Paper City Article

The Little Black Dress: Chic and Casual

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:11:48 GMT

Styles come and go but true Style, that elusive state of being, never fades with the seasons.%26nbsp; When it comes to communicating this aesthetic mastery to the outside world nothing does the job better than the little black dress (LBD).

Made famous years ago by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel its simple fit naturally gives it versatility. The perfect LBD goes well with everything from metallic bags to red shoes, and has the ability to go to a cocktail party or casual outing, separately or, for all you Holly Golitghtlys', both. Tailored, loose, whatever! Not only does this buy not have to be pricey but it also has the ability to look good on anyone. So you can snag a winner without being a big spender.

The Making of Our (Terribly Old School) August Cover

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:33:01 GMT

How did we take our "modern-day preppies" from concept to reality? With a lot of technical expertise, patience, photographic artistry, laughter and coffee. (Lots of coffee.) Click on "launch slideshow," above right, to see how our August cover came together...

Back to Boarding School

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:21:16 GMT

Daddy and Mummy are helping you pack their ancient Rover full of your L.L. Bean duffel bags and Granddad%26#8217;s old steamer trunk from his Deerfield days. Yes, it%26#8217;s time for the annual trek east to boarding school. Oh? You graduated eons ago? Well, whether you matriculated at Ethel Walker or Andover (or want to look like you were), here%26#8217;s everything you need to sport that rarefied style in whatever ivy-covered halls you call home.

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Surely you remember The Official Preppy Handbook, the 1980s mega-seller that was required reading for the private-school set? Oh, that%26#8217;s right %26#8230; you weren%26#8217;t born in the %26#8217;80s. Catch up with the sequel, True Prep (Knopf, September 2010, $19.95), penned by the preppy original author herself, Lisa Birnbach, with Chip Kidd. They%26#8217;ve rewritten the annals of prepdom,21st-century style.

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Whether you%26#8217;re wearing a pleated skirt or flat-front khakis and a blazer every day, when there%26#8217;s a chill in the air it%26#8217;s time to pull out The North Face fleece jackets. We%26#8217;re partial to the TKA 100 Glacier quarter-zip fleece. $50, at Nordstrom, REI, The Sports Authority, Sun %26amp; Ski Sports, Urban Outfitters, Whole Earth Provision Co.;%26nbsp; thenorthface.com.

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Back when your parents met at Choate Rosemary Hall, no one got through a slushy New England spring without hideous (yet somehow cool) rubber-soled, heather-topped Bean boots. Now Hunter Wellie boots are de rigueur prep-school attire. Hunter%26#8217;s Carnaby Boa boots in black give Muffy a fashionable edge. $225, at Neiman Marcus, Stanley Korshak; hunter-boot.com.

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Talk about old school. These Tretorn Nylite women%26#8217;s sneakers haven%26#8217;t changed a stitch in decades. Land%26#8217;s End Canvashas now revived the first luxury sports shoe ever made. $55, at landsend.com/canvas.

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L.L. Bean is making the classics a little more modern in its new catalog/Web site, L.L. Bean Signature. Our fave: his Saltwash pullover made of every prep%26#8217;s favorite: 100 percent cotton %26#8212; salt-washed for maximum comfort, no less. $59, at llbeansignature.com.

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Nothing whispers trust fund like a classic Cartier Tank with alligator strap ($7,850, at Cartier). On days when you want to downplay it, though, switch to a Toy Watch (from $195, at Saks Fifth Avenue; toywatchusa.com), and no one will know how much you%26#8217;ve banked. Isn%26#8217;t that really the point?

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Jack Spade channels the sailing vibe with this navy awning-stripe messenger bag ($195), with room for your iPad. At jackspade.com.

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Talk about taking it personally. The Queen of Cashmere weaves your initials boldly onto the sleeve of these crewneck sweaters made of soft Scottish cashmere. The fetching diamond-shaped monogram sets you apart from the machine-monogrammed crowd. $625, by special order at saksfifthavenue.com.

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Since you%26#8217;ve hauled Tide to do your own laundry, don%26#8217;t chance it with Hamilton%26#8217;s custom shirts. Pack your weekend duffel with a few classic long-sleeve navy gingham shirts made with Italian double-ply fabric. The prewashed, spread-collar button-downs even have a retro slot for your pen on the chest pocket. $185 each, at Barneys New York, Pockets Menswear, Stanley Korshak; hamilton1883.com.

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Rhonda Byrne (who wrote the New Age book The Secret that your stepmother is always quoting) would encourage you to envision yourself walking through the ivy-covered square of Harvard Yard. Maybe wearing crimson %26#8220;Veritas%26#8221; emblazoned on the Harvard tie around your neck will assure you%26#8217;ll get there, too. Vineyard Vines ivy ties $75 each, at vineyardvines.com.

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Provider of your uniform Sperry Top-Sider Chukkas (replacing Bean%26#8217;s Blucher Mocs), J.Crew custom-colors their unisex version, natch ($125). They%26#8217;ve also secured Belstaff%26#8217;s Roadmaster jacket in waxed cotton ($695). This British fave is the very definition of rugged cool. At J.Crew; jcrew.com.

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Remember those drafty dorm rooms at Exeter? Keep the chill at bay with L.L. Bean%26#8217;s striped-ticking flannel sheets. Flat or fitted $25 each, at llbean.com.

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While mother wore Pappagallo, our generation sports politically correct, unisex espadrilles by Toms Shoes%26nbsp; %26#8212; the charity brand that donates shoes to a child in need with every pair purchased. From $44, at Cotton Island, Nordstrom, Stanley Korshak; toms.com.

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Dressing down on the weekends? Nothing beats a classic. Levi%26#8217;s are the jeans for guys who aren%26#8217;t trying too hard. (Not to mention, the savvy girls who raid the boy%26#8217;s department and sport his.) At levis.com.

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When the houseparent calls %26#8220;Lights out,%26#8221; dress down in Claridge + King%26#8217;s cool menswear-inspired pajama pants and boxer sets made with cozy cotton shirting. Not like you%26#8217;re trying or anything %26#8230; $62 each, at claridgeandking.com.

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Don%26#8217;t head off to Avon Old Farms or Madeira without your trusty rain gear. Hadleigh%26#8217;s bespoke umbrella takes it up a notch. Select the fabric, leather handle and dimensions of your custom parapluie, and engrave that little silver plate at its base with your initials. At Hadleigh%26#8217;s, 214.770.4743; hadleighsbespoke.com.

Back to Boarding School

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:19:55 GMT

%26nbsp;

Whether you%26#8217;re wearing a pleated skirt or flat-front khakis and a blazer every day, when there%26#8217;s a chill in the air, it%26#8217;s time to pull out The North Face fleece jackets. We%26#8217;re partial to the TKA 100 Glacier quarter-zip fleece. $50, at Gander Mountain, Nordstrom, The Sports Authority, Sun %26amp; Ski Sports, REI, Urban Outfitters, Whole Earth Provision Co.; thenorthface.com.

%26nbsp;

Back when your parents met at Choate Rosemary Hall, no one got through a slushy New England spring without hideous (yet somehow cool) rubber-soled, heather-topped Bean boots. Now Hunter Wellies are de rigueur prep-school attire. Hunter%26#8217;s Carnaby Boa boots in black give Emma a fashionable edge. $225, at Neiman Marcus; hunter-boot.com.

%26nbsp;

Talk about old school. These Tretorn Nylite women%26#8217;s sneakers haven%26#8217;t changed a stitch in decades. Land%26#8217;s End Canvas has now revived the first luxury sports shoe ever made. $55, at landsend.com/canvas.

%26nbsp;

Jack Spade channels the sailing vibe with this navy awning-stripe messenger bag ($195), with room for your iPad. At jackspade.com.

%26nbsp;

Dressing down on the weekends? Nothing beats a classic. Levi%26#8217;s %26#8212; especially 501s %26#8212; are the jeans for guys who aren%26#8217;t trying too hard. (Not to mention, the savvy girls who raid the boy%26#8217;s department and sport his.) At 310 Rosemont; levis.com.

While mother wore Pappagallo, our generation sports politically correct, unisex espadrilles by Toms Shoes%26nbsp; %26#8212; the charity brand that donates shoes to a child in need with every pair purchased. From $44, at Loop %26#8212; A Shoe %26amp; Accessory Boutique, Nordstrom%26#8217;s, The Source Board Shop; toms.com.

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Remember those drafty dorm rooms at Exeter? Keep the chill at bay with L.L. Bean%26#8217;s striped-ticking flannel sheets. Flat or fitted $25 each, at llbean.com.

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Old School 101

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:06:50 GMT

Lobster thermidor
Nantucket lightship basket purses
Bermuda bags
Skotch Koolers
The Printery Fair Isle cardigans
Argyle, madras, plaid, pastels
Chipped beef, crab cakes, beef stroganoff, King Ranch chicken
Pepperidge Farm Chessmen
Skippy, Triscuits, Underwood Duke%26#8217;s Mayonnaise
Embroidered whales on anything
Monogrammed everything
Choate Rosemary Hall, The Hotchkiss School, Phillips Exeter Academy
The Hockaday School, Meadowbrook School, Wesley Prep, The Da Vinci School
Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Brown
L.L., Ralph, Lilly
Goyard
Lakeside Drive
Stubbs %26amp; Wootton
Hadleigh%26#8217;s Bespoke Lifestyle
Dooney %26amp; Bourke
Steve and Eydie
Vineyard Vines
Brook Hollow Golf Club, Dallas Country Club, The Montaigne Club
Dallas Woman%26#8217;s Club
Tretorns, Weejuns, Top-Siders
Greenwich, Nantucket, Martha%26#8217;s Vineyard
Pearls
Sailing
Gatoring
Dunston%26#8217;s back room on Monday nights
Lacrosse, rugby, squash
Floral chintz
Needlepoint
The Junior League
C.Z., Babe, Jackie
F. Scott, Truman, Sargent
The two Slims
Sister Parish
Lester LaninBay rum
Eau Sauvage
Nantucket Reds
Jack Rogers Navajos
Bernardo Miamis
Barbara Hutton, Gloria Vanderbilt, Brenda FrazieR
Idlewild debs
Mystic, Waldemar, Longhorn
Black Point Beach
Point O%26#8217; Woods
The North Shore
Gant
Lacoste
Muffy, Buffy, Bitsy, Topsy
Skip, Chip, Kip, Trip
The Hampton Classic
La Plates melamine plates, monogrammed
J. Press
The Strand Book Store
The Official Preppy Handbook
Love Story, The Great Gatsby, The Graduate
Range Rovers, Land Cruisers, Grand Wagoneers
Volvo 240s
Any Mercedes-Benz, pre-1990
Pink
Green

Old School 101

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:05:02 GMT

Embrace your inner Thurston and Lovey. Live the list.

Lobster thermidor at Christie%26#8217;s Steakhouse
Nantucket lightship basket purses
Bermuda bags
Skotch Koolers
The Printery Fair Isle cardigans
Argyle, madras, plaid, pastels
Chipped beef, crab cakes, beef stroganoff, King Ranch chicken
Pepperidge Farm Chessmen
Skippy, Triscuits, Underwood Duke%26#8217;s Mayonnaise
Embroidered whales on anything
Monogrammed everything
Choate Rosemary Hall, The Hotchkiss School, Phillips Exeter Academy
Pooh Corner, St. John%26#8217;s, Kinkaid, The Fay School, River Oaks Baptist School, Episcopal High School
Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Brown
L.L., Ralph, Lilly
Goyard
Stubbs %26amp; Wootton
Dooney %26amp; Bourke
Steve and Eydie
Vineyard Vines
Bayou Club, Houston Country Club, River Oaks Country Club, The Forest Club, The Briar Club
Tretorns, Weejuns, Top-Siders
Greenwich, Nantucket, Martha%26#8217;s Vineyard
Pearls
Sailing
Gatoring
Lacrosse, rugby, squash
Floral chintz
Needlepoint
The Junior League
C.Z., Babe, JackieF. Scott, Truman, Sargent
The two Slims
Sister Parish
Lester Lanin
Bay rum
Eau Sauvage
Nantucket Reds
Jack Rogers Navajos
Bernardo Miamis
Barbara Hutton, Gloria Vanderbilt, Brenda Frazier
Assembly, Bolero debs
Mystic, Waldemar, Longhorn
Black Point Beach
Point O%26#8217; Woods
Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, Houston Yacht Club
The North Shore
Gant
Lacoste
Muffy, Buffy, Bitsy, Topsy
Skip, Chip, Kip, Trip
The Hampton Classic
La Plates melamine plates, monogrammed
J. Press
The Strand Book Store
The Official Preppy Handbook
Love Story, The Great Gatsby, The Graduate
Range Rovers, Land Cruisers, Grand Wagoneers
Volvo 240s
Any Mercedes-Benz, pre-1990
Pink
Green

The Houston Club

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:54:29 GMT

It doesn%26#8217;t get more old school than The Houston Club. Founded in 1894, this all-boys club served as the gathering spot for the men who molded the city, from Jesse H. Jones to John Henry Kirby, William Marsh Rice, J.S. Cullinan, W.S. Farish, W.W. Fondren, Will and Mike Hogg, Ben Taub, Hugh Roy Cullen, Mayor Oscar Holcombe, Judge James A. Elkins, George Brown, M.D. Anderson, Judge Roy Hofheinz, General Maurice Hirsh, Gus Wortham, Eddy Scurlock and President George H.W. Bush, who was once club director. It may sound like we%26#8217;re reeling off street and building names, but these long-standing members, former and present, make up the oldest private membership club in Texas. And it hasn%26#8217;t changed dramatically in the past 125 years. (Except for the %26#8220;all boys%26#8221; part; those of the female persuasion were allowed into its ranks in, ahem, 1982.)

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Images: The 1894 Room, circa 1970s; Barber Shop, circa 1950s %26#8211; 1960s

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As it was at the turn of the last century, the HC %26#8212; modeled after a traditional British gentlemen%26#8217;s club %26#8212; remains a social and business enclave where you can meet for a drink, head-huddle on the dilemmas of the day, wheel and deal in well-appointed meeting rooms, and get a shoeshine, a haircut and a nice rye whiskey, too. Founded with just nine members, today its membership has swelled to more than 1,000, with a phalanx of powerful women club-goers. Junior members 39 and under are a growing membership who join to hear lecturers, mingle at cocktail soir%26#233;es, attend Black Tie Boxing in the Texas Room and rub ranks with the powerful.

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Image: The Ed Sullivan Band%26nbsp;

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Perched on floors eight to 10 in the Houston Club Building at 811 Rusk that was built by Jesse Jones, the HC has a rotary-dial phone in the tiny telephone nook in its 1894 Bar, although the club does have wireless access. In 1955, artist David Adickes created the mural of Houston circa 1893 that still graces the wall of the Rusk Room, a clubby meeting area where the thick walls allow confidential conversations to go no further. The Barber Shop on the eighth floor opened in the %26#8217;50s, and little has changed. The same might be said of the health club on the eighth floor, where a vintage belt massage machine (you know, the sort that shakes your hips around as you do nothing but stand still) keeps company next to newer equipment and free weights.

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Images: Mimosa Room, 1957; Pete Landry at a Club 17 dance in the Men%26#8217;s Grill, 1956%26nbsp;

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Meet at noon for lunch in the Bush Room, and you%26#8217;ll find it filled with boldfaced notables who might be mentioned in the business pages more than the social ones. This mise en sc%26#232;ne includes polite, suited waiters and wonderful, old-school country club food on a groaning buffet, such as prime rib, seafood gumbo, fried chicken and the famous bread pudding served since the %26#8217;20s %26#8212; all of which will convince you that the vibe is the same your dad, grand-dad, perhaps even great-grand dad might have enjoyed. One of the last great bastions of Houston business society, The Houston Club is, thankfully, still a powerhouse.

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All images courtesy of "The Houston Club and Its City: One Hundred Years" by Dorothy Knox Howe Houghton, 1994

There’s a WASP in the Library

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:32:50 GMT

In no particular order, here%26#8217;s our private library of books and DVDs dealing with WASPs, mayonnaise, British wit, Clubs, The Family, monograms, Triscuits %26#8230;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

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Books

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Living Well is the Best Revenge by Calvin Tomkins

The Two Mrs. Grenvilles and A Season in Purgatory, both by Dominick Dunne

Blood and Money by Thomas Thompson

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Tea and Sympathy by Robert Anderson

Poolside with Slim Aarons, A Place in the Sun and Once Upon a Time, all by Slim Aarons

740 Park: The Story of the World%26#8217;s Richest Apartment Building by Michael Gross

Philistines at the Hedgerow: Passion and Property in the Hamptons by Steven Gaines

Social Crimes by Jane Stanton Hitchcock

The Importance of Being Kennedy by Laurie Graham

Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir by Christopher Buckley

Capote: A Biography by Gerald Clarke

Truman Capote by George Plimpton

Wry Martinis by Christopher Buckley

This Side of Paradise, The Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night, all by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Genuine Authentic: The Real Life of Ralph Lauren by Michael Gross

Family Fortunes by Louis Auchincloss

Everybody Was So Young: Gerald and Sara Murphy: A Lost Generation by Amanda Vaill

Happy Times by Brendan Gill and Jerome Zerbe

Happy Times by Lee Radziwell

Answered Prayers by Truman Capote

Edie: American Girl by Jean Stein and George Plimpton

The Way We Lived Then by Dominick Dunne

Oh The Glory of It All by Sean Wilsey

Cheerful Money: Me, My Family, and the Last Days of Wasp Splendor by Ted Friend

True Prep: It%26#8217;s a Whole New Old World by Lisa Birnbach and Chip Kidd, available September

Take Ivy by Shosoke Ishizu, et al., available August 31

Class: A Guide Through the American Class System by Paul Fussell

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

The Official Preppy Handbook, edited by Lisa Birnbach%26nbsp;

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A Bit of British

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Chatsworth: the House, Round and About Chatsworth and Counting My Chickens %26#8230;: and Other Home Thoughts, all by the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, n%26#233;e Deborah Mitford

Anything by P.G. Wodehouse

E. F. Benson%26#8217;s Mapp %26amp; Lucia books

A Much Married Man by Nicholas Coleridge

Hons %26amp; Rebes by Jessica Mitford

The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate, both by Nancy Mitford

The Glass of Fashion by Cecil Beaton

All the Cecil Beaton diaries

Mr. Classic by Jeremy Hackett

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DVDs

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Reversal of Fortune

Trading Places

The Ice Storm

The War of the Roses

The Graduate

Ordinary People (WASP-a-palooza!)

Dead Poets Society

The Talented Mr. Ripley

The Philadelphia Story

Sabrina (the 1995 remake)

Grey Gardens

Barcelona

All Nick and Nora movies

Annie Hall (Woody Allen)

Interiors (Woody Allen)

On Golden Pond

Metropolitan

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Blogs

%26nbsp;

Wasp101.blogspot.com

Tickledpinkandgreen.com

Summerisaverb.blogspot.com

Pinkwashingtoniette.blogspot.com

Peakofchic.com

Bang, Bang Bling

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:47:41 GMT

Pow, pow, pow! Bullet Girl has made her way into the room, and she%26#8217;s taking no prisoners. Houston designer Jessica Meyer makes an impact everywhere she goes, laden with jewelry of her own design, created from bold, gun powder%26#8211;free bullet casings from her grandfather%26#8217;s ammo plant in Mexico. (Small wonder, then, that she%26#8217;s been dubbed %26#8220;Bullet Girl.%26#8221;) When friend and fan Heather Davis spied the sleek .22 millimeter and .223 Remington ammo strung across Meyer%26#8217;s chest, dangling from her ears and around the nape of her neck, she became positively obsessed, too. Now Meyer and Davis have teamed up to put a glittering edge on the sinister side of the bullet by embellishing it with silver, brass, copper, 18K gold and rhodium metals %26#8212; not to mention diamonds, pearls, rubies and onyx. Not your mamma%26#8217;s costume jewels, these stylish projectiles (which range in price from $150 to $2,800) make a statement that doesn%26#8217;t say %26#8220;fashion victim.%26#8221; Cattle Baron%26#8217;s Ball, anyone? Caution: Sold only by the brave hearts at V.O.D., 214.754.0644; vodboutique.com.

Image: Jessica Meyer and Heather Davis; example of Bullet Girl's licensed-to-thrill craft

Retail Rap

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:37:54 GMT

Talk about a bright fashion forecast: NorthPark Center welcomes a blast of designers this fall. In September, Gucci opens its 6,445-square-foot, marble-festooned boutique between Salvatore Ferragamo and Versace %26#8212; a grand place to find Gucci%26#8217;s ready-to-wear collections for men and women, plus accessories, jewelry, shoes and handbags. Also appearing on NorthPark%26#8217;s stylish terrain this September is Gregory%26#8217;s %26#8212; a must-shop should you be pursuing the clothing and shoes of Alessandro Dell%26#8217;Acqua, Nicholas Kirkwood, Moschino and more. Next spring, Elie Tahari moves in, bringing its sleek collections of polished womenswear. For all the opening deets, click northparkcenter.com %26#8230; Galleria Dallas is also partaking in the retail rage: French Riviera native Fa%26#231;onnable is set to open there by summer%26#8217;s end, with plenty of pressed shirts, preppy blazers and tony accessories for all. Following suit is the prolific handbag line Dooney %26amp; Bourke, which will carry all its DB-emblazoned leather accessories and handbags at its second Dallas store %26#8230; In time for fall stiletto-seeking, Jimmy Choo is freshening its Highland Park Village boutique with shiny new furniture and decor. Until the store%26#8217;s reopening on August 18, those in desperate need can arrange a personal shopping appointment via 214.528.6801 %26#8230; Snider Plaza is having a youth quake as Babybliss celebrates the opening of sister store miniMe. In addition to irresistible baby necessities, the space brims with clothing, shoes, furniture, bedding and more for stylish toddlers, elementary schoolers and pre-teens. Adore it all at 6719 Snider Plaza; 214.346.5401 %26#8230; Another place your tot must shop is Chocolate Soup. The children%26#8217;s-clothing boutique has changed addresses within Preston Royal Village (it%26#8217;s now at 6025 Royal Lane) and has added some adorable new clothing, too (214.363.6981) %26#8230; Just as withdrawal from Swoozie%26#8217;s colorful stationery and accessories set in, the temporarily closed shop returns this month, with its grand reopening party at the Plaza at Preston Center slated for September 10 and 11. A resounding welcome back to all those hostess gifts, baby goodies and tabletop frills. Make tracks to 8417 Preston Center Plaza Drive %26#8230; A historic locale ventured into retail when The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza recently snipped the ribbon at its Museum Store + Caf%26#233; at 501 Elm Street, across the street from the museum itself. Contemporary offerings include books, documentaries, pop-culture knickknacks and local artisanal wares from Brad Oldham, The Eye on the Sparrow Designs and more. Click to jfk.org.

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Image:%26nbsp; Gucci Fall/Winter 2010

Indian Summer

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:29:54 GMT

The quintessential %26#8212; and original %26#8212; American dwelling, the teepee, is a sublime guest room, party hut or dinner den. Be brave.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

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Turquoise eternity earrings, $68, at %26#192; Bient%26#244;t. Image: Jenny Antill

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Chanel

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Herm%26#232;s Pointe Madras silk scarf, $410, at Herm%26#232;s

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1970s Cher Half Breed album, $9, at itunes.com

%26nbsp;

Tee Pee Motel in Wharton, Texas; double $67, teepeemotel.net

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Multicolored tourmaline limited-edition necklace, price upon request, at David Yurman

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J Hill%26#8217;s Hideouts, 2008, price upon request, through jhillprojects@gmail.com

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1940s sterling-silver, coral and turquoise necklace, signed Dominguez, $1,950, at Past Era Antique Jewelry. Image: Jenny Antill

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Wool reproduction of an early 20th-century Navajo original, $70 per square foot, at Carol Piper Rugs

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John Galliano Homme

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Polo Ralph Lauren

%26nbsp;

Pim Ormrod silver bracelet, $300, through silverbypim.com

%26nbsp;

Dunton Hot Springs in Dolores, Colorado; teepee summer occupancy only, price upon request, duntonhotsprings.com

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Wigwam Village #6, along Historic Route 66, Holbrook, Arizona; single $52, double $58, 928.524.3048

%26nbsp;

Charles Russell%26#8217;s Indian Hunters%26#8217; Return, 1900, in %26#8220;The Masterworks of Charles M. Russell: A Retrospective of Paintings and Sculpture,%26#8221; at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, through August 29. Courtesy of Montana Historical Society, Helena, Mackay Collection

%26nbsp;

Camp Bosworth%26#8217;s Corralejo sculpture, 2007, $500 at Koelsch Gallery

%26nbsp;

Water-repellent and mildew-resistant teepee, $2,200, at Design Within Reach

%26nbsp;

Order a custom teepee like Bruce Weber%26#8217;s (shown here at his ranch) from White Buffalo Lodges, adult tents from $1,195 (poles included), whitebuffalolodges.com. Image: %26#169; Bruce Weber, "Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People"

%26nbsp;

White sapphire feather earrings by Slink, $3,300, at Sloan/Hall

%26nbsp;

1970S Navajo turquoise and sterling-silver ketoh cuff, $1,680, at Abejas

%26nbsp;

Wooden stool with brass nail-head trim, $1,150, at Carl Moore Antiques

V's Barbershop

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:57:12 GMT

For the gentleman, there really is no substitute for reclining in a chair and having someone rub warm foam onto your face, is there? The manly men of River Oaks can rejoice, as V%26#8217;s Barbershop %26#8212; an old-school barbershop with black-and-white checkered floors and sturdy leather barber chairs %26#8212; has opened up shop on West Gray in River Oaks Shopping Center. Proprietor David White says a trip to V%26#8217;s Barbershop in Tucson, Arizona, where he received the best haircut of his life, inspired him to end his career in software sales and open the first V%26#8217;s Barbershop outpost in Texas. In addition to traditional scissor haircuts and hot lather shaves, V%26#8217;s offers face massages, beard and mustache trims, shoeshines and grooming products from American Crew, The Art of Shaving, Jack Black and V%26#8217;s own line of shave gels and shave masks. Gearing up to get married? The Big Day, one of V%26#8217;s many special grooming packages offered, includes a day of grooming for you and your groomsmen. River Oaks Shopping Center, 2040 W. Gray, 713.527.4442; vbarbershop.com.

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Images: David White, interior of V's Barbershop; images by Jenny Antill.

Dead People We Wish We Would Have Known: Diana Vreeland

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:30:40 GMT

TO SEE PICTURES CLICK %26#8216;LAUNCH SLIDESHOW%26#8217;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

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As haute couture came to a close a couple weeks ago, nothing became more interesting to us than the storied lady who loomed large over the fashion community for so long. This month%26#8217;s dead person we wish we would have known: Diana Vreeland.%26nbsp;

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Born Diana Daziel she decided at age 14 she was, like her mythological Roman namesake, %26#8220;goddess, and therefore ought to be wonderful, pure, and marvelous.%26#8221; Being a Dalziel, which literally translates from the Scottish for %26#8220;I dare,%26#8221; she dared to make herself exactly as she wanted to be. Until this revolutionary moment in her life she had been a mere shadow of the D.V. many know. The child of an assets rich, cash poor family, Diana was often overshadowed by her big-game hunting mother and stern father.%26nbsp;

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Once out in society she married Reed Vreeland. They had two children and moved to upstate New York for a short time, Reed working in the city and Diana raising the two boys while keeping house %26#8212; with a staff, mind you. This period of her life is in some ways the richest. It was when she edified herself by reading veraciously. She had never done well in school and found herself short the necessary intelligence of the woman she wanted to be.

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This self-education served her well, informing the lion-share of her views and notions of the world, ideas that underlie the imagination that in time generated otherworldly fashion editorials for Harper%26#8217;s Bazaar and Vogue.

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Diana%26#8217;s entree into journalism came about when Carmel Snow, then editor in chief of Harper%26#8217;s Bazaar, hired Diana after seeing her dance flamenco in ballroom of the St. Regis. Snow noted to Diana, who wasn%26#8217;t all together convinced of the proposal, that seeing such was more than enough to justify her decision as she sought the quality Diana had exhibited %26#8212; uniqueness!

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So began Diana%26#8217;s editorial career and thanks to whom her friends were and the places she had traveled to opportunities existed expressly for her. Diana came into her own once part of the magazine world. Not only did she now have an outlet for her voice, which quickly drew an audience, but a stage upon which she could perform the role she%26#8217;d long been perfecting %26#8212; herself.

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And what a role it was. Just as there is for any stage role, the make-up was key; taking hours every morning she would emerge from the bathroom lips vibrant red, cheeks rouged just so, nails freshly lacquered in red %26#8212; %26#8220;the great clairafier%26#8221;, and hair coifed such that it never moved throughout the day. To behold Diana was a visceral experience. And the clothes; not only was she unyielding in her zeal for coming up with inventive ideas and eye-catching combinations %26#8212; red zippers, polished shoe soles %26#8212; she was maniacal in the maintenance of her clothing such that her wardrobe eternally looked unused.%26nbsp;

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Then there was the personality. Erupting into loud proclamations of personal opinions %26#8212; no provocation necessary %26#8212; she accented her speech with gestures that conjured the graceful and strong dancing of the Ballet Russes.

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The fashion world loved her, of course, and with time she became a valued and powerful member of it, moving from Harper%26#8217;s Bazaar, once Snow left, to Vogue as its editor in chief.

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Styling magazines layouts allowed Diana an alternate reality: layouts. In this realm looks lived forever and perfection could be achieved in the unification of status, taste, clothing and environment. It was such an attractive parallel universe that with time it proved all too tempting to Diana. It fed into her deepest urges to invent, pretend and show clothes exactly as they should be, no matter how far crews had to go, or return, to re-shoot them. With time Cond%26#233; Nast found it too expensive and out-of-touch, simply too original. Diana%26#8217;s firing from Vogue was a surprise to all,most of all herself.

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She thus embarked upon the last and perhaps most enduring period of her life, as the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art%26#8217;s Costume Institute. Her adoration of clothing genres made her job an utter pleasure. No genesis was necessary for her to identify that, for example, Cristobal Balenciaga%26#8217;s designs were sufficiently notable to warrant an exhibit of their own. Shows she curated included %26#8220;Inventive Paris Clothing,%26#8221; %26#8220;Romantic and Glamourous Hollywood Design,%26#8221; %26#8220;The Glory of Russian Costume%26#8221;%26nbsp; and %26#8220;Vanity Fair.%26#8221;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

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An original if there has ever been one, Diana Vreeland is a beacon not only in the World of Fashion, but an example everyone, as she dared be who she was. She is exemplary of what one can achieve when they don%26#8217;t place a limit on their abilities, recognizing instead that no such thing exist. Talk about true style.

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Pictures: Dwight, Eleanor. Diana Vreeland. 1st. New York : Harper Collins Publishers Inc., 2002

Camp Out

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:57:09 GMT

Gentleman, we%26#8217;ve found the cool linen shirt you%26#8217;ll be living in this month. Designer (and Houstonian) Gardner Landry modeled the Sessanta camp shirt after one of his grandfather%26#8217;s vintage camp shirts made in Italy during the %26#8217;60s. The name means %26#8220;sixty%26#8221; in Italian %26#8212; and also happens to be the year Fellini released La Dolce Vita. Made of pure linen, the loose, short-sleeved button-down has a tie-dyed breast pocket for a punch of color and a one-of-a-kind pattern. $150, at Norton Ditto.

Retail Rap

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:55:54 GMT

Florida-based fashion designer Linda Cunningham opens a second boutique in Houston later this month in River Oaks Shopping Center. The 3,017-square-foot space will stock women%26#8217;s contemporary collections including Parameter, Laundry, Catherine Malandrino, Robbi %26amp; Nikke, Ali-Ro, Liquid, Phoebe, Carmen Marc Valvo Line, Robert Rodriguez and Leifsdotttir, and given the name %26#8212; Haut Chocolat Delicious Clothes with Sweet Aplomb %26#8212; we bet it%26#8217;ll be highly addictive %26#8230; Also at River Oaks Shopping Center, decorator Jann Wisdom has opened her home decor boutique, Jann Wisdom Designs Home Accents %26#8230; Venerable florist Empty Vase has opened in its new River Oaks Boulevard space in Lamar %26#8211; River Oaks Community Center, which is a little cozier than its last address. Swing in to order a bouquet or leave with a handful of freshly cut buds %26#8230; Tile and stone retailer Casalinea will open a second location mid-month, this one in Highland Village Shopping Center next door to Pierre Deux. The new, larger showroom will showcase more of their fabulous mosaic-tile designs, Boffi bathroom furniture and contemporary lighting by Viabizzuno %26#8230; Guess Accessories opens in Galleria I this month, across from Victoria%26#8217;s Secret %26#8230; Trellis The Spa at The Houstonian Hotel has a new spa director: Renae Cassam, who previously served as spa director at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and Spa in Jupiter Island, Florida, and The Mansion on Peachtree in Atlanta %26#8230; Local accessories designer Elaine Turner%26#8217;s fall collection hits the shelves at her namesake boutique on August 1%26#8230; Hank Richardson opens his second Define: Body %26amp; Mind fitness studio next month at 1945 West Grey. The two-story, 3,800-square-foot space %26#8212;%26nbsp;which was a dance studio circa the 1940s %26#8212; will feature three separate studios for classes, a large retail space and health counseling to take your health and wellness even further.

