Stage and Screen

Stage and Screen Travel Services held their annual vendor appreciation party this past week at The Crescent Hotel in Beverly Hills. As in years past, the patio and lobby were packed with hotel, car, air and travel consultants catching up on all the news and all the changes. Thank you Shaw [hotel general manager] for the beer. http://www.stageandscreen.com.au/ Seen here with Justine Liddelow, National Sales Manager for Stage and Screen, and David Beedie, Ovation Travel.

Thought for the Day

Be nice to people on your way up because you'll need them on your way down.-W. Migner

LA Eyeworks blowout sale

I heard LA Eyeworks was having a jaw-dropping blowout sale with frames under $50 at the Beverly Boulevard location. The store set up a long, long table full of frames that stretches from the door all the way to the back sales counter. Prices range from $40 to $200, with frames for men and women in a rainbow of colors and shapes. Tiny cat-eyes to large square shapes to funky pointdexter looks, even some like I wear every day, the classic "Perkins". There are clear Lucite frames, school bus yellow frames, lime green frames and fire engine red frames. The sale runs through Sunday. If you're in the market for a pair of green-and-black striped glasses, this is the place. If you want something in a normal color, well, they can't help you.

Rimowa - the newest boutique on Rodeo Drive

RIMOWA, the ultra chic German luggage company, celebrated the opening of their Rodeo Drive boutique on Tuesday night. Aaron Eckhart hosted the party along with CEO Dieter Morszeck and Michael DePrenda. Guests were a veritable WHO's WHOJoining of fashion and retail included numerous editors, stylists and familiar Rodeo Drive faces. Joining them were Billy Zane, Amy Smart, Corey Monteith, Mark Stalling, Rachel Zoe, Scott Caan, Jeremy Piven, Nathaniel Parker and Stephanie Jacobsen who were all seen gushing over the hard case luggage. Expect to see lots of RIMOWA from now on. Undeniably cool.

Rivera & Rivera Gallery

In collaboration with LA Art Show 2010, LA Art Machine and Rivera & Rivera Gallery held a VIP cocktail reception in the Penthouse at EVO. What a view from the penthouse! Because of all the rain we've had lately, the sky was so clear that you could practically see Catalina. Each room of the penthouse showcased a new and interesting art display. At the entrance was a human vase covered in glass pebbles and hand painted. She was exquisitely illuminated and dusted with dancing stars.

Another candle on the birthday cake

Hi Wendy
thank you for my birthday card, I really appreciated it. thanks, Sara (ProTravel)

Los Angeles Art Show 2010

This past weekend was the 15th annual Los Angeles Art Show where fine art dealers and international print dealers showcase their art, sculpture and video work. The imaginations my be endless but the possibilities were envisioned within the halls of the show! Got a heaping big dose of culture.

PROST

Met so many passionate travelers at PROST lunch today at Locanda del Lago in Santa Monica. I hope that I meet all of them again at another gathering. On the way back to Beverly Hills, Stephanie and I witnessed the most glorious rainbow that arched across Wilshire Blvd against the grey rain clouds in the east. I've never seen one before so completely filling the horizon. Seen here with Stephanie Nakasone, Business Development Director BHCVB.

Aussie Artists

Last evening I attended an art gallery opening reception for G'Day USA, a multi-organizational ambassadorial event involving Australian celebrities, industry and cultural leaders. Santa Monica's Hamilton Galleries hosted a magnificent evening for four Australian artists. The exhibit was an exploration of Australian culture and environment through the eyes of Aussies living abroad. Seen here with one of the artists, Greg Cook and the magnificent Susie Dobson, past-president of Australians in Film and Sofie Scarf, Australians in Film.

Pick me up!

Behind every successful woman...is a substantial amount of coffee.
-Stephanie Piro

There's nothing like a cup of freshly brewed coffee in the morning! Cafe Rodeo has the perfect blend for guests on the run.

Closet Re-Invention

Try a special 2010 New You package by StyleChic! Alyson helps you clean out your closet and create new looks for yourself. Then shop for key pieces that will last you years to come and compliment what you already own. Learn how to shop for your body type, lifestyle and budget and enjoy the luxury shopping experience. http://www.stylechicla.com

"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde

A Happy Travel Agent

Thank you all!
You have been a wonderful help on this group booking.
Marci Simon [Travel One]

New Moon

There was a New Moon Solar Eclipse on January 14th at 11:50 pm this week. It's said to offer an even more powerful energetic shift that supports you in solidifying your intentions and bringing forth the life you want to create in the New Year. Since New Moons are about beginnings, this date is the ideal time to further clarify your dreams for 2010 and beyond, and to release all that is not serving you. Good luck and Happy New Year! Seen here with my loving niece, Chloe.

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy,
I wanted to say thank you again for having me at your lovely holiday party. It was so nice to have an evening out with just the girls!!! I look forward to a fantastic 2010 and new exciting events at the Luxe with Christofle. Best regards, Kim [Pavillon Christofle]

Subway

On her first subway train ride, we found a fellow passenger nice enough to take our photo. From that moment on, it was uphill. from the hot dog vendor to our waiter at Katz Delicatessen, we met friendly New Yorkers. Maybe too friendly when the vendor proposed!

New York - on a clear day you can see forever

As many times as I've been to New York, there is nothing like seeing it clearly. I traveled this past weekend with my niece, Maclaren, to the Big Apple. We crammed in as many sights as we could in two and a half days and it was clear to me once again that this is an extraordinary city. I've always loved Manhattan but this time with greater appreciation. Seen here at the top of the Empire State Building.

Platform Shoes

At the spring 2010 women's ready-to-wear shows, backlash against the tottering platform shoe had begun to bubble up. And if no less august a luxury cobbler than Manolo Blahnik declares the reign of the platform finally over (as he reportedly told the Daily Telegraph in October), who are we to argue? As reported in the LA Times, Sunday, December 27, 2009

Prrr!

Darling: that is so kind to send the 'cat calendar'.
Let's catch up in Sat 27th February!
Love & Kisses, Lyn [National Product Manager, Show Travel Sydney]

A Happy Travel Agent

Dear Wendy,
Thank you so very much for the birthday wishes. That was very sweet of you to do that. I spent my birthday in Phuket, Thailand enjoying the sun and sand. It was a great way to spend the day. Hope you had a merry Christmas and a very happy new year. I look forward to working with you in 2010. Kind regards, Natalie [TravelEdge Pty Ltd]