Fully cooked

Good news for 2012.  It looks like my broken bone is fully repaired.  Now all I have to do is get used to using it again.

Happy New Year!

May each and every one of us find peace and hope in the New Year!  Continued success and happiness to all.

Thought for the day

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein
Happy New Year!

Hedi Slimane: California Song

This exhibit at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood is available for viewing through January 22, 2012.  It's the first West Coast solo museum exhibition of photographer Hedi Slimane's work. California Song spans his California period and traces his explorations of cycles of urban youth culture and artistic communities, through installations of photographic essays, exhibitions, and publications. “From Mick Jagger’s perspective, ‘It’s only fashion, but I like it.” Hedi Slimane, designer / photographer

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Wendy,  I just got a birthday card from you. Thank you very much!! Noriko [Trans Orbit USA]

Sales Opportunities

Today is the first big day of holiday discounting.  Saks Fifth Avenue on Wilshire Boulevard opened early and is offering 70% selected items through the end of the day!  Too tempting.

Holiday dining

I don't know about you but there has been a plethora of very naughty dining choices this season.  Perhaps the old question, 'Have you been naughty or nice?' refers to food.  I'm headed down Diet Lane in the New Year.  Seems even Santa Claus is overloaded with sweets this year.

Thought for the day

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. - Cicero

Sweet Snowmen

Teuscher on Brighton Way offers more than one hundred varieties of gourmet chocolates using original recipes from the Teuscher tradition of chocolate making.  These holiday friendly luxury chocolates are prepared each week and flown immediately to all of their stores throughout the world.  Just a short walk from Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, snowmen, santas and angels are skillfully wrapped and made with the finest cocoa, marzipan, fruits and nuts. Indulge!  "the best all-around chocolatier" says New York Magazine

Been naughty or nice?

Even Santa Claus is texting this season!

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Dear Wendy,  Thank you so much as your timely and lovely card arrived today on my birthday.  It’s a tradition now to look forward to receiving your card. You make it very special and now you need to tell us when is your birthday. All the very best, Erika [President, First in Service Travel].

Travel Fact

Santa travels the world in only one night!

California Sees 10% spike in visitor spending. Thanks to a jump in tourism, visitor spending in the Golden State may hit a record this year, with continued growth in 2012. By the end of the year, domestic and international visitors to California will have spent $104.4 billion, a 10% increase over last year, according to a forecast released Monday by Tourism Economics, a consulting firm in Pennsylvania. The forecast was commissioned by Visit California, the state's tourism board. Travelers to California spent $95.1 billion in 2010, but the state this year is expected to exceed the $100-billion mark for the first time, thanks to continued growth in domestic travel and a surge in international travel to the state.

A Happy Client

Hi Wendy,  Sorry for the delay.  I love that quote by Carl Burns!!  It was nice meeting Trish, Farmers cannot compliment your property enough.  Have a great Christmas and New Year.  Regards,  Bennett [Key Account Manager] Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Happy Hanukkah!

We wish all of our friends a very Happy Hanukkah!

All Wrapped Up

Get the whole holiday season wrapped up by visiting our neighbor, The Paper Source, on Brighton Way.  They are open daily until 7.  Beverly Hills is the perfect city to stroll, dine and shop.  Enjoy a bit of holiday cheer along the way in Cafe Rodeo.  Our bartender will gladly make you our speciality drink, The Shopping Galore.  Vodka and cranberry sorbet.

Silver Bells and Golden Gossip

All scavenger hunts are $25 each per person and end in Café Rodeo.  Solve clues while marveling at Rodeo Drive’s spectacular Swarovski crystal decorations. This high-fashion hunt includes the store than banned MJ and an iconic movie bubble bath. All hunts end at Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel’s Cafe Rodeo when their creative and tasty Happy Hour Menu is available until 7:00 PM.  The next scheduled hunt is December 24th at 12 noon.  For tickets, visit the calendar at http://www.outoftheboxevents.com/

I don't want to be a spoiler, but watch out for No Number #1 by Joseph Kosuth.

Santa's Little Helper

As part of Sparkle 90210, Santa and Mrs. Claus appear every Friday night at the steps of Two Rodeo.  I got a chance to stop by and visit with Old Saint Nick tonight.  Little does he know that I already got everything I ever wanted for Christmas.  But then again, maybe he does.

Thought for the day

Life's truest happiness is found in friendships we make along the way. - Unknown

High Flying Style

Seen here with Fabi Oshaneh, Boutique Manager of Solange and Connie Gandia, Store Manager of Bally.

Archival images from Bally and Conde Nast were showcased last evening at an in-store celebration.  They struck that perfect balance: jet sets and wingtips!   Purchases made benefited The Art of Elysium.

A Happy Client

Thank you for your good cooperation throughout the year and happy holidays to you and your staff.  Best regards. Klaus Fimpel, Consul [Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany]

The Art of Sabrage

Seen here L to R, Bill Wiley, Nicolas Krafft and Ron Howard, who took a try with the saber.  Ron turned out to have had some experience in St. Moritz with the technique!  It's quite a story.

