RxArt held its big bash/silent auction at the Milk Gallery in Chelsea earlier this week, drawing a crowd that took its time bidding but ended up supporting the non-profit group to the tune of $350,000. RxArt installs art exhibits in children's hospitals to relieve stress and create inspiring environments.

Founded in 2000 by well-known gallerist Diane Brown (at right with board member Cynthia Rowley), the non-profit tries to de-institutionalize hospital spaces with original art, usually colorful exhibits by artists like William Wegman and Frank Stella that stretch across every wall and ceiling possible.

The group produces coloring books for patients drawn from every installation, so kids can focus on emotional healing while docs aim to do the rest.

The news that Madonna is the latest star to pose for Louis Vuitton has been floating around for a week or so but now there are some more concrete details. The soon-to-be-divorced music icon will be paid a rumored $10 million to be the new face of Louis Vuitton's 2009 marketing campaign. The photographer is Steven Meisel, who Madonna has worked with many times, most famously for her naughty 1992 book, "Sex." View on Fashion has a couple pics of Madonna cozying up to a Louis bag. Filming took place this week at L.A.'s Café Figaro, and the stylist for the session was Marie Amelie Sauve, fashion editor for Vogue Paris and consultant for Balenciaga.

If this bag reminds you of a smokey bowling alley and ill-fitting, overused bowling shoes than this won't be your cup o' tea. But personally I like the retro-chic, mod look of Miu Miu's Cutout Bowling Bag. It may be a bit of a literal spin-off of its name but the neutral, simple tones and basic design make it a daily bag for popping around town or heading to a business lunch. The compact size but rounded shape give you ample space to bring your makeup, water bottle, wallet and apple but it isn't big enough to weigh you down or get in your way. For $1,430, the double zip top closure with padlock, silver accents, and satin lining make for a great basic handbag. (16" x 11" x 8" with 5" strap drop)

[via What's Haute]

Last year Louis Vuitton made the luggage for "The Darjeeling Limited," this year its Prada that gets the big movie tie-in with their luggage for the film "Australia" Prada created the comprehensive luggage that Nicole Kidman totes (or rather, has toted for by a team of porters) in the Baz Luhrmann epic. The luggage was made "a unique goatskin material" and was crafted in the same ways that the Mario Prada, the founder of the company, used almost a century ago, pulling the leather over wooden frames and gluing and stitching by hand. The luggage includes trunks, suitcases, hat-boxes, vanity cases and even a picnic set. A selection of traditional suitcases and vanity cases virtually identical to the set made for 'Australia', is part of Prada's Pergamena luggage collection.

If you need a quick dose of the Christmas spirit, a tour of the Biltmore, the largest privately owned home in the U.S in Asheville, North Carolina might help. The estate and grounds include more than 100 decorated trees, 1,000 wreaths and bows, 1,800 poinsettias and thousands of ornaments and lights. It's pretty hard to hold onto your humbuggery amidst the elegant spectacle of this grand estate wreathed in holiday magic.

Individual rooms are decorated according to a theme that changes each year, this year it's "Christmas Traditions from Around the World," which turns each room into a microcosm of Christmas traditions in a country. The estate also hosts "Christmas Candlelight Evenings" which feature entertainment by carolers, ballet dancers and puppeteers. Free seminars for daytime guests through Nov. 23, offer instruction on subjects such as decorating your home and tree, making a gingerbread house, pairing wine and cheese, and crafting a wreath or centerpiece. Admission for adults starts at $55.

[via USA Today]

Louis Vuitton's 1001 Nuits (or 'Nights') is a striking collection of brass, pewter, and multi-colored crystals that come together to form a group of sparkling, logo-heavy jewelry pieces perfect for wearing this holiday season. Available in Amarante or Orange color schemes, the collection includes earrings, bracelet, brooch, ring, necklace, and even a hair barrette (an accessory that often gets forgotten these days) all of which tie together nicely but can also stand alone. Key design features include inset multifaceted strass crystals and a logo-engraved nail located at the center of each flower. $355-$890

In New York City it seems that the the big listings just keep coming. Sure an $80 million penthouse at 15 Central Park West came off the market late last month and Martin Zweig's $70 million listing at The Pierre is finally off the market but right behind the pair $75 million townhouses on the market come what the New York Observer's Manhattan Transfers column has dubbed the most expensive apartment listing in New York, a 78th-floor penthouse at the Time Warner Center listed at $65 million. Max Abelson of the Observer points out that the monthly maintenance fees are $13,361 and the monthly taxes are $16,332, which means it costs an extra $356,316 per year to live there outside of the huge mortgage.

