Clingstone, Rhode Island

Just Room Enough, 1000 Islands

Las Isletas, Nicaragua

Source: Premier holidays

Green Back Turtle, West Coast Barbados

The above photograph is was taken by TarikB in West Coast Barbados.

In stark contrast with the calm western shores of Barbados we have the wild eastern coast and our next photo:

POWER

Taken by Just Jax on east coast Barbados, POWER demonstrates how ferocious the ocean can be and just why the east coast is great for watersports.

B’dos beach volley

What Barbados beach would be complete without the beach volleyball net swaying in the breeze? This photograph was taken by jendayee.

A Moment Alone

This photograph illustrates the true beauty of the Caribbean, and this rugged coastline shot was captured by Jeff Clow.

Portrait of a Ghost Crab

This scary little fellow was taken by Massamiliano Peana, as is the next photo:

Almond Resorts offer all-inclusive Barbados holidays at three luxury properties: Almond Beach Club & Spa, Almond Beach Village and Almond Casuarina Beach.

Well according to luxury PR gurus, that's about to change. I was lucky enough to have breakfast this week with Sarah Hurley, who heads up Mango PR, which boasts a list of luxury travel clients longer than both my arms, to chat about online PR in the luxury sector... she put it this way:

"Traditionally the web hasn't been seen as a forum for luxury products but I think this is changing fast. They need to be part of this worldwide conversation, especially given the fact that 'digital natives' are growing up and will be, or are already, part of their target audience. The web allows a brand to have a relationship with an audience like no other medium; it's a tailored, personal approach that is constantly evolving. With the insistence on transparency, it's about being in the right place at the right time."

Which is great! It's fab to have that attitude towards online and towards convincing traditionally web-averse clients to embrace it rather than avoiding it and hoping that it will go away and you can get back to glossy magazines and champagne parties.

So Mango (amongst other consumer agencies) is looking to take its first steps into the world of digital and social media. So much so, that Sarah is looking for someone to join the team there- someone with experience of dealing with clients and dealing with social media.... perhaps a digitally savvy Account Manager looking to get involved with pretty glam clients like One&Only and Massif des Aravis. I reckon it's a lovely chance to drive digital initiatives within an independent agency and make your mark as the online expert, so check out the site and drop Sarah a note.

Now, speaking of the life of luxury... I'm off on holiday for 10 days... see you in September.

*********************** FASHION GALA DUBAI ******************

Meet the key players, decision makers, press, buyers, investors and blue chip brands of the Middle East at our very exclusive events.
Take the chance and present your company or simply yourself associated with international supermodels and celebrities.
Take the chance and exhibit your product at the highest level.

We invite you to the "FASHION GALA DUBAI" and "I Lounge" at the 5 star palace Shangri-La in Dubai.

* http://www.1001-privilege-club.com/events/en/fashion/fashion... *

We are offering various options to present your company at the FASHION GALA DUBAI

Feel free to contact us for more details.

Infos:
Email: 1001@event-international.eu
HP: www.event-international.eu

Through traveling I developed a new understanding of the human condition- and by that I mean not the material 'stuffs' we surround ourselves with, but the luxuries of human rights which are so readily taken for granted, even by myself.  The freedom of having a personal identity, and the capability of crafting my own creative image gives me more wealth than dollars and cents ever could.   Traveling to Kathmandu provided perspective on Asia, living in another country, and dwelling in the developing world.  Moving througout Nepal shows me the immense luxury of the Kathmandu metropolis, which offers equality, social justice, and superficially, any food your tummy could long for.

It offers more than I could have dreampt, and Kathmandu has its own pockets of comfort.  My neighborhood in Thapathali is full of kites hanging in the sky, children playing, the scent of spices roasting in mustard oil, friends greeting each other in dirt alleys, men pushing bicycles of produce shouting, and small metal bells waking God up in the morning.  The woman I buy samosas from can set her watch by my 10:30 visits, and the fruit man knows I want to kilos of mango, and helps me find the ripest few.  At night the dogs bark like mad, but the monsoon showers quiet their cries.  Creating a paste of basmati rice, black dal, saag and daikon pickle, my fingers know just how to scoop up a bite and pop it into my mouth.  My feet have learned new shortcuts between the houses and my nose knows whether the woman next door is frying timmur, jimbu, or cumin.

