SOPHISTICATED LIFESTYLES

Are You Affluent"

2009-12-01T09:51:00.000-05:00

So, are you?If you have $1 million in liquid assets -- not including your home -- you, my friend are rich. At least according to most wealth-management firms.
Before you break out the champagne and caviar, you might want to check the guest list. With about a million millionaires, that's hardly an exclusive club these days. (Try running a quick calculation. You may be closer to membership than you think.)
The truly rich dwell in places like Rolling Hills, Calif. (where the average household income is $305,700) and Munsey Park, N.Y. (average household income $117,600). Heck, even residents of Montville, N.J., No. 300 on the list of richest communities, aren't doing too bad, with the average household income in the $100,000-plus range.Feeling a little like a pauper? Pshaw. Most organizations define the "upper class" as those with an annual income figure of $70,000. The next tier consists of more than 47 million households that earn at least $50,000. Depending on where you live, your 2,200-sq. ft. four-bedroom single-family home is either workaday or a manse. When Coldwell Banker compared home prices in more than 300 markets, it found a $1.2 million difference for the same-size home in La Jolla, Calif. and Binghamton, N.Y.
While there may be a million-dollar difference in how our homes are priced, there doesn't appear to be a wide gulf dividing the haves and have-nots when it comes to filling our home entertainment armoires, walk-in closets, and heated garages.
Lately it seems that Richie Rich and the rest of us are buying the same stoves, cars, video cameras, and cigars. When our parents upgraded the cabinets, counters, and appliances in their 1950s ramblers, they spent just $9,000 in inflation-adjusted dollars. Today, the average cost of a kitchen remodel is more than $50,000.
Lifestyles of the rich and famous? We're living it. What do you think??

PETITE PUPPY

2009-11-29T19:04:00.000-05:00

The craze for miniature dogs isn't limited to American celebrities. The petite pets are popular in both Australia and Japan, although in Japan, the intensity of the interest in the trend is pushing breeders to try to meet Japanese desire for ever-smaller and ever-cuter puppies. And that is leading to some real problems for the animals. Inbreeding has led to crippled or deformed animals and puppy mills are producing more animals than the public can handle.
The most popular breeds at the moment are ones that are naturally small, such as chihuahuas. It is especially popular to get them in exotic colors, like the blue-grey puppy pictured. These unusual colors are recessive traits and repeatedly breeding for them, often using the same couple of dogs and their offspring because they are known to have the genes, is what causes the dogs to have unfortunate genetic defects. Many are killed at birth, but others lack limbs or are prone to deafness, eye problems and nervous disorders.
A prized puppy can go for as much as $10,000, making it worthwhile for some breeders to pursue these dogs in spite of the risks to the dogs themselves. Breeders are left to self-regulate, but as long as the demand is high, so will the temptation for unscrupulous breeders.

World's Most Luxurious Spas

2009-01-31T09:52:00.000-05:00

It wasn't so long ago that luxury hotels were racing to add spas, realizing they weren't competitive without one. Today, luxury spas are racing one another. The pressure is on--and we're not talking about your massage.As spa-goers become more sophisticated and better-traveled, they expect more from a spa experience than ever before, and they're willing to pay for it. The industry generates about $40 billion globally, according to SpaFinder, a New York City-based spa marketing and media company. So spas worldwide are adding private suites, Japanese baths, rain showers and an ever-more-exotic array of treatments, therapies and fitness programs, influenced by everything from the traditions of far-flung cultures to cutting-edge medical technology, in order to stand out, cash in and attract new customers.Sure, you can still get a basic Swedish massage at any spa worth its bath salts. But some spas, like the Six Senses Spa at Soneva Gili in the Maldives, are now offering Abhayanga, a full-body massage derived from Indian ayurvedic medicine that is performed by two therapists. And forget the traditional facial. At the Terme di Saturnia Spa Resort in Tuscany, you can have a rejuvenating salicylic acid mask, which exfoliates away skin problems like wrinkles or acne and leaves the skin looking fresher and younger.Even the traditional mud bath is passé. Terme di Saturnia now offers three varieties of mud: anti-fatigue mud, specifically formulated for swollen legs; toning body mud, which is laced with essential oils; and anti-cellulite mud, a mix of thermal mud and unspecified additives that promise to fight cellulite. And the cost for each one of these muddy luxuries? $70 a pop.It's not just the treatments and facilities that are changing at modern spas, either. To ensure a ready supply of clients, spas are reaching out to new groups of potential guests. "The industry is finding niches and catering the experience directly to them," says Lynne Walker McNees, president of the Lexington, Ky.-based International Spa Association (ISPA). "For men, they are changing the titles on the spa menu, changing the oils and making the experience less girly."See ten of the most luxurious spas in the world. Video: World's Most Luxurious SpasThe demographic of spa visitors has shifted dramatically as a result. Men now constitute more than 31% of spa visitors, up from 24% in 2004, according to ISPA.Click on the links for more slideshows• Slide show: World's Sexiest Islands• Slide show: Most Expensive Bikinis• Slide show: Most Luxurious Spas In The US• Slide show: World’s Most Expensive Hotels• Slide show: Summer's Hottest Fitness Trends"Throughout the world, spas are really catering to men with special menus, treatments, facilities, mens' clubs, scotch on the rocks--all the trappings you associate as typically masculine--to put men at ease," agrees Ann Abel, executive editor of Luxury SpaFinder, a publication of SpaFinder. "They need to take care of their skin, and they enjoy massage as much as women do," Abel adds. And now, there are more places than ever for them to do it.The Island Experience, a 100-square-mile private island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, is one example. The resort, which bills itself as an adventure spa, will introduce an "Alpha Adventures" program next winter, encouraging men to buff and beautify themselves in the most masculine way possible. Alpha Adventures will feature testosterone-filled activities like jungle hikes, sea kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, fishing and two nights of camping. (Lest that sound too much like roughing it, yoga and massage are available as well.)And at Chiva Som, an exclusive destination spa in Hua Hin, Thailand, men get a spa menu of their very own, which includes specialties like the Volcanic Pumice Polish, a body buffing treatment done with Italian pumice, or the Executive Hand Treatment, which tends to the cuticles and nails (which are shaped, but not polished), and ends with a hand and arm massage.Now that's pressure we can handle.Story posted on MSN.COM & FORBES.COM

