Select Page

IS SUMMER OVER OR JUST BEGINNING?

How adorable! Precious Emilia and David, with their lovely mom, Maria, pick up their book, "That's Just What I Needed Today." August 7th and Somi is three ... can you believe it??? First an appointment at the spa where Somi had a blueberry facial before her usual...

JULY FLEW BY

If I turn around, the summer will be over, so I want to be sure to enjoy each wonderful moment! The best high after the 4th of July celebration was seeing Mamma Mia. We were in the absolute first row which was great as we saw everyone close up including the musicians....

I LOVE THE 4TH OF JULY…

It's grilled cheese sandwiches, games and unmitigated joy! Preparations start a week before the 4th. Tomatoes give the cheese sandwiches that special something but they have to be sliced thin and well drained. Party favors. The caricature is from the year before, when...

JUNE FLEW BY…

...with memorable moments such as delightful Peggy treating us to an evening of MUSE/IQUE at the Huntington. My birthday celebrations continued with lovely Marine and her delightful sister Eliza treating me at The Capital Grille. Another great movie night with Curtis...

MAY REMINICENSE

April was so very difficult that I'm going to skip right past it to delightful May. Perhaps it's because May is my birthday month but I really think there's so much more to look forward to in the month. Veronica pulled several landscapes for collector Pam to select...

CONTINUING MARCH

A highlight of March has to be being serenaded by Universal Renaissance man, my friend Stanley Penner, playing a bit of Mozart, Brahms and more... ...on his Bösendorfer. I was told to "Look up!" So many treasurers... A lovely "Gratitude Luncheon" at the Athenaeum....

MARCHING THROUGH MARCH

The Children's Festival was a wonderful way to begin the month. Three days of getting up at five, wearing a white apron and helping all the kids find their way to seats at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for an exciting dance performance by the Hubbard Street Dance...

SHORT BUT WONDERFUL

February, being the shortest month, has to cram a lot of joyful happenings..I can't think of a better way to begin the month than by celebrating Susie Kat's birthday at the Jonathan Beach Club! Yours truly, Maggie, Susie's cousin, Carol Soucek King, our amazing...

JANUARY, AND THE NEW YEAR BEGINS…

I'm not too sure what to make of January. Perhaps it's because December is such an amazing high with Christmas and New Years that it's hard to re-focus on business as usual. Well, maybe not as usual but certainly not at the extreme! It took Veronica and me two days to...

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,...

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

MOONLIGHT and ROSES GALA

I can’t believe I’m actually wearing a skirt!   In addition, there may actually be two dresses in my closet (I’m not sure)!! This is so unusual that Nikka, my irreplaceable Assistant, insisted on taking a photo…. Curious?  Well, it was for the Grand Gala fundraising...

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