Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.
With the recent election of Barack Obama as president of the United States, victory parties are sure to be hosted for the new president from coast to coast. The president-elect’s celebrity supporters will surely spare no cost to celebrate this milestone in history. After all, he is the nation’s first black president.
Since no celebration is complete without champagne, we uncovered these bottles of bubbly befitting a celebration this significant and historic.
Krug produces a champagne made of 100% Chardonnay grapes from a single vineyard called Clos du Mesnil, for which they named this vintage after. The Clos du Mesnil has a very subtle taste of honey, which makes the experience quite extraordinary. Cost: US$ 750 per bottle.
Dom Perignon released a special limited edition of its 1995 Vintage earlier this year in a 3-liter jeroboam size. Only a hundred bottles were made of this edition, which comes in a white gold sheath that’s laser-engraved with the company’s logo. Cost: US$ 17,000 per bottle.
And if you’re in the neighborhood and looking to drop some serious money for a bottle of bubbly for the new president, the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow is offering a vintage 1907 Heidsieck champagne recovered from a shipwreck off the coast of Finland. Apparently, the wine was intended for the Russian Imperial family in 1916 when the ship sank. Cost: US$ 275,000 per bottle.
Why not get these colorful Baccarat champagne flutes to serve your bubbly in?
At US$ 225 a piece, these finely handcrafted crystal stemware would complement your luxurious champagne perfectly. They come in Barack’s favorite color blue, too.
When Halloween comes around and there is practically a license to eat as much candy as we can, we can’t help but wish we’d find more high-quality chocolates in our treats basket. That would probably depend on the neighborhood we choose to get our sweets from. We picked the top three on our list of choice cities all over the world where we would most want to go trick-or-treating based on the precious and expensive chocolates produced there.
In Neuchâtel, Switzerland, a four-year-old company creates recipes for an assortment of luxury gift items, including chocolates. DeLafée brings together two of life’s greatest indulgences: Swiss chocolate and gold. Flakes of edible 24K gold are applied by hand to each Swiss chocolate praline. The price? US$ 504 per pound.
In Dallas, Texas, we find the flagship store of Nōka where the chocolates are also handcrafted. The company prides itself in its single-estate chocolates, which simply means that each truffle, from its center to its exterior, is made of beans from a particular cacao estate. Nōka sources cacao beans from Venezuela, Ecuador, Côte d’Ivoire and Trinidad; a seasoned chocolatier would tell you that each region produces a distinctly flavored bean. This attention to flavor will set you back US$ 854 per pound.
Our trick-or-treating brings us to the town where the most expensive chocolate in the world is created – Norwalk in Connecticut. Knipschildt Chocolatier’s La Madeline au Truffe can be yours for US$ 2,600 per pound. What makes the Madeline so costly? Why, the finest ingredients, of course. There is a rare French truffle in the center surrounded by a ganache made of Valhrona dark chocolate and then dusted with cocoa powder.
Surely, Knipschildt will not part with a pound of this exquisite treat for every trick-or-treater who comes knocking on their shop door. No problem. One or two truffles will do. At US$ 250 per piece, that’s still one extravagant Halloween candy.
5 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, and a manmade waterfall feature. Situated on top of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, this estate is a total celebration of modernity and outdoor activities. (Well, outdoor activities then placed indoor). Basically there’s an indoor rock-climbing wall, full gym, home theatre, outdoor kitchen and a private canyon. And 100ft waterfall.
More fun amenities include putting area and, cantilevered pool and submerged Jacuzzi.
Not much of a story being peeped out about the owners or why they are selling. Yet in these volatile economic times, people are rarely questioning.
The views are stunning and interiors have been beautiful designed with a mixture of minimalistic influences and old-time glamour. Almost gets a little art-deco-ish in some rooms.
An evening stroll along the parameters of the property will provide you with stunning 360 degree views of ‘all the little people’ further below in the valley. Sunsets are a must-experience when inspecting.
