MOET & CHANDON'S MESSAGE ON A BOTTLE GIFT SET IS PERFECT FOR VALENTINE'S DAY OR TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION. THE PREMIUM CHAMPAGNE SET COMES WITH TWO CRISTAL FLUTES, A ROSE IMPERIAL BOTTLE WITH SPECIAL EDITION ROSE PINK SLEEVE AND A GOLD MARKER TO PERSONALIZE THE PRESENT WITH A MESSAGE, ALL BEAUTIFULLY DISPLAYED IN AN ELEGANT, ROSE TINTED GIFT BOX. THE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE FOR THE MOET & CHANDON VALENTINE DAY GRAFFITI KIT IS $120. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 14.FEBRUARY.

MOET & CHANDON VALENTINE GRAFFITI KIT

MOET & CHANDON'S MESSAGE ON A BOTTLE GIFT SET IS PERFECT FOR VALENTINE'S DAY OR TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION. THE PREMIUM CHAMPAGNE SET COMES WITH TWO CRISTAL FLUTES, A ROSE IMPERIAL BOTTLE WITH SPECIAL EDITION ROSE PINK SLEEVE AND A GOLD MARKER TO PERSONALIZE THE PRESENT WITH A MESSAGE, ALL BEAUTIFULLY DISPLAYED IN AN ELEGANT, ROSE TINTED GIFT BOX. THE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE FOR THE MOET & CHANDON VALENTINE DAY GRAFFITI KIT IS $120. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 14.FEBRUARY.

MOET & CHANDON VALENTINE GRAFFITI KIT

IN CELEBRATION OF THE FESTIVE HOLIDAY SEASON, SWAROVSKI PRESENTED A 30 METER HIGH OUTDOOR CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS TREE AT STATUE SQUARE IN CENTRAL HONG KONG. INSPIRED BY URBAN EFFERVESCENCE, AND A LANDSCAPE DOMINATED BY SKYSCRAPERS AND BUILDINGS WITH A SEEMINGLY ENDLESS NUMBER OF WINDOWS, THE SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS TREE TOWERS OVER 30 METERS. RHOMBAS-SHAPED MIRRORS IN SILVER AND GOLD, REMINISCENT OF WINDOW PANES, SHEATH THE TREE. THEY ARE EMBELLISHED WITH OVER 20 MILLION PIECES OF SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS. AT NIGHT, THE SWAROVSKI CHRISTMAS TREE DAZZLES BY MEANS OF INTERACTIVE LIGHTS FROM OVER 200 PIECES OF SWAROVSKI ANNUAL EDITION 2010 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS.

SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS TREE

IN CELEBRATION OF THE FESTIVE HOLIDAY SEASON, SWAROVSKI PRESENTED A 30 METER HIGH OUTDOOR CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS TREE AT STATUE SQUARE IN CENTRAL HONG KONG. INSPIRED BY URBAN EFFERVESCENCE, AND A LANDSCAPE DOMINATED BY SKYSCRAPERS AND BUILDINGS WITH A SEEMINGLY ENDLESS NUMBER OF WINDOWS, THE SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS TREE TOWERS OVER 30 METERS. RHOMBAS-SHAPED MIRRORS IN SILVER AND GOLD, REMINISCENT OF WINDOW PANES, SHEATH THE TREE. THEY ARE EMBELLISHED WITH OVER 20 MILLION PIECES OF SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS. AT NIGHT, THE SWAROVSKI CHRISTMAS TREE DAZZLES BY MEANS OF INTERACTIVE LIGHTS FROM OVER 200 PIECES OF SWAROVSKI ANNUAL EDITION 2010 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS.

SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS TREE

THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, RENOWNED FRENCH PATISSIER PIERRE HERME ONCE AGAIN RULES THE FESTIVE HOLIDAY. THE 'PICASSO OF PASTRY' RE-ENACTS THE CLASSIC BOUCHE DE NOEL INTO A MODERN HIT OF CHOCOLATE BISCUITS LAYERED WITH LIGHT CHOCOLATE GANACHE. THE LOGS COME IN A SILVER BOX SPECIALLY DESIGNED BY LOUIS-MARIE DE CASTELBAJAC THAT UNFOLDS INTO A POSTER. THE STUNNING YULE LOG IS AVAILABLE AT ALL PIERRE HERME BOUTIQUES FOR AROUND $125.

PIERRE HERME BOUCHE DE NOEL

THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, RENOWNED FRENCH PATISSIER PIERRE HERME ONCE AGAIN RULES THE FESTIVE HOLIDAY. THE 'PICASSO OF PASTRY' RE-ENACTS THE CLASSIC BOUCHE DE NOEL INTO A MODERN HIT OF CHOCOLATE BISCUITS LAYERED WITH LIGHT CHOCOLATE GANACHE. THE LOGS COME IN A SILVER BOX SPECIALLY DESIGNED BY LOUIS-MARIE DE CASTELBAJAC THAT UNFOLDS INTO A POSTER. THE STUNNING YULE LOG IS AVAILABLE AT ALL PIERRE HERME BOUTIQUES FOR AROUND $125.

PIERRE HERME BOUCHE DE NOEL

MICHELLE OBAMA AND WHITE HOUSE CHEF BILL YOSSES UNVEILED THE 2010 WHITE CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD WHITE HOUSE WHICH, LIKE LAST YEAR'S, FEATURES MARZIPAN REPLICAS OF THE OBAMA FAMILY DOG BO, AND A WHITE HOUSE KITCHEN GARDEN. THE THEME FOR THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS 2010 IS 'SIMPLE GIFTS'. THE GINGERBREAD WHITE HOUSE WEIGHS 350 POUNDS AND 30 POUNDS OF HONEY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE BEEHIVE WAS USED TO MAKE THE GINGERBREAD. THIS YEAR'S HOUSE HAS CUTOUTS TO SHOW THE EAST ROOM AND THE STATE DINING ROOM. THE FIRST LADY ALSO DECORATED COOKIES WITH CHILDREN FROM MILITARY FAMILIES. THE SIMPLE GIFTS THEME IS SHOWN IN SOME OF THE DISPLAYS WHICH FOCUS ON CAPTURING A HOMESPUN CHARM. OTHER DECORATION INCLUDE MAGNOLIA AND OAK LEAF GARLANDS, AND PAPER WHITE FLOWER BLOSSOMS AND A 'MILITARY APPRECIATION TREE' DECORATED TO HONOR THE FIVE BRANCHES OF THE MILITARY IN THE EAST WING VISITOR'S ENTRANCE; WREATHS MADE OF NATURAL MATERIALS SUCH AS ORANGES, PEARS AND DRIED FLOWERS IN THE EAST COLONNADE; WHITE POINSETTIA TREES IN GARDEN PLANTERS AND GARLANDS OF WHITE POINSETTIAS IN TURQUOISE, PURPLE GREEN AND GOLD WITH A BIRD AND FLORAL THEME IN THE EAST ROOM; AND IN THE BLUE ROOM, THE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE, AN 18.5 FOOT DOUGLAS FIR ANCHORED TO THE CEILING TO KEEP IT FROM TIPPING OVER, WITH A THEME HONORING COUNTY AND STATE FAIRS.

