The Macallan is renowned for producing exceptional whisky. Albert Watson is renowned for producing exceptional images.
Experts in their own fields, it’s fitting that they have come together. As expected, the results are…exceptional!
The Albert Watson edition of The Masters of Photography sees Watson and his visual interpretation of the journey of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks, the Speyside single malt.
The images document his journey which began in the forests of Spain and end at The Macallan’s spiritual home in Speyside. A journey of 12 days, covering 600 miles from a romantic viewpoint, following a couple’s road trip and taking in some fabulous landscapes.
The work has now inspired the launch of the first Macallan UK photographic competition 2011. The theme is “Great Journeys” and you are invited to upload your competition winning shots. It could be from travels or a special moment showing a passage of time from one stage to another.
The top ten photographs, as voted for by the public, will then be judged by Albert Watson, who will choose a first, second, third and a highly commended entry.
Read more...
18 Greatest Scottish Golf Holes is up there with the most beautiful golf books ever produced.
The limited first edition, with a run of just 3000 copies is available now from www.18greatestgolf.com .
Having got to grips with this fine tome, I can confirm that the presentation is exquisite. Printed on the finest quality heavyweight paper and presented in a bespoke slipcase, this is a complete treat for all golfing enthusiasts.
The imagery is better! Artist and designer Siobhan Hardy Royer has done an immense job with the illustrations and lay out. The photography is natural, unfiltered and worlds away from much golf photography. New York-based National Geographic contributor John Kernick has delivered some spectatcular shots.
This marvellous book has been produced by 18 Greatest Golf, a new publishing company based in Inverness Scotland and Atlanta Georgia.
18 Greatest Golf are in a great position to publish further titles, with two currently in production - 18 Greatest Irish Golf Holes is released in March and 18 Greatest US Open Golf Holes in October next year.
Craig Morrison and Andrew Ross expertly detail some of Scotland’s most famous holes including Troon’s Postage Stamp and St Andrew’s Road Hole as well as newer courses including Kingsbarns and Castle Stuart.
The book is backed up by many contributors including Colin Montgomerie, the winning Ryder Cup captain:
“The book’s aim is a simple one: to give Scottish golf and its great holes the treatment they deserve. And that aim has been achieved.
“For my part it is great to see Scottish golf presented so sharply, to see with fresh eyes the forgotten wonders of older clubs we sometimes take for granted as well as to see the remarkable style of some of the country’s newest golf courses.”
A superb collection of brilliant images and insightful quotes, a wonderful gift for all Golfing fans. It is available from http://www.18greatestgolf.com (£150)
When a girlfriend calls with a crisis there is only one cure. Cocktails and food. Often followed by more cocktails…
Our choice of venue: Hush. A cool new uber trendy Mayfair bar and restaurant noted for its fabulous cocktail menu and even more fabulous cuisine. Step inside and you’ll find yourself rubbing shoulders with a heady mix of city slickers and stunning fashionistas. Fresh from the office and straight off the catwalk they stumble in thirsty for a great night out. We started upstairs on mix of martinis and daiquiris decorated with real flowers and fresh fruit, simply gorgeous.
Sitting on leather stools sipping our Brazilian ‘Salto emotions’ the world suddenly seemed a rosier, kinder place. The night got even better when we were called to dinner downstairs and seated in their sparkling white dining room that served up delights that included lobster spaghetti, hand cut chips dipped in homemade mayonnaise and whole roasted sea bream. With 70 wines available by the glass we decided to keep it simple and opted for a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio and lots of sparkling water! What at first seemed a mountain/-challenging amount of food seemed to ease with the course of the evening. It all went, we cleaned out plates, mended our wounded hearts and declared Hush a success. Not that it needs our vote, the place was brimming with customers all falling out smug and satisfied into the west end air. Now I know why it’s called Hush, this place is so fantastic you just want to keep it secret…
Parrot Cay in the Turks and Cacos is known as “northern Caribbean’s pre-eminent private island”. This is a destination of ultimate luxury with a suitably surreal dreamscape of pale green / turquoise sea and blinding white sand that goes on for a mile.
Paradise?
Uber designer Donna Karan owns a private estate on Parrot Cay, aka “The Sanctuary”. This family retreat is now an icon of architectural luxury. Donna Karan’s place in paradise…Want to go?
Now You can!
It’s obvious Donna Karan lives here!
Charitybuzz have received the tremendously kind offer from Donna Karan to use this premium property in a charity auction. Proceeds from this auction will help fund the Ellen Hermanson Breast Centre at Southampton Hospital, as well as other activities undertaken by the Ellen Hermanson Foundation.
Ellen Hermanson led the fight against breast cancer, devoting all her time and energy. It is important that the Foundation continues to do her good work.
Together, Donna Karan and luxury charity auction site charitybuzz.com are doing just that. The chance to stay on this Turks and Caicos resort at Parrot Cay is too good to pass up on.
Yep, Paradise.
The four night stay, valued at $40,000, for up to eight people at “The Sanctuary” will include highlights such as the stunning 360 degree views, the awesome infinity pool lined with black volcanic stone or the personal collection of African and Asian art that adorns the white walls. At the time of publishing this article, bidding is at $16,000.
Get Bidding!
To further sway you, listen to Donna Karan talking about Parrot Cay –
“Parrot Cay brings my favourite things in the world together,” Donna Karan told Travel & Leisure Magazine in October 2007. “It’s East meets West. It’s everything and nothing, if I can describe it that way. It’s a hidden treasure—the turquoise water, the white, white sand”.
And such a good, good cause. Bidding is open until Wednesday 8th September at: http://www.charitybuzz.com/categories/7/catalog_items/206167.
Charitybuzz raises funds for nonprofits around the globe through incredible online auctions, giving its bidders exclusive opportunities to make a difference.
I say, the penny farthing has come a long way!
Joking aside, Have you ever seen a more beautiful piece of gym equipment? The Ciclotte is, naturally, Italian designed. Luca Schieppati, one of Milan’s leading designers has created a rare thing – An exercise bike that looks sensational. I’m going to enjoy this exercise bike review.
Ciclotte breaks the mould of exercise design, - which has always related to the functional aspects - in order to target advanced users, dynamic fitness enthusiasts and those that appreciate the art of design; to exercise in style. The best exercise bike ever is being launched at the end of September.
Made with high quality materials including carbon, steel and glass fibres, alongside a unique technology system, Ciclotte represents a new solution for the luxury fitness world; gym-standard training on a machine light enough (121lb) to be moved around the house or office, and stylish enough to put on display!
From a technical point of view, Ciclotte has been designed to reproduce the dynamics and performance of road cycling and is ideal for high intensity aerobic workouts such as spinning. It is also the first exercise bike to use an epicycloid system. This works by generating a concentrated magnetic field using a copper ring which is rotated at a high speed in front of five magnets, – which can be moved back or forwards via the touch screen display to control the strength - producing a high performance effective cycling resistance system. This has to be one of the best exercise equipment available.
The magnetic resistance really does represent a truer version of real cycling. On the techie side, the touch screen enables a simplicity that means the user is instantly aware of how to work this piece of modern art.
An exercise bike! Modern Art?
You can’t disagree though, can you? This is a most splendid addition to any home gym. However, it looks so good, you will probably keep it in the lounge!
This stunning bike has an RRP of £6,800 – available in Carbon, Silver and Purple - and will be launched in the UK at the 100% Design Show from 23-26 September 2010 at Earls Court, London.
For further information, please visit www.ciclotte.com
