I am a certifiable tote girl -- need one for travel, one for daily errands, one for lugging my laptop to coffee shops, and one to fill at the farmer's market. So its no surprise I have gravitated towards the totes of all the bags available from Coach. The Bleecker line has a functional style without unnecessary accents, plenty of colors and materials to choose from, and a hefty size to handle any of my tote needs. Personally I'm a big fan of the classic brown with the all-important C-logo but then again I do have a serious crush on chocolate brown. From $298 to $598 depending on the bag it is sure to handle whatever you throw in it. (About 19" x 10" x 6" with varying strap lengths)

There are all-inclusive resorts, private villas and adult-only getaways but Cavalli Island is now offering resort style vacations with two exclusive options: only your private party will have access to the resort at one time or you share it with only one other party at one time, no more than six people total at the resort simultaneously. Located north of New Zealands Bay of Islands, Cavalli Island Resort & Spa is a retreat into paradise with inclusive personal chef services, spa treatments, water sports and other activities. Starting at $5000 per couple per night this is one intimate trip where you won't feel encroached upon.

[via Travmedia]

Dresses from the Oscars may have been auctioned for charity but accusations that a designer suit worn by Angelina Jolie at a previous awards was made by an illegally-employed tailor throws a spot-light on murky realities behind the glitz and glamour.

As the clouds of an economic downturn loomed, the world's top designer brands breathed a sigh of relief when agreement was reached over the writers' strike in time for the Oscars. Their red carpet is the planet's most famous fashion parade, the lion of all catwalks. This year Penelope Cruz wore Chanel Haute Couture, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, Cameron Diaz wore Dior, designed by John Galliano, while Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard wore Jean Paul Gaultier. Chopard and Bulgari provided their jewels.

Nothing has epitomized the adoring relationship between celebrities and high fashion like that between Hollywood and the Italian fashion house Dolce&Gabbana, with its label D&G. Over the years, movie stars Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie, as well as Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Colin Farrell have worn outfits designed by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. "Hollywood is a constant for us because without it we would lack a language that is instant and universal," the design duo from Milan explain. They often think of a movie and character when designing. For decades D&G has influenced fashion trends amongst Hollywood's elite.

But if you watched the Oscars this year you would likely have missed the Italian fashion brand. No actresses wore Dolce&Gabbana at the awards, according to photos on the definitive Oscars.com. It was left to Jason Bateman, Sean Combs, Casey Affleck, Josh Brolin, and Josh Lucas to sport tuxedos from the brand, and none made the People Magazine's list of 'Best Dressed Celebrities.' Dolce&Gabbana's website on the stars they style could only present the non-nominated and not-so-famous Jonnie Lee Miller for their Oscars category - and that was from a party, not the awards.

It appears the Italian fashion label has lost some of its appeal with female superstars. Might what D&G stands for as a brand be part of the reason? In recent years nearly all A-listers have adopted a social cause, from climate change to war-torn Darfur. Ethical is no longer just cool but necessary. This has implications for the leading fashion houses they promote, like D&G. One indication of what's to come was the auctioning of dresses worn by some of leading ladies. The dress worn by model Heidi Klum was auctioned for Red Heart Earth, a health promotion charity. However, recent accusations about the labor conditions involved in the manufacturer of the clothes themselves, and even connections to organized crime, poses an ethical challenge to fashion that charity wont hide.

With the economy in its current state of disrepair, you'd think the premium liquor sector would be getting a little worried wondering whether people will continue to shell out for the good stuff. No doubt it's a big topic of discussion at Tales of the Cocktail, the big industry fest currently taking place in New Orleans. We asked one attendee, Rob Bryans of top-shelf 10 Cane Rum, for his thoughts on the subject. Premium liquor remains a "must-have" for consumers, he insists, despite the added strain on purchasing power.