Houston's Fashion Moment(s)

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:53:57 GMT

As Audi Fashion Houston shapes up its five-day run October 11 through 15 at the Wortham Center, event producer Neal Hamil (former VP of Ford Models and former president of Elite Models in NY) is at the helm, along with Audi%26#8217;s Jared Lang, bringing a roster of national fashion names to Houston: shows by Doucette Duvall, Marc Bouwer, Lauren Bush with her Lauren Pierce and FEED collections, and Cesar Galindo, as well as Houston%26#8217;s fashion houses Toni Whitaker, David Peck and Chloe Dao, with more names to come %26#8212; and many of the October 12 shows benefitting Houston Community College fashion program scholarships.

Highlights:

%26#8226; Lynn Wyatt has chosen %26#8220;a dozen or so%26#8221; of her favorite haute couture gowns to be shown at the Wortham, then they will travel to the windows at Neiman Marcus.

%26#8226; On Wednesday, October 13, Saks Fifth Avenue hosts a men%26#8217;s show with Kiton CEO Antonio Paone, where Brazil%26#8217;s male model export and Madonna%26#8217;s boy toy, Jesus Luz, will walk in the Kiton show, benefitting Legacy Community Services.

%26#8226; On Thursday, October 14, Eileen Ford (Ford Models) is honored for her contribution to beauty and fashion in %26#8220;Eileen Ford: Six Decades of Defining Beauty,%26#8221; sponsored by Neiman Marcus, at the Wortham, with a multimedia and live runway show of famous Ford faces and an appearance by Ms. Ford herself, benefitting Dress for Success.

For schedules and tickets, go to fashionhouston.net.

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Images: Lynn Wyatt; photo by Jenny Antill. Honoree Eileen Ford with husband Jerry. Marc Bouwer.

Baby Tails

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:50:50 GMT

Designer Cynthia Rowley designs the cutest diapers ever, for the cutest booties. Made for Pampers, Rowley%26#8217;s designer diapers are in 11 styles, for baby boys and girls, at Target.

Queen of the Ball

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:02:47 GMT

J%26#8217;adore these stretchy bracelets from Marni Rocks in yin-and-yang white jade with CZ ball $65, and frosted black onyx with rubies $245. 1415 S. Voss, Second Floor, 713.533.0550; marnierocks.com.

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Image: Marni Rocks. Photo by Jenny Antill.

Pucker Up Pretty

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:56:50 GMT

Pretty your little pout with Tonya Riner%26#8217;s latest lip-color endeavor. The Houston-based makeup artist is one of the names behind a new line called Beauty For Real. Her team has devised the Perfect Lip Pencil ($14) in, naturally, your true lip tone. Her Illuminating Lip Glosses ($22) are fortified with antioxidants such as green tea and grape seed extracts that regenerate the skin, while marine collagen plumps your pucker. Have we mentioned that an LED light and mirror are attached? Genius %26#8212; they make touch-ups anywhere a breeze. At Marni Rocks, through beautyforreal.com.

Loop — A Shoe %26 Accessory Boutique

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:55:56 GMT

Keys to the door: Owner Carrie Schwartzenburg.
Stocked goods: For the past decade, Carrie Schwartzenburg ran the Rice Village boutique Raspberry Rose with her mother, Maureen Sweeney. Once mom retired and the fashionable Schwartzenburg hit her stride as a solo entrepreneur, she decided to branch out %26#8212; across the street. The area, she decided, was wanting for shoe stores, so she stepped up and opened Loop %26#8212;%26nbsp;A Shoe %26amp; Accessory Boutique, a stylish pink-and-green shop that stocks footwear with price points ranging from $50 to $200. Within the rows of flattering flats, sandals and teetering platforms, look for labels including Toms Shoes, Sam Edelman, Camper, Bernardo, Van Eli, Jeffrey Campbell, Boutique 9 boots, Seychelles, Yellow Box, and Volatile and Havaianas flip-flops %26#8212; names that won%26#8217;t make you think twice before pulling out the Amex. But that%26#8217;s not all. This shop girl knows women have a soft spot for all things fashionable, so she%26#8217;s filled out the space with tees, sundresses, handbags and jewelry %26#8212; accessibly priced goodies to grab and go, guilt-free, when the impulse hits to buy something fun. 2427 Rice Blvd.; 713.520.5511.

Image: Carrie Schwartzenburg. Photo by Jenny Antill.

Lovin' Loquita

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:49:54 GMT

Designer and avid polo player Sara Rotman launched a collection of colorful and bold silk scarves, pocket squares and ascots when she discovered a lack of equestrian fashion on the polo fields. The collection, dubbed Loquita after her prized pony, is available in a variety of quirky color combos and punchy patterns, such as a hot-pink-and-red design of antique guns arranged like a quilt, and a ball-and-chain print. The super-stylish silks reflect the design aesthetic that her company, the digital agency MODCo, has created for other top-notch designers, including Tory Burch, Nina Ricci and Carolina Herrera. Scarves $268, at Sloan/Hall.

Retail Rap

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:36:22 GMT

Be it the quiet social calendar or the longer days, there%26#8217;s something about summer that leaves us with a hankering for antiquing. We%26#8217;ll be heading to 100 Riveredge Drive in the Design District, where Uncommon Market is set to move in late August. In need of more space for all those vintage armoires, buffets, bookcases and accessories, the 40-year-old decor destination will bid adieu to its two houses on Fairmount Street and say hello to a new brick-encased industrial space. Stay in the know at uncommonmarketdallas.com %26#8230; Speaking of summer cravings: Seafaring weekends at the beach in Southampton call for a sporty pair of Sperry Top-Sider boat shoes. Before embarking, make tracks to Sperry%26#8217;s new NorthPark Center boutique, which is stocked with preppy styles for ladies, gents and their tony tots. See sperrytopsider.com or call 214.987.3676 %26#8230; Make room for this in your beach bag: Fr%26#233;d%26#233;ric Fekkai%26#8217;s new Marine Summer Hair Collection. For hydrating luscious locks, there%26#8217;s the Beachcomber Leave-in Conditioner, while Beach Waves spray promises sexy, textured curls. But our favorite is the Zero-Humidity Frizz Control, which rids the coif of flyaways in even the muggiest climes. Find it all at the Fekkai salon at 47 Highland Park Village, 214.219.3600 %26#8230; If you hear hammers and saws at 4519 McKinney Avenue, look for Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams in hardhats. The gents are planning to open one of their eponymous wonderlands there this September: 7,500 square feet filled with contemporary-chic furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories. Pull up a Chesterfield and stay tuned %26#8230; The 4th Wall Gallery has introduced a bookish new chapter named The Story Book House, located just behind the Uptown gallery in a 100-year-old carriage house. The children%26#8217;s bookshop is stocked with picture books and custom-made, book-filled gift baskets that your mini Jane Austen or soon-to-be Hemingway is sure to love. Bring them to 2925 Fairmount Street or click thestorybookhouse.com %26#8230;%26nbsp; We do sometimes subscribe to %26#8220;less is more,%26#8221; which means we%26#8217;re suddenly obsessed with the barely there makeup concept. Ready your skin for a world sans blush and foundation with Flower Road Natural Therapies, local gal Michelle Bardwell Shelmire%26#8217;s line of synthetic- and preservative-free, organic skincare products. Try the lavender cream or the Egyptian elixir, which uses frankincense oil and bitter-orange extract to help enhance the skin. We%26#8217;re all for that. For information, visit flowerroad.net or call 214.987.2766 %26#8230; What does one get the couple that has everything? Fabulous vacays, of course. Savvy online honeymoon registry sendusoff.com allows brides and grooms to select a destination and register for airfare, hotels, spa treatments, dinners, even picnics and champagne %26#8230; Designer Vera Wang is collaborating with David%26#8217;s Bridal on a line of chic wedding gowns priced no higher than $1,500. Look for the budget bridal confections on David%26#8217;s Bridal racks in Spring 2011.

Image: Sperry Top-Sider%26#8217;s leather and suede Montauk slip-on.

Retail Rap

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:35:23 GMT

River Oaks Shopping Center is welcoming several new tenants. Phoenix-based, old-time-y V%26#8217;s Barbershop opens this summer next door to Jamba Juice. Day spa Urban Retreat is relocating this October from its San Felipe home to a new 6,734-square-foot spot atop the Barnes %26amp; Noble at West Gray and Shepherd. The luxury spa will be adding to its already supreme list of services a wellness center that includes two full-time doctors on staff administering a variety of anti-aging treatments. The space also includes an outdoor patio with a view of the downtown skyline.%26nbsp; Galleria news: Crocs has opened in Galleria II, Level 2, near Saks Fifth Avenue. East 5th Hub and Guess Accessories are due to open midsummer, both in Galleria I, Level 2. Watch for their neighbor, Michael Kors, to expand into part of the former Bailey Banks %26amp; Biddle space %26#8230; Saks Fifth Avenue has opened a new children%26#8217;s department on the third floor. Shop Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Juicy Couture, Joie and Ella Moss in sizes from infant to 14 girls, and size 7 boys %26#8230; Mortar, the hip men%26#8217;s store on lower Westheimer that just opened in March, has already outgrown its space and is moving across the street to the former Martin Driscoll space at 1911 Westheimer. The new 2,600-square-foot location, which was originally a plumbing supply house in the 1920s and %26#8217;30s, is being redesigned by co-owners Sacha Nelson and Iris Riff with products and trimmings from local green hardware store New Living %26#8230; Blue Leaf in Rice Village Arcade now carries trendy designs by MollaSpace. We love the Love Grenade and Money Tree coin banks, plus the animal-head shot glasses %26#8230; Opening late this month in CityCentre is Flora %26amp; Muse, a European-inspired flower shop, cafe, bar, patisserie and late-night eatery %26#8230; Now you don%26#8217;t need to visit Dallas or Austin to shop at Madewell, the boutique known for its hip denim bar and stylish casual wear (created by the geniuses at J.Crew, no less). Madewell%26#8217;s ecommerce line has launched at madewell1937.com %26#8230; Repair your favorite tattered jeans the right way %26#8212; by reweaving, not patching %26#8212; with Denim Therapy. Just fill out the online form at denimtherapy.com, ship your tired denim and have it back within days. These experts repair rips, tears, hems, belt loops, zippers, buttons and rivets, and will even re-dye denim. Denim Therapy can also covert your fave jeans into your new fave maternity jeans %26#8230; The Woodlands%26#8217; successful Dionysus Salon %26amp; Spa has opened a Houston outpost at 3201 Louisiana at Elgin %26#8230; Marlo Miller boutique, located off Fountainview, now stocks summer styles from Ivy Jane, Bentley A, Notice and Makers of True Originals %26#8230; What does one get the couple that has everything? Fabulous vacays, of course. Savvy online honeymoon registry sendusoff.com allows brides and grooms to select a destination and register for airfare, hotels, spa treatments, dinners, even picnics and champagne %26#8230; Designer Vera Wang is collaborating with David%26#8217;s Bridal on a line of chic wedding gowns priced no higher than $1,500. Look for the budget bridal confections on David%26#8217;s Bridal racks in Spring 2011.

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Image:%26nbsp; MollaSpace Love Grenade banks at Blue Leaf

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Chanel Dives In

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:34:00 GMT

To mark the 10th birthday of its instant-classic J12 watch, Chanel takes the plunge %26#8212; to 300 meters, in fact %26#8212; and brings would-be Cousteaus the J12 Marine. Chanel%26#8217;s new undersea timepiece for gents has a list of features that would make even an octopus dizzy: a shot-peened case; hands coated in %26#8220;Ocean Blue%26#8221; ceramic (they glow so you can see them down there in the dark); and a rubber-composite strap that fends off scratches, shocks, water and UV rays. It adds up to one tough ticker %26#8212; %26#8220;practical, accurate, harshly simple,%26#8221; they explain at Chanel, %26#8220;like the men%26#8217;s watches that Miss Chanel liked to borrow from her lovers.%26#8221; (Seems marriage was the one plunge Coco didn%26#8217;t care to take.) J12 Marine, at the Chanel boutique.

Cartier Saddles Up

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:32:15 GMT

We are in love with Cartier%26#8217;s chic new saddle bag. The leather-and-waterskin reinterpretation of the brand%26#8217;s iconic Marcello de Cartier tote comes in caramel, brown, black and, our personal favorite, the limited-edition cherry-red. Girls on the go will appreciate the snakeskin strap that takes the bag from stylish messenger to over-the-shoulder in seconds. From $1,200, at the Cartier boutique.

Image:%26nbsp; Model Fernanda Motta and the Marcello de Cartier saddle bag in Rio. Photo by Denis Dailleux / Agence VU %26#169; Cartier 2010.

Destination: Wedded Bliss

Thu, 27 May 2010 01:29:26 GMT

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Lauren Elizabeth Stimmel %26amp; Matt Reynolds Musselman

March 13, 2010, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

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The design genes run deep with this divine duo %26#8212; Lauren Musselman spends her days surrounded by the stars of fashion at Forty Five Ten, and Matt%26#8217;s preternaturally stylish mother is Forty Five Ten%26#8217;s co-owner Shelly Musselman; he is co-founder of a web-consulting and design firm.

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%26#8220;Matt and I have always wanted a really beautiful springtime wedding in Mexico %26#8212;%26nbsp;one where everyone would have fun and spend a lot of time outdoors with family and friends. We stayed at the Esencia Hotel, originally the home of an Italian Duchess who still occasionally visits, and many of our guests stayed at the Fairmont Mayakoba and Rosewood Mayakoba resorts. Pi%26#241;a Coladas, Mayan decor and DJ Lucy Wrubel? Our dream come true.%26#8221;%26nbsp;%26#8212;%26nbsp;Lauren Stimmel Musselman

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Ceremony and reception venue: Esencia Estate, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Event production/wedding planner: Gonzalo Bueno and Mauricio Lobeira of TEN+3
Invitations: Megan Reinhardt of Reinhardt Creative, Dallas
Flowers: Gonzalo Bueno and Mauricio Lobeira of TEN+3; bridal flowers by Brian Bolke

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Catering and cake maker: Esencia Estate

Music: DJ Lucy Wrubel; Cancun-based band La Mata

Photographer: Steve Wrubel Photography

Videographer: Blue Habanero
Dress: Reem Acra, then a short Azzedine Ala%26#239;a dress from Forty Five Ten

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Bridesmaid attire: The Vineyard Collection from Priscilla of Boston

Groom%26#8217;s and groomsmen attire: Q Custom Clothiers, Dallas
Wedding party gifts: Earrings by Rebecca Lankford; monogrammed ostrich passport covers by Alexandra Knight
Party favors for guests: Tequila Alacran in matte black bottles with customized canvas bags and matching shot glasses

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Margaret "Meg" Harriet Munson %26amp; Joseph Patrick McGonigle
April 10, 2010, Palm Beach
These two noble names of Dallas did the right schools, the right clubs, and they certainly planned, to the tiniest detail, the perfect wedding. Meg (Camp Waldemar, Hockaday, Pi Beta Phi, Idlewilde Deb, Junior Dallas Garden Club, Junior League) to Patrick (Greenhill, MBA in Finance from SMU Cox, chairman Avante- Garde Society of Nasher Sculpture Center). %26nbsp;It all began with the proposal. %26#8220;Patrick loved modern art, and he told me we needed to attend a dinner party at the Nasher for the new museum director. We walked in, and the staff said we were the first to arrive and we could go to the Sculpture Garden where the party was located. Outside, I saw a long, white carpet and a tall gazebo fashioned of flowers and a three-foot-in-diameter pav%26#233;d flower ball, all by Junior Villanueva at the Garden Gate. As we walked toward it, I saw the table was set for two. I couldn%26#8217;t believe it %26#8212; was this really happening? Suddenly, he was on one knee, lovingly proposing marriage, and afterwards he stood up and waved his arms and exclaimed, %26#8220;C%26#8217;mon out, everybody!%26#8221; To my amazement, a photographer appeared from behind a tree, and our family ran out outside towards us %26#8212; even my sister, who had flown in from NY. We all had a fabulous seated dinner in that magical gazebo. The menu was titled Meggie%26#8217;s favorites and consisted of foods I loved. On top of everything, the music that Patrick played were all my favorite songs.%26#8221; The wedding: %26#8220;My grandmother, mother and both my sisters were married at Highland Park United Methodist Church, but when I called to reserve a Saturday night, it was potentially a year before we could have our wedding. So I started thinking outside of the family box. I knew if I ever broke tradition, it would only be for one place: Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. There is nowhere, in my opinion, more beautiful. Every single aspect of this wedding was personally designed: one-of-a-kind Crane%26#8217;s engraved save-the-date books, custom-blended ink for the invitations, sparkler fountains illuminating our favorite pastries at the Viennese table and eight-foot-tall gold palm trees with trunks of pav%26#233;d white hydrangeas, white orchids, white roses and gold seashells. We loved personalizing everything, even the dinner menu, which featured items like lobster and filet mignon with Tabasco (my dad%26#8217;s favorite), homemade peppermint ice cream (my grandmother%26#8217;s favorite) and Patrick%26#8217;s favorite Key lime pie (his request in lieu of a groom%26#8217;s cake!).%26#8221; %26#8212;%26nbsp;Meg Munson McGonigle

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Ceremony and reception venue: Mar-a-Lago, the historic estate of the late Marjorie Merriweather Post, now owned by Donald Trump, Palm Beach
Event production/wedding planner: Carmen Graff of Mar-a-Lago; Cheryl Clisby, Palm Beach
Invitations: Kerri Davis of Anna Grace Designs, Dallas. Calligraphy by Boo Owens, Dallas

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Catering and cake maker: Overseen by Mar-a-Lago%26#8217;s executive chef, Jeff O%26#8217;Neil

Music:%26nbsp; Encore Chamber Players%26#8217; string sextet, Palm Beach; GDO Soul featuring Greg Denard, NYC
Photographer: Chris Moseley Photography, Dallas
Dress designer: Anne Barge through Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon

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Bridesmaid attire: Custom-designed gowns from Nicolas Villalba Couture, Dallas

Groom%26#8217;s attire:%26nbsp; Giorgio Armani tuxedo through Barneys New York; shirt from Q Custom Clothier, Dallas
Wedding party gifts: Mother-of-pearl shell tray from Madison with a calligraphed note from Boo Owens on the bottom and sterling-silver-dipped seashell from Thistle %26amp; Bee; mother-of-pearl and sterling-silver stud set from Ari D. Norman of London and a black bow tie from David Donahue
Party favors for guests: Oversized heart-shaped cookies with an %26#8220;M%26#8221; monogram

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Lucy Ann McCulloch %26amp; Christopher James Semple
March 13, 2010, Goshen and Fayetteville, Arkansas
They met at UT, but it was many years later at Javier%26#8217;s in Dallas that they connected. Lucy, now a teacher, was born in Little Rock, grew up in Arlington, married Chris in Fayetteville. Chris, a VP at Goldman Sachs, grew up in Fort Worth, and now both bride and groom live in Dallas. It may be circuitous, but it came full circle.

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%26#8220;Our amazing wedding designers and suppliers covered three states %26#8212; Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma %26#8212; and the wedding weekend would not have been the same without them. The red barn behind Pratt Place Inn in Fayetteville was the inspiration behind the whole wedding. I stayed at the inn for my mom%26#8217;s 60th birthday and fell in love with the barn before ever being engaged.%26nbsp;It%26#8217;s a beautiful place that our floral designer transformed using linens and draping and my favorite flowers %26#8212;%26nbsp;bells of Ireland and hydrangeas, and the paper designers personalized absolutely everything from the save-the-dates to the guest boxes in hotel rooms.%26#8221; %26#8212; Lucy McCulloch Semple

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Ceremony venue: Stone Chapel at Matt Lane Farm, Goshen, AR
Reception venue: The Barn at Pratt Place Inn, Fayetteville, AR
Event production/wedding planner: Jenessa Bailey of J. Bailey Occasions, Fayetteville, AR
Invitations: Amy Hannon of Sincerely Yours Paper, Springdale, ARFlowers: Designs by Tanarah, Little Rock, AR

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Catering: The Catering Connection, Tulsa, OK

Cake maker: Shelby Lynn%26#8217;s Cake Shoppe, Springdale, ARMusic: Cuv%26#233;e, Dallas
Photographer: Andrea Polito Photography, Dallas
Wedding dress: Vera Wang from Warren Barr%26#243;n Bridal, Dallas
Bridesmaid attire: Priscilla of Boston strapless party dresses in sea glass, with antique brooches

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Groom%26#8217;s and groomsmen attire: Charcoal gray suits from Jos. A. Banks

Wedding party gifts:%26nbsp;Custom earrings or cuff bracelets designed by Mary McNeill of Mary
Gold Designs, Plano; neckties

Party favors for guests: Three custom cookies %26#8212; the red barn where the reception was held, the save the date icon, and the shape of Texas with a hand-iced %26#8220;S%26#8221; in the center

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Divine Details

Thu, 27 May 2010 01:01:54 GMT

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Wedding Date: January 1, 2010

Ceremony: St. Mark%26#8217;s Episcopal Church
Reception: Old Clubhouse at Hermann Park
Wedding Planner: %26#8220;Me, my mom and help from dear friends%26#8221;
Catering: Swift %26amp; Co.
Wedding Cupcakes: Ooh La La Dessert Boutique, Katy
Reception: Old Clubhouse at Hermann Park
Flowers: Bergner %26amp; Johnson
Photography: Karen Sachar Photography
Music: Grady Gaines %26amp; the Texas Upsetters, booked through Gulf Coast Entertainment
Invitations: High Cotton Design, highcottonhouston.com%26nbsp;

No design detail was overlooked at the festive New Year%26#8217;s Day nuptials of Emily Watkins Baker and Keith Aaron Ries. Designer genes are in abundance, as Emily is the offspring of architect Jay Baker and interior designer Julie Baker, and with antiquarian Babs Watkins as a grandmother, the style quotient is sky-high. A photographer and graphics designer, Emily and her new husband just returned from a road trip through California with dog Moses.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

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Stationery Sweet
From the save-the-date cards to the invitations and wedding program, Emily hand-illustrated the designs and produced them through printplace.com. %26#8220;I had so much fun doing them and got so much great feedback that I%26#8217;ve actually started a design studio called High Cotton Design with two other artists,%26#8221; she says.

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Well Groomed %26amp; Vera Lucky
Emily discovered her Vera Wang strapless organza gown at a bridal sample sale, while Keith picked up his sharp three-piece gray suit at Banana Republic. Vera Wang bridal collection at Impressions A Bridal Salon.

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Take Two
Sometimes you need a second take in order to get that perfect shot %26#8212;%26nbsp;or, in this case, another great shot for the wedding album. When the photographer asked the happy couple to repeat their church exit, the minister joined the groom instead, to laugh-out-loud results.

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Keep It in the Family
The silk fringe shawl that Emily wore for her portraits and on her wedding day has been in her family for four generations. Her great grandfather picked up it up for her great grandmother in Paris, 1927.

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Well Served
%26#8220;There%26#8217;s nothing worse than waiting in a buffet line,%26#8221; says this bride. The Clubhouse didn%26#8217;t provide enough room for a seated dinner, however, so Emily worked with her caterer to create a menu of bite-sized comfort foods including sliders, French fries, mac %26#8216;n%26#8217; cheese and panini sandwiches. Then she hired enough servers to keep guests satisfied.

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All She Wants to Do is Dance
This couple propped up a tent outside the clubhouse that they admit was smaller than it should have been, making it too loud for small talk. As the bride says, %26#8220;If you can%26#8217;t have a conversation, all you can do is dance!%26#8221;

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Something Blue
The bright-blue tissue-paper pom-poms hanging high at the reception were discovered on clearance at Michael%26#8217;s.

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Topper
%26#8220;I thought that a %26#8216;Day of the Dead%26#8217; bride-and-groom cake topper would be a way to pay respect to a time-honored tradition but do something fun and quirky at the same time,%26#8221; Emily says. Cake topper from Casa Ramirez Imports, 241 W. 19th St., 713.880.2420. Cupcakes by Ooh La La Dessert Boutique, Katy.%26nbsp;

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Just Their Type
Antique typewriters, lit by vintage lamps, were used in lieu of a guestbook. %26#8220;It was so much fun to read all the messages when we returned from our honeymoon,%26#8221; the bride says.

I Do, I Do

Wed, 26 May 2010 06:23:20 GMT

That vintage cushion-cut ring is so fetching. Yet the brilliant canary diamond takes our breath away. Not sure what ring style says %26#8220;Till death do us part%26#8221;? Take a gander at some of our glittering picks. (And don%26#8217;t forget your bridal jewelry, too. Create a trousseau of bracelets, brooches and earrings you can one day pass down to another bride in the family.)

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Queen of Heirs%26#8217; vintage and antique bands include, from top: 1930s platinum-and-ruby band with round diamonds; 18K-gold channel-set emerald band; platinum ring with milgrain edge and one carat total weight of diamonds; 18K-gold band with channel-set square Burmese rubies; circa-1950 ring with a double row of diamonds in a 14K setting; sapphire-and-diamond platinum band with scroll detail. Prices upon request, at Queen of Heirs.

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Delicate and demure, these antique Victorian English carved pink coral feather brooches with 18K white gold and diamond spines would look fetching on any gown. $1,950 to $2,450 each, at Smith %26amp; Company Jewels.%26nbsp;

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March down the aisle in these: David Yurman%26#8217;s quatrefoil pearl earrings in 18K white gold and diamonds. $5,800, at David Yurman.%26nbsp;

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For the girl who wears big, bold pieces, we adore Diane von Furstenberg%26#8217;s classic Sutra large-link bracelet in 18K white gold set with pav%26#233; diamonds. DVF for H. Stern $81,900, at Zadok Jewelers.

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Wear this late Victorian gold, pearl and diamond starburst pin dangling from a pearl choker chain with that strapless dress you have your eye on. Pin $1,295, chain $795, both from Past Era Antiques.

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Designer Erica Courtney created this coral necklace in three distinct pieces, which include two diamond studded enhancers, a flower design in 18K gold and a detachable coral drop, each sold separately. This necklace is $3,360; detachable adornments range from $6,000 for the coral drop to $9,300 for the flower. At Judith Ann Jewels.

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Tiffany %26amp; Co.%26#8217;s little blue box comes complete with an18K-gold-and-platinum engagement ring with an 8.65-carat square step-cut fancy intense yellow diamond. Or perhaps she%26#8217;ll say yes to an 18K-gold-and-platinum ring with a 7.12-carat cushion-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond and diamond half-moons. Prices upon request, at Tiffany %26amp; Co.

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Design a ring like royalty. Grace Kelly said %26#8220;Yes%26#8221; to Prince Rainier%26#8217;s proposal when he gave her this Cartier ring. (Specifically, the emerald-cut, 10.47-carat diamond set in platinum, seen here on her left hand.) What%26#8217;s old is really new again with Cartier%26#8217;s %26#8220;set for you%26#8221; engagement rings. At Cartier.%26nbsp;

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The groom will love receiving Glycine%26#8217;s bold Airman watch from his thoughtful bride. $5,325, at
I W Marks Jewelers.

Bathing Beauty

Wed, 26 May 2010 06:22:04 GMT

By day, she wore an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny blue polka-dot bikini on the Costa Rican shore. $118, at La Mode Swim.

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Image: Photo by Jenny Antill

Belle Mariée Bridal

Wed, 26 May 2010 06:08:03 GMT

Keys to the Door: Owner Erika Ferretti; managing partner Jillian Plachy.

Stocked Goods: Parsons-trained retail designer Erika Ferretti once crafted in-store boutiques for a bevy of bold-named designers at Neiman Marcus in Dallas. Now she brings her expertise to a new French-inspired shop, Belle Mari%26#233;e Bridal, tucked into the former Carlton House space on River Oaks Boulevard. The salon %26#8212; its name means %26#8220;beautiful bride%26#8221; en fran%26#231;ais %26#8212; offers a refuge from the maddening rush to find a perfect dress. Flax-colored, linen-covered French-style furnishings soothe the eye, while a wall of floor-to-ceiling mirrors and chandeliers cast a flattering glow. Oversized dressing rooms can accommodate any jittery bride-to-be and her entourage, along with all the white-dress possibilities she can imagine. Twirl in a layered silk-taffeta concoction by Anne Barge, a crystal-studded Badgley Mischka, a sleek Ines Di Santo or a cutting-edge design by emerging talent such as Jorge Manuel, Selia Yang, Nashville%26#8217;s Karen Hendrix or Acquachiara. Ferretti, a mother of two, says she was inspired to open a bridal shop because wedding gowns tell a story. Of course, it%26#8217;s up to you to embellish the tale with all the great details %26#8230; 2509 River Oaks Blvd., 713.523.0068; bellemarieehouston.com.

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Images: Erika Ferretti at Belle Mari%26#233;e Bridal. Badgley Mischka heels. Photos by Jenny Antill

Blowing Bubbles

Wed, 26 May 2010 06:01:52 GMT

Bubbles blown at the bride and groom while making a mass exodus from the chapel has been done, done, done! But hold on %26#8230;%26nbsp;We%26#8217;ve found some softly scented ones created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian that are anything but ordinary. Shake, twist and blow on the delicate wand and watch translucent orbs float by. Burst a few on the tip of your nose, and cut herbs, pears or cool mint waft through the air. $18 a bottle, at Neiman Marcus.

Bridal Buzz

Wed, 26 May 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Now %26amp; Forever Bridal Boutique (n%26#233;e 2006) has relocated near the corner of Richmond and Kirby. The airy new atelier, bathed in natural light, features designs by emerging wedding-gown designers such as Jane Wang, Liancarlo, Nicole, Tara Keely, Blush by J.L.M and Modern Trousseau. Not to mention sparkling tiaras, jewelry and shoes to pair with your white dress. 3701 Kirby Dr., 713.218.0369; nowandforeverbridalbtq.com %26#8230; The girls at Two Be Wed recently relocated their wedding-planning boutique to 2611 Greenbriar (in Willow%26#8217;s former bungalow). Designed to be an affordable prenuptial destination to help you plan every aspect of your wedding, Two Be Wed has all the connections to make your day most memorable, including photographers (J Cogliandro, Love Lee Casa de Camera); videographers (31 Films, Scott Charlson Videography); invitation experts; floral and decor sources (Events in Bloom); confectioners (Carrie Made The Cake, Elegant Cakes by Lisa); culinary and bar-service pros (Acute Events %26amp; Catering, Excel Pours); entertainers; equipment rentals; health and beauty consultants (Solution For Hair); fashion boutiques; limousine services; and other specialty services.

No More Cookie-Cutter Cakes

Wed, 26 May 2010 06:00:25 GMT

Raspberry linzers, butter twists, almond Florentines, chocolate biscotti, coconut macaroons and nutty pav%26#233;s. Yes, big cookie cakes are all the rage these days. Houston-based bakery Michael%26#8217;s Cookie Jar can create a towering cookie display apropos for a groom%26#8217;s cake or for your lavish dessert buffet at the reception. How about favors such as %26#8220;save the date%26#8221; calendar shortbread cookies or an edible replica of your wedding or bridesmaid dresses that you can send to everyone on your guest list? A cookie display that serves 120 people starts at $175, while large custom wedding cookies ring in upwards of $2.25 a piece. 713.771.8603; michaelscookiejar.com.

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Image: Photo by Adam Nyholt

Branding the Big Day

Wed, 26 May 2010 05:58:59 GMT

One of the biggest trends in weddings is branding %26#8212; a buzzy marketing term that modern couples have taken from the boardroom to the ballroom. It%26#8217;s an inspired tactic best left to pros such as Amanda Hayes-Valentine and Chris Promecene of PH Design Shop. These two know that any matrimonial event can benefit from the subtle yet intentional tie-ins created by a graphic artist, threading through the obvious invites (engagement, rehearsal dinner, ceremony) and thank-you notes to the menu cards, place cards, votive-candle and vase wraps, programs, cocktail napkins, matches, drink stirrers, wine-bottle wraps, hotel gift bags for out-of-town guests, custom ribbons, even photo backdrops and guestbooks. The possibilities are endless. Whether you want to stylize your initials or create an iconographic image that feels so Mr. %26amp; Mrs., branding your big day can make it all feel a little more complete. 3306 S. Shepherd, 713.522.8861.

