Ramona Russell of Uptown Liz in BusinessWeek Small Biz Magazine

Ramona Russell of Uptown Liz was featured in the Dec/Jan issue of BusinessWeek Small Biz Magazine. In an article featuring several entrepreneurs, she discusses how long distance running helps reduce stress and gives her focus to run a business.

To read the two-part article, click here for part one and here for part two.

Shop for a Cause: Jenny's Light Offers Hope for Women Suffering from Postpartum Disorders

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." - Robert Brault

Jenny's Light (jennyslight.org) was created after the tragic and untimely passing of Jenny Gibbs Bankston and her baby boy, Graham Gibbs Bankston, on December 19, 2007. Jenny had suffered silently with postpartum depression and psychosis.

The name of the foundation was created to reflect the 'bright light' that Jenny was to everyone who had the privilege to know (or even just to meet) her. She was kind, caring, creative, beautiful, poised, and athletic. Her love of life was evident to all of those around her.

By raising money through Jenny's Light, the foundation will be able to help so many new mothers who suffer from this terrible illness. They want to shed light and increase awareness about the seriousness of postpartum disorders (PPD), and also educate and support women and families dealing with it.

With the money raised, they plan to help fund research, pay for distribution of literature in hospitals, become a key resource that women and families can refer to for information and support about PPD, set up more support groups, advertise, support chosen efforts, and help spread hope where so many hearts may feel desperate, desolate, and dark.

To support Jenny's Light by shopping, go to Uptown Liz or http://www.jennyslight.org/.

Green Gifts: Vert, Eco-Friendly Boutique Offers Mulitple Options for Shoppers

Attention last minute shoppers! Still trying to find that perfect gift, but want to help the environment (and your health) at the same time? Then click your mouse over to Vert.

Vert, the one stop shop Los Angeles eco-chic beauty boutique, will personally create customized gift baskets for purchase, ranging from $50-$500 (free shipping on orders over $75). Specifically tailored to men, women, couples, travelers and babies, the offerings in each basket will be handpicked to provide the perfect green gift for any occasion.

Born of owner Renata Helfman’s quest for a completely chemical-free lifestyle, Vert represents an unparalleled collection of sophisticated, eco-chic formulas for skin, hair, body and home from around the world. The one-stop shopping destination is Los Angeles’s first beauty boutique to provide eco-friendly options without sacrificing luxury, specializing exclusively in high-quality green products. Josie Maran Cosmetics, Arcona, L’Artisan Parfumeur, REN skincare, Naturopathica, Pratima, Keys, Red Flower and Me & Ro are just some of the luxe, eco-chic brands found at Vert. Customers flock to the boutique not only for Renata’s handpicked selection of products, but also for her knowledge of skincare, eco-friendly makeup and green living. Now the home of the eco-chic shopping that Renata envisioned, Vert is a destination as well as an education.

To visit Vert online, go to http://www.vertlosangeles.com/.

Celebrities Give Back: Usher Gives Philanthropy a "New Look"

Usher Raymond IV (aka Usher), best known for his grammy award winning music and awe-inspiring abdominals, recently joined the long list of Hollywood elite who rock the vote, with the launch of his non-profit's national "I Can't But You Can" Voter Registration Campaign.

The nationwide campaign, geared toward children under the age of 17, was designed to educate America's youth about how political issues affect their lives and encourage them to be vocal about their needs. It also provides a vehicle for youngters to participate in the election, by hosting voter registration drives in their communities. The first of its kind took place this summer with 350 kids in Atlanta.

This isn't the first time Usher has been active on the political front. Just prior to the Voter Registration Campaign, Usher joined Senator John McCain, Senator Barack Obama, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the ServiceNation Summit in New York City, an event where 500 leaders from businesses, universities, foundations and politics unite for the purpose of creating a plan for addressing America's greatest social challenges.

Usher's foundation, Usher's New Look, was established in 2005 to provide leadership, guidance and support to help youth become successful in all aspects of their life - in their communities, careers and as citizens. It's signature event is Camp New Look, a two-week annual youth summit for children ages 12-17, that gives them a chance to leverage their talents and explore opportunities in the sports and entertainment industries.

Thanks to Usher's multiple efforts, the forecast for America's youth is "looking" up.

Celebrities Give Back: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Donate to Global Action for Children

Hollywood's biggest givers, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, started the holiday season off by making a difference. The couple, who have six little ones, donated $100,000 to Global Action for Children through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

This is the couple's second donation to the nonprofit; in 2006, they donated $1 million.

"With the holiday season upon us, we hope the generous gift from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation inspires others to give and focus on assisting orphans and highly vulnerable children around the world," the charity's executive director, Jennifer Delaney, said. "Each and every donation can truly make a difference in the life of a child."

Sactown Magazine Features Uptown Liz

I had the privilege of being featured in the December/January, 2nd Anniversary Issue of Sactown Magazine. In the article, "Butterfly Effect" (page 93), I talk about the misdiagnosis that led to my 28 year old sister's death from breast cancer. I also discuss why I created Uptown Liz as part of her legacy.

My deepest gratitude to Elyssa Lee (Co-Editor In Chief) for her thoughtful and touching article and the opportunity to continue to grow Liz's legacy. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with Elyssa, Rob Turner (her husband and Co-Editor in Chief) and photographer Chris Kaufman (who did a beautiful job shooting me for three hours with live butterflies).

Sactown (click here for newsstand locations all over California) has quickly become the magazine to read for in-depth stories on people, places and things in Northern California. Pick your copy up today!

World AIDS Day: Penelope Cruz Celebrates with Unbreakable Kiss

Penelope Cruz, actress and AIDS activist, opened the Unbreakable Kiss Mistletoe Installation in New York City's Madison Square Park today.

For every couple who kisses under the mistletoe now through December 4, A Diamond is Forever will donate $5 to the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in honor of World AIDS Day. The company will also give away a piece of jewelry every day of the campaign.

The money raised will support EJAF's grant-making initiatives of HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS in communities across the Americas and the Caribbean.

According to EJAF: Across the globe, over 33 million men, women, and children are living with HIV/AIDS, and every year 3 million more become infected. Over 56,000 of those infections occur right here in the United States, 34% in young people age 13-29.

"Until we have a cure and a preventive vaccine, teaching people how to prevent HIV infection is one of the most important things we can do right now to bring an end to this terrible epidemic. That has been EJAF's mission from day one," remarked Sir Elton John.

For more information please visit http://www.adiamondisforever.com/.

To support this cause through shopping, go to the HIV/AIDS page on Uptown Liz.