GUCCI GOT ITS GROOVE BACK

As I was flipping through my favorite fashion magazines, I couldn't help but fall in love with Gucci's new changes to the brand. Birds, butterflies, dragonflies, hummingbirds, and flowers...I am definitely in love. I found a loafer that gave me "Happy Feet". 

 I am happy to say I have held onto most of my Gucci pieces. I continue to wear my belts, shoes, and purses, and they still hold up with today's fashion. I've been a Gucci fan for many years. Their new creative director Alessandro Michele; from Rome, has become fashion's new favorite renaissance man and I can see why.

The new Princetown slipper in canvas. Love the contemporary floral motif that was inspired by Chinese landscapes depicted on 18th century tapestries and screens.

Take a look at this beautiful Light silk Georgette, feminine, and oh- so romantic blouse...  Dream top...

My husband gave me this Gucci clutch ten years ago, and it looks like a best friend next to my Gucci Loafers.  Joie Top /  Closed Jeans ./

Gucci Blooms Mini Crossbody Bag

Here in California, we practically live outside. Gucci's new design is a perfect feeling for everyday and all day. You will feel like you are surrounded in a garden.

Gucci on the go... Put birds, butterflies, and dragonflies on my feet any day of the week!

These Gucci High heeled sandals still look stylish for day or night. Slip off the loafers and slide on the heels.

Love this groovy Metallic Crossover Sandal

It's time to bust out an old friend...One of my favorite styles from eleven years ago. Intermix Top / JCrew Teddie Pant

I still love these Gucci closed toe heels. I'm so happy I saved these!

Sometimes it's hard to know what to keep and what to let go of. I find I hold onto the sentimental pieces. Do you have something you are questioning to let go of?  Let me know, should it stay or should it go...

These are fun... GG Supreme Studded Pump

Dionysus GG Supreme 

Gucci Clutch / Gucci Belt / Gucci Sandal 

Gucci Loafer / Closed Jeans /

Reversible Leather GG Blooms Leather Tote. 

 I'd rather wear a beautiful scarf any day that a piece of jewelry. I've had this scarf for twelve years. It's timeless and once again the floral print feels so romantic. Uniqlo Black Blazer / AG Jeans / Equipment White Top /

GG Blooms print silk scarf

Gucci Purse / Gucci Scarf / Hermès Scarf Ring / Still standing the test of time. Another great gift from my husband!

Gucci Loafer from 3 years ago. Yes...it still works and it's just another solution for happy feet.  Not only does Gucci get it's groove back...so can we.

Gucci Jordaan metallic loafer 

Tell me what's your favorite Gucci item...I'd love to know!

GG Blooms pouch 

Here's a glimpse of Gucci's New Creative Director; Alessandro Michele - 

                        When life gives you lemon's, you gotta make lemonade...

               "Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside."  Coco Chanel

BEAUTIFUL PATRICIA MORISON

Meet the glamours Patricia Morison (born March 19, 1915) is an American stage and film actress, and a mezzo-soprano singer. She made her feature film debut in 1939 after several years on the stage. She was well-known as a beauty with large eyes and extremely long, dark hair. During this period of her career, she was often cast as the femme fatale or  the "other woman". It was only when she returned to the Broadway stage that she achieved her greatest success as the lead in the original production of Cole Porter's - Kiss Me Kate

A few months ago I was visiting a friend for an upcoming event she will be charing for Robinson's Gardens. While touring the grounds I met Juan Bastos, a portrait artist (a rare find) from Venezuela, now living in Los Angeles. After chatting with Juan for awhile, he told me about all of these incredible women he has painted who are over 60 years old... still out and about in the world, and living life to its fullest. He said "you must meet Patricia Morison", she is one hundred years old, I know you will adore her" Well, of course I said yes, that would be amazing, I don't know anyone who is 100 years old, (and about to turn 101 on March 19th) I would be honored. Less then a month later, Juan and I paid Patricia Morison a visit. 

I can't tell you how excited I was to meet Patricia, I had to bring her a little gift, every girl loves flowers, no matter how old you are. I was truly excited to meet her...I felt like a young kid on my way to meet Patricia.

Patricia's birth name is Eileen Patricia August Fraser Morison, and Hollywood had nicknamed her - The Fire and Ice Girl. She was known to be lovely and exotic, and for her long hair. On a few occasions she was asked to cut her long locks, but she refused. Patricia studied at the Art Students League and proceeded to take acting classes at the Neighborhood Playhouse, while also studying dance with the renowned Martha Graham. She earned a steady check as a dress shop designer while studying acting. At twenty one years old Patricia made the move to Hollywood.

