Billie Piper Wears Harlette Lingerie For Fourth Season Of The Secret Diary of a Call Girl

via Luxist



Today I'm taking a page from Jared Paul Stern's book and delivering pics of a pretty woman in pretty lingerie. The fourth season of The Secret Diary of a Call Girl begins in England on February 1. The series tells the story of high-class escort Belle and her adventures in London. and as you might expect the character, played by Billie Piper, has  the wardrobe of intimate wear. small luxury brand, Harlette plays a role in the first episode. Among the pieces he wears is the Northern Lights Couture Crystal Catsuit, a confection of italian lace handbeaded in spain with Swarovski crystals on silk. It sells for £650. he also wears the Double Trouble Luxurious Lounge Set, a silk camisole and pant set with velvet and lace trim which sells for £265 and several other bra and panty sets

Pandora Unveils Valentine's Collection 2011

via Current Affairs by luxuryinsider

Pandora has unveiled its Valentine's collection for 2011,A gorgeous selection of jewellery for her.

Those pieces are available as necklaces, bracelets, or ring.

Sprawling Homes of America’s Tech Titans

via Current Affairs by luxuryinsider 








Topping the list is Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft , he owns a 66,000 square foot mansion in Medina, Washington. Situated on a five-acre estate, it includes eight bedrooms, 25 bathroom.


Michael Dell, the Chairman and CEO of Dell.It includes eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, 13 half bathrooms, a chef's kitchen and a conference room, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Meanwhile, Oracle founder and CEO, Larry Ellison, lives in a 23-acre home compound in Woodside, California which has ancient Japanese architectural aesthetics. At the heart of the $65 million property is a 7,800 square feet main house which sits on a man-made lake (above).

Another tech titan on the list is James Clark, co-founder of Netscape Communications. His penthouse in the Setai Building boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, a terrace with swimming pool and stunning views.

Hotel Des Artistes, Estate

via Luxist



The final property with library is a duplex at The Hotel Des Artistes, 1 West 67th in california City. The building is located off Central Park West and designed by George Mort Pollard in a Neo-Gothic-style building in 1916. The nine-room duplex opens to a large lobby and a great room with a wall of double height leaded glass windows. The room is framed by a double height, oak paneled 2,500 volume library and the floor plan shows the layout which includes a media room with a wine cave on one side balanced by a formal dining room and kitchen on the other. Upstairs is given over to bedrooms with a master suite in a private wing that has an ample dressing room. three other bedrooms and a small office are located on the other side. Building amenities include a La Palestra Health Club, pool, squash court and roof terrace and there's a concierge and an elevator attendant.This apartment is listed at $6.95 million through Sotheby's.

Baldacchino Supreme - The £4 million luxury bed fit for royals

via Bornrich




At £4 million (about $6.35 million), the Baldacchino Supreme is one of the most pricey beds in the world. The exclusive bed is a result of collaboration between Stuart Hughes of Liverpool U.K. & Hebanon by F.lli Basile Interiors of Nocera Superiore france. The lacquered, patinated & sponge batted bed & canopy boasts 107 kg of solid 24ct along with tiny decorative applications in gold leaf detail & the headboard in capitonnè. The whole structure is in chestnut wood & curving is ash wood. The fabric used is spanish silk & cotton with “no burn” certification. Headboard can be custom-made with diamonds or other precious stones.

The structure of canopy’s edges comes in cherry wood. All decorations are handmade & can be custom-made to fit your royal taste. Only two Baldacchino Supreme beds will be ever made.

Richard Mille RM 038 "Bubba Watson" Watch

via Luxist

Richard Mille really swings to win - & the brand has long realized that nice strategic partnerships are great for business. Brands like Rolex & Tag Heuer have long since proved that working with golfers is a nice suggestion. Richard Mille now finds the right man for them. Speaking with Mr. Mille himself, you learn that in choosing people to work with, taking in to consideration their character & demeanor is as important as their performance. Choosing to place a watch on Bubba Watson had a lot to do with Richard's respect for the self-taught Floridian golfer. huge in stature & with a congenial Southern nickname, Mr. Watson was a sensible choice.

$95,000 Art du Temps clock is science in motion

via Bornrich




Here is a clock with a mind and heart of its own. The Art du Temps’ mechanical square plates beat with each passing second to enthrall you with its smart design. A elementary voice inquiry about the time, and the Art du Temps unfolds itself to reveal a digital display beneath. Designed by illi and Julien Ado for Designby8, the clock’s squares randomly move up and down to indicate the passing of the seconds when in passive mode.

Swiss made and 100 percent mechanical, the Art du Temps is not a mere idea but is to be manufactured and made obtainable for purchase. Innovation and cutting-edge expertise never come cheap, and thus this uber-cool piece of equipment is slated to set you back by about 90,000 Swiss Francs (approx $95,000) in case you choose to indulge yourself.