More than the external senses of this place, my heart has found a space in those of others.  The people I have met here have shown me endless hospitality, humor, and love.  Although I came into their life with an expiration date, these people I am so proud to call my friends, accepted me without apprehension or self-consciousness.  Rather than guarding their heart from the foreigner who already had one foot back in America, they welcomed me into their homes and lives.

Kathmandu has offered perspective in so many ways it's difficult to understand how this experience will change me.  JB asked me last night at our final going-away dinner what I will remember about Nepal, and how I will be different from this experience. Integrating Nepal into my American life will have to wait until I return to the states, but the values of welcoming, opening, and sharing a vulnerable heart with strangers who become friends is something I will never forget.

Assouline is like no other luxury company. Using the power of publication as their "medium," Assouline has racked up and impressive collection of luxury books, prints, photographs dedicated to the higher end of things. These Goyard Trunks for Assouline are just further example of their reach. "This custom-made trunk was created in collaboration with the famous French craftsman Goyard specially for Assouline. Each trunk houses 100 of Assouline’s signature Memoire photo-biographies on art, fashion, design and architecture, making it the ultimate in chic." Available in either black or white for 20000$US.

Source: ferrarimurakami

It has been a long time since I paid to go see a show.  Remember, I work in the business.  I don't pay to see shows but my son really wanted to see it.  What a shock at the prices.  Tickets were $100 and up (face value) to see the show.  I have concert tickets from when I was a teen that were $10 and they were front row seats.  Concert shirts are now $35.  Then you have to buy the food.  I had my son and his friend with me.  Think what damage two teenage boys at the arena concession stands are going to do to the wallet.

By the way, the show was great.  The sound and lights were very good.  The band had two opening acts.  The first one was the local band Luxury.  Coldplay had an online contest where the fans could vote for a local band to open.  Coldplay picked the final winner.  I think this was a pretty cool marketing contest.  The winning band must have been pumped.  I am sure they have always dreamed of playing on the big stage with big sound in their home town arena.

The second opening act was the national act Santogold.  I think they are a pretty cool act with a very unique sound.  The problem was that the music didn't go with the complete show.  I bet this was an example of agents looking for some place for the act to go.  Don't they understand that while the act needs exposure it needs the right exposure with the right audience.  The Coldplay crowd was not the right fit. 

The overall good news is that my son enjoyed his first show and wants to see another show soon.  So does Dad.

Todays outfitt.

- shoes, gucci. 585£.

- handbag, gucci. 955£.

- sunglasses, D&G. Can't remember the price.

- earings, David Yurman, 752£

- skirt, sass & bide. 263£

- shirt, burberry. 450£

- scarf, gucci. 170£

My outfitt today is very simple, but very stylish!! I'ts perfect outfitt for the autumn!

I know i probably don't have the same budget as everybody else. But I don't always buy luxury clothes.

xoxo. the WAG.

Can you believe the amount of readings?!

I need to take a few days haitus - will be back by the start of next week.

There's just too much to be done. Lectures...tutorials...argh.

Thanks for understanding!

=DD

Before I go on my massive rescheduling of my school work, I leave you with...

Sweemo is the experience trading community where real-life experiences are your commodity!

Buy - a meeting with celebrities and other exciting opportunities.
Sell - your skills, your time or your access to life.
Swap - to share your life with our global community.
Request - that backstage pass or introduction to stardom.

Here are the categories offered or for offering:

To get an idea about how it works - click here.

And you have got to take a look at this (those in London): A dinner party for 20 prepared by a famous Italian chef in the comforts of your loft.

On a last note...

I think you'll love it.

Invite to *drummsss* Forzieri Privé!

A place full of juicy Italian goodness.

If i'm not wrong, you will not be able to get into their 'Privé' section without someone already in it.

Via the normal signup, you'll just get access to products that are out on that day.

In Privé, you access the products before it's opened to the public!

So you know what to do! =DD

This got me to thinking why I've turned into such a schlump.

10. MARRIAGE. Now that I'm married, I really don't have as pressing a need to impress people, particularly men, with my peacock feathers of short skirts, high heels and red lipstick. I can't believe I've turned into such a cliché, but I know my hubby loves me whether I'm a schlub or a sex kitten—and it's a LOT less work to be a schlub. But yes, I am aware that he really likes the sex kitten look.

