bLavish

Get A Deal On Alexis Bellino’s Newport Beach Mansion

December 8, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as celebrities, Realty at 1:42 am | (1) Comment »

It seems like all the Real Housewives are selling real estate this year, and like most people, are finding the market an unforgiving one. Alexis Bellino, a Real Housewife of Orange County, bought this beautiful Newport Beach home in 2006 for an undisclosed sum. She and her husband almost lost their home to foreclosure this summer when they defaulted in a four and a half million dollar loan.

The six-bedroom home has a well-appointed home theater, a gourmet kitchen, and an outdoor recreation area with a spa. Last month the home was listed for $4,995,000, but this month the price has been slashed to $3,695,000. It sits on a large double lot near the water and some celebrity homes. Nicholas Cage used to live right down the street, but sold his home in 2007 after finding an intruder in it. I guess even the ritziest neighborhoods have to worry about lurkers.

US Treasury Flubs 1.1 Billion $100 Bills

December 6, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Chasing the Greenbacks at 11:00 pm | Comments off

The new hundred dollar bill design, which was released in April and scheduled to go into circulation in February, is fancy indeed. It includes a disappearing Liberty Bell and a bright blue security strip composed of hundreds of tiny lenses. Unfortunately, the US Treasury might have bitten off a little more than they could chew with this design. As the new bills were being printed, all these intricacies caused the paper to wrinkle, so when the bills were printed, there were blank spots where the wrinkles were.

This is turning out to be a major problem, as it costs 12.5 cents to produce each $100 bill, which means that if all 1.1 billion of the bills that have been printed so far have to be destroyed, the Treasury will lose $137.5 million. Not only that, but retailers will also lose money. $100 bills are the most frequently counterfeited. I would recommend trying it at home, but all counterfeiters need is to bleach a bunch of $1 bills and print a $100 image on top of them with a laser to printer to get past most watchful eyes.

This fiasco brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “printer error”. Let’s hope the government gets this figured out ASAP.

C de Cartier Palladium Ballpoint Pen

December 6, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Holiday Gift Ideas at 10:30 pm | Comments off

I can’t remember the last time I wrote a letter. I mean a letter on stationery with an envelope to which I then affixed a postage stamp. Cartier just isn’t exaggerating when they claim that, “in a world of computers, handwriting and personal signatures have become meaningful rituals.” This gorgeously sensual C de Cartier pen makes writing a significant act, and perhaps even a significant experience.

This is the kind of gift that is suitable for a man or a woman. It’s sleek palladium finish is stamped with the Cartier logo, but not in an in-your-face sort of way. Everything about this pen is low key and elegant, from it’s slim dimensions to its smooth-rolling black ballpoint.

This might be one of those gifts that you give a little early, just to be extra nice. After all, what could make writing holiday cards more special than a timeless writing instrument?

Macallan Whisky’s Masters of Photography

December 5, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Artsy Fartsy, Spirits & Palliatives at 9:34 pm | Comments off

Macallan is one of the finest names in Scotch Whisky. Their premium single malt bottles range from fine to finer all the way up to finest available. Albert Watson is a Scottish photographer famous for taking iconic pictures of celebrities, including Alfred Hitchcock and Mick Jagger. Macallan commissioned him for their 2010 Master’s of Photography series, which is meant to explore the complexities of both whisky-making and image-making.

Watson followed the whisky, by way of their oak casks, from Spain to Andalucia to Speyside, Scotland. He told Nowness, “I wanted to do something graphically solid and a bit more monumental—monumental in the sense of something heavy looking; they’re shot with a level of contrast and richness.” The result is a beautifully nuance portrait of the whisky-making process.

Each of the 36 photographs will be sold alongside a bottle of Macallan’s 1946 Fine And Rare. Prices are undisclosed, but a bottle of the 50 year old (minus art) sells for $17,000.

Custom Designed Tron Motorcycle Helmet

December 2, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Holiday Gift Ideas, Tid Bits & News at 7:37 am | Comments off

It’s never been a better time to be a Tron fan with the blockbuster film just around the corner and now you can celebrate your fandom with more than a ticket stub.

Take a look at this custom designed Tron helmet for the luxury lover in your family.  The latest Les Ateliers Ruby’s motorcycle helmet will run you somewhere between $1200 and $1800, but hey, who’s counting the bucks when you’re going to look this fabulous, right?

