bLavish

China Plans ‘Most Luxurious Train In the World’

March 11, 2008 | Posted by Allison as Luxury Travel, Tid Bits & News at 10:00 am | (1) Comment »

China already enjoys a train line to Tibetan capital Lhasa, but now the country is planning to create, ”the most luxurious train in the world,” (insert evil luxury laughter here).

The proposed train will feature 12 passenger cars along with two luxury dining cars as well as a sightseeing car.  Each passenger car will have four small suites which will be decorated the like of a five-star hotel with a double bed, living room & bathroom area (whatever you can do with 108 square feet, that is).

The five-day train ride will cost you a little over $5,000 & will leave every eight days from Beijing.  Start booking your luxury ride starting September 1.

Dubai Construction Update: Rem Koolhaas’ Waterfront City

March 7, 2008 | Posted by Allison as Tid Bits & News at 1:00 pm | Comments »

Architect Rem Koolhaas was fooling around some years back with a concept he called the ‘generic city’.  The city he imagined consisted of Dali-like images of spheres & towers.  Unlike most of Dali-like work, however, this concept is going to be realized in nowhere else but the fastest growing urban city, Dubai.

Dubai will soon start construction on a 1.5 billion square foot project dubbed Waterfront City.  Can this sound any more comic book?  The city will be taking advantage of Rem Koolhaas’ vision & building a 44-foot storey sphere, with rows upon rows of towering skyscrapers. 

Wow, you either have to love or be a little frightened by a city that has no end to its pockets nor its aims, or maybe a little bit of both.

New Luxury Book Overnight Sensations Tells All

March 5, 2008 | Posted by Allison as Tid Bits & News at 11:00 am | Comments »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new book, Overnight Sensations, is not only a great coffee table book but a tremendous help on the luxury side of things.

Released from the Kiwi Collection, Overnight Sensations is one of the single largest sources on luxury accommodations for you, the uber luxury traveler.

Start by losing yourself in the thousand photographs that take you from the French Riviera to Bahrain & end by taking yourself  by the hand to the neverworld of Germany.  You better start packing those bags, as this is one of the luxury books I’ve ever come across.  Cost, $100.

Habersham To Reproduce Hearst Castle Furniture

February 21, 2008 | Posted by Allison as Furniture, Tid Bits & News at 11:00 am | (2) Comments »

The infamous Hearst Castle is the latest of inspirations for the furniture company Habersham.  The company plans to use the castle’s furniture as an influence for its latest & greatest collections, styling after the success of covering another American landmark, the Biltmore Estate.

Habersham plans to launch the Hearst Castle Collection at the April High Point Market, the yearly furniture expo.  The stylish collection will feature pieces inspired by William Randolph Hearst’s San Simeon getaway & will include a bookcase & breakfront that feature details of the castle’s frieze molding.  I wonder if there is going to be a snow sled involved…

Luxury Accessories On the Decline

January 7, 2008 | Posted by Allison as Tid Bits & News at 10:47 am | Comments »

As gas prices continue to leave our wallets bare & the effects of holidays shopping takes its toll, luxury accessories are on the decline

From Hermes handbags to Jimmy Choo clutches, these luxury items are seeing a steady decline.  Though thought to be expected to post more than 4% gain this year, it looks as if we’re all going to be vying for the more affordable Liz Claiborne, god help us.

David Beckham To Strip For Armani Underwear

November 15, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Tid Bits & News at 8:00 am | (4) Comments »

Taking a cue from wife Victoria, David Beckham will be bearing it all (almost) for Armani’s Emporio SS08 men’s underwear, which sounds more like a luxury sports car than underoos if you ask me.

As Beckham’s soccer (football) career winds down, it looks like the superstar is ready to take on any endorsement deals while he’s still hot.  Becks will be paid $20 million over the course of three years for his “work” with Armani.

Mariah Carey Goes Crazy For Lalique’s Butterfly Perfume

October 26, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Tid Bits & News at 7:53 am | (7) Comments »

The more I learn about Mariah Carey, the more I realize that she probably has an exceptional manager, since the girl is apparently suffering from lack-of-brains syndrome.

The singer recently shelled out $13,200 for a case of Lalique’s exclusive Butterfly Perfume.  Carey somehow feels that is she wears enough of this scent, she will actually begin to smell like a butterfly.  Wow.  Umm, do butterflies even have a true scent?  Well, whatever makes Mariah happy I suppose…..

William Shakespeare’s Autograph One Of the Most Expensive

September 11, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Tid Bits & News at 12:00 pm | Comments »

If you were under the impression that having a genuine Britney Spears autograph might be worth something one day, then what do you make of cashing in $3 million for William Shakespeare’s penned name?  I bet you wouldn’t mind that, now would you?

The known & famous six autographs left of ole William are as follows:

• One on a conveyance for a house in London
• One on a deposition in a legal case
• One on his mortgage papers
• Three in his will

And for just one you get to cash in $3 million!  Now, that’s easy money.  Treasure hunting starts now!

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Paris Hilton Sells Hollywood Home

August 15, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Tid Bits & News at 8:00 am | (12) Comments »

Good ole Paris Hilton is saying adieu to her Hollywood home of the past three years, the same Spanish estate where the socialite spent her nights of house arrest.

The 1920s Spanish-inspired home sold in a record 10 days for $4.25 million.  Paris purchased the property back in 2004, for just under $2.9 million, so the heiress will receive a nice little profit on her investment it would seem.

Neighbors of the celebrity, like Cameron Diaz, were very pleased to see the loud blonde leave the 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom estate, saying that hopefully the end of an obnoxious era is over.

Diaz stated, “Paris made her bad choices, she’s going to have to deal with it, that’s her journey,” said Diaz. “She just has to get plastered all over the world. There were 10 helicopters above her house, which I live not too far from. I was like, ‘Could you please keep it down?’ We all suffer when Paris suffers.”

Here’s to Paris’ new neighbors, wherever they are- best of luck!

World’s Larget Gold Coin for Sale

August 8, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Tid Bits & News at 11:00 am | (2) Comments »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The world’s largest gold coin is up for sale.  Any takers?

Minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, this 220 pound gold coin is going up for auction through Teletrade.  The unique coin features maple leaves on one of its sides & Queen Elizabeth II on its other.

The coin will be auctioned off on August 16, though many of us have already started the bidding war.