The Seychelles

DiMasi: This archipelago of 115 remote islands off the coast of Africa is one of the last truly pristine and secluded paradises because the government has carefully managed tourism--and construction is strictly regulated. For the
ultimate African adventure, spend a week at the Banyan Tree Resort (pictured above), then head to Kruger National Park, the largest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa, for an overland safari. Starting rate per night (three-night minimum): $1,320. 

This wallet is made of stingray skin, the same material that Japanese swordsmen use on their weapons, according to Hammacher Schlemmer's web site. I had no idea swordsmen used stringray skin, but apparently the skin is very strong. And unlike a leather wallet, there's no fading or cracking with stringray skin. The wallet has eight credit card slots, a full length divided bill compartment, and two utiltiy pockets. Price: $69.95.

Hotel news out of Los Angeles: Sofitel is currently undergoing a $35 million renovation, with completion set for June 2006. The makeover of the hotel will include a new restaurant, SIMON LA, chef Kerry Simon’s first Los Angeles eatery. The new restaurant  from Simon, who opened Simon Kitchen Bar in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, will feature a large outdoor patio with a separate entrance. Additionally, Rande Gerber will open a Stone Rose Lounge (pictured here) in the hotel. There'll also be a luxurious 5,000 square foot full-service spa. Prices for rooms at Sofitel range from $295-$650 a night.

Jewelry gets more ornate this season, with designers creating large, detailed pieces. Gucci went glitzy as well, updating the classic charm bracelet with this modern gold version. Called the Flora Charm bracelet, it's made of 18kt yellow gold and adorned with machalite, sugilite, and tiger eye pendants. Price: $4,590.

Paris designer Tara Jarmon will soon head to Target as part of the company's use of revolving guest designers. She will create a spring/summer line (a Jarmon jacket, available at Amazon.com for $300 is pictured here) for Target,  following the departure of London-based fashion designer Luella Bartley, a former editor at Vogue and a favored designer of Kate Moss, who is currently showing 80s-inspired, punk looks at the store. Much of Luella's collection sold out at the online store, but who knows how Tara, whose line hits Target in 11 days, will be received? Nevertheless, it's fun to see these designer head to the discount racks.

Today, a writer queries the U.K.'s  Daily Telegraph about Queen Elizabeth II's handbags.  The paper reveals the Queen favors handbags by Launer, a British-based designer that holds the Royal Warrant to make her bags. I'm not exactly sure of the legalities of "Royal Warrant,"  but a look at Launer's web site reveals a collection of rather conservative, boxy-looking handbags (exactly the style a member of the monarchy might like). The web site also has pictures of the Queen's visit to the Launder factory in 1991. The bags, which are made of calf leather, and lined with suede, aren't inexpensive, with the more pricey ones costing upwards of $1,000.

People seem to love or hate gazebos; I'm usually in the latter category, finding wooden gazebos to be rather gaudy-looking. Thankfully, some designers are introducing tasteful gazebos, like this Tepraco Malibu Gazebo, available at Patiolife.com.  Made of aluminum, this gazebo is weatherproof, meaning owners don't have to disassemble the thing during the winter (the web site suggests removing the canvas covering). Additionally, the web site notes that this model of gazebo is "perhaps more at home in California and New Mexico than besides an old Victorian Queen Anne." And I have to agree with that assessment. Price: $3,295

Just in time for summer weekend getaways, Louis Vuitton offers this men's Keepall tote, part of its Tobago line. Made of cowhide grain leather, the bag has white stitching and brass on the handles and comes in three different colors: red, mustard and blue. Measuring about 20'' by 8'' by 12'', I'd say it's pretty enough for women to carry, too. Price: $2,000.

Jewelry went big this season, with designers creating ultra-big necklaces, oversized earrings, and chunky rings.  As much as I love bold pieces, I still prefer more delicate jewelry. Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Julie Burton uses glass in all of of her designs to create original pieces, and her rings are my favorite--they come in dozens of different colors and can be stacked on top of one another. This one pictured here comes in either sterling ($77) or 14K gold ($155).  Burton's company is called Verre New York, and her jewelry can be found in stores across the country, like Nest in San Francisco and The Clay Pot in Brooklyn.

This shopping section of this week's issue of New York magazine highlights a pretty amazing pearl and diamond necklace by legendary decorator Tony Duquette.  The bib-style necklace contains 62 Baroque South Sea pearls and 29 carats of diamonds, and is set in white gold. Duquette, who decorated homes for J. Paul Getty and the Duchess of Windsor, died in 1999; the line of one-of-a-kind Duquette pieces is actually created by Hutton Wilkinson, his business partner. This necklace is available exclusively at New York's Bergdorf Goodman for a whopping $227,675.