The New Bentley Continental GT V8S Black Edition

The new Black Edition of the Bentley Continental GT V8S may seem like a luxury car at first glance, but even with its polished, hand-turned aluminum and wood that has been brilliantly outfitted to the interior, this Bentley remains first and foremost a high performance car til the end.  And even more so when you include it’s high-powered V8 opposed to a relatively gentle W12 engine.  Created to accentuate key sporting credentials to a discerning clientele, whilst not going beyond any boundaries that separate personalized and flamboyant components.  Bentley has refined this new black edition thanks to the assistance and support from their Mulliner bespoke projects department.

A clear, distinct alteration from the standard version, is that the new edition reduces the time-honored brightware, which in turn gives the external trim aspects by the front air ducts and the windows that are typically finished in polished metal a gloss black treatment.  Just as well, the headlamps and taillights have become a darker hue.

The purpose for this subtle approach is so that the body kit pack, which enhances aerodynamics, and is available in four diverse accent colors of Beluga, Cyber Yellow, Hallmark or St James’ Red, emerges prominent and remains distinct.  Beneath the hood there’s a twin-turbo 4.0 liter V8 with 520bhp as well as a large 680Nm (502 lb.ft) of torque at hand that can be transmitted to all four wheels over an eight-speed automatic transmission.  When the right conditions are met it can go zero-100km/h in 4.5 seconds (or 4.7 for the soft top model) and can reach a top speed of 192 miles per hour (309km/h) or (191mph:308km/h for the convertible version).

The interior harbors GT Design seats by Mulliner and the headliner’s stitching perfectly mirrors the selected accent tone for the body kit.  But when one hears the name Bentley, one can certainly expect whatever has been added to the cabin thus far is only the beginning for which the owner will construct and forge his own.

Presently Bentley has yet to confirm the prices, but the Black Edition is expected to cost considerately more than a standard $210,000 Continental GT V8 S.

For more information visit:  BentleyMotors.com

The Luxurious New High-Tech LL2 Lounger

Place this sleek new lounger inside your home to add a touch of modernity and innovativeness, which also introduces an advanced approach to technology and takes modern furnishings to an all time high.  To bring about a better way of relaxing with comfort, all the while indulging in your choice of reading material or utilizing a tablet device, Bonetti/Kozerski Studio in New York have created this ergonomic rocking chair for your recreation.  On one end, the arched leather chair has a rift where you can put up your feet to bolster your knees and set up an area to place the tablet at (a spot exhibited by the models on billboards advertising Apple’s iPad.)  The lounger features rechargeable Bluetooth-enabled speakers directly built into the cushioned headrest.  The chair was launched early this year in a limited edition of only 30 and priced at $19,000.

For more information visit:  BonettiKozerski.com

This Luxurious Hotel Makes For An Opulent Retreat

What was once the early 20th century Roman villa that bordered the Tiber River and the home of the Malaspina family (who hosted countless high-class soi rées) is now a luxurious hotel named Palazzo Dama.  Opened this year in January as a 30 room hotel, the luxury resort has become an opulent retreat within it’s own city, a place where historical marble mosaics and original art-nouveau doors beautifully complement the Loro Piana fabrics and spectacular mid-century Italian furnishings.  Even architect Antonio Girardi culled many exotic objects from across the globe to add a little panache or liveliness to the hotel, all the way from antique Persian carpets rolled-out in the restaurant to a shower of crystal chandeliers (derived from New York’s Plaza Hotel) in the lounge.  Enjoy life in the hotel like the Malaspina family, take your time and have a relaxing afternoon by the property’s swimming pool, then take it easy with a light excursion through it’s blossoming flower gardens and finish the day off watching the sun set atop the rooftop terrace.

For more information visit:  PalazzoDama.com

Best Ways to Increase Brain Health

We all have that one friend who remembers everything, down to the minutest of details. As annoying as it may seem at times, remembering and recalling things in detail, is one thing that we all want. Forgetting something or not recalling something can be frustrating and even alarming, as you age.

