Fine Luxurious Lifestyle

For a while I was talking to Giles Ellis as he was in the midst of starting a watch brand. It was interesting to see yet another independent watch brand thrust themselves along supported by one enthusiastic founder faced with a number of challenges. Ellis, and Englishman, wanted a watch that reflected his tastes and ideals. For him Schofield is a true Gentleman's brand and offers the types of watches he wants to hear. He has great admiration for both the historic and contemporary English watch makers that are helping to bring horological street cred back to the UK. Schofield's first pieces are called the Signalman. Two watches, both limited editions, that are offered in a polished steel or matte DLC coated black steel case. The case is pretty interesting and unfortunately doesn't come across super well in these images. I will try to do some hands-on stuff in the future. It is 44mm wide and produced locally in Britain. While not a diver per se, the watch is water resistant...

Starwood is handing out the treats this Halloween. Book the "Trick or Suite" package by October 31, 2011 to get in on the action (the biggest suite sale of the year!)

Hurry, it's the last week for newly-engaged couples to enter the Velas Weddings' contest to win a tantalizing, $25,000 dream wedding at Grand Velas Riviera Maya! All you have to do is submit the story of your creative marriage proposal along with a photo (optional) of your best moment together on the on the Velas Weddings, Xcaret, and Xel-H Facebook pages.

The adorable Riding Partner is a true bike buddy that glows in the dark to make your street-presence known. It doubles up as an accessory as well as a shoulder-pad. Think about it, an irresistible charmer that cares for your safety in an eco-friendly manner; total winner in my eyes! Designers: Lee Chang-ho & Han Ki-hoon ---------- Yanko Design Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world! Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store! ( Bike Buddy! was originally posted on Yanko Design )

Just a nice large-sized thin watch from Blancpain? Not exactly. On the surface this handsome timepiece in the Villeret collection sports a rather thin manually-wound movement and minimalist looking two-hand dial in black or white enamel. The dial has just those signature Blancpain leaf-style hands in 18k gold as enameled Roman numeral hour markers. It is what is on the back of the watch that makes it the most interesting. I love (love) the large size of the watch at 45mm wide (and just 8.3mm thick). Piaget's now highly popular Altiplano 43 Automatic is so great because of its 43mm wide size and thin case. Like that watch, the Villeret Grande Decoration is wide and flat - offered in an 18k rose gold case. It looks pretty impressive on the wrist, and not in one of those tiny, almost feminine ways. This is a MAN's tuxedo watch. Containing a Blancpain manufacture-made caliver 15B manually wound movement, Blainpain hand-engraves each movement with some sc! ene. Ide ally, the scene ...

Over on the BBC is a short video of George Daniels protege Roger Smith talking about his mentor's body of work. Click on over to view it.

We all have a bucket list, a list of things we want to do before we die. Mine includes climbing Kilimanjaro, learning to scuba dive, and setting foot on every continent at least once. And CNN recently gave us its own thoughts on the fifteen hotels you just have to see before we're definitely done dancing. One of their, and our, favorites is the La Residence Phou Vao in Laos. The unique appeal of this hidden gem lies in its contemplative atmosphere.