A Decade Lost: From Aught to Naught

As we enter this new decade, let's review some of those things that are becoming obsolete, what is replacing them, and if that is good or NOT *:

BOOK >>>>>>>>>> KINDLE
Well, I think the Kindles are great, especially for traveling (no lugging the heavy books),for newpapers (no ink mess or awkward paper folding to avoid invading your neighbors space if you care about that sort of thing), and for sampling new reads. But, I do love the feel of a good book and the COLORS/VISUALS you get with an actual book - especially those books from Rizzoli and Assouline.

PEN >>>>>>>>>> KEYBOARD
Sorry, I love the feel of a fabulous pen - from a Tiffany Blue pen to a handsome Mont Blanc to my old stand by - blue papermates (by the box full). I always sign my docs in blue - easy to id the original. But I do use BOTH (obviously, as you are reading my Blog)

LANDLINE >>>>>>>>>> CELLPHONE
Provided the brain cancer link is truly a myth, cellphones are GOOD. They are portable, small and come in a variety of colors.

PAYPHONE CALLS TO SAY GOODNIGHT >>>>>>>>>> CELLPHONES TO SAY/TEXT GOODNIGHT
A GOOD thing. Direct and to the Point and no lines. I am not sure I actually ever stood on a line or used a pay phone for this purpose but others have! And, are there really any payphone left anyway?

ACTUAL CONVERSATION >>>>>>>>>> TEXT MESSAGES and EMAILS
Aside from calling someone's actual home, hearing a voice, maybe having to say hello to someone's parent, child, spouse or other human, actually seeing someone's face during a conversation where you can see their reaction, and read, rightly or wrongly, emotion as you "converse", there are advantages but I hope the Art of Conversation is not completely lost. And, SKYPE is a bridge builder here...

PAYPHONE CALLS TO SAY GOODNIGHT >>>>>>>>>> CELLPHONES TO SAY/TEXT GOODNIGHT
A GOOD thing. Direct and to the Point and no lines. I am not sure I actually ever stood on a line or used a pay phone for this purpose but others have! And, are there really any payphone left anyway?

PERSONAL LETTER >>>>>>>>>> EMAIL
Many say the former has disappeared but we all know the curiousity, intrigue, PLEASURE we feel when a personal letter arrives. Not so much with an email. And, do we save love emails? I don't think so. And, when we give a gift, do we give it with an email taped to the box or in the bag? No, our gifts - whatever the occasion - are most often accompanied with a handwritten note/card or gift tag. As a related aside, one of the most refreshing things I heard all week - a friend who has no email. He only writes personal notes. He responds to business emails sent to his office the next day with a hand written note/letter or a phone call - he likes to take the time to deliberate. While this may not be practical for some or most of us (myself included), it is food for thought.

RANDOM CHATTER >>>>>>>>>> TWITTER
I don't even know what to say here.

HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

*opinions may vary depending upon your age and experience!

Inviting Mrs. Meyer's

What am I doing? Writing about a cleaner??!! But it is right up my alley - Aroma therapeutic. Fresh. Not complicated. No mess. I really like the directions for the liquid hand soap: "Moisten your hands, then add soap. The longer you rub your hands, the cleaner they become."

This happy holiday one has an amazingly clean and mountain pine scent. But, she's a welcome invite other times of the year too - I especially like her in lavender. Yummy.

Merry Christmas

Even the dogs glisten in Deer Valley.

Wishing for Some Peace

We all need peace. Certified organic.

http://www.organicbouquet.com/p_58/pine_wreath_peace.html

Wrapping It Up

Here we are, in the middle of the holiday season and things are getting all wrapped up.
Gift paper - sustainably offset printing on 100% post consumer recycled paper.
Letterpress gift tags can also be used as seating cards. From Smock.

FAIRCHILD in Wonderland

Orrganics Blog was there, in NYC, to hear about the exciting things happening at the Fairchild Fashion Group (part of the Condé Nast media family) and to enjoy some holiday eats and drinks. Can you spot part of me in my favorite NARS nail color - Tokaïdo Express? It was a winter wonderland in the midst of NYC... Look for some exciting and innovative things from WWD, a Fairchild Brand.

Speaking of WWD (Women's Wear Daily) , do you have your winter stationery wardrobe yet? Winter whites in lovely organics cottons, silver chain link accents, lush velvet embellishments and black ink of course.

I just love keeping warm by the fire and watching the snow fall, click below and you can enjoy it too.

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah, skylight menorah from Jonathan Adler. Cool.

Train to Deer Valley

I am so happy to have done the invitation for JUMA's Deer Valley Celebrity Skifest this year (see above). That project had me thinking about this event weekend for a while (see prior post on Anticipation). Of course, it was a fabulous weekend full of skiing (with past Olympians!), racing, eating, chatting, celebrating and enjoying a private concert by Train - great NEW album. There was also an auction evening to benefit Bobby Kennedy's environmental organization, Waterkeeper Alliance. There are a few photos from the weekend above. Click on the photo below for a sampling of Train's song "Save Me San Francisco".

For more (professional) on the Event - past and present go to www.dvskifest.com/main.html

Anticipation

One of my favorite spots, Deer Valley, Utah. Tomorrow, the mountain opens for the season.
Can't wait.

A Penny For Your Thoughts, Literally

I don't know about you but when I do a mailing, whether it is an invitation or a holiday card, I am picky about the stamps I use as postage. I have used the services for customized stamps as well as lingered over the selection at the Post Office. So, being Holiday time, I got to thinking about stamps. Above is the first issued adhesive stamp (so I've been informed) - a British Black Penny stamp from Great Britain. Created by Rowland Hill in 1837, it was first used May 6, 1840. The profile is of Queen Victoria's head; this was on all British stamps for the next 60 years. Nice to see we have more options today.

Do You Have One of These in Your Attic?

Sir Henry Cole is credited with creating the first commerically produced Christmas card.
England, 1843. He commissioned the art work from English painter John Callcott Horsley.

Look closely to see the small child in the center drinking wine. What is that about?