Here we are; another calendar year and another February 14th also known as Valentines Day. For some of us this is a day to celebrate our love with our special someone with the cliché items such as red roses, over sized boxes of chocolates and high expectations. For others , it’s a dreaded holiday that makes us feel inadequate if we happen to be single during this 24 hour love fest. If you find yourself solo with friends or locked up in the bedroom with your Valentine, use this holiday of hearts as an opportunity to entice all five of the human senses. Seduce yourself or seduce someone special to you with these last-minute ideas that will make today a day of love to remember.

Smell:
Scents have that almost magical ability to evoke memories. Memories from the past. Memories from your first date. Whatever the memory you’re trying to recreate, use familiar and seductive scents to make today special. Light soft scented candles, bake their favorite cookies or spritz your signature scent onto his pillowcase. Scents also evoke desires within. When you smell the scent of your favorite food cooking, you automatically become hungry. Why not make her hungry for you?

Sound:
Maybe it’s the one that was playing the first time your eyes locked? Or maybe it’s the sounds of the waves crashing aggressively against the shore of the beach. Whatever it is, sound can be very persuasive in the love department. If you’re still in need of a last-minute gift idea, take her iPod while she’s in the shower and create a playlist that reminds you of her.

Taste:
Be more creative with this sense than the usual chocolates and strawberries ( save those for the bedroom). Taste can be one of the most seductive tools we have in our arsenal, so use it to your advantage! Are your cooking skills not up to Top Chef expectations? That fine you’ re not alone, restaurants all over offer special pre fixe menus created especially for Valentines Day that can fulfill any palette. Splurge on a more expensive bottle of wine, and save the desert for home.

Sight:
Give your special someone something that they can look at and think about you every time they glance at it…and no, not a framed photo of yourself. Maybe a compilation of his or her favorite movies on DVD, that you can both enjoy together. Or a piece of art that reminds you of her. Or buy a blank card and write sweet words inside of it so she can reread it over and over when you’re not around ( romantic, right?) .

Touch:
As we know, the skin is the largest sensory organ the body has, which gives us a large range for satisfying this sense. you can pretty much use your wide imagination with this sense. Think less lingerie and more about luxurious sheets and a massage oil candle.

How about a fun girls night out for your Valentines celebration? Not into the whole lovey-dovey thing? Throw on a bunch of black, grab your single ladies and hit the town! My girls nights usually include lots of laughs, and wine of course.

I kept this look pretty simple by making it a jeans and sweatshirt look gone rocker chic. Don’t even get me started on these shoes. I could literally go on for days about how perfect these flipping things are. Wear these and take them out on the prowl, meow! I lightened the look up a bit with a sweet pink clutch with lovely bow closure.

Happy Valentines Day, no matter what you’re doing!

A very big thank you to TheIconMag.com for inviting me to be a guest blogger.

It’s been a blast!

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Eugenia Woods Gust Blog

Sometimes, a night at home is just what the doctor ordered. Valentines at home can be just as nice as a big night on the town. Especially when said night falls on a weeknight (Thursday, ugh!).

Why not curl up on the couch in your most comfy pj’s and have a movie marathon complete with snacks and hamster slippers?!

Valentino pleated dress, Marni wool coat, Charlotte olympia, Diane Kordas rose gold jewelry, Bib necklace, Lancôme, Cabernet Champagne Flute Holmegaard

What are your plans for Valentines Day?

A little early to be thinking about this, I know…but I can’t help it. It’s my absolute favorite holiday! The cards, candy, hearts, all that pink and red…love love love!

Here is what I would dream of wearing this Valentines Day with my love.

In my head, we would go to some fabulous restaurant.

Then, take a walk around downtown with some frozen yogurt.

The shape of this dress is amazing. It’s demure, classy, chic and sexy (that color!) all at the same time. The shoes are seriously swoon worthy. Futuristic meets sassy lady. I tied it all together with this gorgeous white cape, fabulous clutch, statement necklace and lovely arrow ring (I had to throw a little cupid in there). Add some dramatic lashes and a bright pink lip and color me happy!

Oh, don’t forget about the champagne…cheers!

 Photography by Steve Erle

Digital Post-production by Eric Brockob Design