Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Thank you Wendy for your birthday wishes. That was very thoughtful of you. Judie
Judie Parr [CTCTravel Advocates - The Niche Marketeer]

A Happy Client

Todd and I want to thank you very much from the depths of our souls for having us, helping us, working tirelessly with us to ensure the events of this past weekend were a success. Your efforts were exemplary, your kindness was appreciated and your professionalism was sterling! I even enjoyed being kept in line, Jennifer! LOL
1/2 way through the first day, you guys mentioned that if we kept going how we were for the remainder of the weekend, that we were well on our way to having the best event to date in your hotel. I am anxious to hear if we kept that momentum. I feel that every part of the events were spectacular and everyone was extremely happy. Even with the little hiccup of traffic flow from the single elevator, it seemed none of the guests or sponsors were too bothered.
We've had an incredible amount of gratitude expressed to us from guests, sponsors, charities and media alike and don't think things could have gone any better.
Please thank every one of your staff members who had a hand in our events and let your owners know that you have some more very satisfied customers.
With very warm regards,
Greg Bloom [Director of Development / Reality Cares & Give Back Hollywood]

Oscar Noir Encore

After a summer-long festival of 15 film noir classics from the 1940's, all of which were nominated in the writing, categories, it seems fitting that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is going back to the beginning with an encore presentation of a clear crown favorite. "The Maltese Falcon" returns by popular demand, for one night, September 13th. For last minute movie goers, tonight is the last night of the Oscar Noir series. Tickets may be purchased at the box office or by going to http://www.oscars.org/

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy,
First of all I want to thank you for remembering my Birthday, that was really sweet of you. Now to get down to business and make some reservations. Thank you,
Susan Aboutaj [Pacific Design Center]

A Happy Client

Hi Jennifer,
I hope you're well.
Thank you so much to you and your staff for pulling together our event last week. It was a great success. Thanks, Rebel [Neary , Regional Director, California American Australian Association]

CJ by Cookie Johnson

As a CJ Ambassador, I'm thrilled to announce that there will finally be a pair of jeans that will fit every female figure! Last evening, Cookie Johnson launched her new line at Bouchon restaurant with a small gathering of old friends and new. The Cookie Johnson brand can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue East, "Wear on Four". Look for updates on the CJ shopping event, Thursday, September 30th from 6 to 8 PM. Thank you, Cookie, for developing this idea and sharing it with all of us. Seen here with Tonya Winfield, Rachel Eskoff [Beverly Hills Hotel] and Tammy Johnson [Magic Johnson Foundation].

Look to the Stars

This weekend, Reality Cares will celebrate the Emmys with a whole host of celebrity charity events. Beginning on Friday they will be hosting a Giving Lounge where celebrities will be asked to "give back" in order to receive the event sponsor's hottest products. The evening event sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America and JetBlue will benefit non-profit organizations that provide free education and support for people living with cancer. Saturday the fun continues in the giving suite; closing with a performance by pop sensation, JoJo. The Rodeo Penthouse at Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive promises to be celebrity central.

Thought for the day

Success is more a function of consistent common sense than it is of genius. - An Wang

Travel Fact

As the hotel industry begins to recover from the economic downturn, overall satisfaction among hotel guests has improved considerably from 2009, according to J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study.

A Happy Client

Dear Trish,
Many Thanks for your follow up email, it is much appreciated.
I had a fantastic stay at your hotel. It’s a great product and I could not fault it. The service was impeccable and I really loved the homely environment the hotel gives off. I appreciate everything that you all did for me.
Thanks so much for everything. All the very best. Regards, Jenna [ETM Group]

Summer parties

As August comes to a close, I attended a client's backyard party on Saturday. What a perfectly balmy night with almost a full moon; good food and wine. The music was provided by our host and his friends who regularly perform rock 'n roll hits when they are not lawyers, chiropractors and accountants. Seen here with the ladies on the dance floor.

Seen in the Luxe lobby

When I arrived this evening, there was a gaggle of paparazzi across from the Luxe valet parking drive. All awaiting the young model/actress, Kelly Ann Parsons! Otherwise known as Kelly Brook, the Internet sensation, Playboy cover girl and co-star will be seen in the campiest of summer movies - Piranha 3D. Her fans were a bit more shy and gathered further from the entrance hoping to catch a glimpse. Less frenzy than most sightings but 'oh so Hollywood' none the less.

