{"id":18916,"date":"2013-02-01T00:01:10","date_gmt":"2013-02-01T05:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wendybrandes.com\/blog\/?p=18916"},"modified":"2013-02-01T00:50:00","modified_gmt":"2013-02-01T05:50:00","slug":"love-valentines-day-hate-it-ive-got-jewelry-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendybrandes.com\/blog\/2013\/02\/love-valentines-day-hate-it-ive-got-jewelry-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Love Valentine’s Day? Hate It? I’ve Got Jewelry for You."},"content":{"rendered":"

I bristle when I hear people complain that Valentine’s Day is a manufactured, consumerist holiday, then claim that THEY always express love with thoughtful gifts or acts on ordinary days. That would be lovely if it were true, but I suspect many of those folks of talking the talk, but not walking the walk. Blame my first serious boyfriend. He used to say that kind of stuff, but when did he ever get me a surprise gift? Flowers? A card? Anything? If he did, I don’t remember it. However, I vividly recall the time he gave me a big box for my combination December birthday\/holiday gift. Rolling around inside were mink earmuffs and a stuffed pig that walked a few steps and oinked when you wound it up. (I was 20 or 21, mind you, not 13.) I cried for two days. It was so humiliating! Imagine someone asking, “What did your boyfriend get you for your birthday?” and having to answer, “An oinking pig.”<\/p>\n

Fortunately, many years later, I married MrB, who does indeed do little thoughtful things all the time: getting me delicious Cadbury Dairy Milk bars<\/a> and Diet Snapples<\/a>; bringing refrigerator magnets<\/a> back from business trips; and walking the dogs on a cold nights. But he also celebrates holidays and birthdays in a pig-free way. And guess what? It’s nice!<\/p>\n

Valentine’s Day is a good day to be nice. Giving can be better than receiving, so if you’re depressed about not being in a romantic relationship, why not cheer yourself up by spreading cheer to others? During my single days, my friends and I sent flowers to each other or went to dinner. Maybe you could send a card to your dad or call your grandmother. (Note to self: Call grandmother on Valentine’s Day!) Treat yourself too: I’m never shy about buying myself a Whitman’s Sampler<\/a> from the drugstore.<\/p>\n

My Jewels of the Month<\/a> for February are appropriate for any Valentine’s possibility. You can get them for a lovah,<\/a> friend, family member or yourself. I’ve added to my WENDYB by Wendy Brandes<\/a> collection of mix-and-match stud earrings<\/a> with this “Heart You” pair.<\/p>\n

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“Heart You” mixed stud earrings in sterling silver. $70. Click to purchase.<\/p><\/div>\n

These are five millimeters high, the same as my other stud earrings. You can see how a five-millimeter letter earring looks on gorgeous blogger Megan Mae here<\/a>. I have the same style in 18K yellow gold.<\/p>\n

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“Heart You” mixed stud earrings in 18K yellow gold. $450. Click to purchase.<\/p><\/div>\n

If nothing I say can cure you of your hatred for Valentine’s Day, I’ve got you covered. Express your hostility with my “Screw You” earrings.<\/p>\n

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“Screw You” mixed stud earrings in sterling silver. $70. Click to purchase.<\/p><\/div>\n

The 18K-gold version of this pair is my new everyday ear wear. It goes well with my IDGAF necklace<\/a>, no?<\/p>\n

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“Screw You” mixed stud earrings in 18K yellow gold. $450. Click to purchase.<\/p><\/div>\n

Suffering from mood swings? Are you madly in love some days and pissed off other days? All of these studs are available separately so you can buy one heart, one screw and one U. Wear whatever suits you at the moment! Of course, you can also buy two hearts or two screws. Two U earrings would be funny for anyone with a W initial. Here are the single-stud silver options:<\/p>\n