The rumor mill is going into overdrive with reports that both Lamborghini and Maserati plan to launch an SUV in 2012, aiming to capitalize on the success of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X6. Aston Martin's recent decision to move ahead with its Lagonda SUV concept means that there are no longer any barriers to entering a market that may once have threatened to dilute super-luxury brands. Lamborghini's SUV is expected to be a modern revival of its famed LM002, produced from 1986 – 1993. Dubbed the LM00X and modeled on the Audi Q7 platform (Lamborghini is owned by Audi), it's expected to be fitted with the new 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 set to debut in the Audi S7 next year, Auto Express reports. Maserati's SUV meanwhile will be a refined version of the Kubang GT Wagon concept they unveiled in 2003. The new SUV will most likely take its design cues from the Quattroporte, though Russian designer Andrey Trofimchuk Simeonych has come up with an artful rendering (above) of what it could look like. Both the Lamborghini and Maserati SUVs will initially come in a sporty three-door configuration, with the Maserati most likely priced around $100,000 and the Lamborghini in the $150,000 range.

The Anya Hindmarch Multi-Glitter Clutch is sparkly enough to blind your rivals at this year's holiday party.

This face of this darling clutch could give a Twilight sparkly vampire a run for their money. It's not just the usual silver glitter, it's a rainbow of dazzling flecks that create this shimmering, metallic effect. Somehow, the red and goldtone clasp adds sophistication to the whimsical sheen, and the simplicity of the shape ensures that this will be perceived as fanciful, but not frivolous.

This clutch is just 9"W X 6"H X ¼"D, so it won't appear over-the-top. Truly, this achieves just the right amount of sparkle to draw attention (and compliments!) without being vulgar and obvious. Furthermore, with its rainbow of glitz, it complements just about any color with ... flying colors. (Sorry.) The gleaming facade also adds texture to an ensemble, and could easily take an LBD from humdrum to fabulous.

The bag is lined in gold metallic nappa. We are in love.

The Anya Hindmarch Multi-Glitter Clutch is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $395.00.

The 2011 Bentley Continental GT is being launched in Oman right now, and Bentley has gathered a gaggle of shots of its latest super coupe tanning in the Middle Eastern sun. The second generation of the monstrously powerful and just-as-luxurious two-door will have the familiar 6.0-liter, twin-turbo W12 engine up front, but from next year it will putting out 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. You can probably expect the bottom line number on the order form to be increased as well.

Still, for those in search of a frugal-er conveyance that still retains Caesar's comforts, a V8 Continental will come on line next year and it's rumored to produce somewhere around 550 horses from its twin-turbo Audi motor. Or hey, there's no reason you can't get the V12 for yourself and the V8 for your assistant, right?

The Roy Lichtenstein 1964 painting "Ohhh...Alright..." was sold at Christie's auction of postwar and contemporary art on November 10 for a whopping $38 million or $42.6 million including Christie's fees (watch video of the moment here). The painting topped even a Warhol soup can and opener which fetched $23.9 million, considerably less than the $30-$50 million estimate. Las Vegas casino owner Steve Wynn was the seller. The buyer was an anonymous bidder on the phone. There was only this single bidder who had made a contractual agreement with the auction house before the sale.

The comic-book inspired image of a flaming redhead clutching a phone to her ear with a puzzling speech bubble is one of a group of dream-girls painted between 1961-1965 in Lichtenstein's signature Ben-Day dots. Some pundits claim collectors want instantly recognizable images. Another view is that the painter's iconic images are "safe" and rare, while Warhols seem to pop up on a regular basis. In any case, unlike the US economy, the contemporary art market appears to have regained its health.

Last year we hard that actor Alan Thicke and his wife, Tanya, had listed their Toluca Lake, California compound for rent for $15,000 a month. Now the LA Times reports that the property has hit the market at $4.8 million and is also still for lease, now at $13,500 a month.

The Spanish Colonial was built in 1934 and sits behind electric gates on a park-like flat one acre lot that has a lighted tennis court, outdoor entertaining area, poolside kitchen, brick-surrounded pool and expansive lawns. The six-bedroom home is 8656 square feet and has a formal living/media room with carved wood beamed ceiling and fireplace. The kitchen has a center island and breakfast bar. The family room has a full bar, media area with built-in seating and another fireplace. The master suite has a spa tub, sauna, balcony views, fireplace, study and walk-in closets. There is also a guest suite with full kitchen, large private office, and a gym with rock-surrounded spa as well as a detached two-car garage. The listing is with Bill Taylor of Prudential California Realty.

