In December, Starbucks took delivery of a new Gulfstream 550 corporate jet, unfortunate timing after a year of store closures, layoffs and declining sales. Deb Trevino, a company spokeswoman said that Starbucks ordered the G5.5 three years ago and began paying for it when SBUX was flying high. The latte titan won’t divulge the specific […]

As our diamond ambassador Jeffrey Rackover keeps on touting, diamonds are a good investment, even in times of trial. The recent auction of fine jewels at Christie’s at certainly proves his point. The most expensive diamond ever was sold for $24.3 million in December 2008, during the height of the economic downturn, beating a previous […]

When in doubt, wine. SBE understands-and embraces-that concept, and on Monday, January 19, is hosting an exclusive Chateau Lafite Rothschild wine dinner at Michael Mina’s newly opened XIV at SLS Beverly Hills. The remarkable space, designed by Philippe Starck, evokes the drama and opulence of a European chateau, making it the ideal setting for such […]

By Sean Ballent The grandest of the grand, Queen Mary 2, celebrates her fifth birthday on January 12, 2009. The fastest passenger ship in the world will celebrate this milestone in the warm waters of the Caribbean. It was January 2004, Her Majesty The Queen christened Queen Mary 2 in a spectacular naming ceremony in […]

By Sean Ballent When things are bad, sophisticated mases still need to eat, and often they turn to comforting classics. As such, New York’s A Voce restaurant, located right off of Madison Square Park, is getting a twin sister this spring. The second establishment, designed by the legendary David Rockwell, will find its home within […]

This 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath custom three story Miami estate home features; a library, office, gym, gourmet kitchen with island, marble floors, volume ceilings, second floor entry, a bar, a formal dining room and 2 living rooms. 

Via a mix of iconoclastic design and innovation, Zikmu, a set of eye-catching wireless speakers, has been created by the famous unconventional designer Philppe Starck and French firm Parrot. Made to blend elegant minimalism with the latest and popular tech, the 2.5-foot-tall speakers are billed as timeless works of art with their aerial curves and […]

  Though the Trump Hotel Collection has dominated nearly every borough of New York City, Soho has remained exempt from the empire’s reign until now. Downtown will welcome its first ultra-luxury high-rise hotel when Trump Soho New York opens in fall of 2009. Located on Spring Street amongst the chic neighborhoods quaint boutiques, galleries, cafes […]

Just last evening, fashion and art elites gathered together at the Soho Louis Vuitton flagship store on Greene Street in celebration of the Louis Vuitton X Stephen Sprouse Tribute 2009 collection. The late artist and designer is best known for his avant-garde vision which combined uptown sophistication with downtown pop sensibilities for the first time […]