London's Most Expensive Flats

London is one of the most expensive places in the world to live and the real estate market is every bit the priciest to make you quake just a little in your shoes no matter your financial status. While America is taking a heck of a property market beating, London's super-prime property arenas of high-end and high-cost flats, is skyrocketing.

The leading culprits responsible for this rise and rise are wealthy bankers in London's financial district, old-money aristocrats, and every range of buyers in between. The ever expanding international buyer clientele are especially helping the astronomical increase in property prices. London's favorable tax system (foreign residents are taxed only on their overseas earnings); fashionable schools and good living are drawing them in from near and far.

With the beautiful array of flats, apartments, and pied-à-terre to choose from there appears to be a spoil for choice scenario going on. From jet-set lifestyle to the civilized and non-nomadic, London offers something for everyone to appreciate. "People like lateral living. It's more convenient, there's more use of space, you get a concierge, better security, underground parking," says Trevor Abrahmsohn, managing director of Glentree International, London-based estate agents.

The World's Most Expensive Perfumes

The world's most expensive has been revealed as the Imperial Majesty, which costs $215,000 a bottle. It is officially the most expensive perfume in the world. The Imperial Majesty, a limited edition of a Clive Christian signature scent, will be sold simply as No. 1; the fragrance priced at $2,150 an ounce. The world’s most expensive perfume costs so much according to Christian, a British designer-turned-perfumer, because the 16.9 ounces of No. 1 is poured into a Baccarat crystal bottle, stuck a five-carat diamond into the 18-carat gold collar. It was unrevealed at Harrods in London and Bergdorf Goodman in New York City this past holiday season.

Only three of the five bottles released for sale have been sold. The other two perfumes were kept for Christian's archives. Since 2005 over 500 other fragrances were launched, but none can beat out the new world's number one perfume. Statically, people are not buying more perfumes. However, they are prepared to spend more on perfumes they continue like best. According to The NPD Group, a Long Island-based market research company, the U.S. fragrance industry grossed $2.8 billion in sales in 2004, but last year the industry was up only 1% over the prior year.

U.S.-born writer who sued over Da Vinci Code dies

Richard Leigh, a writer of the world's relevant yet unconventional historical stories has died, his agent said Friday. He was 64. He is also renowned for his attempt unsuccessfully to sue for plagiarism over themes in Dan Brown's blockbuster novel "The Da Vinci Code."

Leigh, born in New Jersey in 1943 to a British father and Austrian mother lived in Britain for three decades, died in London on Nov. 21 of causes related to a heart condition. Leigh was co-author of "The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail," a work of exploratory nonfiction that claimed Jesus Christ fathered a child with Mary Magdalene and that the bloodline continues to this day.

Firstly, a best-seller on its release in 1982, the book has gone onto gain new readers after Brown's thriller, which explored related themes. The book has sold more than 40 million copies, and was released in 2003. He along with co-author Michael Baigent sued Brown's publisher Random House, claiming "The Da Vinci Code" "appropriated the architecture" of their book. A third "Holy Blood" author, Henry Lincoln, was not named in the lawsuit.

However, in April 2006, High Court judge Peter Smith threw out the claim, on the grounds that the ideas in dispute were too general to be protected by copyright.

Ironically, the prominent court case sent "Holy Blood" back up the best-seller lists, and Baigent and Leigh were presented with a bill estimated at nearly 3 million pounds (US$6.2 million) after the judge ordered them to pay 85 percent of Random House's legal costs.

Faberge Egg fetches record breaking $18.5 mil at London auction

The exquisitely formed and first commissioned by Russian Czar Alexander III commissioned elaborate egg from craftsman Peter Carl Faberge as an Easter gift for his wife, Empress Maria Fedorovnahas has fetched the record breaking princely sum of $18.5 million at a London auction Wednesday. The rare enamel-and-gold Faberge egg had been a keepsake for the Rothschild banking family for more than a century. The Rothschild Faberge Egg is one of no more than 12 such pieces known to have been made to imperial standards for private clients, Christie's said.

