Love the PV

Most recently I was at Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes for an event. Overall the weekend was a success. The resort team really delivered on the faith that I had in the overall vision of the project (mind you I signed the contract when it was literally a pile of dirt and would occasionally check-in with hard hat tours to ensure that everything was on schedule and appropriately reserved for the big event).

One of the reasons it's great having creative and resourceful people in your life is that they blog about your events for you!

This lovely lady helped with the flowers.
This magnificent man helped with the photos.

I just ran around all weekend trying to mask my stress level with a smile:










Mar'sel is one of my new favorite restaurants. Ever. It also happens to be ranked top 10 Restaurants for California Cuisines in Los Angeles Area by Gayot. There is this enormous fire pit on the patio and you can dine at one of the seating areas around the pit. I felt like I was transported back to a summer evening in Italy. It was my moment of cognitive dissonance to remember that I was a mere 40 minutes from home.








Other fun facts about the property:
1) They were filming Matchmaker Millionaire as I was setting up for one of my dinners. It was like tail-dating as I was 15 feet away from their walking conversation. Apparently the episode will be shown in February (I don't watch much on Bravo so I'm not 100% on those details).
2) They were also filming Cougar Town at the spa. It's an amaaaaazing! spa, so I can see why.
3) Would bet at least $50 that I saw Mark McGuire (or his twin) in the lobby.
4) Nelson's (another restaurant on property) has amazing sweet potato fries!

They're baaaaack!

LOVES 89% off

The Blind Side

I'm talking about the book. I know. I know. I know. The movie comes out on Nov. 20, but I strongly encourage everyone to read this book. The trailer does a decent job of pitching the movie and I will likely see it (I say likely b/c of time, not interest). I admit that I would not have the same interest level about the movie had I not read the book. It's a fun read (really!). For those that do not eat, sleep, and breathe all things NFL or college football, you should not be intimidated. This book only skims some of the history of football, mainly to demonstrate the evolution of the game (think Malcolm Gladwell's category of "The Few" in The Tipping Point), and how players like Michael Oher, have changed the play book and pay structure of the NFL. Yes it's a heart warming human interest story, but it's also an inside look into the behind the scenes of football recruiting. The plot of the book could easily be compared to your favorite episode of Friday Night Lights (tv series). BTW I'm hoping that I'm not dissapointed with Sandra Bullock, b/c in my mind Tami Taylor should have been cast as the Mom.