Pretty Patrol

Florally Futuristic Tulip Lighting for Posh Pads and Pool Parties

2009-05-06T04:19:55Z

Pristine White Series: Florally Futuristic Tulip Lighting for Posh Pads and Pool Parties

Welcome back, lovelies! We've been on vacay, patrolling the world for prettiments, delighting the masses with our presence and sipping and dipping by the pool. Beach, pool, beach, pool, prettiments, delight.

One of favorite finds during our spring fling were these tulip lights by MYYOUR, an Italian, boutique design firm with an eye for innovative fabulousity. We hope to see more creations coming from them in the future. The tulips lights are available in white, vivid green, red, orange and lilac, and come in two sizes: petite and decoriously grand. They're fabtastically floral and perfect for party illumination, especially poolside. We expect to see Hollywood set designers snap these up in no time, and we wouldn't be surprised at all to see a garden of them in the next 'Sex and the City' feature or Oprah's favorite things.

- Learn more about MYYOUR Tulip lights
- See more in Pristine White series

Delightful Decoupage for Gorgeous Easter Eggs

2009-04-02T02:16:41Z

Delightful Decoupage for Gorgeous Easter Eggs

Happy spring, our lovelies! Easter is still bit off, but it's never to early to decorate for the most floral and pastel-pretty of holidays. This year, we're passing by the PAAS and the vinegary vapors of Easter egg dye kits for the more classic decoupage kits. You know, for something a little more Martha Stewart, a little more fancifully fun.

One of our favorite finds is the Goose Egg Decoupage kit from Hearthsong, which includes "three great big beautiful goose eggs and 240 five-inch-square sheets of tissue paper in a rainbow of colors (plus vintage scrap designs, stripes, dots, and florals). You'll also find a number of other cute, higher quality Eastery craft items on the site to make quite a pretty Easter egg hunt, too.

Buy the Goose Egg Decoupage Kit

Miniature Primrose Fairy Cottage for Magical Gardens

2009-02-23T08:00:00Z

Miniature Primrose Fairy Cottage for Magical Gardens

Although spring is still a little ways off, you always can plan to spiff up your garden so you're done just in time for the full glory of your blooming delights and the splendid season of greenery re-greened. Whether you have the thumb for leafy things or not, we found the most darling little garden accent that ought to bring fanciful enjoyment and a touch of storybook magic to your floral nook.

The miniature Primrose Fairy Cottage from HearthSong is absolutely adorable, and in perfect fairy doll scale. And unlike many, many, many garden fugments that attempt to be whimsical and aesthetically pleasing, this little resin abode actually attains the level of appropriate prettiment. We'd might even be convinced to get one or two little garden gnomes or fairy dolls to grace its darling miniature lawn, too.

Here's the prettious ditty about it from HearthSong: "When fairies rest and daydream of the perfect dwelling (and we're quite positive they do!), it simply could not be grander than this charming Primrose Fairy Cottage, rumored to be a faithful resin replica of the abode built in 1405 for Gwenhwyfar, a fairy of legendary grace and peerless beauty. The cottage has thick 'stone' walls, a spellbinding turret, and a secret compartment in the back with UL-approved light and electrical cord to light the cottage from within. Add even more enchantment to the setting with the 5-piece Primrose Accessory Set, which includes a durable resin cobblestone pathway, planter, bench, and two decorative urns."

- Buy the Primrose Fairy Cottage at HearthSong
(Look in "New for Spring" or search their site for the latest catalog page.)

Playdreaming in 11 of the Prettiest Hotel Pools on the Planet

2009-02-17T02:21:02Z

Playdreaming in 11 of the Prettiest Hotel Pools on the Planet

One of our favorite things to do is to lounge by the pool and bask in the glorious sun with cerulean twinkling ripples at our feet and sparkling cosmopolitans at our fingertips. Ah, if only it weren't winter. Although we post all of our prettiments from our Pretty Patrol headquarters in La La, it has been so chilly and damp as of late that we've caught ourselves playdreaming of jaunts to all the fabulous pools in the world. And here we have our most prettious of posts on the prettiest swimming pools on the planet...

