Go Fish

Go with the Flo

Dear Wendy,

Thank you so much for last night.
It was really good to see you and I was still laughing this morning about us exhausting the battery of your camera!!!!!

Have a beautiful day!
Florence Saint-Cricq
Branding & Marketing

Shown here:
Florence Saint Cricq

Shrek

Sans a Memorial Day grill, I met my girlfriend at Dupar’s at the Farmer’s Market on Monday morning for breakfast. Our plan was to follow those buttery pancakes with “Shrek” at The Grove. Respectfully, I restrained from mentioning that I was here at the insistence of my niece, Maclaren, who detailed a vomiting scene from Shrek that she thought was ssooooo funny. I was left with strict instructions to call her back as soon as I saw it to confirm.

Here Comes the Bride

Here comes the bride: Shannon Leigh. Her bridal shower was Sunday at The Grove. Shannon and I met by chance at Newark Airport two years ago when we were bumped from the same American Airlines flight to LAX. At the time, she did marketing for Barbie at Mattel Corp. and being a former Barbie user, I was fascinated. Both of us raved about the book,
Barbie Loves L.A: America's Favorite Doll Sees the Sites, by Greg Lavoi (Author). There’s a great photo of Barbie in Beverly Hills!

Shown here: Shannon Leigh and Stephen Gabor.

Memorial Day Weekend

It seems that long weekends are not only meant for picnics with friends and family, but also to get some household chores done. Our general manager boasts that he put up a swing over the weekend. His wife asked him if he needed a handyman but with much bravado, Seth assembled it himself. On the other hand, I employed a carpenter last week to install three narrow shelves in my apartment. Saturday tasks for me were: dust, rearrange artwork, spackle holes and paint. My friend, Pamela, called in the early evening and asked if I wanted to go to the movies. Of course, I was up on a ladder with a pint of ‘banana split’ colored latex. So when she came to pick me up, I had to quickly change clothes and dash. Thank you, Pam, for picking the yellow paint out of my hair! You’re a good friend.

A Contented Guest...

Good Afternoon

It was indeed a pleasure and look forward to my next visit, hopefully a little longer this time

Thank You

Ron Oboler (Marvel Entertainment, New York)

Quote for this Memorial Weekend

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland

The High and the Mighty

Last night, the Academy Foundation featured the theatrical premiere of a new restoration of The High and the Mighty with iconic star John Wayne. At 7 o’clock I was still asking myself, why did I purchase this ticket? I suppose for the sheer reason that my mother’s favorite movie star was John Wayne. Growing up, I secretly believed that she wished my father was a little more like John Wayne and less like Howard Keel. There was an unwritten rule in our home regarding certain words or phrasing. Of course, there was the occasional slip and a word such as Oklahoma, 76 trombones, or old man and river passed our lips and, on cue, my dad would break into song!

But I digress. Now I know why my mother found The Alamo so engaging. John Wayne exudes confidence. The High and Mighty film project was a decade long restoration spearheaded by Wayne’s son and daughter-in-law. Wayne co-produced and starred in the air disaster film which was released in 1954. This Centennial Salute (this would have been Wayne’s 100th birthday) was a beautifully restored print and offered a remarkable look at airport check-in procedures fifty years ago! Further, it seems that Hollywood only made two hair colors in 1954: peroxide blond and red.

For more information on upcoming events, call the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at 310/247-3600.

Business After Dark

On Tuesday night, I attended the final installment of Media as Mirror at the Museum of Television & Radio. Located in Beverly Hills at the corner of Beverly Drive and Little Santa Monica, MT&R is the west coast home of the William S. Paley Television Festival every March and houses a library of archival television and radio broadcasts from the birth of both! Media as Mirror series showcased the media’s power to reflect different world cultures, from fiction to political satire in a digital age. Look for upcoming events, including “One Night with 30 Days” on June 19th at 7:00 PM. www.mtr.org


Last night the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce held their Business After Dark monthly mixer at the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive penthouse. A gathering of various business representatives mingled until 7:30PM over mojitos and delectable nibbles from Chef RaShon Smith. Next mixer to take place at The Celebrity Vault on Wednesday, June 20th from 6:00 to 8:00PM.



In the photo:
From left to right- Tylo Braga (Keller Williams), Sonya Hammonds (Home Stone Mortgage), Wendy Zvara (Frederic Missir), Seth Horowitz (Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive General Manager), and yours truly

A Contented Guest

Dear Wendy:

You beat me to it! It is for me to send you a thank you note for your warm hospitality. I enjoyed my stay at the Luxe Hotel very much, and I am now able to visualize what the L'Oreal Group in July will experience--a useful exercise.

