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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Trend of the Week - Houndstooth

Trendspotting

Houndstooth Print



I love houndstooth print, it looks refined and rock-chic at the same the time. Originated in Scotland, the two-tone fabric is made up of uneven checks. I prefer the combination of black-and-white, any other colour in this print just doesn't have the same effect. 



Houndstooth can be incorporated into your wardrobe in small doses. Start with a shoe, handbag or belt, move on to a jacket or skirt and if you're bold enough, wear a complete houndstooth outfit. But remember to balance it off with neutral accessories. This Tuesday, three starlets started what I hope is going to be a re-emergence of the houndstooth trend. 



Selena Gomez was in New York on Tuesday for an interview on SiriusXM Radio. The young star wore a cute pair of black and white houndstooth shorts by Nuj Novakhett. She paired it with a sheer black long-sleeved top by Robert Rodriguez. Black mid calf boots kept her look casual.



Ashley Greene attended the Salvatore Ferragamo Resort 2012 presentation in New York, also on Tuesday. The Twilight star wore a belted ivory dress with v-neck and emphasized shoulder detail. She added a touch of houndstooth with a Salvatore Ferragamo clutch bag. The contrast of the ruby red heels look fabulous.



Teresa Palmer also attended the Salvatore Ferragamo show, wearing an outfit by the designer. The Australian actress chose a bold black and white houndstooth wrap-dress from Ferragamo's Fall 2011 collection. She wore simple black heels with it and held a silver clutch bag.



Friday Frills





"One has to live in the present. Whatever is past is gone beyond recall, whatever is future remains beyond one’s reach, until it becomes present. Remembering the past and giving thought to the future are important, but only to the extent that they help one deal with the present.” 
S.N. Goenka




Regal in Red

Red Evening Gowns 

worn this week



A red dress always turns heads due to it's dynamic colour. This week, Hilary Swank and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley set the red carpet alight in two glamorous red gowns.



Oscar winning actress Hilary Swank was in Toronto to attend the IIFA 2011 Awards. She looked sensational in a raspberry red Elie Saab gown. The sleeveless gown with bateau neck was lavishly beaded, and featured a long train. She carried a gold clutch bag by Judith Lieber and wore drop diamond earrings. Her hair was simply styled up in a bun. 



In New York, Rosie Huntington-Whitely continued her promotional tour for 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'. The actress wore a strapless cherry red lamé gown with high slit by Antonio Berardi. Nude Louboutins finished her look, although strappy sandals may have looked better. Rosie wore her hair in a vintage Veronica Lake style, with side swept waves.



Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Just Fun...Guest Book

I found this creative guest book on Everyday Ebullience... So cleaver!


Image Via Green Wedding Shoes

Rolls-Royce Masterpiece London 2011 Drophead Coupe【Video】


Rolls-Royce unveiled a one-off bespoke Phantom Drophead Coupe that was hand-built at the company’s home of Goodwood, England.

Designed for the "perfect weekend get-away" the bespoke Phantom features a one-of-a-kind Asprey jewellery box which is built into the glove compartment. Before the top goes down, the removable jewellery box acts as a quick stash for rings, cufflinks and earrings. Other bespoke details include teak decking with mother-of-pearl inlays, embroidered R-R logos in headrests, engraved tread plates, white instrument dials, rotary controllers and clock finished in mother-of-pearl.

The coupe will use the standard 6.7-liter V12 engine cranking out 453-hp and 531 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm.

Inside, it gets a leather interior in Seashell with Navy Blue contrast color, embroidered headrests, and yacht-inspired teak decking. Mother-of-pearl inlays highlight the Santos Palissander wood veneer and dash-mounted clock.



2011 Drophead Coupe2011 Drophead Coupe2011 Drophead Coupe2011 Drophead Coupe2011 Drophead Coupe2011 Drophead Coupe2011 Drophead Coupe



Press Release

Rolls-Royce presents one-off bespoke Drophead Coupé at Masterpiece London 2011


Rolls-Royce Motors Cars proudly presents a very special Phantom Drophead Coupé, hand-built by craftspeople at the home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. The highly bespoke model was designed to capture the essence of a perfect weekend get-away, offering drivers and their passengers the ultimate luxurious and relaxing experience in roof-down motoring.

As well as bespoke luggage, the Masterpiece London 2011 Drophead Coupé features a one-off Asprey jewellery box, housed discretely in the glove compartment. Designed for rings, cufflinks and earrings, it presents stylish and secure storage for these essential valuables before drivers and their passengers sink back into sumptuous leather seats, set the roof down and head out of town.

The model was created for Masterpiece London 2011 and hosts a suite of additional bespoke design details, including teak decking, engraved tread plates and Spirit of Ecstasy with inscription that marks the centenary of the world’s most famous bonnet icon.

