Luxury News: The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that Pittsburgh Steelers' Santonio Holmes, the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII, raised more than $70,000 for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America with proceeds raised from the auctioning of the gloves he wore when catching the game-winning pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the corner of the end zone.
One hundred and sixty-three bids drove the final to $70,200 for the pair of Reebok sports gloves. Holmes' six-year-old son, Santonio III, has the blood disease.
What a difference a play can make! These are the same gloves Santonio Holmes pounded the ground with, in frustration, when he missed catching the football on the previous play! The third-year Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver topped off his best year in the NFL with a sensational catch that will forever link Holmes to Super Bowl lore.
Winning Super Bowl XLIII made the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl six times.
Luxury Writing Instruments: Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux, founded in 1791, is introducing its first line of fine writing instruments, based on its iconic Tourbillon with Three Bridges gold timepiece. A prize-winner at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1889, the watch is still made by Girard-Perregaux today. The new limited edition Three Bridges collection of pens is adorned with precious metal engraved with delicate guilloche work, based on a vintage 1945 Three Bridges Tourbillon. The clip on the caps is double-arrow shaped, like the bridge on the famous timepieces, while three opening on the pen body showing the ink level are reminiscent of the power reserve indicators on the watch.
The fountain pen is equipped with an exclusive high-capacity double reservoir system to prevent any risk of leakage, and an engraved gold nib. There are three models available: a piston fountain pen in guilloche silver and resin, limited to 999-pieces; a piston fountain pen in guilloche pink gold and resin, limited to 99 pieces; and a rollerball in guilloche silver and resin, limited to 999 pieces. A matching set comprising the silver fountain pen and rollerball are also available in an edition of 199 pieces.
Private Banking Services: The Visa Black Card is not your typical "plastic." It is a very exclusive credit card for those with the wherewithal to live the life fantastic. The Black Card is not even made of plastic; instead it is made from a patent-pending carbon composite. Since the Visa Black Card is a credit card that only one percent of entire U.S. population qualify to be cardholders, it is a status symbol of substance.
The Visa Black Card is a personal lifestyle manager in a wallet that offers numerous benefits and perks that complement the good life. Whether it is making travel arrangements, special purchases, or planning a night out on the town, holders of the Black Card are hedged luxuriantly.
Cardholders have access to more than 500 VIP airport lounges worldwide, and they receive 24/7 concierge service to assist with personal, social, and business activities. On-the-road benefits include worldwide travel insurance, auto-rental collision damage coverage, and trip-cancellation insurance. Additionally, members receive one-percent cash back on all purchases that can be used with all airlines.
The prestigious Visa Black Card is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware. For more info, visit www.blackcard.com.
Telescopes & Optics: Have you ever considered placing a handmade bronze telescope in the backyard to enhance the outdoor decorum? The garden telescope, which is a recreation of the Porter Garden Telescope with improved optics, is sold exclusively by Telescopes of Vermont. Russell Porter, one of the designers of the Palomar Mountain Observatory 200-inch Hale telescope, made the original Porter Garden Telescope in the 1920s.
The ornate bronze telescope-which is offered with an optional two-inch marble display, can be yours for just $37,000. Each one is a numbered limited-edition sculpture as well as a telescope and a sundial. Military satellite optics engineers designed these instruments with the contemporary optics. A telescope is 35 inches high when fully extended, and about 70 inches overall when including the pedestal.
The telescope can remain permanently outdoors, or it can be easily moved and placed elsewhere. The mirror and eyepieces of the telescope are readily removable in just seconds. The designing firm generally works directly with landscapers to ensure the installation of the recreated Porter Garden Telescopes are done tidily.
For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://gardentelescopes.com.
Luxury Cigars: Avo Uvezian, the founder of Avo Cigars, is a modern-day renaissance man of extraordinary skills and passions. Mr. Uvezian is a pianist, a composer, and a businessman all rolled into one very unique, inspiring individual. During his teen years, Avo led a successful jazz trio that was billed as the Lebanon Boys, playing in the Middle East in the 1940s. After a stint playing in Tehran at the palace of the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Avo came to New York and studied piano and musical composition at the Julliard School of Music. He forged a successful career as a jazz pianist for years, playing various size venues.
Avo Cigars grew from Uvezian's passion for fine cigars. In the early 1980s, he moved to Puerto Rico and opened a restaurant/piano bar. Patrons of the
establishment received free cigars from Avo's own private brand. The demand for the cigars reached a point where the complimentary became a standalone business. Today over three million of Avo's cigars are sold yearly worldwide. Avo offers six variants to its XO Trios, XO Quartetto, and Domaine lines; the Classic line presents 22 flavorful options; the Signature line has five selections; and the Puritos line puts forth two choices. Accessories sold include single- and double-sided cigar cutters and various sizes of humidors.
