Monthly Archives: September 2010

First aircraft ‘standing room’ seats unveiled

The first designs have emerged of “ultra high density” aircraft seating that could bring Ryanair CEO’s idea of stand-up flights one step closer to reality.

The designs were recently released by Italian aviation firm Aviointeriors, with the firm saying that the designs are completely engineered and to be finally tested.

The firm says that the “Skyrider” seats, which offer a pitch of 25 inches or less, offers a seating position “similar to that of a touring motor scooter rider.”
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Hotel goodies using location-based networks

Four Seasons has become the latest hotel chain to embrace location-based technology by announcing a partnership with Gowalla.

The company is offering a $100 spa or dining credit to any of its guests who check in using Gowalla at three or more “must see sites or experiences in California” that the software recommends.

To participate, guests must “check in” using Gowalla at any Four Seasons in California and then follow Four Seasons for access to the Best Of trips
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Megan Fox and Cristiano Ronaldo strip for Armani

Two videos teasing what to expect from upcoming Armani promo ads featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Megan Fox are offered.

The soccer player is wearing nothing but tight underwear in his hotel room, while Megan Fox is donning untied robe on top of barely-there lingerie in her own suit.

Craving more? Armani will be revealing their full-length ads September 15.
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Ulysse Nardin Freak Diavolo Rolf 75

Rolf Schnyder, the owner and president of Ulysse Nardin, turned 75 this year, and to commemorate his many achievements, he decided to introduce a new limited edition Freak Diavolo.

The tourbillon is impressive with its 8+ day power reserve and that a a yellow-half circle cage which serves to mark the seconds.

Note also there is no crown on the watch — the watch is wound and the time is set by turning the split-level bezel.
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The most expensive flat in history?

A penthouse flat in Monaco has been sold for €240M (US$304) in one of the most expensive residential property sales to date.

La Belle Epoque, a property occupied by Christian and his brother Nick Candy, has been bought by an unnamed Middle Eastern investor.

Each suite in the penthouse, the top two floors of a block of flats, has its own cinema, kitchen, dressing room and two bathrooms, and it has a spa, library and gardens.
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Most expensive cheese sandwich

World’s most expensive cheese sandwich

Most expensive cheese sandwich

A U.K. chef has unveiled what might be the world’s most expensive cheese sandwich, according to London’s Guardian newspaper.

He’s charging 111 pounds, or $176, for the stack of special cheddar blended with white truffles and topped with a sprinkling of gold dust.

Chef Martin Blunos displayed his creation at the Frome cheese show in Somerset. Continue reading →

World’s Most Expensive Book up for Sale

A rare copy of the most expensive book in the world, John James Audubon’s “Birds of America,” will be up for sale at Sotheby’s in London on December 7.

Only 119 copies are confirmed to exist, of which 108 are in libraries, universities, and museums. One copy is worth $6.73 million to $10.1 million.

It contains 1,000 life-sized illustrations of almost 500 breeds. It took wildlife artist John James Audubon 12 years to complete his study.
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The new hotel search for freebie-lovers

Hotel booking site Priceline has introduced a new search system that allows travelers to select hotels based on what’s included.

The system is perfect for travelers who love a free breakfast, free parking or room upgrades, with Priceline saying that it offers over 29,000 hotel freebies around the world on September 9.

Customers can search for the extras, such as free breakfast, free nights or spa credits, along with using a geographical search to narrow down freebies by city.
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Airline offers money-back satisfaction guarantee

All-business class airline OpenSkies is offering a guarantee to customers that they will enjoy their flight — and a full refund if they don’t.

The airline announced its new “Love Everything or Pay Nothing” guarantee September 8, saying that the offer was unprecedented in the airline sector.

It says that the deal was prompted by a survey of passengers that revealed 96.85 percent of its passengers would recommend the airline.
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Sol Melia to make U.S. debut in Atlanta

Spanish hotel chain Sol Melia is to open its first hotel in the US October 15, the firm announced September 7.

