(thanks, iStockPhoto)
For the delicious Mrs. E and me, Valentine’s Day present something of a dilemma. Should we stay in and have a delectable dinner with very good wine? Alone or with friends? Should we trust ourselves to a restaurant? (after New Year’s Eve, I’m a bit wary.) Should we forgo presents to buy another painting?

This year, I’ve started off on an optimistic note. I’ve ordered a case of organic, sparkling pink wine… I’ll let you know the details after the first bottle has been opened.

Now the question is: do we share with friends? After all, if it weren’t for a mutual friend we would never have met.

Well, we’ll figure it out.

In the meantime, if you are single or not dating, or jaded, consider this an opportunity to loose a little easy elegance into your world. Throw a party.

One of the best ideas for a party — ever — came from our friend, The Architect. He would throw an annual Valentine’s Day Party. The response was always tremendous and the parties were legendary. Did he eschew all things romantic? Not in the least. He had all the trappings, flutes of champagne, silver trays of chocolate dipped strawberries, lush red roses in sparkling crystal vases, polished silver, linen napkins… Add a little Gershwin, Lady Day and Mr. Francis Albert Sinatra and you’ve got an evening to remember.

This year, play cupid for your crowd. If you hurry, there’s just enough time to order your invitations.

Yup, it’s official; I’m part corkscrew. The right shoulder is a little off. Of course, I should have caught this, but my tailor shop doesn’t have a 3-way mirror and the first time I saw the back (where I can really see the difference) was with these shots. The shoulder is a little snug. Attila — that’s he with me and Larry Wood, co-owner of Leviner-Wood, in the third photo– is building it up with a small shoulder pad to see if it can be corrected. He will also be making up my matching vest.

The bandaged chin is my fault; I was too twitchy to try and shave and I was out of “liquid bandage.” Highly recommeded

(This image is from Bicgraphic.com)

Before we get into pattern mixing, I thought we might like to mix it up with colour. Below, you’ll find a few ideas for a basic color palette, that’s not too basic. Well, aside from the classic navy/white combination.

Sophisticated, and striking, camel and black. Try pairing your camel-hair polo coat with a black cashmere turtleneck and black (or charcoal grey) flatfront trousers and black chelsea boots for a striking casual look.

Sophisticated yet subdued, camel and grey. Tobacco suede brogues or deep brown shoes, midgrey chalkstripe suit, charcoal pencilstripe shirt, tan and grey tie. Alternately, wear a camel coloured turtleneck or a half-zip sweater with your midgrey suit. A more advanced dresser may opt to pair his deepest brown leather shoes with black trousers and a camel hair sportcoat. Or choose the classic back and brown herringbone tweed trouser and pair it with the black cashmere turtleneck from our first example.

Camel and winter white are always chic. A white cashmere turtleneck with camel/brown or camel/cream herringbone trousers and a camelhair polo coat. Wear your suede ankle boots.

Richly hued blues pop when paired with deep browns. Try a charcoal brown chalkstriped mohair and wool suit paired with a (french or sky) blue shirt and brown and blue tie. Or go for the classic blue blazer and pair it with deep brown trousers, a blue and tan mini-check shirt and blue and tan striped tie. Shoes should be dark brown leather.

Grey and purple together become something regal. Grey flannel suit, deep purple butcher stripe shirt with white collar and cuffs, deep purple tie. Very Ralph Lauren. Lighter grey suits pair well with lavender shirts.

And finally, the old stand-by: navy blue. My favourite combination is a navy chalkstripe suit (yes, I love chalkstripes), a blue and white patterned shirt (mini-checked or pinstripes) and a blue and white spotted tie (or bolder blue and white plaid.) I wear a white linen pocket square in this case. Although a blue and white gingham one has been known to pop up. Navy and white horizontal striped socks really pop against the dark brown suede captoes.