Staying at the Halekulani on Oahu is a real treat. If you’re used to luxury or simply want luxury on your vacation, consider staying at this resort, located directly on Waikiki Beach.

The Halekulani offers an unmatched service that starts already at check-in, where you’ll be escorted right to your room to do all the formalities there. A box of chocolates and a fresh fruit platter will be waiting for you.

About 90 percent of all rooms have some sort of ocean view. All are oversized and have a spacious bath with a deep tub and separate shower and a large, furnished balcony. Of course, you’ll also have other luxurious amenities, such as a DVD player and wireless Internet access.

Many things are for free here, such as room safes, local calls, valet parking, the newspaper, cribs and entertainment. For an extra touch of luxury, you can book the Royal Suite, which comes with a personal butler, an airport limo, a baby grand piano and breakfast in the suite.

The Halekulani has 455 units spread out over 5 buildings. It includes 5 conference rooms and a business center. For guests interested in culture, the hotel supplies free tickets to some of the city’s cultural offerings, such as the Honolulu Symphony, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Contemporary Museum, the Bishop Museum and the Iolani Palace.

If you’re health conscious, you’ll like their fitness center and spa, which offers various body treatments drawn from Asian, Hawaiian and South Pacific healing traditions. The hotel’s food services are outstanding and everything is created there, from chocolates, pastries, ice creams to breads.

Are there any disadvantages, you ask? Well, there is small one. It’s their beach. Unfortunaltey, it’s small and partially lined by a seawall. But otherwise, it’s a relaxing place to stay and probably won’t leave a wish open.

One of the most popular attractions at The Mirage Hotel & Casino is the aquarium located behind the front desk. This 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium is home to angelfish, puffer fish, tangs and other exotic sea creatures.

Information:
Managed by The Mirage’s own in-house aquarists, the aquarium accommodates more than 1,000 coral reef animals representing 60 species from Australia, Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji, the Red Sea, the Marshall Islands, the Sea of Cortez and the Caribbean. These sea animals were all selected for their adaptability to the environment and compatibility with other species.

One of the most elaborate and technically advanced aquariums in the world, the tank is 53 feet long, eight feet from top to bottom, and six feet from front to back. The acrylic used in the aquarium is 4 inches thick.

The interior was carefully created to simulate an intricately detailed, artificial coral reef. To preserve the living reefs in the ocean, no live coral is used in the tank.

Photograph: Vincent Peters

Angelia Jolie is an amazing woman.  Not only is she knock-out dead gorgeous, but a role model humanitarian.

Jolie is a human rights advocate and, in summer action flick ”Wanted,” a remorseless killer. In a frank “Entertainment Weekly” interview, the star with the disarming and dangerous persona talks about sex, tattoos, motherhood, war, and peace

”Brad is the hardest person to shop for,” she says of her partner, Brad Pitt, while checking out a window display of Corum watches at the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat in the south of France. ”He has impeccable design taste. And whenever he sees something he likes, he buys it for himself.” Pitt’s most recent gift to Jolie — the gun-charm necklace she wore to her EW photo shoot — is also a tough act to follow.

The 33-year-old Academy Award winner has always cultivated dual identities: On the one hand, she’s been the Mistress of the Dark (as in her fascinations with tattoos, knives, and blood); on the other, she’s the Minister of Light (her work promoting international peace).

Her next starring film roles keep that dichotomy alive: On June 27 she appears as Fox, a morally driven assassin who mentors a shlubby office worker (Atonement‘s James McAvoy) in the graphically violent Wanted, directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch).  Full article

So where do you go to find the world’s best designer shoes – New York, Paris, Tokyo… ?  A good bet is jolly old London.

Some of the world’s most famous designer shoe brands have a home in London–the city that is a fashion capital in its own right–and it continues to draw swarms of shopaholics from across the globe.

When you’re hunt for the perfect pair of shoes, the designer boutiques and department stores can help you find the ideal match.

