San Diego Sales Calls

Just got back from three days in San Diego where I joined several Luxe Hotels for a sales blitz. I can see why they claim to have the best weather in the US. Every day seemed as perfect as the last. We wandered around the Gaslight district on the first night not knowing good, bad or mediocre. On our second night we had dinner at Clay's, atop the Inn at La Jolla, a Luxe Hotel. Joining us was Phylis Nakano, travel agent at Balboa Travel Management. The view of the coves was magnificent. Kudos to Chef Clay Bordon for a delicious dinner.

On our last night in San Diego, we found the restaurant at The Ivy Hotel in the Gaslight district which was the icing on a great sales trip.

Pictured (left to right): Nicole Newman, Phyllis Nakano, Lucia Sirotich-Lebon and me

Brevity

Design Within Reach

The Design Within Reach website,www.dwr.com, shows a “chair wall” in a DWR Studio. When they say, “Feel free to take a chair off the wall to give it a try”, I did exactly that. “In fact, we hope you’ll try them all.” Thanks to Hillary Shugrue, Studio Account Executive, at Design Within Reach Brighton Way, I’ve borrowed and returned about a dozen from Kartell to Vitra. They give customers easy access to items, have them in stock and ready to ship. They’ve truly made design within reach.

A Contented Guest....

Dear Wendy,

Many thanks for getting me into your darling hotel. I truly enjoyed my stay and will return..as well as pass on the good news.

Hope to see you when I return next.

Be well,

Susan

Susan Dollenmaier, CEO, Anichini

Colette

Another jewel in the row of boutiques along Melrose Place celebrated the opening of their first US store. Passion, color and gold blend together to create the jewelry of Colette and there was plenty of eye candy on hand for the reception at Republic. The interactive runway show featured a bevy of beautiful tall models, in minimum dupioni silk, showcasing the exquisite line of jewelry by Colette. The gracious hostess was all smiles, all night. Event the Hollywood celebrities seemed part of the family. The Gipsy Kings crowned the night with some lively entertainment.

Praise from our Customer...

at the Concours d'Elegance

It was great to meet you this past weekend. Thank you for your hospitality and for looking into the water situation.

I hope that we can keep contact over time as we will always have exciting product and customers coming into town.

I look forward to future events…

Cristina Cheever
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Fisker Coachbuild, LLC

Taschen

"Superbly produced books which democratize 'world photography' in a unique way." - Photo Technik International, Hamburg

"TASCHEN has turned the publishing world on its head by producing books that are provocative, gutsy and gorgeous." - South China Morning Post, Hong Kong

Need I say more? Oh, yes.. there's the annual warehouse sale, June 21 - 23 at TASCHEN Store Los Angeles, 354 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. Thousands of slightly damaged and display copies from TASCHEN on sale at bargain basement prices, 50 - 75% off. Open until 7:00 PM every evening for the three-day sale. There's just got to be room for a few more books on my shelves.

Photo of me at the check-out counter

Red Seven

Last night, Wolfgang Puck, Charles Cohen and West Hollywood Mayor John Duran celebrated Wolfgang's return to the city that made him a star. I'm glad that I got in early as the crowds were really starting to form around 7:00! Missed the ribbon cutting but got a chance to sample a preview of the Asian fusion menu at red/seven at the Pacific Design Center. Wait staff was flawless as they manuevered through the throngs at this private sneak peak.

Pictured: Genevieve Morrill, Vice President, Pacific Design Center

Concours on Rodeo

Happy Father's Day!
Held annually, the Concours d'Elegance is an open event to the general public. This year, they celebrated 'Cars of California', featuring the US Premiere of the 2007 Fisker Latigo CS V10. As the Official Hotel of Concours d'Elegance, our staff worked tirelessly for the last two days to prepare the Rodeo Drive Penthouse as the Concours Hospitality Suite and two food vending booths on Rodeo Drive. Congratulations to Chef RaShon Smith and Brett Allen, Restaurant Manager. The annual car show drew thousands of spectators to Rodeo Drive and was a huge success.

