Regular Luxist readers will already be familiar with the luxurious, oversized books put out by German publisher teNeues. Not all of their top-drawer coffee table titles are the size of actual coffee tables, however. The travel sized "Cool Hotels" series has all the appeal of the deluxe editions with the added bonus that you can actually take them with you on your journey. They've just released three new additions to the stable in time for summer: Cool Hotels Italy, Cool Hotels Spain, and Cool Hotels Spa & Wellness. At $24.95 apiece, they're considerably less expensive as well. Pictured on the cover of the Italy edition above is the incredibly chic Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista in Verona, run by the Byblos fashion empire. See the gallery for more stylish vacation spots.
Have you been to the Hotel Oceana in Santa Monica? This revamped gem is one of my favorite LA hotels, it's nestled among apartment buildings on Santa Monica's beachfront boulevard. The style inside is amazing, if you appreciate decorating you should check it out, I've borrowed a few great ideas from their inspiring (and huge) rooms. My favorite part and the must see feature has to be the heart shaped pool! If you haven't done so already book yourself a delux ocean view suite with a balcony (around $500) at this romantic and stylish get away next time you are in LA! Hoteloceanasantamonica.com
Hotel Unique in Sao Paulo, Brazil is a breathtaking achievement by local architect Ruy Ohtake. It is easily recognizable as it resembles a big slice of watermelon; with dramatically sloping sides and flat-topped roof and round, port-hole-style windows for the seeds. It is a sleek, cutting-edge structure and so attracts a lively clientele; it is the IN place to stay if ever in the "helicopter-capital of the world". The average room price here is approximately $360 USD. They have all the amenities that one comes to expect of a luxury boutique hotel and is the perfect spot for the young and hip traveler or the newly-wedded-- this place will let you get to know someone in a hurry. This hotel features guest rooms with bathroom walls which disappear with a push of the button and one of the chicest bars in the city -- don't even show up unless you're a perfect ten. If you're traveling solo, you are sure to meet at least one someone special in the lobby. It has an informal, chill vibe with the requisite Brazilian trip-hop music and a few lounge chairs grouped around low tables. A chilled bottle of champagne greets the incoming guests, great for breaking-the-ice. And check out the crimson-red pool on the roof -- I don't know what to think here; probably something you have to experience before you decide, wonderful for a sultry late-night swim or just wildly unnatural?
We are in constant motion. With days scheduled out, commuting to work and school, completing life's day-to-day errands and now traveling for the holidays, the enjoyment of travel can quickly become overshadowed by the stress and frustration of traffic, aggressive drivers, long lines and inconsiderate people. The anticipation of stress is brewing. If you miss that good old loving feeling you once had during an excursion to the unknown or even to that all too familiar place with all of its fond memories, then you may want to think about adding one of these fun toys to your Christmas List. These fun modes of transportation will surely make you love the open road again.
Wine can be the perfect item for any occasion. Whether as a housewarming package, a thank you present or a hostess gift, it is appreciated and can be shared by many. So why not for the holidays! If you are still searching for some last minute gift inspiration or New Year's accessories, these 25 wine gifts are sure to give you a few ideas -- even for those that have it all.
If you are still looking for a stocking stuffer, Women's Wear Daily has the auction for you and the designer stocking is included. The industry magazine will put six customized designer stockings on eBay for an auction that starts on December 20 and ends on Christmas Day. Each one is filled with special treats that match the designer such as , Vera Wang's Broadway tickets to Grey Gardens, Rodarte's Tender is the Night, Marc Jacobs' ribbon watch, Tuleh's ostrich clutch, Alexander McQueen's skeleton key chain and Heatherette's bubblegum tank top. All proceeds benefit Citymeals-on-Wheels which offers nutritious food and human company to homebound elderly New Yorkers in need.
Gift cards and certificates are one of the most popular holiday gifts. And why not, they are easy to get, easy to use, and save you from buying something the other person doesn't really want or need. The only problem with gift cards is that the average gift card to one of the big stores can sometimes seem a little impersonal and well, boring, for both the giver and the receiver. One solution is to head off the beaten path a bit and pick an unusual gift card or certificate. It's a little riskier but it's also exciting to buy something for someone that they would never choose for themselves but would really enjoy.
One fun option for men and women is getting them a gift certificate to race car driving school or to rent an exotic sports car. There are a variety of these types of options around the country. In New York for example, Gotham Dream Cars offers gift certificates that let you rent a Ferrari, Lamborghini or other cars or even take their Dream Car Tour that lets you try out six cars from a Bentley to a Lamborghini Murcielago in one fast and fun afternoon. The Dream Car Tour costs $895.
