by Roberta Murphy

I love the genius behind Dyson engineering and products.

Instead of thinking outside the box, these air gurus study the box very closely and re-engineer it into device that works better than its predecessors.We love the Dyson vacuums and find them intuitively simple to use.  They are also nearly indestructible.  The Dyson wizards have also invented a hand dryer that really works–with air that travels in the neighborhood of 400 mph.

A tip of the top hat to Paul Taylor with the Financial TImes, who released this story whereby inventor James Dyson claims his bladeless fan–or the Dyson Air Multiplier,  works by forcing a jetstrem of air out of a narrow circular slit and then over an aerofoil-shaped blade, and is proving to be at least as efficient as its bladed counterpart, while reportedly being more comfortable and much safer.

The Dyson fan is controlled with a remote slider, which allows for more precise air flor. The cost ranges from a hefty $300 for the 10-inch model and $330 for the more powerful 12-inch air multiplier.

The fan, or air multliplier, is reportedly and currently available at select specialty stores in the US–and will hopefully soon be available on the Dyson site as well as Amazon.

Wine Tasting Tip:
Always begin with a clean clear glass and pour less than an inch into your glass. Always begin with the lightest wines first (white, sparkling, rose’ etc) and then work your way up to the heavy ones (Zins, Cabs, etc). The reason for this is that it helps keep taste buds sensitive so you can enjoy and appreciate each wine you taste. Nibble on a cracker, snack on some cheese–or simply have a sip of water between tastes in order to help preserve your palate.
Na zdrowia!

by Eve Sieminski

As summer hurls to a close, I had to review one of the best white wines I have ever sipped. I stumbled upon the Zolo Torrontes one day at our local Costco. What caught my eye was the markdown. The week prior this wine was $8.99 a bottle–and now was only $4.97!

Even at that price I was sceptical, because I am not a fan of South American Wines– and I had never had or heard of a “Torrontes” white. Throwing caution and my own prejudices into the wind, I grabbed 3 bottles–and later wished it had been 3 cases.

Doing some research, I discovered that Torrontes grape is cultivated in Argentina–and that wine that made from this grape is considered to be the best of its kind in the world.

I now understand why!

The evening after my purchase, I opened this bottle of wine and immediately knew I was going to love it. The citrusy scent of this wine immediately escaped when the cork was popped. The glass I poured was pale yellow–and it looked like tiny bubbles were dancing around.

The nose of this wine is incredible. Not only is there crisp citrus–but hits of lush tropical fruit as well. This is unlike any white wine you have ever had! Once you take a sip, you will understand my gushing. This wine is nothing like any Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, or Sauvignon Blanc you’ve tasted. The Zolo Torrontes is refreshing, crisp, light, and bursting with amazing flavor–without any cloying sweetness.

I am a red wine gal. Usually I only drink white wine when either it is hot outside or there is no red wine. This wine has me singing (and sipping) to a different tune.

Unfortunately there are not many stores that carry this gem. You can find it online, but the best price (besides the Costco close-out) I have found was at BevMo. Right now it is priced at $9.99 and if you buy 6 you get $1 off per bottle, bringing it down to $8.99 each. This is a bargain for such a delicious wine……you will thank me!

White wine tip: If you serve white wine too cold it will not open up and will numb your palate and you will not be able to fully enjoy your wine. If it feels almost too cold to hold it is too cold to serve. Best temperature should be between 45 to 58 degrees.

Other Wine Articles and Reading:

Wine Storage for Oenophiles

by Eve Sieminski

I am convinced California wines are a no-brainer.

Recently, another wine blogger recommended we try a fantastic $8 French wine. This was in response to an earlier article where I recommended TBD Zinfandel, available at Trader Joe’s.

My thoughts about this recommended French red?
Pee pee water! I wouldn’t cook with it, let alone serve it to guests. In fact, the experience only reaffirms my belief in California wines.

A recent discovery of mine is Gnarly Head Zinfandel. This is an old-vine California Zinfandel lives up to the dark and lush description on the bottle–is absolutely fantastic! It delivers all the punch
you want from a Zinfandel, without the punch of a price over $20.

This luscious Zin can be found for as little as $7.99. After giving it a try, I rushed back to Major Market and bought several more bottles for our wine cellar. Gnarly Head Zinfandel is also available at other market for around $10 to $12 per bottle–and is well worth the price.

Truthfully, I was a little put off when I first saw the name. Gnarly doesn’t exactly describe my favorite wines,
but this old vine Zin has become one of my hands down and glass-up favorites–at least for the price.

Remember, my search focuses on outstanding wines under $20 per bottle–and Gnarly Head comes in well under that mark.

An important note about Zinfandels: Make sure your Zin is an Old Vine–and remember that any Zin under 14%
alcohol is not worth the price. Most outstanding Zins start at 14% and go up from there.

You may also wish to read:

Luxury on a Gold Plated Shoestring

Google has become a noun, a verb and a trusted friend in my life.

It of course answers endless questions and sends curious clients my way, but also handles my email, documents, maps, spreadsheets, instant chat, and more. And when I want to check traffic conditions, I can do it with another Google real time mapping application on the Blackberry.

Just when I have to count both fingers and toes to list all the very cool Google applications, they surprise us with another:

GOOGLE REAL TIME STOCK QUOTES

Now, we can all get real time stock quotes and financial news about our favorite stocks. No more delayed quotes from Yahoo or other financial sites. If Google had any shortcoming, it has been in the financial arena. For stock quotes and financial news, son and sometimes-trader Scott has always championed Yahoo Financial News for quick quotes and relevant company news.

No more. When life moves quickly (and it does), consider the importance of twenty minutes–and all the things that can happen in that short time frame.

Yahoo! to Google (and a thousand balloons) for transporting real time stock quotes from the traders to the people. This is major financial news–and one I’ll also be able to put on my Blackberry.

by Roberta Murphy

I call Eve Sieminski the Polish Contessa. She loves fine jewelry, expensive hairstylists and fine wine. I don’t know where Eve shops for jewelry or what deal (if any) she strikes with her hairstylist, but we follow her wine recommendations religiously.

You see, the Polish Contessa, has no problem pouring a classless wine down the drain, nor does she hesitate to share her latest finds. One recent jewel was the TBD Zinfandel that is available at Trader Joe’s for (shhhh!) $4.99 a bottle. We tried one bottle and immediately bought a case. It really is that good. But the recommendation comes from Eve, who says:

“This tastes like a $30 bottle of fine Zinfandel that I wouldn’t hesitate to serve at a State Dinner–or to my snootiest clients. It might be good, however, to decant the wine first. The TBD label and name just don’t do justice to what is inside the bottle.”

If you are looking for commentary about hints of raspberry, chocolate finishes or oakey notes, Eve suggests you visit a symphony or read reviews for $80 bottles of wine in Wine Spectator or the like. And while Eve can afford Opus One or perhaps a Chateau Clement Pichon, she takes great pleasure in finding great wines at fabulous prices–and enjoys sharing her conquests.

If you want reviews and inside bargain scoops on fine wines from a true wine lover (instead of a critic), I advise you to stay tuned. Eve has promised to gift our luxey readers with more of her outstanding finds in wine and food. And if you, dear reader, have a recommendation for great wines under $20, Eve promises she (and we?) will try them out and share the results.

Eve’s Bonus Wine Tip: If you don’t have time to property chill your red wine to European room temperature (yes, red wine blossoms with slight chilling), put it in your freezer for 15 minutes (set timer), remove and enjoy.

This will be an irregular column, but we promise to share great wine finds, food discoveries and bonus wine and food tips with our luxury readers as soon as they become available.

What better way to truly enjoy your luxury home with appreciative friends and other oenophiles.

In the meantime, please feel free to share your own!

You may also wish to read:

The Luxury of Gnarly Head Zinfandel

Wine Storage for Oenophiles

by Roberta Murphy

Once upon a time, the lowly shower offered faint competition for the jetted bathtub.

The bathtub was where one went to luxuriate, while the shower was a functional cleanser.

Not any more.

These days the lowly shower is one of the hottest home luxuries in demand. The shower stall might contain a steam shower, a multi-headed storm of warm water, or simply a place to stand under a rainfall of ambient temperature.

More and more, as we tour San Diego luxury homes, we are seeing the shower stall (or room) overtake the once dominant bathtub. And even if the shower stall doesnt have a steam feature, discriminating home buyers will often stand back and scrutinize the possibilities of extending glass walls to the ceiling so that steam features and functionality can be installed.

What are these luxury buyers seeking? They want oversized shower rooms with a tiled seat and multiple shower heads. They also like the possibility of sharing the luxury shower with others.

Hence, dual shower heads are also popular. On busy mornings or playful evenings, it might be necessary, compelling, or just plain fun to shower in toto.

