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The Classicist: Southern Proper's Timeless Style

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist

Mint juleps, seersucker, stately plantations, belles in summer dresses and those F. Scott Fitzgerald stories where they go around saying "Good mawnin', Sally Carrol" -- all come together in the new spring collection from Southern Proper, a gentleman's outfitter from Atlanta now gaining wider recognition from natty northerners.

Tags: Atlanta, bow ties, croquet, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Georgia, golf, Kentucky Derby, mens clothing, mens style, mint julep, polo, preppy, sailing, southern plantations, Southern Proper, southern+mens+style, southernmensstyle, tennis, the south, ties

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Fairy Tale Castle on the French Riviera, Estate of the Day

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

A medieval stone castle in Bar sur Loup combines the best of both world's: an impressive historic structure with stunning gardens and the glam life of Nice and Cannes nearby. A snap 35 minutes from the Nice International Airport and you're in the postcard perfect 18th century village of Bar sur Loup, known as the "town of orange trees." The current owner of this castle must sell as he is moving to Hong Kong. Just five years ago, he found the property in terrible shape, fell in love with it, and painstakingly restored virtually every centimeter. All five bedroom suites, several living rooms with working fireplaces, a study, and hobby room are all in pristine condition. The owner even reclaimed materials from other French chateaux to be sure that no "foreign" or inappropriate materials interfered with the building's integrity. Most appealing, in particular, are the pool and pool house. Add to that a wine cellar, caretaker's cottage and parking for ten cars. The original castle dates back to the early 18th century but its gardens surrounded by olive and fruit trees, rose bushes, and jasmine appear to be much older. The price is €5,900,000. Details at estatenetfrance.com.

Tags: buying a chateau, chateau sales, estate of the day, france real estate, french real estate, French Riviera, Provence

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Shoot 'n Share Camcorder Projector: Simple Enough for a Child to Use

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Gadgets are great and I especially love the ones that fill a legitimate need instead of being a gadget for gadgetry's sake. Take our camcorder. As much as I love my iFlip -- the camcorder that's the size of a smartphone and is just as easy to use -- I've missed the ability to check my shot. The iFlip's viewing screen is less than two inches square and in sunlight is rendered unusable by the glare. I have no idea whether I've loped my daughter's head off at the Halloween parade (I did) or caught my son sliding into home base (I didn't).

The Shoot 'n Share Camcorder Projector, which retails for about $300 plus a memory card through Hammacher-Schlemmer, provides a nifty solution. You can instantly project what you just shot on to the nearest wall or flat surface, zooming in to check facial expressions and zooming out to check backgrounds.

Tags: camera, gadgets, hammacher schlemmer, video

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Five Fabulous Things to Do On A Ski Trip Without the Skis in Park City, Utah

by shira levine (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

You don't have to ski or snowboard to have a good time in Park City, Utah. Besides the Sundance Film Festival and all things Robert Redford, there are a slew of other fabulous ways to spend your days and nights in the resort town. Park City proves itself well in the luxury category.

We put together a list of ways to live well in the city known for having the "Greatest Snow On Earth" (and being the site of a few scenes in Dumb and Dumber), and all without having to ever put on those godforsaken foot and calf-suffocating ski boots.

Apres Ski
In a way, resort hopping the apres ski scene is Park City's other great sporting event. The French term specifically refers to the drinking and revelry that ensues after a long day of skiing or snowboarding. The art of the cocktail is nothing to scoff at in snow country and up in these mountains the Mormon influence shunning drinking and nightlife is forgotten. Alta Resort's Sitzmark Bar is a classic. Off-resort, check out High West Distillery and Saloon. They make their own whiskey and vodka and have a killer, innovative cocktail list with drinks like the High West Silver Julep using High West's Silver Oat Whiskey and Rendezvous Rye. Park City's Main Street features a collection of classic, mountain and Western motif bars and nightclubs like No Name Saloon, The Sidecar, and The Spur. There's also Downstairs, owned by Danny Masterson of "That 70s Show" fame, a hip rocker lounge that celebrities typically flock to when they're in town.

Shop
Ski bunny fashion is no joke in Park City. Locals and pros sport some of the slickest and brightest colored gear and pseudo-gear from brands like The North Face, Patagonia, and Lululemon, or, hanging in resort shopping areas in Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort and The Canyons. It's hard to resist not purchasing a brilliant blue fleece when witness to everyone else looking fashionably ski hip. There's shopping too for the fashion-forward who prefer to wear something that's also stylish away from the resorts. Along Main Street are adorable boutiques like Bunya Bunya and Mary Jane's with clothing and accessories handmade by local artists and independent designers. Park City also has the largest collection of factory outlet stores in northern Utah.

