Luxist http://www.luxist.com Luxist. http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.luxist.com/media/feedlogo.gif Luxist http://www.luxist.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Cocktail Pendant with Pearls]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/11/cocktail-pendant-with-pearls/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/11/cocktail-pendant-with-pearls/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/11/cocktail-pendant-with-pearls/#comments Picking out jewelry is not a simple process. If you select something too formal or too gaudy, you might not appreciate what it will say about your personality. For women with complicated personalities, buying a bangle can actually take on existential proportions. If you are a woman who doesn't easily fit into the category of "classic" or "bohemian," you should check out T. Cyia jewelry. One half traditional and one half rock and roll, the T. Cyia collection is jewelry that won't make you second guess what your accessories might say about you. My favorite piece is the Cocktail Pendant. The bold rectangular pendant rests on a strand of pink pearls with silver and oxidized silver chains, which is tied together with a signature T. Cyia silver snake clasp. According the website, this piece was inspired by Liz Taylor's pinkie ring. Price: $299.

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Cocktail Pendant with Pearls originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 11 Jul 2006 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> jewelryliz taylorLizTaylorpearls Anne Metz Tue, 11 Jul 2006 16:04:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[A Pop Art Original]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/11/a-pop-art-original/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/11/a-pop-art-original/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/11/a-pop-art-original/#comments When it comes to artists, no one is cooler than Andy Warhol. That having been said, no one is quite as expensive to buy, either. But don't let the price tags of those auction houses discourage you. Now, everyone can afford to have their own Warhol-inspired piece of original art. All you have to do is send a photograph to the people at Nic Norman, and they will turn your snapshot into an Andy Warhol-style piece of Pop Art to don the walls of your home or office.

The artists at Nic Norman work one-on-one with customers to create unique prints. Each custom pop art design is printed on real canvas with museum-quality pigment-based archival inks. The prints are professionally stretched and gallery mounted with the highest quality white pine wooden frames.

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A Pop Art Original originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 11 Jul 2006 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Andy WarholAndyWarholNic NormanNicNormanpaintingpop artPopArt Anne Metz Tue, 11 Jul 2006 14:32:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[English Rose Candles]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/10/english-rose-candles/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/10/english-rose-candles/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/10/english-rose-candles/#comments According to my mother, good manners means never showing up anywhere empty-handed. Leading by example, she buys a ton of hostess presents each year.

Her hostess gift of choice is always a lovely scented candle. Smaller than a wine bottle, but less perishable than chocolates, candles fit snugly into the category of something nice -- which everyone loves --no matter what their decor. Her candle of choice, Diptyque's Pink Rose candle, comes in a elegant pink frosted glass votive holder. The 50-hour burning candle captures the freshness of an English garden without any of the cloy usually associated with roses. It's the perfect hostess gift, so while you're at it, go ahead and pick up a few extras. The weekend dinner parties are just around the corner.  Price: $52.

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English Rose Candles originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> candlesdiptyqueenglishgiftshostess giftHostessGiftroses Anne Metz Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:29:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The Pet Murphy Bed]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/08/the-pet-murphy-bed/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/08/the-pet-murphy-bed/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/08/the-pet-murphy-bed/#comments William L. Murphy could never have foreseen this.

When Mr. Murphy patented his so-called "Murphy bed" in 1916, he intended it to be used as a space-saving measure by people of limited means and limited floorspace. Like a trundle bed (and, for that matter, tuberculosis and polio), the Murphy bed was an emblem of the early twentieth century.

Times change, however. Now that you've made it safely into the early twenty-first century, you can relive your nostalgia for that era by purchasing the Pet Murphy Bed by Midnight Pass. With the Pet Murphy Bed, your dog or cat (or ocelot or pot-bellied pig) can re-invent him- or herself as an immigrant, recently arrived from Ellis Island and now living in a small apartment on, say, the Lower East Side of Manhattan ... all for a mere $199.95 (plus shipping and handling).

The Pet Murphy Bed originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 08 Jul 2006 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> catdogellis islandEllisIslandimmigrantpetpet murphy bedPetMurphyBedwilliam murphyWilliamMurphy Anne Metz Sat, 08 Jul 2006 12:04:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Smoothed Over with Kiehl's]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/07/smoothed-over-with-kiehls/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/07/smoothed-over-with-kiehls/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/07/smoothed-over-with-kiehls/#comments If anything you're like me, in the back of your bathroom closet, you keep a graveyard worth of half-used styling products handy for off-chance that you might, one day, use them all again. Pomades, mousses, sprays, gels, waxes -- if it goes in your mop, you can find it in my closet. But for all of my serial product usage, I find that at the end of the day, I always come back to my beloved stand-by: Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom.

I don't exactly know what "Silk Groom" is, but I do know what it does: namely, it flattens out fly-aways and makes your hair look salon-shiny. Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom moisturizes, protects, and conditions hair with a formulation of Silk Powders and naturally-absorbed oils, which come from Wheat Protein, Soy Protein, and Jojoba Oil.

To be honest, what I love most about this Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom is the fresh rosemary smell. As it turns out that in addition to being a miserable pack-rat, I also enjoy smelling like focaccia. Price: $17.50.

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Smoothed Over with Kiehl's originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 07 Jul 2006 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hair cremeHairCremekiehlsrosemarysilk groomSilkGroom Anne Metz Fri, 07 Jul 2006 19:15:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Diamond of the Day]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/06/diamond-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/06/diamond-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/06/diamond-of-the-day/#comments If diamonds are a girl's best friend, then this 7.03 carat platinum engagement ring is a girl's BFF! (That's best friend forever, for those of you who aren't good with acronyms.) Believe it or not, this spectacular rock, which has a retail price of $55,000, is actually on sale for $31,750 at FutureFashionista.com. (That's 42% off for those of you who aren't so good at math!) The Platinum mounting is set with 142 round-cut diamonds, which add up to approximately 1.50 carats. The ring size is 6.75, and the band is signed by the designer -- one Sophie D.

