Spider in China

The new Ferrari 458 Spider made its debut in China at Guangzhou International Auto Show 2011.

Joining the 458 Italia, the model widens the range of Ferrari's mid-rear- engined V8s and offers the same outstanding technological performance.

It is truly a one-of-a-kind sports car.

The 458 Spider is powered by the award-winning direct-injected 4.5L V8, providing the best drivability, performance, economy and refinement. The accelerator pedal mapping and the damping of the multilink suspension enable maximum sportiness and driving pleasure.

Made entirely of aluminum, the model has lost 25kg in weight and it takes only 14 seconds for its hard-top to deploy.

First Ferrari-stamped Hublot watch

At the Guangzhou auto show, Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot announced its partnership with Ferrari and unveiled the Big Bang Chrono Tourbillon Ferrari, see below, which will also be showcased by the watchmaker at next year's Basel Fair.

The partnership between the two luxury brands celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first Ferrari in the mainland.

The all-round agreement covers a series of events in terms of brand image and commercial activities such as the Ferrari official watch.

Big Bang Chrono Tourbillon Ferrari

Reference 308.QX.1110.HR.SCF11

Case Big Bang - diameter 44mm, carbon fiber

Crystal Red sapphire with Hublot transfer

Case-back crystal "20th Anniversary of Ferrari in China" transfer, with Ferrari horse in the center

Water resistance 10 ATM
, ie about 100 meters

Dial Matt black with black nickel indexes, Ferrari horse in the center of the Chrono minute counter at 2 o'clock

Movement HUB 6300 Column-wheel chronograph, clutch Tourbillon escapement coupled directly to the cage, with power reserve indicator on the dial side

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade adjusts his approach as he prepares to turn 30

MIAMI — It was a silly, self-promotional question, just the sort that a sports celebrity learns to indulge, especially on a morning devoted to promoting product. After Dwyane Wade unveiled the Fly Wade 2 shoe Wednesday, a television reporter wondered whether the fresh new kicks could help a 48-year-old non-athlete play like the Heat's seven-time All-Star.

"When I'm 48," Wade said with a smile, "I won't be able to play like me."

Wade's not nearly that old yet, so he won't stop skying anytime soon. Still, his Hublot watch ticks toward another milestone, the mention of which, of the "big birthday coming next year," triggered a knowing laugh.

It's jarring to realize he will be 30 in five weeks, that it's been eight years since he arrived in Miami from Marquette, seeming uneasy in the spotlight.

Now, as he enters his ninth season, he's a grown man and a mature brand, a world traveler and an elite endorser, unafraid to share opinions or expand horizons.

In his 20s, he has enjoyed and suffered it all - ultimate victory, major surgery, coast-to-coast coronation, widespread repudiation - and that doesn't even include his eventful personal life.

The question now, considering the finite nature of NBA careers, is how much he will experience ahead.

So it was interesting Wednesday to hear him speak of his approach to the Heat training camp that starts Friday, the season that starts Dec. 25, and the historic challenges implied by hitting the big "3-0" on Jan. 17.

"I just wanted to be lean," Wade said.

When he lifted his shirt, he exposed a symmetrical six-pack the likes of which no suds connoisseur has ever seen.

In some seasons, he has been in what Erik Spoelstra characterized as "freakish" condition; in 2008-09, he was a bit bloated for Pat Riley's liking.

"Every year I played at some kind of different weight, from my first year to last year," Wade said.

Wade said that, for 2011-12, his goal was to feel fresher later in games. He was careful this off-season not to play too many 5-on-5 exhibition games - fewer than LeBron James, for instance -- for fear of burning out early.

"Hopefully, I spread it out well," Wade said.

Some might argue that he spreads himself too thin, that his globetrotting off-season schedule - in addition to fatherhood duties - would wear out even the strongest mortal.

But he appeared to be refreshed Wednesday in body and mind, eager for the opening of camp in part "because a lot of extra stuff cuts out of my life." He's told his agent and business manager to stop calling with requests.

"Riley don't play that," he said.

Wade has always prided himself on playing above the rim, but that comes with risks, risks that only increase with age. Michael Jordan extended his era of excellence by relying less on aerial assaults, and now Kobe Bryant is doing the same.

Of the recent stars, only Allen Iverson has been as fearless and relentless an attacker as Wade - and perhaps only Iverson absorbed as many body shocks.

While Iverson had his highest-scoring season (33.0) after turning 30, and shot the second-highest percentage of his career (45.8 percent) at 32, he had lost the step that made him special by 34.

