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Top 10 Most Expensive Coffee in the World!

2010-10-01T10:17:00.001+08:00

Top 10 Most Expensive Coffee in the World

Here are the list of the most expensive coffee in the world. Coffee is known as the best coffee from the drinks are available throughout the world. The most refreshing of all drinks, it’s popular with people from all age groups as an energy booster. Into commercial crops, coffee is the economic mainstay of many countries. There are several varieties of coffee. They vary in quality, flavor and taste. Here is a list of ten most expensive coffee in the world.

10. Coffee Yauco Selecto AA, Puerto Rico ( $ 24)

Derived from Yauco area, Puerto Rican coffee is known for excellence throughout the world. It is produced in the Southwestern Mountains of Puerto Rico, the coffee is appreciated for its mild flavor. You can enjoy this coffee with a price of $ 24.

Selecto AA Yauco Coffee

9. Starbucks Rwanda Blue Bourbon, Gatare/Karengera, Rwanda ( $ 24)

Starbucks coffee bean was discovered in Gatare and Karengera from their visit to a coffee washing station in Rwanda in 2004. Now, Rwanda Blue Bourboncoffee farmers plant beans as main crops. You can enjoy this coffee with a price of $ 24.

Starbucks Rwanda Coffee

8. Hawaiian Kona Coffee ( $ 34)

Brazil introduced the coffee tree to England rich volcanic soil Kona at the end of the 1820s. The climate in the place is suitable for coffee cultivation. It is known for their comfort and taste, you can enjoy this coffee at a price $ 34.

Kona Hawaii Coffee

7. Los Planes – Citala, El Salvador ( $ 40)

The best Los Planes commercially grown crops in El Salvador ranks second in the Cup of Excellence 2006. This is a 93.52 out of 100 of the international jury in the competition. You can enjoy this coffee with a price of $ 40.

Los Planes Coffee

6. Blue Mountain, Wallenford Estate, Jamaica ( $ 49)

The Jamaican Blue Mountain is known as variable quality. It is very popular among coffee lovers mild because the strong flavor and aroma. Japan imports about 85% of the coffee. You can enjoy this coffee with a price of $ 49.

Blue Mountain Coffee

5. Fazenda Santa Ines, Minas Gerais, Brazil ( $ 50)

It looked as the highest in the history of the Cup of Excellence coffee, this is the anger of Caffe Artigiano, a cafe renowned roasters in Canada and two in Australia. This exclusive coffee mugs are available in specialty stores around the world. You can enjoy this coffee with a price of $ 50.

Farenza Santa Ines Coffee

4. El Injerto – Huehuetenango, Guatemala ( $ 50)

The kind of coffee by the El Injerto owe their origin in the territory of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Has pocketed the first prize in 2006 Cup of Excellence. You can enjoy coffee it with a price of $ 50.

El Injerto

3.Island From St. Helena Coffee Company – St. Helena ( $ 79)

St. Helena Island, 1200 miles off the coast of Africa is a breeding ground for St Helena Coffee. It owes its popularity is now at the Napoleon Bonaparte who praised the coffee sow his seed on the island of St. Helena. You can enjoy coffee with a price of $ 79.

Helena Coffee

2. Hacienda La Esmeralda, Boquete, Panama ( $ 104)

Hacienda La Esmeralda’s Geisha grown in Boquete, Panama is a popular worldwide because of taste. This is mostly cultivated in the shade of old guava tree. You can enjoy coffee with a price of $ 104.

Hacienda La Esmeralda

1. Luwak Coffee, Indonesia ( $ 160)

Luwak coffee is coffee that is produced from coffee beans that have been eaten and passed through the digestive tract of animals called the mongoose. The coffee has been famous fame until overseas. Even in the United States, there is a cafe or coffee shop that sells the mongoose (civet coffee) at a price which is quite expensive. Dikais copies of this mongoose droppings could reach $ 160 price.

Luwak Coffee

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Most Expensive Pen in the World!

2010-09-22T10:42:00.000+08:00

Here are the list of the most expensive pens in the world. As we know that there are several different types, including ballpoint, rollerball, fountain, and felt-tip. Historically, reed pens, quill pens, and dip pens were used. Modern-day pens come in a variety of colors, shapes and assortments. The most common contain black or blue ink. Everybody has a pen that the function as their writing tools. Here are the list of the most expensive pens that ever in the world.

10. The Caran d’Ache “1010″ Foundation Pen

Inspiration for the name “1010″ comes from “Ten minutes past ten (10:10),” when the hand on a wristwatch dial the right balance. Made from rhodium-plated silver, which boasts a 1010 pen clip that resembles a wristwatch. The Caran d’Ache’s 1010 Limited Edition fountain pen is a tribute to honor the Swiss watch making industry. A decorative balance wheel has been placed between two rubies under a sapphire dome and the beautiful little fleas value scratched around barrels. The price start at the cool $ 19,000.

Caran d'Ache 1010 Limited Edition

9. The Four Season Pen

The features 18-carat gold pen, carving class, and state-of-the-art electronic fuel injection pump. Four Seasons Limited Edition Fountain Pen Sets launched to celebrate the color and change color over time. Green stands for spring, red for summer, brown for autumn and winter gray to intimate. There are only 33 units built, with each price $ 36,000.

Four Season Fountain Pen

8. The Ripple HRH Pen
It is available in white gold and black, and is priced at $ 57,000, this pen has double reservoir filling system. The Ripple HRH Limited Edition Visconti pens made of 18K white gold and diamonds and with two-tone 18K gold nib.

The Ripple HRH

7. Mont Blanc Star Pen

Mont Blanc star logo made from 19 diamonds highlighted by 18k white gold ring set with a clip and the importance of diamonds. The Montblanc Boheme Royal drawn pen features a platinum-plated pen 18K gold, 18K white gold barrel and cap set filled with brilliant-cut diamond 1430. Diamond writing instrument exceeds the million-dollar luxury price of U.S. $ 1,500,000.

The Montblanc Boheme Royal

6. The Barrel Pen

Caran d’Ache ’1010 ‘Fountain Pen made with 18-carat gold and encrusted with diamonds and rubies. Details brokers pen that can be found in mechanical watches fine. The barrel is made transparent by using sapphire crystal. Even the ink bottle looks like a watch crown. Only 10 units were produced, with each costing $ 174,000.

Caran d'Ache Barrel Pen

5. The Papillon Pen

The limited Edition Boheme Papillon Pens that are filled with more than 1,400 diamond and sapphire scintillating careful to wrap around the body in three levels and spring into the internal mechanism, made in solid white, yellow or rose gold. Fragile butterfly and vine crops Keatsian adorn hats and body while the patented star-shaped Montblanc Diamond grace signature top hat. This limited edition writing magic has been designed to pay homage to one of the most amazing creatures in nature, the Butterfly. Limited edition Boheme Papillon by price 180 000 Euros (U.S. $ 230,410).

Boheme Papillon Pens

4. The Fountain Pen

Fountain-pen which is made of 18K white gold and decorated with diamonds and ruby studded. It is exhibit 996 was cut with side diamonds and 92 rubies around the exterior while the inside really looks. Clip ring on the lid has 19 rubies attached to it while the 18K gold pen set with two rubies. Price 200 000 Euros (U.S. $ 256,010).

Gold Pen

3. The La Modernista Pen

This amazing pen sold at an auction for $ 265,000. This pen is made by Caran d’Ache, a Swiss-based company in 1999 as a tribute to the architect Antonio Gaudi. Pena has a 18-carat gold rhodium-plated pen and regulated by the total weight of diamonds Wesselton 5072 in 20-karat, and 96 total 32-carat ruby. La Modernista Diamonds has appeared in the Guinness Book of Records in 2001 to become the most expensive when it was a pen.

La modernista diamonds

2. The Gotica Pen

The Gotica pen from Caran d’Ache recently start the debute in China. Pena that celebrated Gothic art and architecture, made of rhodium plated silver solid with six faces decorated with Gothic windows, fleurs-de-lis and a rose. Jewel Gotica pens equipped with 892 brilliant-cut diamonds total 7.10 carat emerald and has 72 roses and 72 rubies. The price $ 406,453.

Gotica Pen

1. The Mystery Masterpiece Pen

The pen made from white gold, adorned with rubies, sapphires, or emeralds and accented by diamonds. Each pen has 840 diamonds and more than 20 carats of stones placed at the Van Cleef & Arpels patented ‘Mystery Setting’. Luxury house Van Cleef & Arpels and Montblanc is the heart of this proud manufacturer stationers named the Mystery Masterpiece, which was launched in February 2006 as a part of the celebration of their centennial. The amazing thing is the price of $ 730,000.

Mistery Masterpiece

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Top 10 most expensive movies

2010-09-17T22:48:00.000+08:00

Top 10. Spider-Man 2(cost $200m) is a 2004 American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi, written by Alvin Sargent and developed by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Michael Chabon. It is the second film in the Spider-Man film franchise based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. It saw the return of Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson and James Franco as Harry Osborn.

Set two years after the original, the film focuses on Peter Parker struggling to manage both his personal life and his duties as Spider-Man. The main villain in this film is Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), who turns insane following a failed experiment and the death of his wife. Using his mechanical tentacles, Octavius is dubbed "Doctor Octopus" and threatens to endanger the lives of the people of New York City.

The film was released in 2004 in the United States by Columbia Pictures, and received positive reviews from critics. It grossed over $783 million worldwide, and won the Academy Award for Visual Effects. The film's success led to the final sequel, Spider-Man 3.

Top 9. King Kong - ($207m) is a 2005 remake of the 1933 film of the same name directed by Peter Jackson and stars Naomi Watts, Jack Black and Adrien Brody. Andy Serkis, through performance capture, portrayed Kong. The film's budget climbed from an initial US$150 million to a record-breaking $207 million. The film was released on December 14, 2005 and made an opening of $50.1 million. While the film performed lower than expectations, King Kong made domestic and worldwide grosses that eventually added up to $550 million,^[1] becoming the fourth-highest grossing movie in Universal Pictures history. Strong DVD sales also added over $100 million to the grosses.^[2] It also received positive reviews, with some considering it one of the all-round best movies of 2005, though it has been criticised for its length at three hours and eight minutes. It won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, Sound Mixing, and Sound Editing.

Top 8.Superman Returns ($209m) is a 2006 superhero film based on the DC Comics character Superman. Directed by Bryan Singer, the film stars Brandon Routh as Superman, as well as Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Frank Langella, and Parker Posey. It is a sequel to Superman (1978) and, to a lesser extent, Superman II (1980),^[2]^[3] and ignores the events of the two previous installments in the Superman film series –– Superman III (1983) and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). The film tells the story of the title character returning to Earth after several years of absence. He finds that his love interest Lois Lane has moved on with her life, and that his archenemy Lex Luthor is plotting a scheme that will destroy the United States.

After a series of unsuccessful projects to resurrect Superman on the screen, Warner Bros. hired Bryan Singer to direct and develop Superman Returns in July 2004. The majority of principal photography took place at Fox Studios Australia, Sydney, while the visual effects sequences were created by Sony Pictures Imageworks; filming ended in November 2005. Preceded by an extensive marketing campaign at the cost of $44.5 million, Superman Returns was released to positive reviews and received many award nominations, but Warner Bros. was disappointed with the $391 million worldwide box office return.

Top 7.X-Men: The Last Stand (also known colloquially as X-Men 3 or X3)($210M) is a 2006 superhero film and the third in the X-Men series. It is directed by Brett Ratner, who took over when Bryan Singer dropped out to direct Superman Returns. The movie revolves around a "mutant cure" that causes serious repercussions among mutants and humans, and on the mysterious resurrection of Jean Grey, who appeared to have died in X2. The film is loosely based on two X-Men comic book story arcs: writer Chris Claremont's and artist John Byrne's "The Dark Phoenix Saga" in The Uncanny X-Men and writer Joss Whedon's and artist John Cassaday's six-issue "Gifted" arc in Astonishing X-Men.

The film was released on May 26, 2006 in the United States and Canada. Despite mixed reviews from critics and fans, the film performed well at the box office. Its opening-day gross of $45.5 million is the fourth-highest on record while its opening weekend gross of $103 million is the fifth highest ever.

Top 6. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest ($225M) is a 2006 American adventure fantasy film and the second film of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, following Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). It was directed by Gore Verbinski, written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. In the film, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) discovers his debt to Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) is due, and the marriage of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) is interrupted by Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander), who wants Turner to acquire Sparrow's compass.

Top 5.The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian ($225M)is a 2008 epic fantasy film based on Prince Caspian, the second published, fourth chronological novel in C. S. Lewis's epic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. It is the second in The Chronicles of Narnia film series from Walden Media, following The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005). The four Pevensie children (William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, and Georgie Henley) return to Narnia to aid Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) in his struggle for the throne against his corrupt uncle, King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto). The film was released on May 16, 2008 in the United States, in Australia on June 5, 2008, and on June 26, 2008 in the United Kingdom.

Top 4.Avatar ($237M) is a 2009 Americanepic science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron and starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, and Joel David Moore. The film is set in 2154, when humans are mining a precious mineral called unobtanium on Pandora, a lush moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system.^[8]^[9]^[10] The expansion of the mining colony threatens the continued existence of a local tribe of Na'vi—a humanoid species indigenous to Pandora. The film's title refers to the genetically engineered Na'vi-human hybrid bodies used by a team of researchers to interact with the natives of Pandora.

Top 3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($250M)is a 2009 fantasy-adventure film directed by David Yates and based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the sixth installment in the popular Harry Potter franchise, as well as the second film to be directed by Yates, who helmed the previous movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. David Heyman and David Barron produced the filmand the screenplay was written by Steve Kloves, the screenwriter of the first four entries.

Filming began on 24 September 2007, with the film being released in cinemas worldwide on 15 July 2009, one day short of the fourth anniversary of the corresponding novel's release. In everywhere but the United States, the sixth film was simultaneously released in regular cinemas and IMAX 3-D in all countries. Due to North American theaters having a several week commitment by Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the IMAX 3D release of the film occurred on 29 July, two weeks after its original release.

Top 2. Spider-Man 3 ($258M) is a 2007 superhero film^[3] written and directed by Sam Raimi, with a screenplay by Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent. It is the third film in the Spider-Man film franchise based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. The film stars Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons and James Cromwell.
The film begins with Peter Parker basking in his success as Spider-Man, while Mary Jane Watson continues her Broadway career. Harry Osborn still seeks vengeance for his father's death, and an escaped convict, Flint Marko, falls into a particle accelerator and is transformed into a shape-shifting sand manipulator. An extraterrestrial symbiote crashes to Earth and bonds with Peter, influencing his behavior for the worse. When Peter abandons the symbiote, it finds refuge in Eddie Brock, a rival photographer, causing Peter to face his greatest challenge.

