Luxist http://www.luxist.com Luxist. http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.luxist.com/media/feedlogo.gif Luxist http://www.luxist.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Malibu Rum Offers Coral Reef Internship]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=cb8b0696576992ce356324bbbaf23979 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/malibu-rum-offers-coral-reef-internship/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/malibu-rum-offers-coral-reef-internship/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/malibu-rum-offers-coral-reef-internship/#comments malibu rum
The latest dream job offer comes from Malibu Rum although it's more of a volunteer vacation than a job. They are offering ten people the chance to " get a PhD in SPF" by participating in an all-expenses paid, 10-day internship devoted to monitoring coral reef health in Thailand, the Maldives or the Philippines. Malibu is partnering with Reef Check, a non-profit dedicated to monitoring, protecting and rehabilitating coral reefs. Those interested in apply can visit Malibu-Rum.com/ReefCheck to view the application which . Beach interns will monitor the reefs, snorkel, scuba dive and gain their certification. To kick off the internship, Malibu is releasing a limited-edition bottle, available nationwide July 1. Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2009.

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Malibu Rum Offers Coral Reef Internship originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> coral reef CoralReef dream job DreamJob malibu rum MalibuRum Deidre Woollard Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Meanwhile Ranch, Estate of the Day ]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=07b92cd48914d040b34810cbbf3c7d23 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/meanwhile-ranch-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/meanwhile-ranch-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/meanwhile-ranch-estate-of-the-day/#comments
An article on the Ski Channel recently pointed out that Neverland Ranch wasn't the only ranch in Michael Jackson's life. He also once vacationed at this home in Snowmass, Colorado with his children. Meanwhile Ranch is a 12,000 square foot luxury log estate. The ranch is on 56 acres which also includes an older four-bedroom guest house, caretaker apartments, an 1866 settler's cabin, barn, and a 1,500-square-foot workshop-auto showroom.


Jackson caused a stir when he showed up in Old Snowmass in 2004. He walked into the local Wal-Mart in his ski mask and employees, who did not recognize him, were afraid they were being robbed. An article from the time reports that the home was on the market for $16.5 million. It is now listed for $27.5 million.

[Thanks, Brandon]


Gallery: Meanwhile Ranch

Continue reading Meanwhile Ranch, Estate of the Day

Meanwhile Ranch, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> colorado estate of the day EstateOfTheDay meanwhile ranch MeanwhileRanch old snowmass OldSnowmass Deidre Woollard Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[deLaCour Liberata watch: That Much Harder To Tell The Time]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=fd14ade1c4ea9e93e394a5da41863c94 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/delacour-liberata-watch-that-much-harder-to-tell-the-time/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/delacour-liberata-watch-that-much-harder-to-tell-the-time/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/delacour-liberata-watch-that-much-harder-to-tell-the-time/#comments
Oh how I appreciate novelty in luxury watches, but this one could almost be described as a prank for those who actually want any comfort in telling the time. The deLaCour Liberata watch has a watch that is actually free floating in the watch case. It is not a new watch line, but I felt it worth discussing. The independent smaller case simply moves and spins around freely being called upon do to so by gravity. The result is a watch face that can be all over the place and in any direction. Thus you can't rely on 12 o'clock being in any regular orientation.

Why do this? Why not? deLaCour doesn't really care about taking over Timex - there are plenty of other watch makers out there who simply display the time without regard to being different. There is a big game in the watch world of "we are the first to do XXX." Though sometimes it feels like an answer to a question no one asked, or alternatively a solution to a problem that simply didn't exist. "I was just so bored being able to tell the time with ease." Look deeper and you'll find that my sentiments may be wrong. While not a luxury watch maker like deLaCour, Japanese company Tokyo Flash thrives off the release of oddly designed watches where deciphering the time is like doing a math problem. So perhaps my feelings on the matter are isolated and many watch consumers DO want these types of "novelties."

Unlike Tokyo Flash, deLaCour is a luxury Swiss watch maker - so the privilege of having such an avant garde watch comes at a much more substantial price. The watch is likely to be considered "unisex" (though mostly for women) and comes in several colors (including, but not limited to, white, yellow, red, and black). The case is in steel either polished or in the shown black PVD. There are about 6 carats of diamonds on the two bezels and in the center of the actual watch face. The case is water resistant to 100 meters. There is the issue of setting the time of course. The smaller case with the time has a quartz movement and is likely set via opening up the back of the main watch case and removing the smaller case that can be adjusted on the back of the watch. This also allows you to change the battery. There are various different dial styles as well. Want to up it a notch? The timepiece can be ordered with up to three smaller watch cases inside the overall case - for multiple timezones. Price is about $12,000 - $25,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

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deLaCour Liberata watch: That Much Harder To Tell The Time originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> case delacour diamonds free moving FreeMoving liberata timepiece WAST2057-0048 watxh Ariel Adams Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Bosendorfer Concert Grand Piano by Audi Design]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=341af5bea7de9e2345ec686b5b30f387 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/bosendorfer-concert-grand-piano-by-audi-design/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/bosendorfer-concert-grand-piano-by-audi-design/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/bosendorfer-concert-grand-piano-by-audi-design/#comments
Audi is well accustomed to making intricately-crafted, finely-honed, shapely instruments capable of producing exquisite sounds and performances to the highest degree. Just take a look at the R8 supercar and you should need no more evidence. But for the company's centenary celebrations, Audi's design team has taken on a unique challenge, and partnered with Viennese piano-maker Bosendorfer to bring it to life.

While Porsche Design's Bosendorfer featured some intriguing elements, Audi's take on the grand piano starts from scratch. The automotive design team had to learn what goes in to making a piano, and then turned everything on its head to produce the creation you see here. The Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano will make its world debut at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt, Germany, to mark the automaker's 100th anniversary on July 16, after which it will come to market for a rather suitable €100,000...one more thing it holds in common with Audi's finest automobiles.

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Bosendorfer Concert Grand Piano by Audi Design originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> audi audi bosendorfer audi design audi forum audi piano AudiBosendorfer AudiDesign AudiForum AudiPiano bosendorfer bosendorfer audi BosendorferAudi centenary centennial concert grand concert grand piano ConcertGrand ConcertGrandPiano egger grand piano GrandPiano ingolstadt piano wolfgang egger WolfgangEgger Noah Joseph Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Volvo Launches Sportier XC60 R-Design]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=6c596e6263472a4cfad1186739f79198 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/volvo-launches-sportier-xc60-r-design/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/volvo-launches-sportier-xc60-r-design/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/volvo-launches-sportier-xc60-r-design/#comments

Those impressed by the slick new Volvo XC60 but who were looking for a slightly more aggressive profile will be pleased to see the Swedish premium automaker's announcement of a new R-Design package for the crossover. Following on similar packages already available on the C30, S40, V50, S80, V70 and XC90 models - so, pretty much the whole range - the XC60 R-Design gets a host of changes to its mechanicals and appearance to offer a slightly more sporting experience than the ordinary version.

The R-Design XC60 is identifiable by lower body panels painted the same color as the upper body (instead of the contrasting black on the standard model), matte silk metal trim, skid plates, chrome exhaust tips and 18" alloys with 20" wheels also available. Aluminum trim compliments the interior, but underneath the bodywork Volvo has tightened up the suspension and steering to improve handling. While the R-Design package doesn't quite make the XC60 a high-performance vehicle, it's a bit more than a standard trim package.

