Borghese

With an average overall consumer rating of 4.8 stars of 5, Borghese is unarguably one of the most popular premium brands of cosmetic, skincare, fragrance, and spa.

Now they can add premium hair care products to their prestige array of products.  In conjunction with leader in high-end professional salon specialist, Primary One Brands, Borghese announced the launch of several new products: Venetian, Salermo, Tuscany, Giovanni, Siena, Milan, and Capri.

With the same strict standards to quality, Borghese’s new hair care line are formulated with proprietary Acqua Di Vita^® Complex, the main age-defying ingredient found in many of the company’s products.  This Complex is found in mineral waters and volcanic mud in the Italian region of Tuscany, and is known for its rejuvenating effects.

The new Borghese line of hair care products will not only live up to the professional-grade, high-quality product the Borghese brand is known for; it will also be more accessible to the everyday consumer. The new hair care line of products from Borghese will be available at select CVS locations nationwide.

“Borghese is built on a heritage that dates back to the 14^th century when people first sought the healing waters of the Tuscan Earth,” said Georgette Mosbacher, president and CEO of Borghese, Inc.

“Today, we are actively pioneering new products which are responsive to a woman’s beauty needs and wants, while staying true to our heritage. The new hair care line allows a broader range of consumers to enjoy our innovative and meticulously-designed products.”

Castle Philipsruhe – Hanau, Germany

2012 is the year of music in Germany.  Frankfurt Rhine-Main region is celebrating the spirit of music with a German Choir Festival.  From June 7^th through the 12^th, thousands of singers will gather at Frankfurt into on majestic stage.   Joined by individual concert sponsors and churches, the eclectic fusion of music ranges from classical to hip-hop and experimental.  With over 400 ensembles of over 20,000 singers will participate in this choral event.

For Jazz lovers, there are three jazz festivals to choose from: the annual Jazz Festival in Bingen located in the famed UNESCO World Hertiage Site “Upper Middle Rhine Valley,” taking place from June 22^nd to the 24^th; swing, boogie, blues and jazz surrounded by the romantic atmosphere of local vineyards and gardens; Jazz Week in Oestrich Winkel from July 20^th to the 29^th; and open-air music festival known as Idstein JazzFestival from June 15^th through the 17^th at the rustic, romantic city center.

No music festival is complete without this one genre: rock and roll.  Feeding your inner Rock n’ Roll is the four-day European Elvis Festival from August 16^th to the 19^th.  Concerts, exhibitions, parades, guided tours will be offered to commemorate the life and art of Elvis.  Other concerts taking place is the Rheingau Music Festival and the Bach Festival in nearby Aschaffenburg.

Coinciding with the music festivals are culinary events with gourmet cuisine and wine tasting.  Internationally known art exhibitions and museums such as the “dOCUMENTA,” Städel Museum, Jugendstil Festival, and Castle Philippsruhe in Hanau, the Fairy Tale City will also be available to satisfy your artistic desires.

Grand Monaco Collection by Gresso

The Grand Monaco collection by the Gresso company first took the world by storm in 2009. The Grand Monaco mobile phones have been revered in a similar way to legendary cars with modern technology, inventive design, high functionality, and high-tech materials. The Gresso company has elevated luxury phones to a new level with its new Grand Monaco collection model, designed entirely in full black. From its sleek design, it’s apparent that the new Pure Black Phone will be another luxury phone hit.

The dominant black color adds attitude to the sophistication of this exquisite phone. The new model is released in two editions: Pure Black Cayman with crocodile leather and Pure Black Carbon with Italian carbon leather. The phone case is composed of light titanium alloy, giving it its sturdiness and scratch-resistance. To further add to its extravagance, the case is covered with several high-tech ceramics layers, giving the surface texture its matte and velvet feel.

