Halle Berry puts a $15,000,000 price tag on her walled and gated Los Angeles residence. It was here, the the driveway where Miz Berry's ex-husband and current beau threw it down macho man style the other day.
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1980s New Wave British rocker chick Siobahn Fahey—co-founding member of both Bananarama and Shakespears Sister and the former wife of Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart—dropped nearly two million smackers on a house in the Hollywood Hills so she can spend more time with her two L.A. based sons.
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Former fashion model turned reality t.v. denizen Kelly Bensimon—formerly of The Real Housewives of New York City—finally, after years of unsuccessful efforts, sold her five bedroom cedar shingled house in the East Hampton (NY) for $5,760,000, a lot of money by any standard by a far cry from the twelve million she (reportedly) wanted last summer and the $10,900,000 she (allegedly) wanted in spring 2009.
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Earlier this week some delish scuttlebutt made its way down the celebrity real estate gossip grapevine that, despite recently spending six and some million on a Spanish Colonial mini-mansion in Beverly Hills, Emmy-winning actor Kelsey Grammer wants to move his new family into a swank Holmby Hills mansion he previously shared with his former family. Only thing is, ex-wife Camille Grammer, formerly of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, co-owns the home and she's not so keen on the idea, especially since it's on the market she thinks it'll be harder to sell with Kelsey living there.
But that's not even the good part. Newer reports cite court documents that reveal Mister Grammer wants to move into the Holmby Hills house because his cash flow's a bit pinched since his most recent sitcom, Boss, failed to find any Showbiz traction.
Turns out the carrying costs for the Holmby Hills estate come to a whopping $48,130 per month, half of which gets covered by ex-Missus Grammer who—one imagines—isn't so keen on coughing up 25 grand a month to house Mister Grammer, New Missus Grammer and their infant child.
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Elle Decor takes a glossy look-see into the Los Angeles (CA) home of much published, world renown and unapologetically pretentious nice-gay decorator Martyn Lawrence Bullard and, Lowerhd have mercy children, it's just as grand, graphic, glammy, multi-layered, kaleidoscopically colorful, expensive looking and internationally oriented as anyone who watches the flamboyant and whimsically dapper Mister Bullard on Million Dollar Decorator might well expect.
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Bazillionaire tech tycoon and famously voracious real estate buyer Larry Ellison picks up his tenth house on Carbon Beach, the hoitiest of the toitiest stretch of sand in Malibu. No word on how much he paid yet—transaction records have yet to surface on the interweb—but what is known is that he bought the house from super producer Jerry Bruckheimer and that he already owns the homes on either side of his latest acquisition.
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The contemporary home of the late, conservative and sometimes controversial commentator and political pundit Andrew Breitbart—in the affluent Westwood area of Los Angeles, CA—popped up on the market with a $1,995,000 price tag.
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Tinseltown icon Jack Nicholson put a $595,000 asking price on a now vacant, .4(ish) acre residential parcel high in the Hollywood Hills. Mister Nicholson bought the property in 1975 for just $49,000 and in September 2011 the existing residence—which he leased out—was irretrievably damaged by fire.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Sienna Ray PopUp Launch
Happy Friday lovelies!
Last night I went to the launch of Sienna Ray & Co's PopUp Shop in NYC hosted with the fashion app Snapette. Just in case you are not familiar with the term PopUp Shop, it basically means that it is there temporarily. Sienna Ray is a luxury leather handbag & accessory company that was founded in 2007 by creative director Natalie Kathleen. The diverse collection features a variety of unique designs that can easily transition from a day at the office to a night out on the town. They're sophisticated and chic with a playful touch. I was in handbag heaven! Each bag is beautiful in it's own way. My favorites were the ones with the crocodile print. Truly amaze!
The shop is located at 252 Mott St. NoLita. If you are in the NY area make sure to pop in and check it out before it's too late. It will be open until Christmas Eve and will offer a selection of handbags, clutches, cosmetic cases and other leather goods.
I took this first pic from their Facebook page.
Natalie Kathleen- Founder and Creative Director
Natalie and Natalie :)
Guests at the event were also able to get complimentary manicures by La Voila, a luxury beauty brand bringing celebrity treatment right to your door. Sounds pretty amazing right? Make sure to check out their site to get all the details!
