Fine Living

Coming up on 13 February is an auction that bookworms will adore. It is the Bonhams & Butterfields Fine Books & Manuscripts auction. A number of rare, vintage manuscripts will be going under the hammer as the auction gets underway, and collectors had better be prepared. Among the top picks at the auction is a book focussing primarily on the California region that features 100 hand-coloured lithograph plates German-Russian painter Louis Choris. Choris was also an explorer which explains why there are also scenes from Chile, the Philippines and Alaska. The book is valued at about $100,000 to $150,000. Another collectible is a second-edition The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands by naturalist Mark Catesby, featuring 220 hand-coloured plates as illustration. This is also valued between $100,000 and $150,000. Poetry enthusiasts would appreciate a typed letter by poet Sylvia Plath containing her poem ! Lament. The letter is valued between $15,000 and $2...

Jerry Schatzberg is practically an institution. The photographer and filmmaker has done plenty of groundbreaking work over the years. As a filmmaker, he is associated with films like Scarecrow and Street Smart . However, his film career began only in the 1970s. Prior to that, he was busy making his way through Hollywood armed with his camera and lens. Best known as the photographer who clicked the iconic cover photograph of Bob Dylans popular album, Blonde on Blonde , Schatzberg has gone down in photography history. His new book, Women Then: Photographs 1954-1969 , is testament to just how significant his work was, and continues to be. During the 1950s and 60s, Schatzberg went around capturing iconic moments from the fashion and celebrity scenes. And he was not just another shutterbug. Schatzberg was part of the high-profile action. What set him apart from the rest was his unique style of photography. Not for him the highly posed shoots that were all the rage at the time. He was not o...

Whats a wedding without extravagance? Swarovski certainly agrees. The Austrian crystal giant has created a bejewelled wedding cake that is sure to set your mouth watering and your eyes aglitter. The giant wedding cake has been decorated using as many as 500 Swarovski crystals. And standing atop the highest tier are crystal figurines of a pair of blue and green birds. This masterpiece of a cake is being housed at Signorini Villa, located in the southern Italian town of Herculaneum. The crowds are going gaga over this bejewelled work. The occasion is bridal exhibition Bride Villa , now into its fifth edition, which is being held from 4-6 February. Designed by well-known pastry chef Laura Aguglia, the Swarovski-studded wedding cake is the ! result o f 36 intensive hours of work. Assisted by her mother Heidi, Aguglia worked painstakingly to great this magnificent masterpiece. Aguglia has five separate degrees in cake design. A glance at the ingredients is enough to send one spinning. 200...

Luxury brand Herms is known for its craftsmanship. It is one of the reasons that we awarded it the Luxist Awards' Editors' Choice Award for Best in Accessories last year and the reason that the Birkin bag has become one of the world's most coveted luxury posessions. That craftsmanship is on display at a new Herms festival, The Festival of Crafts, that begins on the west coast at T he Bravern in Bellevue, Washington on February 23 through February 28. From there the festival will travel to Chicago, Washington D.C. and then abroad offering a glimpse behind the scenes at how the beautiful objects that Herms fashions come together. Continue reading Hermes Showcases Craft In New Exhibit Filed under: Handbags Hermes Showcases Craft In New Exhibit originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Comments

Classic coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera has been doing the dirty work for the most famous marques since 1926, starting off with Alfa Romeo . This gorgeous Bentley caused a lot of rubbernecking as it was presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show with its off-kilter design somewhere inbetween a wagon, a coup and a sports car. The base model is a Continental GTC which has been thoroughly modified to give it its new spacious appearance. Under the hood youll find the powerful 6 liter W12 and on the inside some of the finest leathers made by Belgian company Delvaux. The seller claims it to be the only one of its kind, so dont miss out. Hes asking 750,000 . Tweet

Okay, gentlemen, you officially have ten days until Valentines Day. Ladies, that means you have three more days to get in reasonable gift requests or drop relevant hints. If youre the kind of woman that likes glossy, pop art inspired jewelry, this Hot Lips ring by Solange Azagury-Partridge would be a great addition to your collection. The sterling silver base has been coated with an extra thick layer of enamel, which makes the lips look extra glossy and lacquered. The bubblegum pink color is bright and eye-catching. But if the eye-popping color isnt enough to attract attention, the substantial size will be. I have to say that while Im not usually the kind of girl that goes in for pink anything, theres something cute and kitschy about this ring that is really appealing. Even girls who arent girly girls can find a way to work this one into their wardrobes.

