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 2009 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Sunday Real Estate Round-Up, 11/29/09]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/29/sunday-real-estate-round-up-11-29-09/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/29/sunday-real-estate-round-up-11-29-09/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/29/sunday-real-estate-round-up-11-29-09/#comments
From the Real Estalker:
--Actor Oliver Hudson has listed his West Hollywood home, shown above, at $1.035 million. The listing is here.
--Singer Leona Lewis has picked up a Hollywood home for $1.85 million.
--Christina Ricci has listed a two-bedroom home in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. The listing is here.
From the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties:
--Movie executive Peter Guber has sold his Kauai home for $28 million.
--Tennis player Mats Wilander has dropped the price of his home in Sun Valley, Idaho to $5.95 million. It was listed at $7.9 million when we checked it out as an estate of the day.

Gallery: Cove Meadow


--Retired New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan has listed his loft in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood for $1.5 million. The listing is here.

From Cityfile's Buyers and Sellers:
--The Soho loft that Josh Hartnett lived in until recently has been sold for $2.030 million.
--via the NY Observer, Samuel I. Newhouse IV, the grandson of Condé Nast chief Si Newhouse is moving to Tribeca and paid $2.465 million for a loft.
--via Curbed, Hedge fund mogul Bill Ackman has found a buyer for his 3,000-square-foot co-op at the Majestic. The three-bedroom apartment, which went on the market for $10 million in April, was listed for $7.9 million when it went into contract earlier this month.
--Beverly Kerzner, the daughter of South African gambling magnate Sol Kerzner, has dropped the price of her triplex at 213 West 23rd Street.It was listed at $15 million but is now for sale for $9.495 million.
--via the NY Post, Samuel L. Jackson is reportedly the mystery buyer behind the purchase of a condo at 76 Crosby Street. The second-floor apartment was most recently listed for $4.35 million but Jackson is reportedly picking it up for just under $4.1 million. Check out the listing here.
--Joseph Betesh, president of the Dr. Jay's chain of clothing stores, has put his 28th-floor condo at 15 Central Park West on the market for $12.9 million. The listing is here.
--via Newsday, billionaire tycoon Ira Rennert is about to get a new neighbor. The 5,000-square-foot mansion next door to Rennert's estate in Sagaponack has gone into contract to sell, less than two months after it went on the market for $11.5 million.
--via Curbed, music video director Ed Steinberg has put his duplex at 60 Broadway in South Williamsburg on the market for $1.3495 million. The listing is here.
--via Curbed, art historian Hugh Crean has put his Victorian townhouse on the market for $1.595 million. The listing is here.
--via the NY Observer, Dr. Hilel Lewis, an ophthalmologist and the former head of the Cleveland Clinic's Cole Eye Institute, has put his three-bedroom condo at the Time Warner Center on the market for $14.9 million, $8.9 million more than he paid for it in 2007. The listing is here.
--via the NY Observer, Harper's Bazaar publisher Valerie Salembier and her husband, former Revlon president Paul Block, have paid $2.55 million for a three-bedroom apartment at 860 United National Plaza.
--Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and his wife Laura have cut the price on their five-bedroom co-op at 941 Park Avenue to $13.5 million. The listing is here.

From Homes and Property UK:
--Comedian and novelist Ben Elton won't be selling his £4 million London home even thouse he is moving to Australia.
--Film producer and former BAFTA chairman Simon Relph is selling The Old Malthouse, his eight-bedroom Wiltshire home near Bath, for £1.25 million through Savills. The listing is here.
--Gardener Clare Cooke is selling Little West Barn Farm, her Grade-II listed, six-bedroom Georgian home in Somerset, for £2.75 million. The listing is here.

From the LA Times Hot Properties:
--Actor Robert Conrad and his wife, LaVelda, have listed their equestrian property in Thousand Oaks for $2.25 million. The listing is here.
--Film and TV producer David Niven Jr. has sold his Sunset Strip-area home for $5 million.

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Sunday Real Estate Round-Up, 11/29/09 originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> celebrity real estateCelebrityRealEstatejosh hartnettJoshHartnettleona lewisLeonaLewismats wilanderMatsWilanderoliver hudsonOliverHudsonpeter guberPeterGuber Deidre Woollard Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Hypolux Chandelier]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/28/hypolux-chandelier/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/28/hypolux-chandelier/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/28/hypolux-chandelier/#comments
We've seen a lot of chandeliers using unusual materials over the years. Sunglasses, wine glasses, pearls, rubber and more but none of these will likely provoke the same response as the Hypolux chandelier from Bughouse. The chandelier is made of plexiglass plates, commercial syringes and a ballchain suspension. It sells for $395. Bughouse has also created a variety of rock and roll themed pieces including a table that looks like an old record collection and a lamp embellished with dangerous looking spikes.

Gallery: Wild Chandeliers

Ray and Stevie LightWine Glass ChandelierLotus Flower ChandelierRubber ChandelierErickson Beamon Glam Rock Chandelier

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Hypolux Chandelier originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> chandelierchandelierssyringes Deidre Woollard Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[San Marino Island, Estate of the Day ]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/28/san-marino-island-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/28/san-marino-island-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/28/san-marino-island-estate-of-the-day/#comments
Today's estate is as much fun to look at for the art itself as for the home. This home on San Marino island in Miami Beach was built in 1930 but has been glammed up and reinvented. I don't see the word eclectic used in a listing too often but it suits this six-bedroom home. The home is on 13,000 square feet with 80 feet of water frontage and has views of the Miami skyline over its infinity pool, jacuzzi and dock. In addition to having a taste for contemporary art the current owner must have a taste for Bali. The master suite is entirely outfitted in teak from there, giving the room a very exotic feel. This home is listed at $5.495 million.

Gallery: San Marino Island

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San Marino Island, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> estate of the dayEstateOfTheDayluxury real estateLuxuryRealEstatemiami beachMiamiBeachsan marino islandSanMarinoIsland Deidre Woollard Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[More Restaurants Give Up Bluefin Tuna]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/more-restaurants-give-up-bluefin-tuna/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/more-restaurants-give-up-bluefin-tuna/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/more-restaurants-give-up-bluefin-tuna/#comments Last November, Greenpeace activists dumped tuna heads in front of French Agriculture ministry calling for a ban of tuna fishing and the protection of the species. This November has seen top French chefs make the pledge to keep bluefin tuna and other threatened fish species off the menu. One of the country's greatest chefs, Olivier Roellinger took bluefin tuna off his menus five years ago. He is the deputy president of the flobal luxury hotel network Relais and Chateaux and 60 percent of its members have agreed to stop serving bluefin tuna. Many French restaurants have agreed to stop serving bluefin tuna.

Bluefin tuna faces the threat of extinction because of zealous overfishing. Over the past few years there has been more and more attention paid to the subject. An international commission met early this month in Brazil and agreed to cut the allowable bluefin tuna catch in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean by 40 percent next year, a move that some said was not enough. Japan remains the biggest consumer of the tuna which is used in sushi and is considered a delicacy.

