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Cayago's Seabob

In terms of the superpowers we’d choose if given the chance, for many of us, flying like a bird is at the top of the list. And although many attempts have been made to realize that dream—think wearable wings and winged bicycles—for now, we’ll have to make do with airplanes, balloons, parachutes, and the myriad other inventions that somewhat simulate the act. If you prefer water rather than air, however, German company Cayago is realizing a dream for those of us who’d rather swim like a fish with the launch of its ocean-skimming personal water sports vehicle SEABOB. The chargeable, motorized SEABOB, which resembles a bobsled, allows users to cruise along and beneath the water’s surface at exciting speeds—up to 12.43 m.p.h. atop the water and up to 8.7 m.p.h. under it—without the interference of an intertube, raft, or other flotation device between themselves and the cool, clear sea. Hooked yet? Contact Fort Lauderdale’s National Marine Suppliers, the sole authorized dealer/service provider of SEABOB vehicles and accessories in North America. MSRP for Cayago’s SEABOB F7 starts at approximately $16,629. Visit seabobamerica.com for additional models and information.

The Envy: Kef Blade Loudspeaker

KEF’s newest speaker, the KEF Blade, combines precise sound imaging with elegant design. It offers the highest quality sound reproduction available through KEF’s Single Apparent Source technology, which ensures that the entire frequency range radiates from one point in space. The result? Sound that is virtually indistinguishable from a live performance. It looks great, too. The cabinet’s graceful curves are enclosed in an exceptionally rigid and heavy cabinet made from polished glass reinforced composite. the details: Available in Gloss White and Gloss Black, but will be available in custom colors ranging from Garnet to Pale Gold. $29,999. —S.O.

Get Beach Ready with Coastal Towels

Lounge seaside on the most luxurious beach towels under the sun. By, Kara Renee Hagerman

Your sun-swept getaway should be all about indulgence. So along with the chic swimwear and cover-up, designer shades, and great beach read, add a luxurious towel to your list of must-have trip essentials. When you’re relaxing by the water’s side, cocktail in hand, not just any terrycloth towel will do. These stylish options are plush enough—some in 100-percent Egyptian or Turkish cotton—to keep you oh-so-comfortable, and yet they make a bold statement with geometric prints and vibrant, captivating colors. Your day in the sun just got brighter. Lulu DK Matouk beach towels, $95 each, Pioneer Linens, West Palm Beach, 800-207-5463, pioneerlinens.com.

Editor’s PicksTwo more perfect beach accessories.

1Paul Smith stripe-trim beach towel, $145, Saks Fifth Avenue. 2Paul Smith multi-stripe beach towel, $145, Saks Fifth Avenue.

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Stave Puzzles

The Envy: Stave Puzzles

Even brilliant beach days can be punctuated by an unexpected rain shower or wind that makes sitting on the sand unappealing. Stave Puzzles are perfect for just such an occasion. Stave’s handmade wooden jigsaw puzzles are popular among cerebral celebs like Bill Gates, Queen Elizabeth II, and even former First Lady Barbara Bush. Insiders at Stave say that some A-listers own more than $100,000 worth of the puzzles and that some have even built additions to their homes to house their Stave collections. the details: Stave’s newest puzzle, Atlantis, is rated a 4-bolt trick design; in other words, the company’s “Chief Tormentor” has incorporated numerous dastardly devices to challenge and entertain its would-be conquerors. The limited-edition seven-layer puzzle comprises 400 pieces and is available for $4,500.

Backyard Putting Green

An outdoor putting green makes honing your game as easy as walking out your back door. By F.E. Exley

Swing Time: A green by Southwest Greens of Boston

Golf is a game that takes practice—and time. But what if there were a way to lower your score while spending more time with the family and increasing the value of your home?

There is: Install a backyard putting green. Most greens today are made from nylon and polyethylene fibers, which produce a near facsimile to real grass. Many also eliminate the need for sand fill, which allows the putting greens to maintain longevity and consistent performance with little upkeep.