Top 1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End ($300M) is a 2007 adventure fantasy film, the third film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. The plot follows Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann and the crew of the Black Pearl rescuing Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), from Davy Jones's Locker, and then preparing to fight the East India Trading Company, led by Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) and Davy Jones (Bill Nighy), who plan to extinguish piracy. Gore Verbinski directed the film, as he did with the previous two. It was shot in two shoots during 2005 and 2006, the former simultaneously with the preceding film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.
The film was released in English-speaking countries on May 24, 2007 after Disney decided to move the release date to a day earlier than originally planned. Critical reviews were mixed, but At World's End was a box office hit, becoming the most successful film of 2007, grossing approximately $960 million worldwide, and making it the second most successful in the series, behind Dead Man's Chest. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Makeup and the Academy Award for Visual Effects.
To date, it is the most expensive film ever made, with a budget of $300 million.
A fourth installment, On Stranger Tides, is currently in development.

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Top 10 Most Expensive Furniture

2010-09-16T14:17:00.000+08:00

Northland refrigerator – $11,000

Northland, a 100-year-old provider of custom refrigerators, has really outdone itself with this 72” side-by-side refrigerator/freezer. It has a glass door and stainless steel wrap, features “daylight” interior lighting and easily cleaned glass shelves. The spacious fridge has a total capacity of 48.3 cubic feet.

Vividus Mattress – $59,750

The Vividus, Latin for “full of life”, is the most expensive bed in the world. Sleeping on the bed, designed in Sweden by Hastens, has been described as “sleeping on a cloud.” It’s made from a variety of luxury materials, including cashmere, flax, silk, lambswool and hand-tufted horse hair.

Archeo Copper Bathtub – $67,557

Made of solid copper, this tub is hand-crafted by the very people who refurbished Lady Liberty’s torch. Over five feet long and two-and-a-half feet wide, the tub is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate just about anyone. The fluted faucet and hand-held shower unit are designed with the same aesthetic quality as the rest of the tub, featuring a finely engraved starfish-on-seashell knob. The extravagantly made tub easily takes its place as the world’s most expensive bathtub with its $67,557 price tag.

Parnian Furniture desk – $200,000

Created by Parnian Furniture Design & Manufacturing of Scottsdale, AZ, this luxurious desk is made of six different kinds of exotic wood, including ebony and Carpathian elm, and a piece of custom glass. Each of their desks is custom built to fit the room it’s destined to grace. This particular desk was built to show off Parnian’s unique design in their North Scottsdale showroom.

Solid gold stool – $1.3 million

Sold by a jewelry store in China’s Jiangsu province, this expensive stool is made of 110 lbs of solid gold and is priced at $1.3 million. Unfortunately, that’s about all we know about it.

Pininfarina’s Aresline Xten – $1.5 million

Created by Pininfarina, an Italian car design firm best known for designing luxury cars like Ferraris and Cadillacs, the Aresline Xten could be the most comfortable chair ever made. The Dynamic Synchronized Tilting system allows users to tilt the back and the seat independently while the Technogel in the cushions makes them conform to the shape of the user. The chair is also made from a durable fabric called Dynatec, which is also used by Olympic athletes.

Ruijssenaars magnetic floating bed – $1.6 million

Ruijssenaars reportedly worked on the technology for this expensive bed for six years in collaboration with Bakker Magnetics. Permanent opposing industrial-strength magnets allow the bed to float around 40cm off the floor and can hold 900kg. This visually pleasing technology could also be applied to other areas in home decor like coffee tables, sofas, and Japanese dining tables. How cool would it be to eat sushi and drink sake off a floating table?

Tufft table – $4.6 million

The Tufft pier table, named after its creator, Thomas Tufft, was hand-carved in the late 1700s for general store owner Richard Edwards of Lumberton, New Jersey. The antique table features pierced fretwork and long legs ending in narrow ankles and detailed ball-and-claw feet. It was sold by Edwards’ descendent, a Philadelphia architect by the name of Samuel Harrison Gardiner.

”Dragons” Chair – $27.8 million

This expensive armchair belonged to a Paris-based art dealer before finding its way into the hands of Yves Saint Laurent, founder of the eponymous YSL luxury brand. Reportedly, that very same art dealer is the person who paid ten times the chair’s estimated value to procure it at a Christie’s auction. The chair was made by Irish designer Eileen Gray sometime between 1917 and 1919. Called the “Dragons” chair, it is one of Gray’s masterpieces and was expected to sell for €2-3 millions.

Badminton Cabinet – $36.7 million

The Badminton Cabinet (or Badminton Chest) was commissioned by Henry Somerset, 3rd Duke of Beaufort, at the age of 19. It took thirty experts six years to create and is named after the Duke’s seat of power, Badminton House in Gloucestershire, where it sat until it was auctioned by his descendents in the late 20th century.

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Top 10 Most Expensive Houses in the World

2010-09-15T10:21:00.000+08:00

Materialistic pleasures are so treasured in today’s world that very few people stop to think about other virtues in life. When it comes to living, some people live comfortably, others live extravagantly. Then there are these people who reside in the lap of luxury-literally!

10. Updown Court

This house is located in England, just outside London and is reportedly larger than the Buckingham Palace. It has 103 rooms, a bowling alley, a large movie theater, over 3 swimming pools and a squash court. It is worth 116 million dollars and the best part is that the driveway is heated too!

9. Maison de l’Amitie

Owned by Donald Trump, this house is in Palm Beach. It stretches across 80,000 square feet of land and holds a conservatory, a ballroom, 15 bedrooms, 8 half-baths, a tennis house and a luxurious guest cottage. The gigantic pool is only a minor part of this 125 million dollar mansion.

8. Fleur de Lys

worth over 125 million and built by Suzanne and David Saperstein, this house was put up for sale in 2007. The house has 15 bedrooms and the exterior is covered with French limestone while the interior is splashed with 24 karat gold. The house also has furniture items like Marie Antoinette’s curtain patterns and Napoleon’s favorite chair.

7. Dracula’s Castle

This castle was made into a museum during the 1980s and a few year back, Archduke Dominic who is the owner of the house put up the castle for sale for a net worth of 80 million dollars. However, this offer was not accepted and 2 years later, he put up the house for sale again. This time for a price that was not disclosed. Nobody has bought it yet. It has 57 rooms, 17 bedrooms and beautiful antique furniture.

6. Hala Ranch

Owned by Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, this ranch will be found in Colo. It has 27 bathrooms and 15 bedrooms along with an indoor pool, private ski trails, sewage treatment plants, a tennis court, heated stables and a gas station. This 135 million dollar ranch stretches across 14,397 square feet.

5. Aaron Spelling’s Manor

This mansion stands on land that stretches across 56,000 square feet of land. The net worth has been estimated at 150 million dollars and was built in 1991. It has 123 bedrooms, a tennis court, a skating rink, a bowling alley and several swimming pools.

4. The Penthouses at One Hyde Park

This house was still under construction the last time we checked. When it is completed, it will be the second most expensive house in the world with a net worth of 160 million dollars. It will be nestled within a skyscraper in London called One Hyde Park.

3. Elena Franchuk’s Victorian Villa

This house is located in the Kensington district in London was bought recently for about 161 million dollars. This 5-storey house has a 10 bedroom villa, an indoor swimming pool, a panic room, move theater and a sauna plus gym.

2. William Randolph Hearst’s Mansion

This house was initially owned by William Randolph Hearst and has three swimming pools, 29 bedrooms as well as a state of the art movie theater and discotheque. The mansion was put up for sale since 2007 and taken off a year later when nobody showed any interest in it. It is worth 165 million dollars and stretches across 6 acres of land.

1. Antilla

The most expensive house in the world is in India, owned by Mukesh Ambani. It is worth a whopping 1 billion dollars and has 27 floors. The house has a plush health club and a garage that can hold over 150 cars. Why? Just because this business tycoon has a personal collection of 168 cars. The house is made entirely of glass and is 570 feet tall.

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Most Expensive Dog Breeds

2010-09-13T23:05:00.001+08:00

Not sure what dog to buy or what dog suits your socialite personality? Try browsing on the some of the most expensive dog breeds that will sure make your way to dog-owner stardom. These dogs are expensive mostly because of their rarity and impressing characteristics.

Traditionally, the specie of dogs is considered one of the friendly animals living in our planet. In fact, the common normative view implicated by our society towards their kind is the popular notion – “man’s best friend”. Not surprisingly, many people decide to take care of a dog for many different reasons, such as (1) companionship, (2) family practice – especially couples who are planning to set in together, (3) breeding purposes and (4) to promote their luxurious image.

10th: Last but not the least, the tenth most expensive dog breed is the famous celebrity toy dog, which costs around $500 to $2100, the Pomeranian.

Most dog owners love the attitude of Pomeranians. Its characteristics of being playful and friendly towards humans are the principal reasons for its popularity. Pomeranians are gentle by nature and typically bred under cold temperaments.

9^th: The ninth most expensive dog breed is famed working dog from Western portion of United States, which costs around $900 to $2000, the Australian Shepherd.

The Australian Shepherd also known as Aussie is the famous dog breed found in the Western ranches of United States. Aussies have surged its popularity after the World War II due to their participations in rodeos, horse shows and other ranch-associated movies of the twentieth century.

8^th: The eight most expensive dog breed is the playful and best “man friend image”, which costs around $300 to $3500, the Golden Retriever.

The Golden Retriever is the original American hunting dog that is usually trained using the popular retrieve or fetching game; hence, being named after its favorite activity. Retrievers are likely to become detection dogs or even guide dogs due to their enhanced senses and intelligence. It is one of the most popular and in-demand dog breeds in United States, which consequently made itto the position as one of the most expensive dog breeds.

7^th: The seventh most expensive dog is the only purple-tongued dog breed, which costs around $1300 to $3500, Cream Chow Chow.

The dog breed, Chow Chow, has first originated from Mongolia about 4,000 years ago. The breed is one of the 14 ancient dogs that have existed in the past upto the present. Chow Chow literally means a puffy-lion, which greatly describes their elegant and royal double-coats. Aside from its different color versions of cinnamon, red, black and blue, cream Chow Chow is considered the most expensive type of its kind. Why is Cream Chow Chow expensive? DNA analysis of Chow Chow confirms its genes as the oldest recognizable dog breed, which exited even in 150 B.C. Its historical figure and rarity of its color have become the main value of its breed.

6^th: The sixth most expensive dog is the small dog from the terrier category, which costs around $800 to $3000, Yorkshire Terrier.
Unlike other terrier breeds, Yorkshire or also known as Yorkie is a long-haired breed with distinct characteristics, such as being playful, sensitive and enthusiastic. Yorkies can be very much attached to their masters especially if they have been under their care during their puppy years. Another distinct characteristic of Yorkshire is their intellect, which is in fact above average compared to the average working dogs. According to Dr. Stanley Coren, with only 15 approximate repetitions of a given comman, Yorkies are likely to follow it with a rate of 70% or better. This is just one of the main reasons while Yorkies are one of the in-demand dog breeds in the United States.

5^th: The fifth in the rank is a larger dog breed originating from Japan’s Akita Prefecture, which costs around $1500 to $3500, Akita Inu.

Akita Inu is a large breed of dog that weighs around 34-50kg for females and 34-54kg for males. It is usually available in five different colors: red, Fawn, Sesame, Brindle, and Pure White. Similar to chow chows, the pure white version of Akita is known as the rarest version of its kind; hence, also considered as the most expensive type of Akita.

4^th: The fourth is the smallest among the terrier kinds, which costs around $2,000 to $3,000, Norfolk Terrier.

Norfolk Terriers are proportionately formed type of dogs wherein agility, bone density and body frame are all coordinated together to best suit the playful and fun character of the dog. Norfolk Terriers first became fashionable among the girls of Cambridge University in England. Why is it expensive? Norfolk terrier is relatively a rare kind of dog that is very difficult to breed due to its small body frame. The usual puppies produced per conception amounts to three or four, which somehow suggests a higher price configuration for the breeder.

3^rd:The third on the list is the small version of Spaniel type breeds, which costs around $800 to $3,500, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cavalier Spaniels are well-suited as toy dogs due to their furry coat and human-attachment factor. In fact, Cavalier Spaniel is considered as one of the most intelligent dogs that can be easily trained in doing various dog tricks. This toy dog is also considered as one of the largest toy breeds with weight growth of up to 4.5 and 8.5 kg (10 and 18 lb) and height of 29 and 33 cm (12-13 inches).
These types of breeds are expensive due to their unique dog characteristics. The dog breed has its four recognized colors, specifically (1) Blenheim or the chestnut or creamy whitish fur coat, (2) Tricolor version, (3) Black and tan, and (4) ruby. However, unlike other color-based dogs, such as Chow chows, that greatly affect the pricing of the dog, Cavalier Spaniel still maintains its luxurious character at any form of color. According to history, even King Charles II owned his first two Cavalier Spaniels.

2^nd: The second on the list is the popular British-born dog breed, which costs around $2000 to $5000, the Bulldog or colloquially known as English Bulldog or British Bulldog.

Despite of its English nature, Bulldog is very much popular in United States as one of the most common pet availed by males. According to psychologists, bulldogs illustrate a harmless and masculine imagery compared to other forms of skinless and hard-to-maintain dogs. In 1568, bulldogs are bred in England by crossing the Mastiff and a Pug breeds.

Why is it expensive? Well, aside from its popularity in United States, a Bulldog is also considered as an important symbol of United Kingdom in general, especially in England. Its influence to American societies, such as the United States Marine Corps and numerous institutions, has brought its popularity in sky-high levels eventually affecting the public demand.

1^St: The first on the list is the world’s famous and exquisitely rare breed called Samoyed, which costs around $3000 to $8000.

As seen in the top image, the puppy Samoyed is one of the most delicate and sensitive pet to handle due to their great deal of requirements. Food, shelter, room temperature and relationship with their master are all critical to their development.

This huge (Males: 20-32.5 kg or 44-65 lb; Females 17-25 kg or 37-55 lb) white, always smiling and sweet Samoyed dogs are incredibly rare breeds of dogs, which happened to become obsolete after the Russian Revolution in 1917. So, why is it expensive? Simply because Samoyed are one of the 14 ancient dogs who happened to be around for the last 3,000 years (Derr, 2004). In addition, their kind is considered rare already due to the low number of breeders interested and capable of maintaining the expensive maintenance of this dog.

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10 Most Bizarre Restaurants

2010-09-13T16:07:00.000+08:00

10. Medical Restaurant (TAIPEI)

D.S. Music Restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan is a medical-themed restaurant with crutches on the wall, waitresses dressed a nurses, and drinks served from an IV drip bottle! The owner came up with the idea to express his gratitude for care he received at a local hospital.

9. Condom Restaurant (THAILAND)

"Cabbages and Condoms" is a chain of restaurants in Thailand. There are condoms on the walls and pictures of condoms printed on the carpets. Instead of after-dinner mints, patrons are offered a bowl of condoms at the counter. Profits from the restaurants go to support the Population and Community Development Association (PDA).

8. Undersea Restaurant (MALDIVES)

The first-ever undersea restaurant in the world has been introduced at the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa in April 2007. Ithaa (which is pronounced “eet-ha” and means “pearl” in the language of the Maldives, Dhivehi) sits five meters below the waves of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a vibrant coral reef and encased in clear acrylic, offering diners 270 degrees of panoramic underwater views. This innovative restaurant is the first of its kind in the world, and is part of a US $5 million re-build of Rangalifinolhu Island, one of the twin islands that make up Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. This re-build includes the construction of 79 of the most luxurious beach villas in the country as well as the Spa Village, a self-contained, over-water “resort-within-a-resort” consisting of a spa, restaurant and 21 villas.

