Sunday is a day of rest and this is a typical Sunday in MIami Beach. After a long week of working and playing hard we like to give ourselves a little R&R Miami style. After a long night of partying at Mynt Lounge, the warm sun arouses us around 11 a.m. We throw on our swim suites and dark, dark designer shades. We head to the Setai Hotel on Collins Avenue for a light and always refreshing brunch by the pool. Then we hit the beach and get our tan on. The topless models and totally toned men are gorgeous, the salty air, cool breeze and glamorous aesthetic begin to revive us. The cabana boys are committed with fresh drinks, fresh fruit and routine Evian misting spray downs. The beach sesh is followed only by a trip to the insanely, lavish spa. We catch a 60 minute Swedish massage, then a Setai special Ayurvedic Facial. We finish it off with a good steam and voile we are bright eyed and brand new to take monday on. Sundays like this keep us young, fresh and happy all year around.
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Miners in the southern African kingdom of Lesotho found a massive diamond on September 8th. The diamond was a near-flawless white gem weighing nearly 500 carats, making it one of the largest in the World.
The Letseng diamond mine is in the landlocked Southern African water and mountain kingdom of Lesotho. The mine is owned by Gem Diamonds, Ltd. and the government of Lesotho, with an elevation of 10,000 ft it is the world’s highest diamond mine. The Letseng diamond mine is distinguished by low grade ore (less than 2 carat/hundred tons) and is known best for producing epic diamonds. The mine has the highest percentage of discovered diamonds greater than 10 carats and has yielded four of the world’s 20 largest rough cut diamonds, including the three largest found this century. Thus, Letseng has the highest dollar value per carat of any diamond mine at over $1,894 per carat, while the world average is just $81 per carat.
The value of a rough diamond is usually hard to estimate but another diamond of similar weight, lesser quality-color and clarity recently sold for $12 million bucks. "It has the potential to yield one of the largest flawless D color round polished diamonds in history," said Gem Diamons, Ltd.
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Porsche has come to their environmental senses and is jumping on the hybrid bandwagon. The luxurious Cayenne SUV, will come with a gas-electric hybrid option by 2010. We can’t wait!
In January, Porsche announced its upcoming four-dour Gran Turismo, will also have a hybrid option like the Cayenne’s. The battery will be placed below the luggage compartment and the hybrid module will be between the engine and transmission. Green Porsche people will be able to use one or both of the eco- friendly systems depending on driving onditions. Bravo Porsche, nice to see you’re doing your part!
Luxury Travel Expo is the most prominent and authoritative luxury event in North America. This year it will be the Expo’s tenth anniversary. Luxury Travel Expo remains to be the only travel event soley loyal to luxury. The Expo provides suppliers and agents with a vast luxury forum with meaningful knowledge and networking opportunities.
The Expo will be in Las Vegas from December 2nd through the 5th. The whole thing is put tgether by Luxury Travel Advisor, Travel Agent magazine and Premier Hotels & Resorts. The Luxury Travel Expo has been so successful because of careful attention to an education program, knowledgeable speakers and ample exhibitors. Below is what the first days schedule looks like and we will keep you posted as more updates surface.
Schedule for Decemeber 2, 2008
8:00AM -Â 6:00PM Â Â Â
Registration Open
8:30AM -Â 12:00PM Â Â Â
Test for your CTA, CTC and CTIE designations
12:00PM -Â 3:00PM Â Â Â
CLIA’s Customer Relations Management
Speaker: Â Â Â Bernie Blomquist, MCC, CTC, Manager of Training Development, CLIA
Want to create the ultimate, top-notch customer service model for your agency?
12:15PM -Â 1:30PM Â Â Â
Creating Buzz for Your Business: Hot Viral Marketing
Speaker: Â Â Â Bruce Tepper, CITE, CTC, Vice President, Joselyn, Tepper & Associates, Inc.
Buzz Marketing, a.k.a. Viral Marketing, is today’s hottest marketing technique. Have a creative flair but a limited budget?
12:30PM -Â 7:00PM Â Â Â
The Travel Institute Conference: Additional Conference Registration required
1:45PM -Â 3:15PM Â Â Â
Aloha! Discover the Islands of Pampering Luxury, by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Speaker: Â Â Â Stacey Alford, CTC, Director of Travel Industry Sales, Oahu Visitors Bureau
Robyn Basso, Regional Director of Travel Trade Marketing, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Maile Horner, Director of Marketing, Kauai Visitors Bureau
Deanna Isbister, Director of Sales, Big Island Visitors Bureau
Chris Kai’aokamalie, Director of Sales, Maui Visitors Bureau
Julie Zadeh, CTC, Managing Director of Travel Trade Marketing, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
We invite you to explore the islands’ hidden gems, cultural experiences, luxurious hotels, and unique activities and attractions, along with the welcoming Aloha spirit.
