With last week's publication of Sarah Palin's new book, Going Rogue, Alaska is once again in the headlines, so it's easy to forget that there's far more to our 49th state than its red-suited former governor. I've been working on a book project in the Bering Strait of Alaska sporadically for the past few years -- above is a photo from Shishmaref, Alaska. These are places where you really can see Russia. And while these locales aren't much for luxury in the traditional sense, they are the places where simply astonishing Alaska Native art is produced -- where artists utilize the landscape to create everything from delicately carved bracelets to bold mobiles, traditional masks to photographs, amber-jewel like kayaks to paintings.

Alaska's natural resources aren't just used for art, of course -- many Native Alaskans still live at least partially off the land and sea. In part, this is to preserve a traditional way of life, but it's also because the price of basic necessities is so high: a dozen eggs can cost as much as $22. In addition to the challenges of preserving tradition that are faced by native communities everywhere, the raw materials of life are in jeopardy because of global warming. This is the part of the United States that is the most dramatically affected by climate change: The state's wintertime climate has warmed by 40 degrees since 1950, sea ice has thinned by 60 percent since the 1960s.

Nine Native Alaskan artists have produced works in response to this fraught landscape, which opens at the Alaska House New York gallery in Soho on December 10th. Working in a variety of media, ranging from mask-making, to skin sewing, to photography, Brian Adams, Susie Bevins, Perry Eaton, Nicholas Galanin, Anna Hoover, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Erica Lord, Da-ka-xeen Mehner, and Larry McNeil create works that capture this particularly delicate moment for Alaska -- and works that are certainly highly collectible. Check out the preview below to get just a sample of this extraordinary art.

If Dry Ice inspires you to travel to the places where these works are created, Alaska House New York (which is as much of an "embassy" for Alaska as it is an art gallery) has many resources to guide you through the parts of the state that you're unlikely to see on your own. And if you're more of an armchair traveler, check out this thoughtfully curated selection of books about Alaska -- a good place to start is 50 Miles from Tomorrow, by William L. Iggiagruk Hensley. You'll also find a list of online resources, including the very entertaining online newspaper, Alaska Dispatch.

Firmdale Hotels, privately owned by husband and wife team Tim and Kit Kemp, opened its first hotel in the United States this fall in New York City's SoHo. The Crosby Street Hotel is located in the heart of SoHo between Prince, Spring and Lafayette streets and is bringing the duo's famous luxurious European style and long standing reputation for world class personal service to this side of the Atlantic. Their London properties are consistently on the Conde Nast Traveller's hot list for both the US and UK.

The interiors of the hotel are designed by Kit Kemp who has been responsible for the luxury group's design since its inception. She recently won the Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year award and House & Garden Hotel Designer of the Year for her work on their Haymarket Hotel in London. She has brought her trademark quirky London style to the Crosby Street Hotel which was built from the ground up on the site of a vacant parking lot.

Inside guests will have their choice of 86 individually designed rooms and suites spread over 11 floors, each featuring floor-to-ceiling warehouse windows, a rarity in New York City. The hotel is also one of the most environmentally friendly hotels built in the United States and hopes to be one of the very first certified GOLD LEED hotels in New York. Guest rooms provide all the usual amenities found in a deluxe hotel including luxury linens, WiFi, flat screen tv and i-pod docking station. The public rooms of the hotel have there own unique features including:

• The Crosby Bar which stretches an entire city block
• A state of the art 99 seat screening room with orange leather Poltrona Frau chairs
• A private courtyard garden
• A personally selected art collection featuring a 10 foot high Juame Plensa sculpture, Peter Clark dog collage, mixed media pieces by Justine Smith and Jack Milroy, and oil paintings by Francois Bard

There is even a bespoke fragrance created for the hotel by acclaimed British perfumer Lyn Harris. The scent will be featured in all the hotel's toiletries free of charge to guests and available for purchase in the form of a scented candle.

Prices start at $525 a night but they are offering a special opening rate of $495 and up.

Whoopi Goldberg is taking advantage of "The View" summer break to put her New York City co-op up for sale. The NY Post's Cindy Adams dished that Goldberg has is selling her two-bedroom loft in SoHo. The home on Wooster Street takes up a full floor. Goldberg is a collector, perhaps even a little bit of a packrat but the result is a home that must be fascinating to wander in person. She has covered the long white walls of the main space with paintings. The kitchen is open and faces a long plank dining table. Even the ceiling fans are distinctive. The space has an unfinished look with pipes overhead, exposed brick and a few columns. The loft has a second kitchen area that seems to be used as an open laundry room. The co-op shares a common roof deck and there are two private storage bins in the basement. It is listed at $3.9 million with a monthly maintenance of $3,522.