The Faberge Egg which is a translucent pink egg topped with a diamond-studded cockerel is also now famous for breaking the previous record for a Faberge work of art, Christie's auction house said. The price also broke the record for Russian artwork, excluding paintings, easily beating the $9.6 million paid for a Faberge egg in New York in 2002, Christie's said.

On Screen 007 Creates Real Life MI6 Recruitment Dilemmas

The deliciously hot and amply capable of filing any previous 'BOND" 007 star’s shoes, Daniel Craig wowed movie goers with his stunning portrayal of James Bond last year. It is not surprising that recruitment to the real life MI6 also known as the British Secret Intelligence Service has been given a run for their money with applicant’s submission on the up and up. These applicants are not always of the caliber required for such a prestigious and commanding post to say the least. Apparently, the MI6 greatest dilemma with recruitment is that too many want to join MI6, but not for all the right reasons.

"I think it gives people a false impression of what working for the organization is actually like," the head of MI6 recruitment -- named only as "Mark" -- told BBC Radio One's Newsbeat program on Monday. "So it does tend to turn up quite a lot of thrill seekers and fantasists and we're really not interested in them."

It appears the success of the British Secret Intelligence Service will hinge on just how well they manage to adequately dispel the James Bond 007 myths. For starters the myth about the “license to kill” appears to be a good place to begin according to Mark, "We don't have a license to kill -- we don't carry Berettas -- that's simply not true."

The Art of Shopping Cyber Monday Style

The popular belief is the best time and place to save on shopping for the Holiday's is in fact that which also works out to be the most economical all around and you do not even have to leave your home or office to get started. You simply have to point, click, and shop. That is shopping online, of course. The saving adds up in no time at all. This can be tricky if shopping is attempted while at work, but as the internet is open for business long after all the shops have closed there are just about enough hours in the day to get the job done nicely. Shopping today will give you maximum chances then all year to really hit the jack pot in saving on the gifts and items you want.

Bergdorf Goodman and Ron Herman are among the high-end retailers offering discounts. For example, Berdgorf Goodman, is offering 65 percent off men's fall apparel, including Giorgio Armani sport coats and Ermenegildo ties. While, Ron Herman is offering online shoppers 30 percent off fall women's wear. Online retailers are even offering shoppers free shipping to entice business today. Other online retailers like Sephora.com and LLBean.com have offered to pay shipping charges on any purchases starting Nov. 26.

So, get online and see what amazing Cyber Monday steals you come up with today too.

Green is definitely the new black

Green is the new black everywhere you look. The message of the green evolution and global warming is hit home for many of us now more than ever. The green movement has infiltrated all aspects of our lives. This must comes at the relief of those like Al Gore who have been loudly sounding the alarms for several years. The environmental changes that must be made by all are way less painful a transition then first anticipated. Now we can all do our part and even go green in style and on a budget. Global warming is not only impacting the climate and the environment, but also making a great impact on customers across the board through clothes and fashion too, according to design and retail experts.

The Los Angeles Auto Show Preview has arrived

The Los Angeles Auto Show Preview has arrived with a green car themed vengeance. Green innovation has taken center stage at this year’s automotive show. This marks the unofficial start of the 2008 auto show season. Famously noted by journalist around the world, the Los Angeles Auto Show is considered the most favorite for all auto journalists and enthusiasts alike.

The panel of judges included Jay Leno, Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society. Green Car Journal, a leading automotive environmental magazine, narrowed the list of finalists to 5 vehicles: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, and Saturn Aura Hybrid. The well-regarded panel of judges somehow managed to make the final decision and the 2008 Green Car of the Year Award was presented at the start of this year’s show. Take a look at some of the auto shows highlights you can expect to see this week.

Music and fashion heavy weights team up for worthy cause

Music and fashion heavy weights team up for a worthy charity cause. Madonna and Gucci have joined forces to raise funds for orphans in Malawi. Madonna just last year set out to adopt a child legally from the impoverished southern African nation. Instead of simply taking a child from the struggling nation she has done so much more for the millions of orphans and people still living in poverty and impoverish lives.

I respect her greatly for the latter. Apparently, any donkey with money can take an African child, but it takes a rightful heart to give a damn about the millions left behind. My hat tips to her for her selfless efforts to provide a better way of life for those in Malawi and also treating them with dignity and re-enforcing their sense of pride as an African people.

