b&o.laptop

ASUS and Bang & Olufsen collaborated to produce the ASUS NX90 Bang & Olufsen laptop with the best built-in speakers on the market. The screen measures 18.4" and comes with a Blu-ray player, as well as two touch pads that mimic turntables. Although prices have yet to be set, Luxuo is predicting somewhere from $1,799 to $2,499. Although laptops are made for portability, the size of this machine suggests it's best to leave it in one place except for special occasions. You can see additional photos and hardware specs on the Luxuo website.

bob.sled

While every other company is producing their annual ornament, Porsche Design recently released what's becoming their annual event: sleds. Last year they produced the Aluminum Sledge for about $440 but the Porsche Design Bobsleigh (found on Uncrate) for roughly $265 provides an alternative that leaves money for hot cocoa after the event. I can't imagine the hill will feel much different but you'll definitely find yourself uncommonly worried about nicks and scrapes.

portable.fire

Perfect for any rental apartment or loft, especially during the holidays, is the Conmoto Travelmate Portable Fireplace that was found on Uncrate.com. Easier than starting a wood fire, cheaper than an installation unit, and modern enough to match your platform bed. The fireplace is one of many offered from Conmoto and features black powder-coated steel with glass partitions. Their newest piece is available for $3,200.

tough.cuffs

Baccarat is my favorite for crystal and glassware. Founded in 1764 under King Louis XV of France, Baccarat has been the go-to for the best of the best. This past quarter in US Relations in Iran, I learned that the former Shah of Iran imported Baccarat glassware for the 2,500 year celebration of the Persian empire (which reportedly cost $100 million), and I once featured Baccarat for their barware.

Below is Baccarat's Rock Cuff Links available in onyx, clear, ruby, and mist. With rhodium-plated .925 sterling silver backings, the cuff links run for $375 at Neiman Marcus. Baccarat has been creating jewelry since 1993 and they successfully pulled off cuff links without finding individuality in multiple colors, busy images, or complex layers. The design is simple but modern, the perfect detailing to a perfect outfit.

modern.baby

Bloom Baby offers a full range of modern furniture for the youngest in the family. Each product comes in multiple combinations of colors to make sure they fit any interior but the prices aren't cheap. The attached pieces are available at allmodernbaby.com along with others to complete the set.

[caption id="attachment_2259" align="aligncenter" width="297" caption="Bloom Fresco High Chair in Midnight Black | Sale: $399"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2261" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Bloom Coco Plexistyle Baby Lounger | Sale: $380"][/caption]

pirelli.calendar

Pirelli ("Power is nothing without control") is known for tires but each year they release a new (sensual) calendar featuring top models and legendary photographers. Good luck buying one, they're only given as gifts to top Pirelli customers and VIP clients. There are currently three 2011 calendars on Ebay and one stands at $860 with 30 bids and five days to go. This year's calendar was shot by Karl Lagerfeld and features Julianne Moore and many others in a Greek and Roman mythology theme. Past models include Gisele, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Sophia Loren, Julia Stiles, Hilary Swank, Heidi Klum, and many more. Not bad for a tire company.

writing.modern

I need a new keyboard at work but instead of calling the tech department, where I assume "modern and advanced" would translate into the bubbly ergonomic, I started looking online to find a fun keyboard that pushes technology without making me feel like a gamer. The Logitech diNovo Edge, available for $179.99, happily fits the bill with the TouchDisk cursor pad, touch-sensitive media controls, PerfectStroke key system, and Bluetooth technology. The disk doubles as a mouse but can also scroll pages with a simple circular motion. The scissor-key mechanism is a hybrid of a notepad and desktop keyboard. Cut from a single semi-translucent, the keyboard features black Plexiglas set in a brushed aluminum frame for a perfect combination of technology and aesthetic. I'm not willing to spend nearly $200 on an intern accessory but full-time is on its way.