My stepmom’s husband’s daughter, Alex, came to town yesterday and had never been to Beverly Hills.  She had always heard about Spago and it was her dream to go there some day.  So we went.  We had lunch in the patio and it was everything a place like Spago should be.  Valet parking, gracious service, and fantastic food. She had the lobster club and I had Wolfgang’s famous schnitzel.  We shared a dessert that looked like an art display on a plate – something with a sheet of chocolate, cherries, pistachios, and sorbet.  It was too beautiful to eat but that didn’t stop us. After lunch, we went down Rodeo Drive for the full Beverly Hills experience.  There was even an armored truck in front of Van Cleef & Arpels. Oh, and back at the house we had a 5.4 magnitude earthquake so she had the full SoCal experience.

Last night I was craving Mexican food so we went to El Torito.  We’ve been there over the years and it was always dependable so this time, I was even going to have a margarita. That was my first mistake but I’ll get to that later. They fry their own tortilla chips and brought those first, so greasy they had a sheen.  They should have served them with latex gloves.  The main reason for going to El Torito is they make guacamole at your table.  The guacamolier put in too much salt, so now we have bad guacamole on an oil-slicked chip. But my margarita (I rarely drink alcohol) was keeping my standards low as I awaited my crispy tacos.  Did I say crispy?  Imagine the greasy tortilla chips only bigger. And heavier.  I picked one up and the weight & viscosity caused the bottom to fall out into a greasy mess.  The Gulf of Mexico came to mind.  Was it the Mexican food, or was it the oil slick on my plate?  By the end of my margarita, I imagined the kitchen staff washing pelicans in the back sink.  When we got up to leave, I felt a bit dizzy (of course – alcohol on an empty stomach!) and only wanted to take a nap.  Or eat.  The next time I crave Mexican food and see an El Torito, I’ll make like that west Texas town… el Pass-o.

The bees are back. The exterminators have been here three times, they removed the hive from the attic, they sprayed inside and out, and they came back a third time just to say “good riddance.” So last night I went in my bathroom and there were a dozen bees flying around.  Actually, there was a dead one on my toothbrush!!  Yughkk!! My bathroom is directly below that section of the attic and when you turn on the ceiling lights, it draws the bees. They are mocking me and I don’t like it, but I will win this one.

The Lakers did it!

What a game!

Go Lakers!

Website News: There’s a new video in the Skincare section! I get asked about my skincare routine all the time so Damon (the best assistant on the planet – no, in the universe!) used his creative skills and put together a great video so anyone can do a facial at home. All I did was take the photos and then keep saying, “Is it ready yet?”  Well, it’s ready and available to view. You’ll see that great skin is about more than using the right products.                          “Junk food has to go……. if you want your skin to glow.”

I’ve been taking my stepmom to the VA Hospital every day to visit her husband, who’s doing extremely well, by the way.  I enjoy going there just to be around so many veterans, knowing how much they have given to all of us.  As I was driving away, I looked up and saw one of the many American flags that fly there, as it proudly waved, almost as if it knew that this was a very special place.   I was so moved at the sight, I pulled over to take this photo.  I just wanted to share that moment… and this beautiful picture.

What a nice surprise to see that my show was mentioned in David Archuleta’s memoirs.  The American Idol phenom is 19 years old now but when we he was only eleven, he tore up the Jenny Jones stage with the Dream Girls song, “And I Am Telling You.”  I have a copy of his performance to be viewed.  Sorry that it’s not a good quality but it’s still exciting to watch.  He got a standing ovation!  Click here to see it.

She used to lock me in the closet and tell me there was a monster in there but now my closet is the size of a small gymnasium so I have nothing to fear. 🙂 My sister is coming in from Canada today for the weekend.  She arrives tonight and we’re going to have fun, fun, fun! We’ll be doing the Hollywood thing, see the Hollywood sign, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Farmer’s Market, the Grove, Santa Monica Pier, and shop.  This photo was taken in Italy in 1949.  She’s the one with the chipmunk cheeks and I look like I’m expecting twins.

We just posted seven new “How-To” videos.  They are so much fun to make and I have a lot more ideas for the next ones.  One of my new favorites is a healthier hot fudge sundae.  Click here to check it out.

Congratulations to my friend, Vince, who graduates next month with his Masters.  He’s always looked like a movie star but this spectacular photo of him was taken at the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago. What a testament to his commitment and hard work.  Congratulations, Vince!