Getty Mansion

Last week, on a stormy, windy, rainy Thursday afternoon, my friend Marilee called me and asked, “Would you like to go to a high society fundraiser at a billionaire’s house tonight?” Her +1 had been forced to cancel at the last minute, due to a child with croup, and she thought we might have a great time. My first reaction was, um, no, it’s RAINING! It’s WINDY! I want to stay home and have a cozy dinner here. But by the time she finished telling me about the event, which was a fundraiser for the Teddy Bear Rescue Fund, which provides support for pediatric patients and their families during hospitalization at the Children’s Hospital at the University of California San Francisco, I had come to my senses and realized that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. So I threw on a black cocktail dress and some heels, Maya did my hair for me, I hopped on BART (no driving in the wind and rain over busy bridges when champagne is on the agenda!), and off I went.

The party was at the home of Ann and Gordon Getty, in Pacific Heights, and it was an amazing home. The art alone was museum quality, and worth leaving your cozy house on a rainy night. Of course, it wasn’t raining anymore by that point, and the sun was peeking out, so we were able to marvel at the amazing view from their windows, of the bay in all of its shimmery glory. I took several pictures of art around the house, but I kind of wish I had taken some pictures of the atmosphere going on. It was a children’s party, so there were games, face painting, magicians, a section of yummy candies you could put into a Chinese takeout container and bring home with you, and more. The kids looked like they were having a great time, and I wished Maya were younger so I could bring her. Or that I had one of my nieces or nephews with me. They would have loved it. The passed Hors d’œuvre were varied, with blinis with caviar, creme fraiche, and quail eggs for the adults, pigs in brioche and french fries for the savory lovers, and little strawberry milkshakes, cupcakes, and cotton candy for those with a sweet tooth. Everything was delicious. It was a wonderful evening, and I’m glad I came to my senses and decided to go enjoy myself. Oh, and the ‘goody bag’ that I took home was the best napping blanket ever. SO cozy, for the next rainy evening, when I decide to stay home and dry.