5 Things We Love: For Your Valentine

A shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.

1. Diamond strands work year-round

When I was a kid, I didn’t care much for jewelry, balking whenever my mom tried to slip one of her emerald jade bracelets on me. Since then, I’ve come around, recognizing that expensive meals and chocolates are consumed and gone, flowers die, and in romance, nothing says forever quite like precious stones. I was in Tiffany & Co. recently, eyeing some of the Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard jewelry. I like the simplicity of the bracelets and necklaces that make it possible to wear these pieces 365 days a year, from casual to dress-up occasions. I particularly like the 16-inch necklace in 18-karat gold with three round brilliant diamonds ($2,650) and matching three-diamond bracelet ($925). No, I don’t own these yet, but for those who believe in the art of manifesting, wishes come true by clearly stating them to the universe. (If that doesn’t work: Honey, I’m talking to you!) Other Valentine’s Day options at Tiffany & Co. include heart lockets of sterling silver inscribed with "I Love You" ($450), a new Soleste pendant with cushion-cut diamonds and a pink diamond border, and infinity bracelets and necklaces. Gifts all come in the iconic Tiffany Blue box. —Nadine Kam

2. Show love with locally made baubles

If Tiffany isn’t in your budget, these sweet rose gold-filled earrings by local designer Lauren Yamashita of Imi Jewelry will melt your beloved’s heart. They’re $32 at Owens & Co., 1152 Nuuanu Ave.; 531-4300. The matching ring is $30. —Donica Kaneshiro

3. Cookies satisfy both heart and belly

Whip up sweets for your sweetheart with a recipe from "Hawai‘i Bakes," a new cookbook from Mutual Publishing ($14.95) featuring baked goods, plus toffee, sauces, gelee and local desserts such as mochi and haupia. Here’s an easy chocolatey cookie recipe:

Fudge Cookies
2-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts or white chocolate chips

In medium saucepan, combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and butter. Cook over low heat, stirring, until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Divide dough into thirds, shaping each into an 8-inch log. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut chilled logs into 1/4-inch slices and place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes until tops are slightly crusted. Cool 2-3 minutes before removing from baking sheets. Makes about 3 dozen. —Joleen Oshiro

4. Sweet cacao soap nourishes skin

Who doesn’t love chocolate? You can’t eat this organic Hawaiian cacao soap by The Indigenous Soap Co. of Oahu, but it will leave your skin feeling nourished. The ground cacao is sourced locally from Madre Chocolate in Kailua; other ingredients include coconut oil, organic shea and cocoa butters, and vitamin E. The chocolate in the soap is subtle, but you can tell it’s there. Buy it for $6.50 to $8.50 at www.indigenousoap.com, and at Madre Chocolate, the Hawai‘i State Art Museum shop, and Sweet Home Waimanalo. —Nina Wu

5. Video recorder captures romance

Leave love notes (or a proposal!) to your Valentine with the pocket-sized PLAY Video Memo ($59.99) by Native Union, which allows users to record up to three minutes of video to play back on a 2.4-inch LCD screen. With a magnetic backing, you can leave grocery and chore reminders and other messages for your sweetie or the kids right on the fridge. It’s not particularly high-tech, but with only three buttons (play, record, delete), the device is easy to operate; it requires three AAA batteries. Available at NativeUnion.com and amazon.com. —Christie Wilson