Bono and Bobby Shriver launched the (Product) Red campaign in October, partnering with numerous companies to create product lines that help fund the fight of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. One of the companies involved in the project is renowned fashion heavyweight Giorgio Armani. They have developed the (Emporio Armani) Red collection, which consists of various clothing items and accessories, in support of (Product) Red. 40-percent of the gross profit margin from the sale of (Emporio Armani) Red products goes directly to The Global Fund. I think the watch is particularly eye-catching, with its bold red and black display. The remarkable timepiece is available in all Emporio Armani stores throughout the globe at a cost of around $225. This luxury collection allows you to be trendy, while lending a hand in a very worthy endeavor.

Recently, we let you know about a fine 1939 vintage whiskey that could help warm the frigid holiday season. For the champagne crowd, Harrods has devised the ultimate storage system for their most coveted bubbly. The Krug Trunk is designed for a very exclusive crowd - so exclusive that only 30 of them are available, at a cost of just over $54,000 each. The trunk is corrosion-proof with a red calfskin interior, and the lid also serves as a table and can be emblazoned with a personal monogram. Three bottles of Krug Grande Cuvee champagne and an ice-bucket are included with the trunk (remarkably, at no additional cost)!

The onslaught of recent celebrity baby births has brought my attention to the growing luxury baby accessories industry.  Leather cowboy booties, designer strollers, bejeweled rattles - there is no limit to what’s available for those who demand the best for their newborns.  My favorite find is the cashmere baby sling from Oopa Baby.  This chic sling eases the burden on the mother while carrying the infant, and the cashmere keeps the baby warm in chillier tempuratures.  These slings are so fashionable, it almost makes me want a baby myself just so I can wear one - almost.  Oopa Baby also carries adorable baby bloomers and do’rags. 

If I were asked to suggest a trip to anywhere in the world, my first answer would be Prague, Czech Republic.  I admit I have a particular affinity for Prague because I spent 5 months living there, but it didn’t take 5 months to fall for the city - it was love at first sight.  Driving into Prague for the first time was like being transported into 14th century Europe: the medieval St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Royal Palace towering over the city, the gothic Charles Bridge over the Vltava River, the stunning National Museum standing guard over Wenceslas Square, the horse-drawn carriages clomping over cobblestones in the panoramically picturesque Old Town Square.  Nearly 50 years of Communism couldn’t even destroy the elaborate (and utterly un-Communistic) beauty of this Central European city.  And despite the medieval atmosphere and Communist past, Prague has quickly become a contemporary haven for hipsters, foodies, expats, celebrities, and wealthy wanderlusters.  Forget about bread dumplings and gulash (though they’re delicious!) - Prague is home to award-winning eclectic restaurants, from Cuban cuisine to French gourmet (my favorite: Kampa Park, visited often by foreign dignitaries and celebrities - pictured below). Stop in at any of the hundreds of bars - tiny pubs serving fresh pilsner, modern clubs serving cocktails, and 5-floor dance discoteques open late.  Need a place to stay?  I recommend the Hotel Paris for an authentic, luxurious experience, or you can’t miss with the Four Seasons in its perfect location on the river.  Check out the Four Seasons Prague Attractions page for more ideas on sightseeing and day trips.  (Pictures courtesy of Prague.net travel guide.)

While I’m on the subject of skiing (see my Ski Tech post), I thought I’d write about luxury ski homes.  It was tough to narrow down which homes I would highlight, as there are a plethora of remarkable luxury ski area homes out there - from British Columbia to Vermont (for the sake of relative brevity, I will stick with North America, but feel free to peruse luxury international homes).  I’ll start with this Jess Reid Real Estate listing in Park City, Utah.  This colossal 2006 construction was specifically designed to serve as the “premier showcase mountain homesite in the world,” and this effort produced amazing results.  The sun-saturated house overlooks dramatic views of the Jordanelle Reservoir, Bald Mountain and Park City.  I love the vaulted ceilings and expansive rooms, along with the many amenities such as the screening room, sauna and pool, to name a few.  But my favorite part of the house is the master bathroom.  I would stay in the tub and stare out the window till my fingers were painfully pruny.  (more…)

If you’re brokering a huge deal or meeting with important associates, you can’t congregate around a card table sitting on folding chairs. Renaissance Design offers an executive desk for the heavyweight businessperson that is sure to impress any colleague or client. The Monarch Executive Desk is made up of 100,000 pieces of exotic woods and hand carved columns, and exudes character. At $68,000, the high-powered official may want to stay chained, or more likely employ someone to remain chained to this desk just to ensure it doesn’t get scratched. If the Monarch is a little too extravagant for your tastes, Renaissance Design has a selection of other executive desks, starting at a paltry $47,000.