Let's Dish!

The weekend roundup includes a fabulous giveaway, cloud-soft sneakers, chocolate for days and female assassins

Feb 14, 2025

Hello, Gorgeous!

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s amazing to me that a holiday with such a bawdy and bloody history has become an awwww-inducing Hallmark holiday.

Since I ❤️ sharing some of my favorite finds with you, let’s get to the goodies that will make your heart race without breaking the bank.

Giveaway alert: I love and appreciate all my readers, but this giveaway is for paid subscribers only. One paid subscriber will win a Darbie Angell 12-Piece Blush Rising Up Dinnerware Set. Scroll down for the details. Want an extra chance to win? Comment on this post, re-stack, or share!

Your online shopping assistant

Is it weird to get this excited about a box cutter? Probably, but this finger-friendly Slice Box cutter has ceramic blades and an ergonomic, ambidextrous design. There’s also a lockable blade to prevent accidents. I open so many boxes daily, and this nifty box cutter makes the task almost effortless. It’s best to use to cut the tape on packages, but in a pinch, it will help with cutting up boxes for recycling. ($16 ish on Amazon).

Besties to die for

I’ve been waiting to rave about this title until it was closer to the release date. Kills Well With Others is Deanna Raybourn’s fun, funny, bittersweet, scathing sequel to Killers of a Certain Age (you have time to read it now before the new book drops early next month). It’s a fun romp about four female assassins of a certain age targeted by an assassin from within their organization. It’s like the love/hate child of a Hallmark mystery and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. You can pre-order now on Amazon for $29.

A classic heart-shaped box of chocolates

Did you forget to buy anything for your one and only? Don’t worry. CVS and many local stores carry the always amazingly delicious Lindt chocolates. Lindt Valentine's Passion Heart Assorted Gourmet Chocolate Candy Truffles cost $29.99. Incidentally, a big thank you to my friends at Lindt for sending over SO MUCH chocolate. You’ll be happy to know I shared widely, especially with those recently widowed or suffering from broken hearts.

Go with the flow

If you decide to keep all the truffles for yourself (I don’t judge), you can go for a run (or leisurely stroll) to burn off all the extra calories (though I’m pretty convinced that Valentine’s Day chocolate has zero calories). Hoka Skyflow running shoes have some sort of magic marshmallow-like sole that banishes knee pain even when running on city sidewalks. They also have an extra boost of heel support, so you can stomp around angrily if your honey forgets to shower you with V’Day gifts. Or treat yourself to these sneaks and forget about relying on anyone else’s gifties ($159.95, Road Runner Sports).

An instant glow-up

I feel quite comfortable predicting that Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush Brightening Serum Blush will become an instant classic. Dab on your cheeks to fake the look of being in love. This lovely, subtle, cool pink tone warms lighter skin and adds a mysterious glow to more melanated faces ($25, Sephora).

Win this gorgeous dinnerware set!!! (now with added !!!!)

One paid subscriber to Hello Gorgeous! will be randomly chosen to win this Darbie Angell 12-Piece Blush Rising Up dinnerware set. You’ll swoon for the subtle pops of color and textured details that bring a stylish look to your table and Instagram feed. The 12-piece dinnerware set is dishwasher and microwave-safe and includes 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, and 4 all-purpose bowls. Want to feel even better about this set of dinnerware? Rising Up is more than just beautiful dinnerware; it’s a collection with a cause. Darbie Angell invests in the future of young women, giving them a chance to Rise Up by donating to help build schools for girls. (Regular price $105, Amazon).

I may earn a small commission from sales made using the links in this post. (Probably not, since I’m kinda lazy about chasing down affiliate programs).

Some retro tunes

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Nashville legend Brenda Lee’s long out-of-print 1963 early career collection, Love You!, is now available to stream. I’ve been listening to her cover of Hank Williams's Your Cheatin’ Heart, recorded back when she was a teen in 1956. It took nearly three decades for that song to be released and another few decades for this stunning version. You can listen to a preview here.

In the pink

This is the time of year when I can’t look at all my black sweaters and crave something pink or jewel-toned. This Pointelle Pullover Sweater from Old Navy has really nice detailing, including an airy crochet-looking section on both sleeves from collar to cuffs. The Vivid Begonia shade is also irresistible. So is the price. (On sale right now for $30.99 at OldNavy.gap.com).

And that reminded me of this Grateful Dead chestnut to ease us into the weekend.

And that’s all for the day of love. Do you have any V’Day plans, or is it a day like any other? Let’s meet in the comment section to discuss!

Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