Love Is In The Air

The Star District is a treasure trove of gifts for everyone on your Valentine’s list

Toast to love at La Parisienne.

Photo courtesy of The Star District

Love is all around, especially at The Star District in Frisco. There, you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with festive dining and lovely shopping from more than 30 shops and restaurants.

Don't know where to start? Discover a curated assortment of Valentine's Day gifts, ranging from charming accessories to delightful experiences, below.

But first, celebrate the season of love during the Valentine’s Sip & Stroll on February 7 from 6-9 pm.

Enjoy sips and bites, love songs and photo moments, gift shopping, exclusive offers, complimentary Valentine’s takeaways, and much more. At least 15 shops and restaurants are participating, so you're bound to find a gift that perfectly expresses your love — and have fun while doing it.

Now onto the gifts!

Pamper your loved one this Valentine’s Day with the gift of relaxation with Hiatus Spa + Retreat's Valentine’s packages. Treat the man in your life to a day of pampering and grooming with a three-course hair service or a luxury shave from The Gents Place.

Treat him to a day of pampering at The Gents Place. Photo courtesy of The Star District

Blend Western flare with romantic charm at Lucchese this Valentine’s Day with a pair of boots that will have that special someone two-stepping with joy and traveling in style. Share the love of leather bags, practical clothing, and home accessories inspired by the legendary Captain Richard King. Button up, saddle up, and ride like you mean it with the help of King Ranch Saddle Shop.

Lucchese boots Blend Western flare with romantic charm at Lucchese. Photo courtesy of The Star District

Craft your perfect Valentine’s Day at Flea Style’s Hat Bar. Choose from j ewelry selections, pink trucker hats, and the perfect coat to stay warm this season. Shield your sweetheart’s eyes with the gift of chic Tom Ford sunglasses from Luxe Eyewear.Experience the luxurious Charlotte Jones Collection at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star. Show your love with selections of Kendra Scott, Aviator Nation, watches and cuff links. Celebrate your collector’s passion by gifting them signed memorabilia or trading cards from Cards in a Box.

Flea Style Hat Bar Craft couple's hats at Flea Style's Hat Bar. Photo courtesy of The Star District

Choose the perfect suit from J. Hilburn for Valentine's Day to add a touch of sophistication to your celebration, ensuring you look sharp and dapper for your special date. Find just-right shades of red and pink to add a romantic and festive flair to your wardrobe at Monkee's of Frisco, setting the perfect mood for a day filled with love.

J Hilburn suits Look sharp for a date with J. Hilburn's help.Photo courtesy of The Star District

It's customary to celebrate your love with a meal, and these all deliciously fit the bill:

Savor a perfect steak at Dee Lincoln Prime for a meal that's both indulgent and romantic. Celebrate authentic Italian cuisine with a modern touch and a vast selection of worldly wines and handcrafted signature cocktails at Lombardi Cucina Italiana.

A romantic dinner at Dee Lincoln Prime is a must. Photo courtesy of The Star District

Enjoy a full-sensory experience in The Glen's mystically unique atmosphere, complete with towering interior trees, lush florals, and provocative lighting.

Escape to The Glen for a magical meal. Photo courtesy of The Star District

At Snowbird Lounge & Kitchen, enjoy a chic and elevated upscale lounge specializing in a tantalizing array of mixology cocktails and delectable small bites.

Indulge in the rich and flavorful delights of Southern cuisine at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen and Bar.

Ooh la la! Enjoy a specially curated menu and lovers-themed drinks this Valentine’s Day at La Parisienne French Bistro.

These shops and restaurants are just the start — check out the full directory at The Star District and plan your own love-filled celebration this Valentine's Day.

holidays shopping dinner cocktails promoted

Movie Review

Michelle Pfeiffer is an unappreciated mom in Oh. What. Fun.

Photo courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

Michelle Pfeiffer in Oh. What. Fun.

Of all the formulaic movie genres, Christmas/holiday movies are among the most predictable. No matter what the problem is that arises between family members, friends, or potential romantic partners, the stories in holiday movies are designed to give viewers a feel-good ending even if the majority of the movie makes you feel pretty bad.

That’s certainly the case in Oh. What. Fun., in which Michelle Pfeiffer plays Claire, an underappreciated mom living in Houston with her inattentive husband, Nick (Denis Leary). As the film begins, her three children are arriving back home for Christmas: The high-strung Channing (Felicity Jones) is married to the milquetoast Doug (Jason Schwartzman); the aloof Taylor (Chloë Grace Moretz) brings home yet another new girlfriend; and the perpetual child Sammy (Dominic Sessa) has just broken up with his girlfriend.

Each of the family members seems to be oblivious to everything Claire does for them, especially when it comes to what she really wants: For them to nominate her to win a trip to see a talk show in L.A. hosted by Zazzy Tims (Eva Longoria). When she accidentally gets left behind on a planned outing to see a show, Claire reaches her breaking point and — in a kind of Home Alone in reverse — she decides to drive across the country to get to the show herself.

Written and directed by Michael Showalter (The Idea of You), and co-written by Chandler Baker (who wrote the short story on which the film is based), the movie never establishes any kind of enjoyable rhythm. Each of the characters, including competitive neighbor Jeanne (Joan Chen), is assigned a character trait that becomes their entire personality, with none of them allowed to evolve into something deeper.

The filmmakers lean hard into the idea that Claire is a person who always puts her family first and receives very little in return, but the evidence presented in the story is sketchy at best. Every situation shown in the film is so superficial that tension barely exists, and the (over)reactions by Claire give her family members few opportunities to make up for their failings.

The most interesting part of the movie comes when Claire actually makes it to the Zazzy Sims show. Even though what happens there is just as unbelievable as anything else presented in the story, Showalter and Baker concoct a scene that allows Claire and others to fully express the central theme of the film, and for a few minutes the movie actually lives up to its title.

Pfeiffer, given her first leading role since 2020’s French Exit, is a somewhat manic presence, and her thick Texas accent and unnecessary voiceover don’t do her any favors. It seems weird to have such a strong supporting cast with almost nothing of substance to do, but almost all of them are wasted, including Danielle Brooks in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo. The lone exception is Longoria, who is a blast in the few scenes she gets.

Oh. What. Fun. is far from the first movie to try and fail at becoming a new holiday classic, but the pedigree of Showalter and the cast make this dismal viewing experience extra disappointing. Ironically, overworked and underappreciated moms deserve a much better story than the one this movie delivers.

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Oh. What. Fun. is now streaming on Prime Video.

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