San Alfonso del Mar
Algarrobo, Chile

Of course, we can't cover them all, and we're sure there are countless other refreshing jewels out there, but we'll start with the largest swimming pool on Mother Earth, the pool of San Alfonso del Mar in Chile (pictured above). It's at the top of our must-see list, and for several mega-fabulous reasons, not least of which is that it's the largest expanse of our favorite shade of blue in the world. The swimming pool is so vast it practically has its own horizon, and it is perfectly clear of slimy, fishy swimming things and sharks. Ah, we imagine ourselves just drifting away into a daydream here with no worries about crowds or the mirky body soup they can create on hot summer days. San Alfonso del Mar is just simply too fantabulously spacious for words. And did we mention the resort is right on the coast with a beach, too? It's a twofer, only 90km from Santiago, too.

The Palace of the Lost City
Sun City, South Africa

Last year we read a fabulous travel piece about this exceptionally fanciful and veritably palatial resort in South Africa, and we immediately jotted it down on our lifetime to-do list. Even just the one picture above conjures a fairytale in our minds, with princesses and treasures and gorgeous coteries of bejeweled attendants at your beck and call. Then the pool... The mere sight of the palace and lush environs from your poolside lounge must seem like you've transported yourself into a fantasyland. You must go to their site and look at all the photos, interiors and exteriors. It seems a delight we wish would exist in the States. For more info, we conveniently inserted a very compelling ditty from their website that should pique your curiosity well beyond mere piqueness:

"Nestled In the rolling hills of the Pilanesberg, one of South Africa's most scenic locations, Sun City is a world unto itself and has earned its reputation as Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure. Whatever you want, you'll find it at Sun City, from sizzling entertainment, world-class casinos and restaurants to cater for all tastes, to more relaxed poolside venues, quiet places, lush gardens and extensive sporting facilities including two world class golf courses. These are just some of the elements that make Sun City unique to the world's entertainment resorts. The Palace The Palace of the Lost City, fabled to be the royal residence of an ancient king, is truly the most extraordinary hotel in the world. The Palace lavishes its guests with 5 star service, and is luxurious in every facet of its fabulous architecture. The Palace is adorned with exquisite mosaics, frescoes, hand-painted ceilings - works of art you would find nowhere else in the world. The Palace has 338 rooms inclusive of four deluxe suites."

Hotel Riu Palace
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

On our past tour of Cabo, our favorite pool was this one, primarily for the palatial feel (living up to the name) and the tile work in the infinity end of the pool with the amazing view. If you love a little classically influenced elegance in a resort, Riu Palace Los Cabos should delight you. With beautiful pools that make you feel like you're visiting a billionaire's estate, it's our choice for the most grand and all-around pretty resort within the pretty zone of Cabo San Lucas.

The Spa Village at Pangkor Laut
Pangkor Laut Island, Malaysia

We haven't yet been fortunate to go to Malaysia, but Pangkor Laut is definitely on our list. The resort's fabulous pool overlooks the shores of the Strait of Malacca, which flows between Malaysia and Sumatra, and the spa specializes in Malay, Chinese, Indian and a number of exotic spa treatments. One of favorite touches to the resort is the floating of enormously gorgeous flowers in some of the pools -- they just look so pretty! Another pretty bonus is the peaceful absence of children, so you can sunbathe and self-gloriate without getting splashed or disturbed by little romper monsters.

Hotel Caruso
Revello, Italy

Another destination on our lifetime to-do list is the Hotel Caruso, which is perched in an amazingly cinematic strata with historic homes and winding walkways. How divine. Oh, if escaping to the Amalfi coast of Italy didn't sound pretty enough, slipping into an infinity pool with perhaps one of the most gorgeous views in Europe just makes our troubles melt away. Don't even get us started on the Italian men and the amazing food... What a dream.

Singita Sasakwa Lodge
Singita Grumeti Reserve, Tanzania

We've always wanted to go on a safari, and we've found our perfect place to launch our adventure, on the edge of untouched African wilderness. Before or after your tour of the wild, you can relax in a pool with a magnificent view of the plains of the Singita Grumeti Reserve in the Serengeti and just absorb the nature around you. The lodge is also exceptionally private with only nine cottages and a villa, and the price... well... ouch. You could stay here a week or buy a car. You chose. However, it's definitely worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Hilton Waikoloa Village
Waikoloa, Hawaii, United States

We've been to the Hilton Waikoloa a couple of times on the Big Island, and the several pools are the selling point for us, as the shoreline in Waikoloa is rocky coral along the resort's coast (although the sandy "A Bay" is accessible via a long trail). What we love most is the sheer size of the falls in the main pool. You can swim under and around them, and it's just fab -- plus, the sound of the falling water is so relaxing. We also seriously heart the special pool where you can swim with the dolphins... and the enormous lagoon where you paddleboat or kayak... and the view of the ocean of the main pool deck... and the... well, the fact you're in Hawaii! Although the Hilton Waikoloa is enormous, and is often considered the Disneyland of Hawaiian resorts (after all, it's so large it actually has a tram), it's also surprisingly quiet. You can stay in a bubble at the resort, adventure out to the rest of the island during the day and return at night without a worry.

