S: Singing the praises of friends

Gratefully I have had friends that accomplish amazing things for others. They step outside their own lives and problems to help a greater need. Lauri gives her time and money to help women who have been cut in Africa. Zelda and Gemma make sure there's water.

#11: I wish to offer as much to humanity as my friends and to see that life is abundant for all. I sang at the UN and on one occasion I stepped in for Gemma Bulos to sing a song she wrote called "We Rise". She was singing for Israel's Prime Minster and couldn't perform. She introduced me to Dr Emoto and did an experiment of his with school children that to this day I still share with friends. I had the chance to sing with her at a benefit for Katrina. I am not sure when we became friends but I am pleased that we are. Her organization "A Single Drop" In less than a year, has helped organizations provide safe water to over 16,000 people with in disaster ridden, conflict affected and impoverished areas. I share with you excerpts from her Christmas letter because she is a light in a darkening world.













As I write this, I'm sitting in my little nipa hut where I take bucket showers, get my water from a well or rainwater harvesting, have brownouts regurlary at least 3-4 times a week (everyday during typhoon season), clean my contaminated water through a filter I helped build (and teach others how to build) and live 10 steps away from my office where we have a staff of 8 Philippine Nationals. For me it has been a huge year of change. This year our water program just exploded in the country, and as a result, in less than a year, we have been responsible for helping provide 16,000 people with safe water in disaster ridden, conflict affected and poverty stricken areas. We won the Echoing Green Fellowship honoring our work as Social Entreprenuers with innovative ideas for social change! (oh, and I learned what a social entreprenuer was! So many lessons!) I met Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peack Laurete for the Greenbelt movement and we are partnering with her organization in Africa in the spring of 2008 to work with women and strengthening their skills as waterkeepers! You can see all the updates at www.asingledrop.org, listen and download the music at myspace.com/gemmawerise So many blessings to all of you this holiday season! Those of you New Yorkers, order a sesame chicken at Empire Schezuan for me! And everyone who is close to a Chipotle, next time you have a chic think of me! Can you tell I MISS GOOD FOOD!

To joy, peace and extra guacamole
Gemma

May we open our hearts this Christmas and make others a F.A.C.T

T: Is for a Topiary Christmas

Of all my columns this was one of my favorites because not only did I learn something new but it gives back to society. I was first introduced to a polyester/ petrol wall at Marithe + Francois Girbaud's.
#12: A wall of living plants not only is it beautiful but it gives fresh oxygen to all who are in proximity. Commissioned from Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. Since global warming is an issue of great consequence, having sustainable gardens on walls offers a remedy. With our rainforest's disappearing this is a solution to the green house effect. The picture to your left is from the elevator in Bangkok’s Emporium Shopping Center. Like Jack in the Bean Stalk the available space is life reaching. It is tiring and monotonous to live in an urban jungle. How many of us are able to take a break from the concretes that surrounds us? With our landscape disappearing for the commerce of America, here is an answer. Green Exchange, a shopping center opening in Chicago, in 2008 will be the first environment-friendly shopping center in the U.S. and hence a socially conscious business. The building will be 250,000-square-feet and hold about 100 vendors all of whom must be green. The designer of most of these walls is Patrick Blanc. Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Garden System, known as Le Mur Vegetal in French, allows both plants and buildings to live in harmony with one another. Blanc’s Vertical Garden System can be implemented anywhere: indoors or out and in any climatic environment. This three-part system consists of a PVC layer, felt, and metal frame, providing a soil-free self-supporting system light enough to be hung on the wall, and even suspended in the air. The Vertical Garden can be an indoor as well as outdoor system, with the help of artificial lighting. I question the architectures and designers of buildings everywhere "Why is this not a must in every building being renovated and more importantly built"? Shouldn't this definitely be added to the plans for the rebuilding of the World Trade Center? How amazing it would be to add sustainable life in a space where life was taken and to give back what was lost. To learn more log onto www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com and vertigro.com. You can also google Vertical Garden System. Wouldn't it be amazing if we gave this gift to each other and added these gardens to our homes, our friends homes and our businesses. Imagine waking up Christmas Day to the gift that gives back. That would be a gift that gives and that is a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for being captured under the tree

