The winning ticket will entitle its owner, plus a guest, to grab their packed suitcases and board the private jet which will leave immediately for Napa Valley, CA. Over the weekend, the winners will enjoy 5-star accommodations, private tastings, massages, gourmet meals, and full day tours of the region in their private, chauffeur-driven car before their private jet returns them to Los Angeles late Sunday afternoon.

Those not fortunate enough to win the trip to Napa Valley will be eligible for other vacation prizes, including a stay at the Montage Laguna Beach, or the brand new downtown Ritz Carlton, which will also be drawn and awarded that night. Those winners will be taken by limousine, directly from Van Nuys Airport, to local resorts for a weekend get-away. Everyone will have the option of pre-reserving a weekend trip at a big discount to one of several local 5 star hotels like the Beverly Hills Hotel, Casa Del Mar, Shutters, Peninsula Beverly Hills, or the St Regis Monarch Bay, each with special goodies and discounts thrown in.

If you are interested in attending this AMAZING event please comment on this blog post and I’ll send you the details. I am planning to attend with a few friends of mine. It should be a great time. Hope to see a few familiar faces.

Donors Choose is an award-winning online charity. Public school teachers across the country post classroom project ideas, and citizen philanthropists choose which ones to fund. Brilliant.

If you’d like to participate in this campaign (I did) please visit www.donorschoosela.org and choose a classroom project at an LA charter or public school. At DonorsChoose.org, you can give as little as $1 and get the same level of choice, transparency, and feedback that is traditionally reserved for someone who gives millions.

Making philanthropy accessible to the masses.

Each week Sevenly features a different charity. They design a shirt and sell it for EXACTLY seven days. After the seven days, the shirt is gone. And when they say, “gone”, they mean FOREVER. So, if you see a cause you want to support or a design you like, you better act fast.

For every shirt you purchase they give $7 to the charity. At the end of seven day campaign they send the charity a check (EXE: 1000 shirts sold = $7,000 check for the charity).

Be sure to check out Sevenly and purchase your shirt today!! It’s an easy way to give-back and make a difference. It’s such a great concept!! What’s not to love?

Is Sevenly the next TOMS shoes? Only time will tell.

1. Feed 2 Kenya Bag - Need to find a great gift? We recommend this bag. FEED Projects’ mission is to create good products that help FEED the world.
2. Edwin Jagger Diffusion Range 3 Piece Shaving Set Ebony – Need to get something for the man in your life? Duh, get this. Plus, $1 out of every $5 is donated to the charity of your choice.
3. Blue Buddha – Jewelry that sparkles with good intention! 20% of the proceed from the purchase of the Blue Buddha Talisman goes to Dosomething.org.
4. Luggage Tag – It’s the perfect gift for the traveler in your family. $1 out of every $5 is donated to the charity of your choice.
5. Artichoke Salt & Pepper Shaker – Do you have a friend or family member that loves to entertain? If so, get these adorable Artichoke salt & pepper shakers.
6. Dog Sweater – Have a dog? Like to dress him or her up? Then this sweater is a must-have this Christmas. $1 out of every $5 is donated to the charity of your choice.
7. Toms Shoes – Everyone loves TOMS Shoes. The best part is when you buy a pair; you give a pair to a child in need.
8. Bunny – Boy or girl? This plush beige bunny is a wonderful gift for the new or soon-to-be mother.
9. Decanter – If you know someone who loves wine and entertaining then don’t think twice about this fabulous gift!
10. Sigal Gerber Jewelry – HOT ITEM!! These necklaces are so beautiful and they were recently featured in People Style Watch magazine. This is the perfect gift for the fashion forward friend or family member.
11. Oka Bag – Looking for the perfect bag? Get an OKA bag, its stylish and made from repurposed clothing materials.
12. Coral Candle – Who doesn’t love a candle? $1 out of every $5 is donated to the charity of your choice.
13. Thirst Wristbands – These are great stocking stuffers! Help give people in need access to clean, safe drinking water. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Thirst Project.
14. Camera – We love this camera. Plus, $1 out of every $5 is donated to the charity of your choice.
15. Illusion Eyewear – Need to find the perfect gift for your tech-savvy friend or family member? We love these 3D glasses.

Your next cup of coffee or tea could warm the heart in more ways than one. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the “Deck the Walls” campaign, is now in its 10^th year, will support The Help Group’s efforts on behalf of children with autism and other special needs. Customers can participate by purchasing one or more holiday stickers for $1 each and “Deck the Walls” at they local Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. 100 percent of the funds from customers’ sticker purchases will be donated to The Help Group. Additionally The Help Group will receive $1 from each sale of the Winter Dream Tea, and the Holiday Blend Whole Bean Coffee. The campaign started on November 24^th, 2011 and continues through January 1^st, 2012 at 174 retail locations in California and the Western United States.

I love this campaign and this cause is something I carry very close to my heart. If you love in the Los Angeles area, please support The Help Group.

This year, the Kenneth Cole Founation is partnering with the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. They created a PSA (Public Service Announcment) to raise awareness and promtoe their new version of the AIDS ribbon. Thoughts?