The need for speed can be best satisfied safely on a race course. L.A. Racing at the Irwindale Speedway outside of Los Angeles offers a variety of programs that get you out driving a NASCAR stock car at Irwindale Speedway on the 1/2 mile 12 degree banked oval. Many race tracks across the country have similar programs.
Check out the gallery below for ten more options for the person who has everything.
Here's a deluxe gift for your favorite jet-setter. The White + Warren luxury travel set includes a soft cashmere blanket that can also be used as a wrap, a lightly padded eyemask and suede-soled slippers for in-flight comfort. All the pieces are done in cashmere and fit into a silk pouch. The set comes in six soft colors and sells for $495.
Every year since 1984, the clever folks at PNC Wealth Management figure out just how much it would cost to present one's true love with the items mentioned in the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. While the list is intended to be humorous, PNC claims the tally does mirror actual economic trends.
This year's grand total, from a partridge in a pear tree to 12 drummers drumming, purchased repeatedly as indicated in the song, is $78,100. The total for those 364 items is up 4% from last year. If you choose to shop online, the price is quite a bit more - $128,886.
The hike in minimum wage is to blame for some of the increase over last year. Those eight maids a milking now fetch $47 compared to $41 last year. That only seems fair since the ladies haven't had a wage increase since 1997. Higher food and gold costs are also reflected in the increased total. But not every item has gone up over last year. The cost for partridges, turtle doves and French hens has remained steady over the past year as have swans and ladies dancing.
Our own version of the 12 Days of Christmas can be had for far less money and requires absolutely no care and feeding.
Laptop bags are a common accessory these days so why not make a statement with yours! For £210.99,the Bradshaw bag by Yuki Loves, a Swedish company designing divine laptop bags for women, is luxurious and practical -- a perfect combination. With extra thick handles for comfort and the capacity for a 15.4" laptop, plus PDA, cell phone, files and charger, it will definitely take you places. Plus, I doubt many people own a Swedish laptop bag so you are bound to be one of a kind. Does Santa have email? I need to send him this link!
Fans of dollhouses and miniatures will get a kick out of this chair Menorah where each candle gets its own little seat. The Menorah was designed by Rick Wessner and is cast in bronze. The Shamus candle for lighting the others sits on a dais. It sells for $390.
One of the ultimate compliments that can be paid to a product is a seal of approval from one of the most influential women alive: Oprah Winfrey. Getting on her "Oprah's Favorite Things" list has got to be a nice feeling and a nice boost for sales -- even for already well-established brands and products. It must be nice for Oprah to have people so interested in sharing her personal preferences in everything from electronics to cupcakes that it warrants a whole show. and (generous spirit that she is) she of course gave all these goodies to one lucky live audience in Macon, Georgia. Oh to be part of that group on that day -- they cleaned up!
Previous years have brought a variety of Christmas tree trends including the black Christmas tree and the upside-down Christmas tree. Now meet the upside-down wall tree. This four-foot tree from Hammacher Schlemmer can be suspended on the upper part of walls or in a ceiling corner. The tree's tips are made of PVC, and it is pre-strung with bright white commercial lights rated for 3,000 hours of operation. The inverted shape lets the ornaments hang away from the needles. It attaches to a ceiling using its built-in hooks. It sells for $139.95.
Ever feel like if you didn't have that pesky job you could actually get to the gym or take a walk and keep your health and weight in check? I certainly do. Well, why slump down in your chair when you can walk and work at the same time! The new Walkstation is an innovative solution to the sit-too-much, must-move-more problem. With a maximum speed of 3.5 mph this multi-functional, height-adjustable work station is fashioned with a commercial grade treadmill featuring a quiet motor and belt. So de-stress, move those muscles, and finish your report all in one motion. Orders for the Walkstation will begin Monday, November 19th with a price tag of $4,000 and with the rise in healthcare costs I'd say its a small price to pay for a great lifestyle change. Buy it for your employees this holiday season and don't be surprised if you get a "World's Best Boss" gift in return.
Hotel Unique in Sao Paulo
We are in constant motion. With days scheduled out, commuting to work and school, completing life's day-to-day errands and now traveling for the holidays, the enjoyment of travel can quickly become overshadowed by the stress and frustration of traffic, aggressive drivers, long lines and inconsiderate people. The anticipation of stress is brewing. If you miss that good old loving feeling you once had during an excursion to the unknown or even to that all too familiar place with all of its fond memories, then you may want to think about adding one of these fun toys to your Christmas List. These fun modes of transportation will surely make you love the open road again. 
Every year since 1984, the clever folks at 
