Over the week my friend Alison Brod held an eventful birthday celebration for her two sons. Alison produces hundreds of events a year for clients, but she says it’s her kids’ birthday parties are the only parties she has full control. “If I want to have the world’s largest beach ball at the party, there is no one to tell me I can’t have it,” she says.

Last night, the Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré was buzzing. The sounds that spilled over on to the posh street came from inside the Roger Vivier boutique and were courtesy of actress and musician Jeanne Marine who played her ukulele for a crowd of well-heeled fashion types. The occasion, however, is most of note. Attendants were present to celebrate the exclusive preview of the brand’s newest limited edition collection, Rendez-Vous. And by attendants, I mean everyone from Tod’s Group president, Stefano Sincini, Roger Vivier-brand ambassador, Ines de la Fressange, and the house’s creative director, Bruno Friso

You already know that Haven Gastropub is one of Orange County's best spots to get a drink -- after all, where else can you get the selection they've got -- whether you're looking for wine or beer, but they've upped their game to include Wine Flights so that you can try a set of pours while you wind down or as a perfect accompaniment to enjoy their twist on comfort food.

Norbert Wabnig, epic owner of The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills conducts gourmet show-and-tell sessions at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Inside the historic property’s signature restaurant, The BLVD—home of the "Tiffany Blue" martini and a lavishly decorated dining room that constantly resonates with live piano tunes—Wabnig offers informal cheese and wine tasting tutorials Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. By “informal” we mean no real instruction takes place; Wabnig simply crafts traditional made-to-order plates, chooses the appropriate garnishes, and selects a wine, while guests sit back and devour firm and creamy selections from around the world.

It’s official: chains are in this year, and they are here to stay. From Chanel’s classic chain-strap purses to now Paco Rabanne’s updated chain-metal handbags, the look isn’t going anywhere. Except maybe in your closet or on your shoulder.

While skiers filled the slopes of Switzerland last week, Baume & Mercier’s new ambassador Gwyneth Paltrow and a circle of international guests put away their hats and mittens and made their way to a garden party on the beach of Geneva to mark the start of a new chapter in the brand’s 180-year history. This fall, the Swiss Maison d’Horlogerie is rolling out two new Classima models embodying this moment of seaside living.

Growing up between Los Angeles and Phoenix, I’ve never experienced a "real" winter. Sure, I have been to Aspen in December, Vail in February and Sun Valley in March; yet, somehow unknowingly, I have always managed to plan these trips when the sun is as bright as Richard Simmons’ hot pants and warm enough to strip down to just my thermal and ski pants. I take off my gloves and plow down the slopes full force, wondering if by chance, I will ever actually be in a real winter snowfall.

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami,New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. Internationally-known architect, Frank Gehry, was named the Judge Widney Professor of Architecture at his alma mater USC.

Bringing a fresh perspective to weight loss, intervention specialist Brad Lamm has written the book Just 10 LBS. Instead of focusing on what we eat, this book pays attention to the how and why aspects of eating. Lamm is best known for helping people make life-enhancing changes on The Dr. Oz Show, and is also the founder of Intervention Specialists, a crisis intervention group.

It is extremely hard to argue the staying power and longevity of Lanvin. In this day and age, designers come and go but Alber Elbaz and the House of Lanvin continue to give us beautiful, luxurious, and innovative designs for women; his resort and spring 2011 collections reflect just that.

The new Topshop Makeup collection gives you the tools to create any look you’re going for. From the start, Topshop’s designer Lizzie Dawson wanted to create a range that would appeal to all, yet posses the uniqueness the customer expects.

Five minutes to the heart of Malibu but light years away from the congestion and stress of L.A.

Giving your sweetie a couple dozen roses is all well and good, but why not take those roses and put them to use to make her skin radiant and gorgeous? With Valentine's Day around the corner, Joanna Vargas is adding a new treatment to her spa offerings, just in time. The Red Rose Purifying Facial will have your sweetheart falling in love with you (and her skin) all over again.

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. Shakira wins big at the NRJ Music Awards 2011 in Cannes, France.

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. Michael Bloomberg is taking a role of leadership on the national debate on gun control.

Celebrate Arizona Theatre Company's 44th season on Saturday, April 30, with an elegant dinner, the opportunity to score front row seats at a taping of "Dancing with the Stars," and a cabaret performance featuring Broadway's Susan Egan ("Beauty and the Beast," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Cabaret").

We've all known it was coming, thanks to the massive photos of freshly baked bread and decadent little desserts slathered across the windows for the past few months. And with a name like Le Pain Quotidein, we have been dreaming about still-warm croissants and crusty French baguettes. The bakery opened its doors last week and two surprises have been revealed: they serve way more than bread and there's no bakery on premise.

Chocolate is every bit sophisticated. Each variety has its own distinctive character, aroma, and flavour. Not only it tastes divine, but also it transmits a feeling of euphoria and energy. From Birthday treats to designer chocolates, these are the best places to buy chocolate in Moscow.