Luxist http://www.luxist.com Luxist http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Luxist http://www.luxist.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Stock up on Jewelry: Hyperinflation on the Way]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/13/stock-up-on-jewelry-hyperinflation-on-the-way/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/13/stock-up-on-jewelry-hyperinflation-on-the-way/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/13/stock-up-on-jewelry-hyperinflation-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: ,

If the fears of hyperinflation are realized, you'll look back with pride on your luxury purchases. All that money you've sunk into custom jewelry and top-of-the-line stones will make you look like an absolute genius. Well, that's the position of South African billionaire Johann Rupert, and I'd take the advice of a guy who can be described that way.

According to Bloomberg News, the told investors, "If we enter hyperinflation, you're going to be so glad that you bought that stuff two months or six months ago." He added, "If inflation picks up, you're going to see people running into your stores, buying high jewelry."

Will inflation cause a mob to form outside the Cartier store on Fifth Avenue? Well, I don't think I'd worry too much about the pushing and shoving, but being ready to throw an elbow probably isn't a bad idea.

Of course, Rupert has something to gain - his company, Richemont, is the world's second largest luxury goods maker (behind LVMH). In his talk with investors in the company controlled by his family, he forecasted "normal growth" with luxury sales showing signs of recovery this month and next.

Continue reading Stock up on Jewelry: Hyperinflation on the Way

LuxistStock up on Jewelry: Hyperinflation on the Way originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billionairebillionairescartierFifth AvenueFifthAvenuehyperinflationinflationluxury goodsLuxuryGoodslvmhLvmhMoetHennessyLouisVuittonRichemontwealthyFri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Herman Miller Setu Review: The Easy Ergonomic Chair]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/23/the-easy-ergonomic-chair-herman-miller-setu-review/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/23/the-easy-ergonomic-chair-herman-miller-setu-review/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/23/the-easy-ergonomic-chair-herman-miller-setu-review/#commentsFiled under: ,


What are you doing right now? Are you sitting down? What do you think about the chair you are in? Is it stylish, supportive? Have you ever really thought about it before? I didn't until a couple of years ago when I realized I was doing myself a disservice by sitting in the chair equivalent of a backache. "Ergonomic stuff is for the weak and elderly," being the type of perception I used to have. I eventually realized that sitting in a "nice" chair helped comfort and productivity a lot, but it wasn't easy finding the right seat. Most "ergonomic" items these days are gimmicks, and finding something specially designed for your comfort and health is hard. Well here is one item you don't have to stress-out about.

Here is my personal review of the new Herman Miller Setu task and desk chair. The brand well know for the universally popular Aeron desk chair has a few other products you should know about. One of them is right for you. In short, in the Herman Miller line of chairs, the Setu is made for simplicity and ease of use. No complex or frustrating levers and micro adjustments. The chair is designed to naturally fit to you, without having to adjust it. An added bonus is that multiple people can enjoy the same seat (no, not at the same time), without having to disturb your unique ergonomic settings.

To continue reading, click on the link below.

Gallery: Herman Miller Setu Chair

Continue reading Herman Miller Setu Review: The Easy Ergonomic Chair

LuxistHerman Miller Setu Review: The Easy Ergonomic Chair originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chairdeskergonomicexperienceherman millerHermanMillerofficeopinionreviewsetuFri, 23 Oct 2009 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Royal Court: Federer's Suite at the Carlyle Hotel ]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/06/royal-court-federers-suite-at-the-carlyle-hotel/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/06/royal-court-federers-suite-at-the-carlyle-hotel/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/06/royal-court-federers-suite-at-the-carlyle-hotel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Roger Federer's Lair at the Carlyle Hotel
After completing his work each day on the hard, sun-baked courts of the U.S. Open in Flushing, Queens, Roger Federer will rest his head on plush monogrammed pillows (above) at the Carlyle Hotel on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the New York Observer reports. Federer, winner of the most grand slam titles in the history of men's tennis, will be staying for the third consecutive year in a $3,000-a-night suite on the 16th floor.

