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BMW to Auction Museum Cars for First Time Ever at Bonhams in Dubai


BMW have consigned two cars from their museum's reserve collection for sale at Bonhams inaugural Collectors' Motor Cars auction at the Royal Mirage Hotel in Dubai this October. This is the first time that cars have ever become available from the official factory collection representing a truly unique opportunity for collectors. The first of the lots is a white BMW 3.0 CSL (left) with motorsport stripes and concours factory restoration. With its aerodynamic spoilers for racing, the car became known as the "Batmobile". Only 57 of this second series design were created before production ceased in December 1975, of which only about a third are thought to survive.

The 3.0 CSL is expected to fetch €130,000–€170,000. Also consigned is a rare 1979 white BMW M1 (right) with very low mileage and in concours condition - a homologation special of which very few were made due to high production costs. It is also estimated to fetch €130,000–€170,000. Other cars also consigned for the sale already include a 1993 Italdesign Aztec Barchetta (€80,000–€120,000) and our personal favorite, an extraordinary one-of-a-kind 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Shooting Brake, estimated at €200,000–€300,000.

Fancy a Saab 9-5? Then Get to Know it with Saab's iPhone App



Saab wants you to like its new 9-5. Based on the reviews the brand-new-and-free-of-GM sedan is getting, that shouldn't be such a hard thing to do. But until you're actually in the showroom singing on the dotted, Saab believes a little persuasion in its favor wouldn't hurt things, and portable persuasion would hurt things even less. That's how we get the Saab 9-5 app for iPods and iPads and iPhones.

As per usual, you can watch videos, admire the plentiful photos Saab has taken of the car, or dress one up yourself and spin it around just like you do with your significant other at Saks. When it goes on sale it will start around $38,000 and climb all the way up to nearly $50,000 for a loaded Aero model. So if you want to save time at the dealership figuring out how much quirkiness you really want to buy, the iTunes app store is where you should be headed.

Valentino Glam Rose and Feather Clutch, Handbag of the Day

Valentino Glam Rose and Feather Clutch
No one does glam and feathers quite like Valentino, and this Glam Rose and Feather Clutch is a perfect example. The body is covered in large black tulle roses and black feathers (it doesn't say what kind) along with crystal details along the top edge for even more glamour. It's fully lined inside with black satin and a pouch pocket, plus it comes with a chain link shoulder strap for different convertible carrying options. A beautiful bag that will serve you well for occasion after occasion, as long as you take good care of the feathers. $2,340

Ray-Ban Launches Carbon Fiber Collection


Earlier this year we told you about Ray-Ban re-inventing classic sunglass styles with their Craft Leather Collection; now the famed eyewear brand has done it again, this time using high-tech carbon fiber. The two styles in the new Carbon Fiber Collection include a classic aviator (top) and a rectangular version of the iconic pilot's style. Carbon fiber, which is stronger and lighter than steel, is used on everything from supercars to jet fighters and the space shuttle. The sunglasses also employ a resin composite for added flexibility and resilience. Both the aviators ($160) and rectangular style ($180) feature lightweight polycarbonate lenses and slim elongated carbon fiber temples with rubber tips for added strength, comfort and non-slip grip. Both are now available with either polarized or non polarized lenses in multiple classic color combinations and matching carbon fiber-patterned cases from haute online eyewear boutique Eyegoodies.

[via JustLuxe]

Antler's Size Zero Luggage: Pack More, Weigh Less

antler luggageWhile I've always had healthy distrust for all things size zero, an exception must be made for this new luggage line. The bags weigh 7 pounds less than the industry standard for a suitcase, which to my way of thinking, means I can pack seven pounds more clothes I simply can't vacation without and still make the mean old airline's 50-pound per bag limit.

Antler, a luggage brand that has been a top-seller in Europe for 90 years, has introduced its new Antler's Size Zero lightweight line. The average 30" suitcase weighs 14 pounds; Antler's weighs in at a skinny 7.3 pounds -- about half the average. Say goodbye to airline fees for overweight bags.

Unlike many ultra-light bags, Size Zero is tough beyond its slim silhouette. It has a patented flexible frame and corner protection system to make it squish-proof. It will hold its own on the luggage carousel and against even the most-calloused baggage handler and comes with a 10-year guarantee. The cases, made of durable 300 x 600 denier polyester, are fully lined and have lockable front pockets.

Antler has specialized in lightweight luggage for years, although it is relatively new to the U.S. market. It's long been the #1 brand in Great Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The collection includes 22", 27" and 30" uprights, a wheeled duffel and a weekender tote with coordinating "grab bag" that are considered a single-piece by London's famously picky security at Heathrow Airport. The 30-inch bag, available in either bronze or black, retails for $240. The rest of the collection is priced from $39 and up.

