valentine's day

Ah Valentine's day. What once was a simple celebration of the coming of spring and fertility is now a day fraught with last minute rose purchases and a whole lot of marketing. Now I don't really believe all the hype, but you should get her something, right? My personal thought? Just give her nice things all the time, for no reason at all. Then, things like birthdays and v-days won't be so stressful.

You didn't listen and order that Reform School poster did you? Go ahead make her that mixtape. It's probably like getting a popsicle stick picture frame as a gift; it's full of love, but it's just not as cool as a nice pair of shoes. If you must, throw on 'Better Job' by One for the team. Who wouldn't want to move to Brooklyn and get internships at matador records? Remember, just cause John Cusack does it in a movie doesn't mean it's actually that cool/romantic in real life.

Too cool for school? You're probably thinking lingerie, right? Now, personally I always thought in the back of her head, a girl thought a gift of lingerie a tad presumptuous and maybe a little selfish. But, evidently, as long as you have taste, a nice gift will always be appreciated. Guys, that doesn't mean go to lover's lane and pick up whatever you saw the girls wearing at the....ballet. No links here creeper. Go look for it yourself.

Planning a trip would be cool. Go someplace not like home. Probably some place warm.

Skip flowers. Chocolate maybe. I'd go shoes. Or gloves. Something still kind of small that will come in a box.

But don't just take my word for it: I asked a few bloggers their thoughts about the holiday. Here was the questionnaire:

1. Valentine's Day, big deal?
2. Lingerie, yes or no?
   
3. What do you get your Valentine?
   
4. Flowers, chocolate, or shoes?
5. Worst Valentine's Day gift?
   
6. If it were a getaway where to?

What did the inimitable Kristopher Dukes have to say?

1. "Everything in life is what you make of it."
2. "Lingerie is like any other gift -- appreciated, so long as the giver has taste."
3. "A lady'll never tell. Or she'll lie."
4. "An Aston Martin?"
5. "Once I was presumptuous and gave myself an njoy 'Pure' wand. Wait, did you say, 'worst'?"
6. "Hmm, away."

What did our favorite Binghamton fashionista Lesley, from dear lord...the CHEESE think?

1. "Personally, I don't think that Valentine's Day is that big of a deal. I think that it's the little things that you and your partner do for each other that really show how you feel. Like why do I need a day to tell me that I should show the person I love that I love him? He should already know."
2. "Appropriate. I love lingerie. It's fun!"
3. "He gets me. Isn't that enough? Or some clothes."
4. "Flowers. Hate. Chocolate. Love. Shoes. Love Love."
5. "I can't complain about anything."
6. "Someplace HOT. I live up in the arctic tundra so I'd like a tan."
   

In general, if she's cool, Valentine's day really isn't going to be that big of a deal. She'll smile at whatever you get her and look amazing for your date that night. So don't sweat it.

Kristopher Dukes

First, I'll admit that I am a sucker for girls with boys' names. I don't know why. I've flirted with the idea of naming my future daughter with a boy's name but was reticent only because I figured any offspring of mine would suffer enough abuse without having a different gender's name. But if Kristopher Dukes is any indication, girls with boys' names are everything I project on them; smart, funny, sexy, and confident.

Kristopher's blog is like a reification of all that is good in fashion journalism. She does not take herself too seriously (although seriously enough to always be wearing high heels) and she doesn't take fashion too seriously. Rather than a sycophantic blog that heralds the 'next big thing' or heaps praises on designers, hers is a blog that expresses her unique take on fashion.

Although I've never met her nor even spoken with her in person, I have a feeling Kristopher Dukes is one of those women everyone falls in love with at some point. She's been cooler than you since she was 5 and is more accomplished than most writers twice her age. Her vernacular is classy and sartorial and she probably walks better in 5 inch heels than you do in Air Force Ones. Plus she rocks a bob and has way before you thought about it since you saw Posh Spice with the bob she ripped off of Nancy Kwan. (google it)

All this praise and I've barely even spoken about her blog. That's probably because her blog, even though accessible and enjoyed by people all over the world, seems like a natural extension of her personality and sensibilities. It shows her penchant for sexy heels, flapper-inspired dresses, and her loathing of overly designed pieces. But it also shows her real skill as a writer. She takes her craft seriously and is good at it.

So, girls, please start biting Kristopher's style. Immediately. It would make the world a better place, I promise. And guys check out the blog but be careful, it may make all those girls who wear uggs and hard tail pants simply unbearable. But perhaps it's better we don't strive for women like Ms. Dukes. They'd just break our hearts anyways...

Check her blog out here