Art & Copy

The Paley Center for Media on Beverly Drive screened Art & Copy this evening, a provocative new documentary from filmmaker Doug Pray about advertising and inspiration. An official selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, Art & Copy reveals the work and wisdom of some of the most passionate, influential advertising creatives of our time: George Lois, Mary Wells, Dan Wieden, Lee Clow, Hal Riney and others. Rebels with a cause might have been a good subtitle. Following the screening was a conversation between Doug Pray and Creative Director for CAA, Jae Goodman. "Just Do It". Seen here in the lobby with Terry Lynn Ebright, Manager of Publicist and Rebecca Faez, Director External Relations, for The Paley Center. http://www.paleycenter.org/

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Wendy,
I got your very thoughtful birthday card. Thank you, you really made me smile. I love Lucille Ball quote. That was so perfect! Thank you. I appreciated that. :-) Best regards, Sheila Santos [production travel for Viacom / MTV)

Mensa Invitational

Here are a couple of the winners of the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational, which, once again, asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting or changing one letter and supply a new definition:
1. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
2. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
3. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy: Thank you so much for the confirmation. James, Francesca and Lisa have all been very pleased with the hotel. So thank you and thank Victoria from all of us here at Georg Jensen USA. All the best, Risa [Misawa]

Happy Birthday, Margit Haut

Happy Birthday, Margit. We were happy to be a part of your very special day!

Closing remarks by Bill Clinton

On the final day of the convention, President Bill Clinton, Founder William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, provided closing remarks about worldwide economic recovery, health care reform and climate change. As a project of the Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative brings together global leaders to devise and implement innovation solutions to some of the world's most pressing issues. Seen here with David Jones, President & CEO Amadeus, during the Q&A which wrapped up general session and luncheon.

More NBTA...

It was a real thrill to be a part of the Luxe Worldwide Hotels booth at the NBTA trade show this week. There are some wonderful hotels in the hotel group whose goal is to provide a superior level of personalized service and comfort plus all the amenities of world-class hotels. Seen here with directors of sales from San Francisco to New York with our fearless leader, Roselyn Cosentino. And again relaxing at the Egencia reception. http://luxehotels.com

NBTA in San Diego

Just returned from three days in San Diego at the NBTA Convention. Here's a photo from the balcony across, opposite the meeting rooms. Margit Haut, Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd, and I had a coffee between seminars on Monday. What a view! We understood why San Diego is rated the US city with the best climate.

A Happy Client

Hi Wendy:
Thank you so much for remembering my birthday and sending me a card. It really made my day. :-) I hope all is well with you and yours. All the best, Natalie [Wilson at Magic Johnson Enterprises]

Montblanc opens its doors

The luxury goods brand Montblanc opened the doors of its new flagship boutique on Rodeo Drive on August 3rd. They are showcasing one-of-a-kind pieces that will be exclusive to this very location including men's and ladies diamond timepieces, limited Swiss tradition watches, women's handbags and the introduction of exquisite colored gemstones. Of course, the boutique wouldn't be complete without the presence of its beloved special and limited editions of jeweled writing instruments. Located across the street from Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive. http://montblanc.com/

Join our Luxe 'club'

Every Tuesday, Cafe Rodeo will be offering the "Lunch Club" deal. For $15 inclusive, customers will enjoy a gourmet club sandwich with fries or market green salad and non-alcoholic beverage, tax and tip. Representing a discount of 25%, this fantastic bargain features a new twist on a club sandwich each month. The Lunch Club is bound to make Tuesday the chicest midweek hum-day destination. And it's a lot easier to swallow than Sudoku.

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to thank the both of you for my birthday wishes!! That was so nice of you to thinnk of me! Have a wonderful day. Jennifer [AE Stores]

Saying Good-bye

Saying good-bye was the hardest thing I did all week. I love those two girls. They're just wonderful people; albeit littler people than me. But not for long. In that awkward moment standing back to back, it seems that the 11 year old comes up to here on me! Seen here wearing Oilily from their Summer of Love Collection. Watch for great sales at their Brighton Way store. http://www.oililyusastores.com

Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery

With all this recent fascination with vampires, it seemed a perfect time to give Bunnicula, a children's book series, to my niece Chloe for her birthday. Written by James Howe, the books are about a vampire bunny that sucks the juice out of vegetables. The story centers on the Monroe family and their pets and is told from the perspective of their dog, Harold. As Chloe gets ready to go back to school, it was Aunt Wendy's last ditch effort to get her to read a book this summer aimed at beginning readers. Seen here with Bunnicula at the State Fair.

Wisconsin State Fair exit

The fairgrounds torture families when admittance into the park is through the carnival ride section. If you can avoid it on the way in, it's impossible to avoid it on the way out. They make double sure that you don't leave the grounds without dropping your last dollar. Tired and sweetened on fair food, we succumbed to the neon lights and chance to win big! But first a Ferris wheel ride to delay the inevitable before making our retreat to the parking lot.

Wisconsin State Fair

The day after the zoo, it was time to head out to the Wisconsin State Fair. Folks in WI take their state fair seriously! There were all those animals, pig races, cow milking demonstrations and tractor pulls. The products pavilion had more than honey, apple fritters and cheese - did you know that Wisconsin's largest fruit crop is cranberries? Personally, I had a large baked potato with butter and sour cream. The Cream Puff Pavilion was our last stop on the food chain. We were so stuffed that we took a gondola ride over the fair to get to the exit.

