Author: Henry

250 years of American independence surely deserves a toast, or perhaps a new addition to your watch collection via a duo of suitably festive Breitling timepieces via the America250 Avenger collection.

The duo bridges both field-ready and rugged utility with the watchmaker’s characteristic tilt towards aviation-minded performance. “For 250 years, America has stood for independence, courage, and the drive to move forward,” Breitling said in debuting the limited-edition collection. “The America250 Avenger models commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the United States in the colors of the stars and stripes.” Each watch pops in vibrant fashion with hits of red, white and blue throughout, delivering Breitling’s signature sport-meets-luxury aesthetic just in time for the Fourth of July weekend.

Both models take their USA-made inspiration quite seriously, featuring sharp, dressy blue dials, contrasting indices and distinct red contrast stitching on their respective straps. Both offer suitable variety for the watch enthusiast and patriot, as the Avenger B01 Night Mission Chronograph boasts triple-chronograph functionality and the Avenger Automatic America250 serves up military-inspired design.

Priced at $9,700 and limited to 50 pieces to honor each state in the country, the Avenger B01 Night Mission Chronograph features a caseback engraved with both the Liberty Bell and the inscription “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”

The other half of the America250 Avenger collection, the Avenger Automatic, clocks in at $5,100 in a run of just 250 timepieces. And while watchmakers like Bremont are also honoring America’s 250th anniversary, Breitling is the only watchmaker to work with the America250 organization itself.

The impressive watch duo is but one way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in collectible fashion, but it might be the most distinctive in the watch world. Within the Night Mission Chronograph, for instance, keen observers will note that the titanium outer ring bears 50 engraved stars and a “ONE OF 50″ inscription alongside the official America250 logo. To bolster your watch collection and celebrate the country in illustrious fashion, consider the America250 Avenger collection while horological supplies last.

Pack your denim cut-offs and grab your bug spray, because Camp Firewood is open for business once again. Focus Features has announced a special 25th-anniversary nationwide re-release of the beloved cult comedy Wet Hot American Summer, hitting theaters for a limited run from August 14-21.

Directed by David Wain and co-written with Michael Showalter, the 2001 film features a remarkable ensemble cast of comedy heavyweights, including Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, and Janeane Garofalo in the zany spoof of vintage summer camp comedies like Bill Murray’s Meatballs. Now, audiences across America can relive the camp chaos on the big screen.

The anniversary celebration kicks off on August 8 with Los Angeles’ Street Food Cinema hosting the Official 25th Anniversary Reunion. A massive outdoor screening will feature a live panel with Wain, Banks, Joe Lo Truglio, and Marguerite Moreau, as well as a live performance by the Wet Hot Jam Band and exclusive merchandise from Focus Features’ roaming F-Stop Airstream. On August 17, Alamo Drafthouse hosts 25th Anniversary Parties at ten beer-fueled theaters. Each ticket includes a commemorative t-shirt, a retro red headband, and a specially themed menu. Check out the 25th anniversary poster and trailer here.

For fans of The Smiths—or any of the many legacy rock bands that cite Johnny Marr’s clean arpeggiated riffs and galloping acoustic accompaniments as highly influential—there’s a Christie’s sale that demands attention.

The post-punk progenitor is partnering with the British auction house to sell approximately 80 guitars acquired over the Smiths’ short-lived but widely celebrated career in the 1980s and Marr’s prolific efforts since, which include membership in the Pretenders, The The, Electronic and Modest Mouse, as well as collaborations with Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Bryan Ferry, Beck, Hans Zimmer, Oasis, Pearl Jam, Noel Gallagher, Billie Eilish, Blondie, Gorillaz, and Franz Ferdinand. Christie’s reports that several of the instruments were played during the recording of Marr’s recently announced solo album, The Age Of Everything, due out October 2.

“I have loved guitars for as long as I can remember, since the first one I got at the age of five,” Marr said in a statement. “Each guitar I have acquired over the past 50 years or so has helped me evolve as a musician, bringing new songs, new sounds and techniques.”

“Writing Marr’s Guitars in 2023″—Marr continued, referencing his retrospective photobook—”gave me the perfect excuse to bring all of these instruments together, to tell their stories, revisit the songs, shows and unforgettable moments they’ve brought me, and that I’ve shared with remarkable people in studios and on stages around the world. The book turned out to be a cathartic experience and when it was time for these beautiful instruments to go back into storage, I couldn’t imagine them being put away and left unplayed. It’s bittersweet to be parting with these guitars but I want them to go to new homes and new people who will love them as much as I have. I hope they bring as much joy, inspiration and fun—and new songs—as they have given me.”

Admirably, Marr will donate 100 percent of the hammer price of 10 lots—which also feature select amps and other equipment—to benefit The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society. How much cash those charities actually receive depends on which lots’ proceeds are donated, as the few previously announced valuations range from thousands to well into six figures.

Headlining is a 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355 ($132,000–$198,000) that was reportedly purchased in New York by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein in response to a quip by Marr, who said that the Smiths would sign to Stein’s label if he bought him a guitar. According to Christie’s, the 355 inspired Marr to write the music for the classic 1984 single “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” and its b-side “Girl Afraid” that same day.

Another Gibson, a 1984 Les Paul crafted in Cherry, ($105,600–$158,400) was acquired in fall of 1984 for The Smiths’ album Meat Is Murder. The instrument, modified with a Bigsby vibrato, was recorded for the tracks “The Headmaster Ritual,” “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” and “What She Said.” Maybe even more poignantly, Marr played this Les Paul on the final song of what would be the Smiths’ last ever show in December 1986.

