MOET & CHANDON VALENTINE GRAFFITI KIT

MOET & CHANDON'S MESSAGE ON A BOTTLE GIFT SET IS PERFECT FOR VALENTINE'S DAY OR TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION. THE PREMIUM CHAMPAGNE SET COMES WITH TWO CRISTAL FLUTES, A ROSE IMPERIAL BOTTLE WITH SPECIAL EDITION ROSE PINK SLEEVE AND A GOLD MARKER TO PERSONALIZE THE PRESENT WITH A MESSAGE, ALL BEAUTIFULLY DISPLAYED IN AN ELEGANT, ROSE TINTED GIFT BOX. THE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE FOR THE MOET & CHANDON VALENTINE DAY GRAFFITI KIT IS $120. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 14.FEBRUARY.

SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS TREE

IN CELEBRATION OF THE FESTIVE HOLIDAY SEASON, SWAROVSKI PRESENTED A 30 METER HIGH OUTDOOR CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS TREE AT STATUE SQUARE IN CENTRAL HONG KONG. INSPIRED BY URBAN EFFERVESCENCE, AND A LANDSCAPE DOMINATED BY SKYSCRAPERS AND BUILDINGS WITH A SEEMINGLY ENDLESS NUMBER OF WINDOWS, THE SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS TREE TOWERS OVER 30 METERS. RHOMBAS-SHAPED MIRRORS IN SILVER AND GOLD, REMINISCENT OF WINDOW PANES, SHEATH THE TREE. THEY ARE EMBELLISHED WITH OVER 20 MILLION PIECES OF SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS. AT NIGHT, THE SWAROVSKI CHRISTMAS TREE DAZZLES BY MEANS OF INTERACTIVE LIGHTS FROM OVER 200 PIECES OF SWAROVSKI ANNUAL EDITION 2010 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS.

PIERRE HERME BOUCHE DE NOEL

THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, RENOWNED FRENCH PATISSIER PIERRE HERME ONCE AGAIN RULES THE FESTIVE HOLIDAY. THE 'PICASSO OF PASTRY' RE-ENACTS THE CLASSIC BOUCHE DE NOEL INTO A MODERN HIT OF CHOCOLATE BISCUITS LAYERED WITH LIGHT CHOCOLATE GANACHE. THE LOGS COME IN A SILVER BOX SPECIALLY DESIGNED BY LOUIS-MARIE DE CASTELBAJAC THAT UNFOLDS INTO A POSTER. THE STUNNING YULE LOG IS AVAILABLE AT ALL PIERRE HERME BOUTIQUES FOR AROUND $125.

WHITE HOUSE UNVEILES HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD WHITE HOUSE

MICHELLE OBAMA AND WHITE HOUSE CHEF BILL YOSSES UNVEILED THE 2010 WHITE CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD WHITE HOUSE WHICH, LIKE LAST YEAR'S, FEATURES MARZIPAN REPLICAS OF THE OBAMA FAMILY DOG BO, AND A WHITE HOUSE KITCHEN GARDEN. THE THEME FOR THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS 2010 IS 'SIMPLE GIFTS'. THE GINGERBREAD WHITE HOUSE WEIGHS 350 POUNDS AND 30 POUNDS OF HONEY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE BEEHIVE WAS USED TO MAKE THE GINGERBREAD. THIS YEAR'S HOUSE HAS CUTOUTS TO SHOW THE EAST ROOM AND THE STATE DINING ROOM. THE FIRST LADY ALSO DECORATED COOKIES WITH CHILDREN FROM MILITARY FAMILIES. THE SIMPLE GIFTS THEME IS SHOWN IN SOME OF THE DISPLAYS WHICH FOCUS ON CAPTURING A HOMESPUN CHARM. OTHER DECORATION INCLUDE MAGNOLIA AND OAK LEAF GARLANDS, AND PAPER WHITE FLOWER BLOSSOMS AND A 'MILITARY APPRECIATION TREE' DECORATED TO HONOR THE FIVE BRANCHES OF THE MILITARY IN THE EAST WING VISITOR'S ENTRANCE; WREATHS MADE OF NATURAL MATERIALS SUCH AS ORANGES, PEARS AND DRIED FLOWERS IN THE EAST COLONNADE; WHITE POINSETTIA TREES IN GARDEN PLANTERS AND GARLANDS OF WHITE POINSETTIAS IN TURQUOISE, PURPLE GREEN AND GOLD WITH A BIRD AND FLORAL THEME IN THE EAST ROOM; AND IN THE BLUE ROOM, THE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE, AN 18.5 FOOT DOUGLAS FIR ANCHORED TO THE CEILING TO KEEP IT FROM TIPPING OVER, WITH A THEME HONORING COUNTY AND STATE FAIRS.

