Luxury

Before being a successful jewelry designer, Rona Pfeiffer was first an LA agent for film and T.V. Pfeiffer uses “strange and unusual materials” juxtaposed with rose cut diamonds… hi lows, contradiction, and asymmetry are her secrets. Recently, Academy Award winning Costume Designer Colleen Atwood asked Rona to create pieces for Tim Burton’s film Dark Shadows. Rona created jewelry (non-costume) for Michelle Pfeiffer’s character in the film. Rona’s jewelry can be found at a number of exclusive boutiques and recently she opened a shop-in-shop in NYC at Elizabeth Charles. Shop her jewelry online here. Related PostsFive Maternity Accessories Every Preggers Woman Doesn’t Need Accessories Spotting: Alexander McQueen Finger Clutch Isabel Marant Hippy Shake Fashion Crave: Emerging designer Danielle Corona Jewelry Finds For The Fashion Addicted

Being half Cornish it would be fair to say I spent a fair amount of my?childhood holidays in Cornwall, but only in the past few days have I really discovered it. ?My parents have said it was clearly a waste of time to take a young child to all the beautiful places that I?ve visited [...]Re-discovering my Cornish roots and 8 top tips for a Cornwall trip of your own is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post Re-discovering my Cornish roots and 8 top tips for a Cornwall trip of your own appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.

(Credit: Lego) We've seen an official Lego Sydney Opera House set before as part of the toy company's Architecture range, but let's be honest: an awful lot of detail got lost in the model's tiny size. Lego's about to do something about that, though. On September 1, Lego fanatics will be able to get their hands on an insanely detailed 2,989-piece model of the iconic building designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon in the 1950s. And, at 11 inches by 25 inches by 15 inches, it's going to be huge. The model is offering a few neat perks for Lego brick collectors: rare dark-tan Lego bricks, tiles, and sloped bricks, as well as the company's first-ever 48x48 stud baseplate in blue -- and the curved white pieces that form the Opera House's sails. Palaces, churches, and towers of the world in Lego (pictures) 1-2 of 11 Scroll Left Scroll Right ... [Read more]Related Links:Lego brings real robotic bricks to life for PlayStationMeet the 23-ton X-Wing, the world's largest Lego modelOpera Next makes its debut on Windows, MacSweet! Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic lands on iPadLego faces are getting more pissed off, study says

The main attraction of any railway journey is the gradual, graceful change in scenery as you move through different timezones and climates. Travelling on board the incredible Golden Eagle Private Train along the Trans-Siberian Railway you will pass through eight distinct time zones, and travel over 6,000 miles – one third of the way around [...]The world?s greatest railway journey is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog The post The world?s greatest railway journey appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.

In light of the ever-growing popularity of slip-on sneakers, Maison Martin Margiela has released a few pairs for Spring/Summer 2013 such as these shoes ($510) in royal blue. They feature a buffed leather upper, brown leather welt trim, and a white textured rubber sole. How would you wear these shoes?

Graham Cracker Cupcakes?! Toasted Marshmallow Frosting??!! I need this to enter my life immediately. Nothing says summer like a cupcake that is reminiscent of s’mores. Recipe and image via Pia Recipes. Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed) 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 1 cup whole milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 cup boiling water 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 20 squares) 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped Marshmallow Frosting For preparation instructions, click here. Related PostsYum Alert: Raw Vegan Blackberry Lemon Lavender Cheesecake Yum Alert: Fresh Strawberry Coconut Margaritas Yum Alert: No-Bake Vegan Thin Mints Yum Alert: Raspberry Cheesecake Marbled Brownies Yum Alert: Baked Cookies & Cream Donuts

Chris Brown preaches change and unity in his new video “Don’t Think They Know” featuring vocals from Aaliyah, off  of his upcoming album X. The visual is a dedication to his friend Lil’ Frogg, Aaliyah, and many of our lost ones. Check it out. Click here to view the embedded video.

Now that warm weather is upon many of us, it’s prime time to orchestrate the delightfully decadent gatherings that make this weather so special. With our entertaining ideas and “must haves,” planning a successful soiree doesn’... Read More

