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Did you know the recipe for a champagne cocktail
dates back over 200 years? In the video above, our friends at the Small Screen Network, tell us about the history of the cocktail and show us how to make a fancy champagne cocktail. Be sure you have a bottle of champagne, a champagne flute, sugar cubes, a lemon and bitters as well as a channel knife, zester and stir rod, so you can make one as you watch. To learn how to make the perfect spiral lemon peel garnish, see this related video.

How to pair wine with food? The old adage that white wine pairs well with fish while red wine works with meat, serves as a good basis to start from, according to wine expert Brandon Walsh, president of Reston, Va.-based Hosted Wine Tasting (see video below).

Wines should always be served at their optimal serving temperatures, as well.

Another consideration, he suggests is the concept of matching weights of the wine with the food.

Lighter-bodied white wines include reisling and pinot grigio. Medium-bodied wines include sauvignon blanc while chardonnay is a fuller, heavier-bodied wine, he says.

Lighter-bodied wines go well with salads, as well as light fish, such as sushi. Medium-bodied wines works well with light and flakey fish as well as poultry. Heavier-bodied whites, such as chardonnay, pair very well with salmon or swordfish.

Red wines also range from light to heavier, fuller-bodied wines. A lighter-bodied red wine is a pinot noir or beaujolais. A medium-bodied red is a merlot, syrah (shiraz). Heavier, fuller-bodied wines include cabernet sauvignon. Pinot noir pairs well with salmon as well as some poultry. Syrah and merlot pairs well beef or pork. A cabernet sauvignon pairs well with beef, lamb and game.

See our review of The Best Wine Clubs offered directly from wineries here.

No one wants a ski vacation cut short by an injury. So how to best protect yourself from injury? Don't ski late in the day.

Statistics have shown that most ski injuries occur toward the end of the day, according to the Steadman Clinic, which specializes in sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery in Vail and Frisco, Colorado (see video below).

"If it is 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon and you are thinking of taking one more run, you may want to think twice about that because more people are hurt at the end of the day," says Tom R. Hackett, orthopaedic surgeon with the Steadman Clinic in Vail who is also a team physician for the U.S. Snowboard Team.

Valentine's Day is a romantic occasion for both men and women. So why is it that men have always gotten short-changed when it comes to special gifts, especially jewelry? We think the time has come to honor the men in our lives.

Luxist asked David Yurman, creator of elegant jewelry (and the genius behind the iconic cable bracelet), to suggest a few pieces from his extensive men's collection, all of which would make wonderful gifts on Valentine's Day, in addition to any other special occasion.

"I've always felt that jewelry is one of the most personal and emotional gifts you can give your loved one," says designer David Yurman. "Perhaps one of the first pieces I created was a gift for my then girlfriend, now wife and muse Sybil, over thirty years ago. For this Valentine's Day I have designed a unique assortment for men that embody the spirit of the holiday."

If a bracelet is what you are looking for, Yurman offers a unique sterling silver and 18K yellow gold curb chain, which is part of the Exotic Stone Collection. The bracelet is available in a variety of stones, from black onyx ($1,800) to malachite ($2,100) and lapis ($2,500), which can be seen in the gallery below. The bracelets are 6 1/2" in length. The Rubber Weave Bracelet comes in gray, brown and blue, and retails for $295. From the Naturals Collection, the bracelet has a sterling silver sea urchin-texture clasp on a braided rubber bracelet. The bracelets are 8" in length and 8 mm in width.

Our morning routine is no time for self indulgence. Typically, five minutes is all most of us can afford to devote to skin care before we head out for the day. However, incorporating these five skin care rules into your daily lives will ensure that you'll never need more than those 5 minutes to keep up that ageless appearance.

Rule #1: Avoid the sun!