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Image: Photo by Kennon Evett

Bang, Bang Bling

Wed, 26 May 2010 04:29:06 GMT

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Image: Jessica Meyer and Heather Davis; example of Bullet Girl's licensed-to-thrill craft

Bespoke My Heart

Wed, 26 May 2010 04:25:15 GMT

Truly, my heart pounded when I went through the marine-blue lacquered door at Hadleigh%26#8217;s, tucked away behind a wall of bougainvillea on a second floor in Dallas%26#8216; Highland Park Village. The natty shop %26#8212; part menswear, part womenswear %26#8212; is lorded over (and I mean that in the nicest way) by Ed and Gable Shaikh, who earned their merchant medals at Ralph Lauren and Stanley Korshak in Dallas, respectively. The shop emanates a bespoke lifestyle, with dandy hand-sewn suits and jackets, an array of shirtings and collars, a pitch-perfect women%26#8217;s short evening trench, rich velvet bow ties, Barker Black men%26#8217;s shoes, luggage, pocket scarves %26#8230; and these inimitable, indescribable, intoxicating slippers in washed linen with the two gents %26#8212; one modern, one old world %26#8212; that comprise the Hadleigh%26#8217;s logo and, fortunately for me, the letter H. They%26#8217;re quirky and cool. Choose your linen or velvet color, the trim color, and they%26#8217;re custom-made to your specs, with marine-blue soles, in three to four weeks. $395, through Hadleigh%26#8217;s, 214.770.4743, hadleighsbespoke.com. Trunk showing in Houston Tuesday and Wednesday, June 1 and 2, details info@hadleighsbespoke.com.%26nbsp;

Retail Rap

Wed, 26 May 2010 04:24:08 GMT

Neiman Marcus will host a trunk show of Ralph Lauren%26#8217;s Fall 2010 ready-to-wear collection on Thursday, June 24. While you%26#8217;re there, check out fashion designer Dahlia McPhee%26#8217;s collection of evening gowns, both cocktail and formal, new to Neiman%26#8217;s %26#8230; I.W. Marks Jewelers has received the Better Business Bureau%26#8217;s Winner of Distinction Award for the 11th time %26#8230; Now you don%26#8217;t need to visit Dallas or Austin to shop at Madewell, the chic boutique known for its hip denim bar and stylish casual wear (created by the geniuses at J. Crew, no less). Madewell%26#8217;s ecommerce line launches this month at madewell1937.com %26#8230; Repair your favorite tattered jeans the right way %26#8212; by reweaving, not patching %26#8212; with Denim Therapy. Just fill out the online form at denimtherapy.com, ship your tired denim and have it back within days. These experts repair rips, tears, hems, belt loops, zippers, buttons and rivets, and will even re-dye denim. Denim Therapy can also covert your fave jeans into your new fave maternity jeans%26#8230; Luxe day spa Rome opens this month at West Ave. Visit romedayspa.com for hours and spa menu %26#8230; 7 For All Mankind denim launches a new collaboration with design powerhouse Jonathan Adler this month. Adler%26#8217;s collection for men and women comes in three cheeky themes %26#8212; Deluxe, Rustic and Pop %26#8212; and includes several of his iconic patterns, such as bamboo, keyhole and Acapulco prints. At the 7 For All Mankind boutique in the Galleria %26#8230; Linda Cunningham hosts a Lafayette 148 trunk show Monday through Saturday, June 7 through 12 %26#8230; The Woodlands%26#8217; successful Dionysus Salon %26amp; Spa has opened a Houston outpost at 3201 Louisiana at Elgin %26#8230; Marlo Miller boutique, located off Fountainview, has stocked new summer styles from Ivy Jane, Bentley A, Notice and Makers of True Originals %26#8230; Blue Leaf in Rice Village Arcade now carries trendy designs by MollaSpace. We love the Love Grenade and Money Tree coin banks, plus the animal-head shot glasses %26#8230; Talented sisters Saba and Sarah Jawda have joined creative forces to launch Jawda and Jawda, a company focusing on creative outlets ranging from architecture and interior design to art, graphic design, marketing and company branding. Visit jawdaandjawda.com for more details %26#8230;%26nbsp; Beverly Hills%26#8217; famous cupcake bakery Sprinkles opens in Highland Village Shopping Center this month at 4014 Westheimer. Also moving in to Highland Village this month at 4016 Westheimer is PaperSource, offering %26nbsp;fine and artisanal papers, stationery, invitations, gift wrap, greeting cards, quirky gifts and a custom collection of envelopes and cards %26#8230; Now that the much-anticipated 2,300-square-foot Fendi outlet store has opened at Prime Outlets in San Marcos %26#8212; joining Italian outlet stores Giorgio Armani, Ferragamo, Gucci and Loro Piana %26#8212; the gurus at Prime Outlets asked fashion stylist James Aguiar (Full Frontal Fashion, Where D%26#8217;Ya Get That?, Style Court) to weigh in with a must-have shopping list of fashion icons from this Italian contingent. Aguiar%26#8217;s list of timeless treasures: Fendi Baguette bag, Ferragamo shoes, Gucci printed scarf, Loro Piana cashmere sweater, Armani jacket. And, naturally, the outlet center is housed in an impressive architectural design inspired by the Piazza San Marco in Venice.

I Do, I Do

Wed, 26 May 2010 04:06:51 GMT

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You don%26#8217;t have to utter a word; let Harry Winston make a statement for you. This platinum engagement ring set with a square, emerald-cut, three-carat diamond will take your breath away. Price upon request, at Harry Winston.

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The groom will love receiving Glycine%26#8217;s bold Airman watch from his thoughtful bride. $5,325, at de Boulle.

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Dangle these as you march down the aisle: David Yurman%26#8217;s quatrefoil pearl earrings in 18K white gold and diamonds. $5,800, at David Yurman.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

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For the girl who wears big, bold pieces %26#8212; even on her wedding day %26#8212; we adore Diane von Furstenberg%26#8217;s classic Sutra large-link bracelet in 18K white gold set with pav%26#233; diamonds. DVF for H. Stern $81,900, at Neiman Marcus, NorthPark Center.

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Cathy Waterman%26#8217;s amethyst Arabesque earrings in 22K blackened gold and diamonds. $2,980, at Ylang 23.

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All Gown-ed Up

Wed, 26 May 2010 03:36:39 GMT

Eeny meeny miny moe, which gown or tux should stay, and which should go? However will you choose? Here are a few dresses and suits that captured our hearts.

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Left to right: Monique Lhuillier at Casa de Novia, Impressions A Bridal Salon; Ralph Lauren; Carolina Herrera at Impressions A Bridal Salon; Amsale at Mia Bridal Couture; Oscar de la Renta at Casa de Novia Bridal; Salvatore Ferragamo

All Gown-ed Up

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:59:57 GMT

Eeny meeny miny moe, which gown or tux should stay, and which should go? However will you choose? Here are a few dresses and suits that captured our hearts.

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From left to right: Lela Rose at Warren Barr%26#243;n Bridal; Ralph Lauren at the Ralph Lauren boutique in Highland
Village; Carolina Herrera at the Carolina Herrera boutique; Salvatore Ferragamo through the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique; Vera Wang at Warren Barr%26#243;n Bridal

Nuptial Production

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:58:24 GMT

Lite Dallas %26#8212; the in-demand biz revered for lighting the most extravagant weddings %26#8212; is changing things up with a new name and stellar set of new skills. Now known as Beyond, the company, owned by Ryan Kelley, is turning up its repertoire and moving into full-fledged event production. Though still experts in luxurious lighting %26#8212; sparkling chandeliers, paper lanterns, LED accents, pattern projections, more %26#8212; Beyond now offers high-definition videography, DJs and emcees, plus audio and visual perks such as televisions, sound systems and projectors. After all, it wouldn%26#8217;t be a modern couple%26#8217;s big day without Blu-ray documentation and live streaming video. 100 Oak Lawn Ave., 972.458.7569; beyondld.com.

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Image:%26nbsp; Lights fantastic: The ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, with lighting design by Beyond. Photo by Stephen Karlisch.

Q: What Should He Take on the Honeymoon (Besides You)?

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:56:38 GMT

A: All the grooming gear, First Class tickets and champagne bottles he can, stuffed inside this terribly dapper travel bag by Tardini, made of soft alligator hide by an Italian house that%26#8217;s been crafting leather goods since 1958. (Note: This is exactly what Gianni Agnelli would%26#8217;ve toted. Case closed.) At Hadleigh%26#8217;s, 47 Highland Park Village, 214.770.4743; hadleighsbespoke.com.

Pucker-Up Pretty

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:55:29 GMT

Perfect your pout with Tonya Riner%26#8217;s latest lip-color endeavor. The Houston-based makeup artist has readied many a face for that big walk down the aisle. Now she%26#8217;s one of the names behind a new line called Beauty For Real. Her team has devised the Perfect Lip Pencil ($14) in, naturally, your true lip tone. Her Illuminating Lip Glosses ($22) are fortified with antioxidants that regenerate the skin, while marine collagen plumps your pucker. Have we mentioned that an LED light and mirror are attached? Genius %26#8212; it makes touch-ups from the church to the reception a breeze. At Marnie Rocks.

J.Crew Bridal Goes Boutique

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:54:05 GMT

J.Crew ties the knot this month with the opening of its first bridal boutique, located on Madison Avenue in New York City. The two-story, French-style salon, by appointment only, stocks bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses, jewelry created exclusively for J.Crew Bridal by Fenton Fall, Miriam Haskell and Lulu Frost; headpieces by Albertus Swanepoel and Leah C; and stylish intimates including Cosabella lingerie and Wolford hosiery. The first floor showcases a carefully edited assortment of cashmere, J.Crew collection pieces, cocktail dresses and evening gowns. 769 Madison Ave. at 66th St., New York, 212.824.2500.

Did you Know …

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:51:12 GMT

If you love the vibe of Anthropologie and yearn to replicate that hippie-chick look at your nuptials, you%26#8217;re in luck. Anthropologie%26#8217;s parent company, Urban Outfitters, has announced a new concept for Spring 2011 that will offer heirloom wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, shoes, bags, jewels, intimate apparel, invitations, decorations, gifts and accessories. Expect the collection, with dresses and wedding gowns priced $200 to $5,000, to debut online initially, with select U.S. locations as well.

A Girl’s Best Friend Gets Even Better

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:49:56 GMT

Golden rule: One should never attend a gown-worthy event without first consulting Oscar de la Renta%26#8217;s look books. This also holds true for those in need of the perfect wedding dress. Luckily, beginning this September, Oscar-seeking brides will only have to travel to NorthPark Center to find the designer%26#8217;s stunning collection of nuptial couture. The existing boutique will join just two other Oscar shops (one in Madrid, the other in Los Angeles) when it adds wedding collections in-store, and will be the only shop of any kind at NorthPark to carry bridal. Yes, the entire collection %26#8212;%26nbsp;including shoes, jewelry, handbags and veils %26#8212; will be available to order, plus there will be a selection of white and ivory wonders in stock, much like the other ready-to-wear pieces. Till then, we%26#8217;ll be dreaming of all that pearly silk taffeta, lace and tulle. Information 214.346.0400; oscardelarenta.com.

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Image:%26nbsp; Oscar de la Renta, available in September at the Oscar de la Renta boutique

Picture Perfect

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:45:21 GMT

Da Vinci had his Mona Lisa. Vermeer had his girl with a pearl earring. But for fashion illustrator Anne Underwood, the perfect muse is a blushing bride. The Louisiana native and Fashion Institute of Technology grad will whip up a pencil, ink and pastel sketch of you in all your white-gown finery. The result is a timeless, elegant and %26#8212; dare we say %26#8212; perfectly idealized wedding-day keepsake. How it all works? Send Underwood your photograph of choice %26#8212; no posing or portrait sittings necessary %26#8212; and she will create a handcrafted work of art, where the focus is on the gown, draping, lace and details. Definitely love at first sight. Information 225.763.1839; underwoodillustrations.com.

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Image:%26nbsp; You, in pencils, inks and pastels: a bridal portrait by Anne Underwood

The Honeymoon Suite

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:44:08 GMT

A mere three-hour flight from Houston or Dallas to San Jos%26#233; will deliver you to Costa Rica%26#8217;s luxe Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, which is fast becoming the de rigueur destination for honeymooners longing for unspoiled beaches, wildlife in its natural habitat or a challenging Arnold Palmer golf course. In fact, when the newly betrothed check in, they%26#8217;ll find a mini wedding cake awaiting them. (Even better, if you send the hotel%26#8217;s pastry chef a photo and details of your actual wedding cake ahead of time, she%26#8217;ll make a replica. Talk about memorable details.) Information fourseasons.com/costarica.

The Bride's Little Blue Book

Wed, 26 May 2010 01:26:13 GMT

Bridal Shops

Belle Mari%26#233;e Bridal, 2509 River Oaks Blvd., 713.523.0068; bellemarieehouston.com
Brickhouse Bridal, 200 Valleywood, The Woodlands, 281.681.3430; brickhousebridal.com
Casa de Novia Bridal Couture, 3331 D%26#8217;Amico St., 713.523.9090; casadenovia bridal.com
Impressions A Bridal Salon, Highland Village, 4001 Westheimer, 713.622.1122; impressionsbridalsalon.com
Maison de Mode, 2431 Rice Blvd., 713.527.8285; maisondemode.com
Mia Bridal Couture, 1958 W. Gray St., 713.622.2022; miabridalcouture.com
Now and Forever Bridal Boutique, 3701 Kirby Dr., 713.218.0369; nowandforeverbridalbtq.com
Priscilla of Boston, 1131-10 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.526.1886; priscillaofboston.com
Winnie Couture, 5152 Buffalo Speedway, 713.782.9316; winniecouture.com. By appointment.

Custom Bridal, Bridesmaid %26amp; Made-to-Measure Tuxedos %26amp; Shirts

Beautiful U Bridal, 3637 W. Alabama St., 713.963.8213. By appointment.
Billy Reid, Galleria, 713.552.0333; billyreid.com. Custom tuxedos by appointment.
Elizabeth Anthony/Esther Wolf, 1180-08 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.622.1331; estherwolf.com
Hamilton Custom Shirtmakers, 5700 Richmond Ave., 713.264.8800; hamiltonshirts.com. Custom tuxedo shirts.
Jenny Kim Couture, 2524 Amherst St., 713.528.0500; jkbridal.com. Appointment recommended.
Linda Cunningham, 3310 Edloe St., 713.621.3232; lindacunningham.com
Nick Lopez Tailoring, 2680 Sage Road, 713.621.5411; nicklopeztailoring.com. Custom tuxedos.
Wayne Jones Custom Suit and Shirt Makers, 713.622.2452. By appointment.
Winnie Couture, 5152 Buffalo Speedway, 713.782.9316; winniecouture.com. By appointment.

Tuxedos

A. Taghi Fine Apparel, 5116 Westheimer, 713.963.0884; ataghi.com
Festari for Men, 1800 Post Oak Blvd., 713.626.1234; festariformen.com
Giorgio Armani, Galleria, 713.961.2659; giorgioarmani.com
Gucci, Galleria, 713.961.0778; gucci.com
Harolds in the Heights, 350 W. 19th St., 713.864.2647; haroldsin theheights.com
M. Penner, 1180-06 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.527.820; mpenner.com
Neiman Marcus, Galleria, 713.621.7100; neimanmarcus.com
Norton Ditto, 2425 W. Alabama St., 713.688.9800; nortonditto.com
Ralph Lauren, Galleria, 713.850.9330; ralphlauren.com
Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria, 713.627.0500; saksfifthavenue.com
Versace, Galleria, 713.623.8220; versace.com
Yves Saint Laurent, Galleria, 713.840.7006; ysl.com

Rings

Katy Briscoe, through Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria, 713.662.9886, or by appointment at Katy Briscoe, 713.662.9886; katybriscoe.com
Bulgari, Galleria, 713.622.7574; bulgari.com
Cartier, Galleria, 713.871.0177; cartier.com
Chard%26#233;, 5600 Kirby Dr., 713.668.6350; chardejewelers.com
David Yurman, Galleria, 713.622.5799; davidyurman.com
De Beers, Galleria, 713.960.9030; debeers.com
Deutsch %26amp; Deutsch, 3747 Westheimer, 713.627.7787; deutschdeutschjewelers.com
Deville Fine Jewelry, elizabeth.glanville@devillefinejewelry.com
Donoho%26#8217;s Jewellers, 9590 Six Pines Dr., The Woodlands, 281.367.9050; donohos.com
Gems by Chao, Galleria, 713.626.0431; gemsbychao.com
I W Marks, 3841 Bellaire Blvd., 713.668.5000; iwmarks.com
Judith Anne Jewels, 4721 Westheimer, 713.871.1074; judithannjewels.com
Nazar%26#8217;s Fine Jewelry, 5887 Westheimer, 713.952.3687; nazarsfinejewelry.com
Neiman Marcus, Galleria, 713.621.7100; neimanmarcus.com
Paul Carter Jewels, 1141-02 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.627.7495; paulcarterjewels.com
Reiners Fine Jewelry, 2210 Westheimer, 713.520.1212;reinersjewelry.com
Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria, 713.627.0500; saksfifthavenue.com
Smith %26amp; Company Jewels, 2736-C Virginia St., 713.524.0100; smithandcompanyjewels.com
Tiffany %26amp; Co., Galleria, 713.626.0220; tiffany.com
Zadok Jewelers, 1749 Post Oak Blvd., 713.960.8950; zadokjewelers.com

Estate Jewelry

A.A. Benjamin Ltd., 1775 Saint James Place, 713.965.0555; aabenjaminjewelry.com
Louis Tenenbaum Estate Jeweler, 1801 Post Oak Blvd., 713.629.7444
Past Era Antique Jewelry, Antique Pavilion, 2311 Westheimer, 713.524.7110; pastera.com
Queen of Heirs Jewelry, 4901 Locust St., Bellaire, 713.666.7467; queenofheirs.com
Smith %26amp; Company Jewels, 2736 C, Virginia St., 713.524.0100; smithandcompanyjewels.com
Valobra Jewelry %26amp; Antiques, 4078 Westheimer, 713.961.4500; valobra.net

Cakes

Acadian Bakers, 604 W. Alabama St., 713.520.1484; acadianbakers.com
Bavarian Cakery, 8815 Solon Road, 281.469.3116; bavariancakery.com
Cakes by Macauley, 832.754.0674; cakesbymacauley.com
Crave Cupcakes, 1151-06 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.622.7283; cravecupcakes.com
Dacapo%26#8217;s Pastry Cafe, 1141 E. 11th St., 713.869.9141; dacapospastrycafe.com
Dessert Gallery Bakery %26amp; Cafe, 3600 Kirby Dr., 713.522.9999; 1616 Post Oak Blvd., 713.622.0007; dessertgallery.com
French Gourmet Bakery and Cafe, 2250 Westheimer, 713.524.3744; fgbakery.com
Mia Sorella Cakes, miasorellacakes.com
Michael%26#8217;s Cookie Jar, 5330 Weslayan St., 713.771.8603; michaelscookiejar.com
More Than Cakes, 1100 W. Dallas St., 713.652.5135; morethancakes.com. By appointment.
Ooh La La Bakery, 23920 Westheimer Parkway, Katy, 281.391.2253; oohlalasweets.com
Susie%26#8217;s Cakes, 12280 Westheimer, 281.493.3222; susiescakes.com
Three Brothers Bakery, 4036 S. Braeswood Blvd., 713.666.2253; 3brothersbakery.com
Who Made the Cake!, 1811 S. Shepherd Dr., 713.528.4719; whomadethecake.com

Caterers

A Fare Extraordinaire, 2035 Marshall St., 713.527.8288; afehouston.com
Abuso Catering, 6729 Stella Link Road, 713.660.6617; abusocatering.com
Acute Events %26amp; Catering, 2711 Kipling St., 713.528.1133; acuteevents.com
Armandos Taco Truck, 2630 Westheimer, 713.520.1738; armandos restaurant.com
Catering by Culinaire, 3900 Milam St., 713.524.2337; cateringbyculinaire.com
City Kitchen, 8101 Airport Blvd., 713.847.8004; citykitchencatering.com
Crew Staffing, 4617 Montrose Blvd., 713.526.2739; crewstaffing.com
Jackson and Company, 707 Hawthorne St., 713.523.5780; jacksonandcompany.com
La Villette Catering %26amp; Special Events, 1716 Bissonnet St., 713.521.7550; lavillettecatering.com
M%26#233;lange Catering %26amp; Special Events, 6803 Wynnwood Lane, 713.869.0066; melangeevents.com
The Stone Kitchen Catering %26amp; Special Events, 2112 Waugh Dr., 713.521.3500; stonekitchencatering.com
Tony%26#8217;s Catering, 713.622.6779; tonyshouston.com

Complete Event Production

Bergner %26amp; Johnson Design, 519 Pecore St., 713.662.3769; bergnerandjohnson.com
Darryl %26amp; Co., 483 W. 38th St., 713.863.0400; darrylco.com
Design %26amp; Inspiration, P.O. Box 7866, 713.880.3613; designandinspiration.net
DGLS Events ... at Your Service, 5001 Woodway, 713.301.0158; dglsevents.com
Elias Events, 6214 Beverly Hill #24, 713.334.1800; eliasevents.com
The Events Company, Richard Flowers, 1237 N. Post Oak Road, 713.426.5800; theeventsco.com
Michael Cord%26#250;a Events, 1050 N. Post Oak Road, 713.961.0911; cordua.com
Swift + Company, 2137 W. Alabama St., 713.526.7600; swiftevents.com

Floral Designers

Aubrey Sellers Flowers and Gifts, 1545 Peden St., 713.880.1919; classicromance.com. By appointment.
Breen%26#8217;s Florist, 1050 N. Post Oak Road, Ste. 280, 713.668.2376; breensflorist.com
The Cutting Garden, 1846 Westheimer, 713.465.9145; mycuttinggarden.com
David Brown, 1180-10 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.664.0466; davidbrownflowers.com
The Empty Vase of Houston, 2511 River Oaks Blvd., 713.529.9969; emptyvasehouston.com
Events in Bloom, 638A West 20th St., 713.880.1475; eventsinbloom.com
In Bloom, Inc., 814 Fairview St., 713.523.3553; inbloominc.com
Johnathan Andrew Sage, 3902 McKinney St., 713.227.7300; johnathan andrewsageinc.com
Lexis Florist, 5785 San Felipe, 713.774.8080; lexisflorist.comLily, 909 Willard St., 713.521.7738
Plants %26#8217;n Petals, 3810 Westheimer, 713.840.9191; plantsnpetals.net
Stems Custom Floral, 4711 Gibson St., 713.574.1250; stemscustomfloral.com

Invitations

Ann Werme Stationers, 2400 Augusta Dr., 713.339.4511; annwerme stationers.com. By appointment.
Avalon Stationery and Gifts, 2604 Westheimer Road, 713.528.0052
Bering%26#8217;s, 6102 Westheimer, 713.785.6400; 3900 Bissonnet St., 713.665.0500; berings.com
Cartier, Galleria, 713.871.0177; cartier.com
Events, River Oaks Shopping Center, 1966 W. Gray St., 713.520.5700; eventsgifts.com
High Cotton Design, highcottonhouston.com. By appointment.
Houston Invitation Service, 2503 River Oaks Blvd., 713.522.2757; invitationservice.com
Hurst Engraving, 6435 Gulfton St., 281.449.2412
Invitation Solutions, 713.864.5573; invitationsolutions.com. By appointment.
Jenny Wakefield, 2233 W. Alabama St., 713.529.6161. By appointment.
Katie %26amp; Company, 4500 Washington Ave., 713.802.1345; katie-co.com
La Casa de Letras, 713.527.4415; info@casa-letras.com. By appointment.
PH Design Shop, 3306 S. Shepherd Dr., 713.522.8861; phdesignshop.com
Simple Difference, Daniela Weil, 713.278.1994. By appointment.
The Pretty Penny, 14534 Memorial Dr., 281.493.2430; theprettypenny.com
Tiffany %26amp; Co., Galleria, 713.626.0220; tiffany.com

Details: Calligraphy etc.

Anne Cheney, 713.782.3708; 123acheney@comcast.net. Calligraphy.
Avalon Stationery and Gifts, 2604 Westheimer, 713.528.0052. RSVP services.
Bright Star Productions, 2420 Center St., 713.529.2757; brightstarproductions.com. Custom lighting and sound.
Calligraphy by Patricia, 3701 West Alabama St., 713.621.9595; patleith@sbcglobal.net
Houston Invitation Service, 2503 River Oaks Blvd., 713.522.2757; invitationservice.com
Karla Hamilton, 713.868.5087. Calligraphy.
PenDance Calligraphy %26amp; Engraving, Maureen Vickery, 281.558.7856; pendance.us
Susan Petty, 713.784.8888. Calligraphy.

Makeup Artists

Amanda Paige Makeup, 713.418.0261; contact@amandapaige.us
Jennifer Aronson with Nars at Solution for Hair, 1800 Westheimer, 713.526.4545; solutionforhair.com
Cer%26#243;n Salon, Olga Reza, 1180-12 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.892.8330; ceronsalon.com
Cynthia Christ and Melissa Sellers at Sensia Studio %26amp; Japanese Day Spa, 1711 Post Oak Blvd., 713.627.0070; sensiastudio.com
Renee Diaz, Yvette Fowler and Darcie Teasley at Trellis, The Spa at The Houstonian, 111 N. Post Oak Lane, 713.685.6790; houstonian.com
Sherrie Evett, 713.385.0373; sherriebaby@comcast.net
Jose Montalvo of One Salon, 3621 W. Alabama, 713.529.3002; onesalonhouston.com
Janie Pollock at Let%26#8217;s Make-Up, Inc., 4899 Montrose Blvd., 713.523.2520
Tonya Riner, 713.582.0625; tonya@beautyforreal.com
Edward Sanchez at Urban Retreat Skin Care Center, Haddon Square, 1701 S. Shepherd Dr., 713.523.1701; urbanretreat.com
Rachel Tate at Urban Retreat Salon, 2329 San Felipe, 713.523.2300; urbanretreat.com
Heidi Schulze at Solution for Hair, 1800 Westheimer, 713.526.4545; solutionfor hair.com
Sarah Tucker Make-up Artistry, 713.822.3812; sarahtuckermakeup.comDarcie Teasley, 979.492.4200; info@makeupbydarcie.com
Corinne Williams at Fa%26#231;ade, 1101-03 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.552.1545; facadeuptown.com
Dyanna Wilson at 35 Make Up Design, 5600 Kirby Dr., 713.660.7600; 35makeupdesign.com

Music Bookers

Allen Hill Entertainment, 713.426.2741; allenhill entertainment.com
Avalon Music, 713.529.2672; theavalonmusic.com
Gulf Coast Entertainment, 2017 W. Gray St., 713.523.7004; gulfcoastentertainment.com
Marshall Maxwell Entertainment Agency, 713.522.3514; marshallmaxwell.com
Simply Entertainment, 713.807.0202; simplyentertainment.biz
Ward %26amp; Ames Special Events, 7500 San Felipe, 713.266.9696; wardand ames.com

Reception Locations

A wedding in the house you grew up in %26#8230; nothing is more personal and gracious. However, if your living room or garden is out of the question, a hotel ballroom or private club might be most apropos.

Alden Houston, 1117 Prairie St., Amanda Johnston at 832.200.8803; aldenhotels.com
Four Seasons Hotel Houston, 1300 Lamar St., Elisa Sosa at 713.652.6263; fourseasons.com/houston
Hilton Americas%26#8211;Houston, 1600 Lamar St., Jennifer Huerta at 713.577.6064; hilton.com
Hilton Houston Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Rachel Hudson at 713.968.1338; hilton.com
Hotel Derek, 2525 W. Loop South, Stacy Lillis at 713.297.4345; hotelderek.com
Hotel Granduca, 1080 Uptown Park Blvd., Heather Hickman at 713.418.1000; granducahouston.com
Hotel Icon, 220 Main St., Mary Taube or Michael McVey at 832.667.4464; hotelicon.com
Hotel ZaZa Houston, 5701 Main St., Lisa Hudson at 713.526.1991; hotelzazahouston.com
The Houstonian Hotel, Club %26amp; Spa, 111 N. Post Oak Lane, Jim Gray or Evangelia McCarthy at 713.685.6878; houstonian.com
InterContinental Houston, 2222 W. Loop South, John Olkley at 713.850.2800; ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental
The Lancaster, 701 Texas Ave., Stacy Schmidt at 713.228.9500; thelancasterhouston.com
The Magnolia Hotel, 1100 Texas Ave., Claudia Behring at 713.221.0011; magnoliahotelhouston.com
Omni Houston Hotel, 4 Riverway, Desiree Tapping at 713.624.4814; omnihotels.com
St. Regis Hotel, Houston, 1919 Briar Oaks Lane, Tobias Rimkus at 713.840.7600; stregis.com/Houston
Hotel Sorella, CityCentre, 800 W. Sam Houston Parkway North, LIsa Wathen at 713.973.1600; hotelsorella-citycentre.com
The Westin Galleria, 5060 W. Alabama St., 713.960.8100; westin.com/galleria
The Westin Oaks, 5011 Westheimer, 713.960.8100; westin.com/oaks

Or, try these sites:

The Corinthian, 202 Fannin St., Boyd Bryan at 713.222.2002; thecornithianhouston.com
The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Lofts, 909 Texas Ave., Paula Foreman or Jamie Purpera at 713.227.7423; sambucacatering.com
Cullen%26#8217;s Upscale American Grill, 11500 Space Center Blvd., Megan Cantini at 281.481.3463; cullenshouston.com
DiverseWorks, 1117 E. Freeway, Jon Read at 713.223.8346; diverseworks.org
Gremillion %26amp; Co. Fine Art Gallery, 2501 Sunset Blvd., Brian Freeze at 713.522.2701; gremillion.com
The Grove, 1611 Lamar St., Ivonne Marquez at 713.337.7321; thegrovehouston.com
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby St., Annalisa Minnitti at 713.315.2428; thehobbycenter.org
The Hofheinz House, 3900 Milam, Luzia Turner, 713.524.2337; cateringbyculinaire.com/hofheinzhouse.html
Houston Museum of Natural Science, One Hermann Circle Dr., Leslie Goode or Nancy Lauletta-Bowen at 713.639.4749; hmns.org
La Colombe d%26#8217;Or, 3410 Montrose Blvd., Ed Bodee or Hannah Kramer, 713.524.7999; lacolombedor.com
Lawndale Art Center, 4912 Main St., Karen Olds, 713.528.5858; lawndaleartcenter.org
McClain Gallery, 2242 Richmond Ave., Leigh Manley, 713.520.9988; mcclaingallery.com
Poissant Gallery, 5102 Center St., 713.868.9337; poissantgallery.com
River Oaks Garden Club, 2503 Westheimer, Sherry McCarty at 713.523.2483; riveroaksgardenclub.org

Photographers

Alexander%26#8217;s Fine Portrait Design, 312 Birdsall St., Linda Rogers, 713.682.6000; alexandersportraits.com
Alvin Gee Photography, 911 Town and Country Blvd., 713.647.0911; alvingee.com
Bohemian Photography, 801 William St., 713.344.0415; bohemianphotography.com
Brooke Schwab Photography, 1137 East 11th St., 713.863.0100; brookeschwabphotography.com
Chris Wineinger Photography, 832.372.3456; chriswineingerphoto.com
D. Jones Photography, 2005 Mason St., 713.521.1550; djonesphoto.com
Evin Thayer Studios, 405 Avondale St., 713.524.0199; evinthayer.com
Gittings, 1121-10 Uptown Park Blvd, 713.965.9301; gittings.com. Portraits only.
Goodlight Photography, 713.869.8168; goodlightphotography.com
Home Video Productions by Gary Bolton, Missouri City, 281.437.4088; homevideoproductions.com
Jenny Antill Photography, 832.877.4476; jennyantill.com
John Lewis Weddings, 281.384.8633; johnlewisweddings.net
John Ly Photography, 7141 Thrush Dr., 281.701.7939; johnlyphotography.com
Karen Sachar Photography, 713.523.1150; ksachar.com
Legacy Multimedia, 281.381.9550; legacymultimedia.com
Michael Carr Photography, 5701 Woodway, 713.461.2862; michaelcarr photography.com
Michael Martinez Photography, 713.355.5345; martinezphoto.com. By Appointment.
NHAN Photography, 1710 Waugh Dr., 713.523.3887; nhanphotography.com
Phyllis Hand Photography, 713.861.9327; phyllishand.com
PWL Studio by Fulton Davenport, 805 Welch St., 713.521.7022; pwlstudio.com
Simon Roderick Gentry Photography, 832.661.7363; simongentry.com
Steve Lee Photography, 713.443.7058; stevelee weddings.com
Steve Schmid Photography, 3939 Essex Lane, 713.960.9839; steveschmidphotography.com
Temple Webber Photography, 4605 Post Oak Place, 713.621.9320; templewebber.com
Terry Blackburn Photography, 1260 Blalock Road, 713.464.0094; blackburnstudios.com
Tomas Ramos Photographers, 5920 Fairdale #6, 713.975.1457; tomasramos.com
Wedding and Portrait Stories, 713.521.7667; weddingstories.com

Wedding Coordinators

Bobbi Asarch, 713.728.3336; bobbiasarch.com
Belle of the Ball, 4010 Blue Bonnet, 713.528.9966; belleevents.com
Robin Berry, 281.827.4182; robinberry@gmail.com
Design Wedding Consultants, Shena Cherian, 832.493.1129
Elias Events, 6214 Beverly Hill #24, 713.334.1800; eliasevents.com
For Your Memories, 1800 Augusta, 713.532.8100; foryourmemories.com
Keely Thorne Events, 2449 South Blvd., 713.807.8188; keelythorne.com
Rita Holland, 713.965.0936; r.holland@sbcglobal.net
The Master Plan Weddings, Lauren Swarts, 713.826.4743; masterplanevents.com
Schwartz %26amp; Woodward, 713.780.1282; schwartzwoodward.com. By appointment.
Silver Spoon Events, Dianne Famoff, 281.320.0750
Mary Martha Steed, Event Consultant, 713.526.0085; mmsteed.com
Two Be Wed, 2611 Greenbriar, 713.572.3030; twobewed.net
Ann Whittington, 713.461.8424; annevents.com

Night %26 Day

Wed, 26 May 2010 12:12:02 GMT

Keys to the Door: Owner Jennifer Howell.

