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Showing posts from September, 2012

Bollinger Champagne pays tribute to James Bond

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If you ask anyone what is James Bond's favorite drink the answer will most likely be Martinis. But a real fan of the #1 britain's spy might add the Bollinger Champagne to his list of preferences. One of the most enduring marketing partnerships in motion picture history, Bollinger first appeared in the 1973 movie, Live and let die, where Mr. Bond asks for a bottle of the champagne after entering his hotel. After that Bollinger made an appearance in other 11 Bond's movies, including the lastest, Quantum of Solace.  To celebrate the 50 years of the spy, the french brand has decided to launch a box set titled "Bollinger 002 for 007". Inside the case, a silencer-styled box inspired by the accessory on Bond's Walter PKK pistol houses a bottle of champagne. To access the bottle, you have to enter the code 007 and press the iconic pistol logo that is often seen in the film's opening credits. Inside the box lies a bottle of Bollinger La Grande AnnĂ©e 2002, &q

New member in the MINI family

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The new Mini Paceman will be officially revealed this week in Paris Motor Show, but the pictures of this new Mini launch have just been released. The three-door coupĂ© will go on sale in the UK next March and the prices will start from £18,970.      Mini will offer seven Paceman variants, although a spicier John Cooper Works Paceman is planned at a later date.   With a contemporary and expressive body shape, the Paceman has been created to appeal to a new type of design-conscious customer. The prominent horizontal lines and dynamic curved surfaces give the promise of sporting performance, yet there is an elegant simplicity to the overall form of the car.     The Paceman aims to deliver a aprtier drive than the Countryman while providing more space than the standart Mini hatch. The springs and shock absorbers have been retuned to offer motre direct handling. Lowered suspension is part of the Paceman's standard specification, but the car can be ordered with regular susp

Technology at the new Burberry London Store

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British fashion house Burberry unveiled it's first digitally-integrated retail outlet at its newly launched London flaghship store. The blend of craftsmanship and technology will provide shoppers an experience of both online and offline shopping, according to an announcement.   As if regular shopping wasn't exciting enough, in the new store you can hold up any apparel to mirrors and you'll see the reflection instantly transform into screens showing runway footage and other multimedia specially triggered by the piece. Aside from the store, the luxurious space will also host galleries and events like live Burberry Acoustic concerts to be live-streamed globally. Despite its hi-tech makeover, the new flagship plays up Burberry's layer of history (the native Brit brand's been around since 1856) with a building that's over 200 years old. Now that it's decked out in 100 digital screens and 500 speakers, expect audio-visual surprises such as simulated "r

Virgin and Swarovski for your sleep

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  In an attempt to draw the best of sleeping,   Virgin Atlantic   have collaborated with Swarovski to manufacture the wonderful sleep aid you can admire in the images below. For the passengers, this is supposedly the Most Expensive Night’s Sleep Ever ™ . Virgin Atlantic has decided to manufacture 5 limited editions, each one worth £2,500 .   The five eyeshades feature designs from the classic Wayfarer to the iconic shutter shade that pops up in Kanye West clips. They were intricately manufactured by designer Saima Anwar, with literally thousands of small white, blue and red crystals, taking roughly around 10 hours of work. Every model sports a total of 3,000 Swarovski elements. In addition, a bit of mystery is added to the story, as the eyeshades will be hidden during flights. Five lucky customers will be given the chance to open their amenity kits and be staggered at the glimpse of these superb creations. Recommended by Cheval Residences - Luxury Serviced Apartments   H

London's trendsetting restaurants

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We are always thrilled when a list of good things is released and London is featured in it. Editors of   Budget Travel   magazine have come up with a list of 10 trendsetting, international eateries which have helped shape the culinary landscape by introducing diners to concepts like New Nordic cuisine, gastropub fare, and local foods. While the list is US-heavy, with six of the 10 restaurants hailing from America, other eateries mentioned include addresses in Copenhagen, Paris and what we were certainly hoping for, London, with 3 restaurants. The list is decidedly different from other ‘best of’ lists like Restaurant magazine’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants, which shares just one name in common — Noma in Denmark. Here are the London trendsetting restaurants according to Budget Travel magazine: St. John, London Chef: Fergus Henderson Food movement: Nose to tail eating The Eagle, London Chefs: variety Food movement: Gastropub   Pret a Manger, London Sandwich chain Food movem

Realesed video of new Aston Martin Vanquish

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  Aston Martin's Vanquish is back. Revived in celebration of the historic automaker’s centenary taking place next year, the new Vanquish is both forward-looking yet still hinting at the past. For this launch, a video was realesed by the British luxuty car maker, featuring the first official images of Aston Martin's Vanquish Super GT.  Sitting proundly at the pinnacle of the Aston Martin model line-up, Vanquish is a breath-taking new super grand-tourer representing the zenith of current Aston Martin design and engineering. Featuring the engine sound tranck of the new Vanquish on roads around Aston Martin's feadquarters in Gaydon, England, this film explores the interior and exterior of this luxury new sports car.   Sales of the 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish are scheduled to start early next year.      Recommended by Cheval Residences - Luxury Services Apartments    

New Alexander McQueen line - McQ in London

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British Luxury house Alexander McQueen inaugurated this week in London, its very first flagship store dedicated to its slightly more affordable line McQ. The new McQ store on Dover Street covers a surface of 400 sqm on three levels. "We want to create a story and home for McQ", says Sarah Burton (Creative Director), who worked alongside interios designer David Collins to create a fetish-inspired environment where "boudoir meets brutalism and futuristic, interactive high-tech". Alexander McQueen is owned by French Luxury group PPR, which also owns Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Brioni etc. Since Sarah Burton took over the creative direction of the house, the Alexander McQueen has been one of the best performing brands of the PPr Group, with a 400% turnover increase.   Recommended by Cheval Residences - Luxury Serviced Apartments       H/T ccp-luxury    

The Riding Club London

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The Riding Club London is a new member's club specialising in providing access to the finest horses, venues and instruction in London, the UK and internationally.   The Riding Club London works with leading experts and stables to arrange group trips, tailored experiences and instruction in all disciplines of riding, including dressage, jumping and polo. The members have access to weekly events such as rider fitness sessions, talks and tickets to polo matches, horse racing and grand prix dressage.   The Riding Club London has three membership levels: New Rider for those looking to learn to ride for £195 per annum; Refresher Rider, which is ideal for those who are looking to return to the sport or wanting to progress from beginner; and Rider Club, which is ideal for those who are intermediate to advanced level, both of which are  £335 per annnum.   For more information, visit The Riding Club London website or call 020 3589 2385    Recommended by Cheval Residences -

Mercedes-Benz Pop up Drive-Thru

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  From the 14th to the 16th September the Old Selfridges Hotel will host a very unusual pop-up restaurant. Created by The Avant Garde Diaries and curated by Bompas and Parr, the Mercedes- Benz Drive-Thru will be an interdisciplinary art and dining experience in London. All that while sitting in a Mercedes-Benz A-Class.   The Avant/Garde diaries says "Get your cup holders and plastic forks ready because in three weeks, The Avant/Garde Diaries will bring its curated event series to London with a food- and car-centric extravaganza. We asked the whimsical and charmingly weird British food artists Sam Bompas and Harry Parr, also known as Bompas & Parr, to curate the festivities. Together with the multidisciplinary collective Jason Bruges Studio, they designed a temporary drive-thru restaurant called - drum roll, please - ""Mercedes Drive-Thru"! From September 14-16, guests can enjoy an extraordinary art and dining experience, featuring a spectacular mix of f