Defiant in the face of recession, bling still in

Embellished Legwear: Spanning both cool and warm weather wardrobes, legwear has been a closet staple among female consumers for the past few seasons, and the trend shows no signs of waning. Worn with shorts, skirts, dresses, and even solo among the more sartorially adventurous; tights, stockings, leggings and knee high/thigh high socks in a variety of hues, textures, and prints are still some of the hottest accessories around. The next iteration of this trend comes in the form of embellishments, ranging from stones and studs to sequins, cutouts, embroidery, patches, crystals, and just about any adornment you can think of. During a time when true luxury can be somewhat out of reach, these glitzy details are an easy, more affordable version of high-end fashion.

Sneaker Earrings : Proskateboarder Andrew Reynolds' latest shoe for Emerica not only comes in flashy colors like electric light blue and purple, but each pair also comes blinged out with removable (faux) diamond studs that attach to the lace holes. A more "mature" take on the Crocs plastic jewelry so popular with the kiddie set, sneaker earrings may just be the next big hit among those looking for a new way to accessorize. 

In Europe, Hostels Grow Up

NOT EXACTLY THE GRAND TOUR, BUT NOT EXACTLY ROUGHING IT, EITHER

Low cost and chic, urban hostels are a viable alternative to the boutique hotel.  In the world of hip city hostels, who cares if your room has nothing but a bed (often a bunk), a simple bath (a shower with no bath products) and a small cupboard with no hangers? Common rooms, meanwhile, are often minimally — but stylishly — furnished with Scandinavian-style sofas and tables.

Countering the lack of amenities, there is usually an eclectic bar, a 24-hour Internet cafe with Wi-Fi, group tours around the city, entertainment (D.J.’s, live music and karaoke nights), kitchens where you can make your own meals or a restaurant where you can buy one — all providing a built-in social life for travelers.

Hostels across Europe have undergone a transformation over the last decade. Tim Hierath, one of five owners who founded the Circus hostel in Berlin nearly a decade ago, has noticed a changing demographic in his guests, too. “Beyond the classic student backpackers,” Mr. Hierath said, “we get young urban professionals on a city break, families vacationing, business travelers and even older tourists.“This is actually better than a hotel,” said David Jones, 23, from San Francisco, who was also staying at a hostel in paris. “It’s easier to meet people, and cheaper.”

So what is the difference between a hostel and budget hotel? “A hostel is about community spirit,” Mr. Hierath said. “The entire atmosphere here is one in which it is easy to get to know other people. It is not uncommon for guests to make friends and go off and do things together.”

Via: New York Times 

The tiny laptop trend

Netbooks: the Anti-High Tech Movement

In the single year since their arrival, the tiny, inexpensive laptops more commonly known as netbooks have taken a 7% bite out of the global laptop market. And that's just the beginning: Next year, they are expected to have a 12% share of the market. In particular, Europeans are ditching their traditional laptops and buying these tot-scaled computers; netbook sales in Europe are eight times higher than those in the States. 

Netbooks first entered the marketplace in a reverse fashion from that of the usual new technologies: Instead of starting off in the luxury market and slowly being mass-marketed as the technology grew more affordable, netbooks were originally conceived as a cheap way to distribute basic laptops to underprivileged children globally via the One Laptop per Child project. When the Taiwanese firm that produced One Laptop per Child computers started mass producing the slim machines with the expectations of marketing them to impoverished families, they were surprised by the rush of professionals buying them up. 

At its most basic, a netbook consists of a keyboard, a screen and a processor used primarily to connect to the Internet. They have an extremely minimal amount of memory and, for the most part, offer no software beyond a basic typing program. Their main function is to serve as a hub for online activity. So, instead of storing photos on a laptop, the user uploads them to Flickr, and instead of saving word documents to a desktop, they're kept in an email account. Giving easy access to daily Internet activities, a netbook can more feasibly be tossed in a bag than can a standard laptop computer. One of the most popular netbooks of the moment is the Acer Aspire One, which weighs just over two pounds and has a ten-inch screen. Currently, netbooks generally cost somewhere in the $300-$600 range. 

The growing popularity of netbooks is twofold: Some consumers are excited to own them as auxiliary gadgets that make computing while traveling easier (and without the worry of losing the precious and pricey main computer), while others are attracted to them as their primary computer. The latter group is increasingly coming to the conclusion that their computer needs are basic and that they never really needed all the "stuff" traditional computers offered in the first place. 

