Music and Film - Immortal Beloved

I was reading the post today at Maxminimus today about a football playing thug who earns $1.4 million a month. It reminded me of all the music industry thugs, if you will, who glorify a life of violence and drugs and who make bazillions of dollars doing it.  I don't believe that in 200 years this music will be still be appreciated..but I could be wrong.  In the meantime all these musicians are laughing their way to the bank.

What I've been listening to recently is music by a man who you could say also glorified violence, at least he did in one instance, by dedicating his Symphony #3 to Napoleon. 
But Beethoven later redeemed himself by renaming the Symphony Eroica after Napoleon declared himself Emperor in 1804.

I'm guessing that in 200 years, the music of Beethoven will still be appreciated.





Symphony No. 7 in A Major Op. 92 Allegretto

Around Town or Angelina Jolie and Me

As promised, we saw snow on Rodeo Drive last night....well maybe not snow but snow flakes at least floating around in the air.  How this was done I don't know, but I assume that they used the same process as they do for creating snow for the movies.  After all, Hollywood is the next town over.

It was crowed in the street and the restaurants. I wasn't so sure about the stores.  And the mood was definitely jolly in the way that sparkling holiday decorations and a spectacular Christmas tree makes one feel. Unfortunately, I didn't get to really enjoy the street because as I was leaving my office, there was a demonstration by the PETA people right outside of my building.  I was wearing a vintage fur jacket and naturally wanted to avoid the yelling PETA people so I slipped out the back way and walked down the alley.

Our partner offices, Kazanjian Brothers Inc., were having their Christmas party last night so I stopped in for a little glass of champagne.  Next door to KBI, Bob Procop, jeweler to the rich and famous and formally head of Asprey and of Garrard recently opened his new office.  Not only has Bob has been working with Angelina Jolie on developing a new line of jewelry to benefit her charity, he provided jewelry for her new film 'The Tourist", including the magnificent antique Edwardian diamond collar necklace.

And guess who just had to try on the beautiful diamond collar for herself, channelling her inner Angelina.  Yes, it definitely was my kind of jewelry...

hint, hint, hint...to anyone looking to spend more than $1 million on my Xmas gift...

I was loath to take it off and give it back to Bob...but the jewelry that I had been wearing, chocolate and white south sea pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings in rose and white gold, actually went better with my heather brown Michael Kors sweater and pencil skirt. 

To add to my story, yesterday afternoon I had to run an errand and as I was waiting to cross Wilshire Boulevard, the most exquisite brunette driving a Range Rover was stopped at the red light in front of me.  It had to be Angelina Jolie...or her doppelganger.  She was so beautiful.  I've seen her before in Beverly Hills, and she is truly stunning.

For the record, in case you hadn't guessed, I'm on team Angelina because that woman can do everything... and she can save orphan children.  Talk about a multitasker!

I can't wait to see her new movie.

 

Around Town - Deck The Hills with SNOW!

Having recently seen the photos of the snowy streets of Paris,
including this image from the blog God, I Love Paris

I was thinking how nice it would be to have a little real winter weather in Beverly Hills

Well, apparently the weather gods (or the Rodeo Drive Committee) are granting me my wish

WEATHER FORECAST:

100% CHANCE OF SNOW FOR BEVERLY HILLS ON THURSDAY, DEC. 9

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Dec. 9 from 6-9 p.m. as Rodeo Drive and the City of Beverly Hills celebrate the Holiday Season with SNOW 90210 and a 100% chance of snow.

The tony city, that averages a 70 degree high temperature, a 73% chance of sunshine and a chilly low temperature of 52 degrees in early December, is guaranteeing a blizzard over 3 blocks of famed shopping street Rodeo Drive and also on Brighton Way.
The brainchild of the Rodeo Drive Committee, SNOW 90210 is based on the highly successful Fashion’s Night Out

I've been in a bah humbug mood all month, probably because there is so much to do and I can't seem to catch up. But I think that a stroll around the neighborhood tonight might be just the thing to put me in the proper Christmas spirit.

My Alter Ego In Paris

This is what I would look like
if I were a wee bit older, thinner, a brunette and a Parisienne
photo from The Sartorialist

Getting Inspired For Holiday Entertaining

Every year at this time I debate with myself over the subject of whether or not I even want to bother to get a Christmas tree.  It's a lot of time and energy for just myself and my two children to appreciate.
But then there's the blogosphere begging me to get in the Christmas spirit and consider entertaining with photos like these.

Reggie and Boy's table setting from a formal Fall dinner party - simply sublime

A table setting a la Francais brought to us by Tish Jett - absolument magnifique

And a tartan table from stylist/designer/blogger Scot Meacham Wood

To be honest, I'm much too busy working, especially at this time of year, to organize any type of entertaining, even the most basic cocktail party.  I'm such a perfectionist that if I can't do it right, I won't do it at all.
Perhaps some day in the future, I will find the time for all this.
In the meantime, I will enjoy the merriment vicariously through the my friends in the blogosphere.