Madonna has respectfully kept her adopted African son discreetly from the media circus that is so embraced by lesser celebrities who appear to use the African adoption claim as if some sort of humanitarian act amongst other dismaying claims. She has also both honored and treated with respect the living biological father of the African boy which is to say the least very commendable.

Madonna has come a long way from the days of rebellion and calamity to be in her own right a woman of example and strength. She stands alone proudly as co-founder of the Raising Malawi rather than as part of some over exposed and sadly flaunted Hollywood bs coupling which in itself distracts distastefully from any humanitarian cause if not puts people off all together.

Guy Richie is "REALLY" her man and not party to some sad frantic entrapment of the man as some others have publicly resorted to ridiculously. Madonna and Gucci will host a fund-raising event with dinner, a musical performance and a party on February 6 next year to mark the opening of Gucci's largest store in the world, on New York's Fifth Avenue.

Her co-founded Raising Malawi charity focuses on trying to end the poverty and hardship suffered by Malawi's 1 million orphans, many of whose parents died of AIDS.

"I am grateful that Gucci is joining forces with me to bring attention to a country with millions of children in desperate need of our help," Madonna said in a statement.

"Raising Malawi has already done tremendous work in helping these children. But we have much more to do and this event will surely bring us closer to our goal."

U2 frontman Bono to tackle Ireland's poverty crisis

U2 frontman Bono already sets the esteemed example in Africa heads and shoulders above the Hollywood charlatans of this world. Now he is set to be that same tremendous example in his own backyard. Bono known and respected for his aid work also sits on the Irish Hunger Task Force along with the likes of other experts including Joe Walsh, former Minister for Agriculture. The panel meets for the second time in Cork, Ireland. The group is expected to travel to Malawi before putting together a report for the Government by next summer. In September 2006, Ireland's government launched the Task Force with great ambition and goal set high. Their ultimate aim is to successfully half the poverty and hunger crisis by 2015.

Angelina Jolie's African child and adoption is illegal as the biological Africa mother and grandmother come forward

Angelina Jolie's African child and adoption is illegal as the biological Africa mother and grandmother have come forward again wanting the child back. Angelina tried to stop the truth of the real mother coming forward two years ago around this time ironically, but the mother has once again made her presence heard for the sake of the child. It has been confirmed that the child Angelina adopted the baby in Ethiopia independently of Brad Pitt in July 2005 is in fact not legally taken or adopted from Africa, therefore making the adoption fraud she rushed Brad into through the Los Angeles courts also invalid.

The biological mother of the child called Zahara says she wants to be reunited with her child. When the mother first came forward acknowledging the child being hers, Angelina SLAMMED THE WOMAN VICIOUSLY AND BRANDED HER A LIAR, but now it turns out that Angelina is the liar and the one who should be slammed for deliberately deceiving the world, Brad, and the US courts with more of her deceptions.

The Africa mother of the child named But Mentewab Dawit Lebiso says she is the child's mother and her family wants more contact with Zahara: "I want my daughter to come home to see where she is from. Her grandmother and I both tried very hard to raise and I want her to come home to regain her identity." An adoption specialist is quoted as saying: "If some family member comes in and leaves the child at an orphanage and signs her over, and then the mother wants her back, you can make the argument that the person didn't truly understand that their child is gone forever."

The child should be returned to her "REAL" mother and not further used as Angelina's desperate attempts to trap the man she lured into her illegal adoptions in the first place when she sought to lure him away from his estranged wife in summer 2005 after all else failed.

Camden, New Jeresy's Big Dreams Story

A great storyline featured on ABC'S 20/20 with Diane Sawyer tells of the sad stories of America. I applaud 20/20 and Diane Saywer for shedding the oh so needed light on the stories of poverty and those who strive to over the adversities of having done nothing more than be born in an environment that they had no control over being in. For those of courage who rise above these desperate circumstances and find their way to a better life my heart goes out to you. There is no greater humanity than that of your own ability to overcome the worst and be an example of decency and strength to others. One of the courageous families featured were also nominated for the hit ABC show Extreme Makeover. After a trip to Spain via The Extreme Makeover team, the family returned to their brand new four bedrooms home. A great family’s life is transformed forever. So many other families wait for their opportunity to make a better way for themselves. Make a difference where ever you can. America's poverty stricken neighborhoods should not be ignored, but embraced and given hope for the future.