Maria Velissaris- CEO of La Voila
Natalie and Jaclynn Brennan (Marketing at Sienna Ray)
Caitlin and Amy from Snapette, a fashion app where you can post your top shopping finds and purchases tagged to stores! The app is free on iPHONES and Androids so make sure to check it out!
It was so great meeting everyone and having a refreshing glass of champagne with the company of these fabulous bags!
Now here are a few more photos of Natalie and the shop, taken by Aisha Singleton.
Super chic! How gorgeous are these bags? And isn't Natalie a doll? See the entire collection at Sienna Ray. You will not be disappointed!
I have two events tomorrow night and can't wait to post about them on Sunday. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!
XOXO
Billie Joe Armstrong Lists Newport Beach Cottage
LOCATION: Newport Beach, CA
PRICE: $1,895,000
SIZE: unknown square footage, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
YOUR MAMAS NOTES: On the heels of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong's profanity-laced tirade on stage in September at the iHeartRadio music festival in Las Vegas—an unwise jeremiad that led to him entering a rehab treatment facility for unspecified substance abuse—he and his missus Adrienne have put their itty-bitty beach cottage in Newport Beach, CA on the market with an asking price of $1,895,000.
Property records show the sassy pop-punker and his eco-boutique owning missus picked up the petite cottage located just a couple short blocks from the beach in the densely packed Peninsula Point area of Newport Beach in May 2006 for $1,699,000 and listing information indicates the house was subsequently re-built from the studs up—no doubt at considerable expense—in 2007.
Listing information does not indicate the square footage but The Orange County Tax Man shows the fully renovated and upgraded 1946 shingled cottage measures just 924 square feet. Based on listing photographs it would seem to Your Mama that, although obviously compact, the cottage is considerably larger.
A short white picket fence defines the decidedly diminutive front yard that gives way to a deliciously deep and charming front porch. A glass-paned Dutch door—we do so adore a Dutch door in the right circumstance—opens directly into the relatively roomy living room finished and furnished with with wood floors that may or may not be bamboo, white-painted paneled walls, bamboo blinds, a too-tropical rattan ceiling fan and lots of porch-style wicker and rattan sofas and chairs. Built in shelves and a built-in niche flank the fireplace with hearty red brick surround and french doors at the back of the room open to an narrow, brick-paved and bamboo-shaded side/back yard patio where listing information notes there's an outdoor shower for rinsing off the sand and salt from beach excursions.
The living room opens to the spacious and cook-friendly eat-in kitchen equipped with white Shaker-style cabinetry, some sort of slab stone counter tops, lots of four-pane windows, top grade commercial-style appliances and a white porcelain farmhouse style stink.
There are a total of three adequate but hardly huge bedrooms, one downstairs with private bathroom and two more upstairs.
Mister and Missus Armstrong have long maintained a home base in northern California's Bay Area. In November 2009 they sold a 6,122 square foot French Normandy-style abode in a good part of Oakland for $4,800,000 and moved to a walled, gated and privately situated 7,178 square foot house with 6 bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms in the leafy and affluent Piedmont community—about 15 miles east of the restaurant lined streets of San Fran's Mission District—that they picked up in November 2005 for $3,200,000 and fully re-built.
listing photos: HOM Sotheby's International Realty
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Katherine Heigl Wants a New House
LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA
PRICE:$2,659,000
SIZE: 3,690 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Usually when a listing surfaces on the open market that announces that it's owned by an unnamed celebrity we usually find out the celebrity sits pretty far down Tinseltown's totem pole of fame. That, howevuh, ain't the case with a recently renovated 1920s center hall Colonial style residence in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles that popped up on the open market yesterday with an asking price of $2,659,000 and is owned by Emmy-winning hospital drama and rom-com actress Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy) and her country music singing hubby Josh Kelley.
Property records and reports from the time of their purchase reveal the Miz Heigl and Mister Kelley—who recently adopted their second daughter—picked up the walled and gated residence for $2,550,000 in September 2007.
Your Mama happens to know the couple did a major overhaul of the property and, at it's current price—just $109,000 more than they paid—they're looking at a net loss of at least a couple hundred thousand when the renovation expenses, carrying costs and real estate fees are factored in. C'est la vie in the world of house-hopping celebrities who don't seem to blink or bat an fake eyelash at tossing a quarter million clams—or more—down the real estate drain every time they get sick of their house.