Of course, $31,750 is a steal in comparison to the amount of money spent on your average celebrity's engagement ring. After doing a little research, I found out that Paris Hilton's engagement ring cost $4.7 million, while Jennifer Lopez's only cost $1 million. I guess cost is always a matter of perspective.

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Diamond of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 06 Jul 2006 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Anne Metz Thu, 06 Jul 2006 16:04:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The name's Branson, Richard Branson]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/05/the-names-branson-richard-branson/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/05/the-names-branson-richard-branson/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/05/the-names-branson-richard-branson/#comments British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson is about to step into a new role: acting.

Expanding the Branson empire from his Virgin brands (Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Mobile, Virgin Records), Sir Richard will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming Bond movie, Casino Royale. Casino Royale will star the new Bond, Daniel Craig. Of course, Sir Richard will not be the only cameo actor in the film. According to reports, Branson will be accompanied by his 19-year-old son, Sam.  Just in case you are worried about his acting abilities, keep in mind that this is not Branson's first appearance on the big screen. Sir Richard and Sam have both appeared in the film Superman Returns.

According to Branson, the film's producer Barbara Broccoli contacted him to see if he would be interested in appearing during a scene at the Miami Airport. Of course, the Branson boys won't be cameo-ing next to just any airline -- they'll only appear with Branson's own Virgin Atlantic. Talk about product placement!


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The name's Branson, Richard Branson originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 05 Jul 2006 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> BransonJames BondJamesBondSir Richard BransonSirRichardBransonVirgin AtlanticVirginAtlantic Anne Metz Wed, 05 Jul 2006 17:36:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Portia Clark Pearls]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/05/portia-clark-pearls/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/05/portia-clark-pearls/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/05/portia-clark-pearls/#comments Over the weekend, I attended my older sister's wedding in Maine. It goes without saying that she was the most beautiful bride ever. And, of course, she was wearing the most beautiful pearl earrings ever.

I know what you're thinking -- pearls are for sorority girls and ladies who play bridge. But Portia Clark's pearls, now those are something else entirely. Made from a variety of stunning freshwater pearls in a rainbow array of shades and shapes, Clark's handmade pieces are quite possibly the loveliest exception to the stereotype of the pearl. If you visit her website, you can see her most popular styles of earrings, bracelets and necklaces. There's even an option to create your own unique design.

When you're the most beautiful bride ever, you definitely need the jewels to match.

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Portia Clark Pearls originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 05 Jul 2006 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> earringsjewelrypearlsPortia ClarkPortiaClark Anne Metz Wed, 05 Jul 2006 15:34:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Your Own R2-D2]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/04/your-own-r2-d2/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/04/your-own-r2-d2/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/04/your-own-r2-d2/#comments First there was the Japanese robot dog. Then there was the robot cat. Now there is a voice-activated robot R2-D2, the lovable little droid from Star Wars.

R2-D2 is a motorized replica of the original spirited bot, which can respond to more than 40 voice-activated commands. Using an infra-red sensor, 'D2 can roll around your house, search for intruders, play tag, answer simple 'yes' or 'no' questions, and dance to the famous cantina music from Star Wars. He may not be able to help save the universe, but he can still blink his lights, swivel his dome top and blast those memorable happy robot sounds. Standing 15 inches tall, R2-D2 weighs in at 6 pounds.

Now that popular culture's most beloved android friend has been memorialized in the form of a workable replica, I have to wonder which robot will come next? Personally, I'm hoping for Rosie -- the Jetson's helpful maid robot, the perfectly-programmed-hausfrau who leglessly rolled about, dusting and tidying wherever she went. Ah, dare to dream, I guess. Price: $119.95.

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Your Own R2-D2 originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> andoidsJetsonsR2-D2robotsStar WarsStarWars Anne Metz Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:03:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Piloti Spyder Driving Shoes]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/03/piloti-spyder-driving-shoes/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/03/piloti-spyder-driving-shoes/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/03/piloti-spyder-driving-shoes/#comments When it comes to driving footwear, there are good ideas and then there are bad ideas.

A good idea? Piloti Spyder SV Series Driving Shoes.
A bad idea? Manolo Blahniks.

The driving shoe of choice for car-world enthusiasts, the Pilotis are not like your everyday athletic shoe. With a sleeker tread and narrower sole sides, these shoes are designed to avoid getting snagged on car pedals. Optimized for stability and walking comfort, Pilotis boast thick, stiff soles. The trademarked Roll Control heel helps drivers ensure that they have precise handling and control over the amount of pressure applied to the gas or the brake pedals.

And while you might not want to stumble into Bungalow 8 wearing a pair (after all, the Manolo's are better for that), the next time you are zipping along the Autobahn or flying through the streets of Monte Carlo, be sure to bring your Pilotis. Price $74.95.

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Piloti Spyder Driving Shoes originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 03 Jul 2006 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> autobahndriving shoesDrivingShoesmonte carloMonteCarlopilotispyder Anne Metz Mon, 03 Jul 2006 16:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Dior's Star Earrings]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/29/diors-star-earrings/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/29/diors-star-earrings/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/29/diors-star-earrings/#comments One of things I love most about Dior is if you add the company's initial 'D' to any item, you also somehow transform otherwise tacky baubles into desirable goods.

