A Happy Diner

Hello Jennifer, I had a lovely dining experience yesterday evening and one of your waiters was exceptional as I had lost my Mont Blanc pen and he found it as I was leaving Cafe Rodeo and returned it to me. Such class! Would love to return the favor should you have any special holiday needs. Dianne, Smythson of Bond Street, on Rodeo Drive.

Luxe Holiday Celebration

Everyone would agree that this was our best employee party yet!
Pictured here: Sherwin Banda, Hotel Manager, me, Beverly, Front Desk, and Regina, Assistant Controller.

A Christmas Carol

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, 1843.

I don't care about Christmas presents or lights

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff was recorded for Carey's fifth album, Merry Christmas (1994). It’s one of the most commercially successful Christmas singles of the modern era and by late 2006, it had become the best-selling holiday ring tone of all time in the U.S. All I want for Christmas is you!

Flightdeck: Ho Ho Ho

Holiday cards

Today, I received a holiday greeting from someone whom I haven't seen in a long time. We met years ago at another hotel; she's traveled from Hollywood to Baghdad and back. Enclosed was a recent photo and her new business card. Truly a treasure to be remembered. Thank you, Stephanie. You look ravishing!

Good Wishes from HBO

Hi Wendy,
It was a pleasure seeing you.
Thank you for always remembering and thinking of me.

May the new year,give you new Joy and Happiness.
We MUST make time to get together.

xoxo

Kim Goins Alexander
HBO Travel
A Time Warner Entertainment Company

Reality Checklist

Making a list and checking it twice. Dear Santa, May we all have a jolly holiday season filled with happiness and good cheer!

Christmas at the Beverly Hills Hotel

What a treat: lunch in the Polo Lounge! We thank you, Rachel Eskoff, for sharing some of your holiday cheerfulness with us. Pictured in the lobby of the Beverly Hills Hotel, Marisa Chinn, Valentino Boutique Manager, me and Rachel Eskoff, Regional Sales Director at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 'Tis the season - be jolly. Fa la la la la la

Cafe Rodeo Compliment

Hi Wendy,

Thanks again for your time today. It was such a pleasure to spend time with you away from the office :)
Hotel is great. So glad I finally got to see it.

Happy, Happy Holidays xo

Pamela
Pamela Aberg Brunette| Manager|Sony Pictures Travel

The Kite Runner

In October, I decided to listen to the book on CD, read by the author, Khaled Hosseini, in anticipation of the film release. On one particular Sunday, I got up and drove to the Pasadena Community College Flea Market just to listen to a disc in my car. I was addicted. You can imagine how excited I was to be invited to a screening at Paramount Pictures this week. As you probably know by now, it's the epic tale of Amir and Hassan, boyhood friends torn apart by a single act of betrayal and cowardice during the final days of Afghanistan's crumbling monarchy. Decades later, a westernized Amir returns from America to rediscover a country he no longer knows, gains honor and redemption. Through loss, there is friendship found. Highly recommended.

Porsche Design and Angeleno Magazine

Slade Smiley from Bravo's hit series The Real Housewives of Orange County was on hand for an evening to benefit Make a Wish Foundation at Porsche Design last evening. While Slade was engaging a beautiful blond in his fabulous Porsche aviator sunglasses, I was enjoying the company of hosts, Lewis, Julia and Christine (pictured here). They seemed to know exactly what gifts were on every man's wish list this season. Thank you for donating a portion of this evening proceeds to the Foundation. Very fashionable of you!

Hello Jennifer Albert

Hi Jennifer,
I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful party and all your efforts! Everyone had a great time, and was praising the food and decor. Thanks again! Susan [Kim] Operations Manager, Giorgio Armani
Welcome Jennifer Albert, Restaurant and Special Events Manager, to the Luxe Team!

A Happy Guest

Wendy , thank you I as always had a fabulous stay at the Luxe, your commitment to sevice is of the highest of standards. I will be coming over in July and closer to that time will book my dates with you.
Best Regards
Marilyn.Bracks.