Tags: awards-main, DumbandDumber, golf, luxist-awards, luxury, Montage Deer Valley, parkcity, RobertRedford, shopping, skiing, spa, stein eriksen lodge, Sundance, utah

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The Classicist: Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and Private Planes from Flexjet

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Wings, Events, Sports, The Classicist

The Classicist: Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and Private Planes from Flexjet

Private jet juggernaut Flexjet is offering an alluring incentive to new fractional owners via a promotion with Kentucky's Keeneland, one of the world's leading thoroughbred racing and auction facilities. The three-day Unbridled experience centers around the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships this fall. Known as the thoroughbred industry's most prestigious championship event, the Breeders' Cup attracts fierce competition for the richest prize-money event in the world with over $26 million in purses at stake. There's a lot more to the Unbridled experience, however, as you'd expect considering the cost for a 1/16th fraction (or 50 hours / year) on one of the company's Learjet 40XRs starts at $362,500.

Each owner and their guest will enjoy the Breeders' Cup races in the comfort of a finish-line owner's suite at the iconic Churchill Downs, one of the world's greatest racetracks and home of the Kentucky Derby, as well as an invitation to attend sun-up morning workouts. A one-on-one meeting with a renowned thoroughbred trainer and an insider's look at a famed horse farm are also in the offing. The Unbridled experience is available in limited quantities at no extra charge for Flexjet customers purchasing a new fractional share now through June 12, 2011; the all-inclusive experience takes place November 3 - 6.

Gallery: Flexjet Unbridled Experience

Tags: 21c Museum Hotel, Bombardier, bourbon, Breeders Cup, Buffalo Trace, Churchill Downs, distillery, equestrian, events, Flexjet, fractional ownership, horse breeding, horse farm, horse racing, horses, jets, Keeneland, Kentucky, Kentucky Derby, lear+jet45, Learjet, learjet45, Louisville, luxury travel, Private jet, private plane, spirits, sports, stables, the South, thoroughbred, whiskey

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World's Most Expensive Poker Set for $7.5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Men's Style, Wealth

World's Most Expensive Poker Set for $7.5 Million

Talk about high stakes – Geoffrey Parker, London-based maker of the finest games on the globe, is offering the world's most expensive poker set for $7.5 million. The bespoke set comes housed in a genuine alligator skin case finished in any color the client chooses, fitted with 18k white gold combination locks and hardware. The case' suede lining features an 18k gold and diamond frame holding 384 18k white gold chips, each inlaid on both sides in shagreen (stingray skin). The chips can be in any currency and denomination the client desires; the display set features chips marked €100,000 – or about $140,000 at today's rates.

The edge of each chip is set with precious stones – white diamonds for the white chips, sapphires for the blue, rubies for the red, emeralds for the green and black diamonds for the black. The dealer button is be a larger 18 karat white gold chip set with two rows of diamonds to the edge. The set will feature an estimated 22,364 stones in all, totaling 1,012 carats. Finally there are four platinum-plated decks of poker cards. Orders are now being taken with an expected delivery time of six to nine months; the price may go up if the precious stones and metals market fluctuates.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: alligator, alligator+skin+poker+set, alligatorskinpokerset, bespoke, cards, diamond, diamonds, exotic leather, gambling, game sets, games, Geoffrey Parker, gold, gold and diamonds, London, mens style, most+expensive+poker+chips, most+expensive+poker+set, mostexpensivepokerchips, mostexpensivepokerset, platinum, playing cards, poker, precious stones, shagreen, UK, white gold, worlds most expensive

Herman Miller Sayl Ergonomic Work Chair Review

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets, Architecture & Design

Herman Miller Sayl Ergonomic Work Chair Review

This is my third Herman Miller chair and I am beginning to notice a trend - Herman Miller makes pretty darn good chairs. I am not exactly the don of places to sit, but I have sampled an awful lot of chairs in my life. So why is it that I put chairs like those that Herman Miller offers on a pedestal? Well the reasons are pretty simple actually. They want their chairs to be well-made, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. Does that sound like a simple formula? It is, but at the same time chairs are one of the most complex pieces of furniture to make - especially an ergonomic desk/work chair. As I spend more time learning about good chairs and how they are designed, I am impressed by the ingenuity and details that is taken into consideration when designing something new. This is despite the fact that chair designers have so much to look to for inspiration. There are also a lot of really bad chairs out there, so that is something to think about when planning where to plant your rear.

This is the Sayl, and it is Herman Miller's newest family of work chairs. I say family because in addition to being available in various colors and trims, the chair itself is literally available in a lot of different styles with various options, etc... What each of the Sayl chairs share is the "suspension" style chair back with the "Y" frame design. This design is based loosely on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco where chair designer Yves Behar lives. I too live in San Francisco, and wouldn't have seen the design connection unless you explained it to me - but now I see it, and smirk at the similarity between the back of the chair and the curve of the cables from the bridge's suspension towers.