In fact, a leaf blower is about all you’ll need, says Doug Preston, owner of Southwest Greens of Boston. Though most of today’s putting greens are fashioned out of synthetic turf, there still is a real grass feel. “You can actually hit shots into it, and the ball checks up just like a real putting surface,” Preston says.

Preston’s company, which charges around $17 per square foot laid down (backyard putting greens can range from 500 to 3,000 square feet, the latter about the size of a typical golf course green), also landscapes the periphery of the putting green with fringe, chipping areas, and even sand traps. Actual undulation is also incorporated into the green, making it a true putting experience. “A backyard green can turn a double-digit handicapper into a single-digit player; no problem,” Preston says.

Josh Powers owns Advanced Syntec in Santa Paula, California. Before digging out his clients’ yards, Powers brandishes a can of spray paint and, with the client, outlines the green—even X-ing out where the holes will go. “I actually have my clients putt on the dirt to help visualize it,” he says.

Invariably, most designers say that the best trait of an outdoor putting green is the maintenance—or lack thereof. Once the green is finished (most can be installed within a week), the only real landscaping tools needed are a leaf blower and a broom.

Drainage is also a snap; most putting greens are built on porous bases, so water runs right through. “These greens are built to be used all year long, in any weather condition,” Preston says.

When working with a putting green designer, collaboration is important to ensure results. That means staking out the area and measuring distances to make sure there’s enough room for chips and pitches, says Robert Pressman, a principal with TGP Inc. Landscape Architecture (tgpinc.net) in Encino, California. Pressman recently added a backyard putting green to his own home and recommends that greens be constructed in irregular shapes with elevations. “It allows for long and short putts and more difficult ones, too,” he says.

The Golden Putter

Golden Putter

Ping, Odyssey, Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, Scotty Cameron: all are prestigious putter brands made of quality craftsmanship, but wouldn’t it be something to play with a putter made of gold? It is. The Golden Putter from Barth & Sons is one of Germany’s most coveted exports and the ultimate gift for the avid golfer. Each is handmade and features 24-carat hard-gold plating in the putter head, shaft, and inlay, the latter of which can also be adorned with Swarovski crystals. Buyers can choose normal leather or unbleached salmon leather grips. The putter, which can be personalized with the golfer’s name, comes in a handmade case and arrives 18 days after the ordering. From $2,600.

Necky Kayaks’ “Eliza Composite with Rudder”

If you love getting out on the water solo, few things can beat the feeling of plying along its surface in a sleek ocean kayak, whether cutting through waves or gliding on glass. Perhaps no maker of kayaks understands that notion better than does Necky Kayaks, whose Maine-made products are sleek, solid, and simple, and beautiful to boot. Among Necky’s newest offerings is the Eliza Composite kayak with rudder, named after an island in Washington State’s San Juan Islands. The Eliza’s compact cockpit holds its passenger firmly in place, giving its captain a sense of security and control. Additionally, its balance of maneuverability and reduced drag allows for some fierce speed cred on the water. The 15-foot-long kayak’s cockpit was designed specifically to work compatibly with a small- to medium-size female frame, although one Necky insider says he’s paddled the model personally and felt the Eliza composite with rudder knows no gender barriers. So ladies, take your mark. And men, if you’re really that macho, check out Necky’s website for plenty more models and options. But fair warning: There won’t be anyone to blame but yourself when you get left in the ladies’ wake. Eliza Composite with rudder, available in fiberglass ($2,549.99) or carbon ($4,299.99). —L.L.

Prime Find: Turntables

Spin cycle, the Walker Proscenium Black Diamond III

A good sound system is essential for throwing the perfect pool party, but if you want to truly impress your guests, leave your iPod in your beach bag and blast those summer anthems from the Walker Proscenium Black Diamond III turntable. A follow-up to Walker’s wildly popular Proscenium Black Diamond II turntable, widely considered one of the best in the world, the Black Diamond III boasts a number of subtle differences that make for dramatically improved sound. Clients with a penchant for tech talk will appreciate that the Black Diamond III employs lower pressure in its turntable air suspension chambers—they support the weight of the turntable and isolate it from the equipment rack—as a means of extending the life of its air chamber pods. What that means for you is an LP sound that is astonishingly crisp, clear, and, say Walker insiders, “real.” Oh, and did we mention how gorgeous it is? The Proscenium Black Diamond III will remain a conversation starter in your home long after the party ends. An added bonus: For a more personal approach, the designers of the turntable will come to your location to set up the turntable and fine-tune your entire music system. $89,995 (shipping not included). —L.L.

