Buenos Aires

I was born in Buenos Aires and came to this country as a little girl. I would love to give you a glimpse into a very sexy, couture influenced city that most Americans never see.
This complex, energetic, and seductive port city, which stretches south-to-north along the Rio de la Plata, has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries.

It has been called the "Paris of South America". Many of the buildings date from the turn of the century and are indeed reminiscent of Paris: curved corners, ornate decoration, shuttered windows and balconies with wrought iron railings. Buenos Aires also boasts wide boulevards, wonderful cafés and restaurants, art galleries and some very upscale neighborhoods.
Nowadays Buenos Aires is one of the biggest cities in the world that keeps attracting a legion of tourists looking for a touch of class.

Here are some short but impressive background facts

Without a doubt, Las Leñas is Argentina’s most famous ski resort among North American visitors. This fully developed resort is remotely located, but features a full-service village at the base. Thirteen lifts keep skiers moving without lining up. The infamous Marte chair takes expert skiers into some of the best lift accessed terrain anywhere.

The offer of museums and art galleries is truly extensive and impressive. A must-see is the new Malba (Museum of Latin American Art) and the museum of Eva Perón.
One of the world's finest opera houses, the Teatro Colon, flourishes here on the plains alongside the river.
The national dance, the tango, is perhaps the best expression of their spirit, practiced in dance halls, parks, open plazas, and ballrooms, it is a dance of intimate separation and common rhythm, combining both an elegant reserve and an exuberant passion

Today the country has a literacy rate of 97%, and three in eight adults over age 20 have completed secondary school studies or higher. Argentina scores extremely high up in global ranks.

Argentines have been responsible for major breakthroughs in world medicine; their research has led to significant advances in wound-healing therapies and in the treatment of heart disease and several forms of cancer. Domingo Liotta designed and developed the first artificial heart successfully implanted in a human being in 1969.

Football (Association football) is the most popular sport in Argentina, whose national team was twice FIFA World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold medalist, as well as Copa América winners fourteen times.
With that being said, here are some wonderful photos.

The Opera House

The city at night

The College of Law

The President's office building

The major belt-way that surrounds the city

Luxury Toys for the Ultrarich

I spent this weekend with my niece in St.Louis viewing her travel photos from Dubai. It is a city of over powering wealth and extravagances, from one extreme to the other. It was born from the legendary desire for opulent luxury deserving of a king.It got me thinking….what are these marvelous indulgeneces?
How about these............

$1,300,000.00 Diamond cell phone

An entire Platinum and Diamond toilet

Swarovski crystal studded Toilet Seat

The 34K per night Ty Warner Penthouse Suite in NYC



















The $70,000 "Flawless" Cocktail






Diamond studded computer $380,000.00

Bedroom Hotel-Style How To

You don't have to travel far to enjoy the comforts of a 5-star hotel. Create your own at-home bedroom getaway with inspiration from chic hotel-style boudoirs.

''Hotels are one of the best places to see the work of many top contemporary designers.
And Those with an appreciation for design are flocking to hotels for cues. `Luxe hotels represent a particular pedigreed lifestyle with sophisticated rooms and sexy lobbies that explode with beautiful people and furnishings.

Hotels are so inspiring because you can actually see why the nightstand on one side of the bed and the desk on the other side works.'' And even more: modern Wenge furniture, luxury bedding, candles, even the mood music can now be taken home.

Want to get the luxurious feeling of a boutique-style hotel at home? Such high-end hotels are often the epitome of sophistication and packed with decorating details designed to refresh and pamper you. Who wouldn't want to create this elegant, cocoon-like feel at home? Here, ideas for giving your boudoir the chic look of an intimate, boutique hotel.




· Dress the walls and Floors

A beautiful bedroom is all about comfort and that starts with the walls. In general, relaxing colors are key to bedroom hotel chic. First paint your bedroom in soothing colors that are on the muted end of a color spectrum. Think charcoal greys and sleek silvers. Colors of the sea from blue-green to azure, even turquoise, are also calming. Chocolate can feel cozy with the cool pastel shades — …..butter and cream combinations are gorgeous and a splash of orange.
A monochromatic scheme is often used in hotel rooms to set a quiet, sophisticated tone. To create that at home, pick one primary color and one related coordinating color. Try a mushroom hue on the wall, or warm up a white palette with wood tones and an organic, earthy scheme. Don't forget the ceiling, which is one of the first things you see upon waking. To create a cocoon-like effect, We suggest painting the ceiling same color as the walls or a 20 percent toned-down version of the wall shade. Or, try painting stripes on the ceiling. It's an economical way to add to the feeling of a stylish sanctuary. Clutter is a no-no.
· Plump it up
For the boutique bed look, drape your bed in luxury….mix up the textures on your bed and go for the highest quality possible. Think 400 +thread sheets in linen or Italian cotton and as many pillows as possible, at least four sleeping pillows and European pillows. The look should be layered and rich. Something you are dying to climb into…I would do it as simple as possible — No ruffles, a very tailored bed skirt and tailored bedspread or even duvet. Use a sumptuous feather bed beneath the sheets and another under the duvet.The key: keep it neutral and elegant a la Armani. Add color discriminately, perhaps on toss pillows. There, mix checks with plaids or florals with stripes, all in a similar monochromatic palette. I recommend adding an upholstered headboard in creamy linen and monogrammed! And make your bed….everyday!!!!! Designers describe luxury bedding as sexy, dramatic and a bit indulgent.