Will that happen to Wade?

It helps that he is roughly 50 pounds heavier than Iverson, and has taken better care of himself off the floor. But, clearly, he must continue to evolve.

"You always try to add," Wade said. "Every year, I am always trying to add a piece to my game."

And learning to subtract.

"Understanding moments a little different," Wade said. "I've changed since I've been here. I don't drive every time down. I understand sometimes, my body can't take that tonight.

"So, yeah, I've changed, but me totally changing from a penetrator to just a shooter? I'm not at that stage in no time soon - just sit in a corner. That will come one day. That will be like Eddie Jones was when I got here."

Jones was 32 when Wade arrived - effective if not explosive.

Maybe that label will fit Wade down the line. But, even with 30 approaching, it still doesn't fit nearly as well as his shoes.

F1 Racing x Hublot – Formula One King Power Interlagos

Just days ago, Ferrari announced that Hublot would be the official watchmaker of their company but familiar to several other ventures, Hublot is not slowing down and have released another outstanding timepiece for auto fans. To commemorate the last Grand Prix leg of the F1 Championship, Hublot has released the Formula 1 King Power Interlagos.

The Interlagos is the counter-clockwise Formula One Racing circuit in Sao Paolo, Brazil and Hublot created a timepiece that references the track's Brazilian heritage. The watch reflects the cobalt blue of the nation's flag and as with all the Formula One tribute watches, the bezel is perforated to appear like an F1 racecar's disc brakes. Push buttons for reset and timing functions complete a striking new watch that is limited to 250 pieces. The Formula 1 King Power Interlagos is available for special order now through Hublot dealers everywhere.

Hublot F1 King Power Interlagos Watch

Hublot recently concluded the 2011 F1 season at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo with the unveiling of the F1 King Power Interlagos watch. This marks the second new Hublot F1 watch unveiled this month and the eighth model overall for the Hublot F1 collection. The watch is in the now familiar F1 King Power theme, except the cobalt blue color which is found in the centre of the Brazilian flag (pantone 280, anyone?). Also this watch comes on a hornback alligator strap rather than the often seen Nomex-style strap.

48mm carbon fiber case, ceramic F1 "brake disc" style bezel, automatic mechanical chronograph movement, horback alligator strap with cobalt blue stitching

He takes the cake

Who says you don't have to work hard if you're the boss?

Flashing a smile and his famous Italian charm, New Jersey baker and reality TV star Buddy Valastro, aka the Cake Boss, worked up a sweat hugging hundreds of fans at a book signing sponsored by Rainy Day Books earlier this month at Unity Temple on the Plaza. Valastro, star of TLC's reality series "Cake Boss," came to Kansas City as part of a nationwide tour that took him to 20 cities in 21 days.

A nationwide tour … for a cake baker?

Don't laugh. It sold out around the country. As one commentator put it, "we're in the golden age of cake television." From "Ace of Cakes" and "Ultimate Cake Off" to "Last Cake Standing" and "Wedding Cake Wars," cake programs are everywhere. In the last three years you could hardly turn the channel without landing on one of these sugar-soaked shows.

"Cake Boss" is arguably the most successful and highest rated of the bunch. Now seen in 180 countries, it has achieved near cult status, attracting throngs of giddy visitors to Hoboken, N.J., from as far away as Japan and Jakarta. The show centers on Carlo's Bakery (run by Valastro and his extended family) and the drama that ensues as they make their spectacular special-order cakes.

How much of a phenomenon is Buddy Valastro? His official "Cake Boss" Facebook page has 3.2 million "likes."

On his page fans communicate with Valastro like they would a close friend. They share stories from their lives, leave compliments or tell him they're coming to visit. They even leave links for YouTube videos, where they tell him how much they love his show, or make their pitches for him to make them — or someone they know — one of his larger-than-life custom cakes.

"Hi Buddy," wrote one fan. "I am from Hawaii and planning a trip to visit your store. Do you have anything for tourists like us to watch how the beautiful cakes are made? You are all so creative. It is always a WOW whenever I watch your show."

But not everyone has positive comments. Some, like Rosemary Harding, leave sharply worded constructive criticism.

"Enjoy the show except all your screaming," she said. "If I worked for you and you yelled at me the way you do the crew, I would walk out. There is no excuse for how you treat the other bakers. You should learn some manners and take a course in how to talk to others."

But most of the comments are as sweet as one of the Cake Boss' creations.

Valastro is as popular with chefs as he is with home bakers.

Carey Iennaccaro, owner of Sprinkled With Sugar, a custom-cake business in Olathe, appreciates what the show has done for her industry.

