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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...

SUNDAY WITH THE REILLY’S….

……plus food and you have perfection!  We went to Trattoria Neapolis in Pasadena with the amazing Jakey the Reilly’s grandson.  I say amazing because he’s not quite two years old going on five.  No kidding, this lad is awesome…..so smart, attentive and...

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WE WILL ROCK YOU……

……and rock us they did as Tomiko & I caught the final performance of the music of QUEEN set to a story by Ben Elton. On a show like this I think it’s best to be at the last performance as the cast seems to really go all out.  This was no exception and they...

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TIME TO CELEBRATE…….

……..beginning with Charles and my anniversary on the 19th. (The 19th on the 19th!) Emma printed up this card for Charles and he signed it. Awwwwww……… We all went to Bar Verde……surprised? I love my darling Charles! Next day was class at the Huntington and Jessica...

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BONNIE and CHARLIE’s DELIGHTFUL PARTY….

…….last Sunday celebrated all things Japanese! It was such a great pleasure traveling to Japan with them this past spring as they are wonderful observers and bring their joie de vivre to everything! Have you seen the scroll they commissioned for their serene Tatami...

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GUARDIANS of the GALAXY……

……was the perfect way to start the week! I loved this movie!!! Actually the star of the movie was a talking, machine gun toting, genetically altered, cybernetically enhanced raccoon….Rocket, voiced by Bradley Cooper.  You have a problem with that? His best bud is...

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FROM PASADENA to SANTA MONICA….

…..it was a great week….. beginning with Sunday’s event at Vroman’s in Pasadena.  Sweet and hugely multi-talented Black Belt (correct) Diana Ming Jeong invited me to a book signing for her awesome teacher Don Baird who is in the Martial Art Masters Hall of...

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CELEBRATING JIM REILLY’S BIRTHDAY……

…..is becoming a tradition with ME being taken out.  Shouldn’t it be the other way around??? ……..Just saying….. Anyway, I’ll drink to that! It was so good to see Lauren…..we’ve missed her….. Foodie Sandie picked ‘Alta Eats’ tucked away on the Altadena/Pasadena...

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SUNDAY AFTERNOON WITH REX….

…..bon vi-vant, mom’s favorite peep and general ‘man about town’! We began at ‘The Fig and Olive’ at 8490 Melrose Place in North Hollywood.  (Tomiko & I would get glammed up at Frederic Fekkai just down the block. Or is it ‘up the block’?).  Anyway, back...

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THE LAST CONFESSION……

……ended it’s run at the Ahmanson Theatre last Sunday and I was so delighted I didn’t miss it!  David Suchet, along with an international cast, starred in this production that was part of a world tour and they delivered some of the best acting I have seen in...

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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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