Winter is coming, and this is the best time of the year to sip full-bodied red wines. Here is a vinous survival kit for the upcoming cold months.from Fine Dining Lovers
Thursday, November 30, 2017
7 Red Wines to Keep You Warm
Winter is coming, and this is the best time of the year to sip full-bodied red wines. Here is a vinous survival kit for the upcoming cold months.from Fine Dining Lovers
Tudor, Lady Gaga and Beckham: The Power of Brand Association
Tudor’s rise as the fastest, most value for money brand with dedicated devotees is only matched by Lady Gaga, representative of the power of brand association
The post Tudor, Lady Gaga and Beckham: The Power of Brand Association appeared first on LUXUO.
from LUXUO
Bejewelled Timepiece: Tambour Moon Tourbillon
With reference from the original Tambour, the latest diamond-set version of the Tambour Moon Poinçon de Genève timepiece with manual-wind calibre LV 97 movement could sparkle a thousand times over.
The post Bejewelled Timepiece: Tambour Moon Tourbillon appeared first on LUXUO.
from LUXUO
Audemars Piguet presents work by Lars Jan at its 3rd Art Commission
A look at Lars Jan’s work for the 3rd Audemars Piguet Art Commission at Art Basel Miami Beach
The post Audemars Piguet presents work by Lars Jan at its 3rd Art Commission appeared first on LUXUO.
from LUXUO
Chartering Strong: Accelera Yacht
The demand for high-end yacht charters is growing and Hong Kong-based yacht manufacturer Accelera Yacht Ltd is the industry’s current rising star for custom-built vessels and large luxury yacht charters. We speak to Chief Executive Officer Pegasus Wong Hoyen, to find out more about what makes his brand unique.
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10 Great Wines For The Holiday Season
Pairing wines with your holiday meals can be harder than it might seem. After all, a typical meal is usually a smorgasbord of turkey and stuffing or ham, sweet (or mashed) potatoes, pees (or perhaps a string bean casserole) and—to make things even more of a culinary mosh pit—gravy or other sauces.
The other part of the equation when deciding what to pour over the holidays is actually finding the wines you like at your local retailer or online. One thing I like about reviews from bonafide wine critics, including my former employers Wine Spectator, is that they include the case production in every wine rating and review they do. This oft-overlooked data point is actually there for a very good reason. It essentially tells the consumer how likely it is that they will find the wine they are looking for at their local wine shop. If the case production is under 1,000…good luck. If it’s 5,000-10,000…you should have a decent chance finding it. Sticking to wines and producers that you know have good volume makes things a little easier this time of year when you have so many other chores to deal with.
My list below ranges from inexpensive ($16) to rather expensive ($60)—though I consider these all great values—and includes whites, reds and sparklers, from California, Oregon, Italy and France. Most importantly, all of these wines (except for one) have a case production well over 1,000—most are over 5,000 and several are near/over 10,000—which means you should be able to find most of these. And no wine buying list is useful if you can’t find the wines.
Roederer Estate Brut Rose NV Anderson Valley—$28
This 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay blend, produced by the renowned French Champagne house Louis Roederer but in California, has been a staple for me around the holidays since I worked for a large distributor in San Francisco many years ago and actually sold it. It was so popular it had to be allocated, or bundled with the higher-end offerings that Roederer produced—a little trick that distributors and suppliers (in this case Maisons Marques and Domains) like to use when they know they have a winner. Mouth filling, elegant and sweet—but not too sweet—this festive sparkler has just the right color and taste for the holidays and at a great price considering the producer (Louis Roederer also produces Cristal).
J Wines Cuvee 20 NV—$32
Started twenty five years ago by Judy Jordan, daughter of Jordan Winery founder Tom Jordan, J Vineyards & Winery has become one of the premiere sparkling wine houses in California. Made from a 50/50 split of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (a drop of Pinot Meunier is blended in too) this Brut sparkler is dry and refreshing with flavors of peach, apple tart and a slight nuttiness on the palate followed by Meyer lemon on the finish. Initially created to celebrate J’s 20th anniversary and now an annual offering, the J Cuvée 20 is an assemblage from the winery’s best cool-climate vineyard sites in the Russian River Valley.