Panasonic Home Theater Heaven

2009-01-31T09:50:00.000-05:00

Panasonic's newest evolutions in home theater Projection.
Panasonic has recently introduced two new projectors, PT-AE1000U and PT-AX100U. Whichever way you look at it, the perfect home theater projector is a Panasonic. Choose the industry's highest rated home theater projector, the AX100 - with Panasonic's Light Harmonizer Technology for amazing picture quality, even in well-lit rooms. Or choose Panasonic's full HD AE1000 projector for brilliant in-home cinematic viewing. Both projectors were developed with leading Hollywood colorists to deliver cinema-picture quality the way the director intended. Either way, you'll be immersed in an awe-inspiring viewing experience. Visit http://twx.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/34d0/3/0/*/f;57313269;0-0;0;12295590;4307-300/250;19121903/19139798/1;;~aopt=2/1/248d/0;~sscs=?http://www.panasonic.com/projectors or call 888.411.1996 to get the perfect holiday gift. *Based on popularity ratings for 720p projectors appearing on ProjectorCentral.com as of October 22, 2007.

ESTATE OF THE DAY

2009-01-31T09:49:00.000-05:00

Since today is the fifth anniversary of 9/11 I decided to look at one of the most fantastic places on the market in New York City. This 14-room home in a prewar coop located on the river front in the East 50s in Midtown Manhattan. The home has views overlooking the East River. The home has recently been renovated by famed decorator Tony Ingrao in an amazingly ornate style. The home is listed at $29 million. After the jump, a bathroom worthy of Marie Antoinette. Tell me how do you rate this estate? Post a response!

Another Million Dollar Cell Phone

2009-01-31T09:47:00.000-05:00

Another million-dollar cell phone is set to hit the market. This one, designed by accessories maker Peter Aloisson doesn't just have diamonds it also has encryption technology from Russian comapny JSC Ancort. This isn't Aloisson's first million dollar cell phone and he has festooned this one with rose gold and white and blue diamonds. It has 29 preset ringtones and has SMS, MMS, E-mail, Internet, WAP, JAVA support and a media player. The phone sells for $1.3 million.

The Pink Palace, Estate of the Day

2009-01-31T09:46:00.000-05:00

This pink palace in Naples Florida, has a prime spot on the beach and is located in the exclusive Port Royal neighborhood. Port Royal is considered one of the finest neighborhoods in Naples and Port Royal home owners are eligible for membership in the exclusive Port Royal Club.The Port Royal Club is comparable to the most distinguished private clubs in the United States and offers fine dining, tennis courts, a heated swimming pool and numerous other luxurious amenities. This home is on 1.9 acres and has five bedrooms in the main house. There are also two guesthouses and a pool with a view. The decor is all sherbet tones and white trim with plenty of French doors ready to be popped open at a moment's notice to catch an ocean breeze. This expansive Florida estate is listed at $24.9 million. After the jump, but isn't she pretty in pink?

Djibouti. A luxury military choke point.

2007-03-07T15:50:00.000-05:00

Western soldiers are a common sight in Djibouti. There are Western troops all over the place. The hotel in Djibouti’s nondescript capital was filled with German soldiers – the first I have ever encountered. Near the airport, a gaggle of French troops wearing camouflage fatigues and absurdly short shorts were marching along the road. A Mirage jet from the French air force screamed overhead.
French warships regularly visit the harbour a few miles away. France seized Djibouti in the 19th century and kept the tiny country as a colony until as recently as 1977. Paris ensured that Djibouti’s independence treaty enshrined its right to keep a military presence here in perpetuity. An old French base, known as Camp Lemonier, is now home to about 2,300 Americans from the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa.

Djibouti is Africa’s smallest countries, with only 500,000 people, resembles a camp for European and Americanarmies. Why? The Red Sea joins the Indian Ocean alongside Djibouti, making it one of the most strategically important locations on earth. This strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea makes Djibouti an important port for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. It makes an interesting and exotic yachting destination, and the city is laid out on a grid, making it very easy to explore in an afternoon.

