KRISTOPHER DUKES .com » Travel

IWJG Trade Show in Vegas

Kristopher — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:25:47 +0000

Going

The International Watch & Jewelry Guild (IWJG) trade show crams millions of dollars worth of merch in a Vegas Hilton conference room roamed by guard dogs at night. A IWJG member has to vouch for you — photo ID, please — before you can see loose diamonds rolled up in tissue paper, watch vintage Pateks replace cash as currency, and hear friendly haggling set market prices.

The veneer of the bling business is stripped away, and you’re left with the soul of what most people would sell their souls for.

No one at the IWJG would, though.

But they will cut you a deal on a Paul Newman Rolex Daytona…

Lavender at the Mercer Hotel K Is…

Kristopher — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:35:47 +0000

Wanting: Mercer Hotel Silk Robe

Somehow I never noticed how lavender is part of the Mercer hotel’s signature, probably because its use feels as organically elegant as the rest of the hotel. Soft without being saccharine, this Mercer lavender silk robe is another reason why you won’t want to leave your room…

Using: Mercer Lavender Incense

The Mercer hotel tucks this lavender incense into their minibar, and, funny enough, a tea shop near my building sells it as well. This Japanese incense freshens the air more than masking it with musk…

Hating: Mercer Lavender Cashmere Throw

1,000% cashmere from Nepal, specially woven for the Mercer in their signature lavender. Why the hate? I’m just jealous I’m without, while I know someone with one…

Online Auctions for China Trips K Is…

Kristopher — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Wanting: Kempinski Hotel & Spa

Kempinski Hotel & Spa is on Hainan Island, which floats in the South China Sea. Sapphire water, lush jungles, baby powder sand, oh my. Wouldn’t you rather be here Monday? This China trip’s on sale at LuxuryLink.com. Why only wish? Life’s short…

Buying: Commune By The Great Wall

I love Hong Kong’s east-greets-west vibe, and this China trip captures that: you’re nestled near the Great Wall, cozy in a modern, minimalist collection of contemporary architecture…

Hating: Myths and Mountains

This sounds like Disneyland in Mandarin…

At London’s Design Museum, K Is…

Kristopher — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:48:36 +0000

Wanting.

I’m back from London: there was loads of shopping, tip-toeing through cobble stones in kitten heels, and walking across Tower Bridge to Conran’s Design Museum. The museum’s got a great cafe that overlooks the river, and tightly edited exhibitions on design. My only regret? My feet were so sore — I gave satin Loubies more wear in one day than they should see in a year — that I only glossed over the Design Museum’s exhibit on Jan Kaplický, the Czech architect behind some of Britain’s most remarkable buildings…

Seeing.

The main exhibit at the Design Museum was “Super Contemporary,” a celebration of London as the capital of forward design…

Hating.

Mariscal had a decade-spanning, genre-hopping career, but someone explain to me why — besides his brand-building — his scribbles were so magical…

Web Snob Links: ‘Cause You’re A Snob Offline, Too

Kristopher — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:01:27 +0000

55 Secret Street can’t stand the rain but loves Rx for Brown Skin’s Protect and Defend Moisturizing Sunscreen .
Stiletto Jungle picks the perfect cross-body bag for summer trips.
All About the Pretty let’s us know what’s in her weekly Beach Beauty Bag.
All Lacqured Up is eagerly awaiting the launch of Chanel’s Jade Green nail polish for Fall.
Lindsay Lohan, jewelry thief? – Allie is Wired has the details.
Bag Bliss picks the perfect summer wedding purses.
Chloe struggles to find its cool – Bag Snob
iS Innovative skincare is for the ultimate Beauty Snob!
Coquette is excited for the H&M Jimmy Choo collection this Fall.
In love with boyfriend jeans? Don’t miss your chance to win a pair of Current/Elliott Boyfriend Jeans from FashionPulseDaily.com
Second City Style thinks it’s still chilly at night so cover up with one of these light layers!
Shopping and Info loves Reese Witherspoon’s floral dress made by Michelle Obama’s DNC dress designer.
Summer wedding season is here! Find out what to wear to your next event at StyleBakery.com
Got an interview for a summer job? Go you! Check out our ideas for foolproof interview outfits that’ll have you looking put-together while everyone else is melting in their suits.
The Beauty Stop takes a look at Reese Witherspoon’s new perfume In Bloom.
The Shoe Goddess explores her edgy side with these hot Balmain suede buckle ankle boots!

