As I put away the crystal from yesterday’s festivities, I wonder…why on earth do I clean these glasses before I put them away, and then again when I take them out for the next use? Is that what everyone does or not? And just why are there spots after they were so carefully hand dried? Am I toeing the line of OCD, or am I just a good hostess?

In spite of today’s pedantic rant, I DO have some colorful highlights of our week here in the hood, and I will post as soon as the glasses are put away…

The Critter can hardly wait! Happy Easter, y’all!

I am thrilled with the creativity displayed by those with WAY too much time on their hands. What would we do without this fantastic Peeps Show contest sponsored by the Washington Post?

…that I see my DNA in the Critter. In spite of all pleading from me, lights turned on and Louis XIV whining for his playmate to play, he burrows down and grabs five more minutes.

People come from all over the world to have their “moment” of stardom, so in honor of those you may not ever see were it not for an iPhone and the Internet, I give you today’s star, who we’ll name LA Cool Blue Brotha.

I can’t wait for the Critter to wake up and see the egg creation station that awaits him.

As a designer, I want painted cabinets, mouldings, and doors to have the nice shinier wipeable finish that until recently only toxic oil based paints can deliver. As a mom, offgasses and VOC’s cause worry that my desire for serviceability and aesthetics could poison the Critter! Safecoat Paints has a product called Naturals that uses plant based oil to create the same finish and texture that I love from my old school enamels. They come in over a hundred tints and are sold locally by Livingreen.

This is a virtual Easter Dream! Today’s stroll to Whole Foods took me past the sublime Madame Chocolat, you may remember my mention of her before. The Easter Bunny will definitely hop on by to see Madame before Good Friday!

The Annenberg from ArchDaily on Vimeo.

I couldn’t be happier for Lou Moore, a client and friend, who is the Executive Director of The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts! Lou and crew have steadfastly toiled for ten years to plan and develop the conversion of the old Beverly Hills Post Office on Little Santa Monica into a world class cultural center and architectural monument for generations of Beverly Hills residents.

The Beverly Hills Courier reports:
” Guests at the groundbreaking had the opportunity to view an exhibition showcasing architect Zoltan Pali’s award-winning design for the Annenberg. Pali, principal and founder of SPF:architects, shared with guests the model of the Annenberg as well as graphic renderings depicting various views of the site and the Goldsmith Theater, the brand new stage being built adjacent to the post office.

“We have a stunning design from Zoltan Pali,” said Wallis Annenberg Center’s Executive Director Lou Moore. “Our Board of Directors has been working very closely with Pali throughout each phase. We applaud the team’s efforts and diligence in insuring that this design meets the expectations of our donors, neighbors and the entire community.”

An exhibit featuring contents from the 1933 time capsule, discovered as preparations began for groundbreaking was also on display. The small copper box contained a fascinating collection of documents, indicative of the economic, sociopolitical, and cultural climate of the nation at that time. Local historians were on hand to talk with guests about the box and its contents.”

Read more and see the sponsors getting out their shovels….