Christmas in Beverly Hills

Surprised to see Christmas decorations along Rodeo Drive? They are going up earlier every year! Well, it's not exactly what it seems. Filmauro, one of Italy's most important production and distribution companies, and Luigi De Laurentis have decided that this year "Christmas in Beverly Hills" would follow in a long line of holiday films for the Italian market. Chosen for its 'hot location', the film will be released in Italy on December 18th 2009. Luxe Hotel will be seen in some long shots of Rodeo Drive and has served as a green room over the past month as filming has progressed. Seen here are trees and soldiers awaiting their walk-in cues.

A Contented Guest

Dear Wendy,
I had a great stay at your Hotel. Thank you for your help. Kind regards, Luis [Sayrols]

Malibu Flea Market

Sun block and a big hat - I did what the dermatologist said. Seen here with friends at the Malibu Flea Market on Sunday. This event takes place only once a year and is a favorite of many local shoppers and seasoned scavengers. Weather was perfect and the Lions Club serves a pretty good cup of coffee.

Thought for the day

Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich. - Sara Bernhardt

Macy's Passport Event

Well, it was another successful year of Passport with over $28 million raised to fund HIV/AIDS research, treatment and prevention. This 27th year, they integrated the Come Together campaign targeting domestic hunger and the ongoing focus on raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. Founding Chair, Dame Elizabeth Taylor spoke such gentle and inspiring words to kick off the evening. Then Sharon Stone took over and raised some big bucks before the energetic and musically enhanced runway show began. It was all about Fashion + Compassion!

Outdoor Chic

The Pacific Design Center and Luxe Interiors+Design co-hosted an al fresco fete that concluded Fall Market Week. The Blue Lobby of the PDC was transformed into a lush garden replete with tableaux of outdoor products from the many Pacific Design Center showrooms. What could be better than mingling with the most handsome people and sampling hors d'oeuvres by Wolfgang Puck and 'green' vodka martinis by Filip Vodka? Strains of an island steel band in the background.

Fabric & Color

Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine hosted a soiree last night with cocktails and conversation on Fabric & Color. Located in the charming and quiet Almont Yard on Almont Drive, I ran into an old friend, Louis Briscoe of Watch Me Tick. Thank you to Jo Campbell Fujii, Publisher, for the wine and networking.

Happy Hour

Hi Wendy:
Thank you again for joining us for lunch today. It was nice to get together and of course, lunch was delicious. Best regards, Anita [Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce]

Medea

Where: Freud Playhouse on the UCLA campus

When: Sept 23 - October 18

Two Words: Brave staging

Two More Words: Stunning performances

Director Lenka Udovicki, working from a 1995 translation by Kenneth McLeish and Frederic Raphael, creates a modern version of this classical Greek tragedy which includes a 12-women chorus and live Persian music by the Lian Ensemble. The passionate and destructive forces between Medea, played by Annette Benning, and her ambitious Greek hero, Jason, are palpable. Euripides' tale still grips us after 25 centuries. "What anger worse, or slower to abate, than lovers' love when it has turned to hate." http://www.uclalive.org/ Seen here with Joann Nishi, Eres Boutique Manager and Christie Lesinski, Grants and Corporate Partnerships Manager for UCLA Live.

Romancing the big screen

Last night was one of many screenings for Bright Star, Jane Campion's new film set in 1818 London where a secret love affair begins between 23 year old English poet, John Keats and the 18 year old girl next door, Fanny Brawne, an outspoken student of fashion. The story gently rolls forward with an unstoppable momentum with poems and love letters until the two are swept into romantic obsession. There was a great Q&A after the screening sponsored by Australians in Film. Seen here with actor, Paul Schneider who plays poet, Charles Armitage Brown.

Seeing Red

W's latest supplement and a look at fashion trends, it's wellred. In the market for a new suit - the 'it' color is red. I walked up and down Rodeo Drive and Prada wins first prize for the best display of the power hue. They're located just steps from Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive. In fact if you request facing west accommodations, you can window shop from one of our charming rooms, meticulously made-over this year for the discriminating shopper! http://www.prada.com/

Happy Hour

Wendy, It was an absolute pleasure to have lunch with you yesterday! Thank you for your generosity and delightful conversation. I hope you have a great weekend and look forward to seeing you again soon. All my best, Rob [Taschen]

A Happy Client

I wanted to say THANK YOU for always being so thoughtful and remembering my birthday. I got the card in the mail yesterday which is perfect. I just totally forgot to thank you yesterday! Hope you are doing well. By the way, I don't know if Sherwin told you but I was sitting right behind him at the Liza concert at the Bowl. She was divine! LOL Tom Mesquit [United Talent Agency]

Highlighting Recent Acquistions

As a MOCA member I was invited to the End of Summer Social on Sunday evening to view two exhibits: Recent Acquisitions and Painting and Sculptures from the Collection. It was the perfect duo of new and classic. Not to mention, the entire portfolio of photographs, The Americans, made during the mid-1950's by Robert Frank. It was the first time in a long time that I was so excited by compelling new works acquired over the last five years for the permanent collection. Watch for Suzanne Lacy's piece, 'Prostitution Notes', 1975, a diary-of-sorts which highlights a trip through Beverly Hills and Hollywood. http://www.moca.org/

Andrew Bush: Vector Portraits

West Hollywood gallery, M+B, opened an exhibit of color photographs by Andrew Bush titled Vector Portraits on Saturday evening which will run through October 17th. The series was shot between 1989 and 1997, in and around Los Angeles used his car as a tripod and capturing Angelenos vis-a-vis their unique relationships with their automobiles. Every one of the photos was unique; I feel as though I might have passed one of those individuals in the past decade. http://www.mbfala.com/

Happy Hour

Wendy,
Thanks for taking the time to meet with us. The hotel is lovely and we really enjoyed your company. I keep thinking about those fish tacos. Mmm! Have a great weekend! Robyn [Preferred Group]

Art of the Movie Poster

"Art of the Movie Poster" is now on display at the Academy's Grand Lobby Gallery through December 13. Between the 1950's and '80s, the movie poster was conceived by art school-trained craftsmen working with studio advertising departments or at ad agencies. The exhibit explores the visual elements of the movie marketing campaign. Posters and preliminary design artwork are showcased, 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Friday and on weekends. Admission is free at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Blvd.

