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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...

Addicted to Cute Doggies……

…..and other fun stuff! I showed you this fellow before but I love him so. What can he be thinking? Would you believe….These two were being hand fed with a fork…. There, there Kita, you’re still my fav…… I love the way you sit and beg to go for a ride… Never giving up...

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NOW WHERE WAS I????????????

Perhaps I should start at the beginning when I got the urge to plant some new roses. While Kita entertained herself………….. And my addiction to cute doggies grew stronger. Rosie and I met for lunch at Le Pain Quotidien in Americana…..catching up on her Ragbrai bike ride...

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WHAT A WEEK………

……my car decided to have a fit at Trader Joe’s…..the alarm went off and I couldn’t stop it….please, make it stop.  Silly me, when it did I went inside, marketed and when the groceries were in the trunk I could not start the car.  Wouldn’t you know…. when the...

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RED2……

……is absolutely the best summer movie….tons of fun and great cast…..Helen Mirren was fantastic and Mary Louise Parker’s dead pan wry humor was perfect! Laurie & I BOTH had a large popcorn and I did quite a bit of damage to mine. Time for dinner at Frida’s in...

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BRUSHSTROKES IN HOLLYWOOD……

…..directed and produced by Pam Tom has a completed ‘First Cut’ thanks to Kickstarter!!!  More on that later.  The amazingly talented, award winning  Pam is moving with hubby Ted and their delightful daughters Asia & Isabella, to New York, so friend...

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LIONS and TIGERS and BEARS…..oh my!

…..well maybe not bears as Sandie & Dr. Jim along with Lauren and Richard left for Africa Monday.  The latest report received was that although they arrived in Nairobi, Sandie’s bag was in Switzerland and Jim’s arrived in Nairobi b4 they did!  Probably...

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MOVIES, MOVIES, MOVIES……

……..See how the planet will end…..this turned out to actually be cute with a delightful ending. Rating: Large popcorn, cheesy chips and lots of candy since ‘This is the End’. I’d see this just to hear the William Tell Overture and Johnny Depp was so much better than...

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I HAD RECEIVED A VERY SPECIAL COMMISSION…….

……to create a scroll for Bonnie and Charlie’s Tatami Room.  Now this is no small assignment as the scroll, being site specific, was to be the only ‘adornment’ in the room and had to convey: A sense of peace…….. harmonious with it’s surroundings….. bringing nature...

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WHAT A GREAT WEEK!

…..It was simply sensational to have Michelle Bouse back in class….she’s sooooo busy!  Michelle is a celebrity makeup artist (famous for her amazing lashes) and is internationally known & LOVED!  Who wants to spend a day with me at Michelle Bouse’s...

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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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