Another innovation on this device is its numerical keyboard that is set on a plate of black-toned glass. Not sacrificing practicality for vanity, the phone screen is protected with 42-carat sapphire glass polished by hand with a diamond tool. The keyboard itself is crafted from top quality surgical steel. The titanium PVD-surface coats the keyboard, gives it reflective sheen and making it resistant to mechanical damages.

The Pure Black model was created in a limited collection of 100. It is due release this month with an estimated price of $2,700. To further add to the exclusivity of this phone, it is only available at authorized Gresso dealers and at Gresso’s online boutique, www.gresso.com.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

When people think romance, Paris and Venice tend to be the first destinations that pop into most people’s heads.  But the splendor of Amsterdam can definitely give Paris and Venice and run for their money.  Rhine and Moselle River Cruise is offering a 15-day scenic cruise that takes passengers through the picturesque canals.  The liveliness of the vibrant city centers, small towns with rustic cobblestone streets and historic seaports are all part of the itinerary of the luxury ship known as the scenic “Space Ship”.

Ports visited include Venlo and its once-a-decade World Floriade Exposition; the fairytale town of Cochem; Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace wine region of France; and Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest and most prosperous countries.

Included optional excursions give guests the option of sightseeing according to their interests, whether it is a visit to a German home for Kaffeklatsch (“coffee and conversation”) or a wine tasting in the French countryside of Barr Fares for the April 2, April 4 and Aug. 20, Oct 8 and 15 departure dates – and the reverse itinerary departures on April 18, July 23 and Sept. 3, Oct 22 and 29.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

Guided tours include the Anne Frank House, bike tour or a sightseeing canal cruise.  For the engineer-minded, the Middleburg’s Delta Works offers insiders’ look into the complex structure of dams, locks and barriers, built to protect a large area from the sea and declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Engineers.  For offers on Scenic Tours’ other European, Russia, and Egypt destinations, please visit their website, http://www.scenictoursus.com.

From Cirque du Soleil to David Copperfield and club TAO to Studio 54, extravagance is the essence of Las Vegas. This May, there is one more event that defines the luxury of Las Vegas. 60 restaurants, 50 chefs, 30 sommeliers, 30 events, and four extraordinary resorts collaborate for one incredible weekend: the sixth annual Vegas Uncork’d! by Bon Appétit magazine. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and Mandalay Bay are putting on an event
worthy of their luxurious brand.

Bon Appétit has remained one of food lovers’ most trusted guides. As the country’s largest epicurean magazine with the most affluent readership, Bon Appétit produces recipes, tips, techniques, world of lush travel, and up-to-the-minute restaurant coverage. Each of their issues is known for featuring up-and-coming as well as renowned tastemakers, chefs, restauranteurs, fashion designers, and celebrities.

Lasting from Thursday, May 10 to Sunday, May 13, Vegas Uncork’d! in Las Vegas is any food lover’s dream. In addition to fan favorites such as Grand Tasting (Sixty restaurants participate in this ultimate outdoor culinary experience at Caesars Palace’s Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis); After-Hours the Remix (Chef Alain Ducasse is joined by chef Hubert Keller and Mandalay Bay executive pastry chef and master chocolatier Vincent Pilon for a late-night party at Mix, the rooftop lounge at Mandalay Bay; and VIP Saber-Off at Caesars Palace, this year, Bon Appétit is boasting a brand new, extended program:

• Master Series Dinner with Michel Richard, Thursday, May 10: Caesars Palace adds a new restaurant to its Master Series dinners—Central, helmed by renowned chef Michel Richard and his James Beard Award–winning staff.
• Follow That Food Truck, Thursday, May 10: The most sought-after food trucks from Las Vegas and surrounding areas join forces for one incredible festival. Join chefs Julian Serrano, Todd English, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Michael Mina for live music and ice-cold beers on Bellagio’s rooftop.
• Too-Hot Tamales Live Demonstration, Friday, May 11: Hosted by Bon Appétit editor in chief Adam Rapoport, chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger prepare a fourcourse menu with tequila pairings at Mandalay Bay’s Border Grill.
• Paella Lunch with José Andrés, Friday, May 11: One of the restaurant industry’s most captivating personalities, José Andrés lets loose with a live demo on how to make one of Spain’s signature dishes. He’ll prepare it on a wood-fired paella grill—the only one of its kind in the U.S.—at Jaleo in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
• Gone Fishing with Costas Spiliadis, Saturday, May 12: Join chef Spiliadis at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas as he shares his secrets to selecting the highest-quality fish at the market, secrets on making fish at home, and healthful eating through the Mediterranean diet.

