The Grove...free hot chocolate & Valet Parking pass! Happy Holidays!

Both the Grove (Fairfax District) and the Americana at Brand (Glendale) are offering up holiday treats for shoppers this Yuletide season.

Until December 31st - folks who shop at either location - will receive free hot chocolate and a complimentary Valet Pass for use next holiday season.

Too bad about having to wait a whole year on the "Valet" pressie - but, it's better than a kick in the pants - eh?

I trust there will be plenty of whipped cream for the steaming hot cocoa, though!

To snap up - what Management refers to as a "Rainy Day Delight" - just zip by the Concierge Desk and collect the spoils.

If you're not a fan of sweet drinks - pop by the Grove - anyway.

The upscale retail outlets on the premises out-did themselves this year.

In fact, the dazzling array of festive decorations that abound high-and-low, will simply knock your socks off!

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Lindsay Lohan..."Reform School Girls" next? B Movie limbo...

 

 

Lately, Lindsay Lohan's life has started to emulate a bad B Movie script, don't 'ya think?

One minute, the sexy starlett is struggling with her sanity (some would prefer she be trussed up in a straight jacket pronto), the next - she's giving a Judge the finger (well - ten - actually).

Now, it appears that Ms. Lohan is either in rehearsal for a flick about "Reform School Girls" - or just maybe - she's auditioning for the juicy role of "Frances Farmer" in an upcoming film bio.

Who knows?

According to insiders, Ms. Lohan assaulted a staff member at the Betty Ford Clinic, during her (um) respite from the after-hours night-club scene - at a resort for the humbled elite - who tend to be drug-adled or prone to gulp down a drinkie-pooh (or two) a tad too ambitiously!

Say it ain't so, Lindsay!

At a Press Conference yesterday, authorities confirmed that they responded to a 911 call - at which time - an employee of the infamous Betty Ford Drug Rehab Center accused the troubled show-biz personality of physical battery.

On the heels of the scandalous outburst - behave now, bitches! - the worker was terminated apparently.

But, the unexpected turn-of-events, only added grease to the fire!

"Wrongfully terminated," a lawyer has lamented to all within earshot.

The legal eagle has argued that the filing of a police report does not rise to the level of a breach of confidentiality, after all.

Picky! Picky! Picky!

His client only seeks compensation for her injuries (and the insult), after all!

What position does management at the reputable Betty Ford Clinic take?

"The worker violated patient confidentiality by speaking with the media," a spokesperson asserted for the record, without batting a sober eye.

A little bird tells me Ms. Lohan may be trotting back to Court in the event the incident is construed as a breach of her probation.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

CRUNCH...state-of-the-art gym in West Hollywood!

 

Exercise work-outs on tap!

I woke up this morning and my muscles were racked in pain.

Ah, that was a good sign!

My work-out last night did the trick and got me moving in the right direction body-wise.

Over the years, I have always endeavoured to keep in shape.

But, over the course of the past six months - things have been so hectic - that I let my gym membership slide!

Now, I am paying for it.

Until this week, when a couple of "trial offers" flew into my mailbox from a couple of the local body-building palaces.

As I noted in a post a couple of days ago - a 7-day free week at Gold's - was just a scam to get me in the door so their salesmen (and sales-ladies) could hit me with some fast-talking jive, and thus, manipulate me into a long-term contract at the trendy outlet on Cole (Hollywood).

Needless to say, I passed on that sleazy outfit.

Post:  12/18/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/12/golds-gymfree-pass-scam-consumer-alert.html

In contrast, it was smooth sailing when I sauntered into CRUNCH on Sunset Boulevard in WeHo to take a gander at their free trial offer.

Once I handed off a coupon I downloaded from my Yahoo mailbox, they waived me inside.

"Enjoy your work-out. We'll talk at the end of the week," a Manager beamed with no strings attached.

You got me at "hello"!

In fact, I was impressed with the lay-out of the gym right off-the-bat.