"I definitely think Buddy has been a big influence on the cake world with his show and his uniqueness," she said. "There are amazingly great people in the cake world who were doing this before Buddy. But Buddy's show has brought all these talented cake artists into the spotlight to where people can actually see and appreciate all that we do."

In the show, Valastro is depicted in many ways, including devoted family man and demanding task master who is not above raising his voice or lowering the boom when necessary.

But on stage in Kansas City he was a big softie.

"It's an honor to meet you," said a female fan with a quavering voice, who quickly apologized. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm nervous."

"Aww, what are you nervous for?" Valastro said. "Don't be nervous. I love you guys. You know that. Just a pleasure being here in Kansas City."

A father of four, Valastro kissed babies and clowned around with kids. He shook hands, gave high-fives, posed for pictures, laughed at jokes and signed books, forearms, cake pans and rolling pins. Not once did he seem tired, or put off by the huge line. These were his fans. And there was nothing he wouldn't do for them.

Three hours later, when the last fan walked away, he wasn't done. With a show to do later that night at the Midland theater, where he would talk about his life, do demonstrations and take questions from the audience, he was ushered into a back room filled with tables piled high with his new book, "Baking With the Cake Boss" ($30, Free Press). His job: sign every last of them.

He didn't know he'd be asked to sign so many books. No problem. He grabbed a marker and attacked them like a machine. Hours later he finished signing the last of 500 books, having given each one a stylish and legible autograph.

Valastro is no stranger to hard work. He's been working in the family business since he was 11. After his father died, the 34-year-old Valastro guided Carlo's Bakery to new heights as the breakout star of the highly rated "Cake Boss," now in its fourth season.

Sherry Kirkpatrick of Olathe, who came to see him on her 53rd birthday, said it's easy to understand why people like this boss so much.

Pippa Middleton Watches Federer Claim ATP Tour Final

She's known to have quite the interest in the sport, and Pippa Middleton was front row at the O2 Arena in London, England for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday (November 27).

Looking chic in a bright blue ensemble, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge was alongside a few friends as she watched the final match between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Roger Federer.

The annual event which sees the top 8 players gathered to compete in the year-end championships ended up being claimed by Federer, who won a close contest by a final tally of 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.

Meanwhile, reports tell that Miss Middleton has been the subject of a fierce bidding war by some of Britain’s largest publishers for her first book.

Most recently, an insider at Telegraph tells that publisher Michael Joseph of Penguin books signed her up to a publishing deal worth $618,000 last week - though nothing has been confirmed.

“She wanted to publish it next year, but it will be timed to come out after the Jubilee,” said one book industry insider.

Enjoy the pictures of Pippa Middleton at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals (November 27).

Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Ferrari: Chrono Rosso

The newest chronograph was launched at this year's Guangzhou International Auto Show on 20 November, but can be considered as a sort of exclusive 'preview' for the full range of Hublot/Ferrari watches which will be revealed at the 2012 Baselworld fair.

The case is a classic 44mm 'Big Bang' design and contains a Hublot HUB 6300 Column-wheel chronograph movement complete with a clutch Tourbillon escapement coupled directly to the cage. A power-reserve indicator sits on the side of the dial.

And endowing the new watch with that indefinable element of Ferrari magic, the sapphire crystal is tinted red (a difficult process) and the Prorosus crocodile strap carries red stitching: a true 'Chrono Rosso'.

Beattitudes: On Ann Beattie

Let's imagine Ann Beattie in the early 1970s. She was a thin young woman, bucktoothed, with an open, vulnerable face and long straight hair in the period style. She was a little waiflike, maybe, a little mournful, a little recessive. She was surely not a confident person—she'd been depressed a lot in high school, and finished near the bottom of her class. Her childhood had been ordinary, and she had been even more ordinary. Now she was treading water in graduate school, still not much of a student, bored, buying time. The last thing she wanted was to have to get a job. She shared a place with a bunch of other people, more or less aimless like herself, no doubt, mourning the '60s and waiting for something to happen. We can imagine her sipping tea on cloudy winter afternoons, listening to people's problems. There must have been a lot of pot, as people drifted in and out (did she smoke herself, or did she prefer to keep a clear head?), a lot of empty talk of plans and dreams.

She had a secret life though, late at night, up alone with her typewriter. It was very cold where she lived. She'd put a pillow on the floor in front of the radiator, get an extension cord, sit as close to the heat as she could and write all night. It was just a hobby. She never thought that anything would come of it. Did she write to fill the hours of insomnia? To laugh at her friends behind their backs? To keep at bay the chaos she must have felt, the sense of emptiness, anxiety, free fall? Was the writing just the manic backlash of the day's depression, or did she feel a growing strength of craft, something she was finally good at?