7. Robot Restaurant: run by two identical couples (CHINA)

People are confused how a Chinese couple managed to run a busy restaurant 21 hours a day without getting tired. Turns out the restaurant is run by two couples … both the men and women are identical twins!

Locals had nicknamed the eatery the "robot couple restaurant" as they couldn't understand how the same couple seemed to be on duty from 6am through to 3am. However, a journalist from Today Morning Post interviewed the restaurant owner and found out the truth. It turned out that the twin brothers, 32, married a set of twin sisters from the same township three years ago and moved to Yiwu to run the restaurant together. "Many diners thought we worked too hard and are like robots, but they don't know that we are actually four people," said Mao Zhanghua, 32, the elder brother.

6. Restaurant in a Prison (ITALY)

A restaurant situated inside the top security prison Fortezza Medicea in Italy is so popular that officials have since opened more branches. Serenaded by Bruno, a pianist doing life for murder, the clientele eat inside a deconsecrated chapel set behind the 60ft high walls, watch towers, searchlights and security cameras of the daunting 500-year-old Fortezza Medicea, at Volterra near Pisa. Under the watchful eye of armed prison warders, a 20-strong team of chefs, kitchen hands and waiters prepares 120 covers for diners who have all undergone strict security checks. Tables are booked up weeks in advance.

5. Graveyard Restaurant (INDIA)

The bustling "New Lucky Restaurant" in Ahmadabad is famous for its milky tea, its buttery rolls, and the graves between the tables. Krishan Kutti Nair has helped run the restaurant built over a centuries-old Muslim cemetery for close to four decades, but he doesn't know who is buried in the cafe floor. Customers seem to like the graves, which resemble small cement coffins, and that's enough for him.

"The graveyard is good luck," Nair said one recent afternoon after the lunch rush. "Our business is better because of the graveyard." The graves are painted green, stand about shin high, and every day the manager decorates each of them with a single dried flower. They're scattered randomly across the restaurant - one up front next to the cash register, three in the middle next to a table for two, four along the wall near the kitchen.

4. Dark Restaurant (CHINA)

The first dark restaurant in Asia is officially opened on the 23 December 2006. This restaurant, located in Beijing, China, has its interior painted completely black. Customers are greeted by a brightly lit entrance hall and will be escorted by waiters wearing night vision goggles into the pitch dark dining room to help them find their seats. Flashlights, mobile phones and even luminous watches are prohibited while in this area.

The meal will be taken in this environment with the complete loss of vision. By starving one's sense, your other senses are stimulated to full alert "all so the theory goes" and your food will taste like it's never tasted before. In case you are wondering about the washrooms, they are all brightly lit.

3. Restaurant in the Sky (BELGIUM)

"Dinner in the Sky" is a Brussels based restaurant that serves dinner for up to 22 people… 150 feet in the air! The specially-designed table and chairs are lifted by a crane. Dinner anywhere in Belgium will set you back almost 8 thousand euros; other locations are also available. Remember, you must wear your seat belt, and don't drop your fork!

2. Toilet Restaurant (TAIWAN)

Have you ever heard of people eating out of a bathroom toilet and having great fun? A restaurant named Marton Theme Restaurant, in Kaohsiung (Taiwan) has a toilet theme and is a great hit among people. The restaurant has a bathroom decor, with colorful toilet seat being the standard chairs at the restaurant. It also serves food in plates and bowls shaped like western loo seats and Japanese “squat” toilets. Customers sits by a tables converted from a bathtub with a glass cover while looking at a wall decorated with neon-lit faucets and urinals turned into lamps. The restaurant is named after the Chinese word "Matong" for toilet and is doing really well. The owner Eric Wang says "We not only sell food but also laughter. The food is just as good as any restaurant but we offer additional fun. Most customers think the more disgusting and exaggerated (the restaurant is), the funnier the dining experience is." The meals are cheaply priced with a meal set including soup and ice cream costs from 150 to 250 Taiwan dollars ($6 - $10).

1.Cannibalistic Restaurant (JAPAN)

"Nyotaimori" (which literally means "female body plate") is the name of the japanese restaurant that serves sushi and sashimi on a naked woman's body. The body is made from food and placed on an operating table, much as though in a hospital. You can "operate" anyway and anywhere you want by cutting open the body and eating what you find inside. The body will actually bleed as you cut it and the intestines and organs inside are completely editable. It's a banquet of Cannibalism.

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Top 10 Royal Resort for Mega-Rich!

2010-09-11T14:39:00.001+08:00

Royal Resorts: 10 Outrageous Hotels For The Mega-rich:

Most of us have simple demands when it comes to travel lodging– a bed, a bathroom, a TV and wi-fi. There are others, however, whose demands far eclipse the simple convenience of your basic hotel room. When the world’s most wealthy travelers take a vacation for their own, they are treated to suites that cover entire floors of a hotel building, rooms that include a personal butler, hell– some even come with their own private helicopter. Take a peek into the experience of the world’s most wealthy travelers. Here are 10 of the most expensive hotel rooms in the world.

10. $15,500 a night – Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt-Vendôme

Paris, France

Situated on the second floor of the Park Hyatt-Vendôme’s Haussmanian building is the hotel’s 750 square-foot Imperial Suite. Thise pricey suite has high ceilings, a dining room, kitchenette and bar. When visitors tire of toiling, they relax with an “In Suite Spa” that comes outfitted with a steam room, Whirlpool and built-in massage table.

9. $16,000 a night – Royal Suite, Four Seasons George V
Paris, France

The George V in Paris boasts a pair of “sumptuous” Royal Suites that each come with private terraces and rooms filled with antique furniture. Each suite has a marble entrance, a full kitchen, a sauna and a separate bathroom for guests. The expensive 2,600 square-foot suites are split into separate spaces for sleeping and entertaining, both of which also have a private office.

8. $17,500 a night – Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond
Geneva, Switzerland

Le Richemond’s Royal Armleder Suite reopened in 2007 after an extensive restoration of the hotel’s seventh floor, which the luxury suite occupies the entirety of. The suite is bedecked in gold, mosaics and parquet floors and has a 300 square-foot terrace with stunning views of Geneva and the nearby Alps.

7. $18,000 a night – Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A two-story suite that centers around an epic staircase, Burj Al Arab’s Royal Suite has Carrara marble floors, mahogany furniture and a master bedroom with a rotating four-post canopy bed. Guests enjoy Hermes bathroom products, Faubourg fragrances, their own private elevator and cinema and for a bit extra– a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce or helicopter.

6. $18,200 – Ritz-Carlton Suite, The Ritz-Carlton
Moscow, Russia

Floor-to-ceiling windows outline the Ritz-Carlton Suite at the hotel chain’s Moscow location. Imperial furniture fills the 2,500 square-foot suite, which comes with a heated floor, a grand piano and a library. The suite has views of the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral and visitors get to enjoy five meals a day and their very own KGB-approved autonomous energy supply system and secure telecommunications array.

5. $25,000 a night – Bridge Suite at The Atlantis
Paradise Island, Bahamas

The 10-room Bridge Suite at Bahamian resort The Atlantis fills the entire space linking the hotel complex’s two flagship towers. Forbes reports the suite has hosted guests including Oprah and Michael Jackson.

4. $33,000 a night – Royal Penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel Geneva, Switzerland

President Woodrow Wilson reportedly suffered from high blood pressure, so it’s safe to assume he would have appreciated a stress-free stay at President Wilson Hotel’s Royal Penthouse Suite. Consuming the entire top floor of the hotel, the four-bedroom suite can hold up to 40 guests in its cocktail lounge and is said to be the best digs for heads of state wanting to make an impression when they’re in town on United Nations business.

3. $34,000 a night – Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons New York

The Ty Warner Penthouse practically floats in Manhattan. Floor-to-ceiling windows surround all sides of the massive suite, surrounding guests in 360-degree views of the city skyline from atop Manhattan’s tallest hotel. The nine-room suite has walls inlayed with mother of pearl, gold and platinum-woven fabrics, and the room itself includes a private butler, unlimited global calling and TVs programmed to receive every channel in the entire world.

2. $40,000 a night – Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas

Hugh Hefner’s Playboy-themed suite at the Palms Casino resort has a $700,000 jacuzzi that cantilevers out above the Las Vegas strip. The 10,000 square-foot, two-story suite comes with around-the-clock butler service and (of course) a rotating bed set beneath a mirrored ceiling. [pic via guardian uk]

1. $50,000 a night – Royal Villa at Grand Resort Lagonissi Athens, Greece

The Grand Resort’s Royal Villa gives the world’s most exclusive guests a private version of everything imaginable. The only other people lucky guests have to see while secluded in their heated pool, steam room or private beach is the suite’s dedicated butler, chef and pianist.

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Top 10 Most Expensive Desserts

2010-09-09T21:58:00.000+08:00

Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first. (Ernestine Ulmer)
Sure it’s great to have a nice hearty meal, but what’s a nice meal without the perfect dessert to end the night? There’s nothing better than being able to enjoy something sweet and tasty: cake, cookies, pie, pudding, or anything else- as long as it has sugar in it. When you indulge in sweet desserts, you might worry about a costly dental bill in your future… but, how about the price of the dessert itself?
There aren’t many people who can afford to, or who would want to, spend thousands of dollars on a dessert. However, if you are insanely rich (or just insane?), here is a list of ten desserts you should order. The rest of us will sit here watering out of our mouths and eyes from the hefty price tags. :P
Who’d have ever thought a sweet tooth could be so expensive:

10. Noka Chocolate, Vintage Collection $854 per pound

Probably the simplest dessert on the list, the Vintage Collection provided by Noka Chooclate comes in at an expensive $854 per pound. The chocolate that is sold by this company is well known for being delicious and one of the finest made in the entire world. Noka uses all different types of cocoa from places such as Ecuador, Venezuela, Cote d’Ivoire, and Trinidad. The chocolates that are provided in the Vintage Collection are all of the dark variety, each of them made with at least 75% cocoa. If you’re new to such high class chocolate, Noka even provides flavor profiles as well as tasting guidelines. Each box is packaged in the classic Noka design.

9. Golden Opulence Sundae $1,000

Made of the best of the best, the Golden Opulence Sundae, provided by New York City restaurant Serendipity 3, will add $1000 to your bill. The sundae was created in order to celebrate Serendipity’s 50^th Anniversary- otherwise known as the golden anniversary. The restaurant says that they only sell about one of these sundaes a month, but any sale is better than none, right? Known as the world’s most expensive sundae, the Golden Opulence is made with 5 scoops of Tahitian Vanilla Bean ice cream mixed with Madagascar vanilla and Venezuelan Chuao chocolate and topped off with a leaf covered in 23K edible gold. There are also other ingredients, including gold dragets, Paris candied fruits, marzipan cherries, and truffles. To top it all off, one of the world’s most expensive chocolates (Amedei Porcelana) is drizzled over the top and a Ron Ben-Israel sugar flower is properly placed. On top of the sundae you’ll also find a small glass bowl of Grand Passion Caviar, sweetened with orange, passion fruit, and Armagnac, which gives off a shiny golden color. You even get to eat the sundae in style: an 18K gold spoon is provided to eat your delicious treat out of a Harcourt crystal goblet.

8. The Brownie Extraordinaire $1,000

Yo can try this dessert next time you’re on the East Coast of the U.S.- if you’re willing to dish out $1,000. The Brownie Extraordinaire is sold at Brule, a restaurant in the Tropicana Resort located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. But, this isn’t just any brownie. It’s made out of dark chocolate that is then covered with Italian hazelnuts and served with a scoop of ice cream. Along with the sweet dessert, customers are also given a very rare and highly expensive port wine, Quinta do Novel Nicional, from Portugal. The wine is poured and served in a St. Louis Crystal atomizer. Although a brownie may not seem like a very lavish dessert, adding the rare glass of wine most definitely spices things up. And, if you’re a really big spender, you can choose to spend $15,000 on a Valentine’s Day package at Tropicana Resorts, which includes a hotel stay, romantic dinners, and of course the Brownie Extraordinaire.

7. The Sultan’s Golden Cake $1,000

If you’ve ever wanted to try an edible brick of gold, this dessert is definitely for you. It’s available at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel located in Istanbul, for the hefty price of $1,000. The cake is made of figs, pears, apricot, and quince that are then put into a Jamaican Rum and soaked for two years. To finish, the cake is topped with French Polynesia vanilla bean, caramel, black truffles, and a 24 carat gold leaf. It is said that the cake takes about 72-hours to make. Once it is ready to be served, it is placed inside a sterling silver cake box with a golden seal. However, the cake is usually only made per request: usually for a wedding, celebration, or for a sultan himself.

6. Macaroons Haute Couture $7,414

Macaroons aren’t too hard to find in today’s world. They are simply two meringue puffs that are held together with butter cream. They are most popular in France, and you can usually find them for a reasonable price for such a tasty dessert. However, French pastry chef, Pierre Herme, has cooked up a new and more expensive type of macaroons. The price tag at $7,414 definitely makes these macaroons not as attractive to everyone as the original recipe. Herme says that he offers a large variety of ingredients that have elevated the costs. A customer is able to choose ingredients such as balsamic vinegar, fleur de sel, red wine, peanut butter, and anything else you can think of putting between your two meringue puffs. Not all of the macaroons are this expensive, but if you choose the right ingredients, be prepared to dish out $7,000.

5. The Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence $14,500

They say food presentation is very important, and when it comes to the Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence, there is no doubt. In Sri Lanka, stilt fishing has become a very popular tradition that has been around for decades. The dessert pays special tribute to this pastime by portraying a stilt fishing scene made of delicious ingredients, including chocolate, exotic fruit, and Irish cream. The dish is served with a mango and pomegranate compote. It portrays a fisherman, carved out of chocolate, hanging onto the stilt. Underneath the fisherman is a perfectly placed 80 carat aquamarine. It sits on a tiny sliver of chocolate to fully represent the fisherman’s stilt. Those who order the dessert get to keep the jewel, but as of now, no one has forked out the money. The Fortress was first unveiled at the Wine3 Fisherman Stilt restaurant in Sri Lanka.

4. Frrrozen Haute Chocolate $25,000

Another Serendipity 3 dessert, the Frrozen Haute Chocolate is definitely a drink that no one will ever forget. At the price of $25,000, you can enjoy the frozen drink with the consistency of a slushy that contains a variety of cocoas from over 14 countries, milk, and of course 5 grams of 24-carat. To top it off, there’s a dollop of whipped cream and La Madeline au Truffle shavings. To ensure your money’s worth, the “Haute” cold dessert comes in a goblet that is banded with gold and decorated with diamonds: 1 carat of them, along with a take-home golden spoon. In 2007 the dessert was named the most expensive dessert in the world and was put into the Guinness World Records, but the price-tag has since been surpassed. In any case, would you want to pay $25,000 for slushy hot cocoa?

