jennifer lopez

A week ago, I wrote about the hordes of celebrities with baby bumps on the red carpet during awards season. Well, designers must have been some kind of soothsayers, because several spent a good part of last year developing and launching children lines. Soon, they will no doubt see the fruits of their labor (sorry), as more and more of these privileged babies are born.

Jennifer Lopez's twins, Max and Emme, were the stars of Gucci's advertising campaign to publicize its designer munchkin wear (0 to 8 year-olds) which debuted late last year. Lopez said this week she only agreed to let her kids be photographed because it was for a good cause. Gucci pledged $1 million to UNICEF's Schools for Africa initiative.

When you think of the greatest fashion disasters of all time, you think of Bjork's swan in the '90s, Cher's evil bird slash cage gown in the '80s and Barbara Streisand's see-through pajamas in the '60s. But 2010 could be the year of the biggest fashion train wrecks of all time!

This year was filled with more fashion faux pas than any of the aforementioned could rack up in a lifetime. Style missteps are an astounding feat these days when you consider that celebrities have an army of stylists, fashion designers panting for exposure and, one would think, a mirror or two.

Of course, at the top of the trashy heap is Lady Gaga and her meat dress she debuted at the MVA's. Aside from assaulting our senses and pushing animal cruelty in our face, she wants us to feel sorry for her because she feels like a piece of meat?

Venus Williams was another grand slam in the disaster department. She showed up to play at the French open in red and black lingerie. Kinda cute idea. Problem was the skin-tight shorts she wore under the getup were the same color as her flesh causing everybody to think they saw her butt cheeks.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were in West Hollywood on November 18 to announce their new fashion lines with Kohl's. So far the lines will including apparel and accessories but they may introduce home goods in the future. Music Entertainment Sports Holdings will sub-license the brands exclusively to Kohl's under a long-term agreement.

Each member of the star couple will have their own lines. Lopez will have sportswear, dresses,sleepwear, bags, jewelry and shoes for women. Anthony's lines include sportswear, dress shirts, suit separates, sports coats, neckwear, accessories, and shoes. Kohl's currently has collections from Lauren Conrad, Daisy Fuentes and Vera Wang among others.

Lopez has been involved with fashion design for many years including the Sweetface line and JLO by Jennifer Lopez. Lopez and her two-year-old twins Max and Emme are also the faces for Gucci's new childrenswear line.

Jennifer Lopez and her two-year-old twins Max and Emme will be the faces for Gucci's new childrenswear line. WWD reported that the advertisements were shot by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott in Mailbu, California in July. The advertisements will feature Lopez and her adorable progeny frolicking on the beach wearing Gucci clothes and accessories. Lopez has kept a relatively low profile since the birth of her twins but seems to be resuming her career in a dramatic way this year including her new gig as a judge on American Idol.

As part of the initiative Gucci will also make a donation to UNICEF and the Maribel Foundation - a charity founded by Lopez and her sister, Lynda, which raises money for healthcare for women around the world. Gucci and UNICEF have been partners for six years and Gucci products have raised $7 million for UNICEF thus far.

From the Los Angeles Times:
Actor Tom Bresnahan and his wife, Elizabeth French, have listed a Paul Williams-designed home in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles for $2.287 million. The listing is here.
--Scott Baio has sold his Encino home for $2.5 million. It first hit the market for $2.895 million back in March.

--Marc Holland, chief executive of Sky Radio, has listed a four-unit beachfront property in Marina del Rey at $3.999 million.
--Rock drummer Keith "Lucky" Lehrer has bought a remodeled Hollywood Hills home for $3.2 million.

From the Real Estalker:
--Football player Kyle Boller (and new bride former Miss California Carrie Prejean) have listed a home in Del Mar, California for $3.499 million. The listing is here.

From Housing Watch:
--Realtor Chad Rogers, one of the stars of Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing," has just purchased his first home, a two-bedroom condo in Beverly Hills for $850,000.

