Living the Legacy

A collection of banners that commemorate famous American women, civil rights leaders and women's rights activists are on display through the month of March along Santa Monica Boulevard light poles between La Cienega and Crescent Heights in West Hollywood.  This year's special tribute is to Elizabeth Taylor, as seen below.  The banner was unveiled at the Woman's Advisory Board meeting on Monday evening and is on display in the lobby of city Hall through April 4th.  We all owe a debt of gratitude to these brave and insightful women who paved the way for us to be even stronger in the 21st century.

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy!  That was so thoughtful to send the card and 'horror'scope for my birthday.  I was out last week for a stay-cation and really needed some  R & R.  Thank you for thinking of me!  Hoping all is well with you.  Jeffrey [travel specialist, American Express]

Girl Scout Sighting

Finally spotted my first Girl Scout of the season.  It's like the first robin of Spring.  A troop from West Hollywood had a table set up on Santa Monica Blvd near Trader Joe's on Sunday.  But of course there was no place to park so the scouts had to work their selling magic on passers-by.  I love the idea of those guys leaving the gym and buying cookies.  Make my thighs feel better.

D-Bar, Denim and Drinks

Met some very interesting people tonight at D-Bar, the underground home for denim and drinks at Saks Fifth Avenue's new Beverly Hills Men's store.  There was a lot of mixing and mingling going on while browsing the latest trends in casual wear.  Crowded with denim addicts.  I'm still amazed that the pool table never fell victim to wine, beer or appetizer stain.  This was a neat crowd too!

Target Hits the Spot

Seen here between Justine Timberlake
and Charlie Chaplin.

The new West Hollywood adjacent Target is, well, right on target.  Attending the store opening tonight, the concept store is perfectly matched to its new location at La Cienega Boulevard across from the Beverly Center.  Well staffed and generous with sweets and drinks, Target showed shoppers how to have a good time!  There were celebrity look-a-likes roaming the aisles.  They participated in a gift card game which encouraged invitees to make some on the spot purchases.  Can't wait until its officially available - March 10th!

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy,
Every year you send the best birthday card!  Thank you.  Best, Eric [MMG Travel, New York]

It's all about Mimi

For a few years now I have been a great fan of Mimi.  I can't even recall how I was introduced to Denise Dorrance's cartoons but they always remind me of someone I met or someone I imagine meeting in Beverly Hills or New York.  Look at her new book project, It's all about Mimi, at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/997030963/dorrances-its-all-about-mimi-0

Etsy Does It

Etsy pop up is a cross country series showcasing local Etsy designers and artisans.  Yesterday West Elm held the kick-off event with jewelry, decor, candles, letterpress stationery and more chosen by design star Emily Henderson.  Great stuff! www.etsy.com

Happy Oscar Sunday!

Like most people in Los Angeles, I'm preparing snacks and heading to a friends to complete a ballot and get this Sunday rolling.  Enjoy!

Mont Blanc - not a minute too soon

Michelle Sharp and me admiring the Grace Kelly pen.

Today Mont Blanc hosted brunch at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel to showcase their newest collection of time pieces and one-of-a-kind writing instruments.

Kids Reenact the Nominated Films

With the 85th Academy Awards coming up this weekend, this is a pretty good time to post this adorable video featuring kids reenacting this year's best Picture nominees including Argo, Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty, Django Unchained and Beasts of the Southern Wild.  The video segments are brought to us by Kids Reenact creator Jared Neumark and Official Comedy.  Enjoy
geektyrant.com/news/2013/2/22/kids-reenact-oscar-nominated-films.html

Oscar Celebrates

For the past three nights, I have been immersed in screenings at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  Programs included film clips and onstage discussion with filmmakers.  It's one of my favorite things to do before Oscar Night.  I imagined that it would give me a handicap for those ballots people do at parties on Sunday. But I've found it only confuses the voting process for me.  All of the films deserve an Oscar.  There are several events left on the agenda this weekend.  Go to www.oscars.org for the remaining schedule.

Fly Me to the Moon

Astronaut, Buzz Aldrin, honored us by joining the US1 Travel
dinner in On Rodeo Bistro & Lounge.
We were over the moon!