Greenpeace publishes a "red list" which lists fish that have a very high risk of being sourced from unsustainable fisheries or unsustainable aquaculture operations. To look at what fish you should eat check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium's regularly updated Super Green list.

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More Restaurants Give Up Bluefin Tuna originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bluefin tunaBluefinTunafishovefishingred tunaRedTunatuna Deidre Woollard Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Berlusconi's Wife Seeks $65 Million A Year in Alimony]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/berlusconis-wife-seeks-65-million-a-year-in-alimony/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/berlusconis-wife-seeks-65-million-a-year-in-alimony/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/berlusconis-wife-seeks-65-million-a-year-in-alimony/#comments Back in May, we speculated that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's wandering eye might cost him millions but the news of just how much money his estranged wife, Veronica Lario, wants is still shocking. The former actress is seeking 43 million euros (around $65 million) each year in alimony.

Lario, who is 20 years his junior, put up with Berlusconi's indiscretion for many years but earlier this year Berlusconi's attendance at an 18-year-old girl's birthday party seems to have been the final straw. The pair have lived separate lives for many years. In fact to find a picture of them in public archives you have to go back several years. In 2007, she was so angry about Berlusconi's overtures to MP Mara Carfagna that she wrote a letter to the newspaper La Repubblica. The couple met in 1980 and married in 1990 and have three children.

Berlusconi has a $6.5 billion fortune and owns Italy's three biggest private TV networks and a host of other businesses. He has five children total and his son and daughter from his first marriage are involved in two of his businesses and his children with Lario, who are all in their early 20s, own stakes in his holding company Fininvest.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, has said that Berlusconi, Italy's second-richest man, made a counteroffer of 200,000 euros a month but might go up to 300,000 euros. That's a far cry from the nearly 3.5 million euros a month Lario is seeking.

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Berlusconi's Wife Seeks $65 Million A Year in Alimony originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> expensive divorceexpensive divorcesExpensiveDivorceExpensiveDivorcessilvio berlusconiSilvioBerlusconiveronica larioVeronicaLario Deidre Woollard Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Shaquille O'Neal Pays For Shaniya Davis's Funeral]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/shaquille-oneal-pays-for-shaniya-daviss-funeral/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/shaquille-oneal-pays-for-shaniya-daviss-funeral/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/shaquille-oneal-pays-for-shaniya-daviss-funeral/#comments The other day we were discussing the many careers of Shaquille O'Neal (his most recent adventure has him curating an art show) but basketball star Shaquille O'Neal is also known for his big heart. He was reportedly so touched by the terrible story of five-year-old Shaniya Davis, a child who was kidnapped, raped, and murdered in North Carolina, that he paid for the little girl's funeral. It was announced through a spokesperson for the Cleveland Cavaliers that O'Neal had gotten in touch with the family to see what he could do to help. The story of Shaniya Davis was also shown on the Oprah show recently.

The Fayetteville Observer reports that more than 2,000 people attended the funeral at Manna Church on Sunday. She was buried at Fayetteville Memorial Cemetery. The funeral home did not reveal the cost of the service but Corey Breece, of Rogers and Breece Funeral Home, did say that a child's funeral "averages around $4,500."

The child's mother, Antoinette Davis has been charged with human trafficking and other charges and Mario McNeill has been charged with first degree kidnapping, murder and rape in the case.

O'Neal is known for his charity work and recently took part in a toy drive for children.

[via CNN]

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Shaquille O'Neal Pays For Shaniya Davis's Funeral originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> shaniya davisshaniyadavisshaquille onealShaquilleOneal Deidre Woollard Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Miss Feeney's Candy Cane Tie]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/miss-feeneys-candy-cane-tie/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/miss-feeneys-candy-cane-tie/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/miss-feeneys-candy-cane-tie/#comments It's time for the annual reappearance of the Christmas tie, the holiday standard often seen at holiday parties and around the office this time of year. Miss Feeney's Finery takes this tradition and adds a little fun. The brand has a whole line of silk ties that are formal on the outside but flip over to reveal a vintage pinup illustration on the inside. Their Candy Cane tie features a pin-up girl dressed as Santa's helper. The crimson Candy Cane tie sells for $85. Check out their whole line of ties and a fedora or two on the Miss Feeney's website.

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Miss Feeney's Candy Cane Tie originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> holiday giftsholiday tieHolidayGiftsHolidayTiemiss feeneysMissFeeneystie Deidre Woollard Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Jacaranda, Estate of the Day]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/jacaranda-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/jacaranda-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/27/jacaranda-estate-of-the-day/#comments
Lyford Cay is one of the most elite spots in the Bahamas. This idyllic retreat has seen more than its fair share of billionaires looking for a private getaway. Jacaranda is a seven-bedroom retreat on 1.5 acres perched on the highest elevated ridge of Lyford Cay, next to the estate owned by the late Sir John Templeton. The home has views of the Lyford Cay Golf Course, the Lyford Cay Club and the azure waters of the Caribbean.

This home has been furnished and decorated in classic style and features a number of antiques and works of art by Vassarely, Calder and Miro. Escape with a book in the library which has a small bar and built-in bookshelves. A particularly nice touch is the family room separating the adults' guest bedrooms from the childrens' bedrooms. The home is in touch with island life and has a rainwater tank, a reverse osmosis water system and two standby generators. The two car garage comes with three golf carts. This home is listed at $16.9 million.

Gallery: Jacaranda

Continue reading Jacaranda, Estate of the Day

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]]> bahamas real estateBahamasRealEstateestate of the dayEstateOfTheDayjacarandalyford cayLyfordCay Deidre Woollard Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Billionaire Poker Player Battles For Trump Casinos]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/billionaire-poker-player-battles-for-trump-casinos/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/billionaire-poker-player-battles-for-trump-casinos/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/billionaire-poker-player-battles-for-trump-casinos/#comments Donald Trump's Atlantic City casinos might not belong to Trump anymore if billionaire banker and high-stakes poker player Andy Beal has anything to say about it. Beal and Trump were once partners doing battle against another group of bondholders to take control of the three bankrupt Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. casinos. But now Beal has split from Trump and his Beal Bank has offered to convert its $486 million mortgage on the casinos into majority owner equity. The offer drew criticism from attorneys representing Trump Entertainment bondholders, who have offered to buy the casinos for $225 million. Previously Trump and Beal Bank had offered $114 million in cash for the company but last week Trump withdrew from that deal and instead agreed to back the bondholders in return for an ownership stake in the casinos.

Beal might love the art of the deal even more than Trump. After all, this is a man who won more money in a single day than any other poker player: $11.7 million at the Las Vegas Bellagio casino in 2004. Because of Beal's mortgage on the Trump casinos his bank is first in line among bankruptcy creditors.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Judith H. Wizmur has given both sides until December 3 to try to negotiate a deal. Wizmur has scheduled hearings to start in January to pick the company's new buyer.