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Volvo Launches Sportier XC60 R-Design originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> R-Design Volvo Volvo crossover Volvo SUV Volvo XC VolvoCrossover VolvoSuv VolvoXc XC-60 XC60 XC60 R-Design Xc60R-design Noah Joseph Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The Fashion Statement: What is Luxury Now?]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=5661cdedc3b08d197a792513f814fd4e http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/the-fashion-statement-what-is-luxury-now/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/the-fashion-statement-what-is-luxury-now/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/the-fashion-statement-what-is-luxury-now/#comments
As designers march their winter haute couture collections down runways in Paris this week, one has the feeling we're witnessing the end of an era. Only a handful of women in the world can afford this level of craftsmanship and, in the throws of the most diabolical recession we've ever seen, even they are pulling in their gilded belts. More's the pity.

As a result, this may be the last of Christian Lacroix. A few days ago, the designer showed a jaw-dropping collection every bit worthy of his couturier status. But his house is in such a financial mess, it needs a buyer to survive.

Lacroix is not alone, of course. Earlier this year, I asked a CEO of a high-end Italian fabric company how he was planning to celebrate the company's anniversary. "We'll barely be able to afford a birthday cake!" he joked.

Meanwhile, New York's famed specialty store Henri Bendel has stopped selling designer clothes altogether. Beginning this fall, the store will focus exclusively on selling smaller ticket items like jewelry, handbags, fragrance and gifts. It's a well-known fact that accessories sales are the bread-and-butter of retailers and fashion houses. Runway looks, especially haute couture, are more about creating publicity and brand image. But learning that H. Bendel will no longer be selling designer clothing is a little like discovering the coolest kid at school is into Dungeons & Dragons. It's just sad.

The luxury segment-particularly fashion and jewelry-has skirted trouble for years. In Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster out a few years ago, reporter Dana Thomas chronicled how the then $157 billion luxury goods industry eschewed exclusivity-a key characteristic of luxury-in order to rack up mass sales.

Still, few predicted the floor would drop out quite like this. "You can't justify premiums these days with the same old stuff," says Milton Pedreza, CEO of the Luxury Institute, noting luxury companies will be forced to reinvent themselves to stay relevant. "Many people feel like luxury has duped them into buying ubiquitous products. The main principles-great design, superior quality, heritage and service-need to be upped quite a bit."


Gallery: Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture

Christian LacroixChanelGivenchyChristian Dior

Continue reading The Fashion Statement: What is Luxury Now?

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The Fashion Statement: What is Luxury Now? originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Luxury Institute LuxuryInstitute Paris Fashion Week Tre Kristin Young Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[New $175 Million Verdura Resort Opening in Sicily]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=0646308f2650fbf8d3fbb2c77fd5a1a4 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/new-175-million-verdura-resort-opening-in-sicily/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/new-175-million-verdura-resort-opening-in-sicily/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/09/new-175-million-verdura-resort-opening-in-sicily/#comments
The new $175 million Verdura Golf & Spa Resort on the southern coast of Sicily from the Rocco Forte Collection opening August 1 will be the only luxury resort in the Mediterranean offering a five-star experience across golf, hotel, dining and spa facilities. The Collection's 13th property features 203 ocean view rooms and suites, each with a private terrace overlooking 1.2 miles of private coastline, two championship golf courses, six tennis courts, a 43,000-sq.-ft. spa, fitness and yoga center, four restaurants, 55 private villas, a conference center, ballroom, open-air amphitheater and helipad.

To celebrate its much-anticipated opening of the 570-acre beachfront resort, Verdura is offering guests visiting between August 1 and December 31 complimentary benefits including green fees for unlimited golf play on its three world-class courses, dinner every evening at any of its four superb restaurants and thalassotherapy spa treatments as well as a 50% discount on a second family room. Starting rates for a three-night stay range from $1,399 for a December visit to $2,967 for a visit in August.

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New $175 Million Verdura Resort Opening in Sicily originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> beach Europe golf hotels Italy Mediterranean resort Rocco Forte Collection RoccoForteCollection Sicily spa Verdura Golf Spa Resort VerduraGolfSpaResort Jared Paul Stern Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Four Seasons San Francisco Becomes The Latest Hotel In Default]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=9b7d3238d887fdc69fe9b3f900b56ae8 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/four-seasons-san-francisco-becomes-the-latest-hotel-in-default/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/four-seasons-san-francisco-becomes-the-latest-hotel-in-default/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/four-seasons-san-francisco-becomes-the-latest-hotel-in-default/#comments four seasons san franciscoIt's happened again, another luxury hotel is in default. Millennium Partners has said that it has defaulted on a two-year-old, $90-million CMBS loan for the Four Seasons San Francisco. Like other hotel owners, Millennium made this move as a bargaining tool with an eye toward renegotiating the debt with the special servicer, LNR Property Corp., because the value of the hotel is lower than the debt. Alan Reay, president of Irvine, CA-based Atlas Hospitality Group told GlobeSt.com. "My prediction is you are going to see vast majority of CMBS loans in California--probably throughout country--defaulting."

We've already seen another California hotel, the W Hotel in San Diego in a similar situation. Loans made over the past two years were made at the peak of the market. Now with real estate prices and hotel occupancy rates in sharp decline, borrowers want relief. The Four Seasons San Francisco remains open and is offering a package that offers a free third night if you stay two consecutive nights.

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Four Seasons San Francisco Becomes The Latest Hotel In Default originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> default four seasons FourSeasons san francisco SanFrancisco Deidre Woollard Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[A Nail For Nails, Dykstra Files Chapter 11]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=c6f40df223cd3e487d9c73c6ced5a45f http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/a-nail-for-nails-dykstra-files-chapter-11/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/a-nail-for-nails-dykstra-files-chapter-11/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/a-nail-for-nails-dykstra-files-chapter-11/#comments lenny dykstraThe slow decline of Lenny Dykstra, the baseball player turned investor turned magazine publisher has taken a new turn as he filed for bankruptcy protection today. What's astounding is the depth of his debt: he has listed less than $50,000 in assets with debts totaling between $10 million and $50 million. Just a few months ago he told ESPN.com that he was worth $60 million and more recently took TMZ to task when they reported on the repossession of his Rolls.

The petition shows he owes JPMorgan Chase & Co. $12.9 million and Bank of America Corp.'s Countrywide and credit-card units $4.2 million. Other debts include nearly $1 million to jet charter services as well as hundreds of thousands to his lawyer and literary agent. The filing comes the day before a planned auction of the home in Lake Sherwood which Dykstra bought from Wayne Gretsky for $18.5 million.

Gallery: Lenny Dykstra in Thousand Oaks

A Nail For Nails, Dykstra Files Chapter 11 originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bankruptcy lenny dykstra LennyDykstra Deidre Woollard Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano by Ed Hardy]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=c3e03acf8096941b0363385865d2a6f3 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/ferrari-599-gtb-fiorano-by-ed-hardy/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/ferrari-599-gtb-fiorano-by-ed-hardy/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/ferrari-599-gtb-fiorano-by-ed-hardy/#comments

The Christian Audigier style has grown so pervasive with the Ashton Kutcher set that it's long since leapt off of t-shirts and is attaching itself to everything else. French wine is one example, but the fashion designer behind such labels as Ed Hardy and Von Dutch has been eagerly making his mark, one way or another, on automobiles. First there was the Ed Hardy edition Smart car, then came the Chrisitian Audigier edition Lamborghini Murcielago, followed by the Ducati Monster we brought you recently and a custom Mercedes CL63 AMG too. And now another addition to the Audigier automotive design portfolio has emerged in the form of a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. Making Lapo Elkann's ride seem reserved by comparisson, this unique Ferrari is decked out in more tattoo art than a biker rally, and goes to show that if you have the money, Audigier will be glad to "improve" your car for you.

