Tom Hanks made it famous in “Big”, thousands of NYC tourists have played it too…why not own your own? Only FAO Schwartz could offer the “Dance-On” piano. Measuring a staggering 22 feet, it puts the ‘rock’ in Rachmaninov. It’s the perfect holiday gift for…actually, I am not quite sure — but it’s really cool. And if someone were to buy it for me (at $250,000) I am sure I would find a suitable place for it (although Santa might need a bigger sleigh).

I love my personal digital music player. Ripping, synching and carrying a huge library of music in my palm is amazing. What seems to be lacking in the digital music world, however, is a way to integrate your music into a stylish home entertainment system. Even though there is a wide variety of docking stations, speakers, et cetera, to turn your digital music player of choice into a tabletop stereo, there hasn’t been a way to really create a home entertainment experience. Crosley Radio has recognized that, and offers the CR12-DI Digital Jukebox, which combines the most up-to-date computer and audio technology with the distinct styling of the 1950’s. The jukebox can connect to the internet to download music, rip music from CD, and stores up to 1,500 hours of video and music content. Instead of a huge plastic button that flips plastic arms back and forth, the user interfaces with the jukebox via a touch screen. The digital jukebox certainly gives the party host an incredible centerpiece for their entertainment or rec room. I love this product, but the lyric “I love rock ‘n roll, so put another digital music file in the jukebox, baby” may take some getting used to.

If you’re going to catch a big fish, you’re going to need a flashy lure, right?  Look no further - this Million Dollar Lure from MacDaddy’s Fishing Lures is made of three pounds of gold and platinum, and is covered with 100 carats of diamonds and rubies - 4753 stones total.  The 12-inch lure is perfect for catching big game fish with an eye for bling.  Check out the massive fish caught with the Million Dollar Lure at the Brisbee’s Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. 

Perhaps the best vacation I’ve ever been on was to Mykonos, Greece.  I went with some friends in late October - the beginning of the off season - and we practically had the entire island to ourselves.  We rented scooters for the week and zoomed around the mountainous island from beach to beautiful beach, stopping to take pictures of the magnificent Mediterranean terrain dotted with pristine white homes.  At night we would sit in an open air restaurant and watch the sun set (including the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever witnessed) over the harbor.  I never wanted to leave, and began imagining opening a shop in Mykonos Town, never to return to the chaos of the world outside the Greek Isles.  To my chagrin, I did leave - but since that memorable trip, I’ve always dreamed of buying a home in Mykonos. 

When I came across the Tourlos Villa, I knew this was the home of my Greek dreams!  The house, listed with Ploumis Sotiropoulos, is nestled into the hills over the port of Tourlos.  The infinity pool fades into the indescribable sunset, and the floor-to-ceiling windows allow for a light-filled home with incomparable views.  The home is close to the restaurants, shopping and nightlife of Mykonos Town.  This property is irresistable.

So when you get to Mykonos, look me up.

When was the last time you slept in a thermal sleeping bag on a special bed of snow and ice? In Chicago, we call that getting locked out of the house during the month of January. In Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, it’s considered luxury accommodations for the adventurous set. Covered in a meter-thick layer of ice, the Icehotel derives its art, architecture and design from the frozen Torne River. Make sure to check out the Moose Safari and the Ice Church. Sleeping in -5˚ isn’t your thing? Worry not, they offer warm accommodations as well. Makes me wonder if they bother with ice machines at the end of the hall…

Forget about that winter tanning salon membership and just hop in the shower. The ProSun Sunshower allows you to obtain and sustain a bronzed glow by simply maintaining your bathing schedule. With balanced UV lighting, the Sunshower tans your skin while you get clean. A straightforward control panel allows the user to determine the time and intensity of their tanning program to receive a well-adjusted amount of sunlight at their convenience.  The innovative nature of the Sunshower is combined with an elegant timeless design that can be integrated into any bathroom style. It will definitely look good in my bathroom next to my new invention: the sink/pina colada mixer combo [patent pending].

Trashed your Tiffany teaspoon in the disposal? Banged your Baccarat goblet on the bar? Cracked your Christofle creamer at Sunday brunch? Even the finest tableware is subject to life’s little mishaps. Have no fear; your replacement is a click away. Much to my delight, I discovered Replacements, Ltd. They carry a huge inventory of over 250,000 china, crystal and silver patterns. With the holidays right around the corner, I’m bound to do something clumsy – I’ll keep their number on hand. (800) REP-LACE or visit them online at www.replacements.com.

The luxury escape: Beautiful exotic locales. The finest hotels. Succulent cuisine. Butterfield & Robinson offers travelers and adventure seekers all of those things and so much more with their amazing bicycle journeys. Vacationers choose a customized bike and follow a detailed route that can take them through such beautiful and diverse locations as the vineyards and rain forests of New Zealand, or the tranquil countryside and ancient history of Vietnam. Along the way cyclists lodge in luxury hotels, enjoy fine meals and are given admission to special events. Guides look after every need along the route, including pointing trekkers in the right direction, handing out refreshments, the transportation of purchases and luggage to the next hotel, and rides for weary travelers. This bicycle escapade provides the voyager with an experience way beyond the offerings of any guidebook and gives them a true sense of the place they are visiting. I’m ready to pedal!

Looking through the amenities of luxury homes, it doesn’t take long to notice that many of these homes have glass tile mosaics.  Glass tile can be used in the kitchen as a backsplash, in the bathroom, in the spa or sauna, or in almost any other room in the house in a variety of ways.  Custom mosaics add something to your home that can be found nowhere else - making your home truly unique. Check out Hakatai for some custom glass tile design ideas.  They’ve got great online custom blend and custom gradient tools that allow you to create and price your own designs.  According to sources at Hakatai, blues and greens are perennially popular, but neutrals have come back onto the scene lately.  So get creative - add some flair to your fireplace or some spice to your spa!

North Carolina is receiving quite the buzz when it comes to luxury homes.  The well-to-do are flocking to the state for its southern beauty and major urban cultural centers.  The luxury houses in North Carolina are as charming as they are diverse, from Georgian estates to Montana log homes. The stately Wake Forest home pictured left has a classic style with modern amenities, including a wine cellar, theater room, weight room, billiard room, a second kitchen, a dance studio, a pool with gradual incline entry and waterslide, and more.  I particularly love the regal double stairway in the entry.  The home is listed with York Simpson Underwood.  Read on for more North Carolina homes… (more…)