S: Is for Kids saving the Planet!

Melissa Poe was 9 years old when she began a campaign for a cleaner environment by writing a letter to then President Bush. Through her own efforts, her letter was reproduced on over 250 donated billboards across the country. The response to her plea for help was so overwhelming that Poe established Kids For A Cleaner Environment (Kids F.A.C.E.) in 1989. There are now 300,000 members of Kids FACE worldwide and is the world's largest youth environmental organization. Poe has also petitioned the National Park Service to implement a "Children's Forest" project in every national park. In 1992, she was invited as one of only six children in the world to speak at the Earth Summit in Brazil as part of the Voices of the Future Program. In 1993, she was given a Caring Award for her efforts by the Caring Institute. Since the organization started, Kids F.A.C.E. members have distributed and planted over 1 million trees! Ongoing tree-planting projects include the creation of Kid's Yards - backyard wildlife habitats and currently Kids F.A.C.E. is involved in the exciting Earth Odyssey, which is a great way to start helping. "Starting the club turned out to be a way to help people get involved with the environment. Club members started doing things like recycling, picking up litter and planting trees as well as inviting other kids to join their club." "We try to tell kids that it's not OK to be a slacker," she explains. "You need to start being a responsible, environmentally friendly person now, pronto, before you become a resource-sucking adult." Poe, now 23, has mobilized a membership of 300,000 young people and traveled the world encouraging young people to adopt earth-friendly attitudes and habits. Among her speaking engagements, she has addressed the Voices of the Future Program at the Earth Summit in Brazil. Launching a massive, national print advertising and letter-writing campaign, recruiting advertisers who donated 250 billboards, across the country, in support of her message. She has produced public service announcements and appeared on several television, radio programs and events throughout the United States. Among these events is the Kid's Earth Flag, in which several thousand children from across the world united to create an environmental display covering the Mall in Washington D.C. The organization also provides education and awareness-building programs for children, such as Earth Odyssey and the Kid's Forest. Since her graduation from college, Poe has been working for the Nature Conservancy and is currently writing a book about her efforts. Read more about what inspired Melissa to start at www.kidsface.org

Through out her young life she has worked to save the planet for all of us and that is a F.A.C.T that needs to be recognized and applauded

T: Is for Taking a Step-Up

We are in a time of recession. Hard working americans are losing their homes, their jobs and their sense of well being. Our candidates claim to be on our side but instead are celebrity icon obsessed. It's beyond dispute that Obama has become a celebrity. But how on how on earth did Mc Cain get away with ripping off the images of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears and getting them to say "He's the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead?" Wouldn't it have been a better strategy to take the money spent and bail out home owners who are being put on the back burner in lieu of the Wall Street giants who have put them in this predicament? Instead of brighter futures we have one that focuses on barely talented icons made famous for their personal exploits and unmoral lifestyles. What have either of these people contributed to humanity? Millionaire socialite Paris Hilton has jumped onto the band wagon, calling McCain a "wrinkly white-haired guy" and offering her own energy policy. Why doesn't she bail out a handful of people who can't pay their energy bill because it has doubled if not tripled and now have no where to turn? Instead dressed in a leopard print swim suit and gold pumps, she declared her own candidacy in a video posted on the website Funny or Die, saying: "I want America to know that I'm, like, totally ready to lead." "We can do limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars." Yet she squanders her inheritance without a thought to the crises at hand and she is put on every magazine because she sells them. Why? What has she ever contributed? There must be trouble in paradise as Hilton's mother, is a McCain donor.

We have a candidate here who has exploited everyone in this commercial and is getting away with it. Isn't this called slander?

To make matters worse McCain, was a celebrity -- a dirty word in his campaign according to those adds as he introduced his wife, Cindy. He encouraged her to enter the annual Sturgis beauty contest, one in which nudity is not uncommon. He stated 'I told her with a little luck she could be the only lady to serve as first lady and Miss Buffalo Chip." Mrs. McCain has been racing with the NASCAR crowd at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. They have been soliciting votes among fans, which are high in numbers, but the plan is backfiring. When polled at the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500, who they planned to endorse for president in November. A number of people gave the names of their favorite drivers. If the election were held today, "disenfranchised" might be considered the winner. Of the 206 people polled, 82 said they were either undecided or not going to vote. Dissatisfaction with the two presumed candidates was voiced loud and clear.

To be fair Obama should of taken the campaign money spent on going abroad and put it to work for the American people.

As far as I can see it our next President needs to step up to the plate and put his money and ideas into actions and not just words and that is a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for finding that Clothing that is just Right!

Trying to imulate the looks that were at Fashion Week for fall, is next to impossible. The look was thigh high boots with heels that didn't look that they came out of Fredrick's of Hollywood and shoes that are reminiscent of the 30's and 40's. The later is being done by Steve Maden but it is Jeffery Campbell HQ that comes the closest. His line should be on the top of every fashionista’s shopping list. Based out of LA, his strong ties to street culture, music and vintage inspirations, has something to offer everyone. He understands the seasons hottest trends, and his updates of vintage classic looks of yesteryear are to die for. Creating shoes and looks which are innovative, fun and forward spin off his inspirations which are Mary Kate Olsen, Music, After-party, NYLON, London, Street, Brooklyn, L.A., FUN!!! and his daughters. Buying this look will not break your piggy bank or stress you out. Most of his line can be found on line by googling his name. Jeffery Campbell is about to become a girls best friend.