As the Observer dutifully details, Federer's suite has a long, formal living room furnished in black and white and hung with a large "quasi-Picasso." The bathroom is bedecked in black marble and gold trim. The polite and soft-spoken Swiss, the newspaper reports, prefers the smaller of the two bedrooms, eschewing the master chamber, with its mirrored bedposts and leopard-print rug. His focus during the fortnight will be on capturing his 16th major title, two more than the less artistic, though coldly efficient, Pete Sampras.

Gallery: Roger Federer's Lair at the Carlyle Hotel

LuxistRoyal Court: Federer's Suite at the Carlyle Hotel originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlyle hotelCarlyleHotelroger federerRogerFedererThu, 06 Aug 2009 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Galactic and the 40th Anniversary of That Other Moonwalk ]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/03/virgin-galactic-and-the-40th-anniversary-of-that-other-moonwalk/http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/03/virgin-galactic-and-the-40th-anniversary-of-that-other-moonwalk/http://www.luxist.com/2009/07/03/virgin-galactic-and-the-40th-anniversary-of-that-other-moonwalk/#commentsFiled under: ,

Picture of Virgin Galactic Cabin
The untimely death of Michael Jackson has adults of a certain generation remembering the days of the moonwalk craze. But for those with a few more candles to blow out on the birthday cake, the term "moonwalk" conjures up the name of a different iconic American entirely: Neil Armstrong.

The 40th anniversary of the first moonwalk is swiftly approaching: July 20, 2009. And although it's been long in the making, Virgin Galactic moves ever closer to making a space journey a reality for private citizens willing to spend $200,000. (A bargain, really, considering that arranging private space travel today costs about $20 million.) On May 28, 2009, Virgin Galactic announced the successful completion of the first phase of tests of the rocket motor that will propel space tourists up, up and away.

There are still more tests to go, but at this point, the plan is to start sending passengers into space as soon as late 2010. (Delays are very likely, so no need to go into an oxygen-free environment just yet -- don't hold your breath.) There's no moonwalking in the cards, but there is traveling at 3,000 miles an hour to 70 miles above the earth's surface, experiencing weightlessness and a view of more than 1,000 miles in all directions.

If you want to get to this before the been-there-done-that's set in -- at current tally, there are 300 people from 42 countries waiting for their turn -- it's worth signing up early. You can accomplish this exclusively through luxury travel pros Virtuoso, who are the first "Accredited Space Agents."

In fact, Virtuoso founder Matthew D. Upchurch is a candidate to be among the first to make the trip. Whether he's on the very first flight will be determined by a lottery -- he's got a 1 in 14 chance. But hey, the odds of reaching the moon at all forty years ago had to be longer than that.

LuxistVirgin Galactic and the 40th Anniversary of That Other Moonwalk originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>spacetravelvirginvirgin galacticVirginGalacticFri, 03 Jul 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Simplifying the Schlep: Club Glove's Smart New Attachable Luggage]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/06/12/simplifying-the-schlep-club-glove-s-train-reaction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/06/12/simplifying-the-schlep-club-glove-s-train-reaction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/06/12/simplifying-the-schlep-club-glove-s-train-reaction/#commentsFiled under: ,


Who among us hasn't tried this: You're schlepping through the airport with multiple pieces of luggage but only one of them has wheels, so you stack your other bags on top of it and/or hook them around the handle, hoping to lighten your load. It works for about twenty paces or so and then becomes a tangled mess that only slows you down even more. Seeking a solution to this traveler's nightmare, West Coast Trends Inc., maker of popular Club Glove products, has introduced a line of attachable luggage called Train Reaction.