Still today Patricia enjoys looking through the fashion magazines, mostly Vogue and Vanity fair. She will be watching the Oscars but claims, it's not quiet as exciting and glamorous as it once was. Patricia attended several Oscars, one of her favorites was The Wizard of Oz.

Dressed to Kill - 1946- Sherlock Holmes sets out to discover why a trio of murderous villains, including a dangerously attractive female, are desperate to obtain three unassuming and inexpensive little music boxes. 

Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Patricia Morison - Her Dressed to Kill co-stars.

Patricia and Yul Brynner in The King and I on Broadway. She was very fond of Yul. in the beginning of rehearsals she knocked on his dressing room door... he said "come in."  There he was sitting naked...he said that he needed to stay in character. She replied "alright, that's fine with me" and that was the beginning of their friendship. There was no love affair during the production, Yul was dating Marlena Detrich at the time of their Broadway run. 

Patricia was very close to her family, her parents, who she claims were both quiet feisty, were born in the west of Ireland. Her mother worked for the British Intelligence after WW1, and was the first women to speak in the House of Commons- her father was fighting in France. After her parents made their way to New York, Patricia was born in 1915. She wanted to be an artist and devoted herself to painting. She ended up winning a scholarship that would take her to Paris, but she decided to stay in NYC and follow her love for the stage.

Look at this beauty... Are Husbands Necessary? - 1942 

Patricia with Ray Milland from Untamed in 1940 - He was Patricia's favorite cinema actor.

Song of The Thin Man 1947

Kiss Me Kate 1948- Opened first in Philadelphia 

Kiss Me Kate was Cole Porter's first show he wrote in which the music and lyrics were firmly connected to the script, and it prove to be his biggest hit and the only one of his shows to run for more that 1,000 performances on Broadway. In 1949 it won the first Tony Award presented for Best Musical. No one thought it would make it, and it received rave reviews. Only after the show opened, Hollywood took notice that Patricia was an incredible singer. Patricia lost her brother to a fatal auto accident while performing on stage in Kiss Me Kate. Production offered her days off, but she declined. She knew she could morn in the evening after the shows, she felt for the people who would be out of a job in that time if she were to take time off.

Patricia with Cole Porter -  Accompanied by her agent, she was asked to come to Cole Porters home in Brentwood one evening, after hearing her sing, he knew she was exactly what the show needed.

Patricia with Johnny Weismuller in Tarzan and the Huntress - 1947

"Johnny was beautiful to watch, whether just standing or swimming. I didn't socialize with him much, he was busy with a new love affair." 

Patricia being honored in New York at 100 years old.

Out on the town with Patricia. Being honored at Pasadena Playhouse for her 100th Birthday.  Q&A with Patricia. 

Me: What were you most know for in Hollywood?

Patricia: My long hair, blue eyes, and I was the femme fatale. I was also a great singer, but I wasn't known for that

Me: Did the studios ever ask you to cut your hair?

Patricia: Oh yes, on many occasions

Me: What is one of your favorite Hollywood stories?

Patricia: Oh..there are so many, but Louis B. Mayer had a Hollywood Crush on me. One evening I attended a dinner and movie at his home. He invited me back to a room and showed me a large box of beautiful jewelry, he said "you know...I own all of those." I said, "that's wonderful, they're lovely."  On another occasion my mother was in town and Mr. Mayer invited us both to a private lunch. He told my mother, "you know...I am very healthy, and the box of jewels I showed Patricia could all be hers... If she will be mine. I declined, and on another occasion, he walked me to my car after a party, and as I was getting in he said, " I'll give you all of Metro"

Me: You weren't interested in marrying Louis B Mayer or Metro? (they ended up being very good friends)

Patricia: Oh honey, no... I wanted neither of the two. He would often show up at my performances for Kiss Me Kate and sit in the balcony, but he would never come say hello.

Me: I know you didn't marry, but did you have a favorite leading man you dated?

Patricia: Yes... Sterling Hayden, he was so handsome and manly, and Preston Foster was such a gentleman 

Me: Did you have an actress you admired?

Patricia: Yes...Greta Garbo, and at one point I moved back to NYC, and I rented her apartment, and I was thrilled to meet her.

Me: Do you watch any television programs today?

Patricia: Yes, I love the TNT network, sometimes I will wake up at 3am and turn on the old classics.

Me: Did you only sing on stage?

Patricia: Yes, never in films, but I sang at the Hollywood Bowl several times.

Me: Do you have any advice for young actresses today? 