From the NY Post:
--Cher's former Miami home which we covered back in 2008 when it was listed at $14.9 million is now down to $11.5 million. The listing is here.

--The former Miami home of Jennifer Lopez is back on the market for $29 million. Current owner Mark Gainor bought it from Lopez for $13.9 million in 2005 and spent three renovating the seven-bedroom home. The listing is here.
--CBS president and CEO Les Moonves and his wife, Julie Chen, from the "Early Show" and "Big Brother," were spotted checking out a townhouse at the Robert A.M. Stern-designed Superior Ink development. home to Marc Jacobs and Hilary Swank. Chen and Moonves looked at a five-bedroom home listed at $11.5 million.
--A condo that Matt Damon once toured at Extell Development's 535 West End Ave. is back on the market with a lower, $18.9 million price tag.

From the NY Observer:
--Nicholas Coslov, the CEO of Storage Deluxe just bought an apartment at The Olcott for $3.4 million.
--Roger Holstein, a manager at private equity house Vestar, bought a duplex at the Trump Heritage, the northernmost building at Donald Trump's Riverside South complex for $6 million.
--Russell Brand and Katy Perry bought a Tribeca condo at 65 North Moore Street. The couple paid $2.68 million for the top-floor duplex.
--After nearly three years on the market, 252 West 12th Street was sold by the family of Palmer Williams, a former CBS producer who worked with Edward R. Murrow and died in 1996. The buyer, ARDK Holdings, paid $6.8 million.
--Credit Suisse director Jordan Drachman bought a Gothic Revival Style brownstone at 160 West 88th Street for $3.775 million.
--Andrew Lloyd Webber has finally sold his Trump Tower duplex for $16.5 million.
- Leslie Keno, one of the stars of Antiques Roadshow and a specialist in American Furniture and Decorative Arts at Sotheby's, has sold his four-bedroom, four-bathroom condo at Manhattan's one-and-only castle, 455 Central Park West for $5.65 million.
--Brazilian coffee exporter Tristão has sold a three-bedroom condo to Tufi Duek, a women's fashion designer. The Viscaya condo at 110 East 71st Street sold for $2.5 million.
--As previously reported in The Real Deal, Lawrence Gluck flipped 5 West 91st Street to distressed property investor Gaia Real Estate for $16.75 million, $2.75 million more than Gluck's Town House West LLC paid in 2006.
--Matteo Sardi, the public relations head for Ferrari North America just bought a two-bedroom, one-bath condo at 25 Fifth Avenue for $1.575 million.
--Stephen Stephanou, a principal at the Madison Retail Group, has sold his glassy two-bedroom apartment in the Handel-designed 505 Greenwich Street for $1.55 million.
--Six-Feet Under hearthrob Stark Sands has bought a penthouse in Alphabet City for $1.49 million. --Stephanie Phair, the director of Outnet.com, has sold her Greenwich Village home for $985,000.
--A 40th-floor apartment at 151 East 58th Street has swapped for just over $3 million between two business partners. Turkish magnate Burak Oymen and Serzhan Zhumashov, from Kazakhstan, co-own Capital Partners, which has been snatching up luxury hotels around the globe.
--Pfizer exec Davinder Gill has grabbed the fifth-floor spot at 177 Ninth Avenue featuring a 46-bottle wine cooler for $2.75 million.
--Six-Feet Under hearthrob Stark Sands has bought a penthouse in Alphabet City for $1.49 million. --Stephanie Phair, the director of Outnet.com, has sold her Greenwich Village home for $985,000.
--A 40th-floor apartment at 151 East 58th Street has swapped for just over $3 million between two business partners. Turkish magnate Burak Oymen and Serzhan Zhumashov, from Kazakhstan, co-own Capital Partners, which has been snatching up luxury hotels around the globe.
--Pfizer exec Davinder Gill has grabbed the fifth-floor spot at 177 Ninth Avenue featuring a 46-bottle wine cooler for $2.75 million.

