luxe loves and lusts, Spring 2016

Sometimes you need to treat yourself.  I don't mean going shopping just for the sake of shopping, or spending money solely because you have a few extra coins in your purse.  Rewarding yourself for hard work and achieving goals, whether personally or professionally, fuels future successes and even more celebrations.  Work hard to play hard at it's best.

In America, it seems everyone had "powerball fever" - the lottery jackpot was more than US$1 Billion!  So I present to you a list of dreamlike indulgences, in no particular order, of course.

Lips and Boys.  What else does a fashionista need in her life?  Tom Ford presents the most luxurious collection of lipsticks ever, including 50 shades.  Each one is named after a man he admires—from intimates to collaborators to men he finds inspiring. Each lip color contains rich, specially treated pigments that deliver pure color with just the right balance of luminosity. Presented in an exclusive black lacquered case, this collection makes the perfect gift for yourself or someone dear.

Shades include: Holden, Beau, Collin, Cary, Guillermo, Ian, Flynn, Addison, James, Richard, Julian, Pablo, Xavier, Stavros, Liam, Henry, Alejandro, Luciano, Leonardo, Wes, Patrick, Michael, Justin, Giacomo, Rafael, Ansel, Alex, Rocco, Austin, Kingston, Louis, Jude, Malik, Daniel, Drake, David, Demsey, Jake, Hiro, Eric, Vladimir, Roman, Egon, Eddie, Derek, Roberto, Tony, Joaquin, Theo and Jay.

 Glam girls never kiss and tell.  US$1950 at Tom Ford and Nordstrom.

Goyard.  Everything.  Maison Goyard is highhandedly the most exquisite, exclusive leather goods manufacturer on the planet.  Yes, it's very expensive.  And yes, it's the ultimate luxury.  Especially anything personalized.  Whether monogramming a product already made, or creating something from your dreams, everything Goyard is simply beyond.  If money is no object, or at least in abundance, your first stop should be to a Goyard boutique.  

Dior.  Everything.  Just like Goyard's leather goods, everything Dior is simply sublime.  Every detail is paid an unlimited amount of attention and care.  Each stitch is made with purpose, both for design, function, and fabulosity.  From fine jewelry to furs, coats to clutches, sunglasses to stilettos, Team Dior does proper luxury.  If you are the Powerball winner, independently wealthy, or have an incredible generous benefactor, go for couture.  All.  The. Way.

For the suit jacket above from Dior Homme Spring 2016 collection:

This two-button jacket in black wool serge is brought up to date in a contemporary version with a navy blue and crimson red ribbon detail on the breast pocket for a guaranteed elegant and modern look.

Length of back: 73 cm
Ribbon detail on the breast pocket
Horn buttons
100% Virgin wool, Super 120's
Made in Italy
  

Live the luxe life, even for a few days when you enjoy A Taste of Waldorf Astoria.  There's nothing wrong with theme parks, obligatory visits to the House of Mouse, and shopping centers packed full of eager bargain hunters.  If you love food like I do, Waldorf Astoria Orlando has the most heavenly getaway in store.

To commemorate Waldorf Astoria as the birthplace of iconic culinary inventions such as Eggs Benedict, Red Velvet Cake and the Waldorf Salad, they've teamed up with the illustrious James Beard Foundation for a second year to find the next Taste of Waldorf Astoria.

Five emerging chefs - James Beard Rising Star Semi-Finalists – will be dispatched to five Waldorf Astoria properties around the globe to apprentice with a Waldorf Astoria Master Chef. Drawing on the heritage of the brand as a culinary innovator, the chef duos have been tasked to create the next "iconic" dish.

Bernard Fiemeyer - Educated at College Louis Armand in France and with experience in the kitchens of Japan, Thailand, France and the US, Chef Bernard Fiemeyer brings his passion for international cuisine to his current position as executive chef at Waldorf Astoria Orlando. As Executive Chef since the hotel opened in 2009, he plays a pivotal role in the property's renowned culinary program, earning the Waldorf Astoria Orlando top honors in food and beverage excellence.

