Overlooking Gables Estates widest lagoon unencumbered by any bridges, this sophisticated Polynesian-style estate was designed to maximize the beautiful views and the gentle tropical breezes.
Resort-like setting boasts soaring open beam ceilings, lush planters, water features and water gardens as well as expansive balconies and lawn terraces. Boasting dramatic foyer entrance, five bedrooms (possibility of 7 bedrooms) including two staff rooms, handsome master suite with sitting area and safe room, in addition to two family bedrooms with en suite baths, formal living room and formal dining room, state-of-the-art kitchen with adjacent breakfast room, spacious pantry and butler’s pantry, spacious family room, media room, studio with wet bar, four-car garage, generator, elevator and stunning infinity swimming pool.

Offered @ $24,500,000

Contact Audrey Ross @ 305.960.2575 or aross@miamirealestate.com. Or visit www.miamirealestate.com

On a rainy day in New York, and most major cities around the globe, if you take a glance down you will undoubtedly bare witness to the countless pairs of Wellington boots trouncing through puddles or slush. Within the past few years, the Hunter brand has experienced tremendous growth, and its popularity amongst the masses has earned the rights to call the boots a fashion staple. And now, a different kind of fashion footwear staple, Jimmy Choo is offering the traditional rain boots a full makeover. The famed shoemaker will keep the original sole and shape of the boot and add playfully chic details such as a soft leopard print lining, embossed rubber crocodile print, and golden buckles and rivets. And of course, as with any pair of Jimmy Choo’s, there comes a price. While traditional Hunter rain boots generally run around $95, these limited edition Choo’s will retails at $300. The boots are slated to hit stores in early June of 2009.

With China nipping at the heels of Japan for the largest consumer of luxury goods, it comes as no surprise that the third annual LuxuryMart09 is predicted to be stronger in 2009 than ever. The luxury business-to-business event will be held in Shanghai and kicks off January 15th. The worlds most luxurious brands including Bentley, Princess Yachts, Cartier, Bank of China, and Relais & Chateaux will all come together to meet, collaborate, and exchange marketing ideas to target China’s most affluent individuals. China is the world’s fastest growing luxury market, and the country’s annual ‘Rich List’ is comprised of 1,000 individuals with a personal net worth of $100 million USD or more and there are 800,000 millionaires. At last years event executives from 54 different brands participated and each had fifteen pre-scheduled meetings to discuss opportunities and synergies between their brands, and was a huge success. This year’s event will host executives from nearly every luxury sector including automobiles, jets, yachts, private memberships, fashion, real estate, and banks.

50 S. Pointe Dr. #1101 – brand new Continuum II North Tower. Enjoy the NE corner direct oceanfront location. 3 bedroom + maid’s quarters, could be 4th bedroom, 4 ½ baths, 10 ‘ ceilings, new construction, 2 garage parking spaces + 2 valet and all the luxuries of Continuum II. (more…)

Today, NBC lifted its gag order on journos who have kept silent since October regarding the upcoming 16-member cast of Celebrity Apprentice. What has been revealed is a lineup that is bigger, better, and hotter than ever. Those vying for the Donald’s thumbs up are: Clint Black (country music star), Andrew Dice Clay (comedian), Khloe Kardashian (Kim’s sis), Brande Roderick (Baywatch and Playboy babe), Scott Hamilton (Olympic figure skating gold medalist), Brian McKnight (R&B star), Tom Green (comedian and TV raconteur), Herschel Walker (ex-NFLer and Heisman winner), Annie Duke (poker pro),  Natalie Gulbis (LPGA golfing beauty), Claudia Jordan (Deal or No Deal model), Tionne “t-Boz” Watkins (singer from TLC), Joan and Melissa Rivers, Dennis Rodman (ex-NBA great), and Jesse James (legendary custom bike and car builder who’s married to Sandra Bullock). Unlike past Celeb App seasons, this one will not have the 16 competing for a job with the mystically-coiffed one. Instead, it will be philanthropically focused; the celebs will perform biz-oriented tasks around Manhattan to raise dough for their favorite charities. The season begins March 1.