For Babies With Lavish Leanings: Should you be producing a tiny Carleton Varney or a mini Martha Stewart, his or her nursery must be dolled up with furniture from Night %26amp; Day. Owner Jennifer Howell%26#8217;s new decor venture in Snider Plaza goes swimmingly with Hip! Hip! Hooray!, her across-the-street children%26#8217;s clothing shop. Here you%26#8217;ll find luxe cribs, Bella Notte bedding, and a perfectly edited accessories collection of signed vintage Barbie sketches, engraved silver trinkets, Beatrix Potter books and more. Howell and her in-house decorator will vamp up baby%26#8217;s room from start to finish and are known to grant even the most high-maintenance custom-design requests. You%26#8217;ve come to the right, wonderfully detail-obsessed place should you prefer that baby%26#8217;s pink crib match the monogramming on her bedding, the color of her wallpaper and the crystals in her chandelier. 6816 Snider Plaza 214.369.6816.

Brahmin

Wed, 26 May 2010 12:09:58 GMT

Keys to the Door: Founders Joan and Bill Martin; store manager Brittney Francois.

East Coast Establishment: For New England%26#8217;s social elite %26#8212; the so-called Boston Brahmin, whose family trees boast founding fathers and past presidents %26#8212; there are but a few handbag lines acceptable for toting to lunch at the club or to weekends on MV. One such label, aptly named Brahmin, has opened a new boutique in Galleria Dallas, its first in Texas and only its second outside New England. Founded in 1982 by Massachusetts natives Joan and Bill Martin, the beautifully crafted collection includes satchels, totes, wristlets, coin purses and wallets in a bevy of colors, materials and silhouettes. We think the Louise Rose crocodile-embossed leather satchel, above %26#8212; or perhaps the Elle zip-top tote in lime anaconda leather %26#8212; will be snapped up by our own Southern gentry.%26nbsp;13350 Dallas Parkway (in Galleria Dallas) 972.702.7164; brahmin.com.

Retail Rap

Wed, 26 May 2010 12:03:59 GMT

There are two new terribly fashionable reasons to get to Galleria Dallas. On Level One? BCBGenerations, a new concept from BCBG with youthful, urban attire for glam girls. Upstairs on Level Two? Shasa, the Mexico City%26#8211;based boutique that houses trend-driven, globally inspired fashions with dreamy price tags. Click bcbgenerations.com and sasha.com for more on this dynamic duo %26#8230; The Goss-Michael Foundation makes a rather big move from its Cedar Springs address (already closed, FYI) to a new spot at 1405 Turtle Creek Boulevard in the Design District. The new art space will be offline all summer for renovations, with a grand opening and inaugural exhibit planned for fall %26#8230; Cherished bohemian gift shop The Gypsy Wagon has also made a move, closing its Bonita Avenue shop and opening at 2928 Henderson Avenue. The new Gypsy is twice the size and now offers a bedding line and garden section. Take a sneak peek at the-gypsy-wagon.com %26#8230; We love anything that pops up, especially when it involves one of our choice shopping spots, Highland Park Village. This time it%26#8217;s Vilebrequin, making a temporary appearance with its colorful French swim trunks, hoodies, and beachwear for les hommes. The catch? The store, just down the sidewalk from Carolina Herrera, will only be in town through January 31. More HPV dish: Diane Von Furstenberg will be Herrera%26#8217;s neighbor, too, this fall. We%26#8217;re on it %26#8230; After a long evening of parties and galas, a bit of self-pampering is in order. Enter Bath Junkie in its relocated spot at 6829 Snider Plaza, where you choose your product %26#8212; lotion, body mist, shave gel, hand wash, body oil %26#8212; before selecting from 200 different scents and a multitude of colorful shades. It%26#8217;s true: Custom-made is always best %26#8230; Now that the much-anticipated 2,300-square-foot Fendi outlet store has opened at Prime Outlets in San Marcos %26#8212; joining fellow Italians Giorgio Armani, Ferragamo, Gucci and Loro Piana %26#8212; the gurus at Prime Outlets asked fashion stylist James Aguiar (Full Frontal Fashion, Where D%26#8217;Ya Get That?, Style Court) to weigh in with a must-have shopping list of fashion icons from this Italian contingent. Aguiar%26#8217;s timeless treasures: Fendi Baguette bag, Ferragamo shoes, Gucci printed scarf, Loro Piana cashmere sweater, Armani jacket. Naturally, the outlet center is housed in an architectural design inspired by the Piazza San Marco in Venice ... In even more Fendi-mania, the house%26#8217;s hyper-glam Fendi Casa showroom opens soon in the Design District, at 1617 Hi Line Drive, in Suite 240. For your own casa, that means chunky, architectural sofas and tables, all with that saucy Fendi flair. La dolce vita, here we come.

Image: Vilebrequin, popping up at Highland Park Village

These Boots Were Made for Walkin’… 24/7

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:56:59 GMT

Jimmy Choo gives its recently launched Choo 24:7 shoe collection the boot (literally) with the addition of 30 collectable boot styles. Hand-selected and updated by Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon from the brand%26#8217;s extensive archives, these best sellers provide the definitive assortment of must-haves, from the Perfect Weekend biker boot (best to pair with blue jeans or a lacy white sundress in summer) to our favorite, the modern Perfect Pointy-Toe. All boots arrive in boutiques this month. From $725, at the Jimmy Choo boutique.

%26nbsp;

Image: Jimmy Choo's Choo 24:7 boots, from left: April, Alanis, Biker

Re-Tailoring Hadleigh's

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:53:30 GMT

After just one year in its Highland Park Village second-floor atelier, Hadleigh%26#8217;s is expanding to almost double its space, with a larger fitting room, hand-press ironing system, modern finishes and a sleek new bar and lounging area for its tony clientele. Starting June 1, owners Ed and Gable Shaikh will move Hadleigh%26#8217;s to temporary quarters at 47 Highland Park Village while construction continues in the original space. Come early fall, the made-to-measure shop reopens as a modern interpretation of an old-world tailor shop, filled with its signature fine bespoke suits, shirtings, neckwear, shoes and more for men and women. Information 214.770.4743; info@hadleighsbespoke.com;hadleighsbespoke.com.

B.zero1 Celebrates 1Zero

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:51:49 GMT

Bulgari rounds out the 10th anniversary of its iconic B.zero1 ring, designed around the cylindrical motif of the famed jeweler%26#8217;s logo, with three new sparkling interpretations. Internationally renowned contemporary sculptor Anish Kapoor fashioned a sleek steel and pink-gold design, while Bulgari has produced two in-house ceramic versions, one in refreshing white and the other in black; both display Bulgari%26#8217;s Roman epigraphic logo in polished pink gold. From $890, at the Bulgari boutique.

Major Toms

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:50:11 GMT

Toms Shoes%26#8217; new Wedge espadrilles remind us of what the cool girls used to wear in the %26#8217;70s. Available in six colors, some with stripes, the open-toe shoe%26#8217;s vintage appeal pairs perfectly with a %26#8217;70s-style maxi dress or a pretty peasant blouse. As always, for each pair of Toms Shoes purchased, a pair is donated to a child in need. $69, at Cotton Island, Nordstrom, Stanley Korshak, Whole Earth Provision Co.

Tom Ford’s Private Blend

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:47:51 GMT

Launching this month, designer Tom Ford%26#8217;s Private Blend Lip Color Collection has 12 essential shades for every woman%26#8217;s beauty bag. From Bare Nude to Fiery Red or the vampy, deep-plum Black Orchid, the ultra-creamy hues have specially treated pigments and rare ingredients such as soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter and chamomile flower oil. But more important than that %26#8230; it%26#8217;s Tom! $45 each, at Neiman Marcus.

Queen of the Ball

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:44:31 GMT

J%26#8217;adore these stretchy bracelets from Marnie Rocks in yin-and-yang white jade with CZ ball $65, and frosted black onyx with rubies $245. 8413 Preston Center Plaza, 214.369.1200; marnierocks.com.

Mod Monde

Mon, 24 May 2010 06:38:05 GMT

On a recent night Houston's discerning set jetted downtown for "Fashion: The Business of Turning Dreams Into Reality." The astute panel discussion, moderated by Katie Campion (former Program Director for the Council of Fashion Designers of America), included Janet Gurwitch (founder of Laura Mercier Cosmetics), David Hamilton (representing the fourth generation of the powers that be at Hamilton Shirts), Elaine Turner (founder and president of Elaine Turner Designs LLC), our very own Laurann Claridge (co-founder of Claridge + King), Clifford Pugh (noted Houston fashion critic), Greg Fourticq, Jr. (advisor and consultant to designers such as Calvin Klein, Donna Karen, John Varvatos, Tory Burch and Carolina Herrera; and now involved in Houston-based companies Moo Boo's and R863), and Lynn Wyatt (well ... no introduction needed for this lass).

Among the tender vittles budding fashion professionals took away from the evening ...
%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; - Janet Gurwitch suggested that one makes sure that their offering in the marketplace is unique. What void is the product filling?
%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; - Get connected and establish your credibility among those already successful. Fourticq emphasized the value of following through on your vision and having a capacity to express it concisely. Also he advised all you Lagerfeld juniors to keep your wits about you when it comes to the most essential things -- where the money's going.%26nbsp;
%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; - Be passionate, said Pugh, as it's sheer passion that will eventually catch the eye of powerful people in the design world.
%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; - Both Claridge and Turner pointed out that you can%26#8217;t discount the importance of brand visibility in New York City, still the fashion capital in the US.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;
%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; - Recognize the opportunities that exist in Houston, chimed Turner and Claridge. They both made a point to say not only how many people are willing to help one another out here, but moreover that everyone in Houston is extraordinarily receptive to new ideas.

Among the hopes expressed for our mod monde ...
%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; - Fourticq longs for special permits and tax credits that would entice young designers to Houston.
%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; - Pugh yearns to see more Houstonians value fashion on an artistic level and raise its visibility.
%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; - Claridge thinks a garment district %26#224; la New York would REALLY help here.

Perhaps the best quip of the night came from Wyatt, who when asked to%26nbsp; describe her own personal aesthetic said "it's class, with a dash of sass --but never trash." Sound words for anyone to live by.

%26nbsp;

Trunk Shows of Note

Mon, 03 May 2010 03:33:54 GMT

Neiman Marcus Downtown

1618 Main Street, 214.741.6911; www.neimanmarcus.com

April 19 %26#8211; 23, 10 am %26#8211; 4 pm: Margot McKinney personal appearance in the Precious Jewels Salon, Main Floor

April 20 %26#8211; 21, 10 am %26#8211; 4 pm: Rena Lange Fall 2010 Trunk Show in the Couture Salon, Level Two

April 22, 10 am %26#8211; 5 pm: Elizabeth Locke Trunk Show in the Precious Jewels Salon, Main Floor

April 23 %26#8211; 24, 10 am to 4 pm: Elizabeth Fillmore Trunk Show in the Bridal Salon, Level Two

April 27 %26#8211; 28, 10 am %26#8211; 4 pm: Ripetta Fall 2010 Trunk Show in the Couture Salon, Level Two

April 29, 10 am %26#8211; 5 pm: Ippolita Trunk Show in Designer Jewelry, Main Floor

April 29, 10 am %26#8211; 4 pm: Ronaldus Shamask for Shamask personal appearance in the Couture Salon, Level Two April 30, 10 am %26#8211; 4 pm: Norman Ambrose Fall 2010 Trunk Show in the Couture Salon, Level Two %26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

Neiman Marcus NorthPark

400 NorthPark Center, 214.363.8311; www.neimanmarcus.com

April 22 %26#8211; 23, 10 am %26#8211; 4 pm: Carmen Marc Valvo Fall Trunk Show in Couture Salon, Level Three

April 24, 10 am %26#8211; 3 pm: Carmen Marc Valvo personal appearance in Dress Collections, Level Two

April 29, 2 pm %26#8211; 5 pm: Stephen Webster personal appearance in Designer Jewelry, Level Two %26nbsp;

May 8, 10 am %26#8211; 5 pm: Michele watch collection Trunk Show in Designer Jewelry, Level One%26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

Neiman Marcus The Shoppes at Willowbend

2201 Dallas Parkway, Plano; neimanmarcus.com

May 6, 10 am %26#8211; 5 pm: Michele watch collection Trunk Show in Designer Jewelry, Level One

%26nbsp;

Nordstrom NorthPark Center

8687 North Central Expressway, 214.231.3900; www.nordstrom.com

%26nbsp;May 14: Jason Wu Fall Trunk Show %26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

Nordstrom Dallas Galleria

5220 Alpha Road, 972.702.0055

April 23 %26#8211; 24, 10 am %26#8211; 6 pm: Eau de Party! At Nordstrom Dallas Galleria

May 11: Trish McEvoy personal appearance %26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

Nordstrom North East Mall

1101 Melbourne Road, Suite 4000, 817.590.2599

April 24, 10 am %26#8211; 7 pm: Beauty on Location in Cosmetics %26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

Stanley Korshak

Court Street, 214.871.3620; www.stanleykorshak.com

April 22 %26#8211; 23: Bric%26#8217;s Luggage%26nbsp;Trunk Show in Women's

April 22:%26nbsp;Brunello Cucinelli%26nbsp;Fashion Show in Women%26#8217;s

April 23 %26#8211; 24: Brunello Cucinelli Trunk Show in Women%26#8217;s

April 23 %26#8211; 24: Monique Pean Jewelry Trunk Show

April 23 %26#8211; 24: Bontoni Trunk Show in Men%26#8217;s

April 23 %26#8211; 24: Brunello Cucinelli Trunk Show in Men%26#8217;s

April 27 %26#8211; 28: Lela Rose Trunk Show in Women%26#8217;s

April 30: Shaesby Jewelry Trunk Show

April 30 %26#8211; May 1: Coomi Jewelry Trunk Show

April 30 %26#8211; May 1: Martin Dingman Trunk Show in Men%26#8217;s

May 5 %26#8211; 6: Escada Trunk Show in Women%26#8217;s

May 5 %26#8211; 8: Yossi Harari Jewelry Trunk Show

May 6 %26#8211; 7: Caroline Herrera Trunk Show in Women%26#8217;s

May 12 %26#8211; 13: Valentino Trunk Show in Women%26#8217;s

May 14 %26#8211; 15: Smathers %26amp; Branson Trunk Show in Men%26#8217;s

May 14 %26#8211; 15: Farhi Collection Leather Goods Trunk Show in Men%26#8217;s

May 28 %26#8211; 29: Tulliani Trunk Show in Men%26#8217;s

May 28 %26#8211; 29: Grays Trunk Show in Men%26#8217;s

June 11 %26#8211; 12: Bosca Leather Goods Trunk Show in Men%26#8217;s

June 11 %26#8211; 12: Torino Trunk Show in Men%26#8217;s %26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

Highland Park Village

47 Highland Park Village

May 13 %26#8211; 15: Oscar de la Renta Trunk Show at Warren Barr%26#243;n Bridal

Comings and Glowings

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:56:38 GMT

%26nbsp;

1. Merry Vose

Owner, Cabana

Summer jaunts? Harbour Island, Bahamas, and Montauk, New York.

The prep? Find those easy, wearable pieces that convey my effort-less style at %26#8230; where else but Cabana!

Best places to pick up swimsuits, hats and more:%26nbsp; On vacation, usually at a store in Montauk, called Tauk %26#8212; they have the best selection. I also love OndadeMar and Zimmermann bikinis that I now sell in my shop. Remember, the smaller the bottoms, the smaller your bottom looks!

Sun product you can%26#8217;t live without: Dr. Lancer%26#8217;s Vitamin C Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 30. I don%26#8217;t leave home without it!

Who%26#8217;s on your speed dial for %26#8230; Haircut: Samantha at Lisa Bennett Salon. Highlights: Monica at Lisa Bennett Salon. Mani/pedis: Sophia%26#8217;s Nail Salon. Facials: Marilee St. Louis at Luxury on Lovers.

2. Nicole Boykin
Owner, designer Koch Handbags and Clothing

Summer jaunts? To Casey Key, Florida, an eight-mile barrier island, to visit my 100-year-old grandmother for daily Whitman%26#8217;s chocolates and perfect Manhattans. Then to La Jolla to spend time with my family.

The prep? Buy a new wetsuit %26#8212; the Pacific is cold! I%26#8217;ll also raid my summer collection for our boy shorts and caftans.

Best places to pick up swimsuits, hats and more: My favorite place is Cabana. I also love Bird Rock Bikini, birdrockbikini.com %26#8212;%26nbsp;a swim-and-surf shop in a beach community in La Jolla. And I can%26#8217;t wait to get a Hanne Bloch black bikini from wild-swans.com.

Favorite self-tanning product: L%26#8217;Or%26#233;al Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion from Walgreens.

Who%26#8217;s on your speed dial for %26#8230; Spray-tan: Magdalena at Bella Vita Rejuvenation Center. Waxing and eyebrows: Heather at the Cooper Aerobic Center%26#8217;s Day Spa.%26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

3. Shelby Wagner
Owner, Shelby Wagner Design

Summer jaunts? We%26#8217;re going to Mustique in July to launch Niven%26#8217;s [Morgan] new line of Mustique products; a cruise on SeaDream to the Greek Isles and Amalfi Coast in August; and planning to spend time as much time as possible at my ranch outside Canadian, Texas.

The prep? Book flights using AAdvantage miles!

Best places to pick up swimsuits, hats and more: Vilebrequin for swim trunks, Scoop NYC for t-shirts and L. L. Bean for their %26#8220;Boat and Totes.%26#8221;

Sun product you can%26#8217;t live without: Lancaster. %26nbsp;I stock up at the duty-free shops when passing through London or Frankfurt.

Who%26#8217;s on your speed dial for %26#8230;%26nbsp; Haircut: Shara at Osgood-O%26#8217;Neil Salon in Snider Plaza. Body scrubs: At home with discontinued Niven Morgan Lavender Mint scrub that I have been hoarding.%26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

4. Josh Madans
VP, director of marketing for Todd Event Design Creative Services

Summer jaunts? We%26#8217;ve got a family vacation to Seaside, Florida, this July, and we%26#8217;ll close out the summer with friends in Aspen.

The prep? Get out the blender, stock up on the essentials (vodka, tequila, etc.) and hit the gym with a little more enthusiasm and frequency.

Best places to pick up swimsuits, hats and more: Vilebrequin swim trunks %26#8212; which I buy online or when traveling since their NorthPark store closed; colorful (some might say %26#8220;loud%26#8221;) Etro shirts from Neiman Marcus; polos from Lacoste.

Sun product you can%26#8217;t live without: SkinCeuticals.

Who%26#8217;s on your speed dial for %26#8230; Haircut: My dear wife buzzes my hair once a week in our bathtub %26#8220;salon.%26#8221; She complains about it, but it%26#8217;s about as convenient as it gets.

5. George Cameron Nash
Owner, George Cameron Nash showroom

Summer jaunts? To Provincetown, Massachusetts, aka Cape Cod.

The prep? Cut my hair shorter; sort through my shorts.

Best places to pick up swimsuits, hats and more: Mad As A Hatter and Item, both in Provincetown.

Sun product you can%26#8217;t live without: Panama Jack, of course!

Who%26#8217;s on your speed dial for %26#8230; Haircut: Drew Schlup at Floyd%26#8217;s 99 Barbershop in the West Village for the best scissor cut in town. Beard grooming: Shane Stovall at Floyd%26#8217;s. Hot steamy towels and zoning out to rock %26#8216;n%26#8217; roll music. Body scrubs: Who needs that when you have a Westie named Buster to lick you to death?

6. Tricia Besing
New co-owner, Dunmore Beach Club on Harbour Island

Summer jaunts? To my favorite beach spot, Harbour Island in the Bahamas, and to my favorite mountain spot, Whitefish, Montana.

The prep? As I type this, I am arriving at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. So, I guess you could say this is how I prep for %26#8220;bathing-suit weather%26#8221;?

Sun product you can%26#8217;t live without: Anthelios %26#8212; once only available through dermatologists, now it%26#8217;s sold at CVS.

Favorite self-tanning product: I love how a spray tan looks, but still haven%26#8217;t found one that doesn%26#8217;t smell! So, I%26#8217;ve decided to embrace my pale skin and freckles, plus a little powder bronzer from Bobbi Brown.

Who%26#8217;s on your speed dial for %26#8230; Highlights: Michael Flores Salon for my blonde! Mani/pedis: TN Nails on Lovers Lane.

Who's on Brooke's Speed Dial?
With a schedule as maddening as mine, I must admit, I stock up on service numbers in threes. If one can%26#8217;t fit me in last-minute, there%26#8217;s two who I hope can.

Haircuts and color
Ceron Salon at Neiman Marcus Downtown, 1618 Main St., 214.573.2626; ceronsalon.com
Jean-Philippe Salon, 5600 W. Lovers Lane, 214.350.7897; jeanphilippesalon.com
Salon Pompeo Palomar, 5330 E. Mockingbird Lane, 214.203.3333; salonpompeo.com

Spray tanning
Bella Vita, 6170 Sherry Lane, 214.373.4233; bellavitadallas.com
Lash Studio%26#8217;s Xen-Tan (I use Xen-Tan self-tanner at home), 3699 McKinney Ave., 214.520.0511; lashstudiotx.com
Ceron Salon at Neiman Marcus Downtown, 1618 Main St., 214.573.2626; ceronsalon.com

Waxing
Waxing the City, 6131 Luther Lane, 214.265.0121; waxingthecity.com
Nail Bar, 3839 McKinney Ave., 214.528.6245; nailbardallas.com
Neinast Salon, 3622 Fairmont St., 214.999.0400; neinastsalon.com

Mani/pedis
Sophia%26#8217;s Nail Salon, 5541 W. Lovers Lane, 214.350.7400
Julie%26#8217;s Nails, 5215 W. Lovers Lane, 214.350.7966
Pampered Soles, 5210 W. Lovers Lane, 214.358.0006

Eyebrows
Cindy DiMaggio, 8335 Westchester Dr., 972.523.9921
Eliza%26#8217;s Eyes at Exhale Spa, 5670 North Central Expressway, 214.370.5800; exhalespa.com
Waxing the City, 6131 Luther Lane, 214.265.0121; waxingthecity.com

Beauty Buzz
A world of K%26#233;rastase and Kevin Murphy hair products awaits at Preston Center%26#8217;s recently opened Salon Lucien. Social swans are filling owner Mary Crosland%26#8217;s appointment book at 8411 Preston Road, 214.369.2500 %26#8230; After 11 years of beautifying Europeans, Belgian couple Filip and Ann Keuppens have opened stateside with Zeal Med Spa and Salon. Services including Brazilian blow-outs, Botox and teeth whitening, 10720 Preston Road, 214.363.1993; zealmedspa.com %26#8230; Blaine%26#8217;s Color hair hue expert Blaine Schlaudt debuts his summer color palette with a Genesis Women%26#8217;s Shelter benefit. Pencil in Thursday, May 27, at 300 North Akard Street, and log onto blainescolor.com %26#8230; Sculpt and slim without surgery with two of Dallas Medical Spa%26#8217;s most popular procedures %26#8212; Pure Lipo and Vela Shape. Dial 972.566.7333 to book an appointment. Megan Welsh and Christina Geyer%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

Hermès 101

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:48:13 GMT

Herm%26#232;s celebrates its emblematic Faconn%26#233; H tie and its 100 shimmering shades of color with an exclusive traveling trunk show of the collection and a new bespoke tie color program. If you fashion yourself an Herm%26#232;s man, stop in May 10 through 22 and choose the 101st color from a thousand color swatches to create your own bespoke tie. Personalize it further with four width options. Herm%26#232;s finishes it off with an embossed leather label that reads %26#8220;couleur sur-mesure.%26#8221; Herm%26#232;s classic Faconn%26#233; H tie $170, bespoke tie $395, only at the Herm%26#232;s boutique May 10 %26#8211; 22; 1800 Post Oak Blvd., 713.623.2177.

Shop Carrie Ann

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:25:04 GMT

Catch the West Coast vibe at this new Uptown Park boutique, which features casual contemporary labels such as Dylan George, Gypsy 05, Lauren Moshi, Paige, Privacy Denim, Maggie Ward and Give %26amp; Take Tees. Owned by Carrie Ann Sanders and designed by local interior designer Teresa Reissig, the shop also includes puppy accessories by Crystal Affair, Faux Paw and Dog in the Closet %26#8212; all puppy-approved by Sander%26#8217;s teacup pup, Oliver. 1151-10 Uptown Blvd., 713.492.2666; shopcarrieann.com.

Retail Rap

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:24:11 GMT

Empty Vase is moving from the Westheimer location that%26#8217;s been its home since 1970 to the former Carlton House space on River Oaks Boulevard, and expects to open early this month %26#8230; The newly remodeled Kate Spade boutique has opened in Galleria I. Also opening at the Galleria this month are Bare Escentuals and Guess Accessories %26#8230; Muse now stocks T-Los Angeles tees and 49 Square Miles handbags %26#8230; Nordstrom news: Makeup artist Trish McEvoy makes a personal appearance on Tuesday, May 11. Call 832.201.2700 to make an appointment with the beauty maven %26#8230; Tootsies hosts a bevy of designer trunk shows this month: Michael Kors (May 6 %26#8211;%26nbsp;7), Naeem Khan (May 11 %26#8211; 12), Rene Lange (May 12 %26#8211; 13), Monique Lhuillier (May 20 %26#8211; 21) and Jason Wu (May 25 %26#8211; 26) %26#8230; Can%26#8217;t get enough of Jason Wu? His collection will also be at a trunk show at Neiman Marcus Tuesday, May 11. And there%26#8217;s more in store at Neiman%26#8217;s this month. Catch a trunk show for MCL%26#8217;s edgy jewelry and the handcrafted Ippolita collection Thursday, May 6, in Designer Jewelry. Linda Bergman showcases her jewelry collection Friday and Saturday, May 7 and 8. Then on Tuesday, May 18, Neiman%26#8217;s hosts a trunk show of Roberto Cavalli%26#8217;s Fall 2010 collection %26#8230; Celebrity makeup artist and La Prairie Colour Ambassador Raychel Wade offers one-on-one consultations at Saks Fifth Avenue Thursday, May 20. Appointments jaime.maser@laprairie.com %26#8230; Bring man%26#8217;s best friend to CityCenter Saturday, May 22. Roseann Rogers and Deborah Duncan will judge your pooches in costume and trick contests, while local pet companies showcase puppy wares %26#8230; A new contemporary men%26#8217;s clothing store has opened in Rice Village at 2542 Amherst. P-Jai%26#8217;s carries designs by William Rast, Big Star, LTB, Stone Rose, Desigual, Psycho Bunny and Monarchy %26#8230; Tory Burch has released her second limited-edition compilation CD. Proceeds benefit The Tory Burch Foundation, which provides economic opportunities to women and their families in the United States. The album features music personally selected by Burch and includes Citizen Cope with Carlos Santana, Kanye West, K%26#8217;naan, Michael Franti, Neville Brothers, Santigold, The Smiths and Wyclef Jean. At the Tory Burch boutique this month.

Ring for a Cocktail

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:20:11 GMT

As the temperature rises, we%26#8217;re drawn to the cool colors of Elsa Peretti%26#8217;s new sun-drenched jawbreaker cabochon cocktail rings. Simply set in 18K gold or sterling silver, they%26#8217;re the perfect things to raise with an icy gimlet. From $1,900, at Tiffany %26amp; Co.

Inside the Shoe Closets of Lynn McBee and Anne Stodghill

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:17:43 GMT

Hundreds of Stiletto Strut supporters will slip on a pair of heels and march around Neiman Marcus Downtown on Thursday, April 29, all to benefit the American Heart Association. We peeked inside strut co-chairs Lynn McBee and Anne Stodghill's enviable shoe wardrobes and discovered two very different chaussure collections. McBee's wardrobe is classic elegance %26#8212; well-loved riding boots, medium-heel Manolos, and ever a nod to vintage. Risk-taking sums up Stodghill, who stocks her closet with bright colors, unusual designers and dozens of custom-made Chuck Taylors.%26#160;%26#160; %26#160;

%26#160;

Tell us about the shoes in your portrait.

Lynn McBee:%26#160;Yellow suede Christian Louboutins. I wore these to a fun luncheon where Paulina Porizkova was the speaker.

Anne Stodghill:%26#160;Sequined high tops that were purchased at Harrod's in London. I wear them to all Dallas Mavericks playoff games for good luck. During the 2006 NBA Finals, I was so superstitious that I wore them every day. %26#160;%26#160;

%26#160;

Fondest shoe memory?

LM:%26#160;I was beyond happy when I got my first pair of YoYos back in the '80s.

AS: My husband often takes me to New York for Valentine's weekend. This year, he noticed a really great pair of shoes on a girl at The Four Seasons' bar. When I went to Bergdorf Goodman the next day, those shoes were the first pair that I saw%26#8230;mirror mosaic pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti for Thakoon. I feel like I'm channeling an '80s glam rockstar. %26#160;%26#160;

%26#160;

If you could raid one Dallasite's shoe closet whose would it be?

LM: My friend Mersina Stubbs has wonderful shoes %26#8212; lots of classics, some trendy and many elegant.

AS: Stacey McCord. She is the most elegant person I know. %26#160;%26#160;

%26#160;

If you were a pair of shoes, what would you be?

LM: That's easy. I would be a Saucony running shoe %26#8212; always comfortable.

AS:%26#160;I'm a pointy-toed stiletto. They are sassy, fun and powerful.

%26#160;

Your most memorable shoe purchase?

LM:%26#160;It would be a tie between my 1980s riding boots and YoYos!

AS:%26#160;I once had a boss who gave me 'shoe bonuses' for winning cases. With one such 'bonus' I purchased a pair of Claudio Merazzi high-heel sandals in Monte Carlo that have multi-colored feather tassels on them. They are so outrageous%26#8230; %26#160;%26#160;

%26#160;

Which shoes will you be wearing to this year's Stiletto Strut?

LM: To be determined%26#8230;

AS:%26#160;The Fortitia high-heel sandal by Christian Louboutin. It has patent leather straps with a dramatic ruffle of black silk with black lace. %26#160;%26#160;

%26#160;

Favorite pair of shoes?

LM:%26#160;Black suede Manolo Blahnik boots. I love them and have worn them to death. Deno's has resoled them at least twice. They have carried me many great places.

AS:%26#160;Purple satin platform sandals by Brian Atwood that were given to me by a friend for my 40th birthday. They are atrociously high and ridiculously comfortable. Every time I wear them I am reminded of my birthday party.

%26#160;

Most unusual shoe in your closet?

LM: A Prada round-toe pump, with lime green heel, pink lizard toe and bamboo-like fabric in all other parts.

AS: A pair of Bruno Frisoni patent leather stiletto pumps that have grommets around them. What makes them unusual is the pink teddy bear head that snaps on to the shoe over any two of the grommets. I call them my Bad Teddy shoes because he runs around the shoes at various angles and has been known to disappear at parties.

%26#160;

Anything surprising inside your shoe closet?

LM:%26#160;No. I'm very organized to lots of shoe boxes and shoe bags all lined up neatly.

AS: The bright colors and utter lack of practicality.

%26#160;

Where do you get your heels fixed?

LM:%26#160;Deno's in Highland Park Village %26#8212; they work miracles!

AS:%26#160;Cobblestone at Mockingbird and Central.

She's With the Band

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:39:38 GMT

This month, the rock %26#8217;n%26#8217; roll biopic The Runaways opens, based on Joan Jett%26#8217;s groundbreaking all-girl %26#8217;70s rock band. We%26#8217;re obsessed with the classic beauty of lead singer Cherie Currie, played by Dakota Fanning in the movie, kicked up with raw rock style. Ch...ch...ch...ch...cherry bomb!

Photography Gray Scott. Styling Cameron Cooper. Fashion Editor Kate Allen Stukenberg. Hair Anthony Campbell for Atelier Management, New York. Makeup Quinn Murphy. Model Alina for Code Model Management, New York. Photo Assistant Craig LaCourt. Fashion Assistant Abraham Lopez.

Amped Up (above): Versace embroidered dress, price upon request, and shoes, both at the Versace boutique. Bangles Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz, Rachel Leigh. Earrings and ring Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz. Hairbands Rachel Leigh.

Star Power (below): Gucci viscose cr%26#234;pe strapped gown with harness $4,700, at the Gucci boutique. Star resin bracelet by Noir, other bracelets Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz and Giles %26amp; Bros. Earrings Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz.

Jewelry availability: Atelier Minyon at Neiman Marcus, atelierminyon.com. Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz at ben-amun.com. Rachel Leigh at %26#192; Bient%26#244;t. Giles %26amp; Bros. at Neiman Marcus. Noir at noirjewelry.com. Miriam Salat at Neiman Marcus.

%26nbsp;

Click on "launch slideshow," above, to see more fashion.

Mortar Brings Edgy Vibe to Men's Fashion

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:32:05 GMT

If you%26#8217;re a man with concrete ideas about what you like to wear, may we refer you to Mortar. The new shop is owned by just such a discerning gentleman, Sacha Nelson, and his girlfriend/business partner, Iris Trent Siff. Realizing he and his chums bought most of their clothing while away on their travels, Nelson and Siff decided to fill a void in Houston with a well-edited men%26#8217;s shop dedicated to beautiful basics in sedate hues that focus on construction, fabric and fit. The result is a sleek, pared-down boutique with interiors that reflect the same pulled-back aesthetic as the clothing within, each of which is categorized by group (tees, shirts, pants, tops) and elegantly draped on black wooden hangers. Adding to the masculine appeal are vintage industrial pieces %26#8212; many culled from the eccentric coffers of Installations Antiques %26#8212; including a pant-crease machine with dry-cleaning origins and oxydized metal garment racks. It all complements the edgy vibe of Mortar, which offers a task-based approach to shopping that men find quite appealing. Nelson and Siff comb the world for obscure labels and have brought in a bevy of exclusives, including sheer Tysa cotton voile shirting; preppy-meets-surfer-cool double-weight gauze button-downs and shorts from Riviera Club; and French terry cardigans and easy jersey jackets with curved zippers from Kzo and Kai Aakmann of Korea. Need more reason to shop? How about basic, cozy tees by Velvetmen and Martin, or handmade flip-flops by Jutta Neuman, who takes a week to create the curved arch and cobbler details found in every pair. 1844 Westheimer Road, 713.529.0009; shopmortar.com.

