You can always rely on Gucci for a stunning fall collection, and 2009-2010 is no different.

Styled by Italian Frida Giannini she’s added some of her infamous edge for this season’s collection.

Last falls collection proved to be pretty revolutionary for Gucci so it was asking too much for this season to be as forward thinking. But it still has a certain amount of flair about it.

Gucci is all about classic lines and luxurious finishes, added to that this season we have leather, sequins and some absolutely gorgeous fabrics.

Famous as much for its ad campaigns as for its collections; this year’s campaign hardly disappoints, featuring the models Anja Rubik, Natasha Poly, the gorgeous Raquel Zimmermann, Myf Shepherd, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Jacquetta Wheeler, Dree Hemingway and Benoni Loos.

Nothing makes a room more homey than a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers. But let’s face it they can be more trouble than they’re worth. Petals dropping on the floor and they have a horrible habit of dying on you.

But there’s an answer, buy yourself a silk floral arrangement. A good quality silk floral arrangement has the same effect as a fresh arrangement, but there’s no cleaning up to do and they won’t drop dead on you.

There’s another advantage too, especially if you or a member of your family suffers from allergies like hay fever, because silk floral arrangements are hypoallergenic, they contain no allergens like pollen to get up your nose.

Although the initial cost is quite high compared to fresh flowers, they work out much cheaper in the long run. But the hassle they save you in time and effort far outweighs the initial cost anyway.

For the best results I recommend placing them as a feature in the hall. This way when you come through the front door after a hard day at work they make a nice warm welcoming feature.

A great tip is to buy a few arrangements and place them around the house, and then every so often change them all around to give a fresh look. If you keep the same arrangement in a room for a few months you’ll get used to them and they’ll lose that dramatic effect you were initially looking for.

Remember the eighties; I bet you never thought you’d be seeing them again.

But surprise! They’re back; it was only a matter of time before the shoulder pad made a return.  

And it’s not just shoulder pads that are making a comeback, hot pink is back too. So if you fancy reliving your youth this is the season you can get away with it.

Now don’t get too exited the pads aren’t as pronounced as they were, just a little more subtle. So you won’t be able to walk around like Alexis Carrington, not in public anyway.

No eighties outfit is complete without thigh length boots so naturally they’re hot this season too, but how to wear them, tight or loose?

Need to keep warm; those lovely long dark overcoats are still strong. Not in real fur obviously. They’ll need to be long because the dresses are short.

Why is it when it gets cold the dresses get shorter? There’s an adorable selection of short dresses available this fall, most of them with a trendy long sleeve.

So short dress, long sleeve, thigh length boots, all in hot pink. This fall is going to be anything but dull.

Leaving home for the first time for college can be a nerve racking experience. But one thing that can help you settle in is making your dorm room a little more homely.

We can all remember that first look at our dorm rooms; mine was like a glorified prison cell. Now you can jazz it up a bit with posters and family photos, but it won’t really feel like home. If only you could paint the walls, beige is such a cold and uninspiring colour.

There is however one thing you can do that’ll make all the difference. Because nothing makes a room more inviting than a great big soft sheepskin rug.

And the best part is you don’t have to worry about matching it with those lovely beige walls. Because when it comes to sheepskin rugs you can have any colour you like, so long as it’s white.

For the ultimate in luxury, position it by the bed. Now when you get up in the morning your feet won’t touch the cold hard floor, they’ll sink into that lovely warm soft wool.

So jazz up your cell a little and make it feel more like home sweet home.

We all have a favorite vodka, for me it has to be Grey Goose®. Because its smooth taste is totally unique, a product of the way it’s manufactured with fine French grains and rye, using spring water from the Cognac region of France. No other vodka is made this way and no other Vodka tastes this way.

So if you’re a Grey Goose® virgin I’ve listed my favorite’s recipes bellow. I’ve even given you a little guide on how to make them.

