Belated Happy Birthday, Kathleen

Dear Wendy..Thank you so much for the lovely eve. as always...I love being around you because your full of so much love...and you are a very wonderful person. Kathleen [Allen], William Morris Agency.

Shuttin' it down in New York

Cecilia Moreno, publisher of GenLux Magazine, just sent me this photo from New York City. Looks like I'm being held up by two gorgeous bookends: Cecilia and Susie Dobson. Our entrees had just arrived and I was ready for bed. Did someone say, "Party pooper"?

Trick or Treats?

My dentist sent me a Halloween postcard which said: "Trick or Treat. Eat Some Sweets. Then Be Sure to Clean Your Teeth!" Inspiring - not.

The Sales Dept got robbed of first prize

We should have won the employee pumpkin carving contest! In fairness, all four candidates were featured on the jack-o-lantern. They all basked in the glow of a flickering candle.

We demand a recount!

Roberts Western Wear

Of course, when in Nashville, one has to listen to some country music. That's what it's all about! I sat mesmerized for hours at a front row table listening to this band that also performed at Tour Connection's reception at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel earlier this same night. Turns out, the lead singer in the sparkly blue jacket daylights as a bellman! Everyone was having a stomping good time.

Nashville Tour Connection

Earlier this week, I enjoyed some Nashville hospitality. Tour Connection was another success! Attended by dozens of agents from Alabama to Pennsylvania, I met up with Heidi and Kathy from Premier Travel in Dublin, OH.

Haunted House

Q: What do you call two witches who live together?
A: Broommates.

This looks like an ideal haunt!

Leaves, Leaves everywhere

Running through leaves, jumping in leaves and being buried in leaves translates to "..let's make a mess of the pile that dad has gathered for bagging." Or at least that's how our father would have interpreted it when we were growing up. Fortunately, my brother has an adjusted attitude about my nieces love of the fallen stuff.

Chanel Mobile Art Exhibition - Central Park

That most iconic of bags, the Chanel 2.55 is honored this October and November with a traveling art exhibition in New York’s central park called "Chanel Mobile Art," financed by the French luxury goods company. The show features the work of 20 international artists of the moment, with the original Chanel 2.55 bag as their inspiration, in sculptures, photographs and videos. Chanel's Mobile Art exhibit is on a 2 year world tour and will be in Rumsey Playfield until November 9th, 2008. After November 9th, it goes on to London and Moscow and will end in Paris in July 2010. Wish I could travel along with this giant version of the open bag! It has a great itinerary.

What did the vampire call his girlfriend?

A: His 'vein squeeze'.

Seen here, dressed to kill, is Melissa from Direct Travel. We love her free spirit and flashy eyelashes.

Lana and Sukhbir from Ultramar were first timers at our annual bash...Boo!

Halloween Bash at Hudson Terrace

Once again, the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau created a 'boo'tiful party atmosphere to host one hundred or so select travel agents in New York on October 23rd. The theme this year included vampires, a specialty drink called Fangtasia and a host of dead characters. Seen here with Rachel Eskoff from the Beverly Hills Hotel and the corpse bride and again with Bonnie & Kim Tobias of Tzell Travel, taken from the corpse's vantage.

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park

The Bethesda Fountain at the heart of Central Park welcomes hundreds of visitors each day to enjoy the view of the lake. The sculpture that tops it, Angel of Waters, was designed by Emma Stebbins in 1873 and is one of the most recognizable icons in the entire park. Originally an aqueduct fed the fountain which supplied fresh water to the city. The fountain has probably appeared in more movies than any monument in the park offering a romantic charm to cinematographers. Featured in the 1973, "Godspell", disciples splash joyously around in the pool. http://www.centralpark.com

Marvel Entertainment

Visited Marvel Entertainment while I was in the Big Apple. Couldn't resist standing with the Super Heros we all loved.