The line consists of three-piece luggage sets ($667-$757) that include a shoulder bag, a carry-on and large duffle or golf travel bag. The two largest pieces in each set have wheels and are designed to hook together. The third bag fits on top, and all three share a handle that can be pulled with one arm. Sounds confusing? Actually, it's rather simple, as you can see in this somewhat breathless promotional video.

LuxistSimplifying the Schlep: Club Glove's Smart New Attachable Luggage originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Club GloveClubGloveluggageTrain ReactionTrainReactionFri, 12 Jun 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Seeing Through a Mystery Boutique in Berlin]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/06/04/seeing-through-a-mystery-boutique-in-berlin/http://www.luxist.com/2009/06/04/seeing-through-a-mystery-boutique-in-berlin/http://www.luxist.com/2009/06/04/seeing-through-a-mystery-boutique-in-berlin/#commentsFiled under: ,

"Look into the window and guess what this store sells," said Henrik Tidefjärd, who runs Berlinagenten, a tour company focused on urban insider experiences in Berlin.

We were standing in the Mitte in trendy East Berlin, and although I'm a maestro in the art of parting with my money at retail, I was pretty much stumped.

The only object in the window display was a bike, so that was my first guess, but no. Beyond that, I could see a couple of comfortable black leather couches, some wooden cabinets, a mannequin head and a sign that said The Whitest Boy Alive. (Sorry about the glare in the picture there, it was a cloudy day. Check out the gallery below if you want to see what other evidence I had to consider.)

A shopper I am, but a detective I am not. I gave up, and Henrick pointed out the telling clue on the mannequin head: glasses. We were standing at the Berlin home of ic! Berlin the trendy high-end German glasses manufacturer. (I see Berlin, get it?) A further clue that I'd missed was a sheet of stamped metal propped in the window, as the company manufactures its incredibly lightweight glasses without screws. (Screwless-spring-hinge-insert-system, says the company's quirky literature -- as best as I can piece it together from it, the whole enterprise got started in 1996.) ic Berlin! regularly wins design awards for its hand-crafted eyewear, which are all made in the city, and run in the $400-$600 price range.

Just a few blocks down Henrik led me to another store whose product I was able to figure out immediately: Mykita. In 2003, there was apparently a great schism between the five founders of ic! Berlin, and two, Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling went on to found Mykita, which also hand-creates lightweight glasses without screws. Find either company's screwless specs at their East Berlin locations, through fine opticians or, in the case of Mykita at a second retail store just opened in Vienna.

Gallery: Glasses Made in Berlin

ic Berlin!'s Mitte boutiqueA sheet of ic Berlin!'s glasses framesicBerlin's counteric Berlin! Sakura style frames icBerlin glasses displays

LuxistSeeing Through a Mystery Boutique in Berlin originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berlincool summercoolsummersunglassesThu, 04 Jun 2009 10:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Cool Summer: Does Thread Count, Count? ]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/05/27/cool-summer-does-thread-count-count/http://www.luxist.com/2009/05/27/cool-summer-does-thread-count-count/http://www.luxist.com/2009/05/27/cool-summer-does-thread-count-count/#commentsFiled under: ,



Now that Memorial Day has passed, and it's unofficially, officially summer, it's time to think about switching bed linens from winter coziness to summer crispness. If you're going to freshen your linen closet, the folks that make the fine linens at SFERRA have a message for you: stop obsessing about thread count.

Most of us use thread count -- that is, the number of threads per square inch of fabric -- as a proxy for quality. And it is definitely important -- just go to any good linen department and give the samples of different thread count a good stroke and scrunch. But it's not the only thing that matters, nor is it what matters most: the quality of the fiber matters more. (You could have a sheet of densely woven straw, for example, and you wouldn't want to sleep on it.) Egyptian cotton is most used in luxury linens because it produces a long fiber, or staple, which means it's easier to spin into smooth, fine yarn.