Marco Felluga “Mongris” Collio Pinot Grigio 2016—$19
Marco Felluga’s “Mongris” Pinot Grigio is one of about 18 wines that are imported into the US and distributed by Dalla Terra. Valla Terra is interesting in that they only work with a limited number of wineries and they only import from Italy—and select regions of Italy. They also handle both the importing and distributing—effectively cutting out the middle man and thus eliminating some of the markup. This should, depending on the retailer, trickle down to the consumer. Having recently tried the Mongris at a wine tasting event, it was easily my favorite white in the line-up, which is surprising because Pinot Grigio is not usually on my radar. This wine has a beautiful bouquet of flowers on the nose and shows flavors of lemon peel, stone fruit and melon on the palate, backed by wonderful limestone minerality into the long finish. A steal at 19 bucks!
Vietti Arneis Roero Arneis 2016—$21
Vietti is best known for their reds, particularly their Barolos and Barberas. In fact, their Roero Arneis is the only white they make. But boy is it good. The grapes are sourced from 25-year old vineyards located in the middle of the Roero area, in Santo Stefano Roero, Italy. The wine is a pale straw color with fresh floral, citrus and melon aromas and hints of almond. An unoaked, dry, medium bodied white wine with crisp acidity, this Arneis is elegant and well-balanced with good complexity and a lingering finish. I was lucky enough to try this wine recently at a tasting and luncheon at the wonderful restaurant Charlie Bird in SoHo and loved it—especially when paired with Charlie Bird’s classic crispy skin chicken. Could it work with turkey? I see no reason why not.
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2015—$36
Merry Edwards is easily one of the most influential wine makers in America if not a legend. Thankfully for fans of California Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, she is still quite young and will likely be churning out quality juice for many more years if not decades. While her world-class Pinot Noirs put her on the map, I’ll put her Russian River Sauvignon Blanc up with the very best in California.
In her 2015 offering, melon and white peach flavors give way to pineapple and Meyer lemon on the very long finish. While perhaps the perfect match for this wine is fleshy white, seared halibut, a succulent turkey dinner will also bring out this wine’s true expression. And with a case production of 9,500 you shouldn’t have much trouble finding this wine. Having just one or two glasses of this delectable Sauvignon Blanc is the hard part.
Also of note, Merry Edwards Winery will donate 10% of all wine purchases made by consumers during the month of November to the North Bay Fire Relief Fund. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to help fire victims. Sources have also told me that Ms. Edwards herself has been working around the clock to help employees of the winery and others affected by the fire. Good for her.
Elena Walch Gewürztraminer Alto Adige 2016
Quick history lesson: While Alsace (the history-rich region in Northeast France on the German border) remains the bastion of cultivation for this interesting white grape varietal with pinkish-red skin, its history is quite complex. The grape is actually a mutation of Savagnin blanc (Sauvignon Blanc), also named Traminer in the German-speaking province of South Tyrol, in northern Italy. Somewhere along the line the Traminer or Savagnin blanc mutated into a musqué form with pink skin, called Red Traminer or Savagnin Rose with strong aromatics. And while Italy may not seem like the typical growing region for this cool climate grape, areas of northern Italy near the foothills of the alps are actually ideal.
Elena Walch has been growing grapes in the Alto Adige area of Northern Italy for over 30 years and has quietly become one of the top producers of Gewürztraminer. The 2016 vintage is a classic Gewurtz; dry and spicy with familiar white peach, white pepper and lychee notes on the palate and good acidity for a Gewurtz. I love Gerwurztraminer with Indian food, but it also works great with the savory and sweet flavors of turkey with gravy and sweet potatoes. And at $21 it’s a great deal.
Shafer Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Red Shoulder Ranch 2015—$54
Shafer is easily one of the best and most consistent wineries in Napa, year in year out. Their Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay is no exception. This non-malolactic Chardonnay comes from their cool-climate vineyard in Carneros—named Red Shoulder Ranch for the Red Shoulder Hawks that they’ve help to inhabit the area (ushering in birds of prey as well as bats is part of Shafer’s commitment to biodynamic practices by enabling nature, in this case predatory birds, to keep the vineyards pests at bay instead of using insecticides).
This Chardonnay is aged in 75% oak casks and 25% stainless steel, which seems to be the perfect marriage for showcasing this wine’s rich fruit. Says winemaker Elias Fernandez, “The 2015 vintage endowed this Chardonnay with a profusion of exotic, fresh aromas and flavors – honeydew melon, pineapple, plantains, honey, crème brulee, and mandarin peel – all made more enticing with bright acidity and a long, rich finish.” I couldn’t agree more.
Donelan Cuvee Moriah 2014—$50
Donelan wines may be the exception of this bunch when it comes to availability. All of their wines are fairly small in case production but collectively—and they make a lot of different wines—you should be able to find a Donelan wine at your local wine shop. And the good news…all of them are good—their whites, reds and the rose. I chose the Moriah, which is a Grenache (84%), Mouvedre (16%) blend. Unlike most California Grenaches, their fruit is able to retain idyllic freshness that supports a very dense mid-palate, making Cuvee Moriah a dynamic and irresistible wine. I also happen to love rhone style wines with my Thanksgiving meal. Their White Rhones are also delectable and very food friendly.
