Less is more The jewelry and clothing at Edith Schneider Jewelry & Accessories are inspired by contemporary European fashion and Japanese philosophy, which share the common aesthetics of minimalism, purity, and simplicity. These aesthetics are woven throughout Schneider’s pieces, so that each gem, metal, and thread is emphasized to its fullest extent, and falls in perfect balance with its completed design. Edith Schneider has also had over 20 years experience in designing and constructing custom jewelry, and can repair any piece of damaged jewelry to its former brilliance. “I love colors and shapes. I am fascinated by reducing colors and shapes to a minimum to bring the most out of them.” – Edith Schneider Experience the harmony and beauty of Edith Schneider’s designs for yourself by visiting her studio at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, and find a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special in your life. Edith Schneider. Allied Arts Guild 75 Arbor Rd, Menlo Park. 650.327.2545
Wine and specialty food experts Draeger’s Market has been catering to the distinctive tastes of the San Francisco Bay Area since 1925, earning a reputation for providing the very best food and wine from around the world. Draeger’s offers Specialty and Natural Foods, 300 varieties of Specialty Cheeses, Organic Produce, a broad selection of Bakery and Delicatessen products made fresh in their own kitchens every day, a full butcher shop and over 2500 domestic and imported wines. Party Trays are available. Awards include National Retailer of the Year for Wines and Spirits, 2010 Marketer Award for Lamb, and Reader’s Choice for Best Grocery Store. For holiday gift giving, the Home Department offers a wide variety of quality culinary tools, cookware, cook books and other accoutrements of the table. Food and Wine Gift baskets, Gift Cards and Gift Registry are available in the store or online. Draeger’s Market 1010 University Dr., Menlo Park. 650.324.7700 www.Draegers.com
Ronald McDonald House at Stanford Ronald McDonald House at Stanford creates a home-away-from-home and supportive community for families of children with life-threatening illnesses receiving specialized treatment at local hospitals. When Ana Rosa and her seven-month-old son, Brandon, arrived in Palo Alto, it had been less than 24 hours since they had received the news the baby had a brain tumor. After a whirlwind of emergency tests and procedures, they found themselves trying to comprehend what was going on and how they would cope. For two weeks, Ana Rosa did not leave her son’s bedside. Once it was clear that Brandon was responding well to treatment, she checked in to Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. In a state of shock, she asked herself, “Now what am I going to do?” She soon learned the House would help her find the answer, especially through the other parents and children staying there. “You truly
get to know the other families,” she explained, “and you become one big family.” For Ana Rosa, everything about the House has been helpful— from the relationships she’s developed to the proximity to the hospital. She’s enjoyed scrapbooking and massages, activities that helped reduce her stress. “I didn’t realize how tight my neck and shoulders were, until the massage,” she recalled, “when the therapist touched me, the stress melted away.” When severe illness strikes, it isn’t just the patient who is affected. For families whose child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Designed to offer seriously ill children the best chance for recovery, the House is the safety net families need. For Ana Rosa and Brandon, the House provided the stability and respite mom needed, and within six months the little one was well enough to return home. Holiday Guide 2011 33