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Faye C. Briggs Art in Bloom Floral Symposium and Lunch Will Blossom

When you think of the incredible art of floral design, you probably have visions of Dallas Blooms. You’re so smart. The Arboretum is an incredible showcase of flowers in their natural settings.

But the beauty of flowers is not limited to the lush beddings of the Arboretum. Think the Dallas Museum of Art.

That’s right  — the DMA. It’s all a part of the Dallas Museum of Art League’s Faye C. Briggs Art in Bloom Floral Symposium and Luncheon on March 29 at the DMA.  With the theme “East Meets West,” Japanese designer Mami Ogata and Dallas’ own Howard Eckhart will provide presentations of floral design representative of Asian and western cultures.

With DMA Board of Trustee President John Eagle and his wife Jennifer serving as honorary chairs, Lunchen Chair Barbara Bigham says, “We are thrilled to have two designers who will bring such diverse backgrounds and talents to the event. Every aspect of the day offers an enticement for all tastes.”

In addition to the flora design demonstrations, other activities during the will include:

• A seated luncheon featuring a fashion presentation by upscale retailer Betty Reiter with Jan Strimple producing the show.
• New York’s Billy Pry of BBJ linens, discussing not only  table top trends but also providing linens for the luncheon pro bono.
• A specially-created boutique offering floral containers for purchase.
• Travel guru Jim Strong donating copies of his newest book, Craving for Travel: Celebrating Life’s Moments for luncheon favors.

“Barbara has done an excellent job of creating a fresh and exciting event that captures the entertaining and educational components of a successful event,” said DMA League President Marilyn Willems.

If you can’t make the Monday event, you might be interested in the two half-day workshop on March 24 at Magic Moments Parties and Events. Debbie Jordan is opening her Magic Moments for a morning workshop conducted by Howard, and Mami will present an afternoon workshop following a formal Japanese tea ceremony.

Crystal Charity Celebrates New Members, Beneficiaries at Escada

Those wonderful gals at Crystal Charity are already gearing up for this year’s December 4th gala at the Hilton Anatole. And Escada’s Melinda Moore helped the ladies celebrate their new members by hosting a brunch Wednesday with a fashion show, of course.

What did you expect? A vintage car collection? Silly.

Besides the drop-dead gorgeous spring and summer fashions, ball chair Cynthia Mitchell welcomed the newest members of CCB including Angie Kadesky, Kay Beecherl, and Suzy Giekere (pictured) and

Janie Cooke, Leslie Diers, Rozalyn Colombo, and Alicia Wood (pictured)

The six hardworking and very fortunate beneficiaries for this year’s ball were also revealed including

1. Boys & Girls Clubs,
2. Children’s Medical Center,
3. Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center,
4. Parkland Foundation,
5. Texas Home Access Fund and
6. The Family Place

(Photos by Dana Driensky)

Faith Hill Concert Creates a Fashion Quandary for Dallas Gents

There are some Dallasites who are more familiar with NYC than Fort Worth. Whoa! Thanks to Super Bowl XLV, that situation took a major step forward with the Kick-Off Concert Series at Bass Hall with Faith Hill.

Since it was a private event with series tickets going for a whopping $1500, it had all the frills and spit-and-polish that a high-spending crowd deserves. Starting with a VIP party at McDavid Studio across the street from the Bass, it became apparent that not all Dallasites agreed on the Fort Worth  dress code for special events.

Usually it’s the ladies who are all in a tizzy about what to wear. Not on this night! The gents were really in a quandary about what is appropriate at the Bass for a Faith Hill concert. Some came in their best bib-and-tucker dark suits like Troy Aikman (pictured, he had an excuse since he was co-hosting the reception); Drew Pearson in a bold-striped suit with brown/black striped shirt and goldfinger metallic tie and handkerchief; George Riba (pictured) in a very sportscaster flash-and-dash orange tie, blue shirt, and camel-colored suit; and Bill Lively (pictured) in CEO-styled uniform with a natty orange tie and his ever-present dazzling smile.

On the other hand, those who have probably frequented Joe T’s knew that dress-down is thumbs up in FW and opted for the open shirt with the windowpane sports jacket look. The fashion question of this group was, “Do you unbutton the top one or two buttons on your shirt?” (more…)

Matthew Trent Donates One-of-a-Kind to Texas Discovery Gardens Fundraiser

Graphic provided by Texas Discovery Gardens

Is sterling silver organic? Well, tonight it doesn’t matter at the Texas Discovery Gardens’ Organic in the City Fashion Show + Auction thanks to Dallas jewelry designer Matthew Trent. He’s has “fashioned a sterling silver pin modeling it after the ‘Butterfly Maiden’ logo (pictured).”

According to Texas Discovery Gardens’ Sarah Gardner, “These pins, generously created for Texas Discovery Gardens, have been donated to be released at the close of the fashion show for a special price.”

Don’t you always love the phrase “special price”?

“Organic in the City” Brings Green to the Runway for Discovery Gardens

Ah, spring is flirting with temperatures and that means only one thing –spring fashion shows. No, make that two things — spring fashion shows and gardens coming alive!

