Luxury aircraft company Cirrus as just added a new division to their already impressive fleet–The Cirrus Aircraft Vision Jet.

Cirrus Aircraft as always been well known for their advanced performance and safety technologies, including the unique Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) found in its popular SR20, SR22 and TURBO composite airplanes. The newest addition, Vision Jet, is said to be the “ultimate personal jet.” They are excited to announce that as part of their dedication to manufacturing safe and affordable personal aircraft, the new Vision Jet is being offered at a maximum initial price of $1.39 million.

Cirrus Aircraft President and CEO Brent Wouters explains, “Cirrus is uniquely positioned to understand materials costs and the costs of manufacturing of the Vision Jet by way of our experience in building and delivering nearly 5,000 SR20 and SR22 aircraft. With our pricing announcement today, we have rewarded those who partnered with us since the beginning of the Vision Jet development program by creating substantial and immediate value in their production position reservations. At the same time, Vision Jet pricing for new reservations is equally compelling given the revolutionary performance and capability demonstrated by the V1 flight test aircraft to date.”

But you best hurry!  Prices will be going up beginning January 1, 2010, and with only a $100,000 deposit you can reserve your jet today. With Cirrus Aircraft having been developing technologically advanced aircraft since it began in 1984, the aircraft is sure to be a huge success in the private jet community.

Via JustLuxe

Alberto Pinto brings a unique mix of influences to his work. He is an established designer whose commissions run the gamut from yachts and jets to hotels, offices, and private residences. He is well known in the design world, but still, it is difficult to define his style. His themes crossover from minimalist to baroque, and his inspirations come from a number of eras and various regions around the globe. Mostly, it is his cosmopolitanism itself that defines his work—a thoroughly 21st-century style of borrowing from across genres and creating one-of-a-kind blends.

Pinto was born in Morocco but studied in France. After graduating from the Ecole de Louvre in Paris, Pinto moved to New York City and opened a firm for photographers that specialized in decoration and interior design. As the head of the photo agency, he was able to travel all over the world and was introduced to some of the most amazing examples of international design in Mexico, India, Italy, and South America. His appreciation for and understanding of the field grew as he developed his own personal style, gaining inspiration from the places he travelled.

Perhaps ironically, given the great attention to detail that his job requires, Pinto is typically drawn to large-scale projects. Some of his greatest challenges come from bigger commissions where he has the opportunity to mix together pieces from different countries and periods.

Having built up a following and portfolio of a number of diverse projects, Pinto began taking on new commissions for yachts and jets. This foray represented new challenges that the enterprising designer welcomed.

Most recently, he led the design of two separate Boeing 737 private jets. Considering the confines of the project and the unique challenges of private jet interior design, it is interesting that he managed to deliver such different renderings. Both are ultra-luxe, using glossy wood panelled walls to offset buttery, soft, leather furniture. The layouts are versatile, enabling passengers to relax and enjoy themselves or hold meetings, depending on what the situation requires.

The interior design of a jet seems like a natural fit for Pinto, with his international experience and style. His career was, in part, inspired by his travels so it is fitting that he now brings his expertise to the design of private jets.

In addition to his eye for color, texture, and spatial relationship, one of the things that aids Pinto is that he has built up a team of the best artisans in the world, with whom he has worked throughout his career.

Clients appreciate Pinto’s unimpeachable devotion to discretion in all of the projects he undertakes. He has worked with a number of high-profile clients and these relationships themselves are a testament to Pinto’s professionalism. His high-end clientele has coined the term “Haute Interior Design” to describe his style as well as the way in which he conducts his business.

The agency is located on five floors of a 17th-century private residence in the Place des Victoires in Paris. It is known as the Hôtel de la Victoire, and the office is a testament to Pinto’s artistry, with its esoteric elegance and respect for the existing structure.

For more insight into the designer’s unique style or possible inspiration for your own decoration, check out Alberto Pinto: Orientalism, written by Philippe Renaud and published by Flammarion. Also look out for his home designs, the result of a close collaboration with some of the world’s best manufacturers. This collection makes his style more accessible than ever, and now, wherever you are, bringing  the unmistakable Pinto look into your home is right at your fingertips.