3. Platinum Cake $130,000

Created by a Japanese pastry chef named Nobue Ikara, the Platinum Cake rings in at the tiny price of $130,000, and is any platinum lover’s dream. The cake is decorated with plain white frosting and then draped with everything platinum, including chains, necklaces, pins, pendants, and even foils made of platinum that are edible. Ikara crafted the cake in dedication to many women, including Rinko Kikuchi, as well as in order to persuade more women to wear platinum. The cake was showcased by Platinum Guild International, a company encouraging more and more people to buy platinum jewelry, despite the record high rates for precious metals these days. The cake hasn’t been sold and the company has no idea whether it will be sold or not, but they do know it is worth more than many can afford. But, at least you get the chance to have your platinum cake, eat it, and wear it too. What a steal!

2. Strawberries Arnaud $1.4 million

As we’ve all heard, things are not always what they seem, and this saying applies to the Strawberries Arnaud perfectly. If you go to Arnaud’s restaurant in New Orleans’ French Quarter, you see nothing more than a bowl of strawberries topped with cream and mint. Yet, somehow they are worth $1.4 million? Look a bit harder and you’ll find a one-of-a-kind 4.7-carat pink diamond once belonging to Sir Ernest Cassel, an English royal finance advisor. Not only do you get delicious strawberries and a nice ring, the dessert comes with white-glove servers who provide wine out of a wine set worth $24,850, and of course there’s live jazz music. I mean, who would eat a $1.4 million dessert without music in the background? In any case, I say stick to your own strawberries and cream and a 25 cent plastic ring. She’ll never know the difference.

1. Diamond Fruitcake $1.65 million

For many of us, Christmas is all about spending time with family, enjoying a nice meal, and of course spending money on gifts for everyone. But, would you be daring enough to dish about $1.65 million for cake? Even better…could you afford it without having a nice overdraft fee in your bank account? Probably not; however, one pastry chef in Tokyo decided that his cake was worth this exorbitant amount of money. The chef decided to auction off the cake on Christmas Day at an exhibit entitled Diamonds: Nature’s Miracle. The chef took about 6 months to design the cake and an entire month to finish it and have it ready to be sold. 223 small diamonds are located throughout the exterior of the cake. Except for the diamonds, the rest of the cake is fully edible. This seems like a nice gift for your wife. “Here honey, have your cake and eat it too, just watch for all the diamonds”. But what woman doesn’t like diamonds, even if they are half-way covered in icing and not set in gold?

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Top 10 bizarre styles of shoe from early to modern history

2010-09-09T17:37:00.000+08:00

Shoes date back to the 8,000s BC – a very long history, indeed. Over the millennia all manner of styles and materials have been used for shoes. Some successful (the modern athletic shoe) and some not successful at all (lotus shoes). This list looks at ten bizarre styles of shoe from early to modern history.

10.Okobo

Japan, 18th century – today

Long before the 1970′s and the platform shoes, Japanese maiko (apprentice geisha) had been wearing Okobo sandals or clogs. The reason for wearing these very high platform shoes was not solely for fashion, but also for very practical reasons. If you are wearing a very expensive kimono that hangs all the way to your feet, you do not want to get mud on it when you walk outside. Okobo are made of one piece of solid wood forming the sole. Usually the wood has a very natural finish, or no varnish at all. But during the summer, maiko will wear black lacquered Okobo. The hight of Okobo shoes generally measures at 5 1/2 inches (14 cm), and the wood sole is carved hollow, giving them a very distinctive sound when one walks in them. In fact, the word Okobo is an onomatopoeia, that is it represents the sound of walking in them. A V-shaped thong of cloth forms the upper part of the sandal. The color of the cloth depends on the status of the maiko. For instance, a new maiko will wear red, while one who has nearly finished her apprenticeship will wear yellow.

9. Men’s high heels

Europe, 1700′s

Shoes and stockings became very important for men in the 1700′s, when the tailored coat and breeches came into fashion and the focus shifted to the lower body. Suddenly, it was all about the shapely legs, and men wanted to wear flattering, fanciful hose and shoes to accentuate them. Louis XIV also had a thing for high heels with red soles and heels. It must have been tough being short in stature but lofty in power, so I guess he thought he would even it up a bit. Of course, what the king does, everyone else copies, so everyone who was anyone wore high heels with red soles and heels. After all, what would be more proper to wear with Petticoat breeches, than high-heeled shoes? Boots went completely out of style in favor of these new elegant heels, now elaborately decorated with ribbons, rosettes or buckles.

8. Kabkabs

Lebanon, 14th-17th century

Silver studded Wooden stilts known as “kabkabs” or “nalins” were once a practical way for women in the Middle East to protect themselves from dirt and discomfort on wet, muddy streets and in hot, wet bathhouses. Those belonging to the wealthy were often richly inlaid with mother of pearl. They were several inches high and had embroidered leather, silk or velvet straps. The name “kabkab” is derived from the sound they make when walking on marble floors. The uppers were embroidered with silver, gold or pewter wire. For special occasions, like a wedding, the wooden stilts were entirely covered with intricately decorated silver, or with small silver ornaments. Many times brides were very young girls and, therefore, small in stature. To compensate this, bridal kabkabs were sometimes made as high as two feet. Socially, kabkabs were only worn by women. In bathhouses, however, simple ones, sometimes with a little carving only and a leather-strap upper, were also worn by men.

7. Plaited birch bark shoe

Finland, mid 20th century

In the early part of the 20th century, women wore bark shoes daily, with cloth foot wrap inserts. They were also used as overshoes to protect more costly leather shoes against rain, mud and snow. These shoes were commonly made from Birch bark, but they could also be made from linden or lime-tree bark. Norway, Sweden and even Russia have all had their own version of the footwear. The lifespan of bark shoes is limited to about one week.

6. Chopines

Italy, 1580 – 1620

Today, only a very small number of museums have examples of original chopines. The debut of these shoes was during the renaissance, but they were still the shoe of choice for many Italian women at the beginning of the 17th century. Like the Japanese Okobo, Chopines were highly impractical, their primary purpose was to make the wearer stand out. They not only heightened the wearer by up to 18 cm (5 inches) but were extremely extravagant and expensive.
These treasured shoes were made of wood, and either covered with fine silk or velvet. They were embellished with silver lace, tacks, and were finished with a silk tassel. The tragic twist to these coveted shoes is that chopines were rarely ever visible, even in paintings from the period, since women always wore long dresses that covered their footwear.

5. Heelless shoes

2007

I decided to put a couple of modern shoe designs here too, as they are just too bizarre to miss. Heelless shoes made their debut on Antonio Berardi’s runway in 2007, and were made famous by Victoria Beckham in 2008. And despite their unnatural and extremely uncomfortable look, according to their English Italian designer, they do not cause the wearer any pain. He has said “They are perfectly balanced. When the girls come for fittings, they look a bit daunted, but by the end they say it’s just like wearing a regular shoe.” But medical experts have their concerns, saying that the shoes could lead to permanent damage to the feet, knees and spine if worn regularly.

4. Padukas (Toe-knob sandals)

India, 1700′s

Ceremonial padukas, or toe-knob sandals, is the name of India’s oldest, and ultimate footwear. They were little more than a sole with a post and knob, which was situated between the big toe and second toe. They were commonly made from silver, wood, iron or even ivory. There is even a Spiked Paduka used for masochism. Masochism is for obtaining gratification or sexual arousal by having pain inflicted upon oneself. Some masochists enjoy a form of aichmophilia (the love of needles and spikes). Once pain has been registered for 20-40 minutes, the body will begin to produce opiate-like chemicals to reduce pain sensation. The release of these chemicals causes anesthetic, euphoric and trancelike qualities that allegedly enhance sexual sensitivity or experience. Spiked padukas sandals are worn by Indian Hindu Sadhus, or Holy Men, for this very purpose.

3.Wooden Bridal Shoes

France, late 19th century

Out of the Bethmale Valley, south of the city Saint Girons in the Ariege district, comes this high pointed bridal wooden shoe. They go back as far as the 9th century, when local villagers conquered a camp of Moorish invaders, who kidnapped the village women, and pricked the hearts of their enemy on the pointed tips of their clogs, in celebration of their victory. The clogs were made in one piece of the trunks of walnut trees which formed a rectangle with its roots. Later the branches of a tree were pulled and warped in a special way to pre-shape the tree for making this type of clogs. Village men created the clogs for their future brides. It is said that the higher the point, the greater his love for her.

2. The Ballet Boot

1980′s-present day

The ballet boot is a contemporary style of footwear. They started as a fetish shoe, but have grown in popularity as a general fashion statement, particularly in Japan. This shoe merges the look of the traditional ballet slipper with the ultimate high heel. The illusion is to force the wearers feet almost en pointe, like those of a ballerina using an ultra long heel. The Ballet Boot originally gained popularity in the 1980′s, and is now available worldwide through specialty stores and online. You may have guessed, but these shoes are not intended to be worn for any extended period of time. The shoes (based on the images one finds on google images) seem to be rather popular with fetishists.

1. Lotus Shoes

China, from the 10th century to 2009

The Han Chinese tradition of binding women’s feet to make them appear as small as a lotus bud lasted well over a thousand years. Shoes from the north, especially Beijing, had a ‘bow’ shape, an exaggerated curved sole and heel in one piece, often with leather reinforcements at toe and heel. Style conscious women from Shanghai in the late 19th century and early 20th century, (then the fashion capital of China), liked a multiple heel, while those from the southern provinces such as Guangdong wore shoes often made of black cotton or silk, with a fairly flat heel. Iron or wooden studs were added in some cases to the soles to raise and protect the embroidered silk shoe from the dirt of the streets.
As part of her dowry, a woman would make several pairs of shoes as proof of her needlework ability, as well as her small feet. After her wedding, a bride gave each of her main female in-laws a pair of shoes at a special ceremony known as “dividing the shoes.” The last shoe factory to stop mass production of lotus shoes was the Zhiqiang Shoe Factory. The factory added lotus shoes for old Chinese women who still had bound feet to it’s product range in 1991. In the first two years, more than 2,000 pairs of shoes were sold annually. It announced in 2009 that it will make the shoes only on a special-order basis.

Bonus

Armadillo Shoes

Alexander McQueen in 2010 released a set of armadillo shoes. They were then popularized by the likes of “Lady” Gaga, and other celebrities, who are not too worried about looking utterly ridiculous in public. The shoes above were the originals – many other styles have since followed. My advice to any real ladies reading this list – don’t buy these awful shoes!

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Girls what do you think? :

Top 10 Most Intelligent Breeds Of Dog

2010-09-08T22:19:00.000+08:00

What are the smartest dog breeds in the world? We all love our dogs, and most of us believe our own dog must be the smartest ever. But is your dog's breed known as one of the smartest? We've compiled a list of the top 10 most intelligent dogs ever. If your dog isn't on this list, don't despair. Because sometimes, having a dog with very high intelligence can have its drawbacks. For example, if a highly intelligent dog is left at home alone all day, they can get bored and become destructive and/or neurotic. On the other hand, a dog with limited intelligence can be left at home all day, and not even realize you’re gone until a few minutes before you arrive home! Note: This list should not be confused with the top 10 easiest to train dog breeds.

#10 Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is a very active breed. They need to be exercised on a regular basis, both mentally and physically. As they were originally bred to herd in cattle in Australia (hence the name), they are freethinking, resourceful, and very protective of their property, including people!

#9 Rottweiler
The Rottweiler, #9 on our list, has a fearsome reputation that is largely undeserved. The Rotti is only average in intensity, and make a great family dog. Not only is the Rottweiler intelligent, but extremely courageous (one of the best guard dogs) and reliable.

#8 The Papillon
Does this dog scare you at all? Well it should, because Papillons are actually a lot tougher than they look! Some would characterize Papillons as a little moody and aggressive, but they are simply very possessive of their masters and “home turf”. It may surprise some that the Papillon is considered one of the most affectionate dogs. Another very intelligent dog, and very easy to train.

#7 Labrador Retriever
An extremely loving, affectionate, and patient dog, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world. They love to work, and need a lot of exercise. Without proper exercise, Labs have been known to develop weight problems. Because of their good nature, and love of children and other dogs, they are a very popular family dog.

#6 Shetland Sheepdog
Many Shetland owners swear that their dog has nearly human intelligence! Shelties were originally bred to herd hundreds of sheep and cattle, requiring great concentration and, of course, intelligence. They can be a little wary of strangers and children, but are very loyal and affectionate within their own family. In fact, the Sheltie very much craves human companionship.

#5 Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are an extremely loyal, assertive, and fearless breed. They have incredible stamina, and love to work (they are one of the top 10 best guard dog breeds) Although known as a dominant breed, Dobermans can vary greatly as far as temperament goes. Some can be quite docile, and even work as therapy dogs in hospitals! Dobermans can be great family dogs too, if trained properly from an early age. Although not vicious, you can count on a Doberman to aggressively protect its master if necessary.

#4 Golden Retriever
Consistently ranked as the most popular breed of dog, the Golden Retriever personifies everything we love about dogs-loyal, loving, patient, great with children and eager to please. With such great intelligence, it’s no wonder that Golden Retrievers excel in obedience competitions and at performing tricks. It should be no surprise that the Golden ranks highly on our list of top 10 most affectionate dogs.

#3 German Shepherd
German Shepherds are extremely intelligent, courageous, and have a very strong protective instinct (they are one of the best guard dogs). As long as they are trained in obedience from an early age by a loving but firm hand, they can be great family dogs, and excellent with children. Because of their intelligence, a German Shepherd needs a purpose or job in life to be truly happy. This intelligence, coupled with their courageous nature make German Shepherds excellent police and search dogs.

#2 Poodle
Yes, the Poodle is at number two. The standard Poodle is highly intelligent and one of the easiest breeds to train. They love to be around people, and really hate to be left alone. Some standard Poodles are good guard dogs, and some can even be trained as hunters! Overall, Poodles are a sensitive, pleasant and happy breed.

#1 Border Collie
Like many intelligent breeds, the Border Collie needs a job to do. If they don’t have a purpose in life or some kind of job, they will not be happy. Border Collies should definitely not be left at home alone all day, and if they are, they can become quite destructive. They need constant companionship, praise, and extensive exercise. So if you work and live in the city, a Border Collie probably isn’t the dog for you! Because of their legendary intelligence, Border Collies set the standard in competitions for such skills as agility, obedience, and of course, sheepdog trials.

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Top 10 Most Expensive Guitars in the World!

2010-09-07T21:28:00.002+08:00

Here’s the most expensive guitars in the world. As We know guitar is one of the most popular music instrument. People around the world love to play guitar and listen the the rhythm of the famous guitar player. Let’s take a look at the list of most expensive guitars in the world:

10. 1949 Fender Broadcaster prototype: $375,000
Leo Fender’s first solid object prototype became the template for one of the most popular guitars ever made (then known as the Fender Telecaster). Though Les Paul’s quicker off the mark in making the first solid body guitars, this particular model is the key to the fate of the electric guitar world’s most successful companies, and thus history is very important. Sold to private collectors in 1994, for $ 375,000, the highest price ever paid for a guitar at that time.

1949 Fender Broadcaster prototype

9. Eric Clapton’s Gold Leaf Stratocaster: $455,550
Ordered by Eric Clapton in 1996, around the time Fender’s 50th anniversary. Clapton reportedly wanted something that could hang in a museum like the Louvre, and delivered with a Custom Fender Start, plated with 23K gold. Then go into production, becoming the company’s first signature guitar. Original sold at auction by Christie’s for an impressive $ 455,000 in 1997.