I am looking forward to working with you and the staff, and I am sure the program will be so successful that the client will demand the Luxe Hotel whenever he comes to the Los Angeles area.

Again, many thanks and take good care.

Gilda Poliakin (Group Travel Consultant, San Francisco)

Quote for the Day

The secret of happiness is to make others believe they are the cause of it. Al Batt, in the National Enquirer

StyleChic

Unique to Los Angeles, StyleChic is a VIP tailor-made shopping service for people that want to shop like a VIP. Through her relationships with all the stores from her ten years as the Associate Publisher of high-end publications and celebrity styling, Founder and LA wardrobe stylist Alyson Scott has strong relationships with all the luxury stores within the packages to make sure the client is given five-star, VIP treatment. StyleChic has partners with all the boutiques on Rodeo, Robertson, West Third St, Melrose Place, La Brea, and Vintage. We work with all the five star hotels in Los Angeles to offer this experience to travelers and also with clients locally. StyleChic offers wardrobe overhauls for local residents combined with the StyleChic shopping experience.

StyleChic shopping experience












Day of shopping (six hours) includes:

• Luxury town car
  
• Escorted by a professional LA stylist to your unique itinerary of boutiques
  
• VIP treatment throughout the day
  
• champagne
  
• celebrity discounts,
  
• private retail service,
  
• special VIP dressing rooms,
  
• gifts and personal attention
  
• goody-bag full of unique high-end products

StyleChic is available for men. Gift Certificates are available- a great gift for a friend, significant other, family member, or anyone who loves to shop or needs help in the fashion realm.

StyleChic has recently been seen on: Access Hollywood, E! News Daily, Style Network, WeTV, Variety, Angeleno, 944, etc.

Luxe "StyleChic Package"

• For $789, one night Deluxe Accomodation based on single or double occupancy (additional nights at $259),
  
• Includes a two-hour personal shopping experience with stylist Aly Scott on Rodeo Drive,
  
• VIP shopping experience includes a personal greeting by store directors, private dressing rooms, complimentary champagne, celebrity discounts, and special sales attention while shopping with Aly,
  
• A goody bag filled with everything from designer cosmetics to scented candles.

Luxe "Chic & More Chic Package"

• For $1289, enjoy a one-night Deluxe Accomodation based on single or double occupancy (additional nights at $259),
  
• Includes a four-hour personal shopping experience with stylist Aly Scott on Rodeo Drive, Robertson Blvd., W. Third Street, or Melrose Place,
  
• VIP shopping experience includes a personal greeting by store directors, private dressing rooms, complimentary champagne, celebrity discounts, and special sales attention while shopping with Aly,
  
• A goody bag filled with everything from designer cosmetics to scented candles.

Package reservations may be made for either a weekday or weekend by calling 1-800-HOTEL-411. 48-hour cancellation policy.

Paris

The new film, Paris, Je t’aime, is being billed as stories of love from the city of love. Fall in love 18 times with the little vignettes about Paris that you’ve never seen on a picture postcard. Each director tells a different story in the various neighborhoods that make up this extraordinary city. You leave wishing there were more!

A Contented Guest...

WENDY

OH YES ITS MY PLEASURE GREAT HOTEL..I LOVE THE ROOMS THANKS A LOT
IM COMING BACK ..NEXT WEEK..MAYBE TUESDAY..I’ll LET YOU KNOW ..
THANKS

GORDON (Premier VIP Management, LLC)

Lost and Found

During a Team Meeting last week, I felt something sharp at my left wrist and realized my gold bracelet was missing its charm. Within a second, I gasped which paused the meeting. Fortunately, my astute assistant, Alice, noted that it couldn’t have gone far as she had just noticed it. Sure enough, the 1917 gold coin was in my lap. It was a wedding gift to my grandmother and she had passed it to my Aunt Doris and Doris had given it to me, just as I’m expected to pass it to a niece. Saturday morning I picked up the newly soldered bracelet at the jewelers. All of which made me think of a recent article in the LA Times in which the writer, whose home came perilously close to the Griffith Park fire, was questioning what he would take first should he need to evacuate. What is the stuff in our lives worth? I was lucky and so were all the home owners in Los Feliz.


A Contented Guest...


