So, it's statement jewelry you're looking for? Look no further. 2Roses, the Southern California-based jewelry-making studio has pushed the envelope on experimentation in jewelry design and the results are outstandingly original and, in some case, downright humorous. Take for example, the eclectic jewelry made from computer components. Talk about taking the concept of recycling to a new level.
The studio, a collaborative effort between metal smith Corliss Rose and lapidiary John Lemieux Rose, uses a wide variety of highly unorthodox materials and truly pushes the limits on jewelry design -- establishing the Roses' place in American art jewelry at the same time. The studio's one-of-a-kind adornment and objects d' art are priced from $350 to $17,500.
Once again Moscow is the city with the most expensive average hotel room rate in the world. Bloomberg reports that a survey by business travel agency Hogg Robinson Group Plc showed that the average rate in the city in the first half was 256.83 pounds ($407). The rest of the top five were Geneva at 199.11 pounds, Hong Kong at 197.61 pounds, Paris at 197.13 pounds and New York City at 194.13 pounds. Rates were up in Stockholm, Zurich and Geneva.
The survey found that rates in the US were mostly flat or marginally back compared to 2009 figures, with the exception of San Francisco where average rates dropped by 11 percent. Although Moscow was still at the top its average rate declined by 12 percent. Room rates in Abu Dhabi were down 25 percent. Rome, Copenhagen and Dubai also showed reductions of 7 percent, 10 percent and 12 percent respectively.
Douglas McWilliams, Chief Executive of cebr (Centre for Economics and Business Research Ltd.), a leading economic think tank which analyzed the HRG survey said that the global economic recovery is still fragile and that the "latest HRG Hotel Survey illustrates the effects of a multi-speed economic recovery in the hotel market." The report indicates that it may take until 2012 for some hotels to see a return to pre-recession rates.
Want to get your paws on some of Kimora Lee Simmons cast-offs? You've got one more day to visit the former home of Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons in Saddle River, New Jersey to buy their belongings. The pair has moved on with new partners and new homes but their prodigious collection of clothing, furniture and other household goods remains. Those with deep pockets can pick up art like a $100,000 painting by Faith Ringgold, "The Dinner Quilt" or a pair of $20,000 bronze lions. Furniture is also for sale including Versace's bed for $200,000 and a $5,000 chaise lounge. Those with little to spend can pick up a $3 mug. The sale has been going on since Thursday which might make Saturday the ideal day to pounce because there may be deals to be had. It's not clear what will happen to the unsold goods.
A-1 Liquidators is in charge of the sale which has drawn people from surrounding states to get a look at the house which was featured on MTV Cribs and was also our estate of the day. It's got a new low price, just $13.9 million down from an original asking of nearly $24 million. The 10-bedroom home famous for its cinema-worthy home theater, professional fitness center, wine cellar with bar seating and painted rotunda has made the rounds of various television shows and magazines. It has both indoor and outdoor pools, staff quarters, a pool house and a security system designed by the White House security company.
An incredible array of Ferrari race cars just converged on Germany's famed Nurburgring circuit for three days of test-driving under the legendary Italian marque's Corse Clienti department. 15 Ferrari 599XX and 4 Enzo-based Ferrari FXXs were joined on the track by 10 rare Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 cars, among the world's most desirable vehicles. Amongst them was the F190 raced by Nigel Mansell in the 1990 Formula 1 Championship; the 412 T1 with which Gerhard Berger won the 1994 German Grand Prix; the F300, which was the 45th car built by Scuderia Ferrari for the 1998 season, driven to six wins by Michael Schumacher; and the F2001, with which the German champion won nine races. Also present was the more recent F2007, which took both World titles for the Scuderia team. The beautiful thoroughbred racers are almost as much fun to look at as to drive.
Two more celebrities will be debuting jewelry lines on QVC. The home shopping network will be featuring lines by Shoshanna Gruss and Priscilla Presley, two names whose claim to fame began with who they were involved with. Shoshanna Gruss (nee Lonstein), now a popular fashion designer, first came to media attention as the very young girlfriend of Jerry Seinfield years ago. She's launching her Shoshanna's Fashion Jewelry Essentials collection, a collaboration with another QVC-er Judith Ripka. The costume jewelry line includes crystal heavy pieces like dangling drop earrings and sells from $20 to $80. Her line will debut August 10 at 9 a.m. EDT.
Priscilla Presley's line is the Priscilla Presley Collection, a line of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings that is said to have a rock and roll edge. Presley, who was first famous for being Elvis Presley's wife and later an actress and author will be offering fashion jewelry pieces that will sell from about $35 to $170. Her line will debut August 9 at 9 a.m. EDT.