Eric Clapton's Gold Leaf Stratocaster

8. George and John’s 1964 Gibson SG: $570,000
This guitar is used by The Beatles between 1966 and 1969. George Harrison used it when recording and touring the album Revolver, while John Lennon used during the sessions for The White Album. It was given by George Peter Ham, from the rock band Badfinger, and after his death lay undiscovered until 2002. It sold to an anonymous bidder at auction in 2004, for a startling $ 570,000.

George and Johns 1964 Gibson SG

7. “Lenny” – Stevie Ray Vaughan’s 1965 Fender Composite Stratocaster: $623,500
Great blues guitarist, Stevie Ray Vaughan, received from his wife, Lenny, in 1980 as a 26th birthday present, and named it after him. This is one of his favorite guitar, and he used it extensively until his death in 1990. The SRV stickers on the body of this guitar is a trademark of the majority of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar, a habit he picked up from brother Jimmie who started this trend in his presence. In 2004 it became the first and only one guitar ever released for sale by the estate, to raise money for charity.
It raised $ 623,500 at auction to benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua.

Lenny Stevie Vaughan's 1965 Fender Composite Stratocaster

6. Eric Clapton’s C.F. Martin & Co., circa 1939: $791,500
One of Clapton’s guitar added to this list. The reason for this is that he is one of the few famous guitarists who do not actually sell the guitar – to raise money for Crossroads Rehabilitation Center. Surely there are guitars out there (owned by Jimmy Page, Van Halen, etc.) that can take more if they were sold, but they have not yet put up for sale.

CF Martin Co circa 1939

5. Eric Clapton’s 1964 Gibson ES0335 TDC: $847,500
The guitar was used as Clapton’s guitar particularly during 1964, but only rarely after that. It took the highest price ever paid for a Gibson when auctioned.

Eric Clapton's 1964 Gibson ES0335 TDC

4. Blackie – Stratocaster hybrid: $959,500
In 1970, due to the effect from other guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton decided to switch from Gibson to the Stratocaster guitar. Clapton bought six vintage Strats from the guitar shop in Texas for a hundred dollars each. He gave three to go (for George Harrison, Pete Townshend and Steve Winwood) and then collect the best parts of the remaining three. which he named ‘Blackie’ as a dark finish. Clapton Blackie played for the first time in January 1973, and continues to do so until he retired in 1985 because of neck problems. Blackie sold at auction in 2004, and became the one of the world’s most expensive guitar for $ 959,000.

Blackie Stratocaster Hybrid

3. Bob Marley’s Custom made Washburn 22 series Hawk: estimated Price $1.2 to 2 million
Classified as a national asset by the government of Jamaica, this guitar is one of only seven guitar of reggae icon’s life. On November 21, 1971, after a gig in Vancouver, Marley gave the guitar to a guitar technician Gary Carlsen with the words, “Take it as you will understand later.” Amazing, Carlsen took this as a sign that he should use the gifts he has given to a better world in some way, and so he founded the charity “Different Journeys, One Destination”, offers guitar as a prize in the lottery.

Bob Marley's Custom made Washburn 22 series Hawk

2. Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Stratocaster: Estimated Price $2 million

This guitar Hendrix played at Woodstock in 1969. From 1970 until 1990 was in charge of drummer Mitch Mitchell, before emerging to the surface in 1990 at the opening of the new Fender Artist Centre complete with cigarette burns on the headstock, and Trademark Jimi reverse stringing. It sold at Sotheby’s in the same year for $ 198,000. The rumors say that Paul Allen (Bill Gates’ right-hand man at Microsoft) is paid two million dollars for this guitar in 1998.

Jimi Hendrix's 1968 Stratocaster

1. Reach out to Asia Fender Stratocaster: $2.7 million
This guitar sold at auction in Qatar in 2005, to raise funds for Reach out to Asia, a charity formed to help the tsunami victims. Coordinated by Bryan Adams, was signed by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend, Mark Knopfler, Ray Davis, Liam Gallagher, Ronnie Wood, Tony Iommi, Angus & Malcolm Young, Paul McCartney, Sting, Ritchie Blackmore, Def Leppard and BryanAdams himself. Initially taken by the Qatari royal family for $ 1 million and later donated to charity, after it was sold again to a price of $ 2.7 million, which means that the guitar has yielded a total of $ 3.7 million dollars for charity.

Reach out to Asia Fender Stratocaster

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Top 10 most Poisonous Animals

2010-09-07T21:07:00.001+08:00

10. Puffer Fish

Some of this fish is delicious species in Japan (such as Fugu) and Korea (such as bok-uh) but the problem is that the skin and certain organs of many highly poisonous puffer fish to humans.
Statistics show that there are 20-44 Fugu poisoning incidents per year between 1996 and 2006 in Japan and up to six incidents per year, causing death. Since Fugu’s poison can cause near instant death, only licensed chefs are allowed to prepare it

Puffer fish

9. Poison Dart Frog

If you ever happen to walk through rain forest somewhere in Central or South America, never taking a beautiful colorful frogs – It can be a Poison Dart Frog. This frog is probably the most poisonous animal in earth.The length is 2 inches (5cm). Golden poison frog has enough poison to kill 10 adult humans or 20,000 mice. Only 2 micrograms of this deadly poison (the number corresponding to the head pin) which can kill humans or other large mammals. They are called “dart frogs” because the indigenous Amerindians’ use of their toxic secretions to poison the punch-tip of their arrows. Poison dart frogs’s poison is in their skin and will hurt or kill anyone who touched or eaten.

Poison dart frog

8. Inland Taipan

Just one bite from this serpent contains enough poison to kill 100 human adults or 250,000 mice. Its poison at least 200-400 times more toxic than common cobra. Taipan Inland extremely neurotoxic venom can kill an adult human in just 45 minutes. Fortunately this snake is very shy and there is no documented human fatalities.

Inland Taipan

7. The Brazilian wandering spider

Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria) or banana spider appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records 2007 for the most poisonous spider and for the most responsible for the most human death because of spider. This Spider is believed to have the most potent neurotoxic venom spider of any living spider. Only 0.006mg (0.00000021oz) is enough to kill a mouse. They are also very dangerous because of the nature of their wanderings. They often hide during the day in areas of densely populated in the house, clothes, boots, and a car.

The Brazilian wandering spider

6. Stone fish

Stone fish probably will never win a beauty contest, but it certainly will win the top prize for being “The World Most Venomous Fish”. Poison that causes a severe pain shock to victims and make the affected body must be amputated. This is described as the worst pain known to man. This is accompanied by a possible shock, paralysis, and death of tissue.

Stone fish

5. Death Stalker Scorpion

Animals that live in North Africa and the Middle East. In contrast to popular belief most scorpions are relatively harmless to humans only as a sting produces local effects (pain, numbness or swelling). However, Starker Scorpion Death is a very dangerous species because the poison is a powerful mixture of neurotoxins causing intense and unbearable pain, then fever, followed by coma, convulsions, paralysis and death.

Death Stalker Scorpion

4. Blue Ringed Octopus

The blue-ringed octopus is currently one of the most dangerous known sea creatures and, despite its small size, carries enough venom to kill 26 adult humans within minutes. Furthermore, their bites are tiny and often painless, with many victims not realizing they have been envenomated until respiratory depression and paralysis start to set in.
First you will feel nauseous. Your vision becomes hazy. Within seconds you are blind. You lose your sense of touch. You cannot speak or swallow. Three minutes later you are paralysed and unable to breath.

Blue Ringed Octopus

3. Marbled Cone Snails

It looks beautiful but small Marbled Cone snails can be as deadly as the other animals in this list. One drop of poison so powerful and could kill more than 20 people. If you ever happen to be in the warm salt water environment (where this snails are often found) and see it, do not even think to pick it up. Of course, the real purpose of the poison is to catch its prey.

Marbled Cone Snails

2. King Cobra

This Animal live in Southeast Asia highland jungle. The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest venomous snake in the world – growing up to 5.6 m (18.5 ft) in length. Ophiophagus, literally means “snake-eater” like to eat other snakes. One bite of this deadly snake can easily kill humans. This snake can even kill mature Asian Elephant within 3 hours.

King Cobra

1. Box Jellyfish

This animal live in the waters of Asia and Australia. This animal has caused at least 5567 deaths recorded since 1954. The most deadly poisons in the world. It’s poison to attack the heart, nervous system, and skin cells. The victim will feel shock, drowning or dying of heart failure even before it reaches the coast.

Blue Box Jellyfish

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Top 10 Most Expensive Cars in the World 2010

2010-09-06T21:00:00.001+08:00

1. Koenigsegg Trevita: $2.21 Millions
Just three units to be produced. Koenigsegg Trevita is designed based on Koenigsegg CCXR and added with new shimmering diamond carbon fiber, named “Trevita” in Swedish means “three whites”.
Those three cars fully equipped with Koenigsegg Shimmering Diamond Weave bodywork, using double carbon wing, paddle-shift, inconell exhaust system, carbon ceramic brakes with ABS, hydraulic lifting system, infotainment system, tyre monitoring system, chrono instrument cluster and special airbags.The navigation system is also developed custom just for this model
For the Machine Koenigsegg placed the same 1018bhp engine. Special for this model, the exterior paint fully developed in Sweden, at Koenigsegg headquarters.

Koenigsegg Trevita

2. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport $2 Millions / $1.67 Millions for coupe version

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport use 1001 hp, 16-cylinder engine, and has been developed so there will be no draft inside, even when exploring the upper reaches of the car’s 217 mph top speed. Traits with 2.7 inch LCD mirror. This car is the world’s fastest roadster.

Bugatti Veyron 16 4 Grand Sport 57

3. Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster: $1.8 Millions

There are only 5 units available, and go on sale. Chassis made from carbon titanium. Powered by 678 HP Mercedes AMG V12, only 3.4 seconds to reach 100 kms/hours. Can reach 217 mph top speed. The body carbon and suspension is using titanium and magnesium.

Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster

4. Lamborghini Reventón Roadster: $1.56 Millions
The car design is inspired by Stealth aircraft display. This car using V12 650 HP Engine. Can reach top speed of 340kms/hours.The car is very Light in weight because the body is made using carbon fiber materials.

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

5. Lamborghini Reventón: $1.42 Millions
Not yet clear whether this old version of Reventon is still available. Only 20 units have made, This car created using black aluminum rim, like the newer version of roadster, the design is inspired by fighter aircraft.

Lamborghini Reventon

6. Maybach Landaulet: $1.4 Millions
This car is most expensive cars brand from Germany. Landaulet is the most expensive saloon car. This car have 604 HP, with top speed 155 miles / h, and using 12 twin turbo engine.

Maybach Landaulet

7. Koenigsegg CCXR : $1.3 Millions
Koenigsegg CCXR is another variant from Koenigsegg CCX that signed in environmentally friendly cars. This car use biofuels, need 3.1 seconds to reach 100km/hours, with top speed 250mph.

Koenigsegg CCXR

8. Koenigsegg CCX: $1.1 Millions
This car used V8 engines and only 806 units produced. It only takes 3.2 seconds to reach 100 Kms / hour. Top speed can be reach easily is 245 mph. The car tire use rim carbon, with 6 speed, and ceramic brakes.

Koenigsegg CCX

9. Leblanc Mirabeau: $765,000
Designed with 24 hours resilience test at Le mans. It can be driven on the road legally. Mirabeau is using 4.7-liter V8 engine, 700 hp, and can reach average speed of 230 mile / hours. Specially made to order, including for semi automatic transmission system version.

Leblanc Mirabeau

10. SSC Ultimate Aero: $740,000
New model with 270 mph top speed, spiller made from carbon, a temperature sensor and tire pressure to optimize driving conditions.

SSC ultimate aero

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Top 10 Luxury Foods

2010-09-02T17:31:00.001+08:00

1. Beluga Caviar

Taste Specialty Foods Beluga Caviar, Farmed, USA, 4-Ounce Tin

Beluga Caviar is the most expensive food item in the world, costing up to $5,000 per kilogram. Caviar is fish roe (eggs) and this particular brand comes from the Beluga Sturgeon, found mostly in the Caspian sea. It can take up to 20 years for a Beluga Sturgeon to reach its maximum size and they can weigh up to 2 tonnes. The eggs are the largest of the fish eggs used for caviar. Beluga usually ranges from purple to black, the palest being the most expensive. Beluga caviar is generally served on its own on small pieces of toast as it needs no additions of flavour to improve it. If you have not experienced eating caviar, when you bite down each egg pops and releases a slightly salty-fishy flavour.

2. Saffron

Taste Specialty Foods, Pure Spanish, Saffron, 1-Ounce Tin

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, reaching prices beyond $2,000 per pound (depending on season). Saffron is the three stigmas and style of the crocus flower. Each stigma and style must be picked by hand and it takes thousands to make a single ounce of the spice. Brightly yellow in colour, the spice is used for colouring and subtle flavouring of food. It has a bitter taste and a hay-like fragrance.

3. White Truffles

Italian Fresh White Truffles Whole 0.9-1.1 oz.

Truffles are from the underground ascomycetes family (tubers) and are reputed for their high prices. It has an odour similar to deep fried walnuts which is extremely pungent to some people, causing a reeling effect. Interestingly, some people are unable to detect the odour of truffles (which is possibly to their advantage!) The white truffle is the most expensive of the family. They are generally served sliced into extremely thin slivers on top of other food and are frequently suffused in oil for sale as truffle-oil.

4. Kobe Bee

Kobe Beef Bone-in Rib Eye - Two 16 oz steaks

True Kobe beef (神戸ビーフ) – raised from the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyu cattle – is produced only in Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan. It is bred according to secret, and strict traditions. It is fed on beer and grain and produces meat so tender and fatty that it rivals foie gras in texture. The beef can cost up to $300 per pound. This breed of cow is genetically predisposed to intense marbling, and produces a higher percentage of oleaginous, unsaturated fat than any other breed of cattle known in the world. Another special trick in the production of this meat is daily massages by the human owners. I must confess to being a little envious!

5. Bird’s Nest

The nests in question here are produced by a variety of Swifts, specifically Cave Swifts who produce the nest by spitting a chemical compound that hardens in the air. The nests are considered a delicacy in China and are one of the most expensive animal products consumed by humans. It is generally served as a soup but can also be used as a sweet. When combined with water, the hard nests take on a gelatinous texture. My own experience of Bird’s nest was in a pudding called Bird’s Nest and Almond soup – the nest was dissolved in almond milk which was served as a sweet soup. The nest tasted musty and had the texture of snot.

6. Fugu

Fugu (ふぐ) is the Japanese word for pufferfish and is also a Japanese dish prepared from the meat of pufferfish. Pufferfish are deadly and if the fish is prepared incorrectly it can lead to death (in fact there are numerous deaths reported in Japan each year from the consumption of this delicacy). One pinhead of the pufferfish poison is sufficient to kill a full grown adult male human. It has become one of the most celebrated Japanese dishes. In order to prepare the fish for human consumption, a Japanese chef must undergo rigourous training and certification. It is normally prepared in such a way that a tiny amount of poison is left in the fish as the poison gives it a slightly numbing and tingling effect.

