UPDATE!: The bathroom was so gorgeous and huge as well i've added pictures of that as well....

Ok, we're going to jump out of order a bit, but i am far too excited by the gorgeously inspiring chateau Veuve Clicquot moved us to today... imagine waking up from a jetlagged nap and feeling like you fell into a time warp? Welcome to Chateau Les Crayeres in the heart of the Champagne of France... the grounds, decor, rooms, lounge, restaurant.... it's all breath takingly stunning. Don't believe me? You have to take a look at the rest of the pictures on the next page... wow. I'm sitting on that bed in the pic right now, and i can't help staring off every few minutes discovering new details, from the paintings, to the wallpaper patterns, to how ornate the extra high ceilings are!

Basically for the ultimate escape, i can't imagine a more surreal and beautiful space to relax and catch my breath in... and the whole "room" is probably three time the size of tiny SF apts i've ended up in...

p.s.
The pics on the next page of the circular bar areas with the petticoat like curtains are so sweet!

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Tags: france - hotels - luxury - travel - veuve clicquot

So, in the last post you had a chance to see the incredible boat and views and the Riva/Veuve Clicquot collaboration, but what did they serve us? Here is a walk through with pics of the menu to explain all of the deliciousness served... from the Crab tasting in gazpacho juice, to the Morels in asparagus cream and beef consomme with a lobster medalion, to Veal filet mignon with truffles, potatos mousseline with truffles and baby onions, served with a spicy juice, to the two desserts - wild strawberries in a small cookie with a red berry ice cream macaroon, and a hazelnut in a caramel and dacquoise ice cream....... to the cigars and cognac that finished off quite a spectacular culinary feast and quite the introduction to the playful leisure loving Veuve Clicquot lifestyle... So feast with your eyes on the next page!

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Tags: boats - drinks - food - luxury - travel - veuve clicquot

Wow. I just landed in the absolutely breathtaking Chateau Les Creyeres in Reims... after a helicopter ride (my first!) over the champagne region... which was preceded by visiting the presses and the vineyards... and an incredible lunch at madame cliquot's country house where the food was created (and inspired) by the champagnes with which they were paired... and learned about the "confusing sex" alternative to pesticides... getting a sneak peek at the latest porsche design collaboration on an "ice cube" to launch next year... tasted champagne vintages including one from my birth year... ok basically, TONS to share with you, and minimal internet connection... so everything is going to be a day or so off...

...but for now, i got some pictures up before i left the hotel this morning so here's a peek at last nights adventure! Incredible boat ride up and down the seine for dinner last night - on the next page are images of the experience - including the absolutely gorgeous Riva boat collaborations with Veuve Clicquot in person, seeing the eiffel tower lit up blue with the stars of the EU while sparkling to mark france's term as EU president, meeting Lia Riva and hearing stories of life in Monaco and her childhood of gorgeous boats, and ultimately this was the start of our getting to know the Veuve Clicquot family, and truly understand how rich the history of this brand is, and experience how passionate the individuals involved are in quality products, experiences, and DESIGN! Ultimately it's becoming very clear that more than just a brand, Veuve Clicquot is a lifestyle, and the lifestyle they have created, is certainly one i'm sure we could all get used to!

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Tags: boats - drinks - food - luxury - paris - travel - veuve clicquot

So yesterday was a whirlwind day of hopping on air france in LA, finding myself in Paris, whisked from CDG to Le Faubourg Sofitel, and before i even get into meeting everyone - drinks with Christophe Pillet - meeting the veuve team - dining on a yacht up and down the Seine - and more... here's what i first encountered upon arrival ~ breathtaking clouds, quite possibly the most comfortable bed i've ever lay in, gorgeous Veuve Clicquot gifts and notes awaiting on the desk, adorable awesome packaging for the Hermes soaps in the bathroom, and the Buddha Bar outside my window... take a peek at the photo series part one on the next page!

For now... its 7:30 am, and i have to run to meet everyone at 8, so more images as i find time/internet!

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Tags: hotels - luxury - paris - travel - veuve clicquot

On random Sunday posts ~ just got back from tagging along with some friends test driving at O'Gara Coach - Lamborghini Beverly Hills to play with the Lamborghinis, Bugattis, Bentleys, Aston Martins, Rolls Royces, etc - being such a warm gorgeous day out brought the camera, and some of the colors and details were far too inspiring not to share... so check out some of the imagery on the next page!

