Valentine's Day in the Fort

February is finally upon us…the month of romance and my very favorite time of the year!  The freshness of love is in the air. I’m not talking about that scent you get when your sweetheart pulls the covers over your head in bed after eating Mexican, but the fresh scent and love that makes your heart flutter and eyes water because you are on the receiving end of gifts, gifts and more gifts!!!

As exciting as this day is for most of you, Valentine’s Day also happens to be my birthday, so it’s an even more special day for me. Growing up my parents made me feel like they sacrificed this day and dedicated it solely to yours truly. You may choose to believe they didn’t want to be in the hustle and bustle of the annual romantic interludes, but as surely as there is an Easter bunny and Santa Claus, I know better.  Don’t get me wrong, exceptional family dinners and fabulous birthday parties were the norm at our house for me and my two brothers but, St. Valentine’s day was all mine.

And now, one husband and two kids later, I have celebrate my special day in a variety of ways...sometimes with Jason whisking me away on a romantic overnight trip and other times celebrating with my parents and our boys. 

And of course, I can never pass up a birthday with girlfriends!  No matter the setting it is always extraordinary.

Valentine’s Day might not be as exceptional with added birthday excitement, but you can and should make your sweetheart feel as loved as I do on this day, if not more. With these planning tips and suggestions, you’ll surely be the most astonishing romantic in Fort Worth.

Let's start with dinner reservations.  If you haven't made them by now, your pickings are getting slimmer and slimmer.  I started calling my favorite romantic restaurants just last week, and several were already book or just had a few time slots open...so if you want that fine dining experience, you better hop on it.  Now, if your looking for a night out with your whole family, I have the perfect place.

Valentine‘s Family Night at Shaw's Patio Bar & Grill on Friday February 14, 2014
5:30 to 7:30 pm face painting, balloon artist and glitter tattoos
5:30 to 9 pm special Valentine Menu (regular menu available too)
Kids eat 1/2 off with purchase of adult entree
Fun Valentine Shakes

There's nothing better than hotel sex, especially on February 14th, right? No time like the present to call your favorite roadhouse. 

On several occasions, Jason and I have stayed at The Ashton Hotel in downtown Fort Worth.  This pet friendly, AAA Four Diamond-rated luxury boutique hotel has only 39 rooms and serves the best Afternoon Tea in their top-rated restaurant SIX 10 GRILLE. 

For that “CALGON, take me away” moment, Bella Retreat Spa & Salon is running amazing specials for the month of Love. Kay, the owner of this spa & salon, has given me facials for years and even taught me how to apply my own make at 12 years old...in the heydays, she was the lead Esthetician at the salon in Neiman Marcus.

Stop by and purchase a gift certificate for any of the following February specials, or better yet, surprise her with a booked treatment.  Bella will be serving champagne and chocolate for each guest on Valentine's day.

The Red Carpet Treatment $95
Haircut, Shampoo, Deep Condition & Blowout Style with Liz

XOXO Package $75
Brown Sugar Body Scrub & Polish followed by a Customized Airbrush Tan

Cupid's Kiss $150
Oxygen Infused Facial with Brown Sugar Body Scrub & Polish

Pure Bliss $100
Hydrating Spa Facial with Hot Paraffin Hand & Foot Treatment

Ultimate Indulge $175
Firming Facial, Hot Paraffin Mask, Eye Contouring Firming Treatment with Head, Neck & Shoulder Massage

Laser Facial $150  reg $175.00


Oxygen Facial w/ Robin  $75.00  reg
$100.00 

Microdermabrasion w/ Robin  $20 off



1 Hour Couples Massage $150  reg $200


Bronzed Beauty
Customized Airbrush Tan $30  reg $40
AND 25% off Laser Therapy through the month of February only

No Valentine’s Day should ever go by without the giving or receiving of flowers. EVER! Darla, owner of Blossoms on the Bricks, has whipped up some super special arrangements just for SoFortWorthIt readers.  These make great gifts for teachers, daughters, friends and loved ones, plus she delivers anywhere in Fort Worth for just $10.

Box of Love with Roses, Succulents and fresh moss $65 

Box of Love with all Roses and fresh moss $55

Square Glass Vase with flowers $35 and Love Vase $25

Valentine's Day is never complete if it doesn't include lots of sugar. Truly Scrumptious Bakery will cook up these sweet treats for your little sweets!  Everyone will be overjoyed when they get one of these yummy nibbles as a gift from you. 

Valentine Cookies
$15 for 4-6 assorted shapes and sizes or $36 per dozen
(wrapped up and ready for gift giving) 

Specialty cookies for events such as weddings, showers and birthday parties can be packaged individually and customized for party favors, and range from $36-48 per dozen based on size and detail of cookies.

Looking for that unique and thoughtful gift idea for your man this Valentine’s Day?  Local craft brewery Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., and local chocolate artisan Dude, Sweet Chocolate, have joined together to come up with Beer & Chocolate Pairings.

1ST PAIRING
• The Beer: Ugly Pug (available year-round)
          Black lager with slight notes of bitter chocolate and coffee
• The Chocolate: Laphroaig Truffle
          Made from an Islay single malt scotch whiskey and barley
• Together:
          The chocolate's strong, smoky, whiskey flavor becomes enhanced with the carbonation of the beer; gives a nice palette cleanser for the next bite

#1

2ND PAIRING
• The Beer: Iron Thistle (available January-April)
          A dark, Scottish ale that has deeply malty, caramel, light hops
• The Chocolate: Flower Child Truffle
          Made with bergamot, orange and jasmine—fruity and floral notes
• Together:
          The body of the beer and the mouth feel of the chocolate are very similar, and when paired together, the sweetness from each one complement each other very well

#2

3RD PAIRING
• The Beer: Snowmageddon (available February)
         An oatmeal stout that is rich, roasty and bold—yet smooth-bodied; it has dark coffee aromas and semi-sweet chocolate flavors with a creamy body and a semi-dry finish
• The Chocolate: Hanoi Fudge
          Vietnamese coffee house style fudge, sweetened with condensed milk
• Together:
          The mouth feels of the chocolate and its chewiness is very complex, and that same first overall impression is experienced in the beer, as the oatmeal in it gives it a rich texture; the coffee in the fudge elevates the roasted flavors in the beer

#3

SoFortWorthIt GIVEAWAY!!!

Now that your mouth is watering, you’re dying to spend a day at the spa, AND you’ve decided you deserve some much needed rest at a hotel…you are in for the time of your life. My awesome friends from above have come together for the BEST ROMANTIC GIFT EVER!!! 

Gift certificate from Shaw’s Burgers ($25 value)
Night at The Ashton Hotel ($259 value)
Custom facial with Robin at Bella Retreat ($100 value)
Box of Love from Blossoms on the Bricks ($55 value)
Box of cookies from Truly Scrumptious Bakery ($15 value)
6 pack of beer from Rahr & Son’s ($8 value)
3 boxes of chocolate from Dude, Sweet Chocolate ($32 value)

Yup, that’s right!  This $494 package is going to ONE VERY LUCKY WINNER on Wednesday, February 12th. (Please read the official rules for details so you don’t miss out)