good luck deluxe

I was just about to tuck into bed for the night. Yes, even I have to sleep sometimes.

I was doing my usual ooh-ing and ahh-ing whilst privately ogling opulent gems online…a favorite nighttime activity of mine.

Then I happened upon this sheer opulence and said - it’s time to blog!
Suddenly, I’m wiiiiiide awake.

I’m going to give you several reasons to make a trip to WHY Jewellers in the U.K., ladies.
Yes, there are two “l’s” in “Jewellers,” because I’m a Brit tonight:

Reason #1:

Reason #2:

Reason #3: Tahitian Cultured Pearl Necklace (since I love Tahitian pearls so much, I had to list this one by name)

WHY Jewellers offers plenty more reasons, but a girl’s got to sleep.

Oh, OK - ONE MORE - and then you’re on your own…

I always have time for a Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring:

Nighty night!

22 karat gold is way too soft for jewelry-making, unless the designer is an expert jeweler. The next best thing is 18K gold. 18K gold looks infinitely more luxurious
than 14K.

That’s why I adore the gold bangles and bracelets by Netaya. They design
THE LOVELIEST gold bracelets.

Beeeeyoooootiful!

18K Hollow Cage Link Bracelet

18K Yellow and White Gold Fancy Flower Bangle Bracelet

18K Artform Turquoise Bangle

18K Cultured Freshwater Pearl Two-Row Geometric Bracelet

No other words necessary!

Ladies, you know I promised to only mention luxury goods that are truly worthy
of my words…

Meet SeaCreation, by BABOR!

The deep sea is a cosmos of sheer, elemental forces and primeval energy - the source of all life. In these previously unexplored depths, scientists claim to have found the key to intelligent beauty therapy…

BABOR presents SeaCreation - the world-exclusive event for beautiful skin. For the first time ever, thermophilus, an intelligent active ingredient embedded in the SEA-TELLIGENT COMPLEX - of pearl proteins and sea silk, protects the beauty of the skin and literally reverses the aging process. Test results revealed a 28% increase in free radical protection, after just one application, 40% improvement in moisture content in 7 days, 29% reduction in wrinkle depth after 14 days use and a 26% increase in skin elasticity after 21 days use.

This skin crème is amazing! A-MA-ZING.

Get the skin of a baby instead of an old leather wallet!

This wouldn’t be Good Luck Deluxe without another mention of my latest exquisite, creative jeweler discovery. This is a luxury site, after all.

Introducing fine jewelry by A La Vieille Russie in New York! From jewels to fine art and Fabergé, A La Vieille Russie will make you smile.

French Lattice Garnet and Diamond Earrings

Gold Nugget Collection

Gold Paratrooper Earrings (how cute are they?!)

Pearl and Diamond Clusters

Pearl and Gold Bangle

Pink Coral Shoes (just darling!)

Girls, tell me that is not some seriously charming jewelry. Like Oprah says, it’s time for a fun-filled SHOP-A-ROO!

I have always preferred liquid soap and shower gel over bar soap. What I dislike about most (American) soaps is that icky, cruddy film it leaves everywhere in your tub and on your skin. It grosses me out.

My mother introduced me to the beauty of French, English, African, Spanish and Indian soaps years ago, and I saw the light! Quality, triple-milled soaps are worlds apart from their lesser counterparts.

If you’re one of those folks who gets the heebie jeebies when you think about soap scum and that goopy soap muck in the soap dish, I learned this secret…

The Art of Using Soap…

Whenever you buy any kind of soap, immediately unwrap it and place it in a basket or bowl where the soap can be completely exposed to the air. Leave it in that basket or bowl exposed to the air until you’re ready to use it.

The air will harden and solidify the soap and improve its integrity so it doesn’t crumble into a pile of mush in the soap dish, and it will hold its shape over time as it is used.
Do keep this air exposure tip in mind for when you’re using the soap, and store it daily in a wire or mesh tray that will allow it to fully breathe and dry. Soap lasts 3x longer this way! My mother taught me that little gem.

She’ll even unwrap ten bars of soap and place them all in the same basket. By the time each bar is used, it’s in the absolute ideal condition.

Now, for the main event… My latest love: Bon Savon luxury soaps! When I say they carry a wide assortment of imported soaps from everywhere in the world, I kid you not.

If you have a thing for good soap, look no further. Bon Savon is a soap lover’s best dream! They sell soap for every “body” - for men, women and children. Shopping for everyone!

You know I love to showcase eye candy, so feast your beady eyes upon these:

Look how sweet and precious! Gianna Rose Atelier Les Animaux d’Enfant (Baby Animals) soap for children

Baby animals on parade! Elephant, teddy bear and bunny, sized just right for a
child’s bath. This gentle soap is triple-milled and molded from vintage dies, in a mild vegetable-based formula and has a delicate, clean scent. The petite trio comes in a miniature keepsake box.

Aphrodite Olive Oil Soap

The benefits of olive oil are well known. In addition, olive leaves are found to be rich in antibacterial agents. The crushed olive leaves in this bar will exfoliate your skin and cleanse clogged pores. This soap contains 80-85% pure olive oil, no artificial preservatives or fragrances, and no animal fat.

