Come 2011, you can celebrate resolutions or you can resolve to look good at all times with the opening of DryBar, a no-nonsense stop for blow outs and glam-overs set to open at Fashion Island next year. So whether you’re strapped for time or just looking for a quick do-over for your ‘do, a quick visit to DryBar will have you feeling glam in no time flat.

Coming from the glamorous (and time-strapped) world of L.A. the DryBar concept has already gained a huge following for ladies looking for a touch-up before events and parties. You might get drawn in by the approachable and adorable store, which has everything from light bites to enjoy while you wait and girly movies playing to iPhone charging stations, but what’ll keep you coming back is the straightforward way they’ll service your ‘do.

No cuts or colors at DryBar, instead, stop in here to boost your look with one of their signature services. Choose from the Cosmopolitan, which will leave you with lots of loose curls, the sleek Straight Up, the glam Souther Comfort, which is all about volume and the Mai Tai, which’ll have you looking like a beach goddess. Started by a Toni&Guy alumna and her brother — who worked writing jingles for Jack in the Box — the simple and straightforward approach to services has caught a strong foothold in LA, so naturally, the duo wanted to bring the DryBar experience to Orange County.

And whether you go big or sleek, you’ll be turning heads after a quick stop into this sweet shop.

DryBar will be located at Fashion Island in the Atrium Court, across from Barnes & Noble. For more information, visit www.thedrybar.com. For more information on Fashion Island, visit www.shopfashionisland.com.

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R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Whether you are new to the Philadelphia area or just visiting us during this holiday season. there are a few things you need to know when it comes to New Year’s Eve. First, Philadelphians like to party. There is not a restaurant, bar, ballroom, living room or basement that will not be hopping with the sounds of revelry come midnight. Second, being a historical town, we honor tradition. And on New Year’s, that means two things: fireworks on the river and Mummers on Broad Street.

There’s no more picturesque space in the city for fireworks than over the water, so the city luggs a barge loaded with pyrotechnics out just south of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge each year for a skyward celebration. This year, they are going twice as big, as SugarHouse Casino sponsors a Twicethe Fireworks! Twice the Fun! event with two shows: 6 p.m. and midnight.

You can cast your eyes up from neary anywhere and town if you want to get a gander of the display, or you can head to the waterfront for the best view. Skate through the show at the Blue Cross River Rink, get a view on board tthe Battleship New Jersey or one of the two ships of the Independence Seaport Museum, or have some dinner with the display at The Chart House, Moshulu or onboard the Philadelphia Belle or Spirit of Philadelphia dinner cruisers.

The next morning, it’s all about the Mummers Parade. Kicking off at 10 a.m. and strutting up Broad Street from South Philly, the one of a kind event is full of sparkle, sequins and spunk contributed by more than 10,000 participants. Four types of groups will entertain — the Comics, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades — each with their own charm and appear. Try to snag seats in the gradnstands by the staging areas where the skits and tunes will be performed .. the best of which is at broad and Washington, the only spot where are four classes will perform.

True fans can also get seats for the two Fancy Brigade finale shows at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at noon and 5 p.m.

And, of course, if the partying on the Eve is making getting out of bed a little too difficult, you can watch the fun on TV on PHL 17.

Greet the new year at the Annual Atrium Party at Hyatt Regency Phoenix, featuring the 10-piece band Groove Merchants, a live DJ spinning mixes into the night, champagne, hors d’oeuvres, an ultra-special Dining and Party Package, and more.

The fun gets underway when the doors open at 8 p.m., and only those ages 21 and older can attend. The Atrium Party Package is $89 per person prior to Dec. 31, then $99 per person at the door on the day of the event. With purchase of the package, you receive admission to the party, two drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres, which include pasta and carving stations, party favors, and a champagne toast just before the balloon drop at midnight.

You also have the option of booking the Room and Party Package — a smart choice if you’ll want to spend the night at the Hyatt after the party ends at 1:30 a.m. The package is just $279 (plus tax and gratuity) and includes admission for two people to the Atrium Party, plus everything mentioned above, as well as deluxe overnight accommodations.

For the ultimate New Year’s Eve, however, you absolutely have to make a pre-party dinner reservation for the Hyatt’s Compass Arizona Grill, the state’s only rotating restaurant, which offers spectacular panoramic views of the skyline.

