Services

Luxist Reader's Financial Question Answered

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Apr 11th 2011 at 10:01AM

We like to talk about spending money and enjoying the finer things in life but you can't do that if you don't manage your finances appropriately.

We first covered the ZYNC from American Express Quarterlife Project several weeks ago and as part of the giveaway asked for your financial questions. Financial expert and ZYNC Quarterlife Coach Christine Hassler picked one reader's question and answered it in video format.

The question chosen was posted in the comments by NYCReader:

"For someone in their 20's, are there certain life expenses (utilities, groceries, rent, etc.) that are better to pay on a credit card rather than with cash/check/debit card?"

Interested in the answer? Christine Hassler gives her two cents on the ZYNC Facebook page. Click here to see the video answer.

Tags: american express, Christine Hassler, finances, financial advice, ZYNC, ZYNC Quarterlife

American Express Membership Rewards: Our Top Luxury Picks

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Apr 4th 2011 at 2:01PM

When it comes to credit card rewards programs what's most valuable? Travel? Cash back? Free luxury goods and services?

The American Express Membership Rewards program offers up options in all those categories via an online store where you can shop with your bank of earned points and buy whatever you want. Rewards points can be redeemed for everything from airline tickets to American Express cash cards to flat screen TVs and even designer handbags. And like any store they have regular specials and sales, with deals of the week announced on the AmEx Facebook page (right now you can get a Nikon digital camera for 50 percent off). If you use a lot of credit the program is a great way to indulge in some of your favorite high-end treats without spending an extra dime.

I browsed through the American Express Membership Rewards store and rounded up my favorite luxury picks. See my selections after the jump and then share in the comments, do you use credit card rewards for luxurious indulgences or practical necessities? What would you choose?

Tags: american express, American Express Membership Rewards, credit cards, rewards program

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Lifestyle Asset Group Launches a New Luxury Residence Collection

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) — Apr 3rd 2011 at 10:01AM

Lifestyle Asset Group's Residence, Blue Sky Lodge, Deer Valley Utah

Lifestyle Asset Group, a new fractional ownership company, described as the "next generation of luxury vacation ownership," has launched.

This group has created a novel hybrid residence collection, based on the investment fund/equity-based club model. Lifestyle Asset Group allows 100 participants to collectively own 12 residences. The residence's average value is $2.5 million. With a one-time capital contribution of $300,000, each equity owner enjoys seven years of residence access booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Equity owners have the option to transfer their interests at any time without penalties or fees. As part of the Collective Asset Ownership (CAO) model, Lifestyle Asset Group says it operates in a debt-free mode, as it sells interests in the club structure as a means to create collective ownership of multiple real estate assets.

Tags: destination clubs, Investment Funds based Clubs, Lifestyle Asset Group, Private Escapes, Richard Keith, Vacation Clubs

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Luxist Giveaway: Financial Advice and a $500 AmEx Gift Card

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Feb 25th 2011 at 10:02AM

Enjoying the finer things in life often means spending money but a recent survey conducted by American Express found that a surprising number of people rate finances as a top concern and have questions about how to manage their money. Young people especially are having trouble, with 79% saying they feel overwhelmed by their current financial situation and more than half reporting they're still at least somewhat dependent on their parents or other family members to help pay bills. How do your finances stack up?

ZYNC from American Express wants to help and has launched "The Quarterlife Project," a collaboration between American Express and life coach/Gen Y expert Christine Hassler. It aims to help twenty-somethings navigate the confusing world of finance so they can have the life they want without getting up to their eyeballs in debt. Want some advice on how to best manage your spending? Post your money question in the comments section below and one question will be selected and answered on the site in video format by Christine Hassler. In addition all valid comments will go into a random drawing for a $500 AmEx gift card. Financial advice and free money -- what are you waiting for?

To enter, leave a confirmed comment on this post stating your financial question. See additional rules below.

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before March 4, 2011 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing to receive a $500 AmEx gift card.
* One financial question from the comments will be selected and answered in a video to be posted on the site.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.

See complete giveaway rules here.

