GOOD LUCK DELUXE

Now THIS is what you call a gift card! Forget about giving me a Circuit City or Williams-Sonoma gift card for my birthday. I should let you know now that I have elevated my standards.

Give me a gift card for some cushy trips on a private jet instead!

According to the Bombardier Skyjet site:

How does it work?
Instead of booking one trip at a time with varying rates and no guaranteed availability, jet card-membership allows you to reserve a block of 25, 50, 100 or more hours, and pay a flat hourly rate for the hours you fly. It’s that simple.

Guaranteed FREE positioning.
Membership means that you will not pay to bring your Challenger into position, to return the empty jet to home base, or for another Challenger to meet you. One-way, round trip, overnight - all flights are billed at the same “no-surprises” rate.

Easy, low-cost entry.
You will have access to Challenger Jet Card-membership by contracting for just 25 hours of flight time. Prices start at $236,000 for 25 hours.

Guaranteed availability.
One call does it all. With just 12 hours advance notice, your jet card-membership guarantees that your Challenger will be waiting for you. Need a different jet than what you’ve contracted? No problem. You may upgrade or downgrade using a simple conversion ratio.

Bombardier Skyjet also offers the Learjet Card which is $101,000 for 25 hours on a Learjet 31/31A and $145,000 for 25 hours on a Learjet 60. A more affordable option is the Skyjet Card for $94,000 for 25 hours of jet travel.

Other private jet companies offer similar cards:

1. Jet Aviation features a charitable private jet card especially for women called the
Red Dress Privileged TRAVEL™ jet card that benefits female heart disease awareness.

2. Marquis Jet offers the Marquis Jet Card. Marquis Jet, being the worldwide leader in private aviation, boasts having the highest standards in private aviation.

3. Revolution Air also features a Platinum Jet Card, with free catering up to a certain amount.

4. Air Royale is a boutique private jet company that treats its members like gold.
Air Royale offers truly personalized service, and they are very accommodating. They may not boast jet cards or memberships, but their pampering alone is enough to get me on their private charter!

5. Avion Private Jet Club offers memberships, but doesn’t specify private jet cards on its site. Avion’s consolation prizes include Italian cashmere blankets and in-flight catering by Wolfgang Puck Catering!

Hey, I’ll take any of those cards or memberships. But make it quick, because I’ve got places to go!

I think everybody and their mother knows about actor Steve McQueen’s Ferrari
being auctioned at Christie’s Auction House. I can’t leave my readers in the dark about this. It’s much too exciting, friends!

Here are the details:

Touring Exhibition

26 April – 9 May
20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York

24 May – 31 May
20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York

1 June – 3 June
Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, Greenwich, CT

The ex-Steve McQueen 1963 Ferrari 250GT Lusso Chassis #4891 will be the centerpiece of Christie’s auction of Exceptional Motor Cars at the Monterey Jet Center on August 16th.

In 1963, actor Steve McQueen ordered this car new from Otto
Zipper Motors in Santa Monica, California. Completed to McQueen’s specifications, including the rare factory color of chestnut brown metallic with a light beige interior, it joined his garage’s impressive collection and was greatly enjoyed.

Its current owner, Mike Regalia of Thousand Oaks, California, acquired the car in 1997. Via a complete frame-off restoration, comprised of 4,000 plus man-hours, Regalia returned the car to its original specifications, including McQueen’s original license plate. The Lusso has since been featured in Motor Trend Classic Magazine with Chad McQueen (November 2005) and displayed at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. It has also won numerous awards at events, including Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the Cavallino Classic.

Because only 350 Lussos have ever been built, of which this car is widely regarded as a best example, and with its unmatched provenance by one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, this is an unparalleled opportunity to acquire a very drivable and desirable front-engine V-12 Ferrari. With the balance of McQueen’s personal collection either in museums or long-term private collections, this is arguably the most significant celebrity-owned car ever to come to auction.

To be sold in Monterey, CA on August 16, 2007.

Auctions are always thrilling, but I’ve never seen anything like the mass hysteria this set of wheels is causing!

Multi-platinum rapper, 50 Cent, used to call this Farmington, Connecticut waterfront mansion his home.

Situated less than 30 minutes from Hartford, Conn. and midway between New York and Boston, this $18,500,000 home boasts 17.6 acres, 19 bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, 51,657 sq. ft, multiple fireplaces, a disco/entertainment space, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, multi-car garage, a sauna/steam room, an atrium, an outdoor kitchen area and multiple balconies!

