'RED,' SHE SAID...

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Staff Writer

"Give me a hint," he begged.

She laughed and sipped her latte.

"What do you want for Valentine's Day? Dinner? Diamonds? Or some lingerie?" he queried.

She smiled.

"Oh, surprise me," she purred. Really, anything will do. Just make it red."

"Only in red?" he asked.

"Red," she said.

He headed for the mall, frantic. If only he'd waited for our list of gift suggestions.

We've scouted around for the finest and fairest red gifts in the land. Or at least the Valley. No need to clutch your heart, or your wallet - some of these gifts are big only in sentiment:

x Dainty ruby and diamond-trimmed wristwatch by Pulsar, $225; jewelry and department stores.

x A trio of red enameled frying pans, $36; IKEA.

x Red leather Paloma Picasso belt accented with golden X's, $95; Nordstrom.

x A double heart candle, $9; Wicks 'n Sticks.

x Fully equipped Mustang convertible, $28,210; Galpin Ford, 15505 Roscoe Blvd., North Hills.

x A pair of burgundy latte mugs, $5 each; Pier 1 Imports.

x Patent leather purse, $22; Leeds shoe stores.

x Ruby and diamond ring, $129; Montgomery Ward.

x A giant Styrofoam heart to send to your true love, from Better Than a Letter, $4.50; The Wet Seal.

x A bottle of Red perfume, $85; Giorgio Beverly Hills, 327 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills and numerous department stores.

x Dinner for two at the red cafe, 7450 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, about $45 without wine. Call [phone] for reservations.

x In case you can't afford a Mustang, Red Sentinel 12-horsepower lawn tractor, $799; Kmart.

x Real garnet and gold heart-shaped earrings, $49.99; Target.

x Lacquered cherry-red china closet with glass shelves, $149; IKEA.

x Long terry robe in choice of pink, crimson or garnet, $45; Nordstrom.

x Camel-backed 7-foot red leather sofa, $1,095; Plummers Furniture, Woodland Hills.

x Dozen roses, $20 to $100 at florists everywhere.

x Red satin-covered heart full of Whitman's chocolates, $9.99; Kmart.

x Crayola-red wicker side chair, $100; Pier 1 Imports.

x Carlos Falchi red patent signature logo tote bag, $39.99; Marshalls.

x A canister of Red Vines licorice sticks, $5 at supermarkets.

x Red swivel desk chair for the computer, $199; IKEA.

x Craftsman 12-drawer storage chest, $79.99; Sears.

x Snakeskin zip-up ankle boots with open toe and heel, $134.95; Nordstrom.

x A bottle of 1993 Joseph Drouhin Chambertin red wine from Burgundy, France, $125; Red Carpet Wine and Spirits, 400 E. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale. If you're on a budget, try Bolla's Valpolicella for about $5 at supermarkets.

x Red Hoover vacuum cleaner, $97.88; Sears.

x Betty Boop porcelain collector's doll with red dress, $119; the Danbury Mint.

x Red floating heart-shaped candles, $1; Pier 1 Imports.

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO

Photo (1--Color) She told him red, but she had no idea he'd take her so literally. Lounging in red terry robe, $49.95, and heart-print pajamas, $36, she oohed and aahed over the dainty Paloma Picasso handbag, $150, with matching belt, $95. Also in her favorite color are a DKNY scarf, $98; red patent sneakers by Skechers, $39.95, Escada cologne, $60; Estee Lauder lipstick, $16; Lancome nail polish, $11; Godiva Chocolates, $50; a satin quilt vest by Reo, $98; glittery Mary Janes by Little Capezio, $38.95; patent pumps by Stuart Weitzman, $180; eyewear case, $18, DKNY tennis shoes, $50; silk flower corsage, $45; and slip, $50; all courtesy of Nordstrom stores. (2--Color) She's even seeing red in the kitchen with a trio of frying pans, $36, from IKEA in Burbank. (3--Color) Roses are the classic Valentine's Day gift, $69.99, from 1-800-FLOWERS. (4--Color) Suit up for a red-letter day in a rayon pique suit, $256 from Liz Claiborne at Bullock's, Broadway and Robinsons-May stores. (5--Color) She's really teed off with a cranberry golf sweater, $72 over gingham shorts, $54, from the new Lizgolf collection for spring from Liz Claiborne at major department stores. (6--Color) Quite timely, she thought, was this ruby-and-diamond-trimmed Pulsar watch, $225 at jewelry counters everywhere. (7--Color) There's nothing like a red chair to make a design statement, she said, as she sank into her Hova chair, $169, from IKEA in Burbank. (8--Color) no caption (Red Lips) (9) It's Saturday, and she's gotta give her arches a rest. While her office pumps are airing out, suggest a hike to the local latte hangout in these bright pink and red Keds. They're a limited edition called Ribbons and Hearts, $28 at Bullock's stores and benefiting AmFAR. (10) Her idea of a perfect date is a Betty Boop cartoon revival and she has every piece of pottery with that sassy little Betty's image. But wait, surely she hasn't had a chance to order the new Betty Boop collector's doll with a flirty red dress from the Danbury Mint. It's $119 with an installment plan. David Sprague/Daily News