San Francisco

Last week, I successfully combined business and pleasure, which kept me away from you guys as I did not have time to write my blog. Well we have 16 photographs this week, I think that could do it for last week's blank spot!

I was in San Francisco and I couldn't believe this was only the third time I visited this lovely city. We stayed at W San Francisco, right in the middle of the action. I love the sleeping human statue on top of the bottom structure of the hotel.

San Francisco has a truly gorgeous downtown and there is certainly a lot to do and a lot to see. I loved to see a clean downtown, as opposed to our dirty Los Angeles Downtown.

We were in town just when U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow was starting. I snapped these two pictures of the special tour bus and the conference attendees crossing the street in front of the Moscone Center.

Well, this pigeon is doing exactly what I would do on vacation... Chillin'...

A walk on Marina Blvd. was a better option than Embarcadero... Could you please tell me which direction the wind blows usually on Marina Blvd.?

Click on the picture to see the bigger size of this panoramic collage, in which you can see Alcatraz on the right and the Golden Gate on the left...

Speaking of chillin'... It is seldom that I find Chimay on tap, so when I discovered the lovely Grove chain carries it, I had meself a few!

And speaking of drinking, the day after we hit the road for Sonoma and had some wine tasting at Rodney Strong Wineyards. I did not really focus on taking pictures, as tasting wine was far more attractive!

Next week, I will share a few pictures of Vivienne, chilling at the W... See you then!

Crate & Barrel Gift Registry

A few weeks ago, Crate & Barrel was showing its Gift Registry muscles with an event where engaged couples could meet the celebrity wedding planner Yifat Oren and a contest where one lucky couple would win a $100.000 Ultimate Wedding; and I was there to document it.

A trio of musicians played lovely soothing tunes on a Sunday morning while he invitees mingled with Oren and the Crate & Barrel staff. Orchid String Trio is of course available to book for your wedding or your event. So am I! :D

Yifat Oren's touch was all over the Grove's Crate & Barrel store and she was available to talk about her expertise and the advice seeking excited couple were eager to benefit from her wisdom and her experience.

Well, if you are getting married, and if you need a photographer, a wedding planner... Call me! ;o)

Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Last week I had the privilege to be one of the official photographers for opening of the new building of Children's Hospital Los Angeles.  "Turn on the Lights! Walk for Kids" was a charity event organized by the hospital and a great way to give back to my community.

The events kicked off with a 5K walk that started at the Griffith Park and ended up by the hospital on Sunset Blvd.  Before the walk, there were festivities, food, drinks and a lot of fun at the park.  Children and adults were able to register for the walk, built custom hats for their teams and prepare to this lovely walk in a very friendly environment.

Mariner cheerleaders, last year's CSU champions from Marina Del Rey thrilled the crownd.

Just before the stat of the walk, I head down to the finish line in order to get a few shots of the people arriving.

Celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Melanie Griffith and Heidi Klum were there to support Children's Hospital.

There was an eclectic array of food stands in this huge street party.

Los Angeles' own hockey team LA Kings were also represented in this huge street party.

American Idol's Crystal Bowersox gave an intimate performance before they "turned on the lights".

Here is the new building to provide top notch health care for Children of Los Angeles and beyond!

If you would like to donate to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, you can do so by following this link.