S: Is for Solutions from the Heart

In this economy me may not have much to spend and gifts do not always have to cost a lot. Gift #20 cost nothing and means everything. You can give it to others and also to your self.

Gift #20: The gift of dreams. You can write a coupon of this to someone or write a declaration to yourself not to give up so easily on your dreams. Persist and your dreams will become a reality. The key is to be able to visualize and see your dreams before you actually attain them. Some people call it "The Secret" but I think it's not really a secret it's about connecting your physical self and where you are going with the future and where you want to go and visualizing yourself already achieving your goal. Positive energy effects you with the results leading to: increased energy, confidence, happiness despite one's circumstances, less anxious, not easily annoyed from the little things. You deserve to have your own plans and ideas about things and you are very capable of achieving your goals. This is the best gift we can possibly give and it will have lasting effects.

We live in trying times but there are solutions and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Total Health

Health starts from within and gift #19 has four ways in which to accomplish all that as well as taste good.






















Gift #20: Part 1: BORBA CLARIFYING SKIN BALANCE WATER contains a revolutionary cultivated bio-vitamin complex along with a scientifically designed blend of nutrients intended to help skin regenerate its natural support system and improve clarity. BORBA SKIN BALANCE WATER is infused with gogi berry, cranberry. and contains 4 essential B vitamins. It's formulated to work with your bodys chemistry to promote healthy skin. This on-the-go, skin care-infused beverage combines simplicity and nutrition with the goodness of water. Its water with benefits.

Part 2: BORBA'S REPLENISHING SKIN BALANCE WATER contains a revolutionary cultivated bio-vitamin complex along with nutrients from the Lychee fruit intended to boost moisture, keeping skin smooth and supple while aiding in its hydration.

Part 3: BORBA SKIN BALANCE WATER AGE DEFYING contains a revolutionary cultivated bio-vitamin complex along with a scientifically designed blend of age-fighting skin renewers intended to help soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and renew skins natural glow. The Açaí berry, found in the Amazon rain forest, contains Anthocyanins including antioxidant flavonoids. These and other antioxidants are believed to help prevent damage to connective tissue  which could ultimately lead to healthier, younger-looking skin.

Part 4: BORBA'S SKIN FIRMING VITAMIN WATER contains a revolutionary cultivated bio-vitamin complex along with a scientifically designed blend of nutrients intended to promote the skin's natural support system, helping to nourish and tone the skin. BORBA SKIN BALANCE WATER is infused with green tea and grape seed extract and contains 4 essential B vitamins to work with your body's chemistry and promote healthy skin. This on-the-go, skin care-infused beverage combines simplicity and nutrition with the goodness of water. It's water with benefits. Enhance your beauty potential when you utilize Borba's Skin Firming Vitamin Water today!

I am totally addicted and you will too. There are zero calories and it is filling. I feel better when I drink it and so will you and that is a healthy F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Cuticles

So my favorite thing in life is a manicure/pedicure. Gift numbers 16 and 17 are actually stocking stuffers and really do the trick in this harsh break the nail season.

Gifts #16 and 17:RED Manicure & Pedicure Tools Kits: It's that great last-minute stocking stuffers for under $10? There is nothing more sexy than a man with manicured nails, making this the perfect gift for him or her.

The Manicure Salon Kit includes all the necessary tools needed for at-home or salon use, available at Walgreens and all drug-stores. $9.99

Included are: Nail Scissors, Nail Brush, Nail Clipper, Cuticle Nipper, Cuticle Pusher & Cleaner, 4-Way Buffer, ail File, Manicure Sticks

This Pedicure Salon Kit has all the right tools for at-home or salon use, available at Walgreens and all drug stores. $9.99

Toenail Clipper, Cuticle Nipper, Foot Brush & Stone, Cuticle Pusher & Cleaner, Toe Separators, 4-Way Buffer, Nail File, Manicure Sticks.

Tis the season when unless you have a handyman or a maid one of these kits is definitely going to come in handy and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for artistic genius

Gift #16 is a gas and one of the most delightful show to hit Broadway in years.