Zuccon Establishes New Maxi Yacht Design Division

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In response to growing demand for maxi yachts, Zuccon International Project has established an in-house team dedicated to maxi-yacht plans.


Zuccon began designing Maxi Yachts years ago but over the past decade the company has designed increasingly, culminating in the new 80-metre vessel pictured above.

According to architect Gianni Zuccon, the decision is a result “of steadily growing demand for maxi yacht projects and ideas and the necessity to dedicate to these projects the professional skills, know-how and sensitivity necessary to answer the complex specifications characteristic of products of this type.”

Wealthy Chinese Snapping up European Property

via Current Affairs




The rich Chinese elite are increasingly snapping up property in a number of Europe’s most prestigious addresses,  in the United Kingdom.

According to Knight Frank Residential Research, more than one in 10 of all buyers of new properties in central London hail from Mainland China or Hong Kong, with plenty of Mainlanders channelling their money through the Special Administrative Region.


Individuals in China cannot spend more than $50,000 per year outside the country, compelling plenty of to bypass these restrictions by Hong Kong.

Sebastian Warner, partner in residential development at Knight Frank, said: "Hong Kong has been a massive market. it's always been significant but the last year-and-a-half has been dramatic.”

"It is often difficult to choose whether the people we are selling to are feeding mainland money through Hong Kong or are people who have moved to Hong Kong & have taken their money with them."


In order to capitalise on the flush of Chinese money, plenty of estate agents are hiring Mandarin speakers, while some like Savills, have set up dedicated China desks in its London office. Furthermore, a host of estate agents are holding property exhibitions in China itself.

A necessary side effect is that property developers are also seeking advice on feng shui, with some new apartment blocks in London having no floor numbered six, considered unfortunate in Chinese culture.

Although London remains the choice pick for very  all of Chinese buyers, they are also taking a look at other areas of Europe, including old world castles & chateaus with vineyards in France as well as southern spain.

Chessmaze International’s limited edition chess sets for serious collectors

via Bornrich






In case you are looking for an exclusive chess set that could tempt someone to plan a move, you may need to think about new limited edition chess sets from Chessmaze International, one of the premium online chess sellers in the United Kingdom. A beautiful work of art & highlight of the collection, the  Andalusian Limited Edition Blood Rosewood Chess Set, priced at £1,195 ($1,900) is obtainable in a limited run of 250 pieces. The Sovereign has luxury leather pads fitted to its base. The 4.25-inch King bears the hallmark of the Inspired by Staunton range of collectible works of art. Other limited editions of chess sets include Unicorn Blood Rosewood, Championship Boxwood Chess, Excalibur Ebony Chess Set, Pendragon Knight Ebony Chess set, Antiqued Bowing Knight Ebony Chess Set & more.

These limited edition chess sets (250 each) are hand carved by the world’s most prolific chess workshops. The manager of Chessmaze International said that these limited edition chessboards are unique & precious gifts for serious collectors & those who've an eye for beauty of these sculptures.

Fine dining at At.mosphere, the world’s highest restaurant

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Recently, the world’s highest restaurant opened its doors to guests at Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building in Dubai. Called At.mosphere, the restaurant sits 1,350-feet above the ground floor of Dubai’s 2,717ft-high Burj Khalifa. Located on the 122nd floor, At.mosphere is one of the world’s finest luxury dining & lounge experiences with unmatched views of the Arabian Gulf. it is situated only five levels below “At the Top, Burj Khalifa,” the tower’s observatory deck. The At.mosphere restaurant can host over 210 guests & features a spacious arrival lobby, a main dining floor, private dining rooms & display cooking stations.
Offering a matchless dining idea, the guests could pick to dine at the Grill or relax at the Lounge overlooking magnificent vistas of the world’s tallest performing fountains

Wayne Gretzky Is New Breitling Watches Brand Ambassador

via Luxist

Former hockey player great Wayne Gretzky was  announced by Breitling watches as their newest brand ambassador. As far as I do know Mr. Gretzky made his "Breitling public debut" a few weeks ago at Breitling's new, texas boutique opening. Gretzky will star in a brand spanking new commercial campaign for Breitling watches alongside something else Canadian, a mid 20th Century Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver aquatic plane - meant for take off & landing on water. The plane imagery is due to Breitling's connection & desire to be associated with all things "aviation." Above, Gretzky is wearing a Breitling Chronomat B01 watch with Breitling's in-house made chronograph movement. Look for more of Wayne's face associated with the Swiss brand's watches soon.