The Avo 80th Anniversary cigars were made to celebrate Avo's 80th birthday. The Belicosco format cigars are six inches long with a 52-ring gauge and come in wooden boxes of 24. Avo's website has an extensive listing of where to find his fabled cigars.
Avo's musical CD, Legacy, offers a variety of excellent sounds. The dozen songs cover a wide berth of musical perspectives. Cigar Store Boogie is an
upbeat, vibrant boogie-woogie piece, while Legacy (I Can't Forget) is quite classical, and Thinking of You is an emotionally charged song that features the vocals of Avo's daughter, Karyn. I don't smoke, but learning a bit about the life and times of Mr. Uvezian has me wanting to fire one up as a tributary gesture to this inspiring man.
Shopping: With Valentine's Day just around the corner, many are in a quandary about what to get for all the ones they hold so dear. Amid the recessionary crunch, below is a quick list of affordable gift ideas illustrating that you don't have to break the bank to express your love and appreciation to another.
*****For Mom*****
Demi Bella Fashion ($30-$50) Demi Bella is an exclusive apparel and accessory line for moms and kids. Founded in 2007 by mommy of three Marlo Moleski, this company is committed to designing fun, fashion-conscious tees adorned with positive mommy messages. Demi Bella's adorable pink Mommy tee, which proudly showcases the wearer's number of offspring, exudes love and, as such, is perfectly suited for moms on Valentine's Day. With an array of other styles and colors to choose from, Demi Bella gives moms the opportunity to flaunt motherhood on a trendy tee. They also have tote bags and other gift items sure to please the modern moms in your life. (www.DemiBella.com)
*****For Dad*****
Sports Rack ($15) This gift is perfect for the outdoorsmen and sports enthusiast-particularly one who needs a good dose of organization in his life. Perfect Curve's Sports Rack can be easily hung behind a door, and features adjustable straps to make accessing the rack's contents a snap for everyone in the family. The Sports Rack is decidedly durable and holds all types of balls, sports equipment and gear, such as gloves, cleats, and helmets. It has a simply drawstring closure that will keep his items in place when not in use. Guys love practical gifts that foster their interests and make life easier. And, this type of gift also helps others in the home deal with less clutter - it's a win-win all around! (www.perfectcurve.com)
*****For Any*****
Fine Art Bookmarks ($3.99 each) For the art lover, reading enthusiast and "do gooder" in your life, Art of Possibility Studios' collection of four fine art bookmarks featuring images by disabled artists is a must-have. This is the only for-profit art company exclusively dedicated to helping physically disabled artists become financially self-reliant, and these bookmarks help handicapped artists earn an independent living. The bookmarks showcase vibrantly colored hand-painted images, each with an uplifting message about "Love," "Faith," "Inspiration," and "Perseverance" on the front with a brief artist biography on the back. Each bookmark also features a decorative beaded tassel. What better way to say you love someone than to give them a thoughtfully designed peace of art with beautiful imagery and a touching, uplifting message. You'll also be showing your compassion for the disabled artists who, through their artistic endeavors, are living self sufficiently. (www.AOPStudios.com)
Meritage from Robert Mondavi Private Selection ($11)
For those who want a nice bottle of wine to celebrate the holiday and are looking to stay within budget, Robert Mondavi's Meritage, a new red blend from its Private Selection, is for you. This 2006 vintage combines Cabernet Sauvignon (72%) with Merlot (10%), Petit Verdot (8%) and Malbec (8%) - the result is an intense wine rich in dark plum, black cherry and blackberry aromas iwth a plush, velvety texture. This elegant and complex wine is a perfect compliment to a hearty Valentine's Day dinner of steak and lamb. It also pairs well with cheese.(www.rmprivateselection.com)
BOBO Wrapping Scarf ($8-$40) Every great gift deserves equally great packaging and presentation. Enter BOBO - a line of luxurious fabric scarves that offer an eco-friendly and far more fabulous alternative to gift wrap. This luxury accessory has a number of multi-functional purposes beyond gift wrapping, including use as a bag, wine carrier or lunch/snack tote. BOBO wraps come in a wide selection of fabrics, colors and designs that are perfectly suited for any occasion. What's more, your loved one can use the BOBO over and over again or re-gift it to another - paying the eco-fabulousness forward. So, next time you're giving a gift and want the recipient to rave about it even before it's open, go BOBO. (www.bobowrap.com)
*****For You*****
Luxtural Skincare Products ($78- $414) Just because everyone else is getting love on Valentine's Day does not mean you shouldn't pamper yourself, too! Show how much you love your skin by giving yourself three lu
Luxury Guitars: Even those who have no idea whatsoever how to play one are likely to covet the latest limited edition creation from master guitar maker Ken Parker: The Parker Fly Select, limited to only 25 signed and numbered pieces, is crafted from a single piece of Koa, a rare, indigenous hardwood native to Hawaii. Finished with gold-plated hardware and priced at an equally precious $10,000, it is far more expensive than the terribly chic instrument recently retailed by Chanel but this masterpiece is more for players than posers.
