oprah winfrey

The Oprah Winfrey Show's annual "Ultimate Favorite Things" shows have become TV ratings catnip for advertisers, and Volkswagen today, November 22, joined the parade of brands trying to get a boost from the talk-show diva.

The German automaker used part-two of the program to introduce its 2012 New Beetle vehicle by having Oprah driven on stage in one chauffeured by Santa Claus. In addition, all of Oprah's audience members were given keys to claim their own New Beetle when it is available next summer. The total cost of the program to VW is estimated at about $7 million to $9 million.

It is ironic that VW chose the Oprah show to introduce the vehicle (only an outline was visible to audience members and TV viewers) because VW executives have said for the past year that it is hoping the new more chiseled design would appeal more to men. More than 70% of New Beetle buyers for the last decade were women.

The last New Beetle, which went out of production in 2009, had a much softer, more bulbous look that did not appeal to men very much. The roof-line of the new version is a closer homage to the original Beetle.

The New Beetle--a descendant of the iconic Beetle, which many consider the most significant vehicle of the 20th Century--is a very important model to Volkswagen. The first New Beetle, which debuted in 1994 at The Detroit Auto Show as "Concept One," and then went on sale to the public in 1999, saved Volkswagen of America from having to abandon the U.S. market for want of sales and customers.

The German automaker is amidst an aggressive growth plan in the U.S., and is counting on publicity around the latest iteration of the Beetle idea to help drive the lesser known models in the showroom.

The 2012 New Beetle will look very similar to the VW "Ragster" concept introduced at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show (pictured here).

From the NY Observer:
--Martha Stewart's former apartment at 173 Perry Street recently had a $2 million price cut to $13.9 million. The listing is here.
--Voice over artist and CBS announcer Wendell Craig and his wife Nancy Good have just bought a two-bedroom co-op in Morningside Heights for $1.695 million.
--Tina Fey, has sold her 500 West End Avenue apartment for $2.15 million to lawyer Jack E. Pace III and wife, Colleen Ann Tully. Fey and her husband Jeff Richmond, purchased the two-bedroom in 2004 for $1.9 million. In 2009 they purchased a $3.4 million four-bedroom apartment in the same Upper West Side neighborhood. She also recently sold a studio apartment which she used as office space for $550,000.
--Socialite and Bernie Madoff victim Dorris Carr Bonfigli has sold her Fifth Avenue penthouse. She listed it just before Christmas 2008 for $11.3 million. The home at 930 Fifth Avenue recently sold for $7.5 million. The buyers are Dutch artists Wouter and Ann Kourijn.
--The late author Louis Auchincloss' Park Avenue apartment has sold to a financier for $3.905 million.
--The new plans to revise the penthouse at Robert De Niro's Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca have gotten the Landmarks Preservation Commission's seal of approval.
--Hockey player Henrik Lundqvist has sold his 20th-floor duplex in The Bromley at 225 West 83rd Street for $1.68 million. He bought the property in 2006 for $1.75 million.
--David S. Winter and his wife Elizabeth paid $26 million for a fifth-floor co-op at 778 Park Avenue.
--The Tribeca home of convicted Ponzi schemer Hassan Nemazee has sold for $3.15 million.
--German singer Ute Lemper and her husband Todd Turkisher, have bought the penthouse at 125 West 76th Street for $1.64 million.
--Jennifer and Peter Bernstein have bought the second floor of a two-floor duplex that was previously listed for nearly $15 million for $2.2 million.
--Gossip Girl producer Joshua Safran has sold his apartment at 77 White Street for $1.76 million.
--Martin Broughton, the CEO of British Airways, purchased a $2.9 million apartment in the Schwab House on Riverside Drive from John and Tania Secor.
--Harper's publisher John R. "Rick" MacArthur recently dropped $5.05 million on a three-bedroom apartment in The Kenilworth at 151 Central Park West was originally put on the market for $5.495 million.
-Jimmy Fallon and his wife, producer Nancy Juvonen, listed two seventh-floor apartments at the oldest New York City co-op building, 34 Gramercy Park East, for $3.75 million but the listing soon came off the market and public records show no sale of the yet-to-be-combined units. Now the couple purchased a $1.35 million eighth-floor apartment in the same building.


From the NY Post:
--The apartment where actor Heath Ledger lived in New York City is unofficially back on the market for $5 million. The 4,400-square-foot unit at 421 Broome St.has been gut-renovated but still needs a lot of work.
--"Saturday Night Live" star Bill Hader recently checked out an $8,400-per-month, two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit at the Philip Johnson-designed Urban Glass House at 330 Spring St.
--Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi is in contract to buy a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in the prewar Emery Roth-designed building (where Cameron Diaz has a place). The apartment's most recent asking price was $2.25 million and Mizrahi bought a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit on the same floor earlier this year for $1.1 million. The seller of both apartments is Jack Kliger, CEO of TV Guide and former CEO of Hachette Filipacchi Media.
--Courtney Love was hopping to buy Milla Jovovich's $7.5 million townhouse at 100 Greenwich Ave. but a mystery last-minute higher bidder claimed the price.
--Justin Timberlake paid around $6.4 million for his new three-bedroom apartment at the Soho Mews. His apartment at the Pearline Soap Factory is still on the market for $5.25 million.


