Ilori

Attended a charming event at Ilori last night. Sipped champagne and entertained myself trying on the myriad of eye wear available in this compact but extremely well stocked boutique on Rodeo Drive. Only a few steps from the front door, this shop is worth a look. P.S. I looked pretty cute in that pair of Alain Mikli. Seen here with me is Pam Luke, Regional Director, West Coast for Luxottica. http://www.iloristyle.com/

A Happy Travel Agent

Thanks again Wendy for you Hospitality and the quick show round of your Beautiful hotel
Look forward to working with you in the near future
Cheers from Darwin, Australia.
Scott [Stephenson], Manager, DARWIN CENTRAL FLIGHT CENTRE

Commit me

Any man who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined. -Samuel Goldwyn
My hard drive died over a week ago. I'm ready for my appointment.

A Happy Corporate Client

Wendy,
Thanks for the plate of cheese and fruit, really I fell like home in this hotel. Regards, Gerardo Gomez, National Operations Director, Natura Bisse International

Kara Walker at the Hammer Museum

The highly acclaimed exhibit Kara Walker: My Complement, My enemy, My Oppressor, My Love finishes its international tour at the Hammer Museum in Westwood. Through June 8th, the exhibition is the first comprehensive survey of Walker's work and includes works in a wide array of materials and mediums. The pieces were both alluring and highly disturbing. Walker fuses craft and content with remarkable originality. http://www.hammer.ucla.edu

Speed Racer

I saw Speed Racer at the most recent Australians in Film screening. Where was I? At a gigantic video arcade? What this movie needs is a wheel attached to each seat.

Seen in the Luxe Lobby

Colombian model and actress, Sofia Margarita Vergara, enjoyed a libation in Café Rodeo this afternoon. Known best in Latin America in the Colombian version of Desperate Housewives, Amas de Casa Desesperadas, she is currently stars in ABC’s breakout series, Dirty Sexy Money, as Jeremy Darling’s new love interest. It was noted that “La Toti” raised the temperature several degrees.

Simple things

Whenever I visit my nieces, I'm reminded of those simple pleasures, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Pictured here is my oldest niece with 'buddy' markered in the crevasse of her hand. The ventriloquist act followed. Buddy likes his peanut butter on celery.

A Happy Corporate Client

Dear Wendy,
Many Thanks for showing us your property! It is truly unique!
I appreciate your time and effort and look forward to continue working together through Splendia!
I will be in town for another week, so please feel free to contact me shall you need anything further.Warm Regards, Stephanie Mariotti, Market Manager for Splendia, Luxury & Character Hotels

Tosca

Thanks to WHERE magazine, we got a chance to see the final dress rehearsal for Tosca at the LA Opera last night. The libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica was a real treat. We all thought there should be more grit. Tosca should have really given it to Scarpia! Pictured here are Lisa Mesaros, Tal Golan, Carla Thompson and me.

Softball Practice

Spring: When young girls hearts turn to softball practice. Coaching 9 year-old girls' brought back a lot of memories. I admit that I was one of those who didn't want to get grass stains on her peddle pushers. If the ball didn't come to me, I'd let it roll on the ground until it reached my feet. It's easier to pick up that way. "Little League baseball is a good thing 'cause it keeps the parents off the streets and it keeps the kids out of the house." - Yogi Berra

Twister

Nothing like a great game of twister after eating a platter of pancakes on Mother's Day morning. My sister-in-law makes the BEST pancakes. I'd share the recipe but it's a secret. Even on Mother's Day, she had to make her own breakfast. Thank you, Cindy, for standing by the griddle and making us all happy! Happy Mother's Day.

Sour or Sweet

"Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course." - William Shakespeare
Pictured here is my niece who insisted that I try some sour candy spray. If you think she looks funny, you should have seen my face!

A Happy Corporate Client

Hi Wendy,
It was nice meeting you last week! Thank you for everything. Our guests were very happy!! Thank you again!!
Lucia Peretti
Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West

Thought for the Day

This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life.
-Susan Polis Schutz
Pictured here is my brother's backyard in Wisconsin.

