Luxury items come in all shapes and sizes these days. I find my morning cappuccino from Starbucks a luxury; I love to have a pedicure every now and again as a sweet luxury treat; and then there is the hair appointment that makes me feel luxurious. Many people find that their cell phones are a luxury because they are affordable and keep their owner connected to the world. Other luxuries are expensive cars.  Some find luxury in a nice bed linen. The list goes on and on, and with each person the definition of luxury varies greatly. With that in mind, would you consider this new hand bag luxury?  

The Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork Bag’s one-of-a-kind patchwork only cost $45,000 - equivalent to a year’s tuition at Northwestern University in Illinois. Only twelve were made throughout the world and are already sold out. The bag is a collage of other famous Louis Vuitton creations all sewn into one. Some have described the bag as “hideous.” Others have been noted saying “It is a colorful masterpiece of fashion.” I was at dinner last night with a group of women ranging in age from 23 to 45 years old, and every one agreed it is “ridiculously ugly,” yet they would “use it and carry it with pride.” There is no word on the twelve people who purchased this expensive piece of fashion so keep your eyes peeled - and let me know if it’s what you consider luxury!

I always thought of gas keg tappers as high-brow.  After all, they don’t require pumping and can help preserve the beer inside the keg much longer than a standard party pump.  But apparently there’s an even more refined “tapper” for the sophisticated wine crowd.  The Vin au Verre  - French for “wine with glass” (wow, four years of high school French finally paid off) - can keep up to 8 opened bottles of wine ready to serve at the perfect temperature.  Made by EuroCave, the storage system can preserve the wine for up to three weeks, meaning you no longer have to force your dinner party guests to chug what’s left of all the open bottles before they leave.  I’m sure this luxury item will be of great use to some, but I’m sticking with kegs.

I’ve planned a trip to Vancouver this May - and now all I can do is impatiently wait for May to arrive.  I’ve been reading about things to do in Vancouver, looking at Vancouver on Google Maps, staring at pictures of Vancouver - and of course, checking out the luxury homes in Vancouver!  The city is a hot spot for luxury homes because of its breathtaking beauty (majestic mountains, beautiful bay),  vibrant commerce (including the third-largest film production center in North America after LA and NYC) and diverse culture (more than half of Vancouverites have a first language other than English).

My dream Vancouver home has to be this 4000+ square-foot penthouse listed with Macdonald Realty Group.  The penthouse occupies the top two floors of a 20-story highrise that overlooks Stanley Park, Coal Harbour, English Bay, the rest of the city, the Gulf Islands and the mountains.  Stunning views aside, the home is incredible - I love the clean, contemporary design and the luxury amenities - such as the outdoor kitchen, media room, and 600-bottle wine storage.  I’m just imagining how amazing it would be to watch the sunset over the bay while relaxing in the hot tub!

And now for something completely different: this Vancouver tudor home (also listed with Macdonald Realty Group) emanates a more traditional elegance - but I love that its classic style is blended with modern appeal.  The house is gorgeous inside and out, with architectural finesse and graceful interior design. I love the sun-filled dining room that overlooks the lushly landscaped back yard.

It’s hard to believe that these two very different homes are set in the same city.  I can’t wait until May to see for myself what Vancouver has to offer.  In the meantime, I’ll have to be okay with perusing luxury Vancouver homes online.

I am all for living a more luxurious life, especially if luxury is defined as “Going Green.” Have you seen Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”? Better yet, what have you done today to create a better environment for our tomorrow? Many people, like myself, are aware of the issues the world is facing - but it seems that we get lost in where to even begin. Living a more environmentally conscience lifestyle is a new concept for many, so let me help.  Here is one idea for those who are looking to live in the lap of luxury and save the environment: Buy the Tango T600. 

The Tango T600 is an environmentally friendly commuter car that is being built right here in the states in Spokane, Washington. It is also one of the newest inventions that many people are begging to own. If it helps, reports say that George Clooney was the first to buy one - and who doesn’t want what he has? The car was created after its founders experienced Los Angeles traffic - clever! This little car can seat two 6’6” people in tandem, it can go from 0 – 60 mph in 4 seconds and it can cut through heavy traffic. What isn’t more luxurious than bypassing traffic? The Tango is only 39” wide and can park almost anywhere - even perpendicular to the curb. With my parallel parking skills, I want one! Okay so I am getting away from my main point of saving the environment. Listen closely to what this thing does: Produces zero pollutants, provides 60-80 miles of range between charges with standard lead-acid batteries and can recharge from any 110v or 220v supply.  The environment is probably the most luxurious thing that everyone has; it is not a light issue, and it is something very serious that we as humans must learn to take care of. Everyone can make a difference. 

Buying one of these cars can be your contribution to a better tomorrow. They start at $85,000 and can go up to $110,000. But in the coming years, less expensive versions like the T200 and the T100 will appear on the market.  

Tango T600 is just one way to save the environment in luxurious fashion!

Over the past few days, I have found myself lost in my imagination. I will read a book and create a world that is all my own, I will hear a song and lay out the lyrics as if it were a story book of my life and I will daydream about home as if I were there. The mind is a crazy thing that can lead you to places that do not exist, yet it can hold memories of events that are very real.  As I sit back and review my latest daydreams, it is home (Arizona) that I dream of the most. One of my greatest memories is just two hours away from where I grew up, at the most luxurious place I have ever been, Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona.

This resort is known for its lifestyle makeovers. It is here where you will begin to think about a healthier and a more peaceful you. Yoga classes are offered in the Yoga Dome or outside beneath the Sonoran Desert sky. Cooking classes will teach you to enjoy some of the most exquisite flavors around. Hiking through the mountains and watching either the sunrise or sunset is a picture you will forever remember. My favorite parts of my experience at Canyon Ranch were the spa amenities. They had everything I could want and more ranging from massages to body treatments to fitness classes. This 80,000 square-foot-spa is my definition of luxury, yet I merely grazed the surface of what Canyon Ranch has to offer. The beauty of this place is that everyone’s experience will differ since you get to create the itinerary of your dreams.  

Plan a trip and fill me in on all of the other Facilities and Programs. I am very curious to hear about the Health and Healing Center, the Life Enhancement Center, the Aquatic Center and even the Golf Center.  

Thomas Edison once said, “to invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.”  That crude formula is certainly applicable to the creation of the Limited Edition Thomas Edison Table.  The tops of these novel tables are made from reclaimed floorboards taken from a recently torn down factory that was owned by Edison.  After being converted into a tabletop, the wood is coated with an eco-safe waterproof finishing, and then carefully secured atop a set of scalloped steel legs.  Obviously, Edison Tables will be offered for a finite period of time, and are sure to become treasured heirlooms.  Just imagine, your bowl of morning Froot Loops could be sitting on a board where The Wizard of Menlo Park once stepped.  These truly unique tables are available through VivaTerra, which offers a plethora of recycled and reclaimed luxuries, promoting what they call “eco living with style.”

We all know how difficult it can be to find the perfect pair of jeans.  I had a few dressing room disasters while shopping for denim last week!  But those of us shopping in Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas or Santa Monica have the luxury of a local the blues JEAN BAR.  This boutique offers customers a comfortable atmosphere while they “order” from a menu of over 40 high-end lines of blue jeans.  the blues JEAN BAR understands that each person is unique, and that their jeans must match their unique body and sense of style - so the shop has “jean-tenders” on hand to work with customers to find the best brand, wash, size and style.  I wish I had known about this place last week!