Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Oct 24

Christmas is coming. Buy me one.

Ever wish you could cross your arms, bat your eyes, and escape to a serene place all your own? Well, your wish is our command. Our “Dream Folly” is inspired by the classic 1960s TV show I Dream of Jeannie. Starting with a sturdy 18-foot-diameter yurt—a structure invented centuries ago by ancient Mongols—”Dream Folly” is the ideal simulation of a genie’s posh bottle. The purveyor of this haven is Rainier Yurts. Founded over 100 years ago, the Seattle-based company first provided tents and camping supplies for prospectors headed north for the Alaskan Gold Rush. Today, many would agree that procuring your own “Dream Folly” is the equivalent of striking gold. The structure consists of a mixed-grain interior lattice system, a Sunbrella® exterior lining, and a plexiglass door and dome. The roof is made from vinyl-coated polyester with an acrylic top coat for extra durability. But it’s the interior that goes beyond your wildest, most decadent dreams. Let’s start with the pièces de résistance: a bevy of one-of-a-kind, down-filled pillows from renowned designer Rebecca Vizard. For the uninitiated, Vizard built a workshop in her rural hometown of St. Joseph, Louisiana, where she and a group of craftsmen create these plush accessories—all by hand—from the finest textiles. To give you an idea of the remarkable workmanship, artisans meticulously remove embroidery and trim from antique garments, tapestries, and scrollwork, dating as far back as the eighteenth century. These exquisite “appliqués” are then hand-embroidered onto velvet cases and accented by sequins, beading, and hand-bordered metallic galon and corded trim. In addition to the pillows, Vizard designed every detail of this space and selected colors to evoke the bubbles of a warm, soothing bath. The room’s other noteworthy embellishments include linen wall coverings by Coleman Taylor Handpainted Textiles in Montgomery, Alabama, and a custom, handcrafted crystal chandelier from New Orleans-based Julie Neill Designs. Since we’re in the business of granting wishes, you can choose a different color scheme and decor from the ones depicted here. But why bother? There’s no improving upon perfection. Simply ask for this dream getaway, and we’ll have it installed on your estate grounds in the blink of an eye. For every retreat sold, Neiman Marcus will donate $5,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The “Dream Folly” stands 12’5” tall with an 18’ diameter.
To learn more about the charity, please visit www.bcrfcure.org.

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Oct 23

What Percent Are You? - Real Time Economics - WSJ -

npr:

The calculator shows where your income stands on the wide range of the 99%. An annual salary above $506,000 puts you in the top 1%, while you need to make less than $2,500 a year to be in the bottom 1%. Where do you stand?

allcreatures:

Photograph: Chadden Hunter/BBC NHU

(Source: Guardian)

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Vanity Fair: The Little-Known 17th-Century Origins of Occupy Wall Street -

vanityfair:

Everyone knows that the Tea Party fancies itself an intellectual ancestor of the 1773 Boston Tea Party. But what many people do not realize is that America’s other prominent decentralized activist movement, Occupy Wall Street, also boasts historical cred—the revolutionary findings:

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