Donelan too was affected by the fires that swept through Northern California last month, experiencing a very close call (initial reports suggested the winery burned down – it did not). And while the winery structure itself escaped devastation, the Donelan’s estate vineyard in the Knights Valley, Obsidian, suffered irreparable damage and will require replanting. The Donelan’s, like many wineries in Napa and Sonoma, have donated a portion of their sales ($32,000 in the month of October) to various Northern California fire relief funds. If you’ve been wanting to explore California wines more…now is be a great time to try them! Some of your dollars might go towards the efforts.
Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2015—$60
California and Oregon Pinot Noirs may seem quite similar. After all, they are both “New World,” hailing from the west coast of the US. But that is where the similarities end. The Willamette Valley in northeast Oregon is hundreds of miles north of Sonoma county where many of California’s best Pinot Noirs come from. As such, Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs rely much more on “terroir” (the French term for “earth”) than on sun-kissed vineyards, like the various Sonoma AVAs. While many of the top California Pinots are quite muscular, showing riper, more concentrated fruit—and usually resulting in higher scores from the wine critics—Oregon Pinots rely more on the soil and earth that their vineyards are planted on, much like the great Burgundies of the Cote d’ Or. Yet, the Willamette Valley is still plenty warm and relatively dry after bud-break, giving the Pinots of this area plenty of time to ripen—a luxury that Burgundy vintners can not always expect. In many ways, Oregon Pinot Noirs have the best of both worlds, but continue to be great values because the name Willamette just doesn’t excite people as much as Napa, or Sonoma. If you are not sold on the potential of Willamette Valley here’s just one more little factoid. World renowned wine critic Robert Parker, Jr. is one of three owners in Beaux Frères vineyard and winery. His interest in the property was spurred by his brother-in-law, Michael Etzel (winemaker at Beaux Frères) who discovered the property in 1986.
As for the wine; the 2015 Beaux Frères Willamette Valley has classic Willamette Valley Pinot Noir fragrance on the nose—a combination of earth, sweet cherry, dark plum and mulling spices—with lush round tannins in the mouth and the perfect amount of acidity.
Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut 2015—$16
On paper this wine seems like a must buy. It’s price-point ($15-$20) makes it very affordable by the case, while it’s 90+ scores from the very top wine critics make it a risk worth taking even if you haven’t tried it yet. And with a case production of 60,000, it’s highly available should you want to buy another case or give some bottles away as gifts. Oh, and M. Chapoutier is easily one of the most revered wine makers in the Rhone Valley, consistently turning out high quality wines, despite rather large production. But none of this really matters unless YOU like the wine. And I did. I might not give it 90 points myself but this 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Carignan blend with dark fruits, licorice, pepper and light smoke, backed by plush tannins are text book for the area and make for a very enjoyable wine on a cold winters night.
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from Pursuitist
Two-storey Flipped House by Atelier RZLBD
Award-winning boutique architectural, Atelier RZLBD built a two-storey wood structure Flipped House with main elevation and linked first-floor kitchen and dining room for a private client in Ontario, Scarborough, Eglinton East.
The post Two-storey Flipped House by Atelier RZLBD appeared first on LUXUO.
from LUXUO
5 ways to honeymoon in luxury on Martha’s Vineyard
Want to start your new union off on the right foot? You could book a hotel in a busy city with a soundtrack of street noise. Or, you could opt for a luxurious, private stay in the glamorous and still gloriously secluded island of Martha’s Vineyard. Long a playground for royalty and celebrities alike, the […]
The post 5 ways to honeymoon in luxury on Martha’s Vineyard appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
from A Luxury Travel Blog
This Bento Box is Made with Pure Wagyu Beef
This Wagyu Beef Bento Box worth around $2800 is being offered for delivery in Japan. What a present for meat lovers.from Fine Dining Lovers
2019 BMW i8 Roadster
from Men's Gear
EOZ Air Wireless Earphones
from Men's Gear
Food Trends 2018: 10 Things You'll Be Eating in 2018
Here's 10 food trends for 2018, including mushroom teas, lavender lattes, interesting new spices and more.from Fine Dining Lovers
LM Parfums Veleno Doré
Laurent Mazzone’s talent is undeniable. Expert in luxuriously relaying the sensory qualities of sensation, colour and pattern into his premium perfumes, Mazzone’s creations are resultantly addictive and sumptuous as any true indicator of luxury should be. These vials convey premium at a price, rich in expensive and rare ingredients with the perfumer’s artistry foremost relaying the perfume mood.
