I want to implement more and more green design in my work, so I try to attend eco events that interest me. Last night I went to Eco Tuesday, a forum to network, collaborate, and engage with environmental and socially responsible business leaders. It being my first time I was unsure what to expect. The speaker for the evening was André Angelantoni, founder of Inspiring Green Leadership who discussed Peak Oil and Climate Change. The room was packed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the interesting mix of people, which included a couple of green builders, a contractor who’s goal it is to teach businesses about significantly reducing waste, a natural soft home furnishings manufacturer, a number of principals of green marketing firms, a variety of energy engineers and a handful of inventors. I was intrigued to learn about a office product company named Give Something Back that sells everything from office supplies, including green products, to equipment and furniture, all sold at competitive prices. The difference is that they give a significant portion of their profits to community-based organizations. They are definitely my new suppliers!

I am so glad I did not buy another laptop at the end of last year, as I had planned. I just got the ecofabulous newsletter today featuring Apple's new MacBook Air.

Not only does it have a super thin, sleek design and a full-size key board it weighs two pounds less than the regular MacBook and comes with a number of green features:

• Recyclable aluminum enclosure

• Mercury-free LCD display with arsenic-free glass

• PVC-free internal cables

• Largely recyclable, low-volume packaging

• Consumes the least power of any Mac

Thin, light, sleek and green, that is worth the extra money to me!

Naturally in an election year the discussion of politics among friends comes up more during gatherings, telephone conversations and emails. It can be a touchy subject leading to at times heated discussions.

I have always had a wide spectrum of friends with various backgrounds and ideologies. The latter might be in agreement or disagreement with my own. But I believe that we can still remain friends despite our differences. Open discussions during a phone conversation or dinner parties for example provide a dialogue. However, at times I receive emails from friends with certain propaganda circulated on the internet. This is often forwarded without comments by the sender, which to me implies a certain amount of endorsement. I feel that anyone who forwards any political opinions, statements, “facts” or data, positive or negative, should research the information and its source prior to sending it to anyone. Plus the sender should add his/her own personal assessment to give context to the recipient.

I feel that we all have a right to our own opinion; but it just an opinion, nothing more. The basic meaning of opinion is “a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty, a personal view, attitude, or appraisal”. Friends should allow one another to express their thoughts, conclusions and judgments, and if done honestly and respectfully it should not be cause for discord.

I wonder how you ladies handle political differences with your friends.

I love sexy heels, but hate the pain. During the day if running around I usually wear flats, yet social engagements etc. I feel require nice heels. But at times I dread cocktail parties knowing in advance that I will be standing all night. Those are the times when I think to myself that most shoe designers must be sadists seducing us into self-induced torture with their absolutely wicked, must-have designs.

So I tried those little rubbery cushions, some times they work, some times they don’t. I have actually lost a couple when wearing sandals, and to my embarrassment someone pointed it out to me once. Feels weird being watched picking up a little slice of rubber from the floor. Only something falling out of a bra could be worse.

But then years ago I came across a pair of Kenneth Cole heels with built-in cushions. Kenneth Cole shoes are usually too conservative for me; but I really liked those. They were so comfortable! I had new-found hope that shoe designers finally got it! All they needed to do is build in a little pad under the ball of the foot, without sacrificing design. I thought it was the wave of the future, but I was deceived, as this unfortunately seemed an isolated incidence. So I am still hoping.

Lily and Gina, could you please talk to Mr. Louboutin to start a revolution?

I just read the most inspiring and enlightening article in the January issue of San Francisco Magazine about Ben Mangan and EARN.

Having been previously unfamiliar with the man or the program I am immensely impressed by the success EARN has had in taking Americans out of poverty. The concept is simple, the results are immense. Having read this article I now have a greater belief that a significant portion of Americans, who felt that the American dream is elusive to them despite earnest hard work, will achieve much deserved financial stability. Please read it on the San Francisco Magazine website. I hope it will inspire you as well.

At the end of a year I always reflect upon what I have achieved and what I would like to improve on, but I never really put New Year’s resolutions down in writing. That would formalize such thoughts and come with the requirement to reach those goals. Perhaps I am lazy or simply lacking faith in my own drive and abilities?