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Wendy,
Thank you soo much for that Birthday card....:)
DeeDee Callaway, The Velvet Road Group

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Wendy,
Thanks for your lovely email – what a beautiful quote! I will keep that one.
Thanks again for welcoming us to Luxe Hotel and putting on such a beautiful lunch. It was very generous of you and the agents all enjoyed seeing the property. I look forward to working with you in future – if you ever need any assistance or information on the Australia/New Zealand market please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
Alison Scott, Public Relations Manager

My sympathies

Thank you to everyone who has sent their kind and generous condolences.
"Hi Wendy, I was at West Hollywood City Council and heard about your Mom. I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you at this time and hope you find solace in the love surrounding her. XOXO Love, Gen" [Genevieve Morrill, Vice President, Pacific Design Center]

Quotation of the Day

"It clearly evokes a visceral response because we’re the only industry that has our prices in two-foot-high letters on the street corner." John Felmy, chief economist at the American Petroleum Institute, on gas prices. New York Times, May 6, 2008

A Happy Travel Agent

Thank you. Loved the Hotel and I will recommend it for sure after meeting the staff and the presence at the Hotel fantastic as I did used to work in a 5* [star] Hotel and it was lovely but not as welcoming as your Hotel. Very well done and I hope my clients think the same I'm sure they will. Regards, Michelle Saidi, Senior Travel Consultant, Flight Centre Eastgardens South

Happy Birthday!

Dearest Wendy,
Thanks very much for all the goodies you've sent me. The pictures are super, specially the one of you, it's a winner you look beautiful. The colors and surroundings are in perfect harmony !!! Also, thanks for being so thoughtful and sending me the lipstick. Today is my B-day and I will use it for the first time as a special gift. I'm very excited, that was really so so very sweet of you. I will get back to you later, lots of love always and for making me look very pretty. Mucho amor,
Reyna [Harriet Jones], Embajada de Irlanda

A Happy Guest

Had a wonderful stay at your hotel. Food was amazing.
Best,
Judie [Ashworth], Mothers Work, Inc.

Bigger Than Barbie

Women in Film screened a film by a Norwegian director who was captivated by a beaded doll she received as a gift. Davis went on a quest to learn about the doll’s origins, which led her to the artists of Moneybiz and fueled her passion to share their story with the world. In cooperation with the event, Art Aids Art had samples of the beaded art work for sale. All profits when to the construction of eKhaya eKasi, a multipurpose community center to serve the Monkeybiz artists in the Khayelitsha Township. Shown here with pins made from recycled tires. http://www.artaidsart.org/

Jacaranda

Jacaranda is a photographic exhibit documenting an unexpected exchange between Sam, a 13 year old boy in Los Angeles, and the Jacaranda School in Malawi Africa. After meeting founder Marie Da Silva who spoke about her group of students, Ben wanted to donate money that he had received as gifts for his Bar Mitzvah. When he asked what else he could do, she suggested that he start pen palling with a young student named Blessings Goliyo. “He had lost both parents to Aids but has a positive outlook on life and feels lucky to attend the Jacaranda School. I wanted to send Blessings some gifts and we had also cleaned out our closets at home so I sent three big boxes of things for Blessings and the students.” It’s a remarkable exhibit at Lost and Found Gallery, through May 26th in Hollywood. Coincidentally, the jacarandas are in bloom along Yucca Street. http://www.jacarandafoundation,org/

In memory of my mother

“The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her”, author unknown.
I got up this morning, grabbed an old toothbrush, Comet cleanser and scrubbed the grout in my shower stall. Then I paid myself 50 cents. I’ll miss you mom. My heart is filled with the kindest of memories.

A Happy Travel Agent

I wanted to thank you for your most thoughtful Birthday wishes last week!! What a memory!! Thank you so Very Much
Best,Jane Aiello
R. A. Travel, Inc.