Ilori

Visit ILORI to see the most avant-garde in sunglass shapes, colors and materials. Not to mention the unusual and fabulous holiday window! Created by artist Paul Foley, the window is one of the most interesting to appear on The Drive for years. Welcome and thank you.

The Golden Compass

Australians in Film screened The Golden Compass last night. It is set in a parallel universe where every human being has an animal companion called a daemon that reflects the person's inner self. Noticeably cool and intellectual, there are underpinnings of authoritarian rule versus self will. Left me wondering what my daemon might be.

Vod Box

The crowning moment for our commendable dinner at Nic's Martini Lounge was the visit to the Vod Box. Mitch Hunter, General Manager, and Larry Nicola escorted Andy Harris and me into the vodka room, aka The Vod Box, but not until offering faux fur coats. For all of the restaurant's gracious human element and the warm welcome from Mitch and Larry, the box is COLD. There were rye vodkas, wheat vodkas, grape vodkas, filtered and unfiltered vodkas. Frankly, I lost count as I perused the floor to ceiling shelves of bottles. Andy and I sipped a few varieties. Highly recommended - "Chtob vse byli zdorovy".

Nic's Martini Lounge

Thank you Larry Nicola for a splendid evening at Nic's Martini Lounge. Chef Brendan outdid himself, sending dishes of scrumptious bites to our table. The restaurant is one of the best values in Beverly Hills. The duck entree was perfect! We loved the holiday decorations and the new artwork too. Grazia. You are the consummate host.

A Happy Guest

Wendy,
Thank you. I had a great stay.
Nice quote!
A
Adam Golinczak, Project Manager
Barteluce Architects & Associates

The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas

This December at MOCA, visit a diverse array of exhibitions and gain additional insights through enlightening discussions, workshops, and screenings. Currently at the MOCA in West Hollywood at the Pacific Design Center, the Emory Douglas exhibit of posters and print offer a unique insight into the Black Panthers. Last Saturday, I stopped by the WeHo Library where I spent considerable time at the exhibit; impressed with the vast display of powerful graphic works that defined a party and mobilized a nation.

Give Good Green

Leave it to Barneys New York on Wilshire Blvd. to go green for the holidays! For those environmentally minded, they have prepared a list of “gifts for him” and “gifts for her” for all discriminating tastes. Prices range from cool to red hot! Happy shopping! Pictured here is their window decorated with recycled stuff. http://barneys.com/

Salvador Dali at LACMA

Throughout his life and career, renowned surrealist Salvador Dalí maintained a deep connection with film as an artistic medium. He collaborated with movie greats such as Luis Buñuel, Alfred Hitchcock, and Walt Disney, and created works influenced by Cecil B. De Mille and the Marx Brothers. Dalí: Painting & Film, coming to Los Angeles, the epicenter of film, aims to illustrate the cinematic influences and elements that are present in Dalí's work as well as the contribution he made to cinema. The exhibition brings together a variety of key pieces from Dalí's oeuvre, incorporating painting, film, photography, sculpture, and texts. Currently at LACMA through January 6, 2008. Pictured here with Deborah Avren, D.A.'s Office Event Planning under the eye.

A Happy Guest

Dear Wendy
I took the time to replay to you just to let you know that out of the thousands nights I spent in hotels around the globe. This is the very first time I got such a mail.
Great, simply great.
Sincerely

Ouri Shifman [Wieder Shifman]

Saul Leiter at M+B Gallery

Another marvelous show at M+B Gallery. The color and abstracted forms have a painterly quality in his photographs. Martin Harrison, editor and author of Saul Leiter: Early Color, writes, "...for him the camera provided an alternate way of seeing, of framing events and interpreting reality. He sought out moments of quiet humanity in the Manhattan maelstrom, forging a unique urban pastoral from the most unlikely of circumstances." The show goes through December 8, 2007.

The day after Thanksgiving

Q: What do you get after you're stuffed from turkey and trimmings?
A: Dessert, of course.
Enjoyed a magnificent dinner with friends. Karyl and Ali outdid themselves again this year. Each of our place cards revealed one word that we had to use in a sentence as we went around the room giving thanks. "Beauty" was written on mine and so many ideas swirled in my head.