We have a documented affinity for Audemars Piguet. Their stunning timepieces have often graced the pages of our publication, as our readers demand to know about the latest from the revered brand. The recent introduction of a new line of jewelry to complement the classic Royal Oak watches certainly garnered our attention.

The unisex collection, which has a tag-line of “The Sporting Spirit of Jewelry,” strives to match the smart with the casual, as has come to be expected from the Royal Oak line. The “Méga Tapisserie” motif displayed on the dial of the watches is replicated in the line, which is made up of rings, pendants, and bracelets all featuring the same rubber as the band on the Royal Oak timepieces. Available in white or black, the ring and pendant, shown here in 18-karat pink gold and gold respectively, are in the unmistakable octagonal shape, sporting the signature hexagonal screws. The ring features about a half a carat of diamonds, while the pendant has about one-third of a carat. The bracelet’s gold buckle is set with a half-carat of diamonds as well.

Audemars Piguet Boutique
65 East 57th St.
New York , NY
212.758.8400

Audemars Piguet Boutique
Bal Harbour Shops
9700 Collins Ave.
Bal Harbour , FL
305.864.6776

East Coast Jewelry
16810 Collins Ave.
Sunny Isles, FL
305.947.8883

The Napa Valley is one of the rarest and most precious agricultural preserves on earth, a place that moves in perfect synchrony with the seasons. That is why it is not surprising why the Wappo Indians — the areas first inhabitants — called the region Napa, meaning “Land of Plenty.”

Even less surprising is that in a recent survey done by TripAdvisor, The Napa Valley was named North America’s number one wine destination. It is recognized for its unparalleled beauty, vineyards, and world-class wines. The editors of TripAdvisor describe it as the “undisputed wine capital of America.”

Clay Gregory, CEO of the Napa Valley Destination Council, he said “The Napa Valley provides the genuine wine country experience travelers desire and we are thrilled that the TripAdvisor community has honored our destination with the #1 position on their Top Ten wine destinations list.”

Gregory added, “The Napa Valley defines a casual wine country lifestyle and our region’s beauty, world-renowned wines, restaurants, spas, and authentic cities and towns offer the traveler activities that will enrich both body and soul.”

In the international world of wine, The Napa Valley has been recognized as one of only eight “Great Wine Capitals,” which goes to show that the high art of winemaking has crossed continents! The region has made it even more of a pleasure for wine enthusiasts to visit by enticing us with wonderful foods, relaxing spas and other wellness rich activities. So after spending a day deep in the fields of wine, treat yourself to a delicious restaraunt and relax at one of the many resorts. You will not be disappointed!

Via Legendary Napa Valley

Marvelous dinner and cocktail parties are one essential and fun part of leading a fabulous life of luxury. What better way to socialize and impress than having friends and family over while celebrating all things first-class? Designer digs displayed on guests’ bodies, expensive noshes and drinks mingling around your home-what more could anyone ask for? But there is one way to still perk up your already spectacular gathering — the way you display your fabulous party favors.

When it comes to your cocktails, plain champagne bottles and other beverages you serve will not suffice simply sitting atop tables or inside ice bins. Sorry, but if your goal is to stay ahead of the game and to be the best, and we know it is, we had to break the news.  And if cognac is a favorite of you or your guests, there’s only one way to display it — with a cool and equally impressive casing. It will certainly be a conversation starter and yet another way for you to impress those attending your event.

Louis XIII cognac now has an Art-Deco inspired coffret made by Remy Martin. The chic casing features hand-crafted red imitation leather and a dark wood case. There’s also a mirror that reflects the delish intoxicant and prominently displays the gorgeous crystal stopper at top. The cognac fills a baroque-style crystal decanter that is almost too pretty to open. Well, not really.  The launch of the prestigious product will take place in October at the Tax Free World Association in Cannes for an approximate price of $2,713, a small price to pay for the astonished looks and gossip that will surely take place after guests leave your party amazed and wanting more.