Djibouti is a blend of colonial French and modern Arabic, and visitors are treated with traditional African hospitality. The Central Market just south of town is worth seeing, and is the best place to go if you’re hungry. Spicy, oven-baked or barbecued fish is a local specialty that you shouldn’t miss. The Aquarium Tropical de Djibouti is one of the town’s main attractions, open daily from 4 to 6:30pm, except during Ramadan. The best beaches are near the city of Dorale, and you can boat to the islands of Maskalii and Moucha in the Gulf of Tadjoura. Swimming, diving and snorkeling are excellent in the Red Sea coral reefs not far from the city of Djibouti. The climate here is mostly hot and humid, with the best time to visit being November to mid-April when it is less hot. Rainfall is less than five inches per year and vegetation is sparse or non-existent.

Here, Africa and Arabia are only 17 miles apart, separated by the Bab-El-Mandeb straits (which translates, appropriately enough, as the “Gates of Tears”). Giant tankers carry 3.3 million barrels of oil through this natural corridor every day. Last year, about 17,000 ships entered the “Gates of Tears”. This is what military planners call a “choke-point”. If terrorists were able to disable or destroy a super-tanker here, they could block the Bab-El-Mandeb and cause huge damage to the world economy. This explains the Western presence. But what do ordinary Djiboutians make of it? Post what you think today!

(Note:This Story was origionally posted by david.blair@telegraph.co.uk at 20 Oct 06 18:18)

World's Most Expensive Jeans

2006-12-21T13:42:00.000-05:00

Forbes has the scoop on the most expensive jeans. They cite trends towards custom-fitted denim and lots of added detailing, including embroidery and crystals, as major reasons that prices were driven upwards, but not every pair on their list has these features. The single most expensive pair was 115-year old Vintage Levis sold on eBay for $60,000, followed by the significantly newer Ernest Sewn custom jeans, which cost up to $1,000 per pair.
Other pairs we liked this year included Levis iPod Jeans and Denim for Immortality Jeans, though we also liked the opportunity to make our own from Denim Design Lab.

Pamper Yourself. BringThe Spa Home!

2006-12-06T15:21:00.000-05:00

Any day is the right day to pamper yourself. Cozy loungewear and luxurious products help you relax and unwind. Plus, these products are “mental health investments,” since, unlike a single spa visit, these last and last and last. A cotton sateen sheet set is perfect for breakfast in bed. Splurge on the highest quality you can afford, to give you the feeling of staying in a four-star hotel. Loungewear creates a perfect excuse to relax all day and forget about your usual hectic schedule. Soft cotton separates, such as yoga pants or casual tops can also be combined with jeans and trousers for fashionable, yet comfortable looks on more “real world” days. What’s a spa without beauty treatments? Give yourself the full spa experience with a plush cotton robe and stock the bathroom with cotton-centric products like cotton-scented candles, cleansers and bath mitts. Keeping your spa pantry stocked means that you have a relaxing escape at your fingertips when you need it most. Luxurious cotton sheets, comfy loungewear and cotton beauty products are not just a special treat for you, keeping yourself relaxed and happy benefits the entire family.

PRATIMA Ayurvedic Spa

2006-12-06T11:31:00.000-05:00

At PRATIMA Ayurvedic Skin Care Clinic and Spa, a creation of Dr. Raichur, we have taken the traditional principles and formulas of Ayurveda and created a unique array of services to restore balance to your whole being, address problem skin, counter the effects of stress and aging, and cultivate a genuine, lasting beauty.
Each of our luxurious treatments are customized to complement your individual dosha (body type) - nourishing your skin with what it wants and what it needs. The products we use are Dr. Raichur's exclusive formulations, based on decades of research in Ayurveda, botany, and biochemistry, and are made with only all-natural ingredients and the purest herbs, roots, flowers, minerals and essential oils, with no chemicals or preservatives whatsoever.
From exotic facials and massages to traditional Ayurvedic therapies incorporating elements including milk, rose, sandalwood and pure oils mixed with herbs; each treatment and consultation is customized to complement your individual dosha (body type) leaving you with a revitalized, radiant beauty that emanates from deep within.

Are you Vata, Pitta or Kapha? Take this quick Dosha Test to help determine your own Ayurvedic constitution/skin type to learn more about the wonderful science and beauty of Ayurveda.
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Head down to SoHo for your favoritePratima Ayurvedic Skincare Clinic and Spa servicesand products!As of April 19th, 2006, we are excited to announceour new address as: 110 Greene StreetSuite 701New York, NY 10012(between Prince and Spring Street

Medical Pedicure

2006-12-05T20:50:00.000-05:00

I come not to praise your bunions, but to bury them!Or at least that's the thinking behind the medical pedicure -- a new trend in high-end beauty treatments. According to an article in the New York Times, medical pedicures refer to a treatment involving "extensive cleaning, sanding, buffing and shaping."Unlike the pedicures most of us have come to love, which typically involve strip malls, special foot-bath chairs and conversations amongst pedicurists in languages you do not understand, the medical pedicure takes foot cosmetics to a whole new level. The actual services involved in a medical pedicure can vary. If the service is provided by a medical spa, customers can expect to have their calluses, corns and ingrown toe-nails cut out with specialized tools. Some tend to be less involved and invasive -- offering customers a thorough cleaning and shaping that still trumps what you would get in your neighborhood nail parlor. And what is the explanation for this trend? My guess is over-exposed feet. With springtime shoes that are going from bare to hardly there, it's no surprise that women have started to feel self-conscious about the appearance of their feet. The beauty industry has tapped into a new lucrative market with this treatment, since the average medical pedicures range from $100-$300.

