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Isn't it a universal truth that the craftsmanship of the 1700s was vastly superior to today? If that's so, then spending nearly $3,000 for what is essentially a tent is a bargain. If not, your neighbors will just be astonished to discover that you just bought a $2,892 tipi. (It's not "teepee" anymore, by the way.)
This lovely outdoor abode is 24' in diameter and, according to lovelifegoods, it will withstand tough weather conditions. The product info is sparse, so I can't say weather or not the cool bed and rocking chair are included. It does come with a rain liner though. Maybe it's just a really cheap house, in which case this post doesn't belong on Luxist at all ...
I don't know about you, but handbag names intrigue me. With the softly pleated dove white leather, is this bag meant to resemble an upside down chef's hat? Or is there some food connection that I am unaware of? Either way, the bag is cute and relatively understated. Top-stitched with contrasting black, the bag features very little in the way of hardware: silver tone handle attachments and the required Fendi logo charm. The shoulder straps have a 9" drop and the bag itself measures 21" W X 11"H X 9"D. With a zip top closure, it is lined in canvas and features one interior zip pocket. $1360.
The George Dickel Whisky company seems to be interested in testing the laws of supply and demand. While most whisky makers are figuring out ways to make more whisky in order to satiate the growing Chinese and Indian markets, George Dickel actually shut down production of its George Dickel Whisky No. 8 from 1999 to 2003, trying to reduce inventory of the whisky. Now there is a shortage of the Tennessee tipple. Dickel has now turned the decision into a marketing campaign placing ads apologizing for the shortage and blaming it on the the popularity of the brand. Dickel hasn't released their production figures. The No. 8 must be aged for five years. The company faced a glut of Dickel during the 1990s. The company would like consumers to know that there are many other varieties of Dickel available.
The W hotel brand is taking on an old Minneapolis landmark for their latest Midwest hotel. The Foshay Tower is a striking 447-foot Art Deco tower. The W Hotel will transform the Foshay into a hotel with 229 guest rooms, including 18 suites. The tower will also be home to a signature restaurant, skybar lounge, fitness center, meeting space and a destination bar. The new Foshay will preserve many of the building's original design details such as Italian marble, terrazzo floors, ornamental bronze and a massive, gold and silver-plated lobby ceiling. Because they don't have a whole building to create, this W hotel has a pretty fast turnaround, and it is set to open in late 2008. The W hotel isn't the first luxury hotel to take over an older building in Minneapolis. In May, the Twin Cities' first Westin hotel opened in the Farmers & Mechanics Bank building at 88 S. Sixth St. in downtown Minneapolis.
The Savoy in London is following in the footsteps of the Plaza in New York by selling items from their past ahead of a huge renovation. On December 18, 19 and 20, Bonhams will be holding an auction at the hotel. The auction will include more than 3,000 items that include a mahogany bureau from The Monet Suite's sitting room, going for about $2,000 to $3,100, the piano played at afternoon tea, and many chandeliers that are expected to earn from $1,200 to $31,000 depending on the intricacy of the design. The Savoy has a long and storied history. It was built in 1889 and has played host to the famous including Vivien Leigh, Richard Harris, and Princess Diana. The Savoy's renovation will cost around $200 million and it will reopen in 2009. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit Farms For City Children, a charity that gives city children the chance to spend a week on a working farm.
At first this one didn't do it for me, too much white and beige, especially for San Francisco, which often lends itself to the quirky and colorful. Not a bad place but not one that inspired home lust. But then I saw that penthouse room. This is the place to be, a large expanse of open space that would be ideal for parties. The home, on Russian Hill, has decent views from the lower levels but it is the top floor that truly dazzles, with views that include the Golden Gate bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts and the bay. The home is designed with staff quarters/office space on the bottom level, dining room, living room and kitchen on the main level, two bedrooms and a sunroom on the third level. The next level given over to the master suite and a master study. The master level has built-in library shelving and the master bedroom is also media-ready with a pull-down screen. The spa-like master bath, includes marble stonework, a two-person shower, bidet and a Jacuzzi tub with a view. This home is listed at $5.85 million.
What do robots have to do with guitars? Famous guitar-maker Gibson has created the world's first robotic guitar. The robot guitar's genius is that it tunes itself so that it is ready to play no matter what, no matter where. The Gibson Robot guitar is a limited edition first-run Les Paul with a Blue Silverburst nitrocellulose finish that will never be used on any other Gibson guitar. It comes with a certificate of authenticity, a power adaptor for the system's rechargeable lithium battery, and a limited edition first run case with silver tolex and a plush silver interior. Each Robot Guitar's serial number will also be sequentially exact, beginning with "RG0001." It sells for $2,499 and there are just 10 per store.
