It was eight years ago next week that Westfair Communications’ iteration of WAG made its debut with our “Royal Treatment” issue, anticipating the wedding of Prince William and the former Kate Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with a family of their own. How time flies.
We couldn’t be associated with a more perfect holiday as Valentine’s suits us to a T – or make that tea. You know what fans we are of Tea Forté. So when we heard that the company made a Chocolate Rose Tea, well, how could we say no? This organic black tea, part of Tea Forté’s Noir collection, is made of tea leaves handpicked from the Jampuri tea garden and artisan pan-roasted leaves for a smooth blend that satisfies the chocoholic’s sweet tooth without the guilt. Buy the signature pyramid infusers or the loose tea, put your feet up and enjoy. For more, visit teaforte.com.
Sometimes, though, we say, “Guilt, be damned” – particularly on Valentine’s Day. The only thing we can think of that’s better than a cuppa Tea Forté is a cuppa Tea Forté with a soupcon of something sweet from La Maison du Chocolat. The house’s Valentine’s collection, Parisian Dream, features five creations: the “I’m Crazy About You” Heart, a traditional almond and hazelnut praline topped with an ivory chocolate plaque; Beaucoup de Caramel; Crazy About Praline, with almonds and hazelnuts; Passionate About Chocolate, dark chocolate ganache wrapped in a delicate layer of chocolate with passionfruit; and Over the Top, milk chocolate marshmallow enhanced with bourbon vanilla. For more, visit lamaisonduchocolat.us.
Another WAG fave is floral designer/perfumer Eric Buterbaugh, with his delicately tantalizing scents. For the most romantic of days, he teams with ClaireOlshan’s aesthetically-minded, functional snack brand DADA Daily to create three limited-edition Valentine’s Day gift boxes. What’s inside? Lip-shaped, vegan DADA Daily Schisandra Truffles, a custom-designed end table arrangement, a rose candle, LOVE DL & Co. matches, heavy weight luxury notecards with Eric’s signature quotables, a Paddywax gold wick trimmer and more, all dressed in a chic black box with ultra suede blush lining. For more, visit flowers.ericbuterbaugh.com.
Meanwhile, Lalique weighs in with a clear, crystal, gold and black enamel ring, bracelet and earrings from its new Eurydice collection, inspired by a Greek myth of a love that transcends death. Note the sinuous, scaly enameled design, representative of the snake that fatally bites Eurydice, sending her adoring musician husband Orpheus on a quest to free her from the Underworld. All piece are available at Lalique Boutiques and lalique.com.
Last but certainly not least, if you haven’t booked that special dinner or weekend, might we suggest the Valentine’s offerings at The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges, which is also offering the chef’s limited edition chocolates; the Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown, which we featured in our first issue; and The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester in White Plains.
We might do all of this. After all, it’s our special week.
– Georgette Gouveia
