Ella Blue and Kelly Preston pose with Sugar Factory Couture Pops at Sugar Factory inside Paris Las Vegas.

Kelly Preston and daughter Ella Bleu stopped in to Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas late last night with a couple of friends. Preston and her 11-year-old daughter were in a wonderful mood as they shopped around the massive flagship store, picking out items such as Sugar Factory loungewear and apparel, a pair of Sugar Factory’s designer denim jeans, three Couture Pops including a Hawaiian Crush Couture Pop from Nicole Scherzinger’s line of the famed Sugar Factory signature treats and a large cupcake-shaped coin bank.

While her husband, Hollywood icon John Travolta, was not with the group, Preston and her look-alike little girl had a blast and couldn’t get over how fun Sugar Factory’s Couture Pops were. The mother and daughter shopped for about 30 minutes and took a few pictures before leaving hand-in-hand.

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Highline manufacturers and upstart independent car companies have long used the Pebble Beach Car Week as a staging ground to debut brand new concept and production vehicles.  So when Cadillac announced a few weeks ago that they would unveil a new concept car during the classic car extravaganza, I was hardly surprised.  But nothing could have prepared me for the dramatic nature of the new car, or the flurry of Cadillac activity that accompanied it.

Though still featuring modern Cadillac design hallmarks like an upright grille and angular lines, the new Ciel (pronounced C-L) is a delightful throwback to the marque’s luxurious convertible sedans of the mid-20^th century.  Immediately distinguishable from its production stablemates by an obvious increase in length (care of a wheelbase 12” longer than the CTS sedan) the Ciel is plush with bespoke luxury cues, including a pillarless door opening with rear suicide doors, and 22” nickel-plated billet aluminum wheels.  The cabin is trimmed in reclaimed Italian Olive wood, machined aluminum, and hand-tipped leather, while rear occupants are treated to unique accoutrements such as retractable cashmere blankets and a humidor.  The Ciel’s twin-turbocharged 3.6 liter V-6 motor develops 425 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a hybrid transmission that provides all-electric driving at low speeds, not unlike a common Prius.

In retrospect, the unveiling of the Ciel was somewhat surprising given all of Cadillac’s other recent activities.  In addition to an early August announcement of plans to develop a compact luxury sedan intended to battle Mercedes’ C Class, Cadillac revealed just one day before the Ciel debut that it had approved production of one of its 2009 concept cars, the electric drivetrain Converj (below).  Employing a lithium ion battery system that is complemented by a 4-cylinder generator, the new model will be called the ELR.  As the car is just entering production development, there’s no word yet on pricing, performance figures, or the anticipated launch date.

And as if all that were not enough, Cadillac also recently committed to a busy social calendar.  On September 11 and 12 the company will continue its active sponsorship of the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz.  Beginning with a piano competition judged by Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis and Danilo Perez, the Institute will celebrate its 25^th anniversary the following night with an all-star gala celebration and concert co-chaired by Madeleine Albright, Quincy Jones, and Colin Powell.  Cadillac’s high performance sponsorship should give new meaning to the Monk classic “Straight No Chaser.”  Five days later, the manufacturer will serve as a premier sponsor at the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance, which is increasingly regarded as one of the nation’s most prestigious concours d’elegance.

It’s often said that painting was never the same after Picasso; the same could be said of the art of watchmaking, and the watch known as the Ulysse Nardin Freak.  The Freak was launched in its first version at the start of the new century, and it was one of the very few watches of the last century that can really be called “revolutionary.”  The Freak did away with almost every feature of a normal watch –instead of hands, the entire movement rotates once per hour under its gigantic sapphire crystal, acting as the minute hand of the watch (an hour hand is driven by the rotating movement as well.)

The Freak has no conventional winding and setting crown –instead, the time is set by rotating the substantial knurled bezel, and the enormous mainspring powering this horological extravaganza takes up the entire diameter of the case, making the case essentially part of the movement as well.  On top of everything else, the watch in the original version had an escapement that had never been used before either –the Ulysse Nardin “Dual Direct” escapement, which ran without the need for any lubricating oils, and which was inspired by a two hundred year old design originally developed by the renowned French watchmaker, A. L. Breguet.

The Owner/CEO of Ulysse Nardin, Swiss entrepreneur Rolf Schnyder, was as famous as the watches whose creation he oversaw, and it was with shock and sadness that connoisseurs the world over heard of his death earlier this year.  His legacy lives on, though, and though he’s no longer with us, this year saw the introduction of the most outrageously complicated and infectiously delightful Freak so far: the Diavolo.

The Diavolo is the Freak squared.  To the existing Freak (now considered one of the great classic designs of the post-quartz watchmaking era) Ulysse Nardin has added a flying tourbillon.  A tourbillon is a device which was originally developed in 1801 by Breguet, in order to combat the disruptive effects of gravity on the escapement of a watch; it does this by taking the regulating organ (the escapement) and putting it in a rotating carriage.  As the Freak was already a tourbillon of sorts (albeit one that defied conventional classification) the Freak Diavolo is essentially a tourbillon within a tourbillon.  Innovation in escapements continues as well with the addition of escapement components made entirely of lightweight silicon, which unlike the escapements found in virtually all other watches requires no oil.