1. Blue Rox’s Martini recipe

What you’ll need

1 1/4 oz Grey Goose® vodka
1 1/4 oz Hpnotiq® liqueur
1 splash Brut® Champagne

Pour the Grey Goose vodka and Hpnotiq liqueur into a cocktail shaker 1/4 filled with ice cubes. Shake well and pour into a martini glass. Top with a generous splash of champagne, and serve.

2. Bohemian Martini recipe

What you’ll need

1 1/2 oz Grey Goose® vodka
1 1/2 oz anisette

Add to martini shaker with cracked ice and shake hard. Strain into glass and garnish with a licorice stick.

3. Chocolate Carmel Martini recipe

What you’ll need

1 1/2 oz Grey Goose® vodka
1 1/2 oz Bailey’s® Irish cream
3 oz Kahlua® coffee liqueur
3 oz Godiva® chocolate liqueur

Mix ingredients in mixing cup with ice. Shake, pour into chilled cocktail glass, and enjoy.

4. Italian Stallion Martini recipe

What you’ll need

2 oz Grey Goose® vodka
1 oz Amaretto Di Saronno® liqueur
1 oz Licor 43® liqueur
1 twist lemon peel

5. Perfect Lemon Drop Martini recipe

What you’ll need

1 1/2 oz Grey Goose® vodka
1/2 oz triple sec
1 tsp superfine sugar
3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

Mix the Grey Goose vodka, triple sec, sugar and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice cubes. Shake well to make sure sugar is blended. Pour strained liquor into a sugar-rimmed martini glass and garnish with a twisted peel of lemon.

For that added sparkle here how to create a sugar-rimmed glass, take a lemon wedge and rub the drinking surface of the glass so it is barely moist. Dip the edge of the glass into sugar.

The nights are rolling in and there’s a distinct chill in the air. Winter is coming and you’re starting to miss those balmy summer evenings, its time to find some winter sun. Whilst the Caribbean is always a popular choice at this time of year, you want to find something a little closer to home.

Well never fear Cabo San Lucas is here, situated on the southern tip of the Baja peninsula in Mexico, this high end holiday destination has everything the discerning traveler could wish for. From beautiful boutique hotels to championship golf courses and of course the most amazing mix of water sports to be found anywhere in the world. Cabo San Lucas is the ultimate destination for those looking for outdoor adventure.

If its nightlife you’re after you’re spoiled for choice here too. Cabo San Lucas is one of the hottest party towns around, there’s no shortage of clubs along the waterfront to choose from all of them full of party goers until the early hours.

But it’s not all sun, sea and sangria there’s so much more to Cabo Can Lucas than that. Take a trip out in one of the many boats in the harbor for a spot of sport fishing. Cabo St Lucas is one of the finest sport fishing spots in the world. Anglers come from far and wide to experience the fishing here.

But even if you’ve never been fishing before, let me tell you the excitement of reeling in a huge Marlin as pulls against the line is an experience not to be missed. And it’s a great photo opportunity to show the folks back home, rod in one hand shark in the other.

For a short break Cabo San Lucas is hard to beat. Just over an hours flight from LA, you can be there in no time. Once there you’ll be spoiled for choice for things to do. So forget the Caribbean, its so last season, head to Cabo San Lucas instead.

Need to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, why not head on down to the beach. Nothing warms the soul better than watching the waves rolling up and down the golden sand, cocktail in one hand book in the other. National Geographic Traveller recently listed the top beaches in the US. So let’s take a look at what makes them so special. 

Miami Beach, Florida

This is one beach that needs no introduction. Quite possibly the most photographed beach in the world, 7.1 miles of glorious golden sand and beautiful bronzed bodies. But any beach is only as good as its amenity’s, and Miami doesn’t disappoint here either. There are rows and rows of shops and restaurants, good enough to satisfy even the most sophisticated of tastes.