Thank you Wendy. I had a great time and will certainly consider you all when I'm in the area again.

Josie Seid, Nike

Melrose Place

On Saturday, I visited the new Oscar de la Renta store on Melrose Place. I was delighted to find so many of my friends from Rodeo Drive have relocated, so I asked them for a group photo in the garden. The boutique is worth a visit, serene and elegant with lots of natural light. If you’re in the area on Tuesday, shop ‘til you drop to benefit MOCA’s Contemporary Art Start Program takes place Tuesday, May 22nd from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Drinks, hors d’oeuvres and silent auction await you. 10% of your purchases at any of 17 participating boutiques will be donated to MOCA’s arts education program for public schools.

In the photo:

Elisa Gonzalez, Store Manager at Oscar de la Renta

Saturday night a former sales manager from the Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd. was celebrating her engagement on Sunset Plaza. Congratulations, Michelle.

Sunday I stopped at a coffee shop for breakfast, dawdled over a magazine and watched the other patrons. I overheard an elderly man say ‘If you were a bus, I would have been in serious trouble”, as a young couple hurriedly paid their bill and rushed out the door. How often had I done this? Not paid attention to where I was going? Fortunately, this Sunday I hadn’t knocked anyone over. It was 3:00 PM and I was having scrambled eggs and coffee.

Los Angeles Confidential

Slipped quietly into the Los Angeles Confidential magazine’s Stoli Hotel last night in Hollywood. They built an entire hotel with guestrooms and a spa representing the various Stoli vodkas in their line. I distinctly remember orange, red, blue and clear were vibrant options in a maze of bars and lounges. Connected with a few friends and walked back to the Arclight parking structure, in order to avoid the crowds. Jack in the Box was looking pretty good.

LA Confidential, current issue with Luke Wilson on the cover, notes the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive penthouse in the column “Out & About”, page 102. The hotel boasts a fabulous penthouse and terrace overlooking Rodeo Drive. It’s perfect for intimate receptions, 250-of-your-best-friend parties and showrooms.

In the photos:
Carla Thomas, Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce (right)
Me and Karen Lewis Farrelly, High Concept Media Group (above)

Speed Bump

Lambertson Truex

Dashed over to the opening of Lambertson Truex on Melrose Place (at La Cienega Blvd) last evening. The crowd was clearly excited about this first-ever stand-alone store where you can accessorize to your heart’s content. From May 16th through May 26th, a percentage of all sales will be donated to Children’s Action Network. Just another good reason to going shopping!

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is doing a centennial tribute to Barbara Stanwyck. So that was my next stop, the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater on Wilshire Blvd, hosted by Robert Osborne. Twelve clips were shown from Stanwyck’s extensive career. Her wicked sense of humor and glamorous sex appeal were palpable in Ball of Fire. Billy Wilder gave new meaning to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! No one sizzled like she did. And no one threw a pair of scissors better. For tickets to any of the eighteen films in the series, “A Lady to Talk About”, look at http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/. Films are shown at the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum in Westwood.

Chloe and Maclaren

Of course I'm a proud Aunt Wendy. So it made my heart happy to hear that my youngest niece took advantage of a warm rainy Wisconsin day. After she came off the bus, she doned her rain boots and umbrella for a full rendition of "Singin' in the Rain" on the front sidewalk. Bless her five-year-old theatrical spirit.

In the photo:

Chloe in her pink raincoat (right);

Maclaren in her blue raincoat (left)

MOCA Pacific Design Center

The Avenues of Art and Design are only 1.5 miles from the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive and home to some of the best design stores on the west coast. Showcased on San Vicente Blvd and PDC Drive, is MOCA Pacific Design Center, the compact museum which is currently showing, Some Assembly Required: Contemporary Prefabricated Houses until May 20th. The modern modular dwellings challenge common preconceptions about prefab homes and highlight a new generation of architects who are pushing the boundaries of home construction and imagination.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lynn Frangos (pictured), Annual Fund Officer for The Museum of Contemporary Art, for a tour. We served together on the MOCA Contemporaries years ago and met up at the associates’ reception for The Art of Richard Tuttle at the MOCA Grand Avenue last month. Call for MOCA memberships at 213/633-5344 or www.moca.org. They have a host of great activities and exhibitions.