Farmer's Market in Union Square

I had an appointment in Union Square on Friday of last week and came across the local Farmer's Market. What a sight: apples, peppers, tomatoes and pumpkins galore. It seemed all the more perfect in 45 degree weather. Being from Wisconsin, I'm very fond crisp tart apples. Macouns are impossible to find in California markets. We seem to be stuck on the Fuji track.

The lions at the New York Public Library

Spent the third week of October in autumnal New York City. I've always admired the lions that watchfully sit at the base of the steps to the New York Public Library. They're call Patience and Fortitude. During the recent world series, one wore a Mets baseball cap and the other wore a Yanks cap. With dignity.

Angeleno Interiors

Last evening Poliform Los Angeles and Angeleno Interiors hosted a divine dining experience with Chef Andrew Kirschner of Wilshire Restaurant a their showroom on Beverly Blvd. This was the official launch of Angeleno's interior design magazine! Check out the "Home Front Trends" column. It feels so California! Flanked by Chef Kirschner and Paula Gild.

These certainly are extraordinary times

The stock market does not like uncertainty and at the moment, there is nothing but uncertainty. Stay strong and stay the course. And I especially want to thank all of you who called to ask me how I was doing. I can't tell you how much I appreciated that.

- from my stock broker

Seen at the Luxe

Dennis Oppenheim recently returned to Ace Gallery to exhibit a new series, the Architectural Cactus sculptures. the exhibition features brightly colored unique works ranging in height from 9 feet to 16, created with a wide variety of architectural materials. Oppenheim, born in 1938, has had an extensive career which has embraced earth art and body art, video and performance art. Check out the Ace Gallery, only three blocks from the Luxe. http://www.acegallery.net/

Best friend

Q: Why do demons and ghouls hang out together?

A: Because demons are a ghoul's best friend.

Paper Source

According to my sources at Paper Source, frightful fun begins with creating your own Halloween Trick o’ Treat goodie bags. This means stamping with any of their fun Halloween stamps: bats, cats, skulls, spiders & webs, ghosts and more! Inking them up with a complementary orange, black or white ink pads. Dusting with clear embossing powder. Adding a touch of yellow or orange Stickles to the skull eyes or bats. And most importantly filling candy corns, sunflower seeds or other spooky sweet treats! Paper Source is only 26 steps from the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive. As the mummy said, "It's a wrap." http://www.paper-source.com/

Word Puzzles

Every night before my grandmother went to sleep, she'd do one of these word puzzles. When Adelaide passed at age 108 a couple of years ago, we found a pad of word searches and a pencil on her night stand. I tried this Halloween one and I'm not sure I can find the word, scary.

One-Way Ticket to Hell...oween

The Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive is offering the One-Way Ticket to Hell, but some might consider it heavenly. The one-night package includes accommodation and transportation to the Halloween Carnaval costume party in West Hollywood on Oct. 31, where you can don a costume and party with 300,000 celebrants. Also included are a Halloween amenity, a glass of wine or cappuccino, and continental breakfast for two. Prices start at $329 per night on Oct. 31, with additional nights starting at $229. The offer is available Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

Lupus is...in the bag

Early this morning women began gathering at Fendi on Rodeo Drive for the a progressive shopping event to benefit Lupus LA. They enjoyed breakfast provided by Cafe Rodeo and a talk on fall bag trends by Nathan Cooper, Editor of C Magazine. 10% of their handbag purchases at participating boutiques will go toward finding the cure! Shop for life without Lupus! http://www.lupusla.org/

Ai Yamaguchi

Hovering between Japanese animation and classical edo-style painting, the work in Ai Yamaguchi's second exhibition at Roberts & Tilton incorporates a site-specific installation. Tokyo-based artist, Yamaguchi delicately interweaves folklore and foreign lands, in this case, Los Angeles, into her paintings. There is this sense of viewing young girls' private thoughts.http://www.robertsandtilton.com/

