I have returned home from the far East...coast that is. It is fabulous to be back in sunny SF or rather, SJ (that's San Jose for all of you South Bay hatas). While I love my NYC I must admit, New York duringt the holidays is hell on earth. It iscrowded with tourists and Rockettes and the weather is wet and raw. You get all bundled up in your cute clothes only to fight the throngs on the street and consequently sweat bullets once you head indoors. My new mantra is, "New York ruins my look." This sentiment is temporary but I must admit, the sweaty times were not pretty. While home and chatting with my sources I heard a juicy rumor. My source claims that Unfitney has been hanging out with a certain someone (not anyone famous, but someone with some serious dough) who is a huge fan of illegal substances. Not that this comes as a surprise, but the girls are holing up in Malibu mansions and Hollywood Hills homes for marathon binges. There was even a photo of Britney on the cover of a rag that showed her exiting the home of this "friend". That's even grosser than B's nappy extensions. I will keep you posted if anything else comes through the wire....

No evening in downtown New York City would be complete without spotting at least one cracked-out model. In my case, I had the fortunate pleasure of boozing at the same bar with Kate Moss' mortal frenimy / muse, Irina Lazareanu. When I first spotted her I figured she was just some chick wearing sequins and fur - like any good hipster. But no, this was different, this girl had the deathly pallor of someone who was acutally semi-strung out, not simply someone who was posing as a vagrant with style. After examining for a minute I said to my friend, "That's that Romanian model, Irina Lazareanu." We consequently busted out the Blackberry to confirm, yes indeed, it was she. She wore a black hat, white fur jacket, sequined capelet, and skinny jeans with boots. Nothing too especial however she definitely looked as though she had just stepped off of Pete Doherty's tour bus / drugmobile. Irina drank, ran to the bathroom, chain-smoked, sat on the concrete outside...typical model behavior. The one thing that stuck me most is that the girl is obsessed with music. Every song that played in the bar she was singing to and raising her skinny fists in the air. Guess that is the tie that binds her and BF Pete together...well, that and the drogas.

Ladies, ladies....last week's 7th on Sale gala was like a fashion dream. NEVER in my life have I seen so many fashion people in one room. Just look at Style.com to see the photos because it was so nuts just how many designers, celebs, and socialites were there.

At one point in my line of vision were Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, and Michael Kors. Like, no way.

Highlights: I saw Kate and Naomi running around together, I told Eve that she
was the hottest honey there, and I brazenly said to Blake Lively from Gossip Girl to "get the brown, not the cream sweater." Not to mention all of the time I spent chatting with the CFDA finalists; Rogan, the girls from Vena Cava, Erin Fetherston...etc. Big winner Rogan and I spoke for a while - we commented on the Renaissance-style decor (see me holding faux torch in photo). He is so sweet, I of course reminded him about when he contributed to Splendora's Eco Style project.

The shopping was incredible - everyone was buying for the cause. Bette Midler and Michael Kors were shopping buddies - I even told Bette Midler that her daughter was her twin and Bette replied, "she's my angel." DVF and Barry Diller were as regal as they come, Harvey Weinstein was talking shop, we tried on belts next to Ashley O., Parkey Posey was wildly gesticulating about something, Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany were sweetly shopping together, DIta Von Teese is like a piece of art come to life...I mean, I could go on and on. Seeing so many gorgeous clothes in one place was mind boggling.

The best part? Anna Wintour in all of her glory. No ladies, she was not wearing Prada, I think it was Chanel.

It was incredible, it was delovely, it was delightful. You can shop like the stars on eBay's 7th on Sale auction site...so many good deals, so little time.

I was recently reminded that life can change in an instant. What you thought was real and true can be ripped away in a mere moment. A dear friend of mine was recently in a car accident with her new husband (married less than one month) where he sustained severe injuries. In time he will be fine. But it will take hours, days, and months and will test their love, patience, and devotion, not only for eachother, but for the world as well. It is during these times that we should all take a deep breath and be thankful for our health and our loved ones. For without them life would be impossible. Have a safe weekend.

I could never live far away from water. Wherever I reside I need to have access to the agua. I need to touch the blue and have the ability to go lie on the sand whenever I feel the urge. I live in a city surrounded by the sea and I always marvel at the natural splendor. I recently had a change of scenery that blew me away. I drove up the coast to Mendocino and was completely awestruck. It was like stumbling to the edge of the earth. Craggy cliffs dip and dive into the sea. I was so moved that I busted out a pair of binoculars and logged some time in the tidepools. The Mendo environs will take even the most jaded urbanites breath away.

We are always telling you "What To Wear", "What to Handbag", What to Hair...dang, we're bossy. But now you can give it to us straight. Tell us "What To" do. Go to www.splendora.com and add to our growing "What To" list.

I just spent the past few hours tidying up. I take my cleaning pretty seriously. I have a multitude of wet and dry cleaning agents. I love my broom closet and I love my portable cleaning product carry-all even more. Did you think that I only cared about purses and eyeliner? I am a product whore in all senses. Here are some of my staples:
Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner
Swiffer Wet
Method O Mop
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Bar Keepers Friend

I would venture to say that breakfast is my healthiest meal of the entire day. For some reason I always start out strong but by the end of lunch I am craving candy bars and Cheetos. Here is a mini-list of what I nosh on before noontime:

*Greek Fage yogurt with honey and almonds
*Plain rice cakes with cottage cheese and jam
*Cottage cheese with a sprinkle of Honey Bunches of Oats
*Morning Star Farms bacon, 2% American cheese, and an egg sunny side up on a 100 calorie English Muffin (sprinkle with fresh chives...yum!)
*Wheetabix ceral and rasins
*Laughing Cow cheese and an apple

Other suggestions welcome! 

Perhaps you're 40 years of age but feel 30 years young. Or maybe you're 29 but feel like you're 35. Why? Because there is a distinct difference between our real age and our body age. For example, Lohan is a mere 21 but her body is that of a wizened addict many years her senior. Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse? Those boozehounds are sub 30 in years but their bods are a plus 30 due to damage to their hair shafts, liver(s) and lungs. So what age is your body? Take this magazine quiz (with a grain of salt) to find out.

I would consider myself to have a healthy fear of the afterlife. When I first saw Ghostbusters I let out an audible yelp and had to leave my seat. However, I loved Casper the Friendly Ghost. But I digress, when I was a kid at summer camp I was most definitely petrified of the legend of  the dead camp handyman who supposedly inflicted terror on campers by scratching out their faces. Needless to say, when a counselor would fool around and make scratching noises on the bunk's screen doors I would shriek and quiver with fear. While I don't think that I have ever seen a ghost, there are times I have been convinced that there is paranormal activity around me. Little things like when the TV is set to a channel that I did not leave it on, or when coincidences are too coincidental. I definitely do not feel alone in the universe, that's for damn sure.