Love All

It’s the month dedicated to love! For centuries Valentine’s Day and all things that are hearts, roses and red have attached themselves to February.

St Valentine, known to be the patron saint of lovers and others, causes a passion frenzy and sends us into a whirl of all things red every year and it’s a shame its only for one day. This emotive colour is always in fashion denoting power, confidence, prosperity, purity and is often linked to royalty and status. The shade of love always makes a statement, commands attention and is sought after by designers worldwide. It has also been linked to ‘Venus’, goddess of love, as her favourite flower was known to be the red rose.

This emotive colour is always in fashion denoting power, confidence, prosperity, purity and is often linked to royalty and status

If red is not your thing, then you might like to indulge in global colour authority Pantone’s colour of the year, mocha mousse. Sounds edible, doesn’t it? It’s a tone to set the tone. Dune actress Zendaya, often accoladed for trendsetting and best dressed, wore to perfection a stunning Louis Vuitton gown in this shade to the Golden Globe awards last month. This moody hue is sexy, classy, stylish, luxurious and rich and it partners with so many colours on the palette including RED! What’s not to love?! You will see it applied to everything from packaging to homewares and it’s a shade that you can adore forever. It is neutral and has powers of reinvention…much like love.

These days apart from its significant origins, Valentine’s Day has become a commercial celebration of romantic endeavours. Anything bubbly, yummy, sparkly, or pretty that excites the senses is sought after to mark the occasion. Champagne, chocolates, perfume, flowers, jewellery, trinkets, experiences to savour and hand-made gifts make up the list of indulgences to share with your valentine.

With celebration still in the air from the new year and the festive season, February has also proven to be a strong time to betroth your love to one another and become engaged.

I can’t think of a more romantic place to be this month than on the Mornington Peninsula. The weather is stunning, and our wonderful destinations are shining at their best. Events are happening at every corner so it’s a great time to dress up in your finery. There is every excuse to book a romantic getaway or staycation while the sun is still shining, and the energy is intense. Artisans, makers and growers are busy keeping beautiful produce at the ready and there is so much to take in that you’ll need more than a weekend to do it all.

I love anything bespoke and from a gifting perspective it is original, unique and often holds a lot of sentiment. Pomme is a business name synonymous with all the above attributes and for over 17 years owner Sue Clement certainly holds the mantel for bringing artisanal local and international wares to the forefront for her astute clientele. Her new boutique destination, as part of Studio and Co in Moorooduc, showcases a trove of goods and a beautifully curated collection of exclusive and bespoke fashion, art, jewellery and homewares.

A definite feature of the new location is the distinctive, hand-made creations by renowned jeweller Flick Pope. Described as a ‘feast for your eyes’, and in Flick’s true signature style, the one-off semi-precious pieces are magical, delicately detailed, full of whimsey, and are always made with love! They are definitely objects of desire and the perfect gift for that special someone.

It’s not hard to find something to love on our peninsula and there is no time like the present to explore what’s on offer. No matter how you spend your month I hope you can manifest a little bit of love into your world. One of my favourite and profound love quotes from poet Torquato Tasso says it all “Lost is all the time not spent in love”.

Cheers to love!

Fashionably yours,
Annette

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Gift Ideas

Peninsula Essence – February 2025