Celebrity Sightings

Lauren Hutton asked our beloved Martin (pronouced Mar-teen) for a box of matches.

Brevity

High and Dry, Smoke and Fog

After attending the GenLux party in the Rodeo Drive penthouse, Susie Dobson, our charming publicist, and I walked over to Beverly Drive at Dayton Way. "High and Dry, Smoke and Fog" is a group show curated by Price Latimer that runs June 15th through July 6th in Beverly Hills at 269 N. Beverly Drive in conjunction with Rodeo Drive's Concours d'Elegance on June 17th.

"High and Dry, Smoke and Fog" is inspired by cars … the joy, the freedom, the mechanics, the dependence, the status symbol, the technology, the social responsibility, the sex appeal, the pollution, the speed, the danger, the commute, the traffic, the exhilarating road trip, the urban sprawl and the transportation conundrum. The artwork in this exhibition addresses the paradox of these topics, particularly in Los Angeles – the American metropolis supreme – whose complicated relationship with cars, traffic and transportation was entirely shaped by the automobile. Currently, Los Angeles County is in the top ten dirtiest counties in the U.S. for air pollution.

Artwork by Ed Ruscha, Robert Rauschenberg, Salvatore Scarpitta on loan from Private Collections.

Deborah Fisher courtesy of Dangerous Curve

Cheryl Kelley courtesy of Art Murmur Gallery

Blue McRight courtesy of Patrica Faure Gallery

[photo] from www.phantomgalleries.la.com/

The Lost Bunny

During the evening, our housekeeping staff have assigned duties which include sorting laundry, stocking linen closets and performing turn-down in guest rooms. As I was leaving last evening about 8 o'clock, I passed Manuel who had just recovered a child's stuffed bunny rolled in some bed linen. Simultaneously touched by some distant memory of a lost and much loved toy, we were confident that we would be able to reunite the bunny with its owner. I'm proud to say that when it comes to lost items, our executive housekeeper, Javier Hernandez, has an excellent track record. As of this morning, Javier reported to me that the young lady in 301 is thrilled to have her bunny back! Our only regret is that it's a little lonely in our Lost & Found cupboard.

Only a month ago, Manuel recovered an antique Cartier watch from the linen. After checking out, the owner called the hotel and was overwhelmed to discover that, indeed, we had his father's watch, which we promptly returned.

Pictured with much gratitude: Manuel and Rosa

A Contented Guest...

As I did not stay as a guest, it would unfair for me to answer these questions [on evaluation form]. However an informal survey elicited no negative comments and one guest's desire for a change of rooms on check-in was handled quickly and positively. This is the second time I have used the Luxe for family events and I would not hesitate to do it again.

Thank you,

Marilyn Gillis, mother of the groom

WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution

Sunday I joined two old friends at MOCA's Ralph Tornberg / Museum Director's Distinguished Lecture Series at the Colburn School with a sold-out crowd to hear the distinguished, Angela Davis. Looking at the legacies and potentials of feminism in relations to WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution at the Geffen Contemporary through July 16th, the Tornberg series investigates how feminist thinking is important in our cultural life.

photo: Vicki Gilkey, CRA/LA, me and Jo Keita, Nubian Tours


Ms. Davis opened by acknowledging a Betye Saar assemblage from 1972, created during the height of the Black Liberation Movement and the Women's Movement and the critical role of imagination and what can be conceptually expressed. She further enforced the idea that critical impulse involves making the world a better place for all of its inhabitants and refusing to accept institutions that exist just because they always have. Angela suggested the we think of the ourselves as part of a world community. It was thrilling to be in an audience with so many inquisitive educated women!


Saturday I confess that I stayed inanimate until noon. But filled the afternoon with errands and the early evening with a reception and booking-signing at Zipper. They were celebrating the publication of the new Rizzoli edition of Pools by Kelly Klein. Kelly signed copies of Pools and graciously met with guests. However, the store was filled with so much more that it was hard to stay focused on the books. My mind floated and bobbed all over the boutique. Just add water and a little wine! http://www.zippergifts.com/


Topped the night with a screening of the bio-pic of Edith Piaf, La Vie en Rose. Magical and tragic. The “Little Sparrow” – as she was nicknamed – flew so high that she could not fail to burn her wings.




