FUN STUFF IN NOVEMBER

Kita welcomes in the fall season.

Neighbors just don't get any better than these, hosts Wayne and Izabela (with Kert in-between), Maryam and Kert and Dave and Alexis.  We have great fun rotating from house to house for amazing dinners and grand conversation!

I'll catch you later...

Did anyone say Hermés Carre? How could I miss this pop up on Melrose?

Write a suggestion for a color so...what about Nan Rae Red?

You could watch designers work on new patterns and they would sign your scarf selection.



Great fun with Clayton, my new Toluca Lake friend.



Time for Pink's!

Back to work.  My Sweet Sandie Girl came over with delights from Julienne's for a lovely al fresco lunch on the patio before going to work on her Christmas card.

If you're a lucky recipient you'll agree this year's card is beautiful!

That week Clara brought lunch from Kreaton Organic and we feasted before going to the studio.

This magnificent landscape will be Clara's entry in the January studio class exhibit at the Crain Art Gallery in San Marino's Crowell Public Library.

Thanks to Shantien 'Tom' Chow, our Master Calligraphy teacher, we have the interpretation of Clara's beautiful calligraphy.
Clouds care about gorgeous dresses,
Flowers think about their beautiful appearance,
Soft wind of Spring touches the fences that protect the flowers.
Unless she comes from the fairyland,
Or could it be an angel from Heaven.

Next step, deciding where to put the seals.

We were so happy Amy stopped by.

Time to drive to El Monte and wonderful May at Chiang's Frames.
9255 Telstar Avenue.

Precious Lisa Bowman came to the studio to pick up Diane Riska Taylor's exquisite Brush painting that she purchased at the Huntington's class exhibit.

Diane notes the back of the work.

Elizabeth and Nikka work on cards in the office.

And back again another day with more work....

Stephanie stopped by to pick up some art supplies and she was definitely in the holiday spirit!

And Sweet Lynne.  Gosh we have the most fun around here this time of the year!

Sandie Girl stopped by after work to give Nikka all the artwork for her Christmas card gifts.  It was great fun to have her stay for dinner.

Need a break....Perfect meeting Lizzie Girl at Bloomie's for lunch and our smoothies.

More lunch....Prosecco Trattoria with dear Alice.

Time to give thanks....

Nikka and I celebrated Thanksgiving at the Royce in the Langham.

We were then joined by awesome Maggie and friend Curtis, chatting until midnight!

Sorry Kita, no turkey this year.

Wha.......

Time to settle in to watch The Story of the Yanxi Palace, all 70 episodes.  Totally addicted.

I've posted in the past about 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains' by Huang Gongwang, a Landscape painting we've studied in class so it was thrilling to see them talk about it in 'The Story of the Yanxi Palace'.

What we studied in the studio...

Yummies at the Harvard College Fund event at the Montage Hotel.

Now goodbye November and hello Christmas!

I wish you all things bright and gay!

SAYING GOODBYE AND FINDING JOYFUL MOMENTS

 Planning the celebration for mom’s beautiful life at dear Valerie’s, the one and only 'Hostess With the Mostest’!  Valerie has kindly agreed that her home would be the perfect setting for a fitting tribute!

Josie, Valerie’s Chef Cuisinier will be in charge of the menu….
Now that’s settled, it’s time to be out and about.  First stop, the home of the late Sally Forrest, a star in the 40’s and 50’s.  Her estate is now owned by niece Sharon who invited me and Nikka for dinner and a tour.  This is in the screening room.

Along with the other guests I get to heart the history of this grand Beverly Hills estate……ahhhhhhh Hollywood!

And now, a few notes on the piano George Gershwin played.


Thought you’d like to see the ‘partner’s desk’ of the Warner brothers…...

Back home and loving Maria and Bridget…..they’re just toooo cute!

I’m working on re-inventing my Domestic Goddess…..

Classes in the studio are always enjoyable.  Most likely the most fun for me!

Here’s Maria again another day with darling Cecelia…..more joy!

Come over anytime for a spot of tea…...

 Now this was really domestic.  Something I had not done in eight years!!! A dinner party in honor of newlyweds Maryam and Kert.  So this is the dining room!  Bring out the Old Imari and the Baccarat….we’re ready to party!

Adorable & oh so lovely Alexis with Dave, her Prince and the newlyweds….Kert and Maryam!
 Now here’s a threesome I adore and anytime with them brings me complete and utter joy!!!  Marine and sister Eliza with dear Amy at Prosecco Tratorria in Toluca Lake.

 I was completely and utterly surprised and delighted when during the lunch break for class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, student Ralph Komai sang a poem he wrote for me to the tune of State Fair.

 This tops the list of joyfulness!!!  Thank you dear Ralph!

 Not only that but Ralph sent these exquisite flowers in honor of my mom……Soooooo touching!

 How about cute brothers Jose and  David  who joined the Huntington class.  They did wonderfully and I’m so proud of how they really paid attention!!!


 Now this was an inspiring and fun two days.  Student Joe flew all the way from Chicago for a private two day workshop with me.  He too paid great attention and like a sponge picked up everything I taught.

 A special thank you dinner for  David for all his hard work on the studio entrance and also special thanks to dear Eileen for all her help at mom’s! At Prosecco Tratorria….Aren’t they the cutest couple???

 See how domestic I’ve become.  I made all these treats when dear Patricia came over………..

 It’s been ages since we’ve seen Krista and Brett and they’re way behind on their dog walking responsibilities….come on you two….Get off the love boat and walk Kita!
Dear Maggie came over with yummy treats from Julienne’s…...

And  Laurie Pie came over with her delicious chopped salad and famous garlic bread….

 I had lunch with Lovely Lisa Bowman (AKA Lisa Di Vita) to celebrate the publishing of her incredible book ‘The Shattered Peacock’.  I had recommended it as a great summer read but now that Labor Day is rapidly approaching read it just because it’s one great book! Available on Amazon.com

 Dim the lights and light the ‘wishing’ Sky Lanterns to celebrate Nikka’s birthday…..with a belated lantern for Emma!  It was rather windy that night so we had a bit of a problem getting airborne and had to go to the deck...

 Lovely flowers from dear Amy for the birthday girl….

 Sandie Girl gave Nikka the cutest needlepoint….Hello Kitty of course………….

Special thanks to dear Kc who brought this delicious home grown 'French Tomato Tarte' to the studio class with special thanks for the ‘extra’ which I devoured after class.  Sooooo good!

 Bet you thought I forgot our anniversary…..

 Sandie Girl didn’t and Laurie Pie checks the flowers out….

 Lots of flowers for mom.  These were from Reza and done by the one and only Amy at Le Jardin Privé………...

 More……...


This says it all…………….May you enjoy each precious moment!