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Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano by Ed Hardy originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> chrisitan audigier ChrisitanAudigier ed hardy ed hardy edition ferrari EdHardy EdHardyEditionFerrari edo edo competition EdoCompetition ferrari ferrari 599 ferrari 599 gtb ferrari 599 gtb fiorano Ferrari599 Ferrari599Gtb Ferrari599GtbFiorano Noah Joseph Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Lexus Increases Production of IS Convertible to Meet Growing Demand]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=271e1556c5bc47a06e51468ea9f3250b http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/lexus-increases-production-of-is-convertible-to-meet-growing-dem/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/lexus-increases-production-of-is-convertible-to-meet-growing-dem/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/lexus-increases-production-of-is-convertible-to-meet-growing-dem/#comments

Looking to get your hands on the hot new Lexus IS convertible? You may have to wait a while, as early sales figures indicate a high demand for the luxury cabrio without enough supply to meet it. Demand is so high, in fact, that parent company Toyota had to increase production at its assembly plant in Japan to 1200 units per month. Of those, nearly a quarter go to the Northeastern United States alone, and you can be sure that California and Florida boost those number significantly as well.

The model is available as both the IS250C and IS350C, the former of which -with a 204hp 2.5-liter V6 and $38k sticker price - accounts for some 85% of sales, while the latter - the more powerful $44k 306hp 3.5-liter IS350C - makes up only 15% of sales for the luxurious hard-top convertible. But as demand increase, buyers may be looking at dealer premiums to get ahead on the waiting list.

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Lexus Increases Production of IS Convertible to Meet Growing Demand originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> auto sales AutoSales cabrio convertible convertible sales ConvertibleSales lexus lexus convertible lexus is lexus is250c lexus is350c LexusConvertible LexusIs LexusIs250c LexusIs350c sales Noah Joseph Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[REPORT: Tesla Planning To Launch 2011 Roadster In More Right-Hand Export Markets]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=b2bb0ba9c60e80783aa59204b13c4a35 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/report-tesla-planning-to-launch-2011-roadster-in-more-right-han/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/report-tesla-planning-to-launch-2011-roadster-in-more-right-han/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/report-tesla-planning-to-launch-2011-roadster-in-more-right-han/#comments
Tesla Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the long-anticipated right-hand-drive Roadster is coming in the first quarter of 2010 and will be available in both standard and Sport guise. The first market that's slated for electrification is, as you would expect, the United Kingdom, and Tesla's first European showroom has already opened up in Knightsbridge.

In addition to Great Britain, Musk has also indicated that Japan, Australia and India are seen as important right-hand-drive markets for the automaker to pursue in short order. The switch from LHD to RHD is surely made easier by the fact that the Lotus Elise, which shares a large portion of its chassis with the Roadster, was initially designed as a right-hand vehicle.

Interestingly, there's already a lone Tesla Roadster in Australia, but that left-hand-drive car was imported by a man named Simon Hackett for his own personal use at a cost of about $200,000 Australian dollars - nearly twice what a Roadster costs in the States. Click past the break to watch a short video segment featuring that car.


Photo copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Go Auto]

Continue reading REPORT: Tesla Planning To Launch 2011 Roadster In More Right-Hand Export Markets

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REPORT: Tesla Planning To Launch 2011 Roadster In More Right-Hand Export Markets originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> green right hand drive tesla right-hand-drive tesla Right-hand-driveTesla RightHandDriveTesla tesla tesla australia tesla india tesla japan tesla motors tesla roadster TeslaAustralia TeslaIndia TeslaJapan TeslaMotors TeslaRoadster Jeremy Korzeniewski Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Christie's Rakes In $32.7 Million, New Category Said To Be Successful]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=c27df4aa0a5eff3603b78a23f59184e3 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/christies-rakes-in-32-7-million-new-category-said-to-be-succe/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/christies-rakes-in-32-7-million-new-category-said-to-be-succe/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/christies-rakes-in-32-7-million-new-category-said-to-be-succe/#comments The latest London market art auction was good for $32.7 million last night, as Christie's International moved lots from its Old Masters & 19th Century art category. The works ranged from late 14th century to late 19th century, with this newly created broad category intended to push "crossover" buying (from different periods) among collectors. Christie's is already celebrating the effectiveness of this plain, even though sales continue to be well below 2008 levels.

Sixty-three lots came under the gavel at the Christie's auction, and the house did hit its low estimate of $25 million. Only 24 percent of the lots were not purchased. Last year at this time, the same auction generated close to $50 million on 48 lots. And, the July 2007 Christie's Old Masters auction was good for around $80 million on 91 paintings. The two top paintings this year sold for below their estimates.

Despite Christie's self-proclaimed success for the Old Masters & 19th Century Art category, dealers aren't sold on it. A few claimed that the later work detracted from the pieces created earlier in this broad period.

The next sale comes today, as Sotheby's moves 200 pieces that currently belong to Johnson & Johnson heiress Barbara Piasecka Johnson. The auction is expected to yield $9.2 million in sales.

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Christie's Rakes In $32.7 Million, New Category Said To Be Successful originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> art art auction art auctions art market ArtAuction ArtAuctions ArtMarket artwork auction auction-house auctionhouse auctions christies old masters OldMasters painting paintings sothebys Tom Johansmeyer Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Lauren Merkin Lucy Tile Clutch, Handbag of the Day]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=ff7f61a4df2d03e02f22a8c9e8a5b681 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/lauren-merkin-lucy-tile-clutch-handbag-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/lauren-merkin-lucy-tile-clutch-handbag-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/lauren-merkin-lucy-tile-clutch-handbag-of-the-day/#comments The Lauren Merkin Lucy Tile Clutch is picnic perfect, in an almost-gingham pattern (it's embossed leather).

This summery little pink clutch goes sweetly with almost any color. We'd especially love to see it paired with blues or gray, and any fabric from denim to silk.

The elegant, neatly folded shape of this bag is accented by its boxy closure, and with no hardware visible, it almost looks more like a work of origami art than a handbag.

What really makes this bag special is the way that the embossed squares take the harshness away from the pink. This bag could easily have been a Pepto Bismol-esque disaster reminiscent of bridesmaid attire, but the tile pattern makes it understated and classy. Well done, Lauren Merkin.

The Lauren Merkin Lucy Tile Clutch is available from Neiman Marcus for $250.00.

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]]> clutch handbag of the day lauren merkin LaurenMerkin Annie Scott Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Single Malt Social Networking with Friends of Laphroaig]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=ccc41a730915234a973919bd344d1346 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/single-malt-social-networking-with-friends-of-laphroaig/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/single-malt-social-networking-with-friends-of-laphroaig/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/single-malt-social-networking-with-friends-of-laphroaig/#comments Did you know that Laphroaig single malt Scotch whisky offers a lifetime lease of one square foot plot of land on the island of Islay where the distillery is located in Scotland to each consumer who buys a bottle?

All you have to do is register the purchase number found with the bottle at www.laphroaig.com/plot to stake your claim. You will then automatically become a member of the Friends of Laphroaig community and will receive the deed to the numbered plot of land.