WHITE HOUSE UNVEILES HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD WHITE HOUSE

MICHELLE OBAMA AND WHITE HOUSE CHEF BILL YOSSES UNVEILED THE 2010 WHITE CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD WHITE HOUSE WHICH, LIKE LAST YEAR'S, FEATURES MARZIPAN REPLICAS OF THE OBAMA FAMILY DOG BO, AND A WHITE HOUSE KITCHEN GARDEN. THE THEME FOR THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS 2010 IS 'SIMPLE GIFTS'. THE GINGERBREAD WHITE HOUSE WEIGHS 350 POUNDS AND 30 POUNDS OF HONEY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE BEEHIVE WAS USED TO MAKE THE GINGERBREAD. THIS YEAR'S HOUSE HAS CUTOUTS TO SHOW THE EAST ROOM AND THE STATE DINING ROOM. THE FIRST LADY ALSO DECORATED COOKIES WITH CHILDREN FROM MILITARY FAMILIES. THE SIMPLE GIFTS THEME IS SHOWN IN SOME OF THE DISPLAYS WHICH FOCUS ON CAPTURING A HOMESPUN CHARM. OTHER DECORATION INCLUDE MAGNOLIA AND OAK LEAF GARLANDS, AND PAPER WHITE FLOWER BLOSSOMS AND A 'MILITARY APPRECIATION TREE' DECORATED TO HONOR THE FIVE BRANCHES OF THE MILITARY IN THE EAST WING VISITOR'S ENTRANCE; WREATHS MADE OF NATURAL MATERIALS SUCH AS ORANGES, PEARS AND DRIED FLOWERS IN THE EAST COLONNADE; WHITE POINSETTIA TREES IN GARDEN PLANTERS AND GARLANDS OF WHITE POINSETTIAS IN TURQUOISE, PURPLE GREEN AND GOLD WITH A BIRD AND FLORAL THEME IN THE EAST ROOM; AND IN THE BLUE ROOM, THE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE, AN 18.5 FOOT DOUGLAS FIR ANCHORED TO THE CEILING TO KEEP IT FROM TIPPING OVER, WITH A THEME HONORING COUNTY AND STATE FAIRS.

WHITE HOUSE UNVEILES HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD WHITE HOUSE

THE ICONIC WESTIN ST FRANCIS IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS CREATED A STUNNING EPICUREAN DELIGHT FOR THE HOLIDAYS, A 12 FOOT SUGAR CASTLE. IT WAS CREATED BY EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF, JEAN-FRANCOIS HOUDRE AND IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST SUGAR CASTLES. THE ROTATING MASTERPIECE IS DISPLAYED IN THE HISTORIC LANDMARK'S LOBBY. IT WAS INSPIRED BY A FRENCH CHATEAU FROM CHEF HOUDRE'S HOMETOWN OF BORDEAUX AND WEIGHS MORE THAN 1,200 POUNDS. THE CASTLE HAS MORE THAN 20 GRAND CIRCULAR TOWERS, APPROXIMATELY 30 ROOMS AND ILLUMINATED WINDOWS SURROUNDED BY SILVER SUGAR TREES, STARS AND SNOWFLAKES MADE OUT OF PASTILLAGE, CHOCOLATE BALLS IN BRILLIANT HOLIDAY COLOURS AND ELVES CONSTRUCTED OUT OF MARZIPAN. THE MAIN LOBBY OF THE HOTEL IS DECORATED WITH A 15 FOOT, GLIMMERING WHITE AND SILVER HOLIDAY TREE DECORATED IN ENERGY SAVING LED LIGHTS THAT DISPLAY CHANGING COLOURS. THE TOWER LOBBY HAS AN 18 FOOT TALL TREE AND THE FRONT DESK IS DECORATED WITH CLUSTERS OF BEAUTIFUL METALLIC APPLE GREEN AND GOLD GARLAND, PATCHES OF SNOW AND CLUSTERS OF DRIPPING LED ICICLE LIGHTS ADORNING THE LENGTH OF THE OVERHANG. THE SUGAR CASTLE WILL BE ON DISPLAY 24.NOVEMBER THROUGH 3.JANUARY.2011.

