A collection of jewellery owned by the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor fetched $116 million at a New York auction last month.

The collection of 80 items had been estimated to fetch about $20 million, but sold for more than double the record for a single collection.

The highlight of the auction, organised by auction house Christie’s, was a necklace featuring a 16th Century pearl which sold for $11.8 million, a record for the gem.

The actress’ famous 33.19-carat diamond ring, given to her by actor Richard Burton, also sold for $8.8 million.

The pearl, known as La Peregrina, has been depicted in artwork for centuries and was once painted by 17th Century Spanish artist Velazquez.

Burton, who married Taylor twice, bought the pearl in 1969 at auction for $37,000.

It was once owned by Mary Tudor and later by Spanish queens Margarita and Isabel.

Taylor commissioned French luxury jeweller Cartier to design a ruby-and-diamond necklace mount for the pearl.

It had been estimated to sell for $2 million – $3 million, but surpassed the previous auction record for a pearl, set in 2007 with the sale of The Baroda Pearls for $7.1 million.

The first lot to be auctioned, a gold and gem bracelet valued at up to $35,000, sold for $270,000.

Later, an ivory and gold necklace fetched more than 100 times its estimate of $1,500-$2,000, selling for $314,500.

One buyer also paid $600,000 for a diamond and sapphire ring given to the actress by her close friend Michael Jackson.

Other highlights from the auction included the Taj Mahal diamond, another gift from Burton marking Taylor’s 40th birthday, which sold for $8.8 million, a record for an Indian jewel.

The per-carat record for a ruby was also broken by Burton’s Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond ring, a 1968 Christmas gift for Taylor.

Another record, for a tiara, was broken when the actress’ third husband Mike Todd’s 1957 gift to Taylor sold for $4.2 million – about six times its estimate.

Christie’s spokesperson Marc Porter said the auction was “one of the most extraordinary sales” they had ever held, describing it as “a testament to the love of Elizabeth Taylor worldwide”.

Part of the proceeds from the auction will go to The Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation, which the legendary actress established in 1991.

Taylor died in Los Angeles in March at the age of 79.

If you’re the kind of businessperson who likes to make a strong impression, nothing speaks louder to your contacts than the world’s most expensive business card.

Black Astrum has launched a Signature Card range of bespoke diamond-encrusted business cards, designed for “ultra high net worth individuals”.

The business cards, made from ultra precision cast Swiss metal, come studded with diamonds, with one set of the cards featuring over 30 carats of diamonds.

“The Signature Card allows our members to express themselves in a truly unique way,” said Sufian Khawaja, Black Astrum’s concept director.

“Although each design is bespoke, a full set of cards can contain in excess of 30 carats. We’ve had several enquiries from American celebrities and international businessmen, however our cards are offered by invitation only, reflecting our desire to serve only the most premier individuals.”

Since the cards are exclusively customised to a client’s specifications, the cost of making the world’s most expensive business cards varies. However, the company said the average selling price per card is about £1000 ($1,500), and the cards are sold in sets of 25, 50 and 100.

The cards were originally created as a one-off commission for a wealthy Middle Eastern family.

Sometimes the simple things make for pretty good travel accessories or companions. While there may be a whole universe of gadgets and fashionable devices out there, we decided to think of stuff you can actually buy – and use.

We hope you enjoy these suggestions for items to make your next trip a little more comfortable.

Passport Panties

Nothing can ruin a trip as much as being stripped of you money, credit card or passport. Sure you can get robbed… but also, by keeping your valuables in your hand or handbag there is a high risk you will forget them somewhere or just drop them when you loose focus. But we are all so very tired of those ugly waist bags and horrid pouches that turn us into obvious tourist targets wherever we go. So what to do then? Luckily there is a company out there that has thought of creating underwear with big pockets for your credit cards and passports. Supposedly they are both comfortable and safe, and come in a range of cute colors. Just remember to put them on, and not throw them into the washing machine without first emptying… – well, you know. www.clevertravelcompanion.com

3D Binoculars & Film Camera

Hurray! The world’s first digital binoculars came from Sony earlier this year and not only do they let you see things up to 20 times closer, and feature both stereo sound and the renowned Sony SteadyShot stabilization technology, they also come with capabilities to shoot 3D films.  Take them on all your trips, whether that means bird watching or snowboarding. Arigato! www.sony.com

Victorinox Airboss 2011

When you’re trying to catch a flight or a train, nothing matters more than time. So, what could be a better travel companion than a high precision watch? While there are thousands of options out there, the Victorinox Airboss 2011 really caught our attention. Waterproof and featuring the finest mechanic heart, it is inspired by the extreme needs of flight controllers. That means that if you wear this watch you should have as sharp an eye on the time as any captain of the skies. www.victorinox.com