Happy Thanksgiving

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

- Marcel Proust

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.
Q: What do turkeys like to eat on Thanksgiving?
A: Nothing. They are already stuffed.

Cafe Rodeo Compliment

Ciao Wendy,
Again you showed us your warm hospitality. Friday night was divine and I must thank you as well as Jennifer for the wonderful treatment we and our guests had. They were very impressed with the dinning room and said they will be back for business lunches.
Thank you for all you kindness. Have a great Thanksgiving Day and hopefully we will talk soon.

Warm regards,

Kay Mansour [Mansour Travel, Beverly Hills]

Lights, Music, Merriment

The spangled crystals of the UNICEF Snowflake and the twenty Baccarat chandeliers on Rodeo Drive were lit by spectacular fireworks from the rooftop of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Saturday night. It was the annual Beverly Hills Lighting Ceremony on Rodeo Drive that brought out the best in family entertainment. I even saw Santa! If you didn’t have children in tow, there were open-houses at some of the best shops. With snowflakes falling around us, pictured here are hotel friends, Georg, Nadine and Michael leaving Porsche Design and heading for Garrard. Cheers!

A Happy Guest

Hello Wendy,It has been a pleasure meeting you at the [Bow Wow Beverly Hills] dog show!I enjoyed my trips to LA and of course much more when I stay at the Luxe!I just miss a swimming pool!!When do you built one??!Have a nice week end,Best,Adelaide [Adelaide Thomas, Eres]

Learn About Wine: French Night at Facconable

Ian Blackburn brought his 'no snob' approach to wine education for an evening of French wine and Champagne tonight at Faconnable Beverly Hills. Faconnable declared 'French style lives here!' as guests mingled among images from the new limited edition book, Paris 1962, offering a collection of photos depicting the exclusive world of 1960's Paris fashion. Thank you to the students of the Cordon Bleu Culinary School of Pasadena, Free the Grapes and Deborah Rogers, Store Manager, for a remarkable evening. Pictured with me is Ian Blackburn. http://www.learnaboutwine.com/

Bow Wow Beverly Hills

From November 16th to December 2nd, participating Two Rodeo and Beverly Hills Boutiques are hosting pet adoptions and offering luxury silent auction items. The holiday, pamper a pooch and lend a paw by adopting an orphaned dog. This evening was the runway show of dogs available for adoption through The Amanda Foundation which is dedicated to the rescue, care and adoption of homeless pets. Thank you to everyone for their loving concern.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, here's a thought for the day.

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.
George BurnsUS actor & comedian (1896 - 1996)

Brevity

A couple of weeks ago, Australians in Film hosted a screening of Lars and the Real Girl. We had a great time. Highly recommended. Here's Lance and the Real Chia.

Murakami Exhibit

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA features more than 90 works by Takashi Murakami in various media spanning the early 1990's to the present. Thank goodness that I'm a member of MOCA or I would have been standing in line for an hour to get in, instead of getting a small silver sticker and motioned to the front door. Murakami definitely challenges the Western idea that fashion and fine art exist on different levels. While walking through the show, I was surprised by a freestanding Louis Vuitton boutique within the exhibition space. The mixing of art and commerce (salespeople selling LV-logo handbags created by Murakami for the show) left me feeling he was Japan's answer to Andy Warhol. On the other had he's made himself accessible to all while incorporating contemporary Japanese popular culture in the forms of animation and comic books into his works along with sources from Buddhist imagery. Highly recommended. Through February 11, 2008. http://www.takashimurakami.com/

Omega Presents

Omega celebrated 50 years of the Omega Speedmaster and its many contributions to space exploration at their Rodeo Drive Boutique last evening. There, I got a chance to meet legendary moonwalker, Brigadier General Charlie Duke, one of only 12 men to have walked on the lunar surface. In 1972, Apollo 16 astronaut, Charlie Duke, became the tenth man to walk on the moon. He and John Young had a record-setting 71 hours and 14 minutes stay. The view over one shoulder was filled with a brilliant full moon and over the other hung a crescent earth - a thin sliver of blue and white. “Fantastic!” Charlie would exclaim again and again upon his return. Despite freezing temperatures and zero gravity, the Speedmaster did not fail them, nor was Duke's charm lost on this admirer.