In spite of the fact CRUNCH has been a mainstay in the neighborhood for quite a few years, I didn't spy any worn carpets - or run-down work-out equipment - in a two-level environment that screamed out "class".

The black wall-to-wall floor mattes - which cushion and pamper underfoot - complement the state-of-the-art machines that are crafted in slate grey with cobalt-blue highlights.

And, the upbeat mood-elevating music piped in to the environment by a discerning hip DJ is a plus, too.

A bank of treadmills and cycles on one end of the facility is situated just below a row of wide-screen television sets so that members (and guests) may keep up on the news, or their latest episode of a comedy hit, as they burn off calories and get in shape.

By the end of the invigorating work-out - just betcha - most dudes will plop down in the steam room (or sauna) for a relaxing moment or two as well.

Two thumbs up!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

X Factor...sleazy Christina Aguilera tease causes uproar in England! Simon says...

Hell hath no fury like a prudish English bloke scorned!

Just ask the tattlers at the fleet street tabloids across the big pond.

Ofcom, the British watchdog that regulates the airwaves in normally-jolly old England, has announced that they will conduct an investigation stemming from a raucous incident which scandalized Brits in recent days on snooty Simon Cowell's popular telly entertainment Show (X-Factor).

And - you thought that Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake - boobed the light-fantastic a moon or two ago - eh?

Ha!

According to sources, Christina Aguilera is in the hot seat for stripping down to sexy sweet-nothings impromptu - in front of approximately 14 million viewers.

To some - a heart-pumping-performance of two tunes from the soundtrack of her new flick (meant to evoke the raunchy appeal of pole dancing while boosting potential Burlesque ticket sales) - was "too orgasmic" for the dinner hour between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the evening.

In fact, a daily rag published out of London, labelled the daring show-stoppers featuring Aguilera (and Rihanna) an outright "storm of sleaze".

In fact, one journalist lamented:
"The message it sends out to a young and impressionable audience is so debasing and depressing."

Although a spokesperson for X-Factor swore up-and-down that the titillating gyrations were "appropriate" - a hail of angry tirades from viewers - tended to infer in the ugly mud-slinging aftermath it was simply not the case.

Ofcome was allegedly inundated with a flood of complaints - 2,750 - to be exact.

And, ITV - which aired the dirty laundry cum bill-of-fare - received 1500 protests criticizing the racy sexually implicit rant.

At this juncture, the meaning of "X" in the show's title, must be painfully obvious by now.

Simon should re-title the hit - "The Bump 'N Grind Effect" - eh?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

X sells!

Mr. Manners...right side of escalator, please! Proper etiquette in public!

Pick one! Any one!
(But, follow escalator etiquette, please!)

Readers may recall that I started up a new advice column a couple of weeks ago (Mr. Manners) which focuses on proper etiquette and good manners in social, political (even economic) settings.

The first installment dealt with the issue of speaking English in appropriate environments.

Post:  11/24/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/11/mr-mannersenglish-in-businesses.html

Today - Mr. Manners is tackling the sticky issue of escalators - and subsequently - traffic flow!

If any of you have ever been to San Francisco, then you've probably noticed that the locals in that fair city are a civilized lot.

On the way to the office at the crack of dawn, for instance, pedestrians wait patiently at the curb for a "green light" before sauntering across to the other side.

Unlike folks in Los Angeles and Tokyo - who end up in a free-for-all in the subway (pushing and shoving for bragging rights) - residents of the City by the picturesque Bay are also inclined to queue up politely along the track and take their turns boarding (according to when they alighted on the "landing pad") the trains shortly after they swoosh to a precise stop at the station.

Though that issue may need addressing in the near future, today - the glare of the spotlight is being focused squarely on the topsy-turvy realm of fast-moving escalators - because things are getting darn ugly after all.

For your information, proper etiquette dictates - that there are two options to follow - when a commuter shuffles on to an escalator.

For example, when passengers are arriving or departing from the underground subway (the English refer to it as "the tube"), they should  - not only step lively onto the escalator - but position themselves on the right side of the escalator with their body hugging the side of the rail.

