Gift Ideas

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I am a regular reader and a fan, which may seem surprising because I am a female.  My boyfriend is a “gearhead”, and I began reading your blog in an effort to understand his excitement, and began to love them myself.

 I am writing to you for advice, because his birthday is approaching, and we have been together nearly four years.  I would really love to rock his world with an amazing birthday gift that he would never expect.  I have been toying with the idea of an exotic rental car from you guys, any thoughts on the idea or which model would be the best?  This is really important to me and I have a feeling he would find it unforgettable.

Sincerely,
Amanda, South Beach

We have come a long way since the likes of Mario, Luigi and Pac-Man, (not that we do not still harbor adoration for them) case in point being Gran Turismo 5.  This game features cars so realistic, they seem to be on television.  Chosen to star among others in the new version when it hits stores in a few months?  The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

As one of the three major protégés of Baron de Gunzburg, the others being Bill Blass and Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta is a design force to be reckoned with. Launching his own luxury label in the late 1960's, de la Renta has been awarded, honored, acclaimed and even does philanthropy. Oscar de la Renta holds the key to a classic sophistication that has majorly been lost on generation X. Adored by all, de la Renta is ever-expanding his empire. Encompassing accessories and beyond, his pretty designs cost more then a pretty penny. Take for instance, his new Alligator Bow Clutch which retails for $8,690. The Bow Clutch has a leather lining, inside side pockets and an optional chain strap. The classicism we love from de la Renta for day or night, ladies if you can afford this clutch then go for it. This is one bag that will last forever!

Post By Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

Louis Vuitton has taken to the business of technology and office equipment, for the luxury minded and rich. Not only does the luxury goods company upped its image with a fully functional website and cyber shopping, but now Vuitton is working to make your technology and work space fashionably acceptable. Going beyond LV designed messenger bags and calendar covers, now you can get your own Louis Vuitton USB key in LV accessories department or online.  The USB come with a key ring so you can attach the storage device to your bag like a Louis Vuitton bag charm. The USB is Louis Vuitton engraved and is designed after Vuitton’s iconic Damier Graphite line. The LV USB costs $450 and can only hold 4GB of storage, but therein lies the fault of fashion.

If you're all good with USBs then look to another latest offering, the Louis Vuitton Computer Sleeve. The signature monogram canvas computer cover has a protective foam layer and microfiber lining. Plus, each has a “Louis Vuitton Inventeur” logo inside. The sleeves feature classic LV brass hardware and double zip enclosures for your laptop. Made to be carried under your arm, the glorified computer cases come in both 13 and 15-inch sizes. The cost, probably more then your actual laptop but we wouldn't expect anything less from Louis Vuitton. What's next LV?

Father's day is in a few weeks and 10 Cane has done ya'll a favor. If you don't know what to get dad, go for the 10 Cane personalized gift box. The box is lacquered white, with 10 Cane's signature orange inside and features a 1 liter bottle of 10 Cane premier rum. The best part, you can engrave the gift box for a more intimate touch.  Face it, a bottle of something is the easiest gift to give and unfailingly goes to good use.  What's more, 10 Cane is the best of the best as far as rums go. The  rum is made from pressing the juices out of virgin Trinidadian Sugar cane, the only rum that presses virgin cane. Plus, 10 Cane is owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH), which is the largest luxury group in the whole wide world.  Make Father's Day gifting painless this time and just get an engraved gift set of 10 Cane, $65 per.

Check out our fleet of Exotic Rental Cars

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Living

Donald Trump claims “now” is the time to buy property, if only it were that easy.  Many who still have the money to buy “now” can’t find financing. If financing isn’t stopping you, consider yourself lucky and look to South Beach. Right now in South Beach properties are being sold for way less than asking price.  Take, for instance, luxury building Murano at Portofino, located at 1000 S Pointe Drive in the South Beach area of Miami Beach. Where a penthouse unit with an asking price of $12,000,000 just sold for $7,600,000. The spacious three bedrooms, five and a half bath unit is just one example of what’s going on in South Beach, there are lots more just like this. The question is, when will the real estate market finally hit bottom? The question is tough to answer but it seems like buyers are moving towards the beach. Activity is gradually picking up, more inquiries, and more viewings, will sooner or later translate into more sales.

Everybody owns an iPod, most people own a few. An iPod for the gym, one for the car, one to sing with in the shower; a nano, a touch, a shuffle, a mini, etc. etc. So what's the harm in just one more iPod, especially if its for a good cause?

A new set of Swarovski-crystal studded iPods is in to collect. Designed exclusively by the "Rocket Man" himself, that is Sir Elton John. A Portion of the proceeds will go to Sir Elton's AIDS Foundation. The "Starburst" set for Elton John AIDS Foundation are available in, count them, nine bling-tastic colors. Each nano is adorned with 250 color-coordinated Swarovski crystals, rainbows and glitter, oh my. The nanos are available in 8GB and 16G versions and each one comes complete with "Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits CD" by Elton John, of course. Plus, his signature engraved on the back. Only 1000 limited edition Starburst EJAF iPods will be made available. You can get yours from the Elton John AIDS Foundation or Selfridges for just $500. If you're not into Elton John then get a regular nano and beadazzle it, if you're a diehard fan then order your Starburst iPod immediately. And if you don't care either way about Elton John, this iPod is still a shiny gift idea and, moreover, a donation to a good cause. 