From distinct stilettos from Jimmy Choo to Italian leather loafers from Franchetti Bond, here are just eight great places to find designer shoes in London:

1. Rupert Sanderson. This is the place to pick up a few of the latest trends and step into some glossy patent leather heels, sandals, and unique shoe designs in eye-popping colors. Rupert Sanderson shoes carries a range of handmade designers shoes that are perfectfor adding to your eclectic collection. You’ll find the store at 33 Bruton Place in Mayfair, London.

2. Franchetti Bond, Ltd.This legendary English shoe shop will help you create a distinct and refined look in rich leather and authentic fabrics. The shoe shop offers plenty of distinct European designs to make your wardrobe stand apart from the rest, and you can also explore a diverse selection of handbags. Franchetti Bond, Ltd. Is located at 12 Symons Street in Chelsea, London.

3. Manolo Blahnik. The world-famous shoeshave a discret location in London, and you can pick out your favorite too-tall stiletto from the showcase of shoes and accessories filling the shelves here. The shoe shop has become a famous spot for finding last-minute partyitems, and you’ll easily find the right fit with the expert staff in-house. The Manolo Blahnik store is located at 49 Old Church Street in Chelsea, London.

4. Poste Mistress. From snakeskin leather boots to patent leather pumps, this shoe shop will delight your senses and make it difficult to ward off a shopping spree. The shoe collections offers something for everyone, and the associates will gladly help you find something truly unique for that upcoming event. Browse away in the seemingly endless shelves and display of designer shoeshere, it’s one of London’s best! Post Mistress is located at 61 Monmouth Street in Covent Garden, London.

5. Jimmy Choo. Fresh off the runways, the collection here features all the latest trends and plenty of eye-catching shoe displays to keep you interested for hours. The store offers plenty of browsing opportunities where you can pick out your own pair of extra-tall stilettos and practice trotting in them before the final decision. Jimmy Choo is located at 32 Sloane Street in Knightsbridge, London.

6. Patrick Cox. When disco fever hits your closet, or you just want to add a little retro design to your look, head to Patrick Cox shoe store for a giant collection of trendy boots, shoes, and sandals. It doesn’t take long to discover British trends and tastes here, and at the very least, you’ll find a ’70s-inspired gift or accessory. Patrick Cox is located at 129 Sloane Street in Chelsea, London.

7. Anello and Davide.You can’t leave London without a good pair of dancing shoes, and Anello and Davide will happily bring you only the highest quality of leather shoesthat will last you for your years to come-both on and off the dancefloor. This shoe shop prides itself on personal customer service, so be prepared to have your feet measured and analyzed before settling for the perfectmatch. Anello and Davide is located at 20 St. Christopher’s Place in Marylebone, London.

8. Shellys. When you want a pair of shoesthat demand attention, Shellys is the place to go. It’s the shop where drag queens in Soho enjoy their weekly shoppingspree, and you’ll easily find a few extreme designs and platform heels to round out your closet. Shellys is located at 266 Regent Street in Soho, London.

You’ll be overwhelmed with the assortment of designer shoes and brands available throughout London’s shopping districts, so it’s a good idea to work with a plan on each trip! Be sure to stop in at any of these top shoe shops on your next visit for the best that London has to offer.  Article by: Sabah Karimi

The Frank Mulder Gigayacht is claimed by many to be the most expensive item ever sold on eBay for an eye-popping, purchase price of $168,000,000.

The Gigayacht was designed by Naval architect Frank Mulder of Mulder Design.

Now, a Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich owns this beauty. The ultra-luxury yacht boasts of luxurious master suite on deck that features luxury office area, salon, cinema room, fitness room, two person cabin for children, body guards.

The stunning yacht also features helicopter garage in the bow with retractable elevator, two fabulous multi-level VIP Suites with panoramic windows, sixteen luxurious oversized guest cabins.

The SSC Aero is an American-built mid-engine sports car by Shelby Super Cars (SSC). The SSC (Shelby Super Cars) Ultimate Aero is the higher-performance limited production version.

Many car experts feel the Bugatti Veyron is the fastest car on the road but it’s not, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

In March 2007 it tested the American-made SSC (Shelby Super Cars) Ultimate Aero and crowned it the Fastest Production Car in the world.

