The Luxury Life is now But I Digress – The Advice and Observations of a Luxurist.
Find us at www.theobservationsofaluxurist.com
The spectacular Palais Namaskar, run by the same folks who own the Hotel du Cap |
Small is also beautiful: bedroom at the boutique Mosaid Palais Aziza |
La Mamounia: Grande Dame of Marrakesh hotels since 1922 and still fabulous |
In the unofficial competition among designers of the clothing to be worn by athletes in London starting this week, it appears that there are few winners and many losers.
Stella McCartney, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Hermès and Salvatore Ferragamo are just a few of the famous names enlisted to outfit Olympians.
Some countries selected local or little known names.
Either way, it's hard to pinpoint exemplary work. Most of the apparel is, as the Brits are fond of saying, a train wreck.
With an estimated billion folks watching on TV, would you want to show up at the opening ceremonies in in bright orange and yellow?
Modern Tel Aviv has stunning beaches and charming neighborhoods, if you know where to look |
Elba: new addition to Ibn Gvirol's many restaurants |
Ha Miznon: modern twist on a pita joint |
If you think the scrappy Fiat 500 is the height of pint-sized sophistication, the Italian auto maker has a surprise in store.
Fiat plans to bring a roomier five-seat version to the U.S. in 2013.
The 500L ("L" stands for "large") debuted earlier this year at the Geneva Auto Show and is available currently only in Europe.
"Home, Jiang. And step on it!" |
Only for sale in China: a Jeep with dragons on it |
Regular readers of The Luxury Life know that we love pretty much everything about Argentina.
It used to be a great bargain, but is it still a good value for budget-conscious visitors?
The answer is yes – and no – according to our friend and correspondent Alexandra Lazar, author of the terrific, informative blog on food and restaurants in Buenos Aires, Pick Up The Fork.
Pick Up The Fork recommends this hot new eatery in the oh-so-hip Palermo Hollywood quarter of BA |
Superclassico: River Plate vs. Boca Juniors. Not to be missed! |
The Danube divides the two halves of Budapest, gloriously illuminated at night |
"Evita" at the Budapest Summer Festival in 2009 |
Budapest's famous Széchenyi Bath. Not too shabby! |
If you think you are a savvy traveler, then you'll want to always know what's going on in Paris and London.
Here are two web resources we rely on to keep au courant:
We also are dutiful readers of the weekly arts and culture e-mail published by London's Telegraph. In it you'll find useful, up-to-the-minute information about theatre, art exhibits, music and more. Sign up for the paper's Arts Agenda here.
Not to be missed in Mexico City: murals by Orozco, Rivera, Siqueiros |
When it comes to portable and home electronics, we sell some choice stuff.
We offer quality audio products from top lines like Sony, Zennheiser, Shure, JBL, and Apple.
We also sell several hard-to-find audiophile brands that make memorable gifts for your most important clients and VIPs. These are the kinds of things preferred by celebrities and other show business VIPs.
Introducing award-winning Tivoli Audio - the finest, coolest table radios, CD players, and iPod speakers you've never heard of.
It's not easy to pick a gift that will make the right impression.
but what does it say about you? |
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If you're an iPhone junkie (and who isn't?) you'll want to check out this fabulous new accessory.
The iPhone Desktop Handset lets you work comfortably and efficiently all day using your sleek iPhone instead of the clunky office you phone you now have.
The anodized aluminum stand places your iPhone at a convenient angle and stays secure on your desktop using four non-slip silicone pads. It accommodates your phone vertically or horizontally, with or without a protective case.
With the handset in one hand, your other hand is free to navigate all of your iPhone's applications: calendars, e-mail, the Internet, and even games! (Hold on, Mom, gotta nuke a bunch of hateful birds... You were saying?)
The headset plugs into your phone's headphones jack. Your iPhone can charge from a computer or wall outlet via your USB charging cable and adapter while the headset is powered by your iPhone's battery.
Don't have an iPhone? The stand and headset work with any cell phone with a standard earbud jack.
We sell these for $69.95 in quantities of ten or more. Call us at (310) 581-6710 and we'll fix you up pronto.
Cast and crew gifts anyone?
We recently wrote about Mongolia's main city, Ulan Bator, the coldest of any capital on our planet.
Now comes word from Scotland that whisky maker Glenfiddich has introduced a limited edition bottling blended from casks that were all exposed to sub-zero temperatures when the roof of their storage building collapsed under heavy snow in 2009.
After witnessing the damage, malt maker Brian Kinsman was inspired to create an original blend "marrying together different ages of mature Glenfiddich – some very old."
"Some of these casks had previously held Oloroso sherry and others were traditional whisky casks made of American oak," he explained. "Each one was specially chosen to make a unique contribution to the taste and aroma of the final whisky."
He calls it Snow Phoenix, "a great Glenfiddich Single Malt born of chance and adversity."
While the name may confound if you know anything about mythology, the results are another matter. They have generated rapturous reviews.
It has "an oaky, salty depth. This is one silky smooth scotch," opined one critic. Another crowed, "I poured myself another glass, for pleasure, immediately!"
Enough said.
Only 12,000 bottles of Snow Phoenix were produced, so it may be hard to find.
We think it's worth the search. Let us know what you think of it.
· July 19 – Emmy Noms
· July 22 – Teen Choice Awards
· Sept. 9 – MTV VMAs
· Sept. 15 – Creative Arts Emmys
· Sept. 23 – Emmy Awards
· Oct. 1 – News & Doc Emmys
· Nov. 7 – Country Music Awards
· Dec. 9 – Hanukkah Begins
· Dec. 12 – SAG Noms
· Dec. 25 – Christmas