Banyan Tree Seychelles
Takemaka, Mahe Island, Republic of Seychelles

Did you know some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are in the Seychelles? Oh, we do, and we'll be saving up for years to make the journey half way around the globe to nestle our toes in its glorious sands. When we get there, we hope to afford the Banyan Tree, which has renowned eco-friendly and sustainable resorts, and relax in the fabulous pool overlooking the tropical vista. Then we plan to island hop around the island chain, which stretches 1,000 miles north of Madagascar, and explore all the famously beautiful strands.

La Casa Que Canta
Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Ooh, another celebrity hot spot in Mexico. Who knew? We won't tell you who we saw here, but he was a hot-hot-hotty! La Casa Que Canta is known for its cozy, private pools that seem to merge with Zihuatanejo Bay below. You won't be pestered by obnoxious tourists here. Plus, the petite resort's architecture makes it an absolute Mexican charmer, and its location on the western Mexico coast is a nice change from the overdeveloped resort areas like Acapulco, which is about a four hour down the coast.

Villa d'Este
Cernobbio, Italy

How about a luxurious estate that's more than 450 years old? The Villa d'Este is an Italian jewel that once was a royal residence until became a hotel in 1873. In the summer months, exploring the Renaissance gardens is like stepping into a movie, and we're sure many films have been shot here. Another brilliant touch is the floating pool deck which jutts out into Lake Como. Although the unique pool itself isn't chic and megafabulous in its own right, its simplicity accentuates the most amazing view of serene waters and the mountains in the distance.

Mandalay Bay
Las Vegas, United States

Ah, our all-time favorite fall-back pool destination in Vegas. Fortunately, we're only a short flight or four-hour drive away. The Mandalay Bay is renowned for its enormous wave pool, circling river and fabulous Moorea Beach club pool. We heart the cabanas to escape the insanely hot desert sun and the somewhat overburdernsome crowds. However, it's the perfect spot to play midweek hookie. If you're looking for the hottest party crowd however, you ought to head over to the Hard Rock pool. Woo! The boys there are simply gorgeous.

Ooh, How Amazon's New Kindle 2 Has Elegantly Warped Ahead Delight Years

2009-02-10T08:00:00Z

Ooh, How Amazon's New Kindle 2 Has Elegantly Warped Ahead Delight Years

When the first Kindle came out we thought it was a great idea, but the actual product was a little boxy, a little odd to handle, and a little aesthetically icky in the um-did-you-mean-to-steal-this-from-the-doctor's-examining-room kind of way. You know what we mean? Like it was something to track your meds or calories on, and you'd be reminded of every morsel you'd eaten that day every time you tapped a new page, as if Jenny Craig was getting up-to-the-minute downloads of your progress like some obsessive-compulsive robotron. Total creepers! Anyway... Fortunately, the new Kindle 2 from Amazon is nothing like that. It's times prettier!

We give a pretty-perfect double sizzle-smack for the new Kindle 2, which has managed to elegantly reinvent itself in a fab debut. The new Kindle 2 is tres chic and sleek like a Macintosh Airbook, only about 1/3" thin and 10 ounces light. It's also faster, with quicker page turning and the fantabulous 3G wireless downloading that's divinely convenient. Oh, and we love the crisper text and shading, which helps your eyes tremendously depending on the lighting condition of your reading nook, whether your reading nook is temporary or not. The new Kindle 2 also feels much smoother and is easier to port. And with 230,000 titles available now... Wooosh, my how have the delight years have passed. If someone would've told us when we were children that we could zap an entire library into a fancy little clipboard, we would have thought that had been abducted by Captain Kirk. Icky.

Needless to type, we give our full Pretty Patrol seal of approval to this slim slice of Martha Stewart-approved wonder. Now, of course, we can't wait for them to make them in designer colors! The Kindle 2 hits the market on Feb. 24, but Amazon just started to accept pre-orders. Read fabulously!