F49 Fringe Backpack

Made by the Swiss brand Freitag, this bag had us at hello. Not because it looks cute and modern, but because just like Freitag’s other bags it is made from recycled old truck tarpaulins that have lasted through and survived thousands of miles on the highways of Europe. This is a bag we would put our trust, and our most precious belongings, into.  www.freitag.ch

World View App

For those who are feeling a little bit too lazy to travel at all, or who simply want to make sure they see their destination before they book, “there is an app for that”. This one is called World View and it boasts fresh pictures from more than 12,000 web cameras around the world. Just imagine yourself seeing what the neighborhood crowd looks like before you book a hotel in a city you have never visited, if that beach town is as picturesque as your friends keep telling you – or just what the traffic is like at the end of your road trip. Ah bliss. www.worldviewmobileapp.com

Let’s be honest girls and admit that we have all started shopping for, or at least dreaming of, what will be in our spring 2012 wardrobe.

For quite a few years now we have happily worn everything from shorts to sandals through winter and long coats or even fur boots in spring. With the right fabric and finish the previously seasonal items are just not “one season only” anymore. So if pretty much anything goes, what are those fall/winter 2011 trends that are likely to work just as well in the beginning of 2012? Here are a few ideas of what to not donate (or throw) just yet.

The Suit

Forget the idea of the perfectly matched, boring trouser suit. What we saw at the end of 2011 was fun, feminine and sleek. Even a block of color proved it had enough attitude to make your boss smile thanks to lovely details and sparkly touches. And as 2012 launches you better believe that the suit will carry on being popular.  Just make a note that while playful, your outfit better be tailored to hit a full jackpot. Like this lovely lace jacket from Dolce & Gabbana – featuring snap button closing, lined interior and two clever pockets, it definitely makes any black pant look both sweet and sophisticated.

The Embellished Dress

From embroidery to beads, 2011 was not a shy year by any means. And if you believe the fashion gurus, 2012 is likely to be just as much of a good time for the brave at heart who like a little bit of extra of everything. Our favorite part of this trend is that we can have fun with our dresses and go as feminine and sexy as we want. Just check out this Marchesa dress and you will see exactly why this is a trend that screams, “I will survive”.

The Polka Dot

It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini… OK, OK – we couldn’t resist that one! But all fun aside, this is a serious fashion trend from 2011 that all sources claim will be just as big a hit in 2012. From the quiet black or timid white to passionate neon shades, polka dots are here to stay and make us smile. A favorite for those events when you have to squeeze into something stylish but still want to make a stament is this number by our own personal fashion favorite Stella McCartney:

The Red Pant

In all honesty, it is not all about red trousers but actually trousers in any color, except black. From bright greens to warm oranges there seem to be no limit to how popular the colored pant has become in 2011, and for that reason alone we feel it will take at least another few months into 2012 to fizzle out. We adore this Bordeaux Gucci fit in stretch gabardine (!) and think it will look good as part of a suit or just with a really cute, you guessed it, embellished top.

The Shorts

We have to admit that this trend was not one of our favorites in 2011 and probably won’t be in 2012 either, but it seems to be here to stay for a while and so deserves a mention. People wear their shorts to boardroom meetings as well as down to the beach, and while bold leather and hipster denim cut-ups have been big during fall we may see more of a bohemian, 1970s softness to the shorts come spring. We hope so.

The Parkas

Traditionally associated with an outdoors, active lifestyle – or with the severely “retro-inclined” – the parkas have as of 2011 confidently stepped up onto the most glamorous of catwalks. And for that matter it looks like all kinds of utilitarian coats and jackets are sticking around both there and in our wardrobes for 2012. We particularly adore the style and grace of Junya Watanabe, who seem to manage to make even the toughest of coats look feminine enough to wear over a couture dress.

Got some additional tips on 2011 fashion trends, or just particular items of clothing, that you bet will survive way into 2012? Share in the comments!

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas – on the slopes? While we realize some parts of the world are still without snow, we cannot help but let our thoughts wander to those powdery, sun-kissed drops, where we get the year’s best adrenaline kicks.

Whether you are lucky enough to actually have a skiing holiday lined up and need some new gear, or simply need to buy the right present for someone who is a die hard downhill fanatic, here is our top 5 list for alpine gear.