The Teuscher Effect

Thank you Sarah Sebastian, from Porsche Design, for the afternoon chocolate lift. The little note inside the box of truffles says, "We hope the Teuscher experience will be one you will enjoy and remember." There's a good reason that Bon Appetit magazine calls them the most meltingly marvelous of all chocolate creations. You shouldn't have. But we're glad that you did. Seen here with Oscar, concierge and Jennifer Albert, Special Events Manager. http://www.teuscher-beverlyhills.com/

Inspired by Frette

Moura Starr partnered with Frette of Beverly Hills for a month long celebration of bedroom inspiration. Look for store displays from September 7 to October 7. Last night's kick-off party, launched 7 days in which 20% of all purchases benefit Habitat for Humanity. Seen here with Cecilia Moreno, publisher of Genluxe Magazine!

S Factor

As part of Fashion's Night Out, La Perla had a marvelous reception with S Factor. It was a perfect match. The S Factor was designed by a woman for all women; a radically new program inspired by a combination of Pilates, yoga, pole dancing and ballet. It's about taking ownership and loving our S curves. Seen here with model, sequined mannequin, Shermeen from Omega and Kristine, La Perla Boutique Manager. http://sfactor.com/

Cold Shower

This week my landlord has planned plumbing repairs which look like they are going to drag into next week. After a patient half hour wait for the hot water this morning, they finally suggested that I take my shower in apartment C. So there I was in my bathrobe, soap and shampoo in hand walking through the lush green courtyard to apartment C; sun shining and birds chirping. It brought back a flood of camping memories from my youth. But back then I didn't wear a bathrobe.

Saving the Alpacas

When an associate asked me a few weeks ago if I would accompany her to Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas at Geffen Playhouse, I thought "Of course I'll come with you. I love my brown alpaca Vera Wang coat. Anything to save them!" And saves them, he does! The play takes place over the course of two weeks in Beverly Hills and on Mount Chimborazo in the Ecuadorian Andes. We loved French Stewart and Jeffrey/Pierre de Perrie Jouet. Matthew is quite charming making fun of celebrity activism at every turn. Life size alpaca puppets finally get some 'afternoon delight'. Yeah! Seen here at the reception with Corey Roskin from West Hollywood City Hall.http://www.geffenplayhouse.com

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Wendy:
I Received a card and horoscope reading from you in the mail on my birthday. Thank you! Nicole [The Promotional Edge]

Shopping 'til we [almost] dropped

I hope everyone had a restful Labor Day weekend. It's back to work and back to school today! It was hot, hot, hot in Palm Springs over the weekend. But managed to relax poolside with friends and do some shopping at Cabazon Outlets. It's always hit or miss at shopping centers like this but they were packed with tourists and eager bargain hunters none the less. My girlfriend thought about dropping breadcrumbs in order to get back to the car since we were parked in the hinterlands! Note of caution: the parking lot isn't marked or numbered and it's not as though you can recognize the spot from one particular tree, sagebrush or streetlight. They all start looking alike shortly after you walk away from your vehicle!

A Happy Travel Agent

Thank you for my lovely note; very nice of you to think of me. Best, Dave [Carlson Wagonlit Travel]

Anthropology

Anthropology relocated a few months ago to South Beverly Drive, or better known in Beverly Hills as SoBev. instead of a one block walk, they are three. But it's worth the trip. The store is two stories of daylight and color. Neatly arranged tables, bookshelves and racks display all the clothes, accessories and housewares your heart can hold! For the thrifty, there is a fabulous sale room on the 2nd floor.

Global Concierge

This evening I had the great pleasure of taking the Preferred Group on a site inspection of the hotel. Their premier global concierge service as been catering to privileged families and individuals since 1999 utilizing their meticulous attention to detail and elite personal touches. Between me and this blog, they can arrange for anything! As long as it's legal. Seen here with Emad Ghobrial, Founder & CEO and assistant concierge Robyn Bizier.

An Evening With the Mayor

The Honorable Nancy Krasne, Mayor of Beverly Hills, delivered her State of the City address tonight at Greystone Mansion. Located in the Beverly Hills, I looked out upon the city through a rose tinted sky, due to the wildfires north of Los Angeles, in awe of this magnificent community. The evening included a reception sponsored by Lawry's Restaurant and organized by the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. Seen here with Andrea Levin, Director of Events at Mastro's and Daniel Walsh, CEO of the Chamber.

Television's First Decade

It's interesting to recall that, just 60 years ago in its infancy, television was perceived as a threat to the movie and radio industries. Perhaps the Internet is viewed in the same way today. With this in mind, The Paley Center for Media is taking a look back at the golden first decade of TV and showing some of era's biggest hits at 12:30 PM daily, starting August 26th through September. Catch Gunsmoke, I Love Lucy, Dragnet and more. http://paleycenter.org/

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Wendy,
Thanks for the birthday wishes. I am off on my vacation ... a perfect way to start my "new year". Regards, Carol [The Travel Collaborative]
"Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven't committed." Anthony O'Malley (1852 - 1932)

Thought for the day

When you can't have what you want, it's time to start wanting what you have.
- Kathleen A. Sutton