Billionaire Poker Player Battles For Trump Casinos originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> andy bealAndyBealatlantic cityAtlanticCitycasinosdonald trumpDonaldTrumptrump atlantic cityTrumpAtlanticCity Deidre Woollard Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Vermont Bed and Breakfast Offers Free Getaways For The Uninsured]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/vermont-bed-and-breakfast-offers-free-getaways-for-the-uninsured/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/vermont-bed-and-breakfast-offers-free-getaways-for-the-uninsured/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/vermont-bed-and-breakfast-offers-free-getaways-for-the-uninsured/#comments
We've seen an inn in Vermont offer getaways for the unemployed. Now a different inn is offering a free getaway for the uninsured. Tim and Amy Brady, the owners of Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast in Brattleboro, Vermont know firsthand the challenges of being without health insurance. In 2007, when they left their corporate jobs to start the bed and breakfast they struggled to find a healthcare coverage option that would be affordable and not exclude existing conditions. Now they hope to provide a healthy getaway to those who may be facing the same struggle with their own health care coverage by giving away one healthy getaway each month, complete with an apple a day , to an uninsured couple in need of some stress relief. Each month until a National Health Care Reform Bill is passed Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast will award one deserving couple with a two-night stay that includes a healthy breakfast. Visit the Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast website for more details.

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Vermont Bed and Breakfast Offers Free Getaways For The Uninsured originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bed and breakfastBedAndBreakfastforty putney roadFortyPutneyRoadgetawayuninsuredvermont Deidre Woollard Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Scottish Brewery Creates World's Strongest Beer]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/scottish-brewery-creates-worlds-strongest-beer/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/scottish-brewery-creates-worlds-strongest-beer/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/scottish-brewery-creates-worlds-strongest-beer/#comments The name, Tactical Nuclear Penguin, might be a bit silly, but this is a beer to take seriously. BrewDog, a Scottish brewery says the Penguin is the world's strongest beer and has a 32 percent alcohol content. Like other strong beers such as some of the Sam Adams offerings, this is a beer to be enjoyed in small servings. It is a double cask matured uber-imperial stout. A limited supply of Tactical Nuclear Penguin sells for £30 a bottle or £250 per bottle which includes a share in BrewDog PLC (value £230).

[via BBC News]

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Scottish Brewery Creates World's Strongest Beer originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> beerbrewdogtactical nuclear penguinTacticalNuclearPenguinworlds strongest beerWorldsStrongestBeer Deidre Woollard Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Acme Studio Compact Mirrors]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/acme-studio-compact-mirrors/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/acme-studio-compact-mirrors/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/acme-studio-compact-mirrors/#comments
Need a stocking stuffer for a design lover in your life? Check out the new compact mirrors from Acme studios, the same folks that make pens and business card cases using designs from Karim Rashid, Frank Lloyd Wright and more. There are six designs each are made of chrome-plated stainless steel with a lacquered inlay cover. Inside there is a circular detail mirror as well as a square one. Each one sells for $39.

Acme Studio Compact Mirrors originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> acme studiosAcmeStudioscompact mirrorsCompactMirrorsfrank lloyd wrightFrankLloydWrightkarim rashidKarimRashid Deidre Woollard Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Glenbrook Nevada, Estate of the Day ]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/glenbrook-nevada-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/glenbrook-nevada-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/glenbrook-nevada-estate-of-the-day/#comments
Today's estate is situated on Lake Tahoe's east shore with views of Glenbrook Bay and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You can't have a home on Lake Tahoe without taking advantage of the view and this home does not disappoint with a great room that has walls of glass facing the lake. The home has an impressive gourmet kitchen with shining brass wine racks that belong in a bar.

A large rooftop deck includes a firepit and a hot tub with plenty of room. A full huge garage offers room for car collectors to protect their precious vehicles from snow. The current owner appears to be quite the film fan and has a collection of movie memorabilia and a cinema-worthy home theater. Other features include a wine room, office and four bedroom suites. This home is listed at $18.75 million.

Gallery: Glenbrook, Nevada

Continue reading Glenbrook Nevada, Estate of the Day

Glenbrook Nevada, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> estate of the dayEstateOfTheDayglenbrooklake tahoeLakeTahoeneveada Deidre Woollard Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Westin At Home Adds A Blanket For The Road ]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/westin-at-home-adds-a-blanket-for-the-road/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/westin-at-home-adds-a-blanket-for-the-road/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/westin-at-home-adds-a-blanket-for-the-road/#comments Westin Hotels has a booming side business by selling items from their Heavenly line including the Heavenly bed. New for the holidays is the Heavenly Travel Blanket and Heavenly Bath product line. The Heavenly Travel blanket is a versatile item. It is a full size blanket that can also be tucked into hidden pocket so that it can serve as a travel pillow. It sells for $60.

The Westin Heavenly bath line includes calming blend of botanicals and natural ingredients. Products include a soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and body oil. The collection is available in White Tea Aloe, Green Tea Grapefruit, and Chamomile Lavender. Prices range from $12 to $18.

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Westin At Home Adds A Blanket For The Road originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> heavenly bedHeavenlyBedholiday giftsHolidayGiftswestinwestin at homeWestinAtHome Deidre Woollard Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Henry Dunay Designs Closing]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/henry-dunay-designs-closing/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/henry-dunay-designs-closing/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/henry-dunay-designs-closing/#comments Sad news for fans of jeweler Henry Dunay. Over the summer Henry Dunay Designs filed Chapter 11. Now it has been announced that the brand is officially over. An auction of the company's inventory is scheduled for December 16. Dunay told National Jeweler that he is not giving up the jewelry business completely and that he will still be doing special orders and custom pieces. As he puts it, "they're not getting rid of me yet." Good news for anyone who is a fan of Dunay's unique wearable works of art. He can be reached for special orders by calling the numbers used for Henry Dunay Designs: (800) 888-2525 or (212) 768-9700. For more information on the Dec. 16 auction, contact Jay Silverberg, Dunay's attorney from the New York office of Sils, Cummis and Gross, PC, at (212) 500-1587.


Gallery: Henry Dunay Designs

Ruby NecklaceDiamond MaskBird of Peace

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Henry Dunay Designs Closing originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bankruptcyhenry dunayHenryDunayjewelerjewelry Deidre Woollard Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Hunter's Oak Golf Club For Sale]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/hunters-oak-golf-club-for-sale/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/hunters-oak-golf-club-for-sale/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/26/hunters-oak-golf-club-for-sale/#comments
Ever wanted to own your own golf club? If you've got $12 million to spend, Hunter's Oak can be yours. This club is located on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay along the banks of the Wye River. This property in Queenstown, Maryland is on approximately 250 acres that include sa golf course, lakes, ponds and scenic natural beauty all around. The 18-hole, par 72 course offers Scottish Links authenticity. There is also a nine-hole Parkland course. The private clubhouse has a Scottish pub and grille as well as a pro shop and has had hosted many a wedding.

