Love is in the Air

Won't you be my galentine?

Hello, Gorgeous!

I never refer to my female friends as gals, and I’ve never watched Parks and Recreation. That said, I’m a big fan of Galentine’s Day, which is celebrated on February 13th and was created by Amy Poehler’s character on the show.

For this weekend's roundup, I’ll share cute things that help to celebrate the notion of celebrating the female friends we love consistently and unconditionally.

Hey, hot stuff

This Hot Stuff mug from Fred is slightly oversized, microwave safe, and all kinds of cute. Remind your bestie that you think they’re smokin’ hot (Normally $13, on sale for $9.75 at genuinefred.com). You could always add a few mug cake mixes and make it an extra thoughtful gift.

You glow, girl!

If you and your mom can’t make it to the spa, you can find a way to bring the spa home to you instead. ESW Beauty makes a whole bunch of fabulous kits, including their Pink Glow Express Revitalize & Glow Kit. There’s a ton going on here including Strawberries & Cream Soothing Raw Juice Mask, The Dream Team Sheet Mask Duo Pack, Pillow Talk Sheet Mask Duo Pack,Strawberry Matcha Latte Depuffing & Hydrating Eye Patches,Guava Mango Smoothie Advanced Smoothing Lip Treatment ($24.99, eswbeauty.com).

Celebrate your salad days

You know all those images with women grinning beatifically because they’re eating salad? It’s probably because they’re eating on these stunning Mikasa Love Story Pink salad plates with a swirly calligraphic heart design. These are great for your foodie friend to show off their love of cooking…or salad. ($34.99, Mikasa.com).

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Incidentally, fun giveaway announcement next week for paid subscribers only. Hint. It’s an entire set of dishes!

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All of the cherries, none of the pits

Artist and designer Claire Alba creates eclectic artistic products ranging from jewelry to an intimacy blanket. As she told me via email “I just made things I wanted for myself and put them up for sale.” Under her Corico label, she also created a fabulous cherry (or olive) bowl that shows off the fruit and hides the pits in a clever domed space for pits and shells. If only life was like that, too! ($49, Amazon.com).

Banned Books + Tarot? Yes, please!

If your BFF gravitates toward things that are banned or controversial or maybe a little bit woo woo (🙋🏻‍♀️), this is a most thoughtful giftie. The Banned Books Tarot Deck has wonderful artwork inspired by books we should all be reading and discussing including 1984 (and the sequel none of us want, 2025), To Kill a Mockingbird and The Catcher in The Rye ($22.49, Amazon.com).

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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).

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Luscious Lips

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FirmX Lip Filler is a great gift for your friend who’s addicted to the real housewives of everywhere but doesn’t want to go the full Rinna. While you can notice an immediate fuller look, the effects are definitely better over time. Another bonus is that it tackles lines around the lips. I’ve been informed that Guerlain Kiss Kiss Lip Lift is being discontinued (🤬). While this product isn’t a lip primer, it definitely works to soften and plump lips without an aggressive tingling feeling ($29, peterthomasroth.com).

A candle for the sexy gal in your life

While I love Lulu Candles soft pink rose-scented candle, it’s the Sexy Gal one that seems like a real treat. Made with 100% cotton wicks a clean burning, nontoxic, paraben free proprietary soy-blend wax formulation. It’s also slow burning and long lasting, which sounds like my wish list for my next significant other ($24.95, Amazon.com).

A sweet smelling stack

Naples Soap Company Sweetheart Soap Stack comes with four handmade bars of soap that smell pretty heavenly. It’s hard to decide between Sweet Cherry Almond Natural Soap, Red Hibiscus Natural Soap, Lavender with Buds Natural Soap (you should probably keep this one for yourself), Pure Paradise Natural Soap ($25.50, naplessoap.com).

Spill the tea

And finally, who says that you have to gossip over cocktails or great big glasses of wine? Tēthos creates incredibly sophisticated alcohol-free tipples that combine wine and grapes without the hangover. And the labels are so cute you’ll probably want to collect the entire collection. Black Tea Shiraz is made by combining rich Australian grapes and golden black tea selected from the finest tea regions in the world. Tēthos Blush Tea Rosé is a light fruity drink made from steeped silver needle tea and Shiraz grapes ($29.99 for each bottle, drinktethos.com).

Are you into the idea of Galentine’s Day and treats for your friends? (or self. I’m a huge proponent of treating yourself well and often). Let’s meet in the comments section to discuss.

Have a great weekend!

Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