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy,  Thank you so much for my beautiful birthday card!  You are too good.  Hope you are well and keeping nice and busy.  All the very best,  Jenna  [travel genius, Plan B Travel]

Love Hurts

Watching scenes from 'The Shining'.
Above is ax wielded by Jack Nicholson to chop up
his wife, Wendy.

"Love Hurts"; or so it seems at LACMA tonight.   The museum's Ahmanson building stayed open late with a 30-minute tour inspired by works of art in the permanent collection harnessing the power of love, jealousy, affairs and heartbreak.  From Picasso's The Lovers to Renoir's La Promenade to the very literal LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana, the evening was made for lovers and lonely hearts.  And as a bonus opportunity, there was a chance to take in the Stanley Kubrick exhibit, on display through June 30, 2013.  www.lacma.org

Happy Valentine's Day

Today is all about matters of the heart... and yours matters to mine.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Travel Fact and the Mood for Love

Travel helps set the mood for love, survey finds.  The US Travel Association has released the results of a new survey that found travel as a strong motivator for romance.  Sixty-three percent of respondents said that a weekend vacation helps stir romantic thoughts more effectively than gifts.  Strengthening intimacy was an important motivator for travel for nearly 60% of couples surveyed.

Happiness

Bodies and Shadows

In conjunction with the Caravaggio exhibit at the Los Angeles County Art Museum, a musical and ballet celebration was created to honor the great Italian master.  The evening began with a performance of Baroque instrumentalists in the exhibit galleries, followed by the U.S. premiere of Caravaggio, a ballet composed by Gionanni Sollima, choreographed by Matteo Levaggi and performed by the members of the Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company.  The exhibit ends on Sunday, February 10th. www.LACMA.org

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hey Wendy, I just returned from a few days away and received your sweet birthday note.  Thanks so much for thinking of me! Hope to see you soon.  All my best, Nick [TASCHEN]

Ground Hog Sees His Shadow

Hurray!  It will be an early spring!  

http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/page.php?articleID=7634

Chinese New Year

This evening kicked off a month of celebrating the Chinese New Year in Beverly Hills.  Officially February 10th is the start of the Year of the Snake, but many of the boutiques have decorated in Chinese red and serpents since mid January; red corresponding with fire, symbolizing good fortune and joy.  The festivities included a dragon dance and demonstrations of dance and martial arts.  Brooks Brothers held a private reception and shopping event catering by Xian restaurant where a cascade of gifts were offered to ensure a prosperous beginning to the new year.

The Red Carpet Project

Of all the fashionable events that take place during the awards season, the red carpet at the Academy Awards remains the main attraction.  See the archive of Oscar red carpet looks that span 15 years by name, designer, color and silhouette.   http://www.nytimes.com/projects/oscars/red-carpet-history/?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130131

Taschen Warehouse Sale

Get lost among the hundreds of books from tattoos to travel, 50 - 75% off.  Always coveted that coffee table volume on comics or photograph?  Now is the time to hit the shelves. This weekend, January 25 - 27th at Taschen Books.  327 North Beverly Drive  www.taschen.com

Inauguration Day

"We demand of our political life greater certainty and greater perfection than we demand of our personal life." -  Max Lerner

Travel Fact

According to Amadeus' Worldwide Estimate of Ancillary Revenue, what is the estimated amount, in dollars, collected by airlines in ancillary fees in 2012?
a) $79.9 million
b) $560.5 million
c) 1.2 million
d) $8.4 billion
e) $36.1 billion

                                                                     The answer is e) $36.1 billion

Genlux Magazine launch

See here with Cecilia Moreno, Publisher Genlux Magazine, at Winter issue launch at Sofitel Hotel, January 16, 2013.