[via Cityfile]

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

The U.S. Open just came to an end out on Long Island, drawing enormous crowds of fans who were undeterred by the unfavorable weather. Even if it hadn't rained, they would have struggled to enjoy the experience, as the event's organizers designed it in a way that made attendees earn their pleasure. And, the complaints were many. I heard one guy complain about $9 hot dogs, and the lines were awful. Trying to drive to the Bethpage golf course was a nightmare, as some had to park up to half an hour away and take buses to the tournament.

Many mused that there had to be a better way. And, there was. If you want to enjoy the U.S. Open next year, keep the following tips in mind. Plan ahead, and you can engineer a fantastic experience, even if the United States Golf Association is trying to prevent it.

1. Stay in the city
This may not be applicable next year, since the open isn't held at the same golf course every year. But, if the event is taking place on Long Island (and this goes for anything, not just golf), stay in Manhattan. You will have a bit of a hike in front of you in the morning and evening, but you'll also have the city at your disposal – which is definitely worth the trouble. I stayed at 60 Thompson down in SoHo, and I'm now more than happy to recommend it. The stylish hotel offers a great contrast to the attire worn by golfers (and golf enthusiasts).

As my colleague Jared Paul Stern reported back in March, Rihanna has done some major house hunting in Los Angeles. But according to Jennifer Gould Keil of the NY Post's Gimme Shelter, the young star is settling in SoHo for the summer. She is said to be close to inking a deal on a three-bedroom apartment on Greene Street. The listing has it at $22,000 a month but Rihanna is said to only be spending $18,000. Most scurry away from the city once summer hits but Rihanna is currently taking acting classes to prepare for her first movie. At least the apartment comes with a decent-sized terrace so that she can relax in the sun while learning her lines.

Want a taste of the sea without ever leaving land? Harbour, a restaurant located on 290 Hudson Street in West Soho in New York City opened today. The restaurant is being run by restaurateur Richard Schaeffer, former chairman of NYMEX Holdings, Inc., and Michelin star chef Joe Isidori. The 80-seat restaurant has a nautical look that isn't lobster traps and buoys, instead the dining room looks like the interior of a luxury yacht with porthole windows and gleaming wood.

As you might expect, the menu is heavy on the seafood with items like ceviche, mussels, butter clams and Artic char. Eater reveals that the set lunch is $25 and a set four-course dinner is $45. During the first month of service, 10% of proceeds from select seafood dishes will be donated to Monterey Bay Aquarium, Chefs Collaborative, and Blue Ocean Institute.

World renowned Turkish jewelry designer Atelier Minyon is finally in the United States, having opened a classy little shop in Soho, New York City, at 155 Spring Street.

Enchanted by their window, I stopped into their Soho shop one morning last week while they were still spritzing the sparkling glass cases. I was enthralled by the variety I found -- everything from elegant, bejeweled floral brooches to very exotic, bright yellow gold cuffs.

Their jewelry is bold and inventive, while maintaining an elegant, family relic feel. These pieces call up the grandeur of vintage design -- these are the kind of pieces that become heirlooms. Check out some of the exotic and dazzling designs below, and visit the Atelier Minyon website here.

Vera Wang & Arthur Becker, Alejandro Santo Domingo, Anne & Mario Grauso, Brian Atwood, Debbie Bancroft, Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Eleanor & Jon Ylvisaker, Fern Mallis, Gigi Mortimer, Helen Lee & Tim Schifter, Kimberly Kravis, Lakshmi Menon, Marina Rust & Ian Connor, Melania & Donald Trump, Nate Berkus, Ralph & Ricky Lauren, Roopal Patel, Samantha Boardman & Aby Rosen, Somers Farkas, Steven Kolb, and Veronica Webb were all in attendance last Thursday at the opening of Vera Wang's new boutique in Soho.

While we all know Vera Wang is unmatched in bridal apparel, she is also making fragrance and beauty-related products (Coty Prestige, Inc.), eyewear (Couteur Designs, a division of the Kenmark Group), china, crystal, silver and gifts (Wedgwood), Vera Wang suite (Halekulani Hotel), fine papers (William Arthur), mattresses (Serta Mattress Company), Lavender Label handbags (Accessory Network) and Lavender Label shoes (Brown Shoe).

Her ready to wear designs and more are available for browsing in person at the new Vera Wang Fashion Flagship, located at 158 Mercer Street, 212-382-2184.

Iradj Moini, a former couture designer for Oscar de la Renta, makes some of the most exquisite and unusual jewelry we've seen this millennium.

As you shop in NYC's Soho neighborhood this holiday season, be sure and stop by the Spring Street boutique (198 Spring, near Sullivan). The boutique has been open since Spring 2007, and feels like an art gallery. You won't believe you're looking at new pieces, released seasonally, and not well-kept relics of the 1920's.

If you're not in NY, you can also browse a number of Iradj Moini's items at Domont Jewelry, a West Hollywood, CA jewelry dealer with an exceptional selection of Iradj Moini on display their website.