WESTIN ST FRANCIS DISPLAYS SUGAR PALACE FOR HOLIDAYS

THE ICONIC WESTIN ST FRANCIS IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS CREATED A STUNNING EPICUREAN DELIGHT FOR THE HOLIDAYS, A 12 FOOT SUGAR CASTLE. IT WAS CREATED BY EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF, JEAN-FRANCOIS HOUDRE AND IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST SUGAR CASTLES. THE ROTATING MASTERPIECE IS DISPLAYED IN THE HISTORIC LANDMARK'S LOBBY. IT WAS INSPIRED BY A FRENCH CHATEAU FROM CHEF HOUDRE'S HOMETOWN OF BORDEAUX AND WEIGHS MORE THAN 1,200 POUNDS. THE CASTLE HAS MORE THAN 20 GRAND CIRCULAR TOWERS, APPROXIMATELY 30 ROOMS AND ILLUMINATED WINDOWS SURROUNDED BY SILVER SUGAR TREES, STARS AND SNOWFLAKES MADE OUT OF PASTILLAGE, CHOCOLATE BALLS IN BRILLIANT HOLIDAY COLOURS AND ELVES CONSTRUCTED OUT OF MARZIPAN. THE MAIN LOBBY OF THE HOTEL IS DECORATED WITH A 15 FOOT, GLIMMERING WHITE AND SILVER HOLIDAY TREE DECORATED IN ENERGY SAVING LED LIGHTS THAT DISPLAY CHANGING COLOURS. THE TOWER LOBBY HAS AN 18 FOOT TALL TREE AND THE FRONT DESK IS DECORATED WITH CLUSTERS OF BEAUTIFUL METALLIC APPLE GREEN AND GOLD GARLAND, PATCHES OF SNOW AND CLUSTERS OF DRIPPING LED ICICLE LIGHTS ADORNING THE LENGTH OF THE OVERHANG. THE SUGAR CASTLE WILL BE ON DISPLAY 24.NOVEMBER THROUGH 3.JANUARY.2011.

WESTIN ST FRANCIS DISPLAYS SUGAR PALACE FOR HOLIDAYS

INTERNATIONAL GLAMOUR GIRL AND ICONIC BURLESQUE QUEEN DITA VON TEESE IS ALSO THE FACE OF COINTREAU. NOW THE WORLD RENOWN CELEBRITY KNOWN FOR HER FAMOUS RETRO STYLE AND PROVOCATIVE PERFORMANCES IS TEAMING UP WITH COINTREAU FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY 2010 GIFT SET, THE COINTREAU COFFERT. THE DITA VON TEESE'S COCKTAIL COFFERT AND BOUDOIR SET IS A GIRLY PINK BOX THAT HOLDS A BOTTLE OF COINTREAU, TWO COCKTAIL GLASSES AND A CUSTOM DESIGNED SHAKER. THE POWDER PINK AND PEARL BOX HAS A MIRROR AND A TRAPDOOR FOR CONCEALING OTHER TREASURES. IT SELLS FOR $299.

DITA VON TEESE COINTREAU COFFERT

INTERNATIONAL GLAMOUR GIRL AND ICONIC BURLESQUE QUEEN DITA VON TEESE IS ALSO THE FACE OF COINTREAU. NOW THE WORLD RENOWN CELEBRITY KNOWN FOR HER FAMOUS RETRO STYLE AND PROVOCATIVE PERFORMANCES IS TEAMING UP WITH COINTREAU FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY 2010 GIFT SET, THE COINTREAU COFFERT. THE DITA VON TEESE'S COCKTAIL COFFERT AND BOUDOIR SET IS A GIRLY PINK BOX THAT HOLDS A BOTTLE OF COINTREAU, TWO COCKTAIL GLASSES AND A CUSTOM DESIGNED SHAKER. THE POWDER PINK AND PEARL BOX HAS A MIRROR AND A TRAPDOOR FOR CONCEALING OTHER TREASURES. IT SELLS FOR $299.