%26nbsp;

Image: Mortar; photo by Jack Thompson

Retail Rap

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:26:58 GMT

The Herman Miller showroom of all things modern has relocated to a 5,206-square-foot space on the third level of BLVD Place on Post Oak Boulevard %26#8230; Galleria news: Kate Spade has reopened in Galleria I, following a remodel. In late May or early June, Bare Escentuals mineral makeup opens in Galleria 1, on the street level next to Christian Dior %26#8230; Edition by George Chakra is now available at Elizabeth Anthony/Esther Wolf. Chakra%26#8217;s designs have been worn by such celebs as Emily Blunt and Carrie Underwood %26#8230; Neiman Marcus now carries Ashley Pittman%26#8217;s jewelry, which is inspired by and handcrafted in Kenya. Ten percent of sales go to charities in Kenya %26#8230; Apple%26#8217;s revolutionary new touch-screen tablet, the iPad, hits the Apple Retail Store Saturday, April 3. Reserve yours now at apple.com/ipad for store pickup.

A Perfect Ten Years at Forty Five Ten

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:15:03 GMT

Seems like yesterday when the twin Venini glass chandeliers were hung, Gwyneth stopped in, and Marc Jacobs handbags lined the shelves. Ten years have passed since the venerable Forty Five Ten opened its elegant wood-and-glass doors fronting McKinney Avenue, which only boutique regulars know to push instead of pull. Just like the entrance doors, owners Brian Bolke and Shelly Musselman know how to surprise their customers and keep them guessing %26#8212; with ingeniously edited labels curated and merchandized like works of art. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this fashion and home mecca, PaperCity asked 10 Forty Five Ten aficionados to effuse on why they love %26#8212; or what they love from %26#8212; our anniversary girl. Click on the slide show to see their answers.

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Forty Five Ten's Anniversary Editions
Ten designers have created exclusive anniversary items that are for sale at Forty Five Ten during the month of April. The proceeds from these editions benefit amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art by way of Two x Two %26#8212;%26nbsp;a fitting way for the designers to laud owners Brian Bolke and Shelly Musselman for faithfully carrying their wares.%26nbsp;

ONE Forty Five Ten turquoise alligator clutch from Proenza Schouler, $7,985.
ONE nickel-plated champagne bucket from Dallas iron artisan Jan Barboglio, in partnership with Dom P%26#233;rignon, $1,995.
FOUR signature chiffon Nanda tops in nude with black embroidery from Koi, $630 each.
FOUR sets of ten Project [Red] candles from Diptyque, $695 each.
FIVE necklaces of chain on tulle from Doo.Ri, featured on the Spring 2010 runway, $645 each.
FIVE unique evil-eye bracelets with geodes from Kimberly McDonald, $995 to $9,995.
TEN dip-dyed cotton short-sleeve shirts from Scott Sternberg of Band of Outsiders,%26nbsp; $250 each.
TEN patterned scarves from Yigal Azrouel, $350 each.
TEN pairs of shoes from Narciso Rodriguez, featured on his Spring 2010 runway (available only at Forty Five Ten), $795 each.
TEN pieces from the Artisanal %26#8220;Haute Couture%26#8221; archive by Maison Martin Margiela, available by special order, pricing upon request.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; %26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

She's With the Band

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:25:49 GMT

Jewelry availability: Atelier Minyon at Neiman Marcus, atelierminyon.com. Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz at ben-amun.com. Rachel Leigh at L%26#8217;Image, W Hotels. Giles %26amp; Bros. at Intermix. Noir at noirjewelry.com. Miriam Salat at Neiman Marcus.%26nbsp;

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Click on "launch slideshow," above, to see more fashion.

Paloma Rings in 30 Years with Tiffany %26 Co.

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:11:11 GMT

Designer Paloma Picasso has created three collections to commemorate 30 beautiful years with Tiffany %26amp; Co. The most opulent is Marrakesh %26#8212; a vibrant mix of semiprecious stones and black-onyx pendants and cuffs encased in graphic gold, recalling the mosaics of Middle Eastern architecture, while Hammered Circles forms yellow-gold, rose-gold and sterling-silver circles into necklaces and hoop earrings. Tr%26#232;s charmant, however, is the Dove collection of pendants in sterling silver, gold and diamonds, inspired by the dove drawn by Picasso%26#8217;s famous father, Pablo, for the 1949 Paris World Peace Conference. There%26#8217;s a personal connection for his daughter, who was born that year. %26#8220;My name, %26#8216;Paloma,%26#8217; means %26#8216;dove%26#8217; in Spanish,%26#8221; she says. %26#8220;And it stands as a symbol of peace and purity. There are many romantic songs about %26#8216;La Paloma Blanca.%26#8217; One of them used to bring tears to my eyes when I was a little girl. I%26#8217;ve designed the dove to be your guardian angel.%26#8221; At Tiffany %26amp; Co.

Retail Rap

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:09:46 GMT

We%26#8217;re overcome with red-sole excitement as Christian Louboutin is set to open its first Texas boutique, in Highland Park Village this fall. Look for the glamorous shoe destination in a portion of the former Banana Republic space. Stay tuned for more Louboutin buzz to come %26#8230; We love firsts. Meet us at Tread Fitness, the first tenant at the Cityville Oak Park development on Lemmon Avenue, for a first-to-Dallas group workout: one room, 28 people, half of us on treadmills, the other half curling free weights. Every 15 minutes, we all switch %26#8212; with zero downtime %26#8212; until an hour is up. Beach bods, here we come. More at treadfitness.com %26#8230;Your palace decor always needs freshening %26#8212; so make tracks to Highland Park Village Thursday through Sunday, April 1 through 4, for The Great Sample Sale by Stephanie Anne. Her one-of-a-kind furnishings will fill the former Harold%26#8217;s space, just for that long weekend. For more scoop: 214.368.3025; stephanieanne.com %26#8230; Just two weekends later, The Plaza at Preston Center hosts its Plaza Days extravaganza. It%26#8217;s sidewalk-sale bliss for grownup shopaholics (steals galore!) and a charming fair (think balloons and treats) for the young ones. It all happens Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17 %26#8230; Hip! Hip! Hooray!, Jennifer Howell%26#8217;s kids%26#8217;-clothing boutique in Snider Plaza, welcomes a new sibling this month: Night %26amp; Day, where she will stock hard-to-find furniture, nursery decor, bedding and gifts. Your tot%26#8217;s good taste will require a visit to 6816 Snider Plaza; 214.369.6816 %26#8230; We can think of three ways West Village is changing things up. (1) The curatorial creation Pop Up 310 from The Goss-Michael Foundation%26#8217;s James Cope and The Public Trust%26#8217;s Brian Gibb. This temporary art gallery is housed in the former Gardens space, next to Polo Ralph Lauren, where the focus is on experimental projects including small works, books, prints, even artful T-shirts. View it Friday through Sunday at 3699 McKinney Avenue, Suite 310, or click popup310.blogspot.com. (2) Wink, a quaint, four-chair salon that offers threading services %26#8212; the ages-old method of hair removal via pure cotton thread, with no trauma to your precious epidermis %26#8212; for ladies and gents at 3839 McKinney Avenue, Suite 115; 214.599.9465. (3) Sergio Ortega%26#8217;s Salon Lure, the new %26#8217;do destination at 3839 McKinney Avenue, Suite 100. Ortega was with Osgood-O%26#8217;Neil Salon, so we know a chic coif is imminent %26#8230; It%26#8217;s the best-dressed auction around: refinestyle.com is a well-edited online spot for buying and selling %26#8212; the perfect place to dump your Derek Lam and score some Stella McCartney. Headed by SMU alum Megan Masoner, the virtual boutique is posh and picky: You have to adhere to a list of approved brands (genius) %26#8230; Now, if you%26#8217;re not a tech-savvy fashionista, consign your designer excess at Ditto Boutique at 4326 West Lovers Lane %26#8212; and maybe walk out with a few stylish finds, too.

Image: Crib appeal: Beds for all the best babies, at Night %26amp; Day.

Beyond the Pyramids

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:21:35 GMT

Photography Gray Scott. Styling Cameron Cooper. Hair Ryan Cotton for Jed Root, New York. Makeup Quinn Murphy. Model Garima Parnami for Muse Models, New York. Photo assistant Craig LaCourt. Fashion assistant Abraham Lopez.

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Style Mirage

Fendi tulle-and-silk evening dress $4,550, and shoes $690, both at Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus. Necklace Kenneth Jay Lane. Snake cuff bracelet and wood bangle bracelet Atelier Minyon. Earrings Rachel Leigh. Ring Kenneth Jay Lane.

Jewelry availability: Atelier Minyon at Neiman Marcus, atelierminyon.com. Rachel Leigh at L%26#8217;Image, W Hotels. Giles %26amp; Brother at Intermix. Elizabeth Locke at Neiman Marcus, William Noble Fine Jewels. Sally Sohn at Neiman Marcus, Stanley Korshak. Kenneth Jay Lane at Neiman Marcus. Yossi Harari at Stanley Korshak. Lee Angel at Neiman Marcus. Miriam Salat at Neiman Marcus.%26nbsp;

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For more fashion images, click on 'launch slideshow' above.

Beyond the Pyramids

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:09:05 GMT

Fendi tulle-and-silk evening dress $4,550, and shoes $690, both at the Fendi boutique, Neiman Marcus. Fendi shoes $690, at the Fendi boutique. Necklace Kenneth Jay Lane. Snake cuff bracelet and wood bangle bracelet Atelier Minyon. Earrings Rachel Leigh. Ring Kenneth Jay Lane.

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Jewelry availability: Atelier Minyon at Neiman Marcus, atelierminyon.com. Rachel Leigh at %26#192; Bient%26#244;t. Giles %26amp; Brother at Neiman Marcus. Elizabeth Locke at Neiman Marcus. Sally Sohn at Neiman Marcus. Kenneth Jay Lane at %26#192; Bient%26#244;t, Tootsies. Yossi Harari at Judith Ann Jewels. Lee Angel at Neiman Marcus. Miriam Salat at Neiman Marcus.

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For more fashion images, click on 'launch slideshow' above.

Inside the Head of Annise Parker

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:45:49 GMT

She served Houston for more than 11 years on the city council, then as Houston%26#8217;s controller. Now Annise Parker makes history as she steps into the biggest job in local politics. But our new mayor is more than a humble civil servant and devoted mother of two adopted children. This Montrose resident, who has a passion for restoring historical properties (such as the one she resides in), also takes in orphan orchids and nurses prickly cacti, reads voraciously and has a fondness for the great outdoors %26#8212; especially desert climes. Laurann Claridge sits down with Miz Parker to learn what lies on the other side of that calm, cool and collected persona.%26nbsp;

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Credit: Jenny Antill

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What's on your nightstand?
These are the two things I%26#8217;m reading right now, a little bit at a time. Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading by Ronald Heifetz and Martin Linsky (to help me focus on my duties at the mayor%26#8217;s office) and Touch: Pressing Against the Wounds of a Broken World by Pastor Rudy Rasmus. He%26#8217;s the pastor of St. John%26#8217;s Church downtown. Personally, I%26#8217;m a science fiction reader. The last great book I read was by Elizabeth Moon, who is another Rice University grad. It was a series of short stories. I%26#8217;m drawn to work like that, where I don%26#8217;t have to follow a plot line.

Reading is fundamental:
We%26#8217;re bibliophiles. Both of us (partner Kathy Hubbard and I) have serious book addictions. We have books all over the house and bookcases everywhere filled with all different kinds of books. We%26#8217;re omnivorous readers.

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Credit: Jenny Antill%26nbsp;

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Restaurants you haunt?
For comfort food, it%26#8217;s Niko Niko%26#8217;s, Rivas and Sorrento Ristorante for a white-tablecloth experience. I love Spanish Flower for Mexican food, and I%26#8217;m a big Goode Co. Barbeque fan. And Frenchy%26#8217;s fried chicken %26#8212; I%26#8217;ll drive across town for it!

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Image: Lafayette 148 at Tootsies

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Describe your style.

I am very tailored. Because of the needs of the campaign and the office, I had to invest in expanding my wardrobe. I sat down with the staff of Tootsies. I%26#8217;m hard to fit, so we worked with a good tailor. I don%26#8217;t wear skirts very much, mostly pants. I went to a couple of trunk shows at Tootsies and picked out separates to create several complete outfits. I gravitate to Lafayette 148.

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Shopping weakness?

I%26#8217;ve always been a consignment and resale shopper. You can find wonderful things and bring them to your tailor. The Blue Bird Circle Resale Shop is within walking distance of my house.

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Image: Tumi

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Fashion versus style:

I am not particularly fashion conscious. I%26#8217;m very picky about my clothes, but I don%26#8217;t follow fashion. I try to dress appropriately for the occasion. I don%26#8217;t carry a purse; I haven%26#8217;t in years. I carry a briefcase. And I do not wear high heels. I%26#8217;m into comfortable shoes.

What room do you spend the most time in?
My living room. We%26#8217;ve been in the house two years, so it%26#8217;s still a work in process, but that%26#8217;s where we go to curl up and read on the couch.

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What do you amass?
I%26#8217;m something of a collector. This is where the nerd comes out. I have a collection of adding machines and Comptometers. I probably have about 15 of them. I also have a collection of turtles. Ceramic turtles, figurines of all sorts %26#8230; I probably have 50 to 60.

Do friends bring you turtles?
It started when I was in high school, so it%26#8217;s been going on for years. When you go to Rice, you tend to accumulate owls, but I%26#8217;ve gradually given away all my owls and been given turtles.

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Image: Dominic Walsh in "Sleeping Beauty"; Credit: Amitava Sarkar, Photography InSight

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Dance fan?
We used to have season tickets to the Houston Ballet before I was elected to public office. Now we go as my schedule allows. Our favorite performing art is dance. We absolutely love it all, from Dominic Walsh and Sandra Organ to Dance Salad and Stanton Welch with the Houston Ballet.

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Image: Big Bend

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Ideal getaway?
My favorite place in the world is Big Bend %26#8230; I like to hike, I like to camp, I have all the backpacking gear. Unfortunately, for the last 20 years I%26#8217;ve been sharing my life with someone who believes camping is staying at a Holiday Inn.

Play time?
If I had the time, I would spend it exploring more artistic endeavors. I do read and write a lot of poetry. I like craft and have taken art-welding classes. I%26#8217;d like to do more of that.

Image: Jenny Antill

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What's on your iPod?
I have pretty eclectic tastes in music. I like folk and Celtic music, new age stuff to mellow out and a lot of country western. I%26#8217;m a huge Patsy Cline fan. I have a lot of Willie Nelson, too. Even old pop like Kris Kristofferson and Neil Diamond.

What single word best describes you?
Centered. I know my own mind. I know who I am, and I know generally where I want to go.

Do you seek spirutal guidance or something outside yourself to keep you in that realm?
I have to have quiet time.

What subject would you like to learn more about?

The problem for me is that I%26#8217;m the ultimate generalist. I will spend hours researching the care and feeding of orchids and then do that for a while. The same with cactus. I catalog them all, too, detailing how long they lived, what color their blooms are. The adding machines %26#8230;%26nbsp;It%26#8217;s not that I just want to collect addingmachines. [I want to] take them apart to see how they work.

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Green thumb?
I have orchids here at work, because they require more attention, but I%26#8217;ve been a member of the Houston Cactus %26amp; Succulent Society for 25 years or so. I have a container garden full of them. The orchids come to work, and the cactus stays home.

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Do you collect art?

Not particularly. I was on the board of the Contemporary Arts Museum for two terms. I collect what I like %26#8212; not as a collector, per se. I think art should be about something you want to look at. I prefer very tactile objects, like small sculptures.

Tell me about your fondness for fountain pens.
I went all the way through college writing with fountain pens. The roller balls weren%26#8217;t common then. These pens were my grandmother%26#8217;s, and these mechanical pencils belonged to my grandfather. But this Parker pen is my favorite. It was an anniversary present from Kathy to celebrate our first year together 18 years ago.

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Credit: Jenny Antill

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What makes you laugh?
Just about everything. I laugh easily. I find the world very interesting. I%26#8217;m fairly mellow. I think people are born with their thermostat set. I think I%26#8217;m pretty even, more so as I get older.

In what way are you the most humble?

I%26#8217;m so grateful that for the last 12 years I%26#8217;ve enjoyed going to work everyday. I feel blessed to be able to come to a job that I love. Even though council member and controller were completely different jobs, they both allowed me to serve the city in different ways. The mayor%26#8217;s office combines the best aspects of both.

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Image: Laurann Claridge right, interviews Annise Parker in her office. Credit: Jenny Antill

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What do you want to be most remembered for?
I want to be a great mayor for Houston. I don%26#8217;t much care that I%26#8217;m remembered that way, but I want to know I did my very best. I%26#8217;m very internally motivated. I want to know I%26#8217;ve accomplished things for Houston. While I appreciate acknowledgment from the outside, I want to know I did what I needed to.

Retail Rap

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:52:34 GMT

Impressions A Bridal Salon is hosting a Carolina Herrera trunk show Thursday through Saturday, March 18 through 20 %26#8230; Diane von Furstenberg celebrates femininity with a compilation compact disc including songs from Mary J. Blige, Joss Stone, Santogold and Annie Lennox. Proceeds will benefit Vital Voices, an organization that empowers women. The CD will be available Monday, March 8, at dvf.com %26#8230; Ferragamo fans, take note, the Italian powerhouse has launched a made-to-measure program. Suiting, jackets, pants and outerwear can be custom-tailored to the client%26#8217;s choice of style and fabrication. For more information, contact the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique %26#8230; Galleria News: Inspirational apparel, accessories, cosmetics, books and music store East 5th Hub will open in Galleria I, next door to Abercrombie %26amp; Fitch, later this month or early April. Guess Accessories opens early April, next door to Arden B. Fans of Vans can rejoice that the skater brand will open a shop in Galleria II later this month %26#8230;On Thursday, April 1, West Houston%26#8217;s new shopping mega-plex, CityCentre, will showcase 40 classic and exotic automobiles from Keels %26amp; Wheels and Houston Motor Club. View the vehicles from 3 to 9 pm, and catch high-energy band Mambo Jazz Kings on stage at 6 pm %26#8230; Past Era owner Marion Glober has just jetted in from a European buying trip with loads of exquisite jewels. Stop in to check them out %26#8230; Abejas boutique hosts a trunk show for designer Tysa Friday Sunday, March 5 through 7. Tysa%26#8217;s designs are featured on Julia Roberts in the upcoming movie Eat, Pray Love %26#8230; BB1 Classic has opened a satellite McWhorter Gallery on the upper deck of its Uptown Park Boulevard location, featuring local Houston artists including Roberto Del Rio, Justin Garcia, Janet Wayte, Lindsey Peyton, and Allan Rodewald %26#8230; High Fashion Home has expanded its accessories and clothing boutique offerings. The design mecca now stocks collections from Heather, Goldhawk, MK2K and Velvet. Local jewelry-designing sisters Cynthia and Lorena DePetra have also created a special DePetra Collection exclusively for High Fashion Home, set to debut this month %26#8230; Materials Marketing, which just so happens to be America%26#8217;s oldest (and largest) stone fabricator of hand-carved architectural stone and tile, has moved from its Alabama Street locale to take up residence at 1335 West Gray Street. Known for exquisite hand-carved hearths, pilasters, fountains, moldings, corbels, columns, tiles and the like, they work with materials as varied as ceramic, glass, travertine, marble, canterra and limestone.

Tootsies Goes West … Ave

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:34:17 GMT

Tootsies is packing up and moving west %26#8230; to West Ave, that is, but not until early January 2011. The chic shop, owned by Mickey Rosmarin, has been a fixture in Highland Village Shopping Center for nearly three decades, and remains open in its current location until the move. The glittering new West Ave emporium is 34,000 square feet %26#8212; the entire glass-enclosed first floor of West Ave, on the corner of Kirby and Westheimer. More on Tootsies and the new store in the April issue.

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Image: Mickey Rosmarin; Credit: Jenny Antill

Leggiadro

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:13:35 GMT

Keys to the Door: Founders Ann Ross, Brooks Ross.
Luxury of a Different Color: Dreaming of East Hampton, minus the pesky bourgeoisie? Plan a shopping excursion to Leggiadro, a bright new boutique in Highland Park Village stocked with luxurious casual wear. The company debuted in 1985, offering comfy daywear made of fabrics specially selected from mills in France, Italy and Switzerland %26#8212; now, Leggiadro has addresses in tony towns such as Palm Beach, Palm Desert, Naples and Nantucket. The new Dallas outpost? It%26#8217;s for you modern-day Grace Kellys, with tanks, tees, skirts and slim pants in vivid hues and vivacious patterns. Our favorites from the color wheel? Tuscan Table (brightly sketched lobsters, mushrooms and artichokes) and Bali Flowers (watercolor-y orange and yellow petals that recall Matisse). So, dear Grace circa 2010, we predict that a skirt in cobalt-blue zebra print or a long-sleeve top splashed with tiny minnows swimming amidst coral will be right at home in your palatial walk-in. 42A Highland Park Village; leggiadro.com.

Image: Leggiadro%26#8217;s Ocean Reef Club boutique in Key Largo, Florida

Susan Saffron Fine Jewelry

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:10:19 GMT

Susan Saffron is no stranger to socialites and the precious stones in their jewelry boxes. After 25 years as one of Highland Park%26#8217;s most sought-after private jewelers, Saffron is taking all her diamonds, rubies and sapphires to her first store, at Inwood Village. Behind glistening glass display cases you%26#8217;ll find her extensive and ever-changing collection of estate pieces, as well as custom-designed bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings. When it comes to Saffron%26#8217;s carats and gemstones, the sky%26#8217;s the limit:%26nbsp;Earrings set with diamonds and Colombian emeralds, a white- and chocolate-diamond ring, and a green tourmaline pendant fill out the estate collection, while a bevy of loose stones %26#8212; amethysts, diamonds, tourmalines, emeralds, et al %26#8212; are available for bijoux that Saffron and her artisans will design and craft upon request. A visit here will quiet the voice of your inner, jewelry-loving Duchess of Windsor. 5550 W. Lovers Lane, 214.373.6602; saffronjewelry.com.

Image: Chad Allison at Susan Saffron Fine Jewelry

Love Tennis

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:06:21 GMT

Before an afternoon match at the club, wannabe Maria Sharapovas should replenish their tennis whites at Love Tennis. Owners Pamela King and Brittain Watson got their bug six years ago when the pals took up tennis at the Lakewood Country Club. Fast forward to today, and their obsession has manifested itself as their new Snider Plaza boutique, where you%26#8217;ll find stylish athletic wear from Lija, Fetch and Lacoste hanging alongside racquets by Babolat, Wilson, Volkl and Dunlap. Also in store, luxe leather tennis bags by LaCorte (your Tod%26#8217;s tote needs a sporty twin, after all) and tennis-themed jewelry and crystal champagne flutes, all by Silver Tennis, British purveyors of bespoke trophies. You can pick up game-day essentials here (tennies, balls, equipment) or get your racquet restrung. The fresh interior with its modern furnishings is also a score %26#8212; King and Watson clearly wanted this to be more than your average pro shop. Insider tip: There%26#8217;s even a bar in the back that%26#8217;s ready to be stocked for private tennis parties. We think we%26#8217;re in, well, love. 6708 Snider Plaza, 214.691.1540; lovetennisdallas.com.

Image: Fetch%26#8217;s Mach 5 tennis dress at Love Tennis

Retail Rap

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:03:59 GMT

This month, we%26#8217;re on the Cusp %26#8212;%26nbsp;as in the new boutique inside Neiman Marcus at NorthPark Center. What to expect? A defined space where stylish Gossip Girls (think 18 to 30ish) will find well-edited clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories. Organized by trend rather than by designer, Cusp Boutique is stocking Beyond Vintage, French Connection, Winter Kate, Kite and Butterfly, and more. (As if we needed another reason to love NM.) %26#8230; Barneys New York is set to unveil yet another new project: a dapper menswear collaboration with Lacoste. Gents need at least one of these rethought polo shirts %26#8212; they fit trimmer and longer, which makes them very 2010. Find them beginning this month at Barneys New York in NorthPark Center %26#8230; The charming Dallas Flea is back! Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 13, as style writer Brittany Edwards brings her indoor market back to South Side on Lamar. Don%26#8217;t miss these booths: decor scores at Arteriors Home, hats from The House of MacGregor, gifts at Bows and Arrows and goodies from Tart Bakery. Intrigued? Click thedallasflea.com %26#8230; It%26#8217;s Gucci, Fendi and Prada for your peepers at Insight Complete Eye Care. Consider Insight the Ritz of eye-care practices: Inside the 3,000-square-foot space %26#8212; just downstairs from the new Preston Hollow Equinox at the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and Northwest Highway %26#8212; the luxe boutique is stocked with designer frames, while the eye-exam office brims with state-of-the-art technology. See and be seen at 8611 Hillcrest Avenue, Suite 102, 214.739.8611; insightdallas.com %26#8230; Update your address book: Perry Henderson has moved %26#8212; and is booking blowouts, cuts and colors at his salon%26#8217;s new location. Call ahead at 214.522.2870 (or just look for the trail of perfectly coiffed socials coming out of 5715 Lemmon Avenue at Inwood Road) %26#8230; Should life be more than your iCal can handle, call in one of The Riley Group%26#8217;s personal concierges. They%26#8217;ll take care of your errands, party planning, travel arrangements and office organization while you check off the more important things on your to-do list: lunch at the French Room, gown hunting at Forty Five Ten, massage at The Palomar, etc. Lessen your load at 972.754.1381 or therileygroup.info.

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Image: Insight Eyecare. Image credit: Pam Lary Photography

The Eyes Have It

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:56:35 GMT

Lash Studio (3699 McKinney Ave., Suite 400, 214.520.0511; lashstudiotx.com)
%26#8226; Why We%26#8217;re Blushing: Lash Studio%26#8217;s decor oozes extravagance: Walls are painted in a spectrum of pinks and magentas, a chandelier hangs in each of the five private rooms, and shelves throughout are topped with leopard-print cocktail glasses. The VIP perks? The whole place can be reserved for parties, and LS%26#8217;s technicians even make house calls.
%26#8226; What We%26#8217;re Trying: We%26#8217;re ditching our daily mascara for a set of new NovaLash eyelash extensions. Lashes are applied one at a time, so we come out looking like Anne Hathaway and not Tammy Faye. (And after our lids are aflutter, we%26#8217;re going to convince everyone that we just spent a week in St. Barts and not a few minutes getting the Bronze Biologic airbrush tan.)

Uptown MakeUp (3699 McKinney Ave., Suite 102, 214.521.3501; shopuptownmakeup.com)
%26#8226; We%26#8217;re Puckering Up: In the name of replenishing your shadows, blushes and glosses, make tracks to owner Laura Bush%26#8217;s second endeavor, Uptown MakeUp. (And, no, it%26#8217;s not that Laura Bush %26#8212; this one%26#8217;s an expert on beauty, not on being First Lady.) Instead of shelves stocked with designer duds %26#224; la Bush%26#8217;s across-the-street boutique L.Bartlett, Uptown MakeUp%26#8217;s sleek shop is filled with a trendy stash of cosmetics, plus skincare, hair and bath goodies.

%26#8226; Vamp Up Your Vanity: Get your hands on vivid shadows from the Italian line Nouba, waterproof eyeliner from Bell%26#225;pierre and the Lash DNA mascara by Smashbox. To brighten your eyes the morning after a late night at The Joule, go for Sharla%26#8217;s Dark Circle Relief.

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Image:%26nbsp; Smashbox Lash DNA mascara, at Uptown MakeUp

Calling All Cult Followers

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:53:42 GMT

These new potions are primed to rejuvenate your skin. Queue up at beauty counters this month when La Mer %26#8212; a cult favorite slathered on by celebrities and those in the know %26#8212; introduces the Regenerating Serum ($250, at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue). This anti-aging powerhouse is infused with La Mer%26#8217;s proprietary Miracle Broth, as well as the company%26#8217;s new Regenerating Ferment, a derivative of marine plant stem cells. Dr. Max Huber created La Mer more than a decade %26#8212; and 6,000 lab experiments %26#8212; ago to heal scars he suffered after a lab accident. Ever since, ardent followers have trusted his creams to stave off the signs of rapid aging. Meanwhile, fans of Chanel%26#8217;s anti-aging Sublimage line will want to indulge in the new Sublimage Essential Regenerating Fluid ($295, at Chanel stores and counters). This weightless, silken lotion disappears into one%26#8217;s skin to create a matte finish, pinpointing wrinkles, evening out the complexion and producing a radiant glow. What girl doesn%26#8217;t crave that?

Fêtes with Neiman Marcus

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:41:43 GMT

Come April, we%26#8217;ll be seeing much more of the magnanimous Neiman Marcus. Aside from paving spring%26#8217;s fashion landscape, the store will take on leading roles in two upcoming galas: TITAS%26#8217; Command Performance and La F%26#234;te du Ballet and the Dallas Museum of Art%26#8217;s Art Ball, sponsored by PaperCity.

Chaired by NM%26#8217;s VP of corporate PR Gabrielle de Papp, TITAS pirouettes into our calendars on Saturday, April 3. The two-part evening commences at the Music Hall at Fair Park, where 10 world-renowned ballerinas and danseurs will take the stage for an illustrious performance of classic and contemporary ballet excerpts. After the last bravo, guests will swiftly progress to Neiman Marcus Downtown for part deux: a graceful black-tie gala dinner applauding Command Performance%26#8217;s principal dancers, plus honorary chair Caren Prothro and honoree Rebecca Enloe Fletcher. 214.978.2852; csantos@titas.org; titas.org.

Then on Saturday, April 24, 2010, Art Ball chairman Melissa Fetter and Neiman Marcus CEO Karen Katz reinvent the silent auction scene at the Dallas Museum of Art%26#8217;s grand gala, as for the first time in Art Ball history, the sole curator of the silent auction will be the grand dame herself, Neiman Marcus. The NM powers that be are hoping to procure more than 60 items for their Neiman Marcus Luxury Auction, including one-of-a-kind packages such as an %26#8220;Oscar-Winning Experience%26#8221; %26#8212; two tickets to the September 2010 Oscar de la Renta show in New York, lunch with Mr. de la Renta in his atelier following the show, plus a five-night stay at his Tortuga Bay boutique hotel. An added Neiman%26#8217;s perk? Winning bidders will receive InCircle points matching the final amount of the luxurious item they won. 214.922.1353; jwisler@dallasmuseumofart.org; dallasmuseumofart.org.

%26nbsp;

Image above:%26nbsp; San Francisco Ballet%26#8217;s Yuan Yuan Tan and Damian Smith, to perform at TITAS Command Performance; Image credit: Erik Tomasson

Image below:%26nbsp; Oscar de la Renta

The Curatorial Eye

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:49:02 GMT

This page of Things I Love is not to be confused with family I cherish, friends I adore and the essential elements that sustain life (food, water, the occasional gin and tonic). This is my list of random obsessions that please me at this very moment.

%26nbsp;

Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses. I%26#8217;ve worn them on and off (mostly on) since I was 17.

%26nbsp;

I%26#8217;m such a girly girl: I love good makeup and skincare. I positively adore Shu Uemura%26#8217;s creamy lip color in pale pinks and beiges, Chanel eye makeup and Laura Mercier bronzers.

%26nbsp;

Nearly every shade of gray, and plenty of white hues, too.

%26nbsp;

My Claridge + King weighty woolen shawl. Tucked inside our travel set, it%26#8217;s positively the chicest thing I own, and infinity practical for anyone (like moi) who easily catches a chill.

Being, existing, and eating anywhere in Italy or France. I feel so alive there that I want to take every moment in, while sinking into the landscape.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

White china. Be it modern ASA, Martha Stewart for Macy%26#8217;s or CB2.com, as long as I can put it in the dishwasher, I%26#8217;ll consider adding it to my collection.

%26nbsp;

Traveling, nearly anywhere. It freshens my perspective and invigorates me %26#8212; but I%26#8217;m always excited to land back on American soil. Overcome with patriotic pride as I enter the country through customs, if I could drop to my knees and kiss the ground without causing a minor scene, God knows I would. Really.

%26nbsp;

Vogue%26#8217;s Book of Etiquette (1948) by Millicent Fenwick. She%26#8217;s a pistol, and although some of her advice feels outmoded, there are still gems such as these, listed under misused words and phrases: %26#8220;Classy. See %26#8216;high-toned%26#8217; and %26#8216;high-class.%26#8217; Where %26#8216;classy%26#8217; is used to mean %26#8216;high-class,%26#8217; use %26#8220;good.%26#8217; When %26#8216;classy%26#8217; means %26#8216;high-toned,%26#8217; it should be forgotten %26#8230; %26#8216;High-class%26#8217; should not be used to mean %26#8216;good%26#8217; or %26#8216;distinguished.%26#8217; %26#8216;It was a high-class restaurant%26#8217; is appalling.%26#8221;

%26nbsp;

White jeans, all year long: boot cut, 7 for All Mankind (especially when I%26#8217;m feeling slim).

