The other store is that of arch rival Myer, which is in the midst of redevelopment plans for its Bourke Street edifice. Their rivalry has pushed them to pursue the best department store designs in the world. For inspiration for the flagship store, David Jones has focused on Selfridges in London and the famed Bloomingdale’s in Manhattan.

David Jones will let the creators of the clothes also create the space from which their products will be sold. ”We allow brands to present themselves as they would in the international arena [so] whilst the floor and the ceiling are us, the brands actually represent themselves as they see themselves,” Mr Zahra said.

Megan Gale will be at the new David Jones Bourke Street Mall store to celebrate the grand opening with an Official Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 8.45am. The celebrations will go throughout the day and continue across the weekend with many offers instore, demonstrations and book signings.

At the David Jones Bourke St Mall store is set to unveil the most extensive and unprecedented portfolio of over 2500 brands across fashion beauty home and food, many of which are available at no other department store. We are set to experience a world class experience with the help of staff who will continue to provide the excellent standard of customer service for which we are renowned, and just in time for Christmas.

Pick up your free tote bag, this weekend when you buy the Sunday Herald Sun. The giveaway coincides with the second stage of the grand opening of David Jones’ new Bourke Street store.

The flagship store is located in the heart of Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Victoria
The David Jones web site is http://www.davidjones.com.au.

Love LXS Gaby

We found Christmas:

• Amazing Christmas Trees
• Christmas Lighting – Fibre Optics and Fairy Lights
• Wrapping Paper and Cards
• Nativity Scenes
• Wreaths and Garlands
• Decorations and Ornaments

The Christmas trees were all setup – and they look life like with beautifully decorated ornaments. We continue walking and step through the lighting section. Ideas flooding through our heads – this place is great.

Then we see the light characters – reindeers, bears, santas, bells and christmas trees. Wow what beautiful shapes made from lights.

Christmas warehouses are located in the New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The Rudolph’s Warehouse web site is http://www.rudolphs.com.au.

Love LXS Jenny.

They have a collections of rooms and suites, each is unique with highly imaginative combinations of colour, gorgeous fabrics and culture themed on Dutch history with touches of the orient. From raspberry and grey wall coverings with linen curtains and Asian influences to oriental-styled navy and black rooms with hand-painted kimonos.

Modern French cuisine is served up by a great chef in the Vinkeles restaurant. The cuisine is characterised by French dishes using seasonal ingredients both traditional and modern. The chefs’ signature dishes are “Ceviche of sea bass with croquettes of pumpkin and king crab” and “Roast Anjou pigeon with five spices and preserved young carrots and jus”. Long Gallery, Bar Barbou and the secluded garden are a collection of great places to eat.

Ride a bicycle around the most famous cycling city in Europe or hire a boat with your own captain for a private water tour. The hotel is in the heart of the city, close to the Nine Streets where a fascinating collection of shops sell everything from specialist cheeses to lingerie.

We enjoyed a few tourist activities including canal cruises, the Van Gogh Museum and the Nine Streets shopping spot. We didn’t make it to Anne Frank’s House or Vondelpark but plan to when we come back to Amsterdam.

Gaby was telling me we should also visit Dam Square and the Rijksmuseum … “two places worth a visit whilst in Amsterdam“. I have read someone else describe this hotel as “Perfect balance between historical pedigree and thoroughly modern attitude” and this is so true.

Located in the heart of Amsterdam Keizersgracht 384. 1016 GB Amsterdam. The Netherlands
The Dylan Hotel web site is http://www.slh.com/netherlands/amsterdam.

Love LXS Jenny

D:Light – the avant garde timepiece, is the result of the Swarovskis’ ambitious project. The futuristic looking bangle watch designed by Eric Giroud, combines new electronic technology with jewellery design. “D:Light” is a futuristic model that links new electronic technologies with jewellery design.

This Swarovski timepiece brings together the functions of emotion creating watch, bracelet and collector’s item, artistically fashioned in super fine steel or gold. This sparkling golden bracelet turns into a watch at the touch of a button.