Gallery: Hunter's Oak

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Hunter's Oak Golf Club For Sale originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> golf club for saleGolfClubForSalehunters oakHuntersOakmaryland Deidre Woollard Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Majestic Star Casinos Files For Bankruptcy]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/majestic-star-casinos-files-for-bankruptcy/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/majestic-star-casinos-files-for-bankruptcy/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/majestic-star-casinos-files-for-bankruptcy/#comments The tough times for casinos continue. Casino operator Majestic Star Casino LLC filed for bankruptcy this week. The move was an a last ditch move after months of talks to restructure debt failed. Majestic Star owns casinos in Indiana, Mississippi and Colorado. The Majestic's parent, Barden Development Inc, is not part of the bankruptcy. Court documents show that the Majestic Star and its affiliates have assets of $402.1 million and liabilities of $771.1 million as of October 31.

The company has said that increased competition and the ongoing recession are to blame for the company's woes. The two casinos and hotel along Lake Michigan in Gary, a casino-hotel in Tunica County, Mississipi, and a casino in Black Hawk, Colorado are all still open for business.

The company operates two casino boats on Lake Michigan in Gary, Indiana and has been working on getting a land-based casino in Gary. Last summer, Indiana lawmakers voted down a measure to allow this. The Majestic Star owes the city of Gary $7.4 million but the mayor of Gary, Rudy Clay has said he still plans to work with casino owner Don Barden to change Indiana law to allow a land-based casino in the city.

Majestic Star Casinos Files For Bankruptcy originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bankruptcycasinosmajestic star casinosMajesticStarCasinosmichigan Deidre Woollard Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Topshop Rents Out Celebrity Dresses For Good Causes]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/topshop-rents-out-celebrity-dresses-for-good-causes/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/topshop-rents-out-celebrity-dresses-for-good-causes/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/topshop-rents-out-celebrity-dresses-for-good-causes/#comments London fashionistas will have a chance to wear a celebrity's designer gown courtesy of Topshop. The brand has created the Dress Me Up Campaign which features designer dresses owned by stars like Kate Moss, Freida Pinto, Scarlett Johansson, Naomi Campbell and Dita Von Teese. Later dresses will be auctioned off with all proceeds from the rental fee and the auction going to Topshop's chosen charities Age Concern and Help the Aged.

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Topshop Rents Out Celebrity Dresses For Good Causes originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> dress me updress rentalDressMeUpDressRentalholiday dressesHolidayDresseskate mossKateMosstopshop Deidre Woollard Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Villa Pelican, Estate of the Day ]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/villa-pelican-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/villa-pelican-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/villa-pelican-estate-of-the-day/#comments villa pelican
Today's estate in pricey Montecito, California could actually, even at the high price of $18.8 million practically be considered a deal. After all this beachside home was once listed at $34 million (I also spotted an old listing for $24.75 million). The home has views of the Santa Barbara coastline, mountains and Channel islands all from the privacy of a gated enclave. The property has a historic renovated Monterey Colonial main house with eight bedrooms and a three-car garage as well as a beach cabana, guest house and a fenced in beach area. A second parcel is also available for an additional cost and is home to a pool, patios, fountains and has permits for building a new four bedroom home. The main home is an odd mix, for the most part it has the casual look of a beach house but some rooms have a more formal and luxurious look. You can't beat the location, Fernald Cove is one of the most desired areas in this celebrity-filled town.


Gallery: Villa Pelican

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Villa Pelican, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> estate of the dayEstateOfTheDayluxury real estateLuxuryRealEstatemontecitovilla pelicanVillaPelican Deidre Woollard Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Michelle Obama's Naeem Khan Gown]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/michelle-obamas-naeem-khan-gown/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/michelle-obamas-naeem-khan-gown/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/michelle-obamas-naeem-khan-gown/#comments
Michelle Obama wowed the crowd at the first official Obama administration state dinner last night. To welcome Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and his wife, Gursharan Kaur the first lady wore a gown by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan. The strapless gown was decorated with sterling silver sequins in a floral pattern on a nude silk chiffon dress. The Mrs. O website reports that it took three weeks of work by 40 people to create the dress. The work was done in Naeem Khan's family workshop in India. Mrs. Obama accessorized the dress with drop earrings and gold and diamond bangle bracelets.

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Michelle Obama's Naeem Khan Gown originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Michelle ObamaMichelle Obama Fashionmichelle obama styleMichelleObamaMichelleObamaFashionMichelleObamaStyle Deidre Woollard Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Big Diamonds Bring Big Prices at Christie's]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/big-diamonds-bring-big-prices-at-christies/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/big-diamonds-bring-big-prices-at-christies/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/25/big-diamonds-bring-big-prices-at-christies/#comments More big diamonds and big prices were seen at the Christie's Geneva auction on November 18. A 62.30-carat, D flawless diamond sold for $8.051 million amid a sale which sold 82 percent by lot and 93 percent by value. Aleks Paul of Essex Global Trading in New York paid $130,000 per carat for the 62.3-carat, Type IIa flawless diamond. Paul was on a buying spree, he also submitted the top bids for two natural color diamonds, bidding $2.68 million for a diamond ring by Wolfers that paired a 3.30-carat, rectangular-cut, fancy intense blue diamond with a 3.90-carat E, VS2 diamond estimated at $580,000 to $740,000. He also spent nearly another $2.68 million on a fancy vivid, fancy intense and fancy blue diamond clasp, circa 1950, which had been estimated at $500,000 to $650,000. He has a history of buying or trying to buy important stones. Last year he was the underbidder against Laurence Graff for the Wittelsbach diamond.

In the same sale a 65.20-carat fancy intense yellow, cushion-shaped diamond pendant sold for nearly $1.04 million and a 4.42-carat fancy intense, square-cut green diamond ring sold for $783,000. The largest recorded fancy grayish-yellowish-green "chameleon" diamond in the world, cut into a 19.13 carat briolette and mounted as a pendant, sold for $987,000, setting a new world record price for a chameleon diamond.

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Big Diamonds Bring Big Prices at Christie's originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> auctionchristiesdiamonddiamondsgenevajewels Deidre Woollard Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Shaquille O'Neal, Art Curator]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/shaquille-oneal-art-curator/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/shaquille-oneal-art-curator/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/shaquille-oneal-art-curator/#comments shaquille o'nealBasketball player Shaquille O'Neal likes to wear a lot of hats. Actor, musician, sheriff, Twitter star and now art curator? O'Neal is curating a gallery show for New York's Flag Art Foundation titled "Size DOES Matter." The exhibit ponders the question of idea of scale in contemporary art and features some big names in the art world including Chuck Close, Jeff Koons, Andreas Gursky, Kehinde Wiley and many more. The show is scheduled to open in February at the Flag Art Foundation's exhibition space in the Chelsea neighborhood.