LM Parfums latest release, Veleno Doré, the second in the luxury Gold Label range, housed in black lacquer casing, is case in point.
The perfume’s visual is arresting and disturbing, as a black snake wraps itself around the juice – danger, forbidden fruit, this will bite, poison…are all the thoughts that come to mind. With an intriguing and underlying masculinity, Veleno Doré’s sensual beauty attracts the female. It takes a brave women to dive into this hedonistic, spicy chypre.
A warm blast of a rich and robust tobacco leaf is mixed with the finest patchouli with heavy doses of rum, nutmeg and chilli to spice things up. There’s a smooth velvety vanilla and amber streak that runs through this poison, making the juice deliberately and deliciously narcotic. Mazzone’s inspiration for Veleno Doré lies in a legend: “In the depths of a remote forest, the powerful snake king lurks patiently in the shadows, waiting for his prey. When the king strikes, his victim is turned into gold on contact with his extraordinary venom. Veleno Doré recounts this ancient tale where, after death, something sublime emerges.”
It has to be encountered to be believed.
LM Parfums Veleno Doré will be available as Extrait de Parfum (£395 for 100ml) from 1st October 2017 from Harvey Nichols.
from Katie Chutzpah
Barebones Beacon Carabiner Light
from Men's Gear
Daily Dream Home: Pecher Farm
Historic Pecher Farm was built around 1780 in the shadow of the Catoctin Mountains near Gettysburg in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. This extraordinary home is one of the earliest built in what was then the colonial frontier and was later used as a Civil War hospital during the battle of Gettysburg.
This extraordinary historic stone manor home on 73 acres has been beautifully restored and renovated, with no expense spared.
Steeped in the wonderful history of early America, there is a joy to Pecher Farm that lives in its exposed stone walls and hand hewn wood beams, its original stone fireplaces and heart pine wood floors, and the gorgeous views of mountains and farm fields that remain remarkably unchanged.
While sensitive to Pecher Farm’s historic features, the owners wanted modern amenities and, with the help of a renowned historic architect, built a grand addition.
The home includes a gourmet kitchen with an adjacent open dining area. It has been updated with a luxurious master suite, multiple bedroom suites and so much more, including state of the art heating and air conditioning system.
The grounds include a large well maintained spring fed pond, a 60′ x 40′ barn, 3 car over-sized garage, and the original spring house.
This home is listed for $1.795 million with Long & Foster Real Estate and is showcased by Luxury Portfolio.
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Macallan Exceptional Single Cask Scotch Whisky
from Men's Gear
Estee Lauder–New Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix
What’s New
Estee Lauder’s new Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix
Look & Feel
A sophisticated, ombre-toned, brown bottle with a custom-designed 360 degree massage applicator that should be rolled under each eye three times before massaging both above and below the eye.
What It Does
Promises to repair all signs of visible ageing including fine line and wrinkles, under-eye puffiness and uneven skin tone. Also, fortifies the thin skin around the eyes by increasing density as well as hydrating with deep, lasting moisture for a full 24 hours, prompting skin to naturally build more moisture from within.
Review:
As you’d expect from beauty giant, Estee Lauder, this newly launched re-worked product has been zsushed up with the addition of patent-pending 360 degree Matrix Technology – a blend of visco-elastic polymer and 2X concentrated infusion of two types of Hyaluronic Acid. proposed as an all-in-one solution for tired, dry eyes.
Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix feels cool and hydrating on application and makes eyes feel instantly refreshed. Long term results (plus 4 weeks) have yet to be recorded but the product is already a reach-for, instant boost of much-needed moisture for tired eyes. Please note that although Hyaluronic acid is moisturizing, it cannot address the look of ingrained under eye circles.
NEW Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix is priced at £49 and is available nationwide from Estee Lauder counters and on esteelauder.co.uk online.
from Katie Chutzpah
Pursuitist Q&A: Big Game Air, The Best Way to Get to Your Favorite Sports Games In Style
In this exclusive Pursuitist Q&A, we talk to Arturo Gomez and Todd Rubin, college football fanatics who founded a new luxe way to get to (and from) the game – Big Game Air, the first-of-its-kind service dedicated exclusively to luxury game day travel.
Arturo Gomez is a former president and partner at Rockit Ranch Productions and partner Todd Rubin also owns sports bar and beer garden Leader Bar Chicago. At present, the duo subcontract with about two dozen Chicago area private jets, and plan to sell individual seats for anywhere between $1,200 and $2,200.
