Cover photo of The Silverlake – Los Feliz Secret Stairs. Painted by Artists Carla O’Brien, Mandon Bossi, and Corinne Carrey.
I remember the joyful trip to LA documented in these photos as a retreat from sadness.
This blog article, originally published on January 15, 2020, has been reconstructed. In late 2025, a cyberhacker who had all of my passwords stole hunks of text from my blog articles, precious photos, digital artwork, and more. Nonetheless, I quietly launched a book and fine jewelry sales under the brand name Happy Great Day®.
Being the primary caregiver for sick parents for over a decade was a great honor. Although this “work” was a labor of love, it controlled my life for over a decade. As my folks became progressively more ill, it felt nearly impossible to relax as I watched them in pain.
I can personally attest to years of hiding intense fear and sadness behind big, fake smiles because that sure beat crying.
Please take a moment to HUG A CAREGIVER TODAY. Your kindness is a lifeline.
~~~
Sadly, some of the businesses mentioned here have shuttered but stay alive in my memories. As an artist intimately familiar with the evolving nature of LA’s glimmering allure and deeper vulnerabilities, I recognize the insecurities that now touch so many of our lives.
I was beyond lucky to live for nearly 10 years in a guest house located directly across the street from Rodeo Drive. I still hear from friends in that neighborhood. But life could not be more different now. The purpose of this visit was a dear friend’s wedding, which was an unforgettably romantic, private affair. My now ex-husband had never been to Los Angeles before, and we could only stay for a couple of days after the big event. These photos were taken on our quick getaway.
We were already dressed up and wanted to see the Millennium Biltmore, which is inspired by the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. This architectural masterpiece did not disappoint. It features breathtaking high ceilings, marble balustrades, and heavy Roman piers.
It was thrilling to pair the .925 sterling silver “FREEDOM” Affirmation Bird I designed with a ballgown! Creating art gives my imagination flight, no matter what else is going on around me. This signature work is a reminder to face life’s challenges like a bird navigating storms. Amid turbulent winds, she reminds us to treasure special moments. I dream of turning my artistic creations into a fine jewelry line one day.
This work of fine art inspired me to write the following poem:
“FLY TOWARD FREEDOM”
Make no excuses for who you are.
Shut down doubters.
Reach high and travel far.
It’s time to hit the bullseye.
Claim the dream you believe.
Let go of your fears.
Take the leap of faith to achieve.
Pamper your soul and allow your heart to play.
Fly toward freedom,
And celebrate this happy great day®!
Focus your power,
And soar toward the sun.
Rediscover laughter.
Create a life that’s more fun.
IT’S TIME TO LIVE YOUR DREAM!
GG Suzana
Follow this link, and scroll down to view the FREEDOM Affirmation Pendant. (Note that each piece of fine jewelry is custom-ordered from a mom-and-pop casting house in NY, not kept in stock.)
Our next stop was the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) to see the public art exhibit of 1920s and 1930s streetlamps. The “Temple of Light,” by Artist Chris Burden, is exquisite against the Pacific, blue sky.
I’m a sucker for stunning public art. At the Beverly Hills Garden Park, we enjoyed seeing Artist Carol Bove’s large steel sculpture. According to Wikipedia, her works are “big and heavy, but fragile.” I’ve always believed that good art should make you deeply feel an emotion. Her work can help you feel playful.
Needles to say (ha!), I was inspired to sit up verrrrrry straight in front of those cactus plants!
It was a good thing I remembered to pack flats in my purse when we made our way on down the street to Barneys and walked up the long staircase to the restaurant on the fifth floor. You’ll get your exercise and feel like you’ve earned your lunch if you don’t take the elevator up to Fred’s restaurant. This photo only shows part of one floor. The full store is huge.
There’s always a nice surprise around every corner in Beverly Hills. We had heard about the Louis Vuitton X exhibition on North Rodeo Drive, celebrating 160 years of creativity. Even positioned in front of exquisite Louis Vuitton fashions, I still felt “out standing” at this show. (Get it?)
Besides decadent, luxurious leather handbags, we were treated to eye candy interior design and décor. Walls and furniture were artfully colored bright orange, sunshine, yellow, and hot pink.
Retail purchases can be pricey at Barney’s. But you can indulge in a taste of Chanel for dessert for only around $10.00 at La Patisserie Artistique in the Rodeo Collection, on North Rodeo Drive.
It felt like fashion blasphemy to eat this delicate, dark-chocolate Chanel truffle with white-chocolate frosting. Pastry Chef, Cake Designer, Store Owner, Nahid Parsa creates other delicious treats, including Tiffany & Co lemon truffles. The ambience at Le Patisserie and the Rodeo Collection center is relatively private. I always thought of this place as my secret when I lived nearby.
I highly recommend LA City Tours, which conveniently picked us up in Beverly Hills and dropped us off near Hollywood Boulevard. I made a beeline for Iguana Vintage Clothing because Mama’s become self-conscious about her thinning hair. Blame my kooky sense of humor on her! She’s decided to wear crazy colored wigs and hair extensions that make friends and family laugh instead of feeling sorry for her. Since she recently mentioned that she wished she had red hair, I made that dream come true.
After the bus tour, I couldn’t resist a quick stop at my favorite bookstand. I sold real estate and had no involvement in the movie business while living in California. But I met plenty of people in the film and television industry, so it’s always been entertaining to skim tabloids. That said, with fake news and chaos swirling around us these days, it’s become easier to feel anxiety about the future.
This article is dedicated to all the caregivers who hide their own mental and physical health struggles while caring for frightened, sick loved ones with unwavering devotion. May the love you share return to you tenfold.
~ From Author-Artist, Suzana Ward
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