After that, the weave that's used influences the feel of the sheet. For summer consider linen, a loose weave of long flax fibers, like SFERRA's Classico line fitted queen sheet for $210, king flat sheet for $315. Or go with percale, a tight uniform cotton weave that results in a matte look and a smooth, crisp feel. For example, pictured here is SFERRA's Sereno line, fitted queen sheet for $410, king duvet for $1,080. But okay, just because you're not obsessing about thread count doesn't mean you have to forget it entirely: the Sereno line has a very luxey thread count of 800.

Learn more about SFERRA's "Lose Count" campaign by friending the company on Facebook.

LuxistCool Summer: Does Thread Count, Count? originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 27 May 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bedroomcool summerCoolSummercottondecorlinenlinenssheetsWed, 27 May 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Discounts Abound at Luxury Ski Resorts]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/02/discounts-abound-at-luxury-ski-resorts/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/02/discounts-abound-at-luxury-ski-resorts/http://www.luxist.com/2009/02/02/discounts-abound-at-luxury-ski-resorts/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Flagging bookings at many of the finest winter resorts in the country have created a boon for skiers in search of bargains. As the New York Times reports, enticing deals are to be found at such popular -- and typically pricey -- ski areas as Aspen, Vail, Jackson Hole and Lake Tahoe.

Vail Resorts is providing three nights' lodging and three days of lift tickets for the cost of two at its four ski areas in Colorado (Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Keystone) and Tahoe's Heavenly Mountain Resort. In Jackson, rates for the four-night Skier's Dream package at Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa have been reduced by $100 per night. Aspen/Snowmass has partnered with Frontier Airlines to offer a free flight, among other incentives, to group and family travelers. For a blizzard of more special offers, check out ski.com.

LuxistDiscounts Abound at Luxury Ski Resorts originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AspenHeavenly Mountain ResortHeavenlyMountainResortJackson HoleLake TahoeskiingTeton Mountain LodgeTetonMountainLodgeVailMon, 02 Feb 2009 08:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Drive a Luxury Car for Less]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/21/lux-tip-drive-a-luxury-car-for-less/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/21/lux-tip-drive-a-luxury-car-for-less/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/21/lux-tip-drive-a-luxury-car-for-less/#commentsFiled under: ,


Want to drive a luxury brand automobile but can't afford it? You might be surprised to find that many luxury brands (like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Lincoln) offer vehicles that start in the low 30s. Just by foregoing a few extras like a bigger engine and built-in GPS you could be driving a new luxury car for about the same as you'd expect to pay for a nice Toyota or Honda. It really comes down to deciding if the term "fully loaded" is really that important to you -- do you have to have that gas-guzzling V8? If the answer is 'no' then you suddenly have a lot more options.

LuxistLux Tip: Drive a Luxury Car for Less originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiautoautomobileautomobilesautosbmwcarcarslincolnlux tiplux tipsLuxTipLuxTipsmercedesmercedes-benztiptipswheelsTue, 21 Oct 2008 16:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Fake Jewelry You Can Get Away With]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/20/lux-tip-fake-jewelry-you-can-get-away-with/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/20/lux-tip-fake-jewelry-you-can-get-away-with/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/20/lux-tip-fake-jewelry-you-can-get-away-with/#commentsFiled under: ,


...Or, shall we say "fake jewelry with which you can get away?" One must be mindful of crossing their i's and dotting their t's when donning a faux anything.

The bling is expensive stuff. With the state of our economy, keeping up with the latest trends in jewelry is something few of us can actually do--but anyone can replicate it!

The thing to remember with fake jewelry is that it shouldn't look too costumey, and definitely shouldn't be so over-the-top that no one will ever believe it was within your means.

Five easy rules:
1. Less is more. Stick with smaller pieces of sparkle and you'll almost always get away with it.
2. When incorporating color, think about what stone the glass or plastic is supposed to look like, and make sure it looks like it.
3. Invest in two good neck chains, gold and silver, upon which to dangle fake charms in the latest necklace fashions. (In this season: Lockets, owls, and filigree.)
4. If the metal starts to lose its luster and you can't shine it up? Throw it out.
5. If anyone asks, just say it was a gift.

