The latest edition of the LuxeTrends® newsletter embraces the spirit of the season and provides a variety of gift ideas for holiday shoppers. Our favorite choices balance sophistication with value, including selections for Apple device lovers, travelers, foodies, hosts, and much more.
Take a look at the 2010 holiday gift guide to see all of our suggestions and get inspired to complete your shopping list.
The new LuxeTrends® newsletter provides some suggestions on how to get the most of your outdoor living and entertaining spaces. Ideas include an amazing grill endorsed by celebrity chefs, unique lighting options, outdoor furniture, and the incorporation of natural elements through “waterscaping” and items like stylish wind chimes and hummingbird feeders.
See the latest version and subscribe to the LuxeTrends® e-newsletter here.
Created by British designer Jake Phipps, the sculptural STELLAR Mirror was inspired by precision cut diamonds and certainly lives up to its grand name. A ring of 750 individually sized and angled mirror sections surround the circular center and allow for a varied color and luster, reflecting changes in the surrounding environment. With hundreds of surfaces dispersing light and shadows around the room, the mirror is a constantly changing and stunning focal point. It is available to buy direct from the studio in a limited edition of 25. See more and inquire at JakePhipps.com.
Known for fine jewelry and accessories, Cartier is a name synonymous with luxury. The celebrated brand now has another creation worthy of its reputation - a distinct luxury poker set. Two sets of playing cards, 360 chips in five colors with Cartier logos, and five dice are housed in an elegant red and black wood chest with gold-plated hardware.
With a price of just over $10,000, you may need to win more than few hands using your current poker set before getting this ultimate upgrade. Cartier.com
The new LuxeTrends® newsletter highlights some simple home updates for the New Year. Suggestions include kitchen accessories, light fixtures and unique mirrors to hang on the wall – uncomplicated alterations that can make a big difference. Perhaps seeing these examples will help inspire your own personal home design changes.
See the latest version and subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter here.
Still looking for some inspiration for your holiday gift purchases? Check out the most recent edition of the LuxeTrends newsletter, which may help spark some ideas. Suggestions in the guide range from one-of-a-kind events, including an unmatched experience at the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, to luxurious items at various price points ranging from electronics to fine delicacies.
You have a little time yet to get motivated for those final purchases…see the guide here.
In yesterday’s Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star Telegram, Luxury Portfolio member Ebby Halliday Realtors had full page ads featuring luxury homes shown beautifully decorated for the holidays. The two homes were adorned by Dr. Delphinium Designs & Events – a high-end Dallas florist and event company. Decorations were put up through a full day of hard work at each home in order to get the fabulous holiday photos…and were taken down as soon as the perfect shot was captured. There are, however, interesting behind the scenes videos that remain to document part of the process. 
The first home is a gorgeous traditional located on prestigious Deloache Avenue in Preston Hollow. See the property details on Luxury Portfolio and watch the video.
Sited on Lake Arlington, the second home is an exquisite Mediterranean with a formal living room that looks stunning decked in holiday ornamentation. See the property details on Luxury Portfolio and watch the video.
The team that worked on these homes did a fantastic job. The photos are amazing!
Looking to visit to a popular global destination in the upcoming new year? Luxury luggage and accessory brand Tumi and Hg2, creator of the “A Hedonist’s Guide to…” series, can help plan your international adventure with a stylish set of guidebooks. Tumi's collection of exclusive editions includes guides to eight cities – Paris, London, New York, Milan, Dubai, Buenos Aires, Berlin and Tokyo. Each custom guide contains unique insider perspectives and comprehensive directories.
Packaged in an attractive case complete with carry handle and ID tag, the box set would also make a great gift for the traveler on your holiday shopping list. See more and order at Tumi.com.
It's no secret that people love their iPods; and there is a seemingly limitless number of luxury accessories available to aid in your storage of digital media. One recent entry into the iPod family is certainly geared toward a very specific market... Prince fanatics. The artist formerly known as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince" has been honored (?) with his own iPod touch - the Prince Opus.
The purple (of course) machine comes preloaded with 15 songs and a 40 minute video... and costs $2,100. There are only 950 Prince Opus iPods available, so superfans will have to act fast, I guess. Who knows, maybe this will create a sensation and lead to more superstar special editions, but I just don't see it.
It is cold today in the Midwest. When the high temperature for the day is actually below zero, you know it's cold. These are the days when most will gladly toss fashion aside in favor of function. However visually unflattering, those huge mittens and bushy parka hoods are pulled over numb fingers and snapped over frozen faces.
Of course, there are ways to combine both fashion and function- and a classic example is a luxury scarf from Drakes London. The scarf was the first product Drakes offered when it was founded over 30 years ago. Today the company has a wide range of options from classic looks to the latest in contemporary fashion. Classic woven, cashmere and knitted wool scarves are all included in an extensive collection sure to help keep you warm in addition to showcasing your style.
