We are assuming you’re reading this from your smartphone on a beach somewhere; basking in the sun and enjoying summer and life when it’s at its best. We also know all you letitflower’s can’t go too many days without adding extra luxury into your life. So we thought we’d give you some tips for the best and hottest beach accessories for your next shopping spree. Enjoy the sun!

Holloway sunglasses

These cool sunglasses from Australian eyewear designers Holloway won’t only be a fashion statement, but a conscious fashion statement as well. Made from furniture, skateboards and car parts your new sunnies will have a story behind them. And yes, they ship worldwide (in re-used packaging!).

Freitag tote bag

This cool tote bag comes in a variety of colours. Freitag bags are made of material from the road such as truck tarps, bicycle inner tubes, seatbelts and airbags. Definitely an item for the environmentally conscious!

Katharine Hamnett bikini

While on the eco-track, why not have a look at this fabulous 50s-style bikini by eco-friendly designer Katharine Hamnett who designed this bikini for online retailer Yoox eco-friendly line Yooxygen also supported by Vivienne Westwood and Gisele Bündchen!

Michael Stars hat

We fell for this striped hat from Michael Stars. Perfect to protect yourself from those dangerous rays.

ViX beach dress

This ViX beach dress will work both on the beach and for a late summer dinner at your favourite restaurant. Simple, classy and airy – a must-have for balmy days and cool nights.

Attention all men into luxury fashion! There is a new kid on the block, website MyEdo.

The new fashion retailer for men was established with the belief that UK men really love luxury fashion. Founder of MyEdo, Edoardo Cannarsa, grew up in Windsor and wanted the style of the clothes to reflect the “British man” and his sense for style.

When talking luxury brands it’s easy to go for the big brands and forget about the alternatives, something MyEdo has made a point of highlighting. Featuring brands such as Joe Black Craze, VKing, Neill Katter, Di Biasi, R.A.G.S London, Ricco, Alan Hayden and Bloke Undees, the MyEdo shopper has the opportunity to really stand out from the crowd.

Though recently started, Cannarsa has understood the importance of social media. The company already has a following of over 18,000 on Twitter and more than 5,000 on Facebook – both have been an important tools in the promotion of the online web shop.

A few hot tips for the summer:

Don’t be afraid of colour this summer with this amazing Neill Katter blazer:

Show off your tats with a classic white tee from R.A.G.S. London:

Arrive at the summer party in style with a VKing bow tie:

Now, go shop!

The Olympic medals presented at the London 2012 Olympics are not only valuable in terms of athlete glory, they also happen to be the most expensive Olympic medals in history.

The eight tonnes of gold, silver and copper sourced from mines in Mongolia and Utah which are now under security watch at the Tower of London represent the largest-ever haul used to make Olympic medals, according to AFP.

“The medals arrived at the tower on July 2, and we will keep them under tight security,” Historic Royal Palaces spokesperson Tracey Sands stated.

The 4,700 medals produced for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics are being guarded alongside Britain’s crown jewels until they are presented on the podium.

“For centuries the Tower of London has protected some of this country’s greatest treasures so there can be no better sanctuary for the 2012 medals – the most precious possession any athlete could hope to possess,” London Mayor Boris Johnson stated.

But while a gold medal represents the shining pinnacle of sporting achievement to an athlete, the gold medals presented at the London 2012 Olympics are not actually pure gold.

Each gold medal, which weighs around 410 grams, contains only six grams of gold – 1.34 per cent of its weight. The remainder of its composition is silver compound (92.5 per cent) and copper.

But even so, the recent gold and silver booms, coupled with the fact that the size of the medals (85 millimetres in diameter and seven millimetres in thickness) make them the heaviest ever struck for the Summer Olympics, have made the London 2012 Olympic Games medals the most expensive in Olympic history.

British artist David Watkins designed the London 2012 Olympic medals, which depict Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.

The reverse side of the medals feature the London 2012 Olympic Games logo in front of a star motif, representing the spirit and tradition of the Olympics, and the River Thames, representing the city of London.

