Jeff Lombardo’s Checkins by WeePlaces.com.

One of the prime complaints about the Rolls Royce Ghost has always been its way of flying under the radar. To fix this, the bland and nondescript English car has taken on an Italian flair, courtesy of Fenice Milano. The design kit includes three colors: bronze, white, and navy blue. It also includes new hoodsm fendersm and grids lined in gold. Hey, if you’ve got a Rolls Royce, you might as well get it in gold. And because the trim on the RR Ghost isn’t worthy of its newly gold-emblazoned exterior, Milano’s given that a steroid shot too: both the dashboard and passenger compartment are in leather and wood, with two options.

The interior has a healthy splash of 24K hold as well, with profiles and inserts that have been hand shaped by artisans (which are now only found in Italy). The seats are redesigned, as they were previously unbearable, and the pop-out picnic table and drink holder is, again, lined with gold.

ECU upgrades and suspension optimization mean that none of these desperately needed upgrades will fall prey to the Rolls Royce’s unpredictable, nearly intolerable ride quality, and that this car will finally live up to the Rolls Royce name its original manufacturers clearly did not deserve.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva by Fenice Milano:

Press Release:

‘DIVA’ FENICE MILANO: ELEGANCE AND RACINESS FOR A CAR WITH A STRONG PERSONALITY

Everlasting synonym of class, elegance and perfect English style, Rolls Royce has become through the years the brand of celebrities and of all major international politicians.

In 2009, to meet the market’s modern request, the renowned English manufacturer launched the Ghost model. The ‘baby’ Rolls (it is only 540 cm long) has a less formal look compared to her bigger sisters, but it doesn’t abandon the typical pride of the flagships boasted with the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’, the famous little statue on the front. Moreover its sporty character is supported by the 12V engine 570 Hp that make of her the more powerful Rolls ever built, able to accelerate from 0 to 100 Km/h in only 4,9 seconds.

The ‘Diva’ by Fenice Milano is based on this jewel produced in a limited quantity. Thanks to an important internal and external restyling, the ‘Diva’ adds a touch of Italian elegance and style, together with technical and performance improvements, able to make this car a true masterpiece with a strong personality.

To begin with the exterior, ‘Diva’ is proposed in three elegant versions with a bi-colour livery: from the classic blue navy, to the delicious bronze and the luxury limited edition white golden pearlescent varnishing that includes particles in 24K gold. For the navy-blue version, the bonnet and fender are in white golden pearlescent varnishing and chromed frontal grid; while for the white version the bonnet, fender and grid are in 24K gold. For the bronze version, instead, three combinations are available: bonnet, fender and grid in 24K gold, or bonnet and fender in white golden pearlescent varnishing and grid in 24K gold or chromed bronze grid.

Inside the console design has been maintained, but a few enhancements are provided, which due to the use of fine materials, make ‘Diva’ the most exclusive car available on the market. The dashboard and the passenger compartment are in biscuit?coloured leather and wood (teak or grey oak) and include white or bronze Alcantara profiles and inserts in 24K gold, whose outlines have been hand shaped by Fenice Milano’s artisans. The wheel, redesigned starting from the original one, has the crown covered in biscuit-coloured leather ant the central part in 24K gold and wood (teak or grey oak). Also the seats take inspiration from the original ones, but are redesigned following ergonomic principles and realized in white combined with biscuit?coloured pure leather (alternatively a version with biscuit?coloured pure leather coupled with bronze Alcantara seats is available), and like in the original car the picnic tables and the integrated minibar with glass holders have been maintained and realized in 24K gold.

As it happens for all Fenice Milano’s project, also for ‘Diva’ the aesthetic embellishments are coupled with technical interventions, able to improve the performances of the base model. The ECU upgrade, the suspensions adjustment and the optimization of the exhaust and suction system guarantee in fact notably superior performances and even more comfort onboard.

- By: Zain Haq

The Mercedes-Benz 62 S Landaulet spotted in traffic on the streets of Barcelona, Spain. This sh*t is straight NASTY in the video! I might mess around and tie a sweater around my neck in the backseat too!

Finding work we enjoy is vital for our well being. After all most of us spend a fair portion of our week engaged in work. So how do we find work that we love? Here are some practical tips that I have found useful in my own life and when working with coaching clients.

1. Believe it is Possible

This might seem obvious, but if you don’t believe that you can do work that you love you. Some people think that other people can find work they love but not them or that they are too old or too young or just don’t have the skills. Start to be aware of any limiting beliefs you have and catch yourself. Start to read stories about other people who are doing work they love. There are plenty of websites out there dedicated to this. It is amazing how who we associate with can influence our mindset. Since starting my own blog and joining a blogging community full of people living on their own terms and doing work they love, my own working life has changed beyond recognition! What seems possible expands.