Sure we all look better with a tan, but before this trend was popular, paleness was a sign of beauty and wealth. So where did we go awry? Well leave it to Coco Chanel to ignite a complete reversal of the image when arriving home from a vacation looking bronze. This must have been the birth of the freckle, sun spot, and skin cancer. Thankfully, with the advent of sunless tanning, we can achieve the sun kissed look sans the damage. However, it does not protect our skin from those nasty ultraviolet (UV) rays. So, never leave the house without applying sunscreen, at least SPF 15. Most facial lotions already have it mixed in, but be sure to double check the label. Additionally, avoid the sun during the "Prime Tanning Hours" of 10am-4pm. If you do expect to spend an extended period of time out during this time frame wear sun glasses, and a wide brimmed hat. Squinting leads to the development of crows feet, and UV rays also cause eye damage. Hats provide an extra layer of protection, and will also keep color treated hair from fading prematurely.

Lightweight and lustrous, it's easy to see why silk is the fabric of choice for shirts, sheets, dresses, and many other luxury garments and home items. As is the case with many high end fabrics, such as suede, silk requires a fair amount of care whether you are wearing, sleeping in, or storing it. That said, keep these tips in mind when using, cleaning, or storing your garments, bedding, or other luxury silk items:

Silk can be easily damaged by . . .

Chemical and alcohol based products: Hair sprays, nail polish remover, perfume, aerosol deodorants, etc. can all stain your silk items beyond repair. Silk is a very absorbent fiber and as such, will absorb even the finest mist from personal care products with ease. If you must use alcohol or chemical based products, do your best to not let them come into contact with your silk items (i.e. put your products on before dressing, or place a cover over your silk garment when using such products while dressed.)

Sunlight: Like a fine painting on canvas, silk is prone to damage from constant sunlight. Too much sunlight will easily fade and/or yellow even the best silk. As such, you may want to hold off wearing your best silk shirt until the evening, if possible.

Perspiration and deodorants, especially when combined, are also dangerous to silk fibers. The combination of moisture in perspiration and chemicals in deodorants (particularly Aluminum

Love Silk? Follow These Easy Steps to Enjoy your Silk Garments for Years.

Silk is made from the secretions of silkworms and was first discovered in China thousands of years ago. The Chinese kept the secret of silk to themselves until the 13th century. Silk has always been a luxurious fabric, but it does require special care. Though it is a strong fabric it is sensitive to light, to chemicals such as hairspray and bodily fluids such as perspiration.
Though silk is used most often for clothing it is also used for other purposes such as curtains and bed linens. The following tips apply to all types of silk items, though some of the risk of staining won't apply to household linens.

To protect silk clothing always use any chemicals such as hairspray or perfume before getting dressed and allow these substances to dry thoroughly. Never use nail polish or nail polish remover while wearing a silk garment, because any spills will cause a permanent stain.

If your silk garment gets stained in spite of all your precautions there are steps you can take before turning to your local dry cleaner. The treatment depends on the stain. Fresh perspiration stains can be removed by washing the garment. For older stains you'll need to sponge the area with diluted vinegar. For more stubborn discolorations, use a mixture of cream of tartar, crushed aspirin, and warm water. Apply to the stain for twenty minutes, and then rinse with warm water. Of course if the item is dry-clean only you really have no choice but to spend the money.

Keeping your gold jewelry clean is relatively simple, and can easily and efficiently be done at home. While gold jewelry will not tarnish like other metals, it can still accumulate dirt and grime, become dull and lose its shine. To keep your gold jewelry looking good as new, follow these simple tips to bring back its luster and shine.

Soap and Water
Believe it or not, you can clean gold with soap and water, but it works best on gold pieces that are plain and free of other gemstones (such as a plain gold necklace or simple ring.) To clean your gold with soap and water, fill a small bowl with warm - not hot - water and a few drops of a mild dish soap. Place your jewelry in the soap and water mixture, and allow the pieces to soak for about 20 minutes. After soaking, use a clean, dry cotton cloth to dry your jewelry, and allow them to sit on a towel to air dry completely before wearing them again.

This method will get rid of all the oils from beauty products and regular day-to-day wear that makes your gold jewelry dingy and lackluster, and is a very simple and quick way to bring back the beauty of your gold.

