Huge congratulations to Martha Fuller Turner, President and CEO of Houston-based Luxury Portfolio member Martha Turner Properties, who has been chosen for induction into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. She is one of four honorees that will be officially inducted on October 15, 2009, and is one of only seven women to have ever received the honor. Notable past honorees include former President George H.W. Bush, Ross Perot, Roger Staubach and T. Boone Pickens.

For the past 27 years, under Martha’s guidance, Martha Turner Properties has grown from a 2-person office into an influential global presence with over 200 top-producing associates.  It was the first residential real estate company to be named one of Houston's greatest companies by the Greater Houston Partnership.

Luxury Portfolio salutes a true one-of-a-kind on her tremendous and very well-deserved recognition. Read the complete release.

Lush is a brand synonymous with creating handmade, innovative products from the freshest organic ingredients available. In addition, Lush has been committed to protecting our environment through responsible packaging and green catalogs. Their extensive product line includes hair, skin, bath and face items that not only smell intoxicating, but are specifically created to invigorate the mind and sooth the body.

Lush is sponsoring Round 3 of the Luxury Portfolio Blog Contest, and the winner will be awarded with a sampling of their coveted bath products – suitable for men and women.

Here is how the giveaway works: we are rewarding those who write the most insightful and interesting comments to existing blog posts. It is that easy...

1. Read through some of the blog posts.

2. Select a post that you are interested in or have knowledge/experience in.

3. Type in your information, your thoughts, and comment...that's it!

The contest is ongoing, with a new giveaway monthly.

Round 3 of the contest starts today and runs through September 25!

We would like to congratulate our Round 2 winner Annie Becker of Lila Delman Real Estate. Thank you Annie for your insightful comments on the Luxury Portfolio blog!  Annie will receive a delectable sampling of Sucre Macaroons.

Details for Round 3 of the contest will be announced in the near future, so stay tuned! Thank you to all of those who participated!

Spreading over 25 acres in Hickory Creek, Texas, the estate known as Champ d’Or is the result of five years of detailed planning. Comprised of a 36,000 square foot mansion inspired by chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte near Paris, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis court, pool/tennis house, 15-car garage, two matching guardhouses and a 1.5 acre lake, the luxury estate is filled with an air of old world opulence while at the same time containing the most modern of amenities.

The breathtaking masterpiece is currently listed at $27,500,000 by Luxury Portfolio member Briggs Freeman Real Estate, who has created a new and gorgeous website that provides an in-depth trip into Champ d’Or. You can see numerous photos and find more details on the chateau (a ballroom with mirrors patterned after Versailles, veranda that seats 450 guests, bowling alley, theater, etc.), learn about the exquisite details (ornamental moldings, bronze sconces from Paris), and view opportunities allowed by the exceptional setting.

Discover more by taking the tour, which, of course, is also available in French.

In an effort to continue to provide clients with every opportunity available to buy or sell their mountain home, Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, the leader in Vail Valley, Colorado real estate, has introduced an Auction Division. Having gained significant popularity in the past several years, the option of buying and selling a home through the auction process, including luxury home auctions, can be of great benefit to both sellers and buyers of luxury homes.

Slifer Smith & Frampton’s new division allows sellers to know the date their property is expected to sell, with a specific closing date and no contingencies from auction day to closing. Buyers are provided an opportunity to compete fairly and on the same terms as all other buyers, with the knowledge that the seller is prepared to sell the day of the auction.

The first auction of this new endeavor is taking place in Vail, Colorado on August 26. Two properties will be offered, and the winning bidder will have their choice of the two new construction luxury residences. Each home was previously listed at $2,799,000 and the auction is subject to a minimum bid of $1,600,000. Visit VailRealEstateAuctions.com for further details.