A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

My life in the city is pretty hectic. Between a full-time job, catching a show when I can, going to dinner parties, meeting girlfriends for happy hour, and squeezing in the rare workout, there's not much time left to find a quiet spot and just sit. That's why I love the idea of this Lands End Picnic Wine Basket — it encourages people to escape the insanity and head to the park or even out to the country for a relaxing afternoon.

With four china plates, four goblets, cloth napkins and a tablecloth, two insulated bags (one for wine and one for cheese and fruit), and a stainless steel service set for four, the picnic wine basket has all the trappings for a perfect day in the park with close friends or loved ones. A perfect anniversary or birthday gift!

Lands' End Picnic Wine Basket starting at $299

What do you get the tech savvy girl that likes a bit of luxury and a whole lot of glam? The 1GB Swarovski Heart Ware USB Memory Key. It's the girliest USB drive we could find and a true example of geek meets chic–when not in use it looks like a shiny heart pendant on a silk cord.

Load it up with fun photos or songs and it's a perfect anniversary or birthday gift for gadget loving women. For other fashionable high-tech gifts read our gift guide: Haute Technology.

Swarovski Heart Ware USB Memory Key starting at $180

If you still don't have a gift for Valentine's Day (that's today!) you're in trouble. But don't run out to the drugstore just yet. I've got the perfect last minute gift idea for you: a romantic hot air balloon flight. It's quick and easy to set up but will look like you spent a ton of time planning—and isn't that what you want?

You'll enjoy a calm, peaceful ride over beautiful countryside–an ideal backdrop to a very romantic excursion. By the time you land, your sweetheart will be on cloud nine. Which is way better than where a box of cheap chocolates will get you. Print off the certificate and line up a date for your ride now and present it to your Valentine over dinner. You do have a dinner reservation, don't you?

Hot Air Balloon Flight starting at $200

Did you know that a single bouquet of flowers can not only brighten your sweetie's day, but can also help in the fight against AIDS? Every Hallmark Believe Bouquet from (PRODUCT) RED includes nine gorgeous red roses, leucadendron and papyrus, grown and arranged by African farmers. Each message card reads, "Believe in a thousand impossible things you've never believed before."

More meaningful than a bouquet bought at the corner market, the inspiRED bouquet is a perfect last minute Valentine's Day gift that expresses your love and charitable heart. 

Hallmark Believe–Hallmark RED Bouquet starting at $49.95

Uh-oh, it's been a crazy month with the Super Bowl, Super Tuesday, Mardi Gras and all the hoopla following and now it's almost Valentine's Day and you've just realized you still haven't gotten your guy or gal something special.

Don't worry, the Juniors Chocolate Covered Heart Cheesecake is the perfect last minute, mouth-watering treat for your Valentine. Handmade by the Expert Bakers at Juniors in Brooklyn, the New York heart-shaped cheesecake is covered in enough decadent chocolate to satisfy the biggest sweet tooth.

Juniors Chocolate Covered Heart Cheesecake starting at $49.99

Forget Kama Sutra and oysters, if you want to give a real aphrodisiac to your Valentine this year, check out the mouthwatering Theo Organic Chocolate Gift Set. Each piece is made by hand with only the purest ingredients and Fair Trade cocoa beans. From sensual rose and aromatic lavender to spicy jalapeño and hot ceylon cinnamon ganache, the sexy and innovative flavor combinations are designed to arouse pleasure and warm the heart.

Save the champagne for another time, the box of Theo Organic Chocolates is a last minute gift that will be intoxicating enough! 

Theo Organic Chocolates starting at $42

Lingerie can be a tricky Valentine's Day gift. You don't want to make her look like a cheap hooker, but you also don't want to get her something Grandma would wear. Why not go with something that falls perfectly in the middle, like this cute but sexy Juicy Couture Heart Print Feather Chemise?

The adorable nightie has a flirty heart print that screams Valentine's Day—but in a tasteful way. It's just cozy enough for her to cuddle up in at night, but its low cut style and short hem are sure to heat things up on February 14 (just remember to order by noon on February 13!). Mission accomplished.

Juicy Couture Heart Print Feather Chemise Sleepwear starting at $88

You know flowers are the way to a girl's heart—especially on Valentine's Day—but if she's more of a new flame than a longtime lover, two dozen red roses might not be the way to go. But two dozen pink roses? Right on.

But isn't a rose is a rose is a rose? Not quite. Just check out our Flower Color Guide. The cheat sheet explains the significance behind every flower color, so you can know what you're saying with your bundle of blooms. For example, pink flowers will show her how much you appreciate your budding relationship.

I love this gorgeous bouquet of 24 long-stemmed pink roses because it comes paired with the classic fragrance Romance from Ralph Lauren. Nothing better than two gifts in one! And there's still time to send these and other Valentine's flowers to get to your sweetheart by Thursday.

Ralph Lauren Flowers & Fragrance Petite Bouquet starting at $129.95

Ever since her film, Me and You and Everyone We Know, I've been a fan of Miranda July. In her new book, Learning to Love You More, July collaborates with Harrell Fletcher to bring together some of the best of learningtoloveyoumore.com. The site gives readers assignments to help them capture everyday expressions of love like "draw a scene from a movie that made you cry."

Both the site and the book are beautiful reminders that love–in all its forms–isn't always expressed in over-the-top gestures. Sometimes it's as simple giving a sweet book on Valentine's Day to someone that you know will love it as much as you would.

Miranda July - Learning to Love You More starting at $11.97

Sometimes, bigger really is better. And more really is, well, more. Take these hundred roses, for example. If you really want to wow her on Valentine's Day, try filling her room (or office) with a hundred gorgeous red blooms, a pretty champers cooler (for that bottle of Dom Perignon, clearly) and a box of truffles.

It's an easy yet extravagant Valentine's Day gift that will perfectly express your devotion in a lavish way. And if you've "forgotten" to buy your better half a gift until now, you're in luck because you can line this one up last minute.

100 Roses, Champagne Cooler & Gourmet Truffles starting at $399.95