For instance, take these 2-inch crystal-encrusted Movie Star charm earrings. Without the 'D,' they could probably pass for a pair of earrings purchased for a five bucks at Piercing Pagoda in the mall. But, if you add the 'D,' suddenly they're DIOR every girl on the street wishes she were you.

Is this good? Is this bad? I don't know. But what I do know is that I want them. 'D,' apparently, is for desirable. Price: $185.

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Dior's Star Earrings originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> crystalsdiorearringsmovie starsMovieStars Anne Metz Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:33:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Letters Worth Loving]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/29/letters-worth-loving/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/29/letters-worth-loving/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/29/letters-worth-loving/#comments In the era of email, text messages and cell phones, there are few things that are as meaningful as a hand-written letter. If you are one of the few people out there who refuses to give up on snail mail, you're also probably one of those people with a penchant for cool stationery.

IShould you fall into this aforementioned category, you must visit R. Nichols Stationery to check out the newest selection of distinctive paper. Nichols is a well-known illustrator who provided the leggy, glamorous drawings for the recent best-seller, French Women Don't Get Fat. Nichols'  hand-drawn cards and stationery are divided according to theme: babies, gardens, travel, New York, Paris, fashion, beauty. My favorite has to be the "Taxi in the Rain" card. For obvious reasons, this quirky card captures the romance and the drudgery of life in the Big Apple. A box of eight folded note cards with envelopes costs $14.

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Letters Worth Loving originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> note cardsNoteCardspaperR. NicholsR.Nicholsstationerytaxi cabsTaxiCabs Anne Metz Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:04:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[In Other Words, It's Catchy]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/28/in-other-words-its-catchy/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/28/in-other-words-its-catchy/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/28/in-other-words-its-catchy/#comments For the last month, I've had The Price Is Right theme song stuck in my head. Needless to say, it's driving me crazy.

However, Earworms Musical Brain Teasers see the song that sticks in your head as a useful didactic tool. Earworms' 75-minute downloadable lessons take common foreign language phrases and layer them over top of pleasant instrumental music. So, the more times you listen to the tracks, the more the songs get in your head. And the more the songs get in your head, the better you will learn your language. Earworms are available in German, Greek, Italian, Spanish, and French. 

Their motto? "Earworms take the hard work out of learning."

Hey, I get that. Learning is hard, especially languages. But in my own defense, learning Arabic must be easier than living with The Price is Right theme song stuck in your head.  

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In Other Words, It's Catchy originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> downloadsearwormslanguagesprice is rightPriceIsRight Anne Metz Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:34:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Luxury for Less]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/28/luxury-for-less/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/28/luxury-for-less/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/28/luxury-for-less/#comments If you're not familiar with the retail industry calendar, you may not be aware of peak  season sales. You're probably familiar with Day after Christmas sales, but the other big annual sale usually occurs towards the end of June.

In other words, it's hunting season, ladies! And the best part is that many retailers have extended their in-store bargains to online shoppers. The ever-posh Bergdorf Goodman is offering spring and summer items marked down by up to 40%.

With 40% off, the Elie Tahari white lace dress that I have been coveting from afar will now only cost me $299.00! (Hey, that's down from $498.00, mind you...) And this is just the tip of the iceberg -- designer garb from Missoni, Derek Lam, Stella McCartney, and Jimmy Choo are also up for grabs.

Happy hunting!

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Luxury for Less originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Bergdorf GoodmanBergdorfGoodmandesignerdiscountElie TahariElieTaharisale Anne Metz Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:34:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[What's New with Nuala?]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/27/whats-new-with-nuala/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/27/whats-new-with-nuala/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/27/whats-new-with-nuala/#comments Do you ever think to yourself, "Gee, I wonder what Christy Turlington is up to these days?" Okay, so probably not -- but I do. It turns out that Christy Turlington is still keepin' it real, yoga-style, with her Nuala line over at Puma.

Given that Nuala has been around for a couple of years, I really have to hand it to Christy's ingenuity. After all, there really are only so many variations on the yoga pant.  Clearly fed up with yoga pants, she has expanded the collection to include "lifestyle clothes." Christy's latest offerings feature kimono detailing and hip, bohemian butterfly print fabrics.

While I'm usually skeptical of the athletic-wear-as-casual-wear approach, the lovely and talented Miss Turlington seems to have negotiated a happy medium between sporty and wearable.

Boffo, Christy!

What's New with Nuala? originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 27 Jun 2006 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Anne Metz Tue, 27 Jun 2006 19:09:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Well-Heeled with Easy Spirits]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/27/well-heeled-with-easy-spirits/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/27/well-heeled-with-easy-spirits/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/27/well-heeled-with-easy-spirits/#comments Remember when Easy Spirit first used the tag line, "Looks like a pump, feels like a sneaker?" A more accurate description, of course, was "Looks like an orthopedic shoe, feels like sneaker."

But Easy Spirit is now eying a higher-end, younger market. By enlisting the design talents of Tara Subkoff, which fashion followers will know from the L.A.-based line Imitation of Christ. Subkoff's designs are smart, modern, feminine and sexy.

My favorite? The Pallendro.

Gone are the days when Easy Spirits were the fashionable domain of little old ladies. With a great designer on board, Easy Spirit shoes at last actually "Look like a pump, but feel like a sneaker." Price: $240

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Well-Heeled with Easy Spirits originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> easy spiritEasySpiritpumpsshoestara subkoffTaraSubkoff Anne Metz Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:34:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Nelson Mandela to Defend De Beers]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/26/nelson-mandela-to-defend-de-beers/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/26/nelson-mandela-to-defend-de-beers/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/26/nelson-mandela-to-defend-de-beers/#comments When Marilyn Monroe sang, "There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer, but diamonds are a girl's best friend," she probably never thought that the diamond, not  the girl, would ever need a good defense.