Jennifer Lopez could be facing a $40 million lawsuit after canceling a planned concert in northern Cyprus. Lopez was booked to perform on July 24 at the Cratos Premium hotel and casino complex but she has decided not to go through with the show for "political" reasons. Lopez, Marc Anthony and their two children were due to stay at the hotel.

The booking outraged Greek Cypriots in the southern part of the island nation because they felt that performing in the north would be making a political statement in support of the northern regime. The island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when it was occupied by Turkey. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognized by Turkey .
The singer faced criticism for the event and a Facebook protest against the concert has over 21,000 members. The concert scheduled for Lopez's 41st birthday, reportedly would have paid $3 million. The hotel owner has said that he will withdraw the suit if Lopez follows through on her obligation.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony aren't just yacht hopping in Cannes, they've also rented a yacht of their own as a home base. The Daily Mail reports that Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony have been hobnobbing with two of Britain's richest men, Lakshmi Mittal and Sir Philip Green. They spent time on Sir Philip Green's Lionchase after visiting Lakshmi Mittal's Amevi superyacht. But after bouncing around the Mediterranean the pair retire to Roberto Cavalli's yacht, which they have rented for their stay in the Mediterranean. Cavalli has quite a side business in yacht rental. He has owned the 133-foot yacht for six years and has rented it out to a variety of celebrity friends including Victoria and David Beckham and Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon who stayed on it during last year's Cannes film festival.

It's hard to miss Cavalli's yacht. Iin a world of blandly white yachts, the psychedelic hull of the Baglietto yacht really stands out. The unique paintwork matches Cavalli's car and helicopter and appears to be different colors in different light. It has been the home of many lavish parties, has an on-deck Jacuzzi and sleeps eight. The yacht, which bears his name, cost around $40 million to create but perhaps earns its keep (and upkeep) by serving as an advertisement for the flashy Roberto Cavalli brand.

We first heard in April that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were checking out the Icon Brickell in Miami but now they have made it one of their many homes. Anthony gushed about the purchase to People Magazine Monday night during halftime of the Miami Dolphins vs. Indianapolis Colts football game at Miami's Landshark Stadium. He told the magazine that once they are through decorating it will be "the sexiest place in town." Anthony is a minority partner in the Miami Dolphins team.

The condo is a three-tower condominium designed by Philippe Starck in a complex that includes the Viceroy Miami Hotel. It's a bright spot in a condo market that continues to be fighting sluggish sales. Building amenities include multiple pools, a spa and fitness center, five restaurants, rooftop pool club, concierge and valet services.

Lopez and Anthony have multiple homes in New York and Los Angeles. Their Bel Air home remains on the market at $7.9 million.

From the Real Estalker:
--Producer Roger Birnbaum has listed his home on Summit Drive in Beverly Hills, shown above, for $16 million, even though records show he bought the home for $16.5 million in 2007. The listing is here.
--Comedian Chris Elliott has put his five-bedroom home in Ridgefield, Connecticut on the market for $1.689 million.
The famous Castillo del Lago estate, currently owned by commercial director Joe Pytka, has been listed for $14.95 million. The home, which was once reportedly lived in by Bugsy Siegel and was later owned by Madonna, is listed here.
--Rumor has it that Scarlett Johansson may soon list her home in the Outpost Estates area of Los Angeles for around $5,100,000 which is less than the $7,000,000 property records show she paid for the home.

From the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties:
--Former major-league centerfielder Devon White has cut the price on his Paradise Valley, Arizona mansion to $3.8 million a year after listing it for $4.7 million. The listing is here.
--Val Kilmer has put his New Mexico ranch on the market for $33 million.
--A pair of iconic Palm Springs homes are on the market, one owned by Cary Grant and one by Dinah Shore. We'll check them both out later today.