Solar Homes Saving Energy

The inovative 2007 Solar Decathlon Challenge for designers from all over the world saw a great quantity of designs for solar powered homes that are energy-efficient and of the latest solar and green technology on the planet. The German team took the top prize as winners of the extraordinary green and sustainable challenge. With buildings and homes being the number one source of the atmospheres pollution tackling the household pollution problem with green and solar solution is an invaluable way forward for all.

Clooney gets a little physical with Fabio at restaurant

What started as a lovely evening out with his even lovelier girlfriend Sara Larson for George Clooney turned out to more than anyone bargained for when photograph snaps coming from a guest at Fabio's table got George heated under the collar. George thought the person was attempting to take photographs him and his girlfriend. This lead to an unfriendly gesture referred to as the bird, which of course lead Fabio to go over to George's table and, basically, take a closer look. Just kidding. Apparently, it was more like his telling George to get over himself. Clooney maybe already feeling completely over himself opted to get a little physical with Fabio so as to have no confusion as to who needed getting over whom perhaps! All is well that ends well as the two were physically pulled apart from one another and such as life the party went on. A man who stands up for his woman...ah!

Boston infamous new luxury hotel opens

The new luxury hotel in Boston will see the likes of today’s rich and famous, but not long ago its residence were of an infamous status instead. Some of the most infamous guests of the former jail before the exquisite transformation into the luxury hotel of the 21st century included Boston Mayor James Michael Curley, who served time for fraud in 1904 after he took a civil service exam for a friend; Frank Abagnale Jr., a 1960s con artist played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie "Catch Me If You Can;" a group of thieves who pulled off the Great Brinks Robbery in Boston in 1950; and a German U-boat captain who was captured in 1945 and killed himself with shards from his sunglasses. The transformation of Boston's most notorious and law enforcement related venues into luxury hotel is nothing new for this town or its locals. Another luxury hotel in Boston called the Jurys was formerly the Boston police headquarters building in chic Back Bay and there is even a hotel bar respectfully called Cuffs.

Tom Cruise honored at the Moving Image Black Tie Salute

Tom Cruise and stunningly elegant Katie Holmes were at Cipriani in NYC. The occasion was the honoring of Tom with a Moving Image Black Tie Salute award. Katie was the picture of perfection and dignified grace while Tom looked oh so dapper and handsome. The aging process is seemingly treating Tom wonderfully in comparison to others these days. Congratulations to Tom for the award. Katie's has turned out to be one hell of a prize for Tom herself and of course the ever gorgeous SURI!

Helpful tips for get home for the holidays on a budget

The havoc surrounding holiday travel can put a damper on the best laid holiday plans no matter your economic standing. Here someone has come up with a few helpful hints that just might succeed in making it all just a little more easily done this year for you and your loved one.

The Most Affordable Places to Live List is Out

The most affordable places to live in the United States list is out and here is what you need to know if you must economize whilst still striving toward living well. Minneapolis tops the list of places to live well. The homes are said to be fairly affordable and residents experience an exceptional quality of life while also having access to choice arts, leisure, and entertainment offerings. High housing prices in areas like North Carolina’s Charlotte are sometime set off by job growth reflecting positively on quality of life. This is due in part to the technology and innovation of the states commerce and superb lifestyle.

Marianne Pearl grumbles to an online reporter against the Wall Street Journal

Do we really have to hear about this woman's lost for the rest of our lives... really! I feel for Daniel Pearl's son, his mother, his father, and anyone who is privately revisiting the awful events that have happen to him and them as much as or more than Mariane herself. There are approximately 3000 victims in the 911 tragedy which happened here in America and we do not hear daily or weekly accounts of their ordeals or anguish as it has been more recent and equally if not more so than Marianne Pearl's suffering.