Cold Season - thought for the day

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in the course of a year, Americans suffer one billion colds.
Rest, especially while you have a fever.
Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit juices and clear soups. Fluids help loosen mucus. Fluids are also important if you have a fever because fever can dry up your body's fluids, which can lead to dehydration.
Don't drink alcohol.

Barbie party

A friend of mine who did marketing for Barbie dolls at Mattel told me once that she did a brief survey and found that little girls leave their Barbie dolls naked when they're not playing with them. Shannon, you were absolutely right. Chloe has a shoe rack full of them - all naked. They were my favorite doll when I was her age and I know she cherishes every bare and clothed moment with them.

Dracula

Q: Why wasn't the vampire working on Friday evening?
A: She was on a coffinbreak.
I tried to scare my two nieces, Maclaren and Chloe, when they got off the bus on Friday afternoon. But instead I made them laugh and run. All of their friends on the bus were laughing too. And probably talking about this crazy Aunt Wendy.

Welcome to Nashville

Welcome to Nashville! Last week I attended a travel show in Nashville, TN. They greet arriving and departing travelers at BNA Airport with some good ol' country mucis. It certainly made standing in long lines a lot more foot stomping.

Happy Halloween Reality Check

Even More!

Pictured here Darin and Chris Kirkwood, BCD Travel at Warner Music

More Halloween Revelry

Shown here: Jose Lopez & Darin Strom from Sony BMG, and me

Then there was candy...

The highlight of the annual Halloween bash might be the abundance of candy. Piles of the sweet stuff. Pictured here is Alissa Morano from Tod's with a handful of marshmallow booty.

Happy Halloween from New York

The Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau hosts an annual Halloween bash in New York to promote Beverly Hills as a destination for business and leisure. Deborah Avren and associates outdid themselves once again decorating the 21 Club. There were face painters, fortune tellers and delights galore, not to mention a lot of cobwebs and gurgling pots of unknown potions. Pictured here are Renie Wilson, Larry Brody and me.

Weekend in Washington DC

Stayed with friends in Washington DC on my way to New York for a business trip. The weather was astoundingly warm and the leaves were hesitating to turn color. I took full advantage of my girlfriend, Cheri, who was willing to tour the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Annie Leibovitz exhibit. The Photographer's Life, 1990 - 2005, was a portrait of the artist and of the artists she photographed. It was a very personal journey, projecting a narrative of Annie's private world against the backdrop of her public image.

Following this we took a whirlwind walk through the National Gallery. Washington DC's Smithsonian Museum is a challenge for a weekender such as myself.

Rodeo Drive Honors James Galanos

I was delighted to have the opportunity to attend the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Awards Ceremony honoring James Galanos today at Two Rodeo. The plaque unveiling and award ceremony was followed by a star-studded luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel. Mr. Galanos is an iconic American fashion designer with celebrity clients such as Diana Ross and Rosalind Russell. His most famous client was Nancy Reagan, wife of former President Ronald Reagan, for whom he designed inaugural gowns. Everyone was honored to be in his company, none more than Mrs. Reagan who was dressed impeccably in Galanos!

The Walk of Style will also include a 2-week banner program on Rodeo Drive as well as an outdoor exhibition featuring Mr. Galanos’ personal collection of Victor Skrebneski’s photographs. A perfect spot for viewing is from Luxe Hotel's Cafe Rodeo.

Celebrity Vault

The Los Angeles launch of interior designer to the stars, Kelly Hoppen's new book, Home from Concept to Reality, was toasted tonight at The Celebrity Vault. Located on Canon Drive between Brighton Way and Dayton Way, the Vault collection offers the viewer some of the most powerful moments in time, holding an iconic image by which an entire era or celebrity was defined. With their help you can create your very own celebrity vault. Imagine!

