Despite theories that it would be consumers who were in short supply this holiday season, it seems that Apple is having trouble keeping up with demand.
After a highly successful limited-release of its iPod Touch earlier this year, the company is now running short of other models, notably the formerly-ubiquitous iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle at mass-retailers like Target and Best Buy.
Analysts estimate Apple will sell close to 21 million iPods in the December quarter, up 90% since the fall.
I'm going on a trip next week and although I'd love to have a new stylish suitcase I think this Swarovski Crystal Trunk by Samsonite Black Label is a bit over-the-top for my taste. Modeled after a popular 1920s style and covered from top to bottom in sparkling, glittering crystals, this trunk is a mix of flash and class -- modern bling on a vintage design.
The trunks are available in a limited edition of only be 30 and although they were available on Colette just last week, as of today they're no longer listed.
Certainly 7 for All Mankind has created some beautiful, chic and comfortable jeans but handbags? I wasn't so sure but I have to say, I like it! This patent leather and canvas satchel in subtle gray hues features a zig-zag pattern along the handles and outer rim with a splash of raspberry. The bag has a top zipper, inside pockets and two outer slit pockets and comes with a dust bag to keep it protected on the rare occasion it isn't on your arm. Pick this beauty up for a mere $365. (10.2" x 15.9" x 4.7")
The art of Herb Williams instantly brings out the child in everyone. Williams, who describes his process on his website, says that he is the" only individual in the world with an account with Crayola." Williams uses crayons as the medium for his sculpture. Williams cuts his colors packed 3000 to a case. He cuts down the sticks and then bonda the paper, not the wax, to a form he has either carved or cast.
The colorful Yellow Lab shown above is made of cut yellow and blue crayons, wood and two-part epoxy resin. It measures 42" x 19" x 28" and is for sale for $18,000 through Vivre where you can also find several other of his playful pop pieces.
For the man in your life who appreciates the finest in vehicles perhaps a pretty package of fine accessories from a premiere auto manufacturer would be the perfect present under the tree. Porsche's new Winter Gold Collection includes a stunning pair of shades, two timepieces and a pair of cufflinks. He can shield his eyes with the gold-toned P'8440, reminiscent of their 'Exclusive Sunglasses' from 1978. Then bejewel his dress shirt with the 18K rose gold cufflinks marked in onyx and crystals. Finally, two stunning watches, one is the Worldtimer P'6750 and the other is a choice from three of the timepieces from the Dashboard Series. I''m pretty sure he'll feel the speed and bling of Porsche in these gifts.
British jeweler Asprey has unveiled their annual Christmas Cracker. The classic British Christmas accompaniment comes with the traditional paper crown, a quotation, balloon and one gift item. This years items in sterling silver and lizard skin include a yoyo, deco cufflinks, silver pen, lizard book mark, silver and lizard skin tape measure, mini clock, silver heart bracelet, pencil sharpener, table magnifier, poker dice set, compass key ring and salt and pepper set. The crackers are wrapped in purple and silver and each one sells for $230 or a box of 12 for $2,635.
For the crafty and thrifty, here's a mini tutorial on making your own Christmas crackers.
One of the grandest estates in the Midwest has hit the market. Built in 1917, the Schweppe Estate in Lake Forest, Illinois was a wedding gift from Marshall Field and Company president John G. Shedd to his daughter Laura. It was famous for parties and on one occasion, Lake Forest society entertained the heirs to the crown of Sweden and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The home has 11 bedrooms and was vacant for 40 years but was restored in the 1980s by over 70 craftsmen who tended to the marble fireplaces, wood paneled library and the plaster relief ceilings and limestone moldings. It is listed at $18 million. Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.
Fans of Art Nouveau may want to check out this one, Swann Galleries in New York is holding an auction of rare and important Art Nouveau posters on December 17. The highlights include 11 posters by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and seven by Alphonse Mucha. The posters are from the collection of Bob and Peggy Marcus, who assembled their collection over the course of 30 years. The auction's top lot is a copy of Lautrec's Moulin Rouge, La Goulue, 1891, the artist's first poster, in the very rare three-sheet version, and with the original top banner. Considered one of the most important posters in the history of graphic arts, the enormous color lithograph advertises a performance by can-can dancer La Goulue at the famous cabaret. When the poster was first released, dealers found the size unmanageable and discarded the top banner, making versions with the original top virtually unavailable. The provenance goes back to Lautrec's own estate, after which it passed on to his close friend, art dealer Maurice Joyant, and then descended to his heirs. It is estimated at $250,000 to $350,000.
