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LA-LA LAND

Hooray for Hollywood!

DEE DEE: If you told me three years ago that I would marry an actor and live in Los Angeles for part of the year, I would have said you were crazy. But I discovered that I loved Paul so much, I would follow him anywhere. And Los Angeles is important for Paul’s work. Most of his movie and TV deals are made there.

PAUL: As much as we love New York, when we’re trying to get a cab on a cold, blustery day and all we have is a copy of the slim Saturday New York Times for protection, we long for the fine weather in Los Angeles. Living is easy there. Culture can be found in Los Angeles—there’s television and movies and a big piece of the glamor pie that everyone is trying to get. The city is full of absolutely brilliant people who are there for the same reasons I am. I’m surrounded by my friends and colleagues.

DEE DEE: When I’m in Los Angeles, I have to admit that I miss walking everywhere. I am trying to get Paul to let me buy a bike, but he says that people really don’t walk or ride bikes in Los Angeles—they drive everywhere. Sunning by the pool is for Angelenos, but I am so fair that I need big hats and lots of sunscreen to protect myself from skin cancer, which I’ve already had. I keep reminding myself that Los Angeles has beautiful weather, day after day after day… and of course Paul.

PAUL: I do know the city well. When I was eight, we left the East Coast and moved to Los Angeles and then back to New York City two years later. Los Angeles holds bittersweet memories for me because my parents separated a year later. Yet, it’s easy for me to find inspiration in that magnificent weather, and I work well there, particularly on my sculpture.

DEE DEE: When we’re not cooking or throwing parties at home, we go out to the Hollywood favorites including Spago, the Ivy, and Shutters on the Beach. We often have parties on our terrace. The backdrop of Los Angeles—and our special Los Angeles cocktail—put us in the mood to enjoy life and not worry about tomorrow.

PAUL: People from Los Angeles put a premium on fresh food. It’s so easy to find, there is an abundance we can find year round at farmers’ markets. It reminds me of Italy. Farm to table is easy in Los Angeles.