O'Neal told Bloomberg News that his turn as curator was "a little harder than I thought it would be." The exhibition will feature 52 artworks, five are special commissions, many others are loans from private collections and museums. The choice of Shaquille O'Neal as curator should attract additional attention for the show. Writer James Frey, famous and also infamous for his bestselling book "A Million Little Pieces" is writing an essay for the exhibition catalog.

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Shaquille O'Neal, Art Curator originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> art exhibitArtExhibitflag art foundationFlagArtFoundationshaquille onealShaquilleOneal Deidre Woollard Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Will Carl Icahn Rescue The Fontainebleau?]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/will-carl-icahn-rescue-the-fontainebleau/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/will-carl-icahn-rescue-the-fontainebleau/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/will-carl-icahn-rescue-the-fontainebleau/#comments
I've been following the fate of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas casino resort for a while now. It looks like the stalled project may have a new savior in the form of billionaire investor Carl Icahn. Icahn's Icahn Nevada Gaming LLC will be the opening or 'stalking horse' bidder in an auction of the resort after Penn National Gaming Inc. dropped out. Bloomberg News reports on the bidding war in court which led to Icahn offering $105 million, plus $51.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing besting Penn's offer of a total of $145 million. This means that the Icahn bid will be the one to beat.

The planned complex on the Las Vegas Strip is about 70 percent complete. It filed for bankruptcy in June and may cost around $1.5 billion to finish. Fontainebleau's sellers have asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge A. Jay Cristol in Miami to auction the casino on January 21. Penn National Gaming had planned to finish Fontainebleau with an unidentified partner and to use the company's database of casino customers to help fill the casino with consumers. Icahn has a history of buying bankrupt casinos (including the Stratosphere in Las Vegas) and selling them for big profits. His entry into the fray may increase interest in the January auction and help ensure that someone eventually buys the casino and finishes the project.

Will Carl Icahn Rescue The Fontainebleau? originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> carl icahnCarlIcahncasinofontainebleaulas vegaslas vegas stripLasVegasLasVegasStrip Deidre Woollard Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[New Zealand Yachts In Receivership]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/new-zealand-yachts-in-receivership/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/new-zealand-yachts-in-receivership/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/new-zealand-yachts-in-receivership/#comments
Hard times continue to hit the yacht industry. New Zealand Yachts located in Whangarei, New Zealand recently went into receivership. The yacht company came to Whangarei in 2001 and promised to create 1000 jobs. The company did a lot of refits on existing yachts but hadn't ramped up into much production of new yachts. The New Zealand Yachts website includes renderings of many planned yachts including the Wavepiercer shown above.

New Zealand businessman Allen Jones, who had built a large car-washing business in the United States, founded the company, but later returned to the US. HIs son, Damon Jones, was the company's marketing and sales manager. The receiver said the company still operates a first-class refit yard and has the potential to attract yacht work from around the world.

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New Zealand Yachts In Receivership originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> new zealandnew zealand yachtsNewZealandNewZealandYachtsreceivershipwhangarei Deidre Woollard Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:04:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Willow Road, Estate of the Day ]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/willow-road-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/willow-road-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/willow-road-estate-of-the-day/#comments
Today's home is one of the most expensive listings in Massachusetts. This home is in the pricey Boston suburb of Weston. The Arts & Crafts-inspired home was built in 2003 and designed by renowned architect Jeremiah Eck. This huge home spans over 33,000 square feet and has a slate roof, belltower-like chimneys, and a stone and mahogany facade. The six-bedroom home is on 13.5 acres that are adjacent to the Weston Country Club. The rooms are huge but the home manages to maintain a certain cozy feel through the use of dark wood, simplified lines and plenty of windows. Many of the rooms on the main floor are double-height with very high ceilings. The lower level seems to include wine storage and a hot tub room. This home is listed at $24.5 million.

[Thanks, Dan!]

Gallery: Willow Road

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Willow Road, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> estate of the dayEstateOfTheDaymassachusettsmassachusetts real estateMassachusettsRealEstateweston Deidre Woollard Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Win A Balsam Hill Christmas Tree!]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/win-a-balsam-hill-christmas-tree/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/win-a-balsam-hill-christmas-tree/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/24/win-a-balsam-hill-christmas-tree/#comments balsam hill treeThe holiday season is upon us and it's time to trim the tree. To help one lucky reader get in the holiday spirit, Luxist is giving away a BH Noble Fir tree from Balsam HIll. The 56-inch tree has sturdy branches which have been crafted to mimic the look of real branches. The gray-green color match the look of natural trees and the branches are designed to support the weight of ornaments. The tree comes complete with Candlelight[TM] LED clear lights. Unlike traditional LEDs, the Candlelight LEDs provide a warm soft glow just like traditional lights while offering energy savings. The tree has a classic teardrop profile with open, slightly downward-sloping branches for the perfect symmetrical Christmas silhouette. Nothing to water, no need to worry about needles dropping everywhere and no bare patches to turn toward the wall. To win tell us why you need a little extra holiday magic this year.

Some other important details:
* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before Tuesday December 1, 2009 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive the Balsam Hill Noble Fir, valued at $829.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.

See complete rules here.

Win A Balsam Hill Christmas Tree! originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> balsam hillBalsamHillchristmas treeChristmasTreegiveawayluxist giveawayLuxistGiveaway Deidre Woollard Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Root Liquor, A Taste of the Past Re-Imagined]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/root-liquor/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/root-liquor/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/root-liquor/#comments root liquor
The trend for cocktails in the past few years have moved in two directions, super futuristic featuring molecular mixology and decidedly retro with bitters and elderflower liqueur. Root is a liqueur from Philadephia-based collective Art in the Age that traces its heritage all the way back to the 1700s when colonists were first introduced to root tea brewed with sassafras, sarsaparilla, wintergreen birch bark, and other roots and herbs. This later formed the origins of root beer. Root is not a strictly root-beer-flavored vodka. Instead it is a multifaceted mix of a variety of herbs and essences to create a unique spirit that harkens back to the past. Tomorrow night, 11/24, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the Pittsburgh Cocktail Competition will be held from 8-11pm at Bossa Nova with $5 Root Cocktails.

You can pick up your own bottle for $39. Visit the Art in the Age website for links to online locations. Some quick recipes for enjoying Root are here.

[via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

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Root Liquor, A Taste of the Past Re-Imagined originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> art in the ageArtInTheAgeliqueurliquorroot liquorRootLiquorspirits Deidre Woollard Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Kendall-Jackson Offers Customized Wine Service]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/kendall-jackson-offers-customized-wine-service/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/kendall-jackson-offers-customized-wine-service/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/kendall-jackson-offers-customized-wine-service/#comments
For the wine lover who has everything popular California winery Kendall-Jackson has a new service that is a step above their usual offerings. For $30,000 Kendall-Jackson winemaster Randy Ullom will spend three days with a wine lover, doing extensive wine tastings with them, learning their preferences and creating an ideal customized blend based on their tastes and personality. The purchaser will later receive a case of 12 bottles of the wine with a personalized label. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity. Those interested in the program should email for more information at customWine@kjmail.com.