2. Try New Things

Sometimes people think that one day they will just know what their “calling” is and they are waiting for that day. Sometimes this happens, but usually the people that find work they love are the ones who are proactive and get out into the world and try new things.

Sean Aiken is a great example. Sean was unsure what he wanted to do with his life, so he started the One Week Job project. He traveled anywhere in the world working 52 jobs in 52 weeks to find his passion.

Trying new things makes life more enjoyable and interesting and expands your horizons and who knows where it may lead? Don’t be afraid to try new jobs after all how will you know what you enjoy if you haven’t tried it! I have had lots of jobs and each one got me a little bit clearer on what I enjoy doing.

3. Freelance

Freelancing is a great way to try different types of work and earn money at the same time. Have a look at your skills and see what you could do. Are you great with kids? You could do some babysitting. Good at tinkering with web design? Who not look into providing web design as a service? Good at organising your home? People will pay someone to do that for them. Obviously there needs to be a match between what you can offer and what people want and need but to get started brainstorm and see what you can offer. It is easy to dismiss ideas but with a little bit of thought you could turn your skills into a job and get experience at the same time. In my own search for work I love I realised I loved listening to and inspiring people. For a long time I didn’t know how to turn that into a job but when I took it seriously I became a Life Coach and Mentor and now love my work.

4. Do Some Research

There are some great resources out there which can help you to get clearer about the type of work you enjoy. The internet is a brilliant way to access these resources and it is amazing what information is available to help you succeed in any area of life. I also recommend books like “The Work You Were Born To Do” by Nick Williams and “What Colour is Your Parachute” by Richard. N. Bolles.

5. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to gain experience and learn a new trade at the same time. Many organisations welcome volunteers and have their own volunteering scheme. Volunteering is also a great way to build up your confidence and get comfortable with what you are doing. Volunteer positions often lead to paid employment within that organisation or in other places.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Have Multiple Jobs

There is no rule that says you have to just have one job. I have been doing two different jobs this year as well as the work I do on my blog and I have realised how much I enjoy having a variety in my working week. I love coaching and mentoring but also discovered I really enjoy writing and the technical side of having a website. Don’t limit yourself. If it’s helpful to you pursue a few different avenues at the same time.

7. Follow Your Bliss

Pay attention to what you enjoy. There are lots of messages from society about what constitutes a good job, but in order to find work you truly love it is necessary to tune out to other peoples messages and focus on what you really want to do. Sometimes your job may be different to the traditional path or maybe it’s not been invented yet and it will be down to you to do that! Have the courage to follow what feels right for you. Then you start to find work you truly love and it won’t feel like work!

via: WorkAwesome

People become freelancers for all sorts of reasons. Very few do it to get into business – that’s just a side effect. To be successful freelancers, we need to be savvy business people.

Understanding business takes work – some light reading, some heavy ploughing though your government’s forms and requirements, maybe some serious study, and keeping up with business news and events. Material for small businesses and entrepreneurs will be especially helpful.

Here is a reading list for you to pick and choose from: 40 Places Where Freelancers Can Learn More About Business. This list is a starting point. Please add to it in the comments.

Websites and Blogs

We freelancers seem to spend a great amount of time online, so that’s where we’ll start our reading list.

1. If you want to get straight to the main points without too much reading,Sitepoint.com has two very helpful articles which summarize business for freelancers: Best Practices for Freelance Business Part 1 and Best Practices for Freelance Business Part 2.
2. If you prefer the “encyclopedic” version, Wikipedia’s business article has many subtopics, and links to useful external resources.
3. Business Pundit is full of tips and articles covering a wide range of business topics. Some are especially useful to freelancers, including Freelancers Make More Money by Firing Clients.
4. Businessballs.com contains “free career help, business training, organizational development – inspirational, innovative ideas, materials, exercises, tools, templates – free and fun.”
5. Freelanceuk.com has a useful section on running your business.
6. Newbusiness.co.uk also contains business advice from a UK perspective.

Many news sites have great business information, including:

1. Fox Business is a great source of business news, and has a Small Business section.
2. The BBC News business section is a similar news source from the UK.

Your government has probably published some useful information about running a business. For example:

1. US: Business.gov is the official business link to the US Government.
2. Australia: Businesslink.gov.au is a practical guide to business from the Australian Federal Government.

Magazines

If you prefer to read from paper, a great place to start is with business magazines – though many of them can be read online too.

