Me and Jane toasting to friendship and The Good Life

Beverly Hills, CA; Dec. 8 – 9; Dec. 13, 2011

My friend Jane and I have been partying together on and off since 1978, and we both love “The Good Life” although we are in the 99%.  But we both have had our share with hobnobbing with the 1%. Because it’s fun!

My philosophy is that life is meant to be enjoyed and la joie de vivre must be embraced. Jane’s pretty much got the same philosophy, fortunately, so since it’s the Holiday Season, now is the time more than ever to celebrate life and friendship.
 
For the past three weeks, I have just spent two days and one night each week partying with Jane in her fabulous ‘hood, in the heart of Beverly Hills.
 
The first week at the beginning of December, we headed to Roberston Boulevard because after reading  my latest issue of Architectural Digest, I was captivated by the ads for the home decor store Restoration Hardware.  Jane didn’t even know it was there! Just goes to show that sometimes out-of-town guests know more about their host’s hometown than they do!
 
We paid it a visit and it was indeed impressive, and quite expansive. It even had a palatial quality to it. There was an enchanting outdoor area with outdoor furniture and twinkling lights, and inside there were two floors of tasteful home furnishings.  There were massive chandeliers and sprawling distressed leather couches, and so on.  As much as I liked what I saw, it was definitely a bit overly masculine for my tastes.  I would temper the look with some feminine accents to balance the yin and the yang.  I could see how men might love this look for their “man caves”, libraries, offices and dens.

Jane outside the courtyard entrance to Restoration Hardware

 Next, we strolled down Robertson Boulevard and stumbled upon a wildly colorful and fun home decor boutique called Indigo Seas, which is owned by interior designer Lynn von Kersting. This kind of decor is more to my style, with its bright colors and whimsical accents. She has quite a collection of nostalgic vintage knick knacks and collectible books, from the 5os and 60s. I wanted to take some photos of the interior but alas the manager of the store said that was forbidden, so I had to satisfy myself with taking a photo of the exterior.

Exterior of Indigo Seas on Robertson Boulevard

 Apparently Ms. von Kersting is also co-owner of the celebrity lunch spot The Ivy next door to the Indigo Seas boutique.
 
We headed over to the Boa Steakhouse on Sunset Boulevard for Happy Hour, but it was a windy, cold night and not well-attended.  I’ve learned that it is extremely popular on the weekends, and many celebrities drop in there. Jane told me about some friends of hers that were staying at a local upscale hotel, and the hotel’s limo dropped them off at Boa.  The papparazzi rushed up and after taking a close look at them, declared them “nobodies” and stepped back.  I find that rather humorous myself!  Cheers to the nobodies of the world! We are somebodies to some people anyway!

Interesting bottles on display on Boa's shelves

 The next day we walked from Jane’s apartment to what I call Ground Zero of Rodeo Drive, or even Ground Zero of Beverly Hills— the hugely picturesque steps with a fountain at the base of it leading to exquisite shops and galleries where Rodeo Drive begins from Wilshire Boulevard.

Steps leading to Rodeo Drive

Every year, the streets of downtown Beverly Hills are decorated exquisitely, and it’s so festive to be here at this time of year.

Fountain at the bottom of the steps to Rodeo Drive

And this year was no exception!

Rodeo Drive Christmas Tree

And I saw Santa and his sleigh flying over Wilshire Boulevard!

A Santa sighting over Wilshire Boulevard!

We also strolled into Saks Fifth Avenue to ogle at the shoes. Oh my God. I tried on a pair of $2095 shoes, I kid you not. Jimmy Choo shoes. High, high heels with straps covered in crystals. A bit over-priced, I’d say! My current  favorites are the Louboutins with their red soles.
 

Shoes at Saks Fifth Avenue-- works of ART!

Later on, we went to Cafe Roma for Happy Hour and spotted this couple who were French-kissing endlessly.  They were still in this exact position when we left. I actually think they were doing some kind of Performance Art, or perhaps trying to break the World’s Guinness Record for longest French kiss.  They seemed like one of those Duane Hanson sculptures of extremely life-like people. It was another one of those “only in Beverly Hills” moments!

A Duane Hanson sculpture? No, it's Performance Art, Beverly Hills-style!

