Select Page

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...

PIRCH IS MY HAPPY PLACE……

…mostly because their Mission Statement can be narrowed to two words…’LIVE JOYFULLY’ and this is consistent throughout from the rubber wristbands in different colors they have for you  with those two words written on them to the green apples there for the taking and...

read more

THE SOUND OF MUSIC……

at the Ahmanson started the week and it was wonderful! Tomiko wouldn’t do this but I like it because I look thin!  Oh, so you don’t think this is me…..hmmmmm...  There were so many little girls in the audience…..This one kept singing along with all the songs.  Tomiko...

read more

OH JOY….ANOTHER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION…..

…..this one at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills for birthday girl beautiful Tina Marie! I know, you’re not supposed to pick up the plates but I’m so very proud of Lissi Kaplan who paints all of the serviceware for teatime at the Peninsula. Starting off….. You know...

read more

AMAZING FASHION and JEWELRY EVENT…..

…..held at Valerie Foster Hoffman’s which immediately tells you it will be something grand and glorious! This one, featuring GRAYSE and the JEWELRY BAR was to benefit THE LEAGUE FOR CHILDREN. Thoughtful Valerie had a Valet service waiting for her guests or, with so...

read more

OH JOY…MUSIC BEGAN THE WEEK…..

…..and that’s certainly an occasion for joy!  Master Don Baird presented ‘Clarinet On Town’ to highlight his compositions.  Lovely wife Maria accompanied ‘Darkening Sky’ and Following the Moon’ by reading two of Don’s poems.That’s more like it Maria….  Cutie Diana...

read more

PIRCH is my HAPPY PLACE…….

…their motto ‘Live Joyfully’ is right over the front door so I'm especially joyful when I can share a culinary adventure there with Sandie Girl!  But first…..we must have a cappuccino…..  I love everyone there….I wasn’t charged a re-stocking fee to exchange the range...

read more

THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL…..

  …..was Laurie Pie’s pick to celebrate her birthday from a field of four spots.   Of course we had a photo op as soon as we arrived. The Polo Lounge is such a wonderful, memory laden spot and it’s always so delightful to be inside looking out at the patio! Carnivores...

read more

WHERE OUR PRECIOUS WATER COMES FROM…….

……I was about to find out as it was my great privilege and fun pleasure to be included in the COLORADO RIVER AQUEDUCT Inspection Trip sponsored by Marsha Ramos, Director, Metropolitan Water District or as we fondly call her….Director Ramos! I know you won’t believe...

read more

OLD AND NEW JOYFUL MEMORIES

 The treasure of a friendship brings forth great memories. This design project for Frette from eighteen years ago was unearthed after a conversation with Rosanne Sachson, A.S.I.D. filled with joyful laughter. “Sail Away” was the theme and a Nan Rae painting graced the...

read more

LOVE IS IN THE AIR…….

……and that brings such joy! Mary and Keith exchanged vows in the beautiful 1st Congregational Church of Los Angeles on Commonwealth….. Sign in please….. Pastor Dr. Scott Colglazier performed  a moving….touching ecumenical service…. Charles wrote this for me on an...

read more

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!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Posts

Archives

Pin It on Pinterest