Bar 360

Cafe Rodeo at the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, featuring inspired fusion cuisine, is the place where you can dine al fresco or enjoy live jazz performances on Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 8:30. Unwind with one of our signature cocktails from 'Bar360', home of the $3.60 martini. It's the best bargain in Beverly Hills.

A Happy Travel Agent

Wendy,
Thank you for the Birthday card!!!! Steve Orens, CTIE, Plaza Travel Vice President

George Blodwell's Birthday Bash

Genlux magazine hosted a sparkling birthday party for Editor at Large, George Blodwell, last evening at Eva Langoria's new restaurant Beso. It was a great night for people watching. Noticed Jacqueline Bisset and Tia Carrera among the well wishers. Happy Birthday, George!

Best Sales in the neighborhood

La Perla is offering 75% off on select items through July 31st.
433 N. Rodeo Drive
James Perse private sale is 50% off of select items through August 3rd. 357 N. Canon Drive
Don't miss them!

A Happy Client

Great to see you too. Thanks for the lovely food in Cafe Rodeo!
Ern Llamado, Urban Promotions, Warner Bros. Records

Project by Project's Annual Tasting Benefit

This signature gala once again showcased savor food and dessert delicacies prepared by talented chefs from the best restaurants in Los Angeles, as well as samplings from premier wineries and beverage companies. Project by Project's Sixth Annual Tasting Benefit partnered with CAUSE this year, a non-profit community based organization whose mission is to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community. Among the sampling booths was a table for voter registration! What a delicious evening but I think I ate one cream puff too many.

A Happy Client

I refer many of my personal contacts to the hotel and they are all very happy. The SG crowd speaks highly of the warm atmosphere of this boutique de Luxe on Rodeo....
You made the difference today by showing good faith, again thank you. I hope to see you again, perhaps at Florence and Laurent St. Cricq or with Nadine Legouguec.
Warm regards, MN
Marie-Noëlle Hervé-Bart
Executive Assistant, The TCW Group, Inc

PROST

Hotel Bel-Air was the setting for today's monthly PROST luncheon, proving once again that the charm and sophistication is alive and thriving in Los Angeles. I was a guest of the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau. Seen here with Stephanie Nakasone and Kathryn Smits, CVB Director. Prost to good health and a good weekend.

2 Rodeo

Annual Beverly Hills Camber of Commerce was so much fun. There were so many members that I only see once a year.

Vanity Fair Young Hollywood

Louis Vuitton threw a marvelous event this evening with Vanity Fair magazine. It was definitely the place to be seen. The rooftop garden was splashed with royal purple from fall's fashion palette. The waitstaff was gorgeous and eager to please and there was plenty of people watching. What's not to love?

Mindy Weiss Party Consultants

Whether you're throwing a birthday party, baby shower, business meeting or simply celebrating life, Mindy Weiss Consultants approach each event as a blank palette. By putting great care and attention into developing the perfect mix of details, each event is unique and perfectly tailored to your needs. Seen here taking a site tour of the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive penthouse with panoramic views of Beverly Hills are Rachel, Kim, Amy, Kristen, Sherwin, me and our own special events manager, Jennifer Albert.

A Happy Travel Agent

Dearest Wendy:
I don't know how you manage to do it, but thanks so very kindly for remembering my B-day, and taking the time to send your lovely note! ( ...as well as informative materials....! LOL Some good facts about my fav month! ) You're a very special person, thanks for all you do for us, take good care this summer season!
Warm regards, O [Otto Specht, kim holiday, inc] Tzell Travel NY

Best of LA

Tonight was the annual Best of LA party sponsored by Los Angeles Magazine. The sun setting and the Getty Museum in the distance served as the perfect backdrop for this popular event. Pictured here at the Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd pool are magazine writers Margot and Lila, publicist Susie Dobson and me.

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Wendy!
Thank you so, so much for the thoughtful birthday card and astrology information. I really appreciate you remembering my birthday every year. It means a lot to me. How are you? I hope all is well?! Take care and I hope to speak to you/see you soon!?
I send you big hugs!
Darin Strome, Specialized Coordinator - American Express, SONY BMG Music Entertainment

Descanso Gardens

Take a walk anytime, anywhere at Descanso Gardens and you'll discover a diverse plant collection and tranquility. Only 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, the gardens have prepared walks for all of the different subcultures of plants. Pictured here is the Japanese Tea Garden [my favorite] which overlooks a koi-filled stream. "Why are there trees I never walk under, but large and melodious thoughts descend upon me?" Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass http://www.descansogardens.org/

Happy Birthday, Joann

Rodeo Drive boutique managers joined Joann Nishi on Saturday night at One Sunset to celebrate her belated birthday. She was in Paris on a buying trip [for Eres Boutique] last week. Lucky girl! All that French lingerie and good friends too.

