The new 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed has 600 horsepower and is the fastest Bentley production vehicle ever built.  It surpasses the 552 horsepower – W12 engine of the Continental GT.

The GT Speed has bigger, 20-inch wheels and carbon-fiber ceramic brakes (the calipers inscribed with “Bentley” shining through the wheel spokes).  It’s more upright and has a stylish dominant grille, even a lower stance.

Fortune journalist, Sue Zesigner Callaway writes, ”In the Speed, all the grace remains, accented by even more oomph delivered even more quickly and seamlessly.”  Full article

The beautiful Alicia Keys has released her third album, titled “As I Am.” The talented singer-songwriter is interviewed by Entertainment Weekly, and discloses her personal battles and hitting rock bottom.

Alicia has always been a shy, private person. “Ever since I was little, I always felt like if people knew about me, they’d be able to use it against me.”

Her talent is incredible and success has followed closely behind. Keys has 9 Grammys and sold 11.5 CD’s and collaborated with countless industry giants such as Usher, Eve, Bono and Ray Charles. Even with her success, she was depressed, “‘I discovered a lot about myself I didn’t like,” she says. ”I would look in the mirror and I didn’t know who that person was. I didn’t like my eyes; I didn’t like what they said. I couldn’t sleep. I was uncomfortable all the time, and irritated and frustrated.” Full article

Ever got sticker shock looking at an upscale restaurant’s menu? How about shelling out $150 just for a last-minute cancellation of a dinner reservation?  You will at “Masa”, the sushi temple in Manhatten – New York.

Although eating out in New York is expensive, it palls compared to other cities around the world.  London tops the list with an averga edinner check of $79, according to the 2008 Zagat survey.  Paris is second at $74 and Tokyo third at $70. New York patrons only average $39.  Full article

The U.S. dollar is weak and traveling overseas for a much needed vacation is as pricey as ever.  But there are ways to save some money by doing your research and locating available travel deals to luxury beach resorts.

Tale a close look at destinations where the dollar remains strong, such as South Africa.  There are many packages to choose from to lure Americans to their sunny beaches.  Mexico is another option, as upscale resorts and restaurants have popped up in Cozumel and Cancun.  Also consider the Turks and Caicos and Platinum Coast of Barbados,  Full article

She’s made a dynamic leap from European actress to Hollywood superstar – but for Penelope Cruz the sudden rise to fame and fortune hasn’t come without a price.

“The most difficult thing in the world is to start a career known only for your looks, and then to try to become a serious actress. No one will take you seriously once you are known as the pretty woman.”

The exquisitely beautiful Spanish star was romantically involved with Tom Cruise, but was accused of breaking up his marriage with Nicole Kidman. Their relationship ended after nearly four years.

“I am amazed about how everyone wants to know about my love life. They whisper to me, ‘Tell me the truth? Is it true?’ Who cares? Because we have this job, we are to say to everybody what we do, or with whom we sleep? It’s a bit absurd, but that’s why everybody.”

“I have stepped off the relationship scene to come to terms with myself. I have spent most of my adult life being ‘someone’s girlfriend’, and now I am happy being single.”

I walk into my favorite upscale store and have it all to my own. Browsing and shopping … with no crowds, no rude shoppers, and all the personal attention from the retail store staff. Do dreams like this ever come true? Yes, they some times do.

In a  continuing trend, loyal shoppers are finding they are being catered to like never before.  They’re allowed VIP shopping status and able to reserve an afternoon and shop uninterrupted, either alone or with family and friends. Or maybe have dedicated store helpers pamper them and customize their  buying needs.  Full article

In 2000, Christina Milian made her first official musical appearance on Ja Rule’s second studio album Rule 3:36, performing guest vocals on his song “Between Me and You”. Released as the album’s lead single in 2001, the track managed to peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, building Milian’s reputation as a singer.

Christina Milian continues, “When I go home, I still have to clean my room, I still have to do the dishes. We have somebody come every now and then to do that stuff, but my mom still makes me clean before she comes.”

Keira Knightley appeared in the print ad for the Chanel fragrance Coco Mademoiselle. The ad features her naked and covering her chest with a bowler hat. Her modest cleavage was digitally enhanced in the ad.

“Those things certainly weren’t mine. I was like, ‘OK, fine. I honestly don’t give a shit.’ I don’t have any tits, so I can’t show cleavage.”

In May 2007, Keira revealed she was hurt by recent allegations that her thin frame was promoting anorexia and she was considering quitting acting as a result.

“People said to me, ‘How does it feel to be called anorexic?’ I had no idea that I was. I’m not saying there aren’t people in the film industry that suffer from it [anorexia], but I’m quite sure I don’t have it.”

“At parties, I stand on my own, grinning aimlessly. I can never think of a thing to say. I wish I was Sienna Miller. I watch that girl and she is just fabulous. She talks to everyone and laughs and smiles.”

Keira did all of her own stunts in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. She was thrilled that she actually got to sword fight in this one. In the first one she begged for a sword fight, but they did not let her have one.

Marion Jones has been the queen of women’s sprinting.  She racked up three Olympic gold medals and five total medals at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Australia.  The U.S. Olympic team once named her the “the world’s fastest mom.”

Well, she won’t be running any longer as she announced her retirement after pleading guilty to charges of steroid use. The allegations have hounded Marion Jones for many years.  For sports fans,  yet another idolized sports hero has admitting to using steroids.  Who’s next?  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/10/04/jones.ap/index.html – Full article

The 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond is the largest gem diamond ever found. It was discovered in 1905 at the Premier mines in South Africa by Frederick Wells, who was a mine superintendent.

Cullinan diamond was purchased for $800,000 as a present for King Edward VII’s 66th birthday. The Cullinan I diamond was named for the largest gem produced from the rough stone.

The pear shaped stone weighs 530.2 carats and is in the head of the royal scepter in the British crown jewels. Full article

Walking by up-scale retail stores during the holiday season is a memorable journey.  Stylish window displays abound.  It’s a treat for our shopping, glazed over eyes.  Stores around the world spare no expense decorating their displays to dazzle us with sound, lights and incredible visual images.  They’re no longer just for show, but to create an advertising buzz to attract shoppers and get them into their stores.

At Harrods in London, window manager Sarah Southgate created a beautiful Russian Winter’s Tale, complete with scenes from classic ballets like “Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake”, as well as captivating scenes of winter gardens in Czarist Russia.  To catch shopper’s eyes, an Oscar de la Renta dress is featured in a woodland scene.  Cost: £6,700 (about $13,400).  Full article