9. FRENCH HARASSMENT. Dressing up in Paris is sort of not worth it. The men here show their appreciation not just with catcalls, but by following you down the street while continuing to chat you up, and in the worst case scenario, actually trying to touch you inappropriately. So instead of getting into a stony standoff or a screaming match because I want to wear a cute mini, it seems easier to dress down. Way down.

8. THE DAMN EURO. Quite frankly, the exchange rate between the dollar and the euro makes it prohibitively expensive for me to buy anything here. So I save all my shopping for when I get back to the States, which thankfully is happening next week. Sample sales, here I come!

7. SHOPPING IS LIKE SEX. I've been shopping for years and years now and I can't say I'm as interested in it as I once was. It's a little like sex. You've done it. Lots of times. In many different ways. And places. It can still wow you and be amazing, but you know what it entails: Frequently taking your clothes off (sometimes in front of strangers), trying things that don't really fit and have no business being on your body, and very rarely walking away with something you want to keep for more than a season. I'm having dating flashbacks. AHHHH!!!

6. TOO MUCH DISPOSABLE INCOME. Before, shopping was practically a luxury. I had to save up all work-study money and later, my sad publishing salary, to get that one great pair of shoes or that fabulous dress for the season. And not having money made me a lot more creative when it came to hitting up vintage stores and the like. Now, I'm lucky enough to be able to buy something I want when I want it. (I mean, within reason. I'm still not burning cash at Prada and Lanvin on a dime.) It sort of takes the challenge and fun out of shopping. For me, anyway.

5. NO CLOSET SPACE. For a former fashionista, I have a real lack of closet space in the apartment. My clothes and shoes are unorganized and difficult to see at a glance. So I tend to pick whatever's on top, jeans, a tee shirt, my Love By Australia boots. And voila: Exhibit Schlump.

4. MY LOVE BY AUSTRALIA BOOTS. I've always thought Uggs were ugly. Which they are. But I've also heard how comfortable they are and after years of wearing cheap high heels, my poor little feet could use some comfort. I couldn't bring myself to buy Uggs; instead I saw these Love by Australia boots, which are slightly more chic. Though that's still not saying a lot.

Anyway, I love them. It's like walking on poufs of cotton and I want to wear them at all times, much to Dman's chagrin. He hates that I wear them in the middle of summer—with everything.

3. WORKING FROM HOME. Working by yourself at home leads to a major downturn in personal style, if not hygiene. I commend those people who work from home and act like they're going into an office by getting up early, putting on their "work" clothes and so on. If I can manage to shower by noon, I congratulate myself on my productivity. Going into an office with other stylish women (and cute men) was always an incentive to dress well. That carrot is no longer being dangled in front of me.

2. I'M OLD. DAMN IT. I can't tell if it's marriage or just maturity, but the clothes I used to love wearing don't feel appropriate anymore. Before, my fashion (and dating) motto probably amounted to "try everything once." Now I feel the need to be more modest or something. But I haven't figured out how to do that while still looking good. God forbid I have to start reading those Vogue stories: Fashionable in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond—for inspiration!

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON I'VE TURNED INTO A SCHLUMP:

1. FASHION SUCKS. Maybe this has to do with reason number two—I'm old—but fashion doesn't seem as interesting, creative, fun or beautiful as it did when I was working in the field. I know there are some fantastic designers out there still but when it comes to style icons, I just don't have one. I mean, Kate Moss is a gold standard (even though personally, I always found her to be kind of bitchy):

But there's no one to really look up to these days, not with the Kim Kardashians, Paris Hiltons and Rachel Zoes of this world. Everyone looks either perfect and boring, thanks to their stylists, or they're a big hot mess, thanks to reality TV.

So these are the many reasons I am a schlump. Now that I'm headed to New York, I'm going to try to de-schlump myself. At least I know there are stylish girls in the city that I can admire—and copy!

The ING Renault F1 Team prepares for round twelve of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship: the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain.

Fernando Alonso: “I will give my maximum for my second home race”

Fernando, the ING Renault F1 Team finished in the points with both cars in Hungary and moved up a place in the constructors’ championship. That’s an encouraging result for the rest of the year…
We’re certainly continuing to improve, which is very encouraging. We were on the pace in Hungary, the car felt good and we showed we are still moving forward and that we will fight hard to finish in fourth place in the championship. It was important also to get a solid result before the summer break: it’s good for the mood in the team and means we can come back motivated for the rest of the year.