See the gallery below for some excellent inexpensive finds from Girl Props.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

Gallery: Lux Tip: Fake Jewelry

1.53.5Owl Pendant with SwarovskiCut out Garden Scene Earrings in Gold1.5

LuxistLux Tip: Fake Jewelry You Can Get Away With originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fakegirl propsjewelrylux tipMon, 20 Oct 2008 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Make Coach Feel Like First Class]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/19/lux-tip-make-coach-feel-like-first-class/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/19/lux-tip-make-coach-feel-like-first-class/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/19/lux-tip-make-coach-feel-like-first-class/#commentsFiled under: ,


These days the cost of flying first class has gone so high it's gotten too expensive for all the but the richest of travelers. Coach fares, which by definition offer less comfort and amenities, are at the point where even the most basic of comforts like a warm blanket or little bag of peanuts cost extra money or aren't offered at all. It's getting downright ridiculous how uncomfortable flying can be!

The good news, though, is that with just a little bit of forethought it's pretty easy to make your coach ticket feel like a first class one -- without the first class hit to your bank account. Take a look at the tips in the gallery below and then share any tips and tricks you have for making flying coach easier in the comments

.

Gallery: Tips to Make Flying Coach Feel Like First Class

Upgrade your seatBring your own blanketTune out the crying babyShut out the world, relieve in-flight headaches, and reduce fatigueGive yourself an in-flight spa treatment

LuxistLux Tip: Make Coach Feel Like First Class originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air travelAirTravelcoachfirst classFirstClasslux tiplux tipsLuxTipLuxTipstiptipstraveltravelingSun, 19 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Arrange Bookshelves by Color]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/18/lux-tip-arrange-bookshelves-by-color/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/18/lux-tip-arrange-bookshelves-by-color/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/18/lux-tip-arrange-bookshelves-by-color/#commentsFiled under: ,

A simple way to brighten your living room is to clean up the look of your bookshelves.

First, have a look at where in the room they are. If you have valuable books, you want to avoid direct exposure to sunlight. Also, look at the lines the shelves create. Would the room look wider if the shelves were opposite the entrance instead of along the side walls? Could you arrange them around a corner with a chair to create a reading nook?

Once you're sure they're in the best possible place, dust them. Dust them like crazy. Dust them for real; take the books off the shelves and rag-dust.

Look at the books on the table or floor, wherever you've put them. Do you need all those? There's probably a stack you haven't touched in years. Is it an attractive stack of books? Unattractive books you don't ever use should go into storage.

Once you've got clean shelves and only the books you need, try arranging them by color. You can create all kinds of patterns; a rainbow, alternating chunks of reds and blues, lights and darks. Play around with stacking, as well. Lay some books horizontally in stacks to create bookends, or in the middle of a shelf, top a stack with a trinket.

You have nothing to lose; this is one of those rare decorating choices which is completely reversible. Why not try it?

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

LuxistLux Tip: Arrange Bookshelves by Color originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookshelvesdecoratinglux tipsSat, 18 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Fancy Underwear]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/17/lux-tip-fancy-underwear/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/17/lux-tip-fancy-underwear/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/17/lux-tip-fancy-underwear/#commentsFiled under: ,

As any sophisticate knows, every layer of what you're wearing contributes to how you feel. Many people love the comfort of a cashmere sweater or a silk camisole, and many people also like to have a secret under their clothes.

Wearing an unusually fancy or sexy article of underwear will instantly give you a confidence boost. All day long, you'll smile as you remember what nobody knows you're wearing. And you don't have to pay La Perla prices to get this feeling (though if you can, you should; La Perla is exquisite).

