Last Sunday, while on a jaunt down west-side hipster hamlet Abbot Kinney, I happened across A + R, an uber modern design emporium and fell head over heels in love.

It’s an annual tradition and the perfect way to end one year and begin a new one: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Hometown Throwdown. The ska-core band known for hits like “The Impression That I Get,” “Where’d You Go?,” and “Someday I Suppose” has always called Boston home. And for the 14th year in a row, the three night throwdown is now a concert series of epic proportions.

Yahoo recently ran a feature on the best hot chocolates in the nation, taken from the longer listing by Travel + Leisure. And while they were wise enough to mention L.A. Burdick Chocolate, they opted for the location in Walpole, New Hampshire and neglected the charming location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square. Well, we want to right that wrong, as we would agree, it is perhaps one of the best hot chocolates we have ever consumed, and that’s just the beginning.

Boston is full of traditions. One of the craziest, by far, is the New Year’s Day dip by the L Street Brownies alongside other hearty and perhaps fool-hearty Bostonians into the frigid temperatures of Dorchester Bay adorned in nothing more than their bathing suits and chattering smiles.

Although the winter chill has certainly set in, that’s no reason to hibernate all winter. Dating must go on. And there is certainly no shortage of romantic spots to frequent that are made even more cozy and charming on a snowy winter’s night. For one such evening, we head to Boston’s coziest corner: Beacon Hill. The brick paved sidewalks, and lantern lit streets make for a perfect spot for walking hand in hand… that is, of course, if sparks fly between you and your mate!

With a blizzard, or at least a ton of snow, scheduled to hit the Boston area later on today, you may finally be starting to think about winter games – skiing and boarding. But your last year gear is so, well…. last year. Not to worry – Haute Living has the best spots to gear up before heading for the hills and mountains of New England for some mogul jumping fun.

My Christmas vacation started out in Florida with my family. Then I was in LA for a day and night and now I am in Cabo. I was first with Lizzie and Jon Tisch in Miami and Palm Beach. And In Boca I celebrated my parent’s anniversary with my sister her husband and my nieces. In LA I went to see Elizabeth Guber and her kids, and I had lunch with my friend Alex Von Furstenberg and went to see his new penthouse office.

It’s no secret that Miami has a high population of Jews (More than 100,000 of residents, myself t And what do we Jews do on Christmas? Chinese food and a movie, of course! Why not head to South Beach tonight to get your fill at one of these delicious Chinese restaurants in South Beach.

Head to the Hotel Valley Ho on Saturday, Dec. 25, at 8 p.m. for the one and only Mazelpalooza. As the flier says, "Jews. Booze. Shmooze!" The party, presented by Young Jewish Phoenix, is exclusively for those ages 21 years and older and is expected to draw hundreds of party-goers this year.

Enrapturing energetic colors dancing with movements as if in tune with some hidden performance laden with vibrant forces of emotion which seem to radiate from the unseen depths of one's being, these are the paintings of the renowned antiquities dealer and artist Fayez Barakat. Owner of the Barakat Gallery which boasts one of the world's largest collections of ancient art, Barakat, now 61, has returned to one of his passions, that of creating art.

For the first time ever, Vans -- a label loved by locals and just about every surfer or skater the world around -- has teamed up with a boutique to launch a capsule collection and a pop-up shop. Teaming with one of Laguna Beach's favorite surf shops, Thalia Surf, Vans has created a special line of products and apparel to celebrate SoCal and surf.

In need of a last minute hostess gift? What about the timeless and often dismissed fruitcake? Emily Smith, Chief Baking Officer of Sweet Cake’s Bakery in Ukrainian Village provides a way for locals to purchase a gift of fruitcake that is actually edible- and has customers raving about as the standout on the holiday treat menu. 

“I’ve never had a job and I don’t want one,” photographer Jeff Kauck says with a laugh. It’s not entirely true, of course, as Kauck has built a successful career based on his expertise behind the camera. To him, however, it has never felt like work; instead, it’s an expression of passion for his subjects in the food world and his love for what he does. Kauck’s food and still life photography has graced the pages of national magazines, cookbooks, and been the part of national advertising campaigns and packaging for over the last 20 years. It has garnered numerous accolades, including a James Beard nomination for his work on The Spiaggia Cookbook, as well as a Cleo Award, one of the advertising industry’s highest honors. Among the many books for which he has contributed his distinctive photography are The Salpicón Cookbook: Contemporary Mexican Cuisine; Stonewall Kitchen Harvest; Wine Bar Food: Mediterranean Flavors to Crave With Wines to Match; Williams-Sonoma Mastering: Soups & Stews; and Chocolate and Vanilla. Today, Jeff is the go-to person for world renowned chefs who want to capture their cuisine on camera. For years he has built relationships with some of the city’s most beloved culinary masterminds including Ryan Poli of Perennial, Grant Achatz of Alinea, Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia and Shawn McClain.

This dramatic Belvedere waterfront contemporary home was featured as cover home on the California Home and Design magazine August 2003.

Beautiful beaches and year round sunny weather make Dubai a place where you want to be seen looking your best. Weather during the winter months is perfect for outdoor workouts and runs along the beach. Look your best while you maintain your form by shopping at these top athletic apparel stores.

One of only 12 single family estate homes on exclusive Fisher Island.