Monthly Archives: July 2008

aSmallWorld – a Facebook for Millionaires

aSmallWorld is an online social network service similar to Facebook. Also called “Snobster” by critics, it is an exclusive invitation-only network with roughly 250,000 members.

Founded in 2004 by by Swedish banker and globetrotter Erik Wachtmeister, the network is mainly about lifestyle, society, celebrities: Naomi Campbell, Ivanka Trump, Quentin Tarantino, Paris Hilton, Tiger Woods, Prince Emanuele Filiberto Di Savoia and James Blunt are among the members.

SmallWorld shares many features with other social network services, such as profiles, an event calendar, private messaging and allows users to list multiple cities as their location of residence.

Members can also buy, and sell items (Bugatti Veyron, Caviar, etc…) using aSmallWorld’s private forums or even rent property or find a flatmate.
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Most Expensive Bass Guitar

The $250,000 bass guitar, The Ritter Royal Flora Aurum, was built by Jens Ritter, a luthier, or stringed instrument maker, from Germany.

This luxurious bass has a body carved from a rare, solid piece of maple while the nut is carved from 10,000-year-old mammoth ivory.

The fingerboard is decorated with a floral inlay pattern made of 24-karat gold. There’s even a black diamond set in platinum decorating each leaf.
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Continental Unveils New Business Class Seats

Continental Airlines Inc. on Monday showed off new fully reclining seats that it will put in business class of some jets beginning next year.

The airline said that the seats would go into Boeing 777 aircraft used mostly on trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific routes beginning in fall 2009, and later on Boeing 757 and 787 jets.

Continental unveiled the seats at a travel convention in Los Angeles. Airlines have been sprucing up their first- and business-class cabins, especially on international routes, to compete for lucrative business travelers.
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Virgin Galactic unveils space tourism craft WhiteKnightTwo

The era of space tourism has begun. Out in the Mojave desert, Virgin Galactic has unveiled, the WhiteKnightTwo, the new transport ship they’ll be using to carry their not-yet-unveiled SpaceShipTwo into suborbital space.

The passenger ship is then launched from the underside of WhiteKnightTwo to continue its ascent to the very edge of space, about 65 miles (104 kilometers) above Earth.

With a 140-foot wingspan, it’s the largest all-carbon composite aircraft ever built and many of its component parts have been built using composite materials for the very first time (A major benefit of using carbon composites is fuel efficiency.)


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A380 : Shower Spas for First Class passengers !

Emirates Airline’s will launch its first A380 commercial service from Dubai to New York JFK on August 1st. The 14-hour non-stop flight will also be the first-ever commercial A380 service to the United States.

Emirates expects delivery of five A380s in its current financial year and from December 1, first class passengers will be able to enjoy a shower during a flight between Heathrow and Dubai for a price of $9,500.

The A380 airbuses will have to carry an extra 500kg of water,25 per cent more than currently, to ensure that all 14 First Class passengers can have a decent dousing.
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La Glaciere Luxury Refrigerator

Built from the finest materials with meticulous attention to detail, La Glaciere antique refrigerator is the Rolls-Royce of refrigeration.

La Glaciere has been exquisitely crafted with a fully pegged solid French Oak casing that is decorated with solid brass fittings and embellished with your name on the solid brass plate.

Key features also include polished solid brass latches, satin finish stainless steel shelves, polished solid brass hinges, solid brass knobs for thermostat adjustment and leather door seals.

With this state-of-the-art refrigeration, you can store everything in your La Glaciere from strawberries and cream to champagne.

The fridge comes in five dual-temperature models, with dedicated storage areas for wine and hanging meats. Limited to just 2,000 units worldwide, La Glaciere luxury refrigerator costs around US$17,000.

For more decor reads, click here.

Gucci’s new Crystal GG bags

Gucci’s new Crystal GG bags for autumn/winter 2008-9 are expected to be this season’s ‘it’ bag, Vogue UK reported.

The line of bags including totes, clutches, and new handbag styles with gold studs, leather tassels, and heart-shaped crests all contain classic Sixties Gucci canvas.

Creative Director Frida Giannini has reinvented the classic Sixties Gucci canvas, updating it with a sleek, glossy coating, re-worked to have a patent finish.

“This is a historical Gucci fabric that I have re-invented in a very fun way,” says Giannini. “With Crystal GG, each accessory becomes a statement-maker, perfect for the powerful and glamorous Gucci woman of today.”

Offered in all the shapes and sizes you could want, you’re bound to find unlimited ways to work this into your autumn apparel.

A priceless bottle of 115-year-old champagne

A bottle of 115-year-old champagne has been found in a sideboard at a Scottish castle, BBC reported.