On the other end of the Smiths’ timeline is Marr’s 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo ($79,200–$105,600), which was used extensively during the recording of The Smiths’ eponymous debut album and served as Marr’s main guitar on the band’s early tours—its distinctive sounds ring out on “What Difference Does It Make?” “This Charming Man,” “Still Ill,” and “Accept Yourself.” In 1994, the legendary Rickenbacker appeared on the cover of Oasis’ debut single “Supersonic” after Marr lent the guitar to Noel Gallagher during early recording sessions for Definitely Maybe.

While bidding doesn’t start until September 17 in London, Marr will be plenty busy touring in support of his fifth solo album, with his live performances culminating in his biggest solo show at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 24.

L’Auberge de Sedona, the luxury resort set along Oak Creek in the famed Arizona town and home to the acclaimed Cress on Oak Creek restaurant, recently completed a $30 million revamp, enhancing all aspects of the iconic property. Sedona’s only member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), the resort began with a handful of cottages in 1984 and celebrated its 40th anniversary two years ago. Uptown Sedona’s first true boutique luxury resort, it has since grown in both size and reputation.

The most recent revamp added 70 guestrooms and suites, expanded the property’s L’Apothecary Spa into a full-service wellness center, refreshed Cress on Oak Creek with updated interiors and an enlarged outdoor dining terrace, and introduced a new pool complex. The project increased the resort’s inventory to 158 cottages, rooms and suites, and created a new room category known as The Cliffs through the integration of the neighboring Orchards Inn property.

Set on 20 acres along Oak Creek, just steps from Uptown Sedona, the resort is known for its incredible Red Rocks views and collection of cottages, many featuring fireplaces and outdoor cedar showers. Cress on Oak Creek meanwhile has become one of Arizona’s most respected dining venues. The premier place to stay at the resort is The Creekhouse, a private five-bedroom residence with about 3,070 square feet, featuring a large great room, wet bar, expansive creekside deck and full access to the resort’s amenities.

“Sedona remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the country, and our continued investment in L’Auberge de Sedona reflects our confidence in its lasting appeal,” notes Shawn Smith, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, DiamondRock Hospitality Co. “The Cliffs is a strong addition to further elevate the guest experience while also staying true to the natural beauty and character that make this destination so special. By integrating these two properties, we are reinforcing L’Auberge de Sedona as a leader in refined hospitality, offering travelers a one-of-a-kind retreat in the heart of the Red Rock region.”

Lush, sycamore-lined Oak Creek flows through the property, creating an oasis-like atmosphere, before winding through the heart of Sedona and eventually joining the Verde River. Guests staying in Creekside Cottages are only steps from the water, while Vista Cottages and Suites offer expansive vistas across the surrounding landscape. The addition of The Cliffs expands the options, with rooms located higher on the property’s slope getting a bird’s-eye view.

According to Principal Architect Mike Dalezman, the goal was to ensure that new construction remained connected to its surroundings. “To usher in the next era of this resort, our approach was to create visual experiences that feel like a natural extension of Sedona itself,” Dalezman says. “From the new guest rooms at The Cliffs, to the new event spaces and pool deck, every element was carefully considered to blend into the contours of the land, embrace the natural color palette, and frame the iconic Red Rock that guests travel from around the world to see.”

Long before the expansion, many visitors first became familiar with L’Auberge through Cress on Oak Creek. Located directly beside the creek, the restaurant has helped establish the resort’s reputation far beyond its guest accommodations. Guests dine surrounded by the sight and sound of the water beneath a canopy of trees, creating a magical setting complemented by elevated farm to table cuisine focused on local ingredients, and an impressive wine list. 

As part of the expansion, Cress on Oak Creek received refreshed interiors and an expanded outdoor dining terrace, “creating a stronger connection between the dining room and the creek beyond it.” The updated menu places renewed emphasis on seasonal ingredients and locally inspired cuisine while building upon the restaurant’s longstanding reputation and status as an SLH property, an honor it received in 2025. 

Another major component of the project is the expansion of L’Apothecary Spa. Previously centered on traditional spa treatments, L’Apothecary now operates as a full-service wellness center with a broader range of revitalizing offerings. New additions include floating sound healing, poolside yoga at the spa pool or right on the banks of the creek itself, the Essence of Earth Wrap mud treatment, and an outdoor relaxation garden. Visitors can also participate in sessions led by local practitioners, reflecting Sedona’s longstanding association with wellness and renewal.

“The wellness enhancements arrive at a time when many luxury travelers are placing greater emphasis on experiences that combine relaxation, outdoor recreation and personal well-being,” the property notes. The revamp also introduces the Duck Pond Pool, a new pool complex positioned above the resort with private cabanas, a heated pool, hot tub and lounge areas overlooking the surrounding landscape. 

“We’ve designed the hotel as a sanctuary,” as the property’s General Manager Colm O’Brien told Travel + Leisure. “We want every guest to feel a deeper connection—to nature, to Sedona, and to themselves. Every detail of a stay is intentionally crafted to create moments that guests will remember long after departure, whether that’s a quiet morning by the creek, a wellness session like our new floating sound healing, or simply gazing at the Red Rocks with a morning coffee.”

The new additions give guests another place to relax and sip a drink or have a gourmet snack between hikes, spa treatments and meals at Cress, again with postcard-worthy views, either in a lounger chair or cabana during the day; at sunset, the most Instagrammable time of the day; or at night beside one of the fire pits. No wonder Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards named it the No. 1 resort in Sedona in 2025.