Omer Arbel is a young and talented designer that is already well recognized in the design world.  He worked with many well-known designers and architects, he even established his own firm. He is a genius when it comes to industrial designing. Some of his works are showcased in museums for the public to admire. The furniture that he designs fit right into contemporary settings, and expresses inherent properties of modern materials. Not only is Omer Arbel great at designing furniture; his lighting designs are also outstanding.

The 14 Series lights are beautiful with its orb like shapes. The glowing spheres seem to float in the air resembling fireflies creating a magical atmosphere. The light design is an articulated seamed cast glass sphere with a frosted cylindrical void that houses either a low voltage or LED lamp. For more information on the design and other products by the Omer Arbel, please see here.

All this talk about travel lately got me thinking. What would I put my stuff in for a trip to some luxury destination on a distant shore? Fortunately, I found a company that cares about carryalls that matches my style as much as I do.

The people at Henk don’t just make luggage, they make statements. Ten years in the making, this exclusive line of hand-crafted carrying cases and attaches developed from one Dutch businessman’s desire for the ultimate customized carrying case that was durable, stylish, and built to last.

The high-quality construction of a Henk bag begins with luxurious materials: calf leather or glossy carbon fibre panels, horsehair or cow hide interior lining, as well as wood veneer, sterling silver, and ebony details. All the Travelfriend cases, which begin at an incredible $33,000, have retractable handles and wheels and incorporate a briefcase inside the luggage. Their calfskin attachés start at $4,600.

Unfortunately, I realized I blew all my travel money on the luggage of my dreams, so I guess I’ll be keeping my Travelfriend under lock and key until I can afford to go somewhere.

It wasn’t good enough that I carried a high-priced bottle of champagne with me to my last New Years’ Eve party. I had to have something special to carry it in, something that would impress my friends with a sense of style that frequently separates me from the crowd.

Aznom was my savior, offering a safe, secure environment for my precious bubbly, meant to be shared only moments before the transition from one fruitful year to another. Their La Bolgherese bag was the perfect complement to my vintage spumante.

I even had the choice of tailoring the bag, which to me more resembles a suitcase, to my unique specifications. I chose a carbon fibre handle, but it could just as easily have been wood or veneer. The case can be designed in copper, bronze, gold, or satin-finished steel. The price of luxury knows no bounds, but the reactions their products render make cost a mere formality.

If love is a measure of rich jewelry, perhaps your heart’s desire will appreciate your interest in the Boucheron Coeur B pendant, a $2,600 heart-shaped, see-through pendant styled in pink gold. The House of Boucheron is part of a Parisian family legacy that has crafted luxurious jewelry, watches, and fragrance for their clients since 1858.

This elegant charm lingers at the end of a 44cm cable chain, accented with a .03 carat diamond. Its face is detailed with French words of love, like “caresse”, “je t’aime”, and “Cherie”. The hemisphere pendant is inscribed with the company name and a trademark “B” on back.

Present this to your “couer’s” desire as a gift of distinction, and assure yourself fond memories for the recipient every time they fondle the elegant keepsake thereafter.  More info here.

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If you need a drink now and you haven’t got time to mix your own martini, the folks at Waring have a solution for you. They’ve made a machine to eliminate the potential for muscle cramps from shaking your own hand mixer for about, oh, 10 seconds or so.

Let’s not forget this is a professional martini mixer. It does carry a five year warranty. You grab the olives and I’ll get the toothpicks, this one’ll be ready in a jiffy.

Despite the obvious and over-used James Bond references available, I won’t bite. A good friend of mine likes martinis; I’ll buy one for him instead.

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