Initially it was believed that brain aging and subsequent memory loss was permanent. But now, new research has shown that dopamine can trigger the formation of new neurons in an adult brain. However, making new neurons does not mean that our brains stop aging. So the question that arises is, how can you keep your brain healthy as you age? There are a number of factors, besides aging, that affect brain health. These include:

• Chronic health conditions such as diabetes.

• A poor diet.

• Lack of exercise.

How to Keep Your Brain Healthy?

Your brain is the most important part of your body. It is the control center and keeps everything going in a regular pattern in your body. Let us see how we can improve our brain’s health and ace that test paper!

Regular Exercise

The importance of exercise can not be underestimated. We all know that exercise increases blood circulation and causes release of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters. Exercise keeps us fit, prevents a number of diseases and is a good way to refresh ourselves. But did you know that exercise causes release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor? This factor promotes neural health and benefits cognitive functions, such as learning.

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and greatly improves development and survival of neurons. To get the maximum benefits from your exercise, don’t stick to a regular exercise program. Keep on varying it, so that your brain is in the game!

Feed Your Brain

Did you know that 60% of your brain is composed of fats, out of which 25% is pure DHA? DHA is an Omega-3 fat and is found in breast milk, so it is no surprise that babies who are exclusively breast-fed have higher IQ levels. Omega-3 fats such as DHA are considered essential because they are not produced by the body, so you must get them from your diet.

Fatty fish such as anchovies, salmon, tuna and mackerel, fish oil and organ meat like liver, are all good sources of DHA. DHA provides structural support to the neurons and if it is inadequate, the neurons become stiff and prone to inflammation. This leads to improper cell-to-cell transmission and affects the brain functions. So, feed your brain to keep it going on!

Challenge Your Brain

Keep your brain active. If you stick to the same routine everyday, your brain becomes accustomed to it and gets in a monotonous state. To keep your brain active, you need to challenge it everyday. How do you do that? Change your routine every few days and give your brain something new to work on. Bring variation to your regular exercise pattern, learn a new language and try doing puzzles and brain games. Do things that you normally wouldn’t do! All of this challenges your brain and improves the circuitry within the brain, as well.

Be A Social Butterfly!

We are social animals and we need some kind of social interaction to keep our minds sharp. This becomes important, especially, later in life when aging takes a toll on our memory and other cognitive functions. Keep your minds sharp and active by having social interactions, meeting new people or meeting up with old friends. According to one study, older people who had less social interactions, had pronounced cognitive and physical limitations as compared to their socially active counterparts.

Relax and Listen to Music

We all know about the ‘Mozart effect’, which suggests that you can become smarter by listening to classical music! According to a research, listening to music, while exercising, has been linked to a boost in cognitive functions and verbal fluency skills. It has also been shown to improve mental focus. So indulge in a little music time and boost your brain health.

Get Your Zzzzzzzz

Just as your body needs sleep to recuperate from a day’s work, your brain needs the same. Sleep helps to reset your brain and helps in improving your memory and judgement. Stick to a regular sleep pattern and make sure you get a restful night’s sleep. Normally, 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is recommended. Taking a mid-day power nap of 15-20 minutes is also said to improve and restore brain power.

Do Volunteer Work!

According to research, doing volunteer work improves mental functioning and also reduces stress levels. It adds to a person’s well-being and promotes brain health!

Exercise, Eat Well and Challenge Your Brain Everyday to Keep It Sharp and Active!

How to Look Like a Million Dollar Babe for New Year’s Eve

Celebration of the New Year is one of the most entertaining occasions people enjoy to dress up for. While Christmas is reserved for family fun and rediscovering the feelings of joy, love and gratitude, most New Year’s Eve parties are all about… well… partying. Therefore, ladies often take extra measures to ensure that their appearance and style is impeccable. So, if you too have a special and elegant party to go to for this New Year’s Eve keep on reading. You might find a lot of useful advice that would put you in the spotlight as you dance into the New Year like a million-dollar babe.

