Looking for a more refined way to spike the eggnog bowl this holiday season? Look no further than The Macallan Distillers LTD. A bottle of their 1939 vintage, part of the Fine & Rare Collection and priced at $10,125 per bottle, will surely add a dash of class to any lackluster holiday shindig. Macallan describes this prized whiskey as having a “drying finish of peat smoke and classic long term wood ageing with lighter fruits.” I’m used taking pulls from whatever happened to be in stock at the corner liquor store so I’m not quite sure what that means, but is sure sounds sophisticated.

The word “paradise” is used loosely when describing resort locations, but it is certainly fitting to describe Fregate Island Private.  In fact, I would go so far as to say that the private Seychelles island in the middle of the Indian Ocean is the quintessential “heaven on earth.”  The island is exclusive to its guests - no day visitors are allowed - and the limited number of secluded villas ensure that only 40 guests maximum may occupy the island at any time.  Each luxurious villa has a large terrace with a day bed and jacuzzi, and the interior is spacious and sun-filled (see the living room in the picture at right).  Activities abound on Fregate, from snorkeling to mountain climbing - but if you’d rather stay indoors, the resort has a fully equipped gym and an extensive library, not to mention gourmet restaurants.  And if you are craving ultimate relaxation, Fregate has its own spa overlooking the ocean, which offers top treatments such as the Coconut Hot Oil Wrap and the Sandragon Rock Stone Therapy.  I really can’t do this island justice in such a short space - check it out for yourself.

As a youngster on the slopes, I had no fear - I’d point my skis straight down a black diamond and shoot off like a rocket down the hill with the notion that I was invincible.  My sister, however, was terrified after a bad skiing accident, and transversed slowly down each slope, skis wedged, trembling.  These differing ski styles ultimately resulted in frustration - I’d be at the bottom of the hill waiting for 20 minutes wondering where my family was, my dad skiing on looking for me worried that I’d crashed head on into a tree, my mother poised patiently waiting as my sister cried her way down the hill.  My point is that at times like those, it would have been immensely helpful to have Burton’s Audex Jacket for the whole family.  Not only is it cutting-edge in terms of warmth and ventilation, but this puffy ski jacket is equipped with a Motorola Bluetooth phone system, with a control panel built into the sleeve.  Call your sister at the bottom of the hill and let her know you’re okay; make plans for lunch at the lodge while zooming down the mountain; or, though I don’t encourage it, make a business call from the ski lift.

If you’re at home and your artwork starts speaking to you, you should probably get more sleep or cut back on your cocktail of choice – unless you are lucky enough to own Artcoustic speakers. Artcoustic picks artists from around the globe to create artwork that is reproduced as a digital print and then handmade into a screen to hide the high-quality speakers behind it. You can even have an original piece of artwork transformed into a cover for the flat speakers, which are the perfect complement to a wall-mounted TV. Eight colors are available for the loudspeaker screens, enabling them to blend in with any interior design.

Harry Winston is not new on the luxury scene - the legendary jeweler’s designs have been seen on royalty and red carpets for decades.  Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna, and Gwyneth Paltrow are just a few examples of celebrities who have donned these diamonds.  Some of my favorite Harry Winston creations include the Open Lattice bracelet, the Diamond Crossover necklace and the Garland earrings.  But in true female fashion, my absolute favorite is the Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond ring, with its enormous cushion-cut pink diamond and trapezoid side stones.

I was looking through luxury Houston properties and came across this ample Texas property.  I was drawn in by the beautiful landscaping, and wasn’t surprised to see that the interior of the home is exquisitely designed as well, from tile medallions and intricate iron railings to the velvet chairs in the media room and the creative adornments in the children’s rooms.  The details in the pictures make it easy to imagine curling up with a book in the capacious (yet cozy) living room; cooking up a storm in the gourmet kitchen and entertaining guests in the elegant dining room; working out in the mirrored fitness center; or taking a dip in the artfully geometric pool.  This stately home is lavish yet down-to-earth, an appealing combination for today’s luxury homeowners.  The property is listed with Houston’s John Daugherty Realtors.

To blog about luxury homes and not mention Arizona would be a tremendous oversight.  The state is an oasis of luxury, with enough luxury homes to fill the Grand Canyon.  Take this stunning seven-bedroom Tucson home.  Set on cliffs overlooking all of Tucson, the home has been featured in Architechtural Digest, Dream Homes, and Design & Architecture, among other publications.  Natural materials mix with modern elements for a gracious balance of old and new - the contemporary kitchen a great example of this harmony.  A well-kept tennis court, pool, hot tub, and fire pit add to the resort-like atmosphere of the 20-acre property.  The home is listed with Long Realty Company. Read on for more luxury Arizona homes… (more…)

When I was little I had a goldfish named Bubbles. She’s long gone, but I suspect she would have gladly traded her modest fishbowl for one of these aquatic masterpieces. Custom aquariums have quickly become a luxury must-have and nobody does it better than Living Color Aquariums. Breathtaking aquariums can be made into room dividers, entertainment centers and stunning bars. Please avoid sushi at the bar…you don’t know whose relative is inside that tank.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “light is the first of painters.” Danish artist Ulla Darni expounds on that idea and creates some remarkable works of art that are truly enlightening. She paints one-of-a-kind chandeliers, table lamps and sconces on a canvas of glass. Some of her incredible lighting creations grace museums, celebrity homes and royal palaces. Each piece is accented by wrought iron and bronze hardware selected to complement the shapes and colors of the painted glass. Prices vary based on the size and the amount of work involved in creating each piece, which are available through a number of US and international galleries.

A friend of mine had these amazing cushions (yes, the same friend with the Judith Ripka diamond cuff).  Turkish company Yastik (”yastik” is Turkish for “cushion”) collects the finest fabrics from all over the world to create these luxurious pillows.  The cushions, ranging from intricate neutral weaves to bold and bright patterns, are all unique, and provide a great way to accent your home in a distinctive style.  You can order the cushions, but why not travel to Istanbul to buy them?