So I am browsing through some diaries, which is always enjoyable, and there they are in black and white, New Years resolutions committed to permanence on Splendora, and for everyone to see. I think to myself that these girls have more guts than me, and I feel the pressure to stand up and declare my intensions as well. Should I dare?

1. Grow my business, both financially and in reputation.
2. Work less, spend more time on myself and get out more.  (I just realized that this could provide a problem for #1.)
3. Get back in shape and live healthier.
4. Dedicate more time to my friends and make new ones.
5. Continue mentoring and get more involved in certain charities.
6. Try to look more at the positive aspects and the silver lining first. (thinking back it has always served me well)
7. Finish designing my place.
8. Take classes (intellectual, creative, physical)
9. Make the time to read more and see more movies.
10. Get greener.

It is done, I made a commitment, and now I will need to see it through.

Two years ago was traumatic, last year was mellow, so this year I wanted to have an elegant New Year’s Eve out. For the afternoon my friend Jona invited me to tea at the RitzCarlton. Of course we opted for the “Royal Tea”, complete with Champagne. We had a wonderful time catching up while seated in front of the fireplace and listening to the harpist reciting holiday melodies. Once I found out that Jona had wanted to originally do this with her mom, who had unfortunately passed away earlier in the year I was honoured that she felt me worthy to fill her place. Jona went on to get a massage at the spa, but I had to dash home to get ready for an evening at the San Francisco Symphony, gown, hair and all. My friend Romel and his patrons Dixie Lee and Stanley Mahy, who have been attending the New Year’sGala for the last thirty years straight, had invited me. They looked marvellous, Dixie Lee in a lavender silk and black velvet gown and Stanley in tails complete with white gloves and top hat. I hope that I will be that much fun as they are when I am in my seventies and eighties. They are always seated in the same box on the very front right. What a perfect spot to listen to the Symphony and Michael Feinstein perform old favourites from the likes of Gershwin, Kern and Berlin. I did not know that Michael Feinstein was that funny, nor that most great Christmas songs were written by Jewish composers. You always learn something new......

We also had some minor “celebrity” moments when countless people came upto our box wondering who we were while Dixie Lee and Stanley greeted their friends and fans, or when Joe Vasquez of the CBS morning news asked us what we thought of Gavin Newsom’s engagement. Thank God for Romel’s eloquent reply because I honestly was at a loss for words. I just smiled and raised my glass; that always seems to work.

After the performance Champagne and desserts were served in the lobby. Poor Romel who did not have time for dinner expected some savouries, as advertised and also served in the past, but there were none to be had. Not the best option for a diabetic! But he hung in there eating some fruit and still dancing with Dixie Lee and me until 1:00am on the sound stage, which had been converted into a dance floor. At midnight balloons fell from the ceiling and a young man right in front of us proposed to his girlfriend. She said yes, and judging from the ring already on her left ring finger she had no idea. Otherwise I would assume she would have kept that finger empty and ready. They made a really cute couple, and when the band played “The Way YouLook Tonight” I dedicated the song to them, and off to the stage they went fortheir first dance as a newly engaged couple.

Someday when I'm awfully low

When the world is cold

I feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight.

Oh, but you're lovely with your smile so warm

And your cheek sosoft

There is nothing forme to love you

And the way you look tonight

With each word your tenderness grows

Tearing my fear apart

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose

touches my foolish heart

Lovely, never ever change

Keep that breathless charm

Won't you please arrange it?

'Cause I love you

Just the way youlook tonight...

I thought it was fitting. So the New Year started with a little romance, although not for me, I was happy nevertheless. Romel, always the romantic, thought it was a good omen since he had just wished me love and romance in the New Year. So we shall see….

Then I got a call from Romel in the morning telling me that he turned on the TV when he got up, and right then and there we both were closing the news segment about Gavin Newsom’s and Jennifer Siebel’s engagement. Not a bad start for 2008.

