Vanity Fair makes fancy venue schmancier.

Vanity Fair is bringing its cultural cache to West Hollywood hotspot Palihouse next week. What does this mean? Well, it all sounds very vague actually and I can't seem to find many details. Maybe it's just a big marketing ploy to book dining reservations during Oscar week. But maybe these 'iconic Vanity Fair photographs and select advertiser integration[s]' will really blow your mind.

Only one way to find out...

February 21-27, 2011

Book reservations with Palihouse.

Give peace a chance.

As someone brighter and wittier than me once said, if you don't like something, do something about it.

Well, some folks in town didn't like the recent news about hate crimes and the awful consequences to those who are victim to discrimination.

So, they're doing this:

Starting Location
6356 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA

November 21, 2010
3:00 p

We are walking for everyone who has ever been an innocent victim of a hate crime(s), for everyone who has ever been discriminated against, we are walking for everyone who has ever lived in fear because they were "different," and we are walking against intolerance so that perhaps we can impact those fearful and angry. So that we may send a message to those who strike against beautiful, innocent human beings. Beings who deserve nothing more than to be swimming gracefully and confidently in the same pool we swim in. No one here in this world is different lest they choose to be and even then, "the sun rises in the morning on ALL of us." Let's come together, create a buzz, and show Los Angeles and anyone who hears about or reads about our rally what we stand for and what we all deserve!

Calvin Klein's raciest ad yet ires Aussies.

The other night at Marianne Williamson's weekly lecture (yes, this cynical atheist went to hear a woman who talks about miracles and God speak--what of it??), Williamson took time to bring attention to the above billboard--the raciest ad yet from a brand that has built its name on racy ads. Calvin Klein has long sold everything from jeans to perfume to tighty whities with the attitude that sex sells. And sell, despite many controversies over the year, it has. The controversy has even become a marketing tool in itself--recently played up by the brand with a billboard on Sunset Blvd. that showed nothing but a scannable code, through which the user could see the ad's naughty bits from home--implying that the image was too risque even for the Sunset Strip.

Which brings us to the recent hype about this now-censored billboard in Australia--the nation (slash continent)'s Advertising Standards Bureau has decided that model Lara Stone looks like she may be getting raped by three handsome, if expressionless young men and has demanded the billboard come down.

Do I buy it? No, not so much. To me, it looks like her blank stare matches the gentelmen's perfectly and they're all tangled up in a consensual orgy of equal disinterest.

Perhaps, however, I'm being callous and insensitive and should be more of a stodgy feminist about all this.

What are your thoughts?

[via AOL News via Marianne Williamson]

Sexy coffee & frog legs at Robert's Russian Cuisine.

Robert's Russian Cuisine, located in a small strip mall on La Brea in Hollywood, isn't the type of place you'd necessarily drive by and say 'hm, I'd like to eat there.' It's more the kind of place you drive by and think 'hm, I believe many blond Russian girls are probably fed much vodka there before returning to either the nightclub or the spy movie from whence they came.' It turns out, as I did go in last night, that the latter is not entirely untrue. The brightly lit restaurant was full at midnight with tables of Russian men and their very blond women, consuming shot for shot from bottles of the good stuff. Stuff, I should mention, that was not on the menu alongside the $4 glasses of wine. I guess it's BYOV. But it turns out that they do serve food there too. And the menu's quite extensive.

The food: From Tongue to Frog Legs to Beef Stroganoff, the menu reads like a laundry list of everything I've never tried in my life. With the exception of hummus. And who knew the Russians and the Israelis shared such incredibly good taste.

The service: I can't say enough wonderful things about our gray-haired Russian waiter who wore many large rhinestoned rings, had only half a thumb on one hand, and spoke nearly no English at all. But did know enough to explain that the Armenian coffee we ordered after dinner was 'sexy coffee.' 'Why sexy,' we asked. 'Because it keeps you up all night. All you can do is have sex.' Well, naturally. I will say this for the shots of coffee we consumed--they were goopy, and almost impossible to swallow, and in every way spectacular.

The verdict: Don't go to Robert's for the food or the atmosphere. Do consider, however, going to chat with the waiters. They are highly entertaining even if their capacity for conversation does not exceed sex or coffee.

Hard core porn & George W. Bush. The common denominator.