Anyhoodles poodles, current listing information, besides calling it "reminiscent of Architectural Digest" and "Celeb-owned," reveals the four bedroom and 3.5 bath traditional has 3,690 square feet with high ceilings, dark wood floors throughout and heavy duty crown moldings and a lot of vintage light fixtures.
The center stair hall—where the stairs are fitted with an awful but probably necessary baby fence—opens on the left through French doors to a glammed up formal living room where there's a fireplace, a lavender velvet sofa, an antique-looking library in the center of the room filled with objet and other tchotchke and two sets of French doors that provide a view of the lattice-lined driveway and the garbage bins.
The back of the central entry hall connects to the less formal and more private open-plan family area at the rear of the residence that includes a spacious center island kitchen that mixes a little bit of modern with a little bit of traditional. There are white Shaker style cabinetry and white subway tile back splashes, gray slab granite—or possibly concrete—counter tops, the usual collection of high grade stainless steel appliances and a stainless steel farmhouse-style sink, lots of multi-paned windows and a Sputnik-style chandelier hung over the center island work space and snack counter.
Thick columns hold aloft what seems to be an architecturally unnecessary archway that divides the kitchen from the breakfast room area. More columns and another seemingly unnecessary archway divides the breakfast room from the family room where there's a white leather sectional sofa that makes Your Mama feel squeamish in our belly, lots of built-in faux-distressed cabinetry and side-lit French doors to connect to a slender grillin' and chillin' deck that runs along the back of the house and over looks the fully landscaped backyard.
The second floor master bedroom has a fireplace, a Baroque, blood red tufted headboard straight out of Auntie Mame's manse, a walk-in closet and a sun-splashed corner bathroom with tumbled stone floors, marble topped vanity with double sinks, white tile accents, a separate soaking tub and an only partially glass-enclosed shower stall that we sorta think might have benefited from being fully enclosed.
A narrow, gated driveway runs up along one side of the house to a tree-shaded flagstone dining terrace with stacked stone outdoor fireplace. A detached two car garage at the very back of the property appears to have been converted to some sort of living space or at least it looks like it's not set up for parking cars anymore. A tall fence and lush plantings separate the driveway/dining terrace from the main part of the high-hedged backyard where there's a wee patch of grass, a sizable spa and smallish swimming pool.
Miz Heigl also owns a second house in the Los Feliz area that was purchased in September 2007 for $2,000,000 and the four bedroom and four bathroom abode is occupied—so we've been told but can not confirm—by Miz Heigl's ever-present mother. The Heigl-Kelleys also maintain a rural and semi-remote spread in a swank gated enclave just outside of Park City, UT that they appear to have purchased sometime in 2011.
Last year, in October 2011, after a long and bumby ride on the bucking bronco of real estate Miz Heigl finally unloaded a 3 bedroom and 2.5 bathroom residence—also in Los Feliz—for $965,000. That's all well and good except that property records show she paid $1,500,000 for the place in May 2006. That's a staggering, $535,000 loss, according to Your Mama's bejeweled abacus, not counting improvements, carrying costs and real estate fees.
See, we told you that some well-compensated celebs—and others with significant cash flow—are so emotionally invested in getting rid of a house they own they are, on a whim or otherwise, willing and able to take a hard hit to their deep pockets. Must be nice, right?
listing photos: Keller Williams Realty / Los Feliz
Holiday Outfit Idea
Tis the season to be jolly! lol but seriously, it really is! Invites for holiday parties are going to be coming very soon if they haven't already. I actually received a request on my instagram to do a post on holiday outfit ideas. There's so many different choices and this is just one of them, but I thought that I would base today's look off this idea. I was invited to a last minute event for tonight and if I am able to attend, I think that I will wear this!
Details
Top, Skirt, Belt: Forever21/ Coat, Tights: H&M/ Clutch: Aldo/ Shoes: Bakers
Here's the story about this skirt. I got it literally 3 or 4 years ago. My intention was to wear it to a Christmas party but we got hit with a snow storm that day and I was never able to wear it. Finally last year, I wore it out for the first time. I was thinking of giving it away but I am so happy that I kept it because it's super cute! What better color than red to wear during these holiday festivities?
I got this top yesterday and I was so anxious to wear it because the fit is amazing and I love the mesh triangle in front. I bought it purposely to pair with a skirt or pants. I added my favorite belt to throw in some gold along with my other accessories and bring the whole look together. I really like the red, black and gold combo. Very chic, very holiday.
