good luck deluxe

I’ve used a number of body scrubs over the years, but LaLicious sugar scrubs are my absolute #1 favorite.

The scents are yummy enough to eat, and the granules are the perfect size…never abrasive.

The LaLicious Promise:
We use only the finest ingredients and whip them together to create the ultimate sugar scrub! Fluffy and easy to apply, our Sugar Soufflés are made with coconut oil, which absorbs quickly and easily, leaving your skin moisturized and protected, without feeling greasy.

Pure cane sugar crystals exfoliate dead skin cells while coconut oil, sweet almond and vitamin E oils condition, moisturize, and smooth you to perfection!

Island Guava is your ticket to paradise!

This is a highly moisturizing product that can be used in the bath or shower. The oils will literally melt into your skin as you exfoliate. We recommend this being the last thing you do, after you wash your body and hair, to get the full benefits.

LaLicious INVENTED the brown sugar body scrub!

“We guarantee that if you use our scrubs you will never need to put lotion on after you get out of the shower.”

LaLicious sugar scrubs are worth every granule you’ve paid for!

Multi-platinum rapper, 50 Cent, used to call this Farmington, Connecticut waterfront mansion his home.

Situated less than 30 minutes from Hartford, Conn. and midway between New York and Boston, this $18,500,000 home boasts 17.6 acres, 19 bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, 51,657 sq. ft, multiple fireplaces, a disco/entertainment space, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, multi-car garage, a sauna/steam room, an atrium, an outdoor kitchen area and multiple balconies!

This 50,000 sq. ft. Mediterranean Style Estate is sited on 17 very private acres midway between NYC & Boston.

Three residential sections comprise the main dwelling. The heart of the structure represents both formal and casual public space as well as elegant private quarters intended for the owner’s enjoyment.

Two residential wings enable extended household members to live comfortably in their own privately sited quarters. Other features include a spectacular Sylvan infinity edge pool with waterfall at the home’s entrance to an entertainment grotto, a disco, casino rooms, and a one-acre Koi pond.

I’ve seen some gorgeous homes in my days on earth, but that’s A LOTTA house!

Visit http://Trends.Move.com for more details and info.

I have thought long and hard about this topic. I’ve actually deliberated over it for more than a decade. I know…I need a life, some purpose, or something.

Before anyone gets on my case, I still haven’t indulged in red meat since I went pescetarian, but I do recall my many years of savoring it and just how I preferred my meat to taste. I was once a Steakhouse Queen!

I should preface this post with saying I am fully aware that there are posher, swankier steakhouses in America than Morton’s and Ruth’s Chris.

The topic of this post is which of these two higher-end steakhouse chains offers the best dining experience for your dollar.

***MORTON’S***

Pros: Gigantic baked potatoes, delicate asparagus, good salmon, love the bacon-wrapped scallops! Private wine closets provided to frequent diners. Service excels.

Cons: Sometimes too much of a “good ol’ boy network” atmosphere that I find lame.

***RUTH’S CHRIS***

Pros: Excellent potatoes prepared multiple ways, amazing creamed spinach,
Creole specialties (seafood gumbo, remoulade, BBQ shrimp), tender steak broiled in butter is encouraged by the servers…need I say more?

Cons: Not crazy about the stiff decor. No private wine closets available…at least not in the numerous locations where I have dined.

What they have in common: Equally delicious salads, appetizers, steaks, main courses, veggies, and desserts.

The verdict? They’re both good. I like them both!

If I’m in the mood for salmon in mustard sauce and a huge baked potato, I go to Morton’s. If I want a little Creole flavor or sweet potato casserole with my classic steak dinner, or I want my server to tempt me with a butter-broiled steak, I’m heading on down to Ruth’s Chris. They both also serve a nice beefsteak tomato salad with red onions and crumbled bleu cheese.

So there you have it. There’s no competition. It’s a happy tie!

Promise me one thing, though… Please don’t pronounce Ruth’s Chris like
“Ruth Chris”…or worse - “Roof Chris.”

It’s RUTH’S Chris. There is an apostrophe and an “s” in the name, OK?

Do me that one favor and we’re cool.

I’ve had the privilege of getting my hands on the list early, folks. I think I may even be the first to break the story over the weekend before it hits newsstands on Monday. What luck!

Below you will find a list of the top 50 wealthiest individuals in Los Angeles - 41 of whom live right here in Los Angeles! If money moves you, and you’re curious about who’s doing what, check out the list below!

L.A. is home to the rich and famous and not-so-famous, but $118.3 billion dollars are represented by 50 people here! The Los Angeles Business Journal will be naming
the definitive list of who’s who in L.A. with its 50 Wealthiest Angelenos annual issue (on newsstands Monday, May 28th).