Considering that many 3G mobile carriers such as AT&T and Verizon are teaming up with netbook producers to offer them at huge discounts as long as buyers sign up for a two-year plan (much like the iPhone), it seems likely that netbooks will grow in popularity. Even Apple, who originally had no plans of producing a netbook, is now rumored to be experimenting with a 10-inch touchscreen version. Whether they will serve as most people's primary PC or just something extra that makes business travel a little easier, we will have to wait and see.

-Via Trendcentral

Glow-in-the-dark bikes and more cycling fashion

Puma Glow Rider: Part of Puma's Urban Mobility line, the Glow Rider (aka Stealth Visibility Bike) is pretty much the coolest city bike we've ever laid eyes on. In addition to coming equipped with urban-minded features, such as twin disk brakes (for all those red lights, crazy drivers, and zoned out pedestrians), a wire lock system (part of the frame, so a broken lock means a broken bike), and a semi-folding mechanism (for rainy day subway rides and 5^th floor walk-ups), the bike frame also glows in the dark-making it easy for drivers and pedestrians to spot you, and ogle you, as you pedal by.

Cycling Fashion: Mens' label Cordarounds (whom we love for their quirky horizontal seersucker and cord pants) has a line ofBike To Work pants that's perfect for dawn, dusk, and nighttime riders. The stylish, yet still rugged, khaki and olive men's trousers are accented with reflective material; just roll up the cuffs and pull out the pockets to be safe! And for the ladies, Topshop has partnered with UK cycling gear labelCyclodelic to create a line of fashion forward cycling gear, including bike shorts, jackets and accessories. Unfortunately, you won't find it at the new NY store, as it's reportedly only available in the UK at the moment.

Via: Trendcentral

Drunk on Air

London Bar Pumps Gin and Tonic Into The Air: Please Breathe Responsibly

A temporary bar in London will be serving Gin and Tonics throughout the night in a very unique way. Booze Cloud

Could Patrón bring this to the states?

GoodvBad

Everything in life comes down to one simple question, is it good or bad? GoodvBad uses search engine phrasing to generate a quick and easy answer to any GoodvBad Topic. To get the best results keep your Good v Bad Question Simple (Eg War, Or Drugs). Don't phrase questions, their poor little script can't handle those!

GoodvBad isn't exactly breaking new ground with its collection of polls, but it is worth noting here. Site visitors are presented with a subject and are asked if something is either good or bad. What's remarkable is the collection of polls in one place and the simplistic manner of eliciting responses.

Via: http://www.goodvbad.net/ 

Covering up

Women are starting to follow Karl Lagerfeld's "new modesty" trend. Also driven by the recession, women and girls of all ages are looking to spend money on conservative pieces that work for any occasion instead of flashier pieces that might not be in style next season. 

Wine Keggers?

There's a growing number of restaurants and bars serving wines by the glass from a tap. While the tap is the visual apparatus, what makes this trend so intriguing is not so much the tap but the fact that the wine is stored in kegs.

The kegs offer restaurants the opportunity to make wines-by-the-glass cheaper, fresher and more efficient. By storing wines in steel kegs and using non-reactive gases like nitrogen at low-pressure to keep out air, the wines can stay fresh indefinitely. The tap-and-keg system can eliminate the problem of spoilage, as well as the labor and space required to maintain and replenish various open bottles. Assuming such savings will be passed on to the consumer, wines by the glass, which are notoriously overpriced, should be cheaper. What’s more, the kegs can be endlessly reused, eliminating trash.  

Of course, consumers would have to be open to such a system. The analogous home device, bag-in-box wine, has been an unfortunate dud in the United States, at least as far as fine wine goes.  As far as tap-and-keg goes, the public does indeed seem open to the novelty of it. Look for it soon at a restaurant near you.

Via: http://thepour.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/keggers-at-home-and-away/#comments

Blooming jewelry

Blossom Pendant: Lately it feels like blooms are the new black. These glass pendants, or mini vases, hold a few drops of water or soil, and a freshly cut flower or bud. The design keeps the pendant in place so no water or soil is lost. And with floral dresses topping the list for spring fashion, it's the perfect accessory.

On The Flipside

On The Flipside is the only show exclusively dedicated to featuring the world of sports celebrities, entertainment and lifestyle. This is the stuff you won’t find in the stats or highlight reels. It’s an inside look at the lives of professional athletes when they’re not in uniform and the game clock stops!  From red carpet events to hobbies, hanging at home and where they’re putting their money, they're showing you how it’s done On The Flipside!

http://ontheflipsidetv.com/

Are billionaires born or made?