SAMSUNG PIPS OUT THE IPOD IN GOLD

2006-12-05T14:07:00.000-05:00

Because, apparently, there are enough My Super Sweet Sixteen types out there, gadget companies seemingly can't find enough reasons to bling up their wares, and Samsung is surely no exception. To commemorate the 1 millionth Yepp YP-Z5 unit sold, the company and interface designer Paul Mercer (he also designed the iPod's 'face) are auctioning off 10 of these 18k gold bars, which are predicted to net over $1,000 each. Go for it, if you're in Korea.

Wine Auctions

2006-12-05T11:28:00.000-05:00

Don't turn to Trader Joe's for a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck if you're looking for a good price on wine. The Wall Street Journal (subscription) reports that more and more wine lovers are heading to auction houses like Christie's to shop - not for the ultra-expensive or rare bottles of wine, but for bargains. Many lots of good, ready-to-drink wines, perhaps "from overzealous collectors, who bought more than they [could] drink," sell for well under $100 per bottle.
When people consign their collections to the auction block, they almost always have several lower-ticket items in addition to the really expensive bottles of Chateau Petrus that the auction houses take one either because they must, or because they're hoping to attract new bidders. Whatever their reason for offering the wines, the budget bottles are a boon to wine fans who find cases of their favorite vintages for less than retail. The self-described "bottom feeders" say that it just takes a little research on the catalogue listings to sniff out the best deals, but to come home with some good wines at even better prices, it is worth the effort.

GUILDED MAGIC

2006-11-18T12:25:00.000-05:00

Sure, you could pick up your own seashells on the beach but they won't come pre-gilded. Ruzzetti and Gow sells a variety of gilded seashells that are far better than anything you could put in your pocket while beachcombing. The shells range from the exotic murex to the iconic sand dollar and are priced from $50 to $225. They also offer shells and coral dipped in silver.

ARMANI HIV/AIDS CHARITY

2006-11-08T10:04:00.000-05:00

Red) is a charitable effort that is designed to raise money for the Global Fund to support HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, especially in underfunded and underprivileged areas of the world. Armani is one of the designers participating in the program and his newest addition to the Armani Red line is an Inspi(Red) Watch. The watch has a 43mm stainless steel case with a coin-raised bezel and a leather strap. The strap is available in either black with red contrast stitching or red with black (pictured). It is a unisex timepiece and has an extra-large numerical display for easy readability. It is available in all Armani stores and the retail price should be $225.

Mercedes-Benz S6000

2006-11-05T06:05:00.000-05:00

The last thing we are thinking about is the winter holidays but Mercedes-Benz is showing off the new 2007 CL600 flagship coupe which will debut in the Saks Fifth Avenue's "The Gift" Holiday catalog. The 20 Saks Special Edition CL600 coupes have a Mystic White exterior, Porcelain Nappa leather and Piano Lacquer Black interior with five-spoke 18" wheels, and a 510-hp twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Pricing has yet to be announced this year but last year's 20 S600 flagship sedans which cost $145,775 sold out in less than ten minutes. The catalog comes out in October. A shot of the interior is after the jump.

My Trip to Verona

2006-10-31T15:37:00.000-05:00

Duing my recent trip to Verona Italy, I enjoyed visiting classical and medieval monuments, a picturesque town center where bright geraniums bloom in window boxes, and a romantic reputation, thanks to its immortalization as the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It is one of Italy's most alluring cities, despite extensive industrialization and urban development in its newer sections. There's an opulence in the air and in the shops that line the red Verona marble pavements with their enticing and elegant wares. Inevitably, with its lively Venetian feel, proximity to Lake Garda, and renowned summer opera season, it attracts hordes of tourists, especially vacationing Germans and Austrians, who drive over the Brenner Pass.