It seems like theres a festival for just about everything these days. Most of them involve camping, dancing in the mud, and a lineup of popular indie rock bands. But if rubbing elbows with blissed out hipsters isnt your bag, dont worry, theres a festival for you, too. If youre into yoga, spa treatments, and luxury hotel stays, Wanderlust might be it. The Wanderlust Festival is a four-day wellness festival being held at the beautiful Standard Hotel and Spa in Miami Beach, Florida. Its taking place March 17-20, and it might prove to be the most holistic festival out there. First of all, The Standard is a fabulous bayside hotel with luxury accommodations and a world-class spa. Also, the festival lineup doesnt include traditional festival fare. The hotels Lido Restaurant and Bayside Grill are known for their healthy, gourmet Mediterranean menus. The spa has gorgeous hamam baths and an aromatherapy steam room, and a gorgeous pool. Activities include several times daily yoga classes with pro...

Alfa Romeo reportedly has plans to build a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe that would become the brand's halo car, according to Automotive News Europe. Alfa, owned by Italian automaker Fiat, plans to show a concept version of the car at next month's Geneva auto show next month, one of Europe's two big auto shows this year. The concept is set to be built as the 4C GTA and go on sale for about $55,000), the trade weekly reported. Alfa has not had a truly affordable rear-drive car of significance since it discontinued the Duetto Spider (pictured) in 1994. The Italian premium carmaker is expected to produce the 4C GTA by the end of 2012 in one of Fiat's factories in Italy. The automaker may build as many as 20,000 to 25,000 units of the coupe over five years, Automotive News reported. Alfa Romeo worked with race-car producer/designer Dallara Automobili to create the 4C GTA. Fiat is re-introducing Alfa-Romeo to the U.S. in 2012. But no decision has apparently been made b...

Is it us or are there a whole bunch of great new watch designs coming out these days? Remember TikTok and LunaTik , the iPod Nano conversion project we showed you on the crowd-sourced funding site KickStart? Well today we've got another timepiece project for you, also currently being featured on Kickstart. The Haptica is an innovative timepiece that indicates time using braille. The dots actually rotate on the face of the Haptica and as found and designer David Chavez puts it, represent a major step forward in timepieces for the visually impaired. If the project reaches its $150,000 capital goal, produciton will begin and each will cost around $250. Currently, Haptica has 24 backers and $13,085 secured, so we need to get some major support going here! Click here for details and the ability to donate to The Hapitca Braille Watch project on Kickstart . (Via CruchGear )

Foodies, rejoice! Theres a buzzworthy new restaurant in Auckland, New Zealands City of Sails. Named for its eight kitchens, the new resto at The Langham inspires diners to take a culinary journey through world cuisine. From designer sushi prepared on demand to freshly baked naan bread pulled steaming from the tandoors, the $2 million (NZD) Eight Restaurant has a team of passionate chefs who will serve up what youre looking for. These diverse kitchens were named after different journeys. Think Silk Road (wok and dim sum), Spice Route (Indian tandoori and curries), Tkaid (sushi and sashimi), Route 66 (New York style grille), Great Ocean Road (seafood and oysters), Garden Route (salads), Champs-Elyses (pastries, crpes and cheese), and Dessert Road (desserts). Langham Hotels is celebrating the debut of Eight Restaurant with a competition where one lucky winner will snag an unforgettable prize: a Global Culinary Journey staying and dining at Langham Hotels worldwide. Each time you dine at...

