bLavish

The Da Vinci Code Pen

June 5, 2006 | Posted by Allison as How the Rich Survive at 10:44 am | (1) Comment »

Read the book, watched the movie, kept up with the debates & still feel like you want to be closer to The Da Vinci Code?  Well, Sony has commissioned a pen from Tibaldi just for you.

When you’re in hot pursuit of secrets of the past, why not jot down your notes with one of these collectable, limited edition Da Vinci Code pens?  These roller ball pens are available in silver or gold for prices ranging from $3,075 to $19,125. 

I’m not sure how a pen gets to be $20k or even $3k for that matter.  Maybe there is small piece of Leonardo Da Vinci in the actual pen, or the pen contains secrets that will lead you to your own movie career or maybe, just maybe Tom Hanks touched the pen.  Who knows.  Sadly, I do not give these pens the permission to exist.

Via:  Luxist

Swarovski Crystal Desk Mouse, Tape Dispenser & Stapler

June 1, 2006 | Posted by Allison as How the Rich Survive at 10:17 am | (3) Comments »

Swarovski has some truly ridiculous items about, but these desk accessories take the cake.  Neiman Marcus is selling crystal optic mouse, tape dispenser & stapler in your choice of light rose, iridescent, peridot or light sapphire Swarovski crystals.

You may say these items are pointless, inane & over-the-top, but couldn’t your desk use a little pick-me-up?  At about $100 each, I know I’m not going to let Jane Doe beat me to a better looking desk!

Via:  Luxist

Naomi Campbell Celebrates Birthday at Burj Al Arab

May 22, 2006 | Posted by Allison as How the Rich Survive at 1:47 pm | (10) Comments »

Supermodel Naomi Campbell is celebrating her 36th birthday by living it up at he world’s first & only 7 star hotel.  Campbell has rented out all 18 floors of the Burj Al Arab hotel for the next three days.  Her total cost- $1.8 million.

Naomi is footing the bill & living it up with 72 hours of partying along with a star-studded guest list and her millionaire boyfriend Badr Jafar. Burj Al Arab, located in Dubai, was just recently upgraded from a six star hotel to a seven star.  One can only hope that Naomi can keep her fists to herself & maintain this new high status. 

Via:  Luxist

Sanyo Roborior: Everything You Need in a Robot?

May 2, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Gadgets, How the Rich Survive at 10:29 am | Comments »

Have every imaginable robot but still feel like you’re missing something?  Well, maybe the Japanese Roborior is the next new thing for you.  The Sanyo Roborior is basically a house-sitter equipped with digital camera, infrared sensors and a videophone.

Not only can the Roborior sense break-ins using infrared and notify homeowners by calling their cell phones & sending over video from the digital camera, it is a pleasant interior accessory that glows purple, blue & orange.  What more could you want?

“We’ve had robots before that were just toys, but the Roborior can actually be put to practical use in the home,” said Takako Sakata, a spokeswoman for the department store chain Takashimaya.

“We received a lot of inquiries after the demonstrations,” Sakata said. “Our initial plan is to sell 2,000 robots.”

At $2,600 each, the robot is going to have to make me breakfast, wash my laundry & tell me a goodnight story before I dish out that kind of cash. 

Voltaic Solar Messenger Bag, Just Add Sunlight

April 28, 2006 | Posted by Allison as For Her, For Him, Gadgets, How the Rich Survive at 1:46 pm | Comments »

Battery charging getting you down?  Let the Voltaic Solar Messenger Bag cure you of those worries.  Outfitted with pockets a plenty this unique messenger bag or laptop case is wired to charge your cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs, digital cameras, Crackberries, or just any device that runs on 5, 5, or 7.2 volts.  Just add sunlight.

The 14 1/2″ x 4″ x 11 1/2″  lightweight bag features scratch-resistant solar panels that are waterproof and durable enough to withstand the forces of everyday life.  This beautifully designed solar messenger includes a car charger socket, USB adaptor, AC charger & 11 other adaptors.  So, no matter what you have to charge, X-rated or not, you have all the tools you need on the go.  Now if it just came in pink…  Cost, $235.

Desert Island Hammock, All You Need for the Good Life

April 26, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Gadgets, How the Rich Survive at 10:44 am | (1) Comment »

Well, for $4,830 I think you might be able to put a down-payment on a private island but if you’re in a rush to live the lush Caribbean life, why not try the Desert Island Hammock.  I suppose it would be better than the bugs, snakes and mosquitoes, oh my! in your back

The Desert Island Hammock is a completely ridiculous garden or backyard accessory. You can compliment your yard and be the envy or bane of your neighbors.  The two artificial palm trees, roughly 6.6 feet and UV protected of course, comes complete with Tahitian palm fronds & coconuts that support a triple woven polyester double hammock.

But wait, it doesn’t stop there.  The hammock & palms are built to withstand all types of weather and comes with a rope drink caddy, pillow & the best ridiculous thing of all- a built-in dual-control mister system for those hot Tahitian days.