Friends are encouraged to visit the distillery to view their plot and claim their "rent" - a dram of Laphroaig. Meanwhile at www.laphroaig.com you can now view aerial photographs to find your plot of land and meet your "neighbors" via an interactive member map. You may discover a fellow Laphroiag enthusiast just down the street and can even send them a private message.

There are more than 364,000 Friends of Laphroaig spread across more than 150 countries registered online. Among the site's many features is Laphroaig TV, offering a look inside the distillery as well as exclusive previews of limited-edition bottlings, live online tastings and educational seminars.

Laphroaig, established in 1815, is one of the richest, smokiest single malts and one of the very best Scotches ever produced. It holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales and bears his heraldic three-feather badge on its label.

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]]> distillery Islay Laphroaig Prince of Wales PrinceOfWales Royal Warrant RoyalWarrant Scotland social networking SocialNetworking whisky Jared Paul Stern Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Green Goblin: Jaguar Unleases 530HP XKR Goodwood Special]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=baa76f2c0782e8c8d0f3c9617a5822da http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/green-goblin-jaguar-unleases-530hp-xkr-goodwood-special/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/green-goblin-jaguar-unleases-530hp-xkr-goodwood-special/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/green-goblin-jaguar-unleases-530hp-xkr-goodwood-special/#comments

There are car shows and then there are car shows. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the latter. Instead of static displays in a convention center under terrible lighting, Goodwood takes some of the most desirable automobiles past and present and puts them on full display in all their glory, racing up the hill at Goodwood House in West Sussex, seat of the Lord March Duke of Richmond. It's also home turf for Britain's most stoic automakers, chief among them Jaguar which always comes with some truly lust-worthy machinery. And this year Jaguar wasn't about to go unnoticed. So they came with the XKR Goodwood Special you see here, decked out in bright lime green with grey and orange accents.

The XKR Goodwood Special upgrades on the stock version with a 20-horsepower boost to give the supercharged V8 a 530hp, 515 lb-ft output. It also rides on 21" alloys in the same graphite trim that replaces all the car's chrome, mounted to a dropped suspension and fitted with a special exhaust to let the big cat's growl reverberate across the estate. So far the Goodwood Special is a unique one-off, but if Jaguar gets enough interest they could put it into limited production.

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Green Goblin: Jaguar Unleases 530HP XKR Goodwood Special originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> goodwood goodwood festival of speed goodwood special GoodwoodFestivalOfSpeed GoodwoodSpecial jaguar jaguar xk jaguar xkr jaguar xkr goodwood jaguar xkr goodwood special JaguarXk JaguarXkr JaguarXkrGoodwood JaguarXkrGoodwoodSpecial xk xkr xkr goodwood XkrGoodwood Noah Joseph Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[New Mustique Resort is Perfect Hiding Place ]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=fa2ee1979f790b74f1fbfab59fb34c3e http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/new-mustique-resort-is-perfect-hiding-place/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/new-mustique-resort-is-perfect-hiding-place/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/new-mustique-resort-is-perfect-hiding-place/#comments Looking for something new under the Caribbean sun? The Sheherezade is a new five-acre resort - one acre for every star, I guess - on Mustique. This is one of only a handful of properties on the island that offers access to the Mustique Moon Walk and is adjacent to a 100-acre reserve, tennis court and private gym. Located on the south side of the island, Sheherezade features views of where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet from one of the highest points on Mustique, turning the home into a paradise within a paradise.

Designed by Mexican architect Manolo Mestre, this seven-bedroom compound includes a main family residence and three private guest villas, connected by an expansive palapa with infinity pools along a carefully landscaped ridge. Bathrooms are spa-inspired, and 280-degree vistas are offered from the verandas. The primary residence, with four bedrooms, integrates exotic woods, a pebble mosaic and hand-chiseled floors, with organic materials included in the construction. The three private cottages feature one bedroom each and tranquil gardens. A lap pool and sun terrace are accessible from all four buildings. All four buildings are supported by a staff of six. In total, the Sheherezade has a capacity of 14 guests.

While you can disappear to the Sheherezade to chill, the active will not be bored. Wireless internet is up and running for those (like me) desperate to stay connected, and there's a tennis court on the property to feed those with the green ball addiction. The most important amenity, however, is privacy. When you step into this corner of Mustique, you will be lost to the world ... until you decide to return. Of course, at $40,000 a week, you'd expect nothing less.

Gallery: Sheherezade, Mustique

Sheherezade, MustiqueSheherezade, MustiqueSheherezade, MustiqueSheherezade, MustiqueSheherezade, Mustique

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]]> caribbean mustique privacy private villa private villas PrivateVilla PrivateVillas resort resorts villa villas Tom Johansmeyer Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Sea Cliff Contemporary, Estate of the Day ]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=4e926f70445040eb5a35b4a03db1b523 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/sea-cliff-contemporary-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/sea-cliff-contemporary-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/sea-cliff-contemporary-estate-of-the-day/#comments
Today's home has some of the best views of San Francisco's Golden Gate bridge I've ever seen. The home in the Sea Cliff area is set high on a cliff and behind a gated drive. The wood and glass home is cantilevered over 55 steel pillars. The decor is pretty dated and there are some questionable finish choices such as the black stone and dark wood in the kitchen and the pale carpeting in the main areas. The listing says that there are approved plans for a huge addition of around 3,500 square feet which makes sense since the home is less than 4,000 square feet and has just two bedrooms.

A Socket Site post from last year provides more details. The home was listed at $18 million last year but was as low as $9 million back in 2002. It has been on and off the market for ten years. Frank Lloyd Wright may have done a preliminary design for the site but his drawings bear only faint resemblance to this home. It is listed at $11.5 million.

Gallery: Sea Cliff Contemporary

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]]> estate of the day EstateOfTheDay san francisco SanFrancisco Deidre Woollard Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black & Gold Watch]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=f2b72b9782302338cc0f4d6581538eb0 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/corum-admirals-cup-challenge-44-black-and-gold-watch/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/corum-admirals-cup-challenge-44-black-and-gold-watch/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/corum-admirals-cup-challenge-44-black-and-gold-watch/#comments Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black & Gold Watch
A sure compromise between fancy and fun, the new Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black & Gold is a suave new character in the Admiral's Cup watch lineup. No, it isn't a radical new design in the Admiral's Cup line of timepieces, but rather another installment in Corum's ongoing quest to promote the Admiral's Cup collection as the premiere non-regatta timer yacht racing themed watch around! I am pretty sure it has succeeded in that endeavor.

The "44" in the Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black & Gold watch refers to the black PVD steel case's size of 44mm wide. The name of the watch is more or less "primarily descriptive" of the watch without much character in the title. The bezel is 18k rose gold, and so are the applications on the dial such as the hands and hour markers. The style is fittingly bold, but not necessarily more so than other Admiral's Cup timepieces. Inside the watch is Corum's calibre 753 automatic mechanical chronograph movement that has been Chronometer certified. The true black and gold version of the watch is limited to just 188 pieces while a brushed gray dial version (matched to a gray PVD case) is also available and limited to just 128 pieces. There is no way of knowing why there is a difference in availability. It is also hard to tell if there is lume applied to the dial of the watch. It could be the "dark" style lume - but I hope it is there. Sport watches such as this suffer a loss of credibility without having any type of darkness visibility. If not, at least plenty of other Corum Admiral's Cup watches have lume applied to the large stylish hands. The Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black & Gold watch should be available soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

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Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black & Gold Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 44 admirals cup AdmiralsCup black challenge corum gold watch Ariel Adams Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[All Aboard for Paris and Brussels by Train ]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=9fd0c1357b4757870ab973ab073abac2 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/all-aboard-for-paris-and-brussels-by-train/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/all-aboard-for-paris-and-brussels-by-train/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/all-aboard-for-paris-and-brussels-by-train/#comments Photo of Brussels frites
Even though train travel in Europe isn't quite as romantic in reality as it is in fantasy, there's stil something so wonderfully retro about traveling between storied cities via rail. (A first-class Eurail pass will get you to more than 20 countries, in a surprising amount of comfort and style, depending on the train.)

