Please make no mistake…it isn’t easy to create a surprise birthday gift, and the project becomes even more difficult when the recipient is gracious Carol Soucek King. The planning began with Veronica being given the responsibility of making the table place cards. Here’s her work station.
Curtis and Yi-Lin then picked up the treasures which were methodically assigned places in the proper box.
They brought over gelato from Monte Carlo…
And we ordered pizza from The Little Goat.
Of course it then turned into a movie night and we watched “Flow”.
Somi said it was the best movie ever!
Time to say goodnight. There were promises of handling the box correctly and part of Veronica’s most recent birthday cake. (More on that later.)
I was assigned to invite Carol for her birthday, as the group celebration was moved to Friday due to Curtis and Yi-Lin’s inability to make it on Monday. With no small amount of trepidation, I phoned Carol, and when I proposed taking her out…she said “No”! “I’m way too busy.” Panic set in… 10 people would be waiting the next day for Carol… what to do? I went into my best Sara Bernhardt and informed Carol that she absolutely had to let me do that, after all, she does so much for my birthday! Well, it worked, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Later, Carol told me she almost cancelled the next morning as she had been up all night!!!
Veronica and I picked Carol up with the story that we were going to a new and exciting restaurant in Arcadia.
Surprise!!! Awesome Nino had selected XIBEI in Arcadia as our destination! Kudos to Curtis and Yi-Lin for organizing everything!
My place card. (They were all different.)
Yi-Lin Shows Carol hers.
The food was so fabulous I have to show it to you.
Architect Miller Yee Fong sketches Carol.
I saw this amazing hat in the Olive & Cocoa catalog and it shouted “Carol”.
Moving on to lunch at Terra. Delightful Floor Manager Page saw to it that we were treated wonderfully and even offered me a glass of Prosecco while waiting for our table!
Had to do the tasting menu!
This is the best bread on the planet…especially when the butter and salt are added!
Soooo good!
And meeting friends…
Time to go shopping downstairs at Eataly. I want to move in here!
It’s a joy supporting Operation Walk! You too can be an Angel!
The yearly luncheon at Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena.
Beautiful and gifted jewelry designer and Operation Walk Angel Conchita!
And I even had time to dash over to awesome Desiree’s fabulous luncheon bash!
Love you precious Joan!
How many women does it take to open a bottle of wine? Four and one to bring a hammer!
Mmmmmm good!
Time to meet up with precious Tammy and Awesome Carol at Bacio di Latte for some yummy ice cream.
Tammy’s husband Joao is a prince among men! (And their daughter a lovely princess!)
Carol Soucek King added to the joy!
Thank you, precious Tammy, for the delightful gifts!
Lunch at Via Alloro before errands in Beverly Hills.
Soooo good!
Shopping for Somi’s friends at Society Hounds on Canon.
And speaking of Somi, she posed for her post grooming photo!
Celebrating Lovely Eliza’s birthday at Jon & Vinny’s!
Sweet Lynne and Sandie Girl came by to celebrate Veronica’s birthday!
They brought food from Via Selfie. You can barely see my yummy lamb chops!
Remember I said I’d get back to the cake?
Back to Terra for lunch with Terri and Gabrielle. This is turning into a foodie blog!
I’m not ready for this…
This has become quite long, so September will be continued…
So beautiful, every moment!and must print to keep forever! Thank you,Na, and Veronica, and Somi! For my birthday review! And all the lovely others whom delight me to see here!