Fort Lauderdale attorney, Scott Rothstein’s alleged $1 billion Ponzi scheme is beginning to unravel, and the forty-seven-year-old is not anticipated to come out on top.

Scott Rothstein is a 47-year-old Fort Lauderdale attorney who spun himself into the spotlight, and serious allegations, when his conspicuous spending, political contributions, and charitable donations began to seem extraordinarily outlandish in the recent years.

The alleged fraud that Rothstein is accused of has warped its way into the homes of very unsuspecting individuals, including a Miami man who owns an ink cartridge business who put up $2 million, an 80-year-old Fort Lauderdale couple who put up $1 million, and a Palm Beach County man who fears he has lost his life savings of $135,000 he put into a Rothstein law firm escrow account to close on a condo.

So how did all of this happen? According to a lawsuit filed last week, “investment consortiums were formed, middlemen took a commission on the deals, and investors brought in other investors for a percentage of the profits. Meanwhile, financial advisers and bank officials reassured investors that their money was safe.”

When investors didn’t get paid in late October, things started to seem out of place. What made it worse was when Rothstein disappeared to Morocco on a chartered Gulfstream V jet in a hurry. Not suspicious at all…

After a week, he returned to Fort Lauderdale and was faced with an enormous federal investigation into what an FBI agent called “one of the largest investment frauds ever in South Florida.”

The culprits? Well, Scott Rothstein to start with, but as the investigation ensues, the law firm where Rothstein allegedly did his dirty work, the Rothstein Rosendeldt Adler law firm, has suffered repercussions as well. The firm had 70 attorneys and approximately 80 support staff who all saw the firm plunge into involuntary bankruptcy. The firm is all but dissolved at the moment, and lawsuits continue to flood Rothstein, his firm, and the bank that some investors allege was complicit in the scheme.

Via: The Sun Sentinel

Artist Damien Hirst once again proves his critics wrong with an extremely successful show at White Cube, where he sold five of his seven largest pieces from his new “Nothing Matters” collection before the show even opened.

Renowned artist, Damien Hirst, has seen some less-than-flattering reviews from some critics for his latest collection which was exhibited at the Wallace Collection. But none of that seems to have deterred Hirst as he opened a new show at White Cube.

Hirst may not be some critic’s first choice, but art collectors apparently care about that as much as Hirst himself. Five of the seven largest pieces from his new “Nothing Matters” collection sold before the show at White Cute even opened, and the highest-priced piece sold for an impressive $15.7 million, despite its initial price point being only approximately $385,626.

Hirst’s show at White Cube will be exhibited through January 20, 2010, although interested viewers will have to remember that what they’re looking at is primarily already owned by some high-rolling art collectors.

Via: Luxist

The latest haute accessory coming out of Paris fashion house, Hermes, is the bold and bright Evelyn Bag.

Hermes is bringing their trademark orange to a new level with the chic, yet fun, Evelyn Bag. Made from taurillon clemence leather, the stand-out bag features delicate silver and palladium hardware at its main fixture points and a subtle leather tab closure.

Great for making a chic statement on a rainy or sunny day, the Evelyn Bag has a perforated “H” for Hermes plaque on its side, an adjustable strap and even an outside pocket for items you like to have easy access to.

A great holiday gift for the little budding fashionista in your family, or even a special treat for yourself, the Evelyn Bag is adorable, youthful, and vibrant.

The bag is approximately 11 inches by 12 inches by 2 inches in size, and is priced at $2450. It is available for purchase at Hermes.

Via: Luxury Launches

David Beckham. Bentley. Need I say more?

David Beckham is known around the world for his soccer talents and marriage to former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, but he also has an apparently profound passion for Bentleys. Can we blame him? The luxurious cars are not only amazingly beautiful to look at, but as David can surely attest to, they are a true delight to drive.

United Kingdom native Beckham recently sold his 2002 Bentley Arnage T and now he’s been seen driving around his current hometown of Los Angeles in a brand new luxurious Bentley Continental Supersports. While Beckham went through a ‘black car’ phase, he’s now opted for a lighter shade of quartzite hue for his elegant mode of transportation.

The Beckham family owns multiple luxurious cars, including a Range Rover, a Cadillac Escalade, a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, two Porsche 911s, and a Jeep Wrangler—although none of their children are of legal driving age yet, but hey, you have to have options, right?