Patricia: If you love the theater then study the classics, live in New York or London and do it because you absolutely love it. 

Me: Do you have a favorite perfume and a favorite flower?

Patricia: Yes, I love Arpege Perfume and Roses are so beautiful.

Me: You and I have something in common, we both entertained for the U.S.O.

Patricia: Really? How old are you?

Me: 54, and If I am as fortunate as you Patricia, I'll be sitting on my couch at 100 years ohealthy and graceful as you. 

Patricia: Oh honey, don't tell anyone how old you are!  (we both have a good chuckle)   I'm a very fortunate woman, and I've done what I wanted with my life and worked with some wonderful people along the way.

Me: You know what, I've been very fortunate too Patricia, I've had a great life.

I will always remember this time spent with Patricia. Throughout our two hours she would say, "I'm just so fortunate. I'm pretty sure this has been her mantra for many years. Patricia is beautiful... her eyes are so crystal clear, they are almost see-through. She was so kind, witty, and had a perfect speaking voice. We looked through her scrap books, as she told stories of her days in Hollywood. It was truly the closest I will ever come to truly feeling the history of that era. The day I met Juan was my lucky day. I've always envisioned myself living to be 100 and healthy, smiling and sharing stories of my own fortunate path with loved ones. Being with Patricia was like looking into a crystal ball...if there was such a thing. Patricia gave me the vision of what it looks and feels like to be fortunate and full of gratitude, and Juan presented me with that opportunity. You never know when and why people come into our lives. Our job is to say "Yes". When we stay open we can begin to live in the joy of the unknown. And even become fortunate like Patricia.

I hope you have the chance to know or meet someone who is much older than you. Take the time to listen and laugh with them, be silent with them and hold their hand. They will cherish their time with you, but it will be your gift forever.

Dear Juan - Thank you so much for your generous heart and your time.  You are a kind soul, and I am so happy we met.

        *Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age.                                                                                                                            Jeanne Moreau

VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS

Locals here in West Hollywood just got another pick-me-up...WeHo as we locals like to call it is developing into one of L.A's most popular and vibrant districts. Every street you turn on these days seems to be under construction with another superb restaurant, coffee shops, and more fabulous boutiques VERVE is within walking distance of my home, and watching the building's progress along the way was quite promising. It's a lovely addition to our neighborhood, and It's always refreshing when a business opens up and brings our community together.  VERVE - noun / vigor and spirit or enthusiasm...

VERVE is nestled in on the corner of Melrose Avenue and North Almont, right  next door to another popular prime spot, Gracias Madre. VERVE is owned by college friends and coffee professionals Colby Barr and Ryan O'Donovan. They thought about San Francisco for their first location but they're big on mountain biking and surfing, so they choose Santa Cruz for obvious reasons. Being in a smaller area allowed them to grow their brand at a natural pace, along with living their passion for the mountains and the surf. Now with six stunning locations, You can soon enjoy VERVE on the other side of the map in Tokyo, opening Spring of 2016.

Gleaming copper counters... when the sun shines through the windows, the copper is like a sea of electrons.. You begin to see the copper change as the light begins to change. Cappuccino with almond milk / Tom Ford Reading Glasses

Outside living is why we love it here in California. At night you can enjoy the lights in the trees and a cool coziness of the West Hollywood community.

With The openess of the kitchen and the transparency throughout the shop, the light enhances all of the natural materials.  Fresh Pastries and delicious coffee cakes.

The store design was originally influenced by Scandinavian designs, clean, simple with a feeling of nature. 

Juice Flight - 10 fresh juice shots from juice bar mini-chain Juice Served Here. The Flight Menu consists of: Green Easy - Field of Greens - Green Milk - Block Rockin' Beets - Redhead - Pipe Cleaner - Hot Lei - Charcoal Lemonade - Cream Party - Pixie. I definitely needed help in finishing The Flight, maybe next time you'll join me!  I am now ready for take off...

WeHo-8925 Melrose / Santa-Cruz 104 Bronson St. / DTLA 833 S. Spring St./ Santa Curz 1540 Pacific Ave.

Rain or shine, there's always time for coffee.  / J.Crew Rain Boots

Hats off to you VERVE, for creating a welcoming gathering space here in our neighborhood.

Grab a gift card for a friend. Let's have coffee!  Their videos on their sights are so helpful, you can learn the perfect techniques used to design the foam on top of latte's and cappuccinos.

   "As soon as coffee is in your stomach, there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move... similes arise, the paper is covered. Coffee is your ally and writing ceases to be a struggle." - Honore de Balzac