After Barcelona, we now head to Valencia for the second race in Spain this year. Is that something special for you?
Yes, of course. I’m very happy to be driving at home for a second time: it’s always a special feeling to race in front of my countrymen and I’m really looking forward to it. In Barcelona we were having a strong race when I had to retire, but I hope this time I can get a good result as the circuit will be new for all the drivers.

As you say, it’s a brand new circuit. Is that an interesting challenge for you?
Yes, it will be interesting for me and also for the team, who have been working hard in preparation for this race for the last couple of months. As a new circuit, I think it gives the drivers a chance to show what they can do, but I am not under any illusions as I expect all the drivers to be quick. We must do our best to find our reference points quicker than the others in order to spring a surprise.

It’s a street circuit like Monaco, where you usually go well. Do you expect that to be the case in Valencia?
It’s true that I like street circuits: they are always an interesting challenge and the sensation of speed from inside the cockpit is incredible. I will do my best to improve the set-up of the car with my engineers over the weekend so that we can aim for a strong result. Whatever happens, I will give my maximum for this second Grand Prix in Spain.

Nelson Piquet: “I’m really determined to have a great end to the season”

Nelson, you had a solid race in Hungary, building on your result in Germany. Is this the breakthrough you have been waiting for?
I don’t know, but I’m certainly happy to have scored points in Hungary. It was important for the team and for me and overall it was a very positive weekend. The car worked well, I did a lot of laps during free practice on Friday and Saturday morning and I was on the pace all weekend and felt comfortable. It’s always nice to have that sort of weekend and I hope to continue like this for the rest of the season.

You are preparing to contest the first European Grand Prix held in Valencia: a new circuit for all the drivers. How are you approaching this race?
This season I have already learned several new circuits, but the difference this time is that all the drivers will be in the same position and having to learn the circuit. I think that from the point of view of the championship it’s interesting to visit new tracks: it’s an extra challenge for the drivers as well as the teams. I have worked hard with the team to approach this race in the best shape possible and I will try to get on the pace quickly and maximise every lap in practice.

What do you think of the track?
It’s a street circuit so it will be quite tricky, but also very interesting. It’s never easy to learn a new circuit, but, as I have said, this time all the teams and drivers will be in the same position. It will be interesting to see who can get comfortable fastest.

What are your expectations for this new race?
I would like to have another solid weekend, starting off with a good day of practice on Friday, qualifying in the top 10 and showing good race pace to hopefully finish in the points. That’s how I will approach this race. After the summer break, I am well rested and motivated to have a great end to the season.

Pat Symonds: “The result in Hungary gives me confidence for the rest of the season.”

Pat, looking back to Hungary, how do you rate the team’s performance?
I think it was probably our strongest result of the season. While Nelson’s finishing position in Germany was a better result on paper, we were the first to acknowledge that luck played a major part in that result. In Hungary things were very different as we had two cars racing competitively all the way, racing against strong competitors and racing them on equal terms. From the moment we arrived there the car was competitive: we qualified well, we raced well and had to use strategy to get our result. The points were very welcome and in the last two races only McLaren have scored more points than us.

Fernando matched his best result of the year. Talk us through his weekend…
It was another strong weekend for Fernando, although the only disappointment was that we lost out to Raikkonen towards the end. While I fully accepted that Raikkonen had a much quicker car, I really thought we had done enough to be able to stay ahead of him at the second pit-stop. In the end things didn’t work out and we missed out on a potential podium, but it was still a great result for Fernando and equalled his best finishing position from earlier in the season in Australia.

Nelson also continued his good form with another mature drive…
We all hoped that after Hockenheim he would have renewed confidence, which proved to be the case: he was calm, he was confident, and he went into qualifying believing that he would get through to Q3. Then he went on to drive as perfect a race as he drove in Hockenheim without making any significant mistakes. He was quick when he needed to be, preserved the tyres when he needed to and drove a strong and intelligent race.

