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.