Luxe Life
-
Swine Flu, Earthquake, and Drug Wars Rock Mexico
Continue reading… 24 Comments"I'm supposed to go to cancun Friday," reads a skittish post on Tripadvisor's Cancun forum. "I'm cancelling. Of course the people at hotels are going to tell you everything is ok. not worth dying to me. i'll go back when this fiasco is long gone. Russian roulette."
-
Green Spas: What are the Benefits?
Continue reading… 4 CommentsThere are several spas out there that are incredibly wasteful. Earlier this month I received a gift for two treatments at a popular spa in Washington D.C.; although I reaped the immediate physical benefits, I left disturbed by the excess use of water, a littering of plastic wrappers for ear buds and razors, and the unnecessary endless supply of towels and robes. I plan to book all future treatments with a green spa.
The main goal of a green spa is to reduce its environmental footprint while providing healing, aesthetic, and wellness services. Spas are increasingly making a concerted effort to go "green" by using environmentally friendly building materials and water-reclamation areas, and by saving energy with solar lighting.
-
How the New Wimbledon Roof Works
Continue reading… 0 CommentsRain delays can be pretty irritating for tennis players and fans alike. Wimbledon is particularly subject to the whimsy of British weather, and matches are often played in fits and starts. Remember last year's epic Wimbledon final? Rafael Nadal dethroned five-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer in four hours and 48 minutes; the battle was the longest men's championship match in Wimbledon history, no thanks to two frustrating rain delays. Weather delays inevitably affect the quality of tennis, especially when players are on the court for mere minutes and are then forced to take a break until the following day. Who really wants that?
Wimbledon has heard the call of many, and today it unveiled the Centre Court's new retractable roof. The concertina-style roof—which allows it to be folded into a compressed area when it's not being used—is made of a translucent water-proof fabric. It will take about 10 minutes to close and another 20-30 minutes for the air management system to ensure that the grass doesn't become slippery.
-
Starwood Sues Hilton Hotels for Corporate Espionage
Continue reading… 0 CommentsStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide today sued Hilton Hotels and two senior executives—former Starwood employees—for corporate espionage. Sounds like juicy fodder for a big-screen thriller. Starwood claims the executives stole "truckloads of documents" before and after they joined Hilton Hotels in June 2008, in an effort to expedite Hilton's entry into the lifestyle and luxury market with its Denizen brand.
The Hilton executives named in the lawsuit—Ross Klein, head of luxury & lifestyle brands, and Amar Lalvani, head of development for the segment—had been closely involved with developing Starwood's W Hotels brand.
-
Obama Unveils High-Speed Rail Initiative
Continue reading… 5 CommentsPresident Obama today laid out plans for a high-speed rail system in the United States, saying it would rival air travel, relieve congestion, create jobs, reduce pollution, and curb U.S. dependence on oil. The economic stimulus package passed by Congress in February includes $8 billion to start the project. Obama is also seeking another $5 billion over five years for high-speed rail development.
"A major new high-speed rail line will generate many thousands of construction jobs over several years, as well as permanent jobs for rail employees and increased economic activity in the destinations these trains serve," Obama said in prepared remarks. "High-speed rail is long overdue, and this plan lets American travelers know that they are not doomed to a future of long lines at the airports or jammed cars on the highways."
-
YouTube Symphony Orchestra Performs at Carnegie Hall
Continue reading… 1 CommentThe world's first collaborative online orchestra debuted at Carnegie Hall last night. The YouTube Symphony Orchestra, selected by the YouTube community and members of the most celebrated orchestras, is made up of 93 musicians, ages 15 to 55, from more than 30 countries.
-
Affordable Vera Wang Wedding Gowns in 2010
Continue reading… 4 CommentsI'm in the thick of planning my own wedding and I'm constantly on the hunt for deals in this recession. Most wedding vendors are struggling right now, so bargaining with them can actually work in your favor. I've received up to 20 percent off on things like wedding invitations, videography, and even the band. If you're planning to get married next year, you'll have some luxurious and affordable options, especially if you're eyeing a Vera Wang wedding gown. Yes, an affordable Vera Wang wedding gown! Sounds like an oxymoron, I know. The designer presented her Spring 2010 bridal collection in her New York showroom today. Wang, who calls the gowns "demi-couture," has lowered her median price point 30 to 40 percent, from $5,500 to $3,800, according to the Fashion Wire Daily. She's worked to get the prices down, but says she hasn't sacrificed the quality. "There are 10 gowns at the $3,800 level," said Wang.
-
Mel Gibson's Divorce: Priciest in Hollywood History
Continue reading… 24 CommentsMel Gibson will need a brave heart to deal with what could be the most expensive divorce in Hollywood history. After 28 years of marriage, Robyn Moore filed for divorce from the Oscar-winning actor, citing "irreconcilable differences." With no prenuptial agreement, Moore could receive up to half of Gibson's estimated $900 million fortune.
The 53-year-old Australian filed a response to the divorce petition, writing that the couple separated in August 2006, less than a month after his infamous DUI arrest and subsequent anti-Jewish tirade at the officer who arrested him. Pictures surfaced of Gibson partying with younger women earlier that night. More recently, Gibson has been linked to a Russian musician named Oksana, who is signed to his record label Icon.
-
Tiger Woods Teeing Off at Masters: Seeks 5th Win
Continue reading… 3 CommentsThe 73rd Masters got underway today, with all eyes on Tiger Woods. The No. 1 player in the world, who won this tournament four times before, is scheduled to tee off this afternoon. This is his first major since his brilliant—and painful—U.S. Open win at Torrey Pines last summer, after which he announced he would undergo reconstructive knee surgery.
After an eight-month break, Woods thankfully returned to the sport in February, fully rehabilitated. He was victorious at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill two weeks ago.
-
Vermont Legalizes Gay Marriage, Overrides Veto
Continue reading… 13 CommentsNine years ago, Vermont adopted the nation's first civil unions law. Today, it reached another milestone by becoming the fourth state—along with Iowa, Massachusetts, and Connecticut—to legalize gay marriage. Vermont is the first state to allow same-sex marriage through legislative action instead of a court ruling.
The Vermont Legislature voted to override Gov. Jim Douglas's veto of a bill that will legalize same-sex marriage. The vote was 23 to 5 to override in the state Senate and 100 to 49 to override in the House. Under Vermont law, two thirds of each chamber had to vote for override.