2:00PM -Â 3:00PM Â Â Â
25 Top Strategies for Selling Niche Cruises
Speaker: Â Â Â Larry Dessler, CTC, Executive Director, Niche Marketing Cruise Alliance
Charles Robertson, President and CEO, American Cruise Lines
Jamie Sales, Managing Director and Co-owner, Uncommon Cruises
Karen Wiseman, Vice President of Marketing, Orion Expedition Line
How can you pamper your clients with intimate niche cruise products?
3:30PM -Â 4:30PM Â Â Â
ID Card – Going, Going, Gone? By IATA
Speaker: Â Â Â Humberto E. Rivero, Regional Director of the Americas, IATA
3:30PM -Â 4:30PM Â Â Â
Yokoso! Japan Welcomes You to the Land of Hospitality by the Visit Japan Campaign
3:30PM -Â 6:30PM Â Â Â
CLIA’s Self Assessment: Explore Your Abilities, Skills and Strengths
Speaker: Â Â Â Dr. Marc Mancini, President, Marc Mancini Seminars and Consulting
"Know Thyself." Knowing your strengths, overcoming your weaknesses and applying the lessons you’ve learned from self-discovery.
Miamians never get to watch the leaves change color or the temperatures drop in Fall but we still have Fall Fashion Week, go figure. There is nothing like standing in 90 degree heat and watching Fall sweaters and boots strut down the runway. Regardless, we are still fashion junkies and wouldn’t miss the 2008 Fall Fashion shows for anything. Hosted by OceanDrive Magazine and a bevy of other companies, shows start on Septemeber 22.
Each night of the week has a different theme, which is cheesy but very Miami-ish. We aren’t talking Bryant Park but the events tend to be amusing. Where the night’s events become more about dressing to the nines and being photographed than the actual fashion. Always a true scene to be seen in if you are anybody or think you’re anybody. This year Fashion Week kicks off with designer Carlos Miele at the Biltmore Hotel & Residencies. There are only a couple shows next week that are somewhat high end, and that we are somewhat excited for. The first is the Escada show on Wednesday, September 24th, at the Setai Hotel. The second, is on Friday the 26th for Perry Ellis, a menswear designer so gay and straight men rejoice because this ones all for you. That show will be held at the National Hotel on South Beach.
If you were curious the nights are called, "Glamour, Rock, Sophisticated, Hip, Timeless and Universal. Like we said, there is a major cheese factor but beggars can’t be choosers right? Manhattan has better fashion but they also freeze every winter. By winter time in Miami, we are living like royalty and wearing ultimate high end fashionable frocks on a daily basis. We will be in attendance all week and keep you posted on the fashion, frills, fun and season’s must haves. Below is the week’s schedule but don’t kid yourself, events are exclusive and by invite only!
Travis Barker and DJ AM were aboard a plane that crashed early this morning in South Carolina. The private Learjet was departing from South Carolina when air traffic controllers began seeing sparks. According to Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen the plane went off the runway and crashed into a wall. While flying private is the only way to fly in our minds, note that there have been 7 reported Learjet incidents and accident since 1996.
Four people were killed on board, two crew members and two passengers. The only two to survive were Travis Barker and DJ AM. Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, was critically injured. Both he and DJ AM seem to be in stable condition and have been transferred to the Agusta, Georgia Burn Center. Barker and DJ AM had performed Friday night at an event alongside Perry Farrell and Gavin DeGraw in Carolina. Right before this gig Barker and AM were most noteably seen playing live for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.
Any crash is a tragedy but our hearts especially go out to the exceptionally talented duo of Barker and AM. We saw their debut performance in Miami Beach a few years back. What began as a couple of talented musicians coming together for fun resulted in some seriously reborn and refreshing music. Prior to that performance, Travis Barker was the drummer for Blink 182 and DJ AM had a solo spinning career, slash was Nicole Richie’s former fiancee. The two very different musical formats coming together helps define a very new generation. Their performance was mind-blowing and it is clear why they remain together today. Barker and AM are a force and we wish them a speedy and full recovery!
Porsche is classic cars and now they are moving into the business of boat building. Porsche Design Group just announced a new deal that would have them designing and marketing yachts. The deal is going down with Royal Falcon Fleet, a singapore based catamaran and mega-yacht building company.
The yachts look seriously slick and futuristic. We may just be in love, the first project is going to be a motor catamaran. The catamaran is being called the RFF135 and will be 135 ft. Â
Tank test results point to yachting speeds of 35 knots and don’t worry Porsche isn’t messing around for kicks. They are taking the project seriously, enlisting Kockums which is a Swedish marine engineering company and some serious naval architects. We will keep watch to see how Porsche does on the sea, keep you posted.
In 2008 fashion goes way beyond great clothes, shoes or bags. Even further than make-up, hair and nails and we aren’t just talking about the ladies. Being trendy these days seems to come from expression of self in body art. Tattoos are the self expressions that speak for you. Whether you are pro or against, it’s hard to miss the thriving pop culture trend of "tats".