The Masterpiece London 2011 Drophead Coupé is also the first Rolls-Royce to be presented in Mazarine Blue, a bespoke finish that joins a palette of 44,000 shades already available to clients ordering Phantom models. This eye-catching colour takes inspiration from the Mazarine Blue butterfly, a whimsical creature at home in continental Europe, which can still occasionally be seen wafting by in the South of England.

The luxurious natural-grain leather interior comes in Seashell with Navy Blue contrast for floor and door panels with embroidered R-R logos finished in headrests. With roof down, the car reveals its yacht-inspired teak decking, with mother-of-pearl inlays throughout cross-banded Santos Palissander wood veneers. White instrument dials, rotary controllers and clock finished in mother-of-pearl complete the design.

Asprey Jewellery Case

The Asprey jewellery case, which fits neatly into the passenger glove compartment, took two working days to finish, using a hide of softest grade-one suede cut into 15 separate pieces.

Its central earring holder is detachable and can be interchanged for use with clip earrings or stud styles. There are also two additional sections for elegant cufflinks, and a separate compartment for the owner’s most precious rings. An embossed silver foil Asprey stamp finishes this stunning one-off feature.

Bespoke Luggage

Designed in Goodwood, the bespoke luggage set can be found nestled neatly in the picnic boot of the Masterpiece London 2011 Drophead Coupé. The leather used to craft this bespoke set of four cases is of the highest quality and employs a traditional approach in its creation.

Hides were carefully selected for the firmness and grain structure then tanned in pits, a slow artisanal way of producing hard-wearing yet supple leather – and a process that takes four months to complete. The result is beautiful; a substantial material, in deep Navy Blue, that is also resistant to hard wear. Moreover the leather has a distinctive and intense aroma of vegetable tannins that come from the mix of bark, wood and berries used to stabilise and pigment the hides.

Masterpiece London 2011

Masterpiece London 2011 is held in the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, this unique Rolls-Royce is available for preview from Friday 29 June 2011. The fair runs from Saturday 30 June – Friday 5 July 2011. For further details please visitwww.masterpiecefair.com

Flushed Pink

Pretty Pink Blushes


One of my makeup must-haves is a rosy pink blush. Even if you don't put anything else on, a sweet pink blush will give you a healthy, peaches-and-cream glow. These are my picks of the best pink blushes that are currently in stores.


Top Row
Rimmel London blush in Spring Fever. A trio of berry pinks that can be used alone or combined to create a multi-tonal look. A great budget buy.
Clarins Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour in Rose Wood. Two complementary shades in an elegant gold compact. There's a matte shade for sculpting and an shimmering powder that highlights.
Bobby Brown Shimmer Brick in Rose. Five iridescent rows of colour from frosty pink to deep sandalwood. It's better suited for a night out, due to the glimmering effect it creates. It can also be used as eye-shadow.


Middle Row
L'oréal Paris True Match Blush in Rosewood. This warm tinged, jigsaw-print blush is designed to naturally blend into your skin tone. It makes a good handbag companion, as it comes with it's own brush and mirror.
Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover in Plum Poppy. The beautiful floral design is not the only alluring factor about this blush. It is a long-wearing powder that's subtle and multi-tonal. It can be applied all over the face to create a radiant glow or just on your cheeks for a rosy hue.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Blush in Rose. Pack away your make-up brush, this innovative little pink pot comes with it's own built-in sponge applicator. Lightly dab on for naturally flushed cheeks.


Bottom Row
Dior Shimmer Star Pressed Powder in Rose Diamond. Several stars of gleaming colour make up this stylish compact. It is enriched with Jeweled Microdust that give cheeks the ultimate sweep of luminosity.
Givenchy Le Prisme Blush in Blooming Fuchsia. Swirl your brush around four blocks of colour to get a sheer, multi-dimensional look. The blush is made using Givenchy's cutting edge particle atomization technique.
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Rose Écrin. This spiced pink blush is from Chanel's Fall 2011 Collection. It has a shimmery, rather than frosty finish and the colour can be built up towards an intensity that you prefer.


Get tickled pink with one of these pretty pink blushes, available at selected Edgars and Red Square stores.



Crowne Plaza to trial “snore absorption room”

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Crowne Plaza to trial “snore absorption room”.

 
InterContinental-owned Crowne Plaza has unveiled a room designed to help the long-suffering partners of snoring sleepers get a good night’s sleep.

The chain said that a “snore absorption room” is being rolled out at nine of its global properties on a trial basis to see if it can help couples snooze in more comfort.

Based on “proven technology,” the room has been given a set of extra features Crowne Plaza believes could help reduce snoring, tackling both the snorer and the person being kept awake.