This 50,000 sq. ft. Mediterranean Style Estate is sited on 17 very private acres midway between NYC & Boston.

Three residential sections comprise the main dwelling. The heart of the structure represents both formal and casual public space as well as elegant private quarters intended for the owner’s enjoyment.

Two residential wings enable extended household members to live comfortably in their own privately sited quarters. Other features include a spectacular Sylvan infinity edge pool with waterfall at the home’s entrance to an entertainment grotto, a disco, casino rooms, and a one-acre Koi pond.

I’ve seen some gorgeous homes in my days on earth, but that’s A LOTTA house!

Visit http://Trends.Move.com for more details and info.

As I have previously explained in detail, my mother is materialistic.
I’m sorry, but she is! My mother is a stickler for things being the finest, and she loves to shop and pore over catalogs. She’s gonna love this post!

My mother has a strong work ethic and has always believed in working really hard, but also enjoying the fruits of one’s labor.

I, however, am much more rough around the edges. I don’t give a fig about fashion, and while I certainly appreciate luxury - my love for it ain’t got nothing on my mother.

I’m more into sensory-oriented experiences - luxury travel, gourmet food and drinks, fine perfume, quality grooming products, good music, etc. Appeal to my senses, and I will love you forever.

That’s why you don’t see much by way of material goods on my site. I wish I could offer you more of this, but don’t count on it. Savor the experiences with me!

Every now and then, though, I can muster a post or two on phenomenal items that are just too good to bypass.

Today I happened upon French Brand, a comprehensive site devoted to the world of French and Italian bed linens!

French Brand carries all of the best linen lines: Craye, Blanc des Vosges,
Daniel Hechter Maison, Manuel Canovas, Bassetti, Jalla, Jardin Secret, Liou,
Inès de la Fressange, Les Olivades, Mulliez, Stof, Valrupt, Anne de Solène, Bacos,
Ushuaia, Pierre Balmain, Clair Foncé, etc.

I didn’t see Frette and Yves Delorme on the site, but I’m sure they are happy to accommodate every customer.

The bed linens featured above are by designer Aude de Balmy.

Stof

More from Stof

…and even more from Stof (my new love!)

Jalla

I could be here forever posting bed linen pics, but you get the picture.

Imagine sleeping on those sheets!

Forget about Cristal champagne. Dom who? At least that’s what seems to be the case after I read Forbes Magazine’s rating of the best champagnes in the world.

Per Forbes: At $750 a bottle, Krug “Clos du Mesnil” is one of the two rarest and most expensive champagnes in the world (the other is Bollinger’s Blanc de Noir).

Krug’s Clos du Mesnil comes from a single, small, walled vineyard of just 4.5 acres that is planted entirely to chardonnay, so the champagne is what’s known as a Blanc de Blanc. It is also extremely rare, as only 12,624 bottles were produced in the 1995 vintage. The current release is soft and delicate yet intensely flavored, and remarkably accessible for a champagne so young.

And you thought you were somebody shelling out $250 for a bottle of the bubbly.
Now KRUG is something to blow your savings on!

I have already expressed how I feel about candles and incense. LOVE. IT. But what I love even more are the uniquely-fragrant Altru products from Gamillah, Incorporated!

This collection of aromatherapy treats consists of everything to pamper your nose and senses:

* soy blend candles
* interior fragrance oils
* incense sticks
* incense accessories, including copper incense burner and Egyptian scroll incense holder

Altru’s fragrant items waft the following nuances…

Harmony - Inspired by the tanenashi persimmon, one of the most beautiful Oriental persimmons.

Integrity - Captures the romance of night-blooming jasmine with Persian lilac and Asian bamboo.

Artistry - Nestled with a medley of rich, warm spices and creamy vanilla with hints of black tea.

Remembrance - Unexpected blend of sparkling grapefruit with rosemary and exotic woods.

Wellness - Rich tapestry of spices and cloves, combined with the earthiness of green tea and wild ginger.

Appreciation - Infused with a delicate balance of Tahitian tiare and daffodil buds with petals of white freesia.

Per the Gamillah site: The name alone signifies that this is more than a collection of luxury, lifestyle products. Introducing altru—which means “unselfishly giving of one’s self to others”—a fragrance-based collection that is being launched by Gamillah, Incorporated.