- Buy Amazon's Kindle 2

Spectacularly Sweet Sprinkles Cupcakes for Special Occasions

2009-02-07T03:58:44Z

Spectacularly Sweet Sprinkles Cupcakes for Special Occasions

If you live in Los Angeles, you probably have already tasted or at least heard of Sprinkles Cupcakes' scrumptious stars of glowing cakey goodness and melt-in-your-mouth-as-you-melt-into-bliss icing. Whether you love the red HOT velvet, the ginger lemon or the chocolate marshmallow, there are many fabulous flavors to lift your tastebuds into sugar-blessed epiphany. Gourmet cupcakes... Mmmm.

Fortunately, the gourmet cupcakery trend is starting to take off across the country! Sprinkles Cupcakes has been leading the way with owner Candace Nelson's mission to create lovely memories with delicious desserts. How pretty sweet! Our favorite Sprinkles tradition is their devotion to making holidays special with calendar-specific cupcakes only available for limited periods each year, with delights like XOX cupcakes for Valentine's or MOM cupcakes around Mother's Day.

Sprinkles Cupcakes currently has locations in Beverly Hills, Calif., Newport Beach, Calif., Palo Alto, Calif., Dallas, Tex., and Scottsdale, Ariz., with more than a dozen locations opening in the future. Yay! You also can order Sprinkles online, you know, like for your Valentine's shnookums or wedding party or expectant mother or girlfriend or wife or teacher... or us. :)

- Sprinkles Cupcakes

Five Fab Organic Bouquets for Valentine's

2009-01-28T07:20:57Z

Five Fab Organic Bouquets for Valentine's

Ooh la la, the month of love is almost upon us, and we most earnestly demand to be showered with flowers, lavished with loveglances and celebrated with all the absolute self-glory of our own prettiment. Mmm... and chocolate, too. But we digress.

So the flowers. Let's just share our favorite floral arrangements for Valentine's. Of course, they all come from our favorite florist, Organic Bouquet, which has a passion for beauty and eco-friendly prettiment -- so they're doubly darling. Our favorite bouquet this year is the Shades of Love Bouquet pictured above, which is the perfect balance between being too over-the-top on one side of the spectrum and too non-committal on the other.

Our other faves are shown below. Go for...

Passion Roses and Stargazing Lilies if you're spicing things up with a more whimsical, lighthearted lover.

Sunny Gerbera Daisies if you're in a new relationship and want to enjoy growing closer at love's own pace.

Assorted Roses if you want to show you have a genuine, natural love that grows even more as you become closer, as the wider range of colors connotes a deeper understanding of different levels of the soul.

Cherry Roses if you're super-hot-serious in love or want to renew your passion with a grander gesture (with two or three dozens).

Masterful Makeover Series: Brunch, Bubbly and Beautiful Views in The Penthouse

2009-01-21T08:00:00Z

Masterful Makeover Series: Brunch, Bubbly and Beautiful Views in The Penthouse

Ooh! Who doesn't love a makeover? We do, especially those that are just eye-popping perfect. So we're delighted to start another Pretty Patrol series: Masterful Makeovers. Turn fug into fantasy, we say. Make it pretty. Whatever you do, just make it pretty.

Our first masterful makeover stop is The Penthouse, formerly known as... gasp... Toppers (Doesn't that sound like a strip bar?). If any of you are familiar with the SaMo coast (i.e., Santa Monica, CA) and the Third Street Promenade, the name Toppers might ring a slight bell. For those who don't, imagine a hotel bar with chintzy tables, thin windows that rattle, the aroma of stale nacho cheese and a 360-degree view wasted on happy hourlings sloshing margarita pitchers to football. Ew. Stale nachos. OK, Toppers wasn't really about the decor, but about the cheapo apps and post-work gossip fluttering under the radar of high-decibel blowhard bosses. However, its amazing views of SaMo and the Pacific were utterly under-fabulized. More eyes fell on the salsa bar than on the lovely vistas. That's just wrong.

Thankfully, all that sticky, what-did-I-sit-in fug is gone, long gone. The old Toppers is completely unrecognizable, and rightfully so. The owners of the Huntley Hotel, on which Toppers so unimaginatively sat atop as a self-described namesake, totally seized the potential of the space and performed a masterful makeover, leaving no traces of the former uggo-ducko behind.

Although the transformation was completed last year (and we dare not commit the fugment of posting the before pictures), we finally busted our beautiful little selves over to The Penthouse to have a bubbly brunch in one of their champagne cabanas (pictured). The view is as lovely as it gets in La La, and the interior was wonderfully airy. The old salsa bar has made way for a more adult bar for cocktails, and a cozy fireplace setting flanks the inner section. The penthouse floor of the Huntley finally lives up to its name in peacefully chic style, and it couldn't be prettier. Bravo, Huntley Hotel!

