Kiva is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website. Their goal is to help eliminate poverty by giving small non-profit loans ( starting as little as $25) to entrepreneurs in developing countries.These entrepreneurs usually can’t go to a bank for a loan because they don’t have enough money to make a deposit or have any collateral for the loan.

But it’s not just the size of the loans that’s different. What’s really unique is how this system makes lending personal. You know who you’re lending to and why they want the money — and you will get periodic updates on their business or project, along with the status of repayment.

This is one gift that keeps on giving– the ultimate recycling. Once the loan is paid off, the money goes back into the givers bank account and they can re-gift their money to another entrepreneur. Plus you’ll be teaching your child how to care about others instead of themselves, as well as how to research, use math skills, decision making, etc.

One example of a loan:

Ms. Djabo Tezi ASSAO (in pic above) is 50 years old and the mother of a family of four. Her work involves selling shoes and common consumables. She started this business in 1998 and gets her supplies from the Agoè marketplace. Currently, her stock of grocery items is almost exhausted, and she would like to renew the stock by buying 3 sacks of rice, 4 boxes of sugar, 2 drums of oil, and 2 boxes of spaghetti.

High fashion meets high tech. Introducing the world’s first “digital clutch” by award-winning designer Vivienne Tam. Featuring her bright red and pink peony-inspired design from her Spring 2009 collection, this (very skinny) HP Mini coordinates perfectly with stunning Vivienne Tam pieces! The price isn’t available yet so maybe you should give your honey an I.O.U. cuz whatever it is it, will be soooo worth it!

Pre-order thru Tango Diva Boutique in Holiday Gift Ideas

*Stay connected with the world’s first digital clutch
*A perfect accessory at just 2.45 lbs. and less than skinny 1″ thin
*Ideal for email, IM, and chatting face-to-face with built-in HP Mini Webcam
*Express ultra sophisticated style with an original Vivienne Tam design.

Martha Stewart Announced a Grand Prize Winner in the Second Annual ‘Dreamers Into Doers‘ Awards Program Sponsored by Wyndham Worldwide.

Grand Prize Winner, Amy Jaffe Barzach of Hartford, CT, Along with 10 Other Deserving Finalists Honored for Their Entrepreneurial Spirit on The Martha Stewart Show

Plus, Renowned Author and Speaker Dr. Maya Angelou Presented with the Martha Stewart Living Legend Award

Martha Stewart welcomed the 11 finalists in her second annual “Dreamers Into Doers” Awards program to the set of her New York City studio to announce the Grand Prize winner. More than 2,225 dreamers entered the competition, which honors extraordinary women who have turned their specific passions into a career, business or philanthropic program, just as Martha did 25 years ago with her first book, Entertaining.

Since the program’s launch in May, close to 10,000 women have joined the online Dreamers community at www.marthastewart.com/dreamers, actively conversing with the 11 finalists and each other, and sharing tips for creating a successful enterprise. Approximately 15,000 women have also signed up to receive the weekly “Dreamers into Doers” newsletter full of helpful ideas and advice.

Amy Jaffe Barzach of West Hartford, CT was named the Grand Prize winner. Amy founded Boundless Playgrounds(TM), the first national non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities create playgrounds for children of all abilities. After the heartbreaking death of her nine-month-old son Jonathan from spinal muscular atrophy, Amy decided to create a playground where children with and without disabilities could play together.

After the playground opened in 1996, there was an outpouring of people looking to build similar structures in their communities that led to establish Boundless Playgrounds in 1997. Today, there are more than 100 Boundless Playgrounds in over 20 states and Canada, with dozens more in development. Amy received $10,000 to help her pursue her dream, along with vacations for a lifetime provided by Wyndham Vacation Ownership.

The 10 remaining finalists were each awarded $1,000, and also received a week-long vacation at the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort + Spa in Puerto Rico.

“Women on Their Way, a Wyndham Worldwide program that provides travel advice and support, is proud to sponsor Dreamers Into Doers,” said Virginia Wilson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “We applaud all of the award winners and the many unheralded nominees who serve as great role models to women every day.”

In addition, Dr. Maya Angelou was recognized with the Martha Stewart Living Legend Award. As a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to captivate audiences of all generations.

Also on the set was last year’s Grand Prize winner, Cindy Kerr from Philadelphia, PA. Cindy, a talented quilter and devoted mother of a child with cancer, founded ConKerr Cancer to provide hand-made pillowcases to children battling life-changing illnesses. With the help of Martha Stewart’s ‘Dreamers Into Doers,’ Cindy was able to expand ConKerr Cancer’s contributions from six hospitals to 46 hospitals across North America, reaching more than 38,000 sick children with beautiful, handcrafted pillows.

2008 Dreamers Into Doers – Honorees:

Grand Prize Winner
Amy Jaffe Barzach, West Hartford, CT
Boundless Playgrounds
First national non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities
create playgrounds for children with and without disabilities.

