vday09

Wine And Love Are A Perfect Match

Filed under: Wine

I started thinking about wine couples after meeting Suzanne Phifer-Pavitt of Phifer Pavitt Wine. So many boutique wineries have two loves at their root: love of good wine and the love of the couple or family that makes the wine. The story of Suzanne Phifer-Pavitt and her husband, Shane Pavitt is the classic successful city couple moves to the countryside fable. The pair now live in the Napa Valley with their children. They created Date Night Cabernet Sauvignon because they were inspired by their own date nights spent with a bottle of wine dreaming of the future. Suzanne calls Shane her "forever Valentine" and he says that "Every love story is a unique journey of chance and destiny. Date Night is a fond memory of your perpetual journey." Their 2005 Date Night Cabernet Sauvignon sells for $75.

Check out more love stories and some sound love advice from couples and families who also happen to make great wine in the story below.

Gallery: Love Advice From Wine Couples

Fred and Helen Lockwood of Maison Des Bulliats

David and Maryann Johndrow of Johndrow Vineyards

Mary Rocca and Eric Grigsby of Rocca Family Vineyards

Clyde and Katie Gill of Peaceful Bend Winery

The Minor Family from Four Bears Winery and Sean Minor Wines

Tags: love, vday09, wine

Valentine Essentials: Sexy Lingerie

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Holiday Guides

The thought of confused men wandering aimlessly around the lingerie sections of department stores this time of year makes me laugh, and it also makes me wonder how many men actually buy lingerie as Valentine's Day gifts? I think these days it's more about women buying it for themselves, and then the wearing of it is the gift for the man in their lives. Lingerie can be expensive, but I think it's totally worth the splurge. After all, it's one of the few things that makes both people happy.

So ... red, white, or black? That is the question.

Gallery: Designer Lingerie Perfect for Valentine's Day

Tags: lingerie, valentine, valentines, valentines day, ValentinesDay, vday, vday09

Rosewood's Ralph Lauren Romance VDay Package

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Ralph Lauren to create a one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day getaway for stylish couples, called "Ralph Lauren Romance Always Yours." Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ralph Lauren's Romance fragrance and the launch of their newest scent, Romance Always Yours, the package is available at select Rosewood properties including the famed Carlyle Hotel in New York (above); Rosewood's flagship hotels in Dallas, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and Rosewood Crescent Hotel; as well as the Inn of the Anasazi, A Rosewood Hotel in Sante Fe; the Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence in Atlanta; and CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort in San Martin, CA.

The two-night package, which starts at $799, includes a luxe room stocked with gifts including a bottle of champagne upon arrival and a custom monogrammed Ralph Lauren cashmere throw. A private candlelit dinner, created specially by one of Rosewood's acclaimed Executive Chefs, will be served en-suite. The indulgence will continue the following day with complimentary spa treatments for two and a limited edition bottle of Ralph Lauren's Always Yours, featuring a delicately hand-crafted glass dauber faceted like a diamond, to take home as a souvenir of an incredible weekend. See the gallery for pix of the participating properties.

Gallery: Rosewood Ralph Lauren Romance

The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence

Tags: Carlyle Hotel, CarlyleHotel, Fragrance, mansion on peachtree, Mansion on Turtle Creek, MansionOnPeachtree, MansionOnTurtleCreek, Perfume, Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Romance, RalphLauren, RalphLaurenRomance, Rosewood, Texas, Valentines Day, ValentinesDay, vday09

Valentine Essentials: A Diamond Ring

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Holiday Guides

Put "Valentine's Day" and "diamond ring" together and most people's minds will go to "engagement" next, but there are plenty of other reasons to give, get, or wear a diamond ring this Vday. There are anniversary bands, fashion rings, and of course the "Right Hand Ring" is growing ever more popular as women decide that they don't have to wait for a man in order to wear a beautiful diamond.

Engagement rings might be the most common type of diamond rings given and worn next week, but they certainly don't have to be the only type!

Gallery: Diamond Rings for All

Tags: diamond jewelry, diamond ring, diamond rings, DiamondJewelry, DiamondRing, DiamondRings, diamonds, valentine, valentines, valentines day, ValentinesDay, vday, vday09

Voga Italia Sparkling Pinot Grigio

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Here's a relatively inexpensive yet festive and delectable alternative to fancy champagne for frugal Valentine's Day celebrations: Voga Italia's Sparkling Pinot Grigio.

My colleague Deidre Woollard first wrote about the fashionable brand back in 2006; the Sparkling Pinot Grigio (right) is the latest addition to their luxe lineup.