New Act Travel

We hosted a reception for the travel agents of New Act Travel this evening in Cafe Rodeo. It was an intimate event showcasing some of Chef RaShon's new appetizers. Pictured here is Sherwin Banda, Hotel Manager, surrounded by a bevy of agents!

Fashion, fashion everywhere

Fashion week has arrived. Lots of invitations and not enough time. Had the good fortune of joining the LA Confidential team for a preview of fall fashions by Elie Tahari at Saks Fifth Avenue - all for a good cause. Then the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive where there was a fabulous soiree with GenLux magazine on the Rodeo Drive Penthouse.

Thought for the Day

If forty is the new twenty, then let's make cellulite the new tattoo. Let's make ten minutes the new tantric. Let's make mac and cheese stains the new Bling BLING. http://naughtybettyinc.com

M+B Gallery exhibition, Erwin Olaf

Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf creates a study in beige, an exercise in "Grief". It is delicate and bleak, not a flicker of emotion. Each photograph in the exhibit is flawless. The room felt very still as I scanned the room. If you have not had a chance to see them, the exhibit is up through next Saturday, October 20.

Celebration of Business Excellence

Attended the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce Affaire honoring the best of Beverly Hills Business in 2007. The keynote speaker was non other than, Bijan Pakzad, known as Bigjan Designer for Men and Rodeo Drive landmark. Picture here are Sprinkles Cupcakes co-founders, Charles and Candice Nelson, who were given the Entrepreneur Award. They are an amazing couple who plan to open 11 cupcake stores nation-wide with three already operating in Los Angeles. Plus a new baby - Charlie. Congratulations, to a sweet life!

Third Millennium Travel Reception

Wendy from Wauwatosa!!

Thank you so much for arranging this great night for all of us!! We had such a lovely time…my staff really loved the property and everyone with the hotel. Please send my thanks to Sherwin and Efrem. thank you thank you thank you…

Take care…call me or write soon!! Cheryl

Speedbump

I'm guilty.

A Happy Guest

Dear Wendy,
Greetings from Barcelona!
I am back home again, still jet lag…
Thank you so much for having such a great time in your hotel. I would like to thank you for you kind offer again and thank you for the great staff you have in your property, the level of service and kindness is excellent as you know, when you are traveling for business and you are far away it makes you life easier and feel like at home.
Thank you very much again and Have a Great weekend!!!

Patricia Fernández
Sales Manager
Gran Hotel La Florida

Good night and sweet dreams

"I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each other's dreams, we can play together all night." ~Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes~

Stella turning down a VIP room, replete with DOVE chocolates, chilled signature Luxe water bottles, Frette terrycloth bathrobe and slippers.

Good-bye and good luck!

“Every beginning, after all, is nothing but a sequel, and the book of events is always open in the middle.” - Wislawa Szymborska

We’ll all miss you, Brett.
See Millie's Cheesecake posting of August 14th. Yum!

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Reese

Ellie and Kevin entertained their family and friends after an intimate wedding in Beverly Hills! We are honored that they chose to have their reception on our Rodeo Drive Penthouse.
May love double their happiness,
Divide their troubles,
And make their marriage beautiful.

Porsche Design’s Sip of Sophistication

Christine Lindebak, General Manager of Porsche Design Store Beverly Hills, hosted an evening with Tequila Don Julio to showcase the new fashion collection. Tequila Don Julio provided a very special tasting guided by their Tequila Ambassador. Guests were discovering the nuances of the portfolio of premium tequilas while benefiting from their personal Porsche Design loyalty card. Ole’ to Porsche Design! http://www.porsche-design.com/
Pictured: Christine, male model, and me.

A Happy Guest

Dear Wendy,
Thank you for your email. We will see you in late February next year - it is always a pleasure to stay in the Luxe.
My best rgds Susie.