l’Austral – Compagnie De Ponant

The only thing that can complete the enjoyment of music by Jules Massenet, Mozart, Rossini, Puccini, Delibes, and Verdi performed by accomplished musicians, is actually cruising the places that inspired the beautiful music.

Compagnie du Ponant’s newest mega yacht, L’Austral, fulfills any opera enthusiasts’ dream by taking them from Suez to Venice on a 12-day Et Vogue l’Opéra cruise, departing on May 10, 2012. The intimate surroundings of the new ship allows an unique opportunity for the guests to spend time with the artists outside of the theater setting.

The music program on the ship is extremely rich in culture and operatic arts. Guests can also choose to attend Operatic-themed lectures from renowned experts such as Dr. Elizabeth Fresnel, an author and phoniatrician who specializes in the voice as related to memory. Artistic and Stage Director of works such as Le Comte Try, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The Sound of Music, Carmen, Jean-Francois Vinciguerra will direct a selection of compositions on board and in private concerts ashore.

Featured performers include dancer Eugenie Andrin, known for her choreography work in Parisian musicals and operatic ballets; Swiss soprano Brigitte Hool, awarded the Parisian Prize Trofemina; and Fabrice di Falco, whose creative range has earned him performances before Denmark’s Queen.

Departing from the city of Suez, L’Austral will sail through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, and explores Lebanon’s lively capital of Beirut. Guests will also get a taste of the beauty of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Greek port Colossus Rhodes. Also can be seen on this excursion is Nafplion, a Peloponnese peninsula seaport that served as the first capital of Modern Greece. Itea, Delphi Valley, and the picturesque beaches of Parga are all among the destinations on the itinerary.

The ship will also spend a day in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik, an architecturally rich city of palaces, monuments and white stone churches, and visits the largest of the Dalmatian Islands, Split, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. At the final port of Venice, guests also has the option of adding a post-cruise tour of the famed St. Mark’s Square.

A shorter version of the cruise with a 7-day (May 10-16) itinerary is also available on sailing from Suez to Itea. A 6-day excursion (Mary 16-21) is also available from Itea to Venice. 30 percent discount is currently being offered under Ponant’s Bonus program. Reduced prices range from $3,910 to $9,885 per person, double for the full-length 12-day option; $2,542 to $6,459 for seven days; and $2,093 to $5,314 for six days. Included in the price are all meals with wine, beer and soda; Captain’s welcome aboard cocktail party and gala dinner; 24-hour room service; and all entertainment, events and shows as indicated within the itinerary.

The 466-foot L’Austral mega-yacht houses two restaurants with gourmet haute and country French cuisine, spacious lounges, theater, games area, two open-air bars, a swimming pool, library, fitness area, expansive sun decks, and a comprehensive spa. It also boasts over 132 staterooms, 124 with private balconies, and all the latest technology, including flat screen satellite TVs and Wi-Fi.

The luxurious opera cruise will surely provide an experience that will please the artist and the traveler.

Món Gastro-Bar – Valencia

What does recycled cardboard furniture that easily passes for a postmodernism art piece; Lumbrera lamp with the elegance of classical design and contemporary lighting efficiency; and the a funky Bold Type Chair that would excite any font junky have in common? They are all edgy creations of renowned Spanish design studio, Sanserif Creatius. Now, Sanserif Creatius is once again making headlines with their newest brain child: the Món gastro-bar in Valencia, Spain.