Chris James, the owner of Torosay Castle and Gardens, found the bottle of the distinctly yellow-labelled 1893 Veuve Cliquot champagne in a solid wooden dining room side board, which is a family heirloom. The “secret” compartment did not have a key, so Mr James employed a locksmith in an attempt to bring a family mystery to a conclusion.

On opening the door, he found a bottle of brandy, a port decanter and a bottle of claret and the single bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne. The drinks are believed to have been locked up since at least 1897.

The bottle, complete with label, was in mint condition having been kept in the dark throughout.

James contacted Veuve Cliquot in France to enquire whether the bottle was of interest. Veuve Cliquot had no idea when they first used their trademark yellow labels, but the bottle found at the castle was the oldest by a long margin.

The priceless bottle is now on display the Veuve Cliquot visitor centre at Reims in France.
Fabienne Huttaux, head of communications there, said: “The bottle is literally priceless. It is a one-off and therefore unique. We would never consider selling it as it is far too important to us.”

Asked whether the champagne was still drinkable (It probably tastes horrible ^_^), Peter McKay which handles public relations for Torosay castle, said: “I don’t think that question will ever be answered. It is so valuable to Veuve Clicquot in France that they are going to keep it exactly as it is.”

Though, if I were Mr James I would ask for unlimited free champagne !

DNA Portraits

DNA 11 is a company that will transform a swab of your DNA into a contemporary-looking canvas with an artistic image of your DNA on it.

“Web consultant Adrian Salamunovic came across a DNA imaging brochure that his friend, molecular geneticist Nazim Ahmed, had brought with him. Adrian felt the DNA images were a piece of art, and asked Nazim to image his own genetic code.

Several weeks later, Adrian’s DNA art was ready and he promptly hung it on his wall; surprisingly, all of his friends wanted one too. Seeing a good business opportunity, the two friends partnered together with only $2,000 and started DNA 11 in Nazim’s small 600 square foot apartment.


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Backes & Strauss Regent 1609 AD Watch

The Regent 1609 AD is the first Backes & Strauss limited edition timepiece. The name of the luxury watch pays tribute to English astronomer Thomas Harriett who made the first drawings of the moon, before Galileo.

The Backes & Strauss 1609 AD watch showcases an original and luxurious moon phase indicator, which presents a representation of a 17-star constellation, depicted in round brilliant diamonds.

Produced in collaboration with Geneva’s Franck Muller Watchland, which manufactures the movements and completes assembly, Backes & Strauss watches sparkle with diamonds set in 18k gold cases shaped to accentuate the multifaceted gems’ play of light.

Established in 1789, Backes & Strauss is famed for being the world’s oldest diamond company and every Backes & Strauss watch has at least one diamond, set by hand into the crown.

The Regent 1609 AD is currently on display in the Harrods Fine Jewellery in London until it is officially launched in October 2008. The model will be limited to 219 pieces (in two sizes) and available in different diamond combinations, from £17,000 ($34,000).

Most Expensive Cities in the World – 2008

Mercer has just released its top 50 most expensive cities in the world based on cost of living.

Mercer’s Worldwide Cost of Living Survey 2008 is used to help multinational companies and governments determine living costs for their expatriate employees, who usually demand a relatively high quality of life.

Mercer’s survey covers 253 cities across six continents and measured the relative cost of over 200 items in each place, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.


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The Lofts Southshore in Pattaya

Luxury developer, Raimon Land, launched on July 17 The Lofts Southshore – a US$200 million concept – their latest addition to the up-market Bscene in Pattaya (Thailand).

The Lofts Southshore is perched on a hillside in the Khao Pratamnak, the area overlooking Pattaya Bay, and offers stunning 360-degree views of the sea, Pattaya City and surrounding area just minutes from downtown and the beach.

There will be about 850 units within the two towers situated on an almost 10,000 square meter land plot acquired for 235 million baht ($7,000,000).

The first tower will be at least 35 floors and the other tower will have 50 floors. The 850 units are sized between 30 and 300 square meters (penthouses with private gardens) at just around 65,000 baht ($1,935) per square meter and with a starting price of about 1.8 million baht ($53,000).

Swimming pool, sun deck and sports facilities are to be located atop a massive podium shared by the towers overlooking the beautiful Pattaya Bay.

Already well established in Bangkok, The Lofts Southshore will be completed by 2011.

Sports & Classics of Monterey

On August 15-16, the world-renowned auction house, RM Auctions, will present the Sports & Classics of Monterey, an auction event featuring a varied selection of the finest sports and classic cars in their largest offering to date – $50-60 million.

A rare and coveted 1958 Chrysler Diablo, considered the most valuable concept car of the late 1950s and conceived by Virgil Exner, will make its auction debut as one of the headlining cars alongside 24 Ferraris, the largest collection of Ferraris ever presented at the classic car weekend in Monterey.