Editor’s Picks: Three more turntables to sate a well-tuned ear.

1 Onedof Turntable, $150,000. 2 Crosley Songwriter CD Recorder, $399. 3 Denon DP-300F fully automatic turntable, $329.99

In Style Carry Ons

A compact Max Mirani carry-on keeps your travel wardrobe organized.

For even the most seasoned jetsetters, packing for a long-awaited weekend getaway can be an intimidating task. There’s over- and underpacking to worry about, not to mention making sure you’ve brought along sufficient separates and accessories to create plenty of formal and casual looks. And then there are the shoes… But once you’ve completed the painstaking process of editing your wardrobe down to just the essentials, there’s that inevitable feeling of disorganization that remains just before zipping it all in—think beach cover-ups layered upon sundresses upon tennis whites upon shorts upon tees upon linen trousers upon bikinis, and so on. In order to help globetrotting clients travel easily and with the organizational advantages of a closet in mind, the folks at Max Mirani have designed the MOVE Mobile Closet, a sleek little carry-on that comes complete with separate compartments to keep everything in its place. Plus, the lining of the Mobile Closet zips out to create a separate bag. With everything organized and within easy reach, you can check in, skip the unpacking, and head straight to that long-dreamed-about beach. Max Mirani MOVE Mobile Closet, $450 —L.L.

Editor’s Picks: Three more sleek carry-ons

1 Crumpler Dry Red No. 11, $320. 2 Ducati Evoluzione International Carry-On, $545. 3 Tumi Vapor International Carry-On, $495.

Styles for Your Ocean Home

A custom wood floor by John Yarema

Customized wood floors create breathtaking artistic statements

In an age when anything is possible in the world of home décor, customized wood floors have taken on new proportions in size and scope. From the bedroom to the ballroom, customized patterns and geometric shapes—in addition to hand-hewn, gorgeously rendered images—adorn this most unlikely of palettes more than ever before in residences around the country.

“Wood flooring has numerous benefits over other flooring options,” says Michael Martin, CEO of the National Wood Flooring Association (nwfa.org). “When properly maintained, wood floors will last in excess of 100 years, so they offer significant value. When making improvements, it’s important to do things right.”

Some benefits of wood flooring include better indoor air quality (it stores carbon); that it requires less water and energy usage to produce; and that it remains a renewable resource. It is also one of the most attractive and perennially stylish floor types.

“We get calls from around the world; I’ll take whatever they’ve proposed and make it work,” says John Yarema, a designer and installer of custom wood flooring. “Approximately 90 percent of our work is pattern work; the other 10 percent is pictorial or imagery inlay. We’re doing a lot of historical [inlays] right now.” Designs in demand can range from flowers to patterns to continents. “If it’s geometric, we always make it by hand to maintain the organic look and feel,” says Yarema. “If it’s got a lot of repeatable pieces, [we] make it with CNC equipment (a laser cutter that will cut repeatable patterns) for consistency.”

Coloring is an important factor in any custom wood floor design. “We’ve used 80 to 90 types of woods,” Yarema says. “We try to be careful about the woods we use and do a lot of reclaiming.” For special designs, Yarema’s team might utilize copper, glass, and aluminum to trim the wood designs. “We oxidize our woods and metals to mellow the color.”

AXO Lighting

While projects can take several weeks, Yarema says the result is worth it. “…When it is hand-done, it looks beautiful and not kitschy,” he says. “Machines can’t do organic customized shapes and images. You have to keep the human influence in it.”

