valentine sweets and local treats

not so into hallmark's version? me either.

but who could pass up an excuse to extra-spoil the ones you love with a day of hugs and homemade-with-love goodies?

and if you have a little loot to spend i have two local suggestions.

lavinia borcau in brookline village just launched its very own skin care line -- ooh-la-la! owner and skin care specialist lavinia unveiled the new organic line during a lovely reception wednesday night -- warmest congrats lavinia! the exfoliating mask is 16 facials in a bottle, a splurge worth every cent!

not done yet?

turn the corner and follow your nose because pod is promising serious treats. here's what owner julie has to say on her own blog: ...on Friday the 13th, our friend Sarah of morning granola fame will be dropping off nicely packaged pairs of chocolate ganache tartlets and chocolate kiss cookies made with Valrhona cocoa. There will be limited quantities of these delightfully home-made morsels so be sure to snatch some up quickly for you and the lovies in your world.

so maybe i'll see you there. and happy spoiling. you (and those you love) deserve it!

Dollhouses? Yes, Dollhouses.

I don’t get to the MFA nearly as often as I'd like. But recently, I did make time to take my son with some friends, and we all fell in love with the Rachel Whiteread exhibit.

Her illuminated English dollhouses come to life, truly. As viewers, or voyeurs, we become part of the exhibit, part of the Village. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.

To enter you pull apart heavy, dark, velvety drapes, making the reveal, the surprise of it that much more fantastical, magical.

This peaceful little city makes it easy to check any real-world weight at the door. You’re left with space to wonder what stories these houses have surely lived thanks to the little hands and big imaginations that fed them so.

Even the temptation to touch but knowing you mustn’t is fun.