In the image of modern design with a pinch of minimalistic ingenuity comes Axolute's sink with HIS (horizontal integrated siphon) technology. Brilliant! Instead of trying to hide the clunky pipes underneath most wash basins the HIS neatly rids the sink of water through a slot on the front edge of the basin which routes the liquid back to the wall connection. You can place the Axolute sink on its own or mount it above a vanity -- either way its clean lines and limited space encroachment makes it ideal for almost any modern space.
Remember that movie, Coming to America, with Eddie Murphy where he plays Prince Akeem who has royal bathers and servants waiting on him hand and foot? Well, the Kohler C3 Bidet Seat to me is the technology equivalent of someone there to clean your backside. A seat attachment that sports bidet technology complete with a remote is designed to cleanse your seat after you take care of business. It may even be considered somewhat 'green' since it reduces the need for toilet paper if not eliminating it altogether. For $950 you can purchase the seat, attach it, program it to suit your size/needs, and enjoy a temperature controlled bum-washing after nature has called.
Mauritius, an island off the eastern coast of Africa amid the Indian Ocean, is a tropical getaway that probably won't attract as many disruptive tourists as the usual vacation spots like Mexico or the Bahamas. On the eastern edge of the island lies the Anahita Resort with plush accommodations, fresh cuisine, an airy spa and an Ernie Els championship golf course. The luxurious residences are complete with the expected amenities and services with the addition of a Villa Master?! Nice. The 'Master' will prepare complimentary breakfast and take care of any other in-residence dining needs. The island has recreational and relaxing opportunities alike and is sure to get you away from the stress and hectic life at home.
Perhaps summer water fun is getting boring -- just boating, waterskiing, and swimming -- and something with icy appeal you can climb up and slide off would do the trick. Reminiscent of a jump-castle on the water's surface Aviva's IceBerg brings out the adventurer in you. For $5,750 you can inflate it, place it and provide fun to a whole slew of friends and family for hours. (I know there are a bunch of bikini babes in the pictures -- these, sadly, are not included in the price...neither is an air pump but at least you can purchase that on the site.)
This morning I decided the running shoes I've had for almost a year need to be replaced -- time to buy a new pair! I love the bounce of a brand new pair of shoes...unspoiled and ready for everything I plan to put them through. I wanted to find a place to donate my less bouncy pairs to the benefit of others and came across One World Running, a non-profit organization based in Boulder, Colorado. Collecting and donating thousands of new and 'nearly new' shoes to needy individuals across the U.S. and the world this ambitious organization is supported by Scout troops, individuals on a mission, shoe companies and even local store drives. With an international scope they have provided shoes to children and adults alike, athletes and humanitarians too from Belize to Africa. Whether you donate your sneaks or funds you will ensure that others can stride in comfort and continue along their own journeys whatever terrain it takes them over. (The photos in the gallery below really showcase their efforts).
When most people think of American wines they name California, Oregon and Washington but amazingly wine making is something every state has in common. With all the political hubbub happening currently it seems timely that someone would pin the red and blue states against each other in a more delicious contest. Sure the Blue's come in heavy with the three states mentioned above but the Red-leaning states have Arizona's Caduceus and Virginia's Barboursville to tout. Among the Blue states there is the lesser known Finger Lake region of New York highlighting Heron Hill's Reisling and Illinois' hybrid varietals.
Personally, I'm interested in trying Hawaii's Pineapple Wine -- that has to be perfect for dessert or sipping on a hot day -- which I didn't know existed until today! I'll take a hammock on the beach with a glass of wine any day and leave the politicking to the experts.
Simple, modern lines make this furniture line sleek, elegant and one of Donatella's best creations. The timeless combination of black and white will compliment almost any room and allow for a color palette to come through in accessories, art, floor coverings or paint. The lounge chair is my personal favorite with a whimsical line that makes me want to crawl in and curl up with a good book. Unfortunately I couldn't find any price information but I would doubt you would see this line in a discount store -- plan on spending a bundle to makeover your abode in this sensational look.
Exquisite, handmade, one-of-a-kind beaded creations are the product of Monkeybiz but the non-profit organization does much more than these crafts. Offering women in Southern Africa the opportunity to earn an income from home while encouraging entrepreneurship and developing skills is Monkeybiz's end goal. Providing materials for these unique projects free of charge and ensuring a sustainable income through growth of new markets and retailers means women can help provide for their families. There is even an associated health clinic for HIV+ women, a soup kitchen to fulfill nutritional needs and funeral financial assistance. Donate funds or materials, purchase their handcrafted works or volunteer your time if you feel passionate about the mission of Monkeybiz.