If Mariane has not noticed there is a war ongoing in Iraq and hundred of thousands of American soldiers whose lives as important to Mariane's husband's lost life who are not returned to their families or their love ones because of their own deaths at the hands of a senseless war America continues to fight against the public majority belief and wishes. We are all suffering in one way or another or of some sort of loss in our personals lives. Some of us are still fighting for compensation for injustices conducted directly against us. From what I understand Mariane has been compensated, paid plenty of attention to thus far and even have a film about HER story. I would much rather know more about her deceased husband's life than her ax to grind with the Wall Street Journal in the world of authority rights over all others.

She said at party on Thursday's party at Trump World Tower hosted by Glamour editrix Cindi Leive and Glamour publisher Bill Wackerman for Pearl's book, "In Search of Hope: The Global Diaries of Mariane Pearl" - a book based on the column she writes for the magazine - Pearl grumbled to an online reporter: "I think the Wall Street Journal has one person covering Africa. Celebrities are doing the work that journalists are not. We can't afford to be cynical about that."

Oh, please some celebrities need and use Africa as much as the cover and smoke screen for all sorts of personal shortcomings and deceptions. In any rate those who are of no real merit are the same celebrities just blowing nonsense at the wind and have nothing better to do than complain about what everyone isn't doing as if their self imposing importance is so above us all. It sounds like to me that Mariane Pearl has been spending to much with or reading into too much of Ms. Jolie's “I’M SUCH A GIANT CELEBRITY... LOOK AT ME philosophies. Enough already!

As for the Wall Street Journal at least they are not front page flaunting celebrity-ism “we’re such a couple or we're such a family crap.” More power to you WALL STREET JOURNAL! You have my VOTE. I just don’t get her… at all! There are widows everywhere in the world… why doesn’t Mariane Pearl also or instead tell their story not just woman’s stories, but the stories of how they go on with their lives and stay strong for themselves and those they are responsible for instance if she does not already rather than this petty nonsense.

It’s not like she was set up by British corrupt police officers, denied justice for eights years, betrayed by everyone she knew, and her man taken over and exploited by some empty headed actress and her orphans in addition to her lost years ago. No, it happened to Daniels’ family too not just her! She has not been made destitute through her fight, denied compensation or justice, or a platform to by heard. Instead we still hear this spiteful clamor when one would summarize she has been more than fairly treated under the circumstance as has her son. Some of us do not have the luxury of getting our voices heard instantly and the press telling our stories over and over and over again even long after…

"American Gangster" takes on and takes down the completion

Outstanding! "American Gangster" takes on and takes down the completion at the weekend’s box office. The Ridgley Scott directed mega flick has more than seen off all others over the weekend with an impressive $46.3 million taking it to the very top of the heap with the "Bee Movie," $39.1 million coming in at second and at third the highly anticipated umpteen sequel "Saw IV," with $11 million.

The exceptional success of "American Gangster" makes for a great recovery at the box office for Ridley Scott after the financial disappointment of "The Assassination of Jesse James" produced by Scott and directed by Andrew Dominik due to what could be only described as "production baggage"... aka. BRANGELINA! This in the face of the monster successful western “3:10 to Yuma” released just weeks before "The Assassination of Jesse James" and still raking it in to the tune of approximately $50 million by the time "The Assassination of Jesse James" was also at the box office. The tremendous western “3:10 to Yuma” was directed by James Mangold who brought to life in larger than life fashion the legendary Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line.”

Let’s see Brangelina or a monster triumph at the box office… I know which one I would have decide on. Goes to show the real power in Hollywood is the power you never really see who ultimately have the final word on who will get the nod or award and who doesn’t. They will always be the voice that speaks louder than any publicist at the end of any and everyday. Not to mention the paying movie going public who buys those tickets or opts to give certain flicks a miss. And, thank GOD for that!

Tom and Katie at Tom's new film "Lions for Lamb"

Tom and Katie...ahhhhh! Good luck with the new film Lions for Lamb, Tom. It looks like a real contender for the box office and awards season 2008.

Clinton continues brazen out the opposition

GO Hillary Rodham Clinton!!!!!! Clinton for President!