Tags: american express, amex, financial advice, giveaway, luxist giveaway

Trunk Club, Shopping-Free Style For Men

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Jan 22nd 2011 at 8:02AM

Some men love to shop for clothes but others would rather receive a quick punch to the gut than darken the doors of a mall. For them, there is Trunk Club, a Chicago-based styling company that handles the shopping without the customer ever having to step foot in a store. Men who sign up for Trunk Club will receive a free styling consultation and fill out a questionnaire on measurements, personal style and upcoming events. Clothes are shipped in "outfits" including pants, shirt, belt and shoes. After the client receives the clothes, he chooses the ones he wants and the ones he doesn't choose go back in the box with the included self addressed, pre-paid shipping label provided by Trunk Club. The Trunk Club customer only pays for the clothing that is purchased. Outfits include casual or dress looks from brands including Jack Spade, Ernest Sewn, Jeremy Argyle, Eton and SchottNYC. The look above is a sample for Chicago Bears-friendly NFL playoff wear.

Tags: clothing service, mens clothing, trunk club

Makeup&GO! Opening Pop-Up Shops To Accommodate Awards Season Faces

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Jan 5th 2011 at 2:01AM

It's awards season in Los Angeles, the time of the year when red carpet appearances for stars are even more frequent than usual. And it's not just the people in front of the camera, the many unsung heroes who make our television shows and movies also get their moment in the sun this time of year. Makeup&GO!, a full service professional makeup studio, has announced two Los Angeles area pop-up locations to provide makeup application to customers throughout the awards season. The stores will are opening January 6 (Beverly Hills) and January 12 (West Hollywood) and will remain up through the end of the awards season.

Makeup&GO! is the first-of-its-kind, full service walk-in studio that provides affordable and fast professional makeup application for any occasion. It offers efficient makeup application by professionals using the newest makeup lines. Because Makeup&GO! doesn't sell makeup, there is never pressure to buy anything, but they do provide how-to sheets with each application, ensuring customers can recreate the looks at home.

Tags: makeup, makeup and go, makeup studio

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The St. Regis New York Launches E-Butler App

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Dec 20th 2010 at 11:01AM

The St. Regis New York has just launched an innovative new E-Butler application, allowing guests to interact with the famed luxury hotel's butlers and concierge as never before, and featuring exclusive content including an Insider's Guide to New York City curated by some of NYC's most celebrated personalities. The St. Regis New York E-Butler app is a modern twist on traditional butler service, providing guests with the world renowned St. Regis service at the touch of a button. The app will offer guests the ability to "chat" directly with The St. Regis E-Butler in real-time via their iPhone or iPad, arranging all of the important details of their visit to the city instantly. In true St. Regis style, the hotel has tapped some of New York's most celebrated personalities including Andre Leon Talley, Jason Wu, Alain Ducasse, Danny Meyer, Michel Musto and Peter Som to share their insider info. on favorite shops, restaurants and city landmarks. Through St. Regis E-Butler, guests will have the ability to book these favorite spots directly, and the app will also feature a curated calendar of events for the season's most interesting and anticipated happenings around the Big Apple.

Tags: Alain Ducasse, Andre Leon Talley, app, apps, butler, Danny Meyer, iPad, iPhone, Jason Wu, luxury hotel, New York City, Peter Som, restaurants, St. Regis, St. Regis New York

Luxist Giveaway: A Year of Premium Return Protection Service and a $500 AmEx Gift Card

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Dec 14th 2010 at 10:02AM

What's your biggest purchase regret? I hate returning things because it seems like every time I want to I'm either too late or can't find my receipt or am some other way disqualified and out of luck. My biggest purchase regret would be last summer when I bought a trendy dress to wear to a friend's wedding and then decided not to wear it at the last minute. Before I knew it a couple of months had flown by and my only option for returning it was store credit, which I really didn't need, so I was totally left in the lurch.

It's for situations just like that one (among others) that the new Premium Return Protection service from American Express was created. Premium Return Protection is a new service from American Express that gives shoppers up to 180 days to return popular items that retailers will no longer accept. That means that American Express will refund the purchase price of the item including tax (up to $600) and return shipping (up to $20 per item). The new service is available to all consumers -- you don't have to be an American Express cardholder -- for an annual price of $49.99 and will cover purchases made with any credit, debit or charge card from any financial services company as well as American Express prepaid cards. That means if you paid for an item with a Visa, MasterCard or Discover card – any credit, debit or charge card from someone other than American Express – you can enjoy the benefits of American Express with Premium Return Protection. You can read more about the service, including frequently asked questions, here.

Now the fun part: Thanks to our friends at American Express one lucky Luxist reader will win a one-year subscription to the Premium Return Protection service ($49.99 value) AND a $500 AmEx Gift Card to go do some serious worry-free shopping. To enter leave a comment on this post telling us about your biggest purchase regret. The giveaway ends on December 21, 2010 at 5:00pm EST, see additional rules below.