But back to that new Bentley Beckham is sporting. It’s only the 17^th of its kind to be delivered in the United States, and 47^th worldwide, and it’s priced at $266,600. The Bentley Continental Supersports is a lighter version of the standard Continental GT Speed, reduced in weight by approximately 202 pounds with 620bhp, up from the standard version’s 20bhp. What’s that mean? Well, that means that Beckham can take the beauty from 0 to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds and is able to reach a top speed of 204mph. More eco-friendly celebs can also shift the car into a bio-fuel mode, so the environment is less severely impacted.

Via: Luxury Launches

Newlyweds Khloe Kardashian, of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and Lamar Odom have had their recent marriage splashed across websites and entertainment shows for weeks. Now the couple has taken the next step in holy matrimony and purchased a home—ok, a mansion, located in the gated Mulholland Park Estates neighborhood in Los Angeles for $3,995,000.

The marriage of Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom may have received quite a bit of negative press due to its short-lived engagement and surprise wedding, but these two are taking it all in stride and rightfully moving forward with their life together. That next step, of course, is to purchase a nearly $4 million home.

Located in the Tarzana area of Los Angeles in the well-known and coveted Mulholland Park Estates neighborhood, Kardashian and Odom’s new 8,347-square-foot humble abode features seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. While that may sound like a pretty decent sized home to many, in this neighborhood it’s actually quite modest, a perfect first home for the young couple.

The home features a backyard swimming pool, a private movie theater, a pool table, a large kitchen with an oversized island, and a gym room.

Via: Big Time Listings, TMZ

We know, we know – your friends can’t be boxed into such strict categories.  The one that constantly redecorates is also a multifaceted chef and traveler!  We know they are all unique individuals, but if you really think about it,  they probably either have a penchant for wearing clothes, for being male, or for wearing very little clothing at all… Now, you’ll know what to get each of them for Christmas:

For your fashion savviest friend: If their purse consistently looks more like a carry-on, they’ll swoon over Alexander Wang’s new Mixed Material Shopper.  If she’s more of a jewelry lover, look no further than Charm and Chain – we currently covet the Glenda Cuff and the Peace at Last Necklace.  If they really do have everything straight from the runways, a smart fashionista will shed a single tear when she sees the new book chronicling the story of Maison Martin Margiela.

For men, because they need gifts, too: Don’t just get him a tie and call it a day.   Everything from a technologically advanced condom dispenser to black cashmere socks can be obtained from Alpha Gear’s online shop – trust them, they know what men want.  If you’re hoping to score something for a man with a distinguished sense of humor, these Mustache cuff links take the cake.  In case this particular guy needs some assistance in the dressing-themselves department, a jaunt to Confederacy’s online shop is in order – their collaboration with Albert Hammond Jr. on very chic (if not slightly hipster) suits will make your man look debonair, in the best sense of the word.

For the saucy minx: Warning: Gifting lingerie is not appropriate for the following people: Mothers-in-law, very young siblings, your boss’s wife (although, come to think of it…).  Now, any other woman still on your list will appreciate slipping into a Maitre’D Slip, a Shazam Demi Bra, or something even saucier (a Hornette Playsuite, anyone?) from Agent Provocateur.  Their gifts are the kind that keep on giving.

Ah, Black Friday… The day that, year after year, inspires you to stay in your pajamas past noon and gives you yet another reason to dread the Beverly Center.  Put it this way, if it were acceptable to say, “I’m so grateful for online shopping” at Thanksgiving dinner, you would have.  So, in honor of this most horrid shopping day (that gives you a most secure reason to stay in), we present a gift guide of some haute options for some of the different folks in your life.

For the wanna-be star of Julie and Julia 2: Phaidon Press’ I Know How To Cook is a more contemporary staple of French cuisine for any home cook.  With some 1500 recipes, it may be difficult to get through in only a year, but this tome will be any cook’s worthy guide dans la cuisine!  (Just so happens you’ll get 20% off purchases from their online store; today only!)

For that person who can’t sit still: Streamline Luggage is just the ticket for the chic, jet setting guy or gal in your life.  With six (very L.A.) collections, called The Aviator, The Editor, The Producer, The Explorer, The Ambassador, and The Executive, you’ll be able to choose a style that’s just right.  No need to tie a ribbon on them, either – you’ll be the only one reaching for one of these from baggage claim.