Walls of the room have been soundproofed, for instance, to help eliminate the reverberation of snoring, while a sound-absorbing headboard has been installed to minimize transference of the snores at close quarters.

Another high-tech addition is the white noise machine, which is designed to help drown out the noise of snoring and aid relaxation for the person kept awake.

For the snorer, the room features an anti-snoring bed wedge, designed to keep the person in a specific position which reduces the chance of the tongue falling backwards, a cause of snoring.

The guest also sleeps on an anti-snoring pillow, which uses magnetic fields which Crowne Plaza says open the airways and stiffen the upper palate, which vibrates during snoring.

It will be up to the guests to decide whether Crowne Plaza’s new room is the Holy Grail or a clever stunt, but according to the brand’s research, there should be no shortage of volunteers.

The chain said that UK research suggested that over a half of couples lose between one and five hours sleep a night due to the snoring and snuffling of their partners, adding up to a decade of lost sleep over a lifetime.

The trial will take place between June 27 – July 1 in:

Crowne Plaza London, The City
Crowne Plaza Hamburg, Germany
Crowne Plaza Paris République, France
Crowne Plaza Milan City, Italy (from June 29)
Crowne Plaza Madrid Airport, Spain (from June 29)
Crowne Plaza Vilamoura Algarve Hotel & Spa, Portugal (from June 29)
Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport, Belgium
Crowne Plaza Amsterdam Schiphol

Source: AFPrelaxnews


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World’s biggest raw emerald on display

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents World’s biggest raw emerald on display.

 
A massive uncut emerald on exhibit in Colombia’s capital is being touted by its owners as the biggest in the world, officials said Saturday.

The 11,000-karat raw green gem weighs in at 2.27 kilos (almost five pounds) and is on show in Bogota 12 years after it was mined in Muzo, in the South American nation’s emerald country in Boyaca province.

“It is priceless,” Santiago Soto, spokesman for the Minergemas 2011 gem industry trade fair under way in Bogota, said of the stone owned by the firm Coexminas.

No more than 15 people at a time are allowed to view the stone, with five guards looking on.

Colombia produces 55 percent of the world’s emeralds, exporting them for about $200 million a year.

Via AFP

 
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The Art of Tasteful Dining

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents The Art of Tasteful Dining.
 
While all living creatures need to eat, it’s only human to think of food as far more than mere nourishment for the mind and body. It is an integral part of numerous celebratory events, and even the simple act of eating often involves social interaction.

Whether everyday fare or a festive feast, pleasurable dining is comprised of many different elements. Sometimes the occasion calls for china, crystal and silver elegance. More often than not, a more casual environment is in order. Either way, fine table linens provide an inviting background for whatever tableware and table decorations are suitable for the occasion.

How setting the table can set the mood.

Schweitzer table linens have inspired every manner of dining—from breakfasts in bed to patio lunches and formal dinner parties—for more than 35 years. But we believe the people who come together at your table are the most important components of any meal. Whether family or friends, those who share that conviviality with you are the raisons d´être for all the effort you put into planning and preparing what you serve and how you serve it.

Since pleasing them is your first priority, presentation of the food and the ambience you wish to create are just as important as the menu. If you think of your table as an artist’s canvas, and let your imagination run free, you will find countless ways to create the perfect setting— not only for the enjoyment of delicious food, but also to create a most enjoyable mood.

First things first: The elegant simplicity of a crisp white linen tablecloth is never the wrong choice for your dinner table, but it is far from being your only choice. Opulent damasks like our Persia medallion motif or Waverly floral weave instantly communicate “special occasion.” As do tablecloths etched with embroidery, edged with delicate lace or embellished with intricate cutwork— like our King’s Way, Leilani and Royale, to name just a few. For buffets or less than formal dinners, if your sideboard or table has a highly polished wood surface or rich patina that deserves to be admired, placemats and runners are a perfectly acceptable option. Our handcrafted Windsor, hand-embroidered Lausanne and hand-crocheted Précieux are some of the impressive examples you will find in our extensive collection of extraordinary table linens.

What you bring to the table: Even if you own just two sets of dinnerware, one formal and one casual, you can have an endless variety of interesting table settings for everyday and special occasions— simply by adding your own creative touches. An antique soup tureen or cut glass bowl or a large bowl in your china pattern can highlight a beautiful flower arrangement for your centerpiece. Candelabra surrounded by a ring of small votive candles will provide illumination as well as decoration. Tiny bunches of flowers in heirloom teacups or crystal goblets make delightful place setting markers. Innovative flower receptacles can easily be improvised out of something as treasured as your grandmother’s favorite porcelain pitcher or as witty as Chinese takeout cartons.