Light as Air Astound guests with this handmade stainless steel mirror-and-glass chandelier of dazzling proportions. Crafted by the Faenza, Italy-based design duo Letizia Mammini and Valeria Candido for AXO Lighting, the six-and-a-half-foot-long masterpiece is ideal for higher ceilings, achieving both modern and understated flair while reflecting perfectly the designers’ goal: “clear use of creativity and inspiration to create stunning lighting replete with value and emotion.” Emotion indeed, and $21,970 is a relatively small price to pay for home décor happiness.

Luxury Outdoor Showers

The outdoor shower moves from utilitarian to work of art. By Perry Patois

Outdoor showers are a means for ridding the grit that clings to kids and adults alike after a day at the beach, but today, they are as much an artistic statement as a cleaning mechanism.

Christopher Grubb should know. As president of Beverly Hills-based Arch-Interiors Design Group (archinteriors.com), he’s designed and built an array of outdoor showers, mostly for homes in and near Malibu. For him, the outdoor shower is more than just a tool. “I like to make it stand out,” he says. “It should be a focal point.”

One of his latest projects (above) emphasizes the outdoor shower as part of a backyard escape. The glass mosaic-tiled shower is positioned vertically to emphasize the height, and the tiles sparkle in the light of an adjacent fire pit.

“It was all about, ‘How do we bring this into the landscape as a piece of art that is also functional?’” says Grubb, who is also fond of adding attractive drain covers (he recommends California Faucets—calfaucets.com), which, he says, take on a jewel-like form. “It blends in and becomes a whole nature experience.”

Outdoor showers are usually considered part of the architecture of a house; however, for oceanfront homes, Grubb recommends blending the shower into the outdoor landscape. Grubb, who prefers freestanding showers to wall-mounted versions, uses woods—from teak to redwood—to accomplish the effect.

Options for outdoor showers are also becoming more luxurious. While handhelds and foot washes are conventional, Grubb has started adding rainshower heads and body jets. “It’s like a full spa experience,” he says.

Aqua Adagio and Arc Column

The outdoor shower has become so must-have that many manufacturers are unveiling specific lines. Jaclo (jaclo.com), based in Cranford, New Jersey, manufactures high-end and stylized shower systems and accessories and offers a line of outdoor shower columns through its spa collection (inset). Its freestanding Arch Column and Aqua Adagio are 100 percent stainless steel, which looks sharp and is a bulwark against the outdoor elements.

“Because the surface area of polished stainless steel is smooth, it’s hard to penetrate with outdoor elements,” says Jaclo’s Tim Mullally. He adds that polished stainless steel is the best material to use to keep outdoor shower fixtures looking young and new, though some designers employ copper to achieve a natural patina over time.

Outdoor showers are already part of the environment, but being green is still important. Jaclo’s showerheads can deliver water as low as 1.75 gallons per minute. “Because you can never save enough water,” Mullally says.

The Get: Jaclo’s Aqua Adagio and Arc Column What do you get when you fuse minimalist design with high-end technology? Jaclo’s product line of freestanding outdoor showers, Aqua Adagio and Arc Column. The New Jersey-based company has outfitted showers at such hotels as Las Vegas’s MGM SkyLofts and New York’s Essex House and Parker Meridian hotels, so it knows its stuff. The pair of outdoor showers, part of Jaclo’s Spa Collection, are made from brushed or polished stainless steel and, when not in use, double as outdoor sculptures. Aqua Adagio has a waterfall and aerated foot-wash function, while Arc (left) has a rainshower spray function along with the aerated foot-wash function. Both are equipped with side mount controls. 800-852-3906.

Sea-Doo’s Limited iS 260

BRP’s Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS 260 If you’re aching to hit the open ocean and feel the wind on your face and in your hair, you’re in luck. Sea-Doo in December 2011 released its most luxe model to date, the GTX Limited iS 260—available in U.S. markets now—a chic black, white, and gold design that’ll have you zipping across the waves and whitecaps as freely as a seabird. The new model of Sea-Doo’s universally known personal watercrafts boasts limited-edition features, including a plush and comfy touring seat, a custom cover, Speed Tie, depth finder, and safety kit. Adding to the ease of the PWC’s use is a bevvy of iControl technologies, plus a fully intelligent Suspension (iS)—it automatically adjusts to the riding conditions—which makes for the ultimate in smooth rides. All this, plus an incredibly powerful engine that adds to the thrill of your aquatic adventure. Sea-Doo’s PWCs are the only personal watercraft on the market with the iBR, or Intelligent Brake and Reverse technologies, meaning you can use the braking system to ensure safety. Up to three passengers, including the lucky operator, can ride atop the water on the GTX Limited iS 260, so prepare to start handing out (joy) rides. MSRP starts at $16,899.