What are the common attributes among the uber-wealthy? Are there any true secrets of the self-made?

Forbes.com conducted an admittedly unscientific study of the 657 self-made billionaires we counted in February for our list of the World's Billionaires yielded some interesting results.

Parents Had Math-Related Careers

The ability to crunch numbers is normally a key to becoming a billionaire. Often, mathematical prowess is hereditary. Some of the most common professions among the parents of American billionaires for whom we could find that information were engineer, accountant and small-business owner.

September Birthdays

Of the 380 self-made American tycoons who have appeared on the Forbes list of the World's Billionaires in the past three years, 42 were born in September--more than in any other month. Maybe that's because September is the month the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans is published.

Tech Titans Who Dropped Out of College

Forget everything your guidance counselor told you: You don't have to go to college to be successful. More than 20% of the self-made American moguls on the most recent list of the World's Billionaires never finished college. Many of them made their fortunes in tech. 

Skull and Bones

Several current and former billionaires rounded out their Yale careers as members of Skull and Bones, the secret society portrayed with enigmatic relish by Hollywood in movies like The Skulls and W. 

Goldman Sachs

A stint at investment bank Goldman Sachs is a prime credential for becoming a finance billionaire. Of the 68 self-made American billionaires that derive their fortunes from finance, at least eight cut their teeth in Goldman's investment banking, trading, or asset management divisions. The company's crown jewel: its "risk arbitrage" unit, which launched the careers of several high profile billionaires. 

Click here for the full article.

Click here for a full list of billionaire clusters.

Bicycle Sartorial

Bicycle sartorial—having a moment? Consider this: Duckie Brown's Spring show took NYC bike messengers as one of its athletic influences, Rapha tapped Savile Row to create a line of cycle-ready suiting, and this fall sees the debut of Martin, a rider-targeted new line from longtime Nice Collective collaborator Michael Martin—little surprise, given he hails from that preeminent bike town, San Fran. What's more surprising are the clothes themselves: sharply tailored basics with features like reflective bindings under the seams for rolled-up pant legs, elasticized pull-cord cuffs for keeping shirtsleeves in place, and even a magnet-closed storage compartment at the back of a shirt for reach-behind access. Form doesn't suffer for the sake of function here—at first glance, we were hard-pressed to identify the collection as cycle-driven. In other words, non-gearheads might want to give these a test drive, too.
martinclothing.com

The World's First Portable Microwave Oven

This product’s contemporary design mimics that of a car battery and a purse, thus suitable for both men and women.

Replace your everyday lunch box with this innovative, yet fashionable item. Your co-workers will for sure be jealous! The days of cold, floppy, lifeless sandwiches are over, and the days of screaming hot Wow Baos and perfectly puffed popcorn are near!

Go beyond just becoming your office’s trendsetter, and send your children to school with a Wavebox; arrive at your romantic picnic date with dinner in a Wavebox. Be that cool, tech-savvy parent, that spontaneous and thoughtful boyfriend or girlfriend.

http://www.thewavebox.com/

Scented nail polish, beauty bedding, and intuitive makeup

Revlon's Scented Nail Polish: Five Senses marketing for Revlon? Reported to be launching this month, a new collection of eight richly colored fruit-inspired shades also boasts sweet scents - a pleasant change from the headache-inducing odor that's typically part of a manicure. As the polishes are reminiscent of the brightly colored scented magic markers of our youth, we're pretty excited to try out the Not So Blueberry and Sublime Strawberry as soon as they hit store shelves.

Cosmetic Bedding: Getting your beauty sleep takes on a whole new meaning with these products. A growing number of brands, including Serta, Copalife and SkinGlow, are boasting pillowcases, sheets, and even mattresses embedded with microcapsules of aloe vera and copper to moisturize and calm skin, control acne, and fight wrinkles, while also warding off bacteria and dust. Not sure the truly beauty-obsessed will opt for special bedding over medical procedures, but these products could become another "must-have" in the ongoing quest for the fountain of youth. 

Smashbox Glow products: Mood makeup is making a comeback. While Smashbox's O-Glow and O-Gloss are not new, consumers have been consistently singing their praises. For cheeks and lips respectively, these products are supposed to work with each user's personal skin chemistry, going on clear and changing to a shade that complements each individual's coloring - not to mention the added bonus of vitamins, minerals and nutrients like ginkgo biloba, pomegranate and a Goji Berry-C Complex for extra healthy skin benefits. Though some skepticism of just how "personal" the products are may be warranted, the subtle tints they give definitely create a natural flush that's perfect for summer.

Location-based live music app

Gigotron : One of the leading topics of the SXSW conference was location-based apps that fuse social networking with GPS-capabilities. One of the best examples of such - and a recipient of a SXSW Mobile Award - is this network that relays information about live music in a given area. Gigotron is an exceptional resource for music fans on-the-go, as it not only provides show schedules and details, but is also a unique way to uncover new artists. As interest in location-based services heats up with more people buying GPS-enabled devices, we're interested to see if/how such is incorporated into already popular services such as Facebook and Twitter.

Top 10 Hype-Worthy 2009 Travel Trends

10. Eastern European resort towns

What it is: Defined more by culture than geography, Eastern Europe is generally recognized as the area that encompasses the easternmost part of the European continent. With cultures that vary greatly from those in the West, countries such as Estonia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Poland have long been overlooked as vacation destinations, but with prices much lower than those in big-name tourist hot spots, the allure of Eastern Europe has never been greater.   

Why it will be big in 2009: Provided you’ve never seen the movie Hostel, Eastern Europe is appealing for its seriously cheap, credit crunch-defying thrills. Not only that, but the scenery is generally beautiful, the cultures are usually rich and the nightlife is mostly pumping. Add to that dirt-cheap food and drink, and you’ve found yourself a slice of heaven! Cities such as Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and Tallinn in Estonia are on the rise, with a host of design-driven hotels to stay at and a wealth of intoxicating architecture to take in. 

9. Dependable vacations

What it is: While hot new destinations may have been all the rage last year, this year it’s all about revisiting classic destinations: places you vacationed at as a kid, the city you spent yourhoneymoon in, where you spent Christmas with your folks, that kind of thing. When something becomes routine it no longer becomes fun, but travelers have generally been breaking free and trying new hot spots in the last couple of years. However, as with everything new and exciting, the shine soon fades and your old faithfuls start to seem appealing again. Call it nostalgia travel.

Why it will be big in 2009: As tried-and-tested places, classic destinations -- such as London, New York City and Paris -- will always be a comfortable fallback for travelers wary of experimenting in these uncertain times. With the credit crunch forcing us to tighten our belts, we need to be wary of splurging our resources on places that might not be as good. New places may be fresh, but travelers are starting to remember why their favorite places are what they are. Familiarity is key with this travel trend for 2009.

8. Euro train travel

What it is: It started with the EuroStar (a low-cost, high-speed train that enabled passengers to move effortlessly between cities like London, Paris, Brussels, and Lille) all those years ago. Now, thanks to the credit crunch and carbon footprints forcing people to reconsider the way they travel, trains in Europe have never been so big.

Why it will be big in 2009: Train operators have recognized the need for low-cost, high-speed travel and have introduced more connections between hot-spot cities as a result. By reducing the price of tickets and decreasing journey times, the operators have snagged an emerging sector of tourists who want to experience the conscience-free, old-world glamour of train travel. Companies such as Germany-based Deutsch Bahn AG have made the best possible use of this emerging form of travel, offering luxury night trains that provide passengers unreserved luxury as they are transported from city to city.

7. W South Beach, Miami, USA

What it is: The Starwood-owned W brand knows a thing or two about luxury hotels, and its newest location is slap-dab in the middle of Miami’s showy South Beach. Built next to the thundering waves of the Atlantic, the W South Beach will have 419 hotel rooms and residence units, an in-house Bliss Spa, on-site Mr. Chow and Serafina restaurants, two infinity pools, and nifty beach access. 

Why it will be big in 2009: Set to compete with the likes of The Delano and The Setai -- which have long held a monopoly in the area -- the W South Beach will offer visitors the same chic interiors, world-class service and movie-star treatment for a little bit less. What’s not to love?

6.Hip cruises

What it is: Cruises have traditionally been vacations for old people who want to die at sea, and because of this stigma they are largely avoided by the young, trendy crowd with money to burn. Not so in 2009, thanks in large part to forward-thinking Celebrity Cruises’ super-stylish Solstice. The first in a fleet of five, Solstice ups the glamour stakes with a futuristic, 1,400-seat restaurant complete with a 2,000-bottle wine tower and an eco-friendly half-acre lawn on the top deck that enables guests to picnic or play croquet.