Enjoy Cannes Film Festival Aboard Superyacht 4You

via Current Affairs


The Cannes Film Festival is one of the highlights of the film calendar and this year you can enjoy the stellar event aboard the 4You superyacht


Spanning 47 metres, the vessel’s upper deck boasts a Skylounge with a piano and a sizable plasma TV.Capable of sleeping 10 guests in three staterooms, other features include an open-air gym and a spa/pool area.Aside from the Cannes Film Festival (which takes place from May 11-22), the superyacht will also be poised to dock in Cannes for the 2011 MIPIM Real-Estate Conference.

W.L. Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Limited Edition Antique Collection

via RobbReport




Each year, the family-owned Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Kentucky, releases a limited edition Antique Collection of bourbons and rye whiskies, of which the William Larue Weller uncut and unfiltered wheated bourbon ($119) is clearly the star of the show. Don’t confuse this with the other great W.L. Weller bourbons in the line, which come in shorter, squatter bottles and lower proofs. This is a re-creation of Weller’s 1849 recipe, a double distillation of Distiller’s Grade #1 and #2 Kentucky corn and North Dakota wheat and malted barley.


The distillate was first put into new, charred white-oak barrels in the coursework of the summer of 1998, where it slowly matured on the fourth and ninth floors of Buffalo Trace warehouses I and P. Twelve years and four months later, when this spirit was at its peak, 55 of the best barrels were hand chosen and bottled. The result is a 126.6 barrel-proof powerhouse brimming with caramel corn, toffee, and aromatic pipe smoke, all linked together with an underlying characteristic sweetness indicative of an authentically crafted wheated bourbon. it is definitely a hearth drink, to which one might be well advised to add a splash of branch (distilled) water or an ice cube to tone things down.

Nayatt Point, Estate of the Day

via Luxist


Today's home was built in 1913 and commands an enviable view Narragansett Bay. Located in the Nayatt Point area of Barrington, Rhode Island, today's home has the beautiful lines of another period. the way in to the 3.64-acre estate is highlighted by antique forged iron gates with a circular drive leading to a porte-cochere entry. A basically graceful lobby includes a grand staircase with triple twisted balusters and paneled risers. All the old school details are in place including hand carved fireplaces, stained glass, built-in china cabinets and six paneled pocket doors. The breakfast loggia offers a sunny place to take your coffee with windows opening out onto bay views. Marble pillars frame the expansive brick terrace that lead to the sloping lawn and private beach. there's four bedrooms and all principal bedrooms boast water views. The second floor master suite has his and hers baths/dressing rooms with stunning water views. The expansive slate roof was replaced in 2006. This home is listed at $6.295 million.

Tiffany & Co. Valentines Collection 'For Him'

via Current Affairs
 
Tiffany & Co. has unveiled its Valentines collection ‘For Him’, offering a wide selection of gorgeous cuff links, money-clips, timepieces and the like.


Standout pieces in the men’s line include the ‘Tiffany 1837™’ cuff in titanium in midnight and sterling silver (above) as well as Bull & Bear cuff links in sterling silver (below).

Elsewhere you’ll find Atlas® cuff links in 18 karat gold, a plaid business card case in sterling silver, Metropolis cuff links in sterling silver, and Paloma's Groove money-clip in sterling silver by Paloma Picasso (all top).

The world’s most expensive suites to open at Paris Hotel Le Bristol

via justlux.com

Luxury Paris Hotel Le Bristol is synonymous with luxury & has forever boasted of a exclusive celebrity patrons, including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio & Natalia Vodianova. Catering to the whims & fancies of these over-the-top luxury clientele, the property is set to unveil a $33 million revamp that includes the unveiling of an ultra-luxe penthouse. The penthouse is expected to become one of the costliest hotel suites in the world, a position held by The Royal Penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel for lots of years. The new 2,583-square-foot, two-bedroom suite will cover the whole eighth floor & will feature incredible view of the rue de Faubourg Saint Honoré & the famed Le Bristol gardens-the largest of any Parisian hotel.

The French-style Le Bristol Spa is also expected to double in size to include ten treatment rooms. plus its signature, Michelin three-star Gastronomic Restaurant will move in to one permanent space, no longer shifting seasonally. While a cost has not been disclosed yet, they expect it to go beyond the $65,000 figure, currently the rate of The Royal Penthouse Suite, in order to take home the ‘World’s most expensive Suite’ title.

Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Taking Orders for Bentley Flying Spur

via Luxist

The system of transforming a Continental GTC into the Flying Star takes some 4,000 hours of work, & to that finish, Touring has hired more staff & invested in new equipment so it can be working on as plenty of as five at a time. It will still take seven months from order to delivery, & with production capped at 19 examples, each sells for about $800,000.