The international phenomenon formerly known as the King of Pop has settled in the plush Bel Air, signing a one-year lease for a palace. He has already been living in the seven-bedroom home for about a month. The gated, French chateau-style home, which has 13 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces, and a private cinema, comes with a $100,000-per-month price tag.

This comes after his famed fantasy-themed property, Neverland, went into foreclosure last year. An investment company bought the $24 million loan on the ranch, and last month, it was announced that 2,000 of the crooner’s possessions from the ranch will hit the auction block come spring, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the star’s publicist said that Jackson was moving back to California with his three children to be closer to “where all the action (in the entertainment industry) is”. He added that “the second half (of Jackson’s career) will be better than the first.”

Via Telegraph

Vanity Fair’s weekly online column, The One Percent, penned (or, rather, typed) by Jamie Johnson, focuses on the lives of the super rich. Since that is what Haute Living does every day, both in the lives we live and the stories we write, we are avid readers of the often hilarious, always insightful column. This week, Johnson explores some of the most extravagant New Year’s resolutions or goals that she has come across while rubbing elbows with society figures and billionaires. Below are her favorites, and if you click through to Vanity Fair, the goals are described in more detail. I encourage you to leave your own outlandish resolution/goal in the comment box below.

1.    Employ a personal waiter, whose job it is to serve you at all restaurants and bars.
2.    Hire the armed services of a sovereign nation for personal transportation while on holiday.
3.    Buy Stuyvesant Town and transform it into a private estate for a single family.
4.    Travel around Manhattan on horseback, with a groom dressed in full livery in tow.
5.    Buy the sports franchise that is the rival to your favorite local team and shut it down.
6.    Kidnap a rich friend as a practical joke.
7.    Transfer a huge sum of money into gold and display it in your home as a decorative object.
8.    Trick your friends into sleeping with prostitutes, whom they believe to be genuine lovers.
9.    Stop spending time with your drug dealer.
10.     Rent the largest screen in Times Square and televise your family’s personal holiday card photo.

Pontomac, Maryland

Eric F. Billings is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FBR Capital Markets Corporation, a full service investment. He has held this position this since the company’s formation in June 2006. He has also served as a director of the Company since June 2006. Billings is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FBR Group, a position he assumed in April 2005. Prior to April 2005, Billings served as Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of FBR Group. (more…)

Get ready to chow down at some of Gotham’s best dining rooms for a fraction of the normal cost. New York City Restaurant Week is back, offering three-course lunches for $24.07 and dinner prix fixes for $35. Running from January 18–23 and January 25-30), the impressive participating restaurant list (approximately 250 spots) has just been released, and some of New York’s finest are included: Nobu, Café Boulud, Cipriani Wall Street, Le Cirque, 21 Club, Tabla, Café des Artistes, Bond Street, and Mia Dona, to name just a few. Usually, the sweet deals are offered only during the week. However, this time, many of the joints are making Sunday lunch and dinner available. Check out the website for all participating restaurants, along with enough maps, menus, recipes to get you salivating.

http://nycgo.com/restaurantweek

All Wall Street bankers know a thing or two about ties, though many may argue that banker-turned-designer Robert Valdes- Rodriguez is the expert when it comes to crafting the neck adornments. Rodriguez was inspired to venture into tie design after he found that his personal favorite was no longer being made, and has since been a leader of innovation and design in the industry. One of the company’s first bestsellers was made of Italian silk and dipped in liquid sterling silver. This rare textile inspired a line of navy and 24-karat gold dipped ties that are sold exclusively at the Plaza Hotel. Though these metal dipped ties are a hit, Rodriguez pays equal attention to traditional ties. All of RVR’s fashions are made of the most luxurious silks available and are all self-tipped and hand-tailored by master craftsman, resulting in beautiful ties for any occasion. Rodriguez explains his design philosophy saying “In my opinion, the tie is the one menswear accessory that can make or break your look. You can hid an inferior belt, or mediocre pair of shoes but you can’t hide a bad tie.”