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Tags: cars - luxury

NOTCOT Note: This is the sixth in my series of Ultimate Accessories posts which have been sponsored by the new Infiniti G Sedan! As with any sponsored content ~ these posts are done - my way - my product choices, my content, and they help me keep doing what i love!

I was impressed to see Globe-Trotter partner with J. Crew for an exclusive line of vintage inspired luggage, the Centenary Collection... and the black collection had me swooning... and now they even have a Centenary Ivory color option that is nice and fresh and expected to ship Aug 20th!

Tags: gifts - luxury - shopping - travel

NOTCOT Note: This is the fourth in my series of Ultimate Accessories posts which have been sponsored by the new Infiniti G Sedan! As with any sponsored content ~ these posts are done - my way - my product choices, my content, and they help me keep doing what i love!

When picking some of the "Ultimate Accessories" for these posts, Geneva Sound systems always pop to mind, maybe it's because i've been so tempted, but between moving and traveling quite a bit, i've had trouble committing to the pricetag for these gorgeous (and awesome sound quality!) audio systems! Ok, let's be honest, that glossy lacquered finish in the red, white, or black are far too appealing ~ and when on the floor stand, just perched so perfectly, who can ignore it in a room? Details not to miss: the cd slot, is just that - a slot in the top of the system. The hidden red LED display that shows your settings, etc from behind the speaker.... when you're ipod isn't docked, everything is hidden under a panel on the top. I've toyed with buying one of these for YEARS now... and now, to further tempt me, they debuted a prototype of the perfect black glossy tv stand/shelf with built in sound system... its gorgeous, more pics on the next page.

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Tags: gifts - ipod - luxury - music - shopping - technology

Just noticed over at Acquire that Tumi has given in and joined the polycarbonate suitcase trend ~ which i've definitely been quite obsessed with the last few years - there's just something about that sleek lightweight glossy polycarbonate i can't resist in black and silver - so far i've indulged in a carry-on Hideo Wakamatsu and Zero Halliburton check in... and i've lusted after Rimowa and also even checked out the Samsonite Black Label X-Lite Collection... And now to add to the list is the Tumi T-Tech Polycarbonate collection - noteworthy details (see close ups on next page) are the twisted zipper locks and the foot brake.

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Tags: gifts - luxury - shopping - travel

When Urban Daddy ~ mentioned that these "luxury teepees in the Yukon" has Solar-Powered DVD Players, i had to look twice. And any location with wifi is immediately flagged for me as somewhere i can work from! But aren't solar dvd players a bit much? So i had to research more to see what life in a luxury teepee suite are like... (pictures on the next page!). And its looking pretty sweet! They even have outhouses that compost...

These luxury teepees are one of the few options available from Perfect Earth Tours - other options including their spa and log cabins. As for the specifics on the Teepees: "Each of our guest Teepees are furnished with two queen sized luxury beds and bedding. We exclusively use mattresses, bedding's, linen and accessories from the worlds most luxurious organic suppliers. The rooms also include an individual sitting and reading area, a fireplace center piece, personal dresser, original art, complimentary stocked bar, a variety of non - alcoholic drinks, a vanity table, two DVD players with wireless headsets, satellite radio and wireless internet access. First of all, each teepee has their very own personal "outhouse". They are state of the art organic composting toilets with absolutely no similarity to the old fashioned "outhouse". They are odorless and extremely easy to use, just like your your toilet at home." I'm so intrigued! See more pics on the next page...

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Tags: green - luxury - travel

Classic Italian yacht maker, Riva, (yes, the ones that you can stick a Lamborghini engine in) teams up with Veuve Clicquot in their latest beautiful design collaboration, that makes me dream of living the dolce vita lifestyle, and has me desperately yearning to hop a plane back to Italy to relax on Lago di Como.

They have launched La Grande Dame by Riva Collection which includes three products in mahogany, chrome and leather - the Cruise Collection, Cruiser Bag, and ice bucket ~ the Cruise Collection contains 4 bottles of La Grande Dame 98, 2 magnums of La Grande Dame 88, 6 champagne flutes Riedel and 6 water tumblers, plates, table mats and cutlery ~ the Cruiser Bag contains a bottle of La Grande Dame 98 and two champagne flutes. Full photo spread to help you fantasize about the Riva/Veuve Clicquot lifestyle on the next page... as well as some background on the incredible story of Riva... and i found some amazing original sketches of the various Riva boats over the last 40 years worth taking a peek at!

p.s.
no, i'm not condoning drinking and boating ~ have a designated driver?