Feel free to mix and match just about anything and everything. If your guests number more than your place settings, use complementary dinnerware for every other guest around the table. Glasses can also be used in non-traditional ways, out of necessity or choice. Whether stemmed or not, whatever the style, almost any glass can serve a purpose other than its own. Table linens are equally adaptable. If you entertain the same friends using the same dinnerware time and again, keep your table looking fresh and new with different tablecloths and napkins to mix and match.

Entertaining ideas you can improvise at home..

Sunday breakfast or brunch can take on the air of a special occasion simply by using the food itself as decoration. Mounds of muffins, scones and croissants on pedestal plates and baskets filled with colorful fruit are as appetizing to the eye as they are to the palate. Especially when presented on our Finesse or Strawberry Fields tablecloth.

A candlelight dinner for two should be as memorable as your love. Light up your table with sparkling crystal and silver on a tablecloth designed for romantic moments (like our pure linen, hand-embroidered Patrician with delicate tracings of white-on-white flowers). For a captivating centerpiece, fill a crystal bowl with water, add floating white rose petals and candles and place it on a mirror for utmost effect.

For happy holiday dinners, set the tone with a table matched to the day. Create a cornucopia centerpiece with Autumn leaves and maize for Thanksgiving. Make a winter wonderland for Christmas or Hanukah with a crisp white linen tablecloth like our Marbella. Add silver candlesticks, a silver bowlful of white flowers and silver serving pieces, all sparkling like icicles. Then tie each snow white napkin with a silver ribbon dangling a silver jingle bell. For Easter fill a basket with faux green grass and colored eggs, and choose a pastel tablecloth like our Piazza. For Passover, arrange your festival candles and candlesticks and ceremonial foods on a festive white tablecloth from our extraordinary collection

Bon appetite!

This is just a taste of what you can do to make any dining experience more fulfilling for your family and friends, and more fun for you. To inspire you even more, we invite you to browse through the exquisite table linens on this web site, as well as in Schweitzer Linen catalogs.

Source: Schweitzer Linen

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Norwegian Cruise Line unveils new stateroom designs

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Norwegian Cruise Line unveils new stateroom designs.


Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has revealed the new cabin designs to be used on its new ships set to come into service over the next three years.

The cabins, unveiled June 21, are described as “modern boutique hotel meets the sea” and are built on the experience of Norwegian over the past ten years — during which time it has launched ten new ships.

The two new vessels, currently codenamed Project Breakaway, are scheduled for delivery in April 2013 and April 2014, and can carry around 4,000 passengers.


 
The balcony cabins all feature a king-size bed and separate sofa bed, along with neat features to maximize space such as a lighted recess above the bed and a flatscreen television mounted on the wall, with another recessed nook underneath.

Bathrooms are finished in wood and feature a cleverly concealed vanity section under the sink, although as cruise guru John Honeywell points out, many cruisers will just be delighted at the omission of the open-plan bathroom aboard Norwegian Epic, which required some sacrifice of privacy.

 
Guests in one of the ship’s 238 mini-suites will enjoy a roomier bathroom with double sink and a “spa-like” shower with a rain shower head and body spray jets.

NCL won widespread praise for its introduction of single cabins aboard Norwegian Epic last year, and the line has promised to unveil several further cabin designs on its Facebook page next month.

The new class of ship will weigh in at 144,017 gross tons, says Norwegian, putting it at a similar size to the 130,000 ton Carnival Magic, which set sail last month and can carry 3,690 passengers.

Source: AFPrelaxnews


 
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Lexus L600h Landaulet For Monaco Royal Wedding

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Lexus L600h Landaulet For Monaco Royal Wedding.

 
A hybrid Lexus has been chosen as the official royal wedding car of Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock next month, the automaker has revealed.

A customized LS600h Landaulet with a transparent polycarbonate roof has been specially constructed for the occasion to allow guests to get a look at the couple during the event, scheduled for July 2.

It was dismantled to allow for the fitting of the 26kg roof, a special addition to the model, which will eventually go on display at the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco.

As the vehicle is a hybrid, Lexus says that much of the tour of Monaco that the couple plan to take after the wedding will be emission-free.

The official wedding car could prove quite a publicity coup for Lexus, which already holds a royal warrant as the official supplier to the Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

Volvo, which was the official supplier of vehicles for the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling of Sweden 12 months ago, provided a fleet of specially-designed S80 and V70 vehicles which were seen in pictures around the world.

The vehicles were then sold afterwards and proved exceptionally popular among dealers and buyers, according to Volvo.

Source: AFPrelaxnews

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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

5 Things Your Bikini Waxer Won't Tell You

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents 5 Things Your Bikini Waxer Won't Tell You.