G. Jackson

Scott's Hotel, Estate of the Month

2006-10-31T15:09:00.000-05:00

Join me for a little fantasy this Friday. Today's estate is the chance to buy a restored 18th century hotel in Spain. This charming small hotel is located in Mallorca´s wine region, an area whose charm has not been completely exploited yet. The hotel has 17 bedrooms total: five full suites, one junior suite, two super king doubles, two king doubles, three queen doubles, three twins and two singles. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning. The hotel also has an indoor spa pool. Enjoy breakfast with your guests on the sunsplashed terraces or in the indoor breakfast room. Gather in the evening in the library, bar, or the inner courtyard garden. It is listed at 6 million euros. You can see even more pictures at the Scott's Hotel website. After the jump, who needs the Tuscan sun?
G. Jackson

Classic Harbor Line Cruise

2006-10-19T11:29:00.000-04:00

It's prime leaf-peeping season but you don't need to haul yourself up to Vermont. The Classic Harbor Line is offering a fall foliage cruise that starts in Manhattan and meanders along the Hudson river. The cruise includes a brunch buffet and warm apple cider. The three-hour tour takes place not on the SS Minnow but on the Manhattan, a 1920s-style commuter boat that has an enclosed seating area, glassed-in observatory and heated and enclosed cabin. The cruise runs each weekend through November 12 and costs $85 per person.

Pet Pavilian

2006-10-04T16:42:00.000-04:00

This Louis XV Pet Pavilion is only for animals who really deserve to live like kings. It is styled after an 18th century French commode (which we prefer to think of as just a little building, since it sounds a bit classier) and is hand-carved from mahogany and rosewood. It is liked with antique-style Newton Ferrers fabrics and the colors and patterns can be chose to suit your own tastes. Customizations are available, if you need a larger or smaller bed than the 35" H x 27" W x 27" D standard, or simply prefer a custom finish. Price: $24,266.

Where to Surf in New York

2006-09-29T11:27:00.000-04:00

Main Beach Surf & Sport's mission is to provide a gateway for people to experience their natural surroundings on the East End. We provide the public with local knowledge, product knowledge and expert advice on how to best utilize those products. Our services expand our clients' awareness and experience of the East End's natural beauty. Our goal is to accomplish all of the above with great respect and professionalism.
Owner - Lars SvanbergLars has been a surfer, athlete and outdoor enthusiast for the past 25 years. Now 44, he has completed 10 Ironman Triathlons, numerous adventure races and marathons. World surf travel has been his first love and he has built the Main Beach store around this love. "Getting people to experience their outdoor environments in challenging and exciting ways has always been my number one goal," he says.Having surfed all over the world in search of the best waves the planet has to offer and sharing his experiences with his customers has lead to a perfect union of lifestyle and business. "I use and test all the products we sell. It's about offering and participating in what I love most," says Lars. "The ocean has always been my first love; surfing, kayaking, swimming long distance, or just bodysurfing. My whole life revolves around the ocean and it's natural rhythms."Main Beach Surf and Sport has imbibed this love for the ocean and it's local environments. According to Lars, "My store is a natural reflection of my life." It's a simple equation, integrate your business life and love for the outdoors and the ocean. A perfect symmetry unfolds: Main Beach Surf and Sport, a natural resource.
Contact
Main Beach Surf & Sport328 Montauk HighwayWainscott, NY 11975631-537-2716sales@mainbeach.com

Dyna 70 Foot Yacht!

2006-09-13T16:51:00.000-04:00

While at the Lido Yacht Expo I wasn't just mucking around the Earthrace boat, I also checked out the new 70 foot Dyna Craft yacht being brokered by John Beery sales. This boat has a very expansive feel with a spacious salon and four state rooms including two twins, a VIP and a master suite which has a Jacuzzi tub. The yacht was built in Taiwan and can hit a top speed of 28 knots but generally cruises around 20. The yacht sells for around $2.25 million. After the jump, join me aboard.

Renova Black Toilet Paper

2006-09-13T16:45:00.000-04:00

If you are aiming for a unique look for your bathroom, perhaps after a remodel, there is one detail that every single person will notice, despite the fact that they probably never gave it more than a half-second of thought in the past: the toilet paper. Using Renova Black Toilet Paper, imported from France, instead of the ubiquitous white will draw comments and compliments from guests, not to mention that it just looks cool. The paper will not match an overly flowery bathroom decor, but if your tastes tend towards the modern end of the spectrum, this would be perfect. Price, for a package of six rolls: $22.

A Canine Boutique

2006-09-01T15:32:00.000-04:00

We have seen bakeries for dogs that rival their human counterparts, but Zoomies is a store that has really gone to the dogs. It is a lifestyle boutique for canines. They stock a wide range of luxury products, from dog collars to dog beds, and offer gourmet dog treats, all in an environment that is relaxing for owners, in addition to being fun for the dogs. And if you want your pet's chew toys to match your accessories, try picking up some Jimmy Chew Shoes or a Chewy Vuitton Handbag while you're there.

Perdomo Golf Cigars

2006-09-01T13:20:00.000-04:00

Golf and cigars go together like beer and football and with increasing smoking regulations indoors, the golf course may be the last bastion of the public smoker. This led Tabacalera Perdomo to introduce the new Perdomo Golf line. The new cigar line comes in eight sizes from a petit corona to the types of larger cigars that may take half a round of golf to finish. The cigars have a Connecticut shade wrapper and all the tobacco is grown in Nicaragua. The cigars retail from $4.50 to $10 and a golf pack called The Caddy which has four tubed Perdomo Golf cigars, four customized golf balls and a cigar cutter is also available.