- See more fabulous photos of The Penthouse

Decorate Dazztacular Doorways With Colorful Indoorframes

2009-01-07T08:18:11Z

Decorate Dazztacular Doorways With Colorful Indoorframes

We found another lovely way to add an extra dazztacular touch to a dorm room or any abode suffering form whitewashed drear and in need of a little spunky character.

Available from the design3000 Shop, Indoorframes offer pretty, plexiglass designs that easily stick within standard doorframes, creating architectural elements that can change with the season or your mood. We're particularly fond of the everso rosy, twirly design pictured above, and can't wait to see more designs in the future.

Decorate any doorframe with just one for a whimsical touch, or two for a curtain effect. Or if you're looking for a bolder statement, install several alternating down the top of a hallway or evenly spaced from the ceiling along one wall of a room.

- Buy Indoorframe Flower Art

Our 2000 Divine Series: Philips and Swarovski Crystallize Techno-Bling That's Bond, Legally Bond

2009-01-01T20:29:02Z

Our 2000 Divine Series: Philips and Swarovski Crystallize Techno-Bling That's Bond, Legally Bond

Happy New Year! We have many pretty resolutions for 2009 (One of which is prettifying our site, as we desperately need a makeover!), and we hope you do, too. We can only wish for an absolute delight year of further prettiment. Make it a pretty one!

So to help you feel divinely inspired and filled with loving laughter throughout the year, we're launching our 2000 Divine Series, which will feature more extravagant delights teased in any of the daydreamed adventures we conjure to amuse ourselves. Here's our first:

Imagine a high-styled spy thriller, like a cross between 'Legally Blonde' and 'Goldfinger', where Elle Bond, James Bond's long-lost niece from Bel Air, trains to become agent 0099 ("double-oh-nines"). She's dressed to the nines and ready to kill... for fashion, if she must.

In her inaugural assignment she's sent to the catwalks of Paris to find out who has been murdering Europe's top models with suffocating glazes of golden glory and strange bedazzled markings. After hobnobbing in the upper echelons of haute couture society, Elle's first break comes when she discovers a half-crystal heart lost in the satin sheets of the third victim, Mindalily Rose. To her forensic delight, the heart contains a secret: a USB memory key with a single file ascribing a color to every top fashion designer in the world. But what do these colors mean? And which Gucci'd or Versace'd goddess would be next? Prepster Duds? Javan Dream? Caymen Lagoon? To find out, strut along in 'Bond, Legally Bond'.

Ah... Wouldn't that be a riot?! We're already tapping away at a screenplay, but wanted to share our inspiration. Last year, Philips and Swarovski teamed up to make an Active Crystals line of beautiful crystal and stainless steel techno-bling, like the 1GB memory key heart pictured above. Now they've released a few more sparkly loveliments for our enjoyment, like the dazzling 1G "Lock Out" Memory Key below and the most fabulous earbud headphones ever! They're simply gorgeous. We're still expecting bejeweled birth-stone versions, but these still catch the twinkles in our eyes just divinely.

- Buy Philips-Swarovski Active Crystals USB Memory Keys and Earphones

Our Chic Chocolates Series: Vintage Chocolate Buttons

2008-12-30T08:00:00Z

Our Chic Chocolates Series: Vintage Chocolate Buttons

Mmm... There is only one thing better than chocolate: the promise of more chocolate. Our next favorite series is all about chic chocolates, whether fancifully packaged, masterfully molded, lusciously designed or beautifully baked into gooey goodness.

The cutesiest chocolatiering du jour has to be the haberdashing of classy Vintage Chocolate Buttons from Hotel Chocolat (UK and USA). Delight your tastebuds while nibbling on splendidly crafted bites carved in antique button designs. They're also the perfectly fanciful treats to set out for a party or to send as thank-you gifts. Milk chocolate buttons come in a vintage baby blue box, while dark chocolate buttons come baby pink. How delectably cute?

- Buy Vintage Buttons Milk (USA)
- Buy Vintage Buttons Milk (UK)
- Buy Vintage Buttons Dark (USA)
- Buy Vintage Buttons Dark (UK)

Our Pristine White Series: Bubbly Artemide Castore Lamps

2008-12-28T20:27:11Z

Our Pristine White Series: Bubbly Artemide Castore Lamps

As wintry weather sweeps the country we've been inspired to start a new series dedicated to wintry white decor. We've previously featured numerous pristine all-white prettiments for perfect pool patios and spa-luscious interiors, so we thought we'd continue the sentiment and make it easier for you to follow along. Just simply type in "Pristine White" in our search box above, and you'll see the latest prettiments added to the wonderfully white queue.