Gaming for Golf Guru’s

Golden Tee Home Gaming System Gamers and golf buffs alike can now challenge rivals to a round of golf in their own homes with the Golden Tee 2012 Home Edition gaming system, which counts the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Bears’ Brian Urlacher among its fans. The game’s sleek, 39-inch-high cabinet connects easily to an existing HDTV. When you’re done playing, simply unplug it and slide it out of the way. The fully equipped Home Edition comes with 35 courses, including five new ones for 2012. Players can completely customize their game, from players (male and female) to club sets and balls. the details: From $3,295.

Points and Perks of Hotel Devotion

Being devoted can lead to a royal treatment

When it comes to hotels, devotion pays in points and perks.

To lure and maintain customers, hotels are developing or upping the stakes of guest recognition programs. Similar to frequent-flyer programs, hotel loyalty programs are intricate and disparate when it comes to determining elite levels, earning points, and redeeming rewards. But the bottom line is the same: Loyalty pays off, and often in a big way. Free upgrades, bonus miles, welcome amenities, and 4 p.m. checkouts are just the beginning.

Thankfully, these programs are no longer just for large chains; independents, boutiques, and even exclusive high-end hotels are getting in on the act.

First-timers. Even if you don’t ever plan to reach elite status, many free-to-join loyalty programs offer entry-level perks. Basic members of Kimpton’s InTouch program get free Internet access and two minibar items, while Fairmont President’s Club members receive free Internet, local calls, health club access, and spa discounts.

Elite Climbers. Naturally, the more nights you bank, the better the benefits. Achieving the highest elite level facilitates incredible suite upgrades (based on availability), bonus points, and the use of dedicated concierges. Hyatt Diamond status in the Hyatt Passport Gold program or Starwood Platinum status in the Starwood Preferred Guest program arrives after 25 unique stays or 50 total nights (note: Starwood counts free stays toward elite status). Other programs like Marriott Rewards require 75 nights for Platinum status.

Newbies. In the past 18 months, a number of hotels have jumped on the loyalty program bandwagon. The Ritz-Carlton launched a reward program last year, offering 10 points per U.S. dollar spent, redeemable for bespoke experiences and complimentary stays. Some smaller upscale hotel companies, like Kempinski, Omni, Leela, and Anantara, have joined forces through the reward-yielding Global Hotel Alliance, while a number of independents have united through Voila Hotel Rewards.

Alternative Devotees. While companies like Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, and One&Only have resisted adopting specific guest-recognition programs, American Express Platinum members can experience elite-style perks by booking through the credit card’s Fine Hotels and Resorts website. AmEx Platinum offers hundreds of dollars in free benefits for members, including daily breakfast, late checkout, room upgrades, and an additional amenity, such as a spa or general resort credit.

Golf Must-Haves

Bushnell Hybrid Laser GPS

If you have a penchant for golf, you need sharp instincts on the course to outfox the competition, and a combination laser rangefinder-GPS will give you that edge for judging distances. Equipped with 16,000 preloaded North American courses and auto course recognition, this lightweight and compact rangefinder will fast become your closest golfing partner. For golfing accuracy, the GPS feature shows the distance to the front, center, and back of the green, even when the flags are obstructed by foliage. Planning your next shot is simple with auto hole advance and options to set four custom points per hole to avoid traps. The rangefinder boasts pinseeker technology, which is used by more than 90 percent of PGA professionals, and can zero in on the flag with a plus- or minus-one-yard accuracy. By holding down the power button, it locks in on the flag and suggests the distance you need to cover while eliminating background jumble. When two flags are found, it conveniently reveals the closer flag on the LCD display. To avoid sandy situations, the technology can pinpoint the distance to a tree or bunker. Likewise, the scanning option allows one to pan across the course with an updated display of the distances between golfer and targets. An invaluable targeting mode measures the slope within plus- or minus-one-degree of angle, with the compensated range based on type of club and ball trajectory. Shot distance mode can present the distance of your last swing for a perfectly precise game. The gadget features a five-time magnification for easy viewing of targets. Here’s hoping for that hole in one. Bushnell Hybrid Laser GPS, $499. —Rebecca Kensil

