Sleep Soundly, Even When Traveling.

Trouble sleeping?

Most people rely on a specific bedtime routine to ensure a good night’s rest. The common tricks include aromatherapy, sound machines or sleeping masks. A sleep routine can be a real nightmare to follow if you travel a lot, unless you conk out at the The Benjamin Hotel in New York City.

The Benjamin offers a sleep concierge that guarantees you sleep soundly. Their goal is to cater to the client and provide the essential sleep amenities; including 11 types of pillows, high thread count sheets and comforters, a variety of aromatherapy scents, massages, and a host of midnight snacks. This attention to detail will even have insomniacs sleeping a full eight hours.

 

Via Luxist

Luxury that Lasts

 

Would you buy an organic shirt, pant suit, or jacket? Don’t think recyclables like paper, plastics, or glass. Think organic cotton and bamboo. Originally, organic fabric made me think of a burlap sack strategically synched around the waist in an array of browns. I was surprisingly wrong. Viridis Luxe created a brand of clothing that is both sustainable and luxurious. The cotton line includes trendy wrap dresses, shirts, and sweater coats that feel more like cashmere than burlap. The designs are simple, but slightly more expensive. Similar to organic food, you’re paying to save the environment.

Fashion trendsetters are experimenting with this organic style to reduce the eco footprint of their customers, or even educate their customers. One fashion line turned activists, Edun, teams sustainable style with building sustainable communities in Africa. Their clothes aren’t as fashion forward, but the cause behind wearing the brand seems…fit to last.

 

Via Inhabitat

Megayachts to Dinghies!

Vacation homes are passé, why not rent a yacht for your next retreat. Don’t picture the dinghies parked at the local boatyard. Yachts spell luxury. Each has the amenities of a fully furnished luxury home, but these amenities come at a price. The most expensive ‘megayachts’ start at $500,000 per week for luxury on the open seas.

For most, a vacation that costs as much as a moderate size home is not practical. Another option, with the privacy and amenities similar to a megayacht, is chartering a schooner or private boat. Prices range about $10,000 per week to $100,000 plus per week depending on your preferred wiggle room and crew size. Having had the opportunity to sail, I personally think the most attractive reason to charter your vacation isn’t inside the boat, but outside. Alaska, Turkey, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, Greece; wherever you decide to go, destination is essential! Pick a location that suites your personality and your vacation style. There’s no reason to stress with a fully serviced yacht and a knock-dead-gorgeous view.

 

via: Forbes

Picture:  Dolmenyachts

Roughing it at the Trump Tower

So you want to live in New York City, the center of it all. While there may be a few houses on Manhattan, most who choose to live on the island do so in condos, apartment high rises, duplexes and residential towers. No commute, and its all there at your fingertips, in one of the most exciting, diverse bustling cities in the world. Wall Street. Art Museums. The Empire State Building. World class shopping. 5-star restaurants and all the glamour and mayhem that is New York City. How about considering a suite at the Trump World Tower at the United Nations Plaza?

According to wikipedia.org, this tower was the tallest of its kind when New York City was completed. This “landmark” rises about the east river and Manhattan, and boasts he most luxurious residential suites in the world. You can choose a spacious 3 bedroom or go for a deluxe penthouse, complete with wood burning fireplaces and maid’s quarters. All homes have ten to sixteen foot ceilings for outstanding views of the city. There is a private wine cellar, valet parking in the garage, a private health club and spa and a 60 foot swimming pool. Don’t forget the kind doormen and round the clock concierge service. Imagine dining in an outstanding restaurant right in your building, then taking a limo ride to a show on Broadway. You return to your in room jacuzzi and made bed with 300 count thread sheets. It is all there for you. at www.trupworldtower.com A 3 bedroom, home with dining room and 3.5 baths and 2,871 feet of luxury costs $6,500,000.

Haute Coffee

Espresso machines are still all the rage in our java induced coffee swirling society. But you needn’t go to Starbucks for your fix, when you can have one of these beauties on your countertop at home. Imagine entertaining your guests, and offering them a Cappuccino or Latte with the push of a single button. The Jura-Capresso Impressa Z6 is one of the finest made, totally automated and programmable coffee machines in the world. It is made in Switzerland from the finest materials, in shining aluminum and a design that is “art as a medium espressed in many ways.” according to jlhufford.com, a purveyor of fine coffee and tea. The desinger of this machine says: “The delicious aroma that comes with a perfect cup of coffee, the beautiful organic shape of a coffee bean: there’s a sensuality about both of them that I somehow wanted to reflect in the design of the machine.” This do-it-all coffeemaker even grinds your beans and then froths up a crema with your instruction.

Get your gourmet Arabica beans imported from Italy at www.superiortaste.com. The Z6  also has its very own water filteration system and self-cleaning device, a selling point in itself as coffee grinds can be pretty messy. Impress your friends and offer them a Cafe Ole in style.  Avaialble at fine retailers and amazon.com for about $3,659.00. 