The $654,400 twin-turbocharged car boasts a top speed of 257 mph and goes from 0 to 60 in 2.78 seconds. Snagging this title marked a first for a U.S. auto manufacturer since the Ford GT40 claimed the Guinness record in 1967 with a top speed of 167 mph.

The Aero and the Shelby Super Cars company are the brainchildren of Jerod Shelby, who spent over seven years designing the car.

Only twenty-five Aeros are to be produced and it’s unclear how many will be the Ultimate model.

Total luxury overkill is the theme at Grand Resort Lagonissi in Greece, a sprawling seaside compound on a peninsula 30 miles south of Athens.

This is the kind of place where wealthy industrialists arrive via helicopter or Learjet, and Hollywood stars make discreet entrances in chartered limos. Long a favorite of the Mediterranean jet-set, Lagonissi is catching on worldwide — their Royal Suite made Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s most expensive hotel rooms (though presumably a portion of the $25,639 nightly rate goes to cover the wages of the suite’s pianist, chef, and personal trainer).

Slightly less ostentatious are the Villas, each with its own heated seafront pool, and even the most (relatively) humble standard room comes with a Jacuzzi tub in its oversized marble bathroom. The setting is stunning, both naturally and architecturally — the design is commendably understated and laid-back, enveloping you in comfort rather than bludgeoning you with opulence.

This is Greece, after all, and the natural surroundings speak for themselves. The living here is easy, the climate balmy and temperate, with the deep blue Aegean sea stretching out into the distance.

It is easy to understand, upon a moment’s leisurely reflection at the pool bar, or on a hired yacht, how it came to pass that the foundations of Western society were laid here — with nothing but sun and sea all around, there is plenty of time for leisurely contemplation and the invention of things like (for instance) geometry, or democracy.

It is significant, though perhaps not surprising, that Archimedes cried “Eureka!” not on horseback trudging across some Northern plain but in the Greek colonies of the Mediterranean — and in the (sadly pre-Jacuzzi) bathtub, no less.

The Luxor pyramid shaped casino hotel is pure Egyptian, Las Vegas style!

This modern world wonder – Luxor Hotel & Casino Las Vegas – is topped with a xenon light beam that burns brighter than any other in the world and can be seen from anywhere in the valley at night; for that matter, it’s even visible from space.

Inside the Luxor Hotel great pyramid, you’ll discover an opulent casino gaming area with everything your treasure seeking heart desires. You will discover many untold secrets when venturing into The Atrium Level, located one level above the Casino, it is the gateway to The World’s Largest Atrium.

Looking up leaves you in awe, as its grandeur is revealed. Your senses will be intrigued as you embark upon a world all its own within our pyramid, enjoy shopping, dining, rides and attractions.

Inside the Luxor hotel, four “inclinators” (elevators) travel the 39 degree incline of the pyramid to the guest rooms; “hallways” overlook the atrium. Rooms are large and continue the Egyptian motif, with scarabs, palms, ankhs, and hieroglyphic design elements.

One wall slopes a bit because of the building’s design. Furnishings and design carry out a subtly Middle Eastern theme; artwork is Egyptian inspired. Spa suites are in the pyramid and have plenty of extra space and deep whirlpool tubs with brilliant views of the skyline.

The magnificent bronze tint pyramid is arguably the most unusual casino in the world, inside and out. Luxor’s casino is not only huge, it’s also round, so it will take some time to get your bearings.

Orient yourself by looking for periphery landmarks such as the coffee shop, sports book, and lounge. You find surprisingly fresh air and a muted noise level as everyone stands to gawk at this eighth wonder of the world.

Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com

Lost star, Matthew Fox first gained fame playing Charlie Salinger, the eldest brother of four siblings who’d lost their parents in a car crash on Fox TV’s award-winning drama series, Party of Five (1994-2000). During his time on the show, he was featured in numerous magazines and was named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World.”