WESTIN ST FRANCIS DISPLAYS SUGAR PALACE FOR HOLIDAYS

THE ICONIC WESTIN ST FRANCIS IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS CREATED A STUNNING EPICUREAN DELIGHT FOR THE HOLIDAYS, A 12 FOOT SUGAR CASTLE. IT WAS CREATED BY EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF, JEAN-FRANCOIS HOUDRE AND IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST SUGAR CASTLES. THE ROTATING MASTERPIECE IS DISPLAYED IN THE HISTORIC LANDMARK'S LOBBY. IT WAS INSPIRED BY A FRENCH CHATEAU FROM CHEF HOUDRE'S HOMETOWN OF BORDEAUX AND WEIGHS MORE THAN 1,200 POUNDS. THE CASTLE HAS MORE THAN 20 GRAND CIRCULAR TOWERS, APPROXIMATELY 30 ROOMS AND ILLUMINATED WINDOWS SURROUNDED BY SILVER SUGAR TREES, STARS AND SNOWFLAKES MADE OUT OF PASTILLAGE, CHOCOLATE BALLS IN BRILLIANT HOLIDAY COLOURS AND ELVES CONSTRUCTED OUT OF MARZIPAN. THE MAIN LOBBY OF THE HOTEL IS DECORATED WITH A 15 FOOT, GLIMMERING WHITE AND SILVER HOLIDAY TREE DECORATED IN ENERGY SAVING LED LIGHTS THAT DISPLAY CHANGING COLOURS. THE TOWER LOBBY HAS AN 18 FOOT TALL TREE AND THE FRONT DESK IS DECORATED WITH CLUSTERS OF BEAUTIFUL METALLIC APPLE GREEN AND GOLD GARLAND, PATCHES OF SNOW AND CLUSTERS OF DRIPPING LED ICICLE LIGHTS ADORNING THE LENGTH OF THE OVERHANG. THE SUGAR CASTLE WILL BE ON DISPLAY 24.NOVEMBER THROUGH 3.JANUARY.2011.

DITA VON TEESE COINTREAU COFFERT

INTERNATIONAL GLAMOUR GIRL AND ICONIC BURLESQUE QUEEN DITA VON TEESE IS ALSO THE FACE OF COINTREAU. NOW THE WORLD RENOWN CELEBRITY KNOWN FOR HER FAMOUS RETRO STYLE AND PROVOCATIVE PERFORMANCES IS TEAMING UP WITH COINTREAU FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY 2010 GIFT SET, THE COINTREAU COFFERT. THE DITA VON TEESE'S COCKTAIL COFFERT AND BOUDOIR SET IS A GIRLY PINK BOX THAT HOLDS A BOTTLE OF COINTREAU, TWO COCKTAIL GLASSES AND A CUSTOM DESIGNED SHAKER. THE POWDER PINK AND PEARL BOX HAS A MIRROR AND A TRAPDOOR FOR CONCEALING OTHER TREASURES. IT SELLS FOR $299.

