Valentine's Day Solo Edition
"Calling Me Out for Being Single Isn’t the Flex You Think It Is."
Love Letters is a mix of musings on arts & culture, style, and rediscovering yourself after divorce—through luxury solo travel and meaningful experiences. Because curating a life that’s distinctly yours is the greatest adventure of all.
It’s been a strange week. On Sunday morning, I posted a Thread asking my Uber driver to turn off the Tucker Carlson podcast he was listening to, and the Trump/Musk brigade went WILD.
I was surprised that something as seemingly benign as a female passenger requesting the radio be turned off could unleash a wave of hundreds of comments—ranging from calling me salty and entitled to suggesting I should get work done or how it made sense I was unmarried.
The standout takeaway? How deeply entrenched these reactions were rooted in patriarchy. As if my f*ckability factor or marriageability were the ultimate markers of my worth. Forget financial independence, travelling the world, or surrounding oneself with brilliant friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.
According to the old guard, a woman’s greatest achievement is marriage. And honestly, that’s why all the hoopla around Valentine’s Day feels so tired. Thankfully, it finally feels like society is catching up to the idea that romantic love isn’t the only way to feel truly cherished—best friends, I’m looking at you.
So this Valentine’s Day, I hope you take yourself out on the best date around: one with you! In this edition, I’ve featured some of my absolute favourite solo date ideas in London and hope you have the most gorgeous evening celebrating your fabulous self.
Lots of love,
Jen xx
In this Valentine’s Day edition, you’ll find:
💖 Solo Valentine’s Plans – Luxe ways to celebrate yourself
🛍️ Self-Love Splurges – Gifts worth indulging in
🎨 Art to Get Lost In – London’s must-see exhibits
💆♀️ The Power of Touch – Facials, massages & more
🎶 Vibe Check – A playlist for your solo moments
Give Your February 14th a Dose of Razzle Dazzle
Brian Atwood x Scarosso Pink as F*ck Lady Nolita Pink Velvet Slippers
I must admit I already own these delicious shoes. I love sporting these baby pink loafers as a bit of a power play—especially if I’m at an event or need to bring Big Vagina Energy. Plus, they’re a superb conversation starter.
Malin + Goetz Otto Super Baby Pink Candle
I applaude how ridiculously fabulous this candle is. And if there were ever a time to justify a candle the size of a small cat, Galentine’s Day is it.
Missoma Puffy Heart Oversized Stud Earrings
I have a special place in my heart for earrings, and these beauties from Missoma just so happen to remind me of my favourite snack—pretzels. They’re gold, they’re hearts, and they make me smile every time I see them.
Epiphany Clit Arousal Serum
Nothing quite says self-love like a room full of candles, the soothing sounds of Kenny G, and a pink bunny. Wait… am I showing my age here? But in all seriousness, this arousal oil from Epiphany is an unexpected delight.
The Greatest Date of All: Solo Valentine’s Day Plans You’ll Adore
🎨 Gallery Exhibits in London: The Perfect Solo Date for Art Lovers 🖼️
Step into a gallery, soak up the beauty, and let yourself get lost. If you’re wondering what to do this weekend, getting lost in an exhibition should be at the top of your list. Walk in with zero agenda, linger over the pieces that draw you in, and breeze past the ones that don’t. And for the perfect pairing, follow it up by getting lost in the book stacks at a nearby Waterstones.
VOGUE: Inventing the Runway at Lightroom (Kings Cross)
Flowers: Flora In Contemporary Art & Culture at Saatchi Gallery (Chelsea)
Tarot: Origins and Afterlives at The Warburg Institute (Bloomsbury)
Marilyn: The Exhibition at Arches London Bridge (London Bridge)
AdWomen at The Museum of Brands (Notting Hill)
Barbie the Exhibition at The Design Museum (Holland Park/Kensington)
Naomi in Fashion at V&A South Kensington (South Kensington)
🎬 Solo Cinema Date: The Best Theatres in London for a Night to Yourself 🏆
The Barbican, Prince Charles Cinema, Curzon Mayfair, and Curzon Bloomsbury are where I go when I want to make an evening that much more of a moment versus an ordinary night. I absolutely adore these cinemas' mid-century design and big selection of snacks and bevvies, which usually include non-alcoholic beer choices.
