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The Ultimate Valentine's Day Gift Guide from Luxist and AHAlife

Filed under: Jewelry, Art, Holiday Guides, Luxury Shopping

Camel Bone Jewelry
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.

Most Romantic Skyscraper Restaurants - Win their Hearts with These

Filed under: Dining

Skyscraper restaurants are widely favored for a romantic evening like Valentine's Day, special anniversaries or on a honeymoon. Or, a skyscraper restaurant is a great way to get your first full view of the sights in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to any of these famous cities, even with a whole family.

When it comes to prices we're not talking Denny's. You're going to pay for the view, but these skyscraper restaurants are worth it. Most serve lunch and dinner and some serve breakfast or Sunday brunch. This price scale is based on dinner entrees (main courses):
$ = Reasonable for the View, entrees at $22-$40 per person.
$$ = Expensive, entrees at $30-55 per person.
$$$ = Very Expensive, entrees $55 and up per person.

Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. $$
An 11th floor view of the famous Las Vegas Strip, inside this nearly life-size replica of the real Eiffel Tower. Ride the same kind of elevator up as in the real tower, too. French cuisine with accent on seafood and soufflés. (702) 948-6937. Best time for View:Nighttime.

Top of the World, Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV. $$
Competing with the Paris, this off-the-Strip hotel restaurant gives a skyscraper view from 800 feet above Las Vegas, and takes 80 minutes to revolve a full 360° circle. Las Vegas Review Journal has named it "Best Gourmet Room" in the past. Its signature dish is Chateaubriand. (702) 380-7777. Best time for View:Daytime.

The Signature Room at the 95th�,
John Hancock Building, Chicago, IL. $$
(See a spectacular photo here at the website). A wide choice of popular American cuisine, and classic view of the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. (312) 787-9596. Best time for View: Day or Night.

Sixteen, Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago, IL. $$$
Shows Lake Michigan, The Wrigley Building and the Tribune Building often seen in movies. This is a Four-Star rated skyscraper restaurant experience, with a large variety of favorite dishes, with seasonal specials added. (312) 588-8000. Sixteen is closed on Sundays unless it is Valentine's Day weekend. Best time for View: Daytime.

The Best Places to Propose

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels


Whether you're after a breathtaking view, a secluded romantic getaway, or a once-in-a-lifetime journey, Valentine's Day is the perfect time to find it and a popular time to for many to pop the question and get engaged. Choosing the where and the when for your proposal really is a big deal, since all the rest of your days together start in that moment and in that place.

If you're looking for inspiration check out these ideas, all of which will have you making a memorable journey together to mark a memorable moment, and please add your own suggestions in the comments!

Luxe Getaways for You and Your Valentine

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels


If there was ever a time of year where you could take off on an overly extravagant getaway without feeling guilty it's over Valentine's Day. Resorts and hotels know this too, with most of them putting together romantic and pampered packages in luxurious settings -- many times all-inclusive so minimal planning is required. Just decide where in the world you want to go, and if you'd prefer to stay in or go out, and finding a deal somewhere that fits the bill should be easy as pie. Here are a few we found that look particularly tempting:

Mr & Mrs Smith

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Mr & Mrs Smith is a site that is dedicated to finding romantic getaways for you and your significant other, with extensive guides and reviews to finding the perfect luxurious boutique hotel. They focus primarily on Europe, but offer some selections in New York, the Northern Atlantic and around the Mediterranean, as well, and continue to expand their scope. Their panel of reviewers includes trusted anonymous sources as well as some famous names, like Stella McCartney and Anna Richardson, and every piece is written with a bit of humor and in a voice that you could easily hear checking into a hotel as the anonymous "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" with their lover. There are also books available, for Europe and UK/Ireland, if you want to take the guide along as you travel.

[via Hotel Hotsheet]

Alia Custom Invitations

Filed under: Services, Events

While silver and gold inks are always an option, up until this point, the wedding invitation market was fairly limited in how elegant paper note cards could be. In fact, some people don't use invitations at all anymore, preferring to call or e-mail their guests instead. Alia Designs may put a stop to that practice because their invitations are some of the most elegant and unique I have seen. The custom invitations include such luxurious, romantic touches as fresh flowers and rose petals, hand-embroidery, silk and real pearls.  For example, the "save the date" card, above, came with a sheer, red-silk envelope filled with rose petals. It coordinated with a wedding invitation that included a hand-beaded organza ribbon wrapped around a pearlized ivory invitation on claret silk, all of which was tucked inside a matching red silk envelope. View their portfolio to see some more of the possibilities, any of which would set the tone for an elegant, memorable wedding.

[Thanks, Xavier]

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