The brand, which has a strong presence in Spain and South America, as well as hotels in several other countries, says that the opening of the Sol Melia Atlanta is a “landmark” for the company.

It will invest $35 million in the Melia Atlanta, formerly known as the Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Downtown, to adapt it to the standard of its other Melia hotels.
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Dolce & Gabbana Unveil Martini Ad

The new advertising campaign for Martini Gold by Dolce & Gabbana was unveiled Tuesday in Milan. The spot features Italian actress Monica Bellucci.

The spot was directed by Jonas Akerlund, who had been also directing some really popular music videos for Madonna and Lady Gaga recently.

In the advertisement — a tribute to Oscar-winning Italian director Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” — the designers sit at a table, singing and laughing with Bellucci.
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Dunhill Biometric Wallet

Dunhill‘s Biometric Wallet is a sleek, lightweight carbon fiber-wrapped vault that opens via a biometric swipe of your finger.

The high-tech materials used to produce these wallets provide a virtually-indestructible architecture in a feather-weight form.

The system can also be hooked up to your mobile phone via Bluetooth to alert you if the wallet becomes too far from you and your cell.
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Hublot Big Bang FIFA World Cup Winners Watch

Early this year, Hublot, Swiss watch manufacturer, launch Limited Edition FIFA World Cup Watches.

To commemorate Spain’s historic FIFA World Cup win, Hublot, the official timekeeper, of the FIFA 2010 World Cup has unveiled a new Big Bang watch dedicated to the winning team.

Dubbed FIFA World Cup Winner’s watch, the new creation is done in the Spanish national colors and gold of the FIFA winner’s trophy.
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Citroen DS3 by Kenzo

Citroën and Japanese fashion house Kenzo have teamed up for a unique one-off. The DS3 Kenzo features special graphics that can be found on the vehicles’ roof.

The theme used on the outside has also made its way into the interior of the vehicle, being featured on the front and rear seats.

This isn’t the only project of its kind. Back in spring, the French designer Yves Saint-Laurent created a special, one-off incarnation of the DS3.
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Aquariva by Gucci

Italian design house Gucci said it will introduce made-to-order speedboats next year, with prices starting from 590,000 euros ($750,000).

The vessels will be produced in partnership with yacht-builder Riva to help mark Gucci’s 90th anniversary in 2011.

This unique collaboration between two of Italy’s most renowned design houses celebrates the era of La Dolce Vita, when a joie de vivre, glamour and elegance defined an attitude and a lifestyle.
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Sheraton launches new spa concept

Sheraton Hotels is to roll out a new spa concept globally, the chain announced September 7.

“Shine for Sheraton” spas will be introduced across the chain’s hotels around the world over the next few years, including 12 openings in the next 15 months.

The spas will offer products by spa and skincare brand Germaine de Capuccini, as well as five signature treatments including a massage, facial, body treatment, manicure/pedicure and a treatment for two.
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Trip Advisor Launches New Private Sale Website

TripAdvisor-owned Smarter Travel Media has launched its own private sale site, following in the footsteps of Kayak and Travelocity.

SniqueAway promises to combine the exclusivity of a private sale with crowd-sourced approval courtesy of TripAdvisor, mandating that all properties featured must have earned four or five out of five stars from customer reviews.

Hotel reviews are shown alongside limited-time offers available only to members and like other such sites, sign-up is by invitation only — members who invite friends who subsequently book receive $25 (€19.60) credit towards a trip.
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Film – Hermès “La Vie Comme Un Conte”

For a few seasons Hermes had been playing with fairy-tale plots and characters while creating ad campaigns.

And for their Fall 2010 ad campaign, Hermès have decided to teach us some new ways to wear — or rather, to use — our scarves.

With the help of Constance Jablonski and Jonas Mason, we now know we can use scarves and ties as Zorro-esque capes, masks, and as escape/entrance methods.
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