The holidays are quickly approaching and determining what to get for the man who has everything can zap the joy right out of the season of giving. Never fear readers—Haute Living is here to help. As your No. 1 source for everything opulent that the good life has to offer, we direct you to the inside pages of Haute Living’s September/October issue. If you don’t know who we mean when we refer to the  “Jeweler to the Stars” then this gift might not be for you. Internationally acclaimed Harry Winston released two spectacular timepieces that make the ultimate statement in sophistication. Available at the Rodeo Drive boutique or the luxury locale at South Coast Plaza, Winston offers our modern men Limited Edition Ocean GMT Traveler and the Premier Excenter Chrono. These models are so exclusive that only 200 of the Ocean GMT Traveler’s will be crafted, while the Premiere Excenter Chrono will be available for $31,100.

Read more about Harry Winston’s latest watches, one of our favorite Haute Necessities, in the Haute Living article “Timeless Timepieces.”

Have some info to share with HauteLiving.com? Email editor@hauteliving.com, and we promise to keep the source anonymous. Feedback on our Haute Lifestyle blog is always welcome too.

Haute Ambassador Loren Ridinger has been spotted all over the globe in 2009. Whether promoting her new cosmetics line Motives that was seen of the faces of sulky, young models prancing down the runways at Funkshion Fashion Week Miami Beach, previewing the collections of fashion’s most renowned designers, or helping her celebrity friends promote their charity work, she has been charging full steam ahead this year, smiling every second of the way.

In the latest issue of Haute Living Miami, Loren shared some of her favorite looks from Roberto Cavalli and Donatella Versace for the coming season. With the Roberto Cavalli boutique recently opening its doors in Bal Harbour, Loren selected three looks from the Fall/Winter collection to showcase in this haute issue. A black tank mini adorned with studs and grommets is paired with thigh-high black suede boots, while she also emphasizes the importance of accessories with a Cavalli skinny double belt.

Considering Donatella is one of our favorite designer divas, Loren chose Versace’s glammed up, knee-length trench, and two gowns befitting Miami’s many charity galas to feature on the inside pages of the October/November issue. Check out Loren’s fashion column in Haute Living Miami for more details on the hautest colors, cuts, and fabrics this fall and winter.

Funny-man Eddie Murphy was probably not laughing last week when he sliced the listing price of his Englewood, New Jersey mansion in half after the home was on the market for almost five years without selling.

The extremely successful actor and comedian, and less successful home seller, originally listed his mansion in 2004 for a whopping $30 million, making it the most expensive single-family home in all of New Jersey.

Due to a lack of potential buyers with that amount of money willing to take the home off of Murphy’s hands, he appeared to have no choice but to drop the listing price to a still respectable but significantly lower $15 million, in hope that this will end the five year stretch of no interested buyers.

Murphy’s home is an impressive estate known as Bubble Hill which sits on a five-acre, gated property just 10 minutes from Manhattan. The Colonial-style home features 32 rooms, a bowling alley, indoor pool, racquetball court, elevator and gym.

Via: The Real Deal

WHO: Chef Cal Stamenov will be hosting his indulgent 13th Annual Truffle Dinner in Marinus Restaurant.

WHAT: Chef Cal Stamenov is the creator of the award-winning California Natural cuisine at Bernardus Lodge’s signature restaurant Marinus. Cal’s philosophy is built on the superiority of handcrafted, artisanal products and the common sense of glorifying food when its flavor is at its peak. He describes this principle as, “If your eyes are closed, you should know what you are eating.”  Cal looks forward to the parade of products that become available throughout the year, each in its turn with its moment of glory. To celebrate the long anticipated arrival of truffle season, Cal hosts an evening of culinary magnitude and allows his inspiration to combine the local ingredients from the Central Coast with the rare diamonds of Italy & France.

Chef Cal Stamenov will be welcoming Guest Chef Stéphane Léger, of Le Chassagne,
Chassagne Montrachet, France. Le Chassagne restaurant is a co-op, owned by the local winemakers and created to showcase the local essence and flavors of the small Burgundian village.  Cal and Stéphane’s collective knowledge will create a unique and decadent 6-course tasting menu with featured wines of Burgundy. Cal and Stéphane chefs first combined forces in 2006, when they prepared a meal for the close friends & family of the late Pierre Ramonet, celebrating on the anniversary of his 100th birthday.

Past Truffle Dinner guest chefs include; David Kinch of Manresa in Los Gatos; Traci Des Jardin of Jardinière in San Francisco Nancy Oakes & Pamela Mazzola of Boulevard Restaurant, San Francisco; Hiro Sone & Lissa Doumani of Terra, Yountville; and Douglas Keane of Cyrus, Healdsburg.