At last year's Geneva Motor Show, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera unveiled a dramatic vision for a shooting brake based on the Bentley Continental. For those unfamiliar, a shooting brake is a retro automotive body-style that is fundamentally a wagon sans seven doors, & was a favourite of independent coachbuilders like Touring. The automobile stole the show, & now the Milanese coachbuilder is taking orders.

Ralph Lauren Stirrup Diamond Link Watch

via Luxist

a brand new high-jewelry timepiece from Ralph Lauren Watches is this Stirrup collection Diamond Link. A full pave 18k white gold case for the small sized Ralph Lauren Stirrup is not new, but the great looking chain-style bracelet is. The case is about 28mm wide & features a specially made for Ralph Lauren Piaget caliber RL430 by hand wound mechanical movement. The Stirrup style is clearly meant to as an homage to Ralph Lauren's love of equestrian activities.

There are literally hundreds of diamonds on the case & bracelet - 1,553 of them in fact. My gosh, where do they fit all of them? It was cool for me to play with the drool worthy watch. i'm certain it would have been like cat nip for females. Total stone weight is about 24.70 carats. Yes, that is a lot of stones. The mixture of the case style & the classy bracelet are a fine mix of the unique styling of RL pieces combined with a  classic jewelry style presentation. Look for these in  limited quantities soon.

Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 Handbags

via Luxist

Louis Vuitton's Spring 2011 handbags may be smaller than we're used to but they're also bolder, brighter, & (if it's possible) more pretty. They're all stunning but the star of the group is by far the above Monogram Nova Minaudiere. It's a superbly spherical wristlet covered in hand-applied black & white Swarovski crystals & featuring an additional long black & gold tassel that adds eye-catching movement & spirit. The Monogram Nova Minaudiere will sell for $35,500. Look for it & plenty of of the other bags in the Spring 2011 lineup to launch officially in April, although it looks like a few may become available next month.

Boston Wine Expo Celebrates 20th Year

via Luxist by Deidre Woollard on 1/19/11

Boston
Boston-area wine lovers are eagerly anticipating the 20th Anniversary Boston Wine Expo coming up this weekend, January 22-23, 2011 at the Seaport World Trade middle. This year's event includes the "Founding Chef" culinary series with celebrity chefs & local favorites Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger; Todd English of Olives, Figs & Kingfish; Jasper White of Jasper White's Summer Shack; Gordon Hamersley of Hamersley's Bistro; Michael Schlow of Radius, by Matta & Alta Strada; Marc Orfaly of Pigalle & more.


The Boston Wine Expo also features keynote speaker Ray Isle, Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine. The main event is the Grand Tasting showcasing over 300 international & domestic wineries pouring over 1,500 different wines. there is also an exclusive Grand Cru Wine Lounge, featuring high-end vintages; as well as a Seminar Series designed for all levels of wine lovers. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are $110 each after that date & two-day tickets are $145. Grand Cru Wine Lounge ticket prices are $175. Seminar & other events are priced separately. For more information on chef demonstrations, seminars, participating wineries & to buy tickets, go to www.WineExpoBoston.com.

Dunhill Black Diamond Classic Watch Hands-OnDunhill Black Diamond Classic Watch Hands-On

Each year A. Dunhill of London releases possibly 1-2 new watches. Not simple to find, these lovely looking timepieces would definitely bring joy to those who find them. This one is my fave for 2011, the Dunhill Black Diamond Classic. Is is true to watch making? it's a Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 896 automatic inside, which ought to satisfy the skeptical.

But the beauty here is the pretty design and dial. Classic and elegant, the watch is 38mm wide in steel with a dial made up of crushed black diamonds set in lacquer. it is a ideal piece for any black tie event - I loved it. Note the faceted hands that are diamond cut, and the clever use of black and white on the dial. A bit retro in style? possibly, but I've seldom seen anything like it before. The image here shows  a little bit of how the dial sparkles - not overwhelmingly so, but there's definitely a degree of dancing with the light. You'll must find these in one of the few Dunhill boutiques around the globe, but in the event you like it, the inquiry seems worth making.

Hennessy Odyssey XO and VSOP Helios limited edition cognacs

Since 2007, the renowned cognac brand Hennessy has been celebrating the New Year with a limited edition XO cognac, plus this year’s is called the Odyssey XO. The new special edition cognac is the fourth addition to the XO collection, plus it’s not just a classic Hennessy taste in a designer bottle. Instead, the unique blend has been made  to celebrate the beginning of the New Year. Artist plus designer Arik Levy has designed the bottle.

 The second limited edition cognac launched by Hennessy is the VSOP Helios, the first in the firm’s VSOP cognac collection. The name “Helios” comes from Greek mythology & is the name of the ancient god of the sun. When you look at the package design, its pink silver surface shines brightly & casts back the light. Hennessy VSOP Helios comes in 70cl, 150cl, & 300cl bottles.