Mansion Life

You want to live fancy? Live in a big mansion? Party in France? Well according to Ms. Spears, you better work!

When I hear someone speak of old money, I envision a grand mansion with a Rolls Royce parked in the driveway. Maybe tennis courts are available on the property where the butler serves brandy on a silver tray? Today's times have replaced that image with the younger generation's hunger for success. The new money suit and tie generation, where new construction homes are flashy and tennis courts have been replaced with billiard rooms for entertaining. You may notice a Mercedes instead of a Rolls in the driveway and a glass of chilled champagne over brandy. Do not give up on horseback riding and croquet just yet. Younger generations have not changed the ritzy lifestyle, they just modified it...

According to the New York Daily News, Kim Kardashian recently sold her five bedroom 4,000 square foot mansion in Beverly Hills to build a custom home with her husband Kanye West. Kim's younger sister Kylie has followed suit and purchased a similar sized property in Calabasas. She spent a reported $2.7 million on the 4,900 square foot beauty. The Kardashian empire has grown in both money and fame over the past few years and their lifestyle reflects it! Miami resident hip hop artists Drake and Rick Ross have also been mansion hopping over the years. Complex.com reports that back in 2012, Drake moved from Miami to California to live in a $9 million dollar 7,000 square foot mansion built for a young money king. In 2013, rapper Rick Ross allowed cameras from MTV to film his luxurious Miami Estate. Rick Ross showed off his 4,700 square foot mansion on MTV Cribs. The estate showcased seven bedrooms and four bathrooms complete with a gorgeous Miami view.

If you would care to live like Tony Montana, his Scarface mansion is available for $30 thousand a month. You can rent the 10,000 square foot piece of cinematic history but you should know that the tiger does not come with the property! One major factor that separates a large house from a mansion is the decor. Homeplans.com offers mansion plans for 5,000 square feet and up. Whether you prefer a classic look or a more modern decor like Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian's 5,199 square foot Colonial-style abode, hiring an interior decorator is always a good idea. So cheers to all my readers who fancy my articles! May all your champagne wishes and caviar dreams come true. See you in the great room next to the piano and self portrait!   

The Chrisleys, The Housewives, The Kardashians Oh My!

Money, fame and wealth have taken over prime time television! 
We most definitely have come a very long way from the millionaire Thurston Howell III on Gilligan's Island and the wealthy Park Avenue business man Mr. Drummond on Different Strokes. Shows like Keeping up with the Kardashians, Chrisley Knows Best and The Real Housewives have brought fancy cars, luxurious homes, and glamorous lifestyles right into our very own living rooms!

In 2007, Ryan Seacrest and Eliot Goldberg created a reality show that would change reality television forever. Keeping up with the Kardashians gave home viewers a look into the lives of the pretty and privileged. The show developed multiple spin offs which to no surprise, became just as successful and also jump started the careers of the youngest sisters Kylie and Kendall. I was personally introduced to Kim, Kourtney and Khloe and found them to be quite lovely in person. I must say that I do enjoy Khloe's ability to keep the show lighthearted and funny even through the toughest of times. If you are an avid reader of my articles, you know Scott Disick (Kourtney's boyfriend) and I share similar interests such as watches, fashion, boats, and luxury cars. His posh personality adds a certain charisma to the ever growing franchise.
Fans are currently sitting on the edge of their seats awaiting the latest spin off, Kourtney and Khloe take The Hamptons! The girls recently opened a new Dash clothing store in the Hamptons located near Ralph Lauren. I recently passed by Dash Miami while I was vacationing there this summer. I was only there for a moment but the store seemed very busy and the location was superb. I couldn't stay long because I was on my way to the Versace Mansion but sadly it had closed early that afternoon. I did however settle for a yacht cruise down the famous Millionaire's Row, but I'm not complaining of course... 

New to the wealth on prime time is a family show titled Chrisley Knows Best. It is a delightful show about family values and success. The father of the show is Todd Chrisley. Todd certainly has a larger than life personality! Although Todd is a millionaire, he keeps his family level headed and in good moral standing. Some may view Todd's personality as a little overprotective but as you watch the show, you can obviously see that his actions are purely out of love. In a recent episode, Todd's son Chase deliberately goes against his father's wishes and sneaks out with his friends. The very next morning, Chase finds a boot placed on the front tire of his Range Rover. It may sound a bit extreme but you do have to admit, it does sound entertaining! You may recall an article I had written some time ago expressing my excitement for the new Mercedes Benz E class. I was inspired to write that piece because Todd purchased that particular automobile in one of the earlier episodes. Of course I ended up buying the Mercedes and I am very pleased thus far. Great marketing you might say.

Who doesn't fancy themselves a little Real Housewives franchise? Year after year we watch in suspense how each family grows in controversy and style. Is it the shiny new Bentley in the driveway that captures our attention? Could it be the many diamond studded Breitling watches that appear throughout the series that lures America to tune in? I believe it just may be the insanity that goes on in every family that makes for good T.V. Either way, there is no question that money and family issues do mix!  



 

Breitling: Time Is Money 

Watches have been a staple of style and wealth long before James Bond hit the big screen sporting a Rolex on his wrist. Rolex has been the successful gentleman's watch for decades. In the past few years, the big face and richness of a Breitling watch have made celebrities and hip hop moguls add this flashy timepiece to their jewlery collection. In 2003, 50 Cent recorded a track with the lyrics, "I'm on the next level, Breitling baguette bezel, benz pedal to the medal, hotter than a tea kettle." In 2013, Rich Homie Quan's radio hit has the lyrics, "That car I'm driving make you feel some type of way. That custom Breitling make you feel some type of way!" For over a decade, this stunning watch has been said to represent the hustler's spirit or the new money title given to up and coming money makers. The two most popular Breitling watches are the Bentley Chronograph and the Chronomat Evolution. The Evolution is easily seen by the sparkle of its 1.20 CTW VVS diamond bezel. At a price of $10,600, you can find both of these watches at your nearest Tourneau store. If you are a connoisseur of the finer things in life, a nice watch will go well with your cigar collection and set of brandy glasses.

Breitling: 50 Cent, Kim Kardashian, Usher, Daniel Craig, Ludacris, John Travolta and David Beckham

Reality Star Cash Flow

Reality television is here to stay! In fact, it has become quite the lucrative business for some not so known celebrities. You may not have heard of Scott Disick (Keeping up with The Kardashians), Teresa Giudice (The Real Housewives of New Jersey) or Tameka "Tiny" Harris (The Family Hustle) before their shows hit prime time. Who doesn't know Lord Disick? Scott Disick is the boyfriend of Kourtney Kardashian and is apart of the Kardashian Empire. If you see a man crossing the streets of Manhattan wearing a Tom Ford suit, a gold Rolex and sporting a designer walking stick it's probably Scott Disick. After his New York City restaurant (Ryu) shut down, Scott got paid for night club and private party appearances. His net worth is reportedly somewhere between $2 and $8 million. Not bad when his job is dating a Kardashian!
Teresa Giudice plays the drama filled housewife that everybody loves and hates! This New Jersey Housewife and her husband Joe found themselves is some hot water this year when they were arrested and charged with 39 accounts of fraud. Teresa spoke in an interview with Star about the upcoming trial. You can find her cookbook in stores now.
"Tiny" is the wife of Atlanta rapper T.I. The Family Hustle is a VH1 reality show about the rapper and his family. The show is similar to MTV's Run's House which ended in 2009. It is a mixture of hip hop and family values. The household has a reported net worth of $43 million. Find out more info at VH1.com