Described by Jacques Pépin as “the last undiscovered indulgence,” over the past twenty years pressed caviar has fallen out of fashion and availability, due to import restrictions. Today, Petrossian has reintroduced the intensely palatable delicacy, made of a carefully chosen combination of caviars, through partnerships with domestic caviar producers. Petrossian Pressed Caviar “1835” ($49–$203) is made from a secret Petrossian family recipe and is as delicious slathered on toast as it is tossed with pasta or folded into a perfectly-cooked omelet. 321 N. Robertson Blvd., 800-828-9241

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox has teamed up with online shopping source Rue La La to curate an online boutique based on her favorite finds for moms and kids. The items reflect Cox’s chic California style and include everything from designer jeans for children to vintage Chanel handbags. All the proceeds from the sale go the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (EDMRF), a nonprofit close to Cox’s heart that is committed to the fight against epidermolysis bullosa, a rare skin disease mostly affecting children. The sale runs now through 5 PM on November 17. 

Inspired by the French Riviera and A Place in the Sun by Slim Aarons, Marchesa’s Resort 2012 handbag collection is a kaleidoscope array of sea foam, fuschia, teal, tortoise shell and animal print designs. This Calf Half Envelope Clutch ($1,895) strikes a balance between feminine and ferocious with leopard print pony hair and the line’s signature rock crystal enclosure. It’s envelope design and versatile print will fold seamlessly into any wardrobe, making it the perfect fashion gift. Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., 310-550-5900

Pasquale Fabrizio, a cobbler to the stars turned designer, has led an extraordinary career handcrafting custom shoes for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie and Madonna. Fabrizio is now taking his brand to the next level with the launch of Q by Pasquale, a collection of couture footwear and accessories ($600–$2,500), and a new Q by Pasquale boutique. Set to open November 16, the Q by Pasquale flagship is housed under the same roof as Pasquale’s Repair Shop, a family business built on nearly 50 years of shoemaking experience. The Q by Pasquale line comes on the heels of Fabrizio’s most famous design—the world’s first wearable glass shoe. Handmade in Italy with a sole built of ultra-strong Murano glass, the shoe is in the new collection but taken a step further in a kaleidoscope of colors. Fabulous wooden wedges, painted leather soles and gorgeous heels adorned with 24kt gold beading round out the offerings. 5616 San Vicente Blvd., LA

In terms of holiday gift giving, little proves more frustrating then searching for a present for the person who has everything. Enter The Absolut Crystal Pinstripe ($1,500), a luxurious limited-edition bottle/decanter sure to delight anyone. An artful reinterpretation of the iconic Absolut vodka bottle, the piece was created by Swedish master designers Magnus Skogsberg and Mimmi Smart of Skogsberg & Smart using high-quality crystal from the esteemed Reijmyre glassworks in southern Sweden. Hand-cut and engraved, the design was inspired by London’s Savile Row and features pinstripe cuts similar to those found on suiting. Only 800 bottles were produced, each numbered and packaged in a handmade treasure chest along with two matching crystal tumblers, and will be sold at LAX (duty free) starting in December.

Buying in bulk has never been more glamorous than with this Crème de la Mer Legendary Luxury Set ($1,650, 16.5 ounces). The set includes more than a pound of Crème de la Mer packaged in a limited-edition case with a silver-plated spatula. The cream’s formula—primarily bio-fermented sea kelp—took twelve years to perfect and has a cult following that includes Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, who reportedly slather the cream over their entire bodies every night. Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., 310-550-5900

Barbara Streisand and James Brolin

Barbra Streisand was recognized for her philanthropic work on November 8 at the annual Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Gala. The iconic performer, who founded The Streisand Foundation in 1986, received the Humanitarian Award for her contributions to the fight against heart disease in women. Along with her husband, James Brolin, friends including Larry King, Marvin Hamlisch, Norman Lear, Rosanna Arquette, and Seth Rogen came out to support her. The event, which was held at The Beverly Hilton, raised $1.4 million for Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute.

Sophie Chiche

Passionate. Exuberant. Introspective. These are the traits that describe Sophie Chiche, founder of LifeByMe.com. They are also the traits that Chiche strives to bring out in others. LifeByMe, which began in 2010, focuses on one question: What is meaningful to you? Chiche—a native of France with an eclectic résumé that includes career and life coach, journalist, author, psychologist and mother of a teenage daughter—gets the conversation going. She has interviewed a wide variety of subjects, from media moguls and world-renowned philosophers to everyday joes, with the purpose of tapping into what makes them tick and relaying her findings via personal short stories on her site. During our invigorating chat with Chiche, whose own meaningful awakening came courtesy of a 160-pound weight loss after “a long, ten-year journey,” we learned about her quest to inspire meaning in all.

Let’s start by finding out what is meaningful to you.
SOPHIE CHICHE: What is the most meaningful to me is finding out what is meaningful for others, what takes people to the deeper part of themselves, and being able to connect there. I’ve never been able to quite describe it but there’s something that happens when people talk about what’s meaningful to them. They sound different, there’s a shift. I’m inspired by that.

Why did you want to create LifeByMe?
SC: I like to have meaningful conversations and was given an opportunity a couple of years ago to rethink my career and thought, what is a way that I can share stories? There was a moment where I was with Desmond Tutu, and he would say something brilliant and I thought why am I alone? Why isn’t everybody hearing this? I wanted to create a platform where all these nuggets of depth could be shared.

What were your goals for the site?
SC: The idea originally was to gather people and build a community with the core being “we care.” Part of what we were trying to accomplish, and are accomplishing, is making meaningful conversation less momentary and part of daily life. The idea is for people to realize what’s meaningful to them and to go out and live it. I’m not saying what is meaningful—what is meaningful to you is meaningful.

LifeByMe’s impressive list of contributors includes Deepak Chopra, Arianna Huffington, Mariel Hemingway, Kenny Loggins and Jason Mraz. How did you get them to share their stories?
SC: I started with a group of people, like my friend Arianna Huffington, and then began meeting people either through others or on my own. For celebrities it’s a great platform because they are so used to being asked who they are dating and things about their personal life they are tired of talking about. I want to know what gets them up in the morning.

Facing tough economic times, what would you say to someone who is down and looking to find meaning in their life?
SC: First off, what I’m finding in this economy is people are more in touch with what’s important to them. More people are also supporting each other, like when an earthquake happens—something that you don’t expect. Introspection tends to come up more in difficult times and makes you focus on what you really want in life. My advice is in times like this it’s a good idea to really go deep within, get creative with what you can do with your family instead of, say, going on an expensive trip. There’s also something about regrouping. When I’m stressed, I breathe. When things get hectic, take a deep breath and sit with your thoughts. The world is not going to collapse without you being tuned in for 10 minutes.

G-Star will be the first denim specialist to set up shop on Rodeo Drive when its new flagship opens on December 6. The luxury Amsterdam-based brand will occupy 413 North Rodeo Drive, where it will house a denim wall showcasing a broad offering of collection pieces and the finely crafted raw, untreated denim styles for which the line is best known. This Beverly Hills location marks the third and largest G-Star monobrand store in the US. 413 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills