The Luxury of Forgiving

Luxury of Forgiving
October 12, 2013

I’m not sure why the luxury of forgiving pulls so strongly at me this morning, but perhaps it has to do with a beautiful story shared by Gena Riede that got me thinking. It’s an account of a woman distracted by three dogs who becomes confused about her place in line at a Starbucks drive-through.  She apparently cut off another woman, who proceeded to scream obscenities at her in obvious…

Read More >>

The Luxury of Wine on Tap

Wine on Tap
August 27, 2013

Haven’t heard of wine on tap? If so, you’re not alone. The concept is still foreign to the average beverage connoisseur. In fact, if most people were to walk into their favorite bar or restaurant and notice their wine was being served through a tube, they would do a double-take. However, an increasing number of luxury restaurants and bars across the U.S. are jumping on the trend, and for good…

Read More >>

Jumbo Loans Boosting Luxury Home Sales

Jumbo Loans are Back with a Bang to Fuel the Luxury Real Estate Market by Selena Cowell Is the luxury real estate market on the mend? Home sales and prices are gradually rising in those places where the wealthy would like to plant their mailboxes–such as Chicago’s North Shore, the San Francisco Bay area, the haute Hamptons and the Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla areas near San Diego. According…

July 19, 2013
Read More >>

The Luxury of Losses

Losses and Conflusion
June 11, 2013

Losses…. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a loser when it comes to sunglasses, pens and keys. Call it distraction, absent-mindedness–or as my ex-husband and shrink used to say, “non-thinking beahvior patterns.” These are losses I’ve come to endure–sorta. But I’m the one who pays–in time lost searching and sometimes with money. But what about our government? I understand “they” operate on a grander scale and that some…

Read More >>

A Just Solution for Jodi Arias

Jodi Arias
May 23, 2013

by Roberta Murphy Let me start of by saying I am no Jodi Arias fan and I would be happy to never hear her name again as long as I live. Or see her face. So here’s my two cent solution for the judge in this case: Give Jodi the “lesser” punishment. Jodi Arias should be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole (perhaps under supervision of…

Read More >>

The Luxury of a Senior Discount

Senior Discounts
May 22, 2013

Who doesn’t like a discount when stepping out? Below is a long list of restaurants, stores, grocery chains, airlines , hotels and car rental agencies that offer senior discounts–with minimum qualifying ages ranging from 50 to 65. Many of these discounts are not published or advertised, so you must ask for them. Please print or save this link for future reference, and if you have any corrections or additons, please…

Read More >>

Taking BMW to the Matte

Matte Gray BMW M3
May 5, 2013

by Roberta Murphy–I’m not really into the luxury of high maintenance–especially when it comes to cars. But could this this gun metal grey BMW that is otherwise not as the Frozen Gray M3 Coupe be an exception? It’s a sexy, slinky-looking car to be sure, but the exterior maintenance is sure to be a pain. Owners must fill out a special stack of paperwork before taking possession of their new…

Read More >>

Most Expensive Rental in the U.S.

Beverly House is most expensive rental in U.S
March 10, 2013

by Roberta Murphy–At $600,000 per month, the Beverly Mansion in Beverly Hills, is most likely contender for most expensive luxury rental in the nation.  And it’s got an interesting history as well. It was in the Beverly Mansion that the infamous horse-head-in-bed scene was filmed for The Godfather. John F. Kennedy and his bride honeymooned in the Beverly Mansion. Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston filmed scenes for The Bodyguard here. Marion…

Read More >>

Between Rancho Santa Fe and the Beach…

Home Near Rancho Santa Fe
February 24, 2013

Between Rancho Santa Fe and the beaches in Encinitas sits an irreplaceable plot of land that surely belongs to another century. The wide and expansive rear lawn backs up to pasture, wetlands and forest beyond.  Family of deer come grazing and cows come to visit when the lawnmower is at work. Late afternoons, it is not unusual to see colorful hot air balloons gliding across the sky–and the stars at…

Read More >>

Swiss Homeowners Most Indebted in World

February 23, 2013

  by Roberta Murphy Would you believe that Swiss homeowners are sitting on a “mountain of debt” and that the Swiss National Bank claims that mortgage credit now represents 103.6 percent of Switzerland’s Gross Domestic Product or GDP? The Swiss are only outdone by the Netherlands  with 107.1,  according to SwissInfo, who also report that other heavy debtors include the United States at 76.5 percent and Spain at 64. The…

Read More >>