Last year’s auction brought a record-breaking $46 million in total sales as 190 cars crossed the block. Nine cars broke the magic million-dollar mark !

Residence Superieur : Live like a Billionaire

Résidence Supérieur is an extreme luxury concept designed by internationally known lifestyle designer Richard Nilsson, located on the French Riviera in Cannes.

The concept include super sports cars, private jets, yachts, butlers, chefs, bodyguards and basically any other service you may wish for.

Guests can get access to an exclusive car fleet, regularly updated, which today consists of a Wiesmann Roadster, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and Mercedes S-Class.

This villa is located in beautiful, spacious enclosed grounds (3,900 m 2). It has 450 m2 of floor space and has 4 luxury bedrooms and a garden house.
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Munk Bogballe Luxury Workstation

The European luxury company Munk Bogballe has launched a hand crafted executive workstation that combines simple elegance and the finest quality materials in an unusual design.

Designed for Munk Bogballe by award winning, Danish, former Bang & Olufsen designer, Henrik Sørig Thomsen, as a work tool for accomplished individuals who appreciate and share a passion for aesthetics and quality

The housing is largely made of anodised aluminum and the underside of the workstation is covered with the finest quality of Italian aniline leather.
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Luxury lighting design for luxury living

Are you the lucky owner of any penthouse that has been on the market recently? If so, you may need help to decorate it.

Though, surfing the web, we have discovered Delightfull, a Portuguese design company that makes High-end and luxury lighting design for luxury living.

In their first collection of 25 pieces, called “heritage”, they reviewed Design trends from the 50s & 60s. Divided in four categories (suspension-ceiling, floor, table and wall) their pieces are totally handcrafted in Europe and come with customized color.

Prices start at $500 but the most awesome designs that you can see below are much more expensive! Not sure exactly where you can buy all the 25 pieces but you can buy the lamps through their website though.

Ella – ceiling – $7,250 (€4,620)
Cole – Floor – $4,365 (€2,772)


Sinatra – Floor – $4,670 (€2,964)
Miles – Table – $2,535 (€1,608)


Elie Bleu Deluxe Che Cigar Humidor

If you have just joined the cigar revolution and thinking of buying a cigar humidor, this lovely Elie Bleu Deluxe Che Cigar Humidor from Vivre might be the perfect one.

Among the few not colored black or brown, it offers not only a comfy home for your Cuban friends, but also a very handsome design.


Handmade of tinted Sycamore, it is sized at 10″ x 10″ x 5½”. Price $2,900

How Rich Are You ?

What does it mean to be rich? We have only the vaguest idea, generally, which is why it’s so hard to pinpoint in ourselves.

Every year a lot of magazines release the lists of the richest people in world. Wondering whether you would sit on one of those lists?

Here’s your chance to find out. Go to globalrichlist.com, enter in your salary, in the applicable currency, click ” show me the money” and it will tell you where you rank.
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A $20,000 coffee maker from Japan

Blue Bottle Café in San Francisco is now serving coffee from the only halogen-powered coffee machine which looks like a machine from a Jules Verne novel.

Called a siphon bar, it was imported from Japan at a total cost of more than $20,000.

The New York Times reports that a cup of coffee from this contraption, which is described as the USA’s first halogen-powered model, includes a “kaleidoscopic” range of flavors.
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Clicquot Loveseat by Karim Rashid


Veuve Clicquot Champagne has already partnered with a variety of designers for various accompaniments to the popular Champagne. Before the Globalight, there was actually the Clicquot Loveseat designed in 2007 by the same Karim Rashid.

The Cliquot Loveseat is a perfect complement to Veuve Clicquot Rose. The piece expresses values that resonate with those of the Maison: intense colors, elegant rounded lines, attentive care and a refined presentation.

A fresh take on an 18th-century French armchair, 2 metres long, 1.22 metre high and 85 centimeters wide, the Clicquot Loveseat has a chrome-plated pedestal on which two huge pink flower petals join. In the center is an ice buck shaped like a pistil in the emblematic Clicquot yellow.
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Jimi Hendrix Burnt Guitar May Fetch $1,000,000 at Auction

A guitar Jimi Hendrix burnt on stage will be sold by rock and film memorabilia auctioneers The Fame Bureau at the Idea Generation Gallery in Shoreditch, London, on September 4.

The 1965 Fender Stratocaster, which he doused in lighter fluid and then set on fire at the Astoria in London in March 1967, is anticipated to fetch around £500,000 ($1million).

At the end of his show Hendrix set fire to the base of his Fender Stratocaster – as the astonished audience looked on and petrified venue staff ushered the performer off. Hendrix injured himself and had to be taken to hospital with minor burns on his hands.

Hendrix did his burning guitar stunt twice during his career. The one up for auction is the only one still in existence.