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Tags: boats - drinks - gifts - luxury - shopping - veuve clicquot

Freshly back from the Veuve Clicquot Los Angeles launch of the Globalight designed by Karim Rashid ~ and many a glass of bubbly later, i'm excited to share some fun pics of the Globalight up close and personal with you! As for the event ~ it was held at the W in Westwood, and it really brought me back to freshman year of college days... it was Thurs, so all the frat parties were in full swing, although driving over, it seems like one had a bit of a disaster quite early, with 3 fire engines and 4 cop cars and a sidewalks' worth of overdressed college kids anxiously waiting... and when we arrived at the party on the terrace of the W, it seems like much of the same crowd had overflowed... from the girl manning the door list to the many guests we asked about what they thought of the Globalight and the party... the crowd was a very clueless LA mix of so called actors, musicians, real estate agents, male models, and even biochem profs ~ all who seemed taken aback by being asked what they thought of the event, and quickly came to explain that a friend of a friend brought them or fwded them an invite... the best rumor of the night - (heard second/third hand) apparently word from the guy who represented the product - the Globalight will be produced with speakers built in soon, and a special stand, so you can simply tilt the Globalight itself to pour it... i guess we will wait and see!

Also, in the main bar downstairs, we saw a crew setting lights in the backroom in the lounge before popping up to the Veuve party... and stopping by on the way down, we found it was because Sunsilk was shooting a documentary on DJ Tatiana ~ a model turned international DJ, who not only is the music director for Bebe, but also runs her own music studio now...

See pics of all the maddness on the next page, including a youtube vid of DJ Tatiana and her Sunsilk winning vid...

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Tags: events - luxury - music - party - veuve clicquot

A gift from Cartier ~ Assouline published "les must de Cartier" and describe it: "1968--the year all certainties were shattered, it was in good taste to burn what one loved and to trample underfoot the values of yesterday. If, in this new world of dissent, luxury was no longer appropriate, the taste for beauty didn't completely disappear. No, luxury was not dead! It simply needed to be reinvented. In the midst of this new counterculture, which burned all belongings and luxury markets by creating a lighter that landed with the impact of a bomb - "Les Must" de Cartier saw the light of day. Hovering somewhere between tradition and modernity, Cartier's lighters, pens, watches, glasses, jewelry, leather goods and perfume engulfed the world. Cartier justified luxury by offering a more perfect modernity. Protected by a panther-skin slipcase, this limited-edition volume invites you to visit the delirious parties that followed every new "must"."

Flipping through the 400 pages images in this Cartier logo embossed leather bound, gilded paged, panther print covered slipcase of a book... i just relived the decadence of the late 60s, 70s, and 80s... and it looked like a hell of a lot of fun. Take a peek of some of my favorite pages on the next page... from a young christopher walken in bond flicks, to elephant polo, to warhol and studio 54... good times.

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Tags: books - gifts - luxury

Cartier is taking on love ~ and was kind enough to surprise me with a DHL package this morning with a little gift in it (more to come on that later) ~ in part announcing their new Love.Cartier site. Today i learned the story of their classic "love" bracelet - the iconic piece with the screw heads along the band - and a screwdriver to lock you in - "In the 1970's, imagination soared to new heights and any folly was possible. Cartier created the ultimate symbol of loving commitment: in the manner of handcuffs, the famous bracelet closes with a tiny screwdriver. Its humorous impudence appealed and was immediately adopted by legendary couples as a cult jewel. Love is a provocative talisman, a rallying cry for modern love, totally free from convention."

In their marketing comeback, they have created a site dedicated to love - manifested in music, art, and film. The music is nice if you're into that romantic mood setting stuff... and the art seemed a bit buggy on their flash site for me... but i was surprised that the films are what really caught my eye, and i actually sat here going through all 12 in order and loved them. The filmography is absolutely breathtaking ~ the black and whites, playful uses of light, gorgeous parisian backdrops... *swoon*... and they go through 12 tiny fragments of love stories tackling: The Declaration, Forgiveness, The Kiss, Infinite Love, Hero of Love, First Love, A Life of Love, A Loving Liaison, Love on Hold, Knowing How..., Seduction, and The Decision. Personally my favorite are First Love, Seduction, and Love on Hold - i'm sure you'll see why - if you have the time i recommend you go through them in order though, renowned director, Olivier Dahan, ends every pieces with a hint of what you see at the start of the next ~ and weaves them all together in such a beautiful way... see a few screenshots on the next page...