Tags: chair, desk, herman miller, office, review, sayl, work, yves behar

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Luxist Giveaway: Element Case Vapor Pro iPhone 4 Case

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

According to Element Case, the Vapor Pro is the most expensive non-designer iPhone 4 case available. This version is masculine looking and made in aluminum. Rather than snapping on to the iPhone 4, it is screwed on (with a supplied tool). The ports to all the buttons and connectors on the phone are easy to access, while the case further gives the iPhone a more ergonomic shape for holding. There is even a polymer section over the antenna to prevent signal issues. Element cases offers the Vapor Pro iPhone case in a number of colors and finishes. Retail price is $149.99, and you can enter to win one below.

THANKS FOR ALL WHO ENTERED. THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER.

To enter, leave a comment on this post sharing why you'd like to win this case. The giveaway ends on March 18th at 8:00pm PST. See additional rules below.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before March 18th, 2011 at 8:00PM Pacific Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive one Element Case Vapor Pro iPhone 4 case valued at $149.99.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.

See full giveaway rules here.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: case, element case, expensive, iphone 4, vapor pro

The Fashion Statement: The Rise of Flatforms

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

After a long run, the precarious platform shoes we've seen for much of the last decade are giving a new, flatter platform. Or, as I'm calling them-flatforms.

If fashion soothsayers have names like Marc Jacobs, Fendi and Derek Lam, platforms here to stay-in fact, we can expect to see them through fall 2011 (Issey Miyake, above)-but gone are the high arches and their impossible heights. In their place are gentle graduated slopes full of the promise of easy promenades that don't give up much of the stature of their predecessors. That's not to say, these flatter versions are without danger. A fall show in New York featured flatform combat boots that made at least two female models and one male model fall flat on their faces.

By and large, though, this spring designers are delivering walkable wedges with no shortage of style. Marc Jacobs' platforms bring us back to the '70s with their rainbow colors adorning the arches of the shoe. Fendi confounds modern architectural rules with platforms that seem to come in three separate sections-a heel in emerald green, a mid-shoe in brown and a toe in natural wood with a bright blue strap. Derek Lam is probably the most traditional-basic Maryjanes in camel opened-toe or off-white closed toe upon natural-grained wood.

Tags: Derek Lam, Fendi, flatforms, Issey Miyake, Marc Jacobs, platforms

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RSVIP: Dinner with an Astronaut and Fireworks in Costa Rica

by Jeffrey Slonim (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events

After a frenetic Oscar week, RSVIP simply wanted to languish in a tropical plunge pool, right. Call it kismet, but a birthday-fete invite arrived from a college pal, former Democratic National Committee Chair Joe Andrew, husband of America's first female ambassador to Costa Rica, Anne Slaughter Andrew.

The Obama-appointed ambassador, a font of Indiana-spun charm, is a formidable advocate of biodiversity, a former environmental lawyer, and an entrepreneur. At her current post, when she isn't glued to her BlackBerry or being whisked off by her security detail, she spends 16 hours a day at chess like diplomacy.

Friday afternoon, a breath of jungle steam greeted RSVIP as the cabin door of my Taca Airline flight opened at San Jose International Airport. After a bumpy, 20-minute taxi shuttle through gumdrop volcanic hills, we puttered up to the Real Intercontinental Hotel in Escazu, a chichi suburb of San Jose, Costa Rica. A cacophony of parrots in palm fronds screeched overhead. A five-story lobby and a kickboxing session at the spa overlooked two attractive pools with a throbbing water feature. Views were complemented by an, ahem, $41 Mexican buffet and a Factory Steak and Lobster restaurant with tables facing the pool. A nearby mall boasts a Givenchy boutique, but good luck crossing the street at rush hour.

Tags: costa rica, rsvip

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Luxist Phototour: Rock Legends at Julien's Auctions

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

Also taking place on March 26 along with the auction of Slash's collection at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills is a Rock Legends auction. This sale is a catch-all collection of a variety of memorabilia spanning decades of music history. Shown above are some of the highlights including a handwritten set of the lyrics to Michael Jackson's "Beat-It" estimated to sell at $4,000 to $6,000.

Tags: alice cooper, bruce springsteen, john lennon, juliens auctions, JuliensAuctions, michael jackson, rock legends

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Ahron Weiner on the Verge: Bringing "The Flood" to Brooklyn

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

There were breaks in the rain, but the day ended with small rivers flowing through the gutters in Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood. It was the last day of Armory week in New York City, an event consisting of art fairs all over the city, ranging from colossal reputations and incredible valuations to emerging artists eager for their first tastes of success and notoriety. I was on my way to the Verge show, itself spread out over several locations.