DITA VON TEESE COINTREAU COFFERT

WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOLIDAYS FEW PUT TOGETHER A MORE APPEALING PACKAGE OF EDIBLE NECESSITIES THAN HARRODS. FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON THEY HAVE THE USUAL VARIETY OF SMALL TO LARGE PICNIC HAMPERS AVAILABLE, BUT THEIR TOP OFFERING THAT'S NEW FOR 2010 IS THE VINTAGE COLLECTION HAMPER. INSPIRED BY THEIR 'VINTAGE CHRISTMAS' THEME, THIS YEAR THE HAMPER INCLUDES FOUR BOTTLES OF WINE/CHAMPAGNE PLUS A HAM, SALAMI, FOIE GRAS, SMOKED SALMON, CAVIAR, TWO CHEESES, COCKTAIL BLINIS, BISCUITS, AND AN OLIVE WOOD CUTTING BOARD. IT'S NOT ONE OF THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE HAMPERS THAT THEY HAVE PUT TOGETHER, LAST YEARS HOLIDAY HAMPER WAS £5,000, BUT IF YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF CLASSIC, TRIED AND TRUE ENGLISH FARE YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS YEAR'S HOLIDAY HAMPER, WHICH IS PRICED AT £450.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.harrods.com

HARRODS' HOLIDAY HAMPER 2010

WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOLIDAYS FEW PUT TOGETHER A MORE APPEALING PACKAGE OF EDIBLE NECESSITIES THAN HARRODS. FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON THEY HAVE THE USUAL VARIETY OF SMALL TO LARGE PICNIC HAMPERS AVAILABLE, BUT THEIR TOP OFFERING THAT'S NEW FOR 2010 IS THE VINTAGE COLLECTION HAMPER. INSPIRED BY THEIR 'VINTAGE CHRISTMAS' THEME, THIS YEAR THE HAMPER INCLUDES FOUR BOTTLES OF WINE/CHAMPAGNE PLUS A HAM, SALAMI, FOIE GRAS, SMOKED SALMON, CAVIAR, TWO CHEESES, COCKTAIL BLINIS, BISCUITS, AND AN OLIVE WOOD CUTTING BOARD. IT'S NOT ONE OF THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE HAMPERS THAT THEY HAVE PUT TOGETHER, LAST YEARS HOLIDAY HAMPER WAS £5,000, BUT IF YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF CLASSIC, TRIED AND TRUE ENGLISH FARE YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS YEAR'S HOLIDAY HAMPER, WHICH IS PRICED AT £450.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.harrods.com

HARRODS' HOLIDAY HAMPER 2010

FASHION DESIGNER JOHN GALLIANO HAS REVEALED HIS STUNNING NEW CHRISTMAS TREE DESIGN FOR CLARIDGE'S CHRISTMAS 2010. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THE DIOR DESIGNER HAS CREATED A TREE FOR THE ICONIC LONDON HOTEL. THIS YEAR'S DESIGN WAS INSPIRED BY THE OCEAN. THE 'UNDER THE SEA' CHRISTMAS TREE IS A SEASCAPE FANTASIA WITH SILVER LAVES, PINK CORAL, SEA HORSES, FISH, ANEMONES, STARFISH AND JELLY FISH. THE TELEGRAPH REPORTS THAT THE TREE WAS UNVEILED AT A DINNER THAT WAS HOSTED BY MODEL STELLA TENNANT AND THE CEO OF CHRISTIAN DIOR, SIDNEY TOLEDANO, TO MARK THE OPENING OF DIOR'S NEW LONDON BOUTIQUE ON NEW BOND STREET.

JOHN GALLIANO FOR CLARIDGE'S CHRISTMAS 2010

FASHION DESIGNER JOHN GALLIANO HAS REVEALED HIS STUNNING NEW CHRISTMAS TREE DESIGN FOR CLARIDGE'S CHRISTMAS 2010. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THE DIOR DESIGNER HAS CREATED A TREE FOR THE ICONIC LONDON HOTEL. THIS YEAR'S DESIGN WAS INSPIRED BY THE OCEAN. THE 'UNDER THE SEA' CHRISTMAS TREE IS A SEASCAPE FANTASIA WITH SILVER LAVES, PINK CORAL, SEA HORSES, FISH, ANEMONES, STARFISH AND JELLY FISH. THE TELEGRAPH REPORTS THAT THE TREE WAS UNVEILED AT A DINNER THAT WAS HOSTED BY MODEL STELLA TENNANT AND THE CEO OF CHRISTIAN DIOR, SIDNEY TOLEDANO, TO MARK THE OPENING OF DIOR'S NEW LONDON BOUTIQUE ON NEW BOND STREET.