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Tags: accessories - jewelry - luxury - paris - video

The Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic will take place on Governors Island (Sat 31 May) and can you believe that this will be the first time Polo will be played in NYC for over 70 years... bringing taste of Hamptons to NYC. Ralph Lauren's team (Blackwatch) is playing Asprey's team and Nacho Figueras (the face of Polo Black and best player in the world will be playing)

And guess what? The event is open to the public! So head over to Governor's Island on Saturday if you are in NY, and let me know how the polo match turns out! Hopefully it will be a beautiful (non rainy) day! More images on the next page...

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Tags: luxury - sport - travel - veuve clicquot

Blinged out faux-designer weaponry were all the rage at Gallery 1988's latest show in LA that opened this weekend - Peter Gronquist's "The Revolution Will Be Fabulous: A Weapons of Mass Designer Show" - and i must admit i was pretty disappointed. The biggest problem for me, was that in knocking off luxury brands, the key thing is to keep that luxury designer quality feel to it! And up close with these weapons i just wan't feeling that. Highlights were definitely the Louis Vuitton Electric Chair in the center of the gallery and the Pacman Grenades! Over a dozen more pictures on the next page to give you a feel for what the scene was like, and a few close ups as well.

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Tags: art - fashion - luxury

Here's that press announcement i've been dying to share with you....

Globalight - the latest Karim Rashid piece launching in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot in Milan tonight. An "artistic, orb-shaped lamp with adjustable pink light, Globalight is also an isotherm bottle carrier... First impression? It feels like the center slice of a silver space age egg with its glowingly pink fleshy yolk exposed - encasing a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rose... The asymmetrical egg like shape is so appealing and naturally inspired, yet relatively random feeling. And if you take a look at more of the gorgeously surreal photographs of the Globalight and its couples - there is also something oh so Easter Basket-like about it... The press release reads:

New York, NY--April 15, 2008 -- Champagne house Veuve Clicquot affirms its strong commitment to design excellence, innovation and audacity with the release of Globalight by Karim Rashid, the second collaboration between the eponymous Champagne House and the prolific designer celebrating Veuve Clicquot's Rose Champagne.The unique, limited-edition piece represents Rashid's modern reinterpretation of the traditional French chandelier, icon of romantic dinners and meaningful moments. In the United States, Globalight will be unveiled exclusively at W Hotels, leader in modern travel, luxury design, and sensory experience.

Its portable nature makes entertaining a gathering of friends or someone special a charming occasion whether at home or on the road. One bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rose will remain chilled for 4 hours and the LED lights will give a soft glow for the same time, making Globalight an ideal accessory for outdoor entertaining.

Honestly - the pictures after the jump are worth checking out... beautiful sureal photographs - and a fun sketch and story of how Karim Rashid came up with the design...

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Tags: drinks - gifts - luxury - shopping - veuve clicquot

Warning, i have this tendency to do late night visual research binges - (binge and post?) - which result in rather large collaged image files - and tonight between the bottle of Veuve Clicquot and the press release i've been anxiously sitting on until i can share it with you without breaking embargo - i really couldn't help myself and dug up any and all crazy Veuve Clicquot inspired designs on the net. And really i've been truly fascinated by the really cool designs that have been popping up lately... the Karim Rashid Loveseat grabbed me in NY at ICFF last year (it's SO fun to sit in!) and then the Porsche Design Vertical Limit fridge at the Toronto IDS this year... and i just wanted to see what else there was... So see below for more of that signature Pantone 137c.

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Tags: drinks - furniture - luxury - veuve clicquot

I'm having one of those Mondays that already feels like a thursday... the week can't end fast enough, yet its just begun. Also, its the week where i kick myself for not being in Milan for design week, not that i should have been there this year, seeing as i'm slightly over swamped with obligations at the moment anyhow. Good news for you, is part of that is due to a pile of really cool stuff i'm dying to post (the fun part of my life, um... "work")... BUT for a random fun post before i get sit down in this crazy summery heatwave weather, i just wanted to say thanks to Veuve Clicquot for making today just a tiny bit more fun with their surprise delivery of a bottle of bubbly to help Milan coverage go a bit smoother this week. Yay for snail mail... a few more silly pics after the jump (although i do like how the pirate bronto in the apple is now in the glass up there)... back to regularly scheduled rants of designer inspiration and amusements!

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Tags: drinks - luxury - veuve clicquot

Freshly back from the IDS08 Opening Night Gala ~ and although i'm totally passing out, just wanted to give you guys a peek at some of the pics... there were singers, quartets, acrobats, women dressed up in crazy flowered dresses, the incredible Vertical Limit Veuve Clicquot/Porsche Design collab (1 of 15!), Dysons, Audis... and so much more... anyhow, see after the jump for a quick look!

