Where would you go for a new and unique gourmet meal?  How about 165 feet (50 meters) off the ground with a great view?  Not on a balcony or a high floor eatery surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass, but on a special table suspended by crane.  Well, that's exactly the experience offered by Dinner in the Sky.  Up to 22 people can be strapped into their chairs and hoisted up into the blue yonder for a feast like no other. 

The special event can be held anywhere there is enough space - approximately 500 square meters.  You can choose to have a full meal hosted by gourmet chefs who work at the center of the table, entertain clients for cocktails, or enjoy one-of-a-kind tastings.

Just be sure to keep a firm grip on your silverware.

Lifestyles of the residents of "The O.C." have been presented often in recent years.  From TV melodrama to the obsessive documentation of "real" privileged young socialites, Orange County, California - particularly Newport Beach - has become a known hotspot for fascinating theater. 

A different type of Orange County drama is created by this landmark Newport Beach luxury home.  Its location on 300 feet of Newport waterfront sets the stage for a unique showing of elegance.  The French Neoclassic estate takes full advantage of its prime positioning with stunning main channel views, impeccable grounds and dockage for several vessels. 

Inside, the attention to detail and the finest quality is evident throughout the 10 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, two living rooms, formal dining room and staff quarters.  There is also a wine room, eight-car garage, and an elevator that whisks you between the three floors of supreme luxury. 

Currently listed at $38,500,000 by Willis Allen Real Estate, this extraordinary property enjoys every aspect of the desirable Southern California lifestyle while creating a level of splendor that is singular.

Recently I wrote about the $20,000 diamond encrusted iPhone case (along with a few thoughts on the mass hysteria created by the latest gadget).  Due to the crazed consumers, the new 3G is an unquestionable success for Apple, who claims over a million phones were sold in the first weekend of the product's global launch.

It is highly unlikely that there will be a million Amosu Ultimo Diamond iPhones sold in one weekend...actually, it's almost a sure thing that this phone will never reach the million-sold mark.  But for this elite luxury phone, that is precisely the point.  Only a select few will be able to shell out the £89,000 (a little more than $177,000) for the luxury phone that is handcrafted by artisans and outfitted with 1,179 diamonds, including 61 comprising the familiar Apple logo. 

At the very least it would make a lot more sense to fill your $20,000 case with the Amosu phone, rather than the one a million people waited hours in line for a few weeks ago. 
Check out the video below:

I recently took a trip to the "City of Lights" – Las Vegas, NV.  On most occasions my trips have consisted of discovering new restaurants and nightlife, enjoying time by the pool and testing my luck at black jack.  On this particular trip though, I discovered a service I'd not experienced before – Eminence Luxury Services – a high-end car rental service.

When one travels, a car is often a nice amenity to have on hand, but the selection at Hertz can be unimpressive to the discerning customer. Eminence Luxury offers an easy solution in providing a large selection of most en vogue, luxury cars on the market. For the sophisticated consumer, exquisite Bentleys and Aston Martins are available. Individuals looking for something a bit more edgy and exotic can choose from a wide selection of Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

All luxury home furnishings are an extension of the homeowner's personality and characterize their definition of luxury style.  What better way to show that style than with beautiful and basic displays of the classic elements of fire and water? 

A clean looking fire that be integrated into any architectural environment, The EcoSmart Fire is an environmentally friendly innovation that creates an open fire without a utility connection.  This technology is on display in the striking Fire & Ice Coffee Table, featuring a sliding platform that can be moved to reveal the flue-less fire on one side, or a recessed compartment on the other - perfect for storing a patch of grass or ice to chill your favorite drink.  Once the slider is moved on top of the flames, they are automatically extinguished.  Certainly recommended for the most responsible luxury home owners (who perhaps leave the fire off while enjoying the chilled beverages stored on the other side).

From fire to soothing water and the Ripple Series by designer and aerospace engineer Lee J Rowland.  These gorgeous tables come in several shapes and sizes and incorporate the calming effect of concentric ripples falling towards the table's edges.   A 3-dimentional machining process is used to create the one-of-a-kind design on the sheet metal, and just looking at the table transports you to a stream where a droplet of water has created a calming ripple that seems to stretch on and on. 

Equally fashionable, these stunning tables help illustrate individual visions of luxury as contrasting as the elements themselves.

I'm still not entirely sure why someone would wait in line for hours to buy the latest gadget. But last week as I passed the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue, I saw the line of consumers awaiting the opportunity to get their hands on the new iPhone 3G snake down the street and around the corner.  