POC Helmet

This may look like just another ski helmet, but looks can be deceiving. The Swedish company POC involves everyone from engineers to neurologists and back specialists in developing their gear. You could say that they take their business, well, seriously.  Their goal? To save lives and reduce the severity of injuries of course. Our favorite in their collection is the Frontal Jon Olson Ed. It features three different ventilation systems and two layers of frontal shell – to avoid direct wind and penetration from sharp objects. And it looks pretty cool. www.pocsports.com

ABS Avalanche Airbag

Now, this is another potentially life saving device. Perfect if you like the excitement of exploring rough terrain away from the regular slopes, and thereby putting yourself at risk of being buried in an avalanche.  The way this airbag works is that you wear it like a backpack and then when activated it gives you a dynamic lift – helping you from disappearing beneath tons of snow. And while waiting for help the bright colors are also likely to make you easier to spot for search and rescue teams. Don’t take our word for it, if you browse their site you will see testimonials such as “I survived a 2,000 meter avalanche thanks to ABS”. www.abs-airbag.de

GoPro Camera

Enough serious business! Let’s look at some fun stuff! Like this GoPro camera that you can attach to your ski helmet and film your turns (and tumbles) through the white landscape. Just imagine how cool that video may look if you complete a totally perfect run? Don’t worry if you plan on being out for a while either as it actually lets you record 2.5 hours on a single charge. www.gopro.com

Atomic Ski Boots

You want to go fast, and you want to be comfortable. You also want your force and your energy to transmit seamlessly all the way out into the tips of your skis. This is where good ski boots become crucial. We looked around a while and decided the Atomic LF 120 is a pretty cool option, at least if you are a fairly advanced skier. Fitted with a material that snugly supports specific zones on your foot, and then keeps adapting and adjusting as your movements change, these boots are perfect for high-speed adventures. www.atomicsnow.com

Nordica Dobermann Spitfire EDT Skis

Finally, we have reached the most important part of your ski outfit. These engineered masterpieces by Nordica will keep you glued to the snow, almost no matter how daring your turns. Thanks to a carbon alloy that has been applied to the ski you can experience greater flexibility and superb stability.  But perhaps the best thing of all is that because these superstars do so much of the work for you, you can ski longer (or take on tougher slopes) as you have more energy. www.shop.nordicausa.com

Got more tips for ski gear? Share them in the comments please.

Many of us leave our Christmas shopping to the very last minute and are left scrambling to buy presents before the Christmas Day deadline. But in the U.S., things got completely out of hand for some Christmas shoppers.

Nike’s latest Air Jordan basketball shoe sparked pre-Christmas stampedes last Friday in shopping malls across the U.S., resulting in several arrests, the use of pepper spray, fights and even gunshots.

In a Seattle suburb, police used tear gas to tame around 2,000 frenzied shoppers who surged into the local mall in the early hours of the morning to get their hands on the coveted Air Jordan 11 Retro Concord.

“I’ve been doing this for 15 years and I’ve never seen such a large crowd and such an unruly crowd,” Officer Mike Murphy of the Tukwila police department said.

Crowds gathered at 2:00 am at the Westfield Southcenter mall, two hours before four stores inside stocking Nikes opened for business, by which time two doors had already been broken, he added.

“There were fights starting to break out, some people trying to push, some people trying to get ahead in line, and that resulted in fights,” he added. “Officers used pepper spray to disrupt some of those fights.”

Similar scenes were reported in California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

In the Atlanta suburb of Lithonia at least four people were arrested, including a woman who left her two young children in her SUV in a car park while she joined the queue to buy the new shoes.

In Richmond, California, crowds waiting to buy the popular shoes at the Hilltop Mall were turned away after a gunshot rang out at 7am. No injuries were reported but a 24-year-old suspect was taken into custody.

In Pineville, North Carolina, dozens of police officers had to break up fights and restore order inside Carolina Place Mall as early as 5am on Friday.

Outside the Foot Locker on the second floor of the mall, two people were seen throwing punches as they waited to get their hands on the Air Jordan 11 Retro Concord shoes.

Witnesses said some shoppers started jumping the line, before a crowd of people at the back of the line forced their way to the front, causing several people to get angry and become unruly.

“People were falling, I had to jump over a girl, it was crazy,” a witness said.

“One kid was trampled and hurt his arm, maybe even broke it,” a local police spokesman from Troy in Michigan said, after shoppers had lined up at two Foot Locker stores in the area from 4am for the highly-anticipated shoes.

Every year, Nike releases limited-edition versions of the original Air Jordan shoes that it first released in 1985 with the endorsement of Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan.

On Nike’s website, this year’s slick black-and-white edition for men sells for $180 with free shipping.

