If you've somehow managed to survive the Panic of '08 with your fortunes intact (and feel like offering some economic stimulus to Southern California), check out the new Resort at Pelican Hill, opening today in Orange County's Newport Coast. The 504-acre property includes 204 private bungalows and 128 villas (not to mention 750 mature olive trees), and the suites have the requisite flat-screens, round-the-clock butlers, fireplaces—made of hand-carved limestone from Italy, fear not—and 500-thread-count linens. Should you still want to leave your room, there are two seaside golf courses, classically designed porticos, and 28-foot Palladian rotundas. (Humble it ain't.) But our favorite detail might be the 136-foot saltwater Coliseum pool, which the hotel claims is laid out in a perfect circle. (We wonder what Plato—or R.E.M.—might have to say about that.) Naturally, a stay will cost you: A night in a four-bedroom villa is $2,700; basic rooms start at $695 per night. Well timed? Not exactly, but if you've been working hard enough to afford a stay here, you probably deserve a vacation.
22800 Pelican Hill Rd. S., Newport Coast, CA, (949) 467-6800, pelicanhill.com

This might come as a surprise, but Operations' apparel isn't limited to the sort of stylized workwear worn by those who want to look like they spend their days in a factory. Case in point is the New York City-based retailer and design house's handsome calfskin-leather coat, which is inspired by motorcycle jackets. The wind-guard at the zipper helps to shield its wearer from cold air, as do the cinches at the cuff and around the waist. Sadly, you'll need a motorcycle to experience its full benefit, and that, as you'd expect, is sold separately.
$995, available at Operations, 60 Mercer St., NYC, (212) 334-4950, and 50 Ninth Ave., NYC, (212) 924-1971, operationsny.com

With the resurgence of vinyl comes renewed interest in turntables (even for those who don't moonlight as DJs). Among the best-looking we've come across lately is Montegiro's Legno, which means "wood" in Italian. The manufacturer—which despite all those vowels is in fact German—uses the material to great effect here, both visually and aurally: Wood's resonance-dampening qualities help deliver the distinct bass, refined mid-range, and clear highs you'd expect. And while it's not as luxurious (or, let's face it, overly designed) as Montegiro's top-of-the-line Lusso, the Legno doesn't cost 50 grand. But even this, the company's entry-level model, isn't cheap: Expect it to sell for around $9,800. Sadly, no word on any recession specials.
For more information, visit montegiro.de

Hiroshima-born Arashi Yanagawa spent four years sparring before taking up fashion, so when he launched his own line for spring 2007, he looked back to his prior career for inspiration—naming it John Lawrence Sullivan after the boxing champ. Heavyweight in inspiration, the collection—as you might expect from a Japanese suiting brand carried at Opening Ceremony—is actually sized for the featherweights among us, but those who can fit into the expertly tailored goods are destined to be converts. The Fall '08 collection veers across the board in manic colors and styling, but our pick was the comparatively restrained two-button suit, a texturized, almost upholstered-looking Raf Simons riff (available at a Raf by Raf price). Slipping on the jacket in our office, I caught the eye—and hard-earned approval—of our discerning style editor. Did I look like a sofa, I wondered? "A very stylish sofa," he said. Sold.
John Lawrence Sullivan two-button jacket, $960, and pants, $410, available at Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard St., NYC, (212) 219-2688, and 451 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., (310) 652-1120, openingceremony.us

Speed and distance aren't worth discussing in in most scooters, but Piaggio's new three-wheeled hybrid is different. Called the MP3 (insert your own iTunes joke here), the vehicle combines a 125cc gas engine with an electric motor, gets 141 mpg, and emits only 40 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. (By comparison, the 2010 Toyota Prius emits 104, but then, it has doors.) Also attractive? The scooter goes from 0-60 in five seconds and tops out at 90 mph. Expect it to launch in the States sometime next year for $7,000.

