Fellow Go Girl Erica and I made it through Valentines Day 2010 with not a boyfriend in sight. With hers in Germany and mine in Afghanistan, we were about to let ourselves look like two sick puppies on Christmas Day.

Or were we??

Like hell we were!

Erica and I spent weeks planning our very own Valentines Day, dreaming up, with greedy fingers, all of the

wonderful things that we always wished our men would do for us…that we could now do together. It was to be a dream come true; the best Valentines Day yet. And I will not hesitate to say that it truly was. I’m sure Erica has similar feelings.

Here’s some of our top picks for any girls’ date (be it February 14th or not) that you might be taking out in Philadelphia, what I call the City of Sisterly Love.

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–Get some Haagen Dazs in the system. This ain’t difficult. We found some classic Haagen Dazs cartons at the local CVS by some whatever train station. Best if you can’t find spoons anywhere and end up reaching through security gates to nab plastic knives to use as utensils.

–Stroll through the Magic Gardens. This wasn’t part of our Valentines Date but it is too romantic to be missed for any Girls’ Date Out. I have always been absolutely amazed walking into the mosaic paradise that makes up this South Street must. Check it out online at http://www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org, though I would highly suggest not even looking at the website for an even better surprise. 1020 South St, Sun-Thurs 11am-5pm/ Fri & Sat 11am-8pm, $4.

–Naked Chocolate. It’s any woman’s dream: a cute cafe with big windows, deep chocolate-brown wooden chairs with thick cushions, a piano (for eating on top of, not for playing!) and all the chocolate you could imagine. Might we suggest the chocolate fondue, the best $8 you will ever spend.

-Heat it up. What’s a Girls’ Date Out without the special treats? South Street is the go-to joint for sugar and spice. Check out The Mood and Passional, both highly recommended by local Yelpers (and I trust Yelp with my life).

–Take a trip. Just outside of Philadelphia and a bit off the beaten path, Fellini’s in Ardmore will forever be Erica and my stop for a romantic Italian meal for two. We started going there years ago and still make the special trip back quite regularly. Never have I come across more genuine staff, more delicious and generous portions or a cozier atmosphere. Special tip: If it’s Valentines’ Day you want, try lunchtime rather than dinner. Everyone thinks to have a special romantic dinner but when it’s lunch, the place is empty!

–Get your produce on. Walk off that fettuccine alfredo by taking a stop by Ardmore’s Farmers’ Market in Suburban Square for locally produced wine, fresh flowers and goodies, too. If you’re in the city, I’ve always had a soft spot for Reading Terminal, especially when it comes to the amazing selection of fresh mushrooms that I have yet to see anywhere else.

And I know there’s plenty more where that came from!