If you're looking for a reason to squeeze in a trip to Europe this summer (and maybe grab some frites), the Brussels Marriott Hotel and the Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris are offering a summer package from now until the end of 2009. Stay two nights at each property at 139 € per night for a double room with breakfast. (From Thursday through Sunday or Friday through Monday.) This summer, the Eurostar is also offering a special between the two cities on its Leisure Select class starting at $119 one way, which includes a 3-course meal and wine.

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]]> brussels europe paris train Alison Wellner Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Lapo Elkann's Custom Ferrari with Denim Interior]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=2fabacc718a20c38d921bf482a16e02e http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/lapo-elkanns-custom-ferrari-with-denim-interior/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/lapo-elkanns-custom-ferrari-with-denim-interior/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/lapo-elkanns-custom-ferrari-with-denim-interior/#comments Dashing Fiat heir Lapo Elkann is something of a dandy and while we generally admire his taste and what the Italians call sprezzatura, we're not too crazy about his new custom two-tone blue Ferrari with an interior upholstered in pairs of old jeans (see still above and video after the jump). Last time we checked Lapo was cruising around in a much more understated matte black Maserati Gran Turismo. The Ferrari, a 599 GTB Fiorano, is matte baby blue with a darker blue roof and rims with Italian flag details. There's also something resembling a bullet hole in the back. This isn't exactly as atrocious as the Brothel Prince's Louis Vuitton Rolls, but it's definitely in the same orbit. We appreciate that you're too rich to give a damn, but sometimes Lapo old sport you go a bit too far.

Continue reading Lapo Elkann's Custom Ferrari with Denim Interior

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Lapo Elkann's Custom Ferrari with Denim Interior originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Ferrari Fiat jetset Lapo Elkann LapoElkann socialite Jared Paul Stern Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Avant-Garde Watch Maker Romain Jerome Loses Avant-Garde CEO Yvan Arpa]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=a7c758ce43b250e53218c99f5bcd7bb2 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/avant-garde-watch-maker-romain-jerome-loses-avant-garde-ceo-yvan/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/avant-garde-watch-maker-romain-jerome-loses-avant-garde-ceo-yvan/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/avant-garde-watch-maker-romain-jerome-loses-avant-garde-ceo-yvan/#comments He has been everything from controversial to overly confident, but he made watch company Romain Jerome what it is today - successful. Abruptly, the board of directors at Romain Jerome ousted the now former CEO Yvan Arpa a few days ago. Officially it might have been that Yvan Arpa "resigned" but local voices agree on the fact that he was forced out. He, as well as four members of his management team are out - a total purging of previous control. A new CEO and management team has already been assigned. It is unclear why this occurred, expect for the fact that Mr. Arpa has a reputation for being "difficult to control" and highly "characterful" in his management style. Who else could come up with some of the ideas that Yvan had, such as the Romain Jerome Titanic DNA and Moon Dust DNA watch lines.

Prior to Arpa's time at Romain Jerome, the brand was extremely "niche" with a couple of golf themed watches with highly limited marketability. In my opinion. Yvan Arpa came in, shook things up, and eventually caused Romain Jerome to be backed-up with millions of dollars in orders from interested buyers willing to wait long periods of time for their watches to be made. As unwise as the Romain Jerome board's action seem, it is easy to get overly confident once things are good. It is possible for them to survive another decade at least on the ideas and image that Arpa created. They might feel as though he is no longer needed, but without him their ability to innovate may be limited. In the meantime they can imagine new ways to spin the brand. This has happened before with other brands, but once the creative juice is gone, so is the passion, and the character of the watches quickly begins to fade. Although I was not a fan of every Romain Jerome watch, I liked enough of their novel timepiece creations to now lament Mr. Arpa's passing - to hopefully greener pastures. If we are lucky he will be snatched up by another watch brand or start something fresh (the economic "crisis" permitting).

Via WorldTempus (in French).

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

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Avant-Garde Watch Maker Romain Jerome Loses Avant-Garde CEO Yvan Arpa originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> ceo romain jerome RomainJerome yvan arpa YvanArpa Ariel Adams Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Techart Tunes Out the Porsche Cayenne Diesel]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=e67568cdbd4dd9de2b2e812b22c07f12 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/techart-tunes-out-the-porsche-cayenne-diesel/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/techart-tunes-out-the-porsche-cayenne-diesel/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/08/techart-tunes-out-the-porsche-cayenne-diesel/#comments

Porsche Cayenne buyers want it all. Power. Performance. Go-anywhere capabilities. Cargo space. Room for the whole family. But if they wanted all that plus fuel economy, well Porsche's engineers may be talented, but they're not magicians. Techart's, on the other hand, just might be. Building on Porsche's work, they took the Cayenne Diesel, not exactly the most impressive performer of the range, and gave it some extra grunt and attitude without affecting the big truck's fuel economy or emissions figures.

For about $89,000, Techart will provide a custom Cayenne Diesel with a specially-crafted body kit, 21" wheels (22" are optional) and an engine producing 290hp and 465 lb-ft. That's enough to propel the big beast to 60 mph in just 7.7 seconds - more than half a second faster than stock. The big bonus, though, is that the bulk of that torque is available from the low end, making the Techart Cayenne Diesel a versatile machine. And that's just what Porsche was looking for.

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]]> diesel porsche cayenne porsche cayenne diesel PorscheCayenne PorscheCayenneDiesel techart techart porsche techart porsche cayenne techart porsche cayenne diesel TechartPorsche TechartPorscheCayenne TechartPorscheCayenneDiesel Noah Joseph Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Luxe Links Around The Web, 07/07/09]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=a20adf904a3fbd51f79d5ea0a4656e1f http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/luxe-links-around-the-web-07-07-09/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/luxe-links-around-the-web-07-07-09/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/luxe-links-around-the-web-07-07-09/#comments


Luxist is part of the Luxe Links group of blogs. Featured this week:

With the time we spend behind our computers everyday, it's only right to spice your hardware up a little bit.

Check out www.factio-magazine.com for hot trends, hip people, and amazing parties...

Kristopher Dukes is wanting, wearing, hating Brent Black Panama Hats.

domesticblog is admiring the incredible generosity of the S. Korean President.

Luxe Links Around The Web, 07/07/09 originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Deidre Woollard Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Will Smith & Hawken Be Liquidated?]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=16240131dead97ea024d7068f9fa6540 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/will-smith-and-hawken-be-liquidated/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/will-smith-and-hawken-be-liquidated/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/will-smith-and-hawken-be-liquidated/#comments Popular garden and outdoor entertaining company Smith & Hawken has been struggling lately. Now Reuters reports that the company will call in the liquidators for its 56 stores unless its corporate parent Scotts Miracle-Gro Company reaches a last minute deal with potential buyers. Scotts bought Smith & Hawken for around $70 million in 2004. The recession has hit the company hard. Financial statements reveal that sales were down 22 percent during the first two quarters of the current fiscal year. Reuters sources say that the 700 employees of the company will be notified soon if no deal is reached. If the company is not bought out, then the going-out-of-business sales could start as soon as the end of the week.