The team was able to carry its qualifying pace through to the race. Is this a trend that you expect to continue for the rest of the season?
You have to remember that Hungary is a very particular circuit and although Fernando did a great job of keeping Raikkonen behind him until the final pit-stop, this wasn’t indicative of the pace of the two cars. Indeed, as soon as Raikkonen broke away from us, he was able to lap considerably quicker. But, having said all that, the rest of the weekend showed the improved pace of the R28 and the improvements that we have been making bit-by-bit over the last few races. So the performance in Hungary reinforces the belief that we are moving in the right direction and gives me confidence that we can finish fourth in the championship and end the season with the third fastest car.

Did we learn anything new about the pecking order in Hungary?
We saw that BMW had a poor weekend and Toyota had a good weekend, but I don’t believe the pecking order suddenly changes. There are certainly trends, and at the moment we have a very distinct upward trend, whereas BMW have a little bit of a downward trend and Toyota seem to fluctuate. So I don’t think that the race itself shows a change to the status quo, but merely reinforces the trends which have been developing for a little while.

We head to Valencia next – a home race for Fernando. Is the team looking forward to this race?
We look forward to every race and I think we like the challenge of a new circuit. We enjoy the ambiance of visiting new places and the race team have had a short break so they will head there raring to go. It certainly looks like a fabulous venue…

Valencia is an unknown for everyone. Does that level the playing field?
The teams are all well used to going to new circuits so I think the playing field is pretty level anyway. However, I would say that going to a new track is much more a test of a team’s ability to adapt to new circumstances and manage change, which is one of the reasons why I enjoy the challenge of a new circuit.

Valencia: Tech File

Situated in the marina area of Valencia, this brand new street course promises to be one of the most exciting additions to the Formula 1 calendar in recent years. Hemmed in by concrete walls, the 25-turn circuit combines a mix of high and low-speed sections and is wide enough in places to offer genuine overtaking opportunities. Good straight-line speed and stability under braking are therefore paramount, as is good mechanical grip through the mix of low and medium-speed corners.

Aerodynamics
The track layout means that the teams will run with relatively low levels of downforce, similar to those used in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix. This is possible as there are no high-speed corners and good straight-line speed is important down the long back straight. However, it won’t be until free practice begins on Friday that the team will be able to finalise aero levels, which can depend on the grip offered by the tarmac.

Brakes
The circuit is expected to be particularly demanding on the brakes and on a par with somewhere like Bahrain. There are frequent large stops from over 300kph, such as turns 12 and 17, leading into tight second gear corners which will put high energy though the braking systems. Brake cooling will also need special attention with teams likely to use reasonably large cooling ducts.

General car set-up
The drivers need a responsive and well balanced car with good change of direction to deal with the high-speed kinks that are spread around the circuit. But, as always, this needs to be balanced with a supple enough suspension to give good mechanical grip in the low-speed corners. There are a few curbs that the drivers can use, mainly on the corner exits, but until the drivers take to the track it is difficult to predict what impact they will have on car set-up. Good braking stability is also important, especially at the end of the straights, to avoid locking wheels on a track where there is little margin for error.

Tyres
Bridgestone will bring the soft and super-soft compounds from its 2008 range, just as it did for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The softest compounds from the range will offer good grip on what is likely to be quite a slippery track surface to begin with. However, like any temporary circuit, we can expect the track to begin the weekend very ‘green’ and gradually evolve, becoming faster with each lap as it rubbers-in. As yet, the teams have no tyre data and so evaluating tyres and assessing the abrasive qualities of the tarmac will be a priority during free practice.

Engine
The mix of straights, low speed chicanes and hairpins means that the engine will be used in a very stop-start fashion. About 54% of the lap is expected to be spent at full throttle, which is below average for the season and so it will not be too severe a test for the engine. The key to a good lap time is therefore not peak power, but good torque to help launch the car out of the slow corners and onto the straights. Getting the car well balanced will therefore be of utmost importance to avoid understeer out of the low-speed corners to allow early application of the throttle.

Renault at the European Grand Prix

In its 17 editions, the European Grand Prix has alternated between 3 different countries: England (at two different circuits), Spain and Germany. Renault has taken part in 15 of these events, securing 12 podiums, including three wins and three double podiums.

The European Grand Prix was first held at Brands Hatch as the penultimate race of the 1983 season that saw Alain Prost narrowly miss out on the world title, and which also marked the first year of the company’s engine supply agreement with Lotus. Renault power took pole in the form of the Lotus of Elio de Angelis, and secured a double podium finish with Alain Prost finishing second, ahead of Nigel Mansell’s Lotus – but behind championship rival Nelson Piquet’s Brabham. Mansell also set fastest lap for good measure.