From the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties:
The Portabello estate in Corona Del Mar, California was listed for $75 million in 2006 but has sold for $34.1 million, according to records. The WSJ says that the buyer also gave the seller a property valued at around $7 million.

Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks has been trying to sell his home in Palm Beach, Florida for a while now. it was once listed at $4.8 million but Trucks and his wife are now asking $3 million for the six-bedroom home which is less than a five-minute walk from the beach. The listing is here.



From the NY Times:
Georgina Bloomberg, the younger daughter of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg bought a co-op at 101 Central Park West for "very close" to the $4.15 million asking price.

It bears her signature but the plane shown above isn't Oprah's personal plane, it's a special Boeing 757 from United Airlines. The company had the plane painted to honor Oprah Winfrey and the final season of her popular talk show.

The aircraft is newly painted with Oprah logos on the nose, tail and the body of the plane (a time-lapse video of the painting is after the jump). Inside, the plane has a specially decorated interior and passengers will be greeted by a video welcome from Winfrey. The plane had its inaugural flight from Chicago where Oprah films her show. During the first flight from Chicago to Los Angeles one lucky passenger was was given enough United Mileage Plus miles for a trip around the world and other passengers received a monogrammed "Oprah 25" fleece blanket. United has also created the United Million Mile Giveaway -- a sweepstakes that will give one million United Mileage Plus miles to one lucky winner each month through May and offers Oprah Store e-cards as additional prizes. The special Oprah paint job will last until Oprah's show winds up next May.

The Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas & Spa is a celebrated Johannesburg hotel which is well-known to luxury travelers as one of the finest boutique hotels in not just South Africa, but the world. The Saxon has hosted Oprah Winfrey, the Black Eyed Peas, Shakira and Kevin Spacey (how's that for a diverse sampling?) and features a distinguished collection of African art worth approximately 6.5 million South African rand (over $925,000).

If the art doesn't sway your fancies, the history will. The Saxon, a Leading Small Hotels of the World and Virtuoso member, was the private residence of insurance giant Douw Steyn until the year 2000. Nelson Mandela famously stayed there after his release from prison, and it was there that he edited his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. The former South African president continues to visit The Saxon today, reportedly every year around the same time -- but naturally, they're not saying when.

Influenced by the warm hues of the Caribbean and the art deco "power cuffs" starlets wore in the 1940s, Hassan Bounkit jewelry exudes the kind of sparkly, sophisticated glamour magpies like we can't ignore.

Already embraced (and worn) by Salma Hayek, Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Vanessa Williams and Mariel Hemingway, just to name a few fans, Hassan Bounkit is a man-made-in-the-USA jewelry line which incorporates unique, hand-carved elements, making each piece -- even if it's the same design -- completely one-of-a-kind. Utilizing organic materials from semi-precious stones and shells to mahogany, Bounkit's look is fresh, eye-catching and unmistakably lavish.

Hassan Bounkit, a native Moroccan with a warm smile, began in couture fashion in Florence, then moved to New York in 1989, where he worked with Nicole Miller and Arnold Scaasi, among others. He launched his own line of jewelry in 2006 and was met with rave reviews for his striking collection. A recession survivor, he now produces three collections per year, which you can find made-to-order online or at Saks Fifth Avenue and high end boutiques.

His magnificently architectural designs are statement pieces you'll base your whole wardrobe around -- and for one-of-a-kind jewelry, the prices are extraordinary. Check out a few of our favorites from his current treasure trove below:

Oprah Winfrey doled out Apple iPads and checks for $10,000 to the staff at her "O, The Oprah Magazine." Why? She appreciates them! Listen up, bosses, and see how it's done.

This isn't the first time Oprah has shown her generosity toward her staff. She has reportedly rewarded staffers with Hawaiian vacations, cars and trips. The occasion for this most-recent gift-giving was the celebration of the magazine's 10th anniversary, according to Advertising Age. The billionaire media mogul stopped by Hearst's Manhattan headquarters and handed each staffer a new iPad with a personalized leather carrying case. And let's not forget the $10,000 checks. It could not be determined how many employees were given the gifts, which, by the way, are taxable.

The daytime talk-show-diva-turned-corporation once famously gave away new cars to every member of her Chicago studio audience. The popular TV host is ending "The Oprah Winfrey Show" next year after 25 years as she sets up her own cable TV network, known as OWN.