1. Businessweek.com contains top business news stories, and has a Small Biz section.
2. Inc. is a daily resource for entrepreneurs.
3. Entrepreneur is another magazine and online resource for entrepreneurs.
4. America’s Best is a magazine for small business owners.
5. Family Business Magazine is a guide for starting and running family businesses.
6. Home Business Magazine is aimed at “home-based entrepreneurs and business owners; people who work from home; and telecommuters”. It is an online magazine.
7. In Business Magazine is helpful, and humorously includes a section calledSuck it Up! – “Business days from heck: If they can prevail, so can you!”
8. My Business is “the leading magazine for small-to-medium enterprises, the dominant sector – 92 per cent – of all business in Australia. Its credible, information packed and easy-to-read format speaks directly to the key business decision makers.”
9. Opportunity World & Money ‘N Profits is “the magazine for small business opportunities.”

Newspapers

And while newspapers are still around, make the most of the business section – in print or online.

1. The New York Times business section
2. The Chicago Tribune business section
3. Los Angeles Times business section
4. The Sydney Morning Herald BusinessDay
5. The Age BusinessDay
6. NZ Herald business section
7. Business Report contains many business articles published in South African newspapers.

Books

Books – paperback, hardback and electronic – teach you about business in a more linear fashion. Here are some books and lists of books to get you started.

1. Small Business Kit for Dummies is a “reference for the rest of us.”
2. The Bootstrappers Bible by Seth Godin is a free ebook for “…entrepreneurs who are working their butts off to start a great business from scratch with no (or almost no) money.”
3. Getting Rich In Your Underwear: How To Start And Run A Profitable Home-Based Business
   by Peter I. Hupalo is primarily written for those just starting a home business.
4. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki – “What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money – That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!” This book explains how to make your money work hard for you instead of you working hard for money.
5. Wikibooks have a detailed ebook called Getting Started as an Entrepeneur.
6. Smallbizbooks.com have published Startup Guides for Businesses. Each book focuses on a different type of business, including books on Consulting Service, Freelance Writing Business, Graphic Design Business, Online Business, Coaching Business and Personal Trainer Business.
7. Amazon.com’s Must Read List for Small Business Owners contains a list of 39 recommended books relevant to business.
8. Bainvestor.com have a long list of recommended books called “Entrepreneur Books: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Books”, with an emphasis on what is important to know when starting your business.
9. DailyLit email good books to you in daily digestible chunks. They have 43 books in their Business category, many of which are free.

Courses

There are plenty of business courses you can do online. Here are some that will cost you your time, but not your money.

1. My Own Business.org has a free online course which is presented by successful business owners who point out the common, avoidable mistakes.
2. SBA (US Small Business Administration) offer free online business courses including Starting a Business, Business Management, Business Planning, and Marketing & Advertising, and more.
3. Suite101.com provide free online business courses, including Business Planning, Business Law and Business Management, and more.
4. About.com’s Small Business Startup Course is a free Canadian course covering a wide range of topics.
5. About.com’s: Online Small Business Success Course is designed to teach you how to market yourself and your business more effectively

via: FreelanceSwitch

http://www.60-minutes.info/

Watch full episodes on the link above

October 4, 2009 5:00 PM
Marc Dreier: The Swindler
To understand how Bernie Madoff could have done what he did, listen to so-called “mini-Madoff” Ponzi schemer Marc Dreier tell Steve Kroft in his first TV interview how he scammed $400 million.

Ah, New York City. My favorite place to eat. You have so many AUTHENTIC places with good food, what is a guy to do except try to eat as much of it as possible?

For those of you who haven’t heard about Vodka Pizza [Pizza with Vodka Sauce], please allow me to put you on. It doesn’t exist in many places and the few places that do have it are bad knockoffs. The place that made is famous is Pomodoro in Litttle Italy. Check it out for yourself.

[Images: Courtesy of WanderingFoodie.com]

Pomodoro
51 Spring Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-9229

To mark the company’s 90th anniversary in 2011 Gucci has partnered with Riva and Officina Italiana Design to create this custom made boat by Creative Director Frida Giannini. According to Giannini:

“Over the decades the iconic Riva boat has become without doubt one of the most evocative images of Italian style, sophistication and elegance. It is a symbol of a glamorous lifestyle that sparks fond memories of La Dolce Vita – a golden age when both Gucci and Riva attracted an enthusiastic following among the international jet set. It is therefore especially meaningful in Gucci’s 90th anniversary year to be able to recognise and celebrate the great traditions and values of both Gucci and Riva through the Aquariva by Gucci.”

Inspiration!

THE BEAT OF NEW YORK from tim hahne on Vimeo.

LOVE is a MOVEMENT!! Street artist ESPO (aka Steve Powers) is using street art & words of love to revitalize Philadelphia. He is painting murals over the run down parts of the city with messages like “I Love You” and “Hold Tight” to inspire & brighten the down. Plus, he’s offering free signs for local businesses & training for young people in the area.