Organic Pharmacy

Organic and pharmacy may seem estranged but at The Organic Pharmacy they are best friends. British health and beauty brand founder, Margo Marrone, launched her official store and day spa this evening. Next to The Paley Center, this homeopathy-rooted day spa is our newest neighbor. 435 N. Beverly Drive or http://www.theorganicpharmacy.com/ I dropped by and had some organic iced tea with lemon and chatted with Margo who is organically passionate about their product line and treatments!

Girl Scout cookies - Samoas

As long as I have you [Tal Golan], there is just one other thing I'll always need - tremendous self control. - Ashleigh Brilliant

A Happy Travel Agent

Hello Wendy,
I did call a day or two ago and missed you again. I just wanted you to know that I saw your lobby and location over the weekend. The hotel looks wonderful and very chic. Now I know why my clients always stays there. I would love to have seen the rooms but next time. Location is excellent, I love Rodeo Drive. I’m very glad that I stopped by.
Best, Joanne [Altour New York]

Elias Sime: Eye of the Needle

Currently assembled at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, Eye of the Needle, Eye of the Heart is a small sample of Elias Sime's work of boundless creativity, hard work, discipline and determination. His compositions stitched to canvases and goatskins are stories of humanity. Born in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, Elias is influenced by the vibrant open market and train station near his tight-knit neighborhood of Cherqos. The extraordinary pieces are constructed with found pieces of plastic, buttons, bottle caps, fabric, shoes, wood and straw. Standing in the middle of the gallery, one could feel the love of community, landscapes and rituals radiating from the collection. Through April 18th at Bergamot Station, Santa Monica. Not to be missed!

My Fair Lady

In conjunction with the exhibition, "Dress in Color: The Costumes" the Science and Technology Council of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences showed My Fair Lady at a screening on Friday evening. Introductory comments were provided on colorization, preservation and costume design. The evolution of color movies that began in the 1920's led to dramatic transformations in Hollywood film making. Executing color effects properly on the big screen affected all aspects of production, from lighting to shot composition to design. Costume designers in particular used considerable creativity to overcome challenges like clashing pigments, eye-fatigue-inducing shade and washed-out tones. Cecil Beaton won and Oscar in costume design for My Fair Lady of which two costumes can be seen in the lobby. Public viewing hours, through May 2nd in the Linwood Dunn Theater foyer, are Saturday from noon to 6:00 PM. The Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood.

A Happy Travel Agent

Good Morning, Had a fabulous time last night. Thank you so much. Good company and really learned a bit about hotel - I like it.
Fyi-can you let Tal [Golan] know that I can get thin mints girl scout cookies @ $4.00 per box, as many as she needs. But must know soon, Naomi [Hochstadt, Cassis Travel Services, Inc.]

Don Simon: Nature 2.0

This evening, DON SIMON: NATURE 2.0, offered a marvelous glimpse into a new era of art and environmental awareness. The fine art exhibition benefits Million Trees Los Angeles, a project of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. This show is the latest evolution in Don Simon's Unnaturalism Series. His current work expands on the themes of man vs. nature to envision a world after our worst fears about Global Warming are realized. Simon's drawings are meticulously rendered in color pencil, creating soft yet quietly disturbing imagery that carefully allies the viewer with the animal kingdom. 354 N. Bedford Drive in Beverly Hills, two blocks from Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive. http://www.yargerfineart.com/ Seen here with Don Simon.

A Contented Guest

Dear Wendy,
We love the hotel and thank you to your team.
Regards, Alvin S. Hing [President and CEO, AVIVA Pacific Marine Corporation]

Sponsors Lounge for Westweek

This year, Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive was one of the hotel sponsors included in this year's Pacific Design Center Westweek. Located in Suite B266, on the ‘Blue Rotunda’ side of the building, 2nd floor, we had a great location and experienced a high volume of traffic. The former showroom features beautiful dark wood flooring and lots of window space, so we won’t be missed! Shown here with some delicious appetizers created by our very own Chef Luigi LoPresti.