With 41 billionaires, this list contains Hollywood hot shots such as David Geffen (#4), Steven Spielberg (#11), and Roy Disney (#33), but also some Angelenos famous in their own industries such as pharmaceutical’s Patrick Soon-Shiong (#7), supermarket’s
Ron Burkle (#9), real estate’s Ed Roski Jr. (#12 at 2.6 billion), Chief Executive of Majestic Realty Co., one of the nation’s oldest and largest privately held real estate companies and commercial developers in Southern California. Also, commercial real estate developer Rick Caruso debuts on the list at #37 this year.

Entertainment and real estate were the two most common sources of wealth among L.A.’s wealthiest, with some benefiting from both.

There is also a worldwide trend…Forbes recently calculated that there are 946 billionaires worldwide. 41 of them live here in L.A.! It is astonishing that the power and wealth has risen to such a level that you can’t even get to the top 40 without being a billionaire! Five more billionaires have been added since last year’s Los Angeles Business Journal list was released.

These are the true power brokers in Los Angeles.

TOP 50 WEALTHIEST LOS ANGELENOS

1. Kirk Kerkorian $16.1 billion

2. Sumner Redstone $8.4 billion

3. Eli Broad $6.5 billion

4. David Geffen $4.5 billion

5. David Murdock $4.5 billion

6. Haim Saban $4.1 billion

7. Patrick Soon-Shiong $3.7 billion

8. Steven Ferencz Udvar-Hazy $3.6 billion

9. Ron Burkle $3.4 billion

10. A. Jerrold Perenchio $3.1 billion

11. Steven Spielberg $3.1 billion

12. Ed Roski Jr. $2.6 billion

13. Tom Gores $2.5 billion

14. John Tu $2.4 billion

15. John E. Anderson $2.32 billion

16. Bradley Wayne Hughes $2.3 billion

17. Alfred E. Mann $2.1 billion

18. Franklin Otis Booth Jr. $2 billion

19. Barbara Davis $2 billion

20. Charles T. Munger $2 billion

21. Anthony Pritzker $1.8 billion

22. David Hearst Jr. $1.7 billion

23. George Randolph Hearst Jr. $1.7 billion

24. Alan Casden $1.6 billion

25. Louis Gonda $1.6 billion

26. Merv Griffin $1.6 billion

27. Gary Michelson $1.52 billion

28. Leslie Gonda $1.4 billion

29. Alec Gores $1.4 billion

30. Michael Milken $1.4 billion

31. Donald Sterling $1.4 billion

32. Robert Addison Day Jr. $1.37 billion

33. Roy E. Disney $1.35 billion

34. George Joseph $1.3 billion

35. Stewart Resnick $1.3 billion

36. John Shea $1.3 billion

37. Rick Caruso $1.2 billion

38. William Barron Hilton $1.2 billion

39. Frank & Jamie McCourt $1.1 billion

40. Jeffrey Katzenberg $1 billion

41. Peter Lowy $1 billion

42. Stephen L. Bing $970 million

43. Lowell J. Milken $970 million

44. Frederick “Ted” Field $950 million

45. Neil Kadisha $900 million

46. Tom Werner $895 million

47. Aubrey Chernick $845 million

48. Guilford Glazer $820 million

49. Michael Eisner $790 million

50. Ming Hsieh $715 million

Now ladies, don’t e-mail me asking me which men are single -
because THAT, I DO NOT KNOW!!!

Remember that the detailed list with a bio of each person will be found on newsstands in MONDAY, MAY 28th’s edition of the Los Angeles Business Journal or online at: www.labusinessjournal.com.

I almost don’t even know where to begin about Puerto Rico. I’ve been typing so much today I feel like I’m developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

But I am determined to bang out this post, because Puerto Rico is a MUST VISIT destination!

As I mentioned before - my lifelong roadie, Laura, hails from the island of Puerto Rico, so I better do her homeland justice!

As always, let’s commence with the food…

El Boricua is a great place to start if you’re interested in learning more about delicious
Puerto Rican cookery at home. Chef Carmen Santos de Curran will make you feel right at home and will expertly guide you and will have you preparing arroz con pollo
(rice with chicken) and mofongo (mashed plantains) in no time!

For those who learn best visually, you will be thrilled to learn that Puerto Rican Meals
is a site that sells very detailed, highly entertaining authentic Puerto Rican cooking DVDs. These ladies make all of the Puerto Rican classics! Just looking at their site makes me salivate!

Here is an excellent Puerto Rican cookbook:

I found these geographical tidbits on Puerto Rico intriguing:

Río Camuy

Puerto Rico also has some of the most important caves in the west hemisphere.
The Río Camuy runs underground for part of its course, forming the third largest subterranean river in the world.

