The elevator ride up to my office is typically packed with schlubby guys from Virgin Mobile and suits thumbing the track ball on their blackberrys who subtly harumph if the button you push for your floor happens to be below theirs, thus adding 15 seconds to their ride. Day: ruined.

This morning, however, two lovely young women were cooing over an Art of Shaving bag, with contents wonderfully aromatic to the point where I wasn’t quite ready to get off at my floor. Both told me about the store with great enthusiasm; I know all about it, but feigned ignorance anyway. I once rated competitor Mark Matthew in Studio City as best straight-razor shave in town over Art of Shaving for a Best of L.A. issue. I stand by my choice, though its resident barber at the time, Felix Diaz, has since opened up his own grooming studio, also in Studio City.

Art of Shaving’s products are indeed amazing, however—this gift set is now $100. Not sure who she bought the present for, but he had better be an appreciative boss/husband/uncle/etc.

Art of Shaving, Westfield Century City Mall, 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard. (310) 785-3993.