De Beers, the largest purveryor of a girl's best friend, has recruited none other than South African activist Nelson Mandela to be the new best friend of the diamond industry.

Diamond executives are growing nervous about a new movie called The Blood Diamond, which is scheduled for release in January, 2007. The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly, tells the story of two South Africans, a mercenary and a fisherman during the savage Sierra Leone civil wars. During this conflict, rebels seized mines to sell "conflict" or "blood diamonds."

But will the PR effort work?

I guess it's hard to say. One thing is certain, Moissanite executives have probably already singing, "There may come a time when a girl needs a lawyer, but laboratory-produced-diamonds are an girl's best friend."

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Nelson Mandela to Defend De Beers originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> debeersdiamondsfilmsmoissaniteNelson MandelaNelsonMandela Anne Metz Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:04:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Climb Up My Eternitree]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/26/climb-up-my-eternitree/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/26/climb-up-my-eternitree/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/26/climb-up-my-eternitree/#comments If you live in a city, you can get just about anything you want delivered to your door. Not just pizza or Chinese take-out, you can also have groceries, movies, a pedicure, even clothes delivered straight to your house.

Given this trend, I guess it was only a matter of time before the landscaping business jumped onto the bandwagon. Now, you can buy a beautiful tree from Eternitree.com, and have it shipped directly to your door.

Each 2-to-3 year old tree sapling arrives safely and securely in a 5 inch pot. And for the less garden-inclined, each new tree comes equipped with 4 x 6 gift booklet, which includes complete care instructions.

The only catch, of course, is that you still have plant the tree yourself. As far as I know, there's no delivery service for that.

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Climb Up My Eternitree originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 26 Jun 2006 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> deliverygingkotreesyard Anne Metz Mon, 26 Jun 2006 16:32:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Tree Pods: The Next Big Thing]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/22/tree-pods-the-next-big-thing/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/22/tree-pods-the-next-big-thing/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/22/tree-pods-the-next-big-thing/#comments Remember the Ewokes from Star Wars? You know those furry little friends of Chewbacca, who lived up in the trees? Well, if you ever had the urge to make like an Ewoke and live in the trees, I have good news! Now you can.

A company out of British Columbia has developed "Free Spirit Spheres," which are pods-houses suspended from trees. According to the company, these durable spheres can be used for all sorts of purposes: healing, meditation, photography, canopy research, leisure and game watching.

If they sound a little dangerous, don't worry, they're not. Spheres can be hung from the trees or any other solid objects like buildings or rock faces.  A web of rope is connected to any solid surface, thereby replacing the foundation of a conventional building.

If nothing else, these Free Spirit Spheres redefine what it means to just be hanging out.

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Tree Pods: The Next Big Thing originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 22 Jun 2006 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> British ColumbiaBritishColumbiaewokesspirit spheresSpiritSpherestrees Anne Metz Thu, 22 Jun 2006 19:07:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Tiglat Chardonnay]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/22/tiglat-chardonnay/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/22/tiglat-chardonnay/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/22/tiglat-chardonnay/#comments Now that summer has officially begun, I've officially switched from sipping red wine to white wine. One of my favorite warm-weather treats is a cool glass of Austrian Chardonnay. My favorite this year is the Tiglat -- which is named after Austrian wine-maker Heinz Velich's oldest vineyard. Planted in 1959, this Chardonnay vineyard is one of the oldest in all of Austria.

At any rate, these old vines create a beautiful wine with good fruit and fine mineral notes. Velich utilizes very strict selection when picking the grape. Half of the wine  actually spends 18 months in oak barriques, later to be  joined with the rest of the wine in steel tanks for an additional two months. You can order a bottle or a case on-line through Winemonger.com. Price: $54.99

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Tiglat Chardonnay originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 22 Jun 2006 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Austrian wineAustrianWineChardonnaywhite wineWhiteWine Anne Metz Thu, 22 Jun 2006 16:31:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Gloss Over It]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/22/gloss-over-it/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/22/gloss-over-it/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/22/gloss-over-it/#comments Growing up, I ate a lot of Popsicles during the summertime. Cherry Popsicles were my favorite, and they were always the first to disappear from the freezer. It wasn't that I particularly relished the cough-syrup taste. I ate cherry Popsicles because I was fond on the color they left behind on my lips. Now that I am older, and less inclined to devour frozen desserts on sticks, I've had to accept that there is no cherry-Popsicle-stain substitute. Apparently, the Popsicle red isn't a color that sophisticated cosmetic companies create for discriminating customers.
 
But I have to think that Fresh was channeling my beloved cherry Popsicle when they created Gloss Absolute in Desire. Enriched with antioxidant pomegranate extract, restorative Shea butter, hydrating jojoba oil and skin soothing vitamin E, Gloss Absolute gives you the flushed summery look of Popsicle lips but without the high-fructose corn syrup part. Price: $24.

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Gloss Over It originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 22 Jun 2006 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Freshlip glossLipGlosspopsicles Anne Metz Thu, 22 Jun 2006 12:32:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[It's a Diorantik Flat!]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/19/its-a-diorantik-flat/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/19/its-a-diorantik-flat/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/19/its-a-diorantik-flat/#comments I've mentioned in my previous post on the Perfect Flat that I have a soft spot for shoes that keep me close to the ground. With wedding season in full-swing, I've decided to invest in a pair of shoes that will last me through the entire matrimonial social season.

