Just perfect jeans by CJ

Tomorrow, September 30th, from 6PM to 8PM is the CJ by Cookie Johnson shopping event at Saks Fifth Avenue, where jeans, shopping and refreshments come together for a great evening. Try on Oprah's favorite jeans in the WEAR on Four department and join me for a champagne cocktail. Bring friends.

Seen in the Luxe lobby

"Funk is Fun. And it's also a state of mind,.... But it's all the ramifications of that state of mind. Once you've done the best you can, funk it!" - George Clinton

Attending the annual Heroes and Legends Award presentation at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunday evening, George brought a little 'state of mind' to Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel.

Stylechic tip for the week

Know what suits you and your age. Don't get obsessive with the look of the moment. Instead, develop your own trademark. Modern means mixing glamorous expensive pieces with much more simple inexpensive items. Pair costume jewelry for a more eclectic look. Wearing a bit of color, a structure piece or an edgy shoe adds uniqueness to your wardrobe that translates to style. "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde
For more tips check out http://www.stylechicla.com/

Borderlandia: Cultural Topography

The extravagant mix-media sculptures created by internationally celebrated artists, Einar and Jamex de la Torre were met by enthusiastic crowds at the CA Folk Art Museum [CAFAM] during Saturday night's reception. Through January 9, 2011, the show is the brothers' bold collaboration of life and art on the fringe; known as Borderlandia. The masterful blown glass elements drew from Mayan and Aztec cultures as well as religious iconography and historic icons. Terra firma has never been so dramatic. For schedule of hours visit http://www.cafam.org/

Dennis Hopper's Double Standard

This comprehensive survey exhibition traces the evolution of Dennis Hopper's artistic output and features key selections spanning his 60-year career in a range of media, including paintings, sculpture, photographs, and assemblages from the 1950s and '60s; paintings from the 1980s and '90s; graffiti-inspired wall constructions and large-scale billboard paintings from the 2000s; recent work, and film installations. MOCA's exhibit ends tomorrow, so I made plans for a day in downtown Los Angeles which began at Bottega Louie for lunch and ended in Little Tokyo. This installation was not to be missed. Seen here is Double Standard; Beverly Hills in the rear view mirror and looking east [along Route 66] thru what is now West Hollywood. For schedule of future shows, check http://www.moca.org/

Happy Friday!

Looks as though it's shaping up to be a warm and sunny weekend! I attended PROST luncheon today at Shutters on the Beach where they say it was foggy and cool all summer. So get out and enjoy!

MOCA Pacific Design Center

Any Ever is the American premiere of artist Ryan Trecartin's 2007–10 body of work, produced in Miami with collaborator Lizzie Fitch and contributors ranging from friends and artists to working child actors. The seven movies are structurally conceived as a diptych consisting of a trilogy and a quartet, all of which are interconnected spatially via networked viewing spaces and an ambient soundscape, and materially by overlapping threads of form and content. It's fascinating if not a bit unsettling. Showing through October 17th.

A Happy Client

WOW! Where do I begin? Every staff member is always so gracious when I arrive at the LUXE Rodeo. Today in particular was a great example of your team exceeding any and all expectations!! When I went to get in my Hummer this morning to go to work all the air went out of my tires...all 4! Raul was wonderful, he commissioned the help of Juan to bring out the big daddy air compressor to try to pump up my tires. Then Miguel jumped in and started helping, basically they all went above and beyond! Thank you very much to all of them and to you for having the confidence in your team to ask for feedback. Have a great day! Robert Cromeans [Global Artistic Director of John Paul Mitchell Systems]

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy,
Thanks for your birthday note…Very cute and very me… scary how those things relate to me so correctly. Appreciate your remembering and hope to meet you and the team in person one day soon..
All the best, Lilly [Travel Consultant, Toorak Travel American Express]

