Temple of Glam

Raise your hand if you had the pleasure of gaining the "Freshman 15". Never the bandwagon-jumper, I gained my 15 lbs. during my senior year. Blimey, I'm a rebel! That year I went through the obligatory emotions: denial, bewilderment, and full-blown obsession about the new-found junk in my very-spacious trunk.

Ready for today's Valentine's Day gift that's appropriate for all girls--committed and single and yet somehow related to the TMI story above? I give you a set of chocolate-covered strawberries. The seemingly traditional V-Day gift isn't at all. It's a set of lip glosses *GONG*!

The Strawberry Sweet Lips Set ($12) is a trio of plump (plastic) strawberries, which hold Vitamin E-enriched lip gloss. So like, I'm imagining pulling one out in front of a Godiva store as they're hand dipping their strawberries. I'd then think, "eat your hearts out, suckers" as I called Papa John's via speed dial. It's the circle of carbs, my friends. The circle of carbs.

Valentine's Day can conjur up a range of feelings in different people. I've already mentioned what happens to me at the very sight of Russell Stover chocolates; for those who don't remember, I take a one-way trip to Puke Town (sorry, grandma).

So let's be real. Whether you're in a relationship or not, Valentine's Day can be a big ol' cliche wrapped in a huge red bow.

As a result, this week I'm on a quest to scope out Valentine's Day gifts that are (dare I say) interesting and hell, maybe even appropriate for singletons! That said, I give you the Tough Love Necklace ($34). I love this sterling silver and pewter number because it's applicable to the "single", "in a relationship", and even the "it's complicated" folks.

For the singles, it's a reminder that you gotta' stay strong in the crazy dating world. For the "in a relationship" peeps, love is a beautifully resilient thing. For the "it's complicated" clan, love can sometimes feel like he's taken a hammer and smashed your heart to smithereens. Poetic, ain't it?