Reality Check

Monday night, I asked a friend to join me at the Music Center, downtown, to hear Fareed Zakaria. Zakaria’s most recent book, From Wealth to Power, is a provocative examination of America’s role on the world stage. As editor of Newsweek International and PBS host of Foreign Exchange, he is widely respected for spotting political trends around the world. This continued to be the theme of Monday’s discussion with the audience: the rise of other world powers, nationalism, global economics and democratized technology. Warning that America forgot to globalize itself and create a public diplomacy that embraces and respects the rising nationalism of others.

How to Restore America's Place in the World by Fareed Zakaria


Deborah and I sandwiched (no pun intended) the evening with stops at Pizzeria Mozza on Highland Avenue: before and after the theater. Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich joined culinary forces for two engaging concept restaurants. Without reservations, sit at the bar and enjoy the most divine pizza you have ever had. If you can wait 30 days, reserve a table. Run, don’t walk. No wonder everyone’s talking about it.

www.mozza-la.com

In the photo: me and Deborah Avren

The Argyle Salon

Saturday – thank you Mateo for the great haircut and for going along with me on the bangs. I appreciate your creative talent and independent spirit.

Q: What’s the definition of bangs?

A: Poor girl’s botox.

[Johnnie, me and Mateo pictured]

www.argylela.com

Nancy Snow

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his.

~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895

What a lovely weekend in Los Angeles! The weather was cool and clear both Saturday and Sunday. To celebrate, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art had a members appreciation weekend for Mother’s Day. The first-ever career retrospective of American artist, Dan Flavin, was the hook. Although there were 40 seminal works, the show stopper was Flavin’s stunning corridors for the E.F. Hauserman Company showroom, an installation which opened at the Pacific Design Center in March 1982. My personal favorite was ‘icon (the heart) (to the light of Sean McGovern which blesses everyone)’.

Congratulations, LACMA. Please don’t miss it! And while you’re there, The Modern West: American Landscapes expands the theme. Even Jackson Pollack is included.

On Sunday, I joined my friend, Nancy Snow, for a showing of “Waitress”. We chose a Mom movie (with gift bags) as both of us have mothers who live in other parts of the country and, here we were, on Mother’s Day, with no plans for that traditional Mother’s Day Brunch. I think we were both hoping for a piece of ‘falling-in-love-pie’ in the gift bag. Instead there was a recipe card for numerous pie concoctions and the May issue of Martha Stewart Living. “Waitress” is Adrienne Shelly’s sunny final film starring Keri Russell as a woman stuck in a bad marriage with a baby on the way. For more about Nancy, visit www.nancysnow.com.

In the photos:

Dan Flavin's greens crossing greens, 1966 (top)
Nancy Snow and yours truly (bottom)

Mother's Day

Thursday was Mother’s Day in Mexico and soon we’ll be celebrating American moms on Sunday. Our very own, Chef RaShon Smith, a mother of three, will be preparing something very special for Café Rodeo. Sunday, May 13th, will be a brunch to remember. You represent moms well!


Imagine…

Mother's Day Special

heirloom tomatoes
burrata, basil oil, balsamic, fresh basil
11

smoked salmon hash
scallions, potato, smoked salmon, peppers
scrambled eggs, pico de gallo
16

blueberry ricotta pancakes
powdered sugar, warm maple syrup
14

lobster cobb
romaine, blue cheese dressing, tomato, egg
applewood smoked bacon, corn, avocado
blue cheese
18

or stop by for the...

M O M
b r u n c h
Sunday 11:30-4:00

Bread selection
Country White, Multigrain, Sourdough, Rye
Pistachio Raisin & English Muffins

Substitute Egg Whites Please Add 2.00

soup of the day
chef’s selection
7

mimosa, champagne or bloody mary
with brunch
9

two eggs any style
your choice of applewood smoked bacon or chicken apple sausage served with roasted new potatoes new potatoes and toast, bagel or english muffin
13

omelet of the day
chef’s selection
roasted new potatoes and toast, bagel or english muffin
13

café rodeo benedict
two poached eggs, fresh spinach and black forest ham served on a toasted english muffin, finished our hollandaise
14
lobster
16

buttermilk pancakes
garnished with fresh berries and dusted with powdered sugar
11

grilled new york & eggs
roasted new potatoes, fresh tomatoes and toast, bagel or english muffin
17

smoked salmon platter
smoked salmon, pastrami salmon, salmon caviar, capers, tomato, red onion, cream cheese, bagel or toast points
16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

de-luxe mac and cheese
our version of the classic “macaroni & cheese” with baby shells,
goat & bleu cheese, white cheddar and parmesan
10