· Hotel Furnishings
The best hotel rooms invite you to immediately plop down and relax. They do that with furnishings that are functional, comfy and stylish. One popular look that’s easy to emulate is the big, padded headboard, perfect for propping up to read or watch TV. But what good is it if you’re propped up and have no place for your drink? Nightstands are a must for either side of the bed. "They can be the same — that gives them a more contemporary, lean, modern look, or you can have his and hers. One can be more feminine than the other for an eclectic look. If there’s room for a seating area, a chaise lounge is a great option. Or try a couple of upholstered chairs facing each other with a large fabric ottoman between them. Each chair should have a small table within reach for a cup of tea or glass of wine. Upholster in neutral solids that match your backdrop color.
Don’t forget that nice little desk area in the chicest of hotels — that lovely writing desk with a delicate chair. For the hotel look, keep it small and graceful, not office-like. A bench at the bottom of the bed, if there is room, anchors the bed, makes it look more finished, and gives you a nice place to sit and put on shoes,..

· Layer the Lighting
Lighting in a bedroom is often overlooked. Best bets include multiple layers operating on separate dimmer switches. You’ll need bedside reading lamps, perhaps a beautiful statement piece — like an elegant overhead chandelier — some wall sconces and a chair side lamp or two in the seating area. The layers add dimension and drama so you can adjust the mood. If the room is large enough, it’s nice to have three points of ambient light in a triangle. For example, try two bedside lighting sources and another light diagonally across on say, a desk or within a seating area. the room feel balanced, warm and cozy. If you just have reading lamps it can feel cold. A big un-chic don’t: a light on a ceiling fan…it provides harsh glaring light. Very unsexy. What ever you use make sure you have it all on a dimmer….that adds the magic.




· Dress the windows
Simplicity is the key to replicating a chic feeling room. We typically see drapery side panels on a beautiful rod. Take draperies all the way to the ceiling or crown molding for a heightened look, it elongates the room and makes your ceilings appear taller. Keep it simple and rich looking with window treatments in the same color as the walls. In a chic hotel, heavily lined drapes create total darkness when drawn. Yours should feel dramatic and lavish in natural fabrics like silk, linen or hemp. Contrast lining adds a special touch — when drapes are tied back you glimpse the pretty lining fabric. Who doesn’t love that feeling of closing lush drapes for extra privacy !


· Don’t forget the details
Surround yourself with beautiful accents that will make you feel pampered. On your nightstand, set a beautiful crystal carafe for water, or fresh flowers to provide a splash of color and a natural scent. Hang artwork that is personal….. And dramatic.
Incorporate a water feature in the master to make it feel more spa-like.
When you wake up you want to see beautiful things around you, an oil painting on the wall, a Venetian mirror, a cashmere throw, luscious scented soy candles, fresh flowers , exotic travel magazines……………………anything sumptuous!

Haute House

OK, here I go again...finding the Bling in furniture. Wave a shiny object in front of me and I'm happy. But seriously, 2 years ago while on a buying trip to the Atlanta Mart, I stumbled into an extraordinary show room. Sofa and chairs tufted and studded with crystals, pillows belted with antique brooches and antique shawls that were reminesent of travling gypsy dancers.

Where was I...Haute House! As a lover of anything even slightly Art Nouveau inspired, it was like finding heaven! The name says it all. Bursting with the lates and hippest trends in home decor.

Haute House is a Hollywood-based design and manufacturing company that creates "haute couture" furnishings for the home.

Jewelry Inspired Lighting

Since the beginning of time, women have had an undying fascination with jewelry. Now the Design world embraces that glamorous bling. As a girl who loves those little blue boxes, you can imagine my delight when I came across PONT DES ARTS . This new collection of furniture and lighting is inspired by the world of jewelry and designed by Monzer Hammoud. They offer a dream range of objects created from noble materials: gold, brass, silver, nickel and crystal.

The wall sconce on the left actually bears the name of that famous retailer we all know and love. It is spectacular. The one on the right looks like a Harry Winston droplet earring. This is my twist on "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" for those who clearly prize their room every bit as much as their wardrobe. The epitome of Luxe and Old Hollywood in lighting.