With a power reserve of over eight days, the Freak Diavolo is a devilishly delightful new incarnation of the original –and a fitting tribute to Rolf Schnyder, a man as legendary as the watches he helped create.

The Ulysse Nardin Freak Diavolo retails at $153,500.

Jack Forster is the Editor in Chief of Revolution Magazine, a quarterly publication celebrating the world of fine watchmaking, and he also manages Revolution Online www.revo-online.com the foremost information and discussion site on the internet for watch enthusiasts.

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Slow Food Miami, a volunteer organization supporting local farmers and sustainable methods, is excited to host their annual Thighs & Pies Pie Contest next Saturday, September 10 to kickoff its 2011-2012 event season. Sponsored by Whole Foods Market-Coral Gables, guests are invited to enjoy a picnic, a celebrity-judged pie contest and live music in the name of the environment.

The fun begins at noon at The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove. The contest will feature 30 pies that must be made with a main ingredient native to Florida. Judges include Lee Brian Schrager (founder of the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival®, Hedy Goldsmith (executive pastry chef of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink restaurants) and Ariana Kumpis (president of Les Dames D’Escoffier Miami).

For the picnic, Sustain restaurant will serve their famed fried chicken (from Tanglewood Farms) and Whole Foods will provide side dishes and other desserts. Live music will entertain from 12-3 pm. Pie contest winners will be announced at 1 pm, and the champions will be awarded special prizes donated by Whole Foods Market-Coral Gables and Breville Appliances.

The event closes with a pie sale benefitting the Slow Food Miami Edible School Garden Program.

Celebrate your community’s local farmers and food makers at this fun, family-friendly event. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children ages 5-15; children 5 and under get in free.  To buy tickets or to enter the competition (hurry, the deadline is September 1), visit www.slowfoodmiami.com/thighsandpies.htm.

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The Montage Beverly Hills, an exclusive member of The Haute Hotel Network, has teamed up with Scarpetta restaurant to offer guests a special package, which includes one free night of luxurious lodging. For a limited time, book a reservation at Scarpetta, two nights in the hotel, and get a third night free.

Take advantage of all that this posh hotel has to offer. Walk through their beautiful gardens located right across the street from the hotel or step out onto Rodeo Drive for some of the world’s best shopping. From a rooftop pool to child-friendly activities, this hotel is fun for the entire family.

Check out the Montage Beverly Hills on the The Haute Hotel Network for more information and reservations.

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Last night, Park Tavern partnered with Gilt City to host an exclusive event showcasing signature cocktails, canapés, and a coveted first look at San Francisco’s most anticipated restaurant opening.

Park Tavern is the swanky, older sister restaurant to Anna Weinberg and Chef Jennifer Puccio’s Marlowe in SoMa.  The exclusive pre-opening party brought out the who’s who of San Francisco, including former Mayor Willie Brown, Chef Elizabeth Falkner (of Citizen Cake, Orson, and Top Chef fame), Chef Tyler Florence (of Wayfare Tavern and Food Network), Chef Arnold Eric Wong (of E&O Trading Co. and Bacar), Liam Mayclem (of San Francisco’s Eye on the Bay), and many more.  Proprietress Anna Weinberg graciously mingled with her adoring crowd throughout the evening.

It is no surprise that Park Tavern’s chef-partner Jennifer Puccio created an enticing menu.  As summarized by Gilt, “Park Tavern’s menu parallels Marlowe’s menu of brightly spiced, bold flavors with a modern twist. The emphasis is on seafood, encompassing raw, crudo-style preparations as well as whole roasted fish from the open kitchen’s wood burning oven.”

The elegant brasserie was collaboratively designed by Anna Weinberg and Kendra Nicholas of PARC Interiors. There is a beautiful sit-down dining room for the impress-your-date-or-out-of-towners meal, as well as a gorgeous bar and communal table for larger groups.  The beautiful and grand surroundings manage to convey an intimate feel.  Park Tavern also features sidewalk seating and windows that open onto Washington Park.

Park Tavern is located at 1652 Stockton Street in North Beach, San Francisco (residing in the former Moose’s/Joey & Eddie’s space, adjacent to Washington Square Park).

The much anticipated grand opening is Thursday, August 1.

Reservations are recommended.

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Famed chef Thomas Keller of the French Laundry and other celebrated culinary establishments has introduced his first product in conjunction with Williams-Sonoma. C4C is Keller’s new gluten-free flour blend that can be substituted cup-for-cup for regular flour for those who choose a gluten-free diet and don’t want to sacrifice quality.

The story started about a year ago when customers at the French Laundry in Yountville began requesting some of Keller’s specialties – sans the gluten. Before they new it, Keller and Lena Swak, the restaurant’s culinary researcher, developed the new gluten-free flour mix – a blend of flours from brown and white rice, tapioca, and potatoes, as well as potato starch, cornstarch, and milk powder.

Gluten-free gourmands can currently purchase the special blend at Williams-Sonoma stores, online at williams-sonoma.com, and at Keller’s famed Bouchon Bakeries starting late September.