From custom charters for groups to jet hangar parties, Big Game Air patrons will travel same day round trip to their favorite sporting events (often those in college towns that are not easily accessible with commercial air), eliminating the need for hotels, ground transfers and more, all while enjoying the company of like-minded sports fans and enjoying premium food and beverage.
We spoke with the founders to learn more about how the company works.
Q: How does Big Game Air differ from standard private jet companies that work on a charter or per-hour basis, such as JetSmarter or NetJets?
A: Todd Rubin: Well to start, we don’t require a membership fee or a jet card purchase. Secondly, we offer two very distinct products and one of them allows individuals to buy single seats on our jets that are traveling to a regional high demand sporting event. The other is a purely custom trip that we create with our clients. We also not only offer jet service, but on-the-ground transportation, dining and entertainment arrangement in destination cities, as well as unique experiential packages. The level of individual care and creativity to these experiences is unmatched.
Q: How does pricing differ from standard jet rentals?
A: Todd Rubin: When purchasing a whole jet experience from us its actually comparative in dollars but when you consider all the extras and experiential components we add that’s where it begins to diverge quickly.
Q: What types of jets do you use?
A: Todd Rubin: We love to use Heavy jets, such as Falcons, Gulf Streams and Challengers to name a few, but it’s often based on clients’ needs.
Q: How far in advance must one book flights?
A: Todd Rubin: As little as 72 hours and as far a 6 months is what we have seen. Our team can get things coordinated in as little as 36 hours notice.
Q: Must one buy an entire jet, or can they secure single seats?
A: Arturo Gomez: The company offers both options…the most flexibility is when clients buy the whole jet for a unique experience.
Q: What is the “biggest game” in your mind?
A: Arturo Gomez: The Kentucky Derby!
Q: What’s next for Big Game Air?
A: Arturo Gomez: Continue to expand our national footprint [group flights at present only depart from Chicago] and really push the envelope on our offerings as far as experiences are concerned.
The post Pursuitist Q&A: Big Game Air, The Best Way to Get to Your Favorite Sports Games In Style appeared first on Pursuitist.
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Traveling to Italy with children: 5 luxury resorts that are perfect for families
Are you a mother that enjoys the finer things in life? Do private jets, designer luggage, yachts, and luxury vacations excite you? Motherhood doesn’t mean the end of enjoying luxury travel. With a little research and effort, you can discover luxury excursions that the whole family will love. Italy is the perfect place to start […]
The post Traveling to Italy with children: 5 luxury resorts that are perfect for families appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
from A Luxury Travel Blog
Christmas Gifting with The White Company
I love a place that allows for one-stop shopping for the holidays and beloved-British brand, The White Company, is the perfect place to get gifts for everyone on your list this year. They offer elegant and affordable gifts for women, men, children, and home, as well as gift wrap, ribbon, tags, decorations, and more.
The White Company opened their US flagship store in New York at 155 Fifth Avenue in July, and a new store that just opened in the Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey, but just in case you don’t live near a store (or don’t want to leave your cozy house) they also offer everything online. Keep reading for my suggested gift guide, and you’ll see that it truly is a one-stop shop for your whole list.
All The Trimmings
As a start, I picked up matching Glitter Star Wrapping Paper, Star Gift Tags, and ribbon at The White Company Flatiron store so I was ready to wrap my gifts the minute I got home. I even picked up these delicate Porcelain Star Ornaments and Porcelain White Doves for my own tree.
Something for Everyone
There are so many last-minute invites during the holiday season, that I stocked up on The White Company Signature Candles to have on hand as easy hostess gifts. The White Company is known for their wonderful fragrant candles and diffusers. Their Winter Collection with cinnamon and cloves and a dash of orange is perfect for cold winter nights. I also picked up the Flowers Hand And Nail Cream Gift Set as a thank you for my favorite doctor because of the beautiful floral scent.
I couldn’t help picking up their Winter Botanical Candle for my own apartment too, to make the whole place smell festive and to light when I have friends over for a glass of wine.
My dad loves using a brush to shave, so I bought him the Aspen Shave Soap and Bowl. If a soap bowl doesn’t do the trick, they also offer an Aspen Shave Set and Aspen Eau de Toilette that all smell amazing.
For the Dearest Friend
I just adore The White Company’s Love Embroidered Sweater and coin purse as a gift for one of my dearest friends. I know she will like it, because I would have chosen it for myself!
The heart on the sleeve on the Love Embroidered Sweater is such a sweet touch. They also have a white Love Sweater for babies and little kids that would be fun for a mom and daughter matching look for the holidays.