It could be the setting a natural tropical paradise set on the Big Islands exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast. When the climate is that perfect, its easy to get outside and stay fit. Indeed, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaplehu has plenty to keep you busy on the white sand, black lava and lush green vegetation of Hawaiis biggest island. Theres rock climbing, snorkeling, hiking, tennis, paddling outrigger canoes, surfing and scuba diving. But the resort goes beyond that. The Four Seasons Hualalai has a kick-ass spa and sports club thats recognized by fitness experts. Its made up of three separate gyms of 1,300 square feet each, outfitted with state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Think spinning bicycles, ellipticals, adaptive motion trainers, rowers, and more. The Sports Club also offers a wide range of fitness classes such as Core Blast, Dance Pit, Pilates, Spin Zone, Sports Pump, Water Aerobics and Yoga. Did we mention the basketball court and rock climbing wall? Its little w...

Earlier this week, Audi India was proud to open the largest luxury showroom in the country, featuring 30,000 square feet of showroom space and the ability to accommodate 20 cars. The new facility also boasts an authorized Audi Service facility which can service 25 cars per day on a total of 16 bays. Speaking on the occasion, Raghav Chandra, Managing Director, Audi Delhi, said, I am delighted to announce the opening of the biggest luxury automobile showroom in the country. The Audi Delhi showroom is a testament of Audis position as a global leader in the auto industry. Adopting the Audi brand values of progression and perfection, we at Audi Delhi, look forward to delivering a premium customer experience and strengthening Audis foothold in Delhi NCR.

My colleague, Deidre Woollard, wrote in Luxist about opening of The St. Regis Lhasa Tibe t in November, 2010. It is now receiving significant attention for its original architectural design that merges traditional Tibetan elements with signature St. Regis amenities into a luxury hotel literally on top of the world. At 12,000 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest luxury hotels in the world, with unimpeded views of the Himalayas and Lhasa Valley. The resort was designed from the ground up with sustainable features including solar panels, locally-sourced produce and herbs for the resort's three signature restaurants, as well as an underground water recycling system. The eight-acre-resort complex is inspired by the nearby world-famous Sera Monastery, built in 1419, a place of great architectural and spiritual significance to this region. The Sera Monastery developed over the centuries as a place of scholarly learning, and trained hundreds of scholars, many of whom have atta...

Nandini: You might still be gazing at the Hublot Masterpiece MP-01 watch from their new Masterpiece collection, but the Geneva-based luxury watchmaker is creating a big bang effect in literally whatever they do! The company is also diversifying to other luxury items including, skis , bikes and now sleds. The Hublot Sled is another example of the companys Art of Fusion philosophy with fine materials. The cutting-edge design combines ash wood for the structure, hand-sewn leather for the seat, carbon fiber for the handles and steel for the runners. The Hublot sled is a result of collaboration between Hublot and Ecal, the Lausanne University of Art and Design. This ultra limited edition sled will make its debut at the Alpine World Ski championships in Garmisch Partenkirchen, and will be limited to just 10 pieces. Via: Selectism / Hublot

Struck down with a bad case of winter blues? Nothing a little chocolate and wine cant cure, says the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. (Wed add Florida sunshine as a key ingredient in this winning recipe.) Jet down to Orlando for a restful weekend in the Sunshine State with plenty of chocolate and bubbly to heal your winter-weary soul. The luxury hotel is launching Waldorf Astoria Chocolate, Wine & Romance Weekends exclusively for overnight guests on Feb. 12-13 and 19-20, 2011. During these weekends when chocolate and wine take center stage suites are available starting at $289 on Feb. 12-13 and $309 on Feb. 19-20 . Here are some of the sweet surprises in store for lucky guests: Art and Chocolate: A Walking Tour learn more about the hotels collection of commissioned artwork, and sample chocolates that are paired to add inspiration to each painting. [Complimentary to guests] Bar du Chocolat: A Chocolate Extravaganza experience nearly 30 a la carte chocolate treats from Waldorf Astorias ...

