S: Is for becoming a shinning star

In this time of giving, I have learned from experience that a gift to an unknown person is the greatest gift of all.

#4: Becoming a shinning star to those in need.

One Christmas I was broke and depressed. I really wanted to do something for someone else to get into the holiday spirit. I found a teenage AIDS house where the teenagers and their babies all had AIDS. I had this collection of stuffed animals collecting dust. I called my friend Belinda and we went to the dollar store and got diaries, candles and made cookie trays. We went to the home to deliver the gifts and low and behold the gift that made the biggest impression, were the stuffed animals. The reason: they weren't going to have enough time to love the toys enough. The girls were so grateful, I knew I made a difference.
To be honest the feeling of joy that I had done something for somebody else has stayed with me all these years. I went back every holiday after that, when I lived in the area. By the next Christmas only one girl still lived. The workers told me most of the girls kept the stuffed animals with them till the end. I tell you this because we never know how we touch others lives or how they've touched ours. Here's how you too can make a difference.

We're going through global warming and though it hasn't been that cold, warmth is a need. Most of us have a coat in our closet that is just collecting dust. Here's a way to make some room and lighten your heart.

New York Cares Coat Drive through December 31. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers are forced to make a choice between buying a winter coat and putting food on the table. You can help by donating your coats. Here is the website www.nycares.org

Every year David Barton throws a party at his gym for kids with AIDS and St. Jude's Research Hospital, the admission is a toy. This years party has already been held but you can still donate at 215 West 23rd Street.

You can randomly pay for someone's bus or subway ride. I've done this a couple of times and the smiles are a definite. When your making your cookie trays think of the homeless, they weren't always. We can become angles in each others lives and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Total Treatment

My favorite gift is one that was just given to me, though I had done it before. This time however it was an artist named Verika who came and showed me heaven on earth.

#5: The gift of giving to self.

One of the biggest industries that consumers spend their money on is make-up. I am completely inapt when it comes to putting it on, which is sad when you think about it. When I finally do wear it I either sweat it off, rub it off or cry it off. What if you could wake-up and look fresh? Come out of the pool and look radiant? What if when you woke up sick you could look like Camille? Two and half years ago while I was in Provincetown my friend Christina introduced me to semi- permanent make-up, a non-surgical method of applying eyeliner and full lip color that lasts for about two years. My upper lip is non existent and people always want to line it and even then it's only, ok. After the application I actually had people come up to me and tell me how beautiful my mouth was. The confidence and the joy of over coming something to me that had always been a flaw was exhilarating. Two weeks ago I realized the freshness and the original application was gone and I looked run down. I was telling my friend how much for Christmas what I wanted was to re-due the semi- permanent make-up, but Christina was in Florida.

Suddenly the angel of wishes brought me to Verika and my wish came true. Verika is an artist whose craft was honed in Switzerland under Fabrice. She made my eyes open up and pop while at the same time looking natural. Unless I told you, you would never know that I was not born like this. There are people who are adamantly against enhancing what we came into this earth with. I for one am not one of those people. I have always thought of myself as the canvas that through my eyes I get to create. Verika is like Michelangelo and now I know how those who saw the Sistine Chapel felt. Confidence comes from within but it doesn't hurt to like what you see.

Verika makes this procedure comfortable explaining everything before it happens. I am deathly afraid of needles and she calmed my fears and put me at ease. The pigment itself is all natural. Working in a serene and and immaculate environment run by . Dr. Leslie Gerstman at Medical-Aesthetics and can be contacted at 212 966-3991. Look for Monday's column for more about this medi-spa because it is a mecca of gifts to wish for. Verika made this treatment the perfect wish. To learn more about Verika and semi-permanent make-up log onto www.medical-aesthetics.org. We are in a day and age were we can be the women and men we want to be and Verika makes that a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for that creative touch

It's getting down to the wire and most people are stressed.






#6: The French imagination.
I had an appointment the other day in Soho. I was running just a little bit late but when I passed this store I had to stop in. It was so bright and cheerful, it beckoned to me and I followed the luring objects to a place of magical creativity. The French company Pylones makes the most interesting, fun & useable gadgets. With clever inventing & implementation, this genius company has made a fan out of me.














Don’t mistake this whimsically patterned Pylones Mini Refrigerator for a toy! It is big enough for a few sodas, or a late night snack. It is without a doubt insanely cute and a must for your bedroom to satisfy you or your lovers late night cravings! This small personal refrigerator does it's job as well as its big counterpart. The only difference is that they can be taken wherever you need. Into the car, to work, sailing or where ever you can imagine. You use it with an AC or DC power supply. It is not only a mini fridge but you can also use it to keep things warm, for example milk for a baby. Pep up your room or office utility décor and also your appetite for just $130.