There are amazing views from this full-floor apartment though and the penthouse does have 14 ft. ceilings throughout. A master bedroom suite offers an office, his and her dressing rooms, gym and his and her bathrooms. The 41 ft.-long living room has floor to ceiling windows has the most incredible view of Manhattan and the red lacquered corner library/office offers a secluded place to read and think. The dining room has views of the Hudson River and there is also a chef's kitchen and pantry, a full laundry center, four full bedrooms with en-suite baths and a screening room. The building's luxury amenities include white glove concierge service, access to the gym, spa and pool of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, private screening room and a discrete basement garage, to the outdoor roof deck, children's playroom, board room with Park views, private storage and ballroom. Records suggest the apartment was sold for less than $30 million two years ago so someone seems to be looking for a big payoff on their investment.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

The venerable Walters Museum in Baltimore, Maryland is opening up their vaults for Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry. The exhibit highlights the passion of Henry Walters (1848–1931) who collected jewelry from a large variety of cultures and periods. His collection runs the gamut from Mesopotamian stone pendants to masterpieces created by Tiffany and Co. The exhibition brings together more than 200 pieces of jewelry, combining extraordinary highlights from the holdings with objects from the Walters' vaults, The exhibit runs from now until January 4, 2009. A small sample of some of the pieces on display is in the gallery below.

[via Washington Post]

Drambuie has nabbed another handsome actor for their annual Drambuie pursuit adventure race. The 2008 race had Jerry O'Connell and the 2009 race will feature the charmingly goofy Seann William Scott who is currently starring in the comedy "Role Models". In May 2009, Drambuie will send teams of four to compete in a series of outdoor trials including archery, white-water rafting, dune-buggy racing, and many other challenges across Scotland. Seann William Scott is now seeking to assemble his own team and fans can apply for the chance to join him on this all-expenses-paid trip by visiting www.pursuitof1745.com.

Last week we wrote about Christie's Nov. 19 photo auction starring a slew of naked supermodels including Albert Watson's 1993 nude of Kate Moss in Marrakech, which was estimated at $23,000 - $31,000. On Nov. 26 in London the auction house is staging another photo sale, with another equally appealing (in our opinion) photo of Kate in her birthday suit. The photo (above), taken by one-named lensman Tesh in 2005, may not have the pedigree of Watson's pic, but at only $1,500 - $2,000, it's a real steal. There are some other good deals to be had in the London sale, including portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Coco Chanel, James Dean, Andy Warhol and more.

At Art Basel Miami Beach next month, renowned French champagne house Ruinart will offer a one-of-a-kind surrealistic sculpture by Dutch artist Martin Baas. Designed as the ultimate centerpiece for a champagne-lover's table, the artwork (detail above) was inspired by an elaborate 18th century Venetian chandelier. Constructed from clear Murano glass and silver, the piece was designed to appear as if a chandelier has fallen from above and is melting into the table, along with bottles of Dom Ruinart and specially designed flutes. The piece will be offered for sale at $100,000.

"Maarten's piece is all at once elegant, complex, delicate and powerful," says Ruinart's Jean Christophe Laizeau. "It is the perfect physical representation of the Dom Ruinart universe. We could not have collaborated with a more innovative and inspiring artist to express the stirring sensory experience of vertigo." Founded by Nicholas Ruinart in Reims in 1792, Ruinart was introduced to the U.S. in 1831 by Viscount Edmond Ruinart, and has been a favorite of conoisseurs ever since.

On Nov. 24, Sotheby's in London is offering an amazing array of objects by famed Russian jeweler Carl Fabergé in its impressive Imperial & Royal Presents sale. Fabergé is best known for his incredible jeweled eggs, though he produced many other iitems as presents for the Russian Tsars and their family.

It is these latter items, including picture frames, sniff boxes, vesta cases, paper knives, compacts and pill boxes, that are featured in the auction. The top-priced lot is a Fabergé silver-gilt pearl and enamel heart shaped photograph frame enclosing a miniature of Empress Maria Fedorovna, circa 1890, est. $90,000 - $120,000.

One of our favorite items is this Fabergé enamel and silver frame (above) with a photograph of George, Duke of York, later George V, a present from Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, est. $30,000 - $45,000.

Tuesday night designer Jason Wu presented his ladylike Spring collection at L.A.'s Satine Boutique, the one West coast spot to score exclusive designs from Wu.

Co-hosted by Lucy Liu and MySpace Fashion, the evening teemed with Wu fans including Kate Mara (at right with the designer), January Jones, Erica Christensen, Rachel Zoe and China Chow -- a host of chic stylesetters eager to praise the young designer.

And no wonder -- Wu explained to us where his inspiration comes from: "I love working with young actresses who are just on the verge. It's always good to have a muse."

Jason Wu is a CFDA finalist whose collection can be found at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, and of course Satine.

Government watchers are up in arms in New York about a $21,000 antique Turkish rug from Stark Carpet which was shipped to the Governor's Mansion in Albany, New York this summer. This news was recently revealed after stern warnings from Governor David Paterson to state agencies to cut spending as budget deficits in the state have soared to $2 billion this year alone. The Office of General Services says the purchase was part of routine maintenance on the historic mansion. But some are angry, feeling that it shows government waste. The AP also says that the Texas House of Representatives ordered about $140,000 in items for its lounge, including antique chandeliers and big screen televisions.

Versace has turned out a winner for the holiday season. Reminiscent of Santa's red suit this gorgeous crocodile embossed bag is stylish and colorful without being overdone. I love the kissing-mouth shape of the overlapping layers and the subtlety of the Versace name only noticeable by the small plate and 7" intertwined chain handle. With an adjustable or removable 16" shoulder strap this bag can be a functional daybag or flashy evening bag. Either way, for $3,045 it is bound to ring in the New Year with panache! (16" x 12" x 7 1/2")