You would have to have a serious love affair with wine and one eclectic house to pull off the JugSimple Collection from Carlo Rossi. I imagine guests may wonder if they can actually sit on the Cabernet Couch but certainly the creative look confirms your passion for the vine. If you think this is the look for you then go beyond the couch and complete your room/house with the Chardonnay Chandelier, Paisano Plasma TV Stand, Sangria Sound System, Burgundy Bookshelf, and Rhine Reading Lamp. Not sure what these oenophilic designs will cost you but I would hope they would include some free wine with the shipment.
This idea either sounds like torture or like a good way to avoid a DUI...unless of course you can't steer the handlebars after a day's worth of tasting...is that called a RUI?? Getaway Adventures offers a fantastic, car-less way to explore the valleys of Napa or Sonoma via a bicycle (or kayak if you prefer a more refreshing option). Whether you are looking for just a day-trip, corporate/group event or weekend excursion I doubt you will be disappointed. A spread of local foods is provided for lunch, stops at a myriad of local wineries is included, and local tour guides will expand your knowledge of flora, fauna, and vineyard as you ride.
Don't expect a strenuous adventure -- it is geared toward the 'enthusiastic beginner' as they put it so don't worry if you aren't Lance Armstrong. Vacation...wine tasting...exercise all in one? Perfect.
Tours are available from March 1st to November 30th.
Teddy bears are such a universal item its hard to make one someone wouldn't adore. Growing up there was the Paddington Bear, then Build-A-Bear came along, but the most recent creation, which makes a truly unique (and expensive!) mark on the history of stuffed bears, is the Karl Lagerfeld teddy bear made by Steiff. Touted as a 'master of luxury', Karl Lagerfeld may be seen by many as the quintessential choice for a luxury bear that costs upwards of $14,000 and will be sold at Neiman Marcus this September in NYC. I think the bear could be mistaken as one of the Men In Black if you don't follow the design industry but either way it is cool, chic, and totally original.
I wavered on this post for a while but decided that although it's an inexpensive wine the fact that it is something new to Spain's wine market outweighs its less-than-luxurious price tag. So here it is -- a wine that may be appropriate for pregnant mothers, bad drunks, and the religiously-restricted. Miguel Torres recently launched Natureo which is Spain's first wine with only 0.5% alcohol! Sure we have heard of or tasted Martinelli's sparkling cider (a favorite in my family for the youngsters at holiday gatherings). But Natureo sounds a little more interesting to me -- it is a white wine made from the Muscat grape which may mean it is more of a sweet wine. The sales are limited to their own country for the time being and cost about $10 per bottle but I think it isn't such a bad idea. At least it is more akin to the real thing than sparkling apple juice.
We've seen gold shoes on track stars like the USA's Michael Johnson and most recently on Jamaica's Usain Bolt. Now Nike wants to pay a final tribute to the 2008 Summer Olympics with the new Air Force 1 'Closing Ceremonies' shoes. With the end of the Beijing Olympics coming Nike will offer these flashy sneaks releasing on August 25th and offering them in a special 080808 box. No sign yet as to the cost for these golden gallopers -- but they sure are snazzy.
Labor Day is almost upon us and as for me I am still firming up my plans. A college football game on television is at the top of my husband's list but not me. If I lived on the same coast as Sonoma County I would be at their event in a heartbeat! Ever tried to cover the wide array of wineries that make up Sonoma wine country? I haven't either but from what I hear it takes a lot more driving and time than most visitors can cover in a weekend. No problem because the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend will bring it all to you in a relatively small area -- no driving required once you arrive.
Tickets range from $50 to $650 depending on how long you can stay and your specific interests. There are Winemaker Dinners, the Grand Tasting, and even an Auction for those of you with deeper pockets. Enjoy wine from Alexander Valley to the Russian River Valley and everything in between. This is the inaugural year for this event and you don't want to miss it! Be there or be...me, with my little football party.
What happens when a prestigious organization bestows an award upon a non-existent restaurant? Yikes. Sure it had a name and a decent, mostly Italian wine list to go with its submission, plus the $250 fee, but it had no real address! This is exactly what happened recently when Wine Spectator handed out its Award of Excellence to a phony. As a sort of experiment the applicant, Mr. Robin Goldstein, created this submission to discover for himself the standards applied to the Award of Excellence -- and was discouraged by his findings. His disappointment wasn't just because the award had gone to a fictitious entity but that his reserve wine list which was included in the award included some of the Wine Spectator's lowest scoring Italian wines from the past twenty years! Not looking so prestigious anymore...