Il Postino at LA Opera

LA Opera's dress rehearsal for the world premiere Il Postino was hosted by WHERE magazine last evening. What a treat to see the famous poet, Pablo Neruda, performed by Placido Domingo and to witness this lovely film come to life. The blue tiled floor, projected backdrops and the minimal staging was perfect to effect a tiny Italian fishing village and the shy young postman who finds the inspiration to live out his dreams during his daily deliveries. For performance schedules http://www.laopera.com/

Guardian Owls

Australians in Film held a screening of Legends of the Guardians and it was a big hit with the 7 year old crowd as seen here from the group photo. Shown in the newly remodeled Silver Screen Conference Center at the Pacific Design Center, the film took flight in 3-D! Seen here with Eloise, Henry, Cecilia and her son, Sean.

A Happy Client

Hello Wendy,
Good morning and Happy Monday. Thank you for the nice souvenir. Best regards and have a great week. Bobby [H.I.S. INTERNATIONAL TOURS INC.]

What did we learn from New York Fashion Week?

Nudes and neon, patterned sheers, leather, nylons, and ’50s leisure wear will fill the racks of our fave boutiques.

Cartoon by Denise Dorrance. Visit the website at www.denisedorrance.com

Opa!

The annual St. Sophia Greek Festival was as much fun as we anticipated. We danced, sampled a number of entrees and got a sugar high from the honey pastries. Will the cookies and baklava to-go box make it to the office on Monday? Can't wait until next year.

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Dry Martini!

It was all about martini madness Mad Men style. Fabulous Jean Dickinson [seen here] held a very cool cocktail party with a mid-century vibe last night at a friend's home in the Hancock Park neighborhood. The 60's built home house was the perfect setting for the gathering; many guests dressed in uber cool 60's garb. She served a medley of hand-shaken martinis and hors d'oeuvres galore, including Swedish meatballs and pigs in a blanket. Charles Phoenix was there and reminded me that I haven't been to one of his fabulous slide shows in a while! The good old days? - maybe!

A Happy Client

Wendy – I wanted to thank you for the plate of fruit and cookies when I stayed last at the Luxe. It was very thoughtful of you and I really appreciated the personal touch. And, I’m sorry it’s taken me almost 3 weeks to send a note.
Hope all is well with you. Jen [Tyler Technologies, Inc.]

Celebrating Roche Bobois' 50th Anniversary

Last evening, Angeleno Magazine's Editor-in-Chief, Degen Pener invited readers to a sneak preview of the new Jean Paul Gaultier collection [exclusively] for Roche Bobois. This new collection of interchangeable square cushions were surprisingly comfortable. With a martini in hand and fashionable new and old friends, it was hard to get up. The collection is a love fest between fashion and interior design. Roche Bobois showroom is on Beverly Blvd, along the avenues of art & design. Seen here with Jenny Leeser, manager of Catherine Malandrino and again lounging with Darlene Ford, Writer and Brand Strategist.

Thought for the day

In the long run we get no more than we have been willing to risk giving. -Sheldon Kopp

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

You are so sweet for always remembering my birthday!! I cannot thank you enough for the lovely card. This September 14th characteristics card is frighteningly accurate! Eek!! Haha
Talk to you soon xo
Tom [United Talent Agency]

GenLux Fall Issue Launch

GENLUX Magazine launched the release of the Fall issue with a VIP event at the LUXE Hotel Rodeo Dr. Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. Guests were treated to performances by Katharine McPhee, and Tamar Kaprelian. Fashion Presentations by Kevan Hall, V-Moda, Perrin Paris 1863, Frey Wille, Max Azria, Ports 1961, Katy Rodriguez, Jimmy Choo, and René Caovilla. Glam factor included: Cheryl Tiegs, April Bowlby of “Drop Dead Diva”, Producer Bobby Colomby, Laura Dunn, Photographer Moshe Brakha, Celebrity Stylist and GENLUX Editor-at-Large George Blodwell, Taylor Armstrong of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, and Adrienne Maloof-Nassif of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”.