The Good Life

5 Delightful Strawberry Cocktails for Warmer Weather

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- Warmer weather means different things to different people. For some, it means it's time to break out the fruity beverages, and with May being National Strawberry Month, bartenders and mixologists across the country have officially joined in the warm weather fun and showcased their coolest strawberry cocktails.

From Jay Z's 40/40 Club in New York City to Barrymore in Las Vegas to True Food Kitchen -- whose menu was crafted by healthy-eating guru Andrew Weil -- everyone has their own spin on how best to enjoy the official fruit of May via an adult beverage.

"In warmer weather people want something that's lighter in body. You don't want big, heavy, high-alcohol or rich drinks," says Rene Hidalgo, bar manager and head bartender at New York City's Lantern's Keep. ...

Food Trends At Their Freshest in San Diego

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:26 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- At first glance, it looked like a slimmed-down version of eggs Benedict. But for dinner?

After one bite, however, I knew my taste buds had landed on one of my favorite new spring dishes in San Diego.

BiCE Ristorante's thinly sliced Ahi Tuna -- served in a delicious stacked arrangement that includes zucchini, warm, creamy shallot sauce, a quail egg and lemon olive oil -- is a light, delicious and a totally original creation for the season from executive chef Mario Cassineri. ...

Media, Not Maple Leafs, Should Be Ashamed

twocents@thestreet.com (Rocco Pendola) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:15 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- I have had more than a day to digest the Toronto Maple Leafs' heartbreaking 5-4 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Monday night.

I'm a Leafs fan. I consider myself borderline diehard.

I was at the final game at Maple Leaf Gardens. I partied beforehand up and down Carlton and Church Streets. I have taken red-eye flights into Toronto on a few Friday/Saturday mornings just to watch Hockey Night in Canada in person. My wife and daughter surprised me when I returned home from a recent trip with a Maple Leafs-themed bathroom. ...

Click to view a price quote on BBRY.

Click to research the Telecommunications industry.

5 Burgers You've Got to Have for National Burger Month

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:23 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- Sometimes it's a little hard to keep up with all the holidays and commemorative occasions we have in this country. It seems there's literally a day, a week or a month dedicated to everyone and everything.

But here's one you won't mind adding to your list: May is National Burger Month. Thirty-one days dedicated to honoring the all-American meal. I had to Google it to believe it, but as it turns out -- yes, it's true. And across the country people are making special burgers in celebration.

To help you partake in the festivities, we've singled out a few of the more expensive, luxurious burgers you might want to sink your teeth into. ...

Ferguson's Retirement to Weigh on Manchester United Shares

twocents@thestreet.com (James Rogers) — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:28 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager in English soccer history, looks set to impact shares of his club, Manchester United, according to Andrew Wilkinson, chief economic strategist at Miller Tabak.

"Something to watch Wednesday is the performance of shares in Manchester United," he wrote, in a note released before market open. "Early indications suggest a 2% decline."

Ferguson recently guided United to a record 20th English league title and the 71-year old Scot has amassed 38 trophies during his 26 years at the helm of the famous club. ...

Click to view a price quote on MANU.

Click to research the Consumer Durables industry.

Orb Wins Kentucky Derby Mudfest

twocents@thestreet.com (TheStreet Staff) — Sat, 04 May 2013 23:59 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (TheStreet) -- Orb won the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby Saturday on a wet track that left horses and jockeys splashed with mud.

A 3-year-old bay colt, Orb paid $12.80 on a $2 bet to win.

It was the first Kentucky Derby victory for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, 62, who has chalked up nine Breeders' Cup wins, and for the Phipps family, which has a long history in the sport. ...

'Investing' in Knicks vs. Heat: NBA Eastern Conference Finals

twocents@thestreet.com (Marilen Cawad) — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:30 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Juan Ruiz, a 30-year-old NBA fan, is betting on a New York Knicks-Miami Heat showdown in the Eastern Conference finals. With less than a month till game one, Ruiz has wagered $1,655 to see the two teams meet at Madison Square Garden .

