Seen in the Luxe lobby

"Brilliant, sensitive, Gianni always catches the soul."—Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor: The Queen and I is a remarkable collection of photographs taken by Gianni Bozzacchi , most of them previously unpublished, capturing her as a film star, a woman, and a personal friend. It was 1965 when Bozzacchi, an impetuous twenty-two-year-old, was given the chance of a lifetime. The streetwise kid from Rome was sent to Africa as special photographer on the set of The Comedians, a movie starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Alec Guinness, and Peter Ustinov. As the film wrapped, Taylor offered Bozzacchi a job as her personal photographer. Elizabeth Taylor was the world's most famous woman at the time and undoubtedly its most glamorous [still].

In a Perfect World

Seen here with Tammy Warren, Warren PR

In a perfect world, everyone attending tonight's fabulous event at Jimmy Choo would be strutting their stuff in a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes!  [Actually, I think everyone was!]  Choo and Daphne Wayans drew a beautiful crowd for the launch of the Cruise 2013 Collection.  A portion of the event proceeds went to benefit In a Perfect World www.inaperfectworld.org inspiring compassionate responsible leaders.

Quote for the Day

"I travel light. I think the most important thing is to be in a good mood and enjoy life, wherever you are." - Diane von Furstenberg

A Happy Guest

Hi Wendy,
I'm sorry I missed you while I was in LA - that's how those meetings tend to go, you barely get out of your conference room. Anyway, I did get a chance to meet Michelle & just wanted to let you know that we had a great stay & enjoyed everything. We will definitely be back in the future.  Thanks for all your help & I hope to see you the next time around-- Thanks, Christina [Training & Employee Relations Manager, Wolford America, Inc.]

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy,Thank you very much for a very lovely B-Day Card. Best regards, Agnes [The Swatch Group U.S.]

Beverly Hills Sparkles

The sights and sounds of the holiday season surround you as you stroll down Rodeo Drive this year.  Speakers are strategically located along the three blocks creating a symphony of cheer.  Twinkle lights abound and red spot lights make the palm trees shine.  Many boutiques are open late for your shopping pleasure.  And the new cocktail menu at On Rodeo is the best way to end the day.

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Good Morning Wendy,  We went to Germany for a couple of days for Thanksgiving and back to work today.  Your card totally made my day. Thank you so much. You are just so thoughtful to remember me on my birthday. I really appreciate it!  Enjoy the rest of your week!!  Regards, Abby [Product Development Executive, Quikbook]

Finnish Design Pops

Marimekko, the Finnish design company with the happy colorful prints as now opened in Beverly Hills.  With everything from women's clothing to sheets, children's duds, napkins and placemats.  At the corner of Brighton Way and Canon Drive, step in for a dose of cheer. us.marimekko.com

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy,  You are amazing the way you always send something for our birthdays.  Thank you and I love receiving it.  Sometimes too true though!  Hope all is well with you.  See you soon.  Kindest regards, Penny [Managing Director, Spencer Travel Pty Ltd]

Oh La La Dior

"It was worth the wait. The 5,000-square-foot space is so stunning, it’s indisputably the new gem of Rodeo Drive, the kind of place you want to drop in just to see. The interior designed by Peter Marino is in keeping with the design concept featured in Dior’s worldwide flagship in Paris on Avenue Montaigne. This atmosphere has a residential feel, with 18thcentury-inspired furnishings and fixtures mixed with contemporary art commissioned by the house." [LA TIMES, October 25, 2012]

with Michelle Sharp, Catering Manager

I couldn't wait to take a look around myself.  Seated on the Johnny Swing couch made of welded half dollars and stainless steel, I'm relaxing after a full tour of two floors of the most glamorous couture clothes and art pieces.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do.  - Victor Hugo

Thanksgiving Rush

AAA forecasts an increase in 2012 Thanksgiving travel. Travel numbers for Thanksgiving weekend will improve from last year as more Americans regain confidence from an improving economy, AAA predicts. The number of road travelers going on trips 50 miles or more from home is expected to rise 0.6% over last year. The group says it expects about 3 million Americans to go by air, rising 0.7% from the previous year.

