Cupcake

(Photographs by Sarah Jones; styled by Harriet Mays Powell)






Rochas moiré cotton paneled jacket, $3,012, with matching long skirt, $1,993, at Barneys New York (212-826-8900). Christian Louboutin velvet knee-high boot with crocodile heel, $1,075 at Christian Louboutin (212-396-1884).






Rochas embroidered synthetic-wool high-neck top, $3,374, and matching tiered long skirt, $13,362, at Barneys New York (212-826-8900).






Donna Karan Collection ruched silk-chiffon tie-front blouse, $1,695, and wool-and-linen pants, $650, at Donna Karan (866-240-4700). Louis Vuitton ostrich pumps, $1,180 at Louis Vuitton (866-884-8866).






Gucci poplin poet-sleeve blouse, $1,195, camisole, $795, and wool-and-silk trousers, $995, at Gucci (212-826-2600).






Chloé silk crêpe dress, $3,950 at Chloé (212-717-8220).






Yves Saint Laurent ruffled silk muslin blouse, $5,270, with matching skirt, $4,250, at Yves Saint Laurent (212-988-3821).






Comme des Garçons silk print dress with attached jacket, $4,080 at Comme des Garçons (212-604-9200). Christian Louboutin pony-skin platform shoe, $1,085 at Christian Louboutin (212-396-1884).

Hair: Louis Angelo for Kérastase Paris at Judy Casey Inc. Makeup: Regina Harris for Shu Uemura at L’Atelier NYC. Model: Ashley Thompson at IMG. Fashion assistant: Matthew Kane.

**nymag.com**

Watered Down
By dailycandy.com

http://borba.net/
Here’s the thing. Like you, we hate gimmicks. But also like you, we love cupcakes.

Love them like we want to have a passionate, scandalous affair with the spongy little delicacies. (Not love them like we want to marry them. Let’s be reasonable.)

And despite the fact that it’s the year of the pie and not the year of the cupcake, we still keep a special place in our cholesterol-laden hearts for Magnolia’s.

Now, we’re not suggesting that you stand in that insufferable line (like a sucker). But do consider the bakery’s new Borba-infused cupcakes. Remember that company? They make mysterious “age-defying water” with “bio-vitamin complex” that purports to get rid of wrinkles, zits, and other nasty stuff. When Borba magic meets Magnolia magic, you get cupcakes with supernatural powers!

Okay, that last part was a lie.

But here’s the truth: Age-defying cupcakes are not on the regular menu. You must special-order. By the two! No six! No twelve! Baker’s dozen!

Keep them all to yourself on a lazy Sunday.

And let the torrid affair begin.

Order online at borba.net for delivery or pickup at Magnolia Bakery, 401 Bleecker Street, at West 11th Street (212-462-2572). (Yes, we know, you’ve committed it to memory. But we have to list it anyway.)

By Faran Alexis Krentcil

As we approach the dreaded V-Day, anxiety rides high and bank accounts sink low—unless you know about a little secret called the Giftybox. Invented by friends Jerome Chasques and Nicolas Caillens, the Giftybox is a choose-your-own-adventure present: Each box comes with twelve “experiences,” and recipients get to select their favorite. That means whoever gets the Chocolate Addiction box (pictured) has options like gorging on City Bakery cocoa or touring a Flatiron fudge factory. Other possibilities include the themed French Dinner for 2 and New York Classes, which lets aspiring scuba divers and D.J.’s have their fun. For such a huge present, the Giftybox is surprisingly easy to wrap: Each box measures less than a square foot!

$49–$79 at giftybox.com.

http://www.giftybox.com/home.php

**nymag.com**