THE ENTRY PERIOD IS NOW OVER, THE WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL. THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before December 21, 2010 at 5:00pm Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified by email.
* One winner will receive a one-year subscription to the Premium Return Protection service ($49.99 value) and a $500 AmEx Gift Card – courtesy of American Express -- for a total value of $549.99.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See full giveaway rules here.

Tags: american express, giveaway, luxist giveaway, returns

The 13th Annual New York Chocolate Show

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) — Nov 11th 2010 at 7:01AM

The 13th annual New York Chocolate Show, presented by Event International and running from Thursday, November 11 - Sunday, November 14, at The Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W. 18th St.), is the largest show in the United States completely dedicated to chocolate. Considered the chocolate hub of North America, the show brings together more than 65 fine chocolate companies that will present an array of fine chocolates and chocolate-inspired products that will reach 12,000 consumers, members of the trade, and press.

This year's Chocolate Show will feature book signings by award-winning authors; cooking demonstrations in two culinary theaters featuring renowned chocolatiers and pastry chefs who will share secrets of the trade; a Kid's Zone, presented by Young Chefs Academy; and -- something I'm sorry I missed on the 10th -- a Chocolate Fashion Show.

Founded in 1997 by Sylvie Douce and Franois Jeantet, French entrepreneurs with a passion for chocolate, The Chocolate Show was quickly adopted by New York City as one of its favorite shows, and has become the largest and one of the most popular events devoted to chocolate in the United States. The New York Chocolate Show is one of many international Salon du Chocolat events produced annually by Douce and Jeantet. In 2010, shows were or will be presented in Paris, Tokyo and six cities in Japan, Shanghai, Madrid, Cairo, and Moscow.

The New York show is open this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and this Sunday till 6 p.m. Get tickets here.

Tags: chocolate, food, New York, New York City, The Chocolate Show

Dean & DeLuca Wins Luxists' Editors' Choice Award for Best in Food

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) — Oct 27th 2010 at 9:31AM

Dean & Deluca is the winner of the Luxist Awards' Editors' Choice Award for Best in Food.

It's Sunday afternoon on New York's affluent Upper East Side, and one look at the crowd milling around the Dean & DeLuca store at Madison and 85th Street gives even the most casual observer a good idea of just how incredibly successful the high-end grocer has become. It should not come as a great surprise, then, that Dean & DeLuca is the recipient of the Luxist Awards' Editors' Choice Award for Best in Food.

Women decked in pearls and Metropolitan Museum of Art pins stroll past color-coordinated fruit displays while men in tweed jackets pause at the seafood counter to choose from King Salmon, Chilean Sea Bass and Black Cod, each at least $20 per pound. An elderly woman from Paris admires a stack of ten squares of chocolate, tied together and wrapped in pastel paper.

"The last time I came in, the first thing I saw were these," she says, pointing to the $62 bundle of chocolates. "They're so pretty that I never even opened them."

Gallery: More from Dean & DeLuca

Tags: awards-main, best in food, best online gourmet food, Dean Deluca, editors choice award, gourmet food, gourmet foods, luxist-awards, winners-editors-choice, winners-food

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Thornwillow Press to Open Invisible Boutique at The St. Regis New York

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) — Oct 15th 2010 at 9:31AM

Thornwillow Press to open an invisible boutique at The St. Regis New York this fall.

The St. Regis New York will launch a unique partnership with Thornwillow Press, the limited edition publisher, bespoke stationer, and custom bookbinder.

This fall, The St. Regis New York, which is located at 2 East 55th Street at Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, will unveil an "invisible store" which will offer guests a one of a kind retail experience befitting of the Beaux Arts beauty. "Thornwillow at The St. Regis" will showcase the hotel's elegant interiors while seamlessly merging an expertly curated collection of hand-crafted leather books, Thornwillow publications, art, library accessories, fine stationery, and other curiosities personally selected by Thornwillow's founder and arbiter of style, Luke Ives Pontifell. It is a fitting partnership as The St. Regis brand of hotels is known for its unique luxury, customized service and refined elegance.