7. Foie Gras

D'Artagnan Medallion of Foie Gras with Truffles - pack of 2

Second to caviar, foie gras is one of the finest western foods available. It is the liver of ducks (foie gras de canard) or geese (fois gras d’Oie). It is produced by a method called gravage, which is force-feeding of the animal of grain via a tube down the throat. Ducks and Geese have an anatomy that makes this painless. The liver expands to many times the normal size and contains a great deal of fat. The texture of foie gras is very similar to that of butter with a very earthy flavour. Foie gras is generally eaten as a raw pate, but is can be lightly cooked to give it a greater depth of flavour. Unfortunately this delicacy is surrounded by controversy and the sale and consumption is banned in some American cities (such as Chicago). It is freely available in all parts of Europe and the rest of the world.

8. Lobster

Live New England Lobster, 4-6 lb avg , 10 lb case, approximately 2 Lobsters

Lobsters form a large family of marine crustaceans that nets a $1.8 billion for the seafood industry every year. They have a close family relationship with fresh water crayfish. Lobsters live on rocky, sandy, or muddy bottoms from the shoreline to beyond the edge of the continental shelf. They generally live singly in crevices or in burrows under rocks. The most common preparation of lobster is to drop the living creature into a pot of boiling water which kills it very quickly. The flesh is then served with melted butter so as to not overpower the subtle flavour of the meat.

9. Matsutake

FungusAmongUs Wildcraft Dried Mushrooms, Matsutake, 1-Ounce Units (Pack of 4)

Matsutake (松茸) is the common name for a group of mushrooms in Japan. They have been an important part of Japanese cuisine for the last 1,000 years. The tradition of mushroom giving persists today in Japan’s corporate world, and a gift of matsutake is considered special and is cherished by those who receive it. The annual harvest of Matsutake in Japan is now less than 1000 tons, and it is partly made up by imports from China, Korea, and Canada; this is due to the difficulty in harvesting the mushrooms. The Japanese Matsutake at the beginning of the season, which is the highest grade, can go up to $2000 per kilogram.

10. Oysters

Charleston Seafood Oysters, 20-Pound Box

The name oyster is used for a number of different groups of mollusks which grow for the most part in marine or brackish water (water that is saltier than fresh water but not as salty as sea water). The oyster is the root of an idiomatic saying “The world is your oyster”, which means that to achieve something in this world, you have to grab the opportunity. All types of oysters (and, indeed, many other shelled molluscs) can secrete pearls, but those from edible oysters have no market value. Oysters are best served raw in their own juices with a slice of lemon. Oysters have, for many years, been considered an aphrodisiac.

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10 "Realistic" 3D tattoos

2010-09-01T22:30:00.000+08:00

Tattoos can be cool when done properly, or not when you're drunk. 3D tattoos seem to be an interesting trend in the tattoo world. Here are 10 of the best we could find.

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Top 10 Essential Women's Shoes

2010-08-31T22:32:00.001+08:00

1. The "Little Black Dress" of Shoes - A Low Heeled Black Pump

A low-heeled, comfortable black pump is essential to every woman's shoe collection for all those times when a strappy sandal or overly-glamorous shoe is inappropriate or too dressy, like an early dinner; an impromptu business meeting; or even a funeral.

These basic pumps from Fitzwell are versatile enough to pair with anything, and feature heels that are only 2 inches high. As an added bonus, these classically-styled shoes are also available in wide widths.

2. The "New Black" - Neutral Pumps

Stuart Weitzman Women's Pal Pump,Bluebird Soft Patent,4 M US

Even with as versatile as black pumps are, they simply will not go with everything. Add a neutral colored (not white) pump to your collection, and you'll have the the "basic pump" category of women's shoes covered. Shoes like these pretty pumps from Stuart Weitzman offer a classic look that will work season after season, and year after year.

3. The "Bread and Butter" of Women's Shoes - A Semi-Casual Flat

You'll want a shoe that can look cute with jeans, but not so casual that you couldn't wear nicer slacks with it too. This pretty skimmer from Gabriella Rocha is a great example the kind of shoe I'm talking about, and it's available in loads of great colors and materials.

4. The "Must-Have" - A Black High Heeled Dress Shoe

Charles By Charles David Women's Pompadour Pump,Camel Leather,9 M US

Nothing too strappy, nothing too trendy -- remember these are the basics -- but a black, dressy high heel is definitely an essential. This sexy "Pompadour" pump from Charles by Charles David is a prime example of a stunning classic. For wardrobe staples, I like fabric, matte leather, or suede uppers as they're a bit more versatile than patent.

5. The "Show Stopper" - A Metallic High Heeled Dress Shoe

Liliana Women's Coystal Sandal,Gold,10 M US

There are some special occasion outfits that won't work well with black shoes. For those, try a metallic killer evening shoe, such as this "Coystal" silver evening sandal from Liliana. Shoes like these are ideal with pastels, silver, grays and whites, but will still work great with black dresses too.

6. The "Comfort Food" of Shoes - Your Everyday Shoe

French Sole FS/NY Women's Sloop Ballerina,Graphite Grey,7.5 M US

Only you can be the judge of what will work best as your "every day" shoe, but whether it's a sneaker, a loafer or a flip-flop; comfort, fit and style should be key in choosing the right shoes for your everyday wear. I wear a lot of jeans, so I'm a sucker for cute and casual flats, like the 'Sloop' from French Sole. I often opt for bright and unique colors, because they add a bit of personality to even the most basic of outfits.

7. The "Walk in the Park" of Footwear - A Sneake

Puma Women's Court Super II (White/Pink Lady 10.0 M)

Again, the choice is yours, but whether it's a little white pointy sneaker, or an edgy, retro high top, every wardrobe needs a pair of comfortable sneakers. This simple sneaker from Puma is one of my favorite styles -- it's perfect for walks in the park, or trips to the grocery store.

8. The "Instant Make-Over" - Heeled Casual Shoes and Booties

Jessica Simpson Women's Kianna Shootie,Mahogany,8.5 M

Nothing can dress up a casual outfit and make you feel better about yourself, like adding a bit of height. It doesn't matter how high or low the heel is, it's just about getting out of flats for a bit. Look for casual booties or shoes with a bit of a heel for times when you want to be chic, even in jeans.

9. The Alternative to Women's Shoes - A Tall Boot

Whether it's a high-heeled fashion boot or a warm and comfy casual style, colder weather screams for boots. Plus, depending on the boots you choose, everything from skirts to jeans can look fantastic with them. Every woman's wardrobe should have at least one pair in brown or black. I like boots with a low heel that can go casual or dressy.

10. The "Warm Cup of Cocoa" - Slippers

I'm not talking about "glamourous" slippers here. I'm talking about, after a shower, sitting around in your bathrobe, talking on the phone kind of slippers. These "New Spa" slippers from Acorn are exactly the kind of slippers I'm talking about. After all, whatever shoes you wear during the day, you're feet will appreciate being pampered at night.

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Top 10 Wedding Rings

2010-08-31T16:20:00.002+08:00

Here is the list of the 10 most expensive wedding rings.

1) Paris Hilton – $4.7 million

Paris Hilton’s 24-Carat emerald-cut diamond ring added extra zing to Paris Latis’s vow to wed. With an approximate value of 4.7 million dollars, the much-hyped sparkling ring grabbed the first position on the list.

2) Donald Trump – $3 million

When Donald Trump gifted a gigantic 15-Carat diamond, worth over 3 million dollars to Melania Knauss for their engagement in 2004, the billionaire advertised that it was the most expensive engagement ring in history.

3) Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – $2.6 million

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s 40-carat diamond ring, auctioned for 2.6 million dollars in the year 1996, makes it the third most expensive engagement ring in history.

4) Michael Douglas – $2 million

Michael Douglas knows the heart winning tricks. He asked for Catherine Zeta-Jone’s hand in marriage, gifting her 10-carat marquise cut antique diamond engagement ring, estimated value of over 2 million dollars.

5) Tom Cruise – $1.5 million

It was in a desire to wed Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise showered all his feelings and love, presenting his lady love an extraordinary Edwardian Style oval shaped diamond ring, assumed to have cost around 1.5 million dollars.

6) Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck - $1.2 million

If it is Jennifer Lopez, how can Ben Affleck stay miser? Ben Affleck beautified the list when he made headlines by dropping over 1.2 million dollars on Jenifer Lopez’s engagement ring. The ring exhibited a jaw dropping 6.1 carat Harry Winston, pink diamond.

7) Prince Charles – $1 million

When Prince Charles offered his heartfelt feelings to Camilla Parker on bended knee, he was seen holding a square cut diamond ring, worth an estimated 1 million dollars. Yes, that’s why they say love exceeds all estimates!

8 ) Charlie Sheen – $550,000

In Brooke Mueller’s wedding, her fiancé Charlie Sheen placed a huge radiant cut, yellow diamond engagement ring worth $550,000 on her finger when the couple stepped into the engagement.

9) Eva Longoria – $500,000

When Tony Parker decided to propose to Eva Longoria, he appointed famed jeweler Jean Dousset to create an original emerald cut diamond ring with an estimated value of over 500,000 dollars.

10) Jennifer Garner – $500,000

It is Ben Affleck, who had proved several times that when it comes to romance he is a big spendthrift. He won Jennifer Garner’s heart, spending 500,000 dollars on an engagement ring.

source

Time Is Money: 10 Of The World’s Most Expensive Watches

2010-08-29T15:19:00.001+08:00

10. Zadora Timepieces

Manufacturer: Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof

The latest offering by Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof is a bee of oxidised palladium and micro pave. The bee is adorned with black and canary yellow diamonds, pear-shaped emerald eyes with a baroque south sea pearl in its mouth.
Price: $150,000

9. Titanic Watches

Manufacturer: Romain Jerome

A Swiss jeweller is now offering watches made from the hull of the Titanic.
The metal has been mixed with shipbuilding steel to make the casing. The black dials have been made by mixing the recovered coal burned in the Titanic’s furnaces with ceramics.
Price: $152,435

8. Double Tourbillon

Manufacturer: Breguet

The Breguet Double Tourbillion** comes hand-engraved with an image of the solar system.
This double-tourbillon watch has a 95 per cent pure platinum case while the blued-steel Breguet hands are wound manually and do not contain springs.
Price: $329,000

Breguet Classique Complications Tourbillon Messidor Mens Rose Gold Watch 5335BR/42/9W6

7. Opera One

Manufacturer: Girard-Perregaux

Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk II Pro BMW Oracle Racing Limited Edition Mens Watch 49950-11-651-FK6A
This beautiful platinum timepiece includes an alligator band and features a Westminster minute repeater and tourbillon with three gold bridges, manual winding, 75-hour power reserve and a see-through backing.
The watch has a power reserve indicator, a subsecond complication, a minute repeater and a truly elegant face.
What differentiates Girard-Perregaux’s Opera Three from other luxury watches is its ability to sound passing hours not with a beep but with actual tunes.
Price: $495,000

6. Grande Complication

Manufacturer: Blancpain

This wristwatch has a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, moon phase and an automatic winding mechanism.
The sleek crocodile wristband further adds to the look. It takes the maker eight to 10 months to piece together all 740 components and only 18 of a limited run of 30 watches have been assembled till now. Price: $785,000

5. Tecnica Skeleton Chronograph

Manufacturer: Parmigiani Fleurier

This watch hit the market early this year.
Each unit of the watch includes a platinum case and other interesting features like a minute repeater, tourbillon and chronograph, as well as a cathedral chime.
Price: $850,000

4. Classical Billionaire Tourbillion

Manufacturer: Corum

The shimmering wristwatch is adorned with 850 diamonds and boasts a dazzling skeleton dial with skeleton hour and minute hands. The watch is manually wound with 90-hour power reserve and features Caliber CO-372 by Corum and La Joux-Perret.
Rightly named so, the Billionaire Tourbillion comes in many versions with price ranging from $325,000 to $998,000. Only 10 pieces are in production.
Price: $998,000

3. Big Bang Chronograph

Manufacturer: Hublot, Bunter SA

The renowned watchmaker, Hublot, in alliance with a diamond-setting workshop, Bunter SA, designed and developed an elite watch dubbed Big Bang.
The $1-million Big Bang boasts a fully invisible setting that makes the material disappear. Only things that can be seen are the diamonds.
The credit goes to the craftsmen who accomplished the tedious job of making this exclusive watch, which was not feasible a few years ago.
Price: $1 milllion

2. Tour de l’Ile

Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Costantin’s Tour de l’Ile was designed in 2005. The collectible piece is also the most complicated double-face watch, and only produced in a limited edition of seven.
This 834-part watch took over 10,000 man-hours to be made and features an 18-carat silver gold dial with a hand-sewn alligator leather band and pink gold buckle.
It touts an original combination of horological complications and astronomical indications forming 16 different points, including a minute repeater, sunset time, perpetual calendar, second time zone, and a tourbillon device.
Price: $1.5 million

1. Joaillerie 101 Manchette

Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre

Joaillerie 101 Manchette is the

most Expensive watch in the world!

In this watch, a unsystematic series of polished or gem-set links (a jewellery puzzle) hides the exalted Calibre 101.It’s wonderful to look for the time through the gold, diamonds and onyx cabochons. The wristwatch is festooned with 576 diamonds and comes in 18-carat white gold. The versions with Onyx have 400 diamonds and 11 onyx cabochons.
Price: Unknown at the moment

10 Hilarious Wallet Designs

2010-08-27T23:26:00.000+08:00

Money Wallet

Why must you feel this stylish? Hey, it must be the Money Wallet! This slick benjamin-covered wallet is the perfect flashy accessory for fly guys and girls alike. Made of vegan-friendly materials, with plenty of pockets for all your money and cards, this wallet is perfect for big-spenders and jet-setters - so make sure to bust it out on your next night out.
Loaded! $100 Bill Wallet

Bacon Wallet

Put some hip into your hip pocket with one of these whimsical wallets!

Air Mail Par Avion – Mighty Wallet

Cassette Tape Wallet

Retro wallets hand-made from cassette tapes as every 'cassette wallet' is hand made,
each design is a one-off. once its gone its gone!

Gama-Go Cassette Owl Coin Purse

3 Ring Binder Mighty Wallet

Made of durable, long lasting Tyvek
Recylcable and eco-friendly
2Inerior pockets for cash and slots for cards
Measures approximately 8 x 3 x 1/8 in (open)

Tyvek 3 Ring Binder Mighty Billfold Wallet

Dynomighty Design Men’s NYC Subway Map Mighty Wallet

Apple keyboard wallet

Crossword wallet

DIY Wallets 100% vinyl
Measures 4”x4.5” folded. ID and credit card slots, as well as a deep slot for cash/left overs.

NES Controller Duct TapeWallet

Here is another fun Nintendo themed accessory, almost as cool as NES Controller iPhone case, the NES Controller Duct Tape Wallet.This fun duct tape wallet is made by Etsy seller upsidedownfrown, and is exactly like the tons of other duct tape wallets we have seen before.

Recycled Newspaper Bi Fold Wallets

Most Bizzare/weird hats

2010-08-27T22:22:00.000+08:00

Everyone likes a good hat to cover their heads. A hat will shade us from the sun and can even make a statement about our personality. Then there are the people that wear the weirdest hats anyone has ever seen.