HARRODS' HOLIDAY HAMPER 2010

WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOLIDAYS FEW PUT TOGETHER A MORE APPEALING PACKAGE OF EDIBLE NECESSITIES THAN HARRODS. FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON THEY HAVE THE USUAL VARIETY OF SMALL TO LARGE PICNIC HAMPERS AVAILABLE, BUT THEIR TOP OFFERING THAT'S NEW FOR 2010 IS THE VINTAGE COLLECTION HAMPER. INSPIRED BY THEIR 'VINTAGE CHRISTMAS' THEME, THIS YEAR THE HAMPER INCLUDES FOUR BOTTLES OF WINE/CHAMPAGNE PLUS A HAM, SALAMI, FOIE GRAS, SMOKED SALMON, CAVIAR, TWO CHEESES, COCKTAIL BLINIS, BISCUITS, AND AN OLIVE WOOD CUTTING BOARD. IT'S NOT ONE OF THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE HAMPERS THAT THEY HAVE PUT TOGETHER, LAST YEARS HOLIDAY HAMPER WAS £5,000, BUT IF YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF CLASSIC, TRIED AND TRUE ENGLISH FARE YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS YEAR'S HOLIDAY HAMPER, WHICH IS PRICED AT £450.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.harrods.com

JOHN GALLIANO FOR CLARIDGE'S CHRISTMAS 2010

FASHION DESIGNER JOHN GALLIANO HAS REVEALED HIS STUNNING NEW CHRISTMAS TREE DESIGN FOR CLARIDGE'S CHRISTMAS 2010. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THE DIOR DESIGNER HAS CREATED A TREE FOR THE ICONIC LONDON HOTEL. THIS YEAR'S DESIGN WAS INSPIRED BY THE OCEAN. THE 'UNDER THE SEA' CHRISTMAS TREE IS A SEASCAPE FANTASIA WITH SILVER LAVES, PINK CORAL, SEA HORSES, FISH, ANEMONES, STARFISH AND JELLY FISH. THE TELEGRAPH REPORTS THAT THE TREE WAS UNVEILED AT A DINNER THAT WAS HOSTED BY MODEL STELLA TENNANT AND THE CEO OF CHRISTIAN DIOR, SIDNEY TOLEDANO, TO MARK THE OPENING OF DIOR'S NEW LONDON BOUTIQUE ON NEW BOND STREET.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

BOUCHON BAKERY, NEW YORK

DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON YOU CAN SPEND ENDLESS HOURS AT THE STOVE OR, IF YOU'RE IN NEW YORK CITY, YOU CAN LET THOMAS KELLER'S BOUCHON BAKERY DO ALL THE WORK FOR YOU. THIS YEAR BOUCHON BAKERY IS OFFERING HOLIDAY PIES, COOKIES AND MORE. THERE ARE TURKEY-SHAPED VERSIONS OF THE TKO COOKIES, ONE OF THOMAS KELLER'S FAVORITE SNACKS WITH A CHOCOLATE SABLE DOUGH AND A SWEET WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE FILLING, PRICED AT $3 EACH, HOUSE MADE SPECULOOS COOKIES FINISHED WITH A YOGURT GLAZE AND SHAPED AS A LEAF, WHICH IS PRICED AT 3 PER BAG AT $9.50. FOR CUPCAKE AFICIONADOS THERE IS THE PILGRIM HAT CUPCAKE, AN UPSIDE DOWN PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKE FILLED WITH CREAM CHEESE, ENROBED WITH FONDANT AND FESTIVELY DECORATED WITH A GOLD BUCKLE AND MINI MARZIPAN. PUMPKIN BRIOCHE ARE AVAILABLE FOR $3.25 EACH, AND OF COURSE, THERE ARE PIES. BOUCHON HAS BOURBON PECAN PIES, APPLE PIES WITH OAT STREUSEL AND THE CLASSIC PUMPKIN PIE. EACH 8-INCH PIE IS PRICED AT $30. ORDERS CAN BE MADE VIA PHONE, EMAIL OR IN PERSON.