Los Angeles LuxuryLink.com Deals K Is…

Kristopher — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:58:53 +0000

Wanting.

LuxuryLink.com has choice LA deals, and I’m lusting for a few nights at the Montage Beverly Hills. Since I’m a hop away, the Montage isn’t so much about a change of scene but its scene of Trump change: two nights in its Spanglish, plastic perfection feels like two years ago, in the Gilded Age of easy cheese…

Using.

Jetting to a hotel in your home town is somewhere between a staycay and a vacay. I’ll pat myself on the back for saving airfare, then blow $925 at the London West Hollywood. That equals three suite nights, plus Gordon goodies: an assortment of signature sweets and triple-course lunch at Gordon Ramsay. The LuxuryLink.com deal’s good for two, so ping me already…

Hating.

I get that you’re practically on the Pacific Ocean, but what’s sexy about heading out to a ‘hood of homely housewives…

Web Snob Links: ‘Cause You’re a Snob Offline, Too

Kristopher — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:47:17 +0000

MAC girls vs. Sephora girls – Stiletto Jungle visits “the other side.”
All Lacquered Up has reviews of the first of the Fall matte nail polish collections – OPI Matte.
Allie is Wired shows off pictures of Kristen Stewart’s new Joan Jett hairstyle.
Bag Snob reveals Ungaro red studded clutch for Fall 2009!
Beauty Snob must have summer accessory- don’t beach without the Sun Mate!
Coquette loves the edgy look of fashion’s updated trend in zippers.
Fashion Pulse Daily compiles the 10 best looks from the resort 2010 collections.
Second City Style has found the best of summer shorts!
Shopping and Info loves Kellie Pickler’s silver platform shoes from the Taylor Swift concert.
Beat the heat in style with StyleBakery’s ultimate summer survival guide
Having Gossip Girl fashion withdrawals? Stylehive has the next best thing- check out our tips for getting Leighton Meester’s sleek, sophisticated look.
The Beauty Stop falls for Bulgari Gem Essence skincare line.
It’s high time to invest in a hot watch! Thankfully,The Fashion Bomb compiled the season’s most stylish timepieces.
The Shoe Goddess talks shoes with designer Nicole Brundage!
V-Style is giving away LashFood to the reader who craves luxurious lashes.

LuxuryLink.com Bali Bids K Is..

Kristopher — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:19:35 +0000

Wanting: Bali’s St. Regis Resort

I love my work, mostly because it involves sitting around in panties and Giuseppes nine to five, five to nine. Still, sometimes Monday needs to eff off. So bid on Bali. There are tons of choice deals on travel auction site LuxuryLink.com, including five nights at the Bali St. Regis Resort. Get limo’ed to a villa with a private pool, garden, and ocean view. The package includes packing and unpacking, a 24-hour butler, and “keepsake beach tote with his & her sun hats.”

Yeah, the his and her sun hats sold me, too…

Using: Bali’s Kupu Kupu Barong

For less than two grand you get seven nights in Bali, with a private pool, Balinese massages, and butlers. Good bye, Monday…

Hating: Bali’s Hotel Tugu

Hotel Togu is Bali’s first museum boutique hotel. You can dine in an 18th-century temple or sleep in a Balinese pavilion floating over a lotus pond. So why am I hating? LuxuryLink.com canceled this Bali bid…

Frank Lloyd Wright K Is…

Kristopher — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:53:36 +0000

Latest Luxe Links

Kristopher — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:50:09 +0000

Domesticblog is warning about the “behind-the-scenes” of serving the wealthy in Cityfile: Nelson and Claudia Peltzs House of Horrors, Part Two.
Factio Magazine is craving fashion, jewelry and vacations!
A kitchen by Armani? Lamps by Diesel? You bet! Fashion designers work their magic at Milan Furniture Fair.
Castillo del Lago, Madonna’s former home in the Hollywood Hills is for sale for $14.95 million.
Check out some of the coolest art+fashion events coming up during Art Chicago, May 1-4, 2009 on Runway to Retail.
UFO-Hayashi transforms Acer Aspire One Netbook into a masterpiece worth $3000, a zen-touch-up for a netbook from the land of rising sun.
Tom Dixon, Front Design and 5.5 Designers ‘DesignBox ‘ For Veuve Clicquot.
From Bloomacious: These Game Reserves in Tanzania are picture perfect – just keep the shooting to camera shutters clicking. Was this Ernest Hemingway’s hideout?