Entry Upgrades

2006-09-01T11:50:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! An easy way to create and upscale appearance for an entrance is to upgrade it with designer wood moldings. This project was completed in 2 days. Visit Dykes Lumber for decorative moldings. www.dykeslumber.com.

G. Jackson

Diamond Education

2006-09-01T09:48:00.000-04:00

Diamond education is actually harder to come by than you might expect. If you go to the mall (affectionately known as the maul in the industry) I guarantee the salespeople will not educate you about diamonds. The few who appear to be educating you are very slanted toward pushing their products, so what you get for an “education” is nothing but a bluff. One maul store tried to sell very poor quality rocks with their “proprietary” cut that was really nothing special, but it gave them justification for inflating the price on very cheap rocks. There are four main factors to consider with a diamond: Carat Weight, Color, Clarity, and Cut. To that I personally add Commission, Commodity Value, and Cost, because as a man I want to get the best value for my commodity, while at the same time valuing the emotion involved.
Buying a diamond involves a lot of trade-offs, and each person wants something different when it comes to carat, color, clarity, cut, and cost. Taking those five “C’s,” pick 4 and we’ll talk.
Carat Weight
Carat weight is easy to understand – the bigger the diamond, the more carat weight it has. For an engagement ring, your woman will look at it several times a day for the rest of her life, some estimate a million views in her lifetime, and let’s face it, size matters. A one carat stone where I come from is basically ridiculously enormous, but the effect shoud be to really pamper communicate that someone is ridiculously special to you.
Color
Color is easy to understand as well. The scale goes from D which is completely colorless and for normal jewelry ranges to about J, which has a noticeable yellow tint when you look at it carefully. Go with something in the GHI color category, because these are colorless to the naked eye, but some color can be seen under magnification. If you don't exect to put your ring under magnification or using special equipment most of the time, this is areasonable trade-off.
Clarity
Clarity has to do with inclusions. Inclusions is an industry word which simply means natural imperfections in the stone. A stone graded as IF is “Internally Flawless” and has no imperfections. VVS1 is Very Very Slightly Included Level 1, VVS2 is slightly more inclusions, VS1 has more, etc. VS2 is the lowest grade at which you definitely cannot see any inclusions with the naked eye. SI1 is the highest grade at which it is possible to see an inclusion, but it’s definitely visible under 10X magnification. I prefer to choose to shop between VS1 and SI1 for clarity. However, the SI1 end of the scale makes me little nervous, and since that’s where I often end up buying, let me explain why.
Cut
The cut is the only human-regulated part of the diamond. A diamond cutter gets a raw diamond stone from the mines and has to figure out how to make a masterpiece out of a chunk of carbon atoms. The important factor in the cut is how the cut affects light return. When you look at your ring, will you see something dull and un-amusing, or will it shock you with its brilliance and sparkle? Thankfully, there is science involved in the cut which helps in locating a well cut stone. You can find information about table percentage, pavilion depth, polish, and symmetry anywhere on the net, but I’d like to share some things which really made a difference to my decision. The crown and pavilion angles are not commonly reported on a diamond, but they have an important impact on the light return of a stone. A picture says 1000 words:
When a diamond cutter decides to go the extra mile, he can create an “Ideal Cut” diamond, with proportions within very exacting limits which should cause the maximum light return possible. When you start shopping for Ideal Cut diamonds, some things become apparent. The discount stores rarely deal in Ideal Cuts. The healthy wealthy stores like Tiffany’s and Co. do not deal in Ideal Cuts. Depending on where you live, local retailers are not dealing in Ideal Cut stones. This leaves the consumer to surf the net and try to find a needle in a haystack of options.Even though there is a bit of a premium on Ideal Cut stones, because they take about twice as long for a diamond cutter to produce as a non-ideal stone, personally, I like to choose to maximize on the cut.
Cost
Everyone is working with some type of budget. When you decide what you’re going to spend, and which parts of the other 4 “C’s” equation are important to you, it starts coming down to nickels and dimes. Should I buy a D color, VVS2 clarity, ½ carat stone, or for the same price should I buy an I color, SI1 full 1 carat stone? Each person must answer this question for himself, and that’s why you need the knowledge. There are a few sites on the web that sell diamonds from a list of available diamonds in the country. They don’t carry the stones in stock, and they’re all selling from the same list. These sites include bluenile.com and dirtcheapdiamonds.com. You can find some smokin’ deals on these sites, but there is a very important drawback to consider. Service! There’s a world of difference in buying a stone that has all the mathematical proportions correct from a list, and buying from an experienced jeweler who has the rocks in stock and can provide extremely detailed information on light return, as well as the mathematical proportions. In my shopping experience, I did not find this service with list sellers, I did not find this service with Costco’s wholesale jewelry program, and I did not find it with Tiffany’s and Co. Where I found this level of personal service and support is http://www.ExcelDiamonds.com with Barry (Baruch) Gutwein. Barry takes the time to help you understand the parts of the diamond market that were more confusing to me and make recommendations based on my needs and desires. For each of his SuperbCert branded Super-Ideal Cut diamonds, he takes the time to provide all this information:
GIA grading report MegaScope report BrillianceScope report Actual Hearts and Arrows photo Actual ImageScope photo Actual Inclusion photo Additional diamond photos Many sites will show photos of a “similar” stone, which isn’t what you’re buying! Don’t be fooled by this, be very careful as to what you’re looking at in the picture. Once you finally settle on a stone, make sure you put it into something beautiful. Take time to pay attention to the setting. Tiffany’s and Co. invented the classic diamond solitaire setting that is the epitome of elegant style in engagement rings. The classic knife-edge ring in platinum is very beautiful and does an amazing job of setting the stone in a way to maximize the effect of all that light return. Unfortunately, Tiffany’s sells mandatory blue boxes with each ring, and those blue boxes apparently cost as much to produce as the diamond and setting put together. I found that a frugal shopper could spend about ½ the dollars to get a perfect stone and setting without the blue box. Not all replicas are created equally.

