Small Town Life In Big L.A.

Pasta Tasting With Scott Conant At The Ponte Beverly Hills

Those who know me well know that I am a major foodie and that my FAVORITE food in the world is PASTA. And to take it a step further if I had to pick my absolute FAVORITE pasta it is hands down PASTA POMODORO. My friends also know I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the FOOD NETWORK. We regularly watch CHOPPED, IRON CHEF, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, and several others. Celebrity Food Network Chef SCOTT CONANT is a frequent guest on these shows. His specialty is PASTA! If you look up the word in the dictionary his picture is there. He is a pasta PERFECTIONIST.

So imagine me sitting in my favorite chair casually checking out Instagram Stories and seeing his post about his appearance at a special pasta tasting at his Beverly Hills restaurant! I texted my sister to see if she would want to go and her immediate response was "I'm in!" So I made the rez and OFF WE GO!



Our rez was for 8:15 which allowed us a leisurely drive through picturesque Laurel Canyon. L.A. is very mountainous and it always fascinates me to see the mansions way up high. Follow the winding road to Beverly Boulevard, make a right and you're there! 

And here we are excited about what the evening would bring. We had prayed on the way about various things, as is our custom, and I threw in a couple of selfish prayer requests. The Lord answered exceedingly abundantly more than I had asked! 

We opened the door and started heading toward the back to check in and lo and behold there he was! The pic and some conversation just flowed! Such a hospitable man and very good looking! Selfish prayer #1 answered!

And then we were seated. On the patio, under the giant lit tree, at a GREAT table! Selfish prayer #2 answered! PTL! We were both SO EXCITED and happy to be there!

If you love pasta chances are bread is right up there with it. I have tried many breads over the years and here was yet a new one. Tall, spongey and delicious, dipped in olive oil with a sundried tomato compote. Yum!

And here it is! PASTA AL POMODORO! The star of the show and Scott Conant's version of my favorite dish! BE STILL MY HEART!!! A moment of silence please...All I can say is heaven on a plate! And yes I had to close my eyes to savor the moment. Just seeing this and writing about it makes me want MORE!

And that was just the beginning! 5 more exquisite pasta dishes followed!

 

 

 

Some things don't photograph well but trust me this gnocchi with special foam was amazing!!! 

Cheers Scott Conant and THE PONTE! Thank you for a most memorable and lovely evening. And as someone famous in Hollywood once said... "Ill Be Back!"

Lunch & Christmas Boutique At The Sportsman's Lodge

This was the famous hangout of Clark Gable, Katherine Hepburn, & John Wayne! Today it's a popular filming destination and host to fabulous events.

Dale and I enjoyed being invited to represent our stores REVELATION TOPS and MOUNTAIN ROSE GIFTS at a women's meeting & luncheon. Want to see what it was like? Click on the quick video!

 

 Check out our new Christmas TOPS! Click HERE.

Fabulous Fall Day In Ojai

There's nothing like taking a back roads scenic drive to Ojai on a Sunday afternoon. This epitomizes the California country life. First stop an organic farm stand where the just picked offerings are waiting for you. The arugula and sage I purchased was cut from the garden patch as I waited. 

This says Fall to me! The corn stalks are for sale!

These pumpkins were just picked. You buy them using the honor system, placing the money for the suggested worth in a tin box.

Here's my loot safe on the back seat. There are Thanksgiving pie plans for this pumpkin.

Strolling along Ojai's shopping district at dusk.

Supporting unique small business with these wonderfully scented finds.

Discovered the newly opened honey shop and did a tasting of locally harvested honey with the beekeeper's wife.

As evening settled in we had dinner at the amazing Ranch House. This was one of Paul Newman's favorite restaurants and sees quite a few local celebrities. They are known for farm to table cuisine and feature a 5 course prefix menu. Our dinner was outstanding! I started with the grilled diver scallop which is so good Iron chef Cat Cora did a segment on it for the Food Network. Next an artfully composed refreshing salad followed by healthy pumpkin soup. My main course was short ribs with pappardelle pasta and Dale had the best filet mignon he has ever had in his life (even better than The Grand Wailea Resort in Maui)! Dessert was a trio of house made delights. Just perfect!

 

I enjoyed hearing famous stories about the restaurant from our nice waiter who is a longtime Ojai resident. Who would ever know that Marlon Brando imported some of the black bamboo surrounding our table to his island back in the day. AND that the table next to us was known as John Lennon's table because that is where he liked to dine. Apparently local Reese Witherspoon dines here and brought famous Twilight actor Robert Pattinson when he was staying with her family while shooting a movie. I just love these stories! What a blessing it is to have this escape just an hour from home!

Save

Danny Elfman Performs The Nightmare Before Christmas At The Hollywood Bowl!

My big birthday year continues as my husband treated me to 3rd row BOX SEATS! at the sold out Danny Elfman performance at the one and only HOLLYWOOD BOWL! It is quite the tradition to bring a gourmet picnic dinner when you attend the bowl. Here is the menu I planned!

WOW! I can't believe how close we are to the stage!!!