Tattoos are nothing new, they have been around almost as long as Homo erectus. Stick it to your parents with this, Otzi better known as the Iceman was found with 57 carbon tattoos on his skeletor. Gross but true and the Iceman dates back to the fourth millennium BC. Mummies have been found with tattoos that date all the way back to the second millenium BC. The art of tattooing has come a long way since then and is ever present throughout contemporary culture. Reality shows like TLC’s Miami Ink glorify the art and what baby boomer doesn’t remember Janis Joplin’s little heart tattoo on her left breast? Times are changing and whatever the reason for a tattoo, albeit spiritual, memorial, friendship adorable, drunk and horrible or nasty deplorable it doesn’t matter. Tattoos are the "in" thing and no worries because thanks to modern laser technology even tattoos are permanent these days. In 2006 a survey published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, found that 24% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 50 had at least one tattoo. Everyone’s doing it, literally everyone and some of the Earth’s hottest celebrities (Megan Fox) have been getting inked for years now. Life is liberal, tattoos are trendy, and self expression is all the rage. Good news is that if the trend turns or you have a really bad break-up, at least you won’t have to live with your ink forever.
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AG stands for Adriano Goldschmied who is opening a new store, again, in south Florida. This time with the help of Miami Magazine, AG will have a Grand Opening for their new Aventura Mall location. For all of you AG lovers out there, the soire will be on September 18th at 6pm on the upper level of the Aventura Mall. You can enjoy discounted shopping, cocktails and hors d’oeurves oh my..
Now, we have a few things to say about AG. We attended the last Grand Opening on Washington Ave., in Miami Beach not too long ago and it was anything but grand. There was a red carpet and velvet ropes, both of which were unnecessary. There were a few celebrities but not even a packed out house. The only saving grace of the night was watching DJ AM spin his tunes. Without AM the entire event was a big yawn-fest. AM is the best and we adore his performaces, solo or with drummer Travis Barker it is music to see. DJ AM is a musical genuios and everytime he is in Miami Beach we make it our mission to see him perform.
 These days the store seems quiet over there on Washington, to say the least. Maybe the new store is part of a smoke and mirror act, maybe someone out there still actually wears AG (although we can’t imagine who). AG just seems so 90’s in a bad way, not worth the money, nor inspiring. So unless you’re looking for a jeans sale or lack fashion sense, fill in Thursday night with some real plans.
We are straight shooters and when it comes to the Bentley Continental GTC, it’s just not for everyone. Put it to you this way, not everyone is cut out to be a fine art collector. The majority of people can’t afford it and the rest wouldn’t know fine art if it ran them over. The point is, if you know about art and have money then it’s easy to see that the 2008 Bentley Continental GTC is art in motion.
The fresh air kid is third to join the Bentley Continental clan. All joking aside, there is nothing kiddish, small or prepubescent about the new convertible but it ‘s still catching a lot of crap from the critics. We feel the critics are a tasteless bunch of have-nots and race-junkies who are secretly longing for their own Bentley. Any semi-intelligent life form knows that Bentleys are made for a noble statement not race-track record breaking. We like to enjoy the finer things in life and on Bentley’s behalf, the Bentley engine pushes the 5,478 pound giantess (think Chevrolet Suburban) from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Now that’s beauty in a beast and incredible engineering, the Suburban could never get close to that pickup and wouldn’t even look half as good trying.
The new Bentley Continental GTC exotic car is an elegant and sumptuous vehicle that may feel a bit heavy from behind the wheel but let us assure you that’s no accident. Bentley takes pride in old school British luxury and meticulously handcrafted touches, that’s nothing to criticize. The fact of the matter is that the wealthy are buying envious stares, mass attention and status with their Bentley. We aren’t pro-Paris Hilton or anything but even the ditzy blonde realized that a Bentley convertible would grab her some extra (much needed) attention. If you can’t afford the Bentley GTC for $218,235, then don’t knock it!Â
If you can’t afford your own Bentley Continental GTC do not worry, how about renting one for the day to get the full Bentley experience. The Continental GTC is the convertible version of the GT four-seater coupe for those that didn’t know. The richly textured three layered, sound-retardent roof with heated rear window isn’t your traditional folding roof. The long rear deck blends in with the retracted roof, and the leather cover conceals the roof in an elegant way without taking over the trunk, as opposed to other contemporary convertibles.  Dare we say it but we like the finished look of the GTC more than the coupe, the proportions just appear less forced. Backlash to some degree is inevitable when turning a car into a convertible but we assure you, the GTC makes perfect sense.
The Bentley GTC is one of the few lavish touring convertibles on the market, the ride is richly smooth and driving fast just isn’t the priority. Take the family for an open road, scenic cruise of Malibu or   Miami Beach. The GTC convertible is a model unto itself and sophisticated to say the least. Let the top down and revel in convertible touring at its best. Take in the open air and enjoy the road rather than race it for once.                                                                                                                                                              Â