Nestled within the walls of the hotel, Thornwillow at The St. Regis will be located in a quiet oasis on the ground floor. This unexpected boutique will be the city's best kept secret and will be a welcome change from the traditional shopping experience. Designed with comfortable reading chairs, writing desks and antique paneled cases, visitors will be drawn in by the warm and intimate atmosphere. Guests will be attended to by the Thornwillow Librarian and encouraged to linger, enjoy a cup of tea, an espresso or fine whiskey while surrounded by a unique selection of beautifully designed, one of kind items, all handmade in Thornwillow's artisanal studios. Thornwillow at The St. Regis will also feature a Stationery Bar were guests will be able to mix and match Thornwillow note cards, journals and other items, selecting various motifs and colors, creating a bespoke set of stationery. Thornwillow products retailed exclusively for The St. Regis New York can be seen online.

Gallery: Thornwillow Press to open at The St. Regis New York

Tags: boutique, John Jacob Astor, Luke Ives Pontifell, luxury shopping, Paul Nash, St. Regis, St. Regis New York, stationery, The St. Regis Hotel New York, Thornwillow, Thornwillow Press

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Packing Is Easier with 3floz.com

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) — Oct 14th 2010 at 3:02PM

With the fall and winter travel holidays right around the corner, you need 3floz.com. Launched earlier this year, this site stocks TSA-approved sizes of popular (including high-end) beauty brands. No more need to create your own minis, and if you're like me, risk spilling half the bottle as you try to transfer some of your favorite toner or lotion to a smaller bottle. The site is easy to navigate -- you can look up products by category or brand; pick up a kit; search by organics-only; and even browse for products for men and babies. Great for sampling, too, if you aren't ready to commit to a full-size product. Free shipping when you spend $100 or more.

Tags: 3 ounces, 3 oz., beauty, packing, samples, travel, TSA

The Hotel Concierge: How to Get the Best Experience

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Sep 28th 2010 at 10:01AM

One of the most valuable amenities offered by luxury hotels the world over is also one of the most under-used: the concierge. Sure, lots of people stop at that little desk in the lobby and ask for directions or a restaurant recommendation, but few take advantage of the full spectrum of what a good concierge can offer. Here are a few tips making the most of the experience.

Choose the Right Hotel
No matter how awesome a concierge may be they can still be limited by the name they represent. The better the hotel the more effective your concierge will be at getting you impossible to land show seats or last minute reservations at the new hot spot because being an insider will only get them so far -- when push comes to shove the concierge that works for the more prestigious hotel (and therefore sends the bigger spenders) will always be the vendor's favorite. In a round-about way you get what you pay for.

Call Ahead
Before your trip even starts call ahead and share your itinerary. Concierge's are local so they can give you a heads up on any particulars about the area and help fine tune your plans in ways a regular assistant can't -- like letting you know about opportunities that require advance planning or giving you ideas for filling in free time. Calling ahead can also qualify you for special deals and discounts in some cases, and at the very least it will give the concierge a leg up on securing tough reservations.

Tags: awards-main, concierge, hotel, luxist-awards, madonna, summer-travel-pedia, winter-travel-pedia

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New Service Outs Hotel Towel Stealers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Sep 13th 2010 at 11:01PM

Hotel guests have plenty of places to register their displeasure with a stay but now hotels and other resorts in the UK have their own recourse, a new database called GuestScan that launches this week. Around 10,000 hotels and B&Bs are expected to sign up to for the subscription-based database which will let hotels check out guests before they get to the hotel. The information in the database will show infractions like stealing towels, breaking things and general bad behavior. Businessman British businessman Neil Campbell came up with the idea after a friend who owned a B&B suffered a "visitor from hell". The service is launching in the UK and offenders can stay on the list for two to four years. Those who find themselves on the list have the right to appeal.

Tags: guestscan, hotel guest, hotel guest behavior, hotels

WIE Symposium To Be Hosted by Sarah Brown, Donna Karan, and Arianna Huffington

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) — Sep 8th 2010 at 8:01AM

Sarah Brown, Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood and wife of former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, will chair the first WIE Symposium (Women: Inspiration & Enterprise) in New York City on September 20, 2010, with co-hosts designer and Urban Zen Foundation Founder Donna Karan and Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington. The central theme is "Women Inspiring Women," and the conference is timed to coincide with the Clinton Global Initiative and the UN General Assembly. This inspirational symposium invites prominent women from the fields of politics, philanthropy, media, fashion, and the arts to inspire and empower the future generation of women leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs.

The WIE Symposium will feature powerful speakers from around the world, challenging panels, and informative lectures with panel topics including the future role of women in technology, women leading the way in business, and a White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) philanthropy and advocacy panel with Brown. Five prize-winning young women advocates from Africa and Asia will speak about the importance of ending the tragedy of women dying needlessly in childbirth.

Gallery: WIE Symposium Co-Hosts