Column: Oakley's Out & About

Roses are red, art pots are clay, here are a few tips for Valentine's Day

By: Oakley Talbott
Published online: Sunday, February 05, 2012
Appeared in: Home, Santa Fe Real Estate Guide
Edition: February 2012 Vol. 14 No. 11

Darlings,

Looking for a Valentine’s gift for your favorite doll baby next week? Lucky for you, I have some wonderful ideas, and these gifts go beyond the traditional box of chocolate. My gift ideas are for the romantic, the well-read, the generous of heart. Gracious, Cream Puffs, who isn’t all that? Please don’t admit to it if that’s not the case.

For an evening turning into a romantic all-nighter, book a night at the Lavender Sunsets Casitas on Gomez Road, just off Paseo at Cerrillos Rd. Have Fred (Artichokes and Pomegranates) deliver the roses, Patti (Santa Fe Baskets) deliver the “Southwest Munchies” basket (okay, it includes chocolates), and all you bring is your favorite wine, your favorite sweetheart, and your toothbrush. Tell Linda, the proprietor, that you read about her casitas in my column, she’ll have a bottle of champagne chilled and waiting for you. My only admonition is to hold onto your hearts: Lavender Sunsets is such a romantic in-town spot, you may fall hopelessly in love. But isn’t that the purpose of Valentine’s Day, after all, Chocolate Drops?

But maybe your sweetheart would rather read than drink champagne. What? Crazy, but if that’s the case, get a Kindle for her (a great gift always in season) and download recovering Realtor Elizabeth Springer’s first novel, The Cat’s Dowry (A Jaguar Tale). It’s a Mayan mystery that becomes a modern-day treasure hunt to find the map marking the location of a legendary tomb. The story features Santa Fe’s almost- archaeologist, sleuth, and intriguing young woman possessing strange powers, Cali Cleary, and her group of uniquely talented friends as they risk their lives traveling into the jungles of Colombia and Guatemala to unlock the ancient secrets of the cult of the jaguar. Cupcakes, it has all the elements of intrigue, betrayal, suspense, and surprise that an adventure novel needs to keep you turning the pages. And a little romance, too, naturally.

Then again, you just might want to do something bigger than yourself and contribute to the Centennial Children’s Legacy Fund in honor of your valentine. The year 2012 celebrates New Mexico’s 100 years of statehood, and Lisa Barker (Barker Realty) kicked off the year with the Grand Centennial Ball held last month on Statehood Day, Jan. 6. As chairwoman of this event, Lisa put together a lavish black-tie gala for about 800 enthusiastic Santa Feans who paid $250 a ticket, knowing that the proceeds from the ball will be going to the legacy fund. Valentine’s Day is another perfect day in this celebratory year to give to our most important legacy, the children of New Mexico.

Speaking of Barker Realty, an interesting phenomenon has taken place there. Warren Sacks has finally lost his status (?) as the youngest baby face in the office. Jake Smith, 27, (formerly with RE/MAX in Los Alamos, and formerly marketing director for British fashion designer Ted Baker in San Francisco, and currently co-owner of the Hill Diner in Los Alamos) has joined the firm. A fourth-generation Los Alamos native (his great-grandparents took over the general store from the Army in 1947), he joined Barker to be with his two best friends, Warren, 28, and Lynne Wigley, 29. All under 30... so saddle up, folks, our new Young Guns have joined forces.

So long, Sweetpeas Until next time... Oakley

(Oakley can be reached at merrilypierson.com.)