Garmin Approach S1 North America

Editor’s Picks Four more GPS tools to take to the course.

1 Garmin Approach S1 North America, $249.99. 2 Sky Caddie SGXw, $399.95 . 3 Golf Buddy World Platinum, $349.99. 4 Izzo SWAMI 3000, $99.99.

Coastal Items by Vagabond House

Octopus Champagne Glass, $64

The Holiday season is the time to show off your best stemware and Vagabond House has you covered if you want to own the must-see items of the year.

Parties, gatherings, and celebrations of all sorts are key elements to the Holiday season. It’s a time when everyone dresses their best, eats decadent food, and enjoys the continuous company of family and friends. Not only does living on the coast allow hosts to indulge in a different type of cuisine, but it also allows them to incorporate coastal features into their party items. This season, if you are attending any coastal Holiday parties and you’re looking to give the perfect host gift, or you simply want items for your own celebration, than Vagabond House has got you covered.

With items that look as if they came off the set of Pirates of the Caribbean, Vagabond House has some of the most luxurious kitchen items that will set the perfect theme for any coastal party.

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High-Tech Cufflinks

High-tech cufflinks that will keep you well connected on your world travels

Bring the quick wit and tech–savvy style of James Bond to meetings on your sleeve with Ravi Ratan Oval USB Cufflinks. Beyond the playful thrill of feeling like an undercover agent during a business lunch, these cufflinks are as efficient as they are elegant. So, leave your cluttered USB keychain at home; instead, in one quick motion, you can slide the USB’s sleek exterior off your tailored and pressed sleeve and plug in. With 2GB of space on each USB, these handy devices offer ample storage space. Engrave the cufflinks if you want to create a personal message—or the perfect gift. To further the options for personaliztion, several styles of the cufflinks are offered, from the patterned Woven Silver or Antique Gold Oval to the smooth Gunmetal or Silver Oval. Suit up, and stay connected. Ravi Rattan Oval 4GB USB Flash Drive Cufflinks, $225 per pair.

Jan Leslie Sports Watch Cufflinks

Editor’s Picks Four more cufflinks with a stylish punch.
1 Tateossian 750 18-carat Gold Cord Button Round Cufflinks with mother of pearl; £2,400.
2 Rotenier Sterling Silver Bearing cufflinks set with London blue topaz (rhodium plated), $695.
3 Jan Leslie Sports Watch Cufflinks, stainless steel, $400.
4 Scott Kay Small Square Cufflink with Frame and 18K center, Unkaged collection, $1,500.

Ask an Expert

A new trend has top travel writers developing one-of-a-kind trips for savvy globetrotters

Thirty years ago, the wanderlust-stricken had to rely on unfamiliar travel agents to organize sojourns to faraway places. Then, the tide turned to relying on guidebooks for trip planning. Soon after, the Internet became the undisputed source for all travel knowledge. Now, a new paradigm in travel planning allows the public to approach authors from their favorite travel magazines, blogs, guidebooks, and websites to plan their next epic journey. According to Prasanna Krishnan, general manager of Jetsetter.com’s Personal Travel Planning Service, connecting zealous travelers with some of America’s most prolific travel writers has taken the art and experience of travel to an entirely new level.

Trusted voices. With the explosion of user-generated content online, travelers have difficulty trusting the opinions and statements saturating the web. In terms of imagery, Photoshop has made even three-star properties look luxurious. Krishnan says that Jetsetter.com’s network of bona fide travel writers offers unbiased “first-hand, in-depth knowledge of destinations by individuals who have lived there and who have written about these places for top publications.”

