The quintessential luxury for the well ordered household…a perfect compendium appropriate for any dwelling.

This first volume organizes everything from one’s daily schedule to service providers, grounds keeping and food and flower deliveries.

This book measures 8″ x 11″ with exquisite details including hand binding, gilt-edged pages and Mrs. John L. Strong’s 100% cotton archival quality paper - $495 each. Source : mrsstrong

Melted down, a gold Ming Dynasty bowl would sell for about $30,000, twice as much as four years ago. At a Hong Kong auction next month, the imperial vessel may fetch more than HK$60 million ($7.7 million), Sotheby’s said.

Inscribed with dragons and set with pearls, turquoise, rubies and sapphires, the three-legged vessel — made with 1.3 kilograms of 18K gold — is the highlight of Sotheby’s auction of more than 25 gold and precious-metal objects in Hong Kong on April 11, the New York-based auction house said. The lots may raise a combined HK$100 million, said Sotheby’s.[...]

“Timing couldn’t be better,” said Tian Kai, a Beijing- based art dealer. “Gold is all the rage right now.”

Sotheby’s Hong Kong was offered the consignment in mid- January, days before the cut-off date for assembling lots for the auction, said Nicolas Chow, the auction house’s head of Chinese ceramics and artworks. He declined to identify the seller. Several European and Asian private collectors have inquired about the consignment.

“Gold is the most comprehensive marker of luxury in ancient cultures, including the Ming Dynasty,” said Chow. “If fine porcelain from these eras could fetch record prices, there is no reason art made with costlier material couldn’t fare better.”

The record for a Qing ceramic was set in November 2006 when Hong Kong businesswoman Alice Cheng paid HK$151.3 million for a porcelain bowl at a Christie’s International auction. Several private collectors, including casino magnate Stanley Ho, have bought imperial artifacts at auction and donated them to China in the past few years. [...]

Read the full article on Bloomberg
To contact the reporters on this story: Le-Min Lim in Hong Kong at lmlim@bloomberg.net

1/ Pay $1,500,000 for a Box of Chocolates

Le Chocolat features a selection of Lake Forest Confections gourmet chocolates, selected by the confectioners master candy maker, as well as an arrangement of magnificent jewelry from Simon’s personal jewelry and gemstone vault. The price tag is $1,500,000. The jewelry that comes along with the box of chocolates includes a “priceless” collection of natural yellow and blue diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires from Simons Jewelers.

2/ Pay $1.3 Million for a Cell Phone

Designed by Peter Aloisson, the Diamond Crypto Smartphone is made out of platinum and rose gold. It has over 80 diamonds on it. There are 50 diamonds going up and down the sides (10 are blue diamonds), the navigation key has 28 diamonds surrounding it and the navigation button is actually a 1/2 carat diamond. The buttons on the sides are suppose to be diamonds too. It costs $1.3 million, so that phone better work!

3/ Pay $163,000 for Hello Kitty

Who doesn’t love Hello Kitty? Sanrio came out with a platinum Hello Kitty. Its W3.8xH5.6cm and weighs 590g. The miniature Hello Kitty comes with seven hair ribbons made of gems including diamond, ruby, pink sapphire, amethyst and blue topaz. The figurine comes with a price tag of ¥18,9-million — ($163,000 US) a record high in Hello Kitty’s extensive line-up. Only one set is available, which went on sale on December 2006 at the Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo.

4/ Pay $1,000 for a Pizza

The world’s most expensive pizza was made by Nino’s Bellissima Pizza (located in New York City). The 12-inch pizza is topped with creme fraiche, chives, eight ounces of four different kinds of Petrossian caviar, four ounces of thinly sliced Maine lobster tail, salmon roe, and a little bit of wasabi to complement all the fish. The pizza is cut into eight… that is a mere $125 for each serving.

5/ Pay $1.63 Million for a Purse

On June 14, 2007, Ginza Tanaka showcased this diamond platinum bag at a fashion show in Tokyo. The handbag is shaped out of pure platinum and studded with 2,182 diamonds totaling 208 carats. The handbag has a brilliant price tag of $1.63 million.