Beyond the atmosphere, they’re also ideal for solo cinema trips—unlike Picturehouse and Everyman, where booking a single seat doesn’t always guarantee the best spot or one at all if they are showing new releases (unless you book a sofa. Hello, single tax).
Best Cinemas in London for a Solo Date:
Barbican: Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
Prince Charles Cinema: 7 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BY
Curzon Mayfair: 38 Curzon Street, London, W1J 7TY
Curzon Bloomsbury: The Brunswick Centre, London, WC1N 1AW
Fabulous Films Worth Watching Solo This Valentine’s Day Weekend:
Maria: Angelina Jolie portrays the incomparable opera singer Maria Callas in this elegant biopic. I first got to see this film at the BFI this last autumn, and I was utterly drawn in by her eye-catching wardrobe and how the film explores Callas’ complex relationship with her fleeting fame and finding her place in the world.
Kneecap: This film is a right riot! I can’t stop recommending it to everyone I come across, and rightly so. This raucous biopic follows the Northern Ireland hip-hop band KNEECAP (who—spoiler alert—play themselves) as they rise to fame and notoriety in Belfast and beyond.
Anora: Directed by Sean Baker, this movie follows a young sex worker from Brooklyn who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Read: not the modern take on Pretty Woman. This movie was utterly bonkers in the most brilliant of ways. I didn’t know what to expect, which made me enjoy it even more. I’m rooting for Mikey Madison to win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role!
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy: Bridget is my soul sister from another mister. I’ve loved having her character along for the ride through my 20s, then 30s, and now 40s. She’s a lovable little lady, and I’m so excited to see her back on screen as she navigates dating again—with a much younger toyboy.
🧖♀️ The Power of Touch: Superb Places to Get Pampered in London 👄
Listen… if you’ve had a bit of a dry spell lately—and who could blame you? Dating has been downright treacherous in the years following Covid—there’s something so comforting about getting a facial or a massage. I know it’s not the same thing, but it’s about the experience of touch and the feeling of being looked after which is so underrated.
And for all my beauty aficionados out there… Did you know that a bunch of brands offer facials, treatments, and makeup appointments where the cost is fully redeemable against their products?
Beauty Treatment Rooms in London
The Sunday Riley Treatment Room at Liberty is pure and utter bliss. The 45-minute signature facial is £85 and is fully redeemable against two or more Sunday Riley products.
Liberty also has treatment rooms for Wildsmith and Omorovicza.
Selfridges offers a boatload of beauty services where you can trial tools, play with products, or go all out with a full-blown makeover. I booked an appointment with NARS for my British Citizenship ceremony and walked away with a glam look—plus the concealer and lipstick I was running low on anyway. Talk about a win-win!
From 111Skin and Drunk Elephant to Tom Ford Beauty and Huda Beauty, Selfridges offers a range of complimentary or product-redeemable beauty appointments.
Out of Touch: Best Massage Spots in London for Your Valentine’s Weekend
MASAJ is the ultimate spot for a bespoke massage experience in London, with multiple locations to unwind in. From choosing your preferred oil fragrance to selecting the music, every detail is tailored to your mood—whether you want a quiet escape or a chinwag while you relax.
Boon Sappaya Thai Massage is a hidden gem in the heart of Marylebone, where the therapists are strong AF and work out every last knot with expert precision. It’s the kind of no-nonsense therapy that leaves you feeling weightless—like you’re floating on a cloud.
How are you applauding your fierce and female energy this Valentine’s Day? Whether it’s a solo saunter around the city, a night out with your closest crew, or indulging with a quiet night at home—I’d love to hear all about your plans! 💕 Join the conversation over on Instagram!
And if you need a bigger dose of encouragement, here are some parting words to keep you inspired this weekend and beyond!
Just a reminder that women are living their lives. They're not "auditioning to be your wives" — Baradi Thornton
Here is a playlist to keep you company, featuring London Grammar, Big Wild, Darius, Paisley Pink, Anabel Englund, and, of course, George Michael.
Could you kindly do me a solid? If you’re loving this Substack, tap that 💖 at the bottom of your email. It only takes a moment, but it helps a boatload! 🛥️
This is a must read for every girl out there. ❤️❤️❤️❤️