%26nbsp;

Frederic Malle%26#8217;s scent Une Rose. It%26#8217;s my signature %26#8212;%26nbsp;when I wear it, I feel pretty.

%26nbsp;

Fleur de sel, particularly to finish a dish, even sweets. (You can%26#8217;t beat it with caramels or atop homemade candy.)

%26nbsp;

My iPhone (and it%26#8217;s not even the latest version!). Also Apple%26#8217;s MobileMe service, which syncs all my info together perfectly. I am crushing on Steve Jobs.

%26nbsp;

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies %26#8212; my own, with chunks of bittersweet Valrhona bittersweet chocolate, cocoa nibs and a generous pinch of fleur de sel. (See a trend?)

%26nbsp;

Dan Donnelly with Kharisma Salon in Houston. Without him, I%26#8217;m no blonde.

%26nbsp;

Larry King Live. More specifically, whoever writes all the questions on his little blue cards. LK has the best job in the world. Ditto for the high-brow Charlie Rose, though I have a pretty good hunch he writes all his own probing queries. Smarty pants.

%26nbsp;

I yearn for Parrot Cay%26#8217;s crystal-clear water %26#8230; If only it didn%26#8217;t take forever and a day to get there from Texas.

%26nbsp;

Laughing so hard I can%26#8217;t even speak. It%26#8217;s usually out of the blue over something really stupid, too.

%26nbsp;

A clean home. Nothing makes me feel more centered than purging the clutter and sweeping away the dust bunnies.%26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

OxiClean. Oh, I could do a testimonial.

%26nbsp;

Lululemon Athletica workout wear. It%26#8217;s comfortable, durable and wearable in and out of the gym.

%26nbsp;

A well-crafted, perfectly prepared coal-fired pizza (margherita, mostly) and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Humble blends so well with a touch of haute.

%26nbsp;

Trench coats. Be they Burberry or Target, I love the look and classic lines that can be translated from cotton to silk faille.

%26nbsp;

A large bottle of chilled San Pellegrino %26#8212; no ice, with a wedge of lime. When I%26#8217;m being especially particular, I request a wine bucket to keep it icy cold.

%26nbsp;

Sleep %26#8212; nine hours, specifically. It%26#8217;s almost as restorative to my psyche as a weekend at Lake Austin Spa Resort.%26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

My 80-pound, %26#8217;60s-era quartz-crystal lamp %26#8212; a gift from my aunt who grew tired of it and packed it away in a closet until I pleaded with her to send it to me. Bless her.

%26nbsp;

Dogs %26#8212;%26nbsp;all of them (most especially ever-grateful pound puppies). There%26#8217;s no such thing as a bad dog in my book.

%26nbsp;

Truman Capote%26#8217;s writing

%26nbsp;

Anything %26#8220;sonic.%26#8221; I%26#8217;m obsessed with my Sonicare toothbrush, and the Clarisonic skin-cleansing system by the makers of Sonicare has me hooked. Who knew washing my face could give me so much satisfaction?

%26nbsp;

Peonies in full bloom, with paper-thin petals of variegated hues. Simply breathtaking in pink %26#8212; and a good reason to look forward to May and June.

%26nbsp;
Oprah. Yeah, I%26#8217;ve drunk the Kool-Aid, too.

%26nbsp;

Thick, stiff correspondence cards and tissue-lined envelopes. I love these paper cards by Crane%26#8217;s (a gift from friend Carol Isaak Barden), designed and engraved by PH Design Shop. And when I%26#8217;m feeling nostalgic, I break out my beloved Waterman fountain pen. My parents bought it for me to transcribe my notes at La Varenne when I moved to Paris years ago. I%26#8217;m the sentimental sort.

%26nbsp;

Beautiful bed linens. Be they Irish linen or starched high-thread-count Egyptian cotton, bed linens are an indulgence (along with good down pillows, frequently replaced) that I%26#8217;d never forgo. My favorite kinds are monogrammed, from Kuhl-Linscomb, leontinelinens.com.

A great flick by David Mamet (House of Games, The Spanish Prisoner) or Woody Allen (Annie Hall was his best).%26nbsp; Fave fashion films: Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russell and Funny Face.
%26nbsp;

Learning. My curiosity is endless, and there%26#8217;s not a soul in the world from whom you can%26#8217;t glean something meaningful.

Behind the Scenes at Five Chic Weddings

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:37:15 GMT

%26nbsp;

The Couple: Annie Bayer and Scott Goldberg

Wedding Date: July 4, 2009
Location, location: The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas for the ceremony and reception
Our favorite details:
%26#8226; Neiman Marcus at The Shops at Willow Bend inspired the decor, which included strands of white butterflies suspended from the ceiling, trees and walls %26#8212; even a cannon filled with colorful butterflies that exploded onto the dance floor during the horah dance.
%26#8226; The couple exited the ceremony to %26#8220;Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I%26#8217;m Yours)%26#8221; by Stevie Wonder, with %26#8220;Can%26#8217;t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe%26#8221; by Barry White as their first dance.
%26#8226; Annie surprised Scott with a groom%26#8217;s cake from Le Gateau Cakery, topped with a fondant replica of his hometown of Greenwood, Mississippi.%26nbsp;
%26#8226; The Fourth of July holiday was celebrated the night of the wedding with red, white and blue vodka-spiked snow cones. Upon the couple%26#8217;s departure, guests held sparklers as Annie and Scott ran through and climbed into the family%26#8217;s red Mercedes convertible.
Who they called to make it happen: Wedding coordination Mary Wright Shah, Diamond Affairs %26#183; Flowers Bella Flora of Dallas %26#183; Lighting Lite Dallas %26#183; Music Ken Arlen Orchestra %26#183; Rentals Ducky Bob%26#8217;s %26#183; Linens Bella Flora of Dallas %26#183; Catering The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas %26#183; Cakes Le Gateau Cakery %26#183; Photography Karlisch Photography %26#183; Videography Turquoise Video Productions %26#183; Bridal makeup L.B. Rosser%26nbsp; %26#183; Oscar de la Renta gown Warren Barr%26#243;n Bridal %26#183; Badgley Mischka bridesmaid dresses Patsy%26#8217;s, A Bridal Boutique

%26nbsp;

The Couple: Nina Knell and Patrick %26#8220;Deck%26#8221; Sachse

Wedding Date:%26nbsp; July 11, 2009
Location, location: Quigley%26#8217;s Chapel of St. James in Chicago for the ceremony; Four Seasons Hotel Chicago for the reception
Our favorite details:
%26#8226; Nina wore a Carolina Herrera gown, from Carolina Herrera in Highland Park Village, adorned with abstract flowers; the lining of Deck%26#8217;s Isaiah evening jacket, from Stanley Korshak, was embroidered with his initials and their wedding date.
%26#8226; Artist Patricia Van Essche of PVE Design captured scenes of the day in watercolor %26#8212; from the vows at Quigley%26#8217;s Chapel of St. James to the reception at the Four Seasons Hotel.
%26#8226; As a nod to her Sicilian roots, the entrance to the Italian garden-like reception was lined with cypress trees.
%26#8226; Besides music from the Ken Arlen Orchestra, the bride%26#8217;s parents surprised the couple by flying in the Los Angeles%26#8211;based Jersey Boys to entertain the crowd, complete with go-go dancers.
%26#8226; At 11 pm, Nina changed into a black Carolina Herrera dress for the after-party across the hall %26#8212;%26nbsp;a black and pink club-like atmosphere inspired by her favorite jeweler, Chrome Hearts, with mini cheeseburgers, French fries and milkshakes for late-night snacking.
Who they called in Chicago to make it happen: Wedding coordination Birch Design Studio %26#183; Flowers Flower Firm %26#183; Lighting Frost Lighting %26#183; Music The Ken Arlen Orchestra and Jersey Boys %26#183; Linen rentals Tabletoppers, Inc. %26#183; Rentals Hall%26#8217;s Rental %26#183; Catering Four Seasons Hotel Chicago %26#183; Cakes Take the Cake %26#183; Photography Garbo Productions %26#183; Bridal makeup Regina Sneor and Rosie Scianna %26#183; Hair Robyn Tornabeni and Ginger Damato %26#183; Car service Classic Chassis

%26nbsp;

The Couple: Cindy James and Paul Kirkpatrick

Wedding Date: October 10, 2009
Location, location: Prairie Dog Imports for the ceremony; Nasher Sculpture Center for the reception
Our favorite details:
%26#8226; Forty family members and friends dined at the T-Room at Forty Five Ten for the rehearsal dinner, with chef Greg O%26#8217;Neill in charge of the cuisine. Polaroid photos of the guests%26#8217; names served as place cards, as a nod to Cindy%26#8217;s love of photography.
%26#8226; Paul%26#8217;s father officiated the service at Robert Bellamy%26#8217;s compound, Prairie Dog Imports. In keeping with the nature-inspired surroundings, river stones were placed atop programs in the guest seats.
%26#8226; The couple mailed a piece of canvas to each guest that asked, %26#8220;What does love mean to you?%26#8221; In return, they received nearly 90 works of art that were pieced together to create a tapestry displayed at the entrance to the reception at the Nasher Sculpture Center.
%26#8226; A photo booth was stationed near the bar for instant snaps, with Cindy and Paul%26#8217;s wedding logo printed on the bottom of each strip.%26nbsp;
Who they called to make it happen: Wedding coordination Mathes and Co. Events, Emily Rembert %26#8226; Flowers Jack Collins at Urban Flower Grange Hall %26#8226; Lighting Lite Dallas %26#8226; Music Divisi Strings and Black Joe Lewis %26amp; The Honeybears %26#8226; Photo booth DFW Photo Booths %26#8226; Linens and rentals Celebration Event Rentals %26#8226; Catering Wolfgang Puck %26#8226; Cakes Frosted Art Bakery %26amp; Studio %26#8226; Photography Alex Ham %26#8226; Invitations Bella Figura %26#8226; Car service Gold Crown Valet

%26nbsp;

The Couple: Abbie Steffler and Dawson Oswalt

Wedding Date: May 2, 2009
Location, location: First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Worth for the ceremony; Thistle Hill (1904) for the reception
Our favorite details:
%26#8226; Their decadent Southern menu consisted of deviled eggs, shrimp and grits with collard greens and bacon, Vidalia onion tarts, mini crab cakes and handmade margaritas %26#8212; shaken that very evening by the father of the bride.
%26#8226; The Cr%26#232;me de la Cr%26#232;me cake was styled with an old-world sugar floral arch and a vintage %26#8217;60s cake topper with lace from the bride%26#8217;s mother%26#8217;s veil, handmade by the bride%26#8217;s great-grandmother.
%26#8226; The guestbook table was strewn with glass cloches filled with garden roses, geranium and ivy topiaries, bridal and family portraits, and an array of peonies, tulips, peaches and clusters of maidenhair fern.
%26#8226; The save-the-date card, napkins, amenity boxes for hotel guests and the Southern toffee given as final favors all featured the couple%26#8217;s silhouettes.
%26#8226; An activity table kept the children occupied with white paper, markers and crayons, books, toy cars, figurines and colorful pinwheels.
%26#8226; A vintage white Cadillac whisked the bride and groom away after the reception.
Who they called to make it happen: Wedding coordination and flowers Todd. Event Design. Creative Services. %26#183; Lighting Switch Lighting Group %26#183; Music Gallery String Quartet and The Roof Raisers %26#183; Linens Wildflower Linen and Tablewraps %26#183; Tents and rentals Ducky Bob%26#8217;s %26#183; Catering EuroCater %26#183; Cakes Cr%26#232;me de la Creme Cake Company%26#183; Photography Jason Wynn Photography %26#183; Videography Michael Burr %26#183; Bridal hair and makeup The Makeup Junkie, Nikki Wynn %26#183; Getaway car service Dallas Dream Cars %26#183; Valet Gold Crown Valet Parking%26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

The Couple:%26nbsp; Martha Glasgow and Steve Greenberg

Wedding Date: May 2, 2009
Location, location: Dallas residence of Lisa and Steve Lieberman for the ceremony and reception
Our favorite details:
%26#8226; Martha and her father followed a Glasgow family member playing the bagpipes en route to the chuppah, which was constructed of birch branch and suspended candles for thedusk ceremony.
%26#8226; Tart provided the bride%26#8217;s cake and the groom%26#8217;s cupcakes (topped with the bride and groom%26#8217;s monogram from their wedding invitation), with Wendy Krispin Caterer passing Dovebars (Steve%26#8217;s favorite sweet) to guests for dessert.
%26#8226; Martha slipped out of her Priscilla of Boston wedding gown into a white Billy Reid button-down oxford and jeans midway through the reception as rain had drenched her dress, making it too heavy for late-night dancing.
%26#8226; Family friends wove through the reception with overflowing baskets of brightly colored pashminas (picked up in New York City by the bride%26#8217;s mom) for each guest to choose a favorite color as a take-home favor.

Who they called to make it happen: Wedding coordination and flowers Bella Flora of Dallas %26#183; Lighting Absolute Entertainment %26#183; Music Kathy Richardson Strings and Top Entertainment %26#183; Tent M%26amp;M The Special Events Company %26#183; Linens and rentals Ducky-Bob%26#8217;s %26#183; Catering Wendy Krispin Caterer %26#183; Cakes Tart Pastry Boutique %26amp; Studio %26#183; Photography George Fiala %26#183; Videography Elixir Entertainment %26#183; Bridal makeup Sandra Sebag %26#183; Car service R.P. Valet-Parking, Inc.

%26nbsp;

For more amazing photos of wedding details, click 'launch slideshow' above.

%26nbsp;

Scenes from a Wedding

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:41:48 GMT

Scenes from five extraordinary weddings, to be exact, that captured our imagination with spontaneous energy, romantic detail and joyful exuberance.

%26nbsp;

The Couple: Tricia Solberg and Lee Zieben

Wedding Date: April 4, 2009
Venue: The Arrabelle at Vail Square
Flowers: Petals of Provence, Vail
Music: Reception: Soul X, Denver
Divine Details:
%26nbsp;%26#8226; Married at the Vail Chapel with an alphorn playing traditionalAustrian wedding music as guests arrived.
%26#8226; The wedding-day lunch was ski-in, ski-out.
%26#8226; Before exchanging their vows, the couple passed their rings in a pouch around the small chapel for all to bless.
%26#8226; In lieu of a guest book, Lee and Tricia asked guests to sign a coffee-table book: Vail: Triumph of a Dream.
%26#8226; The next day, the bride put her dress back on and shushed down the slopes with the groom in his wedding tuxedo, while a new friend took a few fantastic impromptu pics.
%26#8226; The groom%26#8217;s Oreo ice cream cake (his favorite) was topped with a Lego house (his favorite childhood toy) built by the bride%26#8217;s nephew.
%26#8226; The bride%26#8217;s mother glued a wedding veil to Tricia%26#8217;s ski helmet to wear during their wedding week.
Notes from a wedding: When the reception was over, the couple left through a tunnel of sparklers and boarded a snowcat, which the hotel had stocked with slices of wedding cake and champagne. The driver took them to the top of the gondola where Lee had proposed to Tricia. A cold but romantic jaunt.

%26nbsp;

The Couple: Amy Spalding and Robert Urquhart
Wedding Date: June 20, 2009
Venue: Ceremony: St. Luke%26#8217;s United Methodist Church. Reception: Houston Country Club
Event Production: Kristin McShane, Keely Thorne Events
Flowers: Events in Bloom
Music: Blind Date, Austin
Divine Details:%26nbsp;
%26#8226; Lavish candy bar of apothecary jars chock-full of Hot Tamales, M%26amp;Ms, Twizzlers.
%26#8226; Tissue balls fashioned into blooming flowers of sunny citrus hues dangling above the porte coch%26#232;re at the reception entrance.
%26#8226;%26nbsp; Late-night mini burgers passed on silver trays.
%26#8226; The couple%26#8217;s initials spelled out in tight masses of flowers.
%26#8226; Bubbly goodbyes.
Notes from a wedding: Amy and Robert Urquhart tied the knot in the same Houston church where Amy%26#8217;s parents had strolled down the aisle 29 years earlier.

%26nbsp;

The Couple: Bevin Bering and Dan Dubrowski
Wedding Date: October 17, 2009
Venue: Ceremony: The Chapel of St. Basil at The University of St. Thomas. Reception at a museum, dinner at a gallery.
Wedding Coordinator: Alia Rdissi, Belle of the Ball
Flowers: Bergner %26amp; JohnsonCatering: A Fare Extraordinaire
Cake: Susie%26#8217;s Cakes
Music: Ceremony: Alejandro Manega from Houston Grand Opera. Procession: Los Mariachis Juventil. Reception: 27-piece Richard Brown Orchestra
Divine Details:%26nbsp;
%26#8226; Wedding cake was designed to look like a Dan Flavin installation from the Monument series.
%26#8226; Orchids on long stems in clear cylindrical vases filled with tinted water to mirror the colors of Flavin%26#8217;s light pieces that surrounded the tables, with glass rocks between the vases %26#8212; a nod to artist Robert Smithson%26#8217;s work.
%26#8226;%26nbsp; Round tin canisters with crosses filled with five Jordan almonds %26#8212; a traditional gift at Italian, Greek and Middle Eastern weddings.
%26#8226; Shots of iced cappuccinos after 10 pm and tequila after 10:30 pm. %26#8220;Coffee + tequila = lots of dancing.%26#8221; %26#8212; Bevin Bering Dubrowski
Notes from a wedding: You could say it was art that brought Bevin Bering and Dan Dubrowski together. At the time, Bering was the director of Bering %26amp; James gallery; Dubrowski was an art patron in the market for new work when he walked into Bering %26amp; James. The pair bonded over contemporary collections and artful inspiration. Naturally, their wedding reflected their shared passion.

%26nbsp;

The Couple: Nicole Spevak and Evan Katz
Wedding Date: November 14, 2009
Venue: The Corinthian
Event Production: Todd Events, Dallas
Catering: Jackson and Company
Music: Reception: Earth, Wind %26amp; Fire; Dallas-based Frank Sinatra%26#8211;like crooner Goga; international Persian Elvis, Andy; 27-piece Richard Brown Orchestra
Divine Details:%26nbsp;
%26nbsp;%26#8226; The soaring space transformed from cream and candlelight to rich jewel-toned colors outside the columns.
%26#8226; Replicated an enchanted fairy-tale forest between the soaring columns of The Corinthian
%26#8226; More flowers than you can imagine, starting with a chuppah topped with thousands upon thousands of white phaleonopsis and dendrobium orchid blossoms.
%26#8226; Handmade chandeliers dripping with lemon-leaf garlands and rose pav%26#233; orbs, illuminated with pillar candles and fairy lights.
%26#8226; Custom-embroidered dinner napkins.
%26#8226; A cocktail-hour feast of caviar and seafood, artisan cheeses and lamb station with Persian jewel rice (studded with dried barberries and saffron).
%26#8226; An elegant dinner surrounded by the lush trappings of an enchanted forest, with a trio of stunning desserts (candied pear with gold gilt leaf, spiced maple leaf cookies sandwiched with pumpkin mousse and a chocolate truffle).
%26#8226; The wedding cake by Benny Daniels was cut under the chuppah as tea and miniature desserts were served in a Persian tea lounge.
%26#8226; Would it surprise you to know the party went on till 4 am?

%26nbsp;

The Couple: Mary Hoang and Andy Do

Wedding Date: November 28, 2009
Venue: Ceremony: St. Michael Catholic Church. Reception: The Houstonian Hotel
Event Production: Darryl Murchison
Flower: Lexis Florist
Music: Midstream band
Divine Details:%26nbsp;
%26#8226; A traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony that morning, with the groom%26#8217;s family offering equally traditional gifts steeped in centuries-old symbolism.
%26#8226; Count %26#8216;em, five wedding dresses, including a gold tea dress and the big white one (admittedly, though, the bride actually only wore three).
%26#8226; Fourteen-hour marathon ceremony and reception held in three locations: the bride%26#8217;s parents%26#8217; house, the church and, after a mid-afternoon break, The Houstonian Hotel.
%26#8226; Sugar-cookie favors iced and shaped like three-tier wedding cakes by Michael%26#8217;s Cookie Jar.
%26#8226; Centerpieces of blooming red roses suspended in tall cylindrical vases and topped with rose-studded balls, three dozen per table.
%26#8226; Mary arranged lit candles down the aisle of the church %26#8212; vowing on her life not to set the place ablaze.

Notes from a wedding: The wedding day began at 10 am with an ancient Vietnamese tea ceremony. The groom and his family brought wine, money, fruit, tea and a whole roasted pig to the bride%26#8217;s home as a dowry of sorts. Each offering is imbued with symbolism: The pig, for example, represents the bride%26#8217;s purity, assuring the groom%26#8217;s family that she has never been married nor borne children, while the money, in a variety of denominations, indicates the wealth that the couple will create together. %26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

For more amazing photos of wedding details, click 'launch slideshow' above.

Retail Rap

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:33:46 GMT

Meredith O%26#8217;Donnell Fine Furniture is opening a new shop at the former Linens %26#8216;n Things space on Post Oak at San Felipe in late spring. The 20,000-square-foot%26nbsp;showroom will serve as the anchor store for Meredith O%26#8217;Donnell, with more display space for her fine furniture pieces. O%26#8217;Donnell%26#8217;s corner%26nbsp;Kirby location will remain open for now %26#8230; Galleria news: Look for the new Lego store this month in Galleria II, between Hollister and Abercrombie, on the second floor. In Galleria IV, fashion and gift specialty store chain Apricot Lane has opened a location next door to the Disney Store %26#8230; Custom shirtmaker Hamilton Shirts has added more than 80 new fabrics to its inventory %26#8230; Local accessories designer Elaine Turner has launched her Spring 2010 collection. Check out the new duds inspired by Bali and St. Tropez at her namesake store or Tootsies %26#8230; The Texas Gulf Coast chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers, along with Commerce Towers, is hosting ShowRise, a luxury designer showcase of six units in the historic downtown high-rise Saturday and Sunday, February 13 and 14, 20 and 21. Tickets asidtgcc.org %26#8230; Muse boutique has added new collections for spring. Check out designs by Tracy Reese, Aaron Ashe, Amanda Uprichard and Avenue Montaigne %26#8230; Chic, eco-smart fashion boutique One Green Street has opened at 5160 Buffalo Speedway. Stylish architect/artist Saba Jawda designed the interiors %26#8230; BB1 Classics in Uptown Park has launched a line of Suffuse Rooibos tea from South Africa, along with a new afternoon tea service. Swing by the chic shop to relax over a cup and a cupcake %26#8230; Linda Cunningham%26#8217;s Spring 2010 collection is now available at her namesake Edloe boutique. We adore the black hammered-silk handmade gown with double bows %26#8230; Casa de Novia Bridal Couture has expanded its offerings and its size. Owner Luvi Wheelock has added several hundred square feet to the intimate shopping experience and a special section catering to debutantes %26#8230; Home decor boutique Bespoke opens February 6 in the Heights at 238 W. 19th Street %26#8230; Bathroom designer and expert Aaron Laine (formerly of Waterworks in Houston) has opened Fixtures %26amp; Fittings on the sixth floor of a mod mid-rise at 3801 Kirby Drive. Laine sells to the trade as well as to home owners and their architects, designers or contractors; call 713.808.9069 %26#8230; New fashion boutique Lola G has opened at 2602 Persa at Westheimer. Owner/designer Gisela Velarde plans to carry a few pieces from her own collection, in addition to fun party dresses, denim, a vast collection of leggings and knits she purchases in Argentina ... Evelyn Gorman has secured even more chic lines for her retail revamp of 310 Rosemont. She%26#8217;s expecting deliveries from Halston Heritage, Comme des Gar%26#231;ons shirting, Rag %26amp; Bone, Paul %26amp; Joe, Shipley %26amp; Halmos, ADAM Adam Lippes and Foley %26amp; Corrina ... Affection has opened at 2811 Washington Boulevard. Think affordable party and day dresses, costume jewelry and handbags %26#8230; Karen%26#8217;s Kloset opens this month in Galveston at 2326 Strand, and will stock everything from gifts, designer clothing and lingerie to shoes, bathing suits, handbags and jewelry.

Matthew Trent Design Studio

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:07:31 GMT

Keys to the Door: Owners Lori and Matthew Trent.

New Jewels on the Block: Matthew Trent is living large %26#8212; from the strand of sizeable pearls in his window to jumbo pictures of the jewelry guru at work. The big news here? A brand-new locale, in The Plaza at Preston Center. %26#8220;We wanted to be in the middle of everything,%26#8221; says Trent, of his new and renamed Matthew Trent Design Studio. After closing up his long-standing Maple Avenue shop and moving to this spot on the corner of Villanova Street (across from Sprinkles Cupcakes and next to Corner Bakery), Trent is showing off huge windows that reveal a modern, open concept and all the handcrafted treasures inside. Designed by architect Rick Carroll, the store boasts a large central display case and zebra-print chairs and stools perched on wall-to-wall zebra carpet (somebody call Auntie Mame!). But the real show is in Trent%26#8217;s in-house atelier. Perfectly visible from behind large glass walls, patrons and passersby can watch Trent at work as he creates his one-of-a-kind pieces %26#8212; sapphire and diamond rings, black Tahitian pearl necklaces, and all manner of engagement and wedding baubles. With the new location comes a bevy of planned new wares, too: pieces in rose gold, 22K gold and silver, at some rather pocketbook-friendly prices compared to Trent%26#8217;s more luxurious offerings. Seems the move and the new digs have inspired all sorts of magic-making, indeed. 4015 Villanova St. (in The Plaza at Preston Center)214.871.9170; matthewtrent.com.

Images: Above, Matthew Trent Design Studio. Below, Matthew Trent. Photos by Heather Helen Ray.

Retail Rap

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:43:10 GMT

You wouldn%26#8217;t attend a party without your Viviers and your Versace, so why not do the gym in style, too? Come spring, trot to Leggiadro, the new luxury workout-wear boutique in Highland Park Village. Your personal trainer will be jealous of your bold tanks and leggings in wild prints: think pink-and-white leopard, fish swimming through coral and Kandinsky-esque swirls. Get a sneak peek at leggiadro.com %26#8230; Trade in your stash of Architectural Digests for World of Interiors at Design Within Reach%26#8217;s new magazine exchange. Find inspiration for your villa with this chic library concept, where you bring in your old glossies and go home with new ones. (But don%26#8217;t you dare bring in your PaperCitys.) Start swapping at 4524 McKinney Avenue, Suite 103 %26#8230; Consider Countertop Valet the Fr%26#233;d%26#233;ric Fekkai of kitchens: a fabulous stylist on hand to revamp your cucine%26#8217;s look by dropping in a new countertop. Just give your Personal Kitchen Stylist three days to install your new marble, quartz or granite tops. Our favorite surfaces? The Prexury series: carnelian, red jasper, even petrified wood. Info 888.508.2538; countertopvalet.com %26#8230; Banks Fine Art is moving to 1313 Slocum Street. Find work from new artists hanging alongside longtime favorites in the new gallery %26#8230; Marj Rash, owner of Yoga Mart, has created a new bag in which you must tote your mat. Think of them as elongated baguettes with short straps, in two sizes and seven prints. Twist and bend to 6039 Oram Street (near Skillman Avenue) to stock up %26#8230; Schedule an appointment at Salon Madrid. Your tresses will thank you. The new Preston Center salon offers brow tinting, a Brazilian silk hair treatment and eyelash extensions. Ring 214.954.7330 or visit 6003 Berkshire Lane; salonmadrid.com %26#8230; After 25 years of working with personal clients, jeweler Susan Saffron has opened a boutique, where you will find custom rings, bracelets and earrings, even loose gemstones. See what sparkles at Saffron Designer Jewelry, 5956 Sherry Lane; saffronjewelry.com. Now, the big question: rubies or diamonds? (Do we have to choose?)

Image: Leggiadro%26#8217;s Ocean Reef Club boutique in Key Largo, Florida

Prêt-à-Por-Tea

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:09:06 GMT

Blue Moon
Ralph Lauren beaded Nadia dress $6,000, at the Ralph Lauren boutique. Bracelets Rachel Leigh, Miriam Salat and Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz. Earrings Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz. Teapot, at left, by Mottahedah at Bering%26#8217;s, Events.

Jewelry availability: Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz at ben-amun.com; Kara by Kara Ross at kararossny.com, saks.com; Lee Angel at Neiman Marcus; Vera Wang at Neiman Marcus. Miriam Salat at miriamsalat.com; Noir at noirjewelry.com; Rachel Leigh at %26#192; Bient%26#244;t.

%26nbsp;

Click Slideshow for more.

Prêt-à-Por-Tea

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:08:16 GMT

%26nbsp;

Click Slideshow for more.

Letter from the Editors

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:39:44 GMT

Around here, we are crazily obsessed with details. The color of a sequin. The stitch pattern on a gearshift knob. The watermarks on creamy stationery. So when it came time to plot the February issue and its bounty of weddings, we thought of one thing: the details. Brooke set forth and ferreted out the tiniest touches, the littlest luxuries that our featured newlyweds obsessed over for their Big Day. Can you imagine the entire town of Greenwood, Mississippi, as a cake topper, rendered in fondant icing? Neither could we %26#8212; but now you can, beginning on page 26. What other vow wows tickled our fancy? The white Cadillac convertible (%26#8217;60s chic!) at the Oswalt wedding, the Jersey Boys (complete with go-go dancers) booked for the Sachse wedding and the 90 (90!) miniature works of art on canvas painted ahead of time by guests at the Kirkpatrick nuptials, all visual answers to the query %26#8220;What does love mean to you?%26#8221; Wait till you learn who changed out of one Carolina Herrera and into another, who served vodka-spiked snow cones and who sent their guests home swaddled in pashmina wraps (we kid you not). Crazily obsessed with wedding-day details? Our kind of people.

Looking Great All the Time

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:43:12 GMT

Rachael Dedman
The one article of clothing that most defines you? A handbag large enough to carry my items and my daughters' entertainment du jour.
You couldn't live without what in your closet? My two daughters' new interest in "helping me get dressed."
The movie you think of as the "fashion flick"? The Thomas Crown Affair.
Your most-thumbed fashion mag? Harper%26#8217;s Bazaar.
Which Audrey: Hepburn or Tautou? Hepburn.
%26nbsp;Something stylish people seem to have in common %26#8230; They make it appear effortless.
What do you have your eye on next? A collaborative effort with Children's Medical Center to establish a nationally recognized Comprehensive Center for Pediatric Food Allergies.

Ken Downing
The one article of clothing that most defines you? Chelsea boots.
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? Thirty seconds %26#8212; no time to ponder.
You couldn't live without what in your closet? Brown leather jacket, I always have it with me.
You seem to get the most fashion kudos for %26#8230; My skinny suits.
The "fashion flick"? Auntie Mame.
Most-thumbed fashion mag? PaperCity, of course.
Which Clark: Gable or Kent? Kent, but truth be known, probably more Lewis and Clark.
Something stylish folk have in common %26#8230; Attitude!
What do you have your eye on next? More Chelsea boots!

Brian Bolke
The one article of clothing that most defines you? Definitely jeans. Pretty much everyday, including black tie.
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? Very little. The best outfits come together with no planning at all.
You couldn't live without what in your closet? A chocolate-brown Bottega blazer that you can literally roll up in a ball.
You seem to get the most fashion kudos for %26#8230; Not being afraid to wear color or pattern. But it has backfired a few times.
The "fashion flick"? Definitely Unzipped. I could watch it every day.
Most-thumbed fashion mag? W. It constantly surprises and pushes the envelope.
Which Clark: Gable or Kent? Kent. It's the glasses.
Something stylish folk have in common %26#8230; Not being afraid to go out on a limb. You have to take a risk. Otherwise, how boring.
What do you have your eye on next? An Herm%26#232;s cashmere scarf that weighs nothing. I'm having a scarf moment.

Jennifer Eagle
The one article of clothing that most defines you? High heels!
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? My entire life %26#8230;
You couldn't live without what in your closet? A good-fitting pair of jeans
You seem to get the most fashion kudos for %26#8230; Probably shoes and/or handbags.
The "fashion flick"? To Catch a Thief.
Most-thumbed fashion mag? I'm a sucker for any type of fashion or smut in print!
Which Audrey: Hepburn or Tautou? There is only one Audrey %26#8230; Hepburn, of course.
Something stylish folk have in common %26#8230; Restraint.
What do you have your eye on next? Did I already mention shoes?