Cleaning got you down? How about their adorable Dust Pan Set or an airplane baby spoon, the imagination of this French company is boundless. For every picky human or animal on your list, to every person you want to impress, this store has it all. With three locations in NY it also makes it convenient. 842 Lexington, 61 Grove and 8 Grand Central Terminal. Log onto www.pylones-usa.com. Finally there is a one-stop shopping experience that is unique, creative and can supply your entire needs and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for Capturing the Magic

Part of the magic of Christmas are the memories we capture on film.
#7's wish: A photographer with an eye to see into the essence of our being. Photographer, film maker and documentarist Sven Ruben Lindahl has the depth of character to look beyond the superficial. He visualizes through the eye of an explorer, open to every moment of change, and the underlying truths to be told. Originally from Stockholm, he started working for Swedish Television in 1992, shooting everything that came his way. From news breaking stories to rock video's and everything in between, finally running the production company Area 51Film. At the moment 51film has two projects in New York and one in Mongolia. To see clips go to www.svenruben.com and click movies (View under "N.Y.C Projects"). Make sure that you view "The House" as it is visually stunning and executes his cinematography to a haunting level. I thrill at discovering a new artist no matter what the medium. Watch out Peter Pau, Conrad Hal, or Albert Maysels, there's a new kid on the block and he is passionate and ready to shed some light and capture the moments.
Why did I put Sven under the tree? Because he does portraits (head shots), shoots music video's, corporation video's and much more. Before he gets to hot like a Annie Liebowitz or a Richard Avedon now is your chance to capture a moment in time and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: is for the gifts of food, friendship and the fusion that fuels our lives.

The count down continues with 10, 11, and 12 gifts to get and give.

# 10: Food glorious food is what you will be chirping when you visit the chicken and rib joint on the UWS. As you enter, the smell is so intoxicating your mouth starts to water. I started with the pita which is warmed on the BBQ. Who knew, a pita could taste so good! The mashed potato's are real and the ribs were delectable, melting in your mouth with each bite. I was in the throes of pork-induced delight. Chirping Chicken is a bargain as well. I paid $8.29 for all of this. The portions are large, so I came home with a rib and 1/2 the mash potato's and the salad which I finished the next day with the same satisfied response. For those holiday parties or cuddling under the tree for $11 dollars you can get a full chicken. I have turned so many of my friends onto this wonderful haunt where comfort food is unsurpassed. Here is the address and website so you to can check it out: Chirping Chicken: 350 Amsterdam Ave off 77th www.chirpingchickennyc.com. In a city where everything seems so expensive and service, fresh food and quality seem a thing of the past it is reassuring to know that establishments like this exist. Check this out and you too will be oohing and ahhing and finger licking.

#9: Friendships are a gift from the universe that expand our lives and make us grow. Sometimes people come into our lives to help us and sometimes it is so we can help them. It isn't till the end that we find out the truth of why somebody was in our lives and why we were in theirs. I have always been blessed to have a diverse group of friends. They have gotten me through many harsh and trying situations and have always been there for me unconditionally. I am not always the best friend but I am a loyal one. Friendship is like a garden you have to tend it, water it, feed it and prune it and when the seasons have passed you see the fruit of your labor and realize it was tending you. May you be blessed by the friendships in your lives.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

We are in a time of connection, which is odd considering all the mis-communications. We all have faults, idiosyncrasies and flaws that make us unique, special....human. Let us cherish and learn from all those that cross our paths.

#8: Fusion to the palate and a gift to bring your friends. Now, how do you cleanse you palate in between those courses to savor the next item? How do you end a perfect meal? Wine Cellar Sorbet. The flavors: Three reds: a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from California, a 2005 Pinot Noir from New York and a non-vintage Sangria from Spain, Two whites: a a non-vintage Champagne from California and a 2004 Riesling from New York and one blush wine: a non-vintage Rosé from New York. this is definitely not a dessert you send you kid out for. As a matter of F.A.C.T. you have to be at least 21 for their alcohol, content is up to 5% by volume. Since wine changes with each passing season, so do their sorbets. Based on the vintages, varietals and viticulture regions from where the wines were produced. Therefore each flavor is truly unique and limited in availability. To learn more of this intriguing new desert log onto: www.winecellarsorbets.com.

When it comes to gifts there is nothing better than food, wine and friends and what a better way to combine them. We can not live without food. Nor will our souls be nourished without friendship and what a better way to celebrate with a dessert that has an edge. Life is to short not to cherish it and that is a F.A.C.T.