UPDATE: Scotts Miracle-Gro has announced that it will shut down Smith & Hawken. All of Smith & Hawken's 56 U.S. stores will be shut down by the end of the year and the website and call center will stop taking catalog orders immediately.

Will Smith & Hawken Be Liquidated? originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> liquidation smith and hawken smith hawken SmithAndHawken SmithHawken stores in trouble StoresInTrouble Deidre Woollard Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[LeBron James Part Of Sun Valley Billionaire Confab]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=1cf3ebe49e25b8cb3c4feff52ae3547c http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/lebron-james-part-of-sun-valley-billionaire-confab/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/lebron-james-part-of-sun-valley-billionaire-confab/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/lebron-james-part-of-sun-valley-billionaire-confab/#comments lebron jamesAs the LA Times points out, Kobe Bryant may won the NBA championship but it's Cleveland Cavaliers player LeBron James who the billionaires want to talk to in Sun Valley this week. The young player who is building his basketball and financial empire is part of this year's annual Allen & Co. conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. The five-day conference includes many of the world's richest people including Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Sumner Redstone, Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg and Diane von Furstenberg. Another attendee likely to be in demand will be Twitter co-founder Evan Williams.

The conference takes over the area with private jets filling the local airport and hotel rooms selling out as both attendees and media flock to the event. While the event is supposed to be a hush-hush affair the press often gets the rare chance to spot the wealthy in casual clothes relaxing and enjoying Sun Valley's beautiful scenery. Meanwhile, behind closed doors the future of media itself and how to best monetize the digital world will be one of the topics of conversation.

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LeBron James Part Of Sun Valley Billionaire Confab originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> lebron james LebronJames mark zuckerberg MarkZuckerberg sun valley SunValley Deidre Woollard Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Luxury Retailers Plan Move Into CityCenter]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=dcc4b2ed6aef4f7058b4dd9382a7a8be http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/luxury-retailers-plan-move-into-citycenter/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/luxury-retailers-plan-move-into-citycenter/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/luxury-retailers-plan-move-into-citycenter/#comments citycenterMGM Mirage has announced a list of retailers that will be joining Crystals, the massive 500,000-square-foot complex in the new CityCenter development. The Crystals facility is set to open on December 3 and will include most of the major luxury brands which already have at least one outlet on the Las Vegas Strip like Prada, Christian Dior, Bulgari, Carolina Herrera, Hermes, Roberto Cavalli, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Ermengildo Zegna and Versace. The center will also mark the debut of other stores in Las Vegas such as Tom Ford, Assouline, Kiton, Miu Miu, Paul Smith and Porsche Design. Other previously announced retailers are H. Stern, de Grisogono, Marni, Boutique Tourbillon and Mikimoto. Wolfgang Puck and Todd English will also have restaurants at the complex. This line-up puts CityCenter in direct competition with other shopping areas on the Strip including the Wynn and the Forum Shop. As 2009 rumbles on it is hoped that more and more luxury shoppers will return to Las Vegas; the city has experienced a sharp decrease in tourism. Figures released last month show that the rate of decline in tourism has slowed in recent months. The $8.5 billion CityCenter project has faced a variety of troubles during the construction process but when it opens it will be the biggest development Las Vegas has ever seen.

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Luxury Retailers Plan Move Into CityCenter originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> citycenter mgm mirage MgmMirage Deidre Woollard Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[London Art Auction Market Gives Up 70 Percent]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=8592807cddf444682f72a1ddd7b6f5fd http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/london-art-auction-market-gives-up-70-percent/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/london-art-auction-market-gives-up-70-percent/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/london-art-auction-market-gives-up-70-percent/#comments June auction revenues were off 70 percent in London this year, due in large part to job cuts and an unwillingness to guarantee lots. Even the occasional sign of hope had to be taken with a grain of salt, as lower expectations tended to magnify this year's results falsely.

Together, Sotheby's, Christie's and Phillips de Pury pulled in $269.4 million in this summer's sales - off 70 percent from a year ago. In addition to the mechanical drivers of lost jobs and guarantees, the auction houses haven't had an easy time bringing high-profile, high-value pieces to market. Every event in London this summer unloaded at least two-thirds of its inventory, and success rates rose to above 88 percent at the Sotheby's and Christie's events this past June, but lingering in the background is the notion that 2009, at this point, is nothing like 2008.

To some, the current art slump is reminiscent of the early 1990s, in which a bubble in Impressionist art pricing precipitated a general decline, and nobody could get a realistic sense of a piece's value. The market took several years to recover, but it has since passed the levels of nearly 20 years ago. The Impressionists are down 68 percent this year, roughly in line with global trends, with the contemporary market off approximately 73 percent. New York fared no better than London, with contemporary sales at Sotheby's down 75 percent and Christies off 72 percent.

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London Art Auction Market Gives Up 70 Percent originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> art art auction art auctions art bubble art market ArtAuction ArtAuctions ArtBubble ArtMarket artwork auctionhouse auctionhouses bubble bubble watch BubbleWatch christies contemporary art ContemporaryArt impressionist impressionists london phillips de pury PhillipsDePury sothebys Tom Johansmeyer Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Valentino Vertigo Satchel, Handbag of the Day]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=89e313c43d6c926a9d77eebaa836c418 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/valentino-vertigo-satchel-handbag-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/valentino-vertigo-satchel-handbag-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/valentino-vertigo-satchel-handbag-of-the-day/#comments The Valentino Vertigo Satchel is an excellent, demure purse with a lot of character.

This red nappa leather bag is artfully pleated and folded into a basic shape -- with the effect of looking anything but basic. This is one of those bags you can carry with absolutely anything, and it's okay if you do, because nappa leather looks better with a little wear.

We love the dainty goldtone hardware, the double zipper top, and the generous size (11"H X 13 1/2"W X 6 1/2"D). It's rare to find a purse this large with this level of detail that doesn't look overdone. We have a feeling this new Valentino will be selling out quickly.

The Valentino Vertigo Satchel is available from Neiman Marcus for $1,995.00.

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Valentino Vertigo Satchel, Handbag of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> handbag of the day HandbagOfTheDay red satchel valentino Annie Scott Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Newcastle Brown Ale's New DraughtKeg]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=ddf0ebe3213db86a5d63c050dc8bcea8 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/newcastle-brown-ales-new-draughtkeg/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/newcastle-brown-ales-new-draughtkeg/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/newcastle-brown-ales-new-draughtkeg/#comments Beginning next month one of our favorite beers, Newcastle Brown Ale founded in 1927 in the Northeast of England, will launch its new portable DraughtKeg in select markets initially including Southern California, Minneapolis and Chicago.

Featuring the same technology originally created by Heineken, the Newcastle DraughtKeg is a pressurized recyclable mini-keg that serves up to 10 pints (5 liters) of Newcastle draught beer for the ultimate at-home pub experience. The suggested retail price is $22.99.

The DraughtKeg's pressurized draught system utilizes a patented internal CO2 mechanism with a mini tap which helps keep the beer fresh for up to 30 days. It's also compatible with the Krups BeerTender, which chills the DraughtKeg and maintains its ideal temperature.

