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The Ultimate Valentine's Day Gift Guide from Luxist and AHAlife

Filed under: Jewelry, Art, Holiday Guides, Luxury Shopping

Before you go overspending on Valentine's Day gifts that will surely be returned, peruse this gift guide from Luxist and AHAlife, "where discerning taste meets an inspired life." We teamed up with AHAlife's careful and creative curators to bring you the best Valentine's Day Gift Guide you'll find, whether you're looking to spend $100 or $5,000. Below, you'll find images and prices for each item on this special list, as well as our reasoning for recommending the items. It's easy (and free!) to join AHAlife, so don't hesitate at the signup page. Close your other tabs and dig in; your Valentine's Day shopping is finished. Here are the Top 10 Best Valentine's Day Gifts for 2011 from AHAlife and Luxist:

1. Camel Bone Jewelry (above) - from $230.00

This exotic collection is so stunning, few women could open it without an audible gasp. There is a certain powerfulness in the femininity and boldness of these rare camel bone pieces. Giving one of these to your loved one is more than an observation of custom; it implies a respect for her primal strength.

Tags: 2011, ahalife, gift, gifts, jewelry, romance, romantic, top 10, top ten, Valentines Day

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Luxist Top Ten Wildest Designer Shoes of 2010

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

It was a great year for shoes (although we think every year is) and we had fun covering all the most extravagant, exotic, and indulgent shoe designs of 2010. Glass slippers, solid gold sandals, and soles that light up with every step are among our favorite highlights but see the complete top ten list below and let us know what you think.

Eternal Borgezie Diamond Stilettos
The $155,000 Eternal Borgezie Stilettos were the most expensive shoes in 2010 and took three years for British jewelry designer Christopher Michael Shellis to create. They're handcrafted by a goldsmith and then a jeweler, who encrusts them with 2,200 diamonds for a total of 30 carats of sparkle. Shellis was quoted as saying "The result is not so much a shoe, but rather a fine piece of jewelry that can be miraculously yet practically worn as the ultimate feminine adornment."

Tags: most expensive, shoes, top 10, top ten

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2010's Top Ten Cars Sold at Auction

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

The industrialist hordes lifting placards to bid this year's vintage machinery were not victim to the paroxysms of 2009, when a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa went for $12.2 million and a 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe was swept away for $7.25 mil. None of the top ten trophies in this year's vintage bazaar provoked such financial spikes, yet the decline from first place to tenth was much more gradual: the sum of 2009's offerings was $51.22 million, while 2010 racked up $50.54 million.

That isn't to say the year lacked any monumental spasms: a 1957 Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic "changed hands," to use the clinical parlance of tycoons, for somewhere between $30 and $40 million. That, however, was a private treaty sale handled by Gooding & Company, not an auction result.

Ferrari made another top showing among the perp-walk of pageant winners, with prices spanning $7.26 million for a Ferrari to €2.8 million for a... Ferrari. But Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mercedes and Talbot Lago were also on the list of what ended up being a very beautiful party...

Gallery: Top 10 Cars at Auction - 2010

Tags: 2010 top car auctions, alfa romeo, aston martin, car, ferrari, jaguar, mercedes-benz, talbot-lago, top ten, top ten cars

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Top Ten Fashion Trends of 2010

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Some say that the first decade of the new millennium doesn't have a "look," the way previous decades have -- but we say they can't see the forest for the trees. It can be hard to notice that what you're putting on every day is actually contextual, and indicative of the time in which you're living. To the wearer, it just seems like "good taste" and that those previous decades were "so silly," but even if you didn't buy anything new, how you wore it this year probably changed.

Here are the Top Ten Fashion Trends of 2010:

1. Aviators

Sunglasses had gotten so big, something had to give -- and it did. Big, plastic frames suddenly looked tired and costume-y, and gave way to sleek metal-rimmed aviators this year.

Tags: 2010 style, fashion, fashion 2010, roundup 2010, style, top ten, trends 2010, trends of 2010

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The Luxist Top Ten Under the Radar Jewelry Designers for the Holidays 2010

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Holiday Guides

Giving jewelry as gifts for the holidays is something we highly encourage at Luxist. We love all that sparkles. One of our favorite regular features is jewelry design -- we love to showcase the up-and-comers who aren't yet as famous as, say, Tiffany and Harry Winston. Still, finding the right designer with the right price range for you can be difficult, as there's a sea of new designers every year to sift through. Here's our guide to the best of the best under-the-radar jewelry designers whose collections we recommend for the 2010 holidays. Each designer has fresh, enchanting pieces with that timeless je ne sais qoui which will last a lifetime.