Nothing is certain but death and taxes

IRS: We've got what it takes to take what you've got! - Anonymous

The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax. - Albert Einstein

I'm proud to be paying taxes in the United States. The only thing is - I could be just as proud for half the money. - Arthur Godfrey

The tax collector must love poor people, he's created so many of them. - Bill Vaughan

Pictured here with Dave Tax. Took a beating but kept on ticking.

Chairing Styles

The year's Chairing Styles at the Pacific Design Center pays tribute to Barbie's five decades as a fashion icon created in her favorite colors: pink, black and white. Exploring relationships between three design disciplines: textiles, fashion and interior design, the original creations have been designed by selected students from there three majors at FIDM. [Otherwise known as The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.] They can be viewed daily in the Green Building at the PDC.

Seen in the lobby: Joan Rivers

Cafe Rodeo: "Joan Rivers was at Cafe Rodeo at the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive yesterday. She was filming an episode of her new TV show for TV LAND."

Recommended

The Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive is conveniently located with easy access to everything in Beverly Hills and only 1.5 blocks away from Bob's office. Please contact Wendy Krueger, Sales Director at The Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, with your specific dates for your trip the first week of April for our corporate rate. I've attached her vcard and her direct line is (310) 691-7601. Please let me know if you need assistance and I will contact her or her team for you.
I wear my Luxe hat loud and proud! Everything is great. I will be over soon to catch up.
Kind regards, Allison [Allison Polumbus KW Commercial Investment Group]

Dustin throws a party

Our good friend Dustin Cash from Alterna threw a birthday bash for himself at Ultra Suede Lounge in West Hollywood last evening! Instead of gifts, we each made a donation to his favorite charity, City of Hope. Hear. See. Give. http://marchnineteenth.com/ Seen here with Jennifer Albert and unknown dancer.

Philanthropy through Fashion

The Colleagues of Beverly Hills held their annual spring luncheon honoring Gelila and Wolfgang Puck today at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The charming Angie Harmon acted as the mistress of ceremonies and spontaneously acted as auctioneer for the spectacular raffle prizes. For 59 years, The Colleagues have been a generous and dedicated partner of Children's Institute which benefits children and families. There was a true heartfelt appreciation for CII and their good work. The 'classic Spago lunch' was followed by a runway show of Kevan Hall's 2009 Collection. Pictured here with June Haynes, Vice President of Retail for Valentino, Leanne and Kathy Gohari, Boutique Manager for Valentino and guest.

Women in Leadership

I attended the 14th annual Women in Leadership Awards and Reception last evening where there was a large gathering of men and women honoring five recipients. Janet Chapman from Rosewood Elementary School served on the Women's Advisory Board with me five years ago so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to congratulate her. Pictured here with my favorite yoga master bar tender, Corey Roskin, who works at the City of West Hollywood.

Seen in Cafe Rodeo

The beautiful Tracy Edmonds and her mother had lunch in Cafe Rodeo this week. As much as one tries to be polite, it's just plain difficult to keep your eyes off of her. It seems that Cafe Rodeo is the perfect spot to get a light lunch after shopping! Our new Chef Luigi LoPresti can prove it.

Top o' the day to you

When I awoke Saturday morning and walked outside of my apartment, I was taken aback to see that the gardeners had worked miracles in the early hours. It felt like St. Patrick's Day - but a bit early. Our entire front yard was blooming and sod had been laid. That historic landmark building has never looked so good.

Q: What did one Irish ghost say to the other?

A: "Top o' the moaning!"

A Happy Guest - it was the truffle fries

Dear Wendy,
Thank you for such a wonderful evening! I enjoyed every minute. We need to see each other more often.
Love, Darlene Osterman, Watch & Jewelry Manager, LVMH

A Contented Guest

Dear Wendy, It was so nice to meet you last week. I was so happy to see that you were at full occupancy...a rare thing in this economic climate. Congratulations! Thanks and I look forward to seeing you next time around. Evemarie [Eyde], Vice president of Sales, Carrera Y Carrera

Judith Murray

Sundaram Tagore Gallery in Beverly Hills is pleased to present works by Judith Murray in her exhibition entitled Continuum. Judith is a new York based artist whose work captured the attention of internationally renowned filmmaker Albert Maysles who made a recent documentary film about the artist at work on a 9-foot painting over a three-month period. The Gallery is hosting a Saturday brunch for Murray so that you too can experience her subtle master of lines and colors. http://www.sundaramtagore.com/ Call 310-278-4520 to RSVP.