She showed some stories to a friend. Without telling her, he sent one to The New Yorker. A reader pulled it out of the slush pile and passed it on to the fiction editor. The editor sent her a note: in the future, please address your submissions directly to me. The magazine rejected the first seventeen she sent. Then, in the spring of 1974—she was 26—they published one, “A Platonic Relationship.” Over the next three years, they published fourteen more, and another eighteen in the six years after that.

A generation, it was felt, had found its chronicler in fiction. Beattiesque, Beattieland, the Beattie generation: these terms were soon coined. No one had written about these kinds of lives before: children of the counterculture set down, with a thud, in adulthood. Self-involved stoners, serial wives, absentee parents, would-be hippies, women trapped not in domesticity but outside it—stunted, stunned, impulsive, lost; hungry for love but unable to give it. People without families, without contexts, without enduring relationships, without anything at all to hold them in place. People yearning to escape, then yearning to escape their escape. People who needed to feel unique and ended up making themselves completely typical. People who couldn't grasp what was happening to them, even though they were the ones who were doing it. “What am I trying to think about,” one of them wonders. “I'd like to care,” another tells his wife (she's talking about the daughter he's abandoned), “but what you just said didn't make any impression on me.”

eWatches Announces Their Black Friday Sale on Top Brand Name Watches!

eWatches Announces Their Black Friday Sale on Top Brand Name Watches! Incredible once-a-year Deals Guaranteed

So they strove to think big when it came to their Black Friday sale scheduled for November 25, 2011, the day after Thanksgiving. Prices on watches, including Invicta, Tag Heuer and Breitling, are already heavily discounted on the site. However, the Black Friday holiday promotion on the site will provide consumers with further incentives by providing additional discounts.

The eWatches Black Friday sale will offer consumers exclusive pricing on their extensive watch inventory. For one day only, eWatches consumers will be able to buy watches at discounted prices--sometimes by as much as 93%!

The Black Friday sale will also offer consumers guaranteed holiday shipping. The site offers consumers free ground shipping on all watches, which they can upgrade to second-day air for just $5. What's more, the discounted watch retailer is offering an extended holiday return period this year--through to February 2012.

Some of the most sought after watches for men will be offered during the Black Friday sale. They will include such brands as Invicta, Seiko, Swiss Legend, , I by Invicta, Technomarine, Breitling, Tag Heuer and many more. Sports watches such as dive watches and chronograph watches will also be part of the promotion.

In addition to the watches for men, eWatches.com is offering the same discounts on their top selling women’s watches. Brands such as Glam Rock, Activa, Swiss Legend, Invicta, Seiko, Technomarine can be found at bargain basement prices.

With the holidays just around the corner, it is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of these remarkable discounts offered by eWatches on the biggest shopping day of the year. And be sure to stay tuned for additional seasonal sales.

Easton Garden Club's Festival of Trees begins Nov. 25

If shopping on Black Friday isn't your idea of fun, the Easton Garden Club has a festive alternative.

Beginning Friday, and running through Dec. 3, the club will host its first Festival of Trees, a display of 25 decorated trees at Queset House at 51 Main St.

Each tree will be decorated according to a theme, such as a giving tree adorned with gift cards valued at $1,000 from local merchants. A money tree will have Lottery tickets hanging from its branches and a sports tree will be decorated with items from Boston's professional sports teams, including a replica of the Stanley Cup.

A transportation tree decorated by Garden Club member Nancy Coheno, has ornaments and decorations ranging from police cars, fire trucks and tow trucks to motorcycles and pontoon boats.

"I've never seen anything like it. It's just a phenomenal tree," Garden Club publicity chairwoman Dede Ames said.

Ames said club members attended similar events in Methuen and Wellesley and wanted to start a new tradition in Easton.

"To watch children and parents was magical. The children saw all these lighted trees and their eyes lit up," Ames said. "I have to say the adults enjoyed the trees every bit as much as any child."

Visitors to the festival can pay for a chance to win a tree and donate to organizations including My Brother's Keeper, a volunteer Christian ministry that delivers furniture and food to families in need, by putting money into buckets placed in front of trees.

All other proceeds will pay for the Garden Club's beautification projects in town including the window boxes in North Easton Village as well as a scholarship that is given to a graduating senior from Oliver Ames High School each year.