CUPID LETS 'EM FLY AT IKEA WEDDING.

Byline: Barbara DeWitt

Forget the offbeat wedding at the beach on horseback and try a parking lot setting on Valentine's Day.

Just think of it. You could get married, have a reception and buy your first sofa all in one place on the same day. Yep, Miz Hot Tips heard that IKEA, the budget-priced Swedish furniture store at 600 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, is inviting couples with a marriage license and fewer than 20 guests to a free Swedish-style group ceremony and reception from 7 to 9 a.m. Feb. 14. But you've got to make reservations by Friday, so call [phone], Ext. 414.

Be a blowhard: Who knew you'd grow up to become a balloonologist. Sure, Mom and Dad were counting on something closer to an oncologist or even a cosmetologist, but you'll be the hit of your kid's birthday party with all the little animals you'll learn how to make in the new book "Captain Visual's Big Book of Balloon Art" (Citadel Press; $14.95) by Captain Visual. The book includes a bag of balloons, a hand pump and easy-to-follow instructions.

It's tool time: Psst, wanna trade a power drill for a car buffer? Or swap a lawn mower for a set of pocket socket wrenches? It's a new trading card trend, similar to baseball cards except the pictures are of tools. It sounds corny to Miz Hot Tips, but she guesses it'll appeal to "Home Improvement" fans. Look for the 12-pack of Craftsman Tools Collector Cards for 99 cents in Sears hardware departments.

Where's the caviar?: The economy may be lagging, but the shopping scene is looking bright, particularly in the gourmet food department. At the new Bristol Farms, 6227 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, you'll find a coffee bar, lunch area and a cold case packed with bite-size petits fours dipped in pastel icing for your next tea party.

And in the old Westward Ho market at 4520 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Sherman Oaks, is the new Mrs. Gooch's Whole Foods Market, which specializes in chemical-free foods.

Start your engines: Now you can race around the house on an official NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) track. OK, so it's not real, and there's absolutely no chance of seeing Tom Cruise or Paul Newman, but it's a cool new wallpaper border from Village that features race cars rounding the bend with checkerboard flags waving. It's $21.99 a roll at Wallpapers to Go and other stores.

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Photo No caption (Craftsman Tool Collector Cards)