No Valentine’s Day is complete without a trip to the Chocolate Shell in Old Lyme. At least not in my house. Since taking over the space in 2011, owner Barbara Crowley has turned it into a candy shop even Willy Wonka would approve of! You’ll find a curated selection of the best handmade artisanal chocolate, including Moonstruck and 2 Chicks, nut free Vermont chocolates, plus vegan/dairy free goodies from DeVine and plenty of witty gifts and nostalgic treats (when was the last time you had a Mary Jane?). Me, I like to handpick my assortment of bon bons: a few Buddha’s Blessings, a Buddha shaped dark chocolate encases a blend of sweet mango and coconut with a burst of spicy red pepper, and some Good Luck Kitties, filled with chocolate caramel and vegan, gluten free brownie dough!  We all know nothing is better than bacon, except perhaps when it’s chocolate dipped. You’ll find it here, plus hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, alcohol filled truffles, turtles and of course, lots more. Barbara’s inventory is spot on for the big day. I filled one of these fun conversation heart boxes for my daughter with an assortment of goodies for roughly $20.

www.thechocolateshell.com