We had the good fortune of connecting with Peggy Kelley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peggy, how do you think about risk?
When I see the word “Risk” my heart says “Yes I can”.. As a youth I moved alot in my life, I was always the new kid at school, this gave me two choices…to be shy or to participate. In the beginning I did a little of both…Over time participating was much more fun. I started working at 14 and my 18 I had a full time job to make money for college.
In 1978, I sold everything I owned and moved from Cleveland Ohio to Houston Texas with my clothes , my Teddy bear and a job. I started a new life from square one… In 1982, I put a U Haul trailer on the back of my car and drove to Los Angeles, this time with a dog, Daisy Mae Dog plus the Teddy bear.
Risk for me means opportunity…adventure…creativity and possibility…I have done soo much in both my life & my career and I am starting a new chapter now as a begin a new decade of life.
I believe we are “Limitless” …it is up to us to take the leap and soar.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started drawing, painting and reading at 4. I think in pictures & stories…I love to be transported so designing events & wedding was a perfect match for me. I started in radio sales and promotions…then restaurants to learn culinary & business (I am still the Queen of Take-Out)…From restaurants as they got boring, catering & events was perfect…Beginning….Middle ..End…New! I started catering at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank and with that had access to props, costumes, and everything a studio has to offer. I was mentored by the best in rentals, lighting, entertainment, productions and more. I was there with Michael Eisner & Jeffrey Katzenberg plus Frank Wells. A true Magic of Disney indeed… My greatest lesson was to say YES and then figure it out. Knowing that asking for help was OK but also owning your ideas is essential. Do research to make your storyline interesting.
Most of all trust what I call “the whisper” of inspiration and creativity. Get quiet…listen…solutions are found in the center of the problem.
The book “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert says it best… One has to capture the ideas meant for us or they will find someone else to make them real.
My personal story is one of “If I can…You can!” I continue to capture & create ideas, stories, & magical moments that change lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
How fun, I actually just did this with a couple from Cincinnati.. We started in Santa Monica at the beach & the Pier…having lunch and watching the waves… from there we headed to Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive…walking the streets and window shopping…from there we headed to Hollywood and the Walk of Fame, the Magic Castle plus Hollywood & Highland…
The Griffith Observatory was amazing and a must see both inside & out…
We sang at teh original Miceli’s Italian Restaurant on Cauhengua Blvd as they have singing waiters… tooo fabulous!
And of course they had a private docent tour (moi) of the Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens.

As Pasadena is so close to Downtown, we also took and afternoon to tour Disney Hall, City Hall and the Cathedral Our Lady of Angels.

Next time we will head to Long Beach & the Queen Mary, I am producing a wedding there in February, I am soo excited:))

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I believe we make agreements to meet people in our lives that are our guides…I have so many, a full catering “family” 14 amazing creatives who have help me bring my designs and event stories to life. Evie Cutting is the woman who “grew” me up at the Huntington Library. She was my special events partner, mentor, cheerleader and the most gracious woman I have ever known.
She taught me the power of relationships, that kindness always wins and that it is OK to bump a bit, just get back up…
My 10 years as the Director of Catering at the Huntington Library in San Marino, changed my life forever.
I still design & produce weddings in the magical gardens. This May we will be saying “I Do” Indian style.

Website: www.timelesscelebrations.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timelesscelebrations

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-kelley-3a18204

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peggy.kelley.5243 https://www.facebook.com/TimelessCelebrations

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@latenitebride7552

Image Credits
My Photo: Ann Landstrom Photography Huntington Library Rogers Wedding: Miki and Sonja Photography https://www.mikiandsonja.com Huntington Wedding: Allison & Alex: Heather Waraksa https://heatherwaraksa.com Wiltern Wedding: Miki and Sonja Photography https://www.mikiandsonja.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.