JOHN GALLIANO FOR CLARIDGE'S CHRISTMAS 2010

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON YOU CAN SPEND ENDLESS HOURS AT THE STOVE OR, IF YOU'RE IN NEW YORK CITY, YOU CAN LET THOMAS KELLER'S BOUCHON BAKERY DO ALL THE WORK FOR YOU. THIS YEAR BOUCHON BAKERY IS OFFERING HOLIDAY PIES, COOKIES AND MORE. THERE ARE TURKEY-SHAPED VERSIONS OF THE TKO COOKIES, ONE OF THOMAS KELLER'S FAVORITE SNACKS WITH A CHOCOLATE SABLE DOUGH AND A SWEET WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE FILLING, PRICED AT $3 EACH, HOUSE MADE SPECULOOS COOKIES FINISHED WITH A YOGURT GLAZE AND SHAPED AS A LEAF, WHICH IS PRICED AT 3 PER BAG AT $9.50. FOR CUPCAKE AFICIONADOS THERE IS THE PILGRIM HAT CUPCAKE, AN UPSIDE DOWN PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKE FILLED WITH CREAM CHEESE, ENROBED WITH FONDANT AND FESTIVELY DECORATED WITH A GOLD BUCKLE AND MINI MARZIPAN. PUMPKIN BRIOCHE ARE AVAILABLE FOR $3.25 EACH, AND OF COURSE, THERE ARE PIES. BOUCHON HAS BOURBON PECAN PIES, APPLE PIES WITH OAT STREUSEL AND THE CLASSIC PUMPKIN PIE. EACH 8-INCH PIE IS PRICED AT $30. ORDERS CAN BE MADE VIA PHONE, EMAIL OR IN PERSON.

BOUCHON BAKERY, NEW YORK

DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON YOU CAN SPEND ENDLESS HOURS AT THE STOVE OR, IF YOU'RE IN NEW YORK CITY, YOU CAN LET THOMAS KELLER'S BOUCHON BAKERY DO ALL THE WORK FOR YOU. THIS YEAR BOUCHON BAKERY IS OFFERING HOLIDAY PIES, COOKIES AND MORE. THERE ARE TURKEY-SHAPED VERSIONS OF THE TKO COOKIES, ONE OF THOMAS KELLER'S FAVORITE SNACKS WITH A CHOCOLATE SABLE DOUGH AND A SWEET WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE FILLING, PRICED AT $3 EACH, HOUSE MADE SPECULOOS COOKIES FINISHED WITH A YOGURT GLAZE AND SHAPED AS A LEAF, WHICH IS PRICED AT 3 PER BAG AT $9.50. FOR CUPCAKE AFICIONADOS THERE IS THE PILGRIM HAT CUPCAKE, AN UPSIDE DOWN PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKE FILLED WITH CREAM CHEESE, ENROBED WITH FONDANT AND FESTIVELY DECORATED WITH A GOLD BUCKLE AND MINI MARZIPAN. PUMPKIN BRIOCHE ARE AVAILABLE FOR $3.25 EACH, AND OF COURSE, THERE ARE PIES. BOUCHON HAS BOURBON PECAN PIES, APPLE PIES WITH OAT STREUSEL AND THE CLASSIC PUMPKIN PIE. EACH 8-INCH PIE IS PRICED AT $30. ORDERS CAN BE MADE VIA PHONE, EMAIL OR IN PERSON.

BOUCHON BAKERY, NEW YORK