A little love nest on the beach is just what architect Takao Shiotsuka Atelier of Japan has constructed. The white, more glass, beach house is just 237 sq. meters and 2 floors with an elevator. Don’t underestimate the elfin house though, there is something incredibly intriguing about its minimalist design. Made mostly of huge glass walls, the house offers fantastic natural sunlight and views in. We appreciate the artful design. Its not for everyone but if you did want to live in this beach house it would be a pretty liberating life experience, when we said all glass we meant all glass including the bathrooms. Oh and not frosted glass, just the pure see through kind. At least you’ll feel like one with nature but in a more luxurious space. Our only complaint is this mediocre beach, we would have loved to see this house built on some fierce tropical island full of palm trees and white sand. Â Â
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With an all new design, features, and technologies, the re-engineered MacBook Pro is surpassing standards that don’t even exist yet. Until the new MacBook Pro, all notebooks were designed by assembling multiple parts to create a single enclosure. Thanks to the bright minds at Apple, the new Pro design uses just one part, which is a seamless enclosure carved from one piece of aluminum. Thus, the MacBook Pro is now thinner, lighter and more durable than ever before. Perfect for life inside a briefcase or backpack of the next generation. Â
An added edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass display not only looks elegant but adds more structure to the LED display beneath it. There is also no click button below the mousepad anymore. The entire trackpad is the button, so you can click all over. Without a separate button, your hands have 39 percent more room to move, two fingers scrolls up and down a page. Pinching your fingers will zoom in and out. Rotate an image with your fingertips, swipe with three fingers to flip through your photo libraries, swipe with four fingers to show your desktop, think iPhone touch screen.
The internal architecture has also been completely overhauled from the silicon up. The GeForce 9400M processor is an integrated power saver. Inside the new MacBook Pro is the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at speeds up to 2.8GHz, b on groundbreaking 45-nm process technology and advanced Core microarchitecture. The MacBook Pro hard drive has up to 320GB2 and up to 4GB of RAM. Plus, faster 1066MHz DDR3 memory, so you can run more applications at once and instantly access even more of your stuff. There’s a new logic board, chipset, and graphics architecture.
Wherever you go, the wireless capabilities go too. With the latest 802.11n wireless technology built in, you’re always seamlessly and effortlessly connected to the wireless world. If a Wi-Fi network isn’t available, your Pro will connect to the internet on a cellular network. Now that is on par with the 21st century, thanks.
Besides all the above greatness, Apple is hitting the green hard with conscious environmental approaches. How commendable? The new MacBook Pro LED-backlit screen is both mercury and arsenic free unlike other displays, great for the environment but probably better for you. Backlit technology also conserves energy by using 30% less power than other laptops. This Pro meets government standards for energy efficiency, and earned EPEAT Gold status, the highest standard for environmental performance in the electronics industry. Besides, the new MacBook Pro is shipped in packaging that’s 37% smaller than any previous generation, which translates into fewer trees used for boxes and less fuel used to transport more MacBook Pros on fewer planes. The genius’ at Apple are just too good, we applaud everything about you!
If you don’t have an Apple Mac then get one. If you’re already part of the Mac club, you’re part of the cool kids club and are probably drooling over the new MacBook Pro. Go upgrade and don’t even feel bad, your old MacBook is recycle-able and your new one will help save the environment everyday you use it. You’re going to be impressed and fall in love, just imagine the capabilities now.
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Motorola is reaching, the mobile phone company is trying to target the rich and fabulous with their new Aura cell phone. Motorola claims they have designed the world’s first circular display cell phone. What’s so special about a circle? We didn’t find much.
Sure there is a new design, up-to-date features and technology but so what. An aluminum keypad, 2 megapixel camera, 2 GB memory, video capture and streaming capability and about 7.3 hours of talk time, just doesn’t impress us these days. Especially when the price tag is $2,000, there is no Blackberry messaging or iPhone-ish touch screen which we adore. Plus, in these harsh economic times, save your money or use it for something sexier. Who cares about a circular LCD display even if it has 16 million color and 300 dpi resolution, or even a 62-carat sapphire crystal lens?
The Motorola Aura takes two weeks to create and may be pre-ordered at Motorola online if you care. The Aura will be made available worldwide in December. It’s rare that we say luxury doesn’t have to be the most expensive item but in this case it’s true. Stick to the new touch screen Blackberry coming soon or the iPhone 3G available now. Motorola sorry but your razor thin Aura just isn’t cutting it for us.