The Luxist Top Ten Up and Coming Jewelry Designers for the Holidays 2010

1. Anna Hu (above)

We covered Anna Hu in January after meeting her in her Plaza boutique (Anna Hu, Custom Jeweler to the Lucky). It was one of our most exciting interviews of the year as we learned about her history as a cello prodigy and her penchant for lucky symbols and numbers. Anna Hu makes breathtaking custom pieces you should seek out either at The Plaza Hotel or in Tainan, Taiwan. A few select pieces are available online from Kabiri in the UK.

Tags: Anna Hu, best of, Carla Amorim, DANNIJO, gift guide, gift guide 2010, Hassan Bounkit, holiday shopping, jewelry, jewelry 2010, jewelry designers, Johnny Brookheart, Lois Hill, Raquelle Bianco, slane slane, Susie Fox, The Great Frog, top ten

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The Luxist Top Ten Handbags of 2010

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Holiday Guides

Valentino Crystal-Embellished Feather Clutch

2010 may have been a tough year in a lot of ways, but it was a terrific year for handbags. From divinely sparkling clutches to totes in unheard-of textures, designers were inventive, creative and finally took some risks again -- a sure sign of an improving economy. We're celebrating the return to flamboyance and daring style with a list of our top ten favorites from this year's outstanding Luxist Handbag of the Day collection.

1. Valentino Crystal-Embellished Feather Clutch

Let's begin with the ethereal, exquisite bag above, the Valentino Crystal-Embellished Feather Clutch. These little birdies outdid even the Judith Lieber Enchanted Stardust Clutch with their whimsical glamour, and the feathers are so elegantly and daintily assembled, the clutch eclipsed the ballerina charm of the Valentino Tulle Rosette Bag. We love the coloring; it's as if each perfect feather has been gingerly dipped in the blackest of ink. The pale pink satin structure and lining complete the dream-come-true wonder of this masterful handbag which commanded $4,170.00.

Tags: alexander mcqueen, best of 2010, christian louboutin, fendi, gucci, handbag of the day, handbags, jimmy choo, nina ricci, prada, temperley, top ten, valentino

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10 of the Best Dream Villas (and Why You Want to Rent One)

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Why rent a luxury hotel room when you can step it up a notch and have a villa instead? Many people don't consider villas by sheer reason that the thought doesn't occur to them, or if it does it's intimidating because people aren't sure how it works. It's really not that complicated, and the benefits of having your own luxury home (as opposed to just a suite in a hotel) at your disposal for the duration of your vacation are amazing.

As far as which villas you might want to consider take a look at the 10 on this slide show, which are complete with villa renting tips like how to consider whether or not you'll need to rent a car and how to choose the best season. Apparently Croatia is becoming one of the hottest villa-vacation hot spots in Europe, and Meikloeur Castle in Scotland is one of the priciest renting for $37,200 per week (but for that you get your own 18 hole golf course).

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Tags: hotel, how to, HowTo, journey, journeys, luxury, top 10, top ten, Top10, TopTen, vacation, vacations, villa, villas

The World's Most Expensive Dessert

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

If you've got both expensive taste and a sweet tooth then you may want to add at a least a few, if not all, of the world's most expensive desserts to your wish list of things to try. The list topper (and therefore THE most expensive dessert in the world) is The Fortress Aquamarine from Wine3 at The Fortress in Galle, Sri Lanka. The focus of the sweet treat is an 80-carat aquamarine gem resting on a specially shaped sliver of fine chocolate representative of the company's logo. It's a gorgeous looking dessert, but not many have any idea if it tastes equally as good since priced at $14,500 the restaurant has yet to sell their first one.

Via The 9

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Tags: brulee, chocolate, creme brulee, CremeBrulee, dessert, desserts, fortress, most expensive, MostExpensive, sundae, sweet, sweets, top 10, top ten, Top10, TopTen

The Top 10 High-Tech Luxury Cars

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to combining technology and luxury vehicles is doing it in a way that is user-friendly, because it's about convenience, fun, and safety -- not frustration. These luxury cars can do everything from play your mp3s and DVDs to adjust automatically to treacherous driving conditions and off-road terrain. And perhaps best of all, they look good doing it.