[TG Daily]

Jim Thiel may not be a household name, but his autograph isn't cheap. The Kentucky-based audio designer creates some of the finest speakers in the world (with costs to match), and in honor of Thiel Audio's 30th anniversary, he's releasing a special, limited-edition CS2.4 floor-standing model featuring—you guessed it—his signature. Other, less dubious additions include ultra-fine-grade capacitors and handsome stained cabinets made of bird's-eye maple. Consider this one an investment for your eyes and ears.
CS2.4 Signature Edition speaker, $8,000 per pair, thielaudio.com

Vancouver's Lark carries some great knitwear (as anyone who remembers the Alexander Olch knit bow ties we found there can attest). For the encroaching cold months, it's commissioned designer Sylvia Poon to create a line of hats and scarves exclusively for the store. Hand-knitted in an alpaca-wool blend, the striped scarves are a refined accessory for winter, putting craftsmanship and attention to detail above big-ticket labels. Better still, while the company's by no means giving them away, the currently favorable Canadian-to-American dollar conversion rate is one of the rare ones that doesn't punish you for venturing abroad. That's a bargain built right in—minus, of course, the pesky shipping charges.
About $164, available at Lark, 2315 Main St., Vancouver, (604) 879-5275, lark.me

Distressing the old-fashioned way has always been a trademark of Freemans Sporting Club—as Taavo Somer mentioned in his 10 Essentials, he constructed Gemma, the restaurant at the Bowery Hotel, in an FSC suit, which emerged none the worse for wear—but the process takes center stage with the line's new Foreman boots. Coming out of the box pristine and ruddy brown, the cap-toe boots can be hand-burnished to your exact specs, thanks to a kit available at the store. Not so into DIY? You're covered there, too. We hear that if they've got time, the staff will help you scuff up your new purchase.
$750, available at Freemans Sporting Club, 8 Rivington St., NYC, (212) 673-3209, freemanssportingclub.com

Krane founder Ken Chow interned with Marc Jacobs during his time at F.I.T., but it was his stint at Alexandre Plokhov and Robert Geller's sadly defunct Cloak that seems to have been the stronger influence on his military-tinged designs. Chow's accessories first caught our eye in January, and now, just in time for the colder months, Oak is carrying the line's outwear in this fall's go-to fabric, waxed cotton. Our pick: the bomber-style Cyril coat, whose obsessively intricate details (hand-woven waistband, detachable sheepskin collar, linings made of vintage Italian military blankets) account for a hefty price tag. If you need justification to splurge, consider that one is literally built in: Those linings ensure that, should worst come to worst, you can sleep under it, too.
$938, available at oaknyc.com

San Francisco brand Hlaska has long been influenced by the natural world—witness its popular "Astronomy" wallets, laser-cut with the constellations, from a few years back. Their newest offering is no different: Each of the three Evergreen briefcases is made from vegetable-tanned leather and embossed with wood grain from a tree. The papaya is cedar (only ten made), the natural is pine (25 made), and black is ebony wood (ditto). The results might be subtle, but such authenticity usually is. (Politicians: Take note.)
$795, available at hlaska.com

Despite our preference for non-humongous wristwatches, we've long been fond of those from Officine Panerai. As the former supplier to the Royal Italian Navy, Panerai perfected the world's first underwater watches in the thirties. They weren't dainty then, and they're not now, either; pictured above is the watchmaker's latest release, a 44-mm limited-edition Luminor Chrono Daylight, water-resistant to 100 meters, which comes with a titanium case and band, and whose dial is blue (not the line's traditional black). Price and availability are, of course, still TBD, but the watch will make its debut in January at SIHH in Geneva. Consider this an early preview: The company says it won't be available here until the middle of next year.

There's no shortage of ecommerce sites selling wares by up-and-coming designers, but Forwardforward.com (from the same people behind Revolveclothing) is still pretty intriguing. The site carries a selection of apparel and accessories by the likes of Gilded Age, Rag & Bone, and Neil Barrett (whose covetable Basketball Boot is pictured above), and they plan on adding Henrik Vibskov, Raf Simons, and Duckie Brown to their Spring roster. Our suggestion? Bookmark it for whenever the economy turns around.
$523, available at forwardforward.com.