One great source for sexy underthings at a bargain price? H&M. H&M has underwear for men and women. The materials may be cheaper, but the styles are lovely, and mostly under $10. Keep an eye on their sleepwear, as well; occasionally a sweet-dream-inducing nightie makes it to the rack for a guilt-free price.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

LuxistLux Tip: Fancy Underwear originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>H and Mla perlaLaPerlalingerielux tipunderwearFri, 17 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Little Accents Make a Big Difference]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/16/lux-tip-little-accents-make-a-big-difference/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/16/lux-tip-little-accents-make-a-big-difference/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/16/lux-tip-little-accents-make-a-big-difference/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you want to spice up a room that looks a little bland, little accents can make a big difference.

One thing I recommend is to add luxurious, elegant details. A personal favorite would be the doorknobs and drawer pulls available from Anthropologie. A doorknob or drawer pull is such an easy thing to switch out, and the designs available can really change the whole look of a room. Think about adding drawer pulls like this one to an all-white kitchen.

Curtain rods are relatively simple to upgrade, too. A surprising place to find an affordable, chic curtain rod? Home Depot.

Sew a bead or bauble onto a pillow, or even use an old brooch or pin to liven up the look of a curtain. Tiny accents can make a whole room sparkle, and the details will make it feel more like home.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

LuxistLux Tip: Little Accents Make a Big Difference originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anthropologiedecoratingdoorknobshome depotHomeDepotlux tipThu, 16 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Commute with Classical Music]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/15/lux-tip-commute-with-classical-music/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/15/lux-tip-commute-with-classical-music/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/15/lux-tip-commute-with-classical-music/#commentsFiled under:

Oh, the drudgery of the morning commute. You shuffle into the subway or bus station, or are methodically siphoned onto the gridlocked highway by a stoplight you've stared at for more hours of your life than any work of art. You find yourself surrounded by the half asleep, the angry, and the irritable uncaffeinated. You all glare at each other. Your mind fades in and out of your anxieties about the day, your dreams from the night before, and the state of the stock market.

One way to make the commute seem a little nicer? Try classical music. I recommend Vivaldi. Suddenly, listening to "The Four Seasons," your entrance onto the subway platform is grand and significant. The people all look more dignified, everyone moves in a subtle dance, and even the cars on street seem to be engaged in some kind of delightful comedy of manners.

You are in a movie, and this is your soundtrack. You feel more like you are exactly where you should be, and your mood brightens accordingly. Music also wakes up your synapses and makes you more alert. Even if you just zone out and let yourself get lost in the emotion of the music, when you get to wherever you're going, you'll feel refreshed.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

LuxistLux Tip: Commute with Classical Music originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commutelux tipsthe four seasonsvivaldiWed, 15 Oct 2008 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Free Museums]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/11/lux-tip-free-museums/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/11/lux-tip-free-museums/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/11/lux-tip-free-museums/#commentsFiled under: ,

Spoonbridge and Cherry at the Walker Art CenterWhether you're a prince or a pauper, there's probably a day (or night) you can get into the best museums in your area for free. For example, The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis offers free admission every Thursday night (sponsored by Target), and the first Saturday of every month. Their sculpture garden, where you find the Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, at right, is always free.

In New York, you can always visit the Guggenheim in Soho for free, as well as The Whitney at Phillip Morris and The Museum of American Folk Art. A number of other museums offer a "suggested donation" admission, and are instructed to treat you the same whether you're donating $1 or the full fare. Here's a pretty good list for New York.

The Art Institute of Chicago is free from 5-8 on Thursdays, Los Angeles free days are listed here, and if you find yourself in Paris, the Louvre is free on the first Sunday of every month and on Bastille Day, July 14th.

Be sure to Google museums in your area, or check the website of any museum you intend to visit to see if there's a free day of which you can take advantage.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

LuxistLux Tip: Free Museums originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artlux tipLuxTipmuseummuseumswalker art centerSat, 11 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Eggs]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/04/lux-tip-eggs/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/04/lux-tip-eggs/http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/04/lux-tip-eggs/#commentsFiled under:

EggsWant to eat like a king? Your cook's on vacation? Make some eggs.