Friday night I had the pleasure of an impromptu dinner with the animated Janine Masaki, Boutique Manager at Etro. She refused to have her photo taken over a bowl of udon noodles so I'll have to wait for the right moment.

Reality Check

Feraud

The Feraud boutique and concept store opened just recently on Brighton Way between Rodeo and Camden Drives. Tonight the California State Summer School for the Arts / Innerspark held an event to benefit the scholarship fund. Through July 6th, a percentage of sales will go to this worthy cause. Thank you Abby Michelle Moll for your enthusiasm and philanthropic sensibility. Welcome to Beverly Hills. Much success to you!

Top: me and Boutique Manager, Abby Michelle Moll


Delighted to see Bernard Jacobs, image consultant, in the crowd. We go back to A&M Records days.

Bottom: Bernard Jacobs and me

Overheard in Luxe Lobby

I was thrilled to see two of my favorite Italians on the arrivals list for Monday. Lucio and Luigi had flown in from Milano for two days to dress Angelina Jolie in pure Versace for the opening of Ocean's 13. Every morning they'd say, "Ciao, Wendy. I didn't sleep all night. Ooooh, the jet lag." And when they crawled into a towncar back to LAX 48 hours later, one confessed that Jolie was so beautiful that she could inspire a man to go straight. We love that!

Mona Hussney

You know how you just have this gut feeling that someone is a bit intuitive? Enjoyed handmade kobe beef burgers in Cafe Rodeo today with Mona Hussney, Contracts Manager for Qantas Holidays. She was here to do some research and take a site inspection for inclusion in next year's America Brochure. Lean ground meat was only the beginning of our common craving. Mona turned out to be right about something important to me.

Thank you, my friend.

Pictured in the lobby with Mona.

A Contented Guest

Dear Wendy,

Our group of 10 Chinese journalists (booked for May 15th) had a great time at the Luxe Hotel. Thank you very much!!
Thank you very much!!

Best regards, corina

Corina Eibisch
Project Coordinator (Oliver Schrott Kommunikation GMBH, Germany)

Film Noir Festival

Over the weekend, I drove to Palm Springs to attend the annual Film Noir Festival. Rumor has it that this is the last time that they will being doing this. The highlight was 'Something Wild' with special guest Carroll Baker participating in a Q&A after the film. It's not really film noir, but shot beautifully in black & white. The Camelot Theater was one of those family owned cinemas with a snack bar that served beer & wine, smoothies, sandwiches and even, chili, generously sprinkled with cheddar and onions. No stadium seating here, but the cup holder held a glass of champagne!

On the way back, I confess that I stopped at Cabazon outlet mall.

Bad, Wendy.

A Contented Guest...

Dear Wendy - thank you for a fantastic time at the Luxe. Everything about the hotel was wonderful, the service, the rooms, the food - our friends and family had a great time! I cannot wait for our next opportunity to visit!

Please let me know if there is anything I can do as thanks - possibly a recommendation letter or ???

Thanks again.

Jeannine Martin (AMEC, Mesa, Arizona)

Grilled Cheese Night

It was Grilled Cheese Night last night! Kathy Smits, Beverly Hills CVB Director, and I organize an annual grilled cheese rendezvous at Campanile on La Brea. Open since 1989 and recipient of numerous awards, Chef/Owner Mark Peel shares Campanile's famous grilled cheese sandwiches every Thursday night. For other seasonal tastings and California-Mediterranean menus check out http://www.campanilerestaurant.com/. Kathy and I went for the classic grilled cheese paired with a delicious California Syrah.

Ladies, my friend Andy Harris says we should also look at http://www.meltdownetc.com/ the next time we're in the mooooo-d (that's a Wisconsin joke) for gooey cheesy Panini. Apparently, you can take the girl out of WI, but you can't the WI out of the girl.

Shown here: L-R Deborah Avren, Kathy Smits and me