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Kasey's Korner: Five Places to Find Gifts for Valentine's Day

Find out where to go in your neck of the woods to get that someone special a gift

Finding the perfect gift for your Valentine isn’t always an easy feat.  You want to get them something they’ll love, and something that shows how much you love them. 

This year, forgo the same old box of chocolates and dozen roses and get your special someone something ... well, special! 

Here are our top picks for great gifts and where to find them in Carrollwood:

1.    A New Kind of Bouquet

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If you’re considering sending your sweetie the traditional Valentine’s Day bouquet of roses, consider this: Many retailers offer arrangements that are just as pretty, but a whole lot tastier.  Cookies by Design creates custom cookie bouquets made from your choice of cookie type, colors, and themes.  They’ve got an assortment of adorable Valentine’s Day styles, from a bouquet of look-a-like roses to an array of cookies decorated with cute sayings like, “Be Mine” and “Cutie Pie."  Edible Arrangements also offers a unique way to send a bouquet.  These arrangements are made entirely of fruit that is even cut to look like flowers and leaves.  Get the original plain fruit bouquet, or for a special treat, ask about the chocolate-dipped fruit bouquet.  Orders from both retailers can be picked up in store, or delivered to local offices and residences.  Cookies by Design, 11740 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, 813-269-4403; Edible Arrangements, 14308 N. Dale Mabry Hwy # B, 813-264-4794.

2.    Heart-Shaped Jewelry

Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like heart-shaped jewelry, and no one does heart-shaped jewelry better than Brighton.  With its distinctive swirls and sterling silver finishes, you can find a style to suit almost anyone.  El’lay Boutique is an authorized Brighton dealer with a great selection of jewelry, from casual to dressy, and everything in between. Just a short drive east, Victorian Village also carries a great line of Brighton jewelry, as well as other Brighton pieces, like belts and handbags.  El’lay Boutique, 13172 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, 813-960-3221; Victorian Village, 6870 E. Fowler Ave., 813-989-0908.

3.    Gadgets for Him

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Shopping for the man in your life can be challenging on any occasion, but especially on Valentine’s Day.  Our advice?  Skip the lovey-dovey, mushy stuff and go for the things he’ll really enjoy, like gadgets.  One great place to find these grown-up toys is Brookstone.  They’ve got gadgets that are just for fun, like a remote control helicopter or hovercraft, and gadgets that are both fun and functional, such as a motorized grill brush or wireless headphones. Brookstone, 8085 Citrus Park Town Center, 813-926-4695.

4.    Memory Makers

Give your Valentine the gift of memory—that is, capturing memories!  A digital camera is the perfect way to capture special moments, and is a gift they’ll use for a long time to come.  Plus, with so many different styles and price points available, you can find the right camera to fit your budget.  A great way to enjoy all those fantastic photos is with a digital picture frame.  It allows you upload your digital pictures onto a screen with a decorative frame, and plays them continuously as a slide show.  Check out retailers like Target or Best Buy for a great selection of cameras and frames.  Target, 15240 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, 813-962-2281; Best Buy, 12675 Citrus Plaza Drive, 813-792-1707.

5.    A Day at the Spa

Show your loved one how much you care with a day that’s all about them.  From a pampering facial to a relaxing massage, a spa day is sure to make them feel special.  The Salon & Spa at Mystic Hair offers a variety of packages ranging from the six-hour “Platinum” experience to a 2-hour “Take a Break” mini spa day.  Many packages also include hair services, and can be customized to fit your preference.  Another great Carrollwood day spa, Shear Art Salon & Spa, offers similar packages, including a “Spa Sampler” that allows you to try out shortened versions of several spa services.  The Salon & Spa at Mystic Hair, 13801 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, 813-264-2215; Shear Art Salon & Spa, 13110 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, 813-968-4836.

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