Mona Island

Another unique environment can be found on Mona Island, 50 miles off the west coast of Puerto Rico. Like the Galapagos Islands, this untouched island has species which are not found elsewhere. Mona is a protected island, under the management of the United States National Park Service and the Puerto Rican Natural Resources Department. Accessible by a sometimes difficult, long boat ride, the island is available for sport diving to those who make special arrangements and are willing to rough it out.

I gotta throw in a pic of my girl Jennifer Lopez. Girlfriend isn’t fashionable.
She IS fashion! Make sure you visit Jen’s elegant restaurant in Pasadena, Madre’s, soon!

Don’t let the name Puerto Rico Small Hotels fool you. These accommodations are ALL about luxurious boarding!

Club Seabourne

Nestled in the hillsides of Culebra Island lies Club Seabourne. An intimate Mini-Resort reflecting all things Caribbean. Simple. Unspoiled. Romantic. Eternal. A place specially designed for those looking to pull the plug from the ordinary and hit the “restart” key of their soul.

Inn on the Blue Horizon

Beautifully situated in the veldt-like surroundings that have graced Vieques for centuries. The Inn and its villas are an enchanting ensemble of houses that began as a Spanish Sugar Plantation Great House. The Inn overlooks a spectacular swimming pool, with unparalleled views of the Caribbean Sea and the blue horizon…

Each of the rooms is beautifully designed with quiet privacy in mind. They are decorated with hand-chosen antiques, cotton linens, and original art. Flowing draperies that sway with the tropical breezes complete the ambiance.

Laura, after all this typing and posting I just did, you better tell your mama to ship me a pot of her world-famous rice and beans!

As I have previously explained in detail, my mother is materialistic.
I’m sorry, but she is! My mother is a stickler for things being the finest, and she loves to shop and pore over catalogs. She’s gonna love this post!

My mother has a strong work ethic and has always believed in working really hard, but also enjoying the fruits of one’s labor.

I, however, am much more rough around the edges. I don’t give a fig about fashion, and while I certainly appreciate luxury - my love for it ain’t got nothing on my mother.

I’m more into sensory-oriented experiences - luxury travel, gourmet food and drinks, fine perfume, quality grooming products, good music, etc. Appeal to my senses, and I will love you forever.

That’s why you don’t see much by way of material goods on my site. I wish I could offer you more of this, but don’t count on it. Savor the experiences with me!

Every now and then, though, I can muster a post or two on phenomenal items that are just too good to bypass.

Today I happened upon French Brand, a comprehensive site devoted to the world of French and Italian bed linens!

French Brand carries all of the best linen lines: Craye, Blanc des Vosges,
Daniel Hechter Maison, Manuel Canovas, Bassetti, Jalla, Jardin Secret, Liou,
Inès de la Fressange, Les Olivades, Mulliez, Stof, Valrupt, Anne de Solène, Bacos,
Ushuaia, Pierre Balmain, Clair Foncé, etc.

I didn’t see Frette and Yves Delorme on the site, but I’m sure they are happy to accommodate every customer.

The bed linens featured above are by designer Aude de Balmy.

Stof

More from Stof

…and even more from Stof (my new love!)

Jalla

I could be here forever posting bed linen pics, but you get the picture.

Imagine sleeping on those sheets!

I was nebbing around the Walkerswood Jamaican cooking products site and was happy to see that they are introducing a new product: Guava Rum BBQ Sauce!

Blended with guavas, scotch bonnet peppers, spices, and premium Jamaican rum, Guava Rum BBQ Sauce is an exciting twist on Walkerswood’s existing BBQ Sauce, adding a tangy edge to any meal. Goes perfectly with chicken, steak, pork or vegetables….A perfect opportunity to introduce the Caribbean taste to your BBQ!

However, Walkerswood is currently out of stock of this new sauce. It must be so good that it goes that fast.

I tried sleuthing the Internet, but no such luck in finding an alternate supplier of it.
I say do one of two things:

1. Contact Walkerswood and demand that they make their workers hustle overtime to get this BBQ sauce to us.

2. Wait patiently and keep checking back on the Walkerswood site to see when it’s available.

I’m sure it’s worth the wait!

If you love the savory, spicy flavor of Jamaican jerk chicken, meat, and fish but don’t have access to authentic Jerk seasonings in your area, or just don’t have time to order these spices online, I want to mention what will do in a pinch…

Believe it or not, McCormick Caribbean Jerk Seasoning makes really good jerked meat and fish! Again, I realize this McCormick stuff is not authentic Jamaican seasoning, but for those living in the middle of nowhere who want to have an idea of what the rest of us are enjoying - it’s a good pick. Most grocery stores carry it.

