Guide to Spoiling Your Loved One

When you want to spoil your loved one, where do you start? Maybe you lean toward the traditional route of flowers and chocolates, maybe you prefer relaxation and tranquility (think massage or facial), or maybe you prefer to shower your loved one with the flavorful seduction of wine. No matter what way you prefer to spoil your loved one, here's a guide to get you started, and, since money doesn't grown on trees, there are options to fit every budget.

Kobasic's Candies
5324 Riverside Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 448-3555
http://www.kobasicscandies.com/

Charles Schulz (the man who brought Charlie Brown to life) once said, "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." For those who agree (and really, who doesn't?), head to Kobasic's Candies in South Land Park. By the pound, half pound or piece, Kobasic's chocolates are decadent treats sure to delight your honey. A 1-pound mix of kruffles (that's truffles with a "k"), caramels and clusters (24 pieces, so your loved one can share with you) costs a mere $16 ($8.50 for a half-pound), and is filled with a variety of Kobasic's best-selling specially blended chocolate Kruffles, creamy caramels, and fruit and nut clusters.

Individual Kruffles are available in amaretto, chocolate, Irish crème, rocky road, coconut, maple pecan, and more. Caramel flavors include almond, lemon, maple pecan, salted vanilla (my favorite), vanilla, and more. Clusters are available in coconut, peanut, raisin, almond, dried blueberries, cashew, dried cherries, dried cranberries, macadamia, pecan, pistachio, and walnut.

Insider tip: Kobasic's also makes sugar-free chocolates for diabetics and those who count their calories.

Balshor Florist
2661 Riverside Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 441-3023
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

From the traditional dozen long-stemmed roses to unique creations of your (or an expert florist's) making, Balshor Florist has everything you're looking for when you want to spoil that special someone with flowers. Roses start at $6 a piece and $60 for a vase arrangement. If you want to go with the lovely lilies, an arrangement will set you back about $100. There's a minimum $60 required for free delivery.

Insider tip: If you're on a budget, just walk in and tell the florist your spending cap and they will work with you to create something perfect.

Revolution Wines
2831 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-7711
http://www.revolution-wines.com/

For the wine connoisseur in your life, Revolution Wines has some great options, including their Chardonnay ($18); Petite Syrah ($26); Vintage Port, of which the 2008 vintage won double gold at the state fair in 2010, ($30); and their Revolutionary Red, which is a blend of Syrah, Barbera and Grenache ($22). Buy three or more bottles at a time for better pricing.

Insider tip: Go one better and join the wine club, which is free, and get 20% savings on all wine, preferred access limited to edition wines, and preferred options to winemaker dinners. Sign up for the wine club in store.

Dandelion Spa
2416 18th Street Suite A1
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 451-5689
http://web.me.com/dandelionspa/Site/dandelion.html

A good facial can make you look and feel like a million bucks, and the best place to get one is Dandelion Spa, where they use fabulous Jan Marini Skin Care products (which I swear by) and provide customized facials suited to your needs and skin type (acne, aging, dry skin, etc.). Facials ($80) include cleansing, steam, exfoliation, extractions, mask, and a relaxing face, neck, shoulder, hand and arm massage. They also offer glycolic peels ($55 per session or $300 for six), and microdermabrasion ($70 per or $350 for six). You can add a foot and leg massage to your facial ($20) and enjoy hot towels wrapped around your feet, followed by exfoliation, a foot and leg massage, and hydrating paraffin. Dandelion also offers waxing ($17 brow, $25 brow/lip, $10 lip, $30 bikini, $40 and up back, etc.), and makeup lessons and applications ($60) with Jane Iredale makeup. Dandelion is appointment only, with esthetician-waxing-makeup artist owners Laurie and Sue taking prescheduled appointments Mondays and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Inn & Spa at Parkside
2116 6th Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 658-1818
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
http://www.innatparkside.com/

Farmer

When your loved one really needs to relax and unwind, send them over to The Inn & Spa at Parkside, where they offer an array of massages such as Swedish (60 minutes, $80, plus mid- week specials), deep tissue (60 minutes, $90, plus mid-week specials), hot stone (90 minutes, $130), table Thai (90 minutes, $130), and reflexology (60 minutes, $90). Add aromatherapy to any massage for $7, and enjoy the scent of calming and relaxing lavender, uplifting and joyful sweet orange, rejuvenating and stimulating lemongrass, energizing rosemary, or soothing and cleansing eucalyptus. Focused work for any trouble spot is $30 for an additional 15 minutes, or get a salt scrub for $35 or a private 30-minute Jacuzzi soak for $30.

Other treatments offered include a citrus body polish ($75) followed by a citrus scented, relaxing Jacuzzi soak; an algae body polish ($75) followed by an invigorating lavender and eucalyptus Jacuzzi soak; and a detoxifying body wrap ($85), complete with a focused foot and head massage.

Juliet Farmer was born and raised in Sacramento, where she resides with her husband, two cats, and rescued greyhound. She is a freelance writer who regularly writes about food, pets, health and wellness, entertainment, and more.