Our candlelight main course Pesto Pasta with Shrimp and Pine nuts.

This is the view behind us. The bowl is FULL tonight for this historic occasion.

And so it begins...

This is the opening music. LOVE!!! I had to pinch myself!

These are the actual performers who sing "This Is Halloween"

 

And here they are singing it.

 

 

The crowd went wild when Composer Danny Elfman hit the stage. He composed this music and is the voice of Jack! What an AMAZING voice he has!

 

Just listen to him!!!

The orchestra played the entire score as we watched the movie on giant screens. Just AWESOME!!!

Danny and the crew singing their hearts out! Perfection!

Actress Catherine O'Hara ( Beetlejuice) and Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman) are part of the original cast.

This is the original Oogie Boogie man!

Catherine O'Hara singing the part of Sally.

I wish I would have taken more pics of the amazing costumes. We are in Hollywood after all.

Bravo Danny Elfman and the entire orchestra and cast! A once in a lifetime experience we will never forget.

 

 

 

Foodie Day In Malibu

This is Geoffrey's. One of our favorite restaurants! Located in Malibu and overlooking the Pacific, you can see why it is a famous celebrity hangout and featured in many films. This happens to be one of the most sought after tables, all the way out on the rail. We're here for brunch on a peaceful overcast morning. 

The food here is artfully presented and delicious!

Just look at that amazing dessert!

After lunch we walk up to a secret beach entrance that only the locals know about. 

Down the hidden path...

and here's what you find at the end! A glorious view and LOTS of steps down the cliff. 

Bouganvilla grows abundantly here.  

After spending the day sightseeing, shopping, and relaxing it was time for an early dinner at Taverna Tony. We've experienced several star sightings here over the years, Helen Hunt being the most memorable. You just never know who is going to grace those steps. At night it becomes magical with the patio ensconced in little white lights, candlelight, and an ocean breeze.

This is what we most often share here, the jumbo prawns Greek style. I love Malibu and am thankful it's so close to home. 

 

Worship Night In America L.A.

Last Friday night we were blessed to attend Worship Night In America at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

It was our first time here. The Forum is very close to LAX and as we were taking these pics huge planes were low overhead as they were coming in for a landing. I loved it!

The Forum holds close to 20,000 people and this night it was FULL of people ready to praise the Lord. I don't think I have ever been in a place with that many Christians worshiping together! To say it was awesome would be an understatement...beyond words. (photo courtesy of The Forum)

Can you tell we were EXCITED to be there! Thanks to my nephew who bought our tickets weeks ago and got us amazing seats.

Imagine top Christian artists Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Kim Walker, and Phil Wickham joining together to play the famous songs they have written in one grand worship service!!!

Here Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, opens us in prayer.

Christian Author Max Lucado was there and gave a great message in his well known style.

Something historic also happened that night that has probably never happened at The Forum. You could feel the presence of the Lord and His peace and stillness as the entire crowd GOT DOWN ON THEIR KNEES TO PRAY for our country. Oh the beauty of that prayer time!

The evening ended with worship in dance as we all got on our feet and danced, jumped, and moved to "God's Dance Floor". WOW! WOW! WOW! This was a slice of heaven! L.A. was the first stop of this tour with four more cities to go. Thank you Lord for such an amazing night of refreshment!

 

First Ever Montrose Kids & Moms Fashion Show

This is the sight of the first ever KIDS & MOMS FASHION SHOW right in the heart of Montrose!

 

The vision for the show was born in our MSPA Marketing Committee by my friend and next door neighbor GiGi Garcia who owns the popular kids boutique IT TAKES A VILLAGE. As soon as she shared her idea I was quick to jump on it. I love fashion shows! And here we are today, our dream becoming a reality.

This adorable salon, BUBBLE CUTS, also in our block, did a phenomenal job of styling all the kids hair. Kids love it here! They can watch TV and be entertained while getting their new do. Owner Carlos, (right), even had donuts! O happy day!

We had some time before our stores opened and the show so we hit the Sunday Montrose Harvest Market. Here my sister Carole is wearing her new Revelation TOP with colorful lace and a flutter sleeve.

Check out these gourmet veggies sold right in front of our store! I've never seen cauliflower like that!

There was so much going on in town this day including a strolling mariachi trio, pet parade, and taste of Montrose!

It's fashion show time and the models are getting assembled in the tent.

I am loving being the emcee on a beautiful SoCal day in the town I love, with people I love, talking fashion, enjoying the kids, and making new friends. Thank you Lord!

Let the show begin! I hope video surfaces of this adorable actress, you can see her on the TV show "Transparent",  who danced to the music up and down the runway. Everyone loved it! My sister took this pic and was struck by the little boy in the background. She sure got his attention! LOL!

Here is the beautiful and talented owner of VILLAGE BOUTIQUE & BOARDSHOP with her adorable daughter.

These girls are best friends and are often seen in town. I call them M&M. M (left) whose Mom owns IT TAKES A VILLAGE, has already been on magazine covers and in national commercials and M (Right) family owns MONTROSE CANDY CO., also in our block.