#16 SHREK THE MUSICAL: From the moment that Julie Andrews tells you to turn off your cell phones to the cast singing "Let your Freak Hang Out" you are in for a love affair with musical theatre. Shrek reminds us of why we fall in love with musicals. The book by William Steig and book and lyrics by David Lindsay Abaire is funny, touching and better than the movie. After seeing the show I asked the kids who where there what they thought and they all agreed, they wanted to see more shows and they wanted to see Shrek again. That is the kind of recommendations that theatre needs to survive, I personally want to see Shrek again because I missed some of the lines because I was laughing so hard. This show is irreverent and makes fun of everything. There are lots of insider theatre jokes, fairy tale jokes, nursery rhyme jokes, bodily function jokes and the list goes on. The choreography by Josh Prince is innovative and clever. I especially like the tap dancing rats. Jeanine Tesori's music is catchy thought it took me a couple of songs to get into it, but I found myself singing "Morning Person" two days later. I especially liked her dance music and the orchestrations and incidental music by Tim Weil will have you unable to sit still and dancing in you seat. Jason Moore's direction keeps this fast paced without losing the heart of the show. Their were several times when this show was so touching I choked up. The sets and costumes, lighting and illusions are done to perfection and created the perfect world in which to become absorbed in. Then there is the cast: Brian D'Arcy James far surpasses his costume and is so believable you want to jump up onto the stage and comfort him. His vocals have a powerhouse quality yet the emotionality of what is being portrayed comes through and he is Shrek, that lovable green ogre we all fell in love with. He is in a word endearing. Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona is a triple threat and we feel for her and relate to all her quirkiness. Daniel Breaker as the donkey, has never seen the film which is amazing considering he is better than Eddie Murphy. This donkey is one part singer ala Stevie Wonder, one part Little Richard and all utterly fabulous. Christopher Sieber has the scene stealing role and he embodies Lord Farquaad on his knees with a flip of his hair and completely self absorbed. Do I hear Tony or should I say Tony's? The ensemble is one of the best ever cast. There is not one who doesn't stand out in one way or another. Shrek the musical has heart, it is a musical for our time and that is a show stopping F.A.C.T.

F: is for Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable style is hot on the global fashion circuit so it is gifts #14 and 15 on my list.

Gifts 14 and 15: Ekovaruhuset: (Swedish for ‘The House of Organic’). Featured on the GREEN issue of Harper’s Bazaar Japan, Ekovaruhuset, is an eco-boutique founded by Johanna Hofring. First opening in Stockholm in 2004 to bring one-of-a-kind, hand-made eco-creations to Sweden. The second boutique opened up in NYC last year and has quickly become a local haunt. Ekovaruhuset carries a few brands, like eco-sneaker favorite Veja, but stocks the shop mostly with their own designs crafted from a collective of select designers. Creating looks that reflect their own style while also maintaining a cohesive aesthetic overall. Their designs include a beautifully draped tweed jacket with cut-outs and sexy, crocheted numbers, bikinis and wedding dress. If Ekovaruhuset continues to successfully walk the line between the fashion-forward design we crave and practical wearability we need, they will become the brand eco-fashionistas seek out. Green fashion seems to be infiltrating the mainstream channels. The July GREEN issue of Harper’s Bazaar Japan features Meiling Chen and Amy Mohlenhoff the co designers for Ekovaruhuset. Meiling’s hand-dyed violet, custom-made organic cotton dress is featured on the cover of Harper’s GREEN issue. It’s a resourceful artist’s take on sculpted draping with a personal and organic approach to the creative design process. “I do not use a pattern, so every dress that I create has its own unique shape. I personally mix the (environmentally friendly) dyes and water proportions (regulating the temperature, time control, etc.) according to the color and tone that I envision. There are no two pieces from my collections that look exactly the same. Each piece has it’s own unique ‘life history’. It is like a free-hand drawing or sculpture. Mohlenhoff's aesthetic and spirit is eveident with her organic cotton and bamboo jersey dresses. Delicately accessorized with a belt and straps made from silk and hemp charmeuse as well as buttons and a buckle made from natural mother of pearl shell. It seems ‘green is the new black’, the House of Organic is built on a foundation of sexy and intelligently crafted clothing and accessories that continues to have a devoted following on both local and distant shores.

Why is it gifts 14 and 15? Because you need more than one.

Fashion no longer has to hurt the earth and that is a F.A.C.T.