6/ Pay $225,000 for Tequila

Can you imagine spending $225,000 on a beverage? On July 20, 2006, Tequila Ley .925 sold a single Platinum and White Gold tequila bottle for $225,000 to a private collector in Mexico City, Mexico. The liquor was made out of 100% blue Agave liquid and was aged for six years. The company won the Guinness Book of World Records title for the most expensive bottle of liquor sold in the world. For those of us who can’t afford the Platinum bottle, the company also sells the Gold and Platinum bottle for $150,000 and the Silver & Gold bottle for $25,000.

7/ Pay $68,000 for a Cricket Ball

This diamond studded cricket ball was presented to the Best Indian and Best International players at the 2007 Cricket World Cup tournament. The diamond cricket ball was created by Gitanjali Gems Limited. Each diamond ball is studded with 5,728 pieces of diamonds with a worth of approximately $68,500.

8/ Pay $130,000 for a TV

Yes, instead of buying a new house, a few cars, or feeding a starving country… buy this TV. The Yalos Diamond LCD TV costs $130,000, but its really worth it. You see, the LCD TV is plated in white gold and encrusted with 20 carats worth of diamonds. A TV encrusted with diamonds… just what the world need it.

9/ Pay $14,000 for a Tea Bag

PG Tips is a British company that makes tea. Boodles jewelers (an exclusive jeweller based in the UK) made a diamond teabag to celebrate PG Tips 75th birthday. The tea bag was hand-crafted using 280 diamonds. The tea bag is valued at around $14,000.

10/ Pay $41,000 for a Toy

Japan’s Ginza Tanaka Jewelers and toymaker Bandai Co. unveiled a miniature version of Japan’s famous animated robot character - “Gundam.” Gundum is one of the longest running Japense animation series. The figurine weighs in at 1,400 grams (45oz) and stands 13cm (5″) tall. He is made of pure platinum which explains its name “Gundam Fixed Platinum.” At today’s prices, melted down, he would go for $41,468!

11/ Pay $225,000 for a Parking Spot

Well, this one you might actually need if you live in Manhattan, but for $225,000 you better get yourself a FERRARI and live elsewhere! ABC.com reports “…. in space-starved Manhattan, a parking space is considered prime real estate. There’s actually a waiting list for the $225,000 spot.” People who don’t even own cars are buying parking spaces as investments to flip.

Via seraph.72pines

Samsonite presents two new luggage collections for the frequent business traveler – the Solana and Hommage 2

The Solana line is designed to pack everything you would need or could possibly think of for your trip in a neat and organized fashion. It comes with a toiletry kit, wet pocket or removable suit sleeve. There’s even a 5 cm expandability for that extra packing space.

The Hommage 2 collection is an extended line of chi-chi luggage from the Hommage collection, and is only available this summer. With its nappa leather trimmings and lighter tones of almond ecru, sun olive, chocolate and charcoal black, the Hommage 2 collection exudes beauty and timeless elegance. The collection consists of duffles, spinners, shoulder bag, rolling tote, beauty case, toilet kit, lady bag and messenger bag.

The newly launched MacBook Air will soon see its Windows competition from the manufacturers of IBM with Lenovo ThinkPad X300. At 0.73 inches (1.85 cm) thin and 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg) without its extended battery, it matches the MacBook Air in slimness and weight.

The world has gone to the dogs. Literally. Just have a look at this incredibly posh dog bed.

The Fab Imperial Dog Bed from Pawsitively Posh features a handcrafted faux jewel incrusted bed made in soft foam covered with deep royal red velvet and gold velour lining. The 23″ long by 17″ wide will fit any spoilt pets under 15 lbs while the machine washable Velour cushion can be tumble dried and comes personally hand numbered and signed by award-winning designer Joyce Reavey.

The Faberge-inspired luxury dog bed with a cute crown for your little princess will cost you $295. Only 500 have been put into production.