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Valentine’s in Los Angeles

The best gifts for Valentine’s Day

By: Deena Nissley

Dinner reservation: check. Now cover all your gifting bases, from trinkets to trips.

The Surprise
Lingerie from Wundervoll has a touch of Berlin kink, yet remains wearable. Their silk bras and matching bottoms have ’70s soundtrack-style names like Rock ‘n’ Roll, Percussion, and Boom-Chick-A-Boom.
$55 and up here or at Sugar Lilie Dessous Prives, 8024 W. Third St. (323-655-0795) and Ten Over Six, 7427 Beverly Blvd. (323-330-9355).

The Shine
In silver or gold, Italian-made Dodo charms allow you to give a bracelet with a message. Each animal-shaped piece has a specific meaning (the rocking horse is “let’s play together,” while the shark says “I can take care of myself”), letting you express simple, complex, or completely contradictory sentiments.
$140 (comes with waxed cotton bracelet) here, or at Bloomingdale’s, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. (310-772-2100‎).

The Shoe
UGG alum Ruthie Davis turned a sheepskin boot into a fashion phenomenon. Her own line is equal parts high-tech, high-glamour, and high-priced: Beyoncé wears a pair in Video Phone. Her spring line was inspired by Barbie, like the studded metallic Cindy sandal ($895) and the strappy patent pump Sushi ($795).
Available here or at Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd. (310-975-4350).

The Scene
Pack a toothbrush and head to the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs for their February 13th “Doo Wop in the Desert” party. The special package includes room, a $50 credit at the onsite spa, and two tickets to the bash, which features a live band, photo booth, cupcakes and cocktails.
From $439. Sat Feb 13 9p to 2a. Book online with the rate code “Valentine” here. 701 E. Palm Canyon (760-325-9900).

The Scent
British fashion designer Stella McCartney (she’s Paul’s daughter) expands her fragrance line with Stella Nude Linen Mist. It’ll leave a whiff of Moroccan rose, grapefruit, pepper and Ugandan vanilla on her (and hopefully your) pillow.
$59 here or at Sephora

The Snacks
One-stop Deaan and Doluca peddles all varieties of sugar-highs, from hand-iced XO-shaped cookies from Eleni’s (18 cookies, $50) to hand-painted hearts from Chocolat Moderne (12 pieces, $36) and alcohol-infused bonbons from Bond Street chocolates (6 pieces, $28).
Available here.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: Ace Hotel, Deena Nissley, Dodo, Ruthie Davis, Stella McCartney, Valentine's Day, Valentine's in Los Angeles, Wundervoll

SuperBowl Sidebets: Properly preparing for Sunday

By: Deena Nissley

SuperBowl Side bets to make the Big Game more watchable

The biggest bets might be on the winner, but Sunday’s most intriguing action goes down well before the fourth quarter. Here are our party favorites (complete betting lines here).

Oh Say Can You See
How long will it take Carrie Underwood to sing the national anthem? Over/under = 1 minute 42 seconds. (Last year, Jennifer Hudson was timed at 2 minutes 3 seconds.)

Touchdown Antics
The first endzone celebration will be:
Ball spike: 2 to 1
Flex bicep: 4 to 1
Slam dunk football: 5 to 1
Punch goalpost: 15 to 1
Take out Sharpie and sign ball: 20 to 1
Group celebration: 20 to 1
Heisman Trophy pose: 25 to 1
“Ickey” Shuffle: 100 to 1

The Big Easy
How many times will CBS show Bourbon Street during the game? Over/under = 2
How many times will CBS announcers mention Hurricane Katrina during the game? Over/under = 2

Who’s Better, Who’s Better, Who’s Bets
How many times will Pete Townshend do his legendary windmill move? (Windmill move must be a full 360 degree revolution and be shown on TV to be counted.)
If any member of The Who smashes their guitar, what does the guitar hit first?
Floor
Speaker
Microphone
Drummer
Fan

I Like Big Butts and I Cannot Lie
Number of times we see Kim Kardashian: Over/under = 3
What color top will she be wearing? Black, white, other

Big Ups
Who will the Super Bowl MVP thank first?
God
Family
Teammates
Coach
Does not thank anyone

Early Adopters
Will they show clothing apparel proclaiming the Super Bowl Champion before the final whistle?