JOHN GALLIANO DESIGNS SECOND HOLIDAY TREE FOR CLARIDGE'S HOTEL

ONCE AGAIN, DIOR'S HEAD FASHION DESIGNER JOHN GALLIANO IS RETURNING TO CLARIDGE'S HOTEL IN LONDON FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH HIS DIOR CHRISTMAS TREE. FOR 2010, GALLIANO IS CREATING A TRULY DAZZLING DESIGN, USING THE OCEAN AS HIS MUSE FOR HIS 'UNDER THE SEA' CHRISTMAS TREE. MADE OF SPARKLING SILVER LEAVES, PINK CORAL, SEA HORSES, ANEMONES, STARFISH AND JELLY FISH, THE WHIMSICAL DESIGN IS TRULY ONE OF A KIND. LAST YEAR HE DESIGNED AN ASIAN-INSPIRED TREE THAT FEATURED SNOW LEOPARDS, DRAGON FLIES AND PARROTS AMONG ITS BABY BLUE, 'FROZEN' BRANCHES. THIS FESTIVE SEASON, CLARIDGE'S, THE ICONIC ART DECO GEM WILL BE TRANSFORMED TO AN OCEANIC PARADISE WITH GALLIANO'S EXTRAORDINARY CREATION. COMMENTING ON THE COLLABORATION, JOHN GALLIANO SAID: 'THE MAJESTIC BEAUTY OF CLARIDGE'S ART DECO INTERIORS NEVER FAILS TO INSPIRE ME. I AM THRILLED TO BE INVITED TO CREATE A NEW TREE FOR CHRISTMAS AT CLARIDGE'S. I WANTED TO CREATE AN UNDERWATER FANTASY AND HAVE MIXED PINK CORALS, SEAHORSES, ANEMONES AND JELLYFISH, ALL GLITTERING LIKE GEM STONES, SWIMMING AMIDST THE SILVER LEAVES. I HOPE WE CREATE SOMETHING AS SUMPTUOUS AS ITS SETTINGS AND THIS INSPIRES A TRULY LUXURIOUS ESCAPE AND A VERY FESTIVE SEASON AT CLARIDGE'S.' THOMAS KOCHS, CLARIDGE'S HOTEL MANAGER, COMMENTED, 'WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE RETURN OF THE LEGENDARY JOHN GALLIANO, WHO WILL ONCE AGAIN CREATE THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC IN OUR LOBBY. FOLLOWING HIS SPECTACULAR TREE LAST YEAR, WE SIMPLY COULD NOT RESIST TO SEE THE NEW DESIGN WHICH WILL KEEP LONDON TALKING THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. BOTH CLARIDGE'S AND DIOR ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH TIMELESS GLAMOR AND IMPECCABLE HERITAGE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING THE FESTIVE SEASON TOGETHER.' THE TREE WILL BE UNVEILED IN THE LOBBY OF THE HOTEL ON 25.NOVEMBER AND WILL BE ON DISPLAY UNTIL 5.JANUARY.2011.

5.NOVEMBER, GUY FAWKES DAY

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!

REMY MARTIN VSOP HOLIDAY 2010

THE FAMED FRENCH COGNAC HOUSE OF REMY MARTIN, FOUNDED BACK IN 1724, HAS BEEN PART OF COUNTLESS HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS OF THE CENTURIES. THIS SEASON THE VENERABLE FINE CHAMPAGNE COGNAC'S VSOP EXPRESSION, THE BEST-SELLING VSOP COGNAC IN THE UNITED STATES, IS GETTING A GLOWING MAKEOVER FOR THE HOLIDAYS. THE NEW LIMITED EDITION REMY MARTIN VSOP HOT HOLIDAY BOTTLE IS APPROPRIATELY DRESSED IN RED FOR THE HOLIDAYS. THE COLOURFUL DRESSING ALSO RECALLS THE FACT THAT REMY MARTIN VSOP HAS BEEN A SYMBOL OF STYLE AND SOPHISTICATION SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN THE EXUBERANT PARIS CABARET SCENE OF 1927. THE COGNAC ITSELF IS AMBER IN COLOUR WITH RICH FLAVOR AND REFINED AROMA. SMOOTH AND EASY TO DRINK WITH APPEALING NOTES OF VANILLA, VIOLET, APRICOT, PEACH AND LICORICE, IT'S SILKY AND WARM ON THE PALATE WITH A WELL-BALANCED TASTE AND LONG FINISH.