SELLER: Tom Hanks and Rita WilsonLOCATION: Pacific Palisades, CAPRICE: $5,225,000SIZE: 6,289 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 bathroomsYOUR MAMAS NOTES: Late last week it was revealed by the folks at Zillow that two-time Oscar winning actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson put one of their many homes in the prosperous Los Angeles community of Pacific Palisades, CA on the market with an asking price of $5,225,000.This isn't, so it would seem, Mister Hanks and Miz Wilson's first time to ride the real estate merry-go-round with this particular Spanish style casa. Your Mama uncovered online evidence the house was actually on the market with little or no fanfare last year (2012) with a higher $5,450,000 asking price.Interestingly, since all the hoopla and hoo-ha about the listing hit the internets over the weekend most but not all online listings for the celeb-owned Spanish have all but disappeared from the interweb. However, thanks to some creative digging and an assist from Our Fairy Godmother in Bel Air Your Mama has managed to locate current and active listing details that show the so-called "legendary villa" was originally built in 1929 on a tight .3 acre lot and has four bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms in 6,289 square feet.Property records show Mister Hanks acquired the walled, gated, and high-hedged property in Pac Pal's quietly ritzy Riviera 'hood for $1.9 million way back in April 1988, right about the time and Miz Wilson were united in legal matrimony and not long before his first Oscar nominations for Big.A grand and monochromatic beige double-height foyer, lit by a glimmery crystal chandelier, is ringed by a second floor gallery. Strongly pedimented pocket doors lead to a robustly scaled formal living room with nearly white hardwood floors, a white-washed (or maybe it's limed) wood ceiling, a wood-burning fireplace, and a series French doors with semi-circular transoms, some of which open to a loggia that overlooks simply landscaped gardens. Pedimented pocket doors also mark the entrance from the foyer to the formal dining room that has a built-in bookcase/china display cabinet and a coffered wood ceiling. Somewhere in the house, presumably in close proximity to the formal living and dining rooms, there's also a library described in current listing details as "intimate" and "ideal for meditations or reading."Numerous windows and several large sky lights placed between heavy duty wood beams on the ceiling flood the oppressively all-beige kitchen with natural light. The floors appear to be some sort of stone, possibly Travertine or limestone, and the top quality appliances include a mac-daddy six burner range and side-by-side fridge freezers. A shipping container-sized center island with veggie sink separates the kitchen proper from a roomy informal eating space and sitting area with direct access to the outside.A "pretty, sun-filled" guest suite with newly remodeled bathroom is, as per listing details, well separated from the upper floor family quarters that include four bedrooms plus a "romantic" master suite complete with "stylish" bath and direct access to a meandering covered terrace with over the tree tops ocean view.Curiously, the property does not have a swimming pool but it does have a number of other notable features and amenities that include: lots of archway, columns, and hand-frescoed ceilings; a basement level space converted to what listing details describe as "an incredible closet and storage space;" a private beauty salon—they are regular red carpet walkers, after all; and a window-ringed second floor sun room with fireplace. A guest suite with recently updated bathroom is situated well away from the four upstairs family/guest bedrooms and the master suite includes a fireplace and a "stylish bathroom that opens to a meandering ocean-view terrace.The Tinseltown A-list royals maintain a healthy if not outright hefty portfolio of luxury residences. Way back in 1991 they paid $2.95 million for a modestly sized ocean fro

Summer ’tis the season to lay back, relax, and sip something cold and sweet. In fact, I believe it was Galileo who once said, “gurrrrl, hand me some PJ’s and deep conditioner, this bitch is DONE.” Or something like that, so, I’ve put together my little list of must-have essentials for a proper relaxation day. 1. Lounge in this sleep set. After you’re all bathed and good, you’re going to need to slip into something more comfortable. It’s literally a requirement, otherwise your relaxation won’t be thorough (or at all glam). Personally, one can never get enough of this sleep set by Hanky Panky. It doubles as a comfortable-enough-to-lounge-in-all-day outfit AND as a seduce-the-man ensemble. Win, win, win. 2. Fix your skin, girl. If you’re a beauty hoarder like me, you’re already obsessed with Phytomer for their amazing formulations, results, and quality. Also, you just sort of feel more official when your vanity is stocked with their stuff. But their Vegetal Exfoliant goes on smoothly like a velvety toothpaste, gently encourages new cell turnover in skin, and leaves you looking refreshed as a 12 year old at summer camp. Slather a little on, watch an old episode of How I Met Your Mother, rinse and voila! 3. Condition your hair after you condition it. Whether your hair is dry or already damp from a post-shower decision to call it a night of relaxation, adding a high quality, light oil will add more life and bounce to your otherwise fried summer locks. Shu Uemura’s Essence Absolue is light, scented like a sexy dream, and safe for color-treated hair. In fact, using a little every day will change your hair from “eh” to “haiiiiiii pretty lady” in just a few weeks. 4. In the event you need to wash your hair, but didn’t already… Try Finesse’s new shampoo and conditioner line with Yardley lavender right in the formula. Lavender is scientifically proven to relax four key areas of the brain, promoting the production and release of hormones that trigger happiness, serenity, and a readiness to sleep. This one is cheap, easy, and found at just about every drugstore ever, so you can’t go wrong. Use it before relaxing or if you’re a shampoo-before-bed kind of gal (I usually am). Also, I found a coupon here to make it even cheaper than you might’ve imagined. It’s like the hair Gods are forcing this fabulousness on us. Related PostsScent Obsession: Jimmy Choo Flash The Hot Mom’s Guide to Leaving The House Turn Your Plain Old Shower Into A Spa Routine Lounging Around Is The Best, Especially In These Massimo Dutti and ShoeDazzle: Outfit of the Day