Zoo

Just returned from five days in Wisconsin visiting my family. A trip to the Milwaukee County Zoo is a must. The weather couldn't have been better for my trip. It not only looked green, it smelled green. I spent almost an hour with these Australian parrots. My nieces were fascinated by being able to lure a brightly colored bird onto a Popsicle stick and observe them picking at the seeds - which wasn't that easy. A flash camera in another part of the enclosure got them flitting nervously about. Someone got a plop of bird-poo in her hair! That Alfred Hitchcock movie kept creeping into my mind.

Thursday Downtown Art Walk, August 13

Les Grandes Vacances featured at Deborah Martin Gallery on West 5th Street, downtown LA, is just one of many galleries open on Thursday, August 13th for the monthly 'art walk'. It's a great way to get a little exercise and see some of the great architecture on our downtown streets. See the film, 500 Days of Summer, for inspiration. Seen here at the private artist reception and exhibit of paintings by Valerie Daval. http://www.deborahmartingallery.com

Love is in the air

Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive was ready for its close-up last night when a scene from Garry Marshall's upcoming Valentine's Day was filmed on the Cafe Rodeo patio. The lovely and talented Jessica Alba (who is now a blond) was featured and observed in the lobby of the hotel between takes and going over her lines. It was a wonderful opportunity for the Luxe to shine and our guests were thrilled to be a part of Hollywood for a few hours. The romantic comedy, which also stars Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Taylor Swift, Ashton Kutcher and Anna Hathaway, plus a dozen more well known actors will be released in 2010. Meanwhile Rodeo Drive was closed for the scene and excited onlookers watched Jessica Alba seated in Cafe Rodeo.

Christofle

It's another champagne Thursday at Christofle on Brighton Way at Rodeo Drive. Stop by and marvel at the crystal and silver creations while sipping champagne and indulging in chocolate truffles. They currently have some great bargains (toward the front of the boutique).

Words for Women

Perhaps it's these troubling economic times or daily stress, but it seems to me that I'm receiving a lot more "words of wisdom" e-mails lately. There are certain ones that keep getting circulated; and if I recall correctly, it was originally attributed to Erma Bombeck. The next thing you know the Dalai Lama or the Pope is offering the same swell bits. This week it came as the advice of a grandmother in a small town in Texas who was contemplating the meaning of life. 'All I know is if you get your knickers in a knot; it solves nothing and just makes you walk funny.'

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Wendy: Thank you soooooooo much for the sweet birthday card!!! I had a great birthday on Friday. Take care, Stacey [Pat Walker Travel]

Street

Tried Susan Feniger's new restaurant on Highland Blvd over the weeked. Great food and lively conversation with friends. Tried a new beer, too, which was delicious and perfectly suited for one of the curry dishes that we sampled. Best to share! http://www.eatatstreet.com/

LACMA film series

LACMA film series is riding off into the sunset. The film program is being cut from the museum's agenda which over the years has shown some of the great foreign, classic, documentary and art-house films. The final weekend is August 14-15 with a rare Jean-Pierre Melville classic. We're sorry to say good-bye to the Leo S. Bing Theater.

A Happy Client

Wendy, Thank you so much for remembering my birthday. I am so much all those personality traits listed. Thank you again, Susan [Pacific Design Center]

'issue' with the September issue

While we're on the subject of Vogue's September issue, how is it that my postal representative can stuff that five pound volume into my small mail box? I've scraped my knuckles and come away with torn cover and in search of band-aids.

Fashion Issue

Set for September 11th release, The September Issue, directed and produced by R.J. Cutler, tells the storey of legendary Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her larger-than-life team of editors creating the September 2007 issue of Vogue magazine which weighed nearly five pounds and was the single largest issue of a magazine ever published. Cutler's documentary won the Grand Jury Prize for Excellence in Cinematography at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival for process of assembling this high-profile magazine suspense thriller. R.J. was on hand this evening after the screening for a fascinating Q&A on the making of the film and working with legendary Anna Wintour. He secured significant cooperation from the famously secretive editor! For a retrospective on R.J. Cutler's work at The Paley Center, August 6 - 9, visit http://www.paleycenter.org/

Thought for the day

"People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home." Dagobert D. Runes

Wizard of Oz

Last night was the final feature from the series of films nominated for Best Picture of 1939. The 4K digital presentation of The Wizard of Oz was provided courtesy of Warner Bros. It was a spectacular print and a joy to see on the big screen. Originally running 121 minutes at a then-expensive $2 million cost, the film was edited down to 101 minutes after preview screenings. Imagine that cutting "Over the Rainbow" from the final version had been discussed! Seen here is a young fan, dressed as Dorothy, in the lobby of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." For more screenings, go to http://www.oscars,org/

A Happy Travel Agent

Dear Sherwin and Wendy,
Thank you so much for your kind hospitality last week - we really enjoyed seeing the property and seeing changes, and also hanging out with you.
Really look forward to working with you more closely this year!
Reb [Rebecca East, Quintessentially.com]

Guys and Dolls

Frank Loesser's brilliant classic, winner of 15 Tony's, was brought to life with an all-star cast at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend. In their annual fully staged musical, Scott Bakula, Jessica Biel and Brian Stokes Mitchell played three of the principle parts. But it was Ellen Greene as Miss Adelaide who stole our hearts with that perfect comic song, Adelaide's Lament. "If she's getting a kind of a name for herself and the name ain't his; if she's tired of gettin' the fish eye from the hotel clerk" a girl can develop cough. There are a lot more fabulous preformances left this summer; check http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/

Stefan's L.A. Farm

Seen here at the sneak preview of Stefan's at L.A. Farm on Friday night. The rice squares were out favorite item. It was a marvelous way to end the week with a bit of sparkling wine.