Girl on the Go
I have one friend in my life who is always travelling, and for her I picked up their Luxury Brush Case and Cashmere Bed Socks.
Cashmere Bed Socks are perfect for bed or walking around cold floors, but they are also perfect for overnight flights. And I’m not the only fan of the brand’s travel items; The White Company has partnered with British Airways to supply bedding and amenity kits in Club World.
The brushes are so soft in this Luxury Brush Case set that I really want to buy a set for myself too. It’s really hard to find good quality travel brushes and these feel very luxurious and easily fit in one’s suitcase.
Big Things in Small Packages
The Little White Company has everything you need for the little people on your gift list. How cute is this Bear Ears Hat and Pom-Pom Mittens that I bought for my friend’s daughter?! I even added a Felt Mouse Tree Decoration to the box for their Christmas tree.
There are so many cute accessories from The Little White Company. This grey Bears Ear Hat is so soft and adorable but I also love the Snowman Hat and Fair Isle Hat and Mittens. Hard to pick just one!
My British friend’s little boy is going to look adorable in this London Soldier Fair Isle Sweater.
The London Soldier Fair Isle Sweater is cute and soft, I can’t wait to see a picture of him in it.
The White Company really is the best one-stop shopping destination for gifts and decorations for everyone on your list this holiday season. Now that my shopping is already done for gifts, I can go back and pick up the Velvet Trim Nightgown and Cashmere Slippers for myself.
Happy Holidays!
XOXO,
HC
This is a sponsored post. Thank you for supporting the brands who support Habitually Chic.
from Habitually Chic®
Kingston Custom Triumph Thruxton
from Men's Gear
On The Hotlist: Top December Events, Dining, Style & Travel
Can you believe how quickly the festive season has swung round again? While it’s tempting to stay indoors and hibernate with a stash of hot chocolate and marshmallows, here are a few good reasons why you should get out. There are some great December events, festive dining, style and travel to enjoy.
December Events
The V&A Museum has an exhibition coming up that should be fun for children and adults too – Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic. From 9 December 2017 to mid April 2018, it will showcase the wonderful world of this beloved bear. Learn more about the partnership between the author, A.A. Milne and the book’s illustrator, E.H. Shepard through photographs, sketches, letters and fashion.
Style File
A great way to brighten up the dark Winter days is to inject a bit of Danish hygge into your home and wardrobe. Find out how to get the look and discover some great hygge recipes too.
Starting an exercise plan in the New Year isn’t a bad idea but if you want to get a head start there’s no time like the present. We’ve rounded up our favourite plyometrics exercises and luxury activewear so you can work out in style. Another way to look your best is by choosing the right sunglasses for your face shape. ‘Tis the season to be shopping and you can Shop Till You Drop with Bicester Village and the Landmark London. Their spa and shopping package would make a great gift for a loved one or yourself 
A great way to banish those Winter blues is with a glass or two of Prosecco. This gorgeous Glitz Prosecco Flute Pair by Dartington Crystal are the prettiest we have seen and would make a lovely gift. You can add engraving or gift wrapping for a small extra cost. With real Swarovski elements, they catch the light beautifully.
For the most stunning bespoke Christmas wreaths, Phillo Flowers are the perfect choice. If you’re in London, head to their Notting Hill boutique to marvel at their designs. There’s a great selection in their online store too.
Travel Tales
Now’s the time to start planning your seasonal getaways and what could be better than some Winter sunshine? You’ll find it in abundance in Tenerife, with the added bonus of beautiful flowers and delicious food. Hotel Botanico is one of our favourite hotels on the island, thanks to its Asian inspired spa and stunning gardens.
Cyprus is another great choice for Winter sun, whether for a cultural and foodie trip to Nicosia, or an agro-tourism mountain break. The people are so friendly and there’s so much to do for travellers of all ages.
We’re always seeking out hidden gems on our travels, and Museum Van Loon in Amsterdam certainly fits that description! Many of the locals haven’t heard of it, yet it’s a beautiful mansion filled with antique furniture and with an elegant garden. There’s an exhibition about the Dutch painter Ferdinand Bol, who used to live there. Stay in style at The Pulitzer, a charming collection of historic canalside townhouses.
Skiing is the perfect Winter activity and staying in a luxury chalet is the ideal way to enjoy it. Consensio Chalets are known for their exclusive properties in the French and Swiss Alps, with features such as hot tubs and swimming pools. They have teamed up with SUSHISAMBA London to offer guests a unique après-ski experience – a selection of 3 signature SUSHISAMBA cocktails with accompanying canapés. Take your pick from a powerful Kaffirinha, a citrusy Samba Sour or a fruity Seasonal Sake Spritz.