Jamilka Borges, James Beard Foundation Chef - Jamilka Borges moved to Pittsburgh from Puerto Rico to attend The Art Institute's Culinary Arts Program, beginning her career with five years at Legume, working with Chef Trevett Hooper. She then joined the Bar Marco team, honing her commitment to local, simple, and honest food. In 2013, the restaurant was named to Bon Appétit's Best New Restaurant list.

HEINZ BECK & DAVID POSEY

Celery Risotto alla Waldorf

CELERY ROOT 'RISOTTO' WITH APPLE, HAZELNUT AND BLACK TRUFFLE

Congratulations to James Beard Foundation Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef David Posey and Master Chef Heinz Beck on the Year One winning Taste of Waldorf Astoria dish, Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf. Their modern take on a celery root ‘risotto' with apple, hazelnut and black truffle became part of an illustrious heritage of iconic dishes, featured on restaurant menus at Waldorf Astoria properties worldwide.

Emirates Airlines: the ultimate in luxury and safety in the skies.  Go somewhere fabulous.  Discover something new, something special, something beyond ordinary.  And do so with style + class.



Speaking of adventures, for the ultimate travel experience, go around the world.  Literally.  If you'd prefer to fly, SkyTeam offers a Round the World ticket, allowing for 3-15 destinations in as little as 10 days and as much as one year's timeframe.  Choose your destinations from west-to-east or east-to-west, and enjoy flexibility with more than 1,000 destinations in 177 countries.  Craving sushi in Tokyo?  Start eating. Dreaming of Dubai? Start exploring.  Stargazing in South Africa?  Just a flight away.

Not to be outdone, competitor air group Star Alliance offer a similar ticket.  Join Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners when you build and book your ideal Round the World itinerary – right from your own computer – simply by accessing the Star Alliance Book and Fly tool at  (Please note that the tool is currently only available in English.)  With 27 Star Alliance member airlines operating over 21,000 flights every day, Book and Fly can take you to 1,160 destinations in 181 countries spanning the globe. You can customize your itinerary with your preferred cities, dates, flights, and cabin class of service. Thinking of a long stopover in Lisbon, followed a quick connection in Cape Town on your way to Wellington? The possibilities are endless...

Want even more exclusivity and the expertise of travel professionals at your fingertips, scoot your Manolos to Wings Over the World with Abercrombie & Kent. Wings Over the World is a new series of luxury journeys that feature privately chartered flights that let you get the most from every day of exploration. Whether you are visiting the Great Wall or the Taj Mahal, every minute you save by flying is better spent experiencing your destination alongside an A&K Resident Tour Director^®, relaxing in your incomparable, five-star accommodations or experiencing the incomparable insider access made possible by our 52 local offices. Enjoy nearly hassle-free flight departure and arrivals, flying from one destination to the next with a dedicated flight crew and no more than 16 guests.

Bliss.  If you're treating yourself or the ones you love the most, and you're able to be super generous - give a year of Bliss.  I absolutely love Bliss - their products and spas.  Membership includes a massage or facial each month, exclusive discounts on additional services, upgrades and products. US$99 per month.

Build your own car.  Of course it's exciting to visit a showroom and drive away in the car of your dreams.  But is it exactly what you were driving in your slumber?  Step it up a notch and customize your car, catering to your every hope, desire, and whim.  From Peugeot to Porsche, Ferrari to Fiat, building your own car is like having a couture gown created - everything is tailored to you.  If you can afford the luxury, bring an added dash of style + class to the road.

Splurge.  Find something you love and use constantly.  Upgrade to the best you are able.  Maybe you finally treat yourself to All-Clad's collaboration with chef Thomas Keller and add those incredible pots and pans to your kitchen arsenal.   Or you jazz up your ensemble with a Zenith watch and customized John Lobb shoes. 