For more than 70 years, the International Rescue Committee has focused on humanitarian relief.They work in regions torn apart by violence and deprivation and also provide a fresh start in the U.S. for refugees. They've recently been in the news for their relief efforts in Darfur and have gotten a big boost from George Clooney and Don Cheadle, who have raised money on behalf of the organization. The dire situation continues in the troubled region where it is estimated that nearly 300,000 people have died at the hands of armed mercenaries and over two million people have been displaced.
One way to support the work of the International Rescue Committee is by buying something from the Rescue Tea Collection. When you purchase a product from the Rescue Tea Collection, 50 percent of the item's purchase price will be donated to the IRC. The collection includes tea selections and candles with names like Comfort and Strength, which sell for $40.
Australian media tycoon Reg Grundy has put his yacht Boadicea, up for sale. The 231-foot yacht has seven suites, a rooftop pool, a cinema, multiple sundecks and bars. She has a staff of 25. The Herald Sun reports that the yacht is rumored to have an asking price of $120 million. Grundy reportedly paid $30 million for the yacht back in 1998. It has also been rented out for charter for $487,242 a week.
The old Clare Island Lighthouse off the coast of Ireland makes for a stunning piece of property. Built in 1806, covering approximately 3,600 square feet and sporting three round rooms, this luxurious compound is complete with refurbished towers and multiple outbuildings. This home will certainly keep the wind in your hair and a salty breeze through your window. The price is $2.835 million.
An Italian convent in Tuscany was restored in 2003 to suit a new household. With simple austerity and 1,000+ years of beautiful aging makes this property a unique find for any homeowner. With nearly an acre of grounds and gardens and a possible annex ready for some sprucing up this home sounds like it is worth the $1.755 million.
Although I don't picture myself as a fairytale princess I have always wanted to live in a castle. Drafty but full of history, culture, and ambiance. This Belgian castle is no different. For $4.25 million, the 18th century castle sits on ten acres of land and includes a swimming pool, tennis court and pond. Holding eight rooms and four baths it would be magnificent for a holiday vacation!
Gallery: Six Old Buildings Become Innovative New Homes
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!
It may be small, but this bag just glows with chic style. It's a small-scale hobo that looks dainty and elegant swinging from the chunky chain strap. Cinched and rich, the black snakeskin has a shine to rival the chain and it all comes together beautifully. It's a dressy little bag, but I can still see it classing up a pair of jeans. £759.00.
Aftelier, the natural perfumery of Mandy Aftel, has rapidly expanded from offering just a few scents to a large line that includes solid perfume compacts, perfume-filled necklaces, and a variety of essences including sweet scents like rose, jasmine, tuberose; strong spicy scents such as coriander, spearmint, black pepper, cardamom, juniper, basil, tarragon; and citruses such as lime, blood orange, tangerine and pink grapefruit.
Their latest offering, Parfum Privé is said to smell like the night air in Hawaii: sultry and warm. It contains costly essences such as osmanthus, orange flower absolute, ambrette seed (a botanical musk) and the legendary ambergris. The limited edition 2.2 ml bottle sells for $125. If you want to test it out first, a sample bottle that contains four applications sells for $25.
The threat of a Champagne shortage and the recent decision to consider expanding the Champagne grape-growing region might be good for one small French city. The Wall Street Journal tells the story of the town of Péas, which in the 1950s decided to stop growing grapes and turn toward other agricultural pursuits such as wheat and potatoes. Legend has it that when the mayor at the time found out that his city was eligible to seek inclusion in the champagne grape-growing region, he threw the letter away.
Huge mistake. A hectare (around 2.5 acres) of agricultural land in Péas is valued at less than $9,000 while a hectare of land that can be used to grow grapes for Champagne can be worth almost $1.5 million. What a difference one letter could have made.
But Péas may be getting a second chance to earn that Champagne money with the plans to expand the regions boundaries. As you might imagine, the town is rather excited about the prospect. They will have a long wait though, the first new vineyards probably won't be planted until 2015, with a first harvest in 2017. For now, all we can do is wish Péas bonne chance.
Fossil's watch models have been gradually getting more interesting. They've got the design angle covered with their collaboration with Philippe Starck and they are gradually getting more luxurious looking with models like their skeleton watch. Their latest designs features a Chinese-sourced automatic movement in models with a calendar function and a power reserve indicator like the one shown above. The power reserve indicator is a bit huge and the seconds dial has the shape of a Ouija board planchette which is rather odd. The new watches have a mineral crystal and display back and sell for $175 to $195.
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 
