The 2011 Rose Parade!

January 2, 2011

I’ve lived in Los Angeles for 23 years and have always wanted to attend the The Rose Parade. For seven years, my friend Jolene has been involved with the parade as a “white-suiter,” or volunteer, and I’d listen to her stories about the scooters, rain, cold and all-round fun that happens behind the scenes. This [...]

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Laughing Our Way Into 2011 — Part Two

January 1, 2011

If you read Part One of my New Year’s Eve posts, you know I believe how you spend New Year’s Eve reflects what you can expect of the year ahead. If the second part of 12/31 is any indication, there should be lots of joy, revelry and laughter to come in 2011. The festivities started [...]

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New Year’s Eve 2010 — Part One — Off to a Spinning Start

December 31, 2010

Someone once told me that the way you spend New Year’s Eve will be indicative of what you can expect for the forthcoming year. Gotta say, I’ve gotten off to an exceptional start. Got in from Dulles last night, so began the morning with some long overdue cuddling with Dash. This would be his, “Baby, [...]

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Cookies & Cheese for Santa

December 23, 2010

Santa’s coming. And you know he’s going to be hungry from all his hard work. So we had to make some cookies for him here in Richmond, Virginia. No mere gingerbread men for us. Only airplanes and Scottish terriers would do.

Sampling was necessary before the finished product passed approval. Charlie gave them a thumbs-up.

Baird thought [...]

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The Japanese Garden Unfolds

December 20, 2010

I love rain, I truly do. At this moment, though, I need to remind myself of that love as the wet cuffs of my pants are coldly plastered to my ankles. With that in mind, thought I’d revisit October 10, one of the hottest days in Los Angeles this year. Where was I? Nope, not [...]

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I Spy… Lotusland

December 17, 2010

A few years back, my friend Laurel House mentioned she’d just visited Lotusland in Santa Barbara. I didn’t even need to know what it was to know I had to visit. Who doesn’t want to visit a place called Lotusland?!

Once I learned that Lotusland is 37-acres of botanical gardens, the desire to visit was unstoppable. [...]

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Switzerland Meets Pasadena

December 14, 2010

Several years ago, I visited Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland during the holidays. Every year since, I’ve equated the romance of the season with that idyllic stay.
From the moment I saw Beau-Rivage Palace’s exterior, I knew I was in for something special. And because my personal photos don’t do it justice, I encourage you to [...]

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One More Day for Unique LA!

December 11, 2010

Woke up this morning to find a Facebook message from Lorraine saying, “Check out Unique LA.” I logged onto their website and immediately knew I had to go.  The location — California Market Center’s Penthouse at 110 E. 9th Street in downtown LA.

Kim had holiday shopping to do, so I snagged her to join me. [...]

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Downtown LA Art Walk — Art in Motion

December 10, 2010

An impromptu Thursday began thusly:
6:30 p.m. text to Nahmi — “Pick you up at 7 for Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk?”
Nahmi — Yes
Map in hand, I flew out the door. Word was, the monthly event held every second Thursday ran from noon until 9 p.m.. Lucky for us, it went way longer.
We boarded [...]

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Blue Ribbon Classics Hit Renaissance Hollywood’s Twist

December 5, 2010

When I received an invite to attend a private Blue Ribbon Chef’s Table Dinner at Renaissance Hollywood Hotel’s Twist Restaurant & Bar my response was a resounding — “Count me in!”

Greetings were made with Blue Ribbon signature cocktails including Hummingbirds made with Avinyo Cava, St. Germain & Fresh Raspberries, as well as Americanos, a mix [...]

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