“If there’s the slightest blemish, we reject them,” said Fergus Feeney, programme director at the Royal Mint, which produces Britain’s currency and made the Olympic medals.

Recently, we profiled some essential gear for men who are graduating from university this year and entering the ‘real world’. This time, we have some suggestions for those of you who are of the female persuasion and in equal need of making a good impression, living out your dreams, and balance the practical while making a bold statement in style.

What did our research turn up? Here are some suggestions.

Little Black Dress

This is a concept that never gets old – so no matter what your tastes may be, you should embrace it. A Little Black Dress is versatile, sexy, and truly an essential piece of any woman’s wardrobe.  Wear it to a cocktail party, a dinner date, a friend’s bachelorette party, a museum opening, or many other occasions that you may encounter as an independent adult. For picture purposes, we are showing this one by Alexander McQueen, but what you choose is up to you. www.alexandermcqueen.com

Global Blends Spice Kit

At some point, cooking became associated with antiquated gender roles. But because of the popularity of food shows, making a delicious meal is becoming cool again for contemporary women. So as you graduate from ramen noodles, why not arm yourself with all of the spice essentials? This is a great way to always have a variety of ready-to-go blends on hand so that you can save time and not divert any attention from your career. And it’ll make you look extra cosmopolitan when you have friends or a date over for dinner. www.etsy.com

Macbook Air

Offering a slim profile and enough power to run your favorite programs like Mail, Word, and Skype, this little computer by Apple is still the computer to get for those who don’t need to do heavy duty computing. It’s light, which means you can take it to the coffee shop without much effort, lasts for several hours on one charge, and is cute enough to carry around without a case.  You’ll have to get an external SuperDrive to play/burn DVDs and CDs, but otherwise this is a winner. www.apple.com/macbookair

Yoga Kit

Whether you join a pretentious studio or prefer to try it at home, yoga is an approach to exercise that you will inevitably undertake in the real world.  But to do it right, you do need some basic tools, like a mat that will act as a buffer between your body and the hard (and dirty) floor.  But why stop there? A full kit will be a convenient thing to have if you need to transport your mat and other gear anywhere, or just want to stand out from the crowd with a stylish ensemble. www.gaiam.com

Fragrant Candles

When it comes to your home, keeping it smelling nice and fresh will be crucial to your happiness (and for those around you). And candles are not only a good way to do that, but can also double as a romantic and relaxing way to light your favorite rooms.  Just make sure that you don’t put them near any flammables. These Skeem Pure Pillar Candles are a good choice, but what kind of fragrance and look you choose will require your own research. www.anthropologie.com

Weekender Bag

Weekend getaways will become a way of life for you in order to reset from the pressures of daily life. And you’re still too young to be getting all conservative with your luggage, so make sure to pick up fun and casual items like a slim yet spacious weekender bag. We love the ones offered by LeSportsac, because they stick to one reliable shape and give you the option to choose the pattern you like. www.lesportsac.com

Vespa

How do you move around town quickly, without perspiring endlessly into your clothing or potentially breaking a heel or two? On your Vespa, of course.  This will be the best way to transport you from home to work to dinner to the grocery store and home again, without missing a beat.  And unlike having a car, you won’t ever have to worry about finding enough space to park. www.vespausa.com

Samsung, the world’s number 1 technology firm in terms of revenue, reported a record net profit of $4.5 billion for the quarter as customers around the world flocked to buy Galaxy S3 smartphones.

South Korean electronics giant Samsung Electronics Co said Friday its net profit surged to 5.2 trillion won ($4.5 billion) in the April-June quarter, representing a 48 per cent increase over the previous year.

The company’s September quarter mobile profits are expected to continue to soar as the Galaxy S3 experiences a sales boom ahead of the next iPhone launch, which isn’t expected until October, according to reports.

Samsung increased its share of the global smartphone market in Q2 to 34.6 per cent, compared to main rival Apple’s 17.8 per cent.

Samsung shipped a staggering 50.5 million smartphones during the quarter, the largest number ever by any vendor in a single quarter.