Perfect outfit

The first and most important thing about great looks for the New Year celebration party is your outfit. You need to pay special attention if you’re going to attend a high-end gathering at a fancy restaurant. Before you start looking for your perfect dress or outfit combination, keep in mind that your comfort will be essential in order for you to have a great time. Then, you should always stick with clothing and dress forms that suit your body shape in a flattering manner. Once you have these basics covered, you can take your time to carefully choose the design and patterns that you want. If you’re going with a little black/red/gold/white dress, make sure to accessorize it with adequate jewelry. It’s New Year’s so it’s okay to add a bit of sparkle with your jewelry. On the other hand, if you opt for a sequin dress or shirt, keep your jewelry relatively simple. High heels are a must, so make sure to break these in well before the party.

Hairstyle and makeup on point

If you want to look really fashionable and stylish for a luxurious New Year’s Eve celebration, your hairstyle will play an important role as well. Basically, you should keep your hair frizz-free. This means either blow drying your hair with a round brush so that every hair is in its place or using a flat iron. If you don’t want to leave your hair down, definitely check out some of the most elegant updos and try them out several times before the party. That way, you can practice the technique and see for yourself what type of updo best suits your hair and face shape. As far as makeup is concerned, a ton of glitter is not really all that appropriate for a high-end party and definitely not in style for a million-dollar look. It would be best to stick to the classic femme fatale look – black winged eyeliner and stunning red lip. Of course, you can add that healthy glow with strobing technique.

Thorough prep

There are many other forms of preparation before a New Year’s Eve party and especially so if you’re going to travel somewhere else for this unique experience. For example, New Year’s celebration in Japan is quite different compared to your regular parties at bars and restaurants. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’ll get the chance to welcome the first day of the New Year at a shrine. But don’t be fooled. This is a very special occasion in Japan and people dress their very best to celebrate it. Some ladies take the trouble to show up in a stunning winter kimono; so, if you want to celebrate in a true Japanese style, you should definitely check out different types of kimonos and the ways to put them on. On the other hand, if you’re going to a tropical destination such as Australia, be prepared for some exquisite beach fun and celebration. Since most of the fashionable ladies show a lot of their skin and wear really sexy swimwear, make sure you do feel comfortable about that. Otherwise this is the last moment to do something about that. An expert of plastic surgery in Sydney says lots of people opt for some adjustments for this occasion in order to  get the best possible look for this night. Well, in this case, your body really is your biggest fashion statement.

Wherever you find yourself celebrating New Year’s Eve like a true queen that you are, remember to enjoy the general splendor and make these exceptional moments count. Once you look the part it is your confidence that should shine even brighter than the most luxuriously decorated Christmas tree. Physical appearance is not the only thing that makes you look like a million dollar babe but your attitude and behavior as well, so don’t forget to act the part too.

The Best Five Cuban Cigars of 2016

For many years, cigars have been known for their luxurious appearance and delightful taste.  But as time goes on, people can’t help partaking in the new generation of cigars that are backed by a century’s worth of experience & knowledge.  Out of all the cigars that have been created by the most brilliant of cigar makers, Cuban cigars made themselves known as the epitome.  So today I hand picked “the best 5 Cuban cigars of 2016” that I myself believe are without equal this year.

Cohibas are unquestionably one of the best & most popular (not to mention the most counterfeited) Cuban cigars of all time.  Especially desired are the Espléndido or the more recently added Behike, a larger-ringed variation that has become increasingly popular as of late, principally in Paris and London.  Almost all Cohibas are medium to full in character, yet not too intense.  On the other hand, newer cigar enthusiasts have the option to pick the gentler, more mild Cohiba Siglo series.

Romeo y Julieta cigars, Intermediate in strength with a hint of sweetness, the best cigar to buy when you just can’t make up your mind on what you want.  Their Turbos in particular are incredibly useful when you don’t want to bring along a cigar case on your travels in order to protect your Cubans.

Trinidad cigars began as Castro’s secret VIP cigar that took the place of Cohiba in popularity as soon as it was sold to the public in 1982.  With it being one of the most expensive cigars on the list, determined by where you buy it, this medium-full-flavored cigar won’t take very much time for you to use up your government-approved limit.

The No. 2 Montecristo is a longstanding favorite, even more so if your the type of person who enjoys a good bottle of single-malt scotch and red meat in conjunction with a fine Cuban cigar.  A medium-full-bodied, that harbors a trace of sweet spice.  With that being said, the somewhat tinier Montecristo No. 4 is currently the best-selling cigar in the world.