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Famous German piano maker Steinway & Sons has been also making watches for the last few years. Not directly I am sure, but via a partner who creates timepieces "in tune" with the theme of high-end pianos. A new watch with the Steinway & Sons name on it offers an interesting complication that fits quite nicely with the theme of the musical brand.

The Seconde Metronomique timepiece has a small metronome on the dial that "beats" each second, moving from side to side. It is unclear as to the audible nature of the complication, but it is an interesting feature and appropriate for the theme of the timepiece. It is part of the hand-wound caliber C60 mechanical movement that has a power reserve of 38 hours. Behind the metronome hand is a revolving gear with a lyre image in it, along with another lyre image on the deeply engraved guilloche gold and enamel dial.

The watch case is 43mm tall by 26mm wide and 10mm thick. The Steinway & Sonds Second Metronomique is part of a limited edition of just 300 pieces. This will be segmented in 100 pieces in either yellow, rose or white 18k gold cases. Certainly an interesting piece for music lover or instrument collectors.

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

Ralph Lauren is offering a number of exclusive, ultra-luxurious gifts this holiday season, starring an eye-popping pair of skull cufflinks for $10,995. The luxe links, with a skull in a top hat motif, are finished in white gold with diamond eyes. The designer's new Holiday Collection encompasses chic decorative accents, entertaining accoutrements and luxurious travel accessories. Iconic tartans, a signature palette of cashmere cable-knits and rich velvets have a classic appeal, while items like the cufflinks and crystal barware appeal to a more modern sense of sophistication.

The skull motif also appears on a velvet throw pillow for $195 and even a cashmere dog sweater at $115. Other items of note include tartan leather bags and accessories for both men and women, including a men's Cooper Bag at $3,995; a women's Tiffin Bag in black alligator for $16,995; retro style sunglasses finished in red tartan for $375; and exclusive timepieces priced from $17,500 – $32,000. In addition, RalphLauren.com will be offering multiple programs under the RL Custom Boutique for the ultimate in personalization, while the designer's Gift Vault site features a collection of rare and one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from $650 - $55,000.

[via JustLuxe]

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Jay Dickman (above) is leading an incredible 16-day private jet tour of Central and South America, part of the National Geographic Expeditions program, set to take place from Mar 26 - Apr 10, 2011. Dickman, a National Geographic Expert who has covered events as diverse as the war in El Salvador to the Olympics for numerous publications including National Geographic magazine, is part of the Olympus Visionary Program, a group of prestigious professional photographers who all use Olympus cameras like the brilliant new PEN E-PL1 for professional and personal assignments. The luxe trip via a custom Boeing 757 takes you through lush rain forests, magnificent mountain ranges, lively cities, and the legacies of mighty civilizations.

Destinations include Guatemala, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, and Costa Rica, from "the soaring pyramid temples of the ancient Mayans to the alluring grace of Argentina's tango, and from the awe-inspiring rush of Iguazú Falls to the serene rain forests of the Amazon", with luxury hotel stays in between. As the excursion is priced at $46,950 per person, you'll obviously want to make sure you get great photos – which Dickman helps ensure, leading photographic expeditions and discussing technical as well as aesthetic issues that make for great photography and photographs. Book your seats now as space is limited.

This was a big week for Indonesian fashion designers. Not only did the President Obama make a stop in Jakarta, but he touched down right in the middle of Jakarta's fashion week. While the President was praising the ideals of democracy and development at the University of Indonesia, local designers were sending a parade of pieces down the runways hoping to establish Jakarta as a fashion hub in Asia. Backed by the Indonesian Fashion Designers Association, the goal is to catapult Indonesian designers to the international stage. So far they've mostly had success at home. Until now...

The Jakarta Globe reported this week that one designer hit the jackpot. Priyo Oktaviano snagged a chance to present the U.S. First Lady with one of his designs, a face-to-face meeting most stateside designers would KILL for! Oktaviano, who worked for Balenciaga early on in his career and is known for quirky and edgy designs, said he was contacted only six days prior to the meeting. He had one day to make a dress and a coat and he looked up Mrs. Obama's size on the Internet.

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