The biggest small PC

 

 Imagine being able to slip this computer into your pocket as you travel. This PC weighs only one pound. Available from www.oqo.com, this computer has everything you need. Microsoft Windows XP operating system? Check. Access to email? Check.  VIA VX700 Graphic Card? Check. The OQO model 1 was introduced in 2004 and caused the tech world’s “jaws to drop”, according to www.pcmag.com, a website that rates computer products and services. It has since been updated in a 2nd model (shown above), which was premiered at the world’s biggest electronics convention in Las Vegas this year.  (www.ces.org) With a 5 inch LCD screen, the graphics are bright and the thumboard is quite user friendly. Its got a built in Sprint modem, and an innovative docking system, not to mention 1 GB of RAM and processor speed of 1.5 Ghz. That’s pretty impressive for this Tiny Tim. Take it with you to the beach, to the coffee shop, to the gym. It certainly beats lugging around a laptop with wires, cables and cards. Get yours for around $2,098.00.

Travelin Light

Your luggage can say alot about your personal style. Your taste, your successes, who you are and where you want to be in life. Whether for business or pleasure, choose luggage to fit your lifestyle. Classic well made luggage is usually made of fine leather, and should be built to last through your many journeys. Samsonite used to be the household name when it came to qulaity luggage, and they still carry some of the finest products. Other well known handbag and luggage leather purveyors include Luis Vuitton and Coach. Gucci makes some of the finest travel products in the world, and they are timeless pieces indeed. According to realitalianluggage.com, Italians make great leather-”We’re not saying Italians always do it better, but when it comes to stylish, quality leather goods, they just might have the upper hand.” From everything handbags and totes to wallets, baby carriers, briefcases and duffels, you can find definite style here. Not all of their pieces carry the classic double “G” stamped pattern that you see on many authentic Gucci pieces, but all of them have some trademark to prove they are the real thing in a world of knock-offs. Check out this travel bag above. This “trolley” is made from chocolate guccissima leather, with silver trim and retractable exterior handle. A zip pocket for identification and a lock comes in handy as well. A beautiful bag that you can take onboard, as its dimensions are only 14x7x20. Gucci makes a statement, there’s no doubt about that. Get yours for $3625.00 online at www.gucci.com.

Some serious smoke

If you are a Cigar smoker, you probably appreciate fine cigars like you appreciate a fine wine. According to ambassadorsfinecigars.com, “Being a cigar aficionado is more than just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. It’s about taking the time to savor the small, joyful moments of life with good friends.” Cigars that are worth their weight are kept in humidors, which can be a specially made box or entire room dedicated to controlling the humidity in order to preserve the finest qulaity cigars and tobacco. Spanish cedar is the most commonly used wood for humidors, and the process readying the device is no small task. Humidors need to be seasoned after having been dry for a while, and keeping the area moist is important, water is added and then removed to create a spongelike element before the cigars are added. Quality cigars such as the ones shown above, made by Jean Jarreau for Arawak, are still hand rolled. Tobacco is cured for up to 45 days and then fermented where the leaf contiunes to age gracefully,-this is where the flavor, burning, and aroma characteristics are primarily brought out in the leaf. Arawak boasts it sells the worlds most expensive cigar. There are several varieties to choose from, with names like the Prince, the King, or the President, all ranging in price and differing in flavor and strength.  You can sample 10 of each type for a fine and tasty $10,000. Enjoy and savor each cigar like it was your last. And yes, the humidor is included.

Movin on up to Miami Beach

 

It’s no secret Florida is an ideal place to live. Warm breezes, the gorgeous Atlantic ocean, and miles of white sand beaches right here in the US. There’s a reason Florida earned the name the “Sunshine State.” The sun is out at 8 am, and people are already on the golf course.  Flowers saved for the tropics flourish here, like night jasmine and hibiscus, and oranges, grapefruit and lemon trees grow right outside your door. How about calling this 13,000 foot mansion home? Located in Miami, this gorgeous spread hosts 12 bedrooms  and 9 baths and is literally right on the waterfront.  This isn’t just any luxury property-according to miamibeachrealestate.com, this home is ideal for a “VIP.” With its dramatic European design, there is a main house and a guest house, both have pools and large kitchenettes. For the master house, a 3 car garage awaits. Your guests will enjoy 4 bedrooms and sweeping bay front views. Bridges aren’t necessary, just step on down to the ocean and let your senses take you away.  There is storage for up to 5 yachts, and don’t forget the media room and library. You’ll be rolling with the many celebrities who call Miami Beach home. According to zillow.com, this one is a keeper. Available for $18,900,000.  Welcome to your new VIP lifestyle in Miami Beach.

Waterfront Living

 

Ever dreamed of living on a houseboat? More and more people are attracted to a life on the water-the waves rocking you to sleep at night,  catching your lunch at noon right off your deck, and living amongst a slower community of drifters, literally. Imagine life on a houseboat, where cars are rarely used and traffic is light. Just imagine, no more yardowork! Entertain on the deck under the stars, and swim in the buff (if you choose). According to homeand lifestyles.com, “There’s just something about being on the water that no other endeavor can match for relaxing body, mind and spirit.” Privacy is yours to be had as you choose where to go and where to dock. You could choose to rent a luxury liner at www.houseboats.com, or you can look into buying one of your very own. This 55 foot home crusier has 2 cabins and 2 baths, an economically diesel powered engine, fiberglass hull and deck, a gas stove and electric grill, electronic navigation and 2 sun decks with awnings, “undoubtedly the optimum in waterfront living and built to the highest standards.” Built in 2005, we found this one in Austrailia-this sleeper is available at www.cysales.com and is available for around AU $525,000. Bon voyage.