For 1984, the race was held at the newly remodelled Nürburgring, but Renault engines scored no points. Although six took the start, powering the works cars, Lotus and Ligier, only the two Ligiers made it to the finish – in P7 and P10. The 1985 race, back at Brands, saw Ayrton Senna on the podium for Lotus, comfortably out-performing the works Renault cars. Then for eight years, we heard no more of the European Grand Prix…

The V10 era was in full swing when the race returned to the calendar at Donington Park. The British weather kept the crowds away, but those who attended saw Ayrton Senna produce perhaps his greatest F1 drive in the changeable wet-dry conditions, leading home Damon Hill and Alain Prost in their Renault-powered Williams. The next year, the race was held in Jerez and Damon Hill’s Williams took second place behind the returning Michael Schumacher as their championship fight went down to the wire.

For 1995, it was the Nürburgring again, with Michael Schumacher’s Renault-powered Benetton eventually overhauling Jean Alesi’s Ferrari after a dramatic chase during the second half of the race. The race remained at the German venue the following year, bringing a Renault-powered win for Jacques Villeneuve – while in 1997, the Canadian managed just third place, but with it secured world championship victory in Jerez, meaning Renault departed the sport on a high.

The race has been held at the Nürburgring ever since Renault power returned to F1 in 2001, and the Renault F1 Team has finished in the points every year since 2002: P5 for Jenson Button in 2002; P4 for Fernando Alonso in 2003, holding off Michael Schumacher; P4 and P5 for Trulli and Alonso in 2004; a win for Alonso in 2005, with Fisichella in P6; a second place in 2006, with Fisichella once again in P6; and a point for P8 last year with Heikki Kovalainen.
This year, the European Grand Prix takes place in Valencia on a new street course on the harbour-front: the very location where the 32nd edition of the Americas Cup was held. Some 5.473km in length and with 25 turns, the new location is sure to become a valuable addition to the calendar in the years to come, and a venue the ING Renault F1 Team looks forward to visiting.

Valencia: Over at Red Bull Racing

Fabrice Lom, the man responsible for the coordination of Renault’s engines at Red Bull Racing talks about the team’s preparations for the European Grand Prix.

Fabrice, how do you look back on Red Bull Racing’s Hungarian weekend?
It was difficult. We knew that the track would not be one of our favourites, but we also suffered from a lack of performance compared to our competition. For the third consecutive race we did not score any points, which is hurting us. After the French Grand Prix, we were fourth in the constructors’ championship, but today we are sixth. We are well aware that the gaps are very close and the pecking order can therefore change very quickly.

The next race is in Valencia – a new track for everyone. How are you preparing for this Grand Prix?
We received the plans of the circuit a few weeks ago and we have completed our simulation programme. These determine the theoretical demands on the engine and allow us to work out the mapping and ideal gear box settings beforehand. We will confirm these during the first free practice session on Friday morning.

What is the first verdict of the computer simulations?
With some slow corners, Valencia puts emphasis on getting good power from low revs. It also seems that the circuit will not be too demanding on the engines. That’s good news for the teams that, like us, will use the same V8 which has already raced in Hungary.

No worries in terms of reliability, then?
You can never be totally relaxed because zero reliability doesn’t exist. For instance, Budapest was supposed to be an “easy” track for the engines, but we saw that some people had problems their V8s. In F1, the less demanding circuits still remain a great technical challenge.

ING Renault F1 Team in Numbers

384,467 kilometres – During the course of the season, the ING Renault F1 Team travels the equivalent distance to that which separates the earth and the moon.

Credit: ING Renault F1 Team

Polaris World

Chanel Premiere watch

Be prepared, more than 20 years after its creation, Chanel reinvents the Premiere watch!

 The art piece will be available from October in Chanel Watches & Fine Jewelry boutiques.

Born in 1987 under Jacques Helleu's pen, the Premiere watch is a magic alliance of Chanel codes: an octogonal case which shape is inspired both by the mythic bottle stopper of N°5 perfume and by the architecture of Place Vendome (the famous home for fine jewelers in Paris) and a strap that borrows the iconic leather chain strap of the 2.55 handbags. 

