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Luxist Gets an Education in Flowers at Camelback Flowershop



While enduring basking in the solarific heat of a Phoenix summer we stumbled upon the Camelback Flowershop. Tucked in between a cafe and a Cuban restaurant there was little on the outside to give away the splendor within, but once inside we knew we had found another portal through the looking glass. After the first bouquet we gifted earned us unheard of accolades, we had returned to the florist to find out exactly how she makes her magic. Armed with a cappuccino from the shop's own maker, we sat down with owner Teresa Wilson, and in addition to learning a few things about sepals and stems we also learned that Camelback Flowershop doesn't sell flowers – it sells fragrant high fashion.


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The Fashion Statement: A Case for Roomy Trousers


Reed Krakoff's (Coach president and creative director) new ready-to-wear line this fall featured them. So did Pringle of Scotland. January Jones broke them out for the annual summer Louis Vuitton/Vanity Fair party on Rodeo Drive.

Skinny pants, could your end finally be in sight? Roomy, high-waisted trousers are showing up everywhere.

This isn't the first time roomy trousers have tried to get a jump on the ubiquitous skinny. For a brief moment in 2007, high-waisted wide legged jeans flooded the marketplace. In '08, the wide-legged palazzo had a moment. A year ago, the harem pants made a run for it gaining many headlines and about half as many fans.

What makes this time different? Time will tell.

Fashion is like a pendulum. For every action, there is a reaction. It was always a matter of time before flowing pants nudged skinny off her perch. It usually takes a few tries before the eye gets used to the new look. Even fashion critics who are used to continuous change, are hard to convince. Earlier this year, style.com had this to say on Pringle's slouchy trousers inspired by wading boots: "That's a lot of pant for a body to wear."





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Sultan of Brunei's Custom Ferrari F50 for Sale


The other day we told you about the Sultan of Brunei's incredible 7,000-strong, multi-billion dollar car collection, boasting among other things some 450 Ferraris. Apparently the collection has been reduced by at least one – the filthy rich ruler's custom 1996 Ferrari F50 has just been listed for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList. The price is undisclosed but we expect the rare auto, one of only two right hand drive factory-built F50's in existence, to be worth at least $1 million. Custom made for the Sultan, one of only 359 F50s ever produced, it has 5,000 miles on it. The F50's V12 engine kicks out 513 hp at 8,500 rpm with a torque of 470 nM. It does 0–60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 202 mph. Don't worry too much about the Sultan losing one the prize pieces from his collection, however; according to reports he should still have two more F50s in the garage – not to mention the 600 Rolls-Royces....

Justin Timberlake's William Rast Line To Be Sold At Target

justin timberlake and trace ayalaWilliam Rast, the clothing line founded by Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala is the latest to go the Target route. A limited edition of apparel for men and women will launch in December at most Target stores nationwide and will also be sold online. The collection will only be available from December 19 to January 22, 2011.

The brand was first dreamed up by Timberlake and Ayala in 2005 as a new denim label. The line launched the following year and has since expanded into leather jackets, outerwear, wovens and knits. The brand is sold in department stores including Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales as well as several William Rast retail stores.

Plans For Edward Kennedy Institute Revealed


The late Senator Edward Kennedy will have his own institute next to his brother's presidential library and museum. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate will be next to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum on the University of Massachusetts at Boston campus. Renderings for the project were revealed this week. The 44,000-square-foot compound was designed by architect Rafael Vinoly. A groundbreaking is scheduled this fall and the institute is set to open in 2013.

The Boston Herald reports that the institute hopes to raise $125 million to cover the building expenses and start an endowment. The Kennedys have already donated millions on top of the nearly $3.5 million given by the late senator's political campaign. Peter Meade, the institute president and CEO, told the Herald that donors have given or pledged $50 million and that the institute floated $60 million worth of bonds to pay for the construction.

The institute has a unique role, it's not a museum or a library but is focused on education. It will have an exhibit hall, Senate Chamber representation, a replica of Kennedy's office, classrooms, digital library and archives.

South Beach Bar Serves Up Jersey Shore's Ron Ron Juice

You drink mint juleps to watch the Kentucky Derby, what drink celebrates the second season of MTV's "Jersey Shore?" That would be Ron Ron Juice, the red and sweet cocktail that cast member Ronnie Ortiz-Magro likes to whip up before a night on the town. The new season takes place in South Beach and one of the places that the cast partied, Ocean's Ten, will feature a version of the drink called Abuelo's Ron Ron Juice using Ron Abuelo Añejo, a blend of aged Panamanian rums, in place of the drink's usual vodka. It's available through August 26 and costs $15 for a 36-ounce version during the day, when the bar only serves oversized cocktails. The same size drink is $30 at night or $10 for a 12-ounce version.