The answers to why hundreds (thousands?) of people would wait in such a line could vary, I suppose:   the simple desire to be one of the first to own the phone, they actually need the various features to support a hectic work schedule or everyday lifestyle, they are coerced by intensive hype, etc, etc.  Whatever the motivation, one thing is certain - people love their iPhones.

Because it is such a precious commodity, owners will want to be certain their phone is protected.  One way to ensure a minimum of wear and scratches is to invest in a Case-mate diamond iPhone case.  The $20,000 sheath is outfitted with 42 diamonds set in 18K gold on a carbon fiber leather case.  And in the spirit of the rush for the phone itself...quantities of the luxury case are extremely limited, so if you want one you should act fast!

 The St. Petersburg area is somewhat of an untapped, hidden gem — where great values and immaculate properties are available at implausible prices. In the face of economic uncertainty, Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg and Clearwater continue to blossom with glittering waterfront luxury estates, condominiums and homes.

Smith & Associates cover the area and specialize in luxury, beach and bay properties. Several properties currently on the market that illustrate the appeal of the area include this magnificent Mediterranean estate located in Tierra Verde and a St. Petersburg old world-style estate with stunning ocean views. This positive, upward movement in the market coincides with the endless number of amenities the area has to offer, including a relaxed southern charm feel, beautiful parks and architecture, unsurpassed restaurants, fabulous shopping, world recognized beaches, exciting nightlife and year round outdoor activities.

 

The St. Petersburg area is even more attractive to new and potential residents because the local government and community are open to this growth and balance it by striving to plan and preserve the historic and resort style character of St. Petersburg in particular. In addition, St. Petersburg is considered one of the hottest labor markets in the country and one of the most cost effective regions to conduct business.

 

Discover more about properties in this region.

The hamburger has come a long way since it first debuted in the late 1880’s – so much more than the traditional ground beef patty, bun and fixings such as lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mustard. Today it’s found its niche in the world of fine dining and haute cuisine. Kobe burgers are now a standard selection on many high-end restaurants, ranging from $22 to upwards of $125. Of course these burgers are made from the best beef and are accompanied by the finest cheeses, truffles and foie gras. 

Several establishments have capitalized on the luxury burger craze even further by weaving vintage wines into the mix. The Fleur de Lys – located in Las Vegas, NV – serves a Kobe beef patty complete with black truffles and truffle sauce served on a brioche truffle bun. The price tag: $5000. The top-notch burger isn’t the reason for the high price tag, but rather the bottle of 1990 Chateau Petrus. The Palms – another Las Vegas establishment – is offering a unique “combo” in pairing a $6 Carl Jr. hamburger with a 24-yeard old bottle of French Bordeaux. The cost of this fine grouping: $6000.

There are private luxury homes, and then there are private luxury homes.  An exclusive sanctuary in Golfo Marinella, Itay is definitely at the pinnacle of the privacy spectrum.  The private island near Porto Rotondo off the Emerald Coast of Sardinia is the ultimate hideaway, surrounded by the sky blue waters of the Mediterranean with rugged mountain peaks forming one side of the picturesque horizon.  The four hectare (approximately 9.9 acre) island is comprised of white sand beaches, natural granite sculptures and expansive juniper garden.

On the island are multiple accommodations, including a grand main home, villa set among natural gardens and two separate guest dwellings.  The price of this singular property is given upon request from the listing's broker, Immobilsarda SRL.

I try to keep my closet organized, I really do.  Behind the large sliding doors are shoe racks, tie and belt racks, shelves, organized clothes hanging on wooden hangers, et cetera, et cetera.  Inevitably, however, there will eventually be a balled up t-shirt on the closet floor or a wire hanger from the dry cleaners pressed against the wall behind the tiered rows of footwear.  Perhaps I need some guidance from a qualified member of the National Closet Group.

The NCG is a professional association comprised of top independent closet companies throughout the United States and Canada offering innovations in their field.  While I could certainly benefit from their expertise, the NCG caters to everyone, including the luxury home owner.  The Luxury Siena Collection is offered exclusively by NCG members and was born through a desire to create a closet system combining advanced engineering with exquisite design.  Available in many styles from traditional to contemporary and accompanied by a wide selection of finishes and design elements, The Siena Collection can be completely customized to meet the needs of anyone looking to add luxury to their closet. 

To search for a National Closet Group member near you, click here.