For the home décor fanatic: We all know them, those dear friends that are either pathological movers or pathological re-decorators.  Either way, they can always use some beautiful accents that never go out of style – candles and fragrances.   Maxim’s de Paris’ candles have the most whimsical, haute Parisian porcelain candle containers that reminisce about the wild days of Maxim’s in Paris.  Barbara Barry sells precious room-specific candles.  With one for the bedroom, powder room, and dining room, your shifty friend can at least keep one item in place.

Don’t fret, part 2 is on its way!

One of the hottest places in town is none other than Thomas Keller’s Bouchon restaurant in Los Angeles, and we all know what happens when restaurants become the “it spot”…it’s nearly impossible to get a table. Here are some suggestions on how to do just that at Bouchon.

Don’t be discouraged by the fact that Thomas Keller’s Bouchon restaurant is rumored to be booked up for dinner until March. True or not, there are still some ways you may be able to be amongst the masses who are enjoying some good old high-end fine dining this winter.

Some are suggesting that perhaps the best way to get a reservation at Bouchon right now is to just not make one. Touché, I know; but hear me out. Bouchon’s main dining room does, in fact, require a reservation, however, the bar and patio areas run on a first-come-first-serve basis. See where this is going? The earlier you and your dining buddies are able to show up, the more likely it is you’ll be chowing down on some delicious Keller cuisine. Bouchon currently starts its dinner service at 5pm, however they do plan on changing that to 5:30pm in the near future, so for the meantime, perhaps call ahead to find out what time exactly is dinner served. Note: if you do want to try this method, remember the patio is outside, and Los Angeles nights can be chilly. Dress accordingly.

If, however, your heart is set on dining with the lucky few who make it into the main dining room, then why not try lunch there? The in-demand restaurant will begin to serve lunch this Saturday, and you can enjoy your Bouchon experience from 11:30am to 2pm. The best news? You will be able to enjoy the exact some menu that you’ve been missing out at dinner time because the restaurant will not have a special lunch menu. If you want something lighter because it’s lunch time, the menu does include items such as a frisee salad, a quiche, and a Croque Madame, as well as dishes from the raw bar.

If all of this is fine and dandy with you, but your heart is still set on getting the coveted dinner reservation, why not put your name down for their next open spot, and enjoy these alternative methods to dining there in the meantime? It’s really a win-win situation.

Via: LAist

Tired of having wires determine your range of movement? Sennheiser has just created the perfect solution to the problem with the new luxury M 450 travel headset that is compatible with a wide array of Bluetooth enabled devices.

Bluetooth sets are quickly picking up as the solution to many people’s ‘wire’ problems, and keeping with the haute accessory trend, Sennheiser has created the M450 travel headset.

The M 450 headset is compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth enabled devices meaning you now not only enjoy hands-free, but also wire-free communication and entertainment. The company responsible for this innovative and chic device boasts crystal-clear sound quality due to the product’s active noise reduction capabilities and A2DP stereo Bluetooth profile.

The headset is travel ready as it features airplane direct cable adapters and a closed-capsule design with built in volume control features. The set uses a lithium-polymer battery which can be easily charged with a simple USB chord. A great idea for the holiday season, the M 450 costs $480.

Via: Luxury Launches

Cartier’s new collection features emblematic beasts and design motifs incorporating representations of animals such as the panther and the tortoise into beautiful jewelry ensembles. The stunning new pieces emphasize the universal power of symbols and refer back to the continual use of emblems throughout history.

“Le Must” Collection of Cartier is designed specifically for younger generations but includes all of those who exude youth at any age. “There is no precious jewelry without deep meaning attached. Some of these symbolic contents are commonly shared by all, others are totally intimate and private,” says Pierre Rainero, the Image-Style and Heritage Director of Cartier.

Pieces which depict a scarab beetle highlight the important historical role of such an insect referring at once to the myth and symbolism of such a creature. The scarab beetle was often believed to exude the power of reincarnation, bring about good luck, and solar warmth. For example, the ancient Egyptians prayed to the scarab-headed god Khepri which they associated with the power of the sun.

A delicate gold bracelet portrays a tortoise thought to be one of the wisest souls in the animal world often representing stability and eternity. Finally Cartier’s rendition of the Panther is by far the most emblematic and superb of its recent creations. Cariter has depicted the panther since 1915 emphasizing the great courage, dynamism, and grace of such a beast. Panthers in Cartier’s new collection are found across patterned watchbands, across pendants and on gorgeous sparkling rings.

“Le Must” of Cartier is truly a must and an indulgent little treat. Such animals dance before your eyes telling of grace, history, and symbolic power.

Via: Luxury Culture