cornmeal crusted crab cake
spicy aioli and papaya corn relish
10

baby greens and vine ripe tomatoes
tossed in our balsamic vinaigrette
9

lobster and butternut squash ravioli
sage broth
12

chicken cobb salad
applewood smoked bacon, grilled chicken, tomatoes, romaine, bleu cheese and
avocado, tossed in a bleu cheese dressing and topped with shaved egg
14

tuna salad sandwich
White albacore tuna, lettuce, tomato on toasted multi grain bread
10

café rodeo burger
grilled hand pressed burger, toasted sesame seed bun, red onions & tomatoes
your choice of cheddar, swiss, jack, goat or blue cheese and housemade thousand island dressing
13

half roasted chicken
thick home cut fries, asparagus served au jus
16

grilled salmon
steamed new potatoes & spinach, roasted beets drizzled with white truffle oil
19

Speed Bump

The Year of Magical Thinking

I went to see Joan Didion speak on Monday night at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. She was sharply direct and observant, completely reasonable. After some time, Ms. Didion read an except from her book, The Year of Magical Thinking. Life changes fast. Life changes in an instant.

Yesterday, Tuesday, I visited the travel department and events management at The Promotional Edge. Everyone made be feel welcome and available to my sales pitch for the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive and Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd. On the way back I stopped at a business on Jefferson Blvd. where I surprised the owner whom I haven’t seen in 15 years. His son of 22 passed two years ago and I know he was devastated. He said that much joy had also come from it and that he had begun a foundation for helping financially challenged youth get a college education. Today there are ten young men whose lives have been touched by the loss of one.

This is all to say that, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look once in awhile, you could miss it.” -Ferris Bueller

Luxe Rodeo Employee Luncheon

Our monthly employee luncheon fell on the Friday before Cinco de Mayo. Chef RaShon Smith made it a very festive occasion, replete with bartender and (unfortunately, virgin) margaritas. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to solicit such great comments from departing guests.

Sunday I decided to get up early and go to the Pasadena City College flea market. Walked around for hours and looked at stuff from my grandmother’s attic to African tribal masks. When did the daisy pin, with the little ladybug, which I bought with a month’s worth of babysitting money in the 8th grade, become collectible?

Finished the day with a birthday party at The Crescent Hotel on a perfect balmy night for well-wishers. The UBS birthday girl gathered all of her favorite stock brokers for the evening.

In the photos:

Conrad Rosales, Director of Operations (top)
Eric, Tatiana (the birthday girl), and Michael (bottom)

A Contented Guest

Hi Wendy

Thanks for everything regarding my clients stay at Luxe. They really enjoyed every minute of it. The other crew I talked about is not coming - since they wanted to shoot in Europe. Thanks - I hope one day I'll be able to stay at your nice place. Talk to you soon.

Regards,

Kristoffer Kosloff
Manager/ CEO Filter Management, Inc.

Entertainment Design Events

Los Angeles magazine hosted their party for the May Travel issue last night at one of those trendy clubs in Hollywood. I was running late and the neighborhood parking is impossible so I broke down and valet parked. Picked up my heels and got there for a great Ketel One martini and a long talk with the insanely talented, Michael Willms, entertainment designer.

When I returned to pick up my car, I found that the valet had turned the volume up to 20 (I normally set it at 4). I was drenched in The Bill Evans Trio “Sunday at the Village Vanguard”. Surprisingly he didn’t change the dial but utilized the existing CD. Here I was driving through Hollywood with my windows down blasting track 4 at decibels that have never been reached before in my car. My chest was vibrating every time bassist Scott LaFaro came into play. I looked up and saw an LAPD helicopter fly past the full moon and thought about Gidget.

In the photo: Michael Willms of Entertainment Design Events

Alan Friedman

On the way back from the secluded Crescent Drive Post Office, with no lines, I popped into Alan Friedman’s, who takes great pride in his pink diamond branding. Alan and Layna Friedman were celebrating the new line of Ferrare jewel-studded accessories. Besides the (always present) bowl of pink jelly bellies, salads and desserts, champagne and lemonade were offered. The petite red velvet muffin studded with jewel-colored sprinkles was a gem!

Thank you, Alan, for letting me graze and gaze at your stupendous collection.