Thought for the day

"Be careless in your dress if you will, but keep a tidy soul."
- Mark Twain
Montblanc is honoring the father of modern American literature with a unique edition: the Limited Edition Mark Twain. Stop by their boutique on Rodeo Drive to experience the new edition to the Writer's Series. Located directly across from Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel.

Travel Fact

Starting this week, when crowds gather at the American Airlines counters at Los Angeles International Airport, staffers may serve the waiting passengers with hand-held devices that print boarding passes and baggage tags. The device, the size of a large cellphone, is attached to a small printer that hangs from the belts of the airline employees. American Airlines says it is the only portable device in the U.S. that lets passengers skip the counter altogether even when they have bags to check. The device will be used primarily when crowds get big because of weather delays or when international flights land and passengers need to make a quick connection.

Happy Dining - Cafe Rodeo

Hi, Wendy, Thank you so much for lunch today! It was so great to see you!!! Plus, the salad was YUMMY! Looking forward to seeing you on September 10. Thanks again! Lisa [Western Region Marketing, Northern Trust]

Mosquito attack

Everyone jumped out of the car when we got home from the State Fair and suddenly I heard the high pitched zzzzzzz of a blood thirsty mosquito. When the kids opened the doors, one or more came inside for the Wendy attack. Mosquitoes were everywhere this summer. My ten-year-old niece insisted that I watch "Twilight" on my first night and I had this sudden thought. Are these tiny insects the prehistoric ancestors of vampires? But I guess not because they are searching us out morning, noon and night.

Ewe should have been there, eh!

The WI State Fair wound to a close on Sunday, August 15th. Another year of food fun; including my two personal favorites: Fried Cream Cheese on a stick and Cookie Dough on a stick. We visited all of the animals. When a sign reads: "Thank you for not touching the animals", sure as shoot'n, little fingers are poking through the metal cage to touch the feathers and the fur. We road a camel, pony and bungie cords. Chloe's red cabbage came in fourth in the vegetable race, behind two varietals of squash and an out-of-control potato. I muttered one word, 'slaw'. Eventually the adults ran out of money and we avoided the dreaded carnival section of the Fair all together and we still managed to have a great time!

Wisconsin vacation

The mosquitoes are swarming and a good thunderstorm is heading our way in the afternoon. It's a perfect day in Wisconsin. Maybe we'll go to the mall! Hanging out with a 9 year old (almost) and 11 year old. That's why I'm here: it's Chloe's birthday!

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Dear Wendy:
Thank you so much for my Birthday wishes. You are really very sweet. I hope you have a fantastic week!
Kindest regards, Tina Killeen [General Manager, Spencer Travel Pty Ltd]

Stylechic tip for the week

Textured handbags: Bump up the style quotient. Soften the hardware and embrace the ruching and quilting. Metal extras like wire cage motifs on shoes or necklaces add a bit of edge to your look. http://www.stylechicLA.com

West Third Street Sale

Shopping tip for this weekend: Summer Sidewalk Sale! August 14th and 15th

Where: West Third Street from Fairfax to La Cienega

Why: Great bargains, refreshments and fun at your favorite stores

Happy Dining - Cafe Rodeo

Morning Wendy, Dan and I just wanted to thank you for lunch yesterday. We both had a great time at the Luxe. I personally had a great time talking about film with you. It is always great to talk to people with an interest in film (and film critique ha ha). We would love to work with you and the Luxe! Hope to hear from you soon. Best, Nick Eliafan [LA Film Festival]

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy,
Thank you so much for your hospitality and warm welcome to your hotel. It was such an honour to stay at your hotel and I feel so privileged to have experienced the hotel. It’s such a fantastic hotel and what a great location and wonderful service. A really homely environment.
Hopefully we will be able to Welcome you to Australia one day!
Once again, thanks for everyone I really appreciate it and its always a pleasure to work with you.
Regards,
Jenna