Santa Monica Museum of Art: Patterns and Perception

Last evening was the opening of Pattern and Perception featuring work by Peter Shire, Samir Yamin and the work of Miriam Wosk.  Abundance and Devotion, Miriam Wosk's suite of work is available for viewing through April 20th.  Worth a trip to Bergamot Station!  Her mixed media creations combine materials such as fragments of old paper, painted metallic foils, jewels, wire and found objects.  Collectively, they evoke a world of dreams with their vibrant colors and joyful sense of life and mortality. www.smmoa.org

Travel Fact

Nature retreats, political travel will thrive in 2013.  Travelers i 2013 will seek experiences such as politics-themed tours, nature vacations and film-inspired travel, marketing communications firm JWT says in its Things to Watch in 2013 Travel Report.  On the services front, on-the-go fitness options, huge shopping malls with hotels and improved live-steaming technology are forecast to be on the rise.

Best Dressed

Besides all of the well deserved Golden Globe winners, wasn't it fun to sit at home and watch what everyone was wearing?  I know there were a lot of tweets flying last night but I thought everyone looked great.  Here's what US Weekly had to say, http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-style/pictures/golden-globes-2013-best-dressed-stars-2013131/27564

Award Season Under Way!

 

Check out this link for your New York Times Oscar ballot: http://oscars.nytimes.com/2013/ballot/8907jqm7

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy – Thank you for your thoughtful card and the horoscope pieceis always fun to read! Have a great weekend and be well! Angela [Associate Director, TravelSONY Music Entertainment]

Back to the Diet

I hear this over and over again on Facebook posts.  Why is it so easy to put on a pound and so difficult to get off?

More snow

There's something about the way holiday decorations reflect in the snow that makes the nighttime especially beautiful.  Of course, we had to drive around and see all neighbors and their decorations too. It's part of the Christmas ritual.

Snow snow snow

When Bing sang "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas", I wonder if that is what everyone really wanted or did it just make for great scene stealing?  Just returned from Wisconsin and they got what he wished for.  When I arrived at Billy Mitchell Field, there were light flurries.  My two nieces and took advantage of the white stuff and took to the sledding hill at Worth Park in Brookfield.  I admit that I like the old fashioned wooden sleds best for speed and control but the newest plastic and foam is a lot easier to pull back up the slopes.

Happy New Year!

May your blessings be many this year; and your troubles few.

Travel Fact: Rose Bowl an Economic Juggernaut

Between tickets and T-shirts, hotels and hot dogs, college football bowl games will help generate about $1.1 billion over the next week or so for their host cities. Nowhere is the economic impact of a bowl game and its accompanying activities felt more than Pasadena, Calif., home to the self-proclaimed "granddaddy of them all." The Rose Bowl and the Tournament of Roses Parade is expected to pump more than $225 million into Pasadena and its surrounding cities. That's about six times the average amount generated by the nation's 28 college bowls, the Football Bowl Association reports.

Relax or Shop

What to do today?  Go shopping or stay at home with leftovers?  Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Blvd are two perfect destinations for those after-Christmas bargains.

I guess the kids liked their presents

Santa on the Road

It seems Santa was on the road last night delivering toys and well wishes to the world.  Hope you have a blessed Christmas Day with family and friends.

Apple of my Eye

Treated myself to the new iPhone 5 - best thing I've purchased for myself in a long time.

A Happy Client

Hello Wendy,
Thank you so much for looking after us during our recent FAM trip to Beverly Hills. It was such a fantastic, although quick, trip!  I have previously sold the Luxe to clients so I was excited when I saw that that was where we were staying. I will be thrilled to sell again in the future. Have a fabulous Christmas, enjoy the holidays and I look forward to visiting again very soon.  Best Wishes,  Lisa [Personal Travel Manager,"Your referral is my best compliment" TravelManagers Australia]

Best Dressed Windows

Neiman Marcus wins again this year for the best dressed windows.  It really feels like the holiday season when the shops decorate their windows along Wilshire Boulevard with glittering gowns and festive borders. I walked down the street and visited all of the department stores on Saturday, late afternoon, in the rain. And I wasn't the only person, umbrella in hand, enjoyed the sights and lights.

End of the World

The end of the world has come and gone.  I hope the rest of your weekend is uneventful.

Her Majesty

Taschen held a royal good party for the launch of their latest coffee table book, Her Majesty, this week.  A portion of the evening's proceeds was give in support of The British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA).   It's a compilation of photos from some of the best.