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of visiting the newly opened Soho House West Hollywood for a leisurely lunch on the garden patio. But before we even approached the stairs, I was struck by the walls of the reception space. Where most dining establishments have perhaps a landscape by an unknown artist behind the hostess stand, the walls of the exclusive Soho House’s entrance way comprise a small and impressive gallery. The pieces from the likes of Mark Ryden, Raymond Pettibon and other renowned artists are one-upped only by the giant glass chandelier which hovers above the stairway (one of several which were brought into the space via cranes).

Our tour guide led us over to one piece in particular--a portrait of former US President George W. Bush created by the collection’s curator and an artist himself, Jonathan Yeo. The portrait was lovely, sure. But what of it?

Here’s what.

British artist Jonathan Yeo taught himself to paint in his twenties (which should give aspiring later life artists hope) and began his career creating stunning portraits. Commissions followed--notable past clients include Tony Blair and Nicole Kidman.

But then he got subversive. And here’s where things get interesting. In the 2000s, Yeo began caricaturing politicians, flaunting nudity, and just generally poking fun at public figures through his ironic portraiture--busts riddled with hard core porn, nudes of prominent businessmen, and other artistic expressions which made the general public uncomfortable.

Spectacular news for those of who like when things are stirred up.

Should you be in LA, visit Yeo’s work at the Soho House (if you can find a way in). Must-sees include the wallpaper in the bathrooms--the flowery patterns are so much dirtier at second glance and, of course, the famous portrait of Bush. If you’re not seeing the naughty parts, here’s a clue--check out George W.’s right ear (his right, your left). Theeeere you go.



Jonathan Yeo is repped by the UK’s Lazarides Gallery (opening this month in LA!).

[This post originally appeared on http://curated.culturejam.com.]

Summer time & the living's easy (and wet).

I have been working like a mad woman--a woman so mad she is working more hours than most spend awake in any given week. But I have noticed, during brief strolls outside for lunch, that the weather is turning in Los Angeles. And though I may not have a free hour before summer's over, temperatures have reached bikini highs. So, in honor of the leisure hours I wish I had, here are some pools to get your summer started right. Which is warm. And wet.

Annenberg Community Beach House

This community center opened last year and features a pool, splash pad, volleyball and more. The pool is open for a 'Spring Break Splash on select days this month and will then reopen in June. No membership is required but be sure to arrive early to purchase your day pass ($10 for adults with a break for families of 4 at $24).

Interesting factoid: the Annenberg Community Beach House was established at the former site of actress Marion Davies' mansion, built for her by William Randolph Hearst. Oh, how it pays to be the mistress of a wealthy man.

The Standard Hotel Hollywood

If you actually want to get in the water, I recommend stopping by on a weekday or calling ahead to make sure there's not a rowdy party going on. There's nothing quite like water, ping pong and The Standard's 'Mimosa for Two' (for only $20!!) served poolside.

Hotel Erwin

Hotel Erwin may not actually have a pool. But it's right atop the ocean and last I checked that's pretty much the biggest pool you can get down with. Start with drinks at the High Rooftop Lounge and when you've had your fill of mojitos, [safely] take your dip in the great wide open Venice beach. Just be sure not to trip over tourists or needles on the way down to the water.

Design Dish: LA Adventures in vintage boot shopping.

There is little I love better than shopping. The search for the perfect fit. The excitement of a sale. The thrill of a buy. So, when my friends at StyleSectionLA.com asked me to research a piece on vintage boot shopping in LA for their awesome new website, I was in no position to say no.

Stops on the tour included Lemon Frog, Slow, Pop Killer, Decades Inc., and What Goes Around. Below are a few of my favorite boot shots from my shopping trip....

Visit StyleSectionLA for the full story!

Event planning--an unglorious profession.

Sometimes event planning takes me to places like this...

Where I get to throw fabulous rooftop parties with a view for fabulous people where we all drink fabulous cocktails and talk about fabulous things. (This poolside shot was taken from my 'satellite office' at the Andaz West Hollywood on Monday.)

And sometimes event planning keeps me at my desk til late at night doing things like putting together staff badges...

While drinking Red Bull and finding comfort in caffeine and other people's Facebook updates from the outside and the Ray LaMontagne station on Pandora Radio.