Believing that he will not have a shot at limited tickets through Ticketmaster when matchups are decided, Ruiz decided to buy a pair of 100-level tickets for the contingent game through reseller StubHub, an eBay company. Excluding fees, each ticket cost him $750.

If the Knicks don't make it to the finals, StubHub will give him a full refund. But if they do, and ticket prices skyrocket closer to game one, Ruiz said he would consider reselling his tickets. ...

Click to view a price quote on MSG.

Click to research the Media industry.

With Tattos and Sake, Andaz Hotels Bring Back the Salon

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- The setting: upscale, trendy. Think dark velvet couches and chairs, dim lighting, a boutique hotel in San Diego's Gaslamp District.

The crowd: definitely hipsters. Of all ages.

The event: On this evening it's a Napa Valley Winery representative standing before a crowd of perhaps 30 people, explaining the colorful history of the winery and its unique product as people enjoy samples and listen quietly. ...

MSG, BCE, RCI and CMCSA in TheStreet's NHL Playoff Edition

twocents@thestreet.com (Rocco Pendola) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:45 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- For more than a year, I have touted the virtues of big media stocks, particularly the ones with the strongest sports presences. Now, it's go time. It all comes together for three of the major players -- and top performers -- of the last year.

MSG data by YCharts

Madison Square Garden . Rogers Communications . And BCE, Inc. (formerly Bell Canada). Also see: Baseball: Cheapest Professional Sport in the Land >> ...

Click to view a price quote on MSG.

Click to research the Media industry.

New York Jets Cut Tim Tebow

twocents@thestreet.com (Chris Ciaccia) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:33 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- After months of speculation, it's finally happened: The New York Jets have released quarterback Tim Tebow.

First reported by New York Post writer Brian Costello on Twitter, it's been a long, winding and expensive road for the beleaguered quarterback from the University of Florida.

Tebow become a national sensation while leading the Denver Broncos into the playoffs and was traded to the Jets last off-season. ESPN had daily updates on Tebow during Jets' training camp, focusing particularly on his relationship with starting QB Mark Sanchez. Tebow and Sanchez repeatedly insisted that their relationship was fine, though there were reports to the contrary from other sources. ESPN is a subsidiary of Walt Disney . ...

How Routehappy Factors Happiness Into the Price of an Airplane Ticket

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- Quick quiz: Which airline has the best showers on its planes for first-class passengers?

Yes, showers. Also see: 5 Worst Cities for Cheapskates

And while you're at it: Which airline offers first-class travelers a culinary institute-trained personal chef, double-sized bathrooms, satin sheets, Italian leather seats, Swarovski amenity kits for the ladies and leather cufflink boxes for the gents? ...

How 2 Teens' Luxury Retreats Conquered the Travel World

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- As Jazz Poulin talks about plans to expand by 50 destinations in the coming year and revenues of $100 million, it's hard to believe Luxury Retreats is a company started by a 17-year-old.

Yes, a 17-year-old. Working out of his bedroom. At his dad's house.

And when young Joe Poulin needed a little help running his luxury vacation rental business, he turned to the person in the next bedroom -- his older brother Jazz, who was 19 at the time. Also see: 3 Tricks Cavemen Used to Get First-Class Seats ...

The Digital Skeptic: Shirley Jones is No Fan of Apple (or Any Technology)

twocents@thestreet.com (Jonathan Blum) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:00 GMT

NEW YORK -- Apple may be gearing up production at its Chinese vendor FoxConn. Or offering new discounts on iPhones. But Shirley Jones is not impressed.

"I have some things from Brookstone, maybe a Nokia ," Jones told me during a serendipitous 15-minute chat at a New York media event. "I don't have a Facebook page. I know how it works, but technology does not interest me. I'd rather be out skiing."

Jones was signing autographs, making chatter and bringing some much needed luster -- she looked fabulous, by the way -- to a tech vendor event here on New York's west side. That's the nitty-gritty of what we geek analysts do: show up and troll through large rooms full of company representatives, showing off the latest devices from the likes of Samsung, Lenovo and Blackberry . About 150 journalists and analysts came out this night looking for news. Of which, trust me, there was not much of. ...