A Happy Client

Wendy – I wanted to let you know what an amazing time my friends and I had staying at The Luxe! The food and drinks were great and all of the staff were so kind and helpful. Thanks again!  Pamela Allen [The Paley Center for Media]

Thought for the Day

But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling, like dew, upon a thought produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions think. - Lord Byron

Budapest

Just returned from a week in Vienna and Budapest.  If it's 11:30 tonight it must be 8:30 in the morning where I just came from.  There was an abundance of old grandeur, rich heritage, stunning architecture and beautiful museums to have made a month-long trip challenging.  My girlfriend and I packed as much culture as we could in eight days!

Thought for the Day

I feel about airplanes the way I feel about diets. It seems to me that they are wonderful things for other people to go on.  - Jean Kerr

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

Seen here with Michelle Sharp, Catering Manager
and Marcus Mueller, General Manager.

All things that sparkle are found at Van Cleef and Arpels.  Tonight was their official re-opening after almost a year of remodeling.  Ladies wore bracelets, necklaces and brooches from the famed jewelry house.  Champagne and delicate savory and sweet appetizers were shared. Congratulations to boutique manager, Chris George, and his team for setting this reception above the rest.

Autumn

Yes there are signs of autumn in Los Angeles.  Found this lovely tree in the La Cienega Park, Beverly Hills, on Sunday to prove it.

Bold and Visually Innovative

This evening the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences saluted the great Stanley Kubrick in association with the first major retrospective of the legendary filmmaker's work. Hosted by Malcolm McDowell, clips from his films ranging from science fiction to war, lust and war were shown along with fascinating interviews with special guests who had the the great pain or pleasure to work with Kubrick.   Stanley Kubrick explores the uncompromising vision of one of cinema's greatest directors with annotated scripts, photography, props costumes and film screenings through December 15th at LACMA.

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hello my dear friend, Wendy,
I am always so touched and humbled when I receive your personal birthday message during my favorite time of the year! You are wonderful, and I appreciate you so much for keeping me in your contacts after all these years. I have not been back to California in a long while, hence, not staying at my favorite place away from home, the Luxe Rodeo Drive. How are you? Are things still fantastic and exciting on Rodeo? I still have day dreams of my days back there and wish I could just click my heels and be right back in the environment I so enjoyed. I plan to get back there in 2013, and will be back at the Luxe.   Always, bev

Getting out the Vote!

To both candidates: May the best man win!  Best of Luxe.

Thought for the Day

When I discover who I am, I'll be free. - Ralph Ellison

Don't forget to vote!

Voting is a privilege.  Please don't forget to participate in shaping our future.  I remember my grandmother, born 1898, telling me about women's suffrage and earning the right to vote at the age of 22!  It was a very important day in her life and she celebrated it every election year until she died, at the wonderful age of 109.  [The election of 1920 was the first election in which women had the right to vote in all 48 states.*]
*the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment was August 18, 1920.

Halloween Carnival

Hundreds of thousands of Halloween revelers are expected to flock to Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood tonight for the 2012 Halloween Costume Carnaval.  It's one of the world's largest Halloween celebrations - under an almost full moon! 
Q:  What happens when a ghost gets lost in the fog? 
A:  He is mist.

Postcard from Nashville

Here's a postcard from Tour Connection.  Just got back from two days of meetings and greetings.  Maria Bowers, Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel and me in the photo booth.

Pumpkins Get Carved

My nieces goofing around.

Pumpkin carving kicks off the Halloween season.  After getting past the stringy insides and the hundred seeds, the best tools include a good knife and a lot of stamina.  I used a melon baller for the first time this year - whatever works.  Our employee luncheon is taking place on Monday and I'm sure that the Sales Office is going to have the winning pumpkin carving contest this year!  