 After dinner at the Villa Blanca which is owned by Lisa and Ken Vanderpump of the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, one of very favorite TV shows, Jane and I traipsed down the street and stumbled upon not one but two red carpet events at boutiques.  It’s non-stop fun in Beverly Hills, I tell you! The first one we dropped into was the brand new men’s toiletries store called The Art of Shaving. Here we were treated to flowing drinks, whether it’s champagne, wine, scotch, you name it, and endless platters of delicious hors d’oeuvres, along with a DJ supplying the hip music and the Beautiful People in abundance, an all around thoroughly enjoyable ambiance.  Then as we walked out, we were given gift bags, containing a $65 gift certificate! Very nice indeed!
 
After that there was a red carpet event at a jewelry store, again with flowing champagne, and papparazzi flashing with their cameras.  I didn’t recognize any celebrities but I’m not totally up on all the latest stars and starlets. It’s all good.
 
My next trip the following week was equally as great as the previous visit. The displays in the windows around Beverly Hills are so creative and spectacular.

A hair salon's windows in Beverly Hills

I loved the display in Dolce & Gabbana’s windows, showing a table laden with fruits and flowers. Jane said she has been to weddings in Beverly Hills that have tables festively decorated in this manner.

Dolce & Gabbana's lush window display

 I’ve always wanted to go to the Ice Hotel inside the Arctic Circle in Sweden, but I must admit it’s not tops on my list, since there are so many places I want to go.  However, when I heard about the Vodbox at Nic’s Lounge on Canon Drive, I told Jane, we have to check this out. What it is, is a room off the main room, that is behind closed glass doors, and has a temperature of 28 degrees.  It houses hundreds of vodkas from around the world, and you can have fun deciding which ones to taste.  You are offered a faux fur coat and hat to wear while you are in there.  I tried the Pinky Vodka, which was designed by Swedish wine-makers and is infused with rose petals, and the Reyka Vodka from Iceland, which is Iceland’s only vodka, and it’s filtered through lava rock which is found in abundance there. Both vodkas were very good indeed!

Inside the Vodbox at Nic's Lounge

 
Of course we checked back  into The Art of Shaving again to do some Christmas shopping with our gift certificates in hand and once again, it was prime party time there with flowing drinks and appetizers.  The people who work there are all so incredibly charming and nice, too.  What a hip spot! And their products are very high quality. The prices are reasonable as well.
 
While we were there we heard there was going to be a party at the Chanel.  The next day, I checked in with Chanel and managed to score a couple invites.  Just another great reason to return back to Beverly Hills and party it up with Jane and whoever we might meet along the way!

The party was on the tent-encased rooftop of Chanel on Rodeo

Upon entering the store, we were handed some champagne and showed to the elevator to the rooftop where the party was being held.

Toasting to friendship and the good life at Chanel party!

It was very beautiful inside the party area with an understated Moroccan theme.  We were offered delicous hors d’oevres of caviar blinis, appetizers with tuna, lamb, shrimp, and veggies. After that, came the sweets, such as teensy meringue and chocolate mousse tartes, and many varieties of the French macaron cookies. Of course, they were impossible to resist! Finally, I had to say “Non! Merci beaucoup!”

"Yes, I think I will have yet another bon-bon!"

 
 We even met a Beverly Hills pooch there! I asked his owner if Romeo, the pooch’s name, was friends with Giggy, the famous pomeranian of Lisa and Ken Vanderpump of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” fame, but no, they have not made each other’s acquaintance just yet.

Romeo also enjoys drinking a spot of champagne says his owner

We met some very interesting people there, including Kathrine Baumann who designs whimsical purses and her friend who co-owns the Clippers, a basketball team.  The party’s focus, besides the food and champagne, were exquisite jewels and watches, which some were trying on, and even buying.

Jane is tempted

Jane enjoys the ambiance

After the party, we were now hungry for a real meal, and headed to Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener (not Wolfgang Puck) on Canon Drive.  There we shared a delicious New York strip steak recommended by the very congenial bartender who seemed alot like Matt Damon. We also shared a huge baked potato laden with sour cream and butter.  There goes the diet!  Now I’ve got to work out at the gym that much more. Oh yeah!
 
The evening ended with a huge laugh.  It was another “only in Beverly Hills” moment.  Jane came back from the ladies room at Wolfgang’s and told me that she just used the toilet in there that had buttons for cleaning various areas of the derriere and so on.  I told her, you must be hallucinating, Jane. Have you had too much champagne?
 
Nonetheless, I went into the powder room myself and used the facilities.  Lo and behold! There was a strip of buttons by the toilet with various commands, including a blow-dry command.  What a hoot!!!
 
What a way to end this story of “Wendy and Jane’s Excellent Adventures in Beverly Hills”!
 

Buttons next to the deluxe toilet at Wolfgang's-- you have to see this to believe it!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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