The case is in either PVD coated stainless steel or plain steel and the rectangular dial is made up from 171 Swarovski-exclusive Xilion crystals. The time is read after pressing the Swarovski Swan cabochon and the crystals change colour, light up, sparkle and show the hours and minutes in luminous orange dotted lines.

I visited both the online store and the boutique. The Swarovski web site is http://www.swarovski.com and the Swarovski Boutique at 118 Elizabeth Street.

Love LXS Fiona.

We have all heard the benefits and detriments of both coffee and chocolate … (tuning out while another report appears) … they go on.

According to new research (we knew more was on its way), the tasty beverage provides a double benefit: chocolate may slow cancer growth, and java could help you live longer. Georgetown University Medical Center, released good news about chocolate, finding that a synthetic chemical that is similar to a compound present in cocoa beans slows the growth of colon cancer by 50 percent. Not only was any growth inhibited, it damaged most of the cancer cells. The compound, known as GECGC, is very effective at impeding cancer cells; particularly those that grow at frighteningly rapid rates.

I read a nice post on a UK based chocolate website – Chocolate n Coffee … “The obvious synergy of Coffee and Chocolate with human social gatherings is more complex than you might think, smell and taste obviously play a part but it goes deeper than that. Take the dinner party scenario, it’s late, we are feeling the effects of the food and wine, the natural tendency of our bodies is to wind down while we digest our food, we feel relaxed, lethargic and drowsy. But, along come the coffee and chocolates and in a very short time people become more alert and animated, but still relaxed, almost euphoric in fact. The reasons for this seemingly contradictory change in behaviour lie in the natural chemical compositions of both coffee and chocolate.”

More important than the health benefits is the dance … the dance of flavours to cocoa beans have in completely different forms when they are partnered together. Chocolate and Coffee what a beautiful dance they make.

Coffee Posts – Luxury Shopper web site is http://www.luxuryshopper.com.au

Love LXS Fiona.

This new Versace store has walls decked with white lacquer effect work, its floors are black granite marble and the showpiece is a clear blown glass curtain chandelier, the store is looking as luxurious as ever. It’s no secret that the luxury market is faring a little better in the Middle East than in the States these days.

An area of 250 square metres is spread over a single level, with a nice facade to blend modernity, elegance and simplicity. The Versace flagship store will house the complete Versace collection for men and women. This includes their watches, jewellery, fragrance, accessories, eyewear, and Versace Home. CEO of Versace, Giancarlo Di Risio, has maintained his vision to expand the brand, opening a new boutique store in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This is one store that Jenny and I will be visiting on our next trip.

Versace web site is http://www.versace.com

Love LXS Jenny

The most common pocket watches featured an analog display case, which could be securely attached to clothing by a chain or cord. During the golden days of pocket watches before becoming eclipsed by wristwatches, most pocket watches were equipped with a wind-up mechanical movement.

Currently, there are two types of watch movements: mechanical and quartz. Because of usability issues with mechanical movements such as the necessity for daily winding and time errors, watches with quartz movements are more popular and advantageous. However, some users still love old style mechanical watches for their unique attractiveness and environmentally-friendly quality of not requiring batteries.

Pocket watches also have different external appearances, and “the hunter-case type,” which has a metal cover for protection, and “the open-face type” without a cover are most common.

The newly developed pocket watch CDD00001W has the following characteristics to withstand usage ranging from everyday to industrial as the latest pocket watch.

• The power reserve hand always clearly shows the reserve power capacity.
• A mechanism to halt the second hand allows the time to be set accurately.
• The back cover is see-through, which allows observation of the precise movement.
• The extremely robust exterior features an all stainless steel case and a chain.
• Sapphire glass is used for both the front and back to ensure maximum protection against scratching while in the pocket.

Orient Watch has been manufacturing fine timepieces since 1950. I plan to experience for myself the reliable quality of the mechanical movement offered by such a dedicated watch maker as Orient.

Enjoy LXS, Jeremiah.

We bought a whole collection of decorated eggs for this easter. So these will form part of our gifts this year that we know will last beyond the week of Easter. The idea is to provide something other than chocolate.

There is a large collection of Easter eggs available. Wooden ones, real eggs decorated in vibrant colours and subdued colours. Eggs with butterflies, eggs decorated with flowers and beautiful patterns.

