Luxury Lifestyle Blog

Victoria’s Secret Fitting for the Miami Beach Runway Show this Weekend

Model and television personality Heidi Klum was fitted on Saturday, November 1st, in NewYork. Klum, now equally as famous for hosting the hit show Project Runway is one of Victoria’s Secret’s oldest models. We have to wonder when the mother of like three kids with Seal will retire. It’s probably really close to time to call it quits Klum, you’re looking a bit old in the model world. On Tuesday November 4th, supermodel Miranda Kerr was fitted in New York City for the coming Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Kerr was also featured on the cover of this months OceanDrive Magazine, the staple fashion magazine for South Florida. Victoria’s Secret is getting ready to debut Kerr and the new holiday lingerie collectionin Miami Beach this Saturday Novemeber 15th.

The sexy Marisa Miller was also fitted on Tuesday, November 4th, in New York. Marisa Miller is an American model known for her consecutive appearances in Victoria’s Secret catalogs since 2001 and in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues since 2002. She was the cover model for the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and a consistent Victoria’s Secret Angelappearing on the runway. Miller was also #1 on Maxim Magazine’s 2008 "Hot 100" list. She should make you proud to be an American. Miller along with a bevy of other supermodels will appear in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for this holiday season. The show will go on at the billion dollar renovated Fountainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach.Â For high society the show will go on Saturday Novemeber 15th. A few rumored A-listers in for the show will be Kate Hudson, Gwenith Paltrow and most likely Jeremy Piven, who lives for this kind of thing. There will be tons of other celebs and possibly a performance by Mariah Carey, the ultimate diva, look out Miami Beach.Â For the rest of the world the show will play on CBS on December 3rd, don’t miss it from your couches ya’ll. Said to be the hottest night on television.

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Take Your Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano to the Next Level, AfterMarket

If you want a 08′ Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, then make sure you buy the best of the best. It seems that aftermarket firms are doing pretty well for themselves. Building onto the likes of Maserati, Mercedes and Ferrari seems like a pretty sweet gig, somebody else builds the exotic car then aftermarket companies just beautify and add some kick. Novitec Rosso is a Dutch tuning company that has just supercharged the Ferrari GTB Fiorno.

Novitec Rosso kicked up the Ferrari Fiorano to get an 808 horsepower and 607 lb-ft torque out. The original V12 engine only delivered only 620 hp. The booster gets the already superfast car to 62 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds and tops out at 211 miles per hour. The engine roar is louder thanks to a new sport exhaust system with a tailpipe diameter of 90 millimeters.

The exterior got a front lip spoiler, an optional rear spoiler, and black taillights, also available with LED auxiliary brake light and reversing light. The enhancement then adds 20 inch Novitec Rosso NF3 light-alloy wheels on front and 21 inch wheels on back. A Brembo brake system that features steel discs with diameters of 405 millimeters and six-piston brake calipers has replaced market brakes. Plus, for better stability at high speeds a new suspension kit was added, which is activated by pushing a button on the dashboard. The advanced suspension system can raise the car up 40 millimeters to avoid speed bumps and parking ramps. Then, once you hit 50 mph the suspension automatically reverts to its original position.

Ferrari offers a leather/carbon-fiber sport steering wheel with flattened bottom, carbon-fiber accessories and aluminium pedals but for special clients the interior can be customized in any color and material. Think of the possibilities… All enhancements by Novitec Rosso, plus the Bi-Kompressor engine conversion can be yours for an extra $59,640. Don’t cheap out. Come on, if you’re going to spend $312,395 on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano then take it all the way and don’t look back!

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Nothing Fab About this Tab: Ultra Expensive Martini in New York City

Thanks to the HBO hit series Sex & the City, girls in New York City seem to love sipping on Martinis. Whether it be vodka, gin, up, on the rocks, dry or dirty girls just feel sexier. Thus, the newly renovated Algonquin Hotel in New York City took cue and added a "special" martini to the Cocktail list, a.k.a a glitzy gimmick.Â The Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel now features the Martini on the Rock, a martini that posseses a diamond inside. The $10,000 plus martini is basically for any guy who doesn’t know how to propose, lacks taste and or imagination.