It has a multifaceted mirror inside that reflects the spirit and displays the crystal stopper in place. The spirit itself is presented in a baroque crystal decanter with a fleur-de-lys stopper. “Compact, robust and easy to carry, the coffret and its outer carry-case have been designed to be more environmentally friendly” – Remy Cointreau said. Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail will launch Louis XIII de Rémy Martin at the TFWA World Exhibition in October for a price of approx. $2,713.

Via Bornrich

It’s time to let your inner foodie run wild. From October 4-9 and October 11-16, 2009, you can experience the opulence of fine dining at economical rates during the 2009 dineLA Restaurant Week. Presented by LA INC., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, in partnership with American Express, dineLA will offer specially priced three-course menus at an assortment of over 200 new, hot, tried and true restaurants from Long Beach to the San Fernando Valley, including such Haute Living favorites as Mr. Chow’s, Katsuya and The Boulevard at Beverly Wilshire, to name a few. With three organized tiers of Deluxe, Premiere and Fine Dining to choose from, the perfect level of luxury to satiate your needs awaits.

The event, which will showcase the diverse and extraordinary culinary talent that exists in L.A. County, drew 150,000 diners to 175 restaurants in February and is sure to exceed that in its encore extravaganza. With a plethora of exotic flavors, passion, and panache, this premier food and wine event is sure to please your palate.

“Just look at the sheer number and variety of restaurants on the dineLA website and you’ll see how much LA’s dining community is truly embracing the Fall dineLA Restaurant Week program,” said Mark Liberman, president and CEO of LA INC. “Our intent was to create a dining program that would both support and promote the spectacular LA restaurant scene and I feel confident the Fall dineLA Restaurant Week will be an important boost to the local economy.”

Reservations may be made either online or through the restaurants directly. Due to the popularity of this event, advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Good taste should be rewarded. Indulge yourself.

Extraordinary stone & shingle Georgian. 4+ gated acres, splendid stone terraces and heated pool. Renowned interior design firm of Diamond & Baratta, Rick Mosian architect. Exceptionally large entertainment rooms open out to formal terraces, professional landscapes and Shoreline pool. Rare opportunity in horse country, furnishing negotiable.

Offered @ $7,495,000

Contact Shelly S. Tretter @ 203.618.3103 or visit www.sothebyshomes.com.

For women in their 30s or 40s, the effects of glycolic acid and 1,000 varieties of moisturizer might seem to plateau. At the same time, surgery might seem an extreme approach to looking younger. If you happen to fall in that category, or if surgery is just not for you, plenty of non-invasive options that require little if any downtime—you can literally go directly from derm to work—have recently become available. Here are a couple of the most popular technologies available today.

Thermage and Fraxel

We’re counting this treatment as one because they go so well together, kind of like chocolate and peanut butter. Thermage tightens the deeper layers of skin, and Fraxel smoothes and refinishes the upper layer.

As Michael Hromadik, spokesman for Solta, the company that owns both treatment technologies, likes to say, if you skin were a lawn, Thermage maintains the dirt underneath and Fraxel aerates it. What that means for patients is nearly pore-less, incredibly even-toned skin with a youthful, uplifted, and line-free appearance.

And the big news for anyone who thought there was no good treatment for the scourge of nearly every woman’s hips and thighs—we mean cellulite, of course—is that the FDA approved Thermage in January for use all over the body. Just like it can lift jowls and eyelids on the face, it can tighten post-partum belly sags as well as reduce cellulite wherever it might occur.

If it sounds too good to be true, let’s be clear: the results are somewhat subtle. Thermage and Fraxel are not replacements for surgery if you have severe lines or sags. But for women looking for a lift that will have people asking if they have a new hairstyle, if they’ve lost weight, or otherwise being unable to pinpoint why they look refreshed, this could be a good choice.

