Dinah Cotton’s Luxury Gift Guide

Does anyone go to the malls anymore?

Then again, not all is as it appears online.

So, why not get your luxury fix here in town?

Luxurious has many meanings: extremely comfortable, elegant, enjoyable—and especially in a way that involves great expense.

Let’s take a stroll along Santa Cruz Avenue and look for the lux life.

Get a bite to eat. Buy a few gifts. And get up to speed on après-Covid style, fashion and eats.

First up, East Kennedy, at 50 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Where is Cinderella? Because here are her magic glass slippers: inlaid Abalone heels from London by Freya Rose, “Cher Verde Heels,” size 37, $1,399. Or the “Monica inlaid Mother of Pearl” champagne shimmer platform heels, same designer $699, size 38. Take a look at the vintage jewelry display, “Old is new again.” 

Romantiques, at 51 University Ave., was recently awarded Best Silicon Valley Lingerie Shop. It now has a sister shop called French Lessons at 14 N. Santa Cruz Ave., where Susan Testa and her amazing staff provide exceptional fitting services. Take a look-see at the French lingerie, upscale clothing and jewelry brands. What could be more luxurious than a proper-fitting bra? And then how about a long cashmere camel-colored coat with pockets to wear over your proper fitting undergarments? Cloud soft, $950. “Elevate your look easily,” Testa commented. And I agree. Cashmere sweaters, workouts and warm-ups to keep you cozy all winter. Pure luxury Tahitian pearl necklaces add the exotic touch.

Voluptuary, according to Oxford Languages, is a person devoted to luxurious living and sensual pleasures. It’s also a unique boutique along Santa Cruz Avenue. Go inside and take a look. Become voluptuous. Select an artisan necklace with aquamarine center and pavé diamonds dangling. $925. By God’s Crown. Or you could have the luxurious scent from the Green Flowers diffuser waft through your home. Created in Florence, Italy, this beneficial fragrance should last all year. $125.

At 24 N. Santa Cruz Ave. is Gallery 24, which—with the Los Gatos Morning Rotary, a 501(c) 3 charitable foundation—provides for a portion of the profits to support art and science education for the youth in Los Gatos and Santa Clara County. Why not drop in and take a look around?

Is art hanging in your home a luxury or a necessity? Get a piece of art that makes you feel luxurious.

You do not have to take the vows of chastity, poverty, devotion and obedience to savor Testarossa wines. You can treat your palate and imbibe in wines that have been paired with gourmet food here at the former Jesuit Novitiate, without joining the priesthood. Sous Chef Jennifer Contreras can help you decide on which sumptuous item to indulge in.

If you are at a loss for what to get that person on your list who has everything already, a gift certificate might prove just the thing. Why not bring that special person here? Let them pick their favorite varietal and enjoy a meal together. Perhaps the Santa Lucia Highlands Gift Set, a benchmark wine from a blockbuster vintage: For $204.30 you’ll get three nicely boxed bottles. You can get the 2022 Doctor’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, with blood orange, black tea and herb flavor for $81. Host a dinner party—with maybe 10 BFF or so—and all you have to do is dress and show up.

That, Los Gatans, is the height of luxury.