Times Square New Year’s Eve, MasterCard Worldwide and Times Square Alliance kicked off their fund-raising initiative for Stand Up To Cancer, Tuesday afternoon. New York City stars including Tony Award-winning actor Denis O’Hare, actress Montego Glover and actor Chad Kimball joined in to encourage New Yorkers to help out. Through New Year’s Day, each time you use a MasterCard at one of the 70 participating Times Square businesses, MasterCard will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer. You can view a full list of participating businesses at timessquarenyc.org.

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Haute Secrets Orange County

Name: Lisa Vogel

The stats: Born in Newport Beach; lives in Laguna; all-around swimwear goddess

Why she loves Los Angeles: The gorgeous weather and living next to the beautiful Pacific Ocean

When the family business is dressing beach bodies in the hottest swimwear, you know that Lisa Vogel dove right in. From manufacturing to designing, she’s dipped her toes in every aspect of the swimwear industry. Working with brands like Tommy Hilfiger to Ella Moss Isla was just the beginning. Now with her own namesake label, LUXE by Lisa Vogel, this mom is at the helm of a swimwear empire. Taking inspiration from the idyllic scenery of the oceanfront county she calls home, this Orange County native is making waves worldwide with her sexy designs.

Check out Lisa Vogel’s favorite haute spots in Orange County at Haute Secrets.

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Ladies and gentleman, for the rare times shock and awe is used to describe an event, it’s doubtful that it suits a spectacle quite like that of a Cirque du Soleil performance. After 26 years of building its global brand, Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil makes a return to its simplistic origins with “Kooza,” in which less is more, and more epitomizes physics and gravity. Under the Grand Chapiteau in Bicentennial Park, “Kooza,” which made its Miami debut on Nov. 12, tells the story of The Innocent looking for his place in the world through acrobatic performance and the art of clowning.

Each talents unto themselves, Cirque combines the elements of gravity- and body-defying feats, artistry, strength, balance, empowering music, set and costume design, makeup, sound effects, lighting, props, circus performance, stunting, dance, singing, gymnastics, acting and comedy, just to name those apparent to the naked eye, for a colorful performance that has something to please everyone, young and old.

“Kooza” combines thrill and action all in one entertaining performance. Exuding innate talents and highlighting the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor, “Kooza” is an adrenaline rush of acrobatics in a zany kingdom, where The Innocent encounters the bold, slapstick comedy teeming with sexual innuendo of the King, the Trickster, the Pickpocket, and the Obnoxious Tourist and his Bad Dog.

Exhibiting strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, the evening’s acts include a 1,600-pound Wheel of Death that rotates at heart-stopping speeds as two artists leap and counter-rotate in a death-defying display of fearless acrobatics; contortionists that twist and mold in incredulous ways; a balancing act that displays the human body at the very peak of condition and muscle control atop a 23-foot tower; and tightrope walkers who bicycle across twin high wires.

“Kooza” explores diametric themes through an electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprise, marvel, and utter engagement. Written and directed by David Shiner, “Kooza” makes its Miami run through Dec. 19.

So while you may be keen on doing flips into the pool, and you never felt unrest with the phrase, “Don’t look down,” unless you’re holding back quintuple twisting somersaults off teeterboards with metal stilts attached to your legs, you’re better off seeing “Kooza” where all you have to manage is watching the show and clapping simultaneously.

For tickets and more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.

Magnificent custom estate in the exclusive community of Southern Highlands Golf Club. This brand new home boasts 11,843 square feet of luxury. Incredible golf course, city and mountain views. Through a beautiful porto cochere entry/drive, enter to find an enormous gourmet kitchen, 5 full bedroom suites incl. a separate guest quarters, 9 baths, Executive Office, Theatre, Temperature/humidity controlled Wine Room, Exercise Room with dry sauna and steam shower, Game Room, Elevator, 6 car garage. Electronic pocket doors open at the touch of a button to let the outside in! Lutron/Crestron system controls everything throughout the home incl.lights, thermostats, fireplaces, pool, surround sound and more. Marble flooring. Enormous pool/spa surrounded by travertine pavers makes this a fabulous home for entertaining.

Offered @ $6,499,999

Contact Jackie Bustios @ 702.823.6415 or info@portfoliorealtygroup.com. Or visit www.portfoliorealtygroup.com.

Don’t miss out! Until 4 p.m. today, you can join Haute Living at the Fur Salon at Saks Fifth Avenue in Dadeland Mall for a private reception to meet legendary fashion designer Michael Vollbracht. Sip Champagne, nosh on hors d’oeuvres, and view his Fall 2010 fur collection. Plus you’ll have the chance to get a signed copy of his book.

Proceeds from the event sales will go to Touched by a Smile, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing funding for wheelchairs and other assistive technology for children with special needs.

For more information, call 305.662.8655.

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Yesterday evening, while Raul De Molina was hosting his unofficial kickoff party for Art Basel, Veuve Clicquot Champagne was hosting its own unofficial kickoff party for Design Miami, a different, but no less important, art exhibition that take place in conjunction with Art Basel. Craig Robins, principal of Design Miami, and Vanessa Kay, vice president of Veuve Clicquot, hosted this event, a hopping “Beach BBQ” at the Tiki Bar at Soho Beach House. The members-only Soho Beach House opened up its doors to non-members for the exclusive event, which seemed to endlessly refill Champagne glasses as it continued on long after the event’s called-for 11 p.m. end time.