Legend has it, Napoleon Bonaparte's infamous cavalry, otherwise known as the Hussars, perfected the art of Sabrage, a technique used to behead a Champagne bottle with a saber or sword at the beginning of the 19th century.  Last evening connoisseur and CEO & President of Christofle North America, Nicolas Krafft, lead a demonstration of this technique for the Rodeo Drive Committee members.  He encouraged us to enjoy Champagne [more often with its surprisingly low calorie count] because it's perfect for all of life's occasions!

Thought for the day

Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.  - Rudyard Kipling

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy,
Thanks for the birthday card and birthday reading. It is scary because it describes the mind set I am in right now. I have been assessing my next move and how best to put it into action.  Wishing you all the best in 2012!  Thanks, Allison All the Best from ALTOUR

'Twas a wonderful night

Snow Machine demonstration

Last evening, the Science and technology Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences present the holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life, from a newly struck 35mm print.  The inventors of the snow machine that made its debut with this film won a Scientific or Technical Award in 1948.  The synthetic snow that they used replaced bleached cornflakes which had been the previous method of simulating falling snow in motion pictures.  Director Frank Capra didn't want crucial snow scenes with his actor, James Stewart, to be underscored by the sound crunching corn flakes nor did he want Stewart to have to record the emotional dialogue for dubbing.  RKO Pictures, 1946, 130 minutes.

Playing with the band

Jazz Trio and me in front of Versace at Two Rodeo

As part of Sparkle 90210, snow falls at Two Rodeo on Thursdays and Fridays in December through December 16th.  Their three-story Christmas tree is a sight to see, as well as, live performances which take place on the Via from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.  Jazz it up and head over to Rodeo Drive!

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

HI Wendy,
Not sure how you knew it was my birthday, and really not sure how you knew to include the insert......It describes exactly who I am......lol!   Thank You   Pat  [Let's Travel]

Barbie buying baubles

Barbie Loves L.A.: America's Favorite Doll Sees the Sites by Greg LaVoi and Bob MacKie (July 2008)

Barbie was seen shopping on Rodeo Drive today!

A Contented Guest

Dear Wendy ... Please know how much we enjoyed being at the Luxe Rodeo again. We thank you for making certain that attention was given to all of our requests in room 301. We look forward to being back again in 2012 and will get in touch with you when it’s time to request a reservation.  Our very best to you,
Jill and Allen Stone

Diamond Doll

Barbie Rocks

Designed in the likeness of the original Barbie from 1959, Barbie Rocks is displaying a one-of-a-kind Diamond Doll in the Luxe Lobby.  Valued at $150,000, Barbie's iconic white and black bathing suit has been re-imagined with over 2,000 diamonds.  She even his tiny white diamond earrings and diamond charm bracelet [and of course a blond ponytail].

Travel Fact

Luxury hotels are pushing for more extended-stay business. Luxury hotels are trying to attract more extended-stay guests in a bid to fill rooms. Some are noting an increase in demand in this segment because of relocating households and international travelers from emerging countries needing a place to stay for long periods. Hotels offer large discounts on rates and tend to gain more through additional revenue from special guest services.

We were all about pink!

Barbie and Andy, a.k.a. Ken

Barbie at the entrace pointing guests to the rocks!

Enter the wonderful world of Barbie!  Yesterday afternoon in our luxurious Rodeo Drive Penthouse, mothers and daughters and girls of all ages were invited for festivities, entertainment and sweet treats.  Dressing up and holiday shopping were encouraged.  Hosted by Layna Silvagni Friedman,creator of Barbie Rock Jewelry collection and celebrity stylist, Anya Sarre, proved the Barbie really does rock!

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

I love that you always remember by B’Day!  :-)  Thank you so much
Lxxx,  Louise [ALTOUR]

Sparkle 90210

Beverly Hills High School madrigal singers strolling on Rodeo Drive last night.  They followed me down the Drive singing Jingle Bells!

Sparkle 90210 lights the way on Thursdays and Fridays in December!  From 5pm - 9pm on December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16, snow and sparkle effects will float and flutter at Two Rodeo Drive and Beverly Canon Gardens with carolers and performers each of the six evenings.

A Contented Guest

Hi Wendy,
Thanks for all your help, had a wonderful night and the Thanksgiving dinner downstairs was excellent. Happy holidays. Cheers, Jack

Gaga's Workshop

Gaga's workshop as seen in Barneys New York window display [Wilshire Blvd.]

From November 21st through January 2nd, you may visit Gaga's Workshop at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills.  Barneys donates 25% of sales from all items in Gaga's workshop to the Born This Way Foundation, dedicated to empowering youth and inspiring bravery.  It's a great way to support this important cause and do a little shopping too!