Or - enter the automated stairwell on the left (in the alternative) - where they'll be free (hopefully) to stride up the steely steps in earnest in the event the hapless souls are late for work and anxious to make headway at every nip-and-turn along-the-way).

Standing in a stationary position on the left (directly opposite the individual on the right) is definitely taboo.

If anything - the selfish conduct simply underscores that the individual in question is either an unsophisticated loser who just scurried out-from-under a slimy rock in the boondocks somewhere - or a thoughtless boob.

Of course, the courtesy is not required (or possible for that matter) at tony Neiman Marcus, where the escalators to the upper levels of the upscale retail outlet in Beverly Hills are barely one-and-a-half  feet wide.

In that scenario, a buffoon with lousy manners would have to be an acrobat to get by a shopper firmly ensconced on the stair ahead with packages in tow.

Nuff said!

By the way, cruise on by in January for the next intriguing subject:

"Check-out line protocol at the local supermarket"

Happy Holidays!

http://www.thetattler

Civilized San Franciscans out for a stroll!

West Hollywood...City Council Members attend "Fresh East" Dragon Dance ceremony!

When Pavilions renovated their WeHo flagship grocery store this year, they also erected a row of spanking new retail outlets, to attract tenants along trendy Santa Monica Boulevard at Robertson.

Last night, as I was whizzing by the festive lot decorated for the Yuletide Season, I spied "Fresh East" (an upscale eatery featuring Asian Cuisine) tossing an opening-night party to kick-off their entree into the multi-cultural community.

Inside - as Council Members John Heilman and Abbe Land gazed on from the sidelines - a spectuacular Dragon Dance wowed all the guests ready to chow down on the delectable eats about to be offered up.

According to Eastern tradition, a Dragon Dance - replete with a riot of clanging bells and jolting percussion beats - is a ceremonial must to drive away evil spirits at New Year - and thus - bestow good fortune and blessings on the business establishment in the months ahead.

Judging by the festivities I was witness to last evening, Fresh East is off-and-running, to sure-fire success in WeHo!

Good fortune, eh?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Beverly Hills...Louis Vuitton & Ermenegildo Zegna for that special man!

 

In spite of the torrential rains, the tony elite were out Sunday afternoon on Rodeo Drive in droves, in search of a gift or two for that someone special in their love-life over the Yuletide Season.

I was bowled over by the eclectic mix of elegant menswear ensembles screaming out at me on the racks at Louis Vuitton, for starters.

The latest fall/winter collection features a dazzling array of butter-soft leather jackets - cut high on-the-waist for a stylish zesty look - or lower on the hip for those who prefer a garment to hug the body politic and keep out the winter chill.

In addition to the casual offerings, there were a bevy of finely-tailored suits sculpted in sleek silhouettes, fashioned in either jet black or monochromatic hues popular this season.

The sweaters were elegant, and sported luxurious collars with nifty fashion flourishes, capable of singling out the man-about-town with the pizazz to pull the look off.

Slacks, though lean-and-mean (for the most part) were sparked up with leather inserts at the waist and buckle-down flaps on deep full pockets.

Over-the-top?

Never.

A handful of the Vuitton pull-overs and fabric jackets - just right for out-of-doors treks - were dreamy, too.

Shoes, though elegant, were pricey.

 $645.00!

Meanwhile, across the street at Ermenegildo Zegna, a yellow cashmere sweater - weaved with a delicious V-neck - was heaven to run my fingers over.

The full topcoats in rich fabrics - were so perfectly crafted - that they appeared to be hand-made by the fashion Maestro himself.

As for the tailored suits, well, the finery on display was difficult to match elsewhere in the upscale trendy hood.

A gentleman with a taste for the finer things in life (or a discerning male or female shopping for one) a trek down to David Yurman (on Rodeo) may be a worthwhile one.

There - male bracelets, jazzy cuff-links, and a choice selection of designer watches - will tempt the tightest budget-minded shopper.

What the heck, it's Christmas.

Splurge a little, eh?

http://www.thetattler.biz