Luxury Lifestyle Blog

Upcoming Events: Luxury Travel Expo in Vegas Baby!

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
CLIAâ€™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 islandsâ€™ 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
CLIAâ€™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 youâ€™ve learned from self-discovery.

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2008 Fall Fashion Week: In Miami Next Week

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.Â 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.Â 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.Â 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!

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Alert! Travis Barker & DJ A.M in Fatal Learjet Crash

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!

Our thoughts go out to everyone aboard the plane.

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Looks like a Spaceship but it’s a Porsche Ship

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.

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Ink’s Still In: The High Art of Tattoos

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.Â 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?Â 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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Adriano Who? The New AG Store Opens

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.Â 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.

Â 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.

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Good With No Hood: The Bentley Continental Convertible

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.Â 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.Â 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.Â 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.Â Â Dare we say it but we like the finished look of the GTC more than the coupe, the proportions just appear less forced.Â 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.Â Take the family for an open road, scenic cruise of Malibu orÂ Â Â 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 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

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Don’t get Your Panties in a Bunch, just get Sexed-Up Lingerie

Girls let’s face it, sexy, luxurious lingerie is hard to come by but for our guys it is an unobtainable task. The trouble is that the line between classy and trashy is too often blurred especially if he’s picking out the panties. To make the world of lingerie a little bit smaller for you, here are the top 3 Sexy Lingerie brands that will never steer you wrong. The price is high but for fashion retards and guys, good taste is invaluable.Â Men and women view lingerie a bit differently but ultimately a woman should always feel sexy, classy and confident in her undergarments. The gorgeous panties from Agent Provocateur, Cosabella and La Perla are stables every woman deserves to own because feeling sexy in public and in private is priceless.

Agent ProvocateurÂ is sexy lingerie we love and you will both love too. Agent Provocateur is a UK based lingerie brand. In December 1994 Joseph CorrÃ© (the son of British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood) and Serena Rees opened the first Agent Provocateur. The first shop in London’s Soho district aroused world class attention and media maddness. Agent Provocateur is now global and in the major cities of London, New York, Vancouver, Los Angles, Paris, Vienna and Berlin. www.agentprovocateur.com

Cosabella, meaning "beautiful thing," was founded in 1983 by an Italian couple, the sexy intimates are still manufactured in Italy.Â The comfy and colorful thong (available in 40 colors) has reached a cult-like status and is a "must have" among Hollywood’s A-list. Cosabella’s design headquarters and flagship store are now located on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida and that’s hot.
www.cosabella.com

La Perla Lingerie is a French soire of sexy. The oldest marque is La Perla, in its third family owned generation and after fifty years of activity there is no doubt of the luxury lingerie brand’s sex appeal. With collections like Lace & The City, Hollywood Memories, and Some Clothes Love you Back, you will certainly J’adore La Perla.
www.laperla.com

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Bugatti FPG Par Hermes watch

It’s a big job when it comes to complimenting the new 2009 Bugatti Faubourg Par Hermes car and we say three is better than two.Â The partnership between Bugatti’s auto expertise and Hermes’ fashion authority resulted in the breathtaking 2009 FPG Par Hermes exotic, luxury sportscar.Â It seems Bugatti thought it was time to add a third party to the mix and push the project a little bit farther, we say in this case three is not a crowd.Â What we mean is that Bugatti and Hermes wanted to create a complimentary piece for the FPG car, so they linked up with Parmigiani.Â Parmigiani is a highly esteemed Swiss watch maker and the result is, well, a seriously insane watch!Â From the three fab marques comes the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti watch, priced at $233,900.

One of the best features about this watch is that when your hands are on the wheel of your new Bugatti FPG Par Hermes car, you can look at the time convienently without twisiting your arm.Â The watch is available in 18-carat rose or brushed white gold version.Â The part we like even better is that the watch is extremely exclusive and only 20 timepieces will be sold.Â Those with the cash better act fast, it would be such a shame to have one without the other.

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Bugatti Plus Hermes is Par Excellence. Luxury Sports Car.

We always thought the Bugatti marque was solitary perfection. Then just when we thought we knew all about perfection, Bugatti went and upstaged themselves. For the sake of some good old fashioned nostalgia and an 80 year old collaborative partnership with the fashion house of Hermes, Bugatti released a special edition Veyron sportscar. The special edition Veyron is the Faubourg Par Hermes car, in short the FPG Par Hermes. The name pays homage to the high-end label Hermes, whose historic headquarters sits at 24 rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré street.

The car features both interior and exterior upgrades but one aspect remains unchanged and that is the Bugatti Veyron’s powerplant. When Bugatti feels like they’ve harped on perfection at least they know it because the FPG Veyron’s mechanicals were left untouched. Thus the same Quad-Turbocharged 16 Cylinder (16.4) engine still produces 1001 Horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 922 pounds per feet of torque @ 2200 rpm. The FPG Par Hermes supercar will still top out at 253 miles per hour and do 0-60 mph in 2.46 seconds (62-0 mph in 2.3 sec).

A traditional two-tone chassis honors the 1924 Bugatti Type 35, from back when Hermes was doing the custom interiors for Ettore Bugatti. Key features are the exclusive color hood, which extends to the interior of the cockpit and re-emerges at the level of the rear wing. The front end of the luxury car has been slightly revamped as well, and the Hermès monogram has been added to the front grille. The eight-spoke, polished aluminum wheels also don the single H monogram and the fuel filler door is engraved with “Bugatti Veyron Fbg Par Hermès”.

The interior is all handstitched Hermès calfskin leather and has new internal door handles evocative of handles used on Hermès trunks. Also included is a Hermès wallet designed to fit inside the center console and a Hermès suitcase designed to fit inside the trunk.

In line with the Bugatti and Hermès heritage there are four color options which are “indigo blue and vermilion”, “indigo blue and lime green”, “black and garance red” and “Prussian blue and blue jean”.

It is seldom that we see the exotic car industry and high fashion world marry, let alone reproduce so flawlessly. For adrenaline highs of 200-plus and a piece of fashion history we say the Bugatti FPG Par Hermes is priceless. The duo is par excellence and we must have a Bugatti FPG for our personal collection. At the end of this year, for just $2.77 million you can add the exotic beaute to your collection too. To compliment your very own Bugatti FPG Par Hermes car (like it really needs any), you can get the matching Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti watch!

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Upcoming Events: Luxury Travel Expo in Vegas Baby!

2008 Fall Fashion Week: In Miami Next Week

Alert! Travis Barker & DJ A.M in Fatal Learjet Crash

Looks like a Spaceship but it’s a Porsche Ship

Ink’s Still In: The High Art of Tattoos

Adriano Who? The New AG Store Opens

Good With No Hood: The Bentley Continental Convertible

Don’t get Your Panties in a Bunch, just get Sexed-Up Lingerie

Bugatti FPG Par Hermes watch

Bugatti Plus Hermes is Par Excellence. Luxury Sports Car.

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