Cleaning Gold Jewelry with Gemstones
If your gold jewelry includes gemstones, you can still clean them at home without fear of damaging the stones or setting. The important thing to remember about this type of gold jewelry is to NEVER submerge them into water, as the water can become trapped in the setting, rust or discolor your setting/stones, or cause the stones to become loose and fall out over time.

As most of us have experienced or will experience during the holidays, new electronic gadgets, from flat screen televisions to Blu-ray players, and iPhones, are all wonderful to have, but they all have one drawback---each comes with cords, cables or other accessories that are eye sores to have in one's home.

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, author of Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces (Clarkson Potter, 2010) and founder of ApartmentTherapy.com, one of the country's most well-regarded and influential design blogs has offered Luxist several solutions for anyone who is facing such a dilemma. As the ultimate online destination for all things design, ApartmentTherapy.com's mission is to help people make their homes more beautiful, organized, and healthy. As technology has come to play a bigger role in the home, the term "techorating" is now being used to describe the use of technology in the home that is both beautiful and whenever necessary, invisible.

According to Gillingham-Ryan, it is possible to incorporate technology, even in small spaces, in ways that are both pleasing and beneficial without sacrificing quality. "It is possible to find great equipment that is mini in scale, but has high capabilities," he says. High quality speakers, for example, can be found in small sizes, he adds. (Be sure to check out the video below for more tips from Gillingham-Ryan.)

Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice: 60 tongue-tingling cocktails (Chronicle Books, 2009) and Spirits Reviewer for Wine Enthusiast Magazine has offered us some of her best tips for throwing the perfect holiday cocktail party.

First and foremost, it is important to prepare in advance, says Newman, whose articles have also appeared in The New York Times, Imbibe, The San Francisco Chronicle, Gourmet, and Saveur, and many other publications.

Here's what Kara suggests:

• The pros pull together their mise-en-place before an event, and so should you. Before guests arrive, make sure you have everything you need to make drinks close at hand. That means glassware, spirits, garnishes, etc. Cut fruit into wedges; wash and dry herbs; squeeze fresh juice and decant into squeeze bottles.
• If space permits, put glasses in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before guests arrive. Pull them out as you're making drinks, and they'll be perfectly chilled and have a professional-looking frosty sheen.
• Alternatively, set out a "do it yourself" station with a theme, such as a Bloody Mary station with various spirits, mixers, and garnishes. Print up a basic recipe or two, and stand it in a picture frame. Guests can use the recipe as a guideline, or create their own drink riffs.
• If you're serving alcohol, always be sure that you're serving food, too.
• Good rule of thumb: You can never have too much ice!
• If you don't want to tend bar, consider making a party punch and serving in a show stopping, decorative bowl.
  
  Check out our related story on holiday-themed cocktails along with recipes including one created by Kara, herself.

Planning to throw a holiday party or an unforgettable New Years' Eve bash? We collected favorite cocktail recipes from some of the best mixologists around, all of which perfect for holiday entertaining.

Richard Leach, the head of the cocktail department at New York's Polynesian supper club, The Hurricane Club told us how to make his delicious banana, rum and fresh mint cocktail while Matthew Silverstein, the bar manager at Mario Batali's Del Posto gave us the recipe for his famous XO Champagne Cocktail. Olivier Flosse of New York's A Voce, shared his "Whisky del Frante" recipe while Chef Jon Ashton, in-house chef for Relish magazine, gave us his "Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert Shot". Finally, Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice, a zesty book brimming with cocktail recipes, gave us the secret for making her "Spiced Caramel Apple" cocktail (check out our related story that features Kara's best tips for throwing a cocktail party).

From Van Gogh Vodka's "Candy Cane Lane" to the "Sugar Cookie", your guests will love these festive cocktails. Try out a few recipes and let us know us which ones you like the best in the comment field below.

