Getting a hair cut is no longer just about the haircut. It’s about the overall experience that keeps you coming back. Who doesn’t want a soothing and nurturing environment where an experienced stylist takes care of you – while making you feel rejuvenated and beautiful? Next time you’re visiting Philadelphia and need an escape from life’s trials and tribulations, world renowned celebrity stylist Laurentius Purnama and his experienced team of artists will make your stresses feel like distant memories.

Nestled in the Italian Market neighborhood of Philadelphia, Laurentius’ Salon features sleek, modern Japanese minimalist design and decor that is subdued. With acute attention to detail and great service, Launrentius is a place where you can focus on what’s important – you.

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2008 is moving too fast. Can you believe January is coming to an end? With that said, we’re still reflecting on last year and trying to set our eyes on new challenges.

Recently, we revisited one of our favorite articles from the New York Times. Denny Lee compiled a list of 53 places you have to visit in 2008. Whether you enjoy the nightlife of Miami Beach, the picturesque terrain of Death Valley or skiing on gorgeous slopes in the French village of Courchevel – the New York Times Travel List has covered every possible type of adventure. The photos alone re-inspired our excitement for the new year.

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Today’s travel briefing highlights economies that are running out of control. In Zimbabwe, Monocle’s journalists pose as tourists to report on the country’s troubled economy. Then in other news, US travelers face surcharges and hidden fees from airlines to balance out the devaluation of the US dollar.

We found the Monocle report especially interesting. As pictured above, the city’s infrastructure appears to be fine, however a deeper look reveals something very different. Zimbabwe has banned journalists from reporting on the country’s pending economic collapse. With inflation running out of control, food and fuel dwindling, and no plan for repair – the country is facing crisis.

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Munich has many attractions and they’ve just added one more. BMW Welt – the company’s new delivery center – is a cathedral for BMW fans and architectural enthusiasts. Positioned within the context of Munich’s industrial backdrop, BMW’s latest wonder is a must see.

We can’t wait to visit. Recently Nicolai Ouroussoff of the New York Times wrote a captivating piece on the facility. As he describes it, “[When] the glittering forms of the BMW Welt building appeared, [it] immediately rekindled my faith in architecture’s future. Set against a backdrop of hulking factory sheds and 1970s office towers, the building weaves together the detritus of a postwar industrial landscape, imbuing it with a more inclusive spirit. Its undulating steel forms, suggesting the magical qualities of liquid mercury, may be the closest yet that architecture has come to alchemy…”

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In Tim Ferris’ book, The 4-Hour Workweek, he describes an emerging generation of entrepreneurs as the New Rich. Success for the New Rich is not quantified by traditional wealth standards, instead success has become the amount of day to day freedom they enjoy. Rather than going through the paces of a pre-tracked career, they’re boldly chasing their life’s pursuit. But the big question for this new generation is how do they vacation? What happens when your work becomes your lifestyle? It’s extremely difficult to shut off.

Our recommendation is sports. Combining activities with your vacation is the best way to relax and stay present without your mind wondering back to work. The Cedar House Sport Hotel combines modern design and luxury with outdoor fun. Set in Martis Valley, CA – near Lake Tahoe – Cedar House offers hiking, biking, kayaking, snowshoeing, dog sledding and other guided outdoor activities. Be sure to check them out next time you’re planning a break. Click Read More for additional photos and information.

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Earlier this week, aerospace designer Burt Rutan and Sir Richard Branson unveiled SpaceShipTwo – the latest spacecraft from Virgin Galactic. With packed attendance and the usual grandeur that follows Sir Richard, many were infected by his enthusiasm. The edge of space may be getting closer. As Branson stated, “2008 will really be the year of the spaceship.”

The New York Times posted a great article covering the event. As they reported: ”’Most people think of going to space as Saturn V or the Space Shuttle,’ said Mr. Whitehorn, the company president. But the Rutan model, a descendant of the record-breaking X-15 experimental craft, shows there is another way, he said. The vehicle is meant to open space to a new generation of spacefarers who are more creative than the classically trained astronauts, Mr. Rutan said. And that will bring with it a new way of looking at space travel, just as personal computing opened up the use of computers from a military and academic tool to something that transformed the world.”

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There’s a lot of talk about streetwear nowadays. Most of it centers on definition. What is streetwear, exactly? While some reduce the movement to ironic t-shirts, neon, and Nike, others see things a bit more broadly.

After working in fashion for years, Scott Schuman noticed something: there was a gap between what he was selling in the showroom and what he was seeing real people wear on the street. He decided to merge his passion for photography and fashion and started a blog entitled, The Sartorialist.

It’s simple. Schuman takes pictures of people on the street with a designer’s eye. The byproduct is inspiration for himself and his readers. The photos provide a glimpse into local culture and the fashion sense of a city. If you’re in New York, check out his first solo exhibition at Danziger Projects – 521 W. 26th Street. The opening is Tuesday, January 22nd and it runs until February 23th.

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