The Bride's Little Blue Book

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:48:43 GMT

Bridal Shops

Bridal Collections by Stella, 5813 Preston Road, Plano, 972.781.0020; bridalcollectionsbystella.com
Bridal Portfolio/The White Gown Showroom, 3601 Ross Ave., 817.912.0912; bridalportfolio.com
The Bridal Salon at Neiman Marcus Downtown, 1618 Main St., 214.573.2663; neimanmarcus.com
The Bridal Salon at Stanley Korshak, 500 Crescent Court, 214.871.3611; stanleykorshak.com/bridal-salon/
Bridal and Bridesmaids by Watters at Stanley Korshak, 500 Crescent Court, 214.871.3600; stanleykorshak.com; also through watters.com
Carolina Herrera, 31 Highland Park Village, 214.219.6060; carolinaherrera.com
LuLu%26#8217;s Bridal Boutique, 2728 Routh St., 214.871.9610; stardustcelebrations.com
Mockingbird Bridal Boutique, 5602 E. Mockingbird Lane, 214.823.6873; mockingbird bridal.com
Oscar de la Renta, NorthPark Center, 214.346.0400; oscardelarenta.com
Patsy%26#8217;s, A Bridal Boutique, 4244 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.528.1227; patsysbridal.com
Priscilla of Boston, 4000 Villanova St., Preston Center, 214.691.0669; priscillaofboston.com
StarDust Celebrations, 6464 W. Plano Pkwy., Plano, 972.781.1619; stardustcelebrations.com
Terry Costa, 12817 Preston Road, 972.385.6100; terrycosta.com
Valentino, NorthPark Center, 214.750.5707; valentino.com. By special order.
Warren Barr%26#243;n Bridal, 53 Highland Park Village, 214.526.8400; warrenbarron.com %26nbsp;
Watters %26amp; Watters, 4801 Spring Valley, Plano, 972.991.6994; waters.com
The Wedding Party Studio, 2422 Allen St., 214.296.4908; twpstudio.com
%26nbsp;

Custom Bridal and Bridesmaid Gowns

All are by appointment only.

%26nbsp;

Bella Bridesmaid, 3015 State St., 214.999.9311; bellabridesmaid.com
The Bridal Salon at Stanley Korshak, 214.871.3611; stanleykorshak.com
Michael Faircloth, 469.227.9333
Bea Harper at The Fitting Room, 214.520.3600
Nicolas Designs, 214.655.6820; nicolasdesigns.com
Patti Flowers Design Studios, 214.369.7027
Richard Brooks Fabrics, 214.739.2772; richardbrooks fabrics.com %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Tuxedos %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Barneys New York, NorthPark Center, 469.221.4700; barneys.com
Boss Hugo Boss, NorthPark Center, 214.210.1100; hugoboss.com
Culwell %26amp; Son, 6319 Hillcrest Ave., 214.522.7000; culwell.com. Also rents tuxedos.
Daniel Taylor Clothier Inc., 3699 McKinney Ave., 214.521.0433; danieltaylorclothier.com
Giorgio Armani, NorthPark Center, 214.459.8477; giorgioarmani.com
Gucci, Galleria Dallas, 972.387.3357; gucci.com
Hadleigh%26#8217;s, 74 Highland Park Village, 214.770.4743; hadleighsbespoke.com. By appointment only.
Ken%26#8217;s Man%26#8217;s Shop, 309 Preston Royal Village, 214.369.5367; kensmansshop.com
Mister Tuxedo, 6625 Snider Plaza, 214.363.1871; mistertuxedo inc.com. Also rents tuxedos.
Neiman Marcus, Downtown, 214.741.6911; NorthPark Center, 214.363.8311; The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano, 972.629.1700; neimanmarcus.com
Pockets Menswear, 46 Highland Park Village, 214.368.1167; pocketsmenswear.com
Q Custom Clothier, 85 Highland Park Village, 214.780.0555; 3699 McKinney Ave., 214.780.9888 qcustomclothier.com
Ragan Burns, 5500 Lovers Lane, 214.369.1133; raganburns.com
Ralph Lauren, 58 Highland Park Village, 214.522.5270; polo.com; 3699 McKinney Ave., 214.219.2301
Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria Dallas, 972.458.7000; The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano, 469.443.3450; saks.com
Stanley Korshak, 500 Crescent Court, 214.871.3600; stanleykorshak.com
Valentino, NorthPark Center, 214.750.5707; valentino.com. By special order.
Versace, NorthPark Center, 972.591.5730; versace.com %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Rings
%26nbsp;
Bachendorf%26#8217;s, Galleria Dallas, 972.392.9900; The Plaza at Preston Center, 214.692.8400; The Shops at Legacy, Plano, 972.596.2090; bachendorfs.com
Bova Design, 12817 Preston Road, 972.239.3627; bovadiamonds.com
C.M. Yater %26amp; Sons Fine Jewelry Manufacturing, 6137 Sherry Lane, 214.696.3355; cmyater.com
Calame Jewelers, 11 Highland Park Village; 214.528.2866
Carter Malouf Private Jeweler, 214.750.5395; cartermalouf.com. By appointment only.
Cartier, NorthPark Center, 972.726.7670; cartier.com
David Yurman, NorthPark Center, 469.232.4500; davidyurman.com
De Beers, NorthPark Center, 214.361.0666; debeers.com
deBoulle, 6821 Preston Road, 214.522.2400; deboulle.com
Diamond Doctor, One Galleria Tower, 13355 Noel Road, 972.342.6663; diamonddoctor.com
DJR Precious Jewelry, 200 Crescent Court, 214.871.3711
Eiseman Jewels, NorthPark Center, 214.369.6100; eisemanjewels.com
Grayson Allen Fine Jewelers, 1560 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, 817.416.0825; graysonallen.com
Haltom%26#8217;s, 317 Main St., Fort Worth, 817.336.4051; haltoms.com
Harry Winston, 19 Highland Park Village, 214.647.5830; harrywinston.com
J. Pacetti Precious Jewels, 214.521.0815; jpacetti.com; By appointment only.
Judith Ripka, 45 Highland Park Village, 214.219.0200; judithripka.com
Legacy Diamonds and Jewels, 7201 Bishop Road, Plano, 972.801.9222;
Leverington Co., 4341 Lovers Lane, 214.526.1934; leverington.com
Lola Jewelry, 100 Crescent Court, 817.459.2964; lolajewelry.com
Markham Fine Jewelers, 8355 Gaylord Pkwy., Frisco, 214.705.9913; markhamfinejewelers.com
Matthew Trent, The Plaza at Preston Center, 214.871.9170; matthewtrent.com
Neiman Marcus Precious Jewels Salon, Downtown, 214.741.6911; NorthPark Center, 214.363.8311; The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano, 972.629.1700; neimanmarcus.com
Noble Boutique, 18 Highland Park Village, 214.526.3891; nobleboutique.com
Olschwanger Designs, 972.458.8352; olschwangerdesigns.com. By appointment only.
Pampillonia Jewelers, 640 N. Coit Road, Richardson, 972.792.8100; pampilloniajewelers.com
Park Cities Jewelers, 2222 McKinney Ave., 214.520.6148; parkcitiesjewelers.com
Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria Dallas, 972.458.7000; The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano, 469.443.3450; saks.com
Sam%26#8217;s Fine Jewelry, Firewheel Town Center, Garland, 972.495.2521; samsfinejewelry.com
Shaw Diamonds %26amp; Designs, 2633 McKinney Ave., 214.646.8666; davidshawdiamonds.com. By appointment only.
Skibell Fine Jewelry, 8411 Preston Road, 214.691.5123; skibellfinejewelry.com
Stanley Korshak, 500 Crescent Court, 214.871.3600; stanleykorshak.com
Sue Gragg Precious Jewels, 214.630.1422; suegraggpreciousjewels.com. By appointment only.
Susan Saffron Fine Jewelry, 5550 W. Lovers Lane, 214.373.6602; saffronjewelry.com
Tiffany %26amp; Co., Galleria Dallas, 972.458.2800; NorthPark Center, 214.378.9800; tiffany.com
William Noble Rare Jewels, 214.526.3890; williamnoble.com. By appointment only.
Ylang 23, Galleria Dallas, 972.980.0819; ylang23.com %26nbsp;

Antique %26amp; Estate Rings

Jayshree Dalal, 214.651.8800; at Stanley Korshak, 214.871.3600; jayshreedalal.com
The Jewel Box, 6613 Hillcrest Ave., 214.368.0808; thejewelbox.us
Rene Escobar, reneescobar.com
%26nbsp;
Cakes %26nbsp;

Bronwen Weber Frosted Art Bakery %26amp; Studio, 1546 Edison St., 214.760.8707; frostedart.com
Dallas Affaires Cake Company, 2307 Abrams Road, 214.826.9409; dallasaffairescakeco.com
Delicious Cakes, 14819 Inwood Road, Addison, 972.233.2133; 2364 E. Northwest Hwy., Southlake, 817.310.0474; web.mac.com/delicious_cakes
Fancy Cakes by Lauren, 11111D N. Central Expy., 214.828.9030; fancycakesbylauren.com
Jackie Spratt Cakes, 3408 McFarlin, 214.780.0404; jackiesprattcakes.com
La Duni Latin Kitchen %26amp; Baking Studio, 4264 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.520.6888; laduni.com
Le Gateau Cakery, 3128 Harvard Ave., 214.528.6102; legateau cakery.com. By appointment only.
Panini Bakery %26amp; Cakes, 6063 Sherry Lane, 214.363.1225; paninicakes.com
Rush Patisserie Cake Salon and Pastry Boutique, 1201 Eldorado Ave., 214.749.4040; rushpatisserie.com
Society Bakery, 3426-B Greenville Ave., 214.827.1411; societybakery.com
Tart Pastry Boutique %26amp; Studio,%26nbsp;5219 W. Lovers Lane, 469.335.8919; The Shops at Legacy, Plano, 972.673.0446; tartbakerydallas.com %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Caterers

Andrew Ormsby Catering, 3121 Ross Ave., 214.841.1917; tuckeraoc.com
Beyond the Box, 325 N. St. Paul St., 214.828.2228; foodbeyondthebox.com
The Catering Company, 1407 N. Zang, 214.942.2287; tcc-dallas.com
The Classic Gourmet, 1111 Wet N Wild Way, Arlington, 214.906.6852; theclassicgourmet.com
Culinary Art Catering, 14370 Marsh Lane, Addison, 972.744.0660; culinaryartcatering.com
Daryl%26#8217;s By Design, 214.655.1444; dwazoo.com
Doug Boster Gourmet Catering, 2025 Irving Blvd., 214.752.2022; bostercatering.com
EClaire Catering, 214.616.8138; eclairecatering.com
Eddie Deen Catering, 944 S. Lamar, 214.741.4211; eddiedeen.com
The Festive Kitchen, 972.437.1523; festivekitchen.com
Food Company, 4115 Lomo Alto, 214.521.7193; foodcompanytx.com
Food Glorious Food, 6522 E. Northwest Hwy., 214.368.3855; specialeventcatering.com
George Catering, 2777 Stemmons Fwy., 214.752.6851; georgecatering.com
Nathan Burke, 214.289.6842; superflypies.com
PartyMaker, 469.232.9151; dallaspartymaker.com
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd., 214.559.2100; mansiononturtlecreek.com
The Spice of Life Catering, 1055 Trend Drive, 972.417.1755; thespiceoflifecatering.com
Suze Restaurant %26amp; Catering, 4345 W. Northwest Hwy., 214.350.6135; suzerestaurant.net
Taste Catering %26amp; Events,%26nbsp; 214.256.9122; tastecateringand events.com
Two Sisters Catering, 2633 Gaston Ave., 214.823.3075; twosisterscatering.com
Wendy Krispin Caterer, 1025 N. Stemmons Fwy., 214.748.5559; wendykrispincaterer.com
Wolfgang Puck Catering, at Nasher Sculpture Center, 214.242.5141; at Union Station 214.741.7825; wolfgangpuckcatering.com
Wynnwood Catering %26amp; Events, 2711 N. Haskell Avenue, 214.515.5184; wynnwood.com %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Event Designers
%26nbsp;
AK Event Design, 3523 McKinney Ave., 214.502.0890; akeventdesign.com
DFW Events, 2410 Boll St., 214.505.9142; dfwevents.com
Favors with Chris Brown, 6817 Snider Plaza, 214.369.3836; favorswithchrisbrown.com%26nbsp;
Freesia, 1621 Dragon St., 214.658.9757; freesiadallas.com
Harold Hand, 157 Pittsburg St., 214.745.8888; haroldhand.com
Liland%26#8217;s Special Events, 1421 Riverfront, 214.748.1191; lilandssep.com
Beyond, 100 Oak Lawn Ave., 972.458.7569; beyondld.com
Marc Events, 1130 Dragon St., 817.798.9986; marcevents.com
Rusty Glenn Designs, Inc., 214.219.2016
The Party %26amp; Event Designers, Inc., 214.747.0025; partyevent designers.com
Todd Event Design Creative Services, 1444 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.749.0400; toddevents.com
Tom Addis Productions, 214.528.9337 %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Floral Designers %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Absolutely Blooming by Marion Marshall, 1409 S. Lamar, 214.426.6360; absolutelyblooming.com
Apples to Zinnias and Zen Floral Design, 4024 Villanova, 214.361.2200; applestozinnias.com
Avant Garden, 4 Highland Park Village, 214.559.3432; avantgarden.com
Bella Flora of Dallas, Inc., 2010 Century Center Blvd., 214.855.0400; bellafloraof dallas.com
Botanical Art, 1240 Profit Dr., 214.243.8584; botanicalart design.com
Bows and Arrows, 1925 Greenville Ave., 214.828.2697; bowsandarrowsdeluxe.com
Bridal Blooms %26amp; Creations, 2431 Shorecrest Dr., 972.907.8804; bridalblooms.com
Cebolla Fine Flowers, 4415 Lovers Lane, 214.369.7673; 5610 Maple Ave.; cebollafineflowers.com
Cymbidium, 412 W. Bethel Road, Coppell, 214.823.4311; cymbidiumflowers.com
Dr. Delphinium Designs %26amp; Events, 5806 W. Lovers Lane, 214.522.9911; drdelphinium.com
Enflowerment, 214.884.9701; enflowerment.com
F%26#234;te des Fleurs, 127 Leslie St., 214.651.1113; fetedesfleurs.com
Five Star Floral Design and Events, 214.522.2271; fivestarfloral.com
Freesia, 1621 Dragon St., 214.658.9757; freesiadallas.com
The Garden Gate, 2615 Routh St., 214.220.1272; thegardengate floral.com
I Love Flowers, 4347 W. Northwest Hwy., 214.357.9577; iloveflowersdallas.com
Kabloom of Dallas, 14675 Midway Road, Addison, 972.661.2199; kabloomofdallas.com
Mockingbird Florist, 5606 E. Mockingbird Lane, 214.821.1433; mockingbirdflorist.com
Petals, A Florist, 5805 Preston Road, Plano, 972.781.0878; flowersbypetals.com
Shane Walker Design, 2952 Commerce St., 214.335.7255; shanewalkerdesign.com. By appointment only.
The Urban Blossom, 5035 Addison Circle East, Addison, 972.763.0808; theurbanblossom.com
Urban Flower/Grange Hall, 4445 Travis St., 214.443.0600; urbanflowergrangehall.com
Village Garden %26amp; Gallery, 1350 Manufacturing St., 214.741.1470; villagegardengallery.com
The Wildflower, 2720 W. Mockingbird, 214.357.5364; thewildflower.com
Di Fiori, 214.741.3145; difiori.com. By appointment only. %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Invitations, Calligraphy and Details
%26nbsp;
Barb Biddle, 214.369.2399; barbarabiddledesign.com. Hand calligraphy.%26nbsp;
Sue Bohlin, 972.977.8301; suebohlin.com. Hand calligraphy only.
The Bridal Salon at Stanley Korshak, 500 Crescent Court, 214.871.3611; stanleykorshak.com
Calligraphic Arts Design Studio, 5025 N. Central Expressway, 214.522.4731; calligraphicarts.com.%26nbsp;Custom invitations, hand calligraphy and gift wrap.
Calligraphy by Valerie Bell, 214.526.1371. Hand calligraphy only.
Campbell Stationers, 6131 Luther Lane, 214.692.8380
Cartier, NorthPark Center, 972.726.7670; cartier.com
Cymbidium, 412 W. Bethel Road, 214.823.4311; cymbidiumflowers.com %26nbsp;
Fete Set, Inc., 5646 Milton St., 214.750.8880
Laurie Harper, 214.528.2638. Hand calligraphy and invitation design.
Tara Jones, 214.724.0545; tarajones.com.%26nbsp;Hand calligraphy and invitation design.
Love Letters Calligraphy, 214.708.6039; loveletters calligraphy.net
Madison, 45A Highland Park Village, 214.528.8118; kkmadison.com
Jason McDaniel, 9983 Monroe Drive, 214.673.8857; missingqpress.com. Invitation design and custom letterpress.
Needle in a Haystack, 6911 Preston Road, 214.528.2850; needleinahaystack.biz
Neiman Marcus Downtown, 1618 Main St., 214.741.6911; neimanmarcus.com
Nest, 6731 Snider Plaza, 214.373.4444; nestdallas.com
Nuvo, 3900 Cedar Springs Road, 214.522.6886; nuvodallas.com
Boo Owens at Custom Calligraphy, 214.526.3015.%26nbsp; Hand calligraphy and custom invitations.
Paper Affair, 5710 W. Lovers Lane, 214.654.9545; 5809 Preston Road, Plano, 972.398.8888; paperaffair.com
Paper %26amp; Chocolate, 5460 W. Lovers Lane, 214.357.2737; paperandchocolate.com
Paperie %26amp; Co., 5331 E. Mockingbird Lane, 214.821.8811; paperieandco.com
Papyrus, NorthPark Center, 214.265.7187; Galleria Dallas 972.386.8744; papyrusonline.com
Paradise Design Co., 972.234.3722; paradisedesign co.com
The Prather Pen, 214.691.2010. Hand calligraphy and invitation design.
St. Michael%26#8217;s Woman%26#8217;s Exchange, 5 Highland Park Village, 214.521.3862; stmichaelexchange.com
Suzanne Roberts, 6718 Snider Plaza, 214.369.8336; suzannerobertsgifts.com
Tiffany %26amp; Co., Galleria Dallas, 972.458.2800; NorthPark Center, 214.378.9800; tiffany.com
27, 877.470.2727; twentyand seven.com.%26nbsp;Custom invitations.
Write Selection, 314 Preston Royal Village, 214.750.0531; writeselecion.net %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Music Bookers/Music Entertainment %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Absolute Entertainment, 214.871.9900; absolutedfw.com
Andy Austin Entertainment, 972.742.3869; andyaustin.com
Bravo Entertainment, 972.960.2525; bravo4u.com
Carol Marks Music, 972.231.4091; carolmarksmusic.com
Center Stage Band, 972.317.2336; centerstageband.com
Dallas Gigs, 214.954.7520; mydallasgigs.com
DJ Deluxe Productions, 214.823.1424; djdeluxe.com
Ed Bernet Entertainment, 214.691.0001; edbernet.com
Phonophreaks Music, 214.478.8009; phonophreaks music.com
Hunter Sullivan, 214.823.6022; huntersullivan.com
Whitenoise Inc., 972.571.1674
Wynne Entertainment, 214.520.1111 %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Reception Locations %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
The Adolphus, 1321 Commerce St., 214.742.8200; hoteladolphus.com
Aldredge House, 5500 Swiss Ave., 214.368.0087; aldredgehouse.net
The Apartment, 1444 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.749.0400; theapartmentdallas.com
Arlington Hall at Lee Park, 3333 Turtle Creek Blvd., 214.520.0977; arlingtonhallatleepark.com
The Belmont Hotel, 901 Fort Worth Ave., 214.393.2300; belmontdallas.com
The Belo Mansion and Pavilion, 2101 Ross Ave., 214.220.0239; belomansion.com
The Crescent Club, 200 Crescent Court, 214.953.4387; crescent court.com/club.cfm
Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, 214.515.6513; dallasarboretum.org
Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St., 214.922.1382; dallasmuseumofart.org
The Dallas Petroleum Club, 2200 Ross Ave., 214.871.1500; thedallaspetroleumclub.com
The Fairmont Dallas, 1717 N. Akard St., 214.720.5261; fairmonthotels.com/dallas
Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, 4150 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, 972.717.0700; fourseasons.com/dallas
The Hall of State, 3939 Grand Ave., 214.461.7190; hallofstate.com
Hickory Street Annex, 501 Second Ave., 214.828.1414; hickorystreetannex.com
Hilton Anatole, 2201 Stemmons Freeway, 214.748.1200; hilton.com
Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront, 2055 Summer Lee Dr., Rockwall, 214.771.3700; hilton.com
Hilton Dallas Park Cities, 5954 Luther Lane, 214.368.0400; hilton.com
Hotel Lumen, 6101 Hillcrest Ave., 214.219.2400; hotellumen.com
Hotel Palomar Dallas, 5300 E. Mockingbird Lane, 214.520.7969; hotelpalomar-dallas.com
Hotel St. Germain, 2516 Maple Ave., 214.871.2516; hotelstgermain.com
Hotel ZaZa, 2332 Leonard St., 214.468.8399; hotelzazadallas.com
House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar, 323.769.4691; hob.com/dallas
Hyatt Regency, 300 Reunion Boulevard, 214.651.1234; dallasregency.hyatt.com
The Joule, A Luxury Collection Hotel, 1530 Main St., 214.261.4497; luxurycollection.com/joule
LandCo Designs/7 Senses, 1202 N. Industrial Blvd., 214.742.2333; 7senses.biz
The Magnolia, 1401 Commerce St., 214.915.6500; magnoliahoteldallas.com
Marie Gabrielle, 2728 N. Harwood St., 214.871.2097; marie-gabrielle.com
Mediterranean Villa, 1111 Wet N Wild Way, Arlington, 214.557.7009; mediterraneanvilla.net
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., 214.670.3600; dallassymphony.com
Nana, Hilton Anatole, 2201 Stemmons Freeway, 214.761.7470; nanarestaurant.com
Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St., 214.242.5100; nashersculpturecenter.org
Nylo, 8201 Preston Road, Plano 972.624.6990; 1001 W. Royal Lane, Las Colinas, 972.373.8900; nylohotels.com
Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas, 221 E. Las Colinas Blvd., 972.556.0800; omnimandalay.com
Park City Club, 5956 Sherry Lane, 214.373.0756; parkcityclub.net
The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, 2121 McKinney Ave., 214.922.0200; ritzcarlton.com
Rough Creek Lodge %26amp; Resort, 5165 County Road 2013, Glen Rose, 254.918.2542; roughcreek.com
Rosewood Crescent Hotel, 400 Crescent Court, 214.871.3210; rosewoodcrescent.com
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd., 214.520.5824; mansiononturtlecreek.com
Splashlight Studios/Bolt Productions, 1346 Chemical, 214.234.8423; boltproductions.com
The Stoneleigh Hotel, 2927 Maple Ave., 214.871.7111; stoneleighhotel.com
Studios 1019, 2278 Monitor St., 214.748.1019; studios1019.com
Three Three Three First Avenue, 333 First Ave., 214.826.0467; threethreethreefirstavenue.com
Tower Club, 1601 Elm St., 214.220.0403; towerclub.com
The Trammell %26amp; Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, 2010 Flora St., 214.979.6437; crowcollection.org
Union Station, 400 S. Houston St., 214.741.7825; unionstationdallas.com
W Dallas %26#8212; Victory, 2440 Victory Park Lane, 214.397.4100; whotels.com/dallas
Warwick Melrose Hotel, 3015 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.521.5151; warwickmelrosedallas.com
Westin Galleria, 13340 Dallas Pkwy., 972.934.9494; starwoodhotels.com
The Women%26#8217;s Museum, 3800 Parry Ave., 214.915.0860; thewomensmuseum.org %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Rentals %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
BBJ Linen, 1444 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.651.9020; bbjlinen.com
Ducky-Bob%26#8217;s Event Specialists, 3200 Belmeade Dr., 972.381.8000; duckybobs.com
M%26amp;M The Special Events Company, 2161 Hutton Dr., 214.350.5373; mmspecial events.com
Suite 206 Luxury Lounge Rentals, 1444 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.749.0400, ext. 104; suite206.com %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Photographers
%26nbsp;
Andrea Polito Photography, 214.748.1888; politophotography.com, politoweddings.com
Anne Silverman Photography, 214.533.5868; annesilvermanphotography.com.%26nbsp;Bridal portraits only.
Brooke James Photography %26amp; Design, 917.304.2793
Charis Portrait Studio, 214.353.9922; charisdallas.com
Debra O%26#8217;Brien Portraiture, 214.373.1703; debraobrien.com. Bridal portraits only.
Donnalynn %26amp; Company Photographic Artisans, 214.739.6937; donnalynn photography.com
F8 Studio, 972.669.2274; f8studioblog.com
Gittings Portraiture, 214.352.4192; gittings.com. Bridal portraits only.
Greg Blomberg, 214.549.0001; blombergweddings.com
Haynsworth Photography, 214.559.3700; haynesworth photography.com
Heather Helen Ray Photography, 972.679.6112; 1431photography.com
James French Photography, 214.720.0990; jamesfrench photography.com.%26nbsp;Bridal portraits only.
Jason Wynn, 214.673.4422; jasonwynnphotography.com
Jay Conlon Photography, 512.771.9797; jayconlon.com
Jennifer Lipshy Photography, 214.499.1568; lipshy.com
Joan Sheahan Photography, 214.823.9911; joansheahan.com
John Derryberry Photography, 214.357.5457; johnderryberry.com
John Tilley Photography, 214.358.4747; johntilley photography.com
Karlisch + Wrubel, 214.224.9995; for Stephen Karlisch, 469.951.4063; for Stephen Wrubel, 214.460.1100; karlischwrubel.com.
KJ Images, 972.672.1663; kjimages.com
Larry Sengbush, 214.363.3264; sengbush.com
Michael Clements Photography, 972.747.0798; michaelclements.com
Paper Tape Films, 877.600.1965; papertapefilms.com
Photographique, 214.999.1120; photographique.com
Richard M. Lighty Photography, 214.720.0256; lightyphotographers.com
Ryan Portraiture, 214.369.3900. Bridal portraits only.
Scott Hagar Photography, 214.520.8182; scotthagar.com
Thisbe Grace Photography, 214.749.4036; thisbegrace.com %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Wedding Coordinators
%26nbsp;
Amazing Events, 972.931.1955; amazingeventsdallas.com
The Bridal Salon at Stanley Korshak, 214.871.3611; stanleykorshak.com
Sharon Coston, 214.352.0609
Cymbidium, 412 W. Bethel Road, Coppell, 214.823.4311; cymbidiumflowers.com
DFW Events, 2410 Ball St., 214.505.9142; dfwevents.com
Diamond Affairs Weddings %26amp; Special Events, 3000 Carlisle, 214.740.1818; diamondaffairs.com
Events 3, 214.528.8282
Holly Tripp Event Design, 16135 Preston Road, 214.403.0031; hollytrippeventdesign.com
Jordan Payne Events, 2633 McKinney Ave., 214.577.5880; jordanpayneevents.com
Premier Special Events, 25 Highland Park Village #100-746, 972.679.8990; premierspecial events.com/weddings
Rebecca Hackl Events, 4038 Lemmon Ave., 972.355.6556; rebeccahackl.com
Party Service, 15560 Dallas Parkway, 214.363.9366; partyservicedallas.com
StarDust Celebrations, 6464 W. Plano Pkwy., 972.781.1619; stardustcelebrations.com %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Registry
%26nbsp;
Ant%26#233;ks Home Furnishings, 1135 Dragon St., 214.528.5567; antekshome.com
Baccarat, Galleria Dallas, 972.386.4100; baccarat.com
The Copper Lamp, Preston Royal Shopping Center, 214.369.5166; copperlamp.com
D. Porthault, through Madison, 214.528.8118; dporthault.fr
Designer Door Peacock Alley, 2050 Postal Way, 214.744.0399; peacockalley.com
Forty Five Ten, 4510 McKinney Ave., 214.559.4510; fortyfive ten.com
Herm%26#232;s, Highland Park Village, 214.528.0197; hermes.com
The Ivy House, Snider Plaza, 214.369.2411; theivyhouse.com
The Linen Boutique, 5600 W. Lovers Lane, 214.352.5400; linen-boutique.com
Madison, Highland Park Village, 214.528.8118; kkmadison.com
Napa Home, 4012 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.520.4880; napahometx.com
Neiman Marcus, Downtown, 214.741.6911; NorthPark Center, 214.363.8311; The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano, 972.629.1700; neimanmarcus.com
Nest, 6731 Snider Plaza, 214.373.4444; nestdallas.com
Pratesi at Stanley Korshak, 500 Crescent Court, 214.871.3677; pratesi.com
Ralph Lauren, 58 Highland Park Village, 214.522.5270; polo.com
Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria Dallas, 972.458.7000; saks.com
Stanley Korshak, 500 Crescent Court, 214.871.3611; stanleykorshak.com
Stephanie Anne, 2 Highland Park Village, 214.363.3534; stephanieanne.com
Sur La Table, 4527 Travis St., 214.219.4404; surlatable.com
Suzanne Roberts Gifts, Snider Plaza, 214.369.8336; suzannerobertsgifts.com
Tiffany %26amp; Co., Galleria Dallas, 972.458.2800; NorthPark Center, 214.378.9800; tiffany.com
Williams-Sonoma, Galleria Dallas, 972.233.9702; 51 Highland Park Village, 214.219.1753; NorthPark Center, 214.378.6216; williams-sonoma.com
Yves Delorme, 4270 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.526.2955; yvesdelorme.com %26nbsp; %26nbsp;%26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Makeup Artists %26nbsp;
%26nbsp;
Absolute Radiance, 214.695.5556; absoluteradiance.com
Beauty on Call, 312.335.5350; beautyoncall.com
Lenore Caulton Downey, 972.306.4700
Sara Domi, Kim Dawson Agency, 214.638.2414
Jeanna Doyle, 214.202.3303; jeannadoyle.com
Elan Make-Up, 214.370.3333; elanmakeup.com
Fabulous Faces, 972.618.0221; myfabulousfaces.com
Ja%26#8217;Maal Buster Cosmetics, 310.561.8700; jamaalbuster.com
Susie Gray, 214.455.6512; susiegray.net
L.B. Rosser, 214.638.2414
Kim Rozell Makeup Design, 214.363.9088; kimrozell.com
Penny Sadler, 214.797.9600; pennysadler.com
Niki Wynn, 214.675.5559; themakeupjunkie.com%26nbsp;

Tick Tock

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:26:04 GMT

It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but it%26#8217;s true: The scientists at the skincare labs of Chanel have managed to isolate, by way of a process called polyfractioning, the most potent ingredient of the Manila elemi tree. This towering plant, which is found on the remote Pacific island of Luzon, can reportedly heal itself, and its resin has long been renowned in Chinese medicine for its power to heal skin. Chanel has isolated the active molecules and swirled them into sculpting and firming serums, day and night creams alike. This is no hocus pocus; we%26#8217;ve test-driven dozens of Chanel skincare products over the years, and when their experts say our skin will appear more toned, stronger and lifted, we know they have the R+D to prove it. Slather on the Ultra Correction Lift line for Pr%26#233;cision Chanel for $150 to $165, at Chanel, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue.

Retail Rap

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:19:17 GMT

Every child%26#8217;s favorite toy building-brick company, Lego, opens in Galleria 1, next door to Abercrombie, in late spring, early summer %26#8230; Pamela Halverson%26#8217;s Texas Tuscan Furniture Design is relocating from its Washington Avenue space to larger digs at 1302 West Grey. Check out her expanded collection of handmade exotic wood designs %26#8230; House of Letters/La Casa Letras has just picked up ultra-luxe bamboo paper collection Smock Paper %26#8212; perfect for any social occasion or wedding invite %26#8230; Mark your calendars: Famous London milliner Philip Treacy is back at Neiman Marcus on February 1 for a personal appearance and trunk show %26#8230; Saks Fifth Avenue wants to organize your beauty bag. Bring your cosmetics to Saks January 14 to 18, and let the beauty experts help you decide what blush to keep and shadow to toss. Appointments 713.627.0500 %26#8230; Designer Linda Cunningham will be in town January 13 and 14 at her namesake boutique to showcase her spring collection %26#8230; Anne Bowen Bridal is now available at Casa de Novia %26#8230; Fashion Plate, a new by-appointment-only fashion boutique, has opened at 4317 Montrose. The shop features one-of-a-kind vintage reworked clothing and accessories for men and women, name-brand consignment pieces, plus designs from Miss Sixty and Custo Barcelona. Call owner Zoe Jackson-Jarra at 713.398.2554 for an appointment %26#8230; Two new moves in the hair arena: Adorable hair guru Brad Hensler has moved to Shyn Salon (pronounced %26#8220;Shine%26#8221;) at 321 West Alabama (shynsalon.com). Hensler was formerly at Solutions salon before he temporarily moved to NYC. He%26#8217;s now back and %26nbsp;taming tresses %26#8230; Francie Willis at Urban Retreat has brought in a hot new stylist from NYC, Trey Gillen, who counts Donna Karan, Amanda Peet and rapper Charli Baltimore as clients. In NY, Trey sheared with the best of the tressers: Peter Coppola and Garren.

Retail and Relaxation? Yes, Please

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:18:25 GMT

After an arduous afternoon of shopping, ladies and gents are having some Halcyon Days %26#8212; in the form of the new spa at Neiman Marcus at NorthPark Center. This therapeutic haven has already rescued spa-goers in Philadelphia, Greenwich and Birmingham with its non-surgical procedures (no need to %26#8220;go away%26#8221; for %26#8220;vacation%26#8221;) such as the%26nbsp; Beyond Botox Facial and beauty treatments like the Body Bronzer. But it%26#8217;s not all plumping and tanning: Halcyon Days can tame your unruly mane and polish your nicked-up nails. Kick off those Manolos and get lathered, scrubbed and polished, then head upstairs for more Manolos. At Neiman Marcus, NorthPark Center; 214.346.0731; halcyondayssalonsandspas.com.

