I know I’m in good company when I say that I’ve been enjoying TED talks for a while now, but a friend sent me this link the other day regarding our personal health which really resonated with me.

I love socializing, going out, learning new things, but we have to take care of our health so we can continue to do the things we love.

Lissa Rankin’s TED talk is proof that common sense really can provide great insight with her view that the secret to our health lies within the quality of our relationships.

The key to good health is happy harmonious relationships. Beautifully simple isn’t it? When we have harmony with the people around us and the people we love, our health flourishes.

I’ve always felt that good relationships were incredibly important to me, but now I can justify my busy social life as being supportive of the happy relationships that are a medicinal requirement!

My LDN crew

My recent London trip started with a bang!  Decided to stay in the East End this time around, which in itself was an adventure.

I had no idea how fun and hectic deciding to stay in East London would make the first leg of my trip to England.

I stayed at Shoreditch House, and was right in the middle of Shoreditch, which is home to many of my friends. My location on this trip was incredibly convenient and quite fun, maybe too much so!

Shoreditch House from exterior

On my way to the flower market in Columbia Rd.

Gorgeous restroom fixtures at Shoreditch House, classic LDN interior design

No club in the world has the convivial vibe of Shoreditch House so I felt I was w/ friends and family the whole time even when I was with their throughly charming staff.Went to the Adam Ant concert the next night at the Roundhouse in Camden, where he had last played over 35 years ago and had sold it out then and was selling it out again that night.

The man, the myth, the iconic LDN legend in full swing, my dear friend – Adam Ant

Adam and the Ants fam

It was great fun going en masse with a dozen friends and running into very many more. It was also a pleasure meeting Adam’s daughter and, of course, getting a kiss from Prince Charming himself.

Tamie Adaya & Adam Ant

Brunch the next day w good friends at Brick Lane where one of the larger halls had become a weekend home for ethnic food stalls and then a stroll to the flower market on Columbia Road.

The gorgeous selections at the local flower market

A few days of whirlwind excitement had me yearning for the relative tranquility of my next stop, the West End, which I shall share details of at a later time…

It’s a great honor & privilege of mine to be able to act, in a small way, as an art patron from time to time and it gave me great pleasure to sponsor Matthew Stone’s recent trip to the West Coast.

We brought Matthew out for BritWeek 2013, and were delighted when the interest in Matthew exceeded our already high expectations. Matthew was named by The Sunday Times as the most influential person in the arts under 30 in the UK and it is not surprising his reputation had already reached the West Coast even though he had yet to have his first show here.

As part of the BritWeek calendar we held 2 events with Matthew. A DJ party on our rooftop at Hotel Shangrila in which Matthew played the most tasteful and sublime set that I can remember hearing and a salon in which we discussed Matthew’s art, his motivations and his influences. We had a very elevating and enjoyable discussion, it was a pleasure to see the depth Matthew has an artist.

Matthew & I co-hosted the salon in the Dining Room of the Shangrila, it was an intimate roundtable format and our esteemed guests included Director of BAFTA Nigel Daly, wife of the former British Consulate Sharon Pierce, Executive Director of Britweek Lauren Stone, Artist Bexx Bissell, Music Video Director Georgia Hudson, and actress Tamzin Brown along w/ their lovely dates.

During the dinner Matthew read out his manifesto which I found incredibly life-affirming and elevating. Matthew & his art have an incredible sensibility and it does not surprise that he is held in such high regard.

…and of course, I can’t help mentioning what an absolute sweetheart Matthew is. I was lucky enough to spend some time with Matthew last summer in London and Matthew’s intelligent, gentle and playful manner makes him the most warm & wonderful company.

Shepard Fairey’s gallery Subliminal Projects reached out to me when they heard we were bringing Matthew out to LA. Somewhat magically, Matthew ended up having his first LA show at Shepard’s gallery which was a roaring success. Incredible crowd, breath-taking art and just the most delightful LA summer evening.

If you didn’t get a chance to catch Matthew or his work this time around I would definitely urge you to do so when Matthew returns, hopefully sooner rather than later. Come back Matthew! America needs you!