What do all of these luxe loves and lusts have in common?  They're all either products you'd use everyday or an adventure to create memories of a lifetime, all on an elevated level.  You don't have to spend thousands to treat yourself.  Find something special, something with meaning, and treat yourself.  Maybe it's a babysitter to watch the kids and a movie date with your best friend, or a late morning cappuccino and that book you've been meaning to read at your local coffee shop.

Stop and smell the roses.  And coffee.  Are you living to work or working to live?

ABCs of a sizzling summer, part deux

Oscar de la Renta: (happy birthday, by the way!). He knows hot to flatter the feminine physique like no other. For glamourous gowns and dynamite dresses, Oscar is the industry go-to-guy. And as if that weren't enough, I might possibly be in love with Oscar's tweeting pal, who chronicles his every move with style and class.

Periodicals - maybe I'm just nostalgic for the days when you went to the library and pulled the card catalog for find an armful of books to check out for your summer reading. But there's something so very fulfilling about reading an actual book or magazine. Don't get me wrong - I love the virtual features brought to you only on the iPad, like videos, sound, etc. But I love a relaxing day at the pool, beach, or coffee shop with a magazine or book or two.

quality: it sounds like a given, but let "quality" be your mantra for the summer. eat quality food. drink quality drinks. spend quality time with quality friends. stay at a hotel with quality. travel with quality. sleep with quality. live with quality. quality quality quality.

(public) radio (international): I can't get enough. Maybe because I grew up listening to National Public Radio and Public Radio International. Maybe because they're programing is entertaining, informative, and meaningful. Maybe because I studied broadcast journalism in university. Maybe because it just might possibly be one of the coolest applications for the iPhone/iPad.




Sun (protection): Cancer is never en vogue. My Mother had skin cancer, which turned into brain cancer, lung cancer, and eventually killed her. Something like 80% of your skin damage is done by the time you're 18. As Marc Jacobs says, "protect the skin you're in" and slather up the sun screen. Wear a hat. And big, giant sun glasses with super dark lenses. They'll protect the delicate skin around your eyes, are definitely fashionable, and prevent people from seeing you stare.

Travel. At every opportunity, you must travel. Maybe there's a new restaurant or park on the other side of your city that you've not yet been to. Maybe there's an art exhibition in your country/Provence/state's biggest city that you've been putting off visiting. Or, if time/resources allow, maybe it's time to take a trip to the other side of the globe and discover a new land, a new people, a new way of life, and a new fashion. My point: get out! Discover. Explore. Shop!

And speaking of travel, I'd be doing a disservice if I didn't tell you about the most exciting and incredible travel opportunity for my American friends: Abercrombie & Kent, the luxury travel leaders, have the first opportunity for ordinary Americans to visit CUBA! Must. Go. Now!


Unique fabrics: I'm really loving fabrics that are special. Fun, flirty, floral prints - like from Liberty of London. Or iconic, insatiable, irresistible fabrics from Marimekko. The fashion high of Missoni's undeniably rich textiles. The luxe, heritage weaves of Ralph Lauren Home. I love the incredible texture, design, and aesthetic of quality, unique fabric.


Very Valentino - I'm not a purveyor of parfume. I don't get paid millions of euro each year to formulate special blends. I keep my fragrances in cool, dark places because I read in GQ several years ago that it extends the life of your fragrances. And when I graduated high school, my awesome friend Janet bought me Very Valentino. It smelled really fabulous, and was obviously a nighttime scent, with smoky, woodsy notes. I've heard that fragrances go rancid over time. But it must be more than 10 years, because I recently found my bottle of Very Valentino, that I received 10 years ago, and it smells as deliciously intoxicating today as it did the very first time I sprayed the cologne. I don't think it's currently in production, so I'll use it sparingly for sure.

White - whether you're in summer or winter right now, it's all about white. White linen in the north, white wool/fur in the south. White is so clean, so classic, so crisp, and so perfect for every occasion.