Awesome Whale at Williams


It's so lifelike, you have to touch it. More than 52-feet long and 10-feet high, Tristin Lowe's ghostly (ghastly) white sperm whale installation, Mocha Dick has the look and feel of an awesome creature of the sea. Made out of industrial wool that mimics whale flesh with its gashes, harpoon scars, and wooly barnacles, Lowe's work is a marvel of ingenuity. Like its namesake, the elusive albino sperm whale that attacked the Pequod and whacked off Captain Ahab's leg, this is a whale that is exhausted from evading deadly harpooners. Mocha Dick is based on an 1839 report that a sperm whale "as white as wool" deliberately attacked a whaling vessel near Mocha Island, off the coast of Chile. That story was the basis for the Herman Melville 1851 novel, Moby-Dick.

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Adam Carolla in The Hollywood Hills, Estate of the Day

Adam Carolla, host of the show that bears his name, has listed one of his three Los Angeles-area homes for sale. No, not the one he lives in -- which sits high up in the Hollywood Hills and was recently full remodeled and renovated. And no, not his Malibu place. But one that he owns in Beachwood Canyon that he used to live in before be became rich and famous and which, by the way, he personally renovated in 1996 -- personally renovated as in holding a hammer in his hand.

Says Carolla: "Totally rebuilt, piece by piece, like a restoration of an old car with modern equipment." Vroom, vroom.

Asking price: $1,395,000.

The three-bedroom home with 2,281 square feet has views of the Hollywood sign and downtown Los Angeles. Carolla is only the second owner since 1944 of this home, which is located on one of Beachwood Canyon's premier streets. Carolla installed new HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) systems, retrofitted and bolted the home to the foundation to meet earthquake standards, installed a new kitchen with Viking and Sub-Zero appliances, added a new slate roof, hardwood floors, a security system and a hot tub; he also changed out the electrical and plumbing systems. Whew. When did he have time to work?

The gated property sits on a promontory point and has city lights and canyon views. There is a step-down living room with a wood-burning fireplace and bar. The family room has a second fireplace and a built-in entertainment center. There are flat lawns, an outdoor patio and water features. There is a walk street stairway nearby that accesses markets and restaurants.

Karen Misraje of Teles Properties has the listing.


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Chopard Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Watch

This year is both the 150th anniversary of Chopard, as well as the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo. As anniversaries are a time for watches (duh), Chopard is making a limited edition Gran Turismo watch in their Mille Miglia collection for Afla that contains the signature red that Alfa Romeo cars seem to look best in. The watches are actually mostly black, but have high contrast hands in a cherry red tone. At 44mm wide, the watch will actually come in three versions. Two chronographs, and a three-hand Gran Turismo XL Chronometer model (actually, all models are technically certified Chronometers). The chronograph versions (like the one pictured) will come in a polished steel case (limited to 500 pieces), and a DLC coated steel case version (limited to 100 pieces). The three-hand model is in polished steel and limited to 500 pieces as well. Strap is your standard Mille Miglia Dunlap tire tread pattern in rubber, and inside the watches are Swiss automatic movements (base ETA). Really an awesome treat for the proud Alfa Romeo car owner.

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

Will LeBron James Buy In Miami?

The announcement that LeBron James will be playing for the Miami Heat next season has some real estate agents very excited. A report in US Weekly has LeBron already planning to party in South Beach, renting out cabanas at the W Hotel. James will stay there briefly before heading to New York City for the wedding of Carmelo Anthony and Lala Vasquez.

But where will LeBron lives permanently once he heads to Miami? One rumor had him making an offer on a $49.5 million waterfront estate in Coral Gables. Coral Gables is home to many athletes but a 20,000 square-foot house would actually be a step down for James who has a 35,000 square foot palace in Akron, Ohio. Will that home hit the market? It seems unlikely. The home was built to his specifications and he'd be hard-pressed to get any decent return on his substantial investment. He also has deep ties to the community.

Another potential neighborhood for LeBron James could be Star Island, the former home of Shaquille O'Neal. But LeBron James might want to wait before putting down real estate roots. Some of the athletes we've seen try to sell their home in Florida have had a rough time including Miami Heat's Dwayne Wade who struggled to unload his Pinecrest home.

The Huffington Post has a list of ten Miami mansions for LeBron James to consider including the incredible Setai penthouse we recently had as an estate of the day.

German Football Coach Orders Tod's Bracelets for World Cup


Germany's national football team got an extra boost of team spirit and patriotism at the World Cup this year thanks to Italian luxury goods firm Tod's. Oliver Berhoff, the German National Team Manager, was shopping in one of Germany's Tod's boutiques a short while back when he spotted the brand's new My Colours braided leather bracelets in the country's national hues of black, red and gold (above). He purchased them for all the players and management as a symbol of team spirit and togetherness; the soccer stars were seen wearing them off the field while head coach Joachim Löw sported his on the sidelines of the games in South Africa. Currently available at Tod's boutiques worldwide, the bracelets retail for about $225 apiece and come in various national colors with steel clasps.
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