I would be totally lost without my morning coffee and my afternoon coffee but I also really love tea.

Making and drinking tea involves all the senses: You see the beautiful tea brewing, smell the aroma of sweet and pungent herbs, hear the soft sizzle of boiling water, feel the warmth of the mug with  your hands and taste the delicious and healthy tea.

I had a coffee press, that I use to  make tea, and I used it constantly throughout the day. But even though I kept saying the press was not to go into the dishwasher someone else in the house would forget and always put it in the dishwasher. So, that press didn't last long.

I have put off buying another one because I am really bad at spending money on myself and have to be talked into buying even the smallest luxury for myself. But yesterday I was at World Market, one of my favorite stores, to buy some of their amazing candles and drool over gorgeous furniture we cannot afford and I found this press. It's the World Market brand, and it's a bargain at only $17. Most of the other presses started and $25 and climbed in price from there. It's well made, it's cheerful to look at it, and it makes 8 glorious cups of tea when filled. If you like tea or really good coffee this is an affordable indulgence that's worth buying!

I'm a big sucker for almost everything that Artisan Impact does. I simply love their style, which is a modern style influenced by the craftsmanship of old Yemeni and Middle Eastern jewel crafters. Several of their pieces have been displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and it's not hard to see why. In fact, when DH and I replace our current wedding rings the ring I want is from a collection that was displayed in the museum.

These earrings are $140, which is a bit pricey for earrings, but they're so pretty I want them anyway. I just have to teach the cats that my jewelry items are not their toys before I bring anything expensive into the house....

I've been a fan of Vosges chocolates since I lived in Chicago. Vosges started in Chicago, although you can find it all over the country.  Vosges was started by Katrina Markoff, a Le Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef who became entranced with exotic combinations of flowers, spices, and high end chocolates from around the world.

On the Vosges website you can find a huge selection of truffles, candy bars, candies, baking mixes, cookies and the most decadent hot chocolate mixes you will ever have. There is even Vosges ice cream, which is one of the most sinful things I've ever tasted. The Naga (sweet coconut curry) ice cream will haunt  you.

With Valentine's Day coming up of course there are some beautiful truffle collections from Vosges to surprise your loved ones with. At about $40 a box they're cheaper than roses, and way more special. The Exotic Collection (pictured) features truffles made with ingredients ranging from pink peppercorns to wasabi, curry, and toasted sesame seeds all mixed with rich milk chocolate and some of the darkest, smoothest dark chocolate I've ever had.