Now you just need the rest of the Opening Ceremony Tron outfit and you’ll be set!

Christie’s To Auction Off Star Spangled Banner

December 1, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Auctions at 10:00 pm | Comments off

The Star Spangled Banner, composed by Francis Scott Key in 1813, is one of the earliest American musical masterpieces. This version of the tune was bound into a songbook of popular songs published in 1814, which is the first known edition of the song published. It has been removed carefully from the binding to be sold individually.

There are only eleven copies of this edition of the song able to be located presently. All of them are owned by museums, universities, or music preservation foundations. If this copy sells to a private owner, it will become the only privately owned copy of the music. It is expected to sell for between $200,000 and $300,000 this week.

The owners of the music, two retired antiques dealers from Pennsylvania, bought the music at a small auction for $50. They were thrilled to discover the rarity of the item. They will, no doubt, be even more thrilled when a hefty check arrives.

The Ecosse Spirit ES1 Superbike

December 1, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Just For Frivolous Fun at 8:09 pm | Comments off

I know it might be a tad cold outside to start thinking about motorcycles, but the Ecosse Spirit ES1 is hot enough to warm you up a little. Sure it’s a racing bike, but a few modifications could make it street legal, no problem. And what street wouldn’t be better off when graced with its aerodynamic, eye-catching design?

The Ecosse Spirit ES1 was introduced in 2007 with great fanfair. The bike was somewhat revolutionary due to its chassis design, which allows the rider to ride lower on the bike and keep his knees together. The carbon fiber body is extremely lightweight, which increases maneuverability and speed.

Improvements have been made on the ES1 since 2007, but it’s still considered a concept bike. At $3.6 million, it might stay in the concept category for a while. Perhaps Ecosse would consider designing a budget street version for around a mil?

Handmade Wooden iPad Docking Station

December 1, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Holiday Gift Ideas at 9:23 am | Comments off

When we saw this baby on Etsy, we knew we had to post it and grab it up, so you’d better beware that we might get to it first!

Check out this simply amazing and eco-friendly handmade Wooden Docking Station for not only your new iPad but also your iPhone or iPod, though it appears that the shuffle can sadly not be charged with this station.

This luxurious docking station, despite its rustic charm,  just uses a standard USB plug so you can sync with the computer with ease.  Cost, $188 from Etsy seller, WoodTec.

Solange Azagury-Partridge Shooting Star Skeleton Ring

November 30, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as For Her, Holiday Gift Ideas, Jewelry at 7:00 pm | Comments off

The stakes are high this holiday season. I guess they always are, but it seems like right now, everyone already has all the basic luxury goods. Even those with a lot of spending money are buying fewer big ticket items and more small ones, which makes gift-giving a little harder. Unless you’re ready to invest in a Bentley for your sweetie, you better starting thinking quick, because she already has an iPhone.

This gorgeous Shooting Star Skeleton Ring is a great gift for a woman with minimal, artistic taste. If she’s not into a lot of bling, this pared down piece of beautiful design is a good choice. The intricate style looks almost like a model of a gem, or its skeleton, thus the name. The 18 karat white gold gives it a cool, edgy look.

This is the kind of ring that quickly becomes a signature piece. It’s unique and versatile, sparkly enough to wear with a cocktail dress, but simple enough for everyday. I can’t wait to see more from Solange Azagury-Partridge.

Kim Zolciak’s Luxury Townhouse Up For Grabs In Atlanta

November 30, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as celebrities, Realty at 4:00 pm | Comments off

Celebrity real estate often sells for more than its fair market value. People want a house with history, especially if that history is fashionable and fabulous. But Real Housewife Kim Zolciak may have overestimated how much Georgians might be willing to pay for her Atlanta townhome.

Granted, it is a beautiful home. It’s 3,396 square feet, with three bedrooms and three and half baths. But, Ms. Zolciak might have been a little delusional when she first put the house up for sale at $568,700. Other models in the same neighborhood with the same floor plan are listed at $400,000 and $445,000. Zolciak has now reduced her asking price to $499,000, which is still significantly more expensive than similar listings.

Kim paid $486,000 for the house when she bought it in 2006, and of course she wants to make her money back, but in a market where no one is making their money back, I’m not sure her reality-style celebrity is going to seem worth almost $100k to a potential buyer.

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