WHEN:  Friday, December 11th, 2009
6:30 p.m: A cocktail reception featuring a prestigious Cuvee Champagne and Grey Goose-Black Truffle Martini

7:00 p.m: Cocktails are followed by a six-course chef’s tasting menu and a once in a lifetime culinary experience.

WHERE: Marinus
Bernardus Lodge
415 Carmel Valley Road
Carmel Valley, CA 93924

HOW: $500 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 831.658.3550

Location Location Location & the best views in the best neighborhood! This residence at The Lodge is like checking in & never having to check out! Comfortable & elegant this home is hiding in the middle of everything that The Lodge at Pebble Beach has to offer – just steps to the US Open, AT&T, Conquors, & all the things that make Pebble Beach a world class destination. This quality home features an open floorplan centered around a spacious view deck w/4 French doors from the living & dining rooms, a spacious master suite w/his&hers walk in closets and seperate view deck with French doors, plus a family room open to a bright kitchen-all on the main level. The lower level features two bedrooms that open to a patio plus a bonus room framed to be a 4 th bedroom. All this plus additional water credits & additional room to add on! This may be the best of the best & is a “must see” to fully appreciate!

Offered @ $5,500,000

Contact Peter Butler @ 831.277.7229 or peterbutler@carmel-realty.com. Or visit www.carmel-realty.com.

Even though the police commander is keeping quiet about the details, the breaking news for locals on both the East and West coasts is the recent arrest of Joshua Woodward. The 37-year-old co-owner of the 8 oz. Burger Bar and Table 8 brands, in Miami, L.A., and NYC, was taken to the Wilshire Division jail on Sunday night in suspicion of murder.

While Cmdr. Pat Gannon would not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the case, other than to classify it as “unusual,” a press release from the LAPD stated that the semi-celebrity restaurateur is believed to have been the father of an unborn child, where there was probable cause to arrest him in connection with the death of the 13-week-old fetus.

Woodward’s burger joint, 8 oz. Burger Bar, has been a favorite with the hip and trendy in both South Beach and the City of Angels, in part due to the authentic flavor of the Black Angus sirloin burgers, as well as the haute bar scene, where they offer a variety of specialty beers.

As of this morning police had not officially presented their case to prosecutors, so Woodward may be a free man again shortly, as the law allows criminal suspects to be released if they are not formally charged within 48 hours.

UPDATE: The official press release from the LAPD can be seen here.

UPDATE #2: According to the Miami Herald, rumor is Roy Black — best known for William Kennedy Smith’s acquittal on rape charges (and Helio Castroneves acquittal on tax evasion charges, which Roy’s wife Lea wrote about for Haute Living) — has been tapped as counsel.

Comfortable & elegant this home is hiding in the middle of everything that The Lodge at Pebble Beach has to offer – just steps to the US Open, AT&T, Conquors, & all the things that make Pebble Beach a world class destination. This quality home features an open floorplan centered around a spacious view deck w/4 French doors from the living & dining rooms, a spacious master suite w/his&hers walk in closets and seperate view deck with French doors, plus a family room open to a bright kitchen-all on the main level. The lower level features two bedrooms that open to a patio plus a bonus room framed to be a 4 th bedroom. All this plus additional water credits & additional room to add on! This may be the best of the best & is a “must see” to fully appreciate!

Offered @ $5,500,000

Contact Peter Butler @ 831.277.7229 or peterbutler@carmel-realty.com. Or visit www.carmel-realty.com.

The 2,800-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom corner residence includes a renovated kitchen and an open floor plan ideal for cocktail parties or spending time with the family. This light-infused home provides a grand scale entertaining space with 10 windows and double exposures, as well as an eat-in kitchen, hardwood floors, marble whirlpool baths, central air and a washer and dryer. The sprawling dream loft at 43 Clarkson St. offers the convenience of a live-in super and an elevator.

Offered @ $3,249,000

Contact Darren Sukenik @ 212.727.6111 or dsukenik@elliman.com. Or visit www.darrensukenik.com.

Unbelievable panoramic views include the Newport Beach pier, Catalina Island and Palos Verdes Peninsula. Close proximity to the water allows for white water views of crashing waves right in front of one of Orange County’s most renowned surfing spots. Huge, enclosed oceanfront patio. Updated kitchen, dark hardwood flooring and high end video and audio equipment. Unusual combination of an oversized 2 car garage and at least two additional parking spaces.

Offered @ $4,950,000

Contact Rob Norquist @ 949.554.1222 or rnorquist@homgroup.com. Or visit www.homgroup.com.