Luxo Banho Portuguese Crème Oval Soap

This giant luxury bath soap became the toast of Europe during the decorative 1920’s. The ornate art deco gift box became synonymous with the new glamour and chic of modernism. Luxo Banho is a milk-rich, emollient, timeless luxury bar for the bath.

Apiana Honey Soap

A moisturizing soap for all skin types. Presented in a pictorial package that makes a perfect gift.

African Black Soap

African Black Soap is a luxurious, creamy moisturizing cocoa butter soap that is ideal
for blemish-prone skin. It cleans and lifts away dirt and bacteria, and softens dry skin. Warm, earthy fragrance. IMPORTANT: This soap contains antibacterial agent Triclocarban (0.7%) and should be used according to directions.

Côté Bastide Soap Cube

Milk is a traditional beauty treatment for the skin. This Côté Bastide soap cube has a fresh, soft and comforting fragrance that reminds one of sweet cream.

Côté Bastide Fig Tree Soap

A fresh, green, earthy fragrance extracted from the crushed leaves of the fig tree.
The antique designed wrap is reminiscent of designs from yesterday.

MEN - Magno La Toja Spanish Soap

A bar with a strong personality: its fresh yet spicy classic “soapy” scent is combined with the cleansing properties of mineral salts. This Spanish brand provides the pleasure and care of thermal waters in your home. The famous La Toja Spa, located on La Toja Island, is known for its water with unique mineral salt content. La Toja soap will cleanse and revitalize your skin.

MEN - Roger & Gallet Gentle Nature/Cinnamon Orange Soap

Men, you will love the powerful hit of spicy cinnamon and zesty orange in this luxe, creamy bar!

Nasturtia Milk Pear Soap

Goat’s milk is very rich in vitamins and minerals and contains short-chain fatty acids that are dispersed throughout the milk, creating a very fine emulsion. These features make it a perfect natural moisturizer. Fresh pear fragrance.

Nasturtia Pink Grapefruit Soap

Grapefruit has a very specific, tangy aroma that is hard to recreate in its full splendor. This is one the best grapefruit fragrances we have found in soaps.

Waterl’eau - “The Green Deep” Soap

The Green Deep brings the rich aroma and all the benefits of green tea extract. A light citrus infusion makes it fresh and invigorating.

Phebo Brazilian Glycerin Soap

This Brazilian glycerin soap has an exotic, spicy scent.

I used to think I wanted to own and operate a quaint bed and breakfast when I retire. Make that a soap shop!

I’ve had a bit of a quandary since I last posted.

I was enormously perplexed as to what in the world I could possibly blog about that wouldn’t look like mud next to my post on the Anaheim White House Restaurant. Anything else might pale in comparison.

I had considered seguing into revealing a hot venture capital tip I just discovered,
but nah.

The only thing I could think of that can hang tough with that divine eatery is my experience at Bliss Spa. Sorry venture capitalists, but first things first!

Guys, you might want to liken this post akin to being out shopping with your woman. Ask the receptionist if there’s a place where you can have a seat or if she can recommend a good spa for men, because we’re gonna be a while…

The best thing about living in Los Angeles is the overindulgence factor. Everybody wants to give you champagne and a massage. Well, maybe not in that exact order…

If it’s your birthday and you live in L.A., you’re going to get either a bottle of your favorite bubbly or a gift certificate to a spa. Guaranteed. At least if you’re a girl.
But wait, this is L.A. I’m talking about…so I suppose it applies to both genders!

I’m too sheepish to admit how many spas I have frequented in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Only my family knows. I went spa crazy at one point, and the entire staffs at the more swank-a-dank, chi-chi spas knew me by name more than they did their celebrity clientele. So yeah, I’ve been to a spa or two in my time.

But I must say that I always have a thoroughly enjoyable experience every time I set foot into Bliss Spa. My favorite is the one inside of the W Hotel in Westwood, although they have locations nationwide that I’m sure are equally groovy.

I love everything about Bliss: the layout, the squeaky clean and sterile interior, the brownie buffet and lemon water in the lounge, the lemony-zesty aromatherapy wafting overhead continually, slipping into a luxe lounging robe with a dippy grin on my face, the sauna, the warm steam shower…and oh, the massages are pretty good, too.

See, I’m one of those intensely-deep-tissue massage lovers; so the Bliss massage therapists, although they try, can never dig deep enough for me. But that’s OK.
They get a million points for everything else they do to utter perfection.

I’m not saying those ladies don’t give a good massage, because they do. I just know that if I want a black-and-blue massage, I have to see my Armenian masseuse.

But let’s speak of Bliss, not relishable torture!

I call this piece “Anticipation”

Where are my brownies?!

Grabbing that robe I mentioned…

Oh yeah, sister. Show my muscles no mercy!

You’re gonna have to light a stick of dynamite to get me out of here…

And that, my friends, is a typical experience for me at Bliss Spa.

But wait, there’s more! I can’t leave without buying some of their lemon-sage soap, their dreamy hand cream, and 10,000 other favorite Bliss products!