The Compass’ special four-course dinner, created by Executive Chef Dominic Vaccaro, can be enjoyed between 5 and 10:30 p.m. at $89 per adult ($45 per child between the ages of 5 and 12). Diners will delight in Ancho Chorizo Shrimp or Peppercorn Tuna Pazenella, soup or salad, Butter Poached Lobster and Scallop, Gorgonzola Butter Beef Tenderloin or Pan Seared Chicken and Pineapple Shrimp Pastor, and then finish with the Chocolate Trilogy & Hazelnut Crunch. Wine and cocktails are available at an additional charge, and at meal’s end, dinner guests can join the Atrium Party for a mere $20 per person (excluding drink tickets).

Room and party packages are available for booking at phoenix.hyatt.com or at 602.440.3100. Dinner reservations can be made by calling 602.252.1234, extension 4510.

The Hyatt Regency Phoenix is located at 122 N. Second Street in Phoenix 602.252.1234

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Chef James Porter of Petite Maison has planned a menu of exquisite French cuisine sure to transport dinner guests (and their taste buds) to the City of Light on New Year’s Eve, with white truffles, Diver scallops, filet, lobster, champagne and more.

At French country bistro Petite Maison, dinner will be served from 5 to 10 p.m., and those dining after 9:30 p.m. will even receive noisemakers and complimentary bubbles for a toast at the stroke of midnight. The staff has promised to provide lap blankets for guests seated on the cozy patio, as well as plenty of heaters to keep everyone comfortable and toasty.

The meal will begin with an amuse bouche, followed by a first course of White Alba Truffle and Oregon Golden Chanterelle Bisque, a second course of Duck Fat Sous Vide Diver Scallop with English Pea Risotto and Crispy Jambon, and a third course of Roasted Black Angus Bistro Filet with Maine Lobster and Jumbo Lump Crab Fricasse, Duchesse Potatoes and Sauce Americane. Dessert will be an indulgent individual Grand Marnier Souffle with Nutella Creme Anglaise.

We’re certain chef Porter will have you in a state of such gastronomical bliss by meal’s end you’ll be thinking you can even see the Eiffel Tower from here.

The four-course dinner is $79 per person (plus tax and gratuity), and you can choose from the restaurant’s incredible wine list or select their own wine pairings for an additional $35 per person. Reservations are required and can be secured by calling 480.991.6887.

Petite Maison is located at 7216 E. Shoeman Lane in Scottsdale

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For the indecisive bunch, here are more ideas from Haute Living Phoenix for how to spend the biggest night of the year, including where to dine, where to party the night away, and where to lay your head (read: crash) when all the fun has finally wound down.

Trader Vic’s at Hotel Valley Ho

New Year’s Eve and champagne go hand in hand. At Trader Vic’s, you’ll be able to take advantage of the specially priced champagne, depending on your favorite: the Veuve Clicquot Yellow for $75 (normally $100), the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame for $275 (normally $375), or the Louis Roederer Cristal for $375 (normally $475). Plus, the New Year’s Eve dinner reservations kick off at 5 p.m., and guests are invited to dine off the regular menu or enjoy the kitchen’s special menu, designed with that night in mind. The New Year’s Eve selections include a pear and arugula salad or Volcano Shrimp (tossed with a mango chili aioli) as starters, a succulent Chinese oven-roasted beef tenderloin served with Maine lobster risotto, braised Swiss chard and lobster butter for an entree, and two choices for dessert: a Bavarian chocolate torte made with Kona coffee creme anglaise, or a unique arrangement of assorted truffles and chocolate-dipped strawberries for two.

Hotel Valley Ho is located at 6850 E. Main Street in Scottsdale 480.248.2000

Kimpton’s FireSky Resort & Spa

The grand yet cozy FireSky Resort is offering an exciting New Year’s Eve package that includes deluxe overnight accommodations and a four-course dinner for two at Taggia, a Kimpton restaurant. The package rate is $209 (valued at $349, and practically a steal!). Guests who book the package also have the option to extend their stay for two nights before or after the holiday for a rate of just $89 per night. That’s correct, we said $89 per night! The offer is valid Dec. 29 through Jan. 2 and can be redeemed with the mention of Rate Code: PNYE. A luxurious oasis located in Old Town Scottsdale, FireSky is just close enough to the hustle and bustle of downtown while remaining a more than pleasant retreat.

