Yesterday, my fabulous assistant Allison and I took a much deserved (on her part) long “lunch” in the form of Royal Tea at The Peninsula hotel to celebrate our looming birthdays. Allison is so much more than an assistant. She is really an extension of me and my partner in biz (and crime) and well, I’d just plain die without her! You may remember from my Tea Time post that I don’t think there is any better place to have tea in L.A. (though I haven’t yet tried the Montage—it’s only available on the weekends and what kind of boss would I be if I insisted we have tea on a Saturday??). So, off we went to gab about restaurants (our favorite topic), home decor (we are both having woes at the moment), boys (of course) and anything other than work for once. Being that we are both Leos, spoiling ourselves like the princesses we are just comes with the territory.

Two PR girls getting a little fancy. And it’s not even a work event!

English Breakfast is always my fave. I drank the entire pot and considered calling a cab to take our overly caffeinated/sugared selves back to the office.

Soon after tea, an assortment of scones, tea sandwiches and pastries arrived on a silver tiered tray. We loved the sandwiches so much, we ordered more. And then we ordered more scones. Because we could.

I love these precious little bites.

Tea is presented in the Living Room, which makes for very relaxed, comfy (yet, posh) ambiance. On the weekends, there is a pianist. Today, it was just us. Oh, and actress Shohreh Aghdashloo. There is no better place for star sightings than the Peninsula. I’ve never been here when I haven’t spied a “somebody”—other than us, cause we’re a pretty big deal, you know?!

Our waiter made our day, surprising us with a little birthday mousse complete with candles.

I really hope Allison didn’t wish for a new job.

If you have to get older, do it in style, right?  I share a birthday with the inspirational, fearless, remarkable Julia Child,  who would have been 100 years old today. I felt old until I remembered that at age 37 she felt like she was still discovering who she was. Here’s to lifelong discovery. May it never get old.

“Everything in moderation… including moderation.”
-Julia Child

The Peninsula Hotel. 9882 South Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90212.  310-551-2888