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.