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Annie Scott

New York City - http://www.anniescott.org

Annie Scott specializes in fashion and beauty, as well as luxury destinations and all things crazy and unexpected.

Le Whif - The Future of Chocolate is Calorie-Free

Le Whif
Le Whif
is the very first inhalable food source available to the commercial market. Created by Harvard professor David Edwards who pioneered inhalable insulin, Le Whif comes in four flavors: pure chocolate, raspberry chocolate, mint chocolate and coffee. Every whif is virtually calorie-free. A small pack of 8-10 whifs of chocolate contains less than one calorie, and the coffee contains the equivalent of a shot of espresso. The product is already available in France and Japan -- where it has garnered a huge following.

Le Whif comes in a small, lipstick-sized, biodegradable tube and can be purchased in a pack suggesting a smoking alternative. You put the tube in your mouth and inhale, and the taste and feeling of chocolate assaults your taste buds.

We chatted with inventor David Edwards (right) about his invention the Le Whif launch party at Dylan's Candy Bar this week.

Luxist: So, how'd you get the idea for breathable chocolate?

David Edwards: I was having lunch with a friend of mine, who's a French chef, about two and a half years ago, and we were thinking of doing an art project -- I run an art and design center in Paris -- and I was worried about what we would do, trying to think up new ideas for that art exhibit. My background as a scientist has been in developing new kinds of drugs and vaccines that you could breath, so I asked him whether he thought it would be a good idea to breathe food. And he thought that would be an interesting idea.

L: I hear you did breathable insulin before.

DE: I did insulin, a TB vaccine and so forth. So, anyway, I brought the idea to Harvard University and asked the students to think about it, and we took it to that exhibit, and it has just evolved from there.

L: I told a couple of friends that I was coming to this, and they thought smelling chocolate and not eating it sounded like torture. What would you say to them?

DE: Well, you don't smell it, actually, you whif it. It's not something you take through the nose, you put it in your mouth. You breathe it. So, it's not sniffing it, it's whifing it -- with one "f" -- we sort of invented a new word, there. It's neither eating nor breathing, but something in between, and we call that whifing. It's a new way to put food in your mouth without having to touch it or put a fork into it. It's like the next thing after the fork. What's interesting from the chocolate point of view is, all the flavor is 100 percent organic chocolate. It is real chocolate, and it has essentially no calories. It's such a dusting of chocolate that you don't have the calories. So, it's a great snack and it's light, obviously.

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The World's First Diamond iPad

The World's First Diamond iPadThe world's first diamond iPad is already in production, though the iPads won't be available until April 3.

Mervis Diamond Importers
, who created the Diamond Dreidel we featured back in December, is planning to release this stunning design to the masses in very limited quantities in June. The Mervis Diamond iPad features 11.43 carats of diamonds, hand-set in this beautiful oblique micro-pave style. The diamonds are graded G/H in color and VS2/SI1 in clarity. This is fine jewelry you can e-mail from.

A number of diamond iPads are sure to be coming out soon, if the rash of diamond iPods is any indication, but the first may indeed be the best in this case. The design is understated and classic -- and unbelievably sparkly. Can't you see this becoming a family heirloom? Even if the handheld devices of the future are different, this will become a vintage piece with high geek appeal.

The Mervis Diamond iPad costs $19,999.00. Orders can be placed online here or by calling 703-287-1615 after June 1.

Padma Lakshmi's Seedy New Jewelry Line

Padma Lakshmi models her own jewelry designs
Padma Lakshmi has the career of seven women. She's a model, author, a TV host (most notably Top Chef) and now, the new mom has a jewelry line.

PADMA launched in May 2009 and consists of 40+ earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings inspired by Lakshmi's eclectic past. She was born in India, raised in both India and the US, and has lived in France, Spain and Italy. "I love the rich heritage and beauty of traditional Indian jewelry, but I wanted something more modern and delicate. I also wanted to create something that women would love to wear everyday; pieces that work with jeans and cocktail dresses, jewelry that highlights the myriad sides of a woman's personality without upstaging her."