Nandini: Valentines Day is around the corner and the market is flooded with pink gadgets to impress your stylish geek girl. After the pink iPhone 4 by Amosu Couture, here comes the classy Vertu Constellation Quest Pink. This pink Vertu Quest carries the same lineage of constellation series including QWERTY keyboard, leatherback, steel polished, crystal sapphire keys, and also Vertu concierge service with free navigation and Assisted GPS. Each Vertu handset is tailored to individual tastes and is in fact built by a single engineer for a unique handset for every individual. The pink Constellation Quest retails for $7,900 and is available at Vertu boutiques. And Ladies, the Vertu Constellation Quest set in yellow gold is perfect for the gentleman in your life! Via: HauteLiving / Vertu

There is still time to whisk that special person in your life away for Valentines Day. Here are 3 fantastic luxury getaways, perfect for a romantic Valentine break. The Lowell, New York Log Burning Fires in Suite 265 per person per night Spend Valentines at The Lowell with their Valentines Special, New York. Recently voted by Travel + Leisure as one of 10 best romantic hotels in the US. Spend the weekend with your loved one relaxing in a cosy suite by a wood burning fireplace laden with aromatic logs from The Lowells fireplace menu. The Valentines special includes Champagne and chocolate strawberries and a dozen roses upon arrival, and a gourmet brunch for two in the intimate Pembroke Room prepared by Chef de Cuisine Michael Fred. Domaine de Luxe Private Paris Bolthole - 300 per person per night This beautiful apartment in Paris is available to rent for the first time in the UK and is available over Valentines day (12th-14th February) and the preceding weekend. This stylish b...

I think that the perlage polish applied base dial will be a stunning design element on this new watch from Linde Werdelin . With a release date of around May 2011, the new SpidoSpeed is the next iteration of the SpidoLite watch concept, and the brand's first chronograph model. The relatively svelte case needed to be increased by 3mm in height to incorporate the mechanical chronograph movement. I actually like that - as the design of the case can accommodate a chunky look quite well. The watch is now 44mm wide by 15mm tall. The SpidoSpeed is in steel, not titanium. Will there be future models in titanium? Probably. What you see here is only the first "Series A" model of the watch. There will be 100 pieces of this version, and after that Linde Werdelin likely has a few tricks up their sleeve for other versions. You can see the complex make up of the case, and the nearly integrated chronograph pushers. Prone to now using interesting movements, inside the SpidoSpeed is a Conc...

Naveen: Swedish manufacturer Marten, known for its high-end speakers, took wraps off its first power amplifier at this years CES show. Dubbed M-Amp , the mono power amplifier has been developed using the new loop linearization technology called AMS (Adaptive Modulation Servo) created by Leif Olofsson, chief designer of Marten, and Patrik Bostrom, founder of the design house Anaview AB. The fully balanced M-Amp features an inverting globally self oscillating class-D stage, which is a load independent wide bandwidth (-3dB @ 120 kHz) first order modulator, switching at 600 kHz, with a constant loop gain of 30dB all the way up to the switching frequency . The upshot of the same is a true delay line, which shows wide bandwidth and swift transient response. Erick Lichte at Stereophile said The M Amps never let on that they were class-D amps, sounding more like super powerful tubes or a richly voiced class-A amp. The two independent channels used in a balanced configuration account for ultra...

Naveen: Music mogul Sean P Diddy Combs was recently in the news for his luxury vacation aboard the iPad-controlled superyacht Solemates , the lavish Super Bowl Fantasy party and the $1 million giveaway to the crowd. This time, the affluent have the chance to sail over the blue waters like Diddy in the 72-metre RM Elegant superyacht, which was the rappers charter of choice until he picked the iPad-controlled Solemates. The yacht, built in Greece by the Lamda Shipyard in 2005, offers luxurious accommodation for up to 30 guests in its 15 spacious cabins. It has a 12-person Jacuzzi, with by a wide sunbathing and entertaining area, where producer Jerry Weintraub hosted a party for Oceans 13 at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. The sun deck offers a double-sided bar and shower rooms, and is accessible from all the guest decks through lift. There is a grand piano in the main entrance and home entertainment facilities in the second reception room. The Master Suite features a large private s...