Click to view a price quote on AMZN.

Click to research the Retail industry.

Watch the Bruins Honor Boston Marathon Victims, First Responders

twocents@thestreet.com (Rocco Pendola) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:47 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Wednesday night at TD Garden the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres took part in the first major sporting event in Boston since Monday's marathon bombings. Amid heightened security at the rink, fans watched a short video honoring the victims, followed by an emotional rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

After the game, the Bruins and Sabres met at center ice for a stick salute to the Boston crowd. Typically, only the home team takes part in this tradition, but, during warmups, Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and Buffalo's Thomas Vanek conferred setting up the classy post-game display.

Buffalo beat Boston 3-2 in a shootout. ...

Bleacher Report Co-Founder Aggressively Chasing Women

twocents@thestreet.com (Rocco Pendola) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:23 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Bryan Goldberg is a rich man. He's hardly shy about it, headlining a recent pandodaily piece, "I'm starting another content company and I plan to make a fortune." In that article, Goldberg said it's not a matter of if, but when and he can't wait until launch because this next venture is "going to make me rich(er)."

Goldberg will follow up the success of Bleacher Report, recently sold to Time Warner , with a multimedia publication that caters to women.

He wouldn't say much beyond that. Goldberg continues to build a team that he thinks will produce content that resonates with the ladies. The big names -- Glamour, Cosmo, Playgirl (I threw that last one in) -- just aren't cutting it. ...

Click to view a price quote on TWX.

Click to research the Media industry.

Kulikowski: Boston Bombing Tests Corporate Sponsorships

twocents@thestreet.com (Laurie Kulikowski) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:20 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Are corporate sponsorships of big sporting events still worth it?

While federal authorities and the city of Boston still figure out exactly what happened at the Boston Marathon on Monday in which two explosions left three people dead and more than 100 injured, one has to wonder -- even in the early days -- is it worth it to be a backer of a big event when a major tragedy like this hits?

The bombing, which is now officially being treated as an "act of terrorism" by the Obama Administration, isn't exactly the kind of press a corporate sponsor wants at an event it's backing. ...

Click to view a price quote on SAM.

Click to research the Food & Beverage industry.

Elite Female MBAs More Likely to Give It Up for Kids

twocents@thestreet.com (Brian O'Connell) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:00 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Newly minted MBA recipients can likely expect a busy, financially rewarding career, albeit one filled with long hours at the office.

That is, unless you're a women with an MBA from an elite university. In that case, there's a good chance you'll pull back on any aggressive career path, at least compared with women earning MBAs from "less selective" colleges and universities.

That's the conclusion drawn from a Vanderbilt University study managed by economics professor Joni Hersch that says women earning MBAs from the nation's best schools are more likely to stay home and raise children than other women in the workforce. Overall, 60% of female graduates from so-called elite schools work full time, compared with 68% from other colleges and universities. ...

Tax Changes Aren't Changing the Rich, Survey Finds

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:10 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- Some of the biggest worries about the future among the country's affluent are the price of gas, the impact of Obamacare and having enough money to retire comfortably, according to a recently released survey, Through the Looking Glass.

Conducted by Bob Shullman, former president of Ipsos Mendelsohn and creator of the Mendelsohn Affluent Barometer, the survey was developed to capture luxury and affluent attitudes by income level, age and gender. Also see: Cramer Greets the 21st Century: Uber

As it turns out, Shullman says the survey's major takeaway is that there is substantial variation in attitudes when looked at through those prisms. ...

Click to view a price quote on AMZN.

Click to research the Retail industry.

Your Silicon Valley Mansion Is Priced to Sell

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:00 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- With 20 rooms filled with historic materials and artifacts from San Francisco mansions and European palaces, as well as a pool, guest house and six-car garage, Villa Lauriston isn't exactly a fixer-upper.

But it is priced to sell. Also see: Cramer Greets the 21st Century: StopDrunkTexting

"The owner wants it sold by the end of the month," says Guy Masters, the property's independent auction consultant. "And that's what we're going to do." ...

