Christmas on Rodeo is one of my favorite times of  year, and November 15th, 2018 was the official kick off of Rodeo Drive’s Holiday Celebration.  A three and one half hour event complete with food trucks, stilt walkers, and of course musical performances, led up to the official lighting ceremony.

Every year the theme is a little bit different, and this years look featured vertical lighting on all of the palm trees. These LED lights change colors, so every photo you take is just a little bit different. The overall glow makes for a magical visit, especially with the piped in holiday music. I love dropping the top on the convertible in the middle of ‘winter’, cranking up the heat, and enjoying the full experience, especially when friends are visiting from out of town.

Some of my favorite window displays include Tiffany & Co., with their intimate window box insets. Each window is completely different and builds on a theme. Gucci featured a fun party atmosphere with lots of pink sparkles. And another favorite was Louis Vuitton. I was so excited when I saw their Christmas Tree covered in Louis Vuitton branded ornaments, because I knew exactly who I’d be buying them for… but wait, they’re only for display?  Why why why?  I know Coco’s mom would go out of her mind for a few of them, sorry Melanie. Maybe they’ll come to their senses next year.

I also loved the ‘step and repeat’ that was set up for the big opening night celebration, complete with fantastic lighting to make each and every one of us look and feel like a celebrity. Did you know that the brighter the lighting, the more flawless your skin looks? Keep that in mind when you’re taking fun family photos during the holidays. #AlwaysUseYourFlash

If you live in the area, or your’e  visiting from out of town, be sure and check out these fun and free experiences on Rodeo Drive.

Cheers!

The magic of Tiffany & Co.  window displays burst on the scene in  1961  when  the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s debuted with Audrey Hepburn.   It solidified the idea of romance with all of  it’s endless  possibilities… so there’s absolutely no pressure to create holiday windows that will still captivate nearly 60 years later, right?

The delicate  details that go into each and every window display are still pure magic. Those beautiful blue-green boxes wrapped in white ribbon keep your minds eye wondering what beautiful treasure might be hidden  inside.  By the way,  did you know that Tiffany Blue has its own Pantone number – PMS1837, however, it can’t be seen in the Pantone swatch book. It’s also copyrighted in some American states… just a few more ways to keep that magic a little more elusive.

Established in 1853, Tiffany & Co. was one of the first stores to clearly mark the price on their goods to prevent any haggling over prices. In addition, against the norm of the time, Tiffany only accepted cash payments and did not accept payments on credit. My how times have changed.  The famous  flagship store on 5th Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan  opened in 1940,  and one of my favorite things about the store is its Art Deco details. If you happen to see newer locations, such as those built  inside a mall, their front  doors still feature those iconic stainless steel deco details.

Even after having been in business for over 160 years, they’ve managed to keep the magic alive. On my sisters recent 50th birthday, we traveled to Manhattan to celebrate… and stop number one, Tiffany’s! If you’re still looking for that last minute holiday gift, you know where to go.

I Love strolling down Rodeo Drive to enjoy the Holiday Window Displays. No matter what my mood, I’m always happier for having made the trip. If you’ve read my previous posts, then you know what a fan I am of this art form.

Every retailer has a different point of view when it comes to luxury branding, which is what makes the experience so enriching. I’m not normally a Ralph Lauren kinda guy, but when I saw their window displays, one of which included a black jacquard tuxedo jacket,  it made me swoon for a chic 2016 New Years eve party to attend. And when it comes to feeling like a king, who wouldn’t want the gilded throne in the windows of Dolce Gabbana. Where on earth do they find such spectacular items? They must have a wear house stacked with European treasures solely for this purpose.  I didn’t think I was a fan of Bijan, but the black and white striped ties for their formal attire were simply stunning. I also loved the peacock inspired windows at Coach. Do they dismantle and reuse those materials, or are they stored away for a hopeful museum show?  As I’ve said before, I would so love to have something like that hanging in my home. I find it  much more interesting then some of the modern or contemporary art I see hanging in museums. And when it comes to ingenuity, Marc-Philippe Guerig takes the cake for his floating octopus in the windows of Hermes.

There’s still another week left in the 2015 holiday season, so if you’re anywhere near Rodeo Drive and Wilshire boulevard, take a walk or a late night drive and  soak up some of this amazingness.