WALLACE AND GROMIT TO APPEAR ON CHRISTMAS STAMPS

THEY ARE ALREADY CHRISTMAS REGULARS WHETHER IT IS ON TV OR EMBLAZONED ON THAT GIFT OF PAJAMAS, NOVELTY MUG OR TIE. BUT THIS FESTIVE SEASON THERE REALLY WON'T BE ANY ESCAPE FROM ICONIC WALLACE AND GROMIT. THE ANIMATED INVENTOR, WHOSE GADGETS NEVER QUITE WORK ACCORDING TO PLAN, AND HIS LONG-SUFFERING DOG, WILL BE DELIVERING THEIR BRAND OF UNIQUE HUMOR FROM THE ENVELOPES OF MILLIONS OF CHRISTMAS CARDS. CHARACTERS WILL APPEAR ON FIVE SEASONAL STAMPS. ON SECOND-CLASS MAIL, WALLACE LETS RIP WITH THE CAROLS AS GROMIT RAISES AN EYEBROW (AND NO DOUBT THANKS HIS LUCKY STARS FOR HIS EAR MUFFS). ON THE FIRST-CLASS STAMP, THE DOG POSTS HIS OWN STACK OF LETTERS, WHILE ON THE 60p STAMP, THE PAIR DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE. GROMIT STAGGERS UNDER THE WEIGHT OF AN ENORMOUS CHRISTMAS PUDDING ON THE 97p STAMP, AND ON THE £1.46, HE RECEIVES THAT CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SWEATER...WHICH LOOKS A LITTLE ON THE LARGE SIZE. ANIMATOR NICK PARK HAD TO DEVELOP THE SCENES FIRST, THEN THEY WERE SHRUNK TO FIT THE STAMPS. PHILIP PARKER, OF THE ROYAL MAIL, SAID THE TASK WAS A 'LABOR OF LOVE'. 'KEEN-EYED COLLECTORS ARMED WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS WILL SEE THE ENVELOPE BEING POSTED ON THE FIRST-CLASS STAMP FEATURES THE ACTUAL FIRST-CLASS STAMP', HE ADDED. ROYAL MAIL PUBLISHES STAMPS WITH RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR THEMES IN ALTERNATE YEARS. 2010 IN THE TURN FOR SECULAR DESIGNS. BUT STAMPS FEATURING THE MADONNA AND CHILD ARE ALSO ON SALE AT ALL ROYAL MAIL VENUES.

WINDSOR CASTLE TO HAVE VICTORIAN THEME FOR CHRISTMAS

SPECIAL DISPLAYS AND ACTIVITIES AT WINDSOR CASTLE TAKE ON A VICTORIAN THEME FROM 10.DECEMBER UNTIL 5.JANUARY.2011. TO CELEBRATE THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD, THE TABLE IN THE CASTLE'S MAGNIFICENT STATE DINING ROOM WILL BE DRESSED WITH PIECES FROM THE MINTON 'VICTORIA' DESERT SERVICE. THE SERVICE WAS PURCHASED BY QUEEN VICTORIA AT THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851, THEREAFTER TAKING THE MONARCH'S NAME. IT ATTRACTED MUCH ATTENTION AT THE TIME AND WAS DESCRIBED BY THE INFLUENTIAL ART JOURNAL AS BEING OF 'EXCEEDING BEAUTY'. PORCELAIN CUSTARD CUPS, BONBON DISHES AND A CENTERPIECE DECORATED WITH SEASONAL IMAGES WILL BE DISPLAYED ALONGSIDE GLITTERING SILVER-GILT CANDLESTICKS AND FESTIVE FRUIT AND FLOWERS. THE STATE DINING ROOM IS AT THE HEART OF THE CASTLE'S SEMI-STATE APARTMENTS, CREATED FOR GEORGE IV IN THE 1820s AS THE KING'S SUITE OF PRIVATE ROOMS. TODAY IT IS USED BY THE QUEEN FOR ENTERTAINING, IN PARTICULAR DURING ROYAL ASCOT WEEK AND AT 'DINE AND SLEEP' PARTIES DURING EASTER COURT AT WINDSOR. CHRISTMAS TREES FROM THE WINDSOR GREAT PARK WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE CASTLE FROM 6.DECEMBER. WINDSOR IS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRADITION OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE, AND PRINCE ALBERT, CONSORT OF QUEEN VICTORIA, IS CREDITED WITH POPULARIZING TREE DECORATION. FESTIVE DECORATIONS, INCLUDING BAUBLES IN THE SHAPE OF A CROWN, CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE CASTLE'S SHOPS ALONG WITH A HOST OF OTHER UNIQUE ROYAL COLLECTION GIFTS.