FireSky Resort & Spa is located at 4925 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale 480.945.7666

Prado at InterContinental Montelucia Resort

Join the celebration that will be taking place in Castillo Lucena and beneath the stars in Cortijo Plaza with drinks, dancing, live music and a champagne toast at midnight, along with party favors. (Advance tickets are $25.) Or, go all out with a reservation at Prado for a dining experience that is sure to be extraordinary and unforgettable. The five-course meal will be available at either the 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. seating, and will include a first amuse of grilled Medjool date with pickled jalapeno, and a second amuse of wild mushroom cappuccino with truffle foam and Porcini dust. The first course will be “Jason” petit greens with radish, Fuji apple and Michele Malvarosa cheese, followed by a second course of fire-roasted pumpkin soup and lamb carpaccio. The intermezzo will feature refreshing limoncello granita with mint before guests dive into their main courses: monkfish “saltimbocca,” beef tenderloin, and handmade gnocchi, accompanied by artful sides meant to enhance the flavor of every dish. Dessert will be a selection of treats by the famed Julia Baker Confections. The dinner is $155 per person, or $245 per person with wine pairings. Call 480.627.3004 to make a reservation.

InterContinental Montelucia Resort is located at 4949 E. Lincoln Drive in Scottsdale 480.627.3200

The Melting Pot

OK, so you can’t sleep here post-meal, but for a fun and interactive dining experience, The Melting Pot can always be counted upon. Whether you’re a big group of friends, a family spending the last day of the year together, or a couple in the mood for a unique and elegant meal, everyone’s favorite fondue restaurant will be decorated to fit the season and serving a special four-course meal of salad, a delicious cheese fondue, an entree, and one of The Melting Pot’s famous chocolate fondues. Reservations are required and, in addition to the four courses, also include a souvenir framed photo of the couple/party, a gift bag, 20-percent discount on all bottled wine selections and other drink specials. The cost is $75 per person, plus tax and 20 percent gratuity.

The Melting Pot, Scottsdale: 480.607.1799, Arrowhead: 623.444.4946, Ahwatukee: 480.704.9206

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Five, four, three, two … As time winds down to the new year, Breguet, the exclusive timepiece of the New York Philharmonic, is preparing to auction a masterpiece — the Breguet Classique 5157. The Swiss watch brand is auctioning the timepiece to benefit the New York Philharmonic’s School Partnership Program. Bidding will begin at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, Dec. 30, and closes at midnight Jan. 15, 2011.

The watch will be auctioned through the eBay Giving Works site, but until then visitors can receive information on the Avery Fisher Hall Grand Promenade during New York Philharmonic concerts, where two iPads will be stationed with pictures of the watch. Visitors are welcome to use the iPads to bid on the watch, which will be on display at the new Breguet flagship location at 711 Fifth Ave. in New York City.

The 18-carat yellow gold timepiece is the same model as the one worn by New York Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert. It is a 38-mm, extra-thin Classique wristwatch which features a self-winding movement, silvered gold dial hand-engraved on a rose engine. It also has a sapphire caseback and is water-resistant up to 30 meters.

Breguet, which has collaborated with many prestigious classical music institutions, is excited for this opportunity to support the School Partnership Program through the New York Philharmonic. The brand has been expanding its cultural  ties in the United States in recent years by working with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2007 and most recently sponsoring the New York Philharmonic’s Opening Night Gala. And in just a few days, Breguet will support the all-Tchaikovsky New Year’s Eve concert on Dec. 31.

The School Partnership Program is geared to promote students’ creativity and understanding of music through the experience of symphonic music. Its nationally recognized program builds long-term relationships between the New York Philharmonic and select public schools in New York City. Students study great musical works, attend live performances of the New York Philharmonic and compose music of their own; opportunities students may not otherwise receive. In addition, they develop focused listening skills, performance skills on recorder, musical literacy both symbolic and verbal, strategies for group work, knowledge of cultural history and a personal relationship to the art of music.

“Breguet’s generous gesture of support could not be more timely,” said New York Philharmonic Director of Education Theodore Wiprud. “When music education is under more stress than ever, the Philharmonic’s School Partnership Program makes high-quality instruction part of every child’s life in our partner schools. This gift helps keep the Philharmonic’s connection with schools strong.”

