Previously in the blog, we've highlighted some remarkable French castles and Italian castellos.  Today, while looking through some historic residences in the USA, I came across this amazing castle located on my side of the pond.  The Frederick Faulkner Castle took six years to build and is constructed of pink granite from the coast of Maine that was barged down the Merrimack River to Lowell, Massachusetts. After being carted by ox to the hilltop setting, each granite block was hand-fitted with precision by stone craftsmen.  I've seen a large number of luxury trophy properties, but few can match the story of this momentous residence that features eight bedrooms, an impressive 40-foot foyer, a finished walk-out basement and several original and period details.

The Frederick Faulkner Castle can be found in the National Register of Historic Places and is listed by William Raveis Real Estate & Home Services.

In my post about "The World's Most Expensive Computer Mouse," I mentioned the possibility of a solid gold or silver mouse pad.  That would just be silly - a slick metallic surface wouldn't be any better than the top of your desk.  The Formula 1 Collection mouse mat is much more practical.  It's made in England by technicians who create the metal structures for Formula One cars.  Features of the mouse pad are - wait, "features of the mouse pad" sounds weird, doesn't it?  Anyway, it's made of polished carbon fiber with inlaid leather mouse area and an Italian black suede backing.  And it's much cheaper than gold or silver - only £260, or about $525.

While I'm on the subject of sharing, I thought I should mention Bag Borrow or Steal, a company that specializes in luxury accesory rentals. From Bulga bags to Gucci totes and Lori Bonn jewelry, Bag Borrow or Steal offers every accessory you might see adorning Hollywood's most stylish stars.  What's great about this idea is that you can choose a new luxury bag every few weeks, but without the commitment of a few grand.

After my recent post about my dream yacht, I realized that a $3.6 million yacht may not be in the cards for me - at least for now!  A more attainable (and practical) idea is to purchase a yacht share.  A mention of Executive Yachts on Forbes.com spurred me to look into their yacht share program.  Membership in The Yacht Share includes 28 days a year (a minimum of 3.5 days at a time) on one of Executive Yachts' luxury boats in several key locations: Annapolis, Newport, Cape Cod, Miami and Paradise Island.  (A higher-level membership also includes locations in the British Virgin Islands, Spain and elsewhere in the Caribbean.)  A full-time Captain mans the yachts, which are fully stocked to accommodate your requests.  Membership with The Yacht Share also includes guest priveliges at Sunset Harbor Yacht Club in South Beach and The Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. Most importantly, a yacht share allows you access to a luxury yacht at a fraction of the cost, and without the hassle of maintanence and mechanics.  A stress-free yacht - now that's luxury!

One of the first things I do each morning is work the kinks out of my neck. Luckily, I have a new bed that has helped my back tremendously, but I'm still "resting" my head on a limp pillow that gets wadded up and punched countless times during the night. Surely, a Contessa pillow would be at the receiving end of many less knuckle sandwiches, and may even end my pillow-boxing career forever. Scandia Down manufactures this pillow comprised of European white goose down stuffed into a strong, elaborately woven fabric. Unfortunately for me, however, I'd have to return my new bed to pay for a pair of these luxury comforts, which would leave me on the couch with an ailing back...looks like my nightly ten round battles are going to continue!

The cleverly titled "The World's Most Expensive Computer Mouse" (TWMECM, for short) features 59 brilliantly-cut diamonds and is available in yellow, red or white gold with white or black trim. The diamonds can be arranged into any pattern of your choosing, including personalized initials. This luxury mouse was created by Swiss mouse manufacturer Pat Says Now and is available for order through Fabstuff.net. As far as I can tell, TWMECM certainly lives up to its title - the price tag is $24,180, which makes it about $24,160 more expensive than the mouse I picked up at my nearest electronics store. No word yet on a solid silver or gold mouse pad...but they probably wouldn't have enough grip anyway.

I wish.  The Chicago weather is slowly taking its toll on me - I'm beginning to get delusional.  You know it's bad when you check the ten-day forecast and you can hardly contain your excitement when you see that it's going to hit 33 degrees in a week.  After weeks of single-digit temperatures (not counting the sub-zero windchill!) I am ready to hop on my private jet to Miami where I'll transfer to my 65-foot yacht and cruise out to the Caribbean horizon.  Of course, I have neither a private jet nor a yacht, so I'll have to work these minor details out before I ask my boss for a few days off.