Naveen: Just in time for the Valentines Day, Amosu Couture has festooned the Apple iPhone 4 with Swarovski crystals and a matching rose pink back. The Amosu Couture Valentine Pink Swarovski iPhone 4 has been decked out with over 500 Swarovski crystallized element stones that adorn its frame. At just 2,699 (about $4,355), this blinged pink iPhone 4 makes for a cool Valentines Day gift for your love. Also available are the 1,995 pink iPad and the 1,300 pink Blackberry.

Louis Vuittons iconic LV logo has defined luxury luggage for more than a century, and thats no exaggeration. Not only is it classic and beautiful, but it also has real staying power, as this gorgeous vintage trunk attests to. This particular steamer is up for sale at M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans, Louisiana. What a romantic riverside location to pick up a little piece of travel luxury history in, no? The trunk is priced at $22,500, and has been included in the coffee table chronicle, Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks. It is covered in LV monogrammed canvas, and is a very early example of the companys ubiquitous style. This is one of those things that has definitely gotten better with age. All the trim is original, and it features authentic vintage stickers from opulent hotels around the globe. Its giant size and extensive history makes it the kind of inimitable heirloom for your favorite clotheshorse.

With Valentine's Day in the offing luxe British lingerie brand Agent Provocateur has unveiled its new ad campaign for spring starring sultry French sexpot Josephine de la Baume. Set in a seedy hotel room, the images were shot by Swedish photographer Johan Renck. De la Baume, an actress and singer, is the girlfriend of musician Mark Ronson, who was recently seen partying the night away with Kate Moss at the Ritz in Paris. "Johan Renck takes a collection and an idea, and combines the two in an explosion of sexuality, playfulness and sense of humour," Agent Provovateur creative director Sarah Shotton tells Vogue UK. "Renck translates our desires into a campaign that shows our lingerie in a fantasy of real life. Josephine de la Baume is the ultimate Agent Provocateur woman: witty, gorgeous and confident. She is a natural femme fatale, a quality which effortlessly translates on screen." Check out the gallery for more pix and click here to watch a voyeuristic video. ...

Rose McGowan, infamous Hollywood starlet and star of the 90s TV hit, Charmed , has recently put her gorgeous Los Feliz home up for sale. The Art Deco decorated home has a retro modern elegance that is comfortable and beautiful. Theres that, and the fact that the neighborhood aint bad either. Ms. McGowans notable neighbors include January Jones and John Hamm (who arent a married couple, but play one on Mad Men ), director David Fincher, and Laura Prepon from That 70s Show . The house is listed for $1,849,000, which is $1000 less than the actress paid for the home in 2004. The market was different then, but the home is still totally gorgeous. At 4,278 square feet, it has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The estate isnt particularly large, but there are several outdoor patios and terraces that are great for entertaining. The villa, which is designed in a combination of styles, opens onto an impressive tiled entrance hall with cavernous ceilings. Its not the most enormous mansion on the ...

Last night, W Hotels celebrated what's new and next in fashion with an event at the W Times Square that celebrated the W Hotels Fall 2011 Fashion Next designers Tess Giberson , Michael Angel , Amanda Ross (W Hotels Global Fashion Director), Mandy Coon , Frank Tell , and Mara Hoffman (see photo above). Alexandra Richards (seen below), daughter of Patti Hansen and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, served as the guest DJ. The statuesque blond, who is an actress and model in addition to being a professional DJ, was a great fit for the event which celebrated the rising stars of the fashion world. Fashion Next is a program of W Hotels that fosters and supports emerging designers during fashion week and beyond. In addition to partnering with W Hotels during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week , Fashion Next designers will travel to W Hotels globally for exclusive trunk shoes, design limited-edition pieces for W's next Global Glam fashion and accessories collection, and collaborate w...

