luxury

In Praise of Sexy, Black Appliances

kitchen home decor
April 11, 2015
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by Roberta Murphy In Praise of Black Appliances Several years ago, we sold a luxurious oceanfront condo in San Diego. The buyer, from Palm Springs,  loved the views, the spaciousness of the remodeled unit and the highly upgraded kitchen. The only thing she couldn’t stand was the stainless refrigerator (which the seller was happy to take with him).  In fact, she wanted to replace everything with black appliances. I asked why…

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One Luxurious Treehouse

luxury treehouse in Italy
March 28, 2015
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by Roberta Murphy I’ve loved the idea of a treehouse since a young kid. Never had one, but imagined how I might climb up to my hideaway and maybe stay there forever. Am still fascinated with ideas of small homes and a treehouse, but not quite ready to actually live in such a primitive abode. Until now. Check out this Italian treehouse, appropriately called 25 Verde–and discovered on Australia’s Outdoor Design….

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Hottest Luxury Brands for 2015

women and luxury brands
March 25, 2015
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by Scott Murphy Oh, don’t we wonder what products are the hottest luxury brands for 2015? Don’t we wonder how to keep our closets and wardrobes current with the latest–and wondering why brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton are becoming passe? It may partly be because these luxury brands have become so common (thanks to millions of knockoffs) and are hence less rare. And that’s what is most desireable in a…

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The Luxury of TransGender Acceptance

Trans Gender
March 7, 2015
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by Roberta Murphy Life can throw curve balls at any age. Yesterday, I received a call regarding an old and recently widowed friend who, a year after wife’s death, is now transgender. I’m pretty accepting of most life choices and lifestyles, but to switch genders at 72 or 73 is kind of …a shock. Especially when this friend has been in your family’s life for 25 years. But hours to…

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La Montage Laguna Beach Sold: Priciest Yet

Montage Laguna Beach
February 1, 2015
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by Roberta Murphy Shattering California state records, Southern Califonia luxury hotel resort La Montage  recently sold foe $360 million–or around $1.4 million per room according to a recent article in the LA Times. Said rooms, by the way, go for around $600 per night each. This purchase price shatters all recent records in California and comes close to matching other pricy sales, which includes the Hotel Del Coronado, which recently sold…

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Luxury Home Digest a Top Travel Blog?

Luxury Homes and Travel
October 20, 2014
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by Roberta Murphy  Imagine my surprise this morning when we   were notified that Luxury Home Digest had   been named a top travel blog in the world– albeit #87 on the list!  Though we’ve written plenty about luxury homes, luxury destinations and favored hotels, more recently we’ve warned about travel to Mexico and Egypt because of political issues and potential dangers to travelers in these locations. And advising our readers to…

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The Luxury of Morphing into a Tree

A forest fed with cremated bodies.
March 27, 2014
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Instead of a cemetery with headstones, imagine a forest full of lush and beautiful trees with birds twittering above…and all fed by the ashes of our relatives. Imagine the power of just one tree. I am personally not offended and have often suggested to sons and family that my eventual remains be fed to the tomato or kale plants in a garden somewhere. Or perhaps a tree. This cremation idea from…

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The Luxury of a Senior Discount

Senior Discounts
May 22, 2013
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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…

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The Luxury of a $500,000 Closet

luxurious
February 9, 2013
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by Roberta Murphy We’ve written about luxury closets in the past, but these days some are spending up  to $500,000 for a luxe master closet that might include a champagne refrigerator, sound system, glass-enclosed display cabinets, wet bar or even a breakfast area. Gone are the simpler days of a luxurious dressing room. The master closet area has become a destination room. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday on four…

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Underwater Hotel Experience

January 27, 2013
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by Roberta Murphy Amazing Underwater Hotel Experiences to Become a Reality? It seems underwater hotels are the new rage in bizarre hotel experiences. Finland blew us away with the ice hotel, China with its underground hotel, and now Fiji, Africa and Dubai –and other countries which now have competing underwater hotel experiences for the adventurous and well-heeled. Sites of some current underwater hotels: The Manta Resort in Zanzibar, Africa (Pemba…

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