Getting More Exercise

After I finished two cardio express work-outs this morning I came across this cartoon.  Although I know it's good for me, there are times I'd rather be sitting in a lounge chair watching television.  But the other half of my brain protests and I get out and going for the day so I don't turn into a zombie.  For good work-outs check out www.beachbody.com and look for Debbie Siebers. Plus she's from Wisconsin; so what else can I say?  Happy Halloween!

Taschen fully loaded

Pre-order your copy of The James Bond Archives now!  In anticipation of the new Bond movie, Skyfall, our local TASCHEN Store is offering a chance to win a pair of tickets to the advanced screening of the new 007 action film.  All orders must be placed between now and November 6th thereby entering a chance to win one of five pair of tickets.  Limit one entry per customer.  Contact the store for details, store-beverly@taschen.com 

Inside Out at Italian Cultural Institute


 

'Musicantica' performing music from Southern
Italy's oral tradition.

This evening the Italian Cultural Institute held a lecture in conjunction with their exhibition, "Inside Out, Pompeian Interiors Exposed" which featured and introduction by Isotta Poggi from the Getty Research Institute and a fascinating presentation by Giacomo Chiari from the Getty Conservation Institute.  Since the discovery in the eighteenth century of the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, archiologists have been working to preserve their finds.  These lavish villas offer us a fascinating view of ancient Roman life.  Available for viewing through November 7th in Westwood.

Thought for the Day

All politics are based on the indifference of the majority.  - James Reston

"The whole notion of the American dream described a mass upward mobility that is just a lot harder to achieve right now."  FRANK LEVY, an M.I.T. economist, on conditions that have contributed to middle class income stagnation in the United States.

Beverly Hills is New York Bound

R/A Travel well represented

Seen here with Aileen, Sales Manager at
Peninsula Beverly Hills and two agents from
Rakuten.

Every year the Beverly Hills hotels converge on new York City to promote Beverly Hills as a destination.  During the week we participate in sales calls, publicize what's new in our beautiful city and hold a reception for top travel agents.  The event was held at Le Cirque where representatives of the City including Mayor William Bryant bestowed fabulous 'visit Beverly Hills' prizes on select agents.

New York in Color

This past week was filled with sales calls on our favorite clients and the chance to make some new ones.  I traveled uptown and downtown with my subway pass in pocket.  Everywhere there were signs New Yorkers were in full autumn mode.  One day as I walked past the two lions that guard the famed New York Library, gardeners were removing begonias to make way for chrysanthemums. Pumpkins smiled back at me from windows and a few light showers washed fallen leaves in gutters.

Mad about Gonzales

Seen with Nancy Gonzales and her son
Sebastian Gonzales.

Pink Alligator

Today I had the great pleasure of joining some fabulous ladies for brunch at Neiman Marcus where they were showcasing Nancy Gonzales' latest collection.  Hurray for pink alligators!!  Models wearing the latest from Giorgio Armani strolled with stylish clutches and handbags in pastel colors.  A slice of quiche and salad later, everyone is contemplating which Gonzalez creation to add to her collection.  Hmmm, orange or green?

Traveling Light

Packing a bag lunch for the plane

Heading to the Big Apple tomorrow morning for the annual Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau sales mission.  New York is a huge source of business for our community and there are several meetings and receptions planned.  'what's new in Beverly Hills?' - just ask us.

Thought for the Day

The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
  - Muhammad Ali

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Thank you for your sweet Birthday wishes!!   Sally [Luxury Travel Specialist, Travel Store Platinum]

A Monstrous Centennial

This October, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebrates the 100th anniversary of Universal Pictures with screenings of 13 classic horror films.  Terrifying Tuesdays began on October 2nd and runs through Saturday, October 27th with a horror double feature at Oscars Outdoors!  Last night I took in 'double feature Werewolf night'; both films I had never seen before.  In conjunction with the series, the Academy has an exhibition of rare posters, stills and artifacts, in the Grand Lobby Gallery.  For details, www.oscars.org

Happy Columbus Day

Don't be blue, be happy.

