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Filed under: Jewelry, Holiday Guides

Idalia is a new website for the true jewelry connoisseur.

The Black Diamond Snake Ring (right) features black and contrasting white diamonds: 1 pear shaped diamond, carat total weight 0.38; 77 round black diamonds, carat total weight 2.01; and 17 round brilliant white diamonds, carat total weight 0.38; all set in 18k gold for ,350.00.

Because the brand name is young and there is no showroom to support, their stunning pieces cost a fraction of what they would from other designers. I had the privilege of viewing the collection in person and was inspired by the variety, elegance, and exceptional quality.

Idalia diamonds are the best of the best – for example, the Double Diamond Square Set Eternity Necklace features diamonds with a total carat weight of 19.04, color grade F-G, and clarity grade VVS set in 18k white gold.

People are becoming more comfortable doing their shopping online, but to spend thousands on jewelry you’ve never seen in person might feel like quite a risk. From what I saw today, Idalia is one site that won’t let you down. See the gallery below for a closer look at one of the most exciting new jewelry lines of 2008!

Some of the items were so sparkly they appear slightly blurred in photos. Trust me, the effect was dazzling.

Idalia Launch originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Filed under: Estates

This Palm Beach, Florida home is called ‘the Ballinger house’ after its most recent owner but the 1926 home was originally christened La Torre Bianca. It was built by society architect Howard Major in the popular South Florida Mediterranean style. The five-bedroom main house includes a third-floor tower room with water views. The property includes a two-bedroom guesthouse, a three-car garage and estate grounds with a heated pool, fountains, a pond and gardens. It is listed at .9 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

The Ballinger House, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Filed under: Decor

If you’re like me, you might have had a panic attack when you finally realized that it’s already the middle of December and you haven’t done any holiday shopping yet. If you’re even more like me, then you’re hopeless when it comes to picking out gifts for friends and family. Thankfully, there are some classic standbys out there to help you get through your holiday shopping with as little stress as possible.

In this season of extreme home decorating, everyone can appreciate a lovely flower arrangement. Flora2000 is a high-end flower delivery service offering same-day deliveries to 150 countries, and I’m in love with their bouquets. Even if you’ve put off your holiday shopping until the last minute, you can still get gorgeous gifts sent out ahead of Santa’s sleigh. Whether you’re ordering flowers for local delivery or overseas shipment, you’ll be amazed by Flora2000’s speedy service, and the arrangements are top-of-the-line.

In addition to over 3,000 floral arrangements, Flora2000 offers a wide selection of gourmet gift boxes and chocolates.

Same-day Flowers to 150 Countries originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Filed under: Decor

Quirky French knitwear label Lucien Pellat-Finet has a luxurious option to show someone you care. You can by have a custom image of your choice woven in a cashmere or cotton blanket. Each blanket is unique and available in a range of colors. Prices start at £849.

[via Vogue UK]

Custom Cashmere Blankets From Lucien Pellat-Finet originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Filed under: Wine

The latest weapon in the battle against the dreaded cork taint is something called Airocide. Airocide is a process designed by NASA scientists in the 1990s to remove airborne contaminants and keep fruit and vegetables fresh on a space station. It turns out that it can also eliminate TCA (2,4,6-trichloroanisole), the chemical that causes cork taint in wine. Decanter explains the process which involves sucking air through a box containing a ‘bed’ of titanium dioxide catalyst which is irradiated by UV bulbs, oxidizing any organic contaminants. UK wine laboratory Corkwise performed the trials on behalf of Airocide. It could be used in wineries and warehouses and is already used in food storage.

Airocide, Another Way Of Fighting Cork Taint originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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I had kinda forgotten the ugly Givori Serendipity phone, but it appears they don’t want me to. This time, Givori has taken the wraps off the limited edition Nefertiti phone. Inspired by the ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti, who was known for her beauty, the Nefertiti phone hopes to remind us of the mystery of a bygone era. The Givori “Nefertiti” Nokia Arte phone features vintage ‘30s collectibles made in England and 24 carat gold coated Swarovski crystals. All the phones in the Nefertiti collection have been handcrafted to make sure that no two phones look alike. Only 50 units have been created, with each one marked with a limited edition number. Givori Brand Manager Amine Aoude said…

Continue reading “Givori Nefertiti luxury phone hits Dubai luxury stores”

Mercedes-Benz has partnered with renowned Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen for a new, limited edition SL63 AMG roadster. The exquisite coupe will be designed in collaboration with AMG Performance Studio and Desingo. The SL63 AMG Edition IWC will have some unique features, including the elite Tobago Brown nappa leather seats, carbon matte trim and appealing Kashmir white finish. The exterior of the limited edition car will have the same features as of the regular AMG models. Under the hood is the 6.2-litre, 518-hp V8 engine developed by AMG Performance. The interior of the roadster is done in sync with carbon matte trim on the center console and the interior door panels. Also included is the AMG Performance package that makes for supreme handling.

Continue reading “Limited edition Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG roadster”

Ultrasone, the firm that gave us the iCans, has now made available the few remaining Edition 9 headphones in the U.S. When it comes to sound quality and transparency, the Edition 9 headphones meet the demands of most discerning audiophiles. They boast an elegant design, thanks to the usage of the black chrome in both the ear cups and nameplates. Attention has been paid to every detail, with the ear pads and headband pad made from Ethiopian sheep leather. The Edition 9 is equipped with titanium plated drivers and polished MU Metal shielding for reduced magnetic field emissions. The Edition 9 headphones, priced at ,799 are offered in a glossy metal case for safe storage and transportation.

Via: Ecoustics

We recently spotted an Xbox 360 racing seat made from a real Ford F1 car at eBay, and now you have a chance to purchase the Virtual GT Racing Simulator in Ferrari color. The super-realistic auto racing simulator designed for race training and home entertainment comes with a 500W speaker system, a 4-corner independent suspension, MasterCraft racing seat, force-feedback steering wheel, electronic controls, fully adjustable chassis, and a hands-free intercom system. With an approximate retail price of ,700, the Virtual GT Racing Simulator with 42-inch Panasonic plasma TV has built-in PS2 and on-board computer system with PC games such as the F-1, GT Racing and Le Mans. The high-end simulator is listed on eBay with a “buy-it-now” price of just ,800.

Via: TechEBlog/eBay