Thanks to Elisa, Jory, Kristy and the folks at BlogHer for inviting me to their holiday cocktail party last Thursday in San Francisco. It was a cool party at a swanky neighborhood bar called Café Royale in the Tenderloin district. (I had a fantastic glass of Shiraz-Malbec wine, if anyone can tell me the name of the winery, next glass is on me!)

The great thing about the BlogHer network is the lack-of-stereotype of its members and followers. Quite honestly, I was amazed by the diversity of the party-goers and thoroughly enjoyed many dynamic conversations. I toasted the holidays with people who blog for fun (Mama’s Moon), make a living off blogging (Technorati), write about trends in blogging (Tom Abate of the SF Chronicle), and simply support the BlogHer network (advertising.com).

Every time I attend a BlogHer function, I make it my mission to find a new blog to track and promote. After one minute of talking to Charlie Anders, I knew I found that blog. Check out “She’s Such a Geek” to hear from “women who write about science, technology and other nerdy stuff.” (Read the blog and the book!) Charlie was cool and sold me on the blog without having to try. If you don’t believe me, take the word of Katie Hafner: “These personal essays are exhilarating, hilarious, inspiring, and infuriating. Anyone with a daughter should read this book. The make sure she applies to M.I.T.”

One final thanks to Havi at Yahoo! for carpooling with me!

Happy holidays!

/Stacy Libby

Technorati Tags: blog+her, events, holiday

A quick plug for a client and a great project: Maya’s Mom is working with Meals on Wheels here in the Bay Area on a holiday program that helps parents and their children create and give holiday wreaths to honor and teach the spirit of giving. Scores of individuals (and more than 30 local groups including schools, churches and Girl Scout troops) are already participating.

Parents and children can work on their own, with friends or with community groups. Examples range from the paper plate-type wreath to more intricate ones using beads and cutouts. More ideas posted here, also a few stories here and here for reference. Wreaths will be delivered to the Meals on Wheels organization by Maya’s Mom throughout December.

Participants can send their wreaths directly to the company for collective distribution, but must be received by December 19.

Send to:

Maya’s Mom Holiday Giving Project

235 Alma Street Palo Alto, CA 94301

Happy holidays!

/Stacy Libby

Technorati Tags: holiday, mayasmom, meals on wheels, wreaths