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Kendall-Jackson Offers Customized Wine Service originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> customized wineCustomizedWinekendall-jacksonwinewinery Deidre Woollard Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Heidi Klum Goes To Pieces In Artsy Puzzle]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/heidi-klum-goes-to-pieces-in-artsy-puzzle/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/heidi-klum-goes-to-pieces-in-artsy-puzzle/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/heidi-klum-goes-to-pieces-in-artsy-puzzle/#comments
This season you can spend your holiday family time putting Heidi Klum together. Editions Ricordi has created a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle in the image of a fashion photograph by Ruven Afanador. The image called Couture Banquet appeared in Vogue Spain and shows Heidi Klum displayed against an extravagant feast. The puzzle is a limited edition of 1000 and each is numbered and signed by Ruven Afanador. The puzzle comes in a silk bag packed in a hand-made wooden box with a red velvet interior. The completed puzzle measures 24x36 inches and pieces are printed on high-quality art paper with a velvet back side with golden glitter. It sells for 350 euros.

[via Art Daily]

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Heidi Klum Goes To Pieces In Artsy Puzzle originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> heidi klumHeidiKlumjigsaw puzzleJigsawPuzzlepuzzleruven afandorRuvenAfandor Deidre Woollard Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Jerry Rice in Atherton, Estate of the Day ]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/jerry-rice-in-atherton-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/jerry-rice-in-atherton-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/jerry-rice-in-atherton-estate-of-the-day/#comments Joe Montana recently put his northern California home on the market but his companion in San Francisco 49er glory, wide receiver Jerry Rice also has a home on the market in Atherton, California. The legendary athlete's estate is notable even in a town known for expensive homes. It was built in 2001 and extends over 16,000 square feet with six bedrooms. There are three levels with an elevator. The home has a family room with a wet bar and a lower level game room with a full bar. Other recreational areas include a wine room, crafts room and a full gym with its own bathroom.

The listing states that the home contains over $2 million in electronics that include a comprehensive security system, smart home features and a large home theater. The grounds extend over 1.2 acres with a a pool and spa and an underground seven-car garage. This home was marketed at $22 million in 2007 but is now for sale at $14.75 million.


This home is being offered by Pierre Buljan of Cashin Company and featured by Sean Spanek of SportStar Relocation. SportStar Relocation. More pictures are available at the SportStar Relocation MLS site and a virtual tour is available at Pierre Buljan.



Gallery: Jerry Rice in Atherton

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Jerry Rice in Atherton, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> athertoncelebrity real estateCelebrityRealEstateestate of the dayEstateOfTheDayjerry riceJerryRice Deidre Woollard Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[James Patterson In Palm Beach, Estate of the Day ]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/22/james-patterson-in-palm-beach-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/22/james-patterson-in-palm-beach-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/22/james-patterson-in-palm-beach-estate-of-the-day/#comments
If you'd like to be an author with a nice house, write thrillers. The best author houses I've seen belong to the thriller writers. Today's home in Palm Beach Florida belongs to James B. Patterson. According to the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties column Patterson calls his beautiful home with frontage on the intracoastal waterway the house that Alex Cross built, referring to his popular psychologist main character. Patterson used a wood-paneled office with a water view (outfitted with plenty of Patterson books in the listing pictures) as his writing studio. The turquoise and white kitchen currently decorated with a collection of gleaming copper pots has the type of farmhouse style appeal one doesn't usually see in lavish Palm Beach homes. Outside there is a terrace surrounding a heated pool with spa ,built-in barbecue and a dock with boat lift. This home is listed at $14.95 million.

Patterson is moving his family to an even bigger home, a two-acre Palm Beach estate, with a 20,505-square-foot main house which he picked up for $17.45 million over the summer.

Gallery: James Patterson in Palm Beach

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James Patterson In Palm Beach, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> celebrity real estateCelebrityRealEstateestate of the dayEstateOfTheDayfloridajames pattersonJamesPattersonluxuryluxury real estateLuxuryRealEstatepalm beachPalmBeach Deidre Woollard Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Sunday Real Estate Round-Up, 11/22/09]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/22/sunday-real-estate-round-up-11-22-09/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/22/sunday-real-estate-round-up-11-22-09/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/22/sunday-real-estate-round-up-11-22-09/#comments From the LA Times Hot Properties:
--A 13,500-square-foot home in Tarzana with a tennis court and koi pond, an underground garage that fits 16 cars is being put up for auction. It was once listed at $9.775 million and cost more than $7.5 million to build. The minimum bid will start at $2.1 million on Dec. 5. The property website is here.
--Personal trainer Bob Harper of "The Biggest Loser" has purchased a home in the Hollywood Hills for $2.9 million.
--Robert Loggia has sold his longtime Bel-Air home for $2.95 million.

Gallery: Robert Loggia In Bel Air



From Cityfile's Buyers and Sellers:
--Rod Aldridge, the founder of British outsourcing company Capita Group, has picked up a place in New York for $13.75 million at the Superior Ink building on West 12th Street.
--via the NY Observer, Doug Von Allmen, a venture capitalist and victim of alleged Ponzi-schemer Scott Rothstein, has put his duplex apartment at the Time Warner Center on the market for $18.45 million. The listing is here.
--Bank of America portfolio manager Raymond Cubero and his wife, Kathleen Comerford, have changed brokers and dropped the price of their Trump Tower duplex. The four-bedroom "smart house," is down from a high of $14.995 million to $12 million. The listing is here.
--via Curbed, architect Dean Maltz has paid $3.4179 million for a four-bedroom apartment at the Metal Shutter Houses at 524 West 19th Street.
--Gisele Bundchen has officially sold her triplex penthouse at 347 West 11th Street. The 1,700-square-foot apartment, which originally hit the market for $10.9 million sold for $4.4 million.
--Steven "Mac" Heller, the former head of investment banking at Goldman Sachs, has sold his three-bedroom apartment at 14 East 75th Street for $4.725 million.
--via Newsday's Real LI, Billionaire Ron Lauder has sold a 2.77-acre estate in Wainscott for $5.256 million to his daughter Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer.
--Former Ariba CEO Lawrence Mueller and his wife Mary Kay have gone into contract to sell their condo at 15 Central Park West. The three-bedroom apartment which the couple first listed for $16.5 million in May was reduced to $15.5 million in October.
--Alex Acquavella, the son of top NYC art dealer Bill Acquavella, has paid $3.9 million for an apartment at 50 Gramercy Park North.
--Melvyn Blum, a retired EVP at Vornado Realty Trust, has sold his apartment at the Trump International for $6.4375 million.
--via the NY Observer, the Rothschild Mansion has undergone a price cut for the third time this year. It was once listed as high as $35 million and is now listed for $25.5 million. The listing is here.

