The Match Makers Match- The Perfect Valentines Day Gift

What can be better than celebrating friendship, love, appreciation and admiration than with our Diana Martin Gifts exclusive AMORE HEARTS: A hand-hammered heart-shape metal tray combined with nine hand-made aphrodisiac chocolates, all wrapped impeccably by Diana Martin Gifts for that perfect match of artistry, style and to-die-for chocolates.

Amore Hearts $98.50

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9” Hand Hammered Tray with box of 9 hand-made heart shaped chocolates

This hand-hammered metal tray is adorned with specialty chocolates, elegantly wrapped for Valentine’s Day and includes your special message.

Individual hand-painted hearts filled with ganache of passion fruit (considered to heighten erotic sensibilities), chili (said to heighten blood circulation and increase the heartbeat) and lavender & sweet basil (legend tells us this stimulates the sex drive and boosts fertility, as well as a general sense of well being for body and mind).

The perfect match to show someone how much you care. 

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Metal czar, Mary Jurek shares her thoughts about Valentine’s Day:

Q: What inspired you to design a heart tray? Was it Valentine's Day or a special thought? Is there any significant meaning behind the tray's name, Amore?

Everyone is attracted to the heart-shape, it a symbol of love and romance. The soft, generous outline is so feminine and in many ways reminds us of tenderness. In stainless steel, it is a wild twist in contrast and I enjoy that paradox. "Amore" is Italian for love, and what culture does it better?

Q: When does this tray sell the most? Is it Valentine's, or anniversaries or for wedding gifts?

This is a year round item for us, many people collect heart shapes and are thrilled to find a heart in a material they do not have in their personal collection. Or, we have many customers who find the Amore Tray the perfect way to say, "I care", or "You are special". And of course, it is a great bridesmaid’s gift.

Q: If you were in a fantasy, what would you love to receive on this tray?

Two tickets to the opera.

Q: How will you spend Valentine's day?

That is a secret.

Ms. Aphrodisiac, Diana Phillips, shares her thoughts about Valentine's day:

Q: Why is there such a huge desire for artisan chocolate?

The trend for understanding good food began with Julia Child. As people became more educated, they started traveling and seeking out food from different cultures. Next came wine enlightenment, bringing a proliferation of boutique vineyards and small productions. Palates heightened.

Great chocolate is a luxury, like an incredible glass of wine. It's to be savored, not gobbled. Artisan chocolate must meet standards of technique and taste. To be artisan should mean small batches and hand made. Making chocolate is a passion, not a career path.

Q: You have exotic chocolate flavors. How did you come up with these?

Both of my grandparents had large farms where I grew up in the Midwest. Orchards, gardens, berry patches. I know how a fresh blackberry right off the vine tastes. That background coupled with extensive traveling and a few years in Europe makes me curious. Influences come from everywhere. One of my signature chocolates, a rosemary grapefruit caramel, was inspired by a grapefruit sorbet sprinkled with fresh rosemary flowers I had in Mexico.

I seek local growers and strive to be organic. Southern California is a Mecca for gorgeous, fresh flavors.


Q: What chocolates would be the most amorous for Valentine's Day?

Any. I have an Aphrodisiac Collection this year based on some lore and some fact. Chocolate is so sensuous already, I just dressed it a little differently.

Q: How do you celebrate Valentine's Day?

Wouldn't you like to know.

DIANA MARTIN'S FAVORITE GIFTS TO SHARE HOPE

Today there is hope in opportunities - opportunities to feel good, to nurture, to develop, to expand our thinking. With “staying in” as the new “going out”, I find hope in the gift of time i.e. spending time with those who are special, entertaining family and friends and making special occasions precious memories.

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all."

-Emily Dickenson

Celebrate, smile, and hope with these inspired gifts.

Diana Martin’s Favorite Gifts to Share Hope:

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1. Piggy Bank With Wings $100

The old fashion ceramic piggy bank gets updated with this magical piggy. In a modern aluminum casting, this bank brings art and whimsy to any table or shelf. It suggests prosperity and who doesn’t want that in 2009.

2. Preston Bailey's Inspiration $68

The title says it all. With over 150 pages of beautiful photographs of dreamy table settings and flower arrangements, this book is a great launch for your own creativity or simply adapting one of Preston’s ideas. To help you get started, we include a decorative kit of ribbons.

3. Star Paperweight $75

This stunning star paperweight, in 24k gold,

is a great way to share optimism and tell someone you think they are the best – a star, if you will. Stars suggest stellar attitude, stellar work ethic and working hard to rise to the top. Stars are those special friends, clients, colleagues, and employees that are innovator thinkers and make a difference in your life.

4. Gourmet Olive Oil $35

A gourmet olive oil is such an ideal home gift, even for the non-cook. A gorgeous decorated bottle makes a statement in any dining area. Used from dipping breads to salads to pasta to whatever your desire, this is a universally appreciated gift.

5. Artisal Chocolates $40

Intense Dark Chocolates can be found with our no-nonsense dark chocolate toffees that are artfully topped with ginger or fleur de sol or almonds or orange. Delectable and charming in our 12 piece box size .

6. Decoupage Advice Tray $90

Who couldn’t use some advice? This elegant art decoupage tray can be used to hold pencils, mail, keys and business cards or on a desk for an artful display.

7. Double Sided Frame $35

Double Sided Glass Frames: I love these frames because they can be made so personal. An image on one side and a special message on the other. It can be used as an award commemorating a successful project or as a gift to a family member with a loving message. So simple yet so meaningful and designed to fit well with any décor.
Minimum order of 5 frames

8. Decoupage Letters Tray $125

For those special letters, inspired thoughts or your to-do list, this roomy letter tray is ready to hold those priceless words.

9. Decoupage Paperweights $60

Image of Fruits of the Tree Paperweights: Ethereal thoughts are a reminder of the charms of life in these signed decoupage paperweights.

10. Golden Egg In A Basket $500

A refreshing metaphor for hope, new starts and dreams. These art glass eggs are an eye catcher on one’s office papers or they sit comfortably on your favorite table.

Other interesting thoughts from my dear friends.

Hope is a word which almost everybody uses every day. It can be as simple as, "I hope the weather will be fine today", but may seem more powerful when you say, "I hope my children are safe". In spiritual thinking, Hope has enormous importance. When all else fails, you can still have "Hope". At this point it becomes "Faith". "Hope" doesn't reverse pessimism into optimism.
In some religions "Hope" plays a very important role. It can be passive in the sense of a wish or it could be active if accompanied by a plan. But in the purest sense, it is a dream.

I don't rely on Hope, 'though I use the word often - perhaps I am an iconoclast. But I believe the concept of "Hope" can bide one over, until a clearer path is shown. We live in a world of "Hope", but it can be treacherous. "Hope" without a Plan is only a Dream.
ET 01/30/09

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, and it causes depression, discouragement, and despair. When you have hope, you intentionally become positive in your thoughts and attitude. Hope is positive. Hope believes all things are possible with God and it expects good news at any moment. Hope says, "Something good is going to happen to me today". -Joyce Meyer "Hope" is one of my favorite words . DB 01/28/09