If I had to pick, I'd rather make Favorites the same color toggling as Hot, Boards, Board, Message, etc.. (blue/white)
Not the reverse.
That grey/pink on white is bad on the eyes.
I'd even consider kicking up Favorites font size a notch.
Be *very* careful about what you change in regards to fonts and colors. Remember how stupid SI was and how much complaining we all did. :)
BTW, what font is that on the 'new' Hot boards? Pretty nice.