You don’t have to wait any longer. Both will be at The Discovery Garden Wednesday for the “Organic in the City Fashion Show + Auction” produced by Rhonda Sargent Chambers and with ABC-Channel 8’s Gloria Campos handling the MC duties.

One of the designers whose clothes (pictured) will be on the runway is Dallas’ own Lindsay Weatherread, who has been making a name for herself with her “Origami for Your Body” and her organic and non-organic line for women and babies.

Other featured designers will include Ross Bennett with a new collection of green fashion and “fashion stars with show pieces from El Centro College’s Fashion Design students.

What’s organic fashion?

(more…)

Lee Park Junior Conservancy is off to the Races at Hotel ZaZa with Hat-a-Tudes

The folks at the Lee Park Junior Conservancy have learned their lesson. Last year’s “Day at the Races” was such a success that they’re ramping up their plans for this year’s May 1st Dallas-watching of the  135th running of the Kentucky Derby.

To kick off the buildup for the event, organizers (and a v-e-r-y good looking group, it is) held a party at Hotel ZaZa with cigar rollers, big brimmed hats, lots of liquid refreshments, and some excellent news — Park Place Volvo will be the presenting sponsor of the festivities.

To get the attention of guests arriving via four-wheeled vehicles, the organizers had Tracy Moore and his Chance (a pretty palomino quarter horse pictured with Tracy) next to the entrance. No, Chance ain’t gonna being running in the Derby. He’ll probably just watch the flat screen in his stall.

The party was held in the tented patio with the pool safely covered. Hotel Manager Noel Rodriquez (pictured) looked quite pleased about the turnout and he also was sporting a very nice tan that was purchased down the street. Much healthier than baking in the sun, you know?

In the crowd were some familiar faces from Saturday’s Dallas Museum of Arts’ Junior Associates wow-evening. Hmm, wasn’t that David Dees (pictured) the other night in the ascot? Yup, sure was! For this evening, he wore a more casual red ascot admitting that ascots are “just more comfortable than a tie.”

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Junior Associates Left the Greatest Impression Saturday Night

Question of Saturday night: What award goes to Yana Landman Greenstein (pictured right with Chrissy Tebbe)?

Answer: After the jump.

But first let’s review the Junior Associates Circle’s “An Affair of the Art 2010″ last Saturday night in which the Dallas Museum of Art’s Atrium Cafe had its own Cinderella transformation. Usually a “casual fare menu, quick service, and a family-friend atmosphere,” it’s the little stepsister of the DMA’s Seventeen Seventeen, that “boasts a global menu experience that can only be defined as culinary artistry.”

(more…)

$125,000 Check Presented to Equest

Remember that Equest Auxiliary Luncheon and Fashion Show? You know the one at Brook Hollow with all those wonderful clothes from Highland Park Village? Yes, we thought you’d recall. Well, original fund-raising estimates were projected at $110,000.

But then at the last minute a donation from Diane Brierley and an increase in raffle ticket purchases kicked the grand total up to a whopping $125,000, which luncheon chair Lynn McBee presented to Equest Therapeutic Riding for its programs.

“I am honored to present a check to Equest from the luncheon proceeds,” said Lynn.  “The difficult economy makes it even more meaningful as we help sustain these important therapeutic riding programs for children and adults.”

2010 luncheon chair Nancy Carter is already planning the fall luncheon.

Despite Snow-10 Blizzard, St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon Busted $400,000

Two days before the Saint Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show co-chair Rainey Fogiel (pictured in pink with co-chair/daughter Natalie Fogiel) sounded like General Patton: “LUNCH WILL GO ON!! It will be almost as FABULOUS as last year. . . I’m being positive about the weather…!!” She must have made a deal with Mother Nature or the Devil or both. “Just hold off with the big stuff until after Thursday’s show.” Too bad that the NBA All-Stars, Valentine florists, and D/FW International didn’t have Rainey’s connections with the powers-that-be for them.

If you’ll recall, Thursday morning Dallas was showing the first ripple of the blizzard of Sno-10 as snow and more snow fell (pictured). But it was not enough to deter the 800 Ladies Who Limo from helping to raise funds in the battle for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of North Texas. (more…)

JUST IN: St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon Is On!

Three pieces of news to report:

1. Yes, that’s snow and slush, not ice.
2. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Exec Director Tina Garcia reports the St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show “is still going to HAPPEN!! We have had a lot of people wonder if we are canceling and we are not!! The show must go on rain or shine or snow:)”
3. Checked with Gold Crown’s RW Raabe and he says his valets are ready to take care of you and your car at the Anatole.

What that means:

• Start out a smidge bit earlier than usual for the Anatole.
• Think about carpooling. Entourages make a much more fashionable entrance.
• Wear that heavier coat and great looking boots, you’ve been dying to show off.
• Think about gloves.

ON A SERIOUS NOTE: People who are fighting leukemia and lymphoma are facing a much tougher task than driving through a wintry mix. Your presence at the luncheon, besides providing funding, also shows your support for the underwriters and organizers of this event that is so vital to the war against leukemia.

Folks, this ain’t the northeast and we’re not facing five feet of snow, so let’s get together for lunch. But do drive safely as always.