From the NY Post:
--A four-bedroom condo at The Dakota is in contract for $11.5 million after once being listed for as much as $24 million. The buyer is Mark Fisch, managing partner at Continental Properties, a New Jersey-based real estate firm.
--Nicolas Cage's Olympic Tower condo at 641 Fifth Ave. has just closed at $7.5 million.

Gallery: Nicolas Cage In New York City


--At 76 Crosby St., where Kelly Ripa has a duplex penthouse there was a bidding war for a 2,578-square-foot apartment with a $4.35 million listing price. The two-bedroom home with a deep soaking tub in the master bedroom suite is now in contract after about three months on the market.The new owner will share the second floor with Gawker Media boss Nick Denton. The listing is here.

From the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties:
Fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger has finally sold Stone Hill, his Greenwich, Connecticut home for $20 million. He first listed the estate more than a year ago for $27.9 million.

Gallery: Stone Hill


--The heirs of a California builder have listed the 600-acre Middle Ranch, the getaway spot of film director Cecil B. DeMille, for $28 million. The listing is here.


From the Chicago Tribune's Elite Street:
--Chicago Bears player Dusty Dvoracek has sold his Lake Villa home to teammate Juaquin Iglesias for $344,500. Dvoracek purchased the home in 2006 for $365,000. In January he listed the home for $389,900.
--White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has rented out his four-bedroom, 2,719-square-foot house in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood for one year for $4,995 a month. Emanuel purchased the house in December 1998 for $695,000.
--Nancy Hughes, the widow of filmmaker John Hughes, has bought a 17-room, 6,700-square-foot English country-style house in east Lake Forest, about a block from Lake Michigan, for $5.2 million.

From the Real Estalker:
--Real Housewives of Atlanta's Kim Zolciak is not moving to Los Angeles and is staying put in her Atlanta, GA area townhouse condo.
--Zsa-Zsa Gabor may have lost as much as $10,000,000 in the Madoff scandal and has had a $118,000 tax lien placed against her Bel Air Road residence. An unpaid tax lien can force the sale of a property if the debt is not paid.
--LaToya Jackson has seen condominium at the Regency Towers inside the Las Vegas Country Club in Las Vegas, NV taken away from her in foreclosure proceedings. Rumor has it that she now lives in a condo in one of the tall apartment towers that line Wilshire Boulevard near Westwood and Century City.
--Actor Gale Harold has listed a four-bedroom duplex in Los Angeles for $1.3 million.
--Ali Larter and Hayes MacArthur have picked up a four-bedroom home in Los Angeles for $2.925 million.
--Nicolas Cage has listed a three-bedroom home in Newport Beach, California for $995,000. He bought the home in 2006 for $1.7 million for his father who recently died. The listing is here.

From Berg Properties Big Time Listings:
--Actor Rob Lowe and his makeup artist wife, Sheryl Berkoff, have sold a six-bedroom house in Montecito, Calif. for $7.6 million.
--A look at "Harry Potter" actor Rupert Grint's real-estate empire: two country mansions plus another house, all worth about 9.2 million pounds.

From Brickwork: The London Property Blog:
--via Telegraph, Suzie Quatro, best known to U.S. fans as Leather Tuscadero from Happy Days is selling her mansion 'Hyde Hall' for £2.3 million. The listing is here.

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Sunday Real Estate Round-Up, 11/22/09 originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> ali larterAliLarterbob harperBobHarpergale haroldGaleHaroldgisele bundchenGiseleBundchenkim zolciakKimZolciaklatoya jacksonLatoyaJacksonnicolas cageNicolasCagerobert loggiaRobertLoggiatommy jilfigerTommyJilfiger Deidre Woollard Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Tamdhu Distillery To Close]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/tamdhu-distillery-to-close/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/tamdhu-distillery-to-close/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/tamdhu-distillery-to-close/#comments A classic whisky distillery is being shut down in a cost-cutting measure. The Edrington Group plans to close the Tamdhu distillery and malting operations in Aberlour next year resulting in a loss of more than 30 jobs. The group has decided to concentrate its efforts on its three main brands, The Macallan, Glenrothes and Highland Park. Another distillery Glenturret will also remain open. The closure is a response to the economy.

Whisky is still selling well but costs have risen and The Scotsman quotes Graham Hutcheon, group operations director for Edrington, who said that the move was done to make sure that the "business is the right size and shape to support current and future activity levels." Edrington employs about 2,200 people across the globe and also owns the Famous Grouse and other brands such as Cutty Sark and Brugal rum. The Tamdhu distillery opened in the late 1890s and went through several closures over the years including a long period between 1928 and 1947.

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Tamdhu Distillery To Close originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> distilleryedringtonedrington groupedringtongroupscotlandspeysidetamdhuwhisky Deidre Woollard Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The Mermaid's Sleigh Bed]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/the-mermaids-sleigh-bed/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/the-mermaids-sleigh-bed/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/the-mermaids-sleigh-bed/#comments
How's this for a dreamy bed? The Mermaid's Sleigh bed is a gorgeous bed custom made by artisans in Vermont. The bed has a wave-shaped footboard and carved maple natuilus shells adding a fanciful sea-themed touch. Each bed is custom crafted of natural solid hardwoods and hardwood veneers. The piece above is in queen size with cherry and curly cherry veneers, curly maple and nogal. Because it is made for the new owner you can customize it to your choice of wood and add names, dates or other personal touches. Prices start at $17,100.

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The Mermaid's Sleigh Bed originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> furnituresleigh bedSleighBed Deidre Woollard Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:02:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Spring Island, Estate of the Day ]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/spring-island-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/spring-island-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/spring-island-estate-of-the-day/#comments
We've been to Spring Island, South Carolina before to check out Bank of America chief exec Ken Lewis's getaway home (still on the market and the price keeps dropping). Today's estate is in the same area and belongs to former Proctor and Gamble executive Tom Laco. The property consists of two separate lots, the 3.48 acre lot the house is on and a 3.13 acre lot directly across the pond from the house which provides privacy and serves as an ample nesting area for local birds.

The five-bedroom home sits high above Rice Gate Pond and offers a panoramic view of the pond and a thousand acres of Spring Island marshes. The home's master bedroom is on the main floor of the residence and two guest rooms are located in a separate wing with two additional bedrooms on the upper level of this bi-level home. The living room, study, dining room, sunroom, office and three bedrooms all have views of the pond and salt water marsh. The three car garage is currently configured to accommodate two automobiles, a golf cart and a work shop. The home has over 1,600 square feet of porches and terraces and there is a freestanding greenhouse and a rose garden. This home is listed at $2.75 million.