The Masters Needs a Silicon Valley Ace

twocents@thestreet.com (Joe Deaux) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:54 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The Masters golf tournament teed off Thursday morning as Dow Jones Industrial Average components Exxon Mobil , AT&T and IBM adorned exclusive billing as the major championship's only sponsors.

But in a 12-month period during which the stubbornly traditional Augusta National Golf Club invited its first two female members into the exclusive club and awarded its coveted green jacket to a golfer who started a campaign to use hovercraft golf carts (and plays a pink driver for charity), it still doesn't have a sponsor from the tech-heavy Nasdaq.

As the Masters tournament slowly attempts to change its image as a private men's club into a more progressive institution, it should consider adding sponsorship that goes beyond an oil company and the centenarians of the telecom and tech sectors, all of which trade on the second oldest U.S. market index. Also see: Baseball: Cheapest Professional Sport in the Land >> ...

Click to view a price quote on AAPL.

Click to research the Consumer Durables industry.

5 Worst Cities for Cheapskates

twocents@thestreet.com (Jerry Kronenberg) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:00 GMT

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- If the idea of paying $2,500 a month for apartment rent or $60 for a salon haircut gives you chest pains, here's a look at five U.S. cities to stay away from.

"These are all glamour spots -- people have to make a value judgment that it's worth the cost to live there," says Dean Frutiger of the Council for Community and Economic Research, which recently analyzed some 300 U.S. locales for its sixth-annual Cost of Living Index.

CCER studied each community's average price for a weighted basket of 56 goods and services, from potato chips to dental appointments. ...

Click to view a price quote on Z.

Click to research the Diversified Services industry.

5 Custom Trips You'll Never Stop Talking About

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- Almost anyone can book an upscale package vacation and call it a luxury trip, but when was the last time you flew around the world on a private jet, visiting 10 destinations that included spending a night camping with mahouts and learning how to care for elephants? Or woke at 5 a.m. to go shopping at Japan's largest fish market with one of the country's top sushi chefs, then learned how to turn your shopping into sushi?

"We have a concierge who can make anything happen," says Carrie Cameron, account director for worldwide sales at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Cameron is referring to the custom possibilities that can be part of the Four Seasons "Around the World" trip -- a 23-day vacation the luxury hotel chain began offering in September. Also see: Trends in Luxury Spending ...

Real Estate Ads of the Rich and Famous

twocents@thestreet.com (Jerry Kronenberg) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:00 GMT

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- Get ready to pay big bucks if you want a home with a "parlor floor," "public rooms" or other amenities you'd typically only find in properties profiled in Architectural Digest.

"Most of us have 'public rooms' in our homes, but we don't bother to call them that because our places aren't big enough to have public and private wings," says Jed Kolko of real estate site Trulia.com, which recently analyzed some 7.5 million listings to identify terms most associated with high- and low-priced homes. Also see: Is it OK for Mom and Dad to Pay for Your Cell Phone?

Trulia found that phrases included in the costliest listings generally fall into three categories: Superlatives. These include terms such as "magnificent estate" or "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Superpremium amenities.Some phrases refer to features found only in the most-expensive properties. For example, huge mansions will often have "motor courts" -- large garage-and-driveway areas that can accommodate large fleets of cars. Similarly, you'll typically only find parlor floors -- the ornate second stories of fancy townhouses -- in top-of-the-line urban brownstones. Swank brand names.These terms refer to amenities or building materials rarely found in anything other than uber-costly homes. For instance, "Lutron lighting" is an upscale system that allows you to control your home's lights from anywhere in the world using a smartphone or tablet device. Also see: Cramer Greets the 21st Century: Airbnb ...

Click to view a price quote on TRLA.

Click to research the Internet industry.

High-Tech in High Style: The Smartwatch Is Here

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- It's what all the cool kids in Europe are wearing.

Before long it'll be on the wrists of all the trendsetters in the United States too -- at least, that's the goal, says Lucca Bertollo, sales and marketing manager for the i'm Watch.