Model Christie Brinkley and television host Cat Deeley also have lines on QVC.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic and one of the most coveted bags, the Hermes Birkin, the Bleeker Bag by a UK fashion brand Reiss, is a stylish alternative without seeming as though you are wearing a cheap knock-off. And at a much more affordable price tag of £265 ($422) in comparison to the Birkin, the Bleeker is a steal. Shown here in cinnamon colored snake embossed leather, it's the perfect color for warm summer days.
It has a boxy shape and expands by using interior straps allowing for a roomy interior and easily fitting your "must-take-with-me-everywhere-I-go" essentials. This elegant and fashionable bag features an adjustable double handle, a detachable shoulder strap to wear across your body, while the interior has multiple zippered compartments to keep your belongings organized. The Bleeker is also available in graphite (black), which is stunningly beautiful and pony (snakeskin print) that is makes for a bold accent to your wardrobe.
If you're enamored of the latest BMW 5 Series but can't wait for the M5 to come along, may we suggest you look to the aftermarket. BMW always attracts a fair deal of attention from independent tuners, and now Hamann has stepped up with a customization program specific to the new 5.
The catalog consists of a body kit (with a new front bumper, adjustable front lip spoiler and daytime running LEDs, side skirts, rear apron and diffuser and a pair of spoilers), matte black 21-inch wheels with polished rims, a 35-milimeter dropped suspension and a four-tip exhaust system along with carbon fiber and aluminum trim for the interior. A series of engine modifications are expected to follow shortly.
What do you do when you need a cup of coffee, and need it fast? Start up your Ferrari espresso machine, of course! This machine is the brainchild of designer Ilgar Rustamov, and while it remains a concept at present, knowing Ferrari's penchant for churning out branded...well, everything, it could be only a matter of time before we see it on store shelves.
The design, as you can see, centers around a Prancing Horse-emblazoned carbon-fiber racing helmet. Open the tab to pour in the water, lift the visor to brew your cup of espresso, and pull out the chin to pour out any excess spillage. You'll be buzzing like an F1 engine in no time.
Scotch whisky enthusiasts enamored of sherry wood finishes should be well acquainted with The GlenDronach Distillery. Founded in 1826 and recently revived, GlenDronach produces a range of "richly sherried" single malts at 12, 15 and 18 years old. But in addition to the core range, the distillery also offers a selection of limited-edition expressions, the latest of which has just hit the market.
The seven special malts in this Batch 2 release range from 17 to 39 years old, aged in Oloroso sherry butts and Pedro Ximinez sherry puncheons, bottled at between 48.8 and 60.5 percent, the concentration inversely correlated to the age. In addition to local markets, they're being exported to more than 20 overseas markets, so check with your local stockist to get your hands on one.
Kiawah Island, is located 21 miles south of historic Charleston, on the South Carolina coast. The island is about 10,000 acres, over 10 miles in length and 1.5 miles at its widest point, bordered by protective sand dunes. It is one of the few places still left in our country where elegance co-mingles with eco-sensitivity. Houses built here are extremely high end, but with a green perspective, as Kiawah itself is a place with untouched marine forests, wild birds and mammals, bordered by marshland and ocean.
At present, this Estate Of The Day is the largest in terms of acreage and square footage on Kiawah, as well as the most expensive at $29 Million.
It is a 15,000-square-foot gated residence, with a five-car garage, a separate guest home with fitness facilities, an additional 5,000 square feet of outdoor living space --open decking, porches, balconies, and an infinity pool. Other amenities include a media wall, butler's pantry, stocking room, wine cellar, office, and a mahogany paneled study. The home interiors were created by Jacquelynne P. Lanham Designs of Atlanta, who worked with the estate's seven bedroom, eleven bath interior to make each room balance one another, through texture, color and light. As an example, the master baths are his and hers, with his highlighting a Japanese Ofuro tub, and hers a french-style pewter soaking tub. Both share a sauna.The exterior is made of Western Red Cedar shingle, handmade 'Savannah Gray' brick, with mahogany trim.
The outdoor landscaped gardens, were designed by Oehme van Sweden of Washington, D.C., who created complimentary flora and fauna highlights to the marsh grasses that leads to the owner's private deepwater boat dock at Kiawah's westernmost tip. Further, the 11.7-acre grounds include two additional homesites. The bucolic setting for both estate and homesites include mature live oak, sea grass, leafy palmetto, and pine. The views are of the Atlantic, the Stono Inlet and the Kiawah River.
Two more celebrities will be debuting jewelry lines on 