If you want to find something unique or unusual, Verge is the place to go. You'll have to sift through a lot of good efforts (as opposed to successful results), but the one piece that blows your mind is worth it. I found it at 20 Jay Street: "The Flood," by Ahron Weiner.

There is nothing conventional about Weiner's photography, except, perhaps, for the fact that he uses a camera. After that, he's truly exploring new territory. "The Flood" is part of a larger effort that tells the stories of the Old Testament through rehabilitated advertising images.
Okay, that's a lot to digest. So, let's step through the concept.

If you ever see a tall (by my standards, at least) man with long blond hair chipping through the advertising posters on Manhattan scaffolds, there's a good chance it's Weiner. These posters are slapped up all over the city, with the new simply covering up the old ... and so on. It's endless. Weiner goes in the opposite direction. He peels away at the layers, looking for a story to emerge. Starting with what strikes him as an interesting advertisement, he pulls to see what lies beneath.

Gallery: "Cycle of Violence" at the DUMBO Arts Festival

Tags: Art Exhibition, art fair, art fairs, Art Gallery, art show, artist, Artists, brooklyn, new york, new york city

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Luxist Giveaway: Superba Coffee Prize Pack (Coffee, French Press, and Mug)

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Sipping a great cup of coffee in the morning is one of life's simplest pleasures, and one that Superba Coffee takes very seriously. Based out of Marina Del Ray in California their mission is perfection in every area, from sourcing to roasting to distributing.

Superba Coffee is roasted in small batches using eco-friendly technology and monitored every step of the way by master roasters, who personally sign and date-stamp every box before it ships out. They offer products for both general consumers and wholesalers in the form of fine restaurants, hotels, and cafes. I haven't had the pleasure personally but their coffee, available in Classic or Decaf, certainly sounds delish and received high marks in this independent review.

Now for the fun part: Superba Coffee is offering one of our readers a prize package that has everything you need for brewing and drinking a perfect cup of morning joe. One random winner will receive the following:

4 Boxes of Superba Classic Blend fresh roasted coffee (approximately a month's supply) roasted to a perfect medium roast profile
An 8-cup Bodum French Press for no-waste brewing of deep, full-flavored coffee
A branded Superba ceramic mug in your choice of either glossy black or white

To enter leave a comment on this post telling us what a great cup of coffee means to you, or what happens when you don't get one in the morning. Good luck!

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

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before March 16, 2011 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing to receive a Superba Coffee prize pack valued at $115.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.

See complete giveaway rules here.

Source

Tags: coffee, giveaway, luxist giveaway, superba

Giraffe Manor in Kenya: Where Guests Live Among World's Tallest Creatures (with video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Video

Giraffe Manor in Nairobi Kenya

For those seeking a truly exotic, once-in-a-lifetime Out of Africa-type experience, Giraffe Manor may be just the place. Here, guests enjoy the unique chance to interact with its resident herd of Rothschild Giraffe, a rare breed which is among the world's tallest creatures. Guests have the unparalleled experience of the giraffes, with the animals vying for guests' attention at the breakfast table, the front door and even at the bedroom window. Giraffe Manor is located in 12 acres of private land only 20 kilometers from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. It is set within 140 acres of indigenous forest.

Guests interact with the giraffes throughout the day. Breakfast is served in the sun room, with its enormous windows flung open to welcome the giraffe that come and join you. Dinner is a cosy affair as the drawing room fire is lit and guests and managers gather for evening drinks. You can either chose to have a candlelit hosted meal in the dramatic wood paneled dining room or at your own table under the stars surrounded by the glow created by lanterns and candles on the terrace.

Gallery: Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya

Tags: Africa, awards-main, giraffe, Giraffe Manor, giraffe+manor+in+kenya, giraffemanorinkenya, giraffes, Kenya, luxist-awards, luxury travel, Nairobi, Rothschild Giraffe, Rothschild Giraffes, safari, video, www.luxist.com/2011/03/09/giraffe-manor-in

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1stdibs.com at the NY Design Center

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

When 1stdibs.com went from click to brick, it was an overnight success, far beyond what was expected. Until the opening of its new home 1stdibs.com was only online. It was the luxury marketplace site for antique and vintage design from the United States, Canada, France, and England. In other words, a treasure trove of jewelry, lighting, furniture, antiquities and especially design classics that you could buy online. Now 1stdibs has expanded to bricks and mortar. Some 53 dealers occupy a huge 1stdibs space on the 10th floor of the New York Design Center in Midtown Manhattan on Lexington Avenue between 32nd and 33rd streets. With the expansion from virtuality to reality, the new 1stdibs@NYDC is a big hit with designers as well as the general public. The Design Center, which in the past was to-the-trade, decorators only, is now open to the general public even on Saturday.

Tags: 1stdibs, 1stdibs.com, decor, mid-century modern, Modernism, NYDesign Center, vintage

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