Pooch in Paris

(L) author Jackie Clark Mancuso and (R) Elyse Reichmann,
Alain Mikli Boutique.  Wearing Mikli hand crafted
eyewear!!  Be Seen!

Perrin Paris hosted a charming book signing today for Paris-Chien at their boutique on Beverly Drive.  The adventures of an ex-pat dog was so well received that even the author's dog showed up for the event. www.perrinparis.com

Pitch Perfect

Are you in the mood for a movie with a little song and dance, paired with pretty young things who are as talented as they are hilarious? Well, then you are ready for "Pitch Perfect" which was screened by Australians in Film last evening, infused with dry humor from Aussie Rebel Wilson as an amiable, spacey acappella diva.  A little cheeky and snarky but perfect for the age group they are pitching.

Destroy the Picture

MOCA Grand Avenue held a members' opening tonight for Destroy the Picture: Painting the Void, 1949 - 1962 focusing on one of the most significant consequences of the rise of abstraction in the 20th century.  It was a very exciting selection of work responding to the social and political climate of the post war period.  This exhibit marks the first time that these strategies of assaulting traditionally two-dimensional canvases have been considered together as an artistic mode of production.  Through January 14, 2013.   www.MOCA.org 

Doorbell rings and it's....

You might be expecting Halloween trick-or-treating neighbors but instead, it's the opening number of The Book of Mormon.  Ding Dong: this national tour production matches the verve, if not the sharpness, of the original Broadway production. The musical about two mismatched Mormon missionaries assigned to Uganda is a profane comedy with cheeky exuberance.  Not just a thunderous Broadway hit, it's a flippant assertion of demographic power, the irreverent voice of Gen X.  This 2011 best musical Tony winner can be seen at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through October.

Redland's Conservancy Annual Social

The 19th annual social and membership party, held at the Jack and Norma Marrin Estate on Saturday night was get-a-way destination this weekend.  Redlands is a scorcher by day but by night, the balmy warm night and big band sound was just relaxed atmosphere this city girl required.  Throughout the evening guests could tour the 1916 home and estate grounds with four defined world gardens.  I savored the sit-down-dinner, dancing, silent auction and charming company.  And all for a good cause.

Don Giovanni

Greeting Ildebrando D'Arcangelo
post performance CD signing.

On Friday night, I had the great pleasure of attending the LA Opera.  Don Giovanni may be one of the greatest operas ever written.  The story seems to have originated with a play attributed to a Spanish monk.  Don Juan, as it came to be known, would have many new settings, by certain counts over 1,720 in the centuries following its creation.  Each age, including our own sees in him and his story as a reflection of its own worldview.  Through Mozart's masterpiece, Don Giovanni came a long way from the burlesque libertine of the original and will have an eternal life in the minds and imaginations of opera lovers.  "Chi son io tu non sapra!"

3-Day Weekend

Va-Va-Versace

Versace Boutique and Children's Hospital paired up this evening for a peak at Fall Runway fashions with a portion of all purchases donated for a great cause.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles - the best place for kids where they create hope and build healthier futures.  Founded in 1901, Children's Hospital is the older freestanding pediatric hospital in California.  It boasts more than 110 years of experience as a premier academic facility with a world-class medical team.  The newest inpatient facility for children in the state is the 460 square foot Marion and John E. Anderson Pavilion where 85% of the rooms are private and semi-private.  Focusing on a healing environment for all who enter, they care for the whole family.

Dining at the top

Seen here with our extraordinary Luxe Catering Manager, Michelle Sharp, at Mastro's Steak House in Beverly Hills.  Their new rooftop private lounge is now open.  Reason to celebrate.

Let There be Light

The facade of Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel is now illuminated by columns of light.  We've named this one 'crystal blue', one of a thousand variations on the spectrum of color possibilities.

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Wendy,  It oh so very sweet of you to remember my birthday.  It put a BIG SMILE on my face….62……..can you imagine!!!!!!  Thanks soooo much, Kenny [Journeycorp Travel]