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!

We would like to congratulate Phyllis Harb of Dickson-Podley Realtors, who is the first winner in the Luxury Portfolio blog giveaway. Thank you Phyllis for your insightful comments on Luxury Portfolio blog posts!

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 with.

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

The contest is ongoing, with a new giveaway monthly.

The next round of the contest starts today and runs through August 15!  

Flower Peddler initially started out as a floral design business, but over the years has evolved and is know recognized as a unique and high-quality creator of bath and body products. The company found the perfect way to combine their love of nature and passion for creating experiential products in such aesthetically pleasing items as the Blue Ridge Berry all-vegetable handmade soap and Mocha Java Mint Scrub.

Luxury Portfolio is pleased to announce that Flower Peddler is sponsoring the first round of the Luxury Portfolio Blog Contest, which started last week!  

For more details about the contest, please contact Communications@LuxuryPortfolio.com

Visit the Flower Peddler website.

Kangen Water is not your typical glass of tap water or even comparable to a bottle of Evian. The unique water provides rich hydrating benefits to skin, increases absorption of vitamins and minerals, works to boost the body's immune system and slows the aging process of the skin!

Kangen is produced by a revolutionary Japanese water technology that turns everyday tap water into a healthier and more beneficial alkaline water that guarantees to do wonders for the mind and body. Luxury Portfolio Design Collection designer Linda Young of Miller Young Design has also incorporated the system into many of her projects and attests to its benefits and appeal.

Even if you don't see Kangen Water in your near future, their website offers interesting articles and videos.

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. 

The amount of labor and skilled artistry needed to produce exquisite glass art is extraordinary...And so is the finished product.  Robert Kaindl, based in Kirkland, Washington, is a visionary who creates blown glass pieces that are truly unique and can provide a luxury home owner with a one-of-a-kind statement for their residence. 

Pictured is an art glass chandelier from his Celebration Series sure to spark conversation, in addition to providing sophisticated illumination.  Lively colors and supreme innovation are utilized in the creation of Kaindl's stimulating art - from his chandeliers to a variety of bowls, "seashapes" and custom work.  See more at his site.

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil is well-known for its fabulous timepieces.  A recent introduction into their impressive collection was the Cuore Caldo Split-Seconds Chronograph, which allows the timing of two different time intervals.  Limited to 500 pieces, the watch also features 18 carat pink gold in and surrounding the striking black dial, 31 rubies and a vulcanized strap to go along with impressive technical specs.

Weil has also incorporated its product line expansion into the release of this extraordinary watch.  The 500 purchasers of the Cuore Caldo will also receive a box set including a pair of gold-plate, steel and carbon fibre cufflinks, as well as a brass/carbon fibre ballpoint pen.  These fine accessories mirror the style of the Cuore Caldo and continue the tradition of fine Raymond Weil craftsmanship.

Special care goes into the creation of the world's celebrated architectural structures.  Over 1 million tiles cover the series of concrete shells that give the Sydney Opera House its signature look.  Currently under construction, the innovative Chicago Spire features turns in the structure that will make each luxury residence in the tower unique. 

Architectural icons inspire in many ways, and have moved diamond company Hearts on Fire to create limited-edition pieces of jewelry based on elements of famous landmarks.  Counting a necklace mimicking the sails of the Sydney Opera House and earrings with strings of diamonds replicating the twists of The Chicago Spire, the Hearts on Fire Architectural Collection is comprised of 17 exquisite pieces.  The photo above shows the Ceremonious bracelet, a take on Beijing's National Stadium, or the "Bird's Nest" as it was affectionately called during the recently completed Beijing Olympics. 

View the entire Architectural Collection here.  Maybe you can find a favorite icon of yours to dangle from your ears, display on your neck, or wrap your wrist.