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there are ongoing events throughout the month in West Hollywood. Look up! Important messages about breast cancer will be displayed on street banners throughout the City. Early detection saves lives and these street banners serve as a reminder to make breast health a priority. If you're near City Hall, grab a breast cancer awareness pink lapel pin, too. For further information check http://www.weho.org/

A Happy Client

Wendy,
It was a pleasure meeting you as well and thank you for your kind words...I hope to be able to take you up on your offer...the Luxe Rodeo looks like a great hotel and I will suggest it to my co-workers & friends!!! Best regards, Mark [Mark Freeman, www.fineliving.com]

Yogen Fruz

How do you choose a frozen yogurt store when there are three within walking distance of the hotel? Yogen Fruz which just opened on Brighton Way has added even more probiotic cultures and fruit blend or top-it concept. Yum! Open until 10 PM nightly. http://www.yogenfruz.com/

Thought for the day

We are, each of us angels with only one wing; and we can only fly by embracing one another. -Luciano de Crescenzo

Kartell Sale

If you love Plexiglas, you've come to the right store. Kartell Los Angeles in conjunction with Kartell US are having a floor sample sale through October 14th. The floor samples that have been selected are all 40% off. The rest of the store is 10% off with the exception of their 2008 releases. 313 North Robertson Blvd. along the Avenues of Art and Design in West Hollywood. Pictured here is their Ghost Chair. Boo!

A Contented Guest

Ok , I see ! Wendy, fyi, the service at your hotel is great ! I always enjoy my visits ! Your team is very nice! Adelaide Thomas, US Retail Manager [ERES]

Speedbump

It's already been tried.

Naomi Wolf interviewed for ALOUD at LA Public Library

This evening Lear Center Director Marty Kaplan spoke with Naomi Wolf about her most recent book, Give me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries. It was a stirring reminder that it's possible to preserve this democracy but it's up to each and every one of us to get inspired and make a difference. Wolf is probably best known for her international bestseller, The Beauty Myth. And as an author of six other books she passionately speaks to an American movement for democracy and the rule of law. The ALOUD series of lectures, readings, performances and discussions is presented by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Central Library [downtown]. http://www.lapl.org

A Happy Client

Thanks a million for your help......you were amazing, as usual.... THANKS
Nathalie Dubois, DPA Suites

The Getty Museum

On Saturday afternoon, The Getty Museum invited a few friends to view the newest acquisition: a rate Ethiopian Gospel book, written in the Ge'ez language and illuminated in the profoundly expressive style that characterizes Ethiopian painting. The image of the seated evangelist John is an excellent example of the Gunda Gunde style of manuscript painting. Following the reception, we were treated to a docent tour of the exhibition, Faces of Power and Piety: Medieval Portraiture, showing through October 26, 2008. What a marvelous contrast to modern portraiture. http://www.getty.edu/

Madame Chocolate

See what Madame Chocolat and the Playmates make for Hug Hefner's Birthday on the season premier of The Girls Next Door. Sunday, October 5th. Madame Chocolat is only 3 short blocks from the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive and we love Hasty Torres, Chocolate Executive Officer. http://www.madame-chocolate.com/

Seen at the Luxe

Today, E! Entertainment personality, Debbie Matenopoulos interviewed Jenny McCarthy for Daily 10 in our Rodeo Drive Penthouse. McCarthy passionately believes that diet and vitamins helped her son recover from autism and is actively involved in autism-related causes. She has recently authored a book, "Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism". To read more about autism and the author, http://www.GenerationRescue.org Thank you, Jenny, for your perseverance and faith.

Creepy Classics at The Paley Center

Weekdays during the month of October, The Paley Center for Media is showcasing Horror on Television, celebrating six decades of diversity and vitality within the genre. Featured shows include creepy classics such as The Twilight Zone, Kolchak: The Night Stalker and Trilogy of Terror, up to more modern frightfests such as The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural.
On the weekends they offer kid-friendly fare such as The Munsters, Dr. Seuss’ Halloween Is Grinch Night, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror series. http://www.paleycenter.org/