Bryans, the brand's VP, says that 10 Cane for one insulated itself from market forces to some extent by striving for an excellence that consumers would consider indispensable. The "luxury rum" is made from the first pressing of virgin Trinidadian sugar cane in place of the molasses, a sugar byproduct, used by most others, and the process is overseen by Jean Pinneau, the Master Distiller of Hennessy in France. "Every step of the production process is painstakingly geared towards quality," Bryans tells Luxist. "This is an artisanal approach to rum making."

Instead of worrying about the economy 10 Cane is focusing on new ways of marketing its brand, such as the deluxe Mojito Kit they've come out with for summer, featuring a mixer from our personal favorite, Stirrings. Sounds like good business practice to us; there's nothing like a great drink for a temporary respite from economic pressures.

The last time I checked out a home in Honolulu, Hawaii the top home was listed at $10.8 million. Since back in April, that house has been reduced to $9.25 million and there is a new home in the top spot. Today's home is located in the Diamond Head area and has incredible water views. The two-story residence has three master suites with ocean views and private balconies, maids room and a three-car garage. It also has a particularly alluring feature, an infinity edge pool that faces the ocean. This home is listed at $10.75 million.

For more prime properties and lush locations, see Luxury Homes and Mansions.

He may be known for an empire built on cookware from Kitchen Aid, Circulon, Anolon, and Farberware but Stanley Cheng's newest venture continues his success with consumables -- namely wine. Stephanie Wines, named after Cheng's only daughter, are made from five Bordeaux varietals at his estate in Napa called Hestan Vineyards. The CEO of Meyer Corporation's debut release includes 2005 Stephanie Red Bordeaux Blend (940 cases, $65), 2005 Stephanie Cabernet Sauvignon (930 cases, $50), and 2005 Stephanie Merlot (475 cases, $40). The consulting winemaker is Jeff Gaffner who has also worked for Saxon Brown, Black Kite, and Xtant. These are just newly released and only to mailing list customers and select markets nationally so if you get your hands on some let us know what you think!

[via Wine & Spirits Daily]

The Backes & Strauss Regent 1609 AD limited edition watch packs a little history into a gorgeous package. The watch is named for the year when English astronomer Thomas Harriett made the first drawings of the moon . To celebrate the event the watch features a moon-phase indicator decorated with a 17-star constellation delineated in diamonds. The waches are produced in collaboration with Geneva's Franck Muller Watchland, which manufactures the movements and completes assembly. The watch also features a diamond set in the crown as well as on the bezel and lugs.

The Regent 1609 AD is currently on display in the Harrods Fine Jewellery and Watch Room opposite the de Beers boutique, until it is officially launched in October 2008. This is the first limited edition watch from Backes & Strauss and it is limited to 219 pieces (in two sizes) and available in different diamond combinations (from £17,000).

Nineteen to-covet designers including Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik, Alberta Ferretti and Christian Louboutin are teaming up with Warner Brothers and Swarovski to reinvent Dorothy's ruby slippers to commemorate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. This time, we're not in Kansas anymore. Based on some of the designer sketches we've seen, we're talking Swarovski-fied, ruby red protect-me-from-the-evil-witch stilettos. Basically what sweet little Anne Hathaway could have used in The Devil Wears Prada.

Each designer will craft a mere two pairs, and the shoes will make their debut September 4 during New York Fashion Week in early September, posing in Saks Fifth Avenue's window before moving on to Miami's Art Basel and further appearances throughout 2009. The iconic slippers will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

While the phrase "Enter to win!" is often accompanied by eyerolling and a lesson in probability, when it comes to the 2008 Sub-Zero Dream Kitchen -- and dreamy it is, complete with sleek sub-zero fridge, freeze and wine storage alongside $2,000 worth of gourmet goodies from Dean & Deluca, Wolf dual range, Kohler kitchen gear ... the list goes on -- the words just may inspire a foodie frenzy. Until July 31, enter here if you aspire to cook and entertain in this kitchen-for-the-gods (did we mention ambrosia flows freely from those Kohler products? And there is a subscription to the Windsor Sonoma Wine Club?). Winners of the $50,000 in kitchen booty will be notified August 3. I hope I'm invited to your first dinner party.

