Chocolate Round Up

We've rounded up some of our favorite chocolate treats from around the Pacific Northwest, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Traditional chocolate gifts Top row, left to right: (1) Almonds and caramel dipped in chocolate, $15 for 1lb at Branson's Chocolates (2) Chocolate dipped caramels, $17 for 12 pieces at Indulge (3) Handmade truffles, $15 for 9 pieces at Ladybug Chocolates

A little bit different Second row, left to right: (4) Chocolate of the month club, $430 at Coastal Mist (5) Do Not Eat This chocolate bar, $5 each at Lillie Belle Farms (6) Chocolate House Kit, $25 at Chocolate Craft Kits

Chocolate for drinking Third row, left to right: (7) Holy Kakow Vegan Rapture Organic Chocolate Syrup, $5 at Vegan Essentials (8) Drinking chocolate bars, $20 for 4 at Sipping Dreams (9) Brewed chocolate, $15 for 12oz at Choffy

Calorie free chocolate Bottom row, left to right: (10) Chocolate chip earrings, $48 at Marco Polo Designs (11) Dolco Cioccolato Sweet Body Chocolates gift box, $16 at Servello (12) Trio of chocolate scented candles, $24 at Cattail Candles

GIVEAWAY! Remember those heavely Cloud Bites from {a little bit of sweet} that we mentioned? You know the handmade marshmellow covered in caramel and dipped in dark chocolate. We have a four-piece box of Cloud Bites from {a little bit of sweet} to give away to one lucky reader! To enter, leave a comment on this post telling us which of the chocolate treats we featured is your favorite. Leave additional comments as bonus entries if you subscribe to our feed, tweet about the contest, have our button on your blog or are our fan on Facebook. Contest closes at midnight PST on February 18th. Our standard terms & conditions apply. Good luck!

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Bitty photos to stack or hang

I'm very drawn to tiny ornaments lately, little objects that add almost-hidden detail to a space. Like these photo blocks from Portland's Littleput. Original  photos (or your own pics) mounted on small wooden blocks just a bit over three inches tall. They can be stacked on a table top, tucked into a window sill, or hung on the wall. A visual reward for the people who really take the time to look at a room.

$12 and up at Littleput

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I bet you can't eat just one

If your marshmallow experience is limited to the kind that come in bags from the grocery store, you're really missing out! In my humble opinion, the handmade version of anything is usually superior to it's store bought brethren. But with handmade marshmallows, the difference is night and day. Imagine biting into a chewy and fluffy little cloud of goodness like these handmade marshmallows from Oregon's {a little bit of sweet}. Made with natural flavors, this sampler of vanilla, chocolate and caramel marshmallows is the perfect introduction to these handcrafted treats. After one taste, I'll bet you never look at a s'more or a cup of cocoa the same way again!

And if you think the classic handmade marshmallow sounds delicious, imagine topping it with caramel and dipping the whole thing in dark chocolate. {a little bit of sweet} calls that taste of heaven a Cloud Bite. Packaged in recycled box, I call it my ultimate Valentine's treat!

$7 for a dozen marshmallows at {a little bit of sweet}

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Like a security blanket with style

You know how soft those old cotton tees can be? Now imagine that comfy-ness snuggled around your neck, with these lightweight scarves made of recycled t-shirts from Scrap Tees. Each handmade scarf has its own unique combination of colors and patterns. A colorful, casual accessory for these grey winter days.

$18 at Scrap Tees

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Geek Chic Valentine

I have a love-hate relationship with holiday themed clothing for kids. I love getting into the spirit of the holiday. But I hate that the clothes suddenly look outdated the day after the holiday. But I only have love for this Robots in Love tee from Happy Family. It's completely appropriate for Valentine's Day but looks just as cool all year round. This geek chic shirt is screen printed by hand using lead-free, non-toxic ink on 100% cotton tees. Oh, and if you want to share the love of robots with the whole family, it's also available in Men's and Women's sizes as well. And the best part is that you get a free tote when you buy 2 tees or onesies!

$14 at Happy Family

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Playing Oregon Trail (without the computer)

Does it get more Northwest than these toy covered wagons from West Linn's Tweet by Willow Baus? Polly Pocket can let finally get in touch with her inner pioneer. The natural wood toy even has a wee hitch on the back so you can take a whole wagon train down the Oregon Trail.

$18 at Tweet by Willow Baus

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Reclaim Valentine's Day

Once you become a mom, holidays tend to be all about the kids. So here's a little inspiration from Washington's Sandmaiden Sleepwear to help you reclaim the romantic side of Valentine's Day. This beautiful rayon and organic cotton chemise is made to measure for a perfect fit and comes in a variety of colors. The molded cups, adjustable straps and elastic bustline offer moderate support. But my favorite feature is the princess seaming which gives that curve-flattering feminine draping.

$80 at Sandmaiden Sleepwear

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