The Miniature Romantic Paper Cut-Outs at Tiffany &  Co. on Rodeo Drive are exquisite, and are part of a larger global advertising campaign that’s very captivating. I love that they’ve  created a seasonal video for  youtube, which is also available on  the main page of their web site. It features New York landmarks from Time Square to Rockefeller Center to their own 5th Avenue location, lush with their iconic jewelry.

When I look at these terrific little cut-outs, it makes me think of the  artwork of James Rizzi, famous for his 3-D Multiples. They’ve made the most of the depth of their windows boxes, enticing the viewer to step right into their world. I suppose you might call these little works of art Doll Houses for grown ups. And who doesn’t want to step into the world of Tiffany & Co. and play dress up. Have you been to their 5th Avenue store? Floor after floor of goodies for shoppers at every price point. And lets not forget about  the Tiffany Yellow Diamond on display in the main showroom of their 5th Avenue store.  It’ll stop you in your tracks at 128.54 carats. In 1961 it was temporarily set into a Ribbon Rosette necklace to be  worn by Audrey Hepburn in publicity photos for the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Tiffany & Co. has been wowing shoppers since it was established in 1837 as a “stationary and fancy goods emporium”. In 1853 the company decided to focus solely on Jewelry, opening their flagship store on Fifth and 57th Street in Manhattan in 1940.  With many locations around the world, they maintain a consistent  image that dazzles women and men from all walks of life. These fantastic Cut-Outs charm and enchant the viewer with a vintage quality that is both warm and familiar.  You’ve still got a few more days left to shop for Christmas….

It looks the Holiday Windows at Louis Vuitton on Rodeo Drive are a nod to the color trend  of the coming 2015 season. Pure saturated tones of Red, Yellow, Orange, Fuchsia, Green, and of course the classicism of Black and White. Yet at the center of the window display are classic Louis Vuitton Handbags like the ALMA MM, and MARLY BB.

I also get a sense of something very modern with the porcelain balloons in their windows that make me think of Jeff Koons. I feel like I’ve seen an artist with similar works at the Palm Springs Art Show. Was he or she hired to create these? I can only imagine how much work must go into fabricating these items. The beautiful flowing bows on the frames are  total works of art in their own right. Do they end up in some warehouse for discarded display items to be recycled at a later date, or will they be sold to consumers? Whatever the case, these windows certainly are a show stopper. They’d be amazing hanging in a loft as an art installation, or on a patio to be used as a super chic bird perch. Whatever the case, I hope you find a little Louis Vuitton under your Christmas Tree this season.

 Holiday Cheer abounds in Beverly Hills.  Usually I reserve  window shopping on Rodeo Drive for December 24th, soaking in the festive atmosphere on Christmas Eve. Lunching at Neimans, stopping by  Geary’s for a look at their exquisite china, wandering into Dolce Gabbana or Prada to feel some of their fine leathers. It’s a tradition I started many years ago to satisfy my lust for the finer things in life.

Thursday evening I found myself in Beverly HIlls earlier than planned to see client Sharon Lawrence in a preview of Love, Noel: The Letters and Songs of Noel Coward at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.  I took the opportunity to get into the Holiday Spirit a little early. To my surprise, Rodeo Drive was practically empty at 7:00 pm. There was so many great things to see. I never get tired of oggeling the merchandise at Lalique, especially knowing that just the ‘simple’  Marsan – Pedestal table can retail for about $75,000. What a dream to have something like that in your foyer with a huge bouquet of flowers on it… in a Lalique vase of course.  And what about those crazy cool hot pink sheep at Zegna… imagine one or two of those hanging out in your living room.  And then there’s Hermes. (FYI it’s pronounced Air-Mez, not Her-Mees as I once heard someone say) I recently paid a little visit to the Madison Avenue Hermes store for my first purchase in October and  it was so spectacular. The service was impeccable, I was made to feel completely welcome and I was happily educated on the many ways to tie and Hermes Scarf.

While I’m not a guy who normally shops in these stores, it’s still very satisfying to browse and familiarize myself with their amazing Luxury Goods. It helps me to know when I’ve found a gem while discount shopping. What it really boils down to is educating your eye. It’s the same principal I apply to fine art. I go to as many museum shows and gallery exhibitions as possible. And then, when I find myself at an auction house and an amazing little painting pops up for $100 that reminds me of Gauguin, I snap it up.

On a side note, I recently viewed the online catalogue for Burt Reynolds estate that he’s liquidating, and I felt so bad for him. Most of the art in his collection was shear dreck. I don’t know if was stuff that he found at thrift stores, or if it was given to him by fans, but the only redeeming value most of it had was the simple fact that it was “once owned by Burt Reynolds”.  Is that really worth the price of admission for $100? I don’t think so. I’d rather have one or two really great items, be it a painting, a sofa, or a designer chair, then a room full of crap. And how do you know the difference… by window shopping!! So, drag yourself to the best part of your town, walk, browse, have a tasty treat, and enjoy the Holiday Cheer your town has to offer.