There is something about owning a really great peice of vintage jewelry. It puts me in a romantic mood. It makes me feel like my jewelry has some history, and hopefully some mystery to it. Also, I absolutely love to pair a piece of vintage jewelry with a modern little black dress. The pairing of the old with the new feels organic and artistic - and even somewhat Audrey Hepburn-ish. Her sophistication and glamour is something that I try to channel.

This 1930’s Deco drop pendant rhinestone necklace is elegant and just so beautiful.  A piece of jewelry like this just makes a woman feel so feminine.  Plus, when you buy vintage, you can almost garantee that no one else at your next party will be wearing anything like it.

Available at House of Lavande.
$950

Generally, I don’t think of really contemporary homes being in Connecticut.  Georgian, yes.  Modern, not really.  As I was picking out the Estate of the Day for today, this minimalist gem in Connecticut stuck out to me like a sore thumb. 

Incomparable Modern Minimalist Masterpiece by Renowned Architect Rafael Vinoly (Finalist for new World Trade Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Boston Convention Center, etc.). Five acre hilltop setting with fifty mile views. Indoor/outdoor pools, glass bridge to private tower with master bedroom, penthouse office, observation deck. Sunsets!

$10,000,000
Here are more photos of the Modern Minimalist Masterpiece.
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Instead of fireplaces, think luxury fire sculpture. 

Man has had an on-going love affair with fire since its discovery roughly 600,000 years ago. 

With Elena Colombo designs, the love affair is surely to continue for years to come.   Elena Colombo is a classically trained sculptor and architectural designer, who owns and operates Colombo Construction Corporation, a full service conceptual design and fabrication firm specializing in site specific, large-scale works: fire, water and wind features, memorials, markers, environmental art, and sculpture.

In terms of design, fire adds an element of elegance to your home.  The company works with clients to create unique fire sculptures that are truly amazing.  The fire sculptures start at $4,000 and can go as high as $85,000.

Colombo works directly with clients and architectural firms to create works that extend the realm of architecture further into the landscape. Colombo creates forms that are simple, elegant and ancient which address our primal need for the elements earth, fire, water and wind. She uses bronze, steel, stone, concrete and bone.

Kistner Supply, the Chicagoland-based company known for publishing their acclaimed 100th anniversary edition of Mother Stork’s Baby Book, has introduced new luxury baby products and a new website that broaden the company’s focus beyond their keepsake baby book to adorning nursery walls and enriching baby’s rest and play with eco-friendly cashmere.

Based on the success of Kistner Supply’s 2005 product Mother Stork’s Baby Book, 100th Anniversary Edition, the company has developed a line of stunning artwork and two handmade eco-friendly cashmere products: a soft and sweet chime ball and a breathtakingly posh patchwork blanket. The new items come ready to give in a white box tied with a ribbon and letterpressed giftcard and will be available through their website in September 2008 (http://www.kistnersupply.com). The new collection of products include: Mother Stork’s Baby Art ($185), Kistner Supply’s Eco-Friendly Cashmere Collection, Cashmere Chime Balls ($45), and Cashmere Baby Blankets ($285).

The Jimmy Choo Divine Printed Pony Sandals are very wild, but very chic at the same time which is not always easy to accomplish. This shoe creation is absolutely fab! I love the colors, the look, and the cross straps. I think that all women should have at least one pair of crazy shoes like this in her closet. Sometimes you just need a great shoe that is the complete opposite of practical, for when your mood is pure fun and whimsical. These shoes would make an excellent addition to any shoe lover’s collection.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue.
$895

The futuristic Fisker Karma leads the way in both luxury and state-of-the-art hybrid technology. Karma is the vision of renowned automobile designer Henrik Fisker, former designer at BMW AG and Aston Martin and CEO of namesake Fisker Automotive. The Karma made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. The fledgling firm has sold out its Signature Edition and is taking preorders for a plug-in four-door sedan for delivery in 2010.

Fisker calls its plug-in hybrid technology Q Drive. It consists of a small gasoline engine that turns the generator, which charges the lithium-ion battery pack, powering the electric motor and turning the rear wheels.

The Karma is good on ecological, performance and luxury fronts. With a top speed of 125 mph and zero-to-60-mph acceleration in 6.5 seconds, the luxurious and sporty Karma is carving out its niche in the luxury automobile marketplace. The vehicle is equipped with two driving modes — Stealth Drive and Sports Drive. The Sports Drive does fade the Fisker’s “green” a wee, but not enough to raise any cautionary flags.

The Karma would enable consumers to drive a car that is emission-free for up to 50 miles a day if the auto is charged daily. If consumers were to adhere to this routine, it is conceivable that they would only need to fuel up once a year.

Italian boating company Riva has teamed with Veuve Clicquot champagne to create champagne travel cases worthy of any excursion at sea. Veuve Clicquot’s prestige cuvée, called La Grande Dame, will accompany two new boating accessories for entertaining on the fly. A limited-edition, hand-crafted mahogany, chrome, and leather cruiser bag ($425) will include a bottle of La Grande Dame 1998 and two champagne flutes. A made-to-measure trunk ($80,000) is designed to fit snugly into the back of your boat and will include four bottles of La Grande Dame 1998, two magnums of La Grande Dame 1988, and enough champagne flutes, water tumblers, plates, table mats, and cutlery for six. The trunk and bag may become part of your onboard necessities, but the champagne will most likely disappear the moment it arrives.

Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb perfume smells so luxurious.  I love it!  I also love when designers care enough to make little bottles of purse sprays.  It is so handy to have a little bottle of your perfume in your purse for a little freshening up while you are out. Flowerbomb is now available in a chic and travel friendly purse spray. The refillable purse spray includes a black travel pouch, funnel and three refills.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue.
$110

Personally, I’m a big fan of gifts-with-purchase.  If I’m spending some big bucks, shouldn’t I get a little something for free in return? 

I was happy when I opened my inbox and saw this.  If you spend at least $100 on beauty products at YSL.com then you get the above sample kit for free.  Frankly, spending $100 on YSL merchandise is pretty easy to accomplish.  The offer is good through August 17th and while supplies last.

Happy shopping!

A treasured enterprise, this walled estate was a stunning collaboration by Architect Mac Chesney & custom builder Gene Mauze on an exclusive street of homes. Its L-shaped design maximizes the .58+/- acre grounds & wraps around a loggia & pool for maximum privacy with the convenience of a parking court, porte cochere & garage rimming the perimeter as a buffer. 2 distinctive wings are linked by a loggia to additionally maximize living & personal privacy. Superb quality is inherent with CAT5 wiring & touch pads to put every luxury at your fingertips. Highlights include a 2-story library with elevator, home theatre, connoisseur’s dine-in kitchen, butler’s pantry, outdoor grill kitchen & wet bar by the pool, putting green & one of the most exciting master retreats imaginable that is included in the 5 total bedroom suites.

$4,850,000
Here are more pictures of this beautiful home.
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