Luxury Portfolio is launching a blog contest giveaway!

Here is how the contest will work:

1. The contest will officially begin June 3 and run through July 8.

2. The person who posts the most interesting comment or insight directly on the blog will be awarded a luxury gift. We currently have several brands participating in this promotion, including skincare and bath line companies.

3. The winner will be acknowledged in Luxury Portfolio’s e-newsletter LuxeChatter and announced on the Luxury Portfolio blog.

4. The contest will be ongoing, with a new giveaway every few months.

Please be on the lookout for further details in the days ahead. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rachel Rusnak at rrusnak@luxuryportfolio.com.

We look forward to your participation!

Kitchens have always been the central part of the home, and new products are being created to serve the aesthetic desires of the discerning consumer, and also to simplify and conserve.

The cooktop is one kitchen staple that has evolved into a feature that can completely change the ambiance of the room with fine finishes, in addition to sustainable design and convenience and safety features. The Induction Hybrid Cooktop created by Electrolux is one example. The cutting edge appliance automatically detects the presence of magnetic cookware and, as a result, activates the heat and adjusts the surface area to the exact size of the pan. The revolutionary energy efficiency feature conserves 70% more energy than gas and 20% more than electric.

This product and write-up were featured in a recent issue of the LuxeTrends® newsletter, which covers luxury real estate trends, home design, luxury gifts and more.  View the current issue here.

Recently listed on LuxuryPortfolio.com, Acqua Liana (Tahitian and Fijian for "water flower"), is an ocean-to-intracoastal masterpiece in Manalapan Beach, Florida.  The luxury property is located in Manalapan Beach's exclusive estate section, consisting of only 28 estate homes stretching from the Atlantic to the Intracoastal Waterway.

The photo here shows a remarkable and one-of-a-kind "water floor" with hand painted tiles.  Water is a theme throughout and around the residence, and its calming influence and beauty is what gives the luxury home its unique moniker.  Incorporated into an unmatched design are an abundance of environmentally friendly elements earning Aqua Liana the distinction of being certified "green" by the U.S. Green Building Council,  Florida Green Building Council and Energy Star for Homes.

Learn more amazing details and see more photos of Acqua Liana here.

I am always on the lookout for new and unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day. I feel like every year I treat my mom to the same gifts –
a nice bottle of perfume and an appetizing brunch. She never seems to be disappointed,
but I feel the need to keep things fresh.

I was so pleased to see the exclusive gift ideas being offered by the Trump International Hotel in Chicago – who would have ever guessed!  Their gift selections for mom include:

“Mom’s Great Escape” – A deluxe king city view room, complimentary breakfast and a $50 credit to use towards The Spa.

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Luncheon – An interesting spin on the traditional brunch. A luncheon hosted by top chefs and sommeliers. Moms enjoy an elegant four-course lunch perfectly paired with Champagne for each course. A book illustrating Madame Clicquot’s life and healing grapeseed lotion are also given as gifts.

Looks like my mom will be getting something extra special this year.

Click here for more information.

Recently, the government in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) announced plans to help stimulate real estate sales by relaxing restrictions for foreign buyers. Specific plans include a new 90 day automatic approval for a landholder license. They are also focusing on catering to the needs of a luxury buyer through airport improvements and communications infrastructure enhancements such as better cell service and high speed internet access.

Over in the Cayman Islands we’re seeing improvements as well, with the government there temporarily lowering rates on real estate transfer taxes. Today, the tax on a waterfront property would be as low as only 5% vs the previous 7.5%. So if you’ve been considering a second or third home in the Caribbean, now is a great time to take advantage of these opportunities. Click here to see some of the beautiful homes currently available through our exclusive Caribbean luxury real estate brokers.

Diana Morales Properties, one of our fine brokers in Spain shares upbeat news about the luxury real estate market in Marbella. Diana Morales reports that recently luxury homes are beginning to close and sell as motivated buyers snap up the opportunity to buy at close to the bottom, if not already bottom prices. It’s made our brokers at Diana Morales extremely busy – but that is a good thing! Read the entire article here.

From our member Michael Saunders & Co. in Sarasota, Florida we hear encouraging reports about the “market on the mend.”   In March 2009, month-over-month and year-over-year sales were up, as were median single family home prices.  And the good news keeps on coming, with reports of increasing calls, listing appointments and the iventory of properties in southwest Florida dropping to its’ lowest levels in 39 months.  Read more about the exciting things happening in the Southwest Florida luxury real estate market here.