Want to make your own version? Check out this MTV video. According to Ronnie himself "you've got the watermelon, the cherries, some ice, cranberry juice" and of course plenty of vodka to start off what often becomes a "filthy night." Housemate Pauly D refers to the drink as the "root of all evil" because of its tendency to sneak up on you.

[via SunSentinel.com]

For more "Jersey Shore" merriment check out Vanity Fair's George Wayne interiewing the cast after the jump.

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Did the Sultan of Brunei Buy 10 Aston Martin One-77s for His Billion-Dollar Car Collection?


Back in February we reported on the mysterious filthy rich individual who purchased 10 Aston Martin One-77 supercars, limited to just 77 examples, for $1.7 million apiece or $23 million in total including fees. Now educated insiders are speculating that the Sultan of Brunei bought the cars to add to his multi-billion-dollar, 7,000-strong car collection, the world's most expensive auto hoard. According to Guinness World Records the Sultan's collection includes over 600 Rolls-Royces, more than 450 Ferraris, 570 Mercedes-Benzes, 380 Bentleys, 170 Porsches, dozens of Koenigseggs, and 20 Lamborghinis to name a few. He owns several rare custom, one-off and concept cars, some worth tens of millions apiece, including a Ferrari Mythos, a Jaguar XJ220 by Pininfarina, a Bentley Java, a Bentley Dominator SUV, bespoke Rolls-Royce and Ferrari station wagons, a Porsche Carma and a Koenigsegg Agera. Known for buying multiple models of supercars in order to have one in every color, he owns several McLaren F1s, six Ferrari FXXs, four Ferrari F40s and three Ferrari F50s. The Sultan, who's worth an estimated $20 billion, stores the collection in five heavily-guarded airplane hangars and employs a team of mechanics and specialists to keep the cars in perfect working condition.

Donna Karan Medium Shoulder Bag, Handbag of the Day

Donna Karan HandbagI honestly don't know what to think of this decidedly odd Donna Karan creation. It's the Medium Shoulder Bag (a name that doesn't do it justice) in black leather and it gets its uniqueness from a circular, pouchy, unstructured bottom with large double top handles coming up out of the middle, topped off with stud embellishments. It closes via drawstring and is fully lined in matching black leather with two interior pockets (one zip, one open). A fun casual bag that although very simple is surprisingly a love/hate kind of design. $1,495

Tequila Avion, New for the Private Jet Set


Ken Austin, Executive Vice Chairman of Marquis Jet, is launching a new ultra premium spirit called Tequila Avion for the private jet set. Austin attracted several million dollars in funding from investors including notables from the worlds of art and culture, business, technology, sports, lifestyle and luxury goods to get the new venture off the ground. Produced by fifth generation agave growers from among the finest Blue Weber agave found in the highest regions of Jalisco, Mexico, the tequila's distinct flavors are achieved through a combination of slow-roasting at lower temperatures to protect the natural flavors of the agave and an ultra-slow filtration process which creates an ultra-smooth taste profile. It's available in Silver, Reposado and Anejo varietals.

"I've always experimented and searched for a tequila that is smooth and has great character, whether I drink it neat or in a cocktail," Austin notes. "Over the years, close friends and business associates who were also passionate about tequila have joined me in this pursuit. We came to realize that if we wanted the ideal tequila – balancing exceptional taste, character and smoothness - we would have to create it ourselves. With the help of experts that understood our quest, that is exactly what we have achieved in Tequila Avion, a distinctive and defining new standard of quality and taste in tequila, or 'Taste Elevated' as we refer to it." Tequila Avion is now available at select locations including New York's Park Avenue Liquor Shop.

The Right Way to Set Up a Buffet Table

Buffet style meal service can be a great way to offer a variety of foods to a large group of guests, as long as you keep it organized and put some thought into setting it up. Smooth, clear navigation and easy to handle dishes and utensils are key, as are these other tips.
  • Stack plates at the head of the table, and silverware and napkins at the end.
  • All the food should be accessible from both sides, even for small groups, and all lids and covers should be completely removed once serving starts.
  • Start with the main course, then the side dishes, and finally the salads and bread.
  • Be sure to duplicate condiments on both sides of the dishes they coordinate with, for easy accessibility.
  • Provide tongs and ladles instead of forks and spoons for serving whenever possible.
  • If offering grilled goods consider a separate station by the grill so meat and veggies can be served up as freshly as possible.
  • Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold via generous buffet burners and ice.
  • Refill often to maintain freshness and flavor.
  • If serving a wide variety of dishes consider labeling with place cards so guests know what's what.
  • Lettuce wilts quickly outdoors or in a warm room so consider a grain-based version, like this Mediterranean Grain Salad, as a sturdier and longer lasting substitute.
  • Beverages should be served on a separate table that's far enough away from the main buffet so as not to cause traffic congestion.
  • Dessert should also be served separately, on its own table, and should not be put out until after the main course.
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