For those of you who want haute couture and are on a budget, check out Valentino Vettori’s brand, Improvd? Valentino Vettori, along with his partner, Sam Ben-Avraham, are the creators of Improvd, an approachable avant-garde and couture line that are for those fashionistas who also want to be able to enjoy high fashion without burning a hole through their pockets

Monday was unseasonably warm here in New York—with the promise of more warm weather later this week—and whenever I feel the tempting approach of spring from what has proved to be an arduous winter, I think of Mark Rothko. Yes, you’re correct in thinking that a strange association, but on those first days when the warmth of the sun is welcomed on your skin with something like a dire thirst, I can’t help but recall the image of Mark Rothko’s No. 5 with its effusively sumptuous blocks of bright yellow, orange, and red, which suggest sun, horizon, and land all in a hazy instant.

With the 2011 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival kicking into full swing next week, Miami is proving itself to be a global culinary destination. Further evidence of this is the fact that Miami has not one but three candidates in the running for the title of Food & Wine’s The People’s Best New Chef 2011: Gulf Coast.

Actress Jennifer Aniston has reportedly bought, or is close to buying, this four-bedroom, four-bath penthouse in the heart of the West Village, according to The Daily News.

On Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, Fisher Island Day School hosted its Annual Benefit Gala at the magnificent Palazzo del Mare on Fisher Island. Haute Living was a proud sponsor along with Grey Goose Vodka, Braman Motors, Pantry Liquors, Apollo Jets, and Neiman Marcus Coral Gables.

Rising to 870 feet, the 76-story, 1.1 million square-foot New York by Gehry building – dubbed a “vertical city” – opened its 37th Floor Rental Gallery to prospective residents who were invited to tour 18 model units in this monumental addition to the Lower Manhattan skyline. This is the first skyscraper for Frank Gehry, the recipient of dozens of the most prestigious prizes in architecture, including the 1989 Pritzker Prize or his contributions to both humanity and the art of architecture.

New York-based jewelry designer Mona Taner has established herself in the industry by bringing a fresh perspective to the creation of timeless pieces. The genius behind Mona Taner Distinct Jewels, her exquisite creations have taken on nation acclaim. Having graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in broadcast journalism, Taner’s longtime passion about design and diamonds has brought her to the forefront of the industry with designs that reflect the pinnacles of the craft that she holds close to her heart – organic materials, exquisite gems, and the unexpected details that enliven her handmade pieces. Her belief that beautiful jewelry can be created with social integrity, ethical business practices, and a respect for the environment have led Taner to insist on using materials and methods that are conflict-free, non-intensive, and non-disruptive. Taner’s 18-karat white gold, green gold, and platinum collection’s versatility goes seamlessly from everyday wear to the red carpet, lending her pieces an infinite and timeless quality.

Founded in 1938, the Como group distributes the smart, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Honda at fifteen sites in Paris and Ile-de-France. Averaging 7,000 cars a year, this company has had huge success in the French capital, where the smart car has become the next big thing. Como also offers a vast range of low-pollution cars made for city driving. Their car, the Smart Fortwo holds the record of the car with the lowest CO2 emission.

Possessing an unparalleled flair for combining old school Havana style with new age techniques, it is pretty apparent that James Beard Award-winning Chef Douglas Rodriguez has the right moves to create a delectable dining experience that is so very Miami. And what Miami experience would be complete without the beach? With that in mind, it has been announced that Chef Rodriguez has chosen to relocate his signature restaurant De Rodriguez Cuba to the chic South of Fifth neighborhood on beautiful Miami Beach. Located in the Hilton Bentley Hotel, De Rodriguez Cuba on Ocean will welcome guests with oceanfront views and the best that the aptly named “Godfather of Nuevo Latino Cuisine” has to offer.