UNICEF 10K in 1:33 min

Happy Thanksgiving

Cathy was asked to put together a gift list

as a style maker to be featured in a famous blog:

GIFTS FOR GETTING:


FANTASY: 1976 Citroen 2CV convertible: I have been in love with this car since I first saw one as a little girl. How could anyone not have a great day driving around in that? And the awning stripe convertible top might just be the most fun thing I've ever seen.




REALITY: Retrovelo Karla 3 speed: A close second for a stylish way to zip around town! I'd have to find orange awning stripe panniers for the rack though!

FANTASY: Men's vintage Rolex tank: I've always preferred men's watches since my hands aren't exactly what one would call "dainty" and women's watches look like - well, a dainty watch on a very "un-dainty" wrist. I absolutely love the circussy playfulness of the arabic numerals. If I ever come across this watch in real life, I can't be held responsible for what I might do...



REALITY: Newgate Strand alarm clock: I really like the clean retro lines of this clock and the glow-in-the-dark hands are a plus on those nights when I'm lying awake wondering where I can find one of those watches...



FANTASY: Pixie Dust Lap Blanket via Purl Soho: This textural hand knit throw was highlighted on Purl Soho's website earlier this month and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. I love a good nap, and I'm certain this blanket and I would become fast friends.


REALITY: Jade Saphire Handspun Cashmere: This cashmere yarn inspires me to knit a pair of warm chunky mittens and at least give my hands the joy of knowing what it would be like to curl up in that Pixie Dust blanket.




GIFTS FOR GIVING:


Birch Log Place Cards by ACME Party Box Company : I have a real fondness for birch trees and these mini logs cut from naturally fallen branches fulfill all of my aesthetic and environmental gift-giving dreams! An especially lovely hostess gift, they include sandpaper allowing one to quickly sand off the names of vacated guests and personalize them for the next party. Whenever we sell them in the store I'm a little sad to see each one go... they have such character and between party duties are delightful to have around as decor.


Tassle Scarf by Matta: Matta has been around for a while, but I don't think their light-as-a-feather tassel scarves could ever possibly go out of style. Their range of colors is so extensive and beautiful it would be impossible not to please everyone.




Animal Egg Cups by Quail: This summer our family fell in love with an incredible line of animal egg cups (lions, puffins, badgers and more!). There's one to suit every personality imaginable, and only an egg head wouldn't be over the moon for their whimsical design! The perfect gift for everyone from baby to gramps - after all, who doesn't love a nice egg for brekky?

Box of Hope

Such a simple concept.


Fill a shoe box with a toy, a hygiene item, a pen, a pad of paper and be a little more creative with something else.


Wrap the box in wrapping paper and give to a child in need.


We did this at the company and made 410 boxes with people making the boxes themselves and or donating money which we then took and bought 1,200 items to fill the boxes with.


For babys, boy/girl 2-10 years old, and boy/girl 10 years and older.


These boxes of hope will go to needy children in Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, India and Philippines.


Such a simply concept yet will make a lot of kids happy.


Total of about 12,000 boxes made this year.

Shinji in Concierge Magazine

Shinji was asked to model for an article about painful China massages in Hong Kong. He suggested I go.

The guy balanced his whole body on his elbow upside down on my back, then had a car placed on him then a crane the pressed down on the car then God's foot came out of the sky and stepped on the crane.

Once the massage was over, they had me sit down with my shirt off and the nurse held a red hot griddle about 1 inch from my skin and made cheese toast of me.

Nice way to spend an afternoon.