Guests included recording artist Pharrell Williams, DJ Mia Moretti, Vice Mayor Michael Gongora, Sabina Belli, global marketing director for Veuve Clicquot, Christine Kaculis, director of communications for Veuve Clicquot USA, Robert & Enid Kay, Trudy & Paul Cejas and many more.

Veuve Clicquot is also gearing up for Design Miami today by unveiling the latest in sleep technology, a combination design/science project that they call “Once Upon A Dream.” Created by famed designer Mathieu Lehanneur, the exhibit will afford guests the opportunity to experience this revolutionary sleeping space that encompasses the ideal sleeping arrangements for all five senses.

Check back with Haute Living for more exclusive Art Basel and Design Miami coverage!

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It was confirmed today that the flamboyant fashion designer Roberto Cavalli will buy restaurant Prague — one of the oldest restaurants in Moscow. At the moment it is owned by millionaire Telman Ismailov. After the deal is sealed, the famous restaurant will be renamed to Just Cavalli, reported by Voice of Russia.

Earlier last week Roberto Cavali arrived to Russian capital to celebrate his 40 years in the fashion industry with a star-studded party. Cavalli clothes are known across the world for being worn by the rich and famous, and are a regular feature on the red carpet.
In Moscow Cavalli presented his new autumn-winter collection, and opened an exhibition of his best dresses.

Before the show started, the guests at the anniversary party were treated with Champagne in the foyer, where Roberto Cavalli vintage evening dresses flaunted on mannequins.

New Cavalli collection is a tribute to the days when the brand has only emerged. The designer reinterprets a hippie bohemian chic of the seventies, giving it a seductive and casual flair. Flowing dresses, transparent silk trousers with animalistic prints, fur jackets and coats, embroidered with gold thread — Roberto Cavalli remains truthful to himself throughout his life in fashion.

In the end of the fashion show Cavalli, of course, received rapturous applause. However, the designer himself is deeply convinced: it is not the applause that matters, but to see his creations on beautiful women. Speaking of which, most of the females at the event were draped in Roberto Cavalli bespoke couture.

Roberto Cavalli Boutique, Rublevo Uspenskoe Highway , 114, building 2

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Exciting holiday news from my favorite cologne artisans Atelier. The cologne line that takes you on a sensory journey has three new products for the holidays — petite cologne, candles and soaps. You can mix and match them to create your own personalized gift and encase it in a beautiful intense Venice blue box with aubergine leather ribbon. Magnifique.

Now available are chic pocket-sized sprays of all five scents: Oolang Infini, Trefle Pur, Bois Blands, Grand Neroli and Orange Sanguine. Bonus: The bottles are refillable. Just refill from your 200-ml bottle.

Each candle begins with the highest percentage of fragrance oils with a custom blend of vegetable and paraffin waxes. Made with traditional candle making techniques and craftsmanship to ensure an even burn, lasting 50 hours.

Atelier soaps are hard-milled, vegetable based and enriched with a unique combination of  soothing aloe vera and nourishing Shea butter. A high concentration of citrus oils offer a clean, refreshing and invigorating experience with a skin softening frothy lather. Atelier is available exclusively at Neiman Marcus. Create your gift today.

Scentual holiday goodness from Atelier. One lucky reader will receive a Petite Cologne in the scent of their choice. To enter, if you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog and leave a comment on this post between Nov.  28 and Dec. 4  telling me what scent instantly recalls childhood holiday memories for you. Comments can be left at bottom of post or at top right by clicking the comment icon, depending on your browser.

Good luck and thanks for reading.

Spread the word! For additional entries repost on your Facebook and Twitter.

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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. Hugh Hefner pulls a Santa Clause/Williy Wonka this year with a mega art auction and a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-like contest give away.

Hugh Hefner

Category: Thinkers

Company: Playboy

Industry: Publishers

What Makes Him Haute: This 82-year-old built the Playboy empire from the ground up, and is still going strong. Need we say more?

What Makes Him Haute Now: In true holiday spirit, December will be a merry month of giving at the Playboy mansion. On Dec. 8 Christies will hold an auction titled “The year of the Rabbit” where 125 exclusive works of art from the Playboy mansion will be auctioned off. Included in the selection is a Dali watercolor of a reclining nude titled “playmate” that hung in Hugh Hefner’s bedroom. “I’m a fan of Dali’s and I’m happy to be sharing it” said Hefner. The Dali piece is estimated to bring in $100,000 to $150,000, but the main attraction of the auction is Wesselmann’s “Mouth No. 8.” The iconic 1966 art piece is expected to bring in up to $3 million. Other auction items include 80 photographs, over a dozen contemporary works, and 24 cartoons.

As if that weren’t enough holiday cheer, Hefner is also doing a Will Wonka-inspired give away. Among the 200,000 copies of December’s Playboy issue will be 10 golden tickets, along with one additional online giveaway with an invitation to the mansion’s Midsummer Night’s Dream party in August 2011. In addition to special access to the party, each winner and a guest will get complimentary airline tickets, hotel accommodation and dinner at Sofitel’s LA Simon restaurant. Hefner was indeed in a jolly good mood this year.