Luxe Life
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5 Ways to Afford Private Schooling in Hard Times
Continue reading… 2 CommentsMy sister and I were fortunate to attend a nationally respected private high school in Pittsburgh. We participated in a five-day-a-week boarding program and had access to a forward-thinking curriculum, diverse community, and teachers who were not only mentors but friends. It's an experience that helped shape our formative years and allowed us to mature academically, socially, and emotionally. That was the early 1990s.
Today, as my fiancé and I contemplate having children in the near future, we often talk about the benefits of private schools. He has taken a tour of my sprawling high school's campus and sees how my experience there has positively influenced who I am today. We both believe that education is the greatest gift that you can give your child. But according to a survey by the National Association of Independent Schools, the average median cost of private school tuition was a hefty $15,763 during the 2006-2007 school year. And, with the economy on the brink of recession, how will we be able to afford private schooling?
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Cyber-Monday: Deals on Luxury Goods
Continue reading… 3 CommentsIf you're like me, you avoided the out-of-control mob of feverish shoppers at retailers on Black Friday. You may have decided to wait for discounts today, otherwise known as Cyber-Monday, the unofficial kickoff to the online retail season. You may be shopping from the comfort of your own home or "taking a break" at work; either way, online retailers see today as yet another opportunity to attract consumers with more promotions.
When you think of great deals, retailers like Wal-Mart, Target, and Best Buy may come to mind. But deep discounts abound on luxury goods, and you can save as much as 40 to 70 percent on men's and women's designer apparel, shoes, and handbags from the likes of luxury retailers Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
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Alfred Dunhill Offers Pave Black Diamond USB Key
Continue reading… 0 CommentsThe Dunhill brand has sunk its teeth into the 21st century by delivering the Pave Black Diamond USB port, a far cry from when Alfred Dunhill took over his father's saddlery business in 1893. The company has grown over time: Today, the brand Dunhill is synonymous with luxury men's goods, from timepieces and lighters to leather goods, fragrances, and clothing.
Dunhill's latest offering has made No. 2 on the company's Top 20 Gifts list, right behind a black leather business luggage brushed in gunmetal hardware but before the carbon fiber and titanium skis and stainless steel with 18-karat rose gold and diamonds mechanical belt.
The Pave Black Diamond USB port, which retails for $6,665, is an exquisite gift for the most ostentatious of tech lovers. The USB drive boasts an impressive 8GB of storage. And although the base is made of oxidized sterling silver and discretely branded with the Alfred Dunhill name, what truly makes this stand out from the pack is the 272 black diamond embellishment.
I'll be thinking of this the next time I use a puny flash drive for a presentation.
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Marc Jacobs Bugaboo: Strolling in Style
Continue reading… 0 CommentsFor those of you who bought the limited edition, Maclaren Juicy Couture stroller—priced at $450 with quilted pink seat, foot muff, and coordinating head hugger and shoulder pads—you've been one-upped. Starting tomorrow, Bugaboo, dubbed as the "Rolls Royce of babydom," will offer a new version of its popular Chameleon stroller, designed by Marc Jacobs, for $1,500. The chic, all-black stroller comes with a canopy and bassinet cover in black-on-black "love Marc" print. I can just envision the horde of Park Slope, Brooklyn, mommies debating the necessity for an upgrade.
Slim pickings though; there are only 15 available. According to parenting blog Daddytypes.com, "Starting November 26, four will be at Colette in Paris; Selfridge's in London and the Marc Jacobs boutique in Dubai get two apiece; one will be for sale in Amsterdam. And six will be for sale at Marc Jacobs NY."
Shopping blog Racked.com gets a bit more granular: "We were excited to witness the madness when the strollers go on sale Wednesday, but it turns out that (a) they're being sold through the Marc Jacobs showroom, (b) you can order them in advance, and (c) already only three are left. Lame! Should you desire an MJ stroller passionately but not enough to actually leave the house, you can always call Little Marc at (212) 206-6644 and have it shipped." Seems like an inevitable Bugaboo war on eBay.
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Luxury Libation: Macallan 25-Year-Old Fine Oak
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On a cold winter's day in New York City's East Village, my friends
and I went to a bar around the corner from where I lived and ordered my father's favorite drink: a rusty nail. One healthy dose of Macallan single-malt scotch and a splash of Drambuie, this hard-nosed cocktail warmed my throat, stung my nose, and made me a bit teary-eyed. But, boy, did it taste good—like peaches and blood oranges and honey and saffron. It evoked fond memories of my
father mingling with friends and family at significant occasions.With the holidays at our doorstep, the award-winning Macallan 25-Year-Old Fine Oak is an exquisite gift, priced around $500 for a 750ml bottle. Devotees of the single malt will enjoy the rich, robust aroma, with hints of blood orange and wood spice, as well as coconut and vanilla flavors. It's sure to be a treat for any special occasion.