With her show set to finish up in 2011 Oprah Winfrey is making some big changes. Her Oprah's Angel Network, a charitable organization that has raised and given away more than $80 million in over a decade, will shut down. As of this week the charity has stopped accepting donations. It will distribute all remaining funds and then close.

Oprah began the charity in 1998 and encouraged both her celebrity friends and her legion of fans to donate money to the charity. She paid the administrative costs so that all funds raised went directly toward the appropriate causes. Nearly 150,000 donors have given money to the network and according to the Angel Network website the charity has awarded funds to hundreds of organizations in the United States and in more than 30 countries around the world.

Oprah's new cable network, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, will continue to highlight charitable organizations in the years ahead. Oprah's two private philanthropies, the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation will both remain active. The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that Oprah Winfrey donated more than $41 million last year and was ranked No. 25 on The Chronicle's most-recent annual Philanthropy 50, which compiles the total annual giving by America's biggest philanthropists.

Bobbi Brown is the beauty line and namesake of celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown, and a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award in Best Cosmetics Line.

Bobbi Brown worked her way up to makeup stardom through the freelance scene in New York City, gig by gig, in the kind of environment that makes most young hopefuls throw in the towel. Her seven-year perseverance paid off with a Vogue cover featuring supermodel-to-be Naomi Campbell shot by Patrick Demarchelier. She was immediately established as one of the freshest voices in the industry, and the jobs started pouring in.

The Ice Box Cafe has been nominated for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Cake.

Owner Robert Siegmann, is a former New York caterer who was discovered by Martha Stewart after he prepared a celebatory luncheon for 100 people at her home in East Hampton. Born in New York, but raised in Mexico,

The South Beach (Miami, Fla.)-based cafe features a massive bakery counter and a minimally decorated, informal dining room. From its old-fashioned pink coconut layer cake to its signature Ice Box Cake, all of its hand-made baked goods are natural and contain no artificial colors or artificial flavorings.

Oprah Winfrey said the Ice Box Cafe bakes the best cakes in the country. Her favorite? The Bomb, which is a decadent symphony of chocolate with two layers of rich chocolate cake filled with melt-in-your-mouth bittersweet chocolate mousse and a layer of cheesecake brownies. The Bomb is topped off with a bittersweet chocolate ganache.

Los Angeles, Ca.-based Sprinkles has been nominated for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Cupcake.

Sprinkles is a favorite of Hollywood stars from Tyra Banks, Russell Crowe and Paris Hilton to Katie Holmes, Oprah Winfrey and Teri Hatcher, all of who proclaim love for the sumptuous treats. "I love Sprinkles Cupcakes," says Banks. "I am addicted to them." Ryan Seacrest is a fan, too. "These are not just cupcakes, they're a lifestyle," he says. Barbra Streisand once sent a box of Sprinkle's cupcakes to Oprah Winfrey. Oprah enjoyed them so much she ordered enough to share with her entire studio audience. Sprinkles is also known for its star topped variety served at Oscar parties.

Luxist readers describe the cupcakes this way:

"Amazingly delicious and beautiful with a variety of flavors."
"The best cupcakes anywhere! Long lines, but worth the wait. Their butter with vanilla frosting will change your life."
"The original luxury cupcake store."
"Their entire range of flavors is executed masterfully, from classics like Red Velvet to more exotic editions like chai latte. The cake is light and not too sweet with rich frostings that balance each other perfectly."

Company founders Candace and Charles Nelson opened the first Sprinkles in Beverly Hills in April 2005. People thought the couple were crazy to open a cupcakes-only bakery in the middle of "thin city" at a time with low carb mania was at its peak. Despite naysayers, they sold out within hours of opening, and sales haven't slowed since. Today, Sprinkles is known as much for its long lines and devoted fans as for its delicious cupcakes. Sprinkles is credited with inspiring a national cupcake craze as reported by the New York Times, USA Today, the Today Show and Nightline.


Sprinkles evokes the memory of European bakeries flooded with the smell of baked goods and awash in natural light, with a modern touch. Its cupcakes are baked in small batches throughout the day, so that they will be as fresh as possible for Sprinkles' devoted customers. The cupcakes are handcrafted from the finest ingredients, including sweet cream butter, bittersweet Belgian chocolate, pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, fresh bananas and carrots, real strawberries and natural citrus zests.

Sprinkles offers more than 20 tantalizing flavors (15 or so of which are on sale on any given day), from simple vanilla to creative chai latte. Topped with Sprinkles' trademark modern dots, rich chocolate sprinkles from France or seasonal sugar decorations, Sprinkles Cupcakes are perfect for occasions of any kind.

Sprinkles' famous gift box is a sleek rectangular box that holds one dozen freshly baked cupcakes. The bakery also offers a tray, produced by Heller in a variety of colors, that fits right into the gift box and can be kept to display the cupcakes.

