Bacon’s Self-Portrait $33 Million

Damien Hirst splashed out $33 million at Sotheby's on a 14in by 12in self-portrait by Francis Bacon – easily a record for a small painting by Bacon , Telegraph reports

Council approves Donald Trump's plan to build luxurious golf courses

A local council in Scotland approved Donald Trump's plans to build "the world's greatest golf course" on a stretch of remote and stunning Scottish coastline that is home to some of the country's rarest birds, IHT reports


The billionaire property developer wants to turn sand dunes at the Menie Estate, 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Aberdeen, into a 1 billion pound (€1.4 billion, US$2.1 billion) golf resort complete with two 18-hole courses, a luxurious 450-bedroom hotel, 950 vacation homes, 36 golf villas and 500 upscale homes costing from 400,000 pounds (€557,000, US$827,000) to more than 1 million pounds (€1.4 million, US$2.1 million) each.

Christian Lacroix Beaded detail bubble dress

Priced at $4,185.00, Christian Lacroix's Beaded detail bubble dress is a great dress for the holiday season. The taupe tulip sleeve bubble hem dress with beaded detail at empire line features a slash neckline, a padded hemline, two side slit pockets, wide pleats on front and back and a zip at the back to fasten.

Playboy's First Cartoon To Be Auctioned Off

The very first cartoon ever to appear in Playboy #1 (otherwise known as the "Marilyn Monroe issue") is being auctioned off. This eye-opener was showcased in the December 1953 issue, on page 9. Its creator, Ben Denison, was an accomplished artist who produced scores of sizzling illustrations for Playboy during the magazine's critical, formative years.

The tasteful, yet provocative humor of this sultry scene captured the look and attitudes of the 1950's to a T -- in short, it was a perfect fit for the successful editorial formula of the magazine. This historic cartoon was also published in 1970's The Playboy Cartoon Album #1, a collection of Playboy's most famous cartoons. Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000.

Simona Luculano's Flexible Distance

Simona Luculano has designed a beautiful washer that not only conforms to low power and water consumption, but serves as a decorative centerpiece.

Flexible Distance was developed for Ye Xiao Dong as winners of the “Lavatrice Cinese Made In Milan” competition.

The touch controls are located on the outer ring of the washer, and an LCD screen is embedded into the lid for easy monitoring of washing progress.

$5M Holiday DreamCard from Halcyon Jets

Halcyon Jets Holdings, Inc. or "Halcyon" , a premier provider of on-demand private charter aircraft services,
will offer a $5M gift card for those who want to share the gift of convenience aboard a private jet.

The $5M Holiday DreamCard from Halcyon Jets may be used for one-way trips or round-trip travel, and it may be used for a single flight or multiple trips. For more information, or to purchase a Holiday DreamCard, please call 212.616 JETS or visit www.halcyonjets.com

Lacoste designs a Maclaren

Maclaren is collaborating with Lacoste for a Lacoste branded Maclaren. The $400 special-edition ensemble features the classic green crocodile logo and a coordinating baby Lacoste outfit consisting of a cotton polo shirt and pique knit sun hat. The stroller weighs 14.8 lbs, comes with front/wheel suspension, and is covered in mini green crocs. It will be available online at www.lacoste.com, as well as in the Fifth Avenue Lacoste boutique, Fashion Week Daily reports.

Barrett-Jackson to Auction Ultra-Rare 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II Sport Coupe in Scottsdale

One of only 19 total 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II’s bodied as a coupe, and one of only two completed by Hooper & Company, will be sold at No Reserve during the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on Jan. 12-20, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz. The fixed-head, two-passenger sport coupe (Lot #1312) will cross the block during SPEED’s live primetime coverage on Saturday evening. Hailed as “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™,” the Scottsdale auction will feature 1000 of the world’s finest collector vehicles and lavish lifestyle events. As always, SPEED will broadcast live-coverage of all six auction days.


The black and Tudor Gray Phantom II was special-ordered in December 1934 through R.P. Collyer, Ltd., in Montreal, Canada’s lone Rolls Royce dealer.