Having grown up in Salzburg every year a friend or two calls me tellingme that they just watched “Sound of Music” again. No difference this year. And then it makes me think of the song “My FavouriteThings”. If Julie Andrews andOprah can do it, why not me? Sohere are a few in random order, without a drum roll and without rhymes:

• Chartreuse green and robin’s egg blue

• Sincerity and honesty

• Sexy shoes and cashmere

• Compassion and passion

• A charming smile

• Dark chocolate Teuscher Champagne truffles and Black Forest cake from Schubert’s Bakery

• Innocence

• Leopard print, horn and tortoise

• Good manners and punctuality

• Silk comforters and fluffy down pillows

• Reality shows

• Puppies and kittens

• Mother Earth

• Châteauneuf du Pape and Veuve Clicquot

• Fishnet stockings

• Timeliness and timelessness

• Good food that makes you swoon

• Creativity and Eloquence

I could go on……

I am in the businessof making people’s homes more beautiful, and I would love it if  every object couldlook fabulous.  Despite many moderndesigners like Phillippe Stark or Karim Rashid having created every-dayobjects, which are not only practical but also beautiful, there are still manystep children left out.  Among afew I can think of are:

Hot Water Bottle

It has been freezinglately; so I decided to get a new hot water bottle for my icicle feet.  Walgreens’ finest worked like a charmall night, but boy is it ugly. Even the shade of red itself screams grandma, and the stopper isoff-white.  How about a littlecoordination?  It is one thing tohave it hidden under the comforter, but actually having to look at it while itis drying in the bathroom now that is sheer torture.  So I started thinking that perhaps I was behind the timesand there are some attractive new options available  already.  Aftergoogling “hot water bottle” I came across a site called fashionhot.com http://www.fashionhot.com/ selling nothing but hot water bottles. Who knew?  The “ClassicCollection” comes ribbed or cross-hatched in either primary blue and red ortan.  A definite style-no on thecolours.  Primary is for children’stoys, and I don’t even agree with that. The “Transparent Classic” is not a bad option, the “Floating Hearts”version is not my deal, but the “Frolicking Goldfish” bottle might be an everso slight possibility.  They alsohave plush covers patterned in camouflage, orchids and even animal prints.  I love leopard print, but the 100%polyester made me shriek.  Plussince it is only a cover I would still have to look at the bottle while it isdrying.  So a firm no to thecovers.  The clear might be the wayto go.

Cozy Slippers

I love my heels, butat home it is strictly comfy slippers. Finding cute ones does seem hard at times, because is appears that thecomfier they are the more unattractive they get.  And comfort is a must in the slipper department!  The best looking ones are usually onthe delicate side, but it seems that the bigger slippers are the better theyfeel.  I am blessed with smallfeet, but big, cozy slippers on size 10 feet can be a bit much.  Now if you put that with the gold oldcomfy robe and flannel PJs then you really got an ensemble.  It also always makes me wonder whythese kinds of outfits never seem to be colour-coordinated.  That’s what makes the men in your liveswonder if it is possible for us to be the same person who can look sobewitching in heels and a slinky dress.

I usually try find ahappy medium by choosing subdued colours for lounge wear and wool flannel orcashmere for slippers.  My mostrecent pair is from Smart Dogs, which is on the more subtle side with twolittle flaps that tie on top.  Mypair has satin ties, which have a tendency to open, and I have tripped quite afew times.  Being clumsy by naturedoes not help.  But since I will begoing to Europe over Easter I am planning to visit my favourite slipper storein Verona.  It carries nothing butslippers, and I always find a few cute pairs.

Shaving Foam

I like the men’sversions for sensitive skin, but no matter what brand it always disturbs mybathroom décor.  Many things arehidden in the cupboards, but a few things I like to keep handy in theshower.  Shampoo, conditioner,shower gel, scrubs etc. can all be coordinated or transferred into differentcontainers, but shaving foam unfortunately cannot be removed from its ugly,pressurized vessel.  Lack-lustercolour combinations and way too much déclassé writing add to my despair.  Perhaps I need to research some ofthose old-fashioned British shaving creams.  But you need to lather up to get the same effect as in thepressurized can.  Just too muchwork.  I guess a cozy would notsolve the problem……

I just saw the new lettering on the awning of our building go up, 666.  A couple of pedestrians immediately made comments.  I asked the painter if the street name will be placed underneath, and he responded with a firm NO and a chuckle.

That's what I get for missing board meetings.  I was pretty sure that the street name will be underneath as well.  It is such a wonderful building with such a great energy, and the nicest people live here.   Calling for food delivery is always amusing when I give them the address.

It should be interesting what feedback we will be getting.