She may tell you "Don't worry," but that would be a hell of a lot more convincing if she shared all this need-to-know info too. Make your next wax-on, wax-off session less painful with these amazing tips. By Christie Griffin

1. Pop a couple Aspirin 45 minutes before the appointment.
This is a brilliant ouch!-reducing strategy because not only do over-the-counter painkillers like Aspirin and Ibuprofen help reduce the feeling of pain, but they have anti-inflammatory components too.

2. Don't schedule your wax right before your period.
Your skin is more sensitive during this time of your cycle, so try to get the wax done at least three days before you're supposed to start menstruating. And don't even think about making an appointment during your period — not only is that icky for the technician, but a lot of places have a "no period policy."

3. Avoid working out or wearing tight clothing right away.
Nothing kills the buzz of a bare (or barer) hoo-ha like a bunch of pimples on your privates. That's what can happen if you work out within 48 hours after a waxing session because your "born again" (i.e., hairless) skin is extra sensitive to sweat, bacteria, and chafing from your shorts or pants. Plus: Wearing tight clothing like leggings or jeggings can increase the chances of ingrown hairs because they can reroute hair back down and under the skin instead of growing out. Some dermatologists have even noted seeing an increase in ingrowns since the legging trend became so popular.

4. Your "aim" might be off afterward, so hover carefully.
We're not suggesting you actually sit on a mysterious toilet seat...but to avoid wet thighs or pants, be extra low and careful while squatting. Because your hair down there used to help control things, it's common for your stream to be a little wacky after your wax.

5. Schedule your appointment between 3 and 5 p.m.
Your pain threshold is the highest at this point in the day. The stuff that would make you yelp at 10 a.m. will only make you wince a little now.

Source: Shoba NYC Salon

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2011 BMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OvgGmcnUUVg/TgnwPPct8EI/AAAAAAAEn-A/6OPM0pB4xZg/s1600/X1_1.jpg

BMW officially announced the X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition set to debut this fall.

This model is powered by a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo diesel engine that produces 161 hp (163 PS / 120 kW) and 280 lb.-ft (380 Nm) of torque.

With an average fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100 km and a CO2 emission level of 119 g/km on the European cycle, the new X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition is the most efficient BMW X model.

Other features that come with the BMW EfficientDynamics package include engine start-stop, brake energy regeneration, electromechanical power steering unlike the full hydraulic on the X1 sDrive20d which we tested. Adding to the list is a disengageable air-conditioning compressor and low rolling resistance tires. The BMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition also features a longer rear axle drive ratio and specific light alloys in the Streamline design.


BMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics EditionBMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition



Press Release

The BMW X1 - unique in the premium segment and now even more efficient.



Munich. The BMW X1, the very first and still the only premium vehicle in its segment, continues to extend its pioneering position in the field of fuel efficiency. In the autumn of 2011, the model diversity across the range of the compact all-rounder will be complemented by the BMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition. This model, which was systematically designed to provide driving pleasure simultaneously combined with reduced fuel consumption and emission levels, is powered by a 120 kW/163 hp four-cylinder diesel engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. With an average fuel consumption of 4.5 litres/100 km and a CO2 emission level of 119 grams per kilometre it achieves best marks for efficiency in a BMW X model. Furthermore, from the autumn of 2011, a newly developed four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology will be available for the BMW X1. The 135 kW/184 hp power unit also sets new standards in the reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions within its performance class, with values ranging from 7.1 litres and 165 grams for the BMW X1 sDrive20i and 7.7 litres (automatic: 7.6 litres) and 179 grams (177 grams) for the BMW X1 xDrive20i.


The consistent deployment of highly efficient engines and BMW EfficientDynamics technology fitted as standard helps BMW X models also achieve brand-typical driving pleasure combined with exemplary fuel economy and low emission levels. The BMW X1's outstanding efficiency is a fundamental part of its premium character, which is unique within the competitive environment and also underscored by high-class workmanship, elaborated functionality, a variable interior and numerous equipment features. The BMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition raises the relation between sporty and athletic agility and fuel economy to a new level. Its 2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, whose BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprises a supercharging system with variable turbine geometry and Common Rail injection, generates a maximum output of 120 kW/163 hp between 3 250 und 4 200 rpm. Maximum torque of 380 Nm is available between 1 750 and 2 500 rpm.


The engine has been optimised in detail in order to achieve an exceptionally high degree of efficiency. Special model-specific features include a centrifugal force pendulum in the dual-mass flywheel, which compensates vibration experienced at low engine speeds, thus providing more riding comfort when the vehicle is driven within the economic low engine speed range. The gear-shift point indicator fitted as standard has been adapted to suit the new engine characteristics. Moreover, standard features also include brake energy regeneration, Auto Start Stop function, electromechanical power steering, a disengageable air-conditioning compressor and tyres with reduced rolling resistance. The BMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition also features a longer rear axle drive ratio and specific light alloys in the Streamline design.

