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THE MOST WONDERFUL NEW YEAR’S …

began with guests getting their bling on. Here Alexis decides on hers. Also, signing the guest book and indicating what yummy treat they brought. Here's Jan making her entry. And with her bling on. Then it was time for amazing Magician Tom to mesmerize all of us,...

CHRISTMAS AND SO MUCH MORE!

Valerie Foster Hoffman is truly the Hostess With the Mostest, a real-life Auntie Mame! And to be at her Christmas party is to partake of an unforgettable experience. Cookies anyone? With Sherry in the garden. With Santa and our Lovely Hostess! Photographer Karl....

MOVING ON TOWARDS CHRISTMAS

The partying began at the California Club for the CTG Affiliates' Annual Christmas Luncheon. There are beautiful mystery boxes that everyone bids on....here's the one I got. Delightful Mary Kay with her treasure box. Sweet Diane chats with Artistic Director Snehal...

BEST THANKSGIVING EVER!

It's impossible to express how much I love Thanksgiving! Shopping for all of my traditional recipes starts about a week before, and this time it only took five trips! I begin with making the cranberries the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and the next day, the stuffing....

NOVEMBER’S JOY

Sandie girl came to the studio to work on her Christmas card. It's so lovely, but I can't show it to you just yet! This is where it all began on November 6th. Backup from the water drainage area. It's the 25th and work continues... On to lighter moments. Dinner at...

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY AND SO MUCH MORE

It was time to celebrate delightful Patricia Faber and sooo much fun was had by all! Architrect Miller Yee Fong had to leave early so he wasn't in the group photo. Happiest of birthdays dear Patricia! Make a wish!!! Soooo cute! I was so thrilled to see the recent...

OCTOBER MEANS SAYING GOODBYE TO SUMMER

Each year I'm determined to really enjoy summer and then find it's October and I wonder what happened. The upside to that is beginning the month with the Huntington Botanical Garden's Mid Autumn Moon Festival where we have a booth and get to see many of my wonderful...

CONTINUING SEPTEMBER

For a short month, September had a lot going on, continuing with the Center Theatre Group Affiliates New Member Orientation Meeting. "Giving the Gift of Theatre to the Next Generation." Afterwards, Christine Hart, VP Programs for the Affiliates, and Sweet Diane visit...

SEPTEMBER SURPRISE

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....

CELEBRATING VERONICA

August 23rd was Veronica's birthday, so off to Beverly Hills and lunch at Gucci Osteria on Rodeo Drive. I love chef extraordinaire Mattia Agazzi and knew he would do something very special for Veronica! We settled on the tasting menu which had all the exquisite dishes...

THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER……..

 ….thanks to some major planning which included having the table good to go days ahead of schedule and all of the Christmas cards sent! I decided to spare everyone the musical Crackers and fortunately these from William Sonoma arrived just in time! Trudy never forgets...

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We're GETTING CLOSE…COUNTING DOWN

   I saw The Bridges of Madison County at the Ahmanson and driving back had quite a discussion on what love is…..   I ‘loved’ their tree…... Amazing Marsha Ramos had an open house.  She’s my template for doing good but as she’s set the bar so high it’s rather tough....

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ALL JOY, ALL THE TIME…..

How true this always is with Sandie Girl and how delighted I was to see her completed Christmas Stocking lovingly made for Bella.     The stitchery is so creative and utterly amazing and the love and care that went into this is awesome.  Little details like the tail...

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JUST CALL ME AGENT 008…

My ‘Audition’ was held at Raleigh Studios….. …..where I had to sign in and get an identifying wrist band…. I had hoped to be able to test drive the actual Jaguar ‘SPECTRE’ car but was told...'please….don’t touch the car!’  It’s a million dollars worth of metal!!!...

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I LOVE THANKSGIVING……

…..and this year’s was the very best ever!!! I think I went to the store 5 times including a stop at Sur La Table for a new tablecloth and napkins.  Oh yes, potholders! It was so much fun seeing Amy at Trader Joe’s! Of course the table has to be set the day ahead…....

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WHY NOT GO FOR A TEST DRIVE……..

  …..not that I’m interested but it could be fun so off to Rusnak to test drive a new Jaguar.    It was the thought of nibbles that enticed me.I went first and headed towards the Reilly’s to do a fun surprise pop in when I remembered they were out of town.  What was I...

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THINGS ARE INTERESTING CONSIDERING…….

……I would have been in Japan this past week for the fall colors…. ……possibly having a breakfast such as Ralph just sent…. ….but since Trudy just returned with some goodies from there…. I had a taste of Japan right here! Oh well, the new fridge got installed…... But...

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A PERFECT DAY……..

…..began last Sunday with a call from Sandie Girl who casually mentioned there was a petting zoo later that day.  What????  Where?  When?  I’m coming over! There is an amazing children’s school right around the corner from the Reilly’s and they were having a ‘Fall...

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DOMESTICITY BRINGS ME JOY…..

……and this past week was filled with it!  But first Nikka and I were getting the video ‘Looking at Art’ up on YouTube.  This talk was prompted by several articles in the New York Times ‘Art’ section about the major sales happening at Sotheby’s and Christies. That day,...

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WELCOME…

to my personal blog where I’ll be sharing adventures and how I determine each day to live joyfully as an Artist, Teacher, and Author. My latest book “What If… We Have the Power to Change Our Lives” an inspirational book that hopefully will empower you to live your best life! You can find me and my work at nanraestudio.com My hope is that this blog will inspire you to find joy everywhere and in everything and that is what I wish for you!

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