While she held the position of First Lady, Laura Bush worked to better the lives of children across the country through encouraging arts education, extolling the importance of literacy and more. A mother herself, the issues facing children hit home and even though she's no longer living on Pennsylvania Avenue, she's still helping shape the minds of children in America. Orange County will play host to a special appearance from the former First Lady Jan. 10 at the Marconi Automotive Museum.

This enchanting estate is a sanctuary that echoes its awe-inspiring environs. Peaceful mountain solitude and private canyons surround this Zen-like compound that encompasses two magnificent residences, two guest casitas, six garages and 8.0 acres at the end of a private road that borders pristine U.S. Forest Service land within minutes of central Sedona, Arizona.

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. Having already established many successful hotels within the United States, Rich Hilton has moved on to his next big project: a new hotel in Germany.

Tuesday night, Blush Boutique Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas kicked off a toy drive benefiting the After School All Stars. Club goers filled up two large bins of some great holiday toys certain to put a smile on the faces of the kids that receive them.

So you thought you had everything and then someone comes along with the most expensive and opulent nail polish in the world. Hand-made from yellow gold and with over 1,000 diamonds inlaid to the lid Gold Rush is no ordinary nail polish.

Atlanta-based and nationally known jewelry designer Mickey Lynn held quite the festive party last night at her brand new renovated Bennett Street studio in Atlanta. Just in time for the holiday season, guests mingled and ogled at her newest line of jewelry. Cocktails and delicious appetizers were served throughout the evening and I am pretty sure no one went home empty handed.

On Tuesday, Nov. 30, Nadja Swarovski and Craig Robins hosted a private dinner in the penthouse of Soho Beach House to celebrate the launch the new Swarovski Crystal Palace book, The Art of Light and Crystal, and Swarovski’s Design Miami collaboration with London design powerhouse Troika.

With a career spanning over 50 years, Shirley Anne Field is one of Britain’s most respected actresses. We get the lowdown on her Haute Secrets for London.

No matter how many parties or events you have to attend over the festive season there is simply no excuse for not looking your preened or pampered self. That’s why over in Mayfair, Flemings—one of the oldest hotels in London and grooming emporium, The Refinery, have partnered up to offer a “Be Dapper” male pamper package, designed to buff, polish and preen to perfection.

The house, on nearly 4 acres, is situated on one of the highest points in Watch Hill with panoramic views of the countryside and Atlantic Ocean.

There is whisky... and then there is whisky. The Macallan Sherry Oak is no joke. For friends and family with a serious taste for scotch, it doesn't get much better than this. The distillery-bottled Macallan 18 Year comes in an impressive, almost glittering purple box (so, there is no holiday wrapping involved!). But the real treat is what's on the inside.

On Wednesday, December 8, The Portage will host an exclusive Brasserie Du Bocq and St. Sylvestre Brewery Dinner to ring in the holidays. A five-course seasonal meal, paired with an array of unique Beer from France and Belgium includes: Broiled Monk Fish, Baked Ham in a Thai Peanut Broth and Arugula and Pine Nut Stuffed Quail. Featured beers will include: St. Sylvestre Brewery “Gavroche” French Red Ale, Brasserie Du Bocq “Blanche De Namur” Bottle-Fermented White Beer and St. Sylvestre Brewery 3 Monts French Golden Ale.

Hanukkah has begun. And while some may observe the holiday with a traditional family get together each of the 8 nights of Hanukkah – not everyone can engage in the same type of celebration they grew up knowing. So how can you take part in the Festival of Lights without spending your days making potato latkes and homemade applesauce on your own? We have two great local options for celebrating Hanukkah out on the town or for bringing the fixings home for a more private observance of the holiday.

Long known for their commitment to fresh, local and sustainable ingredients, the White Dog Cafe in University City is, quite simply, and institution. So when the restaurant was purchased two years ago by Marty Grims -- best known in Philadelphia for the Moshulu and DuJour -- many wondered if, and how, things would change.

Robert Wolcott, Ph.D. is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Clareo Partners LLC, a corporate strategy and innovation management consultancy specializing in new business creation and growth (www.clareopartners.com). Subsidiary Clareo Capital owns equity in companies in social enterprise and luxury markets. Clareo’s headquarters, Clareo Studio, created in partnership with Herman Miller, Inc., serves as a collaboration space for special events, corporate off-sites and performances dedicated to innovation, entrepreneurship, social awareness and general inspiration. He is also the Founder & Executive Director of the Kellogg Innovation Network (KIN) and a member of the faculty of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He teaches corporate innovation and entrepreneurship for Kellogg in Evanston, Miami and Hong Kong (with HKUST). Formerly Visiting Professor at the Keio Business School (Tokyo, Japan). Advisor to NORDEN, the Nordic Innovation Center, Nordic Council of Ministers, Oslo, Norway, and a member of the Global Technology Council of Kraft Foods, Inc. His new book, with Dr. Michael Lippitz, Grow From Within: Mastering Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation (McGraw-Hill) launched in October, 2009. Wolcott’s work has appeared in MIT Sloan Management Review, The Wall Street Journal, Advertising Age, Business Week, The Financial Times (UK/ European Edition) and the New York Times. He is a frequent speaker at events worldwide. Wolcott received a BA, European and Chinese History; and an MS and Ph.D., Industrial Engineering & Management Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. He and his wife, Ada Yung, have a young daughter, Jolie, and reside in Chicago, Illinois.

For fans of dance, music and spectacle, there's no season like the holidays. But after you've had enough of the Nutcracker and have seen the Messiah enough times to recite the entire hour-long presentation, why not try give something new a try? Back for its 17th season, Salute to Vienna returns to the Performing Arts Center on January 1st for a show celebrating the art and culture of a city that remains an artistic hub today.

The Palms seemed to be crawling with celebrities last night. Robin Leach, celebrity journalist, dined at Nove Italiano inside Palms on Tuesday.

Beauty, vanity, glamour, red carpets and skinny models (pictures from the grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva..Java Club) — I've been hosting the International TV channel's Swiss Model Search tour 2010, which took place in many cities.