Annie Scott
Annie Scott specializes in fashion and beauty, as well as luxury destinations and all things delightful and unexpected. She also writes for AOL Travel, Gadling.com and Tonic.com.
Red Valentino Bow Flap Convertible Clutch, Handbag of the Day
The Red Valentino Bow Flap Convertible Clutch is a shockingly affordable and chic offering from the House of Valentino.Before you get all up in arms over the fact that this is clearly pink, not red, allow us to inform you that RED actually stands for "Romantic Eccentric Dress," and is a sister line to the traditional Valentino. Red Valentino is a collection with "all of Valentino's sophistication -- but injected with a more contemporary feel," says Net-a-Porter. We think "contemporary" must mean "cheaper." But we're not complaining.
And it also comes in gray.
This adorable 11"W X 7½"H X ¼"D convertible clutch has a magnetic snap closure and a 22" tuckaway shoulder chain. We love it because it's fresh, charming, and has a big ol' unapologetic 1980's bow on it. This bag says "I'm kicky and fun, but with high style." It's the perfect touch of feminity for a no-frills shift dress or other outfit. Match your lipstick to it. We dare you.
The Red Valentino Bow Flap Convertible Clutch is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $395.00.
Alexander McQueen Four Finger Flower Leather Clutch, Handbag of the Day
The Alexander McQueen Four Finger Flower Leather Clutch is a stunning incarnation of McQueen's infamous knuckle duster clutch, which we've seen through patent leather (see: McQueen Knuckle Duster Patent Leather Clutch), lace and even controversy.
This fabulous, gothic, gold leather masterpiece is 6"W X 3½"H X 2"D, just the perfect size to fit delicately over your fingers and make you look like a badass. You'll feel like a badass, too, as you fish around inside its black leather lining for your lipstick and, presumably, your ninja stars.
We love the luxe golden flowers which will surely look even lovelier with wear. We'd pair this with black stilletos or leather boots and a mischievous twinkle.
The Alexander McQueen Four Finger Flower Leather Clutch is available for pre-order from Saks Fifth Avenue for $1,995.00.
Five Tastemaking Looks from Catherine Malandrino F/W 2011
The Catherine Malandrino Fall/Winter 2011 presentation was focused on the romanticism of a chilly, stylish Paris with the gritty edge of NYC.
The result? Stunning silhouettes in laser cut black leather, scarlets, purples and emeralds, lots and lots of black, luscious furs, and accessories that already have us thinking of ways to spot fakes. Each piece was tailored to perfection, and while the models were on the skinny side, even for for models, you can see in the lines that these clothes would work on real people, too.
Hot Air Ballon Ride and Four Wine Tastings: A Perfect Australia Travel Day
We at Luxist are wary of writing about every travel package that comes our way, but once in awhile, we come across an experience so absolutely exquisite that we're ready to book it ourselves -- and that's when we share it with you. This package is specific to Melbourne, Australia travel, but it's a single day worth flying down under for. How could one day be so utterly alluring it could justify a 15+ hour flight from Los Angeles? Well, it starts with a morning hot air balloon ride over the marvelous city of Melbourne, Australia and the lush Yarra Valley, then continues on to visits to four wineries, at each of which you'll enjoy a tasting. If you can recall a better day than that in recent history, count yourself lucky!
The Ultimate Valentine's Day Gift Guide from Luxist and AHAlife
Before you go overspending on Valentine's Day gifts that will surely be returned, peruse this gift guide from Luxist and AHAlife, "where discerning taste meets an inspired life." We teamed up with AHAlife's careful and creative curators to bring you the best Valentine's Day Gift Guide you'll find, whether you're looking to spend $100 or $5,000. Below, you'll find images and prices for each item on this special list, as well as our reasoning for recommending the items. It's easy (and free!) to join AHAlife, so don't hesitate at the signup page. Close your other tabs and dig in; your Valentine's Day shopping is finished. Here are the Top 10 Best Valentine's Day Gifts for 2011 from AHAlife and Luxist:
1. Camel Bone Jewelry (above) - from $230.00
This exotic collection is so stunning, few women could open it without an audible gasp. There is a certain powerfulness in the femininity and boldness of these rare camel bone pieces. Giving one of these to your loved one is more than an observation of custom; it implies a respect for her primal strength.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve - Smaller than Small Batch
Love bourbon? Why not try tasting it like the master blenders do: one barrel at a time. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is a new product from all-American favorite Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon, coming to a shop near you in February. Master Distiller Fred Noe (seventh generation distiller and great grandson of Jim Beam) ensures that the best barrels in the Claremont, Kentucky distillery don't get lost in a blend; instead, superior barrels are hand-selected to be bottled at nine years for this Single Barrel Reserve, with the criterion that each barrel contain "a unique expression of Knob Creek's rich, mature flavor." The result is a super-premium, natural spirit with strong vanilla notes and a deep, smoky finish. It's easy to sip and holds its own in a cocktail -- and packs an unexpected punch at 120 proof.