French jeweler Mauboussin recently opened their U.S. flagship store, a 6,000 square foot boutique on Madison Avenue in New York City and to demonstrate good will to the city they are announcing a charity gift this holiday season to benefit City Harvest, New York City's only food rescue program. Mauboussin will donate 10% of the retail value from the purchase of any ring from the "Mes Couleurs a Toi" collection to City Harvest and customers will also receive a 15% discount on their purchase. There are six versions of the ring featuring a central 6.5 carat stone in amethyst, citrine, blue topaz, smoky quartz, lemon quartz and rose de France amethyst set in gold with accent diamonds, ranging in price from $1,850 to $1,950. The final day to purchase "The Gift that Gives Back" will be December 31.
I'm not sure where the partnership of high-end vehicles met office furniture but these luxury desk chairs put you in the driver's seat of some pretty fine autos. From Ferrari to Pininfarina, Maserati to Lamborghini and even Porsche, whatever prime car brand you admire you can sit your rear on its premium leather and speed-seeking construction everyday. If you think the list below is tempting wait till you see the gallery.
In our regular coverage of the world's top watch auctions we usually concentrate on the highest-priced timepieces, which are almost without exception made by Patek Philippe.
On the occasion of Christie'sImportant Watches sale in New York on Dec. 12 however, we thought we'd focus instead on the unusually high number of beautiful examples by Officine Panerai, the storied Italian brand that's opening a stylish new Manhattan boutique, as we mentioned the other day.
The Panerais on offer at the Dec. 12 auction range from a limited edition 1950 model Luminor (right) est. at $10,000 - $15,000, to an "eccentric seconds" Marina model, est. at $2,500 - $3,500. See the gallery for pix.
Although many of us are tightening our budgets and spending less this year, some people out there are continuing to indulge themselves. One example: at an international auction that took place this past Saturday an Italian white truffle sold for $200,000. The tuber weighed just over 2 lbs and was bought by casino mogul Stanley Ho from Hong Kong, who must really love truffles because he bought another enormous white truffle last year at a similar auction for $330,000.
Climate change is largely to blame for the rising price of truffles, since they grow naturally in forests (and aren't commercially cultivated) they've been particularly susceptible to Italy's recent mix of drought and torrential rains.
How long to truffles keep? I'd be tempted to save it and resell for a profit!
Earlier this month, nouveau James Bond Daniel Craig floated the idea that his successor in the famous role need not be white. "I think the role could easily be played by a black actor, because the character created by Ian Fleming in the '50s has undergone a great deal of evolution and continues to be updated," Craig said at a Quantum of Solace press conference. "After Barack Obama's victory I think we might have reached the moment for a colored 007."
Rap mogul, designer and aspiring actor Sean "Diddy" Combs (above) apparently not only agrees, but has determined the Bond role should go to him. Combs just spent $750,000 of his own money shooting a sort of audition / calling card which he sent to Bond producers in an effort to convince them. The video, full of Bond-like action sequences, was shot in the South of France. "This is my audition tape for the next James Bond," Combs tells the London Daily Mirror. "There is a black President and it's time for there to be a black Bond."
Last month we mentioned the upcoming auction for the 1976 Lotus Esprit from one of the best 007 movies over the years. Recently, a private collector in the U.S. purchased the iconic car from the 1977 James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Sir Roger Moore and Barbara Bach. Bond's car was expected to fetch up to £120,000. The bid for the 1976 Lotus Esprit was made over the phone during the Bonhams sale by a self-proclaimed Lotus and Bond aficionado in Atlanta, Georgia. If you never saw 1977 film it was the third of seven Bond films Moore starred in and his action-packed scene from land to sea in his amphibious Lotus Esprit is pretty impressive. Too bad Mr. Atlanta won't be able to use his new purchase underwater like Bond did.
A bit of Hollywood goes on the block this week when jewelry that once belonged to Hollywood actress Deborah Kerr will go on sale in London. Kerr, who starred in movies such as "From Here To Eternity" and "The King and I" died in October of last year. One of the priciest items for sale at the auction at Bonham's London on December 4 is this triple-stone diamond engagement ring from her first husband, Squadron Leader Anthony Charles Bartley. It features three yellow-tinted, brilliant-cut diamonds which weigh 2.32, 2.98 and 2.17 carats respectively each within a four-claw setting on a tapered hoop of woven design. The ring is estimated at £20,000-25,000.
Despite theories that it would be consumers who were in short supply this holiday season, it seems that Apple is having trouble keeping up with demand. 
I'm going on a trip next week and although I'd love to have a new stylish suitcase I think 
In our regular coverage of the world's top watch auctions we usually concentrate on the highest-priced timepieces, which are almost without exception made by 