Seen at Bar360

Had the great pleasure of meeting Brian Atwood in Bar360, the hottest guy designing shoes today. How adorable is he? Proven by the cult following of ladies, indulging in 360 Martinis, gushing over his brazenly sexy footwear. [His website said it best!] Thank you to Dagmar Jouni, of Bally, for the introduction. Brian apparently will be launching a line of shoes with Bally in the Fall '07. How exciting!

Squeezed through the crowds on Cafe Rodeo's outside patio to dash across the street to the reception at Omega where they were launching the Seamaster NZL. Ladies you'll have to wait. The America's Cup women's version won't be available for a few more months.

In the photo: Omega manager, Giancarlo Incalza and yours truly

Speed Bump

Luxe Rodeo Fashion and Facial Package

Good to Know:

I dashed over to the Jurlique Day Spa today to pick up some foaming facial cleanser and calendula cream for my beloved niece who has her first blemish. According to Jolene Anello, the store’s uber-hip manager, these were two essentials to mail to a distressed girl in Wisconsin.

Check out Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive’s Fashion and Facial Package on our website. The package includes Deluxe room accommodations, a welcome glass of select California wine or cappuccino, Continental Breakfast for two and a complimentary 20-minute Anti-Stress Facial from Jurlique. You can shop 'til you drop with a few hints from your truly, and enjoy Cocktail Hour in Bar360 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. A Jurlique facial is worth the trip to Beverly Hills.

Valid through December 30, 2007.


A Contented Guest...

Hi Wendy,

I didn't know if you were aware of it but one of my members is with you now, Erika Shelbourne of prestigious Amherst College. She reports in that she loves the Luxe! Thanks for your hospitality and thanks for making ME look good! I was wondering if there have been other AcAmbs and if Erika's stay was noted as from an Academic Ambassador.

Thanks for checking, Wendy.

Yours,

Adam Siegel
President, Academic Ambassadors
www.academicambassadors.com

Australians in Film

Last night I attended Australians in Film's screening of Lucky You with Debbie Siebers, creator of Slim in 6. Unlucky us, Warner Bros. refused us entry until I took my camera back to the car. So I'm afraid there are no photos of the slim and vivacious Debbie. You'll have to check her out yourself at www.beachbody.com.

Fluffy film followed by Australian wine and nibbles. Chatted with Will, who plays Storm on The Bold & the Beautiful, and his Aussie friend, Andrew.

LA Tour Connection

I attended the Tour Connection soiree with a colleague this past Monday night. The Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive was assigned a new spot this year on the main floor, at the base of the stairs, so it seemed everyone walked past our table. It was good to see Mickey Weill and Andrea Kraus from ProTravel, Jerry Greenberg from Cassis Travel, Wendy Landers from American Express Travel, Brian Diaz of BD Tours, Linda Larson from Showtime, Pat Rainer from Pat Walker, Darryl Schirmer at The Promotional Edge and Melody Vincent from Air Apparent, Christopher Renzulli from Tourwerks and Wendi Fletcher. Andre Jacinto was in rare form.

What a delight to catch up with Judi Gordon and Al Rogo. Now that they’ve moved to Las Vegas, there is stardust in their wake. Don Sniffen is back and radiant. It was a bit scary to realize that I've known Cynthia Montgomery for 23 years. Johnna Hiatt had her gorgeous daughter in tow. Congrats to Sissy Alexander for going grey and looking marvelous in it. By 9:15, we had imbibed our favorite martinis, reunited with old friends and introduced ourselves to some new ones. Thank you to all the New Yorkers who joined us this year. Let's do it again in 2008!

P. S.

To Elizabeth Pozind: You stopped by and said 'hi', but I don’t think you recognized me. I'm not a blond anymore. That was 1993!

Last night I joined the exceptional publicist, Susie Dobson, for an evening with Napoleon Perdis, Australia's leading makeup artist at the unveiling of his flagship store on Hollywood Boulevard, only steps from Hollywood's most famous martini hang-out: Musso & Frank's. The male models seemed to be wearing (almost exclusively) body makeup and the females models were spectacular. The eyes and eyebrows said it all. The red carpet had some serious glam.

A Contented Guest...

A note from Rem Bastiaens from Starwood Hotels & Resorts:

Dear Wendy,

Thank you for your kind message. The hotel was very comfortable and ideally located. I stayed with you because the French Tourist Board reserved a block of rooms with you, but definitely will consider staying again when I’m in the LA area.

Kind regards,

Rem

Celebrity Sightings

Mary J. Blige passed through the lobby on her way to Michael Kors.