Your idea of perfect may be different than mine. Valentine’s Day has never been my favorite holiday. I put on a charade claiming it’s a “Hallmark holiday” or some “mass marketing scheme to empty our wallets” while I watch in misery as other girls post photos on Facebook of the flowers, chocolates, and other gifts they might receive.
The truth behind my hatred is that love should be all consuming. It should be something you show every day, not just one day but the commercialization of this holiday makes us all liars. As much as we women say, we don’t want anything or need anything, don’t believe it. Even if we’re single, we don’t want to be left behind in the rapture. We still want to be remembered. But herein lies the rub. What’s the perfect gift for this woman that doesn’t believe in Valentine’s Day? The key, dear readers, is to read her mind, pay attention to what she loves, and surprise her when she least expects it. That’s the key to her heart.
Dare I say I received the best gift this year? I didn’t go away on a romantic holiday or spend time being pampered in a spa. Nope. I sat at my computer, geeking out, talking to my Valentine, and satiating my sweet tooth with his perfect gift. We were together in a special way – virtually. What makes it so special? It was a mixture of tech, some amazing cake pops, and us.
Alas I digress. Let’s get to the real point of this blog post – the cake pops. What makes them so special is that they’re not a heart shaped box of grocery store chocolates, See’s Candies, or Godiva. No offense if you like them. They’re a unique gift and support a small business owner – a very talented one. Let me introduce you to Miss Ali’s Cake Pops based locally here in Temecula. The decadent surprise arrived at my doorstep, festive in Valentine hues, and filled with an abundance of chocolate fudge and red velvet cake pops.
As much as I love my sweets, even I can’t stand something that’s “too sweet” but Miss Ali has the right blend of chemistry here. The icing is rich but not cloying. I was skeptical of the red velvet. There are only a few red velvets I’ve loved in my life. However, cupid’s arrow had me at first bite. Sinfully moist with the right balance of cream cheese icing; this red velvet is a win. I inhaled it in two bites and reached for the chocolate. As much as I love the red velvet, the chocolate is the show stopper but that’s probably because I have a bias for anything chocolate.
Since I don’t have cheesecake (Miss Ali, perhaps you should consider cheesecake bites?), I enjoy my cake pops with reruns of The Golden Girls, few cups of chai tea, and of course, my special Valentine. It’s the perfect way to end my night and the best Valentine’s day gift. If I could, I’d keep these cake pops to myself (which I have for the most part) but alas I can’t keep these a secret a forever. If you’d like a piece of this delightful magic, follow Miss Ali on Twitter, Facebook, and check out her website. Don’t forget to order a few while you’re there!