Bathroom Hat

No reason to make a stop at the bathroom when you are wearing this hat. If you really like the style of your bathroom, but don’t want to invite people over to see it. Design a hat to show it off.

Are you going to wear this one?

The Ashtray Hat

Want to make a statement about smoking? Then try this hat on for size. Your message might be read loud and clear.

this might be quiet good for men

The Pretzel Hat

If you are a pretzel lover, then you might like this hat.

The Squid Hat

Have a certain affliction for a sea creature? If the squid is you favorite see animal or you just like calamari, then maybe you would like to wear this hat.

Turkey Hat

I am sure there are many of us out there that love a good Thanksgiving dinner, but not many of us would show up to the family function wearing one of these.

The Couch Hat

There is only one way that you can show off your favorite piece of furniture and this is the hat to do it. Maybe you are looking for cheap furniture online? Then right price furniture is a great choice. They offer white, oak ,pine and french bedroom room packages.

The Martini Glass Hat

If you like your hats like you like your drinks, shaken and not stirred, then you will love showing off your favorite drink in this hat.

The Toilet Paper Roll Hat

Always have a runny nose? Or do you have the same problem everyone else has with never being able to find the toilet paper when you need it?

A double purpose hat isn't?

The Flamingo Hat

This hat was made for the proud Floridian, where the Flamingos are plenty.

The Bug Hat

This is for the people who are obsessed with bugs, or the movie The Fly.

The 10 Most Expensive Cell Phones in the World

2010-08-26T14:35:00.000+08:00

With more and more options available on today’s cellular phones, it is not surprising that there is a class of phone only affordable by the super major rich. A few years ago it may have sounded crazy to spend several hundred dollars on a cellular phone, however, now there is no limit to the amount of money you can end up spending to have the latest and greatest in cell phones.

10. Prada phone by LG- Price: $780

The Prada phone by LG just narrowly edged my personal favorite, the Gold Striker Gold 24-carat Iphone to make the list. At just 1.2 cm thick, the Prada phone, like the Iphone, has no buttons and is operated solely by way of the touch screen.

9. Porsche Cellphone by Sagem - Price: $1,600

Designed by Porsche, but engineered and manufactured by France-based Sagem, the Porsche handset is currently available in Britain, Dubai and other oversees markets.

8. Mobiado Professional EM- Price: $2,200

Made from ebony wood, hard-anodized aluminum and titanium, Nokia driven Mobiado Professional EM handsets are individually unique due to the variations in wood patterning per instrument. It features a 1.3 MP camera, music playback and an FM radio.

7. Gresso Black Aura Collection - Price: Up to $13,000

Gresso boastfully claims that its Black Aura cellphones are 200 years old – due to the age of the African Blackwood on each phone’s case. Black Aura series ranges from $6,500 to $13,000 with the most expensive featuring an 18-carat gold front panel.

6. Diamond Iphone- Price: $41,000

The diamond iPhone boasts an impressive 420 diamonds at a total weight of 5.65 carats set in 18K white or yellow gold. It can also be ordered in white, black or pink sapphires. The phone, by UK blingmeister general Amosu, at a blustering $41,000 is sure to not make any “Will it blend” videos anytime soon.

5.Vertu Signature- Price: Up to $81,000

4. VIPN Black Diamond Smartphone- Price: $300,000

The creation of Swiss manufacturer VIPN, the titanium construction known as the “Black Diamond” is a one of a kind actually a 1 of 5 to be exact, and for generously shelling out 300,000 big ones, you get a Quadband phone with WiFi and Bluetooth, a 2 inch 256K TFT screen, 4MP camera, VOIP and 2 huge diamonds.

3. Bucheron for Vertu Cobra- Price: $310,000

Parisian jeweler House of Bucheron linked up with Nokia subsidiary Vertu on this limited-edition series of eight cobra phones, which include a two-carat pear-cut diamond, a one-carat round diamond, two emerald eyes and 439 rubies totaling 21 carats. Vertu phones also link up to a special concierge service with information about travel, entertainment, restaurants and events. Other Vertu phones sell between $4,350 and $81,000.

2. The Diamond Crypto Smartphone- Price: $1.3 Million

Designed by diamond encruster extraordinaire Peter Aloisson The Diamond Crypto Smartphone is sometimes quoted as the World’s most expensive cell phone (depending on exchange rates). Russian firm JSC Ancort has developed a Windows CE-based smartphone ready for Aloisson’s bejeweling that employs “powerful encryption technology” to “provide secure protection of information against kidnapping, technological blackmail, financial racketeers and corrupted state officials” — sounds like marketing speak for a password-protected wallet app. Of course, with its $1.3 million price tag and 50 diamonds (10 of which are blue) you might start to have more trouble with mugging than with technological blackmail.

1. The GoldVish Le Million-Price: $1.45 Million

Guinness World Records certifies this GoldVish phone as the most expensive in the world–1 million euros, or about $1.45 million. The odd-shaped device is made out of 18-carat white gold and features 1,800 diamonds totaling 120 carats. A Russian businessman bought Le Million for his wife last September at a luxury goods fair in Cannes, France. Don’t have a spare million for this made-by-request gadget? Geneva-based GoldVish has plenty of expensive phones in its lineup, including models with gold plating and diamond-studded cases.

Top Ten Bestseller Watches for Women

2010-08-24T21:08:00.002+08:00

We ladies perceive watches as stylish timekeeping accessories that should match not only our personal style but also traits of character & personality. Below you will discover a selection of Top Ten Bestseller Women's Watches highly demanded due to their eye catching design, functionality and accuracy.

1.Citizen Watch for a Graceful Lady

Citizen Women's EW8464-52D Eco-Drive Silhouette Crystal Accented Gold-Tone Watch

Citizen Eco-Drive Women's Silhouette Crystal Watch is destined to become a graceful complement to your highly feminine style. The two-tone stainless steel women's watch is embellished with Swarovski crystals paving the bezel and accent pieces of the bracelet. The optically pure Swarovski crystals are characterized by a highly refractive quality.

The mother-of-pearl dial of the Citizen watch reveals thin gold hands, and a nice mixture of gold dial markers and Roman numerals. The timepiece goes on an artful stainless steel bracelet composed of silver stainless steel pieces with Swarovski crystals on a gold-tone background.

The majestic women's watch is equipped with the Citizen Eco-Drive system developed to absorb natural and artificial light through the crystal to recharge the watch.

2. Casio Watch for a Contemporary Lady

Casio Women's BG5601-4DR Baby-G Square Luminous Color Pink Digital Watch
Casio Women's Baby G Digi Square Pink Watch is a decidedly contemporary timepiece for a lady who enjoys active lifestyle and is bold enough to experiment with her style. The watch touches imagination with its sleek, straight modern lines. The stylish yet durable pink translucent resin case and strap finely match a pink display.

The women's digital watch is packed with a variety of sports timekeeping features. The shock-resistant timepiece offers a 1/100-second stopwatch with a 60-minute measuring capacity and elapsed time, split time, 1st/2nd place time modes, and a 24-hour countdown timer. The Casio watch guarantees 100-meter water resistance and is great for recreational snorkeling.

Among other functions of the women's watch you will discover the following: multi-function alarm, 12/24-hour formats, and year/month/date/day display with an auto-calendar till 2039. The timepiece also offers AfterGlow LED electro-luminescent backlight.

3. Bulova Watch for a Strong-Willed Lady

Bulova Women's 96R19 Diamond Chronograph Watch
Bulova Women's Diamond Chronograph Watch 96R19 successfully combines femininity and sporty appeal. The timepiece is destined for energetic strong-willed ladies.

The white dial of the Bulova elegant dress chronograph is framed by sixteen majestic diamonds paving the bezel. You will notice luminous hands and markers, a stainless steel seconds hand, and a date window positioned at 4 o'clock. There are also 3 sub-dials displaying small seconds, minutes to sixty, and 24-hours. The big face of the watch offers supreme legibility.

The stainless steel case of the Bulova watch goes on a refined steel link bracelet provided with a deployment-clasp. The timepiece is equipped with a precise Japanese quartz movement. It is 30-meter water resistant.

The elegant style of the watch allows wearing it when you are dressed up in the evening or with casual clothes during the day.

4.Movado Watch for a Mysterious Lady

Movado Women's 690299 Classic Museum Gold-Plated Watch

Movado Women's Classic Museum Watch 0604229 paralyses the glance with the timeless combination of black and gold. The mysterious nature of the Movado watch is reflected through its sleek architectural lines and black Museum dial. The timepiece is created in classic Movado style. It will finely match the wrist of a busy lady wearing a strict business suit or a nice dress.

The bold dial of the women's watch features gold tone Dauphine hands and an eye-catching concave dot at 12 o'clock. The timepiece has been designed with the distinctive minimalist look introduced by American designer Nathan George Horwitt in 1947. Horwitt wanted his design to represent a sun dial, with the dot imitating the sun at high noon. The face is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

The ultra-thin gold-plated case of the Movado watch is 26 mm in diameter. It is framed by a gold tone stainless steel bezel with streamlined elongated lugs. The timepiece embraces the wrist with a soft black calf skin strap equipped with a buckle closure.

The women's watch is equipped with a Swiss quartz movement and is 30-meter water resistant. It may accompany its female owner while she is swimming or poolside diving.

5. Seiko Watch for an Elegant Lady

Seiko Women's SUJ712 Watch

Seiko Women's Watch SUJ712 is an attractive dress watch with feminine, sophisticated look. Created as a casually elegant accessory, the Seiko watch will add a nice touch to any ensemble.

The gold-tone stainless steel case of the women's watch measures 0.9 inches in diameter. The perfectly polished bezel frames the white iridescent mother-of-pearl dial featuring the harmonious combination of Arabic numerals, silver-tone baton hands and stick markers. The clear easy-to-read face of the timepiece is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The zest of the timepiece is a polished gold Cabochon crown with black top.

The Seiko watch embraces the wrist with a lustrous, highly polished gold-tone stainless steel link bracelet with a push-button deployment clasp. Due to the top quality of the bracelet finish, the timepiece feels smooth when on the wrist and is really scratch-resistant.

The women's watch is powered by a reliable Japanese quartz movement. It provides 30-meter water resistance.

6. Casio Watch for a Business Lady

Casio Women's LQ139A-1B3 Black Casual Classic Analog Watch

Casio Women's Black Casual Classic Watch LQ139A-1B3 is designed for ladies who like accessories of classy, discreet design.

The Casio watch created in casual style features black acrylic bezel and sleek stainless steel case, 24 mm in diameter. The black easy-to-read dial of the timepiece with silvery-grey central part is completed with silver-tone hands, numbers and indices. The women's watch is equipped with a quartz movement and is water resistant.

This Casio women's watch provides reliable timekeeping and supreme comfort on the wrist - it is so lightweight, you hardly notice you're wearing it.

The timepiece is designed as a fine female companion for everyday life of a busy lady.

7. Citizen Watch for a Charming Lady

Citizen Women's Eco-Drive Charm Bracelet Watch EG2280-51E is an exquisitely artful and decidedly feminine model. The zest of the timepiece is an elegant jewelry style bracelet with two delicate charms - a heart with keyhole, and a key. The charms are attached as a unit to the bracelet with a clasp designed as a lobster claw, so it is easy to remove or reposition them.

The rectangular silver stainless steel case of the Citizen watch has a rounded top and bottom. The side parts of the watch's face are accented by a total of 18 Swarovksi crystals. The black dial sports quarter-hours markers, tiny silver-tone hands, and a patterned center.

The timepiece is equipped with the unique Citizen Eco-Drive absorbing sunlight and any artificial light through the crystal, thus continuously recharging the watch. The timepiece guarantees 30-meter water resistance.
The Citizen women's watch will become a fine timekeeping companion for a romantic lady who likes to express her femininity through every detail.

8. Skagen Watch for a Globetrotter

Skagen Men's 281LSS Dual-Time Mesh Watch
Skagen Women's Dual-Time Mesh Watch 281SGSC is the best choice for a lady-globetrotter who often travels on business or for pleasure.

The Skagen high-style stainless steel women's dress watch offers a unique dual-time function for tracking two different time zones. The timepiece features a two-level dial, protected by a scratch-resistant mineral crystal, with one dial placed atop the other. The gold-tone dagger-style hands and markers nicely match the brushed silver chrome face.

The easily adjustable stainless steel bracelet improves the entire look of the Skagen watch with an elegant texture. The mid-sized timepiece measuring 20mm wide and 8mm thick will finely match a gentle female wrist.

The watch is powered by a Japanese quartz movement and boasts 100-meter water resistance. It may accompany a lady when she is swimming, snorkeling, or diving for recreation.

9.Timex Watch for a Lady Who Loves Sports

Timex Women's Ironman Traditional 30-Lap Flix Watch T5G421 is specially created for ladies' sports training. The mid-sized, shock-resistant Timex digital watch is packed with a variety of functions. The timepiece is provided with a 30-lap memory and the unique hands-free Flix Indiglo activation system.

The Timex watch is housed in a durable silver and lavender resin case equipped with large buttons for the easy-access timing functions. It is secured to the wrist with a comfortable Velcro Fast Wrap strap. The watch boasts 100-meter water resistance. It offers three alarms and three time zones. There is also a top pusher for quick access to lap and split times, an occasion mode for setting reminders, and all-day white reflector display.

The women's watch provides a range of sports timing functions, including a 100-hour chronograph with lap or split option in large digits; 30-lap memory recall; 2-mode countdown timer; forward or backward setting; and built-in setting reminders.

With the patented blue electroluminescent lighting technology, the Indiglo night-light lights the surface of the dial. It requires less battery power than the majority of other watch illumination systems, so the watch's battery lasts longer.

10. Seiko Watch for a Lady Who Loves Classic Style

Seiko Women's SXGA02 Brown Leather Strap Watch
Seiko Women's Strap Watch SXGB76 has successfully united warm gold and brown shades. It will become a great choice for a lady captured by the timeless appeal of the classic style.

The gold-tone stainless steel case of the women's watch is accompanied by a stylish, supple brown leather band equipped with a gold-tone buckle. The champagne dial, protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, reveals black Arabic numerals and thin black hands.

The Seiko watch provides reliable timekeeping, being powered by a Japanese quartz movement. It is 30-meter water resistant.

Top 10 Richest Filipino man!

2010-08-23T16:39:00.000+08:00

10. Oscar Lopez ($315 million)- Chairman and chief executive officer concurrently of Benpres Holdings Corporation (Benpres) and First Philippine Holdings Corporation (First Holdings). Benpres is the publicly-listed holding company of the Lopez family for major investments in broadcast, telecommunications and cable, power generation and distribution, and road and water infrastructure. First Holdings is the specific associate holding company for power generation and distribution. Also he is he head of Meralco, ABS -CBN , and Maynilad Water.

9. Emilio Yap ($350 million)-Chinese-Filipino business magnate who was ranked 9th richest Filipino by Forbes Asia in 2006. Yap is the proprietor of the prestigious Manila Hotel and is the chairman of the daily broadsheet Manila Bulletin. The businessman also owns PhilTrust Bank and major shares of the Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCom).

8. Andrew Tan ($480 million)- Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Megaworld Corporation, one of the country's leading property developers. He was ranked 4th richest Filipino by Forbes Asia in 2007. He is also the country's newest billionaire.