Món is a 6,400 square-foot bar that blends eclectic postmodern art with tapas or intimate dinners with flashlights. The first thing guests notice is the masculine lines of the industrial concrete floors and brick walls. The decor is softened by slabs of wood that have been alternated with murals that represent most iconic cities in the world, from Tokyo, New York, Sydney, to London.

Architectural symbols of cities that dress the walls of Món and colorful beams further achieves the softening effect.

Even the position of Món signifies its eclectic theme. While the bar pushes the limits of modern design, its main entrance is actually located on the main road, San Vicente Street, that links central square of the city of Valencia with the medieval Old Town. Through the main entrance is Món’s cocktail bar and main tasting area with Solxluna leather bar stools.

To the left of the cocktail bar is an alternative private area with a Chesterfield sofa that’s definitive of American or British design. The dining area continues the eclectic atmosphere completed with the decor of fifties-style chairs like Tulip Arms by Eero Saarinen, Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen, and the latest creation of Ana Yago. Most of the furniture was created with green recycled or natural materials.

Wooden staircase lead to the second floor of Món, an open space, where guests can relax while waiting for their gourmet dishes to be prepared. The Món offers a complete dining and art appreciation experience.

Fairmont Kea Lani Resort

White sand and calming blue waves against a picturesque cloudless sky backdrop, Maui is nothing short of paradise.  Now, it can add one more reason to visit: the new Fairmont Kea Lani.  In the past three years, the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui – Hawaii has invested $28 million in the property to continue elevating the luxurious Maui experience.

The Fairmont Kea Lani renovation spanned across every suite, villa, pool deck, ballroom, corridor, and even the elevator of the entire resort.  Every detail that is guest-facing has been considerably examined and further upgraded.

My most anticipated event for the Fairmont is the April reopening of their signature restaurant, Kō, after a $5 million transformation.  Kō (“sugarcane” in Hawaiian) is the only restaurant I have seen that has mastered the art of true Asian fusion cuisine.  Unlike the Hollywood version of a “homemade” meal, Kō’s Executive Chef, Tylun Pang, designed a menu that features traditional family recipes by taking advantage of Hawaii’s naturally fresh ingredients.

The Fairmont Kea Lani property in Maui has over 400 one-bedroom suites and each has been carefully furnished with new furniture, décor, woodworking on doors, and HD flat screen televisions.  The remaining 37 exclusive two-story villas house two- and three-bedroom villas have also gone through an extensive transformation: new tile floors, furniture, and décor to infuse modernism into a Hawaiian motif.

Leaving no stones unturned, the Fairmont has also improved its Keiki Lani kids club with a new 140-foot water slide and toddler pool.  Adults can now enjoy Maui in a true paradise fashion with two whirlpools, a swim up bar, and spa.

For the readers looking for the perfect Hawaiian place to getaway this summer, the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui, Hawaii is currently offering a 40% discount on their room rate. To book a reservation, Click Here to contact us.

Blancpain – Saint-Valentin Chronograph 2012

Frequently featured on AskMen.com, Blancpain is undoubtedly one of the legendary watchmakers in the world.  In the spotlight this time is a glitzy new addition to their Blancpain Women collection.

Following its tradition of Valentine’s Day romance, Blancpain is unveiling its annual exclusive creation for Valentine’s Day with a new limited design watches, the Saint-Valentin Chronograph 2012.

With its diamond-set bezel and lugs, caseband set with four diamonds and a heart-shaped ruby, crown adorned with a diamond and pushpieces covered with cabochon-cut rubies, the Saint-Valentin Chronograph is the statement piece of this season.  Its engraved mother-of-pearl dial, featuring a marquetry-work motif composed of three white mother-of-pearl hearts and set with eight diamonds, and delicately hand painted heart shape, all highlight the intense attention to detail infused into this exquisite line of watches.

