Swindler's Remorse: The Bling's the Thing at Today's Auction

Those in the market for jewelry today may find themselves with a steal—literally—if they make the trek to New York’s Belvedere Hotel at 319 West 48th Street at 3 pm.
If you’ve been begging for a bracelet or are choosy about your chains, this is your opportunity.
A cache of high-end jewelry is up for auction today in New York City--courtesy of the Manhattan DA’s office. The eye-catching baubles and bling were taken as part of investigations against two stock traders—who were involved in two separate scams.
The quarter million dollars of high-end jewelry includes Van Cleef and Arpels earclips, a gold Cartier watch, and Hermes enamel cuffs. (Pssst-if you want something with the Hermes name but not the price tag, those are expected to start at only $25.) Loose diamonds can be had for only $4,000; they were originally appraised at far more.
Proceeds of the auction will go to the victims.
Former equities trader David Holzer is serving 5-15 years for stealing $16 million--from friends--that he had convinced to invest in “real estate” and other deals. He used the money to purchase topline vacations, a Porsche, an Aston Martin, and other pricey baubles.
Richard Garaventa, a former Morgan Stanley securities biggie, is serving 2-6 years for stealing $2.5 million. Both men pleaded guilty to grand larceny.
Literature for the Belvedere Hotel (212 245-7000), built during the 1920s and within walking distance of the theater distinct, describes it as--wait for it—“a hidden jewel.”

We Wish You an Edgy Christmas, New York Style

The holiday windows in the major department stores in New York are always fabulous (see blog a few weeks ago...) but this is New York, after all, and sometimes you want edgy or offbeat, not small-town charm. With that in mind, check out some of the smaller designer stores along Madison and Fifth Avenues to see what they’ve come up with this Christmas season.
Cartier, with its gigantic red ribbon wrapping the store, always has its display up bright and early (November this year) but it’s always worth a look at the building festooned like a gift. (Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street).
Not edgy enough for you? Wander on over to Calvin Klein (654 Madison Avenue) to gaze at the 850 pounds of glitter resembling dripping paint. The nod to the holidays comes in the form of an open picture book featuring Christmas trees.
Over at Louis Vuitton on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, the theme is "Departures,” but it’s the kind of traveling that is clearly only done by bored skinny world travelers who prefer cream and gold tones and whose endless itinerary make us faint at merely the thought of packing. Still, the windows are worth a look.
At Oscar de la Renta (772 Madison Avenue) the Christmas tree is actually a ball gown; and at Donna Karan (819 Madison Avenue) ponder the Halloween-like display featuring a plucked fir tree painted white against a black backdrop inside the store.
Too edgy? Have a fortifying cup of cocoa, and march on over to Macy’s, where it’s always an old-fashioned Christmas.