The Queen’s Tabasco

To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, William & Son has teamed up with fellow Royal Warrant holder, TABASCO® Pepper Sauce . 600,000 limited edition sauce packs have been decked out in red, white and blue and offer the chance to win a one carat round brilliant diamond, set by William & Son and worth £15,000, with every purchase. They will be on-shelf at leading supermarkets and independents across the UK from the beginning of May and will be available for 6 weeks, throughout the Jubilee celebrations. Open your bottle carefully, and if it has a special white insert under the cap you’re the lucky winner.

http://www.williamandson.com/flagship-store/news-and-events

Downton Abbey

It’s due.  I had no idea how much of a frenzy this show has actually caused, both in the United Kingdom, as well as here in the U.S.  Through means I can’t admit to, I’ve already seen the entire 2nd season before it even wrapped in Britain yesterday, and it doesn’t start here until January 8th.

I’ve sent emails to the show’s producers.  I appreciate their attention to quality over quantity, but honestly, EIGHT episodes is all we get until NEXT fall?  They obviously don’t understand the sterling silver crack they’ve served us and have subsequently created numerous addicts.  Fortunately, a 3rd season is already in pre-production, and they’ve even snagged Joanna Lumley for a cameo or two.

 

Here is the official site:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/

 

Here is the full 45 minute Q&A with some of the show’s cast while promoting the 2nd season in NYC a few weeks ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SsP_Rw8FA9A

 

Here is the website for Highclere Castle, the “other” Downton Abbey star:

http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/

 

Also required are two GREAT British Comic Relief parodies featuring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5dMlXentLw&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3YYo_5rxFE&feature=relmfu

 

This is Asprey’s website, in case you’re in the market for lovely things:

http://www.asprey.com/index.php?reg=ame

 

 

The Complete James Bond Collection by Asprey & Co.

For ONE James Bond enthusiast, and no one else.  Asprey’s bookbinding department got their hands on a complete set of 1st edition James Bond novels, rebound them in leather and added platinum-gilt pages.  Yours for 21,000 Pounds, or about $33,600 give or take.  🙂

http://www.asprey.com/assets/pdf/catalogues/Asprey_Catalogue_LR.pdf

The Ultimate Piggy Bank

Leave it to Asprey & Co. to go WAY overboard on a sterling silver piggy bank, which is a functioning safe, as well.  This is apparently the small model, clocking in at 5.12″ square, and is yours for a mere $11,600.

Money Bank Combination Safe, Small | Asprey.

The iPad Hits Rodeo Drive

You knew it would happen.  The iPad cover from Rodeo Drive.  Everyone’s jumped on the bandwagon with their offerings.  Some are quite nice, some are quite expensive.  It’s no surprise that Hermes would find a way to produce the costliest calfskin cover on the market, coming in at $1,400.  Meanwhile, Coach, of all places, seems to have turned out the nicest zip-around case with a briefcase-style handle for the bargain price of $198.  Enjoy.

http://www.asprey.com/cat/leather/small-leather-goods/ipad-sleeve-red/959/

http://www.bottegaveneta.com/default/search?q=ipad

http://www.chanel.com/fashion/11-quilted-lambskin-ipad-clutch-with-chanel-signature-zipper-3,1,1,28#11-quilted-lambskin-ipad-clutch-with-chanel-signature-zipper-3,1,1,28

http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/-men_accessories-10551-10051-18908-en?t1Id=82&t2Id=18908&tier=2&LOC=LN

http://www.hartmann.com/shop/productDetail-sku-753-W

http://usa.hermes.com/p_hightech-ipad-station_ipad-case_leather_86258_176537_176537_127555_127525_10202_10052_-1?pageIndex=&color_square=&currentColorId=&nbItem=0&ddkey=CategoryDisplay

http://www.gucci.com/us/styles/256575AF66N1060#

http://www.barneys.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BNY-Site/default/Search-Show?q=valextra+ipad&x=0&y=0

http://www.bagsnob.com/2010/05/louis_vuitton_ipad_case.html

The Bond Briefcase. James Bond.

Leave it to Asprey to come up with an attache that would give the TSA fits.  It’s fittingly-named after James Bond.  Actually, that’s likely crap.  It’s probably just a reference to their Bond Street flagship.

Bond Attache, Black | Asprey.

Chicken Leg Salt Pot | Asprey

The next time I need a saucy salt and pepper shaker in sterling and vermeil to whip out on some crap airline, I think this is the clear winner:

Chicken Leg Salt Pot | Asprey.

The Asprey Dolphin Rocker

The next time little Tiffany starts bragging about her hobby horse, you can tell her to take it to the glue factory.  🙂

The Asprey Dolphin Rocker | Asprey.

The Investec Derby Trophy by Asprey of Bond Street

Is it a trophy or a horribly expensive ashtray?

The Investec Derby Trophy | Asprey.