Babushka opened their first shop in the Royal Arcade in Melbourne in December 1991. In May 1992 they moved to the current location in the Royal Arcade. In June 1999, Babushkas opened their second store in Darling Harbour in Sydney. Babushkas also sells wooden boxes, artists matryoshki, Christmas decorations and Baltic amber jewellery.

Babushkas is located at Shop 9 Royal Arcade Melbourne, Victoria.

Love LXS Jenny

The Grande Laguna is on a 70-acre site in an integrated resort complex, and the Sheraton is 20 minutes south of Phuket international airport and downtown Phuket. Its just a two minutes drive or 5 minute bike ride from a Laguna golf club. The three bronze heads of buddha, known as wat phra nag sang, are five miles away. Mai khao bay and khoa phra thaeo wildlife park are 10 minutes away and ton sai waterfalls are 20 minutes away.

The Sheraton grand Laguna facilities and activities are for the special couple or the complete family. A few of these ammenities include:

• a beautiful 323 metre outdoor pool;
• a game area with life size chess pieces,
• restaurants – Birds of Paradise, Gekko, Lagoon Dining …;
• table tennis and pool tables;
• health spa;
• water sports on the lagoon and by the beach;
• shopping arcade;
• fitness / sports club;
• business centre and meeting facilities;
• hair-dressing salon;
• cyber zone;
• kids club;
• and floodlit tennis courts.

The dining opportunities and atmospehere are amazing. the Phuket resort brings its guests a world of exciting gastronomic delights, from spicy thai curries to tempting italian dishes and freshly harvested seafood, served in nine restaurants and bars situated throughout the resort’s island. We also travelled to Phatong Beach which is 21 kilometres drive and two nights running ate at the Patong Seafood Restaurant. Take an evening stroll along the lively strip opposite the beach and you’ll find dozens of open-air seafood restaurants displaying their catch of the day on ice out front.

Sheraton describes … “Retreat to a space that is spacious, elegant, and filled with opulence. Individual design traits pay homage to the surroundings – a unique opportunity for those wishing to truly experience our culture“. Comprising 297 spacious rooms offering garden, lagoon, pool, or ocean views and, a further 126 Grande Villas. In addition to standard amenities, the luxury guestrooms are 45 square metres, and feature private balconies, raised or sunken bathtubs and spacious sitting areas, scenic views of the lagoon, pool and tropical gardens.

The Sheraton grand Laguna Phuket offers a luxury experience where activity and fun can complement peace and tranquility.

Sheraton Phuket Grand Laguna Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket is located 21 kilometres south of Phuket International Airport and 20 kilometres north of Phuket Town. Address: 10 Moo 4, Cherng Talay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Love LXS Gaby

Roger said that “I am very proud of my performance today. Tomas puts great power in his forehand, backhand and also his serve. That’s what makes playing him that difficult. There was loads of adrenalin in the match today, I had to keep pushing myself forward.”

There is so much to do at the Australia Open. A day at the baseline, and Speigelworld – an cool carnival village in the oval outside Rod Laver Arena. At the heart of Spiegelworld is a beautiful, historic Spiegeltent. This was a very exciting festival European style hot-spot. Opulent décor of velvet, mirrors and wooden panelling venue hosts a top lineup of entertainment.

We also saw Dinara Safina from Russia win 6-2, 2-6, 7-5! against Alize Cornet from France. This was also a great match in the Rod Laver arena.

On the Marget Court we saw a legends matches including Pat Cash, Wally Masur and Patrick Rafter. These guys are really funny – taking turns who what outsmart who. The Australian Open website says this of the Legends matches … “The Legends’ Doubles event is revamped providing an opportunity to see some of the stars of the past display the skills that took them to the top“. In addition to all these activities, Federation Square in Melbourne is hosting programs during the tournament, including Aviva Tennis Hot Shots activities and competitions. I have to say though, my favourite is definitely the Absinthe … a daring circus-meets-burlesque variety performance, featuring weird and wonderful acts from around the world.

Australian Open Tennis 2009 is located Melbourne on the bank of the Yarra River.

Love LXS Fiona