Changing The Course of the Blog...Green News

The TED Conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a U.S private nonprofit foundation best known for its conferences, now held in Europe and Asia as well as the U.S., devoted to what it calls "ideas worth spreading".   Speakers from all over the world are invited to participate in the event and it truly makes it an incredible event if you are lucky enough to go.  I'd like to share two of these speakers with you....

John Hardy- A designer and creator of the Green School in Bali.  He talks about integrating the local culture into a completely green school made of bamboo!  Really cool to see a similar concept of our e-labs project in other parts of the world!

Sir Ken Robinson- is an internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human resources. He discusses how schools are designed by the same people who design sanitariums; prisons; how schools need to be a place of creativity.  Truly an amazing speaker!

This Week's 3 Favorite Things

This week I am honoring people who make a difference.

David Brooks because he sees possibility.  The article posted by the writer on the NY Times site on November 8th entitled, "The Crossroads Nation" talks about the United States now becoming a Universal Nation.  A place where people are encouraged to speak up.  "...economic power in the 21st century is not going to look like economic power in the 20th century. The crucial fact about the new epoch is that creativity needs hubs. Information networks need junction points. The nation that can make itself the crossroads to the world will have tremendous economic and political power."

Rain Pryor- A comedian, mother and activist, and not to mention famous daughter of Richard Pryor.  She not only is a great comedian but she also fights tirelessly to help end Multiple Sclerosis.  A disease that her late father suffered from.  She uses the lessons she learned growing up as an African-American & Jewish daughter in her comedy routines.  Her comedy tour entitled Fried Chicken & Latkes received great reviews.

Bill Clinton- because he makes a difference every day.....Former president, father and activist.  The William J. Clinton foundation "was set up to promote and provide for a number of humanitarian causes. Within the foundation, the Clinton Foundation HIV and AIDS Initiative works to make treatment for HIV/AIDS more affordable and to implement large-scale integrated care, treatment, and prevention programs.  The Clinton Global Initiative, funded by the Clinton Foundation, was established in New York City to coincide with the 2005 World Summit. The focus areas of the initiative include attempts to address world problems such as global public health, poverty alleviation, and religious and ethnic conflict."

This Week's 3 Favorite Things

1. Weekends in Ojai- Located about 80 miles from LA and about 15 miles from the beach.  This town has everything from serene locations to meditate to great dining and a fabulous spa.  Absolutely worth the drive up there!
2. Kai Products- whether its burning their sweet smelling candles, or wearing the perfume, Kai provides the perfect smell of gardenia.  Their candles make any room calm and serene.
3. Santa Monica Place-  Amazing what can be rebuilt.  The old shopping center looked like something out of the 80s.  Absolutely needed a makeover!  Santa Monica now has a shopping mecca with major stores such as Bloomingdale's & Nordstrom, not to mention smaller boutique stores or 7 for All Mankind.  The food-court even has a beach view.  I mean can you really get anything better then a beach setting and great food at decent prices.  If you are ever in the area you should absolutely make a pit stop!  Happy Shopping!
   

This Week's 3 Favorite Things

1. How Far Will You Walk To End Global Poverty?- Partnerships In Action Walk on November 14, 2010 at the Santa Monica Pier, 9am.  A great way to help and give your part in creating long-term solutions to end poverty, it is a walk that can mean something to so many people.  Something each and every one of us should absolutely think about doing.  
2. Jouer Cosmetics- Veronika Lipstick.  Gorgeous shimmering champagne color that truly is a compliment to a smoky eye effect.
3. Morgane LeFay- A New York based fashion designer that is located in the Soho district of New York.  The company was started by Liliana & Carlos Casabal in 1982.  Their designs are "ghostly, austere - its signs of life the clatter of wheels on crooked cobblestones and the footsteps of the artists that rambled its alleys.  Our design philosophy has evolved from this place. Our work is quiet yet dramatic, wistful and lyrical, emotive and profound, complex in its apparent stillness and simplicity." Beautiful clothes that are absolutely worth checking out.

This Week's 3 Favorite Things

1. Sir Ken Robinson- "Changing Paradigms" RSA Animate video. Great piece about our current educational system and the way it is being run.  "We" as a collective society need to do a much better job at changing the way "our" kids are being taught.  In one excerpt from the video he talks about "Divergent Thinking" an essential capacity for creativity.  However, he goes onto say this is not the same thing as creativity.  "Divergent Thinking" is lots of ways to interpret a question, having multiple answers to one question.  He goes onto say that as children we inherently think that way and as we get educated and become adults we lose the Divergent Thinking.   
2. Wolford Stockings- They not only have amazing stockings, but great tights, and stay-up stockings as well. Really worth taking a look...
3. OPI Nail Polish- "Color So Hot It Berns" - very cool glowing red color they designed for Fall 2010. 

This Week's 3 Favorite Things

1. Letterpress Designs- fun company that gives you the tools to create your own stationery.  Once your designs are created they use old vintage paper to print it on.  
2. Knoll- New line of residential fabrics from knoll international. Whimsical, fun textures for your home.  
3. Blu homes-Totally green, pre-fabricated homes, they use a folding technology that utilizes steel and wood that make each home they make unique. 

This Week's 3 Favorite Things

1. Thymes Frasier Fir Scented Candle- makes the room smell fresh and provides a calm and soothing environment.  Absolutely a best buy!
2. Hirozen Sushi- If your ever hungry for really good sushi you should head over to Hirozen.  It's located in a small shopping center on beverly blvd. in L.A. and one of those really good hole-in-the-wall spots, Angelenos should know of.
3. Shopping on Montana Blvd, Santa Monica- Tons of great stores, great restaurants.  You can pretty much find everything your looking for on one street.  And if the sun is shining it can turn out to be a terrific stroll.  Happy shopping!

This Week's 3 Favorite Things

1. HBO's innovative site- If you want to find out what's happening with your latest HBO series check out the site.  Really easy to maneuver through.
2. True Blood- Love those Southern Vamps...they were great at the Emmy's.  Season Finale is coming up on September 12th.
3. Joan Rivers- Watching the Emmy's Fashion Police and her comments always makes me laugh.

This Week's 3 Favorite Things

1. Rance Perfume Violette de Parme- The House of Rance' has been creating pure, exquisite Perfumes since 1795. This exquisite perfume won't change on your skin and smells delicious!
2. Pocket People- These are such unique pieces, one-of-a-kind dolls.  Each doll is handmade, with a great attention to detail.
3. Olivia Riegel Frames- There isn't enough to say just how beautiful the Olivia Riegal frames are.   Truly works of art that hold the most precious of memories!  Absolutely worth checking out. 

This Week's 3 Favorite Things

Stewart Film Screen Starglas

1. Jose Andres- SLS Hotel Saam restaurant- the "secret" restaurant inside one of L.A.'s hottest hotels.  It is a tasting menu of the most exotic foods that Jose Andres has to offer Angelenos.  It is intimate and incredible, the chef's exclusive tasting menu.  I mean have you ever had something called the dragon's breath?  It is exquisite and the only place that combines science with food!  An absolute must see!
2. Starglas-Stewart Film Screen- I may have written about this in the past but this is the most unique film experience you will ever have.  If the budget can afford you should absolutely look into this for the home. 
3. Holly Hunt- Absolute interior designer secret; great collections, fabrics and furniture.  Yes I am letting you in one of the secrets places that us designers use to shop!  Absolutely worth checking out!