Luxury RV

2006-08-29T12:06:00.000-04:00

This luxury motorcoach motorcoach from Volkner Mobil has a mobile garage between the axles that can hold a small car such as the BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK and the MINI Cooper. Up top it is a traditional luxury RV with a dining room, bedroom and bathroom. The new RV, which is being shown off at the International Caravan Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany has a slideout platform for the car.has a mobile garage between the axles that can hold a small car such as the BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK and the MINI Cooper. Up top it is a traditional luxury RV with a dining room, bedroom and bathroom. The new RV, which is being shown off at the International Caravan Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany has a slideout platform for the car.

WIRELESS HDTV!

2006-08-17T14:40:00.000-04:00

Flat panel TVs look great, sleek and far less bulky than any ordinary TV, especially if you choose a large screen size. Unfortunately, unless you have a niche in the wall carved out for the screen - which is a good idea, but can be a hassle - there will be wires along your wall connecting the cable, DVD and any other relevant equipment. The Samsung SPD-50P7HDT Wireless is a 50" flat screen that solves these problems. It comes with a wireless AV center to which all of your extra equipment can attach. The center then transmits the signals to the screen, hanging wire-free (except for the power cord) on the wall. It's only available in Korea at the moment, and is priced around $5,000.

Dorm Room Luxuries

2006-08-17T11:49:00.000-04:00

Dorm rooms, even the nicest ones, are not luxury accommodations by any stretch of the imagination. If you fill them with luxury furniture, install some wall panels and have all the latest gadgets, it's a good start. Unfortunately, this isn't really an option for most college students. Forbes has put together a guide to some affordable luxuries that are appropriate for a dorm room. The music-lover (or the heavy sleeper) can try the Portable iPod Travel Alarm Clock ($99) and a gadget-loving student might enjoy a miniature drink vending machine ($150), with a built in refrigeration system. And, to make the communal bathroom experience a little more bearable, try a monogrammed Horchow robe ($190).
Check out the whole list for a few more ideas.

Caressa K Yacht Launched!

2006-08-15T11:57:00.000-04:00

We talk quite a lot about yachts here, as they are one of the most luxurious things that money can buy. This week, the Wall Street Journal took a look at some of our favorite ships, dubbing them McYachts(subscription req'd), due to the constant competition among enthusiasts for the biggest and best boats with the most luxury features. They also put together a convenient pricing guide, defining how much you can get for the amount you're willing to pay. Keep in mind this is just a ballpark, but it's a good place to start if you're thinking of getting into the game.
$2 million - 60-ft yacht with two staterooms, a salon and a dining area
$20 million - 140-ft yacht with 3 decks above water, 5 staterooms and an aft deck
$50 million: 190-ft yacht with 4 decks above water, a sky lounge and an elevator
$75 million - 250-ft yacht with a gym, pool, helicopter pad and garage (helicopter may or may not be included; pilot extra)
$194 million - 450-ft yacht with a theater, spa, salon and a wood burning fireplace, in addition to everything listed above and a good deal more.

Luxury Tipping Guide

2006-08-14T22:31:00.000-04:00

Forbes has answered a very interesting question pertaining to tipping. With all the luxury services that new hotels offer, there are many more people that you will come into contact with than just the porter and the maid. How do you know who to tip and - more importantly - how much to tip?
The first lesson is that some resorts are all-inclusive and will have a "resort fee" added to the bill (15-20% against the room rate) that is to be distributed as tips for the employees; no additional tipping is necessary here, and many employees will not accept them. If this is not the case at your hotel, employees who should be tipped include the concierge, doormen, drivers, pool attendant and those who offer special services, like masseurs. See the full guide for details on who gets a dollar, who gets 20% and what you should expect in return.
And don't forget the maid. Leave a few dollars a day, depending on the size of the room and the size of your mess.

1016 Madison Ave NY, A Grand Estate

2006-08-14T22:22:00.000-04:00

This latest blockbuster piece of real estate to hit the market in New York City is located on upper Madison. The seven-story 12,000+/- sq. ft. townhouse has its original architectural details. Inside there is a large central staircase and elevator. The home has investment and retail potential. It has been home to a high-end rug shop and an art galley. This amazing property is listed at $48 million. After the jump, just a tease of the grand scale of this home.