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Over the weekend, the Etro crew organized a dinner for Janine Masaki's birthday. Seen here with Fabi Oshaneh and Janine Masaki over some margaritas. We love you Janine!! Hau'oli lā hānau

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Thanks Wendy for the birthday wishes!!!!! Appreciate it very much!!!
Best, Stacey [Accounts Manager, Pat Walker Travel]

Manly Pursuits: The Sporting Images of Thomas Eakins

With the X-Games in Los Angeles this past weekend, a visit to the Los Angeles County Art Museum goes to show you just how far we've come since bicycling, wrestling and boxing were considered socially accepted sports. On view from July 25 to October 17, 2010, the first exhibition, dedicated to Thoms Eakins, celebrates the museum's acquisition of Eakins's last great sporting painting, Wrestlers (1899), one of the single most important American paintings acquired in the history of LACMA. The sports theme, provides a rare opportunity to consider the history of sporting images in the oeuvre of this icon of nineteenth-century American art. Not since 1927 have these paintings been on view in LA! http://www.lacma.org/

Hollywoo Bowl: Rent

We're grabbing our picnic basket from Cafe Rodeo and headed to the Hollywood Bowl this weekend for a star-studded production of this Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Rent. This year's musical production features actress Vanessa Hudgens, pop singer Nicole Scherzinger and actor/comedian Wayne Brady for a three-day run at this iconic outdoor amphitheater. Actor Neil Patrick Harris makes his musical directing debut with a fully staged production. Hurry, there are still tickets left. http://www.hollywoodbowl.com

Grand Cardinal Cross: the stars align

On August 6 and 7 this week we will have a configuration in deep space that astrologers call a Grand Cardinal Cross. Planets have been building up in cardinal signs lately to a very high degree. Cardinal signs are Aries,Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn. Within those signs all the elements are represented - air, fire, earth, and water. While we have seen cardinal crosses before, we have never seen one with such a large number of planets involved and in such tight mathematical degree. Truths will be illuminated, secrets will be exposed, and any injustices will be corrected. Under this type of configuration, we cannot deny, ignore, or hide from certain realities, but that's good, for only then can we be energized to make things better. It means you may find events to be either very difficult or very thrilling. Either way you will know where you stand and you will be able to plan with a greater sense of certainty. - Susan Miller http://www.astrologyzone.com

Peter Root: artist

I thought Ephemicropolis 2010 was so interesting. The sculpture features 100,000 staples and covers an approximate floor area of 600x300cm. If you had a lot of time on your hands and unlimited credit at Office Depot, this construction is for you! These stacks of staples were broken into varying sizes from full stacks about 12cm high down to single staples. The stacks were arranged over a period of 40 hours.

http://http//www.peterroot.com/index.php?/projects/ephemicropolis/

Bar 360

Special summer cocktails and bar bites every day during Happy Hour at Bar 360!

Dear Wendy,

Thanks so much for your time yesterday! The Luxe is gorgeous! Really enjoyed our meeting and the delicious bar snacks. Later - Valerie

Seen in Beverly Hills

The groom's royal procession began at Gregory Way and El Camino ending at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The Asian female elephant, Tai, 41 years old and weighing a svelte 8800 pounds, was quite a sight transporting the groom, Rohit Mehta, to the porte cochere of the Hotel. The Baraat is the traditional Hindu ceremony where the groom travels from his village to the village of his soon-to-be bride [in this case, Canadian, Payal Sharma]. His arrival was announced by a dhol drummer and musicians surrounded by a parade of family members. Amidst much clapping and dancing, the Milni took place, which is a ceremony where the bride’s close relatives give a warm welcome to the groom and his relatives with flower garlands. Congratulations to the wedded couple!

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy,
I'm sorry we were not able to meet due to our very shorts stay!! I wanted to let you know that everything was perfect and we enjoyed staying here! Thanks for all. Best regards, Rossella Baldini [friend of Elspeth]

Travel Fact

Spending on tourism in the U.S. increased by 3.9% in the first quarter, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The increase follows a 1.5% decline in the fourth quarter of 2009. Spending on hotels and other accommodations led the way in the spending, increasing 11% in the first quarter.

A girl can dream - can't she?

I have always thought of sophistication as rather a feeble substitute for decadence.

- Christopher Hampton