Now where is my man?! I know he didn’t leave me here!

OK, so maybe I’m changing my tune about not being a fashionista. I’m learning that being a luxury blogger kind of has a fashionable effect on a girl after awhile.

Today I discovered the most BEAUTIFUL dresses by Jamaican-born designer
Claudette Floyd. Wow - you have to see her collections. Look at those dresses!

Claudette also custom-designs the most gorgeous wedding gowns you have ever seen. Vera Wang better look out!

About RUSH Couture and the designer, per the site:

With RUSH Couture, Claudette Floyd has made a name for herself in Canada’s fashion capital, Montreal, where her designs have become synonymous with glamour and elegance.

Originally from Jamaica, and having studied at College LaSalle, Claudette Floyd and her family migrated to Canada over 25 years ago. Surrounded by fabrics, threads and needles at an early age, her passion for fashion came from her mother, a highly talented dressmaker who worked from home and created beautiful dresses.

RUSH Couture designs are renowned for flattering the silhouette with structured tailoring as well as pure flowing lines and magnificent textures. Her favourite fabrics include taffeta, chiffon, silk and organza with an occasional touch of linen and crochet.

Sensitive to her customer’s needs, Claudette Floyd has developed incredible flair for making the perfect dress for any momentous event. “Sitting down with a client is always a unique, inspiring experience,” explains Claudette Floyd. “We share a precious moment preparing for an important event in that woman’s life.”

RUSH Couture creations are designed for special events, either grand or small. Each dress combines flawless elegance with comfort and perfect adjustment. Although she is not one to give in to nostalgia, Claudette Floyd admits her fondness for styles reminiscent of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

From her very first year at LaSalle College, Claudette Floyd found a genuine interest in being an entrepreneur. In fact, the name RUSH Couture comes from that period of her life. “I started my company at the same time I was starting my studies. I wanted to do everything at the same time! I was constantly rushing,” she explains, her expression filled with passion.”

I’m totally over the moon in love with Claudette’s pretty, über-feminine dresses.
This has made my day!

Time to spice things up, ladies and gentlemen!

I wasn’t a fan of Agent Provocateur’s lingerie upon first glance, but I must admit that their colorful, satiny lingerie designs have grown on me, so to speak. I really love
Agent Provocateur’s provocative lingerie now… It’s all so girly and sex-kittenish.

Who knows if I could stuff my boobs into their fancy schmancy bras, but I would sure as heck try!

So without further adieu, let’s peek at some of their lingerie styles, shall we?

“Clementine”

“Jilly”

Now this is a bit naughty… “Gwendoline”

…and for your wedding day, ladies: “Ola,” from the Bridal Collection

I can just envision all of those tightwad, cheapskate husbands who are otherwise very, very cheap all of a sudden reaching for their wallets.

Some men would probably spend their life’s savings if they could see their wives in this spicy lingerie!

If I could look like any woman in the world, it would probably be Iman.

How Iman manages to look better as time goes by is beyond me. The woman is drop-to-your-knees BEAUTIFUL!

Seriously, let me reiterate: Iman is phenomenally gorgeous. Perfect lips, perfect eyes, great skin color, she’s got the height, she lucked out in the weight department, she’s
all nice and leggy…

To top it all off, Iman has impeccably classic fashion sense, she is graceful, elegant, cultured, intelligent, charitable… Iman is the Global Ambassador for Keep a Child Alive. There aren’t many women in this world who impress me, but Iman takes the cake!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention Iman’s amazing cosmetics line, Iman Cosmetics. Iman’s quality cosmetics line has been in existence since 1994 and has withstood the test of time. It’s an ideal cosmetics line for ALL women of color - African, Asian, Latina, even olive Mediterranean skin.

Iman, we salute you!

Caribbean Soaps is a small business dedicated to making soaps and natural products. The company is located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

They produce cold processed soaps in small batches. This ensures that they have control of the quality of the finished products.

Caribbean Soaps even sells handmade soap logs; soap that you cut yourself at home into whatever shape or size you desire!

Now, for the main event…

Almond Chocolate soap

For chocolate lovers! This soap will leave your skin sooooo smooth. Cocoa butter and almond oil is added.

Cinnamon, Oatmeal & Honey soap

Oatmeal and honey with a touch of cinnamon essential oil. The oatmeal flakes will gently exfoliate the skin. Cinnamon is invigorating!

Coconut soap

This soap is what the tropics are all about. It has fresh coconut milk along with coconut meal, which helps to gently exfoliate the skin.

Cucumber soap

A soap with fresh cucumber! It has a wonderful fragrance. It is one of our favorites.
The added shea butter is great for dry skin.

Tea Tree and Aloe Vera soap

A first aid soap for the skin. It contains the healing properties of aloe vera along with the medicinal properties of tea tree.

Ylang Ylang soap

This soap has a wonderful tropical aroma! The ylang ylang flower grows in the tropics and is very fragrant.

Caribbean Soaps has the entire aromatherapy spectrum covered: incense, candles,
bath gel, sea salts, massage oils and creams, and more!