Following the release of 2012’s Black Water Dragon pen, David Oscarson has produced another writing instrument inspired by Chinese astrology. The Black Water Snake pen, which Oscarson introduced late last year, is the 20th limited-edition release from the St. Louis artisan and his second to incorporate an overlay—in this case a pair of diamond-eyed snakes slithering up the cap. The top of the cap is inlaid with black enamel in the shape of the Chinese character for “snake,” while the pen’s barrel is decorated …

Nominated as the best up-and-coming chefs in 2012, these Culinary Masters competitors went on to a year filled with more accolades, new restaurants, and a book deal.
Katie Button of Cúrate, Asheville, North Carolina Nominated by José Andrés
Winning the first annual Culinary Masters Competition was a career landmark for Katie Button. At that point, she had been a chef for only 18 months, all of them in a remote corner of North Carolina, and had never had the opportunity to test her skills outside of her own k…

Louis Kazan, a furniture manufacturer that has been producing contemporary designs in Brazil’s largest city for more than 20 years, will launch its first line in the United States next month. Designers Luiz Mario Moura and Graça Kazan have rare access to government-regulated woods such as imbuia, pau ferro, and nogueira, which they use to create their organic handcrafted designs. Their new collection of beds, cabinets, chairs, desks, shelving, and tables incorporates every part of the exotic trees, including t…

Over the course of the Gallardo’s 10-year production run, Lamborghini sold some 14,000 examples of the car and its variants—including the Gallardo LP560-4, which Robb Report named 2009’s Car of the Year—making the it the Italian carmaker’s best-selling model of all time. But all good things must come to an end, and so Lamborghini has announced an all-new model to replace the legendary Gallardo: the Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4.
The new car’s exterior lines are definitively Lambo (as the images demonstrate). A…

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to forfeit great style to stay warm. We have uncovered some stylish accessories and clothes that will keep you dry and warm and looking dapper at the same time. From thick-layering knits to luxurious furs, these are the pieces you won’t want to leave home without.
Etro’s maroon lambskin gloves with light-blue stitching ($394) will help fend off the winter blues with a pop of color. (212.317.9096, www.etro.com)
The first menswear collection from the 35-year…

The recently launched DIA-250 and DIA-400 integrated power amplifiers from the Danish manufacturer Gato Audio are both equally well suited to serve as the centerpiece for a home stereo system whose owner values aesthetics as much as performance. Priced at $4,500 and $6,000, respectively, the DIA-250 and DIA-400 share the same compact and curvy form combining stainless steel and wood, while delivering different peaks of pure class-D power. The DIA-250 has a lower power output of 250 watts per channel—plenty of …

Àni Villas, which is located on the Caribbean island of Anguilla and outfitted with two three-story villas and myriad amenities, recently announced a package that offers groups of as many as 14 people exclusive access to the entire property for one week. The package, priced at $250,000, includes both villas (a total of 10 bedrooms), a dedicated chef, a wine expert from Moët Hennessy, and a round-trip flight via private jet from the continental United States or Canada, as well as a selection of food and wine. T…

The title of master sommelier is a designation bestowed upon only a worthy few. For everyone else, the Sommelier Bootcamp at the Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., is a fun step toward obtaining such masterful levels of knowledge as those possessed by these certified connoisseurs. The annual three-day experience—taking place this year from January 31 through February 2—is open to only 85 guests, with attendance starting at $770 per person. The event features tastings led by actual master sommeliers, …

The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya, finds a home in one of this upscale beach community’s most exclusive suburbs.
Why Go: Fifteen miles north of Tel Aviv, Herzliya Pituach—a suburb of the city of Herzliya—is popular with tourists and vacation-home owners for its wide beaches, water-sports activities, top restaurants, and lively nightlife. The Ritz-Carlton is a part of the Herzliya Marina complex, one of the city’s main attractions, which has a high-end shopping mall, waterfront dining, and 680 berths for yachts as lo…

The Landing Resort & Spa ups the ante in California’s Tahoe South.
Why Go: At the base of Heavenly Mountain Resort on the California–Nevada border, South Lake Tahoe has been a popular year-round vacation area since the 1960s. The high-rise casinos Harrah’s and Harveys populate the Nevada side of the border, while the California side favors a range of smaller motels. A remake of the former Royal Valhalla motor lodge, the Landing offers 88 rooms (from $110) and one three-bedroom suite (from $330). New insta…