Bakewell hearts

Love is... a heart-shaped cutter.

- 

I've always thought the minute you make shortbread hearts or bake the plainest of cakes in a heart-shape tin, it makes it more tempting.After Valentine Day passes, it's a great idea to stock up on those cutters and tins when they sell them off and you can stash them away for next year - although who's to say Valentine's Day is the only time you'll be feeling romantic this year?

Mr Scrumptious is, after 25 years together, used to my cynical scoffing at the Valentine ads on TV and newspaper features. My pet hate is all the pink and no one ever enjoys chocolates and fizz together, do they?

And don't get me started on restaurants at this time of year.

It's simply never a good idea to go out to a fancy one for a treat or even book your local - it will only disappoint and leave you poorer, which I'm sure St Valentine didn't plan.