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: Deena Nissley

Quotes about our San Fernando Valley

Quips and Quotes about our San Fernando Valley

San Fernando Valley Circa 1950

By: Deena Nissley

Through the years, people have had a lot to say about the San Fernando Valley. These are some selections from the decades of remarks and praises…

“Clark and I have fallen in love with the Valley. This is our home, and we’re here to stay.” Carole Lombard, wife of Clark Gable, in 1942

“Bring us your listings — We need acre and half-acre ranches!” Reseda real estate broker ad in 1941

“Thousands of us commute to town to earn our living and then hurry back to the Valley to enjoy the sort of living we think makes the trip worth while.” Times columnist Bill Henry in 1952

“The invasion of San Fernando Valley is now on! Establish yourself a beachhead. Ranches for sale are as scarce as Germans in Rome.”                 Real estate pitch during World War II

“A major spawning place for what is now universally recognized as the Southern California way of life.”   Art Seidenbaum

“It took God millions of years to get Tarzana and me together.” Edgar Rice Burroughs

“My parents finally found what they were looking for in the San Fernando Valley: 1034 Evergreen in Burbank. The Concord grape farms were only a couple of blocks away. Our own backyard, once farmland too, had asparagus that grew wild by the bushel.”   Debbie Reynolds 1988

“Around the curve the whole Valley spread out before me. A thousand white houses built up and down the hills, ten thousand lighted windows and the stars hanging down over them politely…” Raymond Chandler, The High Window, 1942.

“In a few years San Fernando will be adorned with groves and orchards. It will become the site of a resort of seekers after health.”                  Benjamin C. Truman in Semi-Tropical California, 1874.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: Deena Nissley, Quotes about the San Fernando Valley, San Fernando Valley Quotes

Budget Christmas Lights in Sherman Oaks

S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g  your Christmas Budget!

By: Deena Nissley

This family still keeps their spirit! Look at this Sherman Oaks house on the right!

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy. Deena Nissley Real Estate Ewing and Sotheby’s.

Tags: Deena Nissley, ewing and sotheby's, Real Estate, Sherman Oaks

Yuletide Jams are Playing at the Oakpointe/Sherman Oaks Galleria Holiday Parties!

Roast your chestnuts to the new hotness! By: Deena Nissley

Spin only the best for your guests with these recent holiday releases. Retro: Jackson Five, Ultimate Christmas Collection The King of Pop may have gone to meet his maker, but this collection of funky takes from his early years is a worthy tribute. It’s a nostalgic blast of Motown soul guaranteed to get things moving, especially the bonus remixes by modern DJs. Favorite tracks: Santa Claus is Coming to Town; I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus; Up On the House Top Folk: Bob Dylan, Christmas In the Heart Once you get over the idea of a guy named Robert Allen Zimmerman doing traditional Christian tunes, you’re left to deal with the thought that: hey, he’s pretty good at this. Dylan’s plaintive delivery and honky-tonk arrangements are well-suited to deliver these chestnuts. Favorite tracks: Winter Wonderland; Must Be Santa; Here Comes Santa Claus Comedy: Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Have Yourself a Meaty Little Christmas It’s not really something you can play in mixed company, but the Adult Swim staple will please hardcore fans, especially as Master Shake, Meatwad and Co. take a heretical, scatological take on Christmas songs, loading them up with boogers and lo-fi hip-hop beats. Favorite tracks: I Sure Hope I Don’t Have to Beat Your A*s this Christmas; Frosty the Red-Nosed Snowman; Feliz Navidad Agnostic: Animal Collective, Fall Be Kind There’s nothing to indicate that this is holiday record, but there’s nothing to indicate it isn’t, either. Either way, this Brooklyn-based band has something to celebrate, since they started the year by dropping one of the best-reviewed albums. This EP provides even more abstract atmospherics, best served after a lot of egg nog. Favorite tracks: What Would I Want? Sky; Graze; I Think I Can

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: Animal Collective Fall Be Kind, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Bob Dylan Christmas In the Heart, Deena Nissley, Have Yourself a Meaty Little Christmas, Jackson Five Ultimate Christmas Collection