Fine jewelry and silverware company Tiffany & Co. has made something for every tennis player and the diamond tennis bracelet. Rather Tiffany's is offering an 1837 Tennis Ball Can. Designed to hold four tennis balls and keep them at optimal tennis-playing-temperature. The tennis ball can is sterling silver and has the famous Tiffany's insignia, plus numbers 925 and 1837, stamped on the lid. Tiffany & Co. is always looking for that next ordinary item to glamourize and wrap up in a little blue box. The Tiffany's Tennis Ball Can is $1,500. The message that the Tiffany's tennis can conveys is that you're serious about the game, and probably have too much time and money on your hands. We are sure we will see more then just a few sterling silver tennis ball cans in the Hamptons this summer.

High-end luxury brands may be safer then most but they are still hurting. Take Bulgari for example, the world's third-largest jeweler has reported a fourth-quarter revenue that fell by 10%. The Italian jewelry company had a $409 million sales drop from last year and difficult times are ahead. Bulgari is seeing flat sales in the States and Japan but has no plans to cut prices.

Both Cartier and Tiffany have reported lower sales figures in the last quarter, its inevitable in this economy. Nonetheless, Valentine's Day is coming up and is traditionally a better time for jewelry companies. Here's to hoping anyway. Research from the National Retail Federation suggests that consumers will spend slightly less on jewelry this Valentine's Day. Last year 16.6 percent of consumers purchased jewelry for the holiday and this year it is predicted that only 16 percent will be buying jewelry for Valentine's Day. Bulgari is beautiful so save it! Go out and buy Bulgari or Cartier for V-Day, spur the economy. And don't forget that a diamond lasts forever.

What are you and your sweet drinking on Valentine's Day? Well, Champagne is a must for any Valentine's Day celebration, and the world's most historic champagne house has taken cue. Champagne Ruinart, established in 1729 is offering a Valentine's Day edition gift set. Ruinart is now part of the luxury empire conglomerate LVMH and together they are helping lost Valentine's souls everywhere, with the champagne set "My Sweeter Half." The Sweeter Half set includes two half bottles of famed Ruinart premium cuvées, a  Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Ruinart Rosé. Plus, a pair of Ruinart champagne flutes so you can start drinking immediately. The Sweeter Half set is $85 and for her it would go down very lovingly with some Virgins by Agent Provocateur lingerie. Tip to the men: if you are buying this champagne gift set or ultimately any champagne for Valentine's Day, then slice some fresh strawberries and present with chocolates. The personal touch and chocolate will go a long way, if you know what we mean. Here's to sex, love and a sweeter half!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner and clueless men around the world, we have some advice. Give the gift to your ladies that keeps on giving. Lingerie is sweet for your sweet but don't cheap out, class it up. British lingerie house Agent Provocateur has just come out with its new spring collection, entitled Virgins. Expect rich fabrics of satin, lace and tulle. This is the first new collection from the lingerie house since we last blogged about their Pirates collection, think sexed-up Kiera Knightly in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. Men need not be afraid of the lingerie, embrace it. Agent Provocateur has erected a number of sexy gift suggestions for guys without a clue. Men can also enjoy Agent Provovateur eye candy while they shop. The new Agent Provocateur campaign for Virgins features sexy scenes based on Greek mythology, with nymphs, satyrs and sexy virgin-esque models. Enjoy!

Only the best for Barbie, she is going all top designer on your kids. For her 50th birthday, Mattel Inc. has hired Christian Louboutin to design Barbie some epic heels. The heels will be done in the famous Barbie Pantone 219 Pink. Add in a bevy of other zenith designers, yet-to-be named and Barbie will be dressed to the nines. Barbie's new designer wardrobe will be unveiled at Mattel's runway show during New York Fashion Week in February. Like she needs a runway show now? The doll already has everything, the dream house, Ken, cars, etc. Thanks Barbie, for helping teach kids everywhere how to be fashionable, buy upscale and live in a dream world. If you can't afford the labels yourself, at least, you can always afford Barbie. The play toy that will probably be dressed better than most of the free world.

Here we go. Harrods the London-based luxury retailer we die for has been having a charity auction since December 8th. 'Tis the season of giving and Harrods will be donating all auction proceeds to the Great Ormond Street Hospital, how sweet.

Among the glitz and glam for auction is the world's most expensive man-shirt. For the man who already has everything, get him the white shirt by Eton. The collared shirt is fabricated in premier Egyptian cotton, plus, you know, some diamonds. Yup, multi-colored diamond buttons and cuff-links ya'll. Your man will be pleased with this addition to his wardrobe. He will command and dazzle any holiday party this year in the Eton shirt. The diamond-encrusted shirt is valued at $28,258.00 but it's an auction so for the sake of charity, we hope it pulls in more. In this day in age, diamonds aren't just a girls best friend.

Here we go, don't know what to get your billionaire boyfriend this holiday season? We do, it's the Derek Rose dressing gown known to the joe-shmoes of the world as a robe. Now this is no ordinary robe, it is a luxurious splurge for those of you that can still afford to splurge. Selfridges department store is unapologetically catering to the ultra-affluent people of the world with items like the Derek Rose dressing gown. For a cool $22,290, the robe is the priciest bed gear known to man. Why you ask, does a robe cost $22k? It's called Vicuna wool, one of the most exquisite and rarest types of wool in the world. A Vicuna is cousin to the Llama but produces much less but extremely fine wool. A Vicuna is an endangered species that now lives only in captivity in the Peruvian highlands and the animal can only be shorn every two years. Just think your man could wear it all Christmas day, heck he might wear it everyday to get his money's worth. Then again, if you're buying the Derek Rose dressing gown in the first place, money is obviously no object. He will probably wear it once or twice and then lose it in the closet but it's still a good idea for the man who already has everything!