Gallery: Spring Island

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Spring Island, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> estate of the dayEstateOfTheDayrice gate pondRiceGatePondsouth carolinaSouthCarolinaspring islandSpringIsland Deidre Woollard Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Crown Ready For New Miss California USA]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/crown-ready-for-new-miss-california-usa/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/crown-ready-for-new-miss-california-usa/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/21/crown-ready-for-new-miss-california-usa/#comments miss california crownThe Miss California USA pageant is eager to put the Carrie Prejean story behind it and has unveiled the crown that will sit atop the new Miss California USA's head. INTA Gems & Diamonds, the official jeweler of Miss California USA, has designed the new crown which they say promotes unity, love and the beauty of California. The crown will be unveiled to the public at the Beauty of California dinner at the Rivera Resort in Palm Springs on November 21 at 8 pm. The stars that line the border of the crown represent the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The curves of the crown are mean to recall the waves that flow back and forth along the California coastline. The crown is made of silver, gold and a total of 768 stones including diamonds, diamond simulants, natural sapphire, and pearl.

Peter Young, creative director of INTA Gems & Diamonds designed the crown with the idea that after the controversy over Carrie Prejean's opinion on gay marriage at the Miss USA pageant he wanted his design to present a positive view for the next 2010 Miss California USA titleholder. The wave design also represents the different perspectives in California. He says: "I felt a strong need for people to know that although we may have different opinions from opposite sides, the one universal idea that speaks true for all of us is that love unites. Therefore, at the center of the beautifully formed sparkling wave design is a heart. I hope that speaks true to the next Miss California USA."

The 2010 Miss California USA pageant that will be televised on Sunday, Nov 22 on the CW and on My Television television networks.

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Crown Ready For New Miss California USA originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> miss california usamiss california usa crownmiss california usa pageantMissCaliforniaUsaMissCaliforniaUsaCrownMissCaliforniaUsaPageant Deidre Woollard Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Denver Ritz-Carlton Condos To Be Sold In Trustee Sale]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/denver-ritz-carlton-condos-to-be-sold-in-trustee-sale/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/denver-ritz-carlton-condos-to-be-sold-in-trustee-sale/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/denver-ritz-carlton-condos-to-be-sold-in-trustee-sale/#comments Another hotel and condo complex is in foreclosure. The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Denver, Colorado is in foreclosure and condo units will be liquidated in a trustee sale next month according to Globe St. Goldman Sachs was the lender on the project which had sold only one of the 25 residential units.

The project's 25 residential condominiums and two ground-floor commercial condominiums will be sold as one property in a sealed-bid auction next month. The hotel and the condominium are located in what was once an Embassy Suites hotel. The condominium units are on floors 15-19 of the 38-story building with apartments above. The condos share a private owners' lobby with direct elevators, an owners' lounge and board room, and a dedicated concierge. The Globe St. article says that the location across from the Greyhound Bus station and the lack of balconies made the units a hard sell. They were once priced at as much as $800,000 to $4 million but more recently were priced from $500,000 to $3 million.

The Denver Business Journal reports that Chicago lender Transwestern Mezzanine Realty Partners III's lawsuit against individual owners of downtown Denver's Ritz-Carlton Hotel will go to trial next July. Transwestern is suing Ritz owners Steve Roitman and Jim Cobb of Denver-based energy and real estate company BWAB Inc. and hotel developer Charlie Biederman for $9 million in defaulted debt on the hotel. According to the article The Ritz's Forza athletic club building and condominium component have been in foreclosure since June for nonpayment of the $28.8 million balance due on a $95 million mortgage loan.

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Denver Ritz-Carlton Condos To Be Sold In Trustee Sale originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> coloradodenverforeclosureritz-carlton Deidre Woollard Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[The Estate at Turks and Caicos, Estate of the Day]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/the-estate-at-turks-and-caicos-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/the-estate-at-turks-and-caicos-estate-of-the-day/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/the-estate-at-turks-and-caicos-estate-of-the-day/#comments
Today's estate is an idyllic retreat in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This home is on 2.5 acres with an additional .68 acre available. It is located less than two miles from the Grace Bay Beach area which offers access to restaurants, golf, casinos, resorts, shops and more. This home is gated and has its own private road and waterway access.

The property includes a spectacular main house with a glass bottom pool, commercial restaurant quality kitchen facilities, three master bedrooms with en-suite baths, library, sitting room, living room, screening room, secret stairway, cigar/wine room, servants' quarters and an elevator. There are two additional guest homes with private reflection pools. The estate is being sold fully furnished, including art, goods, and equipment. The property can stay as a private estate or be developed a resort.

The asking price is $15.75 million for the main estate property and $1 million for the additional .68 acre. It is listed with Grace Lappin of Avalon Partners.

Gallery: The Estate in Turks and Caicos

Continue reading The Estate at Turks and Caicos, Estate of the Day

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The Estate at Turks and Caicos, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> caribbean real estateCaribbeanRealEstateestate of the dayEstateOfTheDaygrace bayGraceBayturks and caicosTurksAndCaicos Deidre Woollard Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Olive Oil, Lemon And A Whole Lot Of Cash]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/olive-oil-lemon-and-a-whole-lot-of-cash/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/olive-oil-lemon-and-a-whole-lot-of-cash/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/olive-oil-lemon-and-a-whole-lot-of-cash/#comments Much of the time it's easy to predict the top lot in an auction, one of the highest estimated pieces usually claims the honor. But that's not always the case. How's this for an exuberant art market moment, Emil Filla's "Still life with a Lemon, Bottle of Olive Oil, Bell Peppers and a Bowl of Vegetables", 1925, sold for $266,000 against a pre-auction estimate of just $15,000-20,000 on November 17 at an auction at Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles. The auction set a new world record for the artist at auction. The auction was simulcast to the firm's San Francisco auction rooms.

This auction also included the unused Beatles album art created in 1968 by Jim Dine we discussed earlier this week. The collection of five graphite and watercolor works on vellum sold for $51,850 against an estimate of $25,000-35,000.

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Olive Oil, Lemon And A Whole Lot Of Cash originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> artart auctionArtAuctionbonhamsemil fillaEmilFillajim dineJimDine Deidre Woollard Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:35:00 EST Luxist <![CDATA[Michael Stipe Wonders If You'd Like to Strap A Cassette To Your Body]]> http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/19/michael-stipe-wonders-if-youd-like-to-strap-a-cassette-to-your/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/19/michael-stipe-wonders-if-youd-like-to-strap-a-cassette-to-your/ http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/19/michael-stipe-wonders-if-youd-like-to-strap-a-cassette-to-your/#comments
I wouldn't exactly call the new collaboration between R.E.M. frontman and Martin Margiela a jewelry line. It's hard to know what to call it. The limited edition (199 pieces) Michael Stipe x Margiela collaboration is a silver microcassette with a little bit of unraveled tape which can be worn a variety of ways according to the press image. It can be worn as jewelry, tied into your hair, worn on a shoe or glasses or on a keychain. It fits well with the quirky Margiela aesthetic which has also featured champagne corks and soda can tabs reimagined as necklaces. The project is a one time event and will be available at Margiela boutiques and select retailers.

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Michael Stipe Wonders If You'd Like to Strap A Cassette To Your Body originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> martin margielaMartinMargielamichael stipeMichaelStipemicrocassette Deidre Woollard Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:01:00 EST Luxist