Furthermore, the BMW X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition features newly conceived insulation technology for reducing engine noise that is perceptible inside the vehicle. The noise optimisation measures will be deployed as from the autumn of 2011 in all further diesel versions of the BMW X1.
The petrol engine variants of the BMW X1 also present themselves as pacesetters for ever-increasing driving pleasure combined with optimised efficiency. The BMW X1 xDrive28i is now being followed by further models featuring a new generation of four-cylinder combustion engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The technology package featured on the 2-litre four-cylinder power unit for the BMW X1 sDrive20i with rear-wheel drive and the BMW X1 xDrive20i with intelligent four-wheel drive comprises a supercharging system according to the Twin Scroll principle, the direct injection system High Precision Injection and variable valve control VALVETRONIC. This combination guarantees not only spontaneous response and sporty power delivery even in the higher load ranges, but also favourable fuel consumption that is outstanding for petrol engines in this performance class.


Maximum power output of the new engine is 135 kW/184 hp, which is made available between 5 000 and 6 250 rpm, whilst maximum torque of 270 Nm is achieved between 1 250 and 4 500 rpm. Thanks to its supreme pulling power and sporting performance, the BMW X1 sDrive20i accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and the BMW X1 xDrive20i in 7.8 seconds. Average fuel consumption of 7.1 litres/100 km as per the EU test cycle and a CO2 emission level of 165 grams are applicable to the BMW X1 sDrive20i both in conjunction with the standard six-speed manual gearbox as well as with the optional eight-speed automatic transmission. The BMW X1 xDrive20i achieves an average fuel consumption of 7.7 litres/100 km (automatic: 7.6 litres) and a CO2 emission level of 179 (177) grams per kilometre. The standard BMW Efficient Dynamics technology package featured on both models comprises in addition to brake energy regeneration and on-demand control of ancillary components also the Auto Start Stop function and the gear-shift point indicator for vehicles with manual transmission as well as electromechanical power steering on the BMW X1 sDrive20i.


With the introduction of the new engines, the drive portfolio of the BMW X1 will increase in the autumn of 2011 to a total of three petrol and four diesel power units with a power output spectrum ranging from 105 kW/143 hp to 180 kW/245 hp. All told, there is a choice of ten model variants, five of them featuring characteristic BMW power transmission to the rear wheels and five with the electronically controlled four-wheel drive system xDrive.


The entry-level model from the BMW X family attains additional appeal through optimisation of the suspension technology as well as an extended range of optional equipment. The standard stability control feature DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) has been supplemented on the rear-wheel drive diesel models by the dry braking and fading compensation functions. The models BMW X1 sDrive20i, BMW X1 sDrive28i, BMW X1 xDrive20i, BMW X1 xDrive28i and BMW X1 xDrive20d are equipped in addition with the brake stand-by function and a hill-start assistant. The BMW Individual roof rail system High Gloss Shadow Line will also be available in future as an individual option and thus not only in conjunction with the M Sport Package for the BMW X1. Moreover, the optional range of BMW ConnectedDrive features will be supplemented as from the autumn of 2011 by the Real-Time Traffic Information function.


One Gold Dress To Rule Them All

Balmain Fall 2010 Dress



The movie Lord of the Rings centers around a precious gold ring that all in Middle Earth were besotted with. The One ring allowed it's wearer to rule over all others. Everyone wanted a part of it's magic. This gold Balmain dress is a lot like that. It has a magnetic appeal that has enthralled fashion editors the world over, covering more than 10 magazines. The sparkly and sexy dress caught my eye today when I bought my copy of Cleo magazine, with Lea Michele glittering on the cover.



What is it about this 'It' dress that is so intoxicating? It has a wrap over design with deep v-neck and exaggerated shoulders. The gold beaded brocade draws you in with it's luminous charm and shimmering texture. It also photographs radiantly, the colour looking so different in each picture.







Top Row

Claudia Schiffer adorns the cover of Germany's Zeit Magazine. She was chosen for their 40th Anniversary issue. She wore the dress with a metallic gold belt and blonde waves.

Aussie model Abbey Lee Kershaw wore the dress for Vogue Germany's August 2010 issue. The picture has a darker tone to it and leopard print font.

Cindy Crawford looks as good as any 20-year-old model in the dress. She wore it on the cover of Vogue India in October 2010, with several gold necklaces.



Middle Row

The dress made an appearance on Vogue España in November 2010. German model Toni Garrn wore it for a group picture.