From Berg Properties Big Time Listings:
--Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik has listed his Encino home for $1.299 million. The listing is here.
--Actress Busy Philipps has sold her Hollywood home for $1.075 million which is almost $275,000 less than she paid for it in 2005.
Music producer Scott Humphrey appears to have a deal to sell his four-bedroom Hollywood Hills home which was listed for $2.695 million. It was our estate of the day last December.
An eight-bedroom house in Encino that once was owned by Kirstie Alley and later by Katey Sagal has been listed for $9.395 million. The listing is here.
--Dylan McDermott continues to cut the price on his Brentwood home. It was originally listed at $11 million when it was our estate of the day last August and is now listed at $6.9 million.
--Retired baseball star Eric Davis has put his four-bedroom house in Calabasas, California on the market for $2.399 million. The listing is here.

From Cityfile's Buyers and Sellers:
--Jane Beasley, the ex-wife of former GE chief Jack Welch, has put her condo at the Trump International up for sale for $28.8 million. The listing is here.
--Dr. Gary Roubin, an interventional cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, and his wife Peta have gone into contract to sell their carriage house at 168 East 73rd Street which was most recently listed for $22 million.
--Ernst & Young executive Deborah Whitmore and her husband Kenneth paid $4 million for a penthouse condo at 140 West 22nd Street.
--Edwin Cohen, the founder of Carlin Ventures, has lowered the price of his three-bedroom apartment at 101 Central Park West for the third time since first listing it for $15 million last February. It's now priced at $10.75 million. The listing is here.
--via Curbed, author Gary Shteyngart has put his one-bedroom apartment at 575 Grand Street on the market for $450,000. The listing is here.
-- Attorney Bruce Kaye and his wife Deborah paid $7.8 million for a two-bedroom condo at 15 Central Park West less than a year ago and have now listed it for $11.9 million. The listing is here.
--via the NY Observer, Dr. Lindsay Rosenwald who once listed his four-bedroom apartment at Central Park West for $90 million is now renting it out for $75,000 a month.
--Haig Schneiderman, who owns the Knish Nosh knish chain and his wife Alison, have put their 4,000-square-foot apartment at 25 Central Park West on the market for $10.7 million. The listing is here.
--Hedge fund manager James Torrey and his wife Podie Lynch have closed on the sale of their duplex at 131 East 66th Street for $9 million. It was listed at $14.5 million last November and sold to John Heimann, a former exec at Merrill Lynch and his wife Maria-Cristina Anzola.
--Photographer Terry Richardson has paid $3.335 million for the three-story former fire station located at 185 Lafayette Street.
--Josh and Whitney Kroenke, the grandkids of Wal-Mart co-founder Bud Walton, have put their penthouse at 201 West 17th Street on the market for $2.995 million. The listing is here.

From the NY Post's Gimme Shelter:
--Director Sam Mendes, Kate Winslet's husband, recently checked out the penthouse at 99 Jane St. The four-bedroom condo apartment is listed at $14.5 million. The penthouse currently belongs to money man Bruce Bent Jr, and his wife, Rebecca, a food writer. Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson and Meg Ryan have also looked at the penthouse.
--Britney Spears is renting a home in Alpine, New Jersey for $30,000 a month and is house hunting in the area looking at homes in the $20 million range.
--Comedian Lisa Lampanelli has paid $1.32 million for a two-bedroom condo at 2250 Broadway on the Upper West Side.

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From the LA Times Hot Property:
--Software tycoon John McAfee has lowered the price on his Molokai, Hawaii, home to $3.7 million from $4.9 million. The four-bedroom home, shown above, is newly constructed and sits on 5.3 ocean-front acres. The listing is here.I'm hoping he has better luck than he did with the sale of his Colorado home.
--Fashion designer Yael Aflalo who is behind the Ya-Ya fashion line has cut the price on her Hollywood Hills home to $3.95 million. The 1930s home which once belonged to John Barrymore was listed at $4.95 million when it was our estate of the day last summer.
--Jeweler Michael Beaudry has listed his Beverly Hills home for $13.5 million. The listing is here.
The owners of the Mystery Bookstore in Westwood have put their six-bedroom home in the Holmby Hills area on the market for $5.9 million. The listing is here.