Newcastle Brown Ale's New DraughtKeg originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> beer draughtkeg Krups Newcastle Newcastle Brown Ale NewcastleBrownAle pub UK Jared Paul Stern Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Asprey Crocodile Skin Poker Set]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=45dd313a94bed764a6efd45600479990 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/asprey-crocodile-skin-poker-set/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/asprey-crocodile-skin-poker-set/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/asprey-crocodile-skin-poker-set/#comments Asprey poker set
200-year-old London luxury goods firm Asprey has been making some of the world's most exquisite games for decades, of the sort that wouldn't look out of place in a palace. One of their latest offerings is a beautiful handmade gentleman's poker set in black polished genuine crocodile skin with ceramic poker chips and royal purple Asprey playing cards (above). Priced at about $8,000 it certainly brings new meaning to "poker night". Asprey, founded in 1781, holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales, one of several granted by the British Royal Family over the years. As we reported last year, Asprey decided to return to its roots and focus on its core business of luxury goods representing a high-water mark of taste, refinement and quality after having branched out into clothing and footwear.

[via JustLuxe]

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Asprey Crocodile Skin Poker Set originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Asprey British royalty BritishRoyalty crocodile gambling games London poker Prince of Wales PrinceOfWales Royal Warrant royalty RoyalWarrant UK Jared Paul Stern Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Hugh Hefner's $1300, Six-Volume Autobiography]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=6a5dde691ccaaa05da897592032716ab http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/hugh-hefners-1300-six-volume-autobiography/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/hugh-hefners-1300-six-volume-autobiography/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/hugh-hefners-1300-six-volume-autobiography/#comments
In September, Taschen will publish Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's illustrated biography in six volumes, combined with a chronological selection of highlights from the seminal men's magazine's first 25 years (1953 to 1979). Limited to 1,500 numbered and signed copies, the six-volume set comes packaged in a luxurious plexiglass box and costs $1,300. Beginning with Hef's youth and his boyhood comic collection and ending with the height of Playboy's success, the anthology is billed as "the most probing and intimate portrait of Hefner ever made."

Hefner's extensive participation and the inclusion of a wealth of memorabilia from his personal scrapbooks set this anthology apart from other Playboy books. The six volumes contain over 700 pages of autobiographical text about Hef's youth, army days, first attempts as a cartoonist, early career, girlfriends, and Playboy's launch, illustrated by original Hefner artwork and cartoons, correspondence, and a huge selection of archival photos, many previously unpublished.

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Hugh Hefner's $1300, Six-Volume Autobiography originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Hugh Hefner HughHefner Playboy sex Taschen Jared Paul Stern Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[East 65th Street, Estate of the Day ]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=bc4f42cedafd365acd810486a1c535f2 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/east-65th-street-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/east-65th-street-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/east-65th-street-estate-of-the-day/#comments
As prices continue to fall in Manhattan some truly gorgeous townhouses can be had for far less than they would have commanded a year ago. Today's home, a five-story townhouse on East 65th Street is nicely situated between Park and Lexington Avenue. The gated home was built by F. S. Barus in 1874 and has a classic brownstone facade. It has been updated with an elevator, central heat and air-conditioning, security and an irrigation system for the garden, terrace and roof garden. The striking entrance hall features a black and white marble floor and vibrant tomato-colored walls. The sunny lemon-colored dining room has a pair of skylights and French doors that lead to the garden. It is next to the kitchen which was designed by Wolfgang Puck. Upstairs there is an elegant and feminine celery and salmon living room, a navy-walled library, wet bar and large terrace overlooking the garden. The master bedroom is on its own floor with a second library/large dressing room and marble bath. There are four additional bedrooms and baths, as well as a roof terrace with open city views and a temperature controlled wine cellar in the basement.

This amazing example of New York City life just had a price cut. Cityfile reveals that the home, owned by Paul Kerz, the former CEO of Health Management Systems, and his wife Corinne was once listed at $12.5 million it now skates under the all important $10 million mark at $9.95 million.

Gallery: East 65th Street

Continue reading East 65th Street, Estate of the Day

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East 65th Street, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> estate of the day EstateOfTheDay manhattan townhouse Deidre Woollard Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Tag Heuer Monaco LS Chronograph Calibre 12 Watch]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=d4be5f43dcb89634fdbd129cf193ed96 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/tag-heuer-monaco-ls-chronograph-calibre-12-watch/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/tag-heuer-monaco-ls-chronograph-calibre-12-watch/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/tag-heuer-monaco-ls-chronograph-calibre-12-watch/#comments

From concept to reality - sort of. I got excited seeing some of the Tag Heuer Monaco watch concepts shown at Baselworld the last few years. Instead of any of those watches really making it to production (with some exceptions) we have this Monaco LS Chronograph Calibre 12 watch model, that is like the "eventual production model of a concept car" that itself was too impracticable for production. Alas, this Monaco LS Chronograph Calibre 12 watch is "based" on the Tag Heuer Monaco 360 concept watch.

Underneath the designer dial, is a basic array of subdial discs, save for the dial and hand for the chronograph hours located at 6 o'clock. For the most part the dial is just a series of visual tricks to make it look more complicated than it really is. For example, take the "linear" seconds counter located at 3 o'clock. It looks like a horizontally laid out linear gauge, but in reality it is just the appearance of that with a disc bearing a spiral red line underneath that looks like it travels across the linear dial. The same goes for the chic looking counters at 12 and 9 o'clock - nothing that special and more gimmicky.

Powering the watch is Dubois Depraz automatic mechanical chronograph movement inside of the 40.5mm wide steel case that is WR to 100 meters. Style of course refers to the "futuristic" concept Monaco watches that some of you have lusted for, but for me this Monaco LS Chronograph watch is simply not that satisfying a consolation prize to those interesting concepts which are not available. Not a bad watch, but certainly underwhelming once the initial novelty of the style wears off.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

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Tag Heuer Monaco LS Chronograph Calibre 12 Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> calibre 12 Calibre12 chronograph LS monaco tag heuer TagHeuer timeiece watch Ariel Adams Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Will Imelda Marcos Get More Of Her Jewels Back?]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=169d2c6bf8a24af88ca837c3881e1cfc http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/will-imelda-marcos-get-more-of-her-jewels-back/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/will-imelda-marcos-get-more-of-her-jewels-back/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/will-imelda-marcos-get-more-of-her-jewels-back/#comments imelda marcosRecently the former First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos turned 80 and it seems that one of her belated gifts might be the return of her jewelry. News sources in the Philippines are reporting that two jewelry collections owned by the woman who once amassed over 3,000 pairs of shoes, may be returned to her. The two jewelry collections worth around $7 million have been excluded from a government forfeiture case. One set of jewelry, the the Malacañang collection, was the only collection mentioned in Civil Case No. 141, the OSG said. It is worth anywhere from $110,055 to $153,089. The other two collections are the Hawaii collection which was seized by United States Customs when the Marcoses fled the Philippines in 1986. The Roumeliotes collection, the most expensive of the three, was seized from Greek national Demetriou Roumeliotes while he was at the Manila International Airport on March 1, 1986. You can see pictures of some of Imelda's amazing collection here. It's an impressive display of wealth and decadence.

Marcos spent her birthday last week giving rice to the poor in an area outside of Manila. She told the AFP that her "birthday wish is that I be given more health and a longer life so I can devote myself to helping the Filipino poor." She addressed the crowds while wearing a pink dress, jade earrings, jade ring and a huge diamond ring. She has said that she is nearly broke after 23 years of conflict with the government. Her husband and dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted from power in 1986 (he came to power in 1965 as president and later declared martial law to hold on to his power) and died in 1989. Imelda herself once made a failed attempt at running for president. Marcos has faced many criminal and civil cases but so far only 683 million dollars of the reported billions amassed by the Marcoses have been returned to the government.