Travel matchmaking. Pairing the client with the correct expert is a key element of this new travel planning service. While travelers can pick their experts from online bios, Krishnan’s travel-planning teams are usually the ones playing travel cupid. “Based on [clients’] initial descriptions and desires, our teams connect them with the best expert for their trip. [Clients] can then pull from the expert’s [knowledge] to help shape their trip[s] in an interactive way,” he says.

Personalization. Clients using this service consult with their travel experts one-on-one via phone and/or email. Krishnan says these consultations often play out like sessions of “travel therapy.” Through this dialogue, “experts take the time upfront to understand the tastes and personalities they are working with; and they personalize an itinerary based on that. It’s not simply a data dump of everything a traveler can do in a city.”

Expectations. This personalized service does everything, from planning trips around the world to matching newlyweds with the best honeymoon destination to organizing daily island-hopping trips in the Caribbean. Krishnan says that clients can expect “a personalized itinerary filled with bespoke hotel and dining recommendations, solid logistical information, hidden gems, and insider tips. Once the expert has helped clients finalize their itinerary, a booking specialist helps execute the plan by making all the hotel reservations.”

Prime Find: Heated Lounge Chair

Heated lounge chairs mean you can laze by the pool on even rare chilly beach days

After a dip in the heated pool, you can keep the chill away with Bradford’s heated lounge chairs. With only 30 minutes to heat to the requested temperature, these lounge seats are essential for the outdoor pool deck and especially useful for the coldest and darkest nights of the season. The heating system keeps the temperature at a toasty 102°F, but a hidden thermostat control can amp the heat up to a steamy 104°F for who love being in the hot seat. (The two options for the internal heat source are 120 or 240 volts.) The chairs give the user a self–indulgent spa experience that can be installed in their own divine domain or summer estate. For music lovers, there are no visible speakers, but this furniture can play music from your iPod with the sensation of the tunes encompassed in the warm seat. Optional features include accent lighting, roomy duet seats for couples, and customized tile patterns. The optional lights under the seats can warm up a deck in bright hues. These chairs require little to no maintenance for a breezy and sumptuous lifestyle. Take a seat, because the heat is rising up around these loungers. Prices vary based on customization and installation.

James DeWulf Ping Pong Dining Table

Designer James DeWulf has a celebrity client roster that reads like an A-list party guest list: Oprah, Tom Ford, and Andre Agassi, among others. Chances are, if they don’t already, these stars will soon be owners of The Ping Pong Dining Table, his latest sought-after creation. The table has actual acid-etched lines that will last as long as the table will, and its smooth, buttery surface not only has great bounce, but it’s also easy to clean. But it just may be best to keep the table outside; it’s impervious to moisture, salt air, and freeze-thaw cycles. the details: $7,000.

Tommy Bahama Electric Bike

Cruise in style with the Tommy Bahama Electric Bike

Picture this: You’re biking along the beach, the warm wind whipping at your face. You’ve become so enraptured by your surroundings that, before you know it, you’re miles from home. With any regular bike, you’d be huffing and puffing during the return trip. Not so with Tommy Bahama’s new electric bike, which comes in both classic (for the guys) and step-thru (for the gals) varieties. The lightweight aluminum bike has a manual six-speed style that allows its fortunate riders the ability to navigate various grades while pedaling. But when pedaling becomes laborious, the electric mode kicks in. A rider simply changes over to the lightweight 36-volt lithium battery with the flick of a switch and the twist of the throttle. Top speeds can reach 20 mph, and there is approximately 40 miles per charge, which can fluctuate depending on the rider’s weight and the type of terrain that is traversed. (A charger, which plugs into a standard 110-volt household electric receptacle, comes standard with the bike; it takes just about four hours to fully recharge the battery.) The orange-and-brown bike features signature details like custom padded handgrips, an adjustable contour padded seat, and last, but not least, a bell to let everyone know how you roll. The Tommy Bahama electric bike is available for online purchase and costs $2,675 for either style. Some assembly is required. 866-986-8282.

Cayago’s Seabob & Kef Blade Loudspeaker