John Galliano’s love affair with silk this season paid homage to a bygone era of 1960’s America. The collection was reminiscent of 60’s icons like Jacki-O and Edie Sedgewick. Big earings, bigger hair and over the top make-up matched the bold geometric prints and hallucinogenic colors. Dresses traversed from A-line to bubble, in eye popping hot pink and lime green. The Christian Dior designer added in more luxurious looks with pieces constructed entirely of ostrich, crocodile, fur and of course silk. We appreciate this seasons fashion collection like Galliano’s direction, even though we haven’t been fans of the Christian Dior house for some time. It’s always Galliano to the rescue.
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The 2008 Maserati Quattroporte Collezione Cento is luxury and technology wrapped up in sophisticated Italian couture. The good news is the Maserati flagship sedan has just hit American soil and is looking better then ever. The Cento comes in an all new ivory color, has 20" wheels with polished rims, and a chrome honeycomb front and side grilles. The not so good news is that only 100 will be produced total.
The Quattroporte Collezione Cento luxury car has a 4244 cc engine, paired with hydraulic automatic 6-speed transmission that promises the same performance as the Quattroporte Automatica range. The interior is exclusively striking with diamond-shape stitched, Poltrona Frau "Cuoio" colored leather seats. Polished Wengé wood inserts on the steering wheel, center console and receptacle and mother of pearl inlays, how divine?
The crowning point on the Maserati Cento, though, is the technology package. The 2008 Collezione Cento accommodates back seat passengers with a multimedia paradise controlled by the Maserati Multimedia Entertainment system. In the rear center armrest, an AUX-IN socket, iPod docking station, SIM card seat and USB port so that passengers can view photographs, videos or listen to MP3/WMA tracks contained in other peripherals. Play loud on the Cento’s crisp sound system or quiet with the special Bluetooth headset. In this exotic car the armrest houses a built-in keypad for Internet browsing and email access. In the name of luxury, image is everything, thus two 1.04" touch screens are embedded in the back of the front seats. Plus a CD/DVD player built into the back of the centre receptacle makes three.
ROOCK racing was a premier GT2 Porsche racing team about a decade ago. They have since switched gears and now focus their attention on tuning street Porsches. ROOCK’s latest creation is the 2009 Porsche RST 600 LM which was made to celebrate the team’s 1996 racing victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Package modifications to the Turbo include twin-turbochargers, titanium exhaust, proprietary fuel maps and engine management software. Plus, a carbon racing clutch for precise shifting and tuned suspension. Then for ultimate stopping power in the RST 600 LM, ROOCK put new cross drilled and vented 380mm rotors, carbon swivel brake lines and 8 pot calipers. The revolutionary new 4-pad design improves brake response while increasing brake control. Can you say insanity? The above upgrades allow the ROOCK RST 600 LM to produce 602 horsepower and a maximum torque of 611 lb-ft. ROOCK’s Turbo does 0-60 in 3.1 seconds and tops out at 212 mph, while still claiming daily drivability.
The original ROOCK front splitter, rear diffuser and ROOCK Le Mans rear spoiler are all part of the new Turbo exterior. This exotic sports car has ultra light aluminum racing wheels with custom ROOCK signature carbon fiber caps where used on high performance tires.
On the inside of this luxury sports car the RST 600 LM carbon fiber trim, oil and temperature gauge, and a push start button. Four point harness seat belts give off the racing sensation in everyday driving. The going price is $249,000 but the ROOCK porsche will be hard to come by with only 25 per year being made. Our advice is try a waiting list…
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David Beckham the uber famous UK footballer has put his customized 2002 Bentley Arnage T up for sale. The kicker is that Becks pimped out his ride first so you don’t have to. He added $120,000 worth of options and extras to his Betley Arnage, making the car worth an estimated $410,000. Stocked with refrigerator, rear television screens, "Le Mans" style wing vents, custom cream leather interior with matching embroidered leather baby seat for his son. The V12 only has 25,000 miles on it and the asking price is only $170,000. The original MSRP for an Arnage T is $290,000, what gives?