"Our aim is to reach fashion and technology people -- to make it a status symbol for people like the iPod was," says Bertollo during a recent call from the company's offices in Milan, Italy, where he's in the midst of planning worldwide distribution strategy for this must-have. "It's for people who want to have something different than other people." ...

The Digital Skeptic: Making Millions From $1,000 Earphones

twocents@thestreet.com (Jonathan Blum) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:15 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- When the man who figured out how to sell $1,000 earbuds offers me business advice, call me crazy, but I listen.

"It's the experience -- you work for a long, long time to get that as reasonably perfect as you can," Axel Grell told me a few months back. "Then, from there, you can begin."

Grell knows a thing or two about perfection. He's the product manager for high-end audio at premium German audio equipment giant Sennheiser. That makes him the brains and guts behind some of the most awesome headphones on the planet. ...

5 Best Corvettes in History

twocents@thestreet.com (Jerry Kronenberg) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:00 GMT

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvette, and the folks at auto-buying site Edmunds.com recently honored the iconic sports car's birthday by naming the greatest Corvettes ever produced.

"The Corvette has always been one of the fastest cars you can buy, yet it costs less than the Jaguars and Ferraris that can run with it," Edmunds Editor-in-Chief Scott Oldham says. "It offers a lot of performance per dollar and it's sexy looking -- that's been its formula for success for the past 60 years."

Oldham says he and a panel of other Edmunds editors and outside experts picked the best 'Vettes ever by focusing on models that moved the auto industry forward. ...

Click to view a price quote on GM.

Click to research the Automotive industry.

Bentley Mulsanne Mobile Office Is a Commute You Never Want to End

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:26 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- If you're the type of busy person who's always wished your car could serve as a luxurious office space on the go -- complete with Wi-Fi Internet access, iPad workstations and keyboards -- consider the Bentley.

At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley unveiled its Mulsanne Executive Interior Concept car, which gives new meaning to mobile office. Designed to be a mobile business headquarters for the busy, high-powered executive, the Mulsanne's Executive Interior package includes twin tables that deploy electronically from the rear of the front seats, providing a hide-trimmed writing surface. At the touch of a button, those writing surfaces lift to reveal a dedicated iPad space and keyboard. There's also twin, eight-inch LCD screens in the rear-facing headrests, a 20GB hard drive, a DVD player and two sets of Bluetooth headphones. ...

With Black Diamonds and Platinum, These Glasses Are a Vision

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- Some artists use paint. Others use clay.

But Bernie Oberlender, of Oberle Opticians, uses black diamonds, white diamonds, platinum and gold.

And his canvas is the frame of your sunglasses or eyeglasses. ...

The $375 Car Shampoo: Bespoke In a Crystal Decanter

twocents@thestreet.com (Mia Taylor) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO (TheStreet) -- That new-car smell only lasts so long.

Luckily, Mitchell and King have come up with something just as satisfying. The Scottish company has just started selling what they're calling the world's most expensive car shampoo.

Dubbed "SPA -- Bespoke," Mitchell and King's $375 car shampoo is made to order and delivered in an engraved crystal decanter. Yes, crystal. Because if there's a Ferrari or Bentley in the garage, a plastic bottle of car shampoo would be very out of place -- in fact, John Johnstone, Mitchell and King's owner, says he developed the decanter at the request of a client who did not want a plastic bottle in his garage. ...

The Digital Skeptic: Why We Have to Love This Total Loser

twocents@thestreet.com (Jonathan Blum) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:00 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Alessandro Di Benedetto just finished last in the race of his life. Not merely last, but dead last, more than 5,000 miles behind the winners as they sailed into fame and glory. He was wet, alone and injured, slogging along with piddly, outmoded technology.

Which by rights, In our dog-eat-dog digital age, should make Di Benedetto a role model to exactly nobody, and most certainly not a bankable metaphor investors can use to suss out value in a complex marketplace that can be as unforgiving as the cold Antarctic seas.

But, over the past few months I -- and millions of others -- have followed this Franco-Italian's exploits via his on-board Web clips, emailed messages and wacky French media coverage as he circled the globe in a long-distance sailing race called the Vendee Globe. ...