TEH QUEEN CELEBRATES CANADA DAY

DRESSED IN RED, AND WEARING A DIAMOND MAPLE LEAF BROOCH, THE QUEEN HELPED CANADA CELEBRATE ITS BIRTHDAY, AS THOUSANDS TURNED OUT FOR A TELEVISED PARTY TO MARK THE HISTORIC OCCASION. THE QUEEN TOLD CANADIANS OF THE 'ENORMOUS ADMIRATION' SHE FELT WATCHING THE COMMONWEALTH COUNTRY GROW AND MATURE 'WHILE REMAINING TRUE TO ITS HISTORY, ITS DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER AND ITS VALUES.' SHE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, ON A NINE DAY TOUR OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATION, WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS, BOTH FORMAL POMP AND MILITARY PAGEANT AND A RELAXED POP CONCERT. THE IMMENSE CROWDS PACKING PARLIAMENT HILL IN THE CAPITAL, OTTAWA, WERE A SEA OF RED AND WHITE, THE NATIONAL COLOURS, WHICH MANY SUPPORTERS WAVING THE CANADIAN FLAG. MINDFUL OF THE COUNTRY'S COLOURS AND ICONS, THE QUEEN WORE A RED CHIFFON DRESS AND JACKET, SET OFF BY A WHITE STRAW HAT WITH A SCARLET FLOWER, AND A DIAMOND MAPLE LEAF BROOCH ON HER SHOULDER. WHEN SHE STOOD UP TO GIVE A SPEECH, SHE DREW A LARGE CHEER FROM THE CROWDS WHEN SHE TOLD THEM: 'THANK YOU FOR INVITING PRINCE PHILIP AND ME TO JOIN YOU ALL ON THIS SPECIAL DAY.' MUCH OF HER ADDRESS WAS DELIVERED IN FRENCH, AND SHE ADDED: 'DURING MY LIFETIME, I HAVE BEEN A WITNESS TO THIS COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN HALF ITS HISTORY SINCE CONFEDERATION. THIS NATION HAS DEDICATED ITSELF TO BEING A CARING HOME FOR ITS OWN, A SANCTUARY FOR OTHERS AND AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD." THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE ARRIVED IN A HORSE-DRAWN LANDAU ESCORTED BY A GROUP OF ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE, THE MOUNTIES. THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE CHEERED AND WAVED AT BY THE CROWDS, SOME OF WHOM HAD WAITED FOR SEVERAL HOURS, QUEUEING BEFORE OFFICIALS ARRIVED TO START ORGANIZING THE DAY. THE QUEEN INSPECTED TWO IMMACULATE ROWS OF THE CANADIAN FORCES' CEREMONIAL GUARD, COMPLETE WITH RED TUNICS AND BEARSKINS, LIKE THEIR BRITISH COUNTERPARTS, THE GUARDS DIVISION, AND THEN TOOK THE ROYAL SALUTE AS THEY MARCHED OFF. SHE AND THE DUKE THEN JOINED PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER AND HIS WIFE FOR THE SHORT WALK TO THE STAGE WHERE THEY TOOK THEIR SEATS FOR THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. THE ARTISTS WHO PLAYED REFLECTED THE COUNTRY'S DIVERSE MUSIC SCENE FROM ALTERNATIVE COUNTRY AND RAP TO SOUL, GOSPEL AND POP AND SANG IN BOTH FRENCH AND ENGLISH. ON 1.JULY.1867 THE DOMINION OF CANADA WAS BORN WHEN THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN ACT UNITED THE BRITISH COLONIES OF NOVA SCOTIA AND NEW BRUNSWICK WITH THE PROVINCE OF CANADA TO FORM A NEW NATION. THE DATE IS CELEBRATED ACROSS THE COUNTRY EVERY YEAR AND IS ALSO A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