Voga Italia "transformed the traditional, stuffy wine bottle into a distinctive, glamorous shape." The curvier clear glass bottle of the Sparkling is sealed with a traditional cork and topped with a resealable, airtight cap.

Voga Sparkling is made from 100% Pinot Grigio from the mountainous province of Trentino and the Veneto region (home to Venice) of Northern Italy.

At 12% alcohol, it's a striking golden color with a fine effervescence, aromas of white blossoms and ripe fruit, and a clean citrusy finish. It sells for $15.99.

Tags: Champagne, Italian wine, ItalianWine, Italy, Pinot Grigio, PinotGrigio, Valentines Day, ValentinesDay, vday09, Voga, Voga Italia, VogaItalia

Valentine Essentials: Scented Candles

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Cosmetics and Fragrance

The other day I heard a couple of talk show hosts, a man and a woman, talking on the radio about romance and whether it is "manly" for a man to light scented candles. I like to think we are beyond such narrow viewpoints, pleasant scents and mood lighting should be for everyone. Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion to light fragrant candles in the name of love and it can be wonderful if you do it right, which may mean a little planning ahead. You won't find truly transcendent scents at the local grocery store.

We'll start this off with the obvious choice, a chocolate scented candle. Chocolate is a popular scent but one that is pretty hard to get right. The Flare Chocolate Bark candle is chocolately without being overly sweet or fake. It sells for $22. Check the gallery for ten more ideas.

Gallery: Ten Valentine's Day Candle Ideas

Tags: candles, valentine essentials, ValentineEssentials, valentines day, ValentinesDay, vday09

Gran Centenario Debuts World's 1st Hibiscus Tequila

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Gran Centenario is releasing a new ultra-premium, pink-tinged spirit - Gran Centenario Rosangel (above), the world's first hibiscus-infused tequila. Rosangel, like Gran Centenario's much-loved Reposado, is made of the "finest, sweetest, highest quality" 100% Highland blue agave, harvested after 10 to 12 years. The hearts of the agave are baked for up to 72 hours in traditional clay ovens to "guarantee that even the subtlest flavors of the agave remain". After the resulting spirit is fermented and distilled, it rests in new French Limousin white oak barrels for a minimum of 10 months.

The Reposado is then blended with a small amount of older tequila reserves for character and balance, after which it rests for two months in port barrels, which "imparts Rosangel's sunset pink hue and deepens the complexity of its flavor." Finally, the spirit is infused with the natural flavor of delicately sweet hibiscus flowers, a staple in Mexican culture and cuisine. The finished product has a complex, perfumed nose with ripe fruit and floral notes, plus hints of vanilla, while the palate holds flavors of dried fruits leading to a smooth, gentle finish.

Tags: Gran Centenario, Gran Centenario Rosangel, GranCentenario, GranCentenarioRosangel, Hibiscus, Mexico, Rosangel, tequila, Valentines Day, ValentinesDay, vday09

Valentine Essentials: A Diamond Pendant

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Holiday Guides

Whatever you're doing this Valentine's Day certain things are essential, and one of them is a pretty diamond necklace to complement your little black dress. Whether you hint around with hopes of getting it on vday as a gift from your sweetie or decide to treat yourself, a pretty new diamond pendant will not only make you feel beautiful this holiday but it will also be something you can wear again and again for years to come. Totally worth splurging on (this Harry Winston Snowflake is on my wish list!).

Gallery: Designer Diamond Pendants

Tags: diamonds, valentine, valentines, valentines day, ValentinesDay, vday, vday09

V Day Reminder from Agent Provocateur

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

The other day we wrote about the sexy new Virgins collection from Agent Provocateur. Now the luxe British lingerie line has come out with an incendiary Valentine's Day reminder in video form, entitled Love Me Tender. Starring stunning upper class British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (above), who's said to be a distant cousin of the Queen of England, the video involves "a rudimentary plot involving office work, trenchcoats, bondage-by-sock, revenge, and cleaning ladies" - plus, of course, an eyeful of Rosie. We're not sure how effective this will be in terms of selling more lingerie, but it's certainly an attention-getter to say the least. You can check out the video here.

[Refinery 29 via A Continuous Lean]

Tags: agent provocateur, AgentProvocateur, Lingerie, rosie huntington-whiteley, RosieHuntington-whiteley, valentines day, ValentinesDay, Vday09

Valentine Essentials: Chocolate!