Last year, a precious pearl and diamond version celebrates the twentieth birthday of the Premiere watch, but this 2008 version reinterprets and modernizes the original concept with talent. The watch is a subtile alchemy between the mythic octogonal case (saphhire cut glass, fine hands and glossy dial) and the avant-garde material used for J12 watches: ceramic. Two models are edited, and for each two colors are offered - white or black:

• a "basic" version: steel and ceramic bracelet with a steel case encrusted by 52 diamonds (0.26 carat), 4,000€ (around $6,000)
• a five star version combining 18 carats white gold and ceramic and completing the 52 diamonds case with a 216 diamonds bracelet (1.55 carats). The price of this luxurious model: 18,000€ (around $27,000) [caption id="attachment_261" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Steel model"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_259" align="alignleft" width="164" caption="The white gold and diamond model"][/caption]
   

Anna Mouglalis, Chanel's Fashion egerie, will be the first to wear the Premiere watch... for the ad campaign of course (shot by Dominique Issermann).

Zoo York Accessories
Zy Pollution Belt
(code: 92024)

ZOO YORK POLLUTION BELT. MATCHES UP WITH THE POLLUTION HOODY. GREAT GIFT IDEA.

Price £14.99 Click Here

Zoo York Accessories
Zoo York Luxury Wallet
(code: ZST68028)

ZOO YORK Luxury Wallet. Great gift idea!

Price £24.99 Click Here

The 170’s combines strong and powerful lines without losing the sleek sophistication of the famous 150’ HOKULANI. The yacht offers vast open spaces and with the foredeck swimming pool and lounge area.
Modular construction ensures the 170’s creation is one of unrivalled accuracy and efficiency and the new yacht will introduce breakthrough engineering elements and design features unique to the Palmer Johnson brand. The Palmer Johnson’s build process will allow different aspects of the yacht to be built concurrently instead of the traditional time consuming linear approach.
The first PJ Sport performance yachts began in 2004 with the first 120ft vessel. This design won instant acclaim for its distinctive style, innovation and build quality. The “family” has continued to grow with the successive 135 and 150 models and now the 170’ showcases Palmer Johnson’s advanced engineering expertise and progression in design excellence.

The Latest Yachts Blog will cover the 170’ actual launch in a couple of years.

Hi there again readers, 

Following my last picture of the week post I thought I should give you a little bit more information on Batts Rock.  (Pictured Above)

If you are coming form the capital, Bridgetown, you want to drive up Spring Garden and take the first exit off the roundabout. You'll pass an Esso Gas Station at the top of the hill and Batts Rock will be one of the first beahces marked with a public access. You need to drive down a small hill through a well foliated area where youll be welcomed with an adequate parking facility, benches for a family picnic, a drinks vending machine, changing/shower facilities and of course, the beautiful beach. 

Take a stroll and admire the crystle clear waters and the soft waves lapping the shore - it's easy to see why the Four Seasons chose to erect their luxury resort right off this beach. Batts Rock is frequented by locals and, though a little less popular than some other west coast beaches, has enough company for you not to feel too lonely. A perfect place for your afternoon dip, especially if you are coming from the South Coast and would rather not drive half an hour to reach some of the other more popular West Coast beaches.  Sunsets can be enjoyed here, much like any other west coast beach.

On a safety note, some of our beaches are lined with small green fruits. At a glance they may be mistaken for the sweet fruit the roadside vendors often sell called "Ackee". You will NOT find this at the beach! Any fruit you find on the beach is likely to be a poisonous variety which causes blisters to the skin. Don't touch it, bite it or play with it and you'll be fine. 

i got up, washed my hands and then began brushing my teeth. it never hit me before but i've become a self-sustaining individual. i own a house. i rent out a studio. i own a car. i have a dog. i eat food. i have a job. i have luxuries. it feels excessive. i feel as if i don't need nearly half of the things i own.

it seems like my life goal at the moment is to build up my assets and then blow it all on early retirement. it wont be a well planned one at all. it'll be a reckless act of living.

The new line, called M&M’s Premiums, it about to be launched to “attract a young, fashion-conscious consumer to the product.” The launch campaign will appear product placement at New York Fashion Week next month.

So why are they different, what makes them better? Well they are made from an entirely different chocolate recipe and sport a speckled metallic skin instead of the bright colours we are more used to. Apparently this also means there’s no crunch, just an exterior sheen.

Source: trendhunter