Stephanie Hogan Webb, Wilmington, NC
Seedling Kids
Offers a collection of garden-inspired clothing for infants, toddlers, and
kids. All garments are made from 100% certified Texas cotton and cut and
sewn in Pennsylvania.

Tabitha Geary, Richmond, VA
Tabitha Geary LLC
Creates personalized albums for clients using photos, artwork, letters,
etc. Voted as one of Virginia’s Top 10 Growth Companies to Watch in 2008.

Patricia Fragen, Naperville, IL
Normal Moments, Inc
A 501 nonprofit that provides supportive services like house cleaning,
lawn care, meal allowances, pet care, and phone-support buddy to parents
with critically ill children. Currently serving 25 families in the Chicago area.

Jacquelyn Simoni, Glen Ellyn, IL
Puplights
Puplights are lights that attach to the dog’s collar for night walking.
Has donated hundreds of Puplights to worthwhile causes like Hurricane
Katrina, 82nd Airborne and Bear Search & Rescue.
Available under Pets

Kristine Lindsay, Grafton, WI
Operation Snuggle
Creates quilts for children of soldiers from Wisconsin. Has produced over
3,000 quilts. The goal is to create a quilt for every child with a family
member leaving for Iraq.

Carrie Morey, Charleston, SC
Callie’s Charleston Biscuits
A biscuit company created with her mother Callie White. All southern-style
biscuits are made by hand, come in four varieties and ship all over the US.

BethAnn Goldberg, Menlo Park, CA
Studio Cake
Customized 3D cakes.

Laura Masterson, Portland, OR
47th Avenue Farm in Portland, Oregon
Personal Farmer. Produces farm-fresh food grown in the city for people who
live there. Feeds more than 200 people and delivers to several renowned
restaurants. Clients have the chance to pick own food off farm land.

Kathy Tolleson, Daytona Beach, FL
ROAR Motorcycles, Inc.
Empowering women to design and customize their own bike. Also began a ROAR
Charity to help underprivileged women and children.

Ann McGee, Henderson, NV
Miracle Flights For Kids
Organization to finance and organize free airline tickets to critically
ill children in order to receive treatments.

“The Martha Stewart Show” is a nationally-syndicated, daily “how-to” series anchored by segments that entertain, inform and inspire. Featuring movers, shakers and headline makers plus everyday people who’ve accomplished extraordinary things, “The Martha Stewart Show” sheds new light on subjects including cooking and entertaining, decorating, and home renovation and provides a forum for Martha Stewart’s sense of humor, love of fun and desire to teach.

SOURCE Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.

The creme de la creme of beauty products now comes perfectly scaled down for traveling. It could be the one luxe thing left about airline travel and makes a classy stocking stuffer.

The La Mer Travel Set includes:
Moisturizing Cream (7 ml),
The Body Cream (30 ml),
The SPF 18 Fluid Tint (5 ml),
The Refining Facial (5 ml), The Moisturizing Lotion (5 ml),
The Cleansing Gel (30 ml).

Available in the Tango Diva Boutique under Holiday Gift Ideas
Travel Set $148
Travel Set $184

Last Christmas, I was trying to think of a good gift for a friend and another friend suggested giving a microloan through Kiva.org. It turned out to be a fantastic idea. What happens is you give between $25 and $5,000, and a certificate is emailed to your recipient telling them how to log on and choose the entrepreneur they will donate the money to. Examples of businesses one can give to are: a Cambodian woman who sells second-hand clothing outside of a local market and would like money to buy more goods to sell; a Nigerian man with four children who has a home products store and would like to buy more provisions to sell; a woman in Azerbaijan who needs money for her cattle business, among many others. Over the course of the loan (typically 6-12 months), your friend or family member will be sent updates on the business they helped create, and once the loan is paid back to them they can re-lend the money to someone else in need. By connecting people this way, Kiva helps individuals to lift themselves up out of poverty and create a business that will hopefully leave a positive, lasting imprint on their lives.

Visit Kiva to help an entrepreneur in need.

“Never show up to a party without a gift in hand,” my mom always said. Yet, how do you find a thoughtful yet tasteful gift to give in these trying financial times? Chef Georges Mokbel has made it easy for us this holiday season by putting together his picks for the best wine choices for under $20 a bottle.

The chef understands that the holiday party booze budget may not be as big as in year’s past so he has also provided delicious recipes for a traditional French Vin Chaud (think mulled wine) and a Champagne Punch. Check out those recipes at: http://www.georgesmokbel.com/holiday/holidaydrink

CHEF MOKBEL’S FAVORITE WINE SELECTION FOR THE SEASON, ALL UNDER $20.

La Crema Chardonnay 2007, Sonoma. About $17
Light and not acidy Chardonnay. Buttery and creamy taste with hints of butterscotch, Pineapple pear and vanilla.

Merryvale Starmont Merlot 2005, Napa Valley, About $19.00
“Unfussy yet elegant” with hints of cherry, cranberry and asparagus. The finish is unexpectedly complex.