Koa trees were used by the ancient Hawaiians to build dugout canoes, but it is also a tonewood, with recognized and consistent acoustic qualities prized by musicians. The wood is golden brown in color with dark streaks and a lustrous sheen, precious and tropical in appearance. That lends it a gravitas that belies the relatively light weight of the instrument, which at only five pounds will not hamper any fancy stage moves.
Oh, and the $10,000 also gets you a custom-made, leatherbound case which is a pretty neat piece of craftsmanship in itself.
Luxury News: The inauguration of Barack Obama as the America's 44th president creates a unique shopping opportunity for inaugural memorabilia. The Official 2009 Presidential Inauguration Store is online and open for business. The e-store is carrying a wide variety of collectibles to commemorate the event. There is artwork, clothing, jewelry, pins, bumper stickers, tote bags, and more-a lot more!
Items for kids include a wooden train, T-shirts in pink and blue, a ruler and pencils. Even toddlers are covered with the Obama Baby Onesie piece. The merchandise runs the gamut, as there are wine glasses and champagne flutes as well as glasses, coffee mugs, beer steins and commemorative china. There is a family photograph from election night 2008 that shows the Obama family waving to the crowd following President-elect Obama's historical acceptance speech in Chicago.
Qualifying for membership definitely has its privileges. Here's a credit card issued by Eurasian Bank that works on numerous levels splendidly. It's an accessory; it's a status symbol; and it's a powerful financial statement. Lucky cardholders are going to need new wallets to transport this card, as it has a .02-carat diamond affixed to it.
The diamond-studded VISA card, which is being issued to a private group of the bank's elite patrons with minimum annual incomes of $300,000, also contains lavish gold trim.
Snow Polo: The Land Rover America's Polo Cup Team, fielded by the famed British auto marque and the luxurious St. Regis Aspen Resort, made a strong showing at the ninth annual World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen last weekend. The Championship is a four-team elimination tournament comprised of local and international players mounted on Colorado-raised ponies; teams are comprised of three players and play consists of four seven-minute chukkers.
Dunhill Skis: 100 years ago when Alfred Dunhill inherited his father's London saddelry business and began catering to the brand new trade in automotive accouterments, the firm's motto was "Everything But The Motor". That's the spirit behind Dunhill's latest offering, perfect for chic winter sports: a stylish set of skis specially commissioned from racing experts Speciale. The Dunhill Skis are available in either teak or carbon fiber, each with a titanium base.
Available in two sizes - 176cm or 165cm - the skis also boast the renowned Vist bindings, handmade in Italy, which fuse innovation with security. The speed lock can be adjusted with the use of a simple lever moving the centre of gravity of the skier depending on his skill or angle of slope.
Luxury Goods Auctions: The majority of goods on the block of Seized Property Auctions are seized and ordered by federal and state agencies to be sold at public auction. Items up for auction may include automobiles, real estate, art, jewelry, coins, collectibles, electronic goods, and household items.
The auctioneer's most recent sale included more than 2,000 high-end, big-ticket items. There are no reserves or limits placed on items. The bidding on all lots begins at $1.00. Rolex wristwatches, art by Chagall, and various jewelry and clothing by luxury-brand designers were in the lots of the December 2008 auction.
JustLuxe is a luxury Web publication providing objective analysis and information to affluent consumers to assist with their decision making, decisions such as charting a yacht, purchasing a jet membership card, booking a luxury hotel, traveling to a specific destination, or buying real estate. Our writers conduct interviews with industry executives and leaders in their fields, analyze product offerings and review the Web sites of leading companies to ensure our readers have up-to-date data to make informed decisions. Consumers can find purveyors of fine luxury goods, services and travel solutions throughout the pages of JustLuxe via content or with our advertising partners. See our Best of Luxury High end Brands and partners.