Barbie turns 50

ProTravel Open House

I was thrilled to have you and Sherwin and your owner visit us last night. You were the only suppliers that came and it was greatly appreciated. More greatly appreciated is receiving commission for the A & K people. I'm delighted that they're staying with you. It just goes to show when a travel agent introduces people to a property they like, they'll return time and again. Best...Adrienne [ Vice President, Leisure Sales Protravel International - A Virtuoso Agency]

Fashion Week

Fashionistas breathe and relax. Since Mercedes-Benz has run L.A. off its runway, for now, and Smashbox is no longer on our calendar, Gen Art and Box Eight are picking up the pieces and moving onward. Fashion Week will launch this Friday, March 13, with Gen Art's New Garde and continue through the weekend at the Los Angeles Theatre in downtown with Box Eight's selection of edgy designers you haven't heard of...yet.

LA Inc / Asiana China Fam

Jamie Lee from LA Inc. in China organized a 4-night Los Angeles Familiarization Trip with Asiana Airlines. Their first stop was an overnight in Beverly Hills! The participants were from the travel trade and media. Welcome to California. See here with Kathy Smits and Stephanie Nakasone from the BHCVB, plus 13 new friends.

Thought for the day

Forgive as you want to be forgiven, Love as you want to be loved, and Live as if there is no tomorrow. The only one that you can trust completely is you, but, it is important to give others the benefit of the doubt.

Almond Month

Almond month has come to a close but Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive still has plenty of heart-healthy almond snacks for our guests on-the-go. "A handful of almonds is a tasty and crunchy snack that provides you with essential nutrients and can help you maintain a healthy heart," says Melissa Mautz, North American Manager of Consumer and Healthcare Marketing for the Almond Board of California. Tal Golan, Director of Guest Services added, "Providing almond snacks is another way for us to show that we are committed to our guests' overall well being during their stay with us." A handful of almonds [about 23] provides 6g of protein and 3g of fiber and they are perfect for guests heading off to Sports Club LA or boarding that flight home!

Comic Relief

In conjunction with the release of the blockbuster film adaptation of the graphic novel series Watchmen, The Paley Center for Media is featuring a variety of television adaptations of comic book heroes during the month of March including Superman, The Incredible Hulk, Batman, Fantastic Four, Wonder Woman, X-Men and Justice League. Screenings at 3pm daily through March 29th. The Paley Center is only 1 block north of Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive.

A Happy Travel Agent

My Birthday!!! What a lovely jesture. Amazing – how you get this information?!
Warm Regards,
Jeanne [Piro] ALTOUR

Fashionable rainy day

As I was walking to the Rodeo Drive Committee meeting on Wednesday morning in the pouring rain, I passed Dolce & Gabbana. Having just seen Confessions of a Shopaholic last weekend, I was caught off guard to see movement in the window. I thought the mannequins were bidding me good morning. But no, they were just getting dressed! And beautifully, too. From the Spring collection, these hand-beaded and sequined dresses are beguiling. [wink]

A Contented Guest

Dear Wendy,
Thank you! Thank you!
Pam and I really enjoyed meeting you. Your hospitality truly made our visit a special one. We felt that all the staff treated us special. I don't know if all your guests are treated as we were, but this was certainly a memorable trip. We will be back and certainly will stay with you again.
Respectfully, Brian Scharfstein, Canadian Footwear

Fairfax Flea Market

Every Sunday there is a flea market at the corner of Fairfax Avenue and Melrose Avenue. Joined a friend and her 7 year old daughter who took this crazy picture of me [with mustache] using my iPhone. Little Celeste did all the shopping for us: pearl necklace, stuff animal, cat pin and rocks!