Check out this video of the Christmas shopping frenzy in Indianapolis:

(Please open the article to see the flash file or player.)

Looking for the perfect gift for her? Is it time to offer your lovely self something special ahead of spring?

Here are some suggestions of things that can really make a difference to how a girl looks and feels this season…

For her hair

While the original Moroccan Oil can only be found in select salons (as far as we know), it has become the ultimate must-have product for girls who care about hair. With no alcohol that dries or damages, this hair product can do wonders for all hair types and is excellent for those who tend to work a lot with styling as it not only protects but also reduces blowdrying time. Hurray, we say! www.moroccanoil.com

For her eyes

It took creative make-up director, Tom Pecheux and backstage make-up artist Derek Lam, over three years to develop the Pure Color Gelee Powder Eye Shadows by Estee Lauder. And we are grateful they took their time so that those of us who have stayed away from eyeshadow, because “it always fades anyway”, can now enjoy some flawless color on our lids – flawless color that doesn’t crease or flake easily. Brilliant! www.esteelauder.com

For her skin

December and January can be dry, rough months for the skin. The cold air can make even the best of us feel like we’re missing something. When creams feel like too much to handle, why not at least try and work some natural ingredients into your cleansing routine? Lierac’s Eau De Soin Démaquillante packs white lily and chamomile extracts, leaving your skin make-up free while also balanced and soft. And, what girl doesn’t love a beauty product based on floral water? www.lierac.com

For her hands

She wants her hands to look and feel soft, but she doesn’t have time to wait for an oily lotion to work its way into her skin? The solution is found at Kiehl’s! The “Unusually Rich-But-Not-Greasy-At-All-Hand Cream” with SPF 10 will make her feel pampered like a princess but also safe from the sun (in case you are also treating her to a weekend on the sun-kissed slopes of Aspen or Verbier). www.kiehls.com

For her soul

Sure, when it comes to winter we tend to think of everything but fresh, floral scents. But maybe that is just what we need right now to cheer us up? One of our favorite scents takes us back to moments spent by the ocean with people we love. Privet Bloom by Hampton Sun is (yes you guessed it) all about The Hamptons – but not the flashy, glitzy part. This scent is all about the ocean, the beach, green grass and fresh air. Lily of the valley, white hyacinth, sea spray, dune grass, blue plum and the captivating privet blossom… Yes, this girl is wearing it today and remembering days walking down Ocean Avenue in the sun… www.hamptonsuncare.com

Got more tips for gifts or beauty treats? Post them here in the comments!

Regardless of whether or not you love the holiday season, you have to admit it is one of the most fun times of year to shop for new party dresses.

For those of you who just don’t have the time or are running low on inspiration, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite looks.  We hope our selection of dresses encourage you to be more bold in cuts and colors.  And even if you cannot secure the actual dress we feature, use the image as a benchmark as you create that perfect look for your office party, glamorous lunch with friends or even your New Year’s celebration. Enjoy!

The Techie

Bold materials and fabrics continue to flash us with gorgeous metallic shades this season. If you like this trend, then you still have some time to make the most of it. This Paco Rabanne futuristic fabric dress is the perfect example of how you can pull off a stunning entrance at any New Year’s Eve party or a dressy holiday event.  Don’t forget to make sure everything from your hair to your shoes and nail polish match your look. www.pacorabanne.com

The Artist

Tired of acid brights and disco camouflage but still want something colorful that makes a statement? Check out this Mary Katrantzou digi print dress that will make you feel like you are wearing a piece of art. Drawing her inspiration from everything from nature to tapestries, this fashion designer is hard at work developing unique looks that you simply cannot find anywhere else – but that are still flattering to a woman’s shape.  If we tell you some of her pieces have been commissioned as actual pieces of art, we doubt you are surprised. www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

The Natural

It probably takes a girl from northern Sweden to really understand what “natural” means in terms of fashion. And we are incredibly thankful that this one Swedish girl in particular went ahead and used her insights to launch her own label, Heart of Lovikka, some years ago. The brand has true skill and talent when it comes to making natural materials look both feminine and chic. Like in this dress for example, the cutest white  knitted one-piece we have ever seen. Not only will you look stunning, but you will also stay warm. All while knowing you are wearing only the very finest natural materials – 100% merino wool. Tack [Thank you], we say! www.heartoflovikka.se