• Candy Cane Lane (seen above)
  2 1/2 oz Van Gogh BLUE Vodka
  1 oz White crème de menthe
  1/2 oz Peppermint schnapps
  Cream
  Splash of Grenadine
  Peppermint candy for garnish

Add a dash of grenadine into the bottom of a chilled martini glass and set aside. Pour the rest of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into the glass with grenadine to create a "swirl" effect. Garnish with peppermint candy.

For more holiday cocktail recipes, click on any of the images in the gallery below.

Kim Seybert, a world-renowned designer spoke to Luxist and gave us her six favorite tips for throwing the perfect holiday gathering.

Seybert is widely credited with being the creator of "fashion for the table". She successfully translated her skills as an evening gown and cocktail dress designer to the home with the creation of Kim Seybert, her namesake company, for which she designs gorgeous and elegant placemats, napkins, napkin rings, table runners, tablecloths, glasses, bath accessories and home decor accessories. Seybert's extensive line of table wear and home accessories is available for purchase on the Kim Seybert website as well as at such luxury retailers as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Barneys New York, and Horchow.

Seybert's designs often feature the same techniques she used when designing glamorous evening gowns. As a result, her designs are so stunning, they present an easy alternative to re-decorating a home. Seybert's spectacular napkin rings (see image below), for example, feature extensive beading and are so gorgeous they are often referred to as "jewelry for the table".

Planning an escape to Switzerland and in need of a luxury hotel? Look no further than Swiss Deluxe Hotels , which is synonymous with exclusive quality and superlative standards.

Swiss Deluxe Hotels, more formally known as the Association of Swiss Deluxe Hotels, comprises 39 of the most prestigious five-star hotels in all of Switzerland, of which 17 are city hotels and 22 are resort hotels. Each property must be independently run, or as a member of a hotel chain, be mainly autonomous.

Member hotels include The Dolder Grand and the Savoy Baur en Ville in Zurich, the Gstaad Palace, the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues and the Le Richemond in Geneva (recently renovated and a member of the prestigious Rocco Forte Collection). In St. Moritz, members include the Suvretta House, the Carlton Hotel and Badrutt's Palace Hotel in St. Moritz (a Luxist Awards nominee for best international ski hotel).

Suede. A rich material which not only looks fantastic, but is fantastically "high maintenance" when it comes to keeping it looking fresh and clean. Keeping your suede garments in like new condition does require a good amount of care; however, follow these tips and you'll be able to minimize your maintenance headaches by a good amount.

Preservation starts with prevention
Keeping your suede in top condition begins with proper everyday storage and care. Start by treating your garment with a suede protection spray prior to wearing for the first time. A light coating of protectant goes a long way to protecting your garment from small amounts of moisture and stains. Be sure to test your suede protectant on the underside of your garment before apply however, as some sprays will darken/discolor your garment on contact.

The second stage of protection is proper storage. When not wearing them, be sure to keep your suede garments in a dark, dry, cool place with adequate airflow and low humidity. Light and moisture are major enemies of suede; the former fades your material, while buildup of the latter will quickly degrade it. In addition, be sure not to store your suede garment in plastic, as the lack of airflow plastic creates will trap moisture inside with you garment, and promote growth of mildew on it's surface.

Few foods are as versatile and universally appealing as cheese (who doesn't love it?) and rare is the holiday gathering that doesn't include it in some way. Impress your guests by featuring cheese front and center on a beautiful homemade cheese platter you assembled yourself.

Aim for variety
A good cheese plate offers a variety of styles and milk types, and has something for everyone from beginners to connoisseurs. Three to five cheeses per platter is plenty, allowing 1-3 oz per person as an appetizer, and if the options are overwhelming consider narrowing the field by choosing a region and going all local, all French, or all American, etc.

Ask the Cheesemonger
When buying cheese it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices but a good cheesemonger will be happy to offer samples and help you make selections based on your preferences, type of guests, and other food you plan to serve. For more advice on selecting cheeses watch this Luxist interview with Taylor Cocalis, Director of Events & Education at New York City's Murray's Cheese.