The trouble, of course, is that I have a rainbow array of dresses to which I must match my kicks. I've got the Maid of Honor dress for my sister's wedding (pale blue), the bridesmaid dress for my best friend's wedding  (bright pink), and the all-purpose-guest-dress for the other four weddings I must attend (lime green).

Finding a pair of shoes to wear with all of these colors is not for the faint of heart. That's why I've got my eye on Christian Dior's Diorantik flat. This Grecian-inspired sandal has snakeskin-print, braided straps and gold metal Dior buckles. But best of all, they match everything. Price: $485.

They are Diorantik, Diorlicious, and Diormatic!

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It's a Diorantik Flat! originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Christian DiorChristianDiordiorflatsgoldsandalswedding guest shoesWeddingGuestShoesweddings Anne Metz Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Baby Brangelina's Domain]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/19/baby-brangelinas-domain/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/19/baby-brangelinas-domain/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/19/baby-brangelinas-domain/#comments Suddenly, keeping up with the Jones means more than it  used to, especially when it comes to naming your kids. When I was born, for instance, my parents went with Anne because it was at the beginning of the name book. No longer can parents rely on such simple reasoning.

You've got Apple, Brooklyn, Paris, Hazel, and Dweezle. The explanation behind these weird celeb names is simple. All of the good domain names have been taken.

Take the spawn of Brangelina -- young Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt. Even before the little bundle of paparazzi-joy arrived, the happy parents had been busily laying claim to at least 17 domain names, each featuring a various configuration of the wee-Jolie-Pitt's already strange moniker.

Certainly, trends come and trends go. But until this trend flies south, you can just forget about the silver spoon from Tiffany's, and you can forget about the diamond encrusted pacifier from itsmybinky.com (see Deidre's post).

If you want to keep up with the Jones, then the best gift you can buy that baby comes from GoDaddy.com.

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Baby Brangelina's Domain originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Angelina JolieAngelinaJoliebaby namesBabyNamesBrad PitBradPitShiloh Nouvel Jolie-PittShilohNouvelJolie-pitt Anne Metz Mon, 19 Jun 2006 15:03:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Melusine Austrian Wine]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/09/melusine-austrian-wine/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/09/melusine-austrian-wine/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/09/melusine-austrian-wine/#comments The Melusine, an Austrian white made by wine maker Marion Ebner from Gruner Veltliner grapes, is a limited edition high-end imbibe imported by the online retailer Wine Monger.

In addition to the complex peppery flavor, what I love most about the Melusine is the way the wine appeals to my aesthetic sense in addition to my palate. As someone who has been known to buy bottles of wine based on the labels alone -- a problematic criterion, I admit -- the Melusine, admittedly, caught my eye in this regard. The clean, simple silver label, embossed with a small Melusine mermaid screams, sophistication and good taste. With the wax seal over the cork, frankly, this wine feels like a steal at $58.99 a bottle. For fans of Austrian whites, I can't think of a better delight than this wine.

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Melusine Austrian Wine originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> austriamarion ebnerMarionEbnermelusinewhite wineWhiteWinewine Anne Metz Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:09:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The Perfect Flat]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/09/the-perfect-flat/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/09/the-perfect-flat/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/09/the-perfect-flat/#comments True confession: I never wear high-heels. Why? Well, as a very tall woman who is dating a not-so-tall man, I have a hard time justifying, both to myself and to my fellow, those few extra inches of altitude. While I recognize that certain shoes are more flattering for your legs, the fact still remains: I hate heels.

Because I hate heels, I've been on a life-long quest for a closet full of perfect flats. In my experience, finding great flats in black is never much of a challenge. However, finding a pair of decent-looking neutral-colored flats? Well, that's like trying to find virtue in the Red Light District of Amsterdam. Good luck with that one, ladies.

But then I found Pedro Garcia's nude satin round-toed flat sold on-line at milk. While the shape is so Audrey Hepburn a la Roman Holiday, the details are anything but retro-quaint. With raw edges and a silver chain across the toes, these shoes offer everything a modern girl could want from a shoe that is not a heel. And at the risk of sounding completely hysterical, I must say, I hope that when I die, I am buried in these shoes.

It's a tall girl's dying wish...

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The Perfect Flat originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 09 Jun 2006 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> flatsmilkPedro GarciaPedroGarciasatinshoes Anne Metz Fri, 09 Jun 2006 12:32:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Kazaan Viveiros paintings]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/06/kazaan-viveiros-paintings/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/06/kazaan-viveiros-paintings/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/06/kazaan-viveiros-paintings/#comments Many in the San Francisco art community were saddened to hear that Steel Gallery -- owned and operated by novelist Danielle Steel -- is closing its doors this month.

Take heart, art buffs: despite the bad news, one of Steel Gallery's favorite painters, Kazaan Viveiros, is still alive and kicking.

A favorite of ARTnews and the SF Weekly, Viveiros's eerie works are equal parts hyper-realist images and abstract color planes. In other words, they're both traditional and edgy. And while I'm not sure if Condoleeza Rice is a Kazaan Viveiros fan, the Portugese-American's paintings do grace the walls of the State Department.

Though painting prices are not disclosed on Viveiros's website, I'm sure Steel Gallery can quote you a price. Better hurry up and give them a call, though.

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Kazaan Viveiros paintings originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 06 Jun 2006 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> americanartARTnewsdanielle steelkazaan viveirosnovelistpaintingportugeseSan FranciscoSF weekly Anne Metz Tue, 06 Jun 2006 17:07:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Detox for your Skyn]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/05/detox-for-your-skyn/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/05/detox-for-your-skyn/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/05/detox-for-your-skyn/#comments It was on Lindsay Lohan's recommendation that I first heard about The 5-Day Detox Kit from skyn Iceland.