So our latest finds are simply bubbly fun lamps that look best when arranged in clusters. The Castore Lamps by Artemide come in all-white and four sizes, perfect for accentuating the bubbling-up simplicity of their design.

We think they're best for ambient light in large spaces, like outdoor patios or offices, or for primary light in smaller spaces that have bold, darker colors. Just remember to mix up the sizes and use at least two lamps if you intend for them to be the primary light source for a room. Otherwise, a solitary lamp can create an unflattering glare effect. We also love them for kids spaces, as they have a fancifully fun look that can turn any room into a bubble factory in one's imagination.

- Buy Artemide - Castore Table Lamps

Our Perfect Toy Room Series: Hand-Painted Archiquest Blocks

2008-12-26T22:29:29Z

Our Perfect Toy Room Series: Hand-Painted Archiquest Blocks

Have yourself a merry little Christmas? We hope so, dear lovelies! May you be surrounded with toys and joy -- and not just for the holidays, but for the entire year. We don't know about you, but if everyone shared in the simplistic prettiment of toys and fostering happier childhoods, we think the world would be a much happier, less violent place.

So to make our 2009 a little happier and brighter in these somewhat dimming times, we're spending the next year finding toys to fill the perfect toy room of our dreams. Check back and enter "Perfect Toy Room" in our lovely search box at the top of the page or look for "Perfect Toy Room" in our Favorites section, to see our latest pretty picks.

To kick off our Perfect Toy Room series, we sought out the quintessential necessity for any toy room: wooden building blocks. Although anyone can buy their own set of plain wooden blocks and create their own beautifully painted and designed treasures -- if your crafty heart so desires -- we fell in love with the fantastically hand-painted and lacquered line of architecturally wondrous blocks from Archiquest.

Aren't they just gorgeous? You can go all-out and buy the Deluxe World Fusion set of 218 blocks (pictured) or opt for smaller sets, like Kings and Castles, Legends of Byzantine, Pharoahs and Pyramids. All are simply spectacular, no matter how you stack them.

- Buy Archiquest Blocks

Boldly Colorful Incalmo Bottles

2008-12-23T08:00:00Z

Boldly Colorful Incalmo Bottles

We're always looking for pretty, shiny colorful things. Aren't you? Well, our latest finds are beautifully colorful incalmo bottles made by artist Michael Schunke. They're perfect for boldy geometric and rainbow bright flowers, like gerber daisies, daffodils, tulips and properly proportioned sunflowers.

Here's the little ditty about them: "Hand-blown glass using a traditional Italian incalmo technique. Three separate pieces of glass are joined while hot to create this form. The center band is made of a complimentary opaque band of glass with 24K gold on the surface, adding a subtle design."

- Buy Straight-Sided Incalmo Bottles

Pop the Question With the Perfect Proposal Gift Set for Loving Season

2008-12-22T08:00:00Z

Pop the Question With the Perfect Proposal Gift Set for Loving Season

Although Christmas is only a few days away, and you're probably winding down your holiday shopping for the season of giving, did you know that hundreds of thousands of men and ladies are just beginning to prep for the next big season, the season of loving?

Any little Cupid will tell you that marriage proposals peak during what we've dubbed the "Loving Season," which officially begins at sunset on Christmas Eve and runs through the very last seconds o' the clock on Valentine's Day. Nearly as many amorous questions will be popped as bottles of Champagne during these wintry weeks of wooing. So we wanted to share our favorite gift set for doing the deeds right and making the most wonderfully memorable moments.

We hope you'd opt for the Dom Perignon Luxury Collection Gift, via Wine.com, to cover all the equip du prettiment necessary to stage your proposal, as it's just everso tasteful and classic. The gift of courting essentials includes a bottle of vintage Dom Perignon with a pair of Riedel Champagne flutes, a box of Godiva 19-piece signature chocolates and a stainless steel Champagne bucket -- high-class all the way.

Of course, regardless if you're a guy proposing to gal, a gal proposing to a guy, a guy proposing to a guy, or a gal proposing to a gal, please don't forget the flowers! Even if it's just one, the floral touch makes any occasion so much more beautiful and sweet. Best lovewishes to all!

- Buy the Dom Perignon Luxury Collection - Wine Collection Gift