The Whisper

While to some this green silk-tulle number by Simone Rocha may only pretend to be a dress, we love it for its dreamy qualities. It can be both rock n’ roll and the height of innocence, depending on how you wear it. Bring out your inner angel through adding pastel accessories and shoes to your look, or break it up with a real grown up headpiece and dramatic jewelry to show off your personality. Needless to say, if you have some new, vicious looking tattoos a dress like this is perfect for shocking relatives and making your dad’s new, annoying girlfriend run for the hills. PS. Yes, that is Lady Gaga in the picture. www.simonerocha.com

The Classic

OK, we admit that we were trying to keep a classic option out of this article. But when the NoLoGo Chic line of dresses caught our eye we felt we had to share. Whether you want to give a classic look a first go, or simply need to update your traditional (and let’s be honest, boring and uninspired) LBR (little red dress) for the holidays, you want to check this collection out. Created in small runs in Italy, these lovelies seem perfect for almost any figure, come in a range of colors, and work as well dressed up for dinner with the in-laws as dressed down for lunch with friends. www.nologo-chic.co.uk

The world’s most expensive shoe was sold at an auction in Paris on Wednesday for a record-breaking €19,750.

The shoe, embellished with sparkling semi-precious stones using fine silver threads, was created in 1962 by designer Roger Vivier for Princess Soraya of Iran.

The auction was held as a sale of Vivier’s private collection and featured stunning designs made for celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor and John Lennon.

The shoe was bought by the Maison Roger Vivier who, along with the French Footwear Association, snapped up 80 per cent of the 340 lots to prevent them being broken up by international collectors.

Many of the auction pieces will remain on display at the International Shoe Museum, in Romans-sur-Isère, France, where they had been kept until Vivier’s heir decided to sell the collection.

We’re all for a change of season. As long as we can have some fun while adjusting to it by adding new items into our lives.

You’ve already seen our list of 7 Must Have Fall Gear for Men. Here is our list for the ladies.

Froth & Pour Hot Chocolate Pot

When you are fresh out of Godiva Hot Cocoa and just want to make the best warm-me-up drink there is during a cold, dark fall day – what is a girl to do?  Get the best chocolate shavings you can find, combine with milk and put into the Froth & Pour Hot Chocolate Pot. After a stint in the microwave you simply attach the top and push the button and wait as the battery-powered whisk inside creates the best, most velvety hot chocolate you have ever had. www.williams-sonoma.com

Jimmy Choo Slippers

Forget ballet flats or flip flops (it is too cold for beach shoes anyway). This fall it is all about being light on your feet with slippers. And don’t think for a second that slippers means stinky old hand-me-downs from your grandpa because they come in really pretty versions this season. Like these Jimmy Choo ones, in fun loving glitter. www.jimmychoo.com

Anna Sui Hanky Panky Thong

Did you know that thongs have been around for 25 years? Well, they have. And we have the Hanky Panky brand to thank for them. When we heard that renowned New York fashion designer Anna Sui partnered with Hanky Panky to create a limited edition lingerie collection in honor of this anniversary, we couldn’t wait to see what would hit us. Here they are, and we think every respectably sexy lady should have a pair of these color printed, low-rise thongs with ruffles on their hips. www.hankypanky.com

Plex Mantle Cuckoo Clock

As it gets harder and harder to get up every morning, we all need a cute alarm clock. And we just can’t get over how adorable this modern take on the cuckoo clock is – just check it out. Designed by Diamantini & Domeniconi, it is sleek, and features a LED lit front frame, polyphonic sound and a built-in light sensor that keeps the cuckoo from waking you up at night. www.bouf.com

Rude Hand Gestures of the World Book

When darkness falls we either want to snuggle up at home, or just get out of town and explore the world. For those of you who like the sound of the latter, make sure you get your hands on this book first. Through great illustrations you can read up on how to avoid insulting the locals through your body language.  For example, we bet you didn’t know that the innocent “thumbs up” you often use actually in some countries means “up yours”. And, well, OK let’s be honest here. We’re not really recommending this as much for you as we are for your boyfriends and husbands. It makes a great pre-travel surprise gift. Yeah, you’re welcome. www.amazon.com

AAA Deluxe Roadside Safety Kit

Let’s say you do want to travel, just not that far. A road trip! Then this kit will offer the right peace of mind. And what is almost as good, is that it comes in a cute and compact case that will look pretty chic next to your new fall/winter collection handbag. www.LLBEAN.com

Coach Phoebe Breast Cancer Watch

Lovely stainless steel and mineral crystals make this pink limited edition watch a true conversation piece. Of course though, what makes it truly beautiful is that 20% of its retail price goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Buy one for yourself, for each of your sisters and all of your friends. This fall, nothing will look or feel better. www.macys.com

Got more stuff you think we should know about? Share in the comments.