We have always been of the opinion that jeweler David Yurman's designs don't quite live up to his gorgeous advertising campaigns. It's almost as though his own creative team senses this, as the ads seem designed to downplay the ostentatiousness of most of the jewelry, with its two-tone metals, gauche gemstones and clunky styling.

The pictures by contrast are simple, elegant and stunning: some of the world's most beautiful women shot in classic black-and-white by famed photographer Peter Lindbergh. Kate Moss has appeared more than once, and is back for the glamorous new fall campaign, pictured here. Other subjects have included Daria Werbowy, Naomi Watts, Amber Valletta and Natalia Vodianova. No-one could make the baubles look better than that all-star lineup.

This new addition to the L.A.M.B. line offers a sizable package for a reasonable price. Large enough to hold a magazine, water bottle, full size wallet, sweater and other small necessities, the L.A.M.B. 'Soft Signature Wiltshire' Tote comes in three color combinations, although I think the logo-version is my favorite. With leather and goldtone hardware accenting the bag, eight-inch strap drop, and matching zip-pouch for small items this tote is a simple yet stylish combination for $295. (16 1/2" x 11 1/2" x 7")

Tonight marks the first in a series of "Twitter tastings" by wine store, Bin Ends. The tastings will feature famous wine personalities taking part in online tastings. that anyone can participate in. The tastings will take place on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm. For each tasting Bin Ends will sell a tasting pack. Tonight's pack of six bottles cost $100. The tasting will include comments from Ryan and Gabriella Opaz of the popular Spanish and Portuguese-centered wine site CataVino.

Bin Ends offers "fine wine bargains" for customers both in their Boston store and online. They use an automatic markdown system where every three weeks, anything still in stock gets marked down an additional 10%. Bin Ends offers free shipping nationwide on all orders of $200 or more.

With "staycations" becoming popular in this tough economy, you might opt to stay in more often and watch a good movie. But as a Luxist reader, you know that we don't mean using on-demand ... instead, we bring you the cool new Epson Ensemble HD Home Cinema System, via Uncrate. Priced from $5,000 - $7,000, this real home theater in a box includes a 100-inch motorized screen, an Epson PowerLite 3LCD projector with either 720p or 1080p resolution, an Atlantic Technology speaker system with a 150-watt sub, an A/V controller with HDMI handling and an upconverting DVD player and a universal remote. This PDF tells you all you need to know, or go here.

While you are waiting for your new diamond-covered iPhone you might want to consider this sparkly gadget. Swiss luxury designer and jeweler Knalihs Athem has recently created a diamond encrusted Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte. This phone is decorated with 1000 finest quality brilliant cut diamonds that weigh 6.75 carats in total. There will only be 20 handsets made and each will be accompanied by a official diamond grading report from a gemological lab. It can also be personalized with your name or whatever you would like. The Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte by Knalihs Athem has a starting price of $20,000.

Today's home in Phoenix, Arizona was once the home of John and Cindy McCain. The home, on over two acres, was Cindy McCain's childhood home, where she was raised as a privileged beer distributor's daughter. When the McCains lived there they spent $250,000 remodeling the home back in the 1980s. In 2006, the couple downsized into a condo and put the home on the market. When I first heard about it in 2006, they had a bit of trouble selling the house, listing it for around $3.75 million.

The current owner is going for a bit more. They have listed the home, which has seven bedrooms in the main house and two bedrooms in the guest house, for a hefty $12 million. The home includes a master suite with a Mexican-tiled private patio with a spa and built-in fireplace and seating. The gourmet kitchen has slate floors, granite counters and heavy commercial stainless steel appliances. The guest house also has an attached his/her dressing cabana. More pics at the virtual tour. It seems to have had quite the renovation since the McCains lived there. Check out the pics from 2005 when Architectural Digest visited the McCains. It's virtually unrecognizable except for certain telling details like the fireplace in the master bedroom. I have to say, I prefer Cindy McCain's version of this house.

For more prime properties and lush locations, see Luxury Homes and Mansions.