I've already chosen the yacht: the Apreamare Maestro 65.  According to International Yachtsman magazine (yes, I am reading International Yachtsman now), "Some of the details that set the Maestro apart include a lowering transom [note to self: learn yacht lingo] that transforms into a swim platform... a 180-degree panoramic window design on the bridge, as well as full walk-around engines, some standup room in the engine room, and a garage big enough to hold a dinghy so you don't have to tow it behind the yacht."  The yacht is equipped with amenities that make the boat more of a home away from home.

As long as that home is somewhere warm, I don't really care if it has a dinghy garage.  Now, can someone loan me $3.6 million so I can get out of this freezing city?

I have another destination to add to my ever-lengthening list of places to visit.  Though I've wanted to travel to Norway for years, my intentions were limited to Oslo; but when a friend sent me this picture of the fishing town of Ålesund the other day, I realized there is much more to Norway than its capital.  This picturesque town is set on seven outer islands on the west coast of the country.  It's a romantic destination with majestic views, scenic fjords and striking Art Nouveau architecture.  The coastal culture of Ålesund offers many interesting activities, from the Fisheries Museum to the Sea Park.  The town has tons of gourmet restaurants with both local and international menus.  I would recommend the fish.  Check out VisitAlesund.com for luxury hotels and travel ideas.

My parents had been looking for the perfect location for a second home for many years.  Every vacation spot was a potential candidate, from Savannah to Seattle, and even some international locations.  But as amazing as these places were, they just weren't fitting right.  Then one summer a few years ago, we found ourselves in Sarasota, Florida - practically by accident - and we stayed the night on Longboat Key.  That one night turned into three days, which turned into an annual family vacation, which ultimately led to a second home right on the beach of Longboat Key. 

Why is this their perfect location?  Well, the long, narrow island allows for many homes to have views of both Sarasota Bay and the silvery-turquoise water of the Gulf of Mexico.  These westward views are especially important to my dad, who loves to go down to the beach at sunset to watch the sun dip into the Gulf, reflecting reds and pinks into the sky.  The beaches are pristine with white sand and the temperatures are never too hot.  The area has great golf courses and resort-like features, but, unlike some other resort locations, it's convenient and full of things to do.  Sarasota and Bradenton are known as cultural centers with fine art and museums, as well as great shopping and top-notch restaurants.  My parents visit a few times a year - and they are now considering purchasing a year-round a home.  Of course, I couldn't help checking out some luxury Sarasota-area properties on my own, including the one pictured here.

This secluded 8-bedroom Osprey home boasts gulf-to-bay views, an enormous master suite with his and her bathrooms, a gym with an indoor lap pool, an outdoor pool an tennis court with views of Sarasota Bay, beautiful balconies, a wine room, a putting green, a boat house, staff quarters and more.  This property is listed with Michael Saunders & Company.

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A recent trip to my idyllic hometown of Summit, New Jersey has reignited my passion for the Garden State.  After years of living in the Midwest with few visits home, I'd forgotten just how much I love NJ (although my Chicago friends, who've heard me ramble on and on about the supremacy of NJ, would tell you my love for the state has never waned).  Judging from the comments I receive from Midwesterners when I tell them where I'm from ("What exit?" being the most benign), most people are ignorant of the true beauty of this woodsy, hilly state.  New Jerseyans are extremely proud of their homeland for good reasons, such as the beautiful landscape, outstanding public schools, proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, and some of the best luxury homes in the country!  (I will withhold my usual tangent about the superb bagels, diners, and pizza - but if anyone wants to discuss this, I am happy to expand on these points.)  So, without further ado, I present to you some wonderful luxury properties in the greatest state in the Union!

This first home I'd like to highlight is the classic Franklin Lakes home pictured here (listed with Friedberg Properties).  The 30-room estate boasts 6.5 acres of manicured lawns, an indoor pool, sprawling patios, a waterfall fountain, six-car garage, a lighted tennis court, a pond, a spacious master bedroom with an enormous master bath, and more.  This timeless beauty is the height of elegance - a perfect representation of what New Jersey has to offer!

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