Susie Francis
C.E.O and Design Director, Sundays Jump Pty Ltd, Ping Pong Australia

Books With Feet: Literary Theatre that’s anything but pedestrian

This past weekend, I had the great pleasure of getting a sneak preview of Books With Feet, a non-profit corporation, dedicated to transforming classic fictional short stories and novellas into staged performances. The written word comes alive as the authors’ intended language is converted from the page to the stage, putting the text “on its feet”. The second piece performed on Friday night was Miss Furr and Miss Skeene by Gertrude Stein and proved without a doubt that Feet honors and exhilarates the written word. Thank you Genevieve Morrill for inviting me and for letting literature speak to me.

Macy's Passport

Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive and Luxe hotel Sunset Blvd were excited to participate in Macy's Passport 25th anniversary last evening. We were one of many sponsors honoring Passport's unwavering dedication and support in the fight against HIV/AIDS since the epidemic began. This year's goal is to raise $2 million for prevention, treatment, care and research. The iconic event is the result of a fantastic combination of fashion, compassion and generosity. Founding Chair, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, opened the evening with encouraging words and the Spirit of Uganda personified the resilience and promise of Africa's next generation. Dita Von Teese, one of the faces of MAC Viva Glam, proved she was the Queen of Burlesque in her closing performance. Pictured here: Michelle Ishida Orne, Time Warner Hotel Program Administrator and me

Overheard in Cafe Rodeo

Courtesy of denisedorrance.com

Brooks Brothers

As the first guest designer invited to create a collection for Brooks Brothers, Thom Browne has brought some very preppy chic to the venerable Brooks Brothers house. The new Black Fleece label was showcased at an event this week at the Beverly Hills store. Thom Browne was looking particularly dapper and enjoying the evening among his many admirers and the newly converted. The price points are definitely high fashion. He’ll surely shake things up a bit and add a new dimension to the grey flannel suit. Pictured here is the fabulous Thom Browne.

Smythson of Bond Street

Smythson of Bond Street recently opened a store in Beverly Hills embracing their heritage of fine leather goods, bags, albums, diaries and stationery with the trademarked featherweight pale blue paper. They have added an array of new products in a rainbow of colors, including the lucious must-have Nancy Bag. Last evening Smythson had a sparkling party to introduce themselves to a few lucky individuals! Thank you, Store Director Mark Hersh, for including me. Pictured here are Jo Campbell Fuji, Associate Publisher of LA Confidential magazine, Thomas Bouleuc, Director for Veuve Clicquot.

Worldview Travel

Last night we hosted a cocktail reception for 22 travel agents from Worldview Travel, Pat Walker Travel and Travelcorps. We mingled for two hours and showed off our rooms and our new bar menu!

Just wanted to say THANK YOU again for a wonderful night last night!!!

Corey Slee

Operations Manager

WorldView Travel Beverly Hills

449 S. Beverly Dr.,Suite 104

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Otto at Bar360

Dear Wendy,
Great service from Otto. Thanx,
Debra Rogers, Store Manager, Faconnable

A Happy Guest

Dear Wendy, My stay at your hotel was amazing!My favorite details that I found in my hotel room would have to be the ipod alarm clock and the cool LA magazines.There was a server/room service staff member who was great, unfortunately I have since forgotten her name. I do remember that she was Canadian like myself, long blonde hair and tan - My roommate and myself really liked her.

CHEERS!

Samantha DenbowRetail Sales and Training Manager Midwest

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Dove Chocolates

As the official Chocolatier of the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, DOVE Chocolate is sharing their premium chocolates with us! As Hollywood gears up for one of the biggest nights in television, the smooth taste of DOVE will add to the indulgent retail experience that Rodeo Drive offers.

Please find your favorite flavor in a big bowl at our front desk. Help yourself! My personal favorite is the caramel.

Eastern Promises

Australians in Film screened Eastern Promises last week. This dramatic thriller follows the mysterious and ruthless Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen). His character crosses paths with Anna (Australian, Naomi Watts). Thank goodness they were serving vodka after watching this harrowing chain of murder, deceit and retribution!

Pictured: Pamela Tretter, director, Kevin Dobson and me