The Thermage tool, which resembles a barcode scanner and employs radiofrequency, has come a long way since it was first available in 2004. The latest delivery system causes less pain than the original device, and Solta has developed a second, larger tip for body treatments. The technology delivers radiofrequency waves to the dermis, the deep layer of skin where collagen is located, and simultaneously cools the epidermis to protect it from damage. Heat from the radiofrequency tightens existing collagen and stimulates new cell growth. The result is a refreshed, youthful, lifted appearance that looks natural and decidedly not “done.”

“I don’t wear makeup anymore,” said Ana Morley, who received both Thermage and Fraxel treatments performed by Dr. Vic Narurkar, a San Francisco dermatologist, at Solta’s on-site clinic in Hayward, California. Fraxel uses laser technology to diminish sun damage, acne scars, and lines on the surface of the skin. The combination of Thermage and Fraxel seems to have worked well for Morley. At 39, she has no crow’s-feet and utterly smooth and even-toned skin—sans make-up.

Narurkar swears by using both technologies together. “There’s a real synergy between the two,” he said. “Thermage to tighten and Fraxel to minimize pore size and even tone.”

But one important question remains: Does it hurt? Treatment of an entire face requires about 900 pulses from the Thermage zapper. “I felt about seven of those,” Morley said. “If it hadn’t been noisy in the room I would have fallen asleep.”

And the treatments aren’t just for women. Dr. Narurkar says men see great results with Thermage and Fraxel— the subtle, natural look is appealing to them. “It doesn’t feminize the face,” he explained.

Thermage costs between $2,500 and $3,000 for the face and neck, and up to $4,000 for the body. Fraxel costs up to $5,000, and a combination “Therma-Frax” treatment runs between $4,000 and $6,000. For more information go to www.solta.com.

Non-surgical Rhinoplasty

When it comes to customized noses, you might assume smaller is better. But a new procedure—no surgery required—is marking a new beauty aesthetic. Many women are gaining larger but more contoured noses using injectable gels like Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and sometimes-permanent injections of liquid silicone.

These fillers are better known for plumping the nasolabial folds (the smile lines on each side of the mouth) and other wrinkles to create a more youthful appearance. But dermatologists are now finding they can also use these fillers to even out bumps or create symmetry.

The rising popularity of the procedure is partly because injections are much less expensive than surgery—around $1,000 compared to $5,000 or more for rhinoplasty. Also, if a patient doesn’t like the result, the dermatologist can use hyaluronidase to melt away hyaluronic fillers like Restylane and Juvederm. Radiesse, which lasts a bit longer, can’t be immediately reversed, but the longest it will last is about two years.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty’s popularity might also mark an aesthetic shift—modern America seems to appreciate a face with character. Eighty percent of voters in an iVillage poll said Jennifer Grey’s nose job was a career killer because she lost her unique look. Sarah Jessica Parker, Gisele Bündchen, and Uma Thurman are all testaments to the appeal of the prominent nose (if they did have surgery, they kept the character of the original). Plus, many women don’t want to wake up to a stranger in the mirror. The New York Times reported in December that many women considering rhinoplasty worried they wouldn’t feel like themselves, or that they’d seem like a different person to friends and family. Non-surgical rhinoplasty won’t dramatically change your profile, and for many patients, that’s the point.

That’s not to say good old surgical rhinoplasty is going away. Some nose deviations just can’t be remedied with injections, and some patients don’t want to worry about returning for follow-ups. Also, while the demand for non-surgical rhinoplasty is increasing, some doctors are cautious about administering the technique.

“I like to use it only to correct a bridge defect (a large indentation between the nose and the forehead), because you can get into problems with the blood flow to the nose,” said Narurkar, who performs about one non-surgical rhinoplasty per month. Though it’s rare and he’s never had first-hand experience with circulation problems, it could lead to ulcers that could require skin grafts.

Nevertheless, some patients were so pleased with their temporary results that they choose to make it permanent.