"Detox" has the ring of seriousness, doesn't it? Well, for some of us -- and yes, Lindsay and I fall into this category -- detox is exactly what we need when it comes to our skin. If you have chronic dryness, redness, irritation, flakiness, skyn's 4-step regimen is the only skincare line designed to address the tell-tale signs of stress on your skin. Inflused with a unique Biospheric Complex, the detox kit gives you everything you need to replenish the naturally occurring "glow" most of us have when we aren't under the influence of things like deadlines, caffeine, lack of sleep, hang-overs, sunburns, sugar, anxiety or -- in the case of La Lohan -- the paparazzi.

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Detox for your Skyn originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> celebritiesdetoxLinsday LohanLinsdayLohanskin careSkinCareskyn icelandSkynIceland Anne Metz Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Bryan Rubino Glass]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/02/bryan-rubino-glass/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/02/bryan-rubino-glass/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/02/bryan-rubino-glass/#comments First Sonny and Cher. Then Justin and Britney. Then Kobe and Shaq.

It's clear that breaking up is hard to do.

As readers of the New York Times may know from yesterday's edition, the newest tiff is between famed Seattle glass artist Dale Chihuly and his former employee Bryan Rubino. Chihuly is suing Rubino for stealing his ideas.

Chihuly you've no doubt heard all about. He's the guy who makes -- among other creations -- the weird sea anemone-type glass chandeliers. He lit up Venice with his installations, and he's done the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Robin Williams, Bill Gates and Bill Clinton all own Chihuly creations.

Rubino, the underdog in this story, is steadily producing lovely glassworks from his Shelton, Washington studio. This bumblebee-inspired glass vessel can be yours for $4100.

[image via Rubino Glass]

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Bryan Rubino Glass originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bill gatesBillGatescelebritycherchihulykoberubinoshaqsonny Anne Metz Fri, 02 Jun 2006 16:07:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[You've Got Jolie Lips]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/02/youve-got-jolie-lips/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/02/youve-got-jolie-lips/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/06/02/youve-got-jolie-lips/#comments Face it, ladies: whether you're Team Aniston or Team Jolie, we all covet Angelina Jolie's lips.

To get them, you've got a few options. You could go the collagen route, but that comes with the risk of accidentally winding up with Courtney Love's kisser, which is a risk that I dare say I'm not willing to take. And then, blessedly, there's the non-surgical route, for which there is no better balm than Lip Venom, by DuWop. It's the original, and it's still the best.  Infused with a potent cocktail of cinnamon, wintergreen and ginger, the clear gloss comes in a sassy little vial.

Lip Venom encourages blood-flow into your lips. The result is a slight plumping and a gorgeous flushing (think the color of your lips after eating a cherry popsicle). And even if it doesn't make me look exactly like the lovely La Jolie, Lip Venom makes my pout look healthy and youthful -- which is a lot more than we can say for poor Courtney Love.

The best part? At $16 bucks a pop, it's also more affordable than an injection.

Don't you just love chemistry?

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You've Got Jolie Lips originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> angelina jolieAngelinaJolieanistonduwoplip glosslip plumperlip venomLipGlossLipPlumperlipsLipVenom Anne Metz Fri, 02 Jun 2006 14:33:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Sex in the City: The Complete Series]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/31/sex-in-the-city-the-complete-series/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/31/sex-in-the-city-the-complete-series/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/31/sex-in-the-city-the-complete-series/#comments Most people over the age of 45 can remember where they were and what they were doing when President Kennedy was shot. Most people under the age of 45 can remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard that Kurt Cobain had killed himself.

But if you're female and single, the moment your most likely to latch onto was the first time you ever watched HBO's landmark show Sex and the City.

Me? I was stuck at home in blizzard with two feet of snow outside my door. A friend urged me to rent the series and, despite my initial resistance, I did.

The rest, as they say, is herstory. From that first episode I was hooked on the clothes, the actors, and especially that ridiculous way Carrie Bradshaw managed to include the phrase, "And I had to wonder, blah, blah, blah" in every single episode narration.

The good news is that now you can relive all of the magic with The Complete Sex and the City collection, neatly packaged in a bright pink box -- pink, you know, for girls. Girls who, like me, have an easier time remembering the season in which Miranda got knocked up by Steve (Season Four) than which year President Kennedy was shot.

Was it 1962? Or was it 1963?

Sex in the City: The Complete Series originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 31 May 2006 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> blah blah blahBlahBlahBlahcarrie bradshawCarrieBradshawdvdkennedy assassinationKennedyAssassinationnew yorkNewYorkSarah Jessica ParkerSarahJessicaParkersex and the citySexAndTheCity Anne Metz Wed, 31 May 2006 17:34:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[LAS Haxial: Cycling's $200 Helmet]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/31/las-haxial-cyclings-200-helmet/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/31/las-haxial-cyclings-200-helmet/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/31/las-haxial-cyclings-200-helmet/#comments I'll admit it: I was opposed to bike helmets for a long, long time. After all -- especially given my vanity -- what  says "I love freedom! (even if I didn't finish Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead)" more than the wind running through my hair? What says "I'm a style-deaf dork" more than a mushroom-shaped brain bucket on my dome?

Enter the LAS Haxial. Hailing from the northern Italian province of Bergamo, LAS helmets have been the Dolce & Gabbana of bike safety for more than 30 years.

Worn by cycling heartthrob Danielo di Luca (among others), the LAS Haxial boasts serious airflow, a removable interior with anti-bacterial treatment and -- if you want to pay a bit more -- a Ventilator in the colors of the Italian flag.