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Tags: audi, auto, autos, bmw, cadillac, car, cars, drive, ferrari, hi-tech, infinity, land rover, LandRover, lexus, mercedes, mercedes benz, MercedesBenz, porsche, tech, technology, top 10, top ten, Top10, TopTen, vehicle, volvo, wheels

The World's Most Expensive Handbags

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Here at Luxist I'm hardly the handbag expert (that's Sandy and Marsha's department) but when I saw this article I couldn't help but chime in. I love a cute purse just as much as the next girl, but some of these are priced upwards of $100,000 and $200,000! Are they really worth that much? Maybe I don't love purses as much as the next girl...

Personal feelings of value aside, several of the creations on this list of the world's most extravagant handbags are truly gorgeous, and many have so many diamonds and so much gold that justifying the price tag definitely gets easier -- it's an investment! My favorite? The Nancy Gonzalez Porousus Bag, which is actually one of the more reasonable bags on the list coming in at number 9 and costing only $30,000. And here are winners 1-5:

Chanel "Diamond Forever" Classic Bag, $261,000
Hermes Matte Crocodile Birkin Bag, $120,000
Lana Marks Cleopatra Bag, $100,000
Leiber Precious Rose, $92,000
LV Tribute Patchwork Bag, $42,000

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Tags: bag, bags, chanel, designer, handbag, handbags, most expensive, most extravagant, MostExpensive, MostExtravagant, purse, purses, top 10, top ten, Top10, TopTen

What You 'Must Have' in the Ultimate Dream Home

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets

Following the spending trends of the wealthy is big business, obviously, and it seems one of the places all their money is going is into filling up their huge homes with loads of pricey decor and expensive gadgets. The rich are looking to make their environments beautiful and comfortable and their lifestyles convenient, and they've got the money to do it right. Hand-embroidered sheets from Leron, the Grand Palais Chateau 180 Stove from La Cornue, and a $2.5 million dollar "Bat Cave" vault are just a few of the things many of the super rich feel they simply must have. What's on your list of luxury "must haves?"

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Tags: decor, gadget, gadgets, home, homes, house, interior, interiors, must have, must haves, MustHave, MustHaves, top 10, top ten, Top10, TopTen

The World's Most Expensive Cruises

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

People who have money and taste are ever looking for different and more exotic ways to relax and entertain themselves, and the world of cruises is no exception. Trips to the Caribbean and the Bahamas are all but mainstream, so luxury cruises are moving towards smaller more personal ships and less common locations. And the world's most expensive luxury cruises are no exception, with popular locations ranging from the Baltic to Africa to Antarctica, and prices soaring upwards of $2,000 per person per day in some cases. Money like that will get you the best rooms, interesting adventure options (like kayaking in the Antarctic), upscale shore excursions with exclusive perks and privileges, and of course travel at the peak of the sometimes short seasons. Where do you want to go? I don't think I could decide!

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The Top 10 Richest Models in the World

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Celebrity Shopping

So we all know models make a lot of money, but do you know just how much? And if you had to guess which one was making the most money right now who would you pick? I just love the lists Forbes comes up with, and here's another great one of the world's top earning models. Its list has a total of 15 of the wealthiest models, and I've included the top 10 here:

Gisele Bundchen: $33 million
Kate Moss: $9 million
Heidi Klum: $8 million
Adriana Lima: $6 million
Allessandra Ambrosio: $6 million
Carolyn Murphy: $5 million
Natalia Vodianova: $4.5 million
Karolina Kurkova: $3.5 million
Daria Werbowy: $3.5 million
Gemma Ward: $3 million

How many of them do you recognize? And wow, Gisele is way ahead of the competition!

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Forbes' Top Luxury Honeymoons

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

We already saw the recommendations from Bride.com for their top five honeymoon destinations, released just in time for the upcoming late spring/summer wedding season. According to Forbes magazine, eighty percent of weddings are followed by a trip for the newlywed couple, who spend a total of $8.6 billion annually on them and an average of $4,400 per couple. People are traveling further afield on these vacations, intending to make the trip into the event of a lifetime as they set out on their newly married life.

Forbes has just selected their picks for the top luxury honeymoons. Of course, some of these picks are quite a bit more costly than the average honeymoon - we refuse to use the phrase "moneymoon" - but are well worth it. The most luxurious stays include:

Anse Chastanet on Santa Lucia is in one of the Caribbean's most breathtaking locations, with over 600-acres of lush garden, tropical flora and gorgeous beaches. Couples can do everything from scuba to shopping or nothing at all. The honeymoon package is $4,480 for a seven night stay (in June) and includes everything but wine, champagne and airfare.

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