Why it will be big in 2009: Cruises always seem like a good idea, but young people are fed up of nostalgia-filled boats that would rather pretend they were still in an different era than cater to contemporary customers’ needs. Style will become an important part of cruising in 2009, with more chic interior design, more relevant stop-offs and more luxury choices on board. 

5.Washington, D.C., USA

What it is: Forget frivolous trips to Los Angeles and New York; the U.S. destination for 2009 is Washington, D.C. The capital of the United States, Washington, D.C., is bordered on one side by Virginia and by Maryland on the other, and is where the undisputed action is at this year. Having garnered unprecedented publicity thanks to the presidential elections in 2008 -- even more so when the Barack Obama was inaugurated as the world’s first black American president -- Washington’s hospitality is at its very best right now, with hotels aplenty and sights galore. 

Why it will be big in 2009: You wouldn’t think it to look at it, but Washington, D.C., is actually one of the world’s great budget cities. Now that the millions of visitors have left following the inauguration, city-breakers can enjoy all the bargains it has to offer in peace and quiet. Almost all major attractions in the city are free -- including the National History Museum and the National Zoo -- while great deals can be snagged on hotels looking to fill their rooms when businessmen leave on weekends.

4. Travel packages

What it is: Travel packages may be a thing of the ‘90s, but with the recession threatening to crack into everyone’s piggy banks, they’re making something of a triumphant comeback. Dining, leisure activities and cocktail hour can soon get out of control at pay-as-you-go resorts, so the best option for 2009 certainly points toward the package deal.

Why it will be big in 2009: While they may have a tacky reputation, travel packages are the best way to vacation through the recession. The rational behind this is that travelers want to know exactly what they’re going to be spending when they holiday, without the added financial pressure of mounting bills and hidden costs.

3. Jumeirah HanTang Xintiandi, Shanghai

What it is: Named Shanghai’s “Most Anticipated Hotel” by a panel of travel industry insiders, the Jumeirah HanTang Xintiandi is being built by the same Dubai-based team that erected the world-famous, sail-boat-shaped Burj Al Arab. The hotel is located in the up-and-coming area of Xintiandi and has been designed by New York architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox with Japanese interior design firm Super Potato (no, we’re not kidding).

Why it will be big in 2009: With more and more Western visitors opting to go East for their vacations, it makes sense to pump funds into a luxury hotel at this increasingly popular destination. As you’d expect from Jumeirah Resorts & Hotels, the property will host every creature comfort well-heeled visitors will need during their stay, including 309 gorgeously designed rooms and suites, an on-site Talise Wellness Spa, a purpose-built wedding pavilion, a destination restaurant and bar, a retail and entertainment complex, stylish office space, and high-end residential complexes -- all under one beautiful roof.

2. Budoni, Sardinia

What it is: A stunning resort town on the Italian island of Sardinia, Budoni has been tagged by the official 2009 TripAdvisor Survey as 2009’s hottest destination -- and they’re not just talking about the gorgeous Mediterranean climate. Found on the northeastern coast of the island, 106 miles from the capital of Cagliari, Budoni has miles upon miles of pristine white beaches, shimmering turquoise-colored waters, picture-postcard landscapes, and exquisite new hotels and resorts. Indeed, it’s not hard to see why this holiday hot spot will be the No. 1 place to be in the next 12 months.

Why it will be big in 2009: While we’d all like to jet off to the Caribbean at the drop of a hat, rising prices in destinations that have been popular for quite some time make it near-impossible to visit islands like Barbados in style. That’s where Budoni comes in; having only just come up on the radar, the town offers its visitors the same beaches and luxury hotels found in the Caribbean at a third of the price. In this economy, who can argue with that?

1. Shoestring vacations

What it is: With the recession well and truly underway, we just don’t have the funding for luxury travel like we used to. But that’s not to say we still can’t enjoy a jet-set lifestyle. In response to the crumbling economy, five-star hotels are offering sumptuous suites at cut rates, restaurants have created “recession menus” and airlines are selling even more discounted flights to long-haul destinations than usual. And for those of you who’ve seen The Holiday, you’ll know that house exchanges -- a low-cost alternative to expensive accommodation -- are on the up.
 
Why it will be big in 2009: When society no longer has any money, life’s little luxuries are the first to go out the window. Unfortunately, that includes travel. Enabling travelers to get from point A to point B on a shoestring budget is the only way to ensure that the travel industry stays afloat.

http://www.askmen.com/top_10/travel/top-10-hype-worthy-2009-travel-trends.html