SOUTH COAST PLAZA'S GIFT FOR YOU!

While you’re out holiday shopping at South Coast Plaza you can come home with a coveted Tiffany & Co. crystal vase to keep, or give as an ideal holiday gift. It works like this: Simply present $850 or more in same-day receipts for purchases made Dec. 1-9 at any of South Coast Plaza’s boutiques or restaurants to receive a complimentary Tiffany & Co. crystal vase. You can redeem the gift at two designated South Coast Plaza locations.  (*Offer excludes purchases made at department stores: Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sears and Bloomingdale’s, The Orange County Performing Arts Center and The Westin South Coast Plaza. One gift per person, per day, while supplies last. The vase cannot be returned or exchanged at Tiffany & Co. Purchases of South Coast Plaza Gift Certificates are not eligible for this offer.) 3333 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa.     714.435.8571 ****Post is courtesy of Greer's OC! Thanks Greer for this awesome tip.

Season for Giving

Liz Smith and I with Michaela Periera, KTLA
news anchor, and Nia Long

Yesterday I was lucky enough to share a heart-warming experience with my mom and dear friends, the Smith family. Herb is not only the patriarch of the Smith clan but the president of the Los Angeles Mission. With Herb's wife, mother and daughter, my mom and I drove up to Skid Row to work with a large team of volunteers serving Thanksgiving dinners to those less fortunate than ourselves. 

Before you sigh and give me credit for being such a philanthropic young woman, I have to give you some more details. As I was expecting to suit up with latex gloves and a hair net before dishing up green beans and mash potatoes in the buffet line, Liz (Herb's daughter) handed me a list of celebrities that we were going to be "in charge" of. Yep! I got to work with the Smith family and coordinate the special guests. 

Sarah Drew from Grey's Anatomy

My mom with Ally Walker
from Sons of Anarchy

On every traditional holiday, the LA Mission gathers some wonderful local talent to serve some of the less fortunate residents of the county. On an annual basis the Mission provides nearly 600,000 hot meals. They also give over 210,000 articles of clean clothing and more than 130,000 nights of safe lodging. In addition to the celebrities that volunteer their time, the Mission gathers more than 6,000 people throughout the year to donate over 23,000 hours of community service. 

Kathy Smith with
Brandon Molale

The Mission extends its welcome to anyone that wants to serve. Please click here if you are interested in getting involved in their inspiring endeavors. If you are so inclined to make a monetary donation instead, please click here. 

Liz Smith with Chad Rogers from Bravo TV's
Million Dollar Listing and Greek cast mates
Andrew West and Amber Stevens

With Blair Underwood

Everything Richardson: Floating Parties

Everything Richardson: Floating Parties

Floating Parties

The Christmas season is upon us. I know this, because I got my first invite for a Boat Parade party today!!! 

The Boat Parade is an annual tradition for the city of Newport Beach and the main symbol of the season. All locals know about it and many non-locals drive from miles away to see it. It really is a spectacular sight. Dozens upon dozens of boats get dressed up with strands of lights, sparkley décor and festive natives joyous to celebrate the holiday season. Vessel owners are sure to realize how many friends they have around Boat Parade time, because anyone and everyone flock to the floating parties on the bay.

In high school and college I always got stuck working at my parents restaurant on Balboa Island, Amelia’s Restaurant. The 5 nights of the Boat Parade were always extremely busy for the Island businesses. Once I got married, my husband and I would sometimes watch the parade from the bayfront of Balboa Island. Surprisingly enough, I’ve never actually watched the parade from the water! This year I will have 2 events to attend. The first is at a house on Lido. (This is the invitation that I just received.) It should be a great party. I actually leased the house to a client and I’m very excited for him to take full advantage of his waterfront views! The second party will be pretty awesome, too. A dear friend of mine owns a boat and keeps it docked at Bay Island. This is where the Boat Parade route begins. He isn’t actually entering is boat in the parade, but we will invite a lucky selection of common acquaintances, stock the galley with appetizers, good wines and cheerful spirits. Without leaving the dock we will have front row seats of all the action.

First thing first, turkey day is upon us. Come Black Friday, I will start sending out invitations of my own. I am just giddy thinking about my first Christmas season with Parade parties!

To Reunion or Not to Reunion

10 years ago I proudly wore my navy cap and gown and received my diploma from Newport Harbor High School. What great memories! 
During the first couple years of college, my group of friends tried to stay in touch. We visited one another at our universities and partied together for the annual Jimmy Buffett concert at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater. Some of the girls and guys kept in closer contact than others, and I really didn't hold onto too many relationships. I embraced my new college friends and quickly started working and enjoyed spending time with people around the office. I guess by year 5 out of high school I had lost touch with the majority of my fellow Sailor alumni. In the last year I have reconnected with a good number of people through Facebook. It is fun to see pictures of babies, boyfriends and some of the unbelievable things that people have experienced since high school. 
My question about the upcoming reunion is this...Do I need/want to get back in touch with everybody from my graduating class? I feel like it is going to be a whole lot of fake smiles, "how are you?"s and "let's get together"s. C'mon...we probably lost touch for a reason and we both know we won't really get together. 
How horrible is this!?! I sound like such a scrooge and I'm typically the positive type. I guess Ben has swayed my decision a bit. He makes fun of people that go to high school reunions  and generally doesn't like doing social things very much. (We'd spend every night on the couch playing video games and drinking beer, if he had his choice. LOL. Such a guy.) His line of work doesn't require him to do much networking. Mine does...I guess that is my answer. For work alone, I should go to my reunion. I know, I know...
So the real question is if I decide to go, how can I convince Ben to go. More importantly how can I get him to enjoy the evening?!? Hmmm