I don’t know what is it about adding visible elements to perfume these days, however, it’s undeniably about to be a whole new trend. Solange Azagury-Partridge has come up with a far more exclusive, feminine and visibly glittery version to the blue ‘warpaint’ of Boudicca’s Wode.
‘Stoned’ by Solange Azagury-Partridge has only 30 editions in the world, is mixed with diamond dust to provide the wearer with a sparkley finish. Each bottle has been hand-blown by a London master. The fragrance is infused with notes of patchouli, bergamot, rose and jasmine amongst other floral and herbal essences.
Solange is a top jewellery designer in London, known for ‘breaking the rules’ in her techniques with combining unconventional stones or uncut gems, creating highly dramatic sculptural pieces.
“One day, every woman wakes up wanting diamonds,” says Solange Azagury-Partridge.
The limited edition Stoned perfume has been on sale at 20ltd since November 3, 2008. There is an engraving on the bottom of the bottle which tells you which edition of the 30 you have.
Featuring the largest and most exclusive penthouses on the West Coast, Setai San Diego is a new premier luxury hotel located in San Diego’s downtown financial district, due to open its 9000-pound bronze doors in early December, 2008. Designed by the Rockwell group and a member of the Preferred Hotel Group, Setai San Diego has zen-like qualities and luxury standards in service and décor.
There is a world class spa facility, gourmet restaurant, rooftop pool and deck, recording studio, private screening room, and 20,000 square feet of function space for events, meetings, balls or weddings.
“Setai San Diego is the perfect destination for an urban retreat, and we are delighted to be able to offer discerning travelers and luxury-seekers the highest standards in service, design, and amenities,” said General Manager Craig Waterman.
Each of the three Grand Penthouses feature three bedrooms, three full baths, full Italian kitchen, dining room, full bar, six flat screen TVs, and a rooftop patio terrace with sundeck, Jacuzzi, chaise-lounge beds, private massage areas and 360 degree views.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Rolex has come out with a limited edition update on their classic Oyster Perpetual Day Date, the Oyster Perpetual Day Date II. Upgrades include larger face of 41 mm (previous 38 mm), and choices of white gold, everose gold, platinum or yellow gold.
The watch comes with super-president crown clasp, and polished bezel. The white gold model comes with eight diamonds and two baguettes. The reigning monarch of all the Oyster Perpetuals to date. All gold models contain 18-carat of their elements.
With current economic volatility, Rolex has reported steady sales due to people’s belief now that such classic timepieces are a worthy investment, as it lasts and doesn’t go out of style.
Rolex is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and has its 100-year history and reputation of prestige. Rolex watch prices had even been bumped up 12.5% since October 1, 2008, yet nobody seems to have complained.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date II starts at $20,000 USD.
It’s already won the prestigious international Red Dot Design Award, and gotten itself into an exhibit at the 2008 21st Biennial of Industrial Design in Ljubljana. Weighing in at 17 grams, the Austrian-designed Purisme letter opener costs €350 ($450 USD).
Inspired by racing speedboats, the letter opener is made entirely of carbon fiber – woven carbon set in epoxy. There are shimmers and glimmers when you look closely, and an almost 3D effect in the patterns. Very futuristic.
Designer Mario Zeppetzauer created a product which not only is visually appealing, but fits well in the palm of the hand and gives you great grip. Measuring at 25 cm, the opener never veers off or makes a tear in the envelope.
The designer says he personally inspects each opener before despatch, and has also electromagnetically encoded a special message in each one. The Purisme letter opener comes in a felt case like a luxury pen.
InterContinental Rialto, Melbourne, Fully Refurbished and Open For Bookings
George Bush Thrown Shoes Wanted For $10 Million
LushDevelopments: Donald’s £1billion Golf Club in Scotland
Luxury watches requires luxurious treatment
For the Luxe Ladies who prefer Diamonds to Graffiti
Barack Obama's Victory Party Bubbly