The Belvedere vodka and Martini & Rossi vermouth plus olives martini comes with a pre-selected sparkling diamond on bottom, from in house jeweler Bader & Garrin. The clarity, cut and carat of the diamond you choose will influence the price up, duh. We smell desperation on Anthony Melchiorri, the hotel’s general manager, "This is a great lobby, where you can hang out and talk or where you can ask someone to marry you." Â The Algonquin Hotel once attracted notable people like writer Dorothy Parker who said, "I love a martini â€” but two at the most. Three, I’m under the table; four, I’m under the host." Apparently the hotel needs some new attention.Â

Gents the martini must be ordered three days in advance and we sincerely hope she doesn’t choke on it. Our advice would be to take her to a Harry Winston, Cartier or Graff Diamond jeweler instead and get down on one knee the old fashion way. A martini may be thrown in your face as Samantha did on Sex & the City, but no girls turns down a Winston, Cartier or Graff.
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Bling Bling Bang Bang McQueen: Alexander McQueen for Samsonite Luggage

Samsonite the 97-year-old luggage firm has a history of partnering with high-end fashion designers. Samsonite’s newest collaboration is with the man who is probably one of the most influential fashion designers ever, Mr. Alexander McQueen. Samsonite Black Label by Alexander McQueen is a useable and revolutionary-looking collection. This season the Black Label collection received two updates by McQueen, the limited edition Hero piece and the Crocodile Skin Travel piece.

The McQueen Hero piece usurps design inspiration from the human rib cage, whatever he’s genius. McQueen used a real male torso mold and worked from there. â€œThe human ribcage protects our vital organs as we move about in the world. Luggage takes on the same role as we travel and pack our worldly possessions inside for safe transport, â€ said McQueen at the Samsonite new collection launch.Â The Hero piece has a ribcage and sternum outline in front, and a backbone in back. Sort of sickening and semi-melodramatic for a carry on butÂ that’s what we love about Alexander Mcqueen. The Hero piece comes in bone, black, chocolate brown, and blingtastic silver with a pricetag of $775.

Samsonite Black Label thanks to McQueen’s design flair gives the historic luggage a revamped appeal. The collection is for the sophisticated traveler who has finally decided to give their old Louis Vuitton luggage a rest or a recycle.

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Louis Vuitton Manhattan gets the Takashi Murakami Treatment this Holiday Season

For the 2008 holiday season Louis Vuitton has literally wrapped up their Fifth Avenue flagship store in Manhattan. The French luxury leather goods company did a complete exterior make-over this past weekend. Louis Vuitton erected a vinyl installation that covers the house in Takashi Murakami’s iconic Monogram Multicolor print. You know, the rainbow one that is so a few seasons ago. â€œThe idea to wrap the Fifth Avenue maison in Monogram Multicolore came about earlier this year in an effort to do something truly unique for the holiday season,â€ said Daniel Lalonde, president and chief executive officer of Louis Vuitton North America. The distinct pattern will probably attract some much needed attention this holiday season. We bet Louis Vuitton is hoping extra attention translates into extra sales.

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Above Miami Beach: The Setai Hotel Penthouse

We have noted the Setai Hotel on Miami Beach in a number of blogs because the hotel warrants attention. One more reason to check out the lavish beachfront hotel is because of it’s penthouse. The 6,500 square foot Setai penthouse is just $30,000-per-night.

The Setai penthouse is designed in a chic Asian aesthetic with exotic woods and luxe finishes. The penthouse encompasses a double living room that stretches across the entire eastern end of the 40 story glass tower. The living room imbibes full panoramic views of the horizon. There are two master bedrooms with soaking tubs and stunning beach views. Plus,Â 3,000 square feet of terraces and balconies.