His fame grew in 2004 when he landed a starring role as Dr. Jack Shephard on ABC-TV’s Lost, a unique series that went on to become on of the highest ranked shows on the air, winning a Golden Globe as Best Drama Series. Fox received a Golden Globe nomination and won Best Actor Saturn and Golden Satellite Awards, as well as sharing a Screen Actors Guild Award with the rest of the cast for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

Fox grew up on horseback as the middle of three brothers on his family’s cattle ranch in Crowheart, Wyoming. He received a football scholarship from Columbia University, where he earned a degree in economics. Fox intended to work on Wall Street, but at the recommendation of a girlfriend’s mother who was a modeling agent, tried his hand at modeling first. After landing a few commercials, he was hooked and spent two years studying acting at The School for Film and Television in NYC.

His first TV role was a 1992 guest shot on the NBC sitcom Wings, and from there on his career took off. He was a regular on CBS’ 1992 short-lived Freshman Dorm, followed by a starring role in the CBS Schoolbreak Special If I Die Before I Wake(1993) before making his feature film debut in Buena Vista’s My Boyfriend’s Back (1993) opposite Mary Beth Hurt and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

During hiatus from Lost, Fox returned to the big screen with a starring role in the major motion picture We Are Marshall (2006), opposite Matthew McConaughey.

Fox lives in Oahu, Hawaii, where Lostis filmed, with his wife Margherita and their two children, Kyle and Byron.

When asked about often being on ‘Sexiest man alive’ lists, Matthew replies, ”It feels like it’s happening to someone else. I mean I just go to work and I’m doing the thing I love to do.”

Asked about why he thinks he’s been so successful?  “I think luck and timing are, without question, a big part of my success in this business. But I would also say I don’t think there are too many actors in Hollywood who have done three pilots which have all aired on TV, with two of them continuing for six years. There’s a phrase that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. So I’m going to take some of the credit for it.”

Sangria takes its name from the Spanish word, “sangre,” which means “blood” and refers to the blood-red color of the drink. Fresh fruit and wine combine to create the perfect beverage for warm summer get-togethers. Sangria is a refreshing drink that is simple to make and yet elegant enough for any occasion.

Summer Sangria recipe

3 oranges, sliced into thin rounds
2 lemons, sliced into thin rounds
1 lime, sliced into thin rounds
1 fresh peaches, washed, pitted, and cut into thin slices*
1 small pineapple, trim, cored, peeled, and sliced
1/3 to 1/2 cup simple syrup or to your taste (see recipe below)
2 bottles (750 ml) dry red wine**
1/2 cup light rum
3 ounces orange liqueur (such as Triple Sec or Cointreau)
4 ounces vodka
3 ounces Grand Marnier
2 cups fresh orange juice
2 cups apple juice or pineapple juice
Club soda, 7-up, or sparkling water
Ice cubes
Mint sprigs

*Any other seasonal fruit that tempts you may be added (berries, melon, grapes, guavas, mangos, apples, etc). Fruit juices may also be added. Let your imagination be your guide!

The Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans is apparently the first 12-cylinder diesel engine in a high-performance road going sports car. So with a 6.0-liter diesel under the hood, this R8 concept car will generate around 500 HP and 737.56 lb-ft of torque.

Audi is presenting a revolution in the top class – the first 12-cylinder diesel engine in a high-performance road going sports car. The V12 TDI with a displacement of six liters powers a concept car based on the Audi R8. This unit generates a huge 500 hp and 1,000 Newton-meters (737.56 lb-ft) of torque.

Audi is writing a new chapter in diesel technology with this power unit. Equipped with the expertise that Audi has built up through its motor sport activities, the R8 TDI Le Mans in Brilliant Red embodies superb road handling, pioneering technology and fascinating design.

The V12 TDI is closely related to the engine in the Audi R10, the two-time Le Mans winner – so it catapults the Audi R8 into super car terrain concerning performance too. It sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.2 seconds and its top speed is well over 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The peak torque, reached at only 1,750 rpm, paves the way for effortless acceleration that is unrivaled even at this level.

For all the subtle smoothness that typifies this design principle, the twelve-cylinder unit is full-bodied and equipped with energetic overtones that make no secret of its performance potential.

Thanks to their high performance and pulling power, all Audi TDI engines are ultra-dynamic sources of power. The brand has often enough demonstrated its sporty character in its production cars, especially the six- and eight-cylinder 3.0 TDI and 4.2 TDI.  Full article