In real estate, Tan pioneered the concept of live-work-play development for condominiums and residential homes. He saw that buyers wanted to sleep, be with their families, work and enjoy leisure time, all within the same radius. The prototype of this concept is Eastwood City, carved out of what used to be barren land and a row of warehouses before 1999. Tan's Megaworld made a dark-horse bet on the outsourcing and back-office business when it developed the Eastwood City Cyberpark in Manila's northern suburbs. Tan applied for and received the kind of government tax incentives usually given to the Philippines' industrial export-processing zones. Big tenants such as IBM soon moved their back-office operations there. A train of other companies including payroll and accounting services, animation houses and call centers followed.

7.Tony Tan Caktiong ($575 million)- Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Philippine fast food chain Jollibee. Jollibee now has over 600 stores in the Philippines and 27 international stores in countries such as the United States and Hong Kong.

After graduating from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1975 with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Tan Caktiong set up the Cubao Ice Cream House in the Coronet Theater and the Quiapo Ice Cream House with money borrowed from his parents. He was newly married to his wife Grace then, and he needed a business in order to start a family. Tan Caktiong had initially planned just a parlor solely selling ice cream, but when he noticed that customers were looking for more than just ice cream, he decided to start serving sandwiches as well. Additional dishes such as hamburgers, french fries, and fried chicken soon followed.

6. John Gokongwei ($700 million)- Filipino businessman with holdings in telecom, financial services, petrochemicals, power, aviation and hog farming. In 2005, he was listed by Forbes as the 34th richest person in Southeast Asia, with a fortune of US$425 million. Some say that the Forbes estimate of Mr. Gokongwei's fortune is very low, considering his large business portfolio.
He is the chairman of JG Summit Holdings, one of largest conglomerates in the Philippines. Some estimates of his fortune tagged at a very conservative $4.5 billion well above the $425 million that Forbes estimates. In 2005, his company had spent $700 million of internally generated funds for acquiring new aircrafts for his airline, Cebu Pacific Air, the second largest carrier in the Philippines. From 2003 up to the present his telecom arm Digitel Telecommunication has spent nearly $800 million for its mobile unit Sun Cellular which is now 3rd largest mobile operator in the Philippines. He is in talks right now for his possible $1 billion takeover of UIC a property giant from Singapore which he owns more than 30% already. UIC controls Singapore Land one of the biggest property landlord in Singapore. Gokongwei also owns Universal Robina Corporation, largest manufacturer of snacks in the Philippines and the maker of the very successful C2 green tea drink in the country. He also controls Robinsons Land one of the biggest property concerns in the Philippines that operates the Robinsons Malls.

5. George Ty ($830 million) - Filipino-Chinese finance tycoon. He founded Metropolitan Bank and Trust, currently the largest bank in terms of Assets and Capital in the Philippines. He also has stakes in the Bank of the Philippine Islands and Philippine Savings Bank, a Metrobank subsidiary.

4. Eduardo Cojuangco ($840 million) - Filipino tycoon and powerbroker. He is the chief executive of San Miguel Corporation, the Philippines' largest food and beverage conglomerate. He has tried his hands in politics, running for president once but eventually losing to Fidel V. Ramos. He almost entered the presidential race again a few years after his loss but later withdrew. Cojuangco has since played only supporting roles in government, successfully fielding candidates for national and local elections and endorsing political appointees.

Other than owning the largest food and beverage corporation in the country and several other companies, Cojuangco and his family also have economic influence particularly in the province of Negros. When he and his close friend Ferdinand Marcos left the country in 1986, Cojuangco was estimated to have acquired over of 5,300 hectares of agricultural lands in the towns of Himamaylan, Isabela, La Castellana, La Carlota, Pontevedra and San Enrique. He was also engaged in sugar farms, orchards, cattle ranches, fighting cocks breeding farms business before he left. Upon his return in the Philippines in 1991, he made the province as a base for his recovery, busying himself in various expansion projects there yet again. In 2005, he lost 27% of San Miguel Corporation's stock following a court decision, and he still faces civil suit over some more stocks the government holds "ill-gotten" from the Martial Law era. Recent estimates however hold that today, the Cojuangcos own more than 20,000 hectares of productive agricultural lands in Negros alone.

3. Jaime Zobel de Ayala ($2.0 billion) - Prominent Filipino businessman and photographer. He served as both president and chairman of Ayala Corporation from 1984 to 1994 (succeeding his first cousin, Enrique Zobel), when he retired as president. In 2006 he retired as chairman; he is currently chairman emeritus of the corporation. His eldest son, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, is chairman and chief executive officer of Ayala while his younger son, Fernando Zobel, is president of the corporation.
Zobel graduated from Harvard University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts in architectural science. He was Philippine ambassador to the Court of St. James's in London and the Scandinavian countries from 1970 to 1975. He is married to Beatriz Miranda Zobel de Ayala.

In the 2006 Forbes ranking of billionaires, "Jaime Zobel de Ayala & family" was ranked #606 with a net worth of US$1.3 billion.

In 2007, Jaime Zobel de Ayala tied with Henry Sy as the richest person in the Philippines with a net worth of $2.6 Billion according to Forbes magazine.

Zobel de Ayala's principal hobby is photography. He is considered a world class photographer. He specializes in art photography over the last 30 years. He was the first Filipino amateur photographer to be awarded a Licentiate by the Royal Photographic Society. He has received numerous awards in the Philippines and internationally. He was commended also by the French and Spanish governments for his contributions to art and culture. He is a member of the Camera Club of the Philippines.

2. Lucio Tan ($2.3 billion) - One of the most prominent business magnates in the Philippines. He owns Asia Brewery, the second largest brewery in the Philippines, Tanduay Holdings, one of the world's largest rum makers, Fortune Tobacco, the largest tobacco company in the country, Philippine Airlines the Philippines' flag carrier, (these companies are just some of the 300 companies that Tan controls). According to some estimates, the total value of his business empire would not be less than $2.3 billion, and he controls 40 to 60% of that.

1.Henry Sy ($4.0 billion) - Known as the Father of Philippine Retailing, is the founder and chairman of the SM Group of Companies. Regarded as the country’s retail pioneer, Sy started out as the owner of a small shoe store in Quiapo in 1946, and has since become the patriarch of the Philippines’ biggest and largest chain of shopping malls -- SM Shoemart. He founded SM Department Store (Shoe Mart, 1958), set up the first air-conditioned shoe store, the first integrated mall, the first mall chain, and the biggest shopping mall in Asia and the 3rd biggest in the world. He is one of the three billionaires topping the list of the Philippines’ 40 richest persons with a net worth of $3.1 billion. Henry Sy is also the Philippines’ largest banker ($1.69 billion equity) and the biggest long-term investor in tourism.
Henry Sy's family left China when he was 12 years old and opened a grocery store in Manila. He studied at Far Eastern University and worked after school as a middleman, buying and selling shoes. After some success in the buy-and-sell business, he sold shoes himself, traveling 40 hours by propeller plane to New York to get the goods. He picked up retailing ideas from his trips to the US and, upon returning to the Philippines, started his own shoe store in Quiapo, then the commercial capital of Manila.

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10 most beautiful, unique and amazing celebrity homes!

2010-08-23T15:27:00.000+08:00

The list below is in no particular order. While the home sites are numbered, the numbering does not indicate that we favor one home over another or that they are listed in order of value.

1.Oprah Winfrey: This home, located in Santa Barbara, California, belongs to Oprah Winfrey. The property covers approximately forty-two acres and the house is 23,000 square feet. It has six bedrooms, fourteen bathrooms, ten fireplaces and a home theater. Oprah added a man-made lake stocked with rare fish and she had local Montecito sandstone bricks hand-laid into a quarter-mile long driveway. Although this house is nicknamed, “Oprah’s Hearst Castle,” we like it because of the landscaping, which is meticulous. To Oprah’s credit, this property contains the largest amount of green space in Santa Barbara. Its balanced elegance reminds us somewhat of the famous historic Biltmore estates located in Ashland, North Carolina.

2. Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn: Actors Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell moved to Vancouver, Canada to support their son’s fledgling hockey career. This home, a Tudor-style creation located in the Shaughnessy area, is now on the market again and listed at $5.4 million Canadian. It contains five bedrooms and eleven fireplaces, a gym and a built-in theater room, and the house sports a grand oak paneled entrance hall with fireplace, two dens, new kitchen, private yard and a separate coach house. There is a formal living room and separate dining room, a conservatory, and the master suite contains a separate dressing area. The couple purchased the home in 2002 for $2,995,000, or $1,875,000 US dollars, and its charm and settings make the grade for this list.

3. Madonna: This pop-singer icon made a bid on Ashcombe, the former home of late photographer Cecil Beaton, in 2001. Friends including Rex Whistler, Salvador Dali and Augustus John returned Beaton’s hospitality by painting murals in the house. Located in Wiltshire, England, this 1,200-acre carried a guide price of £9 million. This was the first time that Ashcombe had been for sale on the open market since the First World War. It is an exceptionally private house, hidden in its own valleys which contain one of the country’s best shoots. The pop star learned how to fish, hunt and ride horses, so this home seemed to fit Madonna to a “T” in 2001. The couple also owns a mansion in London, and the Wiltshire property is within easy reach and close to the Wiltshire estate of Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler. They are close friends of the singer and first introduced her to her husband, Guy Ritchie. It appears recently, however, that Madonna has put Aschombe on the market again, this time to the tune of £12 million.

4.George Clooney: This sexy and talented actor purchased this 25-room Italian villa in 2001. Known as Villa Oleandra, it is said to contain an outdoor theater, a large swimming pool and a garage for Clooney’s motorcycles. Italian journalists and tourists swarmed to the small town of Laglio, where this villa is located, when they heard rumors that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie would wed at pal George Clooney’s lakeside estate. Clooney has some illustrious neighbors as well - designer Donatella Versace owns a home on Lake Como near the burial place of her late brother Gianni. Singer Avril Lavigne and husband Deryck Whimbey honeymooned in Lake Como a few years ago as well. Clooney really admires this home and says, “I go there whenever I can. It’s where I wrote Good Night And Good Luck and where I finished the script for Leatherheads. It’s a really peaceful place to go and write.” Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are regular guests at the mansion, where Clooney also shot scenes for the film, Ocean’s Twelve.

5. Joel Horowitz: The co-founder for Tommy Hilfiger found his home - named Tranquility - in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. This home, conveniently located on the tax-free side of Lake Tahoe, contains a 20,000-square-foot main house that is modeled after a northern European mountain home. It also contains a 3,500-bottle wine cellar, an indoor swimming pool and an atrium as well as a 19-seat movie theater. It also boasts nine bedrooms, fourteen full and five half-baths, a private lake with docks and two par-three golf holes. While this home could be called “ostentatious,” it carries a glamor reminiscent of Europe. The living room features a double-height ceiling adorned with carved beams, large windows at one apse-like end and hand-carved antique fireplaces. The dining room’s floor dates back to the 17th century, and was salvaged from a French chateau. Its ceilings are hand-painted, not with Old World themes, but images of animals indigenous to Lake Tahoe. Want to purchase the home? It’s on the market again for a cool $100 million.

6. Jerry Seinfeld: Comedian Jerry Seinfeld purchased this lavish and luscious East Hampton, New York estate from rocker Billy Joel for the then record-setting price of $32 million in 2000. According to the magazine, OK!, this home beat out properties own by Donald Trump, Sir Elton John, and even George Clooney’s Italian villa noted above for the number one celebrity palace in 2007. This home has been described as a “magnificent Tudor-style waterfront manor … sited on over 14 acres of rolling lawns and naturalized landscaping. There are three buildings total with a sum of twenty-four rooms, including eight full baths and five half-baths. There are thirteen fireplaces, a gym, indoor and outdoor pools, a gourmet kitchen, a tennis court, a bowling alley, a guest cottage, a music room, a smoking bar and a wine cellar. Annual taxes are $208,463.

7.William Zysblat: William Zysblat recently purchased this modern beauty located in East Quogue, New York. Zysblat’s company, RZO Productions, has handled business and management affairs for rock icons U2, David Bowie, The Police and the Rolling Stones among others. The sale of the oceanfront post modern home on Dune Road closed in December for $6.2 million. The asking price for the 3,200 sq ft dwelling had been $6.7 million. The property includes 166 feet of ocean frontage on 2.5 acres. The home was designed by Quogue-based architect Jay Sears, and has a heated gunite pool, guest house, and tennis and bocce courts.

8.Tony Hawk: Tony Hawk shoveled his profits from professional skateboarding and gaming into this modest 5,000 square-foot home with a 4,000 square-foot skate park in Carlsbad, California. He grew frustrated from begin hassled by fans at public parks, so he added this unique skateboarding feature to his home. It comes complete with a rail, a center pyramid and a ledge that serves as a bench. Other outdoor features include a basketball court and a pool. Inside you’d find about $150,000 worth of gaming electronics hooked to a 65-inch plasma HDTV. Sounds like Hawk lives his work - all skateboard and video games. And, although this home seems a bit on the stark side, Hawk has made it his home. That, in our book, is truly amazing for any celebrity.

9.Brad Pitt: We chose Brad Pitt and his home(s) for several reasons. First, although this cliffside home isn’t shabby (worth about $4.5 million), it is just one piece of the Pitt puzzle. When you compare this home to their modest 1830s New Orleans dwelling, the cliffside home takes on a new perspective. This house is unusual, just like the house in the New Orleans that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Not to say that the home in Louisiana was inexpensive - it’s located near the French Quarter, and Pitt paid $3.5 million in cash on January 2, 2007, for the right to live there. According to the news story, “A real estate listing for the property shows the house has a grand spiral staircase, elevator, gourmet kitchen, a large private courtyard and a separate two-story guest house. It also has private parking for two cars - a luxury in the French Quarter.” Of course, it was a matter of convenience as well, as Pitt was filming The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in Louisiana last year. And, in the process, he’s also overseer of the housing project in storm-ravaged lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans. This effort, in our opinion, is a mighty one indeed. In contrast to his isolated home in California, Brad and his consort, Angelina Jolie, appear to be good southern neighbors in a busy and famous neighborhood.

10.Brad Pitt: We chose Brad Pitt and his home(s) for several reasons. First, although this cliffside home isn’t shabby (worth about $4.5 million), it is just one piece of the Pitt puzzle. When you compare this home to their modest 1830s New Orleans dwelling, the cliffside home takes on a new perspective. This house is unusual, just like the house in the New Orleans that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Not to say that the home in Louisiana was inexpensive - it’s located near the French Quarter, and Pitt paid $3.5 million in cash on January 2, 2007, for the right to live there. According to the news story, “A real estate listing for the property shows the house has a grand spiral staircase, elevator, gourmet kitchen, a large private courtyard and a separate two-story guest house. It also has private parking for two cars - a luxury in the French Quarter.” Of course, it was a matter of convenience as well, as Pitt was filming The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in Louisiana last year. And, in the process, he’s also overseer of the housing project in storm-ravaged lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans. This effort, in our opinion, is a mighty one indeed. In contrast to his isolated home in California, Brad and his consort, Angelina Jolie, appear to be good southern neighbors in a busy and famous neighborhood.

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