I have on one of my favorite coats. It's the perfect length to wear with dresses and skirts. I'm wearing my cap toe heels (love the contrast in materials) This is an example of a really simple holiday outfit by adding in a nice pop of color. It's fun, girly and classy, everything I look for in an outfit! When deciding what to wear for parties this season, think of vibrant colors, sparkles, and anything that will make you stand out and look fabulous :)
If I make it to the event tonight I will be sharing photos with you all tomorrow.
Kisses
<3
Instagram/ Facebook/ Twitter/ YouTube
If I make it to the event tonight I will be sharing photos with you all tomorrow.
Kisses
<3
Instagram/ Facebook/ Twitter/ YouTube
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Winter Must Haves
Hey dolls! It's starting to get cold over here and it got me thinking about some great pieces to get for this upcoming winter. This is something that I did frequently when I first started my blog, so every now and then I want to start doing it again. One of the questions that most girls ask during these cold months is how can I stay warm and still look stylish at the same time? Well here's a few of my top winter must haves! Hope it helps a little :)
1. Faux Fur Vests- They're great for layering and come in different styles and lengths so you can find one that is perfect for you. Pair it over a long sleeve top with jeans or over a sweater dress. You can belt it too if you want to give it that extra touch. I actually have this same exact one from H&M.
2. Leather Leggings/Pants- Leather is a huge trend for fall & winter. There's so many different ways to style a pair of leather leggings. They're edgy yet chic at the same time.
3. Chunky Knits- Oversized sweaters are amazing during the cold months. There's such a variety to choose from and they will keep you super warm. Pair it with leggings and jeans or even with a skirt.
4. Printed Tights- Such a fun way to wear skirts and dresses during the winter! Tights in general are a necessity but if you are looking to spice up your outfit a little bit, try going with printed ones. These have little polka dots. I've also seen really cute heart ones and the suspender tights are super hot.
5. Statement Coat- I talked about statement coats in my post HERE. They're such an essential piece and the perfect way to still be stylish and warm at the same time! Try going with a nice bold color like burgundy and some gold hardware to make it stand out more.
6. Gloves- This might sound like a no brainer but you would be surprised by how many people don't wear them. I am loving these faux leather ones. They're a great way to dress up your statement coat and keep those hands warm.
7. Beanies/Hats- What better way to protect your head from the cold than with a super cute beanie? They come in many different colors. I have black and pink so far. They're a great added accessory during the winter.
8. Knee Length Boots- I think these should be a staple every winter. They're super chic, sexy and versatile because not only do they look amazing with skirts and dresses, but they still look fab paired with jeans and leggings. Over the knee boots are amazing as well.
9. Faux Fur Coat- Fur in general is another big trend just like leather. It's soft, warm, and stylish. What more could you ask for? A fur coat will definitely make you stand out this winter and look especially cute during the holiday season!
10. Snood/Scarves- I can't get enough of these! They come in every single color, print, and style that you could imagine. You don't just have to wear them with your coats. I love adding them to my outfits during the fall and winter because they are the perfect accessory.
What are some of your must haves for this upcoming winter season?
Stay warm. Stay stylish.
XX
Travel Day
Today is a travel day for Your Mama so rather than leave the children totally high and dry we thought we'd post a few of our favorite videos from the YouTube:
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Pharrell Puts Miami Penthouse On Market
LOCATION: Miami, FL
PRICE: $16,800,000
SIZE: 9,080 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms
YOUR MAMAS NOTES: A little canary down in South Beach flew by the other day and let Your Mama know that uni-named Grammy-winning songwriter/producer/rapper, art collector, entrepreneur and sartorial daredevil Pharrell has hoisted his titanic tri-level penthouse condo in Miami, FL on the market with a sky-high asking price of $16,800,000.
Property records show Mister Pharrell picked up the penthouse in March 2007 for $12,525,000 from a well-known property developer and it wasn't long before he was involved in an ugly legal imbroglio over numerous water leaks that came, according to at least one online report, from "at least six sources in the home, such as the penthouse pool, plant watering system, and Jacuzzi."
Current listing information shows the sprawling, 40th floor penthouse measures a suburban mansion-sized 9,080 square feet with five bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms and knee-knocking 360-degree city, bay, ocean and causeway views.