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Luxury News: The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that Pittsburgh Steelers' Santonio Holmes, the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII, raised more than $70,000 for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America with proceeds raised from the auctioning of the gloves he wore when catching the game-winning pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the corner of the end zone.
Luxury Writing Instruments: Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux, founded in 1791, is introducing its first line of fine writing instruments, based on its iconic Tourbillon with Three Bridges gold timepiece. A prize-winner at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1889, the watch is still made by Girard-Perregaux today. The new limited edition Three Bridges collection of pens is adorned with precious metal engraved with delicate guilloche work, based on a vintage 1945 Three Bridges Tourbillon. The clip on the caps is double-arrow shaped, like the bridge on the famous timepieces, while three opening on the pen body showing the ink level are reminiscent of the power reserve indicators on the watch.
Private Banking Services: The Visa Black Card is not your typical "plastic." It is a very exclusive credit card for those with the wherewithal to live the life fantastic. The Black Card is not even made of plastic; instead it is made from a patent-pending carbon composite. Since the Visa Black Card is a credit card that only one percent of entire U.S. population qualify to be cardholders, it is a status symbol of substance.
Telescopes & Optics: Have you ever considered placing a handmade bronze telescope in the backyard to enhance the outdoor decorum? The garden telescope, which is a recreation of the Porter Garden Telescope with improved optics, is sold exclusively by Telescopes of Vermont. Russell Porter, one of the designers of the Palomar Mountain Observatory 200-inch Hale telescope, made the original Porter Garden Telescope in the 1920s.
Luxury Cigars: Avo Uvezian, the founder of Avo Cigars, is a modern-day renaissance man of extraordinary skills and passions. Mr. Uvezian is a pianist, a composer, and a businessman all rolled into one very unique, inspiring individual. During his teen years, Avo led a successful jazz trio that was billed as the Lebanon Boys, playing in the Middle East in the 1940s. After a stint playing in Tehran at the palace of the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Avo came to New York and studied piano and musical composition at the Julliard School of Music. He forged a successful career as a jazz pianist for years, playing various size venues. 
Shopping: With Valentine's Day just around the corner, many are in a quandary about what to get for all the ones they hold so dear. Amid the recessionary crunch, below is a quick list of affordable gift ideas illustrating that you don't have to break the bank to express your love and appreciation to another.
Luxury Guitars: Even those who have no idea whatsoever how to play one are likely to covet the latest limited edition creation from master guitar maker Ken Parker: The Parker Fly Select, limited to only 25 signed and numbered pieces, is crafted from a single piece of Koa, a rare, indigenous hardwood native to Hawaii. Finished with gold-plated hardware and priced at an equally precious $10,000, it is far more expensive than the terribly chic instrument recently retailed by Chanel but this masterpiece is more for players than posers.
Koa trees were used by the ancient Hawaiians to build dugout canoes, but it is also a tonewood, with recognized and consistent acoustic qualities prized by musicians. The wood is golden brown in color with dark streaks and a lustrous sheen, precious and tropical in appearance. That lends it a gravitas that belies the relatively light weight of the instrument, which at only five pounds will not hamper any fancy stage moves.
Luxury News: The inauguration of Barack Obama as the America's 44th president creates a unique shopping opportunity for inaugural memorabilia. The Official 2009 Presidential Inauguration Store is online and open for business. The e-store is carrying a wide variety of collectibles to commemorate the event. There is artwork, clothing, jewelry, pins, bumper stickers, tote bags, and more-a lot more!
Luxury News: Live richly, indeed!
Snow Polo: The Land Rover America's Polo Cup Team, fielded by the famed British auto marque and the luxurious St. Regis Aspen Resort, made a strong showing at the ninth annual World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen last weekend. The Championship is a four-team elimination tournament comprised of local and international players mounted on Colorado-raised ponies; teams are comprised of three players and play consists of four seven-minute chukkers.
Dunhill Skis: 100 years ago when Alfred Dunhill inherited his father's London saddelry business and began catering to the brand new trade in automotive accouterments, the firm's motto was "Everything But The Motor". That's the spirit behind Dunhill's latest offering, perfect for chic winter sports: a stylish set of skis specially commissioned from racing experts Speciale. The Dunhill Skis are available in either teak or carbon fiber, each with a titanium base.
Luxury Goods Auctions: The majority of goods on the block of Seized Property Auctions are seized and ordered by federal and state agencies to be sold at public auction. Items up for auction may include automobiles, real estate, art, jewelry, coins, collectibles, electronic goods, and household items.
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