While there are no plans to release a tasting gift box like the below this year, make sure you get yourself two glasses for sampling this spirit you can buy again and again to improve your bourbon acumen. Try it neat first, but in the second glass, add a little water to the dark amber spirit to tease out its particular distinctive flavors. Vanilla is the most obvious at first, but taste carefully for caramel, nuttiness and other subtleties developed over its nine years in American oak.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve is surprisingly affordable at a suggested retail price of just $40 per bottle.
Tory Burch Travel Socks - No More Barefooting Through TSA
It's disgusting, really. Despite paying outrageous prices for airfare, your luxury trip always includes padding in stockings or -- ew -- bare feet through TSA. Tory Burch, after gauging demand on Twitter, has invented a solution: Tory Burch Travel Socks. And they're pretty cute. Let's have a look and see if these are practical or just a gimmick.
It's certainly fun to open the bag. Like a care package on an international flight, the Tory Burch Travel Socks come in a neat little pouch, about 5" by 5", with a small, weighty goldtone clip, toggle and signature dangle. Would it be a pain to bring this pouch along on a flight? No. It squashes pretty flat, and if your carry-on is truly stuffed to the gills, you can just clip it to the strap.
Annie Scott's Incredible Journeys in 2010
This year, I am thankful and fortunate to have traveled to 16 countries for my work with Luxist, AOL Travel and Gadling, including Austria, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Barbados, England, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Aruba, Curacao, Spain, Zambia, Mexico, Italy, South Africa and within the United States. Some trips were press trips, and others were my own adventures, like my honeymoon in Florence. Each trip had its own merits, but, as this is Luxist, a year-end roundup of the most luxurious places I was lucky enough to visit is called for.
Here are the top five most lavish and thrilling experiences I had in 2010, where I stayed, and a little more information about each of the trips. Perhaps you'll be inspired to take one of these journeys yourself in 2011!
Top Ten Fashion Trends of 2010
Some say that the first decade of the new millennium doesn't have a "look," the way previous decades have -- but we say they can't see the forest for the trees. It can be hard to notice that what you're putting on every day is actually contextual, and indicative of the time in which you're living. To the wearer, it just seems like "good taste" and that those previous decades were "so silly," but even if you didn't buy anything new, how you wore it this year probably changed.
Here are the Top Ten Fashion Trends of 2010:
1. Aviators
Sunglasses had gotten so big, something had to give -- and it did. Big, plastic frames suddenly looked tired and costume-y, and gave way to sleek metal-rimmed aviators this year.
Birchbox - The Luxe Beauty Gift that Keeps on Giving
Birchbox is a service which, for the low price of $10 per month (or $110 if you'd like to give a year's subscription as a gift), provides you with brand new luxury beauty products to try right in your mailbox. It's like moonlighting as a beauty editor for a women's magazine, only you get all the perks and none of the pesky deadlines.Basically, you know how you see all those fabulous beauty products on the shelves and wonder what using them would be like, and whether they're worth it? Stores have become so stingy with samples and rubbing a little lotion from a tester on the back of your hand doesn't really give you any indication of long-term results. Birchbox eliminates this problem by sending you samples -- big, fat samples, not the weensy ones -- of new high-end beauty products every month. You can even personalize your selection by indicating your coloring, skin type and personal style.
And, if you like something Birchbox sends you, you can go to Birchbox.com and buy the full size directly from the site. This, as well as referring friends and completing surveys about products (both totally optional), earns you reward points, 100 of which results in a $10 gift card good for anything on Birchbox.com. Brands include Naturopathica, Luxist favorite Laura Mercier, Tatcha, Kiehl's, NARS, Stila, Too Faced and more.
I wasn't sure that Birchbox was necessarily the right fit for Luxist, but then I saw the glee on my friend Beth's face when her Birchbox, made of 100 percent recycled materials, arrived. As she rifled through the sizeable samples, excited to try out the products chosen especially for her, I realized that Birchbox has all the makings of a luxury gift: high-end products, generous servings, personalization and delightful packaging. It's like getting a special present every month. Birchbox is truly the luxe beauty gift that keeps on giving.
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