Pitt Bulls are Vogue in LA

2006-08-14T22:19:00.000-04:00

Vogue may have picked the Dandie Dinmont Terrier as the top dog for the summer, but celebrities and celeb-wannabes in Los Angeles all seem to be picking up Pit Bulls instead. Jamie Foxx has two and one even has a staring role on the TV show Veronica Mars. The dogs are being welcomed with open arms by the dog-loving community in the city, and registrations have doubled in the past few years. But unlike the toy dogs that can be simply tucked away in a bag if they misbehave, pit bulls require excellent training and many precautions in their care before they make safe pets - and hopefully the trendy pooch lovers will keep this in mind before getting their own

Ralph Lauren Joins the Hotel Bandwagon

2006-08-14T20:58:00.000-04:00

Lauren of Nature
DONATELLA VERSACE did it. Bulgari are about to do it. And now style legend Ralph Lauren is planning to join the fashion hotel bandwagon. The white haired designer is currently putting together plans to move his international company into the hotel industry, and allow his fans the chance to take their holidays in true style. The designer hotel fad was originally kicked off by Donatella Versace, who opened the suitably extravagant Palazzo Versace on Australia’s Gold Coast last December. Bulgari followed suit by hooking up with US hotel group Marriott and promising to scatter their own version of the high fashion hotel all over the world over the next five years. But for Lauren, it is still very early days. “He just had the idea,” says an eager rep. “It would be really amazing if it comes off but really it has hardly even got to the planning stages yet.”

The Shave of Beverly Hills

2006-08-14T20:20:00.001-04:00

Where is the best place to get a shave in Los Angeles? Los Angeles Magazine just chose The Shave of Beverly Hills to their best of Los Angeles list. The Shave of Beverly Hills is an updated version of the old barbershop, complete with the revolving barber pole. They do the classic shave routine complete with the straight razor and the hot towel. The shop also includes a retail store and the place is decorated with an Old Hollywood theme that includes black and white photos of icons. The plethora of flat screen TVs make it just a bit different from the old-fashioned barbershops. A classic shave takes 45 minutes and costs $65.

NEW VACATION BEACH TOY BLOKART

2006-07-28T03:55:00.000-04:00

If you enjoy adventure-sports and other such activities which let your adrenaline pumping and don’t mind doing crazy things sometimes then how about trying Blokarting! Blokarts are the last word in go-karting fun and though its not as sophisticated as go-karting but it seems to be loads of fun! The Blokart is a three wheeled go-kart with an attachable sail which in no means can run on water but it can cover up to 25 knots of wind, reaching speeds approaching 70mph with its three metre sail.
IWantOneOfThose reports, “The Blokart is made from the most aerodynamic and high quality of materials. The chassis is made from high strength steel for durability, the axles and suspension out of fibreglass for optimum flexibility and bump absorbency, and the shielded high speed bearings are pre-greased for speed.” And, with such high cruising-speed, the Blokart weighs in at only 27kg, packs into a bag small enough to take on holiday and can be assembled in ten minutes using no tools. And, as far as the terrain it rides-on, you can drive it on nearly any large terrain, from the beach to a field depending on the wind speed. So, if you don’t mind going crazy having fun then put-on your seat-belts and start cruising!! The Blokart sells for a crazy price tag of $2,495.50.

Luxury Knockoff Items Hit Ebay!!

2006-07-27T16:26:00.000-04:00

If prices like that for some of the hottest luxury brands seem unreal, it very well might be because the goods themselves arent real.
Visit this link to avoid making costly mistakes.
http://reviews.ebay.com/Avoiding-FAKE-Handbags-on-eBay-LV-Chanel-Hermes-Gucci_W0QQugidZ10000000000049609

Wall Mounted Aquarium

2006-07-23T21:32:00.001-04:00

This was a great hit for my kids. Just like the modern designed fireplaces that can be mounted on the wall, you can now also hang-up your aquarium just like a picture-frame. And, not just that, you can experiment with your idea of keeping a lovely aquarium in your home in quiet a number of ways that will give a vibrant kick to the aesthetics of your home. I just told you about Shay Alkalay’s wall mounted revolving fish bowl that could set you back for above $2,000. But, that’s not it, I have brought to you choices galore be it a wall-mounted aquarium, or a fish tank loaded in a coffee table!! This wall-mounted aquarium (featured here) is a great artistic expression that will not just save you on your valuable floor or shelf space but will give your wall a lively touch too! This is infact a natural and better option to grace your wall then hanging a painting! The unit is a mere 4 1/2″ deep, so it will not protrude into your living area and it has room for up to 12 tropical freshwater fish (not included). TheGreenHead reports, “The aquarium features advanced filtration, lighting, air pump and heating systems, all encased within a clear shatterproof PCB composite that provides a distortion-free view.” The wall-mounted aquarium also has a built-in side-mounted LCD monitors filtration, oxygen levels, and temperature for precise environment control and it also has a steel mounting bracket for safe hanging. The wall-frame aquarium comes for just $299.95. And, if you think instead of this wall-mounted aquarium, you would go for a coffee table aquarium then check-out some really great options at eBay.