Just in time for the holidays, Dell goes OPI.

Okay, so Della was a disaster, igniting a social media firestorm last spring. But all those “Lollipop, Lollipop” colors popping off the assembly line clearly struck a merry chord with consumers. That’s why just in time for the holidays, Dell Mini, Inspiron and Studio laptops will be available in colors including “I’m Not Really a Waitress,” “Strawberry Margarita” and “Kyoto Pearl.” Twenty-six new colors will be added to the current Dell Design Studio palette along with a variety of patterns beginning next month. They’ll include not just 20 classic OPI colours but also six holiday-themed shades such as “Dear Santa,” “Merry Midnight” and “Smitten with Mittens.” Seasonal shades will vary, and availability in other countries will follow the palette’s US introduction. Select OPI colours will also be available at many retailers. Maybe we’ll paint our fingers and toes to match when we go Christmas shopping.

“Beautiful nails really are the ultimate accessory to any look,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive Vice President & Artistic Director. “And now, with Dell laptops that coordinate with OPI Nail Lacquers, you can match your nails to your emails!”

So it looks like I’m finally going to get some competition for my neon green Macbook. Years ago at CES I discovered the wonders of a site called colorware and very promptly colorized my iPod in Berkeley gold and blue. I loved it so much I graduated to a full colorization — the Minnesota company uses a process similar to colorizing cars — for my laptop. Half the fun is gawking at the glossy lipsticky colors posted on the site. Dell’s brilliance in partnering with OPI is tempting indeed. I wonder if they’ll have my fave “Cajun Shrimp.”

Via the awesome site Springwise.

How About An Old Fashioned Friend Request?

“One of the oldest human needs is having someone to wonder where you are when you don’t come home at night.”

Deep in the woods, where it is darkest and only the moon knows its way, there stands a cabin. By all rights, it should be pitch black and cold, silent in the mute of the night. But a passing neighbor, out running with the dogs in the frosty air, has paused long enough to switch on an old copper lantern. It glows amber, warming the way to the cabin.

In this season where aloneness may suddenly turn lonely, we need to do what this neighbor has done. We need to leave a light on for each other.

Census reports tell us that more and more people are living alone. Old, young, single, divorced, whatever . . . we are living solitary lives by choice or by circumstance.

Living by oneself can be a glory of solitude or it can be an ordeal. Most often it’s both; like so much else in life, shifting portions of heaven and of hell. During the holidays, many who normally revel in living life at their own pace, suddenly feel a pang. Logical or not, we all have embedded in us like genetic markers, memories of Christmases past. Few of them truly were Hallmark specials . . . but that tends to be forgotten when the strains of Silent Night start twisting their way in and around our hearts.

So how about leaving the light on for those pals of yours, that cousin or cube-mate or neighbor? How about making the phone call, dropping by, or inviting your buddy, the one who always seems so independent, so thoroughly self-sufficient, for Christmas dinner? How about going beyond writing on your friend’s Facebook wall or tweeting ‘Happy Holidays’ in 140 characters?

I am not talking neediness here . . . or even making the assumption that everyone who lives alone is rattling with loneliness. I am simply suggesting that we look beyond our own very busy noses during this season . . . because maybe, just maybe, that house down the road has been shrouded in darkness for too long.

What about that pal of yours from the office who can’t get a flight home . . . and what of your friend who’s newly separated and away from her children for the first Christmas Eve ever? And what of the legions of newly laid-off — more than 110,000 in technology alone? So many of us are facing upheaval of all kinds. So many of us are newly uncertain on our paths. So many are searching for a beacon.

Amidst all the blazing lights of December, the one you leave on for a friend may be the brightest.

Tis Almost The Season for Merry Social Networking. Five Ways To Head Off The Business Bah Humbugs.

Despite the Scrooges already shoveling coal for our stockings, we Americans are a resilient sort. Let the corporations cut back on their festivities. Let the bubbly turn to brew, the shrimp turn to sausage, the Black Ties turn to black T’s. Our parties must go on.

But for those looking to these merry months as a never-ending source of business opportunities and shrewd social networking, beware of mixing Mistletoe martinis with clients new and old. Can you spot the red flags amidst the green? Here are five ways to head off the Holiday Bah Humbugs:

1. Give it a rest. (At least sometimes)

That potential client you’ve been dying to meet is standing at the buffet table, eying the sushi. Another prospect is happily greeting a group of friends. And another is headed toward the rest room. You’re thinking: “Now’s my chance!” In these recessionary times, it’s difficult not to leap into full court press when faced with a room full of possibility and prodigious amounts of alcohol. But sometimes it’s best to hang back and observe. Did that client just arrive and he’s starving after skipping lunch? How will he feel if you barge over with your business card? Maybe the other client hasn’t seen her buddies in months. Will she want to be interrupted by someone whose sole mission is pushing her own business? And the rest room. Well, duh.

2. Shameless Promotion and Sacred Do Not Mix.

Never forget that sprinkled among the party-hearty revelers are those who regard Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice as sacred. These faithful souls are not likely to take kindly to non-stop business chatter or cards offered along with holiday greetings. This is true for mailings, emailing’s, gifts or festivities. Don’t think you can easily spot those most apt to be offended. Why not be sensitive to one and all?

3. Give The Gift of Friendship (Not Friend Requestship).

We love our virtual friends and the exploding world of social networking. But just as one of the Presidential candidates drove us batty with endless insincere “My friends”, now is the time to be a real friend. People are losing their jobs, contracts, houses, health insurance and self-esteem. Let our gifts this year be kind and loving gestures — not tweets and pings.

4. Honor the Culture Mash.

I continue to be annoyed at the namby-pampy word ‘holiday’ that’s such a cowardly attempt at being politically correct. If it’s a Christmas Party, call it that. If it’s a Kwanzaa celebration, call it that. My favorite comes from those trend-setting folks at the OC: ChrismukKuh. Let’s have (as our new President calls himself) a Mutt-Mas, a party that mashes all our cultures into one wild multi-cultural shebang.

5. Schedule Some Silent Nights.

Rather than schedule frenzied Fa-La-Las, how about planning some quiet times and if clients are involved, declare a No Business Zone. Carving out some time to just ‘be’ keeps us sane — and may actually be a better business plan in the long run. No one wants to listen to or keep up a non-stop tap dance. There is peace in the quiet. Or plan the celebration around music and simply shut the heck up.

I’d love to hear your ideas.