The sapphire crystal back of the 36 mm case features 308 parts and 37 jewels, along with the oscillating weight clothed in pink mother-of-pearl.  With a nod to tradition, the Saint-Valentin Chronograph 2012 uses the same self-winding Calibre F185 featured in the very first ladies’ flyback chronograph model.  This model is exclusively available through Blancpain’s boutiques.

Acclaimed as the world’s oldest watch brand, Blancpain has been heralded for its aesthetic and technology since its inception in 1735.  Founded by Jehan-Jaques Blancpain, this luxury Swiss watch manufacturer is famous for being the creator of some of the most complicated mechanical watches ever created in history.

London West Hollywood

This winter, the London West Hollywood challenges retail therapy to a whole new level, with the emphasis on the “therapy” part of retail.  London West Hollywood guests now can enjoy the same exclusive shopping and dining experience as Hollywood’s famed elites.

Right off the legendary Sunset Strip, London West Hollywood exudes class, modernity, and style.  So it’s no surprise that their new Shop the Hills Package includes all of the meticulous details that transcend shopping into a new level of luxury.

The day begins with a complimentary breakfast at The Breakfast Table in renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Boxwood Café.  Then the shopping begins at world’s premier luxury fashion district, Rodeo Drive.  Next, enjoy lunch at the upscale Marisposa restaurant located in Neiman Marcus.  Rated 90 out of 100 by the users of Urbanspoon, Marisposa begins lunch the Neiman Marcus way, with a bowl of broth and a popver with a side of homemade strawberry jam or strawberry butter.

Lined with glamorous boutiques like Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Dior, Cartier, Alain Mikli, and country singer Taylor Swift’s favorite, Anthropologie; Beverly Hills is filled with shopping opportunities.  With just a cobblestone walkway away, guests can wander off to Two Rodeo Drive and explore Versace, Lanvin, Jimmy Choo, and Tiffany.  Anchoring the south border of the Golden Triangle is Department Store Row with Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.

The day can be completed by retreating to a spacious suite and large soaking tub back at the London West Hollywood, or enjoy the panoramic views of the glitzy Los Angeles skyline and Hollywood hills from the hotel’s exclusive rooftop pool deck.

The all-inclusive Shop the Hills Package at The London West Hollywood starts at $399 per night and includes complimentary overnight parking, luxurious accommodations, complimentary breakfast at Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Boxwood Café, and lunch at Mariposa of Neiman Marcus.  For more information, you can call 866-282-4560.

Alexandra Cipriani

Desire to conform diminishes with age. When I was high school, I wanted nothing more than to wear the same clothes, listen to the same music, and shop at the same stores as everyone else my age.

The older I get, as my sense of self identity increases, the less I want to look like everyone else. Now Mr. Calvin Klein, I’m sure you are very nice, but paying $35 for a t-shirt with your name in bold letters across the chest is sheer lunacy. Unique styles like ones designed by Alexandra Cipriani resonates with me more.

Although I personally do not wear leather, Alexandra Cipriani’s design style perfects the blend of fashion and edginess. Her silver-studded leather jacket and short leather party dress show off the key features of leather: form-fitting yet comfortable.

With clients like Paulina Rubio, Enrique Iglesias, and Lil Mama, Cipriani’s designs give each of its wearers the rock star treatment. Whether you are Jennifer Lopez from Hollywood, or Jennifer Smith from accounting, your garment will be hand-sewn and custom-made by request.

Alexandra Cipriani

Alexandra Cipriani chose to specialize in leather because of the animal instinct that remains behind the skin. She personally believes that leather and sexiness are two elements that can easily be married.

Cipriani states, “When people wear my garments for the first time, their reaction is priceless; they automatically exude confidence, as if they could achieve anything.”

To learn more about the Alexandra Cipriani Collection, please visit: www.alexandracipriani.com