From the NY Post:
Infamous swindler Bernie Madoff's penthouse apartment, where he currently is under house arrest, may soon be on the market. The apartment could be priced at up to $8 million.

From the NY Post's Gimme Shelter:
--Aberdeen Townhomes has created a set of landmarked townhouses with condo-like amenities in New York City priced between $7.5 million to $15.9 million. The interior space ranges from around 3,500 square feet to 8,100 square feet, with four to six bedrooms and have remote door-answering services, concierges, automated security systems, climate-controlled package rooms and building maintenance.

From the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties:
--Two years ago former Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards sold his Washington home for $5.2 million, its current owners are trying to sell it, renovated, for almost twice as much. The home is listed at $9.95 million.
--Hollywood producer Brian Grazer has his taken his Pacific Palisades home off the market. It was listed at $27.5 million.
--Nicolas Cage has cut the price on his Bel Air home. We'll check it out as an estate of the day later today.
--Drew Bledsoe has cut the price on his Westlake, Texas home to $1.625 million, slightly less than the $1.7 million he paid for it new in 2005. The listing is here and says that the seller will buy the purchaser a membership to the development's golf club on closing.

Members Only was once an 80's clothing icon but today it has been re-launched by Kelli Delaney to suit top artists' tastes and yours as well. Some of the most beloved looks in the M.O. line include bomber, biker and trench jackets. Start with lambskin trimmed to perfection, add feminine lines, a shortened waist and metallic hardware and you have the beginnings of a beautiful jacket. One of the newest additions launched this week on M.O. is just such a jacket lined with sheep fur or chinchilla dyed rabbit fur for $1,320. It has even already been seen on Jennifer Lopez so it must be a hot item.

Members Only products are made with fine Italian leather, custom made hardware, and are produced by hand in NYC with such stars as Mariah Carey and Miley Cyrus wearing them around town.

Australia's The Age newspaper is reporting that Jennifer Lopez received a lavish "push present" from her husband Marc Anthony. The push present is usually a piece of jewelry given to a woman to celebrate the birth of a child and has gained great popularity as a tradition over the last couple of years. Anthony gave Lopez an eigh-carat canary diamond ring as a present. The Age reports that Lopez was thrilled with the bauble. Lavish indeed but you'd think maybe earrings might be a better gift for a double birth.

Fashion designer Vera Wang is famous for her extravagant wedding dresses but the most expensive dress she ever made is one we never got to see. In an interview on CNBC's "Conversations with Michael Eisner" that will air Monday, Vera Wang said the that the dress she created for Jennifer Lopez's canceled wedding to Ben Affleck was the most expensive she ever made. The dress was made of couture fabric and had 18 tiers. Wang says that it was the most expensive and the most time consuming to sew. I wonder what ever happened to the dress, was it destroyed or is it somewhere in Vera Wang's archives?

I must say I'm actually really glad that I'm not invited to Jennifer Lopez's baby shower, because that girl has some expensive taste and I wouldn't be able to get her anything she wanted! She's registered at Petit Tresor in L.A., and considering she's the richest woman under 40 (according to Fortune) it should be no surprise that she plans to raise her baby girl and baby boy in true superstar style. From cashmere baby outfits to Moses blankets to high-end strollers, not only does she have pricey taste but she's requesting almost everything in sets of two: one pink and one blue.

But don't worry, if you're invited to the shower you have until February to get your cash together!

The folks at Gresso have found a new way to sell music using on of their wood USB flash drives. They are now teaming up with music companies to release flash drives for specific albums. Their first offering is Jennifer Lopez's new album "Brave". The flash drive costs $70. Considering that Lopez is having enough trouble selling the album in its regular format this doesn't seem like the best choice for an initial offering.