I love this jerk seasoning! It’s a nice balance of spicy and sweet. The sugar in this McCormick seasoning mix caramelizes so nicely on your meat and fish. All you do is sprinkle and rub your meat and fish down with the seasoning and throw it in the broiler or on the barbecue.

I should warn you that if you’re going to use this product and broil your meat and fish in your kitchen, OPEN THE WINDOWS and leave the broiler door open. It truly smokes!

Better yet, fire up the grill and get busy!

Have you heard about Numi Tea, the flowering tea that blooms when you pour hot water over it?

My mother mentioned it to me today all nonchalantly, and said she’s been drinking this luxurious tea at home for years.

FOR YEARS?! All this time you’ve been sipping this delectable, interesting tea and you’re just NOW getting around to telling me about it?

You can’t keep this type of stuff from me, Mom!

Oh well, better late than not at all. I’m not a big tea drinker, but I’ll LEARN to be!

So here’s more on Numi Tea:

Flowering Teas are handsewn rosettes of fine tea leaves that elegantly bloom into a work of art when steeped in hot water. Hand-crafted premium white, green, and black teas are included in the Flowering Tea line. Numi’s foodservice program contains over 20 Flowering Teas, presented in a clear-topped velvet tea chest and glass teapot that shows off the blooming petals. Numi also offers 10 Flowering Teas in Bamboo Bins, which will win the heart of any tea drinker.

FLOWERING LOOSE WHITE TEAS
While most teas are picked as the top two leaves and bud of the tea plant, white teas are picked in the early spring before the buds open and are exclusively the top leaf and bud. White tea is the least processed form of tea undergoing almost no transformation. Leaves are simply picked, air-dried, and rarely shaped like other teas. Tea leaves are heated to stop the oxidation (exposure to oxygen) process therefore slightly oxidized. White tea leaves are easily identified by their silky, white downy hairs. Flavors range from sweet and delicate, to savory, velvety, smooth, and orchid-like.

FLOWERING LOOSE GREEN TEAS
All tea leaves are picked green. When the leaves are immediately steamed or pan-fried, the heat stops the oxidation process (exposure to oxygen) and keeps the tea leaves green. Green tea leaves are also flattened or curled. Green teas usually have a grassy, vegetal, nutty and savory taste. Green tea is often scented with jasmine flowers for a floral taste.

FLOWERING LOOSE BLACK TEAS
Black teas are withered and fully oxidized (exposed to oxygen). Black tea leaves are also broken or bruised which breaks the enzymes. Both these processes turn the leaves dark. Black teas have a rich, bold, malty, and sometimes floral taste.

Mom, you have my address. You better send me a shipment!

Romantic. Sensual. Emotional. The elegance of rose, muguet, and lilac. The sparkle of apricot blossom. A glorious golden coral…every drop opens like petals on the skin.

I have been wearing Trésor since my college days. Next to Annick Goutal’s fragrances,
it is the only scent I continue to wear. French perfume is dreamy!

If you have never had the pleasure of experiencing Trésor, you are in for a breathtaking journey to the heavens!

Trésor is so feminine, so flirty, so girly, and classic - never overpowering or obvious.
Subtle is Trésor’s middle name! Whenever I wear it (which is always!), perfect strangers pass by me, turn on their heels, and tap me on the shoulder to ask the name of my scent.

A lot of women fall for the latest fads and spritz themselves up with whatever is on sale at the cosmetics counter, whichever fragrance is trendy, or whatever scent a perfume house has recently released and has advertised in InStyle magazine.

No.

You don’t do that, ladies! Pick a scent that works for you and make it your signature. Otherwise, you end up smelling like a generic perfume factory!

What I appreciate most about Trésor is how it builds in intensity with the alchemy of your body temperature and your body’s unique pH. Trésor smells differently on everyone…and it’s always lovely!

Though I much prefer the original version, Trésor now comes in several Limited Edition varieties:

Trésor Sheer is a green-rose floral with a crisp, fresh bouquet of rose litchee,
peach blossom, and sandalwood. For collectors: The limited edition bottle is adorned with a detachable Trésor keepsake ring. A unique jewelry piece.

Trésor Sparkling. Pure. Luminous. Radiant.

Trésor Sparkling is a fragrance of dazzling radiance with the freshness of pear, the embrace of white rose and violet, and the warmth of sandalwood. True love illuminated.

Trésor Diamond Edition is one of the world’s best-loved scents. It combines the elegance of rose, muguet, and lilac with the sparkle of apricot blossom, heliotrope, and iris to stir deep emotions. Enclosed in an exquisite velvet box, this mini fragrance is emotional, romantic, and sensual.

Men go CRAZY when I walk past them!