Elite World News

Merrill Lynch analyst Lorraine Maikis has cut her stock ratings for Tiffany and Co. and Blue Nile from “neutral” to “sell,” CNBC has reported. According to the news source, the cuts come amidst an unstable economic environment, where rising food and gas prices, the credit crunch and a weak housing market are forcing consumers to cut back on big-ticket luxury items such as jewelry.
(Full post Analyst downgrades Tiffany, Blue Nile stock…)

In the doom-and-gloom days of my late teens and early twenties, one of my favorite poems was “Spinster” by Sylvia Plath; at one point, I even photocopied this poem from Plath’s collected works and pinned it to the wall of my dorm room. It relates the thoughts of an emotionally repressed young woman who, during “a ceremonious April walk / with her latest suitor,” finds herself dismayed by early spring’s “rank wilderness of fern and flower; / She judged petals in disarray, / The whole season, sloven.” Many real-life seasons passed, and I eventually loosened my grip on such tense pessimism (although I will always value Plath’s work). I even decided that it’s no
(Full post Top 10 Spring Fragrances 2008…)

You’ve probably seen that the long-rumored merger between Delta and Northwest is now official—at least to the point that both corporate boards have approved. Moreover, you’ve probably also seen a lot of flack about whether this merger would be good or bad for consumers.

(Full post Is the airline mega-merger still on?…)

For the last couple years, the term “sleeper” has made me think of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan and written as well as directed by Shane Black of Lethal Weapon fame, this satire of film noir came out in the autumn of 2005, just as my perfume obsession was really starting to hog most of my leisure time. I remember thinking that I should go see the movie — it was getting great reviews and I’m one of those masochists who tries to support Downey Jr. when he isnвЂ
(Full post 5 perfumes for: Sleeper Seekers…)

This week, I've been at Smart Bargains.com to bring you some great buys in Fine Designer Jewelry. Get 'em while they're hot! Click on the pic to go to the page for that item. Scott Kay 1.34 ct. Amethyst & Diamond Bracelet Old meets new in this beautiful sterling silver original design from Scott Kay. The 1.34 ct. amethyst and diamond station carries old-fashioned charm, while the oxidized scrollwork is quite fresh and modern. $400 Gucci 103 Horsebit Floral Champagne Dial Watch Swiss quartz movement.
(Full post Designer Jewelry Bargains…)

The Mile-High Club has two new members: Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines. The two merged April 15th with a handshake. Merger and a handshake. Isn’t that romantic? Sounds more like a combo meal offered by a house of ill repute.

The Wall Street Journal calls it a marriage. A marriage in Deliverance, maybe. Those in the know suggest United and Continental are standing in the lavatory line waiting patiently for the light to blink “vacant.”

Now for the screw: The merger likely means higher ticket prices, fewer places to go, and — in defiance of all physical law — even more cramped seating.

(Full post Those Incestuous Airlines…)

Gore has always been known as that place you drive through on your way to somewhere more exciting. Despite this, and possibly because of this, I was determined to experience the Southland area for what it could be.

As it was my first trip to the mainland, those in the know warned me to watch out for those southerrrn men and to pack something warm to wear.

Advice onboard (unlike my luggage, which somehow ended up in Queenstown), I arrived in Invercargill to blue skies and warm, soft winds.

(Full post Gore on a wing and a prayer…)

Perfumer Mandy Aftel of Aftelier will be holding a natural perfumery workshop at Henri Bendel on Thursday, May 8 from 6 – 8 pm.

Meet Mandy as she presents a step by step fragrance tutorial blending hand-crafted perfumes.

Create your own unique, artisan perfume using Mandy’s supply of all natural, beautiful essences from around the world. Choose from indulgent scents such as wild sweet orange from the Dominican Republic and fresh ginger from Indonesia.

(Full post Workshop with Mandy Aftel at Henri Bendel in New York City…)

Yves Rocher has launched three new fragrances for spring: Naturelle (shown at right) is a green fruity floral developed by perfumer Michel Girard: The scent of a free spirit, a light carefree fragrance, fresh and sparkling with green, floral and fruity notes to wear the delicate, cheerful scent of spring. The notes include citron, bergamot, tagete, green apple, jasmine, peach blossom, amber, musk and cedar. Yves Rocher Naturelle is available in 75 ml Eau de Toilette.
(Full post Yves Rocher Naturelle, Comme une Evidence Le Parfum, Comme une Evidence Homme ~ new fragrances…)

Probably one of my favorite watches from the Baselworld show is the Franc Vila Concept Tourbillon PlanГ©taire Skeleton SuperLigero. The case is made of black titanium with a special elliptic and circular bezel, which is signature Franc Vila. The crystal and the caseback are both sapphire with double sided anti-glare treatment. It is water resistant to 100 meters. The movement is a FV NВє 6 mechanical movement with manual winding and 24 rubies. It
(Full post NВє 6 Tourbillon PlanГ©taire Skeleton SuperLigero Concept by FRANC VILA…)