The Hoyo de Monterrey, a pretty pleasant, mellow cigar.  Best known for their Epicure Especial cigars that have been widely considered the crème de la crème of the Hoyo de Monterrey line.  Herbaceous and earthy flavors with a short spicy bang, and the wholly refreshing after-taste that soon follows makes this Cuban a must try.

Surgeon General Warning: Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers of the Mouth And Throat, Even If You Do Not Inhale.

How to Pick Out the Restaurants on Your Travels

People travel for various reasons: business, romance, friendship, and adventure. It doesn’t matter which of these reasons leads you to make your way across the world, they will almost invariably include food.  It can just be fuel that keeps you going, or an adventure on its own. Just as the famous travel writer Deborah Cater said: “You have to taste a culture to understand it”. However, finding a good dining place despite the language barrier, cultural quirks and poor spatial orientation in an unknown city, is much more difficult than it sounds. Here are some tips that will help you to successfully navigate through local restaurants wherever you are.

Check the “Best Of” Guides

Of course, you shouldn’t trust what you read in these guides blindly, but they can serve as a great starting point for your further quests. Most big cities and popular tourist destinations have some sort of dedicated magazine or annual “best off” issues where they choose things to do and see, best restaurants included. The downside of these guides is that the Chamber of Commerce often gives preference to some restaurants.

Follow Local Bloggers

Local food bloggers might be a bit more honest than the people choosing restaurants for “the best off” guides. Start your treasure hunt for food blogs before you even set foot on foreign soil. Also, check if there are any world famous chefs or bloggers (e.g. Anthony Bourdain) who were visiting the same destination and the restaurants they visited.

Talk to Locals

Face to face conversations with the people that are actually living in the place you are visiting is the best way to find out where the best food is made. Asking the concierge in your hotel should only be your first step. Try with employees at popular tourist spots and people you meet on the street or at a bar. It may sound crazy to you now, but you will be able to easily tell when someone has similar taste for food as you on the first glance.

Check All Aspects of the Restaurants

When asking for recommendations, you should ask for more info than “is the food great”. Check for the available cuisines, food procurement policies, ambiance and the staff’s approach to guests (knowledge of English is desirable). If people you’re chatting with can give you even more info, such as the chef’s name, cooking style and whether they have efficient kitchen staff management which can be crucial in things like meals’ quality and the time of waiting per dish.

Avoid Big Tourist Attractions

Restaurants around the biggest tourist attractions gain most of the attention because of their location not the quality of the food. Unfortunately, tourists would buy anything that doesn’t include risk of getting lost in a foreign neighborhood, but sometimes getting lost is worthwhile. Almost every city has a neighborhood that is famous for a certain type of restaurants (in Paris that would be 8^th arrondissement for high-end restaurants, 10^th for having something for everyone and 11^th for new food scene), so prepare your feet for walking.

Use Smartphone Apps

Travel apps such as TripAdvisor, Foursquare and Yelp can help you find restaurants and read useful info about them, as well as the impressions of other visitors. The real value of these apps lies in the specific information you can find: when is the best time to get the table? Do they take reservations? What’s the most delicious and the most popular meal? Another app that you might want to have on your phone is Travelzoo for drink and food deals on the go.

When traveling abroad, you don’t want to be the typical tourist who goes to the nearest McDonald’s and eats on the go. Take your time to savor the local flavors and eat in the most prestigious restaurants you can find. Memorable meals are essential ingredients for a memorable travel.

The Game Changing Ferrari 512 M

In the face of even greater odds, undeterred by being contemplated as a front-runner during its racing season in 1971, the magnificent Ferrari 512 M (safeguarded by an “all-star team” consisting of owner Roger Penske, mechanic John Woodard, and race car drivers Mark Donohue and David Hobbs) came across a string of historic bad luck for all four of its races.  Even though the 512 M didn’t finish in first place, it still became what is known as a “game changer” that whipped up a new standard in the Motorsport racing world.

