Morgans Hotel's Vending machine throws out exclusive items

Since I do business with Morgans Hotel group, I am happy to let everyone know that they are pushing the limits check this out. This is one of the most novel vending machine's I've seen in recent times. The Semi-Automatic has been designed by Mari Balestrazzy for the Morgans Hotel Group. It's a compact luxe shop in a machine, so don't expect it to throw out candies and sodas. What it sells is exclusive and luxurious items curated by Kim Walker, the hotel group’s creative director. The unique products range from 24-karat gold handcuffs from Kiki de Montparnasse, luxury cars for rent (a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow or 2000 Bentley Azure convertible), Fred Flare heart sunglasses, a 14-karat gold necklace by Kiel Mead, and Atari classics for PlayStation. Sounds like a lot of fun. If you want to go and get something from this innovative vending machine, you will have to head to the Marcel Wanders-design Mondrian South Beach hotel in Miami it just opened in December 2008.

Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire

The latest in the long line of special edition Bugatti Veyrons to be showcased at the Geneva Motor Show is called the Bleu Centenaire, and it has been introduced to commemorate the brand’s 100th anniversary. The shade of blue dabbed onto the Veyron is similar to that on the late EB 110. Although the application of color on its body panels is combination of matte as well as glossy, which is a tad uncanny for a shade. The Veyron has a quad turbo W16 engine, there are rumors doing the rounds that Bugatti has exceeded the engine’s current power rating of 1000 hp to such a great extent that the car’s top speed will ridge to a 270 mph.

Quote For Today!

“Do as little harm to others as you can; make any sacrifice for your true friends; be responsible for yourself and ask nothing of others; and grab all the fun you can. Don’t give much thought to yesterday, don’t worry about tomorrow, live in the moment, and trust that your existence has meaning even when the world seems to be all blind chance and chaos. When life lands a hammer blow in your face, do your best to respond to the hammer as if it had been a cream pie. Sometimes humor is the remedy, Don’t take life too seriously.”
-Dean Koontz

Bentley to Raise Prices by 5% in the UK

Just in case every one thought automakers were cutting prices beginning in April, Bentley will raise prices by 5% in the United Kingdom, citing the pound’s weakness as compared to the Euro (about an 18% depreciation in the past year). The UK populous will now be paying between around £120,000 and £245,000. There is no expected price increase beyond Great Britain. Thank God!!! I thought I was going to have to pay more then I expected, LOL!

Saks Is Down $99 Million, But Are They Ready For A ComeBack?

We knew Saks wasn’t doing well, but we didn’t expect them to lose $99 million in the fourth quarter. That brings the net losses for the year to $154.9 million. So most of the losses occurred over the holiday season when Saks aggressively marked down merchandise to get people to shop. The 70 percent off sales angered designers, including CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg, who had no say in the markdowns and had to figure out how to get customers to pay full price for goods in freestanding stores when they were getting things at Saks practically for free. Saks chairman Stephen I. Sadove finally addressed rumors that the chain is nearing bankruptcy:

“Although it is policy not to comment on bankruptcy rumors, all of the actions [Saks is taking] are ensuring we are free cash flow positive in 2009. Bankruptcy would destroy shareholder value. Our intent is to insure and enhance shareholder value.”

So they intend not to go bankrupt. Who knew? Sadove also addressed the obscene 70 percent off sales. He said they had no choice because they had to reduce inventory, and they feel good about the results. WWD reports:

“In hindsight, I think we had to be more promotional,” Sadove said. “We bought these products nine months in advance when we were growing double digits. We didn’t jump the competition. We made the decision we would follow, but we would be much more aggressive once we followed.”

He added that he thought they could have “gotten away with” marking shoes and handbags 55 to 60 percent off instead of 70. Saks also contends that relationships with designers remain good, and now that inventories are down, Saks doesn’t expect to have to discount as deeply in the coming year.

Although they lost $99 million in the fourth quarter and laid off 1,100 employees, Saks is working on opening an upscale men’s store in Palm Beach (to replace an old one) and spending “tens of millions” of dollars to renovate the third floor of the Fifth Avenue flagship. This is meant to, as WWD puts it, “underscore its continuing stake in luxury.” Tens of millions on one floor of one store. And they’re $155 million in the hole.

via(WWD)

Casio x DQM G-Shock Watch

I have to get one of these when it hits the streets, I just love G-Shocks for the sporty look! FYI, I have been wearing G-Shocks for 12 years so I'm not jumping on a trend. Its a Lifestyle to me!

Lil Wayne's Prom Queen

Say what you want about Lil Wayne, he's getting it in and taking names. He is pushing what boundaries the industry has set up, far far away from what they were. He is a Maven, RESPECT IT!