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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,...
CELEBRATING!

CELEBRATING!

I love, love, love the 4th of July! It's the most fun holiday, and Marine and Aram start it off on the 1st with a bash for 150 of their closest friends! Marine, you're fantabulous!!! This is the cutest... There was a burger station.... My favorite was the crepes!...

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JUMP FOR JOY

JUMP FOR JOY

It's always so much fun to watch a rehearsal at the Music Center, and 'Complexions Contemporary Ballet' was the best! I'm in awe at the way dancers were tossed about and caught, performing feats of sheer magic. Thank you, Sweet Debra! Time for dinner with the always...

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JUNE JOY

JUNE JOY

What better way to begin the month than with a birthday treat! After a lot of different choices, Laurie Pie finally settled on a birthday treat for me, beginning with delicious Rubens at Urth Caffé on Melrose. Awwwww......... I have never been to the 'Groundlings,' so...

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CONTINUING MAY JOY

CONTINUING MAY JOY

I must say I was really surprised when the venue for my birthday bash was changed to the Valley Hunt Club from Nick's in Pasadena as a surprise! Veronica witnessed my stubborn side for the very first time when she asked me to change my attire. Come on... I'm fine for...

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IT’S MAY…PARTY TIME!

IT’S MAY…PARTY TIME!

Continuing the birthday fun, a world of thanks, dear Debra, for celebrating Terri & me at Chef José Andrés' Agua Viva at The Conrad. Love the terrace there! And special thanks for the lovely Hydrangea that is now planted for years of enjoyment! Well, May was the...

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THE JOYS OF MAY

THE JOYS OF MAY

Thank you, Wondrous Carol Soucek King, for telling us about brilliant artist Matt Locke's exhibit at the Knoll House, organized by Public Relations expert Carolyn Kamii. Matt is delightful, as evidenced by this photo! So wonderful to see Dr. Thomas Backer, a...

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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY

The most beautiful day was also the most inspiring, being at the Music Center's '44 Annual Very Special Arts Festival!' And the most fun! Seeing the children with such special needs being applauded and celebrated and having so many delightful events planned around...

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THE JOY OF EASTER

THE JOY OF EASTER

It began with an inspiring Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life hosted by Wondrous Carol Soucek King, with this month's guest speaker being Brilliant Satinder Dhiman, Ph.D., EdD, Associate Dean, Chair, and Director of the MBA Program and Professor of Management at...

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A MAGICAL DAY

A MAGICAL DAY

Special thanks to Sensei Michael Belzer, President of the 'Friends of Shoseian,' a non-profit founded to maintain and preserve the beauty and serenity of the Shoseian Teahouse and the Japanese Friendship Garden, for again asking me to participate in the 'Cherry...

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AFTER THE RAIN,RAINBOWS!

AFTER THE RAIN,RAINBOWS!

There's always the promise of a better day, and a rainbow is meant to tell us that! You'll see one further down, but for now, I will share delights along the way. Awesome Sherry Dewane shepherds the 'Play Review' group and gets the most amazing speakers for the...

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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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