Wining and Dining
Red King Crab is a rare delicacy for its subtle taste and versatility. It’s hard to get it in London but now you can with the opening of Fancy Crab. Located in a lovely building on Wigmore Street in Marylebone, King Crab offers a range of delicious seafood and steak dishes. Their wild Red King crab is caught in the Atlantic Ocean just once a year in order to preserve stocks, then expertly prepared in the restaurant. Our friendly waiter brought a whole crab to the table and expertly talked us through all the options. Our starters of crab cakes and crab bites were bursting with flavour. For our mains, we savoured a signature Singapore Chilli Crab and Fancy King Crab Burger with potato fries and coleslaw, which were both excellent. I’d highly recommend the chocolate fondant for dessert, which comes with home made salted caramel ice cream.
Coq d’Argent has been a stalwart of the London dining scene for many years. Popular for its rooftop bar and accomplished French cuisine, it’s now launched regular weekend jazz brunches. If the launch event of Le Brunch is anything to go by, they’ll be a resounding success. We tried a variety of excellent brunch dishes whilst enjoying free-flowing Moët & Chandon champagne. A talented saxophonist played songs with a DJ backing for added ambiance. Guests can choose from delicious dishes such as poached eggs with smashed avocado and crushed hazelnuts on toast, Poitou goat’s cheese parcel with honey, moules frites and more. A fun option is to build your own benedict, from a selection of toppings including smoked salmon, mushrooms or Bayonne ham with either classic, Nori or truffle Hollandaise sauce. Desserts are equally impressive, particularly the Granny Smith apple parfait and the Tarte Tatin. Le Brunch is £26.50 for two courses, £29.50 for three courses and you can add bottomless champagne for £38 per person. Each Winter, the rooftop terrace transforms into Lodge d’Argent, a stylish mountain themed bar in the City, and we can’t wait to revisit this year.
Caviar House & Prunier is a place that we’ve often admired whilst strolling along Piccadilly yet hadn’t visited until recently. Step away from the hustle and bustle of Mayfair into an oasis of tranquility. They also have seafood and caviar bars in Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Qatar, Spain, Turkey, the UAE and USA as well as London outlets in Harrods, Selfridges and Gatwick and Heathrow airports. As you’d imagine, the caviar here is exceptional, but they also have some outstanding seafood and champagne. We tasted a Tsarine Cuvée Premium Brut NV champagne with our Prunier caviar. Tsarine is part of the Champagne Lanson group who recently won the prestigious Sommelier Wine Award 2017 for Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year. Created as a tribute to the Czars of Russia and their interest in French culture, Tsarine has a distinctive bottle reminiscent of St Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. This successful blend of three grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay combines white peach, grape and citrus notes to great effect. We moved on to the Tsarine Rosé Brut NV Champagne to go our smoked salmon and oysters. It has accents of wild blackcurrant and strawberries and is perfect for parties and fine dining. The salmon itself is superb, having been smoked and prepared in Caviar Prunier’s own original Balik oven. I particularly liked the fillet Tsar Nikolaj, which is carved from the rear fillet and the most tender part of the salmon. Tsarine is available at Caviar House & Prunier as well as Ocado and other leading outlets.
Well established on the London dining scene, Cantina Laredo is a family run restaurant which specializes in traditional Mexican cooking with a contemporary twist.This light and airy restaurant in Covent Garden is popular with locals and visitors alike. Try their signature cocktails such as the Have a Little [Paloma] Faith with AquaRiva Reposado, agave nectar, grapefruit and passion fruit. The Ice Ice Baby is a tasty blend of Casa Ambar Blanco, Cointreau, lime and mango served frozen in a cool box. We really liked the guacamole de queso azul, with avocado, creamy blue cheese, sour cream, roasted jalapeno and warm corn tortilla chips. Purists can opt for the classic version which has the advantage of being prepared at your table. I’d also recommend the entradas, which are small dishes that are ideal for sharing. Sashimi yellowtail with a jicama, cucumber and radish salad was really fresh while our main course of jumbo prawn with guajillo achiote butter was melt in your mouth delicious. I finished with a decadent chocolate brownie that a foodie friend had recommended to me. I can see why as it oozed sweet indulgence. My friend’s churros looked pretty tempting too! Cantina Laredo is definitely somewhere that I’d return too as a great dining option in Covent Garden.