Rebecca (not her real name), a public relations professional in Miami, Florida, was unhappy with the surgical rhinoplasty she’d had in her early 20s. “The cartilage in the tip was uneven and I was really self-conscious about it,” she said. “I also thought it was too small.” But a surgeon warned her against more surgery because her nose could lose too much structure. Now in her mid-30s, on a visit to the dermatologist she saw a flyer for non-surgical rhinoplasty. “It never occurred to me to add something to your nose rather than taking away—it seemed brilliant.” Dr. Thomas Tzikas in Delray Beach, Florida, first tried Restylane, and Rebecca was so happy with the outcome that she opted for a permanent solution. Tzikas used a liquid type of silicone called Silikon 1000, which is approved by the FDA for treating retinal detachment.

Some doctors, like Narurkar, worry that as the shape of the face changes decades later on, the silicone might shift. But patients like Rebecca aren’t worried. “Honestly, I don’t even care if it droops when I’m 60 because it looks so much better.”

Harmony and aesthetics are important elements to consider when regarding the human body. For most of us, perfect proportions don’t come naturally and depending on gender, fat is often deposited in very specific areas. Ladies frequently see it show up in their hips and thighs, while men can experience it in their stomachs and flanks. Fortunately, medical and technological advances in recent decades now allow for the easy removal of these areas of bulge so that an aesthetic balance is achieved.

While many types of body contouring surgeries exist, including everything from face-lifts to gastric bypasses, in the 21st century, liposuction and liposculpture have been some of the leading trends in the field. Liposuction involves reducing excess subcutaneous fat that is difficult to get rid of through diet and exercise. The advances that have been made in liposuction surgery allow for less down time, better results when it comes to scarring, and more overall comfort for the patient. From techniques to equipment, the technology available today to patients and surgeons aids in the removal of fat that in previous decades would have been quite difficult to address. One of the best ways that I have found to perform this surgery is with ultrasonic equipment. This procedure employs the use of high-pitched sound waves that liquefy fat in a particular region of the body, at which time it is removed with the canula. The benefits of ultrasonic liposuction make it a great option for bringing down fat from difficult areas such as the neck and under the chin, upper arms and armpits, inner knees, calves, and ankles. The Lysonix machine is one of the most advanced ultrasonic technologies on the market right now and is ideal for patients who need a more detailed level of body contouring.

In addition to liposuction, breast lifts and breast augmentation surgeries are some of the most popular procedures governing cosmetic surgery today. In fact, recently released statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery indicate that breast augmentation surgery is the No. 1 cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. More than 355,000 breast enhancement surgeries were performed in 2008.

Much progress has been made in the evolution of breast augmentation surgery including the types of implants available, the placement of the implants, and the kind of incision that will be most beneficial to the patient. We have all heard the good news that silicone implants are back on the market after a 14-year hiatus for testing and improvements. When it comes to incisions, the “lollipop” incision is often preferred among surgeons and patients. This type of incision circles around the nipple and then goes vertically down. Another option when it comes to the placement of the incision is through the armpit, in order to avoid cutting on the breast altogether. However, performing the procedure this way is limits the implants to saline only. When collaborating with patients on the type of incision to use in the surgery, the architecture of the breast should be one of the main guiding factors in the final decision.

The placement of the implants is also important to consider. I find that inserting them under the chest muscle is most effective and delivers favorable long-term results due to the fact that the muscle covers the implants, concealing any type of rippling that could occur, and, of course, results in a more natural feel. Often, the muscles will also help hold the implant in place, preventing any type of slipping or movement that may take place over a long period of time.

Overall, the progresses of technology and society provide for a whole host of options when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Whether combining a breast lift surgery with a tummy tuck for a full “mommy makeover,” or considering liposuction surgery on those trouble spots that are genetically out of proportion, in today’s world, plastic surgery is no longer a solution for only the rich and the famous. It can offer gratifying solutions for everyone.

Warmest regards,

Dr. Kimberly Henry
350 Bon Air Road, Ste. 1
Greenbrae, CA 94904
415.924.1313
www.drkimberlyhenry.com