I don't have a Valentine this year (certainly not from a lack of trying) but I'm vowing to enjoy the day anyway inspite of this fact and thought I would put together a little gift guide anyway.
If you are feeling really indulgent and want to buy your sweetheart something fabulous that also benefits a good cause, check out
Sotheby's Red Auction on February 14th where you can bid on love related art from Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Cecily Brown and
Sir Peter Blake pictured above. All proceeds of the sale will go to the United Nations Foundation to support HIV/AIDS relief programs in Africa.
Of course, you could always buy your significant other some flowers but might I suggest something more original than the usual cliche of long stemmed red roses. In fact, I hate red roses. I actually received a bouquet last year and although it was a very thoughtful gesture, it also meant he knew nothing about me. If I am required to know when his favorite sports teams are playing, why can't he take a minute to ask me what kind of flowers I like. Anyway, you can never go wrong with pink peonies or cabbage roses. Even a bouquet of hyacinths would be pretty. Believe me, think outside the box on this one!
There is no better joy in life than chocolate and if you've never tasted a
Teuscher Champagne Truffle, you haven't lived! They are one of my favorites and always make a great present any time of year! But if you can't find them in your area,
Marie Belle and
Vosges are great alternatives. At this point, I'd settle for a Reese's Peanut Butter Heart, my ultimate guilty pleasure.
If you're single and bitter this Valentine's Day, then I suggest you check out this Love is Lame t-shirt. It might be too late to buy it to wear tomorrow, but there's always next year. Happy Valentine's Day!
It seems like Tony Duquette and Dawnridge will always be in fashion and fashion magazines. Harper's Bazaar shot a beautiful spread entitled Fresh Florals for the March 2008 issue which is interesting since they ran the stunning Reese Witherspoon photos of her at Dawnridge in the March 2007 issue. And not to be outdone is Saks Fifth Avenue, who shot much of their Spring 2008 catalog at the famous estate. It's easy to see why anyone would want to use the fabulous chinoiserie decor as a backdrop to even more fabulous clothing. It lends an exotic touch and the orange silk couches add a fun pop of color. Now if it would just warm up so we could wear spring clothes, we'd be all set!
I love everything that Julian Schnabel's amazing creativity produces! Plates on a canvas...Genius! Basquiat and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly...Brilliant! Gramercy Park Hotel and a pink palazzo...Stupendous! Alright, you may think I have lost my mind for liking a pink palazzo plopped on top of an old factory and most of New York does too but it's truly a work of art. As much respect as I have for all the famous architects building now, I'm quite franky tired of big glass boxes. They lack a soul but Julian Schnabel's new building in the West Village has soul and style to spare.
Schnabel says he was influenced by a visit he took to the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua Italy and the Giotto frescoes inside but also by American architects Addison Mizner and Stanford White which is why there are Moorish, Turkish and Venetian motifs throughout.
The building houses five residences including his own which is the perfect backdrop for not only Schnabel's own art but his amazing collection of art by Luigi Ontani, Francis Picabia, Cy Twombly, and Man Ray.
In the bedroom hangs Picasso's Femme au Chapeau, and I bet we can be assured that the bed is dressed in linens from his Schabel's wife 
Julian Schnabel's Blue Japanese Painting No. 3 hangs in the Jade Bar which not only boasts Jade colored walls but blue velvet seats and more dramtic red drapes. Each room is like a little jewel box and this one also includes a Jean-Michel Basquiat diptych above the salmon colored niche.
One of the most dramatic pieces of art in the hotel is the light installation in the private roof club sitting room that sets off the many Damian Hirst paintings in the room.
I know you've all seen this Miles Redd designed apartment before but it's one of my favorites in terms of color inspiration. One of my living room walls is painted a similar peacock blue color and I keep thinking about incorporating the John Rosselli silk Ikat fabric into my scheme. I'm in the mood to redecorate or at least re-edit and/or rearrange my apartment. But of course, that means I need to find the time and that is easier said than done so I guess I'm stuck with what I've got for a little while longer. Sigh. 
