It's heeeere.......

It's here... at last!  The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book.  I look forward to this every year.  I've decided to let my fingers do the shopping and pick out a few goodies for the Mister and Me.

Let's start with the Mister.  I have to put him in a good mood so he'll be very generous with me.

Ciclotte

an absolute steal at 

$11,000.00

Approaching the machine, you admire its sleek, sculptural appearance. The large wheel is a nod to the unicycles of the late 1800s, but that's where the design-reminiscing ends. Void of the superfluous bells and whistles that characterize most of today's gym equipment, this piece is a study in the power—and beauty—of simplicity. Good looks aside, its dynamic design is rivaled only by its effortless performance.

Sitting astride your cycle, you adjust the angle of the carbon-fiber handles, choose from one of 12 levels of resistance, engage the pedals, and ride, ride, ride your way to a fitter, healthier you. 

The Mister would love this gawdawful ugly thing.  He loves to work out and nobody in our 'hood has one.  

*****

The Glass House Experience

Practically giving it away at 

$30,000.00

You've always dreamed of calling an architectural icon "home." For the first time ever, you and a very lucky guest get to experience the next best thing: an overnight stay in the New Canaan, Connecticut, weekend residence of world-renowned architect and art patron, Philip Johnson.

The Glass House and its bucolic surroundings are yours to explore upon arrival. Get up-close-and-personal access to the life and style of one of the twentieth century's most revered visionaries as you wander among the 14 architectural structures, study his world-class modern painting and sculpture collection, visit the private library, and stroll through the 49 acres of landscaped grounds.

As evening descends, your dinner guests begin to arrive. Up to ten of your nearest and dearest will join you at Philip Johnson's table for a locally sourced, multicourse culinary experience.

The meal comes to a close, you bid adieu to your guests, and retire to the bedroom with a perfect view of the surrounding forest and the manifestation of Philip Johnson's most beautiful dream.

What a fabulous "Welcome Back to the East Coast" party for me!  Maybe I'll drop a hint to Sista. She likes to throw parties and she wouldn't have to do all the work.

*****

2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

coolness at a small price of 

$344,500.00

Handbuilt in Gaydon, England, your Vanquish Volante sports a 100% carbon fiber shell—the first ever in Aston Martin's history—allowing for a much lighter car with greater torsional and structural rigidity, while enhancing safety, performance, and handling. A new, naturally aspirated 6.0-liter, V-12 engine produces some 565 horsepower and is tuned to deliver 457 pound-feet of torque, available and accessible throughout the rev range to deliver an enhanced performance feel. The engine sends the drive strictly to the rear wheels via a six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission, making acceleration smooth, steady, and, above all, responsive. 

The forecast is promising. Perhaps a spontaneous trip to the shore is in order? You load the bespoke leather luggage into the trunk before sliding behind the wheel. With a turn of the ignition, the throaty engine roars to life. A three-mode Adaptive Damping System allows you to choose the character of your ride. Cruising down the coastline, you wonder what it would be like to put the reported 180-plus mph max speed to the test. Like a certain secret agent, you have a penchant for these beautiful British automobiles—and a taste for adventure.

I can hear the Mister's heavy breathing now just looking at the picture, let alone seeing it in real life.  There is no one in the world who loves midlife crisis sports cars more than the Mister.  

There's one downside though... the small print states only one per customer.  Oh well, I'm sure we'll find something in the book for me.

It's your lucky day, Mister.  
Look what I just found!

Forevermark Ultimate Diamond Experience

when you have the woman of your dreams $ is no issue, 
a mere 

$1,850,000.00

This once-in-a-lifetime adventure starts with a trip to the De Beers headquarters in London. Once there, you'll receive your exceptional diamond in its rough and uncut form, name your diamond, learn about the unique inscription it will receive, and meet the master craftsman who will hand-cut and polish it to perfection. 

A private tour of The Crown Jewels and dinner with De Beers CEO Philippe Mellier and Forevermark CEO Stephen Lussier in the Tower of London follow. Your journey continues on a vessel off Namibia's coast, where your diamond was discovered deep within the ocean floor. You'll then explore rough-diamond sorting houses and a children's community project, where the local population benefits from Forevermark's responsible sourcing of diamonds.

Upon returning to the United States, you'll meet with New York jewelry designer Maria Canale to design the ring that will exhibit your exceptional diamond.


You don't even have to wrap it, Mister!


Hope all your fantasies come true today!