An American flag Ventilator is also available ... but ask yourself: WWDdLD? (What would Danilo di Luca do?)

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LAS Haxial: Cycling's $200 Helmet originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 31 May 2006 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> BergamoDanilo di LucaDaniloDiLuca Anne Metz Wed, 31 May 2006 17:03:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Santa Maria Novella Body Milk]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/30/santa-maria-novella-body-milk/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/30/santa-maria-novella-body-milk/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/30/santa-maria-novella-body-milk/#comments If you're anything like me, you're probably growing a bit weary of all of the da Vinci hype that has been going around: the movie, the book (now finally in paperback), the lawsuit.

All the more reason to mention another name from the Italian Renaissance to whom the Western World owes a great debt: the de' Medici family. Between the 13th and the 17th-centuries, the de' Medici clan was Florence's most famous set of movers and shakers. Their philanthropy brought into the world the Pitti Palace, the Uffizi Gallery and the Boboli Garden, as well as a slew of paintings and frescoes from the all-stars of Renaissance art: Masaccio, Donatello and Fra Angelico.

But what you might not know is that the de' Medicis were also vanguards in the field of cosmetics. The Santa Maria Novella Latte per Il Corpo (body milk, for any non-Italian speakers out there) is made according to the same exacting standards required by matriarch Catherine de' Medici some 700 years ago. This lightly moisturizing body milk instantly absorbs into your skin, leaving nothing but a delicate magnolia scent.

So even if you can't have the clout of Catherine de' Medici, at least you can do your best to smell like her. Price: $72.

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Santa Maria Novella Body Milk originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 30 May 2006 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> beautyBoboli GardenBoboliGardencosmeticda Vinci CodeDaVinciCodeItalyMediciPitti PalacePittiPalaceUffizi Anne Metz Tue, 30 May 2006 17:05:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Seven Cycles IMX: a Titan in Titanium]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/27/seven-cycles-imx-a-titan-in-titanium/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/27/seven-cycles-imx-a-titan-in-titanium/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/27/seven-cycles-imx-a-titan-in-titanium/#comments I am grateful to the aerospace industry for so many things: Airbus, NASA, SkyMall magazine ...

But I am especially grateful to the aerospace industry for its use of titanium, the space-age metal that used in airplane construction. Simultaneously unbreakable, indefatigable, corrosion-proof and ultralight, titanium is also totally dope.

Equally dope is Seven Cycles of Watertown, Massachusetts, which has been making bicycle frames from titanium since 1997.

With summer around the bend, I've got a jones for the IMX, Seven's flagship  titanium/carbon mountain bike. The frame alone is $3,395. Steep, yes. But think of it like the two-wheeled equivalent of a tailor-made suit.

That $3,395 includes custom sizing, yes, but it also includes dialed-in custom handling and ride characteristics (do you want Cadillac comfortable? Formula-1fast?). Decal choice is also part of the deal, as is making sure the frame is compatible with the exact components you choose.

In other words, the aerospace-quality bike frame you get is an honest-to-god one-of-a-kind.

Can you say that for a Boeing 747? I didn't think so.

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Seven Cycles IMX: a Titan in Titanium originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 27 May 2006 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 747bikesboeingcadillaccustommassachusettsmountain bikeMountainBikenascarsevenseven cyclesSevenCyclestitaniumwatertown Anne Metz Sat, 27 May 2006 08:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The $279 bike seat]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/25/the-279-bike-seat/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/25/the-279-bike-seat/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/25/the-279-bike-seat/#comments
Remember the '80s?

Sure, you can reminisce about the Cyndi Lauper or Premier Gorbachev or  Top Gun if you want, but to me the '80s were defined by the Pentagon spending scandal over the infamous $600 toilet seat.

600 dollars for a toilet seat, you say? How old-fashioned! It's a new millenium, and I'd like to present you with the $290 bike seat. Made by fi'zi:k (pronounced "physique"), the Arione Braided Carbon saddle is a combination of comfort, light weight, style and plain, old-fashioned bling. It uses braided carbon rails to absorb shock and "wing-flex" construction to free up thigh movement.

In other words: the saddle won't chafe you, even if the price does.

[photo via fi'zi:k]

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The $279 bike seat originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 25 May 2006 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> arionebikecarboncyclingCyndifi'zi:kGorbachevLauperpentagon toilet seatPentagonToiletSeatsaddleTop GunTopGun Anne Metz Thu, 25 May 2006 16:06:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Rimowa: Luxury Cars Have Needs, Too!]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/24/rimowa-luxury-cars-have-needs-too/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/24/rimowa-luxury-cars-have-needs-too/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/24/rimowa-luxury-cars-have-needs-too/#comments Rimowa cases --the Cristal of luggage -- have more than 100 years of experience under their belts. Now that they've figured out that if you make high-dollar luggage, you should do it for high-dollar customers and their high-dollar cars.

To this end, Rimowa is now pimping made-to-measure car luggage sets. The cars they're targeting?  BMW (5 series and 7 series), Audi (A6 and A8), and Mercedes (E and S class).

The company claims that "each of the exclusive sets is perfectly tailored to the standard empty car boot of these models" ("boot" here clearly being an expensive way to say "trunk").

To which I say: '89 Tercel drivers, are you going to take this?!

[Image Rimowa]

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Rimowa: Luxury Cars Have Needs, Too! originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 24 May 2006 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 5 series5Series7 series7SeriesA6A8AudiBMWCristalE ClassEClassMercedesRimowaS ClassSClassTercel Anne Metz Wed, 24 May 2006 15:03:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[CAT-430: A Tent With Serious Altitude]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/20/cat-430-a-tent-with-serious-altitude/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/20/cat-430-a-tent-with-serious-altitude/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/20/cat-430-a-tent-with-serious-altitude/#comments
For years, cyclists, runners, skiers, triathletes and other aerobic athletes had a choice: they move to high-altitude locales (like Boulder, Colorado) or they could lose.