Sleeping Beauty

Walt Disney envisioned SLEEPING BEAUTY as his masterwork; his nearly decade-long effort to bring this 17th century fairy tale to the screen at the then-shocking cost of $6 million resulted in a spectacular, exquisitely detailed animated fantasy. Tonight we saw this new digital restoration of SLEEPING BEAUTY made from 4K scans of the camera original successive exposure Technirama negative. Eyvind Earle’s visual and color stylings brought this fairy tale to life. It was the first animated feature I ever saw on a big screen and I was scared to death. At a crucial moment this evening when Princess Aurora is about to follow the mysterious green ball up a dark and ominous staircase, a child in the audience blurted out, "Don't do it." I felt the same way. Following the screening, I explored the first floor pre-computer animation exhibit “Ink & Paint” which celebrates the artists whose genius spawned those stylized looks and simple lines which approach modern art. The Academy’s Grand Lobby Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free. http://www.oscars.org/

A Happy Travel Agent

Thank you for the Birthday wish…
You are great! Armando Garcia, Worldview Travel Beverly Hills

Frozen Yogurt - Pure Taste Always

After a lunch of hot dogs, we all walked over to the new yogurt shop on Beverly Drive, sno:la. (This one is even closer to the hotel! Quite dangerous.) Currently they offer 6 delicious flavors, only 25 calories per ounce. 36 amazing toppings including little mo chi balls. I had a small combo of sour cherry and pomegranate. Divine. With every purchase at sno:la, a portion of the sales benefits Slow Food which supports sustainable farming. They use biodegradable cups and utensils. Never has green been so sweet. http://www.snolayogurt.com/

If it ain't 8 inches, it ain't Marty D's

Of course I'm referring to the crisp 8-inch New York hot dogs tucked into a special-ordered poppy seed roll from Marty D's. For more than a quarter of a century, Marty brought out his trusted Weber grill on Fourth of July and cooked up some dogs for friends and family. Together with his wife Sandy, they have brought their East Coast soda fountain memories and special recipes to Beverly Hills. Marty D's is located at 230 South Beverly Drive, 3 walking blocks south of Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive. Pictured here are members of The Paley Center team, Bernadette, Rebecca, Gary and me.

Rachid Taha

Paris-based Algerian rocker, Rachid Taha returned to Grand Performances on Saturday night with his stirring, socially conscious music. Traditional Arabic instruments like the bendir and mandolute formed the backbone of his music compositions. We had just a great time picnicking and dancing. Can't wait to do it again! There are many more performances on the calendar; see http://www.grandperformances.org/

I Can Hear the Bells

I'm so proud of my former assistant, Jeannie, who is taking a singing class this summer. I had the pleasure of attending her recital last week at the Culver City Adult School where she performed "I Can Hear the Bells" from Hairspray. Seen here replete with wig and attitude.

LA Bride

Kelly Monaco, from Dancing with the Stars (winner Season I) and a regular on General Hospital, was here on the weekend doing a photo shoot for LA Bride magazine. And what a gorgeous bride she was! The entire shoot can be seen in the September issue of LA Bride.

Paul Fusco: RFK Funeral Train

A uniquely profound record, RFK FUNERAL TRAIN is an oblique chronicle of the tragedy and trauma of Robert F. Kennedy's assassination. Close to a million people stood patiently in the searing heat to wave goodbye to a man who had symbolized hope to so many Americans and Paul Fusco was there to record it. The opening of this exhibit coincided with the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy as it made its way from New York to its final resting place in Arlington Cemetery. It was one of those rare instance during the Civil Rights era that showed a nation coming together, paying their last respects to a leader whom they believed could have healed the country's wounds. There were faces filled with every emotion from anguish, curiosity and respect. Paul Fusco: RFK Funeral Train has been extended through July 26th at M+B Gallery. 612 North Almont Drive, West Hollywood. http://www.mbfala.com/

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Wendy,
We wanted to extend our thanks for showing us around your property. It’s so nice to have a beautiful boutique hotel right on Rodeo for out-of-town shoppers! The simple design of the rooms really makes your hotel a comfortable home away from home for travelers!
Thank you again for your time!
Teaghan Pulling, Kristen Kulczycki, Leanne VanHeyst, Christina Elgert of Magellan Vacations

Paparazzi

Paparazzi swarmed Pottery Barn on Beverly Drive this evening to see Britney Spears go shopping. A small traffic jam was created at the intersection of Dayton Way and Beverly Drive. Welcome to Beverly Hills and the wonderful world of shopping in the shadow of a celebrity.

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy, Thank you for the nice cheese and fruit plate. It is always nice to stay here when I visit LA. Your staff is very welcoming, especially your bell men. Great service at the restaurant too. Best regards, Philippe Neraud [Giorgio Armani]

Singin' in the Rain

Ah. The joy of singing in soft summer rain. And I thought I was daring fate when I ran through the sprinkler system! Chloe just couldn't resist the chance for some barefoot moves. We almost had to take my ipod away from her. Every tune is dance-potential!

Mt. Pilot, NC

The Mt. Pilot nature hike was a great introduction to the area. There were hawks circling above us, enormous rock formations and cool shadows in which to hike. The vegetation was so thick and tall that it made for an umbrella from the 90 degree heat. My nieces and I did a little rock collecting on the path.

Greensboro, NC

I just returned from Greensboro, NC, where we had a Krueger family reunion of sorts. The weather was hot and muggy but my brother was the perfect host. Hopefully, he'll invite us all back again. We all thought the bicycle parade down his street was a perfect red, white and blue beginning to the Fourth. And the $3 movie theater was a blast.

Happy Fourth of July!

Hope you all had a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.

A Happy Travel Agent

Wendy, hope this finds you well….thanks for remembering my birthday. You are wonderful! Thanks, Cheryl [Cheryl Watson], Travel Consultant, Tzell Travel NY