While at Fame. Moda and the ENK shows little inspired me until Cynthia Ashby's collection. Resonates autumn’s evolving moods and with her play on artist comfortability, I found myself loving this designers looks. Accentuating stripes and swathes of lithesome color creates a mosaic fluid of form and shape. Made from hand dyed linen, cotton and silk they swept me back to a simpler time, a romantic time. The poetry of color is a key part to what makes these garments unique. The raw look of the fabric is animated with fine detailing in design and construction. Cynthia Ashby speaks to the woman who does not subscribe to fashion trends. This woman is on a perpetual treasure hunt, collecting pieces to mix and layer, creating different combinations and infinite choices for her wardrobe. A classic elegance with an impulsive verve. Black silk velvet and black nylon mesh mingle with dyed silk tulle and silk satin. Delicate threads interlace to form a gossamer radiance. Dyed in hints of Cinnamon, Nightfall, Roux, and Patina to effect an ethereal vivacity. Though this look is not for everybody I found myself dreaming of ways to pull this off.

Fashion is individualistic and that is why finding designers you never knew makes this an exciting F.A.C.T.

A: Is for Art that makes a Statement!

Remember when you went to the circus and the clowns make you balloon animals? New York street artist Joshua Allen Harris has taken that art to a new level. His polar bears, dogs and giraffe are all making a splash on the internet, magazines and u-tube. Seeing the possibilities in subway exhaust, tape and garbage bags, Harris creates giant inflatable animals that become animated when fastened to a sidewalk grate. Plastic bags and bottles do more than spread pollution, they also get you a lot of recognition. His plastic polar bear is the symbol of climate change! Churning out eco-art in the format of recycled and reusable plastic bags and scraps sewn into different shapes and displayed over subways are making a stand. The white polar bear (which looks like a puppy) has drawn a lot of attention as it springs to life as it inflates when the train passes. The animated creativity reminds onlookers the fate of these majestic bears as they face extinction threat owning to Climate Change and Global Warming. Ever since the polar bear became a hit with New York’s residents Harris has come up with more creative forms and figures including a Centaur, some mythical creates and a Loch-Ness monster too! Jump below and click on the videos to have a look at this amazing art form!

Starting October 20th through November 9th Zaha Hadid brings Chanel's Mobil Art Space to Central Park. Zaha Hadid is a world famous architecture firm who has created a spacecraft/ inflatable pavilion which will sit in the Rumsey Playfield, at 5th Ave and 69th Street. This mobile art exhibit is 7,500-square-feet of texhibits changing installations created by some of the leading international contemporary artists, such as Nobuyoshi Araki, the Blue Noses, Daniel Buren, Sophie Calle, Wim Delvoye, Sylvie Fleury, Yang Fudong, Subodh Gupta, Y.Z. Kami, Yoko Ono and Pierre & Gilles. The concept of the project was designed by CHANEL’s Karl Lagerfeld, as a way to display the iconic “2.55” leather handbag originally designed by Coco Chanel. Zaha Hadid was selected as the architect for her reminiscent style of Coco Chanel of today, not in fashion, but in architecture”. The shape of the 20-foot-tall pavilion derives its inspiration from natural and organic forms.
First opening in Hong Kong in February 2008, it is on a two-year global tour. After New York, Mobile Art has plans to go to London and Moscow. Placing a futuristic work of architecture and outstanding works of contemporary art in an historic setting in the heart of Central melds the vision of fashion, history and beauty.

Art that makes a statement is art that should be cherished. One makes a statement for ecology and the other blends culture, creating surprise from one continent to the other impacting our collective subconscious. Now this is art to be enjoyed and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Fashion Reprise!

The Accessory Show is going on at the Javits, until Tuesday. As I have been writing, in a recession year, the trick to looking fashion perfect is accessories. A belt, a great piece of jewelry or really hot tights can take last years outfit and give it that extra added pizazz. Living in New York also gives you that extra add boost of being able to attend the shows and possibly buy at wholesalers price or at the very least get a sense of what's before it goes on the market. I briefly scanned the show today and here's a list of companies that offer unique ways to make your life just a little bit more fabulous.

A company called Spare Soles has come up with an items that makes me shout, hurray! High heels make you look sexy but by the end of two hours, most of us are ready to scream from the agony of it all. There have been times, when I just gave up and walked barefooted through the streets. Spare Soles provides a water proof, non skid solution that fits into your purse or pocket. Instead that constant reminder that you’re in excruciating pain, slip on a pair of these portable flats and leave your heels for important moments when only your heels will suffice. For $25 these are a must have for any active women. Log on here and be ready to part all night long. www.shopintuition.com/store/p-18123-20.html?s=spare

Batucada, is a unique and innovative line of jewelry from France. Organic shapes, vibrant colors and made with a natural “eco-plastic” material. When worn it has a tattoo-like appearance. Batucada hugs your skin like jewels. Waterproof and sweat proof they are perfect for everyday wear, as well as a night of dancing up a sweat. Inspired by Brazilian beach culture, “Batucada” is a style of samba. Available in classic black, moka, silver, gold and shiny purple, they come in necklaces and bracelet. All bracelets can be worn as chokers by combining two bracelets. Reasonably priced they are available mostly at museum stores.

Finding a good belt is hard. There are several companies that are displaying them but they all start to look the same and the thing about belts is they need to be unique. Enter Belgo Lux who designs for Chinese Laundry as well as other brands. Remember the Carrie belt, seen in practically every scene in "Sex and the City"? They have it. The have a a design I've never seen which is skinny in the back and wide in the front. The style being pressed upon us is a skinny belt emphasizing a skinny waist. T he problem is if you are bigger than a B cup or have any kind of curves skinny will make you look horrible and there are going to be a multitude of frustrated women thinking that their bodies are wrong. This belt solves the problem.

Fashion doesn't have to be painful, or unflattering or even boring. There are always inventive ways to make you look like a million bucks and that is a forward F.A.C.T.