Courtney, a local high school principal, is modeling a fave outfit from REVELATION TOPS. The open shoulder tunic is light as a feather and made in the USA. The 4 way stretch capris have an amazing pull on fit and are adorned with crystal bows at the calves. Looks like she has a handful with son Armen! LOL!

The show must go on and there's always something going on behind the scenes. God Bless my husband Dale who is in charge of events & business manager for the Montrose Shopping Park. We had unexpected mic problems and he discovered a loose wire that was the culprit. It caused me to have to move away from the runway, hold the mic a certain way without moving, and all while he held the wire in place, on his knees, the entire show! But we did it!!! This guy deserves a medal!

The icing on the cake was being interviewed and filmed by our wonderful social media team CONCISE FOCUS. Husband and wife owners Valerie and Mitchell are extremely talented! You can see their work on our MSPA Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. I can't wait to see how they captured today's events! 

Thanks for reading and special thanks for shopping the many one of a kind boutiques in Montrose!

 

From Where I Sit...GIFT SHOW Adventures

It's that wonderful time of year again! Shopping & Gift Shows! Thankful to fly out of Burbank airport this time. So close to home!

Here is the view as you approach Las Vegas from the West Coast.

Love the chandeliers at the Paris Hotel. They are huge and sparkly and even more amazing when you are standing under one.

We scored a fabulous patio table for two at Mon Ami Gabi. This French steakhouse is one of our faves! Imagine having Profiteroles for dessert as you watch...

the famous Bellagio fountains! Heavenly!

Back at the room we could enjoy them from afar.

Days were spent shopping at the world class Las Vegas Market. Three high-rise buildings full of state of the art showrooms!

Of course we found LOTS of stuff for our store MOUNTAIN ROSE GIFTS I also watch for trends. The GRAY trend continues across all channels in home decor and apparel.

After a long day shopping we stopped by the courtyard to roast some marshmallows. It was in the low 40's so the fire pits and heat-lamps were most welcome.

Going to Las Vegas is a working vacation for us. Many go to gamble. Not us. We enjoy the restaurants. I think we were given the best table in the house at Jasmine. Located in the Bellagio, it's elegant and has a close up view of the fountains.

Just beautiful!

A fitting end to a delicious Chinese meal.

Walking back to our hotel we realized something was going on. Where were the throngs of people and all the buses and cars??? Turns out Matt Damon was there and they were shooting the new Bourne Identity movie!

We have never seen the strip totally shut down! Amazing!

Shopping the show means you are standing and walking all day. It helps to take a break to get your feet up.

Most of the time we grab a bite in the showrooms on the run but this day we stopped for lunch at a trendy restaurant on the premises.

This is how you feel at the end of a shop 'til you drop day.

Las Vegas has a HUGE new airport that receives people from all over the world.

Bye Vegas! What a great time! What a great show! Thank you Lord for answering our prayers and letting us be able to do this.

 

 

Meeting Valerie Harper

It was the early 80's when Revlon moved Dale and I to Los Angeles. I'll never forget the first time we went to BONO'S in Beverly Hills for dinner. Owned by Sonny Bono it was the "hip" place to go and being new to the area I was excited to see what it was like.

Being from the East coast we were used to dressing conservatively for dinner. We arrived, Dale in suit and tie and me in a business suit with nylons and heels. I quickly noticed everyone else was into fun, trendy, L.A. fashion, a sight I had not seen in New York restaurants. I LOVED it!

There was Sonny and there was Cher!!! The restaurant was all the rage and full in a good way. Tables sat 2-4 and were close together. We were seated in the center of the room. Once we got situated I realized we were sitting right next to "Rhoda"!!!, Valerie Harper. I had to kick Dale under the table and use eye motions because she was so close she would hear me if I said it out loud. Being totally star struck I tried to act like this was "normal". Dale, on the other hand politely said hello and told her how much he admired her work. Well she was as nice as she could be and introduced us to her trainer, actor Tony Cacciotti, who years later would become her husband.

What a memorable night that was! Beverly Hills, stars, a happening place, and phenomenal Italian food. Only in L.A.!

CBS Show BATTLE CREEK Films in Montrose

It's always fun when a major film shoot comes to town. This time I got to see the action up close as our store Revelation TOPS was buried in film equipment.

Right next door at AVIGNONE'S they were preparing to shoot the new CBS TV show BATTLE CREEK. Created by House's David Shore with Vince Gilligan, the show is about two cynical detectives, Josh Duhamel and Dean Winters, who team up to clean up their town. Let's see what's behind the closed curtain.

Here is what you'll see in episode two, "Syrupticious".

Avignone's has been the setting for quite a few famous actors and films... Adam Sandler, Courtney Cox, Donald Sutherland, and Hugh Laurie, just to name a few.

Here is how Montrose Bakery & Cafe, just a few doors up, was transformed.

I was treated to lunch with the crew and cast since it was was set up in front of our store. It was good too!

This is one of the things that makes shopping in the Montrose Shopping Park fun. You just never know who you are going to run into.