dauphine St., 558-9111).

Chocolate is a Valentine's Day tradition, and these sweets for the sweet have a sexy twist. The chocolate body frosting complete with paintbrush, $8.25, gives new meaning to the phrase "dessert's on me." But other good choices sure to win a grin include a puckery chocolate pout, $11; a shower chocolate bar, $6; or a strip chocolate game, $25; all from Blue Frog Chocolates (5707 Magazine St., 269-5707).

This year, heart-shaped shells are a fashion-forward way to say Happy Valentine's Day, and local designer Babette Rittenberg has given love a naturally sweet voice by putting summery white sea shells on colorful leather cords, $40, or pairing them together as earrings, $30. Both from Babette Rittenberg (5015 Magazine St., 895-7844).

Don't forget your guy. Sweet scents will make him feel like a million bucks. P.R. Harris & Co.'s Arlington line of grooming products, a lightly aromatic "Classic English Fragrance For Gentlemen," offers a variety of choices including cologne, aftershave milk, soap-on-a-rope and shaving bowl. Prices starting at $20, all from Aiden Gill For Men (2026 Magazine St., 587-9090).

Kathryn Arnett's "wall pockets," made from recycled scrap metal, are as versatile as they are decorative. Arrange flowers in them or use them to stow important messages and mail, $44.95, from Metairie Photo & Gifts (246 Metairie Road, Metairie, 834-8693).

Other Stories This Week in Features:

Cover Story
Drifter's Escape

Blake Pontchartrain
New Orleans Know-It-All

Recently in Feature Story:

Health News 02 05 02

The Mackie Report 02 05 02

Health Talk 02 05 02

Feature Story Archives