My favourite part of the beach has to be the Art Deco district. Make your way along ocean drive between 5th and 15th street and you’ll see some of the finest examples of 1930s art deco architecture anywhere in the world. These beautifully restored buildings are an Art Deco National Historic District, the only such site in North America.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, SC has over 60 miles of beautiful soft sandy beach, and it needs to have because over 14 million Americans visit here each year. No wonder it’s so popular, there’s an endless choice of hotels, restaurants, shops and golf courses to keep even the most active of travellers amused.

Panama City, Florida

It seems Florida has more than it’s fair share of beautiful beaches. Panama City, Fl offers 27 miles of sugar white sandy beach. A little less hectic than Miami Beach, holiday makers come here to enjoy the many activities available both on and under the water. Some of the best snorkelling sites off the US mainland are to be found here.

Waikiki, Hawaii

The list just simply wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Hawaii. Waikiki beach is famous the world over for its golden sand and foaming surf. It’s the shortest beach in our list just 2.1 miles long, but what it lacks in length it more than makes up for with excitement. Waikiki is home to some of the best surfing in world. So if its action you’re looking for this is the place to come.

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Tucked away in the azure blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, St. Thomas on the US Virgin Islands is a beach of astounding beauty. This island is a perennial stop for the worlds cruise liners and it’s easy to see why. Take a stroll along the beach at dusk as the palm trees sway gently in the wind, watch the sky turn amber as the sun sinks gently beneath the waves.

St. Thomas is also a water lover’s paradise, if you stayed for two weeks you couldn’t exhaust the number of different water sports available, from snorkelling to kite surfing, fishing to parasailing its all here.

Lighting can transform the character of a room, but be careful it’s easy to get it wrong. Too harsh and you’ll find it difficult to relax, too dark and you’ll strain your eyes trying to read.

A great way to create a deep and moody atmosphere in a room is to add a pair of sexy table lamps. Just right for those cold winter evenings, turn the lights down low, grab a glass of wine and relax in front of an open fire.

Table lamps come in many different shapes and designs from arabesque to fleur-de-lis; so it’s easy to find one that suits the décor of your room.

Place them on end tables near the centre of the room to create a stylish and sophisticated look, just like the penthouse at the four seasons.

Your table lamps should create a warm glow when you turn the ceiling lights low, giving you just enough light to settle down and relax after a long hard day in the office.

It’s important to choose carefully when choosing table lamps; they’ll be one of the main focal points in your room. So buying cheaply just wont do, the trouble with cheap table lamps is that, well there’s no other way of saying it, they look cheap.

So invest in a quality lamp, and revel in luxury as you settle down, glass in hand to watch sex in the city, whilst bathed in a soft warm glow from a beautifully constructed shade. Life just doesn’t get any better than that.

No trip to Paris is complete without a trip down the Champs Elysées, this beautiful tree lined avenue runs through the very heart of Paris. There are a seemingly endless number of big label shops, each tempting you with delights from within.

You could pop into D&G for the latest in uptown chic, Cartier are there too, the diamonds in its store front glistening like drops of morning dew, and just across the street, Louis Vuitton, you’ll need to visit here to buy extra bags to carry it all home in.

But the main thoroughfare is only part of the story. Head across the Place de la Concorde and just around the corner, you’ll find a delightful little street, the Rue Royale. This is where the stylish Parisian lady shops, beautiful little boutiques are to be found here. Inside you’ll find some stunning contemporary lines that are just not available on this side of the pond. Talk about being unique, every woman should visit this street once in her life.

And yet you still want for more, head west off Rue Royale onto Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, this is home to the exclusive couture houses of Chanel, Dior and Hermès, perfect if you like a more tailored look.

Perhaps you want something a little trendier, head on over to the left bank. Here you’ll find the chic Bon Marché department store. Then head on around to Eglise St-Sulpice and St-Germain-des-Prés where you’ll find some more delightful boutiques, this time offering some trendier styles than you’ll find on Rue Royale.