Christmas brings mistletoe, warmth and the need to be close to each other. With Victoria Secrets show tonight #15 is a sexier, smarter choice. It also landed me in the New York Times style section and on her website.
#13: Brazilian designer Neila Granzoti Rudden. What began as a gesture of love, creating jewelry for her mother and sister as gifts, quickly became Neila’s passion. 1st came a jewelry line, then swimwear and finally lingerie. This designer takes women on a creative journey that is personal and luxurious. Her line celebrates the chance for women to flaunt their bodies in a flattering way and express themselves. Blending sensuality with elegance, Neila’s collections offer women pieces they can wear everyday. Imagine this teddy, panties and stockings underneath a business suit. Now that's power!!
Want to stand out on a sandy Hamptons beach, a wind swept ocean cruise or just plain ole tar? This definitely will have you shinning in style and flair. Now who says camouflage can't get you noticed? I can bet you can get the maneuvers you seek in this stunning eye turner. The best part of the fabric is Lycra which means a perfect fit. The jewelry line is made from handcrafted pieces from local Brazilian artisans. They contain semi precious stones, sterling silver and vermeil or 14 carat gold. Each piece in the collection is named after an exotic plant, animal or a place in Brazil. For example, a necklace made of pau-brazil wood is named “Victoria Regia” after a beautiful lily pad-like aquatic plant that exists only in Brazil. These creations contain a bit of the magic and allure of the place far across the sea. To shop til you drop log onto www.dineila.com and you'll entice that special someone underneath the mistletoe and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for discovering art

There is nothing like discovering an artist before they truly burst onto the scene. First you get the joy of watching the progress and two you get to enjoy the creation before the masses deem it fashionable so...

#14: Is wishing for the works of artist Augustus Goertz. His Paintings are part philosophical/scientific, mystical/intuitive, athletic/aesthetic, a texture of the universe on canvas. His soul is explored in the lines and marks of intuition, forging ahead in a parallel scientific proving. Seemingly alive, a throbbing surface tension embraces physicality. Goertz's work pulsate before the viewer's eyes. Goertz pushes towards pure abstraction. His palette is earthy and urban as he exploits a wide variety of effects, from celestial mists of color to paint applied so thickly it almost qualifies as relief. In several of the paintings, alternating bands of dark and light pigment create an eternity of deep cavernous ridges. In his photography there is a monochromatic feeling, though he uses color and sepia to surprise the eye. The process further involves painting over or around the photo-image along with other mixed media. While at the outset the content of these works is figurative and erotic, its as if the subject is being x-rayed and the viewer is allowed into the sancticy of human emotions. Internationally he is shown in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Copenhagen, and all over the US. Currently he shows at the Kim Foster Gallery. The layers of form and color emit a ghostly hue of light. Goertz gives the viewer a sensory illusion of swirling light and dark against a wild and ravaged field. The paint itself looks torn by the passion of a soul wanting to be unearthed. Augustus paintings make me feel like a child entranced by cloud formations. His creativity allows my creativity to take flight and I am sure your soul will feel the same way. To see more log onto www.augustusgoertz.com or call (212) 925-3765 to make an appointment. Girls, this is Augustus with his liquid light series. Yes, this man is as hot as his paintings which makes owning a piece all that more exciting and that's a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for a beautiful face shinning underneath the tree

#'s 16, 17 and 18 I wrote about Thursday November 29th when I went to the unveiling of CVS's new skin care line 24.7. Since then I have really had a chance to use their products and though there are five, three I can now not live without.

#17: Targeted Wrinkle Treatment fills in the lines and makes your skin look youthful and glowing. It covers scars and makes them smoother and less noticeable. Since using the product people have remarked how great my skin looks. This is a terrific comment since I have been sick and normally my face gets these weird little lines which makes me look tired and haggard. Can't wait till I am better to see what they will say.



















#16: Smoothing Anti-Aging Moisturizer is light, and helps my make-up stay on. I go to a lot of launches of new products and so I have a lot of products that I'll use for a week but, since my skin is sensitive. I give some to my friends since it is not the product for me. Sometimes they'll sit in my cabinet so unfortunately I have a lot of barely used moisturizer. I can guarantee this product will not only be used but I will re-buy it. It help #16 last and at the same makes my skin stay soft.

#15: Volumizing Lip Shine. Watch out Venom, this product contains no pain and you wear it all day long. Forget collagen this is much quicker, cheeper and it turns you lips a natural enhanced shade. My lips are small, so this product for me is a must have. I use to put up with the pain of venom... no more! Tune in Thursday to see the complimentary must have perfect gift under the tree.

All this products are affordably priced between $19.99 to $39.99. Plus guys, you too could use this product with the same results and Santa baby that is a cheerful F.A.C.T.