With the appeals of China massive wealth and crazyiness of luxury items, Van Cleef & Arpels' third flagship store was opened in September 2011 in Hong Kong following their Paris and New York expansion. Designed by Patrick Jouin & Sanjit Manku, the impressive illuminated facade catches the attention thanks to its poetic contrast with the rest of the street.

The interior decoration is the quintessence of refinement. The ornamental style, the engraved bas-relief panels, the chromatic harmony of soft hues, the subtle lighting effects, the use of leather and the floral theme are all inspired by the Place Vendome Maison.




As always, designer Patrick Jouin had his conceptual hand in the design on this store. Unlike conventional jewellery store where things are kept at arm length, modern touches such as bubble-style glass dome containers are placed around the store for customers viewing pleasure.

According to Patrick Jouin, jewellery is so small, you can just pass by and not be aware of it. The idea of the architecture of the space is to create this special emotion for people to be surprised, to look and notice. The hologram of the jewellery is a simple magical trick – you can almost touch it! Most visitors can't buy the pieces, so on top of there being the 'fun' element, it was also important that there wasn't any barrier between visitor and jewellery.

Alessandro Mendini popular corkscrew- Alessandro M. corkscrew is getting a facelift for the Christmas season. A limited edition, the "Alessandro M.- Merry Boy" corkscrew is the product chosen as the 2011 symbol for "The Dream Factory": a partnership project between Alessi and the Association "Amici dei Bambini" set up in 2006 with the aim - just like Father Christmas - of making dreams come true for lots of children living in hardship all over the world. This year Father Christmas is dressed up in red, white and green to bring his round-the-world "Dream Factory" trip to Italy for the first time.

The project that Alessi and Amici dei Bambini have chosen to decorate in green, white and red to celebrate our country focuses this time on someone really special: tiny babies still too young to have real wishes of their own, apart from the unique and imperative one of wanting to stay with their mothers. For them, the first Mother-Child Community, managed by Amici dei Bambini, will be built in the Milan area. It'll be a protected, safe place where new mums with problems will be welcomed with their little ones in that time of need. A special home where they can learn to be mothers and children, enveloped in each other's warm arms.

See also:
Christmas Gift Idea #1: Amelia Rope Chocolate Autumn/Winter Collection 2012.
Christmas Gift Idea #2: Architectmade BIRD Family.
Christmas Gift Idea #3: Absolut Tune Sparkling Vodka.
Christmas Gift Idea #4: New Vespa 946.

Piaggio new scooter, the Vespa 946 is a mix of new technology with classic retro style of Vespa. the Vespa 946 maintains many of Vespa's signature design of MP6, the original Vespa prototype back in 1946 designed by Corradino D'Ascanio.

The 946 main attraction is the aerodynamic cantilevered seat, which at first glance it look like a parrot head. Piaggio's engineers have taken a bolder step in fixing a larger aluminum seat for two people compared to the solo seat in the old model.

The 946 also features aluminum alloys, body with sleek curves and fuel-efficient technology. Another addition is the horizontally mounted rear shock absorber with four adjustable positions, LED lighting and LCD display.

So thinking of Vespa 946 as your Christmas gift? But don't go running to dealers just yet, the 946 will likely only arrive in late 2013. 

Renowned vodka Absolut has paired up with Pernod Ricard to produce a vodka spiked sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. Called Absolut Tune, the blend consist of 60% vodka and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, the final alcohol level is 14%.

According to Absolut, 'the first taste of Absolut Tune reveals vibrant, fresh tropical fruits with a balanced sweetness through the front and mid palate which is brought to life through the bubbles...and with a persistent medium strength Absolut vodka flavor and balanced sweetness leading on to a dry finish.'

While I'm not sure will this be the best Christmas wine to go well with every course of your Christmas meal, but pretty ascertain that Absolut Tune will dance the Christmas night away with warming soul.