A trip to Paris is after all the perfect shopping indulgence.

Whether you are in search of a ‘Day-Spa’ in Switzerland or a ‘Stay Spa’, we feel as though we have found the most magnificent of what Switzerland has to offer in Spas, period.

Le Mirador, an exclusive Resort Hotel, and Spa is among the most celebrated spas of Switzerland. Locals have told us that if you visit no other luxury spa in Switzerland, you must visit Le Mirador!

Having been said that this is an absolute must stay among Switzerland’s finest grand-luxe resorts; Le Mirador is an oasis of tranquility, surrounded by all of the beauty that nature has to offer. The atmosphere throughout Le Mirador is that of a chic country manor — a jewel-inspired treasure house of nothing, but pure luxury, comfort, and gourmet cuisine.

Spa Chakra Grand Hotel Park is a magnificent choice if you are seeking a luxury spa experience in Switzerland. Spa Chakra is a holistic health center offering customized spa and wellness services and chalet-style Swiss aesthetic traditions. From the outside, the meticulously restored facade of this hillside hotel provides a classical welcome reminiscent of the early 20th century. No matte where you are in the hotel or spa, you can enjoy unobstructed and glorious, panoramic views of the Swiss Alps. The spa is designed as an oasis with luxurious features and an unhurried approach to enhancing beauty, health, and wellness.

Likely the most famous of Spas and Resorts in Switzerland as a whole is found in the picturesque town of St. Moritz and has been hailed the landmark of this beautiful terrain. If the beauty of the snow covered Swiss Alps isn’t enough send you running for your luggage, perhaps a day or two at the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel and Resort will in fact be the ‘encouragement’ you need, as Badrutt’s is among the leading hotel and resorts in the entire world; not only is this Spa favored by celebrities worldwide, it is frequented by those same famous people quite often.

The Badrutt’s Spa sits amid the crystal lakes and majestic spires of the Swiss Alps, and employs an incomparable retreat and a breathtaking setting for relaxing your body and soul, while rediscovering the person you always knew you were. The Daniela Steiner Spa and Skin Care System is trusted by the world’s most sophisticated guests for the ultimate in nourishment and rejuvenation. Beauty treatments for the entire body are combined into a single treatment philosophy featuring products blended from the essence of rare botanicals for their superior cleansing, healing and age-defying properties. The Badrutt’s Spa’s offers all guests an onsite health club, aiding in the achievement a healthy spirit and body through a specialized wellness program, which is undoubtedly second to none. A team of highly trained, certified professionals is available for individual fitness programs and nutritional guidance. Upon checking out of Badrutt’s, you will depart with a peace of mind you didn’t know was possible in today’s hectic, non-stop daily living; that alone will make the trip well worth while and perhaps have you coming back for repeat treatments.

Our last stop in Switzerland might seem incomprehensible after seeing what Badrutt’s has to offer; however, it is an incredibly posh spa in its own right. We are taking about Alpenhoff Hotel, in Zermatt, Switzerland. While Alpenhoff doesn’t necessarily prefer to have their facility referred to as a ‘spa’ per se`, it is just that all the same. Alpenhoff provides guest’s with a wellness program, or Spa-for lack of better words that you wouldn’t expect to find in a hotel. The wellness program runs far beyond the boundaries of any traditional spa and implements a healthy lifestyle as a habit, not a choice. Perhaps this is where ‘Swiss Beauty’ is derived?

Relaxation is mandatory and acts as the natural high in the Alpenhoff Spa; this is where you will enjoy massage therapy and indulge on the best that Switzerland has to offer. It is the long running promise of Annelise and Hans Peter Julen, the Alpenhoff owners, to especially take care of the International guest with great regard and daily wellness treatments. They say to ‘indulge’ in wellness is impossible.

If you have never been to Switzerland, traveling for the sake of a great spa is the perfect excuse. Book your luxury travel today with the experts at Upside Living.