Don’t wait any longer to be the apple of your neighbor’s eye.
 

David Beckham Has BMW Stolen, Gets a Free Audi Q7

April 25, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Furious Luxury Cars, How the Rich Survive at 1:18 pm | (7) Comments »

Another reason why it’s better to be a celebrity.  Footballer David Beckham recently had his BMW X5 stolen while he was eating lunch with his sons.  But never fear, he’s got a new ride and this one was free, with just a little catch.  Audi has offered Beckham a free Audi Q7 for the next year with only one stipulation, he has to drive the car to training every day.  Audi is the official sponsor of Real Madrid, Beckham’s football team, so it makes good commercial sense for David to be driving one.

You know, if I get my car stolen all I get is insurance paperwork & headaches.  But David Beckham gets the Audi Q7 fully loaded & worth around $122,500.  Ahhh, it’s great to be famous.  The Q7 is a 4.2FSI in ‘phantom black’ with pearl-effect paintwork and matching black leather interior.

The luxury car comes equipped with a car phone, flat-screen television, Bose stereo, satellite navigation & a keyless entry and starting system. My car comes equipped with a cell phone (which my purse is actually equipped with), a flat-screen rear window, CD player, my trusty glove compartment map navigation system & I own a key that will let me in the vehicle & allow me to access the ’starting system’.  Congrats to David Beckham.  A man that can buy his own private island, yet gets a free Audi Qt. 

Via:  Luxist

Paris Hilton Bets Away Her Bentley

April 20, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Fast & Furious Cars, How the Rich Survive at 1:18 pm | (3) Comments »

It looks like Paris Hilton has bet away her prized Bentley in a round of poker & in turn has been banned from the family casino. 

The 25-year-old hotel heiress has been barred from the Las Vegas casino by parents Rick and Kathy Hilton and has been ordered into gambling therapy by her worried folks.

Paris confesses that she does have a gambling obsession.  “I’m obsessed with poker. It’s my favorite game. I’m really lucky in Vegas, I always win.”

Well, it seems as if her luck may have changed.  I wonder who got the beautiful Bentley…..
 

Let Polar Cruises Take You on a Journey to the North Pole

April 6, 2006 | Posted by Allison as How the Rich Survive, Let's Get out of Here Vacation Packages at 1:38 pm | Comments »

Celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of the North Pole by taking your own expedition.  The first successful expedition to the North Pole was made on April 6, 1909 by American Navy engineer Robert Edwin Peary, Matthew Henson, and four Inuit men named Ootah, Seegloo, Egingway, and Ooqueah.

Put your name beside these greats and book yourself a polar cruise with PolarCruises.com.  Grab a flight into Helsinki, Finland, take a charter flight to the extreme northwest city of Murmansk, Russia and board the most powerful Russian atomic icebreaker around, the Yamal.  On your way toward the North Pole, enjoy helicopter rides which will show off the incredible polar vista scenery.  You will experience the raw, extreme beauty of nature and fall in love with the vast expanse that is the Arctic. 

A cruise to the North Pole is a you-will-never-forget-it, validate-your-life adventure.  Don’t wait another minute, reservations for this year’s tours are going like hot cakes.  Just ask for Chuck.  Book your tour and be the first to tell your friends, “Yes, I’ve been to the North Pole, my friend and I have seen not only the wonders of the world, but also the wonders of my soul.”

Cost for your North Pole journey, not including flight into Helsinki:  $19,000-$25,000.

My wallet’s telling me I have to stick with the National Geographic TV version.

Fractional Ownership Exclusive Resorts Vacation Club- Is it for You?

April 5, 2006 | Posted by Allison as How the Rich Survive, Reasons To Travel at 9:52 am | Comments »

Tired of renting the same old hotel room in Destin, Florida?  Want to travel the world over, yet still feel at home- but without the mortgage?  Sick of eating out every meal while you vacation?  If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then the Exclusive Resorts membership club may be just what you’ve been needing.

With more than 280 luxury residences in 36 of the world’s top destinations, Exclusive Resorts is the leading luxury fractional ownership club.  All you have to do it pay $395,000 plus $25,000 in annual upkeep and you can go wherever you want effortlessly.  They handle all the detail for you such as travel plans and stocking the pantries with your favorite foods.

Take the family skiing in Deer Valley, Utah; enjoy the Mediterranean haven of St. Tropez or head to Naples, Florida and engage yourself in relaxation and spa pampering.  Eric Pai of Montclair, New Jersey joined the club and hasn’t looked back since.

“I’m a numbers guy, I did the math, and it worked.  Everywhere we used to go, we were renting multiple hotel rooms, eating out for every meal.  With this, I can take the kids to a breadth of places and still feel like it’s my home.”

I’m sold.  I enjoy the luxury of easy travel, especially if someone else is stocking the pantry!  Now, about that $420,000….