Cate Blanchett pregnant with third child

One of Hollywood's most esteemed actresses, Cate Blanchett has just been confirmed pregnant with her third children. Ever since Pushing Tin (1999), Cate can do no wrong. With her on and off set personal integrity, Cate's career has only grown more prestigious over the years like a fine wine. She has the conducts herself and personal life with impeccable reserve and both well and truly kept far from the sad glare of Hollywood. She keeps her family even more guarded from tabloid sensationalism the more it grew over the years as well. Let's just say she has never been the type to go looking for relationships on her film sets or with her co-stars ever!

She is seen to be toe to toe with Hollywood's most revered legendary actresses from a time long ago to now like the great Katherine Hepburn and Meryl Streep. Pure elegance and style enters the room or film set of every occasion Cate Blanchett graces with her presence. With a filmograph that most Hollywood actresses only dream of including The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Babel, The Aviator, and the Good German. She has worked with Hollywood’s finest actors in even repeated co-starring collaboration being more testaments to her personal and professional respectability. She possesses talent and on screen presence that has won her not only an Academy Award, but also several additional Academy Award and Golden Globes nominations almost annually. I have only the utmost respect for Cate and send my well wishes for her, her family, and her new one on the way!

Katie Holmes in Mad Money

We at Excalibur-one adore Tom and Katie... We are Real Tomkat fans....And Suri is just heavenly! Check out Katie's new flick also starring Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Roger R. Cross, and Ted Danson. The remake comedy caper is described as a film about three ordinary women who become unlikely friends and then step a little out of character when they decide to do something extraordinary... ie. Rob one of the most secure banks in the world. Mad Money is directed by Callie Khouri and opens in a theatre near you on January 18th, 2008. We haven't seen Katie on the silver screen for a while since marrying Tom and have a "REAL" love child... so this should be fun!

Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein blames "culture coarsened by celebrity news" for decline in journalism

Renowned Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein told a group of college preparatory students in Greenwich, Connecticut that "a culture coarsened by celebrity news" is to responsibility for decline of public affairs journalism. The former Washington Post reporter is not wrong in addressing the shortcoming of the media's representation of the news as the media influences are more motivated now by the superficiality of celebrity-ism.

The paparazzi are blamed or targeted as the bad guys. But, it’s like crime, which really is to blame, the drugs or the poverty that perpetuates criminal motivations. In the case of celebrity-ism, is it the blame that of the publicist that feed the tabloids with stories and client tips offs for more publicity driven focus on the client’s personal life in particular rather than the paparazzi who are merely like the foot soldiers supplying the photos for celebrity media hungry publications.

Should there be laws put into place to prosecute publicists who actually allow or facilitate deception in the media for public consumption and annual company profits. While the news has its hand full with competing with the likes of celebrity scandals and personal woes what educational value or culturally based attributes are there for the public at large to such over kill of ones over exposed personal celebrity life or lifestyle.

What is even sadder are those celebrities who desperately seek out the attention and inflict it upon the masses through means of publicity stunts or outlandish behavior and the exploitation of others. Bernstein said, "more resources are being devoted to the lifestyles of celebrities such as Donald Trump and Paris Hilton". "The problems we have in news and journalism are about us not doing our job well enough," Bernstein said. "The ideal of providing the best available version of the truth is being affected by the dominance of a journalistic culture that has less and less to do with reality and context."

Bernstein, 63, goes onto say that he believes an "idiot culture" is also very much to culpability for the dysfunction of political life in the United States. "You can't separate the appetites and demands of the people themselves and what they are given," he said. "The blame simply can't all be put at the feet of those who present news."

It is one thing like any other "normal" person in or out of the limelight to make bit of a mess of your life on the way to finding the necessary answers to the meaning or purpose of life to make positive change when your in your twenty's, but when you hit thirty plus is there really any further excuse for such celebrity-ism to prevail beyond professional intent aka film promotional commits and product promotional obligations.

Maybe, there needs if nothing else to be a sell by date on celebrity personal life scandalous behavior and predicable outlandish personal misconduct. After, the age of thirty personal public and deliberate display of a scandalous or scandal inducing nature is just tacky and tasteless. Not classy whatsoever!