Category: General

Same-day Flowers to 150 Countries

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If you’re like me, you might have had a panic attack when you finally realized that it’s already the middle of December and you haven’t done any holiday shopping yet. If you’re even more like me, then you’re hopeless when it comes to picking out gifts for friends and family. Thankfully, there are some classic standbys out there to help you get through your holiday shopping with as little stress as possible.

In this season of extreme home decorating, everyone can appreciate a lovely flower arrangement. Flora2000 is a high-end flower delivery service offering same-day deliveries to 150 countries, and I’m in love with their bouquets. Even if you’ve put off your holiday shopping until the last minute, you can still get gorgeous gifts sent out ahead of Santa’s sleigh. Whether you’re ordering flowers for local delivery or overseas shipment, you’ll be amazed by Flora2000’s speedy service, and the arrangements are top-of-the-line.

In addition to over 3,000 floral arrangements, Flora2000 offers a wide selection of gourmet gift boxes and chocolates.

Same-day Flowers to 150 Countries originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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The Ballinger House, Estate of the Day

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This Palm Beach, Florida home is called ‘the Ballinger house’ after its most recent owner but the 1926 home was originally christened La Torre Bianca. It was built by society architect Howard Major in the popular South Florida Mediterranean style. The five-bedroom main house includes a third-floor tower room with water views. The property includes a two-bedroom guesthouse, a three-car garage and estate grounds with a heated pool, fountains, a pond and gardens. It is listed at .9 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

The Ballinger House, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Idalia Launch

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Idalia Black Diamond Ring, ,350.00Idalia is a new website for the true jewelry connoisseur.

The Black Diamond Snake Ring (right) features black and contrasting white diamonds: 1 pear shaped diamond, carat total weight 0.38; 77 round black diamonds, carat total weight 2.01; and 17 round brilliant white diamonds, carat total weight 0.38; all set in 18k gold for ,350.00.

Because the brand name is young and there is no showroom to support, their stunning pieces cost a fraction of what they would from other designers. I had the privilege of viewing the collection in person and was inspired by the variety, elegance, and exceptional quality.

Idalia diamonds are the best of the best – for example, the Double Diamond Square Set Eternity Necklace features diamonds with a total carat weight of 19.04, color grade F-G, and clarity grade VVS set in 18k white gold.

People are becoming more comfortable doing their shopping online, but to spend thousands on jewelry you’ve never seen in person might feel like quite a risk. From what I saw today, Idalia is one site that won’t let you down. See the gallery below for a closer look at one of the most exciting new jewelry lines of 2008!

Some of the items were so sparkly they appear slightly blurred in photos. Trust me, the effect was dazzling.

Idalia Launch originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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The Checkle Checkerboard

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Checkers is an under-appreciated game I think, often getting passed over in favor of the more complicated and (seemingly) more sophisticated game of chess. But checkers is a classic and timeless way to enjoy a little friendly competition with your friends and family, especially around this time of year when the house is full and people are looking for something to do. This Checkle Checkerboard is a far cry from the red and black game boards that first come to mind, exchanging little plastic discs for sleek metal marbles and the cardboard playing surface for two-toned walnut. 0

Via acquire

The Checkle Checkerboard originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Then and Now: Domestic Help

Was it really just eight months ago that I sat at the Luxury Summit listening to Robert Frank, author of Richistan, speak about wealth and spending. .Frank’s adventures in Richistan, his name for the parallel universe the wealthy inhabit, have taken him to some pretty interesting places including Starkey International Institute in Denver, Colorado, the “butler bootcamp” that teaches people how to cater to those at the far end of the wealth spectrum. Frank said then that a good butler can earn as much as 0,000. But those butlers may find themselves out of a job or taking a pay cut now. Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times have pieces on people firing their domestic help. Agencies which once struggled to find enough qualified nannies and household staff are now finding their offices flooded with those who have recently lost their jobs.

While a recession was being discussed all those months ago, it hadn’t quite eaten into the upper tier. People saw having help as an investment, a way to maximize their own time available for recreation, family time and work. As their own income and wealth has started to fall the time equal money equation has tipped in favor of money. Nannies and domestic help are finding their salaries cut or are being let go. Nanny sharing is on the rise as people find ways to get by with less help but not lose a person who in many cases is practically a member of the family. Some people have decided to gradually cut back in an effort to mitigate the damage to the housekeeper or nanny’s income. People are doing their own housework and even outdoor chores, dispensing in some cases with the lawn service companies which are so ubiquitous in California. Even dog walkers are finding it harder to make a living. And those butlers, whose jobs were more administrative than hands-on may find themselves running the same large households with less and less staff.

In some cases it becomes a question of what people are interested in giving up, the help or other creature comforts. The WSJ article quotes a woman who decided to lay off the nanny rather than give up her Botox treatments. Whereas in the NYT article a woman cut back on her gym membership and lunches out before she decided to make the decision of giving up her housekeeper.

Then and Now: Domestic Help originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Regulator Watch Judged Year’s Best Tourbillon

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A consistent favorite among Vacheron Constantin fans, the Malte watch line’s Tourbillon Regulator has recently been chosen as the best tourbillon watch of the year by the 2008 Premier Middle East Watches, Jewelery, & Pen Awards held at the Ritz Carlton in Bahrain last month. Judges were comprised of industry members as well as the general public. This Malte watch combines a tourbillon and regulator complication using an in-house Vacheron Constantin tonneau-shaped caliber 1790R movement. A power reserve indicator assists with managing the manually wound movement. The dial features rich guilloche texturing and classic Vacheron Constantin hands in gold, for a stunning yet unpretentious look. Seconds are counted by the tourbillon which makes a full revolution in its cage each sixty seconds. The case is superbly hand-finished and decorated with a design that improves upon the original Malte. Versions are available in platinum or 18k gold, with alligator straps. This Malte Tourbillon Regulator is the finest example of classic watch aesthetics that Swiss Vacheron Constantin watch manufacture produces.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Regulator Watch Judged Year’s Best Tourbillon originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Airocide, Another Way Of Fighting Cork Taint

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The latest weapon in the battle against the dreaded cork taint is something called Airocide. Airocide is a process designed by NASA scientists in the 1990s to remove airborne contaminants and keep fruit and vegetables fresh on a space station. It turns out that it can also eliminate TCA (2,4,6-trichloroanisole), the chemical that causes cork taint in wine. Decanter explains the process which involves sucking air through a box containing a ‘bed’ of titanium dioxide catalyst which is irradiated by UV bulbs, oxidizing any organic contaminants. UK wine laboratory Corkwise performed the trials on behalf of Airocide. It could be used in wineries and warehouses and is already used in food storage.

Airocide, Another Way Of Fighting Cork Taint originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Custom Cashmere Blankets From Lucien Pellat-Finet

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Quirky French knitwear label Lucien Pellat-Finet has a luxurious option to show someone you care. You can by have a custom image of your choice woven in a cashmere or cotton blanket. Each blanket is unique and available in a range of colors. Prices start at £849.

[via Vogue UK]

Custom Cashmere Blankets From Lucien Pellat-Finet originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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