Most travel advice still happens face-to-face.

Marketers everywhere are rushing to tap into the power of consumer word of mouth, and many assume that the keys to unlock this power are found online.  While the power of online advice in travel is undeniable, it may surprise you to learn that only 10% of travel-related  word-of-mouth takes place online, while about 90% takes place offline, primarily face-to-face.  Yes, the dominant way people share is not online, but rather in person they seek advice and share their travel experiences with family, friends, and colleagues at work.  It turns out that the real relationships still rule, even in a digital marketplace.

Jolly Hour

As the song says...

Have a holly jolly Christmas.

It's the best time of the year

Well I don't know if there'll be snow

But have a cup of cheer

There's no better place to enjoy "The Jolly Hour" than On Rodeo Bistro & Lounge.  Now through January 2nd, enjoy 50% off shared plates; plus holiday inspired cocktails, wine and beer selections at special prices. Daily from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  Ho! Ho! Ho!

A Happy Client

Hi Wendy,
Lovely to hear from you and apologies I have not been in contact to say thank you very much for having our fam group come and stay at the Luxe! We all have an absolute ball and the feedback I have had from agents is all positive and can guarantee they will be selling the Luxe! Have a very Merry Christmas and New year. I will certainly let you know when I am back in the States!   Kind Regards,  Sarah [Finn, Business Development Manager / Delta Air Lines]

Luxe Party Reached New Heights

The scene is set and the Luxe employee holiday party is about to begin.  Picture the Rodeo Penthouse overlooking all of Beverly Hills as the intimate setting for this happy gathering.  Everyone will be celebrating with a delicious buffet created by Chef Jonathan, welcome speeches, prizes and dancing.  A very merry holiday season to all!

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

I hope you are well?  I wanted to say thank you very much for the birthday messages which I received in the post this week, it genuinely brought a smile to my face and it was a pleasure to receive. Thank You!!  Wishing you a very Happy Holiday!  Best regards, Simon [Contracts Manager - West Coast USA, Virgin Holidays]

Thought for the Day

Give a book as a present - you can always borrow it back!  - John Gratton

Oh tree sublime

 It's a task I find daunting each year: finding the perfect size Douglas Fir.  It has to be the right height for my apartment, easy to decorate without climbing to the top if the ladder.  There were a lot to choose from.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!
Your boughs are green in summer's clime
And through the snows of wintertime.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi, Wendy. Hope all is well.  I love the hotel…never saw a photo before…..so cute….very boutique!
Happy Holidays! I’m sure you’ll be spending time with your nieces.   Take care. Xoxo Babs [Protravel International]

Savory and sweet on Christmas Day

If you're in the Los Angeles area on holiday or just looking for some where festive to celebrate Christmas Day with your loved ones, treat yourself and your family to the delectable Christmas Day menu at Luxe's own On Rodeo Bistro & Lounge.  Executive Chef Olivier Rousselle has planned a three-course menu with a wide range of options for everyone to enjoy.  Desserts are so good that Santa makes a special request for us to leave him treats by the tree!  e-mail: dining@luxehotels.com, go on www.opentable.com to make a reservation.

Happy Hanukkah

Santa Visits Paley Center for Media

Upon visiting The Paley Center on Friday, I noticed Santa Claus' chair was empty.  Not to fear, he's scheduled for the next two weekends, from 10AM to 4PM, in Beverly Hills.  Good luck.  I know that I was good this year.  What about you?

Bulgari Takes the Walk of Style

Seen here with Marcus Mueller, Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel General Manager and Michelle Sharp, Catering Manager.

This evening, Bulgari was the 20th recipient of the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award.  LVMH-owned Italian jewelry brand Bulgari was honored at a ceremony in Beverly Hills tonight, with actress Drew Barrymore presenting a Robert Graham-designed torso statuette to Nicola Bulgari and the city's mayor reading an official proclamation declaring Dec. 5, 2012, "Bulgari Day." Bulgari will be commemorated with a permanent (but yet-to-be embedded) bronze sidewalk plaque bearing Nicola Bulgari's signature and the quote: "Style is an everlasting impression and jewelry is a passion that is passed through generations."