The winning bidder will also receive New York Philharmonic membership benefits at the appropriate level. Further information about the auction may be seen on www.nyphil.org/auction and on eBay.com.

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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. This December Ella Fontanals-Cisneros didn’t disappoint at the CIFO photography exhibit.

Ella Fontanals-Cisneros

Category: Thinkers

Company: Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation

Industry: Art

What Made Her Haute: She began collecting Latin American art in the 1970s, and founded CFAF in 2002 with the goal of fostering understanding and appreciation of contemporary artists from Latin America through grants, commissions, exhibitions, and bilingual publications. She is a trustee of MAM, Patrons of the Tate, the Cintas Foundation, the United States Artist, and the International Women’s Forum, and is an active humanitarian and environmentalist.

What Makes Her Haute Now: At this year’s CIFO exhibit titled Inside Out: Photography After Form, Fontanals-Cisneros kept the standards high with curators Simon Baker and Tanya Barson from the Tate Modern in London. Even with Photo Miami opting out of participation in the exhibit, Fontanals-Cisneros pulled off a first class event that included 80 photos from her personal international collection.

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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. Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean hosts a birthday bash for his young son at popular New York club.

Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean

Category: Entertainer

Company: Record Producer

Industry: Music

What Made Him Haute: Kasseem Dean, better known to the world as “Swizz Beatz,” had a passion for everything that had to do with music since a young age. At 17, he sold his first beat to a record label, which later became the DMX’s hit single Ruff Ryders Anthem. He soon became popular for formulating catchy beats virtually from anything, and adopted the nickname “Swizz Beatz” because of his contagious tunes. The multi-faceted Beatz is a record producer, rapper, executive, painter, collector, CEO, entrepreneur, father and became the United Nations Music Ambassador for World Peace. He is married to the equally talented artist Alicia Keys.

What Makes Him Haute Now: “Swizz Beatz” is known for hosting some of the hottest parties in New York City. Over the weekend, Swizz Beatz celebrated the birthday of his four-year-old son Kasseem Dean J. at Club Touch in New York. Beatz made the party unforgettable for the guests invited, and even allowed his son to spin a few records. It was a celebration like no other, there was food, fun, kids and of course face painting. Club Touch turns into a family club over the weekend, so the young boy was able to party, dance and sing with 65 of his young friends.

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Enjoy a decadent four-course dinner, dancing and live entertainment at The Grill at Wigwam Resort for a New Year’s Eve celebration complete with global cuisine in a stunning Southwest setting.

Arizona is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to farm-to-table cuisine, and using that to its advantage, The Grill at Wigwam Resort plans to serve an extravagant menu featuring local products from Double Check Ranch, Crows Dairy and Queen Creek Olive Mill.

Dinner seatings will be at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., both beginning with an appetizer of Diver scallops or braised duck, then featuring entree choices of a filet of beef with lobster gnocchi or brown butter-seared bronzini, and finishing with savory lavender panna cotta and chocolate rum cake for dessert. Your last meal of the year calls for some splurging, right?

Reservations are required; the cost is $85 per person, which includes dinner, party favors and a bottle of champagne for every couple. Already have other dinner plans? You’re still invited to the Wigwam to enjoy dancing and live entertainment for $15 per person in the bar area.

Call 623.935.3811 to reserve your space, or book online. Cheers!

Wigwam Resort is located at 300 E. Wigwam Blvd. in Litchfield Park

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If you’re still stuck on what your big New Year’s Eve outfit will be, check out the Celebrity Fashion Experience this Thursday at Lofty Spaces. Showcasing two television personalities along with local up and coming designers, this is a nice sure to garner national attention.

Join chic Dallasites for the VIP cocktail party, reception and haute runway show, with VH1 “Glam God” Indashio”, BravoTV’s “The Fashion Show”
Reco Chapple and local designer Oscar Fierro, whose couture looks have been worn by many of the Dallas elite. Stay ’till late to get the whereabouts of the much anticipated after party, to prep yourself for Friday night’s New Year’s fun.

Lofty Spaces, 816 Montgomery St, 214.457.6789

http://celebrityfashionexperience.eventbrite.com/