Jane Goodall & Mr. H

"Jane's Journey" blew me away. It's a documentary about Dr. Jane Goodall and her quest to save the chimps in Tanzania, Africa, before going on to champion the conservation of natural habitats, cultures, people and animals around the world.

Dr. Goodall attended the screening and did a Q&A afterword. She's remarkable -- like Wonder Woman meets Mother Teresa.

Her answers were kind and measured, sprinkled with simple wisdoms pulled from the great truths of the universe. Her voice was light and hopeful as she relayed that children are our hope for a peaceful, prosperous world.

I was able to get a photo with Dr. Goodall in the lobby of the theatre after the Q&A. Up close, she was petite but mighty. She held tight to her dear stuffed monkey named Mr. H who was enjoying a banana.

Here's Dr. Goodall with her sweet Mr. H:

Hibiscus Flower

I got an e-mail from my grandpa titled "Flower." Attached was this photo along with a note: "Here is a perfect Hibiscus flower!"

It made me smile. Life's a little better when you look for -- and see -- all the beauty and goodness that surrounds you. Every day.

Thanks, gramps.

A Perfect Sunday

It was the kind of Sunday I dream about -- biking Balboa Island in Newport Beach, then margaritas and Mexican at the clifftop Las Brisas in Laguna Beach.

It was that simple. And perfect.

Fashion's Night Out

Thursday was Fashion's Night Out, the third annual after-work shopping celebration that Vogue magazine started to encourage folks around the world to support fashion during the recession.

It's skyrocketed into an A-list event, with stylish celebrities, top models and designers putting their star power to cocktail soirees and in-store events.

"Its like trick-or-treating for big girls," I said as a friend and I came across throngs of fabulously dressed women as we crossed famous Melrose Avenue to get to the Alexander McQueen shop. Many carried swag, or gift, bags from the various stores they had popped into along the way.

We spent most of the evening at the 3.1 Phillip Lim bash on trendy Robertson Boulevard, just up the street from The Ivy where stars lunch and a few steps south of The Abbey that's the most famous gay bar in L.A.

The modern boutique with Lim's cool clothes hosted a hip, young crowd and a great concert by new indie band, Cults. Their hit song, "Go Outside," sounded excellent live. I love the xylophone!

We had a great Fashion's Night Out, no swag bag required!

Janet!

When I heard Janet Jackson was playing L.A., I knew I had to see her live.

Janet and I go way back -- I grew up wearing out her songs on cassette tapes, my black boom box and the CD player, all well before today's iPod. Friends and I tried to master her funky "If" dance, and my dance team tryout routine in middle school had a cool breakdown of "That's The Way Love Goes." Her music videos? Legendary.

This week's concert at the outdoor Greek Theater lived up to the hype.

Janet gave a show-stopping performance of hits from then to now, across two electric hours. My friend Molly and I went back to the '80s with songs like "Let's Wait Awhile" and one of my favorites, "When I Think of You," and jammed out to "Escapade" and "All For You" and everything in between.

She's still got the iconic moves, the smile. She made us boogie down and tear up during poignant moments like the final song, "Together Again," which was dedicated to Michael Jackson and saw photos of the famous two dominate stage screens.

What a party it was!

One of my favorite Janet looks -- from the "Love Will Never Do" music video

Lovely Fall Shoes

Plum suede peep-toes for fall. Why yes, I think I may...

Shoes from Anthropologie