The reason for this? As you probably know, the thin air at high altitude stimulates production of the oxygen-carrying red blood cells that make aerobic exercise easy.

All this changed in 2002, when Colorado Altitude Training (headquartered, not coincidentally, in Boulder, Colorado) launched its first simulated altitude tent. Suddenly athletes based in Miami, New York, or LA could have the benefits of living at 12,000 feet.

For a mere $7,745, you, too, can get high with the CAT-430, Colorado Altitude Training's walk-in tent. 

More than seven thousand dollars may seem steep, but ask yourself: how much is it worth to beat your friends in the local 5k? how much is it worth to rule the Versa-Climber at the gym?

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CAT-430: A Tent With Serious Altitude originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 May 2006 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 5kaltitudeBoulderCATLAmiamiNew YorkNewYorkred blood cellsRedBloodCellsversa-climber Anne Metz Sat, 20 May 2006 10:06:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Slingshot's Travel-Friendly Mountain Bike]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/18/slingshots-travel-friendly-mountain-bike/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/18/slingshots-travel-friendly-mountain-bike/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/18/slingshots-travel-friendly-mountain-bike/#comments With recent posts about Bike Friday and Co-Motion's Espresso Co-Pilot on the brain, I thought I'd take a gander over at Michigan's Slingshot Bicycles to see what they've got going in terms of travel-friendly bikes. 

Slingshot has been by making waves in the bike industry for a while now. As its name might imply, Slingshot uses taut cable in all the right places.

In terms of travel bikes, Slingshot offers the Fold-Tech mountain bike. The result is not only a mountain bike that folds down to fit in a suitcase, thus saving you the airlines' unconscionable bike fees (why is it that golf clubs -- which weigh a lot more than bikes, by the way -- don't seem to cause their owners $80 worth of grief each way?), but also a ride that will definitely turn heads.

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Slingshot's Travel-Friendly Mountain Bike originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 18 May 2006 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bike fridayBikeFridayco-motionfoldable bikeFoldableBikemichiganmountain bikeMountainBikeslingshottravel bikeTravelBike Anne Metz Thu, 18 May 2006 11:03:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Bikes We Covet: The Van Dessel Solstice]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/17/bikes-we-covet-the-van-dessel-solstice/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/17/bikes-we-covet-the-van-dessel-solstice/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/17/bikes-we-covet-the-van-dessel-solstice/#comments Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the bike lane,  Van Dessel Cycles drops a black carbon compact on the world.

Van Dessel's charge d'affaires, Edwin Bull -- himself a racer with a lot of kilometers pounded out on Belgian cobbles during his youth -- brings us the Solstice. It's a one-piece molded carbon frame, also known as a "monocoque" in bike circles.

To biker types, a black carbon monocoque means responsive, smooth, resilient, and stiff.

To people like me, it means a dope ride!

Van Dessel offers lots of options for building up your Solstice, but with top-of-the-line Campagnolo Record (why would you ever run anything less?), it runs $5999.

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Bikes We Covet: The Van Dessel Solstice originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 17 May 2006 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> campagnolocarboncompactmonocoqueroad bikeRoadBikeshimanovan desselVanDessel Anne Metz Wed, 17 May 2006 17:05:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The Razor's Edge]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/17/the-razors-edge/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/17/the-razors-edge/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/17/the-razors-edge/#comments According to unconfirmed reports from my siblings, I missed Mother's Day entirely. With Father's Day looming menacingly on the horizon, I thank my lucky stars that Brave Soldier has commisioned this $149 carbon fiber razor by Razorkraft.

I mean, whose dad is complete without a featherweight, indestructible, space-age, artisanal razor?

And with next year's Mother's Day squarely on my calendar, I'm taking heart in Brave Soldier's assurances that this razor is suitable for  use by both men and women. Handcrafted in Silverado, California, each little razor takes the artist over four days to create. I, of course, took exactly nine months to create ... which is why I just may have to pony up $149 for the greatest artist ever: my mom.

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The Razor's Edge originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 17 May 2006 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Brave SoldierBraveSoldiercaliforniacarbonfather's dayFather'sDaymother's dayMother'sDayrazorRazorkraftsilverado Anne Metz Wed, 17 May 2006 16:38:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The Home Defibrillator: A Gadget With Heart]]> http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/17/the-home-defibrillator-a-gadget-with-heart/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/17/the-home-defibrillator-a-gadget-with-heart/ http://www.luxist.com/2006/05/17/the-home-defibrillator-a-gadget-with-heart/#comments Homebodies, are you tired of the home-related goods? You know --home perms, homing pigeons, home bases, homeboys and homegirls? Is there nothing for the home that's going to float your boat?

If so, take note, homeys: Philips Medical's Heartstart Home Defibrillator may be just the thing for you!

A bit leery at the prospect of sending massive amounts of electricity surging into the stopped hearts of loved ones? With the Heartstart Home Defibrillator's interactive voice prompts and CPR coaching, you've apparently got nothing to worry about.

And while the price tag of $1495 may give you a heart attack, remember: buy it now and it may just defib-you-later.

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The Home Defibrillator: A Gadget With Heart originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 17 May 2006 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cprdefribrillatorhomehomeboyhomegirlphilips medicalPhilipsMedical Anne Metz Wed, 17 May 2006 14:33:00 EST Luxist