The collection features an India-inspired hand piece, a "back to front" necklace which "adorns a woman's back as much as her décolleté, cascading down the neck on both sides" and a micro-collection called "the Nav," which is based around traditional Hindu beliefs, incorporating stones which represent the nine planets and harnessing their energy.

Even her foodie experience has influenced her designs. "In hunting for the most precious spices, I found the shapes of seeds and pods exquisite, a purity of proportion and form that had an inherent sensuality to them." We find the designs subtle and thoughtful with a distinct womanliness. The collection's seed and pod themes are exceptionally well-suited to make gifts for pregnant women -- how apt that Padma just gave birth to a baby girl, Krishna.

We interviewed Padma via email about her new jewelry collection, her career and her life.

Luxist: How has your multi-faceted career led you to jewelry?

Padma Lakshmi: Even before my fifteen years in fashion, as a child I was always attracted to my mother's jewel box. Over the years I've been lucky enough to gather some beautiful pieces through my travels along the way. But at a certain point, I wasn't finding exactly what I was looking for in the accessories marketplace and it turned out that others weren't either. I started reproducing the bespoke custom pieces that I had created for myself; that's pretty much the organic process of how the company came about.





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Donna Karan Crosstown Flat Hobo, Handbag of the Day

Donna Karan Crosstown Flat HoboThe Donna Karan Crosstown Flat Hobo is a lovely, practical bag in an unusual, beautiful, chaotic pattern.

This printed leather bag has a flat silhouette (as the name implies), but your own belongings will give it shape. It has front and back pockets as well as three interior pockets, and the double handles are accented subtly with chain. We love that the chain is somewhat hidden; it gives the bag no bearing on whether one should wear it with gold or silver jewelry.

This bag is perfect for your all-day endeavors like work, visiting friends, and sightseeing. At 16"W X 13"H X 3"D, you could fit entire portfolios or all your touring accoutrements like cameras and document carriers. Its chaotic pattern and comfortable shape make it an easy contrast to whatever you were planning to wear, whether you're trekking museums in Vienna or shopping in St. Tropez.

The Donna Karan Crosstown Flat Hobo is available exclusively from Saks Fifth Avenue for $795.00.

Valentino Lacca, Handbag of the Day

Valentino LaccaThe Valentino Lacca is a classy bag for a dame of extraordinary style.

The traditional shape of this fabulous bag is turned on its head with a masterful gathering of the black patent leather creating an effect similar to expert-level napkin folding. We love the generous handles and the deep, roomy top-zip body, as well as the classic Valentino logo plate on the side, of course.

This 15"H x 19"W x 6 1/2"D bag is lined in satin and includes a zipper pocket for a little extra organization. This is one of the finest, most sophisticated bags large enough for work we've ever seen, carried off with a supremely feminine flair. It's one of those bags which announces itself with a stately, "I'm important" presence. We could see Audrey Hepburn carrying this just out of frame in one of her iconic black-and-white photos -- it's that glamorous.

The Valentino Lacca is available from Neiman Marcus for $1,195.00, and also comes in a pink so bright it will burn your eyeballs.

Valentino Summer Flower Tote, Handbag of the Day

Valentino Summer Flower ToteThe Valentino Summer Flower Tote is another femme-fatale, dynamite bag from Valentino's particularly womanly spring collection.

This very nearly lip-shaped tote is decked in supple nappa leather flowers in bright, bold colors which captivate and catch the eye. The unusual color combination is fresh and lovely, calling to mind images of a hot summer day, a glass of lemonade and some very red lipstick. The use of black increases the intrigue of the bag, giving it a gothic edge. One could see a celeb like Dita Von Teese carrying this to complement a lacy or chiffon ensemble.

The bag is especially large (21"W X 12"H X 8"D), and could even be used overnight. It features a magnetic snap closure and metal feet, a black polyester-satin lining and a 16" drop detachable shoulder strap. We'd hate to see a bag like this wasted on work, and hope we'll catch someone brave enough to take it down the red carpet.

The Valentino Summer Flower Tote is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $2,690.

