Five Unique Ways To Celebrate Love This Valentine's Day

Lingerie isn't just for the bedroom anymore as evidenced by the Midnight Lace Bralette from Haute Hot Lingerie

Chocolates and roses are the traditional gift to express your love on Valentine's Day. But today's gift-giver should think beyond the traditional. We are living in an Instagram world and people want something new, exciting and most, importantly, photographable. From gemstones the size of your car to smoking cocktails to jaw-dropping lingerie, here are five unique ways to impress your Valentine.

Explore the Perot Museum (sans kids) at Romancing the Stone, offering guests ages 21 and up a gem-themed celebration of love Feb. 14 from 7-11 p.m. The evening will feature engaging activities focused on romantic jewels and the science of love and attraction. Ticket holders can hear about the history of the engagement ring, crack a geode, pan for take-home sapphires, take photos in a 360-degree photo booth and more, all while enjoying an Italian-themed progressive dinner and more. Dinner and dessert included. Cash bars available. Cocktail attire suggested. Tickets are $70 for members and $75 for non-members. Tickets and more info can be found at perotmuseum.org/romance.

The TruLuv cocktail at Truluck's

Dining at Truluck's is always a great way to show the one you love how much you treasure them, but on Valentine's Day (Friday, February 14) they will be turning up the romance dial a notch or two to make your experience even more unforgettable.

Upon entering the restaurant, you will be escorted to a table scattered with rose petals. Order your usual favorites from their menu and pair it with a cocktail created just for the occasion - The TruLuv made with dry ice smoke, Vodka, cava, Chambord, pineapple juice, and raspberries. Truluck's will have a roaming photographer on-site and provide you with a complimentary polaroid to remember the evening. Cap off the night with complimentary truffles or order Truluck's famous Carrot Cake or delicious Baked Alaska.

Uptown: 2401 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201, 214-220-2401
Southlake: 1420 Plaza Place, Southlake, TX 76092, 817-912-0500

Haute Hot's 'Made You Look' set

Haute Hot lingerie offers unique lingerie pieces that can be contoured to fit a woman’s exact body-type and worn in the bedroom or out on the town. Haute Hot Creator, Alisa Culp, built the company out of her own frustrations with not being able to find beautiful lingerie to fit her “non-standard” body type. After years of having to simply settle for whatever would fit, Alisa decided to create a better solution for women with fuller busts or smaller waists. Anything but standard, the Haute Hot brand is all about creating chic, edgy and (above all) sexy pieces that celebrate and flatter the female form.

Haute Hot Lingerie uses Ourglass technology that allows women to fit each piece to their unique measurements using sliders on each garment in key areas to create an exact fit. No more buying the same size top and bottom, no more settling for almost good enough. Feel confident and sexy in Haute Hot’s uniquely designed lingerie that hugs every curve and highlights every feature. Shop online at www.HauteHotLingerie.com.

Chef Cassy Jones

Celebrity Chef Cassy Jones will be hosting an intimate evening on Sunday, February 15 at Canton Street Events. Jones is well-known for her famous Fried Collard Greens at the State Fair of Texas. She has also appeared in an episode of Guy Fieri's grocery store-themed game show Guy’s Grocery Games on the Food Network and an episode of The Cooking Channel’s Carnival Eats hosted by Noah Cappe.

Throughout the evening, you will be wined and dined with a 4-course dinner including your choice of a baked chicken or tequila lime salmon; lobster mac and cheese, vegetable medley, baby baked potatoes and dessert. Entertainment will be provided by the sounds of saxophonist Demmond Lee and DJ Mr. Magic. Prepay at $75 per person, or pay $100 per person at the door. Payment can be made via Cash App $chefcassy, Venmo @Cassy-Jones-2, or PayPal chefcassy@gmail.com. Canton Street Events is located at 1204 Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75215.

Today's savvy gift-giver needs to be more innovative with their tokens of affection than simply buying a box of chocolates - which is why I love this gift selection from The Dough Dough! Owner, Gina Ginsburg Farmer, serves up edible cookie dough and dough confections that are safe to eat raw. Her cookie dough-inspired desserts make this a must-try store for anyone with a sweet tooth.

For Valentine's, Farmer is offering cookie dough bite boxes:  2 doz. pieces for $24.99.  Iced Heart Cookies: $4.00 each or 6 for $20.00. Buy two containers of dough and get 1 FREE! (I won't tell if you keep the freebie for yourself, because I am totes into self-love). The Dough Dough is located at 5915 Forest Ln. Suite 320, Dallas, Tx 75230