Some women like a little levity with their romance, and a little edge to their jewelry. I happen to be one of those women, so I feel uniquely suited to help pick out gifts for other girls like me. If you need to buy a gift for a smart, hip, ironic woman, this Pamela Love locket is a totally spot on choice. The locket itself is very unusual looking. No heart-shaped confections here, thats for sure. The pendant is oval, but it looks weather-worn. The burnished finish on the silver adds to the casual look. The faded, old-fashioned cursive script on the exterior makes for an interesting contrast with the understated diamond accent , especially when you read the inscription: Lets Make Mistakes. As I read this, my cynical, sarcasm soul softened up just a little bit. This is an inscription that has an honest sweetness, and an inherent acknowledgement that love isnt all flowers and candy. Plus, it looks really cool, and is wearable for more than just special occasions.

People are always in a rut about what to gift their partners for the Valentines Day. If you do not have any creative ideas then the safest bet is a bottle of champagne. Mot & Chandon have brought out a special customizable package for the love birds. This special gift set includes a bottle of Ros Imprial, two champagne glasses and a permanent marker to hand-write a message in golden letters. Plus the gift set also comes with a limited-edition Tag Your Mot Ros coffret. Go to a beautiful, romantic dinner, come back home and gift your valentines this lovely gift. Celebrate this day of love with a bottle of bubbly and get a bit tipsy. And well nothing beats a great dinner and a bit of booze. Well that didnt sound all that romantic but it definitely is when you are with someone you love. The approximate retail price for this Gift set is $120. With this I think you will be all set for this Valentines. Considering its all pink and cute, this would be a gift most suited to be gifted to the...

Sick of heart-shaped chocolates, rose petals, and cupids? Not feeling the love? Valentines schmalentines, says The Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver . The elegant European-style hotel situated downtown against a marvelous backdrop of mountains and sea is retaliating against this Hallmark Holiday with the Be My Anti-Valentine Single Ladies Package. Theyre promising a fun-filled girls night with nary a stupid cupid in sight. (And no Kenny G playing in the background.) Straight from the horses mouth: Heres to All You Single Ladies who still enjoy an excuse to celebrate but dont need the romance and who better to do so with than your best gal pal! So this Valentines Day, lets put friends first and men last! Starting from $219 per night, the package is based on double occupancy and includes: Overnight accommodation Complimentary Porterage for your excess baggage Two specialty drinks in the Gerard Lounge Build Your Own Sundae Voodoo Doll One black rose Unlimited in-room movies Breakfa...

Ready for the next epicurean adventure? We hear Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Fat Duck Group have joined forces to create Dinner by Heston Blumenthal , a gourmands delight in Londons Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park . The new gourmand playground was designed keeping Englands heritage in mind. Blumenthal has a slew of honors under his belt, including the three-Michelin starred The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, The Hinds Head pub and The Crown pub of the same village. The menu at this restaurant ties a bit of old with a bit of new (think scallops with cucumber ketchup and peas; slow-cooked short rib of beef in red wine juice with triple cooked chips; and tipsy cake, made with spit roast pineapple and jersey cream!). We love that the restaurant offers floor-to-ceiling glass walls that give way to views of Hyde Park, as well as the open kitchen and a large scale pulley mechanize, modeled after the 16th century pulley system designed for the Royal British Courts kitchen.

Good watch, Great Cause The OMEGA Hour Vision Blue wristwatch is a special edition of the Hour Vision watch, part of Omegas De Ville collection. The Hour Vision is a neat watch because the beauty of the movement is visible through the sapphire crystal case back as well as through sapphire glass apertures in the side of the watch case (see close-up photo below). TheHour Vision Blue is also special because it is produced in support of ORBIS International s fight against preventable blindness in developing countries (see Did You Know below). I applaud OMEGA for its commitment to donate a minimum of a million dollars to ORBIS International over the next four years. Kudos to OMEGA Ambassador Daniel Craig who is also involved in the effort. Omega Hour Vision Blue 41 mm stainless steel case, specially designed sun-brushed blue dial, Co-Axial calibre 8500, 100m water resistance, comes on a black leather strap Did you Know? According to the World Health Organization, 45 million people worldw...