This unique collection was inspired by the beauty and handcrafted artistry of cultures around the world. Yet, this product line represents more than the mellifluous fragrances that surround it—it represents a commitment to social responsibility through its support of the In a Perfect World Foundation—a non-profit organization that aims to inspire and empower children to become compassionate, socially conscious, and responsible leaders.

What an original concept! Readers - visit the Altru site and order Altru aromatic products to your nose’s and heart’s delight!

What your eyes are beholding is an Audi A8 that was supposedly custom-made for a Sheik that consists of 100% silver. Not silver paint, but actual SILVER.

Note to self: Consider joining a harem.

Don’t ask me how Audi managed to create this wonder vehicle. Who knew they could be so accommodating?! But there are also conflicting reports that this may simply be an Urban Legend.

Whether this luxury automobile is silver-plated or pure silver, I’m glad that SOMEONE is driving happily with these soaring gas prices!

I love Guy Chaddock. No, he’s not my lover, but I am a lover of his furnishings.

Guy Chaddock began restoring antiques and crafting one-of-a-kind reproductions more than 40 years ago. Later, as his reputation and clientele grew, a small group of European craftsmen joined the company and from this nucleus of skilled furniture makers a line of country French and country English home furnishings evolved. Many of the enduring designs created during these early years remain in the company product line and continue to be best sellers.

Throughout the intervening years, the company has remained dedicated to the tradition of distinctive styling, old world craftsmanship, and the unique hand distressed finish, which have become the hallmarks of Guy Chaddock & Company products. Today, the current generation of master craftsmen still construct and finish each item to order, creating timeless heirloom quality home furnishings to be treasured through the generations.

Lately, I have been on this luxury furniture kick. I can’t stop ogling it! If you can’t afford a $25,000 sofa, there’s nothing stopping you from appreciating it with your eyes.

Do check out my Luxury Furnishings links in the lower section of my blog’s right sidebar. You’ll notice that I have added numerous quality furnishing links for your viewing and buying pleasure.

Enjoy!

If I were a bachelor, I would be Henredon’s biggest consumer. Their stately furniture is incredibly seductive.

That’s not to say that Henredon intends to cater to a predominantly male crowd.
Hey, I think they’d be pleased to get paid from both genders!

But for all intents and purposes of this blog entry, let’s pretend I’m a male consumer.

I prefer to be called Don Juan:

Now THIS is what you call a baby-making bed. The ladies call me Shaft.

Or Valentino. Let me light some candles to set the mood, Boo.

I’m one Cool Cat!

For those who are curious, if you have to ask how much a Henredon bed costs, you can’t afford it.

It’s the coolest thing in the world when you haven’t talked to an old friend in a while, you reconnect, and discover that this friend has been fervently pursuing her creative passion all this time.

My virtual twin, Laura Mangual-Ritz, has always been a creative sort. I am so proud to witness the evidence of Laura concentrating and channeling her wildly creative energy into such quality photography and painting!

Laura and I met as teens in a journalism summer course many moons ago. I once believed that writing was Laura’s destiny, but one look at her paintings, and I am certain that she was born to paint.

Inspired by the late, great Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, Laura is a Cleveland-based artist of Puerto Rican descent who expresses her sometimes complex and multi-dimensional reality through her Kahloian art.

The above painting is entitled “Lost Love,” and was created by Laura in memory of her deceased father. Since I know the history of their distant, strained relationship, I am absolutely impressed with Laura’s intricacy of detail in this painting, and what she has managed to convey through it. Her father’s hand, his asymmetrical eyes, and her child self’s body language in the painting all tell the story without words.

Mrs. Mangual-Ritz demonstrates her artistic range by painting and photographing subjects of various flavors, from the whimsical to the tragic. Laura has never been one to pigeonhole herself, and I am elated to see that she dips her brush in whatever palette strikes her fancy.

“Marilyn Forever”

“Under the Tuscan Sun”

SOLD! This piece was bought by one of my readers the day after I posted this.

How Laura manages to produce such quality artwork, run a household, be a loving and supportive wife to her husband, and raise her three lively sons is beyond me.

The woman has energy that some of us can only DREAM of!

And has the nerve to be beautiful, to boot!

A member of the Euclid Art Association and the Cleveland Museum of Art, Laura continues to expand herself in other organizations and is involved in a number of charitable auctions when given throughout the year. Her work can be seen featured in art galleries and fine dining establishments throughout Cleveland, as well as
on her web site for purchase.

That’s MY GIRL!