Sprinkles also offers signature cupcake mixes in red velvet, vanilla, dark chocolate and lemon. The mixes are made from the same high quality ingredients used in Sprinkles bakeries and are complete with Sprinkle's trademark modern dots. In addition to Sprinkles shops, the mixes are sold at Williams-Sonoma's 250 stores nationwide and in Canada.

Its original store is two blocks west of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, but today, Sprinkles has six additional locations in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Newport Beach, Scottsdale and Palo Alto. More locations will be opening soon in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Denver, Kansas City, London, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, San Diego, Seattle, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.

Vote for the company you believe makes the best cupcakes. Readers' Choice Winners will be announced on March 1st.

Baked, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based bakery is a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Cake.

The company's founders, Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito, came from the world of advertising, in which Matt was a producer while Renato was a graphic designer. Their thoughts were never too far from cake and coffee, and slowly (even unbeknownst to them) the idea for Baked was born.

Matt wanted to open a bakery that celebrated American desserts beyond the cupcake, and Renato had always been hankering to open a neighborhood cafe, so together they scoured New York City for the perfect location. They found a small, storefront church in the largely industrialized and gritty section of Brooklyn, and together with Rafi Avramovitz, set about building their inspiration. Finally, after many long delays, they opened Baked in 2005 on the shores of Red Hook, Brooklyn with just a few ovens, some mixers, and an espresso machine.

Baked is both a neighborhood spot, and a nationally recognized bakery. Baked has been featured on the Martha Stewart Show, the Today Show, the Food Network, and the Style Network. Baked has also received an awards from Time Out, French Culinary Institute, Citysearch, and America's Test Kitchen. Oprah recognized their brownies as a "favorite thing" and they have written recipes for Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and many more.

Baked, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based bakery is a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Cupcake.

The company's founders, Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito, came from the world of advertising, in which Matt was a producer while Renato was a graphic designer. Their thoughts were never too far from cake and coffee, and slowly (even unbeknownst to them) the idea for Baked was born.

Matt wanted to open a bakery that celebrated American desserts beyond the cupcake, and Renato had always been hankering to open a neighborhood cafe, so together they scoured New York City for the perfect location. They found a small, storefront church in the largely industrialized and gritty section of Brooklyn, and together with Rafi Avramovitz, set about building their inspiration. Finally, after many long delays, they opened Baked in 2005 on the shores of Red Hook, Brooklyn with just a few ovens, some mixers, and an espresso machine.

Baked is both a neighborhood spot, and a nationally recognized bakery. Baked has been featured on the Martha Stewart Show, the Today Show, the Food Network, and the Style Network. Baked has also received an awards from Time Out, French Culinary Institute, Citysearch, and America's Test Kitchen. Oprah recognized their brownies as a "favorite thing" and they have written recipes for Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and many more.

No, not the latest bloated-budget Hollywood thriller, but something much closer to home: The Providence Effect, an award-winning documentary about Providence-St. Mel, a small school in Chicago's gritty East Garfield Park that has achieved an incredible 100% college acceptance rate against all odds.

Oprah deserves at least some of the credit; she gave the school $1 million to help fund the educational juggernaut that has been called the future of education. Obama meanwhile visited the school in 1998 and gave an incredible inspirational speech that showed he was destined for the highest office in the land.

The movie centers on the equally inspiring journey of the school's principal Paul J. Adams III, who has challenged the Chicago school system for 30 years with his revolutionary approaches to teaching, and also founded the Providence Englewood Charter School. Of course the Obamas and Oprah have been sent copies to view in their personal screening rooms, but the film opens in select theaters nationwide this Friday.

Poet Lloyd Goffe has filed one of the most outrageous lawsuits I've seen in a while. He's suing Oprah Winfrey for $1 trillion. He says that Oprah plagarized portions of his book "A Tome of Poetry" and repackaged a poem called "Pieces of My Soul" and published it under her name. The lawsuit alleges that Oprah confessed to doing this in April 2008. Goffe says that since Oprah sold more than 650 million copies of her work online at a $20 each she therefore owes $1.2 trillion. The Cleveland Leader has the rather ridiculous documents.

[Thanks, Ben!]

Working for Oprah certainly has its perks. The AFP is reporting that Oprah Winfrey celebrated her 55th birthday in Barcelona with 1,700 of her employees and their families. The party took place over the weekend at Poble Espanyol, a popular tourist destination with shops, bars and restaurants. Her lucky guests will spend three days in the city before embarking on a 10-day Mediterranean cruise aboard the Norwegian Gem liner sailing to Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Malta. The ship has 11 bars and lounges, 12 restaurants, pool, hot tubs, a beauty salon, spa, casino, cigar club, library and even a bowling alley. Oprah is said to be spending around $5,400 per person on the cruise.