Almost every piece is stunning, and worth a look if only for inspiration.

City Winery is scheduled to open this fall in an unlikely place: right in the middle of Soho, New York. It will not only be the first winery in New York City but it's the first in any major urban area. City Winery will be a combination members-only winery and public nightclub -- only members will have access to where and how the wine is made. Three membership options will be offered starting at $5,000 and going as high as $15,000 annually, with membership owners getting the title of "barrel owner" with their own 50 gallon American oak barrel, 4 classes each year with wine makers, and a special venue to swap their vintages with other members.

Starting on April 8th and continuing for ten days, Navigenics will pop-up on a well-known block in SoHo to market their genetic testing kits as well as hosting panel discussions on genetics and other health related programs. These genetic testing kits are designed to screen your DNA for seventeen diseases and conditions including Alzheimer's, breast cancer and Type II diabetes, in order to share with customers the likelihood of them developing these diseases later in life. No pin-prick needed -- just a swab of your saliva will do the trick. Sent off to a laboratory your risk assessment results are returned to you via email, with password protection for privacy, within weeks. It certainly is pricey but for some individuals, their health and knowing the possibilities is worth the $2,500.

For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most expensive zip codes in the United States, up today, 10012. This zip code is in the SoHo area of New York City, New York. This zip code has a median price of $2,460,000 and a huge appreciation rate of 508% since 1990!

We've spent a lot of time in this code for estate of the day features in the past because it is a celebrity magnet and home to some of New York's most attractive real estate. Recently we covered one of the most expensive condos in the area, an apartment at 76 Crosby, a building that is home to Kelly Ripa and Mark Conseulos.

Today's estate is in the New Museum Building on Broadway. The 4,678-square-foot loft has maple finishes throughout for a cohesive look. The space was designed by architect Alison Spear and uses the hallways as library and children's play space. There is a large kitchen and a maple-lined central media room with a wet bar. The master bedroom has large south-facing windows, a walk-in closet and an all-marble bath with whirlpool, separate shower and heated floors. There are three additional bedrooms and another full bath. The rest of the home includes a powder room and laundry room and the home has central air and an audio system. The historic building has doorman service, a common roof deck and storage. This home is listed at $7.995 million.

A few days ago I mentioned the real estate dealings of Frankie Muniz. Another young star getting his start in the real estate business is Daniel Radcliffe. The Harry Potter star has bought a Manhattan apartment for just under $4.3 million in the 40 Mercer building in SoHo. The property is now listed for rent at $20,000 a month through Halstead. The 1,843 sq ft fifth-floor apartment has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and floor to ceiling windows. Amenities in the building include a swimming pool, steam room and concierge services. The purchase was made by Gilmore Jacobs Ltd., the company set up by Radcliffe's parents when he was just 11. The Sun reports that the company is now worth more around $40 million. Now that he is 18, Radcliffe has control of his own funds but hasn't been seen living too much of an extravagant lifestyle yet.

The SoHo Mews is a pair of buildings in New York City designed by architects Gwathmey Siegel & Associates in SoHo's largest open buildable site. The design celebrates the square in 68 residences spread about between two buildings (an eight story and a nine story) linked by a private garden. Three are 59 two- and -three bedroom loft apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows, five townhouses with private street-level entrances and four penthouses, with wraparound terraces three of which feature spa hot tubs.

The building façade is stone, metal, and clear, frosted and fritted glass and the lofts have floor plans maximize the openness of the design. Droolworthy features include 10' ceiling heights, Gwathmey Siegel-designed Valcucine kitchens in striated elm wood, smoked matte glass and Jet Mist granite, and marble master baths with deep soaking tubs, separate showers and radiant heated floors.

The amenities list is equally lavish with a 24-hour professional concierge service by Luxury Attaché, fitness center and an onsite attended parking garage as well as partnerships with local attractions such as membership in the New Museum of Contemporary Art, shopping benefits at design emporium Moss and with the carpet artists of Fort Street Studio, vintner service from cantina CentoVini and private exhibition previews at the Deitch Projects gallery. The complex will also have a collection of original artwork in the communal spaces curated by the Art Production Fund.

The units range in size from 1,225-square feet to 3,900-square feet and range in price from $2.4 million to $11 million and should be ready for occupancy in late 2008.

We discovered this beautiful loft through the New York Observer's Manhattan Transfers. The duplex penthouse is 7,437 square feet in the New Museum Building on Mercer Street. The trophy home has six bedrooms, two wood-burning fireplaces and a master suite with a spa-like bath, walk-in closet and large, separate home office. The home also has large terraces with views in all directions. The home has two elevators, two kitchens and high ceilings. It is listed at $26.5 million. You can view more pictures here. After the jump, the ultimate place for a party in Soho.