World Time watches hold a certain fascination to us here at the 'Dink - we've told you this before - especially when we get to the world-timers from the 1950s and earlier. Louis Cottier made a name for himself creating the first true-world time movement, and countless brands employed him and his team to create pieces for them. We're talking Patek , Vacheron, and Rolex , to name a few you may have heard of (of course, Aggasiz also used Cottier and this watch was actually given to the leaders of the allied forces after the Second World War ). But, a vintage world timer from Patek, VC, or Rolex will cost you some serious money, and that is why we are here today with a 1950s Tissot that has the same appeal for a fraction of the price. In fact, this is a fantastic original example of a Tissot WT dating to the mid 1950s. When you press the button at 2 o'clock, the inner disc rotates so the wearer may calibrate it to home-time. Once done, time may be read in the 24 timezones s...

Gifting on Valentines Day seems to get tougher and tougher each year. Some days ago, we discovered the Key To My Heart by Steuben, but not everyone can shell out $3,500 on a V-Day gift. Luckily, this year round you can take a tip from the stars; not the ones in the sky, but Hollywood couples, in this case Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. Yes, the two actors have come up with a jewellery collection ahead of Valentines Day with handcuffs as their source of inspiration. Moore and Kutcher have collaborated with jeweller Jack Vartanian and designed a line of necklaces shaped like handcuffs. However, the aim was not to be kinky. On the contrary, the two actors are attempting to shift the limelight on to a major social problem, that of child sex slavery. The high-profile Hollywood couple run a non-profit organisation called the Demi and Ashton Foundation which deals with the problem of child sex slavery. Half the proceeds from their handcuff line of necklaces will be given to the organisatio...

Good news for all the luxury aficionados out there: The Peninsula Hotels group has brought back its popular Winter Escapes offer to its hotels worldwide, doling out value-added benefits to the delight of guests. Available until March 31, 2011, the special package combines great value on gorgeous guest rooms with a range of personalized benefits, ranging from room upgrades, spa treatments, culinary choices, airport transfers, and more. For example, at The Peninsula Hong Kong , choose between an upgrade to the next room category, one-way airport transfer, or holistic body massage for two at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA. Also included: daily American-style breakfast for two in The Lobby restaurant, complimentary wired and wireless Internet, and free local calls. Winter Escapes is available at The Peninsula Hong Kong , The Peninsula Shanghai , The Peninsula Tokyo , The Peninsula Beijing , The Peninsula New York , The Peninsula Chicago , The Peninsula Beverly Hills , The Peninsula Bangkok ...

Naveen: Embodying the ideal of eternal feminine, the original ball-jointed porcelain dolls by artist Marina Bychkova are enchanting, truly feminine and a sheer beauty to look at. The brand name Enchanted Doll for the Marina Bychkovas collection comes from Paul Gallicos fictional story called Enchanted Doll, where a young woman creates dolls that fascinate people instantly with their compelling life-like beauty. Marina Bychkova says As a child, I became painfully aware and appalled at the mediocrity and the uninspired dullness of mass-produced dolls. This profound frustration coupled with my natural sensibilities inspired me to create my own dolls, suited to my own ideas of feminine beauty. A particular point of interest for me was not only the life-like articulation of the body, but also the beautiful balance between a delicate form and an extraordinary function of a doll. One of the Enchanted Dolls from Marina Bychkovas collection is the Twenty To Midnight , which has been born from m...

It was in December last year that we first heard about the $68 million Milano Residences in Manila, Philippines. The latest on the Milano Residences is that real estate group Century Properties has inked a multi-million dollar deal with fashion giant Versace. The latter, through Versace Home, will be in charge of designing the interiors of the projects public spaces. Interested homeowners would also have access to Versaces expertise while doing up their homes. Versace Home has left its mark on several international landmarks like the Damac Tower in Beirut and the Plaza Hotel in New York. The brand is known for its splendid artistry and use of high-quality materials. Versaces signature elegance is expected to push up the rates at Milano Residences. The design giant will be working on the poolside, the lobby, the fitness centre, the library and the Milano Piazza among other common areas. Homeowners who want their home interiors to be designed by Versace Home, have the option of selecti...