’m always interested in how the “haves” live: Do their private interiors complement their public personas and vice versa? Fortunately, magazines like Architectural Digest and Elle Décor provide us glimpses into the (sometimes) beautiful inner sanctums of the rich and famous.

Is it just me or does it seem that, more often than not, we tend to decorate our apartments/homes in a style similar to that in which we grew up? Maybe this stems from being unimaginative, lazy or just having inherited ones fair share of "family heirlooms." While I think Ivanka Trump’s (and husband, Jared Kushner) Upper East Side apartment, decorated by Kelly Behun and featured in this month’s Elle Décor, is, without question, a sleek and serenely sophisticated space, I expected something a little more glamorously metropolitan and less austere. Even though she has decided to follow her father's footsteps into the world of high-end real estate, thankfully, she has forged her own road aesthetically, and has not adopted the overly gilded and ostentatious style of her father’s Trump Tower apartment. And while the infusion of cerulean blue definitely punctuates the space, offering visually electric pauses to the otherwise calm palette, from the lacquered desk to the bookshelves, it really does seem more like accents from that of a hip bachelor’s pad and not of a young, cosmopolitan couple with child. The beautifully colorful accents are very remininscent of Louis Armstrong’s 1960’s kitchen. Nonetheless, the apartment is still as chic as its owner. 

What I find most impressive about this home is the sophisticatedly chic silhouette of the foyer's hand-painted, meandering tree by Bob George Studios. Its seductively swaying and far-reaching shadows, seemingly being cast by the tabletop's branched arrangement, hauntingly appear to dance across the pale grey wall. (On first glance, does it not remind you of the evil trees from the Wizard of Oz's haunted forest?)

All images by Eric Piasecki

How many models still have a vibrant career more than 20 years after first strutting down the runway? Very few, I imagine. Having graced the covers of more than 600 magazines, Cindy Crawford has been blessed like no other. In The September issue of Tatler, she looks as sexy and radiantly beautiful as when she first burst onto the fashion scene; possibly even more so. What I’ve always liked and appreciated about her is that yes, she’s gorgeous, but she’s also articulate, smart and an enterprising businesswoman, from designing a home accessories line for JCPenney to promoting her burgeoning beauty line, Meaningful Beauty. Oh, and if those endeavors don’t keep her busy enough, she’s also a wife and mother of two.

 All Photos by Ruven Afanador

I know that I was just one of many young men who had a crush on Nia Long when she appeared in Boyz N The Hood back in 1991. "Brandi" was the film's "good girl"; a beautiful young lady that you'd want as your girlfriend, as well as, someone that you could take home to your mother. She had morals in an environment that seemed to be lacking in them.

I ran into her a few years later at Noteworthy Stationery in the Beverly Center, shortly before Valentine's Day. I chickened out on possibly meeting Whitney Houston (read about it here), and I didn't want to make the same mistake twice; No more missed opportunities or Missed Connections for me, I thought. I stealthfully sidled up to her as she rifled through the vast selection of romantic greeting cards.  

"See anything interesting," I asked. 

"Not really." came the sweet, but succinct reply.

I tried again. "Looking for a card for that special someone?" I crossed my fingers, all the while hoping that the reply would come back, "no."

"Yeah, this guy I'm seeing." she answered, with too big a grin on her face.

DAMN, DAMN, DAMN! Abort Mission. A few more pleasantries and there I was, left looking at cards that I couldn't have cared less about at that moment. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? I guess "Brandi" was a good girl, after all; dating only one man at a time.

DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!

Here she is, radiant as ever with her two sons, on the August cover of  Essence.

With Mother's Day just around the corner, (May 13th to be exact) here are but a few suggestions. in case you're still in the dark about what to get that most special lady in your life. Oh, and by the way, if you have children, yes, it would very nice to acknowledge their mother, as well. Trust me.

1. Flowers always work. Period. The key is finding out what type of flower/arrangement the person that you’re buying for actually prefers; not everyone likes red roses. If you’re able to use a local florist, I suggest stopping in to place your order the first time so that you can not only see the selections firsthand, but also to develop a rapport with the floral designer for future orders. If you must do a telephone order, 1-800-FLOWERS is known for delivering arrangements fairly true to what’s shown on their website. Once received, I’d suggest asking the recipient to send you a picture of them along with the flowers. That way, you’ll be able to judge whether or not they received what you paid for. 

2. Jewelry is another failsafe gift choice for the fairer sex. But, like with flowers, you may have to do a little research to ensure that the piece you purchase is truly something that your intended will love, appreciate and wear. Often gift givers, purchase gifts that either appeals to their sensibilities or gifts that they’d like to see someone wear/use, even when it’s NOT something that the recipient would wear/use in a million years. This bracelet is a very common style from Tiffany & Co. And just like with flowers, it’s always good to build a relationship with a preferred jeweler/salesperson. Also, like with flowers, you need to figure out what brand/style of jewelry the lady in your life likes: necklaces vs. bracelets, gold vs. silver, diamonds vs. pearls, Tiffany & Co. vs. Zales, etc. Do your homework. “A happy wife, makes for a happy life.” 

3. Fragrance can be tricky. Too often, men steping into department stores are bombarded with scent choices; from those sprayed onto strips of paper, misted into thin air or onto a beautiful salesgirl’s wrist and sometimes on your wrist. It can be a dizzying affair. Years after I stopped dating this one young lady, I continued to use Tiffany & Co's perfume as a car freshner, because while I had fallen out of love with her, I remained in love with the fragrance.  TIP: Look on your lady’s vanity & pick the bottle that’s almost empty... That’s the fragrance you can purchase next.

4. I recently came across a rather unique gift option on Oprah’s website: a mini Clementine Trees from Four Winds Growers. It may not be for everyone, but I know that it’ll appeal to the gardener or food enthusiast in your life.   $22-$40

5. No, these laquer storage boxes are not from that venerable New York jeweler, Tiffany & Co. (I won’t tell if you don’t.) But what, a wonderful alternative to the staid jewelry boxes of yesterday. Actually, these beautiful storage cases are from Swing Design, and can be stacked on a dresser or  displayed anywhere in the home.  And, they come in a variety of sizes and other color combinations: black/white, pink/white, white/grey...  
$75-$130

6. I thought that this was a very fun and unique gift: a miniature victrola (iVictrola) for your iPhone/iPad. They are a bit pricey, but, hey, this is Mother's Day we're talking about. Find them on sites such as etsy (starting
at $442) and  DWR $985. (Click here to see a video I found, on Youtube, of the iVictrola in action.)