Throughout the Setai penthouse are touch panel LCD screens which give total control over lighting, audio-visual and building systems. There is a private recording studio built in which was designed by Lenny Kravitz himself. One of the things we love most about the penthouse is the private sunken edge stainless steel pool on the terrace.Â Complete with a very sexy waterfall and coral stone-enclosed hot tub. Take spa services in the penthouse for the weekend or host a posh gathering. Whatever you decide to use the Setai penthouse for, you won’t be sorry.Â Â
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The Stallion Gets Her Wings: The Flying Ferrari 599 GTB Concept

A flying version of the Ferrariâ€™s 599 GTB called the Autovolantor is, kind of, in development. The bananas concept is being developed by Moller International, the same Moller International that has been promising to turn out a flying car since 2000, in existence since the 1980’s with no production yet. Targeted towards the affluent, obviously, the Autovolantor would be a desirable sports car that could sometimes fly.

Designer Bruce Calkins has fitted the flying Ferrari supercar with a specially designed hybrid fuel and electric power system to run the eight thrusters that would give lift to the car, a system that Calkins believes would give the futuristic machine 800 horsepower. Translating to a top speed of 150 miles per hour in the air and altitudes of up to 5000 feet, for an air travel distance of about 75 miles.Â Why a Ferrari you ask?Â Well, apparently, the 599 chassis was picked by Calkins because of its distinctive shape and natural born aerodynamics. The airworthy Ferrari 599 GTB will conceptually have Back To The Future-like hovering capabilities for vertical take-off and landings, as well as wings and stabilizers for forward flight. Once airborne the car maneuvers like a helicopter, rolling to turn and changing pitch to move forward or backward, ummm we almost have a heartattack just thinking about some joe shmoe flying a helicopter.

Rumors suggest that Moller is hurting and needs new investment backing to take the Autovolanter to the next stage of development. Unless you feel like donating upwards of $5 million, don’t expect to see a fleet of flying Ferrari’s anytime soon.A production version of the Autovolantor, as unlikely as it may be, will cost something like $800,000 per vehicle. Worth the price of flying over bumper to bumper traffic, yes, but not worth the price of a crash, blow-up or crash landing.Â We applaud the green efforts of a hybrid engine but are hoping this air-born vehicle never takes to the skies, leave flying to the professionals.

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Sexy Victoria Babes and the Beach: Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Miami Beach

The oh-so-popular Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is almost here and by here, we mean next week in Miami Beach (our hometown!). The 2008 sexed-up show will broadcast from the revamped Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. The Fontainebleau Hotel is one of the most legendary and architecturally stunning hotels on the Beach. Built in 1954, and originally designed by Morris Lapidus, the Fontainebleau was hailed as one of the most luxurious of its time. Â

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach sits oceanfront at 4441 Collins Avenue, the hotel was purchased in 2006 by the restored Fontainebleau Resorts Firm.Â Fontainebleau Resorts then set out to give the hotel a $1 billion dollar facelift over the next two years, taking vigilant care to preserve the circa 1950’s design elements like the famous "staircase to nowhere." The renovated Fontainebleau will debut with a 40,000 square foot spa, two brand new towers (Chateau and Versailles), 15,000 rooms, 11 restaurants and lounges, three nightclubs and an oceanfront "poolscape" with several pools. Plus, iMac computers in the ritzier rooms. If that wasn’t specific enough for you and you’re into name dropping, then here you go… Just to name a few,Â the Fountainebleau will feature: Gotham Steakhouse, Sprezza Italian restaurant, Hakkasan a Cantonese restaurant, LIV Nightclub, Blade Sushi bar and Glow the Pool Bar. Fun factoid, President electÂ Barack Obama also stayed at the Fontainbleau Miami Beach on a recent campaign tour of South Florida.Â

The remodeled and refashioned hotel brings us back to models and fashion. The Fontainebleau Hotel’s behemoth grand opening will be kicked off by the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on November 14. A virgin to Miami Beach, the famed lingerie runway show will be taped and broadcast by CBS for the sixth year in a row. The show will air on Wednesday, December 3 at 10:00 – 11:00 P.M ET/PT on CBS for all those not in attendance for the actual show, which was by invite exclusively.