Romanian magazine, The One, featured Dana Budeanu on their November 2010 cover. The dress is shown against a clear, white background. The dress seems slightly big for her. 

Harper's Bazaar
UK chose Natalia Vodianova to close the year on their December 2010 cover. The lighting places emphasis on the shine of the dress. 



Bottom Row

Anne Hathaway is yet another star that sparkles in the dress. She wore it on the cover UK Elle December 2010.

Vogue Russia began January 2011 with the gilded dress on the cover, worn by Alina Kabaeva. It was styled without the plunging neckline.

The dress finally made it to a South African cover, with Lea Michele gracing Cleo July 2011. She wears it with a fresh, youthful appeal.



The famed dress worn on the runway by Anja Rubik





Are you captivated by this little gold treasure as yet? Then don't let the price dissuade you. The dress costs $31 000, which in South African terms is about R213 930. Let's see...buy a new car or a gold Balmain dress? Such a tough choice! ;)


The Wonders of My World



My monthly musings...





  • Having five email address is becoming rather confusing. I have a personal one for friends, one for my blog, another for work/academic purposes, one for my online subscriptions and finally an archive address to which I forward all my important emails for storage. I'm afraid that one of these days I will mistakenly send my college assignments to all of my friends and absent-mindedly send a very scandalous email to a potential employer. 

  • I used to think that the bulletproof glass you find in banks is there for the safety of the bank tellers. After visiting the bank, I realized the the glass is actually a safety mechanism for the clients - it's there to protect them from being strangled by frustrated, irritated and infuriated bank employees. 

  • I was quite disappointed when Klaus was finally revealed on The Vampire Diaries this month. I was expecting someone more dashing, macho and evil looking. This Klaus character looks like he should be on a stage somewhere acting out Shakespeare's Twelfth Night as Duke Orsino

  • In Small Town, SA, the dry cleaners are a place where you send your delicate, non-washable clothes (such as a snow white fur-lined jacket) to be 'safely' cleaned. They will return it to you two and a half weeks later, dyed in a new ash grey colour, buttons missing and completely de-furred. And the revamping of your coat will cost you more than you originally paid for it. Small Towns, go figure.

  • I desperately need to find a waterproof mascara that actually is waterproof. All the tubes I currently own and use have a special talent of making me look like Kung Fu Panda by the end of the night.

  • I always mock the soapie The Bold and the Beautiful, because since it began, the same circle of 5 characters have hooked up, broken up, made up, swapped partners, snatched spouses, sabotaged relationships, cheated on each other with each other then got back together again. Then someone pointed out to me that Gossip Girl is the exact same thing, with better clothes. Sad but true. I will not be making fun of the B&B anymore.

  • If your car doesn't start after putting in the key and trying to turn it 500 times, you should check if you've actually got the right key. It will save you from a whole lot of anxiety and well wasted time ;p

  • We all know that too much sun is bad for you, so I did my best not to get 'too much'. Turns out this is equally as bad for you, because I now have what is nicknamed 'Vampire Syndrome', which is just a cool name for Vitamin D deficiency. No wonder I was being mistaken for a Cullen sister.

  • The audition phase of SA Idols is sadly over, but you can still get some comedy relief from the Wooden Mic auditions and also enjoy the best of SA's talent here

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LAhzxVt_3Y/Tginkt5ExnI/AAAAAAAEnlw/t2a-dc84LgQ/s1600/Lexus-IS-250C-LE-2.jpg

The new Lexus IS 250C Limited Edition has been announced.

The 2011 Lexus IS 250C coupe convertible is one of the most stylish coupe-convertibles on the market, with its gleaming front end and quiet deploying electric folding roof that can let you enjoy open-top motoring in a matter of seconds at the touch of a button. To add to the appeal of the model, Lexus has announced it is now available in a special Limited Edition version.

The new IS 250C Limited Edition will be distinguished by black and red semi-aniline fine leather interior, perfect for cutting a dash when driving with the top down. Each unit will get a numbered badge fixed inside the glovebox in order to denote its special status. The model is equipped with a quick and quiet deploying electric folding roof that goes up and down in just a few seconds after the touch of a button.

Also available in time for the summer is a panoramic glass roof option for the Lexus RX 450h SE-I, available as a build-to-order option for £900. Seamlessly integrated into the design of the hybrid crossover, the fixed roof allows light to flood into the cabin.

The special edition model is based on the regular SE-L and as such comes fitted as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, electric one-touch easy access to the rear seats, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats with built-in ventilation and heating plus climate control that automatically adjusts temperature settings when the roof is down. Available for order now, the IS 250C Limited Edition is priced in the UK at £39,990 on the road.