Saintsburry Garnet Pinot 2006, Napa Valley, Carneros. About $18.00
Reminds me of a beautiful burgundy, this is a great valued wine with intense aromas of cherry, vanilla, and wild berries lifted with a smoky touch. This wine is rich and well rounded.

Alexander Valley Vineyards 2002, Cabernet Sauvignon About $19.00
I love this Carbernet, it is spicy and bold with deep aromas of mocha and cherry.

Mumm Cuvee “M”, Napa. About $17.00
Perfect sparkling wine, with a peach rose color. Elegant and complex aromas of peach, pear and caramel.

The chef is currently working on his cookbook, Everyday to Gourmet and a pilot for his own cooking show of the same name will be shot in 2009. More information on Chef Mokbel can be found at: www.georgesmokbel.com

I recently returned from a seminar on The Mediterranean Food Diet, and one of my favorite speakers was Max McCalman, one of the cheese world’s living legends for his expertise, insight and passion.(Plus, he’s razor thin and lives on cheese-even those triple-creme delights. He spoke about the wide range of health benefits that eating cheese provides ranging from calming down your A.D.D. kid to helping your sex life…who knew?) As America’s first restaurant-based Maître Fromager and a Garde et Jure as designated by France’s exclusive Guilde des Fromagers, Max established the critically acclaimed cheese programs at New York City’s Picholine and Artisanal restaurants over the past decade and has become a highly visible advocate for artisanal cheese production around the world.

So since I’ve now jumped on the “cheese-is-good-for-all-that-ails-you-diet-plan,” I’m stocking up on Max’s Pick’s For the Week for all my hostess gifts. Another sure winner in the gift department is to sign up for their Artisanal Cheese of the Month Club. If you live in NYC or plan to visit than how about a gift certificate for one of Artisanal Cheese Classes, where you will expand your knowledge of cheese types, textures, and cheese presentation while having fun pairing cheese and wine (or perhaps another exciting pairing such as cheese and champagne, cheese and cognac, beer, brandy, bourbon, and sake too.)

For 3 great books on cheese by Max McCalman check out the Holiday Gift Ideas

I recently returned from a jammed packed week filled with incredible food, wine and local sights as we explored Southern Oregon. I will go into detail at a later time but here’s my public service announcement for all you single women.

Troon Vineyard is an internationally recognized, award winning, boutique winery, with a vibrant team dedicated to the pursuit of “good times and fine wines.” It’s situated right in the heart of the Applegate Valley, set on a beautiful 98 acre property with breathtaking panoramic views.

Established in 1972 by founder and southern Oregon grape growing pioneer Dick Troon, the winery is now owned and operated by the Martin family. They built an incredible new tasting room — reminiscent of a French villa with copper gutters, tile roofs, and extensive cedar work.
They also have provided for many unique experiences like their summer “vinolab’, tapas pairing, bocce ball,winemaker’s dinners, and cooking classes to accompany their award winning wines. Making only small lots (mostly under 300 cases) of: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay, among others, allows them to have new and interesting wines ready for you every time you visit.

And now for the good news:
In 2003, Chris Martin was chosen by Dick Troon to take over the reigns. This hunky vintner (what a catch) is working so hard that he hasn’t had time to find the girl of his dreams, so I offered to put a shout out. When I asked what he was looking for, he thought deeply for a moment and then replied,
“I’m looking for a beautiful enigma wrapped in a romantic comedy.” Wow- that’s good sh-t!

No time to stomp your own grapes and make your own wine? Sure we understand… but now you can fake it when you slap on your personalized label to give to your friends, biz associates or just style out one bottle for your lover. How cool is this? You can buy anything from a truck load to just one bottle when you work with Alex Andrawes at personalwine.com. This user friendly website helps you choose just the right wine, then works with you on the label design.

A special gift for the culinary connoisseur….but you’d better double-wrap this one so the smell doesn’t give it away. I’m a truffle addict and have wasted more $$$ than I like to think about on secondary truffle products. JRMushrooms rules when it comes to this odoriferous little gem. The gift comes with a complete description of each product along with serving suggestions.

Large Black Truffle Oil – 8.45 oz.
Large White Truffle Oil – 8.45 oz.
Black Truffle Tapenade – 6.3 oz.
White Truffle Paste – 3.15 oz.
White Truffle Honey – 4.5 oz.
White Truffle Cream Sauce – 3.15 oz.
Mixed Truffle Carpaccio (Black and White Truffles) – 6 oz.

The Grand Truffle Gift $248.00

P.s. If your sig. other doesn’t like truffles-gasp- JRMushrooms & Specialties, also offer many other outstanding quality gourmet products such as dried mushrooms, porcini mushroom powder, lavender from Provence, peppercorn mixes, saffron, truffle oils, truffles, estate-bottled extra virgin olive oils, flavored and infused oils, walnut, pistachio and pumpkinseed nut oils, lavender, sea salt (Fleur de Sel), vanilla, vanilla beans, orange flower water, rose flower water, sun dried tomatoes, and other gourmet specialties.