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Holiday Guides

Valentine's Day just wouldn't feel right without chocolate, and although those cardboard heart boxes full of waxy chocolates are certainly nostalgic eating them can leave something to be desired. Take the romance up a notch this Vday with decadent, luxe chocolate from one of the best chocolatiers in the country. Whether you and your sweetie prefer truffles, chocolate blends that are specially formulated to go with your favorite wine, or even hot chocolate, there's something out there for every taste. And most of them are so pretty to look at you might find yourself hesitating to eat them (just for a second).

Gallery: Romantic and Luxe Valentine Chocolates

Valentine Spice Truffle Collection by Hedonist Artisan Chocolates

Gift Box Extraordinaire by Chocolat Céleste

Tags: chocolate, chocolates, valentine, valentines, valentines day, ValentinesDay, vday09

Valentine Essentials: A Little Black Dress

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Have you decided yet what you're wearing this Valentine's Day? February 14th is one day of the year when every woman wants to look her best and if you have plans for a hot date why not go with the classic little black dress? The LBD has been around forever, and for good reason: every figure and every skin tone looks good in it! If you don't have one hanging in your closet already you officially have our permission to go out and go shopping (as if you needed a nudge). There are countless styles and versions of the LBD out there so see some of our favorite picks in the gallery below.

Gallery: The Designer Little Black Dress

Tags: black dress, BlackDress, dress, lbd, little black dress, LittleBlackDress, valentine, Valentines day, ValentinesDay, vday09

La Perla's Luxe Lingerie for Valentine's Day

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Luxe Italian lingerie brand La Perla has put together a sexy collection of Valentine's Day gifts, presented in the form of a narrative photographed by Bjorn Iooss at Robert De Niro's plush Greenwich Hotel in New York. La Perla's rich tradition dates back to the 1950's when the company's founder, Ada Masotti, started making corsets for wealthy Italian women. Since then they've branched out but costly lingerie is still the core. La Perla's Valentine's Day story goes something like this:

"The La Perla woman makes the effort, but makes things look effortless. For Valentine's Day she wants to look her best and makes sure she takes care of her man. On Valentine's Day, she reserves a suite at the Greenwich Hotel, complete with a view of the New York harbor and a cozy fireplace. She buys several sets of La Perla lingerie, and takes her time to prepare so everything is just so. She then awaits for her man's arrival and presents the ultimate Valentine's gift - herself."

Gallery: La Perla V Day '09

Tags: Greenwich Hotel, GreenwichHotel, La Perla, LaPerla, Lingerie, Robert De Niro, RobertDeNiro, valentines day, ValentinesDay, vday09

Love In The Sky, The Cupid Cabin On The Southern Star

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

London has its Eye and now Melbourne, Australia has its own way to take in the view. The Southern Star observation wheel opened on December 20, 2008. It is located at Waterfront City in Melbourne Docklands and is the first giant observation wheel to be built in Australia. The seven-pointed star is as high as a 40-story building and has 21 cabins which can hold 20 people each. Flights are generally a half hour long and it is open 365 days a year. You can rent a cabin for up to 20 guests (they even do weddings) and have it catered for $800. Sunset flights and new moon flights are particularly popular. There is also a special Cupid Cabin just for two for Valentine's Day which will be outfitted with roses, Champagne and snacks for $695.

Source

Tags: australia, melbourne, southern star, SouthernStar, vday09

Champagne Ruinart's "My Sweeter Half" Set for V Day

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine

Champagne is of course an essential component of Valentine's Day celebrations, and the world's oldest champagne house is doing its bit. Champagne Ruinart, founded in 1729 and now part of LVMH's luxury empire, is offering a special edition gift box set called "My Sweeter Half" (above) for the occasion. The gift box includes two half bottles of the famed French house's premium cuvées: Ruinart Blanc de Blancs (left) and Ruinart Rosé (right). The Sweeter Half set, priced at $85, also comes with a pair of Ruinart champagne flutes. Hint: this would go great with that lingerie from Agent Provocateur.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Champagne, Champagne Ruinart, ChampagneRuinart, LVMH, Ruinart, Valentines Day, ValentinesDay, vday09

Virgins Collection from Agent Provocateur

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Just in time for Valentine's Day, luxe British lingerie line Agent Provocateur has come out with its new spring collection, called Virgins. The accompanying ad campaign (above and in the gallery) features surreal and sexed-up scenes drawn from Greek mythology and so forth, with nymphs and satyrs cavorting in approved Dionysian style. Luxurious fabrics including satin, lace and tulle are used in the line. It's the label's first new collection since its Pirates range that we wrote about in November, the ad campaign for which starred Helena Christensen. Also in the Valentine's Day spirit, Agent Provocateur has assembled a number of sexy gift suggestions here.

Gallery: Agent Provocateur Virgins