Rebecca Minkoff Darling Shoulder Bag, Handbag of the Day

Rebecca Minkoff Darling Shoulder BagThe Rebecca Minkoff Darling Shoulder Bag is a bright, playful purse with a flirty vibe. Somebody call Prince -- it's "Purple and Gold."

We love Ms. Minkoff's use of color, and this shoulder bag is no exception. In black, this would be way less special, but in this eye-catching violet, the bag is youthful and fun. We love the vertical zipper belt that holds it all together with a utilitarian push-lock closure and the pretty, dainty tassels on the sides.

The bag is 14 1/2"H x 17"W x 4"D, large enough for books or portfolios, whichever you have. It would certainly brighten our lunch hour to pull a bag like this out from under our desks. A shock of purple can be like a secret weapon against a doldrum-ridden mood.

The Rebecca Minkoff Darling Shoulder Bag is available from Neiman Marcus for $495.

Foley + Corinna Jet Setter Jr. Tote, Handbag of the Day

Foley + Corinna Jet Setter Jr. ToteThe Foley + Corinna Jet Setter Jr. Tote is a classy travel bag to double as your carry-on.

As a frequent traveler myself, I always pack light. I bring a rolling suitcase that will fit in the overhead compartment and a purse large enough to stuff my laptop and a book in (as well as the other usual purse effects). This keeps me from having to check a bag, and keeps my valuables with me, just hovering three or four feet above my head.

One look at this and I can tell you this is a great bag for traveling. The durable, belted structure will keep all your important pieces together, and there's no mistaking that even at 14"H x 15 1/2"W x 5"D, this is a purse, and can be carried on with your luggage as your "small personal item."

The charcoal leather of this tote is accentuated with simple silver hardware and ingenious turnlock closures at the top and snap-button sides, which make it expandable. It includes two zipper pockets for important things like your passport and phone.

The Foley + Corinna Jet Setter Jr. Tote is available from Neiman Marcus for $528.00.

Botkier Harper Lambskin Tote, Handbag of the Day

Botkier Harper Lambskin ToteThe Botkier Harper Lambskin Tote is a beautiful, bright blue bag with a fun, festive design.

This tote is belted in all kinds of ways, from the clever double buckles on the double handles to the chic and utilitarian horizontal straps which give the bag its unique, sexy shape. The warm, Caribbean blue is set off nicely by the gunmetal hardware -- and did we mention it's not your average leather, but soft, buttery lambskin? You could practically use this as a pillow.

The bag is 12"H x 15"W x 4"D, and features a cream-colored jacquard lining (creating a fabulous teal-and-cream contrast). The top zips with a tassel pull, and a detachable shoulder strap is included.

This Botkier will make an excellent splash of color to set off this seasons pale grays and beiges, and is large enough to function as a work bag for the gainfully occupied.

The Botkier Harper Lambskin Tote is available from Neiman Marcus for $595.00.

Inside The Great Frog, Jeweler to Harry Potter and Aerosmith

The Great Frog, London
The Great Frog
has been making jewelry in London's ever-chic Carnaby area since 1972. They are probably best known for their immaculately gothic, daring bespoke pieces for the fashion and music industry -- as well as creating all the jewelry for the Harry Potter movies. I was lucky enough to visit their legendary Ganton Street location and get a peek into the magic lair where the sometimes sweet, sometimes scary pieces are created (aka the basement).

The Great Frog's showroom is designed to look like a French funeral parlor, a darkly appropriate choice for the originators of The Skull Ring. The workshop, however, is appropriately non-designed, with graffiti on the walls and ceiling, an enormous music closet, and cluttered work desks which look like they belong in the props trailer for the Puppet Master series. We're talking creepy dolls and skulls in beer cases.

It's fun to imagine the legends that have browsed in the shop and dictated their jewelry desires to talented, biker-chic staff. Get a look at the charmingly grungy room where the magic happens below, and check out more of their client list, including Harry Potter, Aerosmith, Metallica and Iron Maiden, (and do a little online shopping) here.

This trip was paid for by VisitBritain, but the ideas and opinions expressed in the article above are 100% my own.
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