On Tuesday the private equity company MerchantBridge revealed that they would invest $20 million in Monaco Luxury Hotels & Resorts to help support the luxury market.

MerchantBridge Chief Executive Basil Al-Rahim said of the investment, “The luxury hospitality sector is in need for further investment. In Europe and North America, the number of new luxury hotels built decreased by more than 20% in the first half of 2010, when compared with the same period in 2008. At the same time, occupancy rates at luxury hotels in Europe and North America increased by an average of 12%.”

This most recent MerchantBridge investment will support a renovation of the Ritz Carlton Montreal hotel.

With the news that his El Bulli restaurant in Spain would be closing in 2012, Chef Ferran Adria has a new game plan up his sleeve, Harvard professor.  Yep, that’s right.

Chef Adria will be working with Harvard on creating an undergraduate course in culinary physic that would use food to discuss how soft matter physics play a part in culinary creations.  With Adria being infamous for his love of molecular gastronomy, he’s the perfect candidate for such a role.

The Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania has been showing off their gingerbread house this holiday season, though it’s more of a gingerbread community!

Made from 100 pounds of gingerbread, 40 pounds of egg whites, 200 pounds of powdered sugar and hundreds of peppermints, gum balls and candy canes this edible village will be on display through January 6, 2010.  Rates for the resort start around $230 during December, so make your reservations now!

Luxist is now offering up a bottle of Calvin Klein’s newest cologne for free.

All you have to do to enter to win the 1.7 ounce ckfree bottle is leave a comment here about your fave free place and you might just be one of the lucky winners!

If you’re planning to attend Vancouver’s XXI Olympic Winter Games, then you’ll be needing this Flexjet 25 Jet 2010 Gold Edition Card.

With this luxury Flexjet you can take advantage of Winter Game behind-the-scenes as well as offering you the best in airfare on their Bombardier aircraft.  Now, you ready to sign up for both?   We thought so!

Luxist has just announced the news of their Luxist Awards which will award the finest in luxury worldwide.

The webiste is currently taking nominations for best and most luxurious Antiques Resources, Dishware, Glassware, Furniture and Lighting.

If you want to add your two cents, click here.

Now, that’s the way to live luxuriously, a diamond birthday cake!  And that’s just what Lil Wayne did to celebrate his 27th birthday.

The Grammy Award-winning rapper celebrated his 27th year with a million dollar Chopard watch, a $200,000 Chopard black diamond chain and a diamond-studded cake.  No matter what you think of Lil Wayne, the man knows luxury.

Audit Integrity has just published a list of large companies that are on the road to bankruptcy if they don’t somehow steer back their ships.  We think you’ll be somewhat surprised by this list of ten.

1.Hertz
2.Textron
3.Sprint Nextel
4.Macy’s
5.Mylan
6.Goodyear
7.CBS
8.Advanced Micro Devices
9.Las Vegas Sands
10.Interpublic Group

So, which one surprised you the most?  Macy’s?  Sprint Nextel?

Louis Vuitton has just announced plans to launch a new sailing World Series.

The French luxury goods designer is beginning the sailing series this November with a regatta in Nice.  Known as the Louis Vuitton World Series, this new endeavor will be in association with professional sailing group, World Sailing Team Association.  Better start making plans to be in Nice next month!

While Beyonce has been the face for Tommy Hilfiger and Giorgio Armani fragrances, the actress/singer/designer will soon be getting her own perfume.

Coty will be helping Beyonce create her own new scent that will be launching next spring.  The fragrance has the potential to earn around $20 million in the next three years leaving us wondering if we should get famous and make a perfume.