DUKE OF YORK CELEBRATES 50th BIRTHDAY

THE DUKE OF YORK IS PREPARING FOR A WEEK OF CELEBRATIONS TO MARK HIS 50th BIRTHDAY. THE PRINCE IS FIRST HEADING ABROAD FOR HIS BIG DAY, MARKING THE MILESTONE IN VERBIER WITH HIS EX-WIFE SARAH, DUCHESS OF YORK AND THEIR DAUGHTERS PRINCESS BEATRICE AND PRINCESS EUGENIE. THE FAMILY WILL HOST A PRIVATE CELEBRATORY DINNER IN THE SWISS ALPS SKI-RESORT. NEXT THURSDAY, THE DUKE WILL ATTEND AN OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE FOR AROUND 300 GUESTS. THE QUEEN, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND OTHER SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WILL BE THERE, ALONGSIDE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DUKE'S CHARITIES, PATRONAGES AND MILITARY REGIMENTS. THE ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET, OF WHICH ANDREW IS PATRON, WILL BE AMONG THE ACTS PERFORMING IN THE GRAND PALACE BALLROOM TO MARK THE OCCASION. PRINCESSES BEATRICE AND EUGENIE AND THE DUCHESS OF YORK ARE ALSO PLANNING A PRIVATE PARTY FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT ST JAMES'S PALACE THE FOLLOWING EVENING. THE DUKE, HOWEVER, DOES NOT DRINK ALCOHOL AND WILL BE STICKING TO HIS CHOICE BEVERAGE OF STILL WATER RATHER THAN CHAMPAGNE FOR HIS HALF-CENTURY CELEBRATIONS. ANDREW ALBERT CHRISTIAN EDWARD, THE THIRD CHILD AND SECOND SON OF THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP, WAS BORN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 19.FEBRUARY.1960. HE ARRIVED AFTER A GAP OF ALMOST 10 YEARS BETWEEN HIM AND THE PRINCESS ROYAL AND BECAME THE FIRST CHILD TO BE BORN TO A REIGNING MONARCH FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS SINCE QUEEN VICTORIA'S LAST, PRINCESS BEATRICE, IN 1857. EDUCATED AT GORDONSTOUN, IN SCOTLAND, HE WAS SPORTY RATHER THAN ACADEMIC AND JOINED THE ROYAL NAVY IN 1978, GOING ON TO SEE ACTIVE SERVICE AS A SEA KING HELICOPTER PILOT IN THE FALKLANDS WAR. ALONG WITH HIS SQUADRON, HE SAILED IN HMS INVINCIBLE AS PART OF THE TASK FORCE WHICH WENT TO WAR IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC TO REGAIN THE ISLANDS. HE WED VIVACIOUS, RED-HAIRED SARAH FERGUSON ON 23.JULY.1986. THEIR FIRST CHILD BEATRICE WAS BORN IN 1988 AND THEIR SECOND, EUGENIE, IN 1990. BUT THE RELATIONSHIP FELL INTO TROUBLE, NOT HELPED BY THE DUKE'S LONG SPELLS AWAY WITH THE NAVY. THE YORK'S SEPARATED IN 1992 AND DIVORCED IN 1996, BUT HAVE REMAINED CLOSE GOOD FRIENDS. THE DUKE, WHO USED TO HIT HEADLINES FOR MAKING THE MOST OF HIS BACHELOR STATUES, LEFT THE NAVY AT THE END OF JULY 2001 AFTER 22 YEARS IN THE SERVICE. HE TOOK OVER FROM THE DUKE OF KENT AS THE UK's SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE. BUT HIS ROLE AS TRIGGERED CRITICISM OVER HIS USE OF PLANES AND HELICOPTERS AT TAXPAYERS' EXPENSE. IN A RECENT INTERVIEW, BEATRICE DESCRIBES HER FATHER AS THE 'BEST SINGLE DAD', BUT ADDED 'IT WOULD BE NICE FOR HIM NOT TO BE SINGLE'. THE DUKE TOLD SKY NEWS HE LEARNED LESSONS FROM HIS FAILED MARRIAGE AND THAT WHEN HIS NEPHEWS PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY WED, PEOPLE AROUND THEM WOULD BE 'FULLY AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF GETTING IT WRONG'.