You would have to have a serious love affair with wine and one eclectic house to pull off the JugSimple Collection from Carlo Rossi. I imagine guests may wonder if they can actually sit on the Cabernet Couch but certainly the creative look confirms your passion for the vine. If you think this is the look for you then go beyond the couch and complete your room/house with the Chardonnay Chandelier, Paisano Plasma TV Stand, Sangria Sound System, Burgundy Bookshelf, and Rhine Reading Lamp. Not sure what these oenophilic designs will cost you but I would hope they would include some free wine with the shipment.
This idea either sounds like torture or like a good way to avoid a DUI...unless of course you can't steer the handlebars after a day's worth of tasting...is that called a RUI?? Getaway Adventures offers a fantastic, car-less way to explore the valleys of Napa or Sonoma via a bicycle (or kayak if you prefer a more refreshing option). Whether you are looking for just a day-trip, corporate/group event or weekend excursion I doubt you will be disappointed. A spread of local foods is provided for lunch, stops at a myriad of local wineries is included, and local tour guides will expand your knowledge of flora, fauna, and vineyard as you ride.
Don't expect a strenuous adventure -- it is geared toward the 'enthusiastic beginner' as they put it so don't worry if you aren't Lance Armstrong. Vacation...wine tasting...exercise all in one? Perfect.
Tours are available from March 1st to November 30th.
Teddy bears are such a universal item its hard to make one someone wouldn't adore. Growing up there was the Paddington Bear, then Build-A-Bear came along, but the most recent creation, which makes a truly unique (and expensive!) mark on the history of stuffed bears, is the Karl Lagerfeld teddy bear made by Steiff. Touted as a 'master of luxury', Karl Lagerfeld may be seen by many as the quintessential choice for a luxury bear that costs upwards of $14,000 and will be sold at Neiman Marcus this September in NYC. I think the bear could be mistaken as one of the Men In Black if you don't follow the design industry but either way it is cool, chic, and totally original.
I wavered on this post for a while but decided that although it's an inexpensive wine the fact that it is something new to Spain's wine market outweighs its less-than-luxurious price tag. So here it is -- a wine that may be appropriate for pregnant mothers, bad drunks, and the religiously-restricted. Miguel Torres recently launched Natureo which is Spain's first wine with only 0.5% alcohol! Sure we have heard of or tasted Martinelli's sparkling cider (a favorite in my family for the youngsters at holiday gatherings). But Natureo sounds a little more interesting to me -- it is a white wine made from the Muscat grape which may mean it is more of a sweet wine. The sales are limited to their own country for the time being and cost about $10 per bottle but I think it isn't such a bad idea. At least it is more akin to the real thing than sparkling apple juice.
We've seen gold shoes on track stars like the USA's Michael Johnson and most recently on Jamaica's Usain Bolt. Now Nike wants to pay a final tribute to the 2008 Summer Olympics with the new Air Force 1 'Closing Ceremonies' shoes. With the end of the Beijing Olympics coming Nike will offer these flashy sneaks releasing on August 25th and offering them in a special 080808 box. No sign yet as to the cost for these golden gallopers -- but they sure are snazzy.
Labor Day is almost upon us and as for me I am still firming up my plans. A college football game on television is at the top of my husband's list but not me. If I lived on the same coast as Sonoma County I would be at their event in a heartbeat! Ever tried to cover the wide array of wineries that make up Sonoma wine country? I haven't either but from what I hear it takes a lot more driving and time than most visitors can cover in a weekend. No problem because the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend will bring it all to you in a relatively small area -- no driving required once you arrive.
Tickets range from $50 to $650 depending on how long you can stay and your specific interests. There are Winemaker Dinners, the Grand Tasting, and even an Auction for those of you with deeper pockets. Enjoy wine from Alexander Valley to the Russian River Valley and everything in between. This is the inaugural year for this event and you don't want to miss it! Be there or be...me, with my little football party.
What happens when a prestigious organization bestows an award upon a non-existent restaurant? Yikes. Sure it had a name and a decent, mostly Italian wine list to go with its submission, plus the $250 fee, but it had no real address! This is exactly what happened recently when Wine Spectator handed out its Award of Excellence to a phony. As a sort of experiment the applicant, Mr. Robin Goldstein, created this submission to discover for himself the standards applied to the Award of Excellence -- and was discouraged by his findings. His disappointment wasn't just because the award had gone to a fictitious entity but that his reserve wine list which was included in the award included some of the Wine Spectator's lowest scoring Italian wines from the past twenty years! Not looking so prestigious anymore...