Does the name Justin Meyer ring any bells? At first I didn't recognize its significance either but as I delved more into the story behind Bonny's Vineyard I gasped with realization -- Mr. Meyer was the co-founder of the super Cab of Napa, Silver Oak! For some of you that may not be very exciting but in my household there was a time when Silver Oak was king of the wine cellar for my father. Not only has the Meyer name been attached to this mega-wine but the next generation of Meyer's has recently created a new Cabernet Sauvignon aged in only 100% new American Oak barrels which sustains a 13.19% alcohol. Named for Justin's wife, Bonny, and the vineyard purchased long ago in her name, this wine eases out of the Napa Cab mold with grace while continuing a high-quality family tradition. $135
No...not their cool team-duds, something potentially more hurtful...their advertising sponsors. I doubt many Olympians dream of making a few extra bucks from excelling in their chosen sport but certainly not many would turn it down. With advertising companies looking to capitalize on predicted winners they created commercials, billboards, and cereal boxes in their image. Now, with some hopefuls coming home without medals and in some cases bruised bodies and futures, they may lose their marketability. On the other hand if an athlete has connected with the fans in such a profound way that their medal standing has no effect, they may be able to salvage their market connections. Liu Xiang of China and Asafa Powell of Jamaica are just a couple of those unfortunate souls. (There are American disappointments as well but it just feels unpatriotic to disparage them...I'm a softy when it comes to my own country.)
Wine seems to be quickly claiming the title 'drink du jour' around the world and no where is this more apparent than in Hong Kong. Positioning itself to be the wine market hub of the east, just like London and New York are in their respective parts of the world, they are making it easier for individuals to purchase wine. Earlier this year they lowered taxes on the vinous beverage and with a subsequent boom in sales they decided to remove those tariffs all together! This tax abolition has market predictors claiming that the Asian Market will be worth $1.5 billion by 2017 with increased growth to $870 million in China's wine imports. No tax means lower prices which equals higher consumption and greater numbers purchasing higher quality wines. If only New York would go tax-free on wine -- or on gas, groceries and clothing...I can dream, can't I?
Paul Mawhinney has a big problem -- his enormous collection of records that exceeds the interest of most wealthy, potential buyers. Appraised at $50 million Mawhinney is only asking for a mere $3 million hoping to sell the collection before his blindness and diabetes make life any more difficult. Sure, iPods are fantastic and digital music is a great addition to our ever more tech-driven lives but a historic collection of this magnitude belongs with another true music connoisseur or in a museum. Anyone with the means and a passion for tunes should consider making Mawhinney an offer -- it is most likely the only collection of its kind.
Travel is always a great excuse to blow some cash for a fabulous experience and these elite suites help you do just that. Ever wondered how much the most expensive hotel room in the world would cost you? $52,000...a night! (Does that qualify for the Guinness Book?) The gold-medalist in this category (yes, I have been watching too much of the Olympics) is the Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland. Curious as to the winner of "budget-breaker" in the U.S. -- it's none other than the Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons New York. I'm not sure exactly what that big price tag includes but I would hope that means free champagne and strawberries, a cozy robe to take home and plenty of room service.
Gallery: Hotel President Wilson, Geneva, Switzerland
For those of us with small living quarters and the occasional need of extra seating Pick Chairs are the perfect solution. Hang them on the wall for a decorative and modern look then pick them off the wall and fold into a light-weight seat. It is encouraged to only allow slim individuals to perch upon them as they are not built for sturdier types but at least in a pinch they can accommodate party-goers and family alike. Most are steel framed with wooden plank inserts although they are also available in glass. For $1,630 each they aren't cheap but I doubt sleek art/furniture like this ever is.
Jimmy Choo rarely disappoints whether it's shoes or handbags. Certainly his new saucy duo, Lola & Lois, is no exception. With their similar patent leather look and chunky size they make for hefty handbags. Each has its own distinct look -- Lois sports a detachable mini-messenger bag while Lola presents in a sassy Bordeaux color -- so you really can't go wrong preferring one over the other. Its feels a bit early to me to be breaking out the patent leather but if you buy it now then you'll be ready when the seasons change. Both are available for $2,495.
When you already do well with handbags, ipod cases and luggage might as well try your hand at creating a top-of-the-line golf bag for the most elite of the sport. When golfers are already shelling out big bucks for their Big Berthas, premier balls and posh outfits they may just drop over $8,000 on the fancy, Damier Geante bag from Louis Vuitton! It is trimmed in cowhide, wrapped in luxurious canvas and features many pockets, tees, a wheeled travel cover and even an umbrella. Make a fashion statement on the course with this bag -- just be sure you can afford the greens fee and friendly bets on top of the bag before you venture out.
