The Daily Valet. - 2/10/20, Valentine's Day 2
✔️ Your Last-Minute Valentine's Plan
Valentine’s Day Edition
When in doubt, a good bottle of Champagne makes a nice impression.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Get Your Place Ready for Romance
How to date-proof your apartment
What makes a man a good date? He should be courteous and charming, sophisticated and in control of the situation. That shouldn't all end when you walk into to your place.
Whether they're "just coming up for a cup of coffee," a nightcap (maybe two) or a proper Valentine’s Day date, your home should reflect the kind of man you are, or at least, hope to be.
After all, a man who lives alone or with other male roommates could be living in a veritable minefield of potential romance-killing disasters. Thankfully, we’ve got some expert tips to ensure your place looks and feels good to all who enter.
↦ Read: A checklist of things to take care of in order to make your place ready for guests.
Let’s Talk About Lube
The best options for any kind of night you have planned
Permit me to be blunt, but being a good lover almost always means having a proper lubricant on hand. It's absolutely vital for long, hot sessions.
And any man who wants to ensure a good night should have his nightstand stocked. But which is the right one to have on hand? Buying lube can be tricky, as they all seem to promise the same thing. Especially if all you're used to is the stuff being sold at the drugstore where you buy your condoms.
Think of lube like underwear. The bargain stuff is fine, it gets the job done, but quality underwear is better in a myriad of ways, right? It looks better and you feel better in it. Herewith, the best lubes for all sorts of situations.
↦ Read: The best bottles for any activity (and how to remove tricky lube stains from sheets).
Special Promotion
Meet the Coffee Matchmaker
You know the difference between a great cup of coffee and one that's just okay. This Valentine's Day, gift the coffee lover in your life a subscription to Trade, which asks how you take your coffee and then makes smart suggestions based on your taste. They've pulled together over 400 incredible coffees from local roasters across the nation and allow you to discover new and comforting coffees as often as you like. It's as easy as it sounds and right now, you can score 30% off your first bag and free shipping when you start a subscription using code VALET
↦ Learn More: Coffee subscription gifts from Trade
A Good Place to Start ...
Ethiopia Duromina Cooperative, $22.10 by City of Saints
LSD Blend, $20 by Passion House
Blue Orchid Blend, $18.85 $16 by Huckleberry
Guatemala El Injerto Natural, $24.75 by Equator
Agaro, $19.20 by Passenger
Ethiopia, $14.75 by Necessary
↦ Learn More: Coffee subscription gifts from Trade
Be a Master Charmer
Win over your potential Valentine with your natural charm
Charm. It's a slippery thing to try to define in concrete terms, but like good (or bad) art, you know it when you see it, don't you?
It's about being engaging, memorable and likable. In a slightly cynical view, it's like sales. It's all about making people feel good about dealing with you—be it in a business meeting, at a friend's party or simply with your Uber driver.
And it can certainly serve you well in this life. Here are ten surefire ways to turn up the charm at work, on dates and in general.
↦ Read: Here’s what naturally charming people do (and don’t do).
Ready to Win Valentine’s Day?
A few gift suggestions for men and women that will prove you’re the best significant other ever
Preserved “living wall,” $215 by The Sill
Bourbon tasting gift set, $81.99 by Kings County Distillery
Champagne rough diamond necklace, $58 by Julia Szendrei
Cotton glen plaid robe, $228 / $160 by Sleepy Jones
Welton bi-metal watch, $158 by Timex + Todd Snyder
Laser-guided robot vacuum, $529.99 / $322.59 by Neato
CBD-infused chocolates, $30 by To Whom It May
⋆ 1,000-piece puzzle makes for an intriguing low-key date night
Frank Lloyd Wright jigsaw puzzle, $19.99 by Galison
↦ Shop: All of our gift picks
Special Promotion
When Staying In Sounds Good …
This Valentine’s Day, avoid the crowds and the overpriced pre-fixe menus. Stay home and opt for some easy yet effective self-care. Masking and Netflix? It makes for a fun (and funny) date night idea. And the Marine Layer sheet masks from Port Products is almost too easy, considering how effective it is. Throw on the cooling bio-cellulose mask and oceanic algae and peptides get to work reviving dull skin and reducing redness and fine lines. What's more, unlike some masks that slip and slide off your face, this one really hangs on, allowing you to sit up and watch TV while you treat yourself. When you pull the mask off, you’ll see each other in a whole new light.
↦ Get It $44 (for a four-pack) by Port Products
The Best Non-Gifts to Give
Also known as “last-minute” or “don’t panic” gifts
If you don't want to give a traditional gift for Valentine's Day, or can't figure out what to get your special someone ... consider the old adage: actions speak louder than words.
Get the special man or woman in your life something more than a bauble to unwrap. Gift them a subscription to a service you know would make their lives better. Treat them to an opportunity to learn more about something they love. Or just make their day with not-your-average flowers.
↦ Read: All the best classes, subscriptions and flowers to give at a moment’s notice.
Good luck out there...
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