For our second event held here at the hotel for Britweek 2013 we had UK born, but LA based artist, KESH host & present her latest creations custom made for the hotel. The unveiling consisted of 7 limited edition pieces inspired by her personal experience’s, and the hotel’s almost 75 year old history brilliantly re-appropriated into a timeless collection of art. This is the first artwork of it’s kind to be hung on the walls of our Terrace Suites to capture the imaginations of our guests while they escape in Shangrila.

The beautifully lit penthouse with Kesh's brochure.

Sneak peek of one of the stunning pieces for our Terrace Suites beautifully displayed in our penthouse

Her works of art were showcased throughout our rooftop penthouse and the pieces were both captivating & alluring. Each piece carries elements of the hotels aesthetic through the eyes of Kesh and imbues a unique duality of modern art & art deco that is a perfect compliment to the style of our beloved hotel. It was an inspiring evening & the crowd was full of energy & excitement with an eclectic mix of fashionista’s & art lovers alike popping in throughout the evening, dressed to impress.

Kesh in her photo-booth zone on the rooftop

Such an amazing group of creative individuals made it out for the evening

Me & Kesh in front of one of the pieces inspired by our Rock & Roll suite's bathroom decor.

Amazing style & fierce poses throughout the evening

Also – Here’s a wrap up from our dear friend, Mark “Cobrasnake” Hunter

It was a sublime Sunday afternoon, everyone in attendance was dressed to the hilt, swaying & dancing away the afternoon in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50′s attire. Mich’s spectacular and interactive hat display along with a photo booth allowed for everyone to partake in quite an impressive dress up party. Surrounded by fun conversation, an assortment of hob nobs, custard creams, tea, biscuits and swing dancing made for an incredibly delightful, creative, and innocent afternoon.

Love the step and repeat that featured the Shangrila!

Loved the gorgeous stage

Gorgeous Art Deco panels

Met lots and lots of fun elevating stylish people

Come check out the Britweek Events I’ll be hosting at my beloved Hotel Shangri-La

The state-of-the-art hanger style gallery space was packed to the gills + furnished by new works from the artist who many are saying is currently the hottest British artist in the world.

Damien Hirst commented of Baker’s work; “It’s hard to say exactly what makes a painting great… Its flatness and its depth, its ease and its complexity, a kind of preciousness that’s also kind of throwaway, a risk factor. Who gives a damn? Charming Baker’s paintings are great.”. I would pretty much go along with that.

Having grown up in the same part of the world as Charming, it’s hard to ignore his subtle cultural references to Post-War Britain, for example, this Damask wallpaper design that was a mainstay of my elderly relatives living rooms in the 1970′s.

It was a pleasure to meet Charming himself as he most definitely lived up to his Charming monicker. Inspite of the quintessentially British E-Type Jag he’s driving around in + the delectable Paul Smith suits (both of which he looks great in) Charming remains utterly down to earth, warm + personable.

With the recent arrival of The Pikey, Soho House + Top Shop at The Grove in Hollywood, it feels that Charming’s successful show might just be part of a new British Cultural Invasion, which might end up leaving an even greater legacy than the musical one spear-headed by The Beatles in the 60′s.

Guest blogger

-Bexx Bissell

This guestlist only event was sold out which is testament to Alec’s metoric rise in the art world.

Alec’s latest portraits of Keith Haring + Madonna are tagged at $50,000

Loved the Richie Rich Rolls Royce as well the painting of Richie walking his cute pet Dalmatian ‘Dollar’

Alec was very warm & friendly despite being pretty much swamped by the crowd, I really enjoyed meeting him. A true gent!

Alec manages to comment on current affairs while maintaining a ‘feel good’ quality to his output.

People are obviously enjoying the playfulness, color & positivity of Alec’s work. Can you blame them?

Tamie Adaya & Alec Monopoly wearing his top hat

The Richie Rich Rolls Royce! #RRRR

Tamie Adaya with Bexx Bissell & the newly painted Keith Haring