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Tags: events - luxury - travel - veuve clicquot

Louis Vuitton puts out an annual set of City Guides, this year it is saffron yellow - a rigid box set containing 9 soft back booklets printed on bible paper... they have been doing it since 1998, and somehow i have yet to actually flip through some! So after much unfruitful internet hunting, i'm turning to you, readers, to see if anyone has a set, and what you think of them... are they better than wallpaper guides? Are the illustrations by Ruber Toledo enough to justify the near 100$ price tag for the set? Closest i've found to images of the interior is a tiny picture on a japanese website (see after the jump!)... Thanks! [To find it on the Louis Vuitton site, just search for city guide when in the store.]

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Tags: books - fashion - luxury - travel

Mumm suddenly has me antsy to go on an expedition... Mumm Expedition Kit: "An echo of the leather knapsacks used by 19th century explorers in Africa, the kit consists of a stylishly simple bag in brown leather. The bag’s lower half forms an insulated compartment to keep your bottle of G.H. Mumm champagne cool for up to 12 hours. You’ll also find a small, brown leather tray and two unbreakable flutes in the bag, ensuring refreshment is always at hand, whatever the location. The kit includes other explorer essentials, such as a compass and a map of the Reims area printed on silk." Mmmm, champagne, a compass, and a silk map encased in leather... quite the expedition, no?

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Tags: drinks - gifts - luxury - shopping

On new excuses to travel ~ my latest is to go to Europe via Frankfurt airport, because they just got the largest Porsche Design airport store. This is the latest addition to their rapidly expanding line of airport franchises currently in airports such as Munich, Vienna, London, Moscow, Dubai and Hong Kong. In 2008, new stores are to be opened in Zurich, Copenhagen and Manchester. These are in addition to their retail stores which are currently in Hamburg, Tokyo, Berlin, London, and New York. It's been fascinating to see how airports have quickly been evolving into high end malls of sorts, and how can we resist jetsetting to shop the airports as well as the cities? So next time you're in FRA - look for the new Porsche Design Store, "the 145 square meter store is on the second level of Hall B, on the so-called "landing side" of the airport, the area that is generally accessible without security checks."

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Tags: cars - luxury - shopping

One of these days i really need to get out to 100% Tokyo, and catch up on all the great stuff happening in japan as well... Totally jealous of all the awesome stuff they are seeing over at designboom! Brad over there reports about Hoya Crystal: "Hoya glass corporation became japan's first speciality manufacturer of optical glass when it was established in 1941. since then, hoya has diversified and developed into many other areas from electro-optics, photonics, vision care and healthcare to luxury crystal products. as part of 100% design tokyo hoya crystal hosted a stand showcasing some of their products and expertise in crystal and glass manufacture." I LOVE the look of the black cages with brilliant crystal animals within (this may be in part because back in undergrad i got the weirdest looks from neighbors as i bought bird cages and spray painted them matte black and then built computers into them) ~ and the skull rings, cufflinks, candle holders are awesome. Also see below for some really sweet vases, a rose ring i'm coveting as much as the skull one, and some pretty sweet mushrooms... please don't mind the laziness with which i collaged it together, my hand is acting up, but i was far too excited to post this. Also, check out some pics of the booth from the Hoya Blog.

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Tags: gifts - luxury - shopping

I'm not sure whether i'm currently smitten because i woke up 5 minutes ago, or because i've loved greys and studs for so long, that although i've tried to resist them now that they are omnipresent, i need to give up and admit i can't fight it. Burberry. Has taken their season's studdedness and applied it to a grey bikini and matching sundress. And i think i'm in love. More images below of course.

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Tags: gifts - luxury - shopping

*Swoon* Just got a press release in my inbox saying: "A new kitchen especially designed for men – Miele exclusive supplier of appliances - Poggenpohl presents first Porsche Design kitchen - Herford/Stuttgart. Porsche Design Group and Poggenpohl Möbelwerke GmbH present their first co-designed kitchen P’7340. The kitchen is distinguished for its innovative framework, purist styling and high-quality materials. Kitchen appliances maker Miele & Cie. KG will be the exclusive supplier of all fitted electric appliances."

Firstly, it cracks me up that they say its for men. Is that sexist? Either way, just b/c its nice and minimal should not make it manly. I want it. It screams calm, organized, and controlled to me. Check out more images below, as well as the full press release with more of their justifications on how this is male oriented and the various materials used and the history of the companies collaboration.

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Tags: kitchen - luxury - shopping