The footage (taken by Petrolicious) below shows Hobbs as he explains and specifies what exactly transpired and how the 512 M managed to keep its cool, thanks to its outstanding, intense power and excellent V-12 engine, which appeared to be just as fantastic as it did back then as it does in this video of the 512 M surging across the track.

Photo courtesy of Petrolicious.com

Porsche New Experience Center Opens In L.A.

The recently launched Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles (also known as PEC LA) has caused major excitement in the West Coast for countless esteemed car enthusiasts, the center (a sixty million dollar complex) vows to bring in over 50,000 visitors from all around.

The experience center was built on top of a former nine-hole golf course located in L.A.’s industrial South Bay, and the cutting-edge 53-acre site features numerous test tracks, event space, a fine-dining restaurant, and a limited but symbolic collection of time-honored Porsche race car classics.  In addition, the new facility will act as the new Porsche Motorsports headquarters in North America, where Porsche’s most skilled engineers and factory technicians will maintain close support for more than 400 racing clientele from the U.S. and Canada with parts, components, and expertise & knowledge from an immaculate workshop enclosed in glass.

Detlev von Platen, former president & CEO of Porsche Cars North America, who just recently became the executive board member for Porsche’s global sales and marketing last fall, says the PEC LA “allows us to showcase everything Porsche stands for.”  Not only the killer racetrack and the ravishing cars, “but also teamwork and, most importantly, people.”  The company unobtrusively estimates the new Porsche Experience Center will bring 50,000 visitors, among a third of the visitors coming from current Porsche owners, another third from special/corporate events, and the remaining third from floor traffic.  Porsche’s first Experience Center in U.S. (neighboring its North American headquarters of Atlanta) has already had 36,000 visitors since it opened last year in May 2015.

The main focal point for most visitors will be the high-performance driving programs, that are taught by professional instructors, many of whom are either current or former race car drivers.  Students are able to drift around a wet skid pad in a Boxster, go off-roading in a Cayenne, test launch control in a 911, or race to your hearts content around the handling circuit in a Cayman.  The prices vary between $385 to $950 for each 90 minute session course.  PEC LA also offers restoration services of classic race cars for both private and corporate customers, but restoration facilities for road cars will stay in Atlanta.  Von Platen puts emphasis that, “this center is all about the race cars.”

For more information visit:  PorscheDriving.com

Dalmore’s New Celebratory Bottle of Spirit

Dalmore has been known far and wide as makers of the rarest & finest whiskies throughout the world, so it’s not that easy to top what has already been perfected.  But with Dalmore’s master distiller, the renowned Richard Paterson, you can count on whiskey that will be beyond phenomenal and that will surpass previous spirits as it slowly ages deep within their warehouse until it becomes simply extraordinary.  To celebrate Paterson’s 50th year in the industry this season, Paterson himself wanted to add a little flair to the occasion by giving whiskey connoisseurs a grand anniversary present.  The Dalmore 35 is certainly worthy of celebration along Paterson, as it is a single malt that has been aged in three different kinds of casks.  Ex-bourbon barrels, vintage 1970 Colheita port pipes, and 30 year old Matusalem (sweetened Oloroso) sherry casks.  The bourbon, sherry, and port gives a strong impact along with the imparting flavors of tropical fruit, baking spices, and coffee.  The blend is perfect, with the sherry’s raisin notes and the port’s luscious, dark fruit flavors, the balance of the whiskey turns out sublimely without letting anything overwhelm or overrun the other ingredients.

Immersed in an opulent wooden case that holds a hand blown Baccarat crystal decanter with Dalmore’s 12-point stag insignia adorned in sterling silver.  Bottled at 80 proof (40 percent alcohol volume), only 1,000 bottles of Dalmore 35 will be available around the world per year for five years, estimated at a retail price of $5,500.  This bottle may be thought of as a capstone to Richard Paterson’s semi-centennial experience in whiskey, but don’t get the wrong idea, Peterson doesn’t look like he’s slowing down or taking it easy anytime soon.  For the years to come, we’ll be looking forward to see what kind of new, sensational bottles of spirit that Paterson will come up with next time to commemorate future anniversaries.

For more information visit:  TheDalmore.com