We look forward to seeing Victoria’s Secret supermodels Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Marisa Miller, Miranda Kerr (also on this months issue of OceanDrive Magazine) and an army of other seductive Angels. Plus, Miami Beach will be flocking with celebs and games of whose who. Television audiences will get to see musical performances, red carpet interviews, model profiles and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of the world’s most eminent fashion shows a.k.a a totally commercialized circus. Past musical performances have been the Spice Girls, Justin Timberlake, Seal, Sting, and Mary J. Blige. This year Usher is rumored to be the main musical guest performance. Here’s to hoping the $1 bill Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach looks as hot as the supermodels. We are keeping our fingers crossed and we will be there to keep you posted, you know you’re totally jealous!

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Functional Art for Your Home: Design Radius Wine Racks

If don’t have a cavernous wine cellar in the basement, try a more modernistic and elegant approach. We found these minimalist Wine Racks by Michael RÃ¶sing of Design Radius.Â The wine rack holds 12 wine bottles and or champagne bottles. We know 12 bottles doesn’t really cut a collection, so buy several and hang them next to each other.Â Fill your racks with a beautiful collection of bottles, show off a little and voile functional wall art.

The rack comes in brushed stainless steel or in powder coated steel in white or black finishes. The racks will make perfect housewarming or holiday gifts. The Wine Rack is $74 a piece which ensures it to be the cheapest art you ever buy.

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If You Can’t Beat Them, Just Lean: The Leaning Capital Gate Tower in Dubai

If you can’t build the World’s tallest building then how do you get into the record books? You pick another less contested category just as the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) have done in Abu Dhabi, Dubai. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s largest emirate with over 1.6 million residents, an abundance of wealth and prestige.Â ADNEC is working on a building project called Capital Gate, this building will enter the Guiness Book of World Records as the "World’s most inclined tower."

Capital Gate will put the naturally inclined Tower of Pisa to shame by leaning four times as far, at an 18 degree angle. The intentional lean will require extra steel reinforcements to counteract the gravitational, wind and seismic pressures. The top of the building will be a dense mesh of reinforced steel, which will sit on top of 490 piles, drilled about 32 yards deep into the ground. Plus, Capital Gate will feature 728 custom-made diamond-shaped glass panels, each one fitted in a slightly different angle to adjust with the lean.Â "Capital Gate will be one of a kind," added David Pringle, CEO, RMJM Asia and the Middle East. "Its graceful, asymmetric diagonal structure, known as a â€˜diagrid’, supports the tilting external load of the building and we believe that this is the first building in the world to use a pre-cambered core."

The leaning Capital Gate Tower is part of a $2.2 billion business and residential project that will be part of an entire micro city. Capital Gate will be host to a five-star Hyatt Hotel fittingly named, "Hyatt at Capital Centre." Plus, some of the most coveted office space in all of Abu Dhabi. The concept is kind of stellarÂ and the engineering ingenious but, honestly, staying in a building that leans 18 degrees would probably make us vomit. Vulgar but true, check it out for yourself, though, if that sort of record breaking excites you.
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Victoria’s Secret Fitting for the Miami Beach Runway Show this Weekend

Take Your Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano to the Next Level, AfterMarket

Nothing Fab About this Tab: Ultra Expensive Martini in New York City

Bling Bling Bang Bang McQueen: Alexander McQueen for Samsonite Luggage

Louis Vuitton Manhattan gets the Takashi Murakami Treatment this Holiday Season

Above Miami Beach: The Setai Hotel Penthouse

The Stallion Gets Her Wings: The Flying Ferrari 599 GTB Concept

Sexy Victoria Babes and the Beach: Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Miami Beach

Functional Art for Your Home: Design Radius Wine Racks

If You Can’t Beat Them, Just Lean: The Leaning Capital Gate Tower in Dubai

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