Smartphone sales account for approximately 60 per cent of Samsung’s earnings.

“Samsung has been able to deliver hit models in most major price segments,” market research firm Strategy Analytics stated.

Samsung has sold over 10 million Galaxy S3 smartphones since its launch about two months ago.

The first issues of both X-Men and Avengers sold for world record prices at an auction of high-grade Silver Age comics organised by Heritage Auctions on July 26.

The 1963 copy of X-Men no. 1 sold for $492,937.50, while the copy of Avengers no. 1 sold for $274,850, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The X-Men no. 1 copy sold at the auction was one of only two surviving copies in near-pristine condition left in the world, scoring a CGC grade of 9.8 out of 10.

The sale price for the comic book more than doubled the previous record of $200,000. X-Men no. 1 now ranks as the second most valuable Silver Age Marvel comic after the first appearance of Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy no. 15.

Meanwhile, Avengers no. 1 sold for $274,850 at the auction, slightly surpassing the previous record of $250,000. The copy sold had a grade of 9.6, making it one of the three highest-graded copies left in existence.

The results of this latest auction continued a record run for collectible comics recently that has seen prices soar. In November 2011, a 1938 copy of Action Comics no. 1 sold for a world record $2.1 million, while earlier this year a copy of Iron Man‘s first appearance sold for $375,000.

Silver Age Marvels in particular have been reaping the benefits of rising comic book prices. In the last two years, the first appearances of the X-Men, Spider-Man, Avengers, Iron Man, Thor and the modern Captain America have all sold for world record prices.

A EuroMillions lottery draw on Friday night is set to create a world record breaking 100 millionaires in the UK, with an estimated jackpot of £105 million.

Lottery ticket sales are expected to soar to around three million per hour on the day of the draw, and the lottery’s organisers have cautioned players to get in early for their chance to become a millionaire overnight, according to the UK Press Association.

A spokesman for the UK National Lottery said: “Friday’s EuroMillions draw has just got even bigger.

“Not only will we see a stunning world record set as 100 players become millionaires overnight but there is now also a chance to win an estimated £105 million jackpot.

“We’re predicting EuroMillions sales will be up more than 300 per cent on a normal base week which means even more money raised for National Lottery Good Causes.

“Retailers are getting ready for the rush, stocking an extra 20 million playslips for the draw and loading up an extra eight million metres of ticket roll. We urge players to get their tickets early to ensure they don’t miss out.”

Friday’s special “EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle” draw is being organised as a token of thanks to National Lottery players for helping fund the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, lottery operator Camelot said.

The previous record for most millionaires created by one lottery draw was set when 25 millionaires were created in the EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle draw on December 24, 2010.

New York’s 230 FIFTH Rooftop Bar & Penthouse Lounge has released the world’s most expensive hot dog – priced at $2300 – in honour of National Hot Dog Day in the US on July 23.

Proceeds from the sale of the limited edition 230 FIFTH Dog will go to City Harvest, a food rescue organisation dedicated to feeding New York City’s hungry.

230 FIFTH Executive Chef Johnny Benedetti “utilised the most expensive and/or finest luxury ingredients on earth” to create the culinary masterpiece.

The foot-long dog itself is made of richly marbled wagyu beef dry-aged for 60 days and laced with black truffles. It rests on a brioche bun toasted with white truffle butter and is topped with New York City’s own organic $9-a-bottle W Ketchup, Mustarde de Charroux imported from France for $35 a jar, and seasoned with saffron.

The luxury finishing touches include Vidalia onions caramelised in Dom Perignon Champagne and 100-year-old balsamic vinegar at $389 a bottle, homemade organic sauerkraut braised in Louis Roederer Cristal champagne, rare platinum oscetra caviar and homemade relish. And, of course, what “world’s most expensive” food item would be complete without sparkling gold leaf?

230 FIFTH’s director Sal Rozenberg said: “We have an affinity for hot dogs here at 230 FIFTH, which began last 4th of July when we had competitive eating champion Takeru Kobayashi challenge the participants in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest via the live broadcast of the event.