CONWAY STEWART VALENTINES LIMITED EDITION PEN

CONWAY STEWART HAS RECENTLY DESIGNED A NEW PEN JUST FOR VALENTINE'S DAY. THE 'VALENTINES LIMITED EDITION' IS MADE OF RICH RED RESIN LACQUER AND STERLING SILVER WITH A LARGE 18 CARAT GOLD NIB. CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND BALANCED FOR AMAZINGLY SMOOTH AND EFFORTLESS WRITING, THE CLEAN CONTEMPORARY DESIGN IS ACCENTED WITH SMALL ENGRAVINGS OF ROMANTIC SHAKESPEAREAN LOVE SONNETS. THE ROMANCE CONTINUES ALL THROUGH THE PACKAGING WITH A SMALL BOOK OF SONNETS, A CALLIGRAPHIC COPY OF THE LOVE SONNETS ENGRAVED ON THE PEN AND A BOTTLE OF RED INK ALL INCLUDED IN A PRETTY BLACK SATIN-LINED BOX. LIMITED TO ONLY 50 PIECES AND SELLING FOR AN ESTIMATED $750, THE CONWAY STEWART VALENTINES LIMITED EDITION PEN IS THE PERFECT GIFT FOR WRITING WORDS OF LOVE.

ROYAL FAMILY ATTENDS CHRISTMAS SERVICE AT SANDRINGHAM

AROUND 500 ONLOOKERS WATCHED MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY ATTEND A CHRISTMAS DAY CHURCH SERVICE ON ONE OF THE QUEEN'S ESTATES. SECURITY WAS TIGHT AS THE QUEEN AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH ARRIVED FOR THE SERVICE AT ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH ON THE SANDRINGHAM ESTATE NEAR KING LYNN, NORFOLK. THE ROYALS GATHERED EARLIER THIS WEEK TO SPEND CHRISTMAS AT SANDRINGHAM. THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL; PRINCES WILLIAM AND HARRY; THE PRINCESS ROYAL AND HER HUSBAND, VICE ADMIRAL TIMOTHY LAURENCE; THE DUKE OF YORK AND HIS DAUGHTERS PRINCESSES BEATRICE AND EUGENIE; THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF WESSEX;PETER PHILIPS AND HIS WIFE AUTUMN; AND ZARA PHILIPS WERE AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS WHO JOINED THE QUEEN AT THE SERVICE, LED BY SANDRINGHAM RECTOR JONATHAN RIVIERE. MOST OF THE ROYAL PARTY, INCLUDING THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, WALKED THE QUARTER MILE FROM SANDRINGHAM HOUSE TO THE CHURCH ALONG AN ICY PATH. ZARA PHILIPS WALKED IN SIX-INCH STILETTO HEELS AS SHE MADE HER WAY TO CHURCH. THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX ALSO STOOD OUT IN A PAIR OF BLACK FOUR-INCH STILETTOS WITH RED SOLE, ALTHOUGH SHE OPTED TO TRAVEL BY CAR WITH THE QUEEN. POLICE SEARCHED VISITORS AS THEY ARRIVED AND MORE THAN A DOZEN OFFICERS ALSO KEPT A CLOSE EYE ON THE CROWDS LINING THE PATH ALONG WHICH THE ROYALS WALKED.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ARIA

THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS, A RENEWAL OF FAITH AND HOPE, HAPPINESS THAT LASTS THROUGH THE NEW YEAR. . . MAY THESE BE YOUR AT CHRISTMAS. ARIA WISHES YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH PEACE, PROSPERITY AND JOY.