Then this car has history too This particular Bentley Arnage T was the car Becks drove into Buckingham Palace when the Queen of England decorated him with an OBE. Plus, the only two Bentleys pictured in the Bentley head office are Beckhams and the Queens. David Beckham doesn’t need money, we figure he just has an awful big heart since he is practically giving his Bentley away. Brilliant Becks, could you actually be any more perfect? We don’t think so
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The iDiamond iPod meshes classic artistry with modern technology into a lux, generation X necklace. The one of a kind necklace was designed by Thomas Heyerdahl in Norway. The iDiamond is the most expensive iPod in the world at an estimated $45,000. The iPod more commonly known as the Apple shuffle to the rest of the world, is 59.3 grams of solid 18 karat white and pink gold. Then 430 Pavè diamonds were handset into the iDiamond, hence the name. Plus, there are matching gold and diamond earplugs. The iDiamond is functional jewelry that makes a serious personal statement. Wear your music in high style.Â
Luxury lounging is very literal thanks to the Oscar Neimeyer Rio chaise. The futuristic looking lounger allows for maximum comfort with bentwood, leather pillows and weights. "Rio" Chaise was designed in the 1970’s by using bentwood caning and leather materials. Oscar Neimeyer, a Brazilian architect, is one of the top designers in modern architecture.  The Oscar Neimeyer Rio lounger would be a nice finish to any contemporary living space and it’s all yours for $45,000.        Â
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Haven’t heard of the Yamu yet? Shame on you. The Yamu is a five-star hotel being built and designed by the General Hotel Management (GHM) company. If you aren’t familiar with GHM projects then we don’t know what rock you live under, this company has some of the most outrageous hotels and resorts around the globe. The Setai Hotel on Miami Beach, Florida is the first in America and may give you some bearing on just how insane their establishments are. The Yamu Hotel is on a private peninsula of Phuket’s east coast and will raise the bar on previously held notions of privacy, tranquility and luxury.
There is always some anticipation when hotels of this calibre are set to open but the Yamu is highly anticipated. Hopefully the names Zecha, Gathy and Starck mean something to you. The world renown trio went into collaboration on this project in Phuket. Industry guru Adrian Zecha chairman and director of GHM Hotels and Aman Resorts, acclaimed architect Jean-Michel Gathy and French interior designer Philippe Starck are creating a hotel that is magnificent, we don’t have words.
The Yamu Hotel will not encroach on surrounding natural beauty, thanks to the architectural genius of Jena-Michel Gathy. In keeping true to Thai spirit, Gathy constructed large outdoor living rooms, interconnected open rooms, and functionality between indoor and outdoor spaces. He accomplished his goal of intensifying natural beauty without disrupting existing nature.
The interior 63 rooms overlook the limestone islands of the Andaman Sea. Interior designer Philippe Starck has also taken design cues from surrounding nature. Again he has created stunning accents and opulence that are of another world. Best known for being startling and sumptuous, the Yamu will still be inviting in an elegant yet casual fashion as only Starck can do. We are convinced that the Yamu Hotel, graceful, sophisticated and timeless will breathe new meaning into the word vacation.
Not to mention featured facilities galore. The Yamu has a stunning 160-person restaurant that will serve Thai, Western, and Chinese influenced cuisine. A to die for spa and 100 metre swimming pool. Oh and, five glass cubes within the estate that will serve as a wine room with wine cave below, a cigar lounge, a chocolate room, a private kitchen and a designer boutique.
Around the hotel will be 12 privately owned Villa Estates, operated as part of the hotel when owners are away. Each villa will have master pavilion with a lounge, a master bedroom, kitchen and maids’ quarters. Plus, a 23.5-metre swimming pool, garden and outdoor showers. The Club Complex at the Yamu boasts personal butlers, unsurpassed privacy, and convenient access to facilities, achieving the ultimate luxurious vacation environment.
Plus, Yamu Hotel projects out into Phang Nga Bay and has a private marina with 39 berths. There are 84 islands sparkling across the bay, plus several small private beaches, hidden caves and quiet anchorages. The privileged few who can afford to own and vacation at the Yamu Hotel and Residencies in Phuket, will experience unrivalled tropical beauty and marvelous marine life in sever comfort.
The Hotel, the Villa Estates and Club Complex, are infused with the visionary intellect of Gathy and Starck to achieve an extremely rare synergy of style and than run by the best. The chic Yamu Hotel doors will open next Summer, 2009. Private investment opportunities are available for sale, we recommend you hustle to. We are booking like tomorrow!
 
 