These days, the luxury bathroom is closer to a luxury spa than the tiled bath with sink, toilet and tub of the last century. Owners now want not only the jetted garden tub, but also a high-performance shower system that can deliver calming massage sprays as well as invigorating jets that might awaken the most sleep-starved soul.

And even if a complete shower overhaul is not possible, there are some alternatives and remedies to consider:

1. Consider installing a shower arm extension to raise the shower head. Most older homes assumed that nobody in the home stood over 5² 5³ tall.
2. If you are considering relining the shower stall, consider alternatives to the traditional tile. How about travertine or other stone products?
3. Is it possible to add a second shower head especially if there is a tub and water supply nearby?
4. Be sure to locate shower head products that accommodate your local water pressure. The higher the better.
5. Want a steam shower? When remodeling the bath, this might be an alternative to consider especially if the glass enclosure and door can be brought to the ceiling.

Other luxurious appointments:

The Snoring Room

The Self Service Spa (Do it at home?)

Long-Lasting Roses

Induction-Cooktop for the Luxury Kitchen

Ultimate Phone for the Luxury Bath

How to Hide the Bedroom TV

Switchable Mirror Glass Windows

SONOS: The Ultimate Sound System

Haute Refrigerators for Cool Kitchens?

The Overflowing Infinity Tub

Luxury Wine Storage for Oenophiles

The Illuminated Bathtub

Luxury Design Trends for 2008

This past week, I have been attending Mike Ferrys Real Estate Productivity School in San Diego but played hooky today to meet with Pat Kitano, who thinks outside a totally different real estate box.

But that is a blog for another time.

Pat Kitano has just reported some juicy news that should cause luxury readers to jump with bridled glee:

It is now cheaper to have Kinkos copy, collate and staple ones garden club or horse show announcements (.08) than to do the job by ones self (.49).

Lets keep it a secret, but we thinks soknik might have been calculating things backwards.

God catch, Wizard Kitano!

by Roberta Murphy

Yesterday afternoon and evening were devoted to Leaving Las Vegas. I was tired of long lines at the airport, anxious to get back to San Diego, and was dismayed to hear the Southwest flight had been delayed two hours.

I spent much of the time catching up on email, reading about Costa Rica and near the end of the wait, met David Greenberger, a real estate attorney and San Diego 1031 exchange specialist. We discussed real estate exchanges at length. Some tidbits from San Diego’s real estate exchange master:

1. The first government-challenged exchange occurred when two farmers agreed to exchange horses. One owned six white horses; the other, six black ones. After the amicable swap, the federal government claimed that a taxable event or sale had occurred. Not so, claimed the farmers. They challenged the government and won. In 1921, like-for-like property exchanges emerged as legally recognized income tax shelters.

2. Real estate 1031 exchanges no longer require that the exchanged properties be “like for like.” Someone can now trade their La Jolla duplex for a La Costa vacation rental–or an avocado grove in Fallbrook. 1031 exchanges allow for any U.S. real estate to be traded for any other U.S. real estate.

3. Real estate agents in the San Diego and other resort markets tend to be more generally familiar with 1031 exchanges than agents in the Midwest or the East Coast.

4. Though 1031 real estate exchanges are certainly tax deferred, they can also result in facilitating a tax free gain under current law. You’ve got to love David’s motto: œDeath and Taxes are Certain Unless You Exchange!

It also turns out the we had each spent a couple of days in Las Vegas attending the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Convention. He had 1031 real estate Exchange classes to teach, and I–along with several other real estate brokers–had a meeting with the developers of a five star luxury resort in coastal Costa Rica.

And that explains my overwhelming curiosity about 1031 exchanges–and how they might somehow be utilized by investors seeking to exchange U.S. real estate investment equity for offshore real estate investment in a luxurious Costa Rica development….

by Roberta Murphy

Much has been written and said about Microsoft’s new surface computing technology.

It is the WOW technology of the year. Sooner than many of us thought possible, this technology will first become a defining feature in luxury homes, and as adoption increases and prices drop, it will likely appear as a builder option in many tract subdivisions.

Imagine interactive coffee tables that wirelessly download photos from your digital camera. Or how about kitchen counters that come to life with not only recipes and schedules–but may also allow you to order groceries, pizzas or Chinese carry-out and pay for it all by laying your credit card on the counter.

Expect to see early adoption of this technology not in luxury homes, but in bars and restaurants.

The possibilities will stagger the imagination.