No matter where you live, eggs are inexpensive and a terrific source of protein. Learn to do a few good things with eggs and you will always be well fed.

For a royal breakfast, try scrambled eggs with your favorite spices, as well as shallots or any finely chopped vegetable for texture. You can really throw the kitchen sink into a good scramble, but elegance is in simplicity. Add water or milk to your scramble to make it fluffier.

For a non-breakfast meal, add another inexpensive option, rice, to your eggs in a frying pan. Throw in some soy sauce and a little oil, and you have delicious egg-fried rice. You can throw the kitchen sink in here, too, but it's best to focus on a key vegetable or meat--whatever you have handy.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

LuxistLux Tip: Eggs originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Art is Meant to be Seen. Go See It.]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/30/lux-tip-art-is-meant-to-be-seen-go-see-it/http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/30/lux-tip-art-is-meant-to-be-seen-go-see-it/http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/30/lux-tip-art-is-meant-to-be-seen-go-see-it/#commentsFiled under: ,

Know what? Your local art gallery wants you to come look at the art. It's not all about money. You don't have to be a prospective buyer. Most art is made to be seen and digested by the public.

While an invitation to, say, the Louvre's special exhibition opening party might be hard to procure, your local art gallery is probably advertising their next opening in your newspaper or event magazine, and it is probably free!

Art openings often include free wine and free hors d'oeuvres, and always include mingling with interesting arty people and, best of all, the ART.

So, go to art gallery openings.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

LuxistLux Tip: Art is Meant to be Seen. Go See It. originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Pen Intervention]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/28/lux-tip-pen-intervention/http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/28/lux-tip-pen-intervention/http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/28/lux-tip-pen-intervention/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I hate all these pens.Look at the pens on your desk. Maybe you have an especially nice one, one that means something sentimental to you, and another one you especially like. What on earth are the rest of them doing there? You don't even like those pens! Why do you make yourself use them every day when it would be so easy to have something you like?

Pen Intervention Steps:
1. Throw out all pens with names of prescription drugs on them. Seriously.
2. Try to give away away the pens you don't like. Does your yoga studio want pens? Your local school?
3. Give up and throw out the pens you don't like.
4. Look at the pens you have left. Why do you have each pen? "I have to have a red one" is not good enough. You will be getting a red pen you like.
4. Decide how many pens you need and what kind you like. Ballpoint? Felt tip?
5. Go shopping. A good pen lasts a long time. Get good pens. Broke? Start stealing them from hotels. A pen with a story is better than a Bic.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

LuxistLux Tip: Pen Intervention originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>desklux tippenpensSun, 28 Sep 2008 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Lux Tip: Go Somewhere Fancy]]>http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/27/lux-tip-go-somewhere-fancy/http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/27/lux-tip-go-somewhere-fancy/http://www.luxist.com/2008/09/27/lux-tip-go-somewhere-fancy/#commentsFiled under: ,

I could be a really strong mojito. Who knows?Feeling out of touch with the finer things in life? Head to the swankiest bar in town--we particularly recommend a hotel bar.

Safety first--tell a friend where you're going. If you're not going to a hotel bar, where it's perfectly normal to be alone, take the friend along.

If you're lucky enough to live in a town with a great hotel, enter the stunning foyer day or night with a good book and head for the bar. You can pretend you're a visiting prince or princess from Morocco, or that you're waiting for your European lover to meet you, whatever you like. Order yourself a club soda with lime. It's likely to be cheap and looks just like a gin and tonic. Who knows, your next drink might be free!

You can people watch or just sink into the lush decor, soft light, and meticulously planned ambiance and be transported.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

LuxistLux Tip: Go Somewhere Fancy originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bardrinkingfeeling glamorouslux tipSat, 27 Sep 2008 16:02:00 EST