“Then, we installed a hot dog stand on the rooftop, which has proved very popular, so it seemed natural we should do something to celebrate National Hot Dog Day. Once we settled on an outrageously expensive dog as the way to go, we wanted to incorporate a food-focused charity element. City Harvest, with its 30-year track record of feeding New York’s hungry, was the obvious choice.”

Executive Director of City Harvest, Jilly Stephens, said: “City Harvest appreciates 230 FIFTH’s commitment to our mission and creativity in imagining an exclusive hot dog whose full proceeds will help us provide food for New York’s hungry.

“The lines at emergency food programmes throughout the five boroughs remain long and each 230 FIFTH Dog sold will help feed 9,200 people a day.”

The 230 FIFTH Dog will be available daily from July 30, to anyone interested in a unique taste experience and helping fight hunger in New York City. Orders need to be placed at least 48 hours in advance.

Kate Middleton’s wedding dress has helped raise a massive £10 million in admission ticket sales as a record number of visitors paid to see it at Buckingham Palace.

For all of you strapping young men who have just graduated from school – congratulations! Now it is time to think, act, and most importantly, look like an adult.

So what pieces of gear will you now need to impress those around you, actively compete with your peers, and accomplish all of your future goals? Try these on for size.

Tanner Goods Notebook

One thing you will still need to keep with you as an adult is a handy notebook. Whether you are writing down your ideas for that screenplay, doodling your way through meetings or putting down names and phone numbers you should not forget, these hand-made linen covered gems not only give you a stylish way to do it, but come with advantages such as conversion tables, how-to sections, and page after page of useful facts. www.tannergoods.com

Maker’s Mark Cigars

While we do not necessarily endorse smoking, we do think puffing on a tasty cigar is a classic thing all men must do. Commissioned by the signature bourbon experts, these are specially enhanced to deliver an extra hint of flavor, and are sealed into an airtight glass container with the famous red wax that adorns all of their products. It goes without being said that these cigars are perfect for pairing with a glass of Maker’s Mark. www.tedscigars.com/makers-mark-cigars

Morning Star Incense

As a guy, you’re probably not going to clean your apartment as often as you should. And if you’re going to have someone special over, you will need more than just Febreeze to camouflage your scent. Our favorite is Japanese style incense, because it comes in a variety of smells (from cedar to sandalwood to jasmine and more) and unlike other products, these are actually subtle and pleasant (as opposed to overbearing and consuming). It’ll supposedly keep you stress-free too. www.nipponkodo.com

Saddleback Leather Briefcase

How are you going to stand out from the hoards of fellow commuters with their generic briefcases, messenger bags and backpacks? With Saddleback Leather, that’s how. With its thick leather, no breakable parts, and 100-year warranty, this briefcase will protect all of your daily gear and is something that you will truly appreciate more over time. Guys will be envious, girls will be curious, and you will be confident that you’ve made the right investment. www.saddlebackleather.com

Panic Button Light Switch

Everyone needs a little whimsy in their lives. And this light switch replacement will remind you in your new apartment that it’s always nice to keep a little bit of childish spirit in your adult existence. Plus, you’ll never have to fiddle looking for your light switch when you drunkenly come home – there’s simply no way you could miss this. Or is there? www.thinkgeek.com

Stacked Wines

You may feel like you’re in a transition period – ready to get classy with your drinking habits but still needing the convenience (and comfort) or popping open a can of beer. These individual servings of wine are the next best thing, and will be the perfect thing to help you relax after a busy day in the real world. And don’t be naïve – you may be doing a lot of drinking in the real world. www.stackedwines.com

Corvette C7

Is a car essential? Of course it is. In some cases, your vehicle will be the centerpiece of your life until you are ready to get married, buy a house, send your kids to boarding school… so why go on the cheap and buy some dinky sedan when you can rule your city with this contemporary update of the classic design? Remember – you are an adult, but not an old person, so you should enjoy some style, speed and attention while you can. www.chevrolet.com/corvette-sports-cars/