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 San Francisco list, click here.

Swiftwater Cellars (owned by Don and Lori Watts) near the exclusive Suncadia Resort, nestled high in Washington’s famed Cascade Mountain Range, hosted Wine in the Pines fine food and wine festival August 26-28th

Swifwater Cellars entrance, known for its massive scale and iconic Northwest styling.

The weekend styled in true Northwest fashion, featured a preview reception, a 5 course winemaker dinner (assembled by The Hoist House’s Chef Paul Cotta), with pairings hand selected by 10 famed Northwest winemakers (participating wineries).

Left to Right: Miranda Porterfield, Leslie Sbrocco (ThirstyGirl.com) Jake Kosseff (Wild Ginger Restaurant), Evan Goldstein (MS, Wine Couch)

More than a coveted second home destination for many of Seattle’s elite, Suncadia boasts three world-class golf courses (one of which is private), a dominating lodge, spa, luxury real estate, and of course – the winery.

Hollywood starlet and renowned humanitarian Angelina Jolie paid a goodwill visit to the Scottish headquarters of HALO, a global de-mining organization. Accompanying the actress were her four oldest children, who went with their mother to meet with workers from the charity, which helps to remove scattered debris from warzones across the globe.

“It was a privilege to visit the HALO headquarters and meet their committed staff,” Jolie later said in a statement. “In the aftermath of war, HALO’s mine-clearing efforts are fundamental to a safe return and community building.”

Jolie and her husband, Brad Pitt, has provided financial backing for HALO mine clearance teams in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Jolie and her brood of six have been staying at a 16th century estate in Glasgow while Pitt is filming ‘World War Z’. Her children, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, and Shiloh visited HALO and were educated on the important cause.

“Pax, Maddox and Zahara all come from countries that have land mines and war,” explained HALO co-founder and director Guy Willoughby. “She felt it was important for them to learn about land mines in a safe setting.”

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 Los Angeles list, click here.

When Fashion Night Out started 2 years ago in New York City, the fashion/retailing world was at one of its lowest points.  With a wave of her well connected arm, Anna Wintour, savior of NYC’s fashion avenue and retailers all across the states, started this annual party on September 8th to shop, spend and support retailers, designers and the overall economy in the states.  While SF is 3,000 miles away from NYC, here are a list of the haute establishments participating in this night of retail therapy.

Union Square:

ArtPoint & Westfield Mall – 5th and Market:  Combining champions of art with champion shoppers makes for a buzzy night under the Westfield Mall dome.  Tickets are available online for $10 and the proceeds go to supporting ArtPoint, the young professional group dedicated to raising money for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.   The event starts at 5:30PM and the reception with light bites and champange goes until 7PM, but stores like Michael Kors, Madewell and Herve Leger will be open until 8:30PM, each offering special items or promotions for the night.

Agent Provocateur – 54 Geary Street:  Purveyor of cheeky intimates, AP gets into the mood with a live model in the window and lubricates the shopping experience by serving champagne late into its extending hours of 9PM.

Marc Jacobs – 125 Maiden Lane:  Never one to shy away from throwing a carnival, Marc Jacobs will be hosting a circus themed window with champagne served inside.  Specially made for fashion night out clown t-shirts will be available for sale and they will be giving out fragrance gift bags until they close at 9PM.

Neiman Marcus – 150 Stockton Street:  As a part of the holy trinity of premier luxury department stores, Neiman Marcus is gearing up for a big Fashion Night Out as usual.  From 6 to 8 p.m., there will be live models walking throughout the store, displays of the local designers and artisans from the Academy of Art University, a special Loro Piana luxe cashmere trunk show and celebrate 25 years of the Hanky Panky with a “Decorate it Yourself” event.  Call 415.249.2713 or RSVPSanFrancisco@NeimanMarcus.com for the night.

Saks Fifth Avenue – 384 Post Street:  Saks hosts a night of revelry with local bloggers like: www.7×7.com, www.9to5chic.com, www.inspirafashion.blogspot.com, www.likefreshlaundry.com, www.refusestolabel.com, and www.thefashioncamp.com .  Guests will enjoy passed champagne, DJs, makeovers, trivia contests and a fashion lounge with a mannequin installation styled by the above named fashion bloggers.  The party starts at 6PM and will run through 8PM so RSVP at 415.438.5411 by Tuesday, Sept 6^th.

The Filmore:

Curve  San Francisco - 2360 Filmore:  This uber chic store already has outposts in NYC, Miami and Los Angeles.  Owner Nevena Borissova opens the San Francisco store with a cocktail party and VIP guest list.  San Franciscans can expect her highly editted selections from blockbuster houses like Balmain, McQueen, Preen and coveted as too cool for school labels like Carven, Sharon Wauchob and it’s own in house designs.

Marc by Marc Jacobs – 2142 Filmore:  Just like it’s big brother in Union Square, MbMJ will have special carnival themed items for sale and to give away such as totes and t-shirts.  Open til 9PM.  Expect a great playlist, nibbles, drinks and a funhouse like experience.

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