Connoisseurs of fine wine, champagne and spirits have been hard pressed to find their favourites online until now. However the recent launch of Clos19 has changed all that. This luxury online lifestyle retail brand offers some truly exclusive experiences such as a visit to the Dom Pérignon atelier in Champagne, France. Founder Stephanie Watine-Arnault and her team work closely with LVMH to make the very best wine and spirits available to discerning customers worldwide. We were fortunate to attend a dinner on the art of hosting at new members club Mortimer House where they skilfully matched wines and spirits to each delicious course. The beautiful paper table decorations are by Marianne Guély paper-art table decorations and part of the bespoke festive dinner package. With Clos19’s Become The Host experience you can host a tailor-made festive dinner with private chef and sommelier in your own home.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this round up of December events and thanks for your support and friendship throughout the year. What do you have planned for the festive season?
The post On The Hotlist: Top December Events, Dining, Style & Travel appeared first on Luxury Columnist.
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Extreme Christmas shopping: 7 luxurious shops in Carouge, Geneva
An original Superman cartoon? A hand-crafted dress? A Swiss clock with a 35,000 Swiss Francs price tag? Bespoke millinery? Pink pepper chocolates? How original will your gifts be this Christmas? And how deep are you pockets when it comes to stocking-fillers for your nearest and dearest? Strike off mundane items on your Christmas shopping list […]
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from A Luxury Travel Blog
40th Cannes Yachting Festival: Sunseeker Yacht 131
Sunseeker, based at Poole on England’s south coast, was represented at the nearby Southampton, Cannes and Monaco Yacht Shows.
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10 unmissable things to do in Thailand during your first visit
Today’s post comes from Marie Pottiez as she shares her top things to do in Thailand if you’re a first-time visitor. Bangkok is a crazy, hectic but incredible city so big thanks to Marie for simplifying what a first-time visitor to Bangkok should see and do! Marie is a blogger and an artist and she’s shared…
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Eight Advent Calendar Ideas for the Modern Home
This year I’m embracing the holiday season more wholeheartedly than ever. I don’t know if it’s this extra week between Thanksgiving and Christmas or the fact that my kiddo is now old enough to really understand and be delighted by the season. It’s amazing how quickly your inner child comes out when your toddler stares in awe at a sparkling tree.
One of my favorite childhood holiday traditions was the advent calendar. I waited with such anticipation to mark each day. But since I’ve turned out to be one of those hippy moms who doesn’t let her kid eat sugar (yup, I’m a mean mommy) I’ve been looking for advent calendar options that don’t include chocolate nor have an overly-saccharine design. I’m embracing the holidays, but I still have my aesthetic standard to uphold people. So I’ve been hunting. And hunting. And hunting! Turns out there are very few attractive advent calendars on the market. And by very few I mean none. But in my hunt, I did uncover a litany of ingenious fellow bloggers who have flexed their DIY muscle and created some stunning advent calendars that would fit seamlessly into my vibe – and I think yours too. Case in point the simple yet stunning option hanging strings above (if anyone knows the original source, pls tell me!). Here is a quick collection of my favorite advent ideas with you.
Geometric gems don’t immediately scream holiday decor. My favorite.
While chalkboards usually feel a little too Fixer Upper for me, I love the nice font and pop of black on this guy. You could simply use a chalkboard pen to mark off the days.
While I typically don’t do a lot of holiday color (this year’s tablescape excluded) I also say metallics don’t count as color! I love the idea of little gift tags that you add to an advent “tree” one by one.
Color black, white and very happy. I love Homey Oh My’s take on cute little advent gift bags. You need a hefty wall space for this baby though.
This scaled down option could tuck in nicely just about anywhere.
This snow-white scene is certainly right up my alley. The black tip of the DIY branch is the perfect attention to detail that I adore. Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from one of my all-time faves, A Merry Mishap.
This little triangle calendar idea is ingenious – and you could execute this idea at virtually any scale, from teeny tiny to huge. I’d drive myself a little crazy trying to get those lines perfectly symmetrical though.
I’m actually probably going to try an idea a friend suggested – books as my advent. So starting December 1 there will be a stack of books under the tree, numbered 1-24 and we’ll get to read a new story each evening. Some will be holiday themed, some will just be wonderful stories but I love the idea of a little excitement each day as we build toward Christmas morning. I’ll be sure to share sneak peeks on Instagram! But I’m curious, how do you mark the holiday season? If you have favorite traditions, please share. I’m always looking for new ideas.
images in order of appearance source unknown / cherry blossom / the merry thought / we are scout / homey oh my / apartment therapy / a merry mishap / weekend carnival
bags http://elisabethheier.no/2012/11/kalenderen
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