In December 2010 Mister Pharrell had the art-filled aerie photographed for The Selby—if you don't know The Selby, then you should—and in July 2011 he had dextrous design writer and international style maven Mayer Rus all up in there to do a piece for W Magazine. Based on the lush photographs from both of those shoots it seems that Mister Pharrell may (or may not) have moved out much of his personal belongings, in particular his Ms. Pac Man and Galaga video game consoles, his colossal collection of sneakers and his impressive contemporary art collection that includes significant works by name-brand artists such as Takashi Murakami, Keith Haring, KAWS, and Andy Warhol.
The capacious main floor living/dining room has chestnut colored wood floors, a curving ribbon of nearly floor to ceiling glass with terrace access and panoramic water views, a built-in buffet in the dining area and a built-in entertainment center in the living area with a massive flat screen television. A floating staircase connects the main floor to the second floor landing where a gravity defying spiral staircase corkscrews up to a third floor lounge underneath a spectacular and downright Herculean frosted glass dome that defines the triple height space and for some reason isn't shown in any of the listing photographs we dug up online.
Listing photographs do show the penthouse is luxuriously equipped with a sleek center island kitchen, a six (or maybe nine) seat home theater with plush red leather recliners and paneled walls, a billiard room on the second level mezzanine and library/lounge with built-in bookcases and a smattering of multi-colored modern furniture including the naughty-naughty Perspective chair, designed several years ago by Mister Pharrell in conjunction with the French product manufacturing concern Domeau + Pérès. The chair, in case any of y'all aren't familiar, has human-shaped legs. The front legs are those a woman on her tippy toes and the back legs those of a flat-footed man. Mister Pharrell says the chair "represents the love between a man and a woman" but Your Mama—like most people—see the chair as a not very abstract depiction of the couple doing it doggy style.
Anyhoo, the master suite has a bedroom with watery view and direct terrace access, a big bathroom slathered in inlaid marble and what Mister Rus in W Magazine called a "steroidal closet...filled with a teenager's fantasy trove of Technicolor sneakers."
Three levels of vast terraces offer unparalleled all-around views, an outdoor summer kitchen, miles of tiled planter boxes, a spa and a plunge-sized swimming pool beneath a muscular, vine-draped pergola.
Property records show Mister Pharrell—recently engaged to his long-time lady friend and baby momma Helen Lasichanh with whom he has young son named Rocket Mann Williams—still owns the 9,116 square foot waterfront mansion in his hometown of Virginia Beach, VA that he bought way back in December 2001 for $1,850,000.
We really have no idea what real estate plans Mister Pharrell may have up his sleeve but in the W Magazine article he mentioned that his residential real estate fantasies include maverick architect Frank Gehry designing him a "Wyne Manor-style mansion" and avant garde architect Zaha Hadid doing him a domicile "that is partially submerged in the ocean." So there's that...
listing photos: Coldwell Banker Previews
Monday, November 26, 2012
Robbie Williams Lists L.A. Soccer Pitch
LOCATION: Beverly Hills, CA
PRICE: $3,600,000
SIZE: 4,659 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms (total)
YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Thanks to an informant we'll call Yolanda Yaketyyak we've just learned that British-born and L.A.-based pop star Robbie Williams has put his multi-residence compound and private soccer pitch in L.A.'s 90210 zip code on the market with an asking price of $3,600,000.
Property records indicate the new daddy purchased the two-parcel compound—located in the Bev Hills Post Office as opposed to Beverly Hills proper—in February 2005 for $3,700,000, an amount that ensures, even with a full price sale, a $100,000 loss not counting improvements, carrying costs and real estate fees.
The two parcel spread spans .81 acres and is set above the famed Mulholland Drive with long views out over the San Fernando Valley. Garden paths and exterior stairways connect two separate residences with separate gated driveways plus a detached guest house—also with separate gated parking pad—that all surround a regulation sized soccer pitch.
When Mister Williams sells his soccer oriented compound above Mulholland Drive he'll be far from homeless in Los Angeles. Property records show he continues to own the 10,681 square foot multi-winged mansion located just over half a mile from his private soccer pitch on one-plus gated and landscaped acres inside the manned gates of the Mulholland Estates community that he bought in July 2002 for $5,450,000 from country music superstar Clint Black. We're not sure what alterations and/or customizations Mister Williams may have made since but at the time he purchased the property it had six bedrooms, eight (or nine) bathrooms, a private recording studio, an elevator, pub room, massive master suite with gym, and a swimming pool with built-in slide.
aerial photo (top): Pacific Coast News
listing photos: The Agency
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