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Will Imelda Marcos Get More Of Her Jewels Back? originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> imelda marcos ImeldaMarcos jewels Deidre Woollard Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Retro-Cool Bugatti Stratos Concept]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=2a412363fda4ed5df9c941ec80ec4b6b http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/retro-cool-bugatti-stratos-concept/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/retro-cool-bugatti-stratos-concept/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/retro-cool-bugatti-stratos-concept/#comments
Rare Bugatti Type 57s from the '30s and '40s sell for several million dollars at auction, so the design seems like a solid basis for a new concept car. French graphic / industrial designer Bruno Delussu has come up with the brilliant Bugatti Stratos (above), a retro-futuristic homage to the Type 57 mixed with the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Mille Miglia along with a touch of the "futuristic optimism" of industrial designer Raymond Loewy's (1893 - 1986) amazing Art Deco steam locomotives. Noting his total lack of a need to adhere to practical restrictions of actual production, Delussu comments, "Often sports cars are compact, nervous and aggressive. I wanted the opposite. That's why I prolonged the frame and created a voluptuously streamlined [shape] that glides smoothly through the air like a hand over silk."

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Retro-Cool Bugatti Stratos Concept originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Alfa Romeo AlfaRomeo Bruno Delussu BrunoDelussu Bugatti concept car ConceptCar design France Jared Paul Stern Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The Oceanaire Restaurants File For Chapter 11]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=bf2b24db0314adeef39130abb2304950 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/the-oceanaire-restaurants-file-for-chapter-11/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/the-oceanaire-restaurants-file-for-chapter-11/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/the-oceanaire-restaurants-file-for-chapter-11/#comments oceanaireA seafood restaurant chain with outlets around the country, The Oceanaire Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The Oceanaire listed assets and debts of between $10 million and $50 million and filed for Chapter 11 in Dallas. It has asked a U.S. Bankruptcy Court to close some of its restaurants. So far it has closed restaurants in Seattle, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Seattle. The Oceanaire serves fresh seafood, lobster, crab and has an oyster bar and traditional caviar service served in a decor designed to evoke a classic ocean liner feel. The company is working with lenders on a restructuring plan and plans to emerge from Chapter 11 by the end of the year. The twelve other locations in Denver, Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, San Diego and Washington D.C. will remain open.

Gallery: Restaurant Woes

Tatsuso Closes DownTwo Boston Restaurants FoldDining out becomes an extravaganceChef Salaries in DeclineAnthony Worrall Thompson Closes Restaurants

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]]> chapter 11 Chapter11 oceanaire Deidre Woollard Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Tokyo Tops List Of Most Expensive Cities]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=74a884993628b6223b0794157172e76b http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/tokyo-tops-list-of-most-expensive-cities/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/tokyo-tops-list-of-most-expensive-cities/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/07/tokyo-tops-list-of-most-expensive-cities/#comments Where is it most expensive to live as an expatriate? According to the latest Cost of Living Survey from Mercer you are going to spend the most in Japan. Tokyo owns the top spot with Osaka zooming up to second, up nine places since last year. In third place is Moscow which was first last year. Geneva rose four places to fourth position and Hong Kong rounds up the top five. The Mercer's survey uses New York s the base city for the index and scores 100 points. All cities are compared against New York and currency movements are measured against the US dollar. By this measure Tokyo scores 143.7 points and is nearly three times as costly as Johannesburg which has an index score of 49.6 and is at the bottom of the list of 143 cities across six continents. The list measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location and takes housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment into account. The survey is conducted to help corporations set pay rates for international employees.

Some cities fell dramatically in the rankings. Warsaw was down 78 places from 35th to 113th. London was down 13 places to 16th, Sydney has dropped 51 places from 15th to 66th and Mumbai went from 48th place to 66th. Meanwhile cities in the US, China, Japan and the Middle East went up in the ranks. In a press release, Nathalie Constantin-Métral, a senior researcher at Mercer said that the economic downturn has caused fluctuations in most of the world's currencies leading to the reshuffling of the ranks.

[via Bloomberg]

Tokyo Tops List Of Most Expensive Cities originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cost of living CostOfLiving japan most expensive cities MostExpensiveCities osaka tokyo Deidre Woollard Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Billionaire Wants Out Of NYC Apartment Deal]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=7f4e406807232886fce0b31f7ea98335 http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/06/billionaire-wants-out-of-nyc-apartment-deal/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/06/billionaire-wants-out-of-nyc-apartment-deal/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/06/billionaire-wants-out-of-nyc-apartment-deal/#comments Alex ShnaiderIn this economy billionaires with cold feet are becoming more common. The NY Post says that diminutive Canadian billionaire Alex Shnaider wants out of his deal to buy a floor of penthouse condos at The Brompton in Manhattan. Shnaider had agreed to spend around $25 million for four condos in the Upper East Side high-rise. But Shnaider, who according to Forbes, went from a net worth of $2.2 billion to $1.3 billion suddenly isn't feeling so rich. He has sued the developer to get back his $5 million deposit and cancel his purchase agreements on the apartments that he contracted to buy in May 2008. He says The Brompton's developer, The Related Companies, are guilty of misrepresenting the penthouses with regards to views, ceiling height and other amenities.

This story reminds me a bit of the case of Russian billionaire Andrei Vavilov, who signed a $53.5 million contract sight for a penthouse at The Plaza. Vavilov eventually bought an apartment from the Plaza's developers for $11 million using the deposit he put down on the $53.5 million unit. His apartment was listed for $12.5 million in February and was most recently listed for $9.95 million before it went to contract. Perhaps a similar arrangement can be reached for Shnaider since it seems unlikely that any developers are going to be willing to part with deposit money if they can avoid it.

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Billionaire Wants Out Of NYC Apartment Deal originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> alex shnaider AlexShnaider new york city NewYorkCity Deidre Woollard Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Famed Washington Boutique Closing Down]]> http://feeds.luxist.com/click.phdo?i=d9e3808f043020d9937268a9d6a3f14b http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/06/famed-washington-boutique-closing-down/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/06/famed-washington-boutique-closing-down/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/06/famed-washington-boutique-closing-down/#comments harriet kassmanIs the era of the boutique over? Many high-end fashion lines have been struggling with decreased sales and the small boutiques that offered expensive clothing and personal service are finding their business greatly diminished during this recession as well. The Washington Post reports that after 30 years Harriet Kassman's eponymous boutique is closing its doors. Harriet Kassman has been a Washington D.C. institution for the city's most influential and wealthy women. Kassman's boutique offered more than just beautiful clothing, her boutique is famous for personal service and the relationships cultivated over years of buying. Kassman's specialties lay in expensive suits for those who work on Capitol Hill as well as gowns suitable for Washington D.C.'s many galas and formal events. But as budgets have gotten smaller, galas are less frequent and the need for a new gown for each one has become an extravagance rather than a necessity.

The Washington Post article is full of plaudits for Kassman's store and the special place it represented in the lives of many women. Kassman is currently holding a retirement sale but is still holding out hope that someone else might want to come along and buy the boutique and keep it open. She is keeping the bridal portion of the store open until all existing orders have been completed.

Continue reading Famed Washington Boutique Closing Down

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Famed Washington Boutique Closing Down originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> boutique harriet kassman HarrietKassman washington dc WashingtonDc Deidre Woollard Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST Luxist