 

Lexus Summer Limited Edition 250CLexus Summer Limited Edition 250CLexus Summer Limited Edition 250C

5 Totally Unnecessary (but Common) Beauty Products


The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents 5 Totally Unnecessary (but Common) Beauty Products.

While we love what the multibillion-dollar-a-year cosmetics industry has to offer, there are some products that aren’t very effective or worth the investment. Steer clear of the following five beauty product categories to keep your makeup regime and cosmetics budget looking good.

1. Foundation Primers
Foundation primers are said to smooth out the skin and prepare it for the application of foundation. However, most primers are made from silicone-based formulas, which can clog pores, and the results are negligible. Investing in quality cleansers and moisturizers will do more than any foundation primer.

2. Toners
Toners are alcohol-based products that are intended to get rid of any additional traces of oil or makeup from your face after you wash it. However, alcohol is harsh on the skin. A good cleanser, often in conjunction with makeup remover, can easily eliminate all the makeup and dirt from your face, making a toner pretty much pointless.

3. Cellulite Creams
The appearance of cellulite is caused by the connective tissue that separates the fat in our bodies from the dermis. Holes in the tissue cause fat to protrude through the tissue, creating a dimply appearance to the skin. While 80 to 90 percent of adult women have cellulite and wish they didn’t, no topical treatment can reduce body fat or change the structure of our connective tissue. Which means cellulite creams are about as effective as snake oil—regardless of what the price or promise.

4. Lip Plumpers
Lip plumpers work one of two ways. They either boost collagen and maximize lip hydration through proprietary formulas or make blood vessels temporarily dilate by employing irritating agents like camphor or menthol. However, the results are minimal and temporary. A better bet is to keep lips moisturized with a lip balm and add a shimmery gloss to the center of your lips to create the appearance of enhanced fullness.

5. Eye Creams
Unless you have very sensitive skin that’s prone to developing millia (small, hard keratin-filled cysts that are sometimes confused with whiteheads) or you want a targeted eye cream with different active ingredients than your moisturizer, there’s really no need for a separate eye product. Also, many eye creams do not contain sunscreen the way most moisturizers do, so if you do opt for a separate cream, make sure you’re taking precautions against sun damage around your eyes.

by Kaboodle.com

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Tuesday Thrills - French Sole Shoes

French Sole

Ballet Flats



My recent experiences with heels have not been good ones. I wear them only for formal occasions and after the first ten minutes, I'm limping and dragging my feet, wishing I had worn flats instead. Ideally, a pretty pair by French Sole.



Founded 22 years ago by British shoe designer, Jane Winkworth, French Sole specializes in making and selling only ballerina style shoes. These shoe gems are manufactured in Spain, making use of the best Italian and Spanish materials. Jane's designs are cute, functional and most importantly, comfortable. They cater for half sizes as well as special sizes for broader or narrower feet. Super, is there anything more we could ask for? Oh yes, French Soles are affordable too.







 1. Simple in metallic. I like the graphite colour of this shoe, it's versatile and will match well with anything. It has a chocolate coloured trim. $87 or R600.

2. Sturdy in black and white. This classic quilted pair is reminiscent of Chanel's two-tone flats. An elegant addition to any outfit. $92 or R632.90

3. Annie in red and black. This tweed pair is my favourite, with it's houndstooth fabric, simple style with a punk rock edge. Also available in black & white and burgundy & olive. $131 or R904.

4. Simple in lime. This unique piece is a vibrant mix of lime green with black and brown leopard print and hot pink edging. Adorable and eye catching. This style is also available in bright blue and red. $90 or R621.
5. Harriet in red. These quilted flats add a red spark to a neutral coloured outfit. It has a beige trim, and will look great with denims. Available in many colours, including navy, lime, beige, grey and black. $108 or R745
6. Camilla in silver. A favourite of Kate Moss, this swanky pair features a metallic silver tip, black leather bow and is covered in black and white lace. I'm already throwing out my silver stilettos for a pair of these. $131 or R904.
7. Paris Wedge in baby blue and black. Slip into a pair of these chic French inspired shoes. It has a patent leather tip and quilted frame. It also comes in black and beige and black and lilac. $169 or R1166.
8. Henrietta in zebra print. Black and white zebra print was a trend seen on SA's catwalks earlier this year. The pink trim adds a little something extra. $101 or R697.
9. Mariposa in black. Elegant ballet flats that be worn up or down. It comes in black or nude patent leather, with a decorative girly bow. $159 or R1097.


Vogue named French Sole shoes as 'the prettiest ballet flats around', while Glamour magazine voted them 'The Best Ballet Flats'. With dozens of colours, finishes and styles to chose from, it's so easy to fall head over heels for French Sole shoes. Buy them at www.frenchsole.com


Happy Shopping!