A New Hair Apparent

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:09:42 GMT

Houston%26#8217;s hottest hairstylist, Ceron, has hit the Dallas social circuit with his new eponymous salon at Neiman Marcus Downtown. Ceron salon, in partnership with Dallasite Gina Betts, is a 3,400-square-foot beauty mecca with seven stylists offering all the glam-ups: color, glossing, makeup, eyelash extensions, waxing, mani-pedi, massage and facials using Darphin products. This sultry, witty scissorhands will leave broken hearts and tresses in Houston as he speeds to Dallas one week a month to cut, color and coif. Appointments 214.573.2626. Neiman Marcus Downtown, 1618 Main St., Sixth Floor.

%26nbsp;

Image: Ceron in his new Dallas salon; photo by%26nbsp; Jason Wynn

The Hair Apparent of Dallas

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:08:59 GMT

Houston star hairstylist Ceron has hit the Dallas social circuit, air-kissing new and old friends alike. His new eponymous salon, Ceron salon at Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas (in partnership with Dallasite Gina Betts), is a 3,400-square-foot beauty mecca with seven stylists offering all the glam-ups: color, glossing, makeup, eyelash extensions, waxing, mani-pedi, massage and facials using Darphin products. This hardworking scissorhands won%26#8217;t be abandoning our tresses in Houston. He%26#8217;ll speed to Dallas from his salons in Houston%26#8217;s Uptown Park and the Omni Hotel Houston, to cut, color and coif one week a month. When in Dallas, ring him at 214.573.2626 for an appointment. Neiman Marcus Downtown, 1618 Main Street, Sixth Floor.

%26nbsp;

Image: Ceron in his new Dallas salon; photo by Jason Wynn

Moo-ey Fabulous!

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:58:45 GMT

Oh, to be two again %26#8230; The chicest boutique of little girl%26#8217;s clothing, called Moo Boo%26#8217;s, has launched at Tootsies: tiny party dresses in chocolate velvet and caramel satin with what I swear look like Marni jeweled embellishments at the neck. But the silk shantung sheath in a luscious stone color with a jeweled neckline is adorably sophisticated. Baby going to St Barth%26#8217;s? Pack the fuchsia silk caftan with a simple crystal design and black leggings. Finally, a children%26#8217;s collection that%26#8217;s smart but still childlike. If I could just supersize the chocolate satin sheath with chocolate velvet jacket %26#8230; Alas, it%26#8217;s only in precociously tiny 2T to children%26#8217;s 8. At Tootsies, Highland Village Shopping Center, 4045 Westheimer, 713.629.9990.

%26nbsp;

Image: Moo Boo's; photo by Jenny Antill

Pretty is as Pretty Does

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:02:57 GMT

Its one of my very favorite sayings, %26#8220;Pretty is as pretty does.%26#8221; Since I was a tween I%26#8217;ve been curiously aware of the importance of taking care of your skin. I saw my grandmother, with barely a wrinkle on her face, diligently use Noxzema cream every day and night of her 95 years. My fair-skinned mother, brought me to the Lanc%26#244;me counter when I was in the eighth grade and stressed I should dutifully apply eye cream every night before bed along with a good moisturizer. (As the years went on I added a daytime application too, followed by what my dermatologist stresses most: sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the better.)

%26nbsp;

Always on the hunt for anti-aging products%26#8211;eye cream, power packed serum and moisturizer%26#8211;I can add to my Retin A nightly regime, recently I%26#8217;ve been test driving a few products at every end of the price spectrum in the hopes that I can keep those wrinkles at bay, close in those crow feet and erase those reckless years of sun damage. I%26#8217;m putting my hope in a jar, or several.

%26nbsp;

Installation 1:

%26nbsp;

Kiehl%26#8217;s Aca%26#237; Damage-Repairing Skincare Certified organic, this 100 percent natural skincare line includes a foaming cleanser ($24.50), toning mist ($26), repairing serum ($48) and damage correcting moisturizer ($44). I used each twice a day in conjunction with my Clarisonic sonic cleansing system (I%26#8217;m a slave to it and believe it flushes out my pores more effectively than simply a washcloth can). Washing every morning and night with this detoxifying cleanser, it appears half of any product%26#8217;s effectiveness lies in actually keeping it on the skin. For two minutes (longer than its sounds) I massaged two pumps of this tingly, light foam into my pores and found it balanced my combination skin nicely. (There is a small amount of alcohol in it that accounts I suppose for a tingling sensation.) One of the cleanser%26#8217;s claims is that it possesses rosemary oil, which has an antimicrobial affect that helps clean toxins and bacteria from your pores%26#8212;I like that.

%26nbsp;

Dutifully I followed with the tonic, which unfortunately comes in a spray pump. The idea is you spray the cotton pad with the toner and wipe it across your face. But this method never fails to leave me with cotton pieces all over my face, better to discard the spray top and pour the contents from the bottle to saturate the pad. Though either method will leave you feeling that your skin is balanced and ready to receive a layer of serum.%26nbsp; LOVE the Kiehl%26#8217;s Acai serum. Light and non-greasy, it easily disappeared into my pores. Made with 10 percent extract of the antioxidant rich acai berry, it%26#8217;s purported to restore skin%26#8217;s tone, texture, and tightness all of which are compromised by the environment, sun exposure and stress of every sort. I feel like it%26#8217;s brought an evenness to my skin.

%26nbsp;

Followed with the correcting moisturizer, which hydrates with shea butter and aloe vera juice to repair, this non-greasy formula doesn%26#8217;t feel heavy and pore clogging, I think it is a formulation that%26#8217;s appropriate to use day or night, though I%26#8217;m prone to skip daytime applications in favor of tinted moisturizing SPF. (Which by the way Kiehl%26#8217;s makes a great tinted sunscreen with coverage like a light foundation without the heaviness.) All in all after about a week I began to see signs of an overall evenness and a more luminous, brighter appearance. And after a month my skin discolorations (brown spots, hyper pigmentation) began to fade slightly too. I felt like my skin (which tends to be oiling on the t-zone, normal in most months everywhere else, was balanced and plumped, hydrated and smooth. Products available at Kiehl%26#8217;s.

Bridal Trunk Shows

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:18:40 GMT

Warren Barr%26#243;n Bridal

53 Highland Park Village, 214.526.8400; www.warrenbarron.com%26#160;

%26#160;

January 21%26#160;%26#8211; 23, 10 am%26#160;%26#8211; 6 pm: Lela Rose bridal trunk show

%26#160;

February 4%26#160;%26#8211; 6, 10 am%26#160;%26#8211; 6 pm: Marchesa bridal collection trunk show exclusively available at Warren Barr%26#243;n%26#160;

February 18%26#160;%26#8211; 20, 10 am%26#160;%26#8211; 6 pm: Elizabeth Fillore bridal collection trunk show %26#160;

%26#160;

March 4%26#160;%26#8211; 6, 10 am%26#160;%26#8211; 6 pm: Vera Wang bridal collection trunk show

March 11%26#160;%26#8211; 13, 10 am%26#160;%26#8211; 6 pm: Angel Sanchez bridal collection trunk show %26#160;

%26#160;

April 1%26#160;%26#8211; 3, 10 am%26#160;%26#8211; 6 pm: Monique Lhuillier bridal collection trunk show %26#160;

%26#160;

May 13%26#160;%26#8211; 15, 10 am%26#160;%26#8211; 6 pm: Oscar de la Renta bridal collection trunk show

Fake not Bake

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:23:07 GMT

%26nbsp;The Best Places to Fake a Great Tan %26nbsp;

Although I maintain a faux-glow year round (care of Darque Tan%26#8217;s Mystic Spray Tan booths) when a special occasion arises here are a few of the places I book an appointment at for a nearly flawless airbrushed tan. %26nbsp;

Trellis Spa. For anyone who has complained about the smell of self-tanning products, check out the new, scentless St. Tropez airbrush tan option at the Houstonian%26#8217;s spa. Completely odorless, this natural looking bronzing mist (created from sugar cane), applied by their trained tanners, also ensures a streak-less, even tan in less than 30 minutes ($65). Sprayed exactly how and where you want it, although the hue will last at least 5 to 7 days, Trellis also carries the famed St. Tropez product line to maintain your glow even longer. 111 North Post Oak Lane, 713-685-6790. Trellis Spa. %26nbsp;

Throwing Copper. At this Montrose area salon you don%26#8217;t tan but %26#8220;hue%26#8221;. Named for the ancient wisdom that dictates %26#8220;throwing copper%26#8221; stimulates the flow of positive energy, this airbrush tanning style allows the aesthetician to custom blend a hue that matches your coloring. Made with aloe-vera, glycerin, and anti-aging antioxidants like white tea and grape seed extract, you can tint your skin shades such as honey (light), copper (medium), chestnut (dark), or mud (richly dark) or somewhere in between. Each session is $55, packages start at $120. Blue Mambo Salon, 8 Chelsea Place, 713-859-1085. Throwing Copper. %26nbsp;

Eclipse Sunless Tanning. Get red carpet ready at this Montrose tan specialist. No time to exfoliate? They%26#8217;ll spray your skin with an exfoliating spray to buff it and bring it to the proper pH level ($5). Next, a light to medium tan application, followed by a second, darker coat added until you%26#8217;re as bronzed as you want to be. Along the way they can sculpt those abs you didn%26#8217;t know you had and brush over any skin imperfections. Finish, with a moisturizing mist to seal your tan and make it last even longer. A single tan is $45, packages start at $115. 415 Westheimer Road, Suite 103, 713-520-6611. Eclipse Sunless Tanning.

Arend Couture Studio

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:51:17 GMT

2017 Elmen St.
713.523.0943
Open by appointment
Keys to the Door: Designer Arend Basile.

Stocked Goods: Roman-born Arend Basile was schooled in the rarefied world of couture by none other than Hubert de Givenchy. Basile dutifully worked at his side for more than two decades in Paris until the icon%26#8217;s retirement, then moved to the studios of John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. Now this energetic designing mind calls Houston home. He%26#8217;s installed himself in a small townhouse at the edge of River Oaks, with the bottom floor serving as his atelier. Arend%26#8217;s eponymous collection, which is produced in New York, has gained a steady following among boldfaced types in both Manhattan and now Houston.%26nbsp; Known for his elegant cocktail and eveningwear rendered in gorgeous fabrics such as satin-backed silk crepe, duponi silk and jet beading with a spot-on fit, Arend will fit a luscious piece from his collection to your body, or have him design a custom creation. (He%26#8217;ll swear not to produce it for anyone else for the foreseeable future. Imagine: no more dress doubles at your next soir%26#233;e to beg the dreaded Us Weekly

question: %26#8220;Who Wore it Best?%26#8221;) What%26#8217;s next for the peripatetic designer? Why, handbags, of course. His slinky metallic python handbags and satin evening clutches coordinate, natch, with his twice-yearly collections and swing from day to night.

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Image: Designer Arend Basile

Image: Basile's inspiration board

Photos by Jenny Antill

Hadleigh's

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:59:34 GMT

74 Highland Park Village, Second Floor
214.770.4743
hadleighsbespoke.com
Keys to the Door: Owners Gable and Ed Shaikh.

Isn%26#8217;t That Dandy: Something tells us Jay Gatsby would%26#8217;ve shopped at Hadleigh%26#8217;s. Husband-wife stylistas Gable and Ed Shaikh %26#8212; you may remember them from their days at Ralph Lauren in Highland Park Village and their subsequent turns at Stanley Korshak %26#8212; have brought back masterfully constructed, artisan-made, tailored-to-fit men%26#8217;s and women%26#8217;s clothing and chic accessories %26#8212; just the thing for motoring about in the Rolls-Royce or for parties at the manor. For dapper gents, that means Cesare Attolini suits, hand-knit cashmere ties, Barker Black shoes, BRM watches, even handsome eyewear and luggage. For her, it%26#8217;s Hadleigh%26#8217;s tailored jackets of a silk-cashmere blend or a range of custom shirts in more than eight dozen fine fabrics. Our detail obsession? Hadleigh%26#8217;s custom-made, royal cotton boxers %26#8212; luscious skivvies and highly giftable, too. But delicious design doesn%26#8217;t end there: The appointment-only atelier, on HPV%26#8217;s second floor above Menchie%26#8217;s Frozen Yogurt, is as tasteful as its wares: dark glossy wood floors, exposed ceiling rafters and debonair architectural furniture make for the perfect studio for indulging in the art of fine dressing.%26nbsp;

Supple Skin Boutique

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:04:49 GMT

2368-A Rice Blvd. in Rice Village
832.528.4732
suppleskinboutique.com
Keys to the Door: The Mazula family; Nelia Mazula, founder of the skin tea blends; Marcos Mazula, local operations and quality.

Stocked Goods: Oil-and-gas girl Nelia Mazulaan is obsessed with skincare %26#8212; more specifically, the herbal concoctions you can ingest to bring a healthy glow to your skin while promoting whole health. With a global point of view, this chemical engineer found inspiration in ancient remedies from Japan, India, China, South America and her native Mozambique, then headed to the lab. There, she tinkered with antioxidants such as acai, goji and acerola berries, herbs (chamomile and feverfew, dandelion and saw palmetto) and teas (sencha green and peony white) and discovered how a cocktail of plants can affect the feel and appearance of pores. The result is Supple Skin Boutique, where she and her brother Marcos %26#8212; an agricultural engineer who works on-site with a massage therapist and two visiting specialists %26#8212; share a holistic view towards great skin. The Mazulas acknowledge that many of our skincare woes relate to our hormones, so their focus is on achieving balance in the body first, which can lead to supple skin everywhere. Choose from 35 herbal combos of teas, tisanes and powders (to be dissolved in water and downed shot-style) %26#8212; their goal is to have 100 varieties by the end of the summer, and ultimately to have the largest selection of consumable skin tea combinations in the world. New products will soon target weight loss and energy as well. You%26#8217;re sure to find a way to restore moisture, detox your skin, calm rosacea or cure mild acne.

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IMAGE: Marcos Mazula and Nelia Mazula. Photo by Jenny Antill.

Just Heard …

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:08:18 GMT

Evelyn Gorman may have shuttered her edgy designer fashion boutique Mix: (Modern Clothes) in 2008 to move to the bright lights of New York City, but she never left fashion. In fact, she started her own fashion consultancy firm, and Lee Ellis, co-owner of 310 Rosemont, has hired the super-stylish Gorman to refresh his River Oaks store with chic yet affordable lines including a number of exclusives. This spring, be on the lookout at 310 Rosemont for designs by Jarbo, Halston, I.AM, Of Two Minds, A Peace Treaty and, for men, Levi%26#8217;s Vintage and Simon Miller.

Curiouser and Curiouser

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:16:47 GMT

This Just In …

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:16:35 GMT

Latin-accented, YSL-wearing coiffeurist Ceron has hit the Dallas social circuit, air-kissing new and old friends alike. His newest salon, Ceron at Neiman Marcus Downtown in Dallas, is now open! His partner is Dallasite Gina Betts. The hardworking scissorhands will be speeding in from his salons in Houston%26#8217;s Uptown Park and the Omni Hotel Houston to cut, color and coif one week a month %26#8212; and certainly on the day of a gala. Ring him at 214.573.2626.

This Just In …

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:09:10 GMT

Latin-accented, YSL-wearing coiffeurist Ceron has hit the Dallas social circuit, air-kissing new and old friends alike. His newest salon, Ceron at Neiman Marcus Downtown in Dallas, is now open! His partner is Dallasite Gina Betts. The hardworking scissorhands will be speeding in from his salons in Houston%26#8217;s Uptown Park and the Omni Hotel Houston to cut, color and coif one week a month %26#8212; and certainly on the day of a gala. When in Dallas, ring him at 214.573.2626.

Moo-ey Fabulous

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:33:07 GMT

A very chic collection of children%26#8217;s clothing, called Moo Boo%26#8217;s, is now at Tootsies. If I could just supersize the chocolate satin sheath with chocolate velvet jacket and jeweled neck %26#8230; so very Vera Wang. Alas, it%26#8217;s only in precociously tiny 2T to children%26#8217;s 8.

IMAGE: Moo Boo's at Tootsies

Good Bones

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:40:35 GMT

Skeletons in the closet are a good thing when they%26#8217;re magnificent skeleton timepieces. See slideshow.

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Style Watch

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:36:21 GMT

Classic American designer Ralph Lauren%26#8217;s first collection of timepieces, created in collaboration with luxury-goods group Richemont, is available%26nbsp; at the Ralph Lauren boutique in New York City. The collection is comprised of three watch suites, each drawing inspiration from a different facet of the brand%26#8217;s iconic heritage: Stirrup (equestrian style), Slim Classique (classic Americana) and Sporting (the worlds of polo, tennis and golf). The latter includes two distinct styles, the Chronograph and the World Time. The timepieces (there are 23 in total) come in gold and platinum finishes, many embellished with diamonds. Stunning. From $8,250, exclusively at the Ralph Lauren boutique, New York.%26nbsp;

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IMAGE: Ralph Lauren Stirrup Collection watch, at the Ralph Lauren Boutique, New York.

Impressions - A Bridal Salon

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:39:39 GMT

Highland Village Shopping Center
4001 Westheimer, second floor
713.622.1122
Visit Website
Keys to the Door: Owner Joan Pillow and Houston partner Anita Gaylor.
Something New: The Atlanta-based bridal couture salon opens this month in a new 2,600-square-foot second-story space in Highland Village at the corner of Westheimer and Drexel. Painted in a cream-puff palette of taupes, the Art Deco%26#8211;inspired boutique owned by Joan Pillow with Houston partner Anita Gaylor (Gaylor was creator/owner of the former bridal shop Louise Blum), will carry top-of-the-line bridal designers such as Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Ulla-Maija and Lazaro, as well as an edited collection of wedding shoes, veils and jewelry.%26nbsp; Brides can expect plush dressing rooms, three-way mirrors, sofas for mothers of the bride and ladies in waiting, and commissioned art, including a classic sketch by artist Allie Fletcher. Romanian artist Zoran is designing and installing a confectionary Venetian-plaster entryway to complement the Deco calla-lily chandelier that Pillow found, after a three-month hunt for the perfect light fixture, in her own attic.

Looking Great all the Time

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:29:54 GMT

Cindy %26amp; Howard Rachofsky

Their home rivals museums %26#8212; their knack for all things avant-garde puts this couple in a league of their own. Their exceptional style must have something to do with all that contemporary art.

Howard Rachofsky
The one article of clothing that most defines you? A warm-up suit. (You just have to see it.)
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? Five seconds.
You couldn%26#8217;t live without what in your closet? Purple.
You get the most fashion kudos for? Color.
The movie you think of as the %26#8220;fashion flick"? "He never sees movies." %26#8211; Cindy Rachofsky
Your most-thumbed fashion mag? Whatever my wife puts in front of me.
Which Clark: Gable or Kent? Neither. They both wore ties %26#8230; I would never wear a tie.
Something stylish people seem to have in common? Large credit card bills.
What do you have your eye on next? Dolce %26amp; Gabbana evening pajamas.

Cindy Rachofsky
The one article of clothing that most defines you? Herm%26#232;s bags.
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? It depends on my weight.
You couldn%26#8217;t live without what in your closet? My new Indian bracelets from Howard.
You get the most fashion kudos for? Vintage.
The movie you think of as the %26#8220;fashion flick%26#8221;? I only see movies on airplanes.
Your most-thumbed fashion mag? Vogue or style.com.
Which Audrey: Hepburn or Tautou? Hepburn. I love skinny black pants.
Something stylish people seem to have in common? They get asked to answer questionnaires like this one.
What do you have your eye on next? A guilt-free shopping spree.

Deborah Scott
Could it be her extensive travels that cultivated this social's fashionably discerning eye? Well, when your husband is the president and CEO of Rosewood Hotels %26amp; Resorts, international shopping comes with the territory.
The one article of clothing that most defines you? Color %26#8212; either clothing or shoes %26#8212; I love bright!
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? If it is love at first sight, then I have to have it!
You couldn%26#8217;t live without what in your closet? Either gold strappy sandals %26#8212; go with everything and great for travel %26#8212; or a huge Sonia Rykiel clutch I got in Paris that is color blocks of orange, pink, black and white. All my favorite colors!
You get the most fashion kudos for? Not being a fashion follower.
The movie you think of as the %26#8220;fashion flick%26#8221;? Love Sex and the City! The clothes are so over the top.
Your most-thumbed fashion mag? Australian Vogue. Love keeping up with what's going on down under, such a great vibe and the designers take risks.
Which Audrey: Hepburn or Tautou? Tautou, but they are both so classic!
Something stylish people seem to have in common? Everything they do is stylish and easy. No matter what their budget or where they are going, they always manage to look effortless.
What do you have your eye on next? Anything from Gucci's fall collection with loads of zippers.

Fashion Hall of Fame

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:23:47 GMT

Phoebe Tudor
This svelte social is known for her stewardship and fund-raising for the restoration of the Julia Ideson Library downtown, the Shepherd School of Music and the Houston Ballet.
Amount of time pondering a single outfit? I%26#8217;m often in a hurry and do better if I%26#8217;ve shopped ahead of time and have a couple of choices ready to go in the closet.
You couldn%26#8217;t live without what in your closet? The classics. They allow me to splurge on special pieces to freshen things up.

Aaron Rambo
It%26#8217;s no wonder Mr. Rambo has quite the sartorial eye, given the spectacularly curated home and antiques business he co-owns, Found for the Home.
Can%26#8217;t live without? My white Chuck Taylor low-tops.
You seem to get the most fashion kudos for? My salt-and-pepper hair.
Something stylish people have in common? A sense of self.

Fashion Hall of Fame

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:15:23 GMT

Lynn Wyatt
Always perfectly polished, this iconic social has graced the International Best Dressed List too many times to count.
Favorite fashion flick? The %26#8217;30s movies are so stylish. Especially the ones where Art Deco jewels are worn %26#8212; the clips placed a certain way, or a brooch worn on a gorgeous evening gown or cocktail dress. That look is still glamorous today.
Amount of time pondering a single outfit? I always say, when in doubt, don%26#8217;t! But I%26#8217;ll spend endless hours, even days, contemplating buying an haute couture outfit. When I finally do decide on my choice, I%26#8217;ll wear it several times that year in different parts of the world, put it away for a couple of years, and then bring it out again. Fortunately, I have some golden oldies that I love and adore as much as when I bought them, and appreciate them even more in this economic downturn %26#8230;
Something stylish people have in common? Stylish people that I admire all seem to be doers; no one is idle. Also, they seem to have an inner eye that just clicks %26#8220;the right thing,%26#8221; whether it%26#8217;s how they wear clothes or how they live in their homes %26#8230; Their graciousness and good manners breathe style.

Ceron
This best-dressed man cuts the best tresses in town at his namesake salon Ceron.
Can%26#8217;t live without? My Alexandra Knight black alligator bag.
What do you seem to get the most fashion kudos for? The ability to accessorize.
Favorite fashion flick? I absolutely love Brideshead Revisited for fashion.
Something stylish people have in common? A good haircut.
What do you have your eye on next? The Jean Paul Gaultier men%26#8217;s Kelly bag for Herm%26#232;s.

A Perfect Fit

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:00:12 GMT

For every reason, season and time, Houston%26#8217;s own Hamilton Shirts has a button-down built just for him. This season, the elegant gentleman%26#8217;s bespoke shirt maker steps into the ready-to-wear arena with its new 1883 collection, named for the year that the oldest family-run firm in Houston was founded. The six easy, wearable styles range from four-button pullovers to short-sleeved dress shirts, often with retro details, with three to five fabric options each ($165 to $175). The cool, versatile fabrics have that casual, right-out-of-the-dryer-with-a-few-wrinkles vibe, too. And for occasions when you%26#8217;re pressed to impress, blow your wad on Hamilton%26#8217;s most luxurious shirting fabric yet: the new Platinum collection by Thomas Mason. Through an exclusive arrangement with this lauded English mill, Hamilton is able to order hundreds of Thomas Mason%26#8217;s Egyptian cotton fabrics, in yarn counts up to 300 (the highest on the market), in small two-meter quantities %26#8212; which means its doubtful you%26#8217;ll see your custom $435 to $695 shirt coming and going. 5700 Richmond Ave., 713.264.8800; hamiltonshirts.com. Laurann Claridge

She's Sew Crafty

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:39:01 GMT

My grandmother made beautiful hand-sewn dresses with lace for me when I was little. My mother is an avid needle-pointer. Our generation? We keep our fingers occupied by tapping on PDA%26#8217;s and MacBooks. But Callie Works-Leary, owner of CityCraft Fabric Boutique and Sewing Lounge in Inwood Village, has created a haven for those who want to put aside their Sidekick for a Singer. Armed with the opinion that sewing can be cool (and targeted to someone who also enjoys a dirty martini at Shinsei), Works-Leary stocks her shelves with bolts of graphic fabrics from designers such as Michael Miller and Heather Bailey, thread in every hue of the spectrum, and patterns to aid in piecing it all together. Sewing classes are held weekly for those not seasoned in the world of DIY interior design and clothing projects %26#8212; from newbie basics to a freestyle %26#8220;Lounge Night%26#8221; (with wine!) for those nimble thimbles.%26#160; 5460 Lovers Lane, Suite 234, 214.366.4220; citycraftonline.com.%26#160;

Alice's Ever So Mad Wonderland

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:22:07 GMT

Leave the mad hatters and talking rabbits to Lewis Carroll and Tim Burton: Our Alice dons vintage Balenciaga (well, hello) and goes on a far more glaaaamorous whirl %26#8212; no rhyme, no reason %26#8212;%26nbsp;wherein she tumbles through her Chippendale looking glass, discovers a rather erudite swami and comes face-to-face with a queen %26#8212; a very important queen. (All hail! All hail!) The icing on the tea cakes? The season%26#8217;s very important gems and jewels. Sparkle plenty!

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Click on "launch slideshow," above, to start the journey!

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Click here to go behind the scenes of the making of our Alice...

Alice's Ever So Mad Wonderland

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:25:10 GMT

Leave the mad hatters and talking rabbits to Lewis Carroll and Tim Burton: Our Alice dons vintage Balenciaga (well, hello) and goes on a far more glaaaamorous whirl %26#8212; no rhyme, no reason %26#8212;%26nbsp;wherein she tumbles through her Chippendale looking glass, discovers a rather erudite swami and comes face-to-face with a queen %26#8212; a very important queen. (All hail! All hail!) The icing on the tea cakes? The season%26#8217;s very important gems and jewels. Sparkle plenty!

Funky Couture

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:06:17 GMT

2446 Times Blvd.
713.874.1865
unclefunkysdaughter.com
Keys to the Door: Owners Tonya and Ray Reed.

Stocked Goods: Tonya and Ray Reed, fresh from corporate gigs in the energy field, longed for a creative career path that would give them autonomy, as well as a company ethos that rang true to their own ethical core. In 2003, the duo founded the very successful Uncle Funky%26#8217;s Daughter in Rice Village %26#8212; a boutique with a cool, urban vibe and an attached salon specializing in natural treatments for curly-haired women and men, including their own line of natural, organic hair-care products with clever branding such as Curly Magic (their top seller), a vegan, aloe-based curl definer. Now, just two doors away, the Reeds have carved out a sweet new niche and named it Funky Couture. They liken the concept to a girly general store with a mod twist; it%26#8217;s for those intrigued by what lies beneath. You%26#8217;ll find intimates from Simone Perele, Elomi, Goddess, Spanx and Mimi Holliday, with bra sizes ranging from 30A to 56K in addition to organic beauty brands such as Naturopathica, Farmaesthetics and K. Hall Designs.%26nbsp;

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Image credit: Jenny Antill

Funky Couture

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:03:01 GMT

2446 Times Blvd.
713.874.1865
unclefunkysdaughter.com
Keys to the Door: Owners Tonya and Ray Reed.

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Image credit: Jenny Antill

Pen to Paper

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:15:26 GMT

Marjorie Maxfield is a wedding, stationery and correspondence expert, and now she%26#8217;s added %26#8220;author%26#8221; to her r%26#233;sum%26#233;, too. In The Write Stuff: A Modern Guide to Personal Stationery %26amp; Weddings (MMM Signature Press, 2009), the owner of Tanglewood Gifts %26amp; Stationery revels in the increasingly neglected art of the handwritten note. She even queries Texas notables about their personal penned signoffs. Former First Lady Barbara Bush, Maxfield reveals, is fond of closing her notes with %26#8220;Warmly,%26#8221; while hubby George sticks to %26#8220;Sincerely.%26#8221; Joanne King Herring faithfully writes %26#8220;May God continue to bless you and yours,%26#8221; while coach Jimmy Jones prefers %26#8220;Always the best.%26#8221; And it only makes sense that lawyer Richard %26#8220;Racehorse%26#8221; Haynes cleverly scribbles %26#8220;Call for a jury panel.%26#8221; Maxfield even mentions our own style contributor, Ceron, on page 28. It seems our darling Edward Scissorhands possesses plenty of paper for all occasions, both at home and in his salons %26#8212; all the better to dutifully dash off thank-you notes and lovely %26#8220;darling, it%26#8217;s been too long; don%26#8217;t we need to touch up those roots%26#8221; reminders. Laurann Claridge

Retail Rap

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:30:00 GMT

Call in the movers: Matthew Trent is packing up the jewels and taking them to The Plaza at Preston Center this month. (The original Maple Avenue shop stays open until early spring, FYI.)%26#160; Expect to see Trent handcrafting away in the new atelier, while you peruse the one-of-a-kind bijoux. (See our fairy-tale jewelry story beginning on page 24 for a peek at one of Trent%26#8217;s latest creations.) For more, call 800.292.6842 or see matthewtrent.com %26#8230; Brush up on your beauty upkeep at Saks Fifth Avenue%26#8217;s Brushes with Greatness event on Saturday, December 12, at Galleria Dallas. Indulge with a facial at SFA%26#8217;s Holiday Escape Spa before taking notes at a presentation of luxurious holiday gifts at 1 pm %26#8230; Making a personal appearance at Neiman Marcus in NorthPark Center this month is Judith Leiber, our favorite designer of Swarovski-studded clutch purses. This is the final stop of Leiber%26#8217;s retrospective exhibition, showcasing the best known of her 3,500 designs. Meet Leiber on Thursday, December 10, between 2 and 4 pm, in designer handbags on Level Two %26#8230; Strut Dallas may just be the new wardrobe secret of stylish Park Cities mamas. The Austin-based boutique carries women%26#8217;s clothing, jewelry, purses and shoes, all on-trend and with smart price tags. Perfect for mixing and matching with your Prada and your Vivier. Stock up at 4348 Lovers Lane, 214.361.8519; shopstrut.com %26#8230; From the front lines of our fashion report: Denim leggings are flying off the racks at Intermix at NorthPark Center. Think stretchy blues by Citizens of Humanity, Current Elliot and J Brand %26#8230; Get that holiday glow on with SkinCeuticals%26#8217; two latest lifesavers: The Pigment Regulator controls uneven skin tone, while the Retexturing Activator exfoliates and eliminates those pesky fine lines. We%26#8217;re in. Order up at skinceuticals.com %26#8230; Spend a night at the theater %26#8212; minus the red curtain %26#8212; in the new Dallas Summer Musicals Broadway Suite at the Fairmont Dallas hotel. The hook? The room%26#8217;s stage-worthy decor changes to match the newest show in town. A reservation here includes two tickets to DSM%26#8217;s latest production and an original cast CD. Reserve your own opening night at fairmont.com/dallas or call 214.720.5290 %26#8230; QuestCare, the new urgent-care clinic in Snider Plaza, offers 2,500 square feet of spa-like accommodations, board-certified physicians, even valet parking. Should H1N1 come our way, we know where we%26#8217;ll be heading: 3414 Milton Avenue. Dial 214.368.4822 or click to questcareurgent.com for more.

Retail Rap

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:21:07 GMT

Christina Nicodemus, owner of the chic West University%26#8211;area fashion boutique Abejas, has expanded her Miel de Abejas collection of flip-flops, handbags and jewelry into a line of clothing that includes dusters, slip dresses and skirts made of European metallic linens and light cotton voiles %26#8230; Shannon Koszyk%26#8217;s one-of-a-kind necklaces of African beds, freshwater pearls, vintage coins and hand-cut stones, sold at Blue Leaf in Rice Village %26#8230; David Yurman makes a personal appearance at his eponymous Galleria boutique on Wednesday December 2, from 6 to 8 pm. Later that day, catch him at Neiman Marcus, 11 am to 2 pm %26#8230; Also making a %26nbsp;personal appearance at Neiman%26#8217;s this month is Judith Leiber, our favorite designer of Swarovski-studded clutch purses. This is the second stop of Leiber%26#8217;s retrospective exhibition, showcasing the best known of her 3,500 designs. Meet Leiber on Wednesday, December 9, between noon and 2 pm %26#8230; In other Neiman%26#8217;s news, the retailer now carries the men%26#8217;s collection of the hot new denim line 4 Stroke %26#8230; Enamellist and jewelry designer Leigh Elena Navarro, whose Leighelena jewels sell at High Gloss and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston%26#8217;s gift shop, will showcase her latest designs at a trunk show Thursday, December 6, 5 to 7 pm, at 13 Celsius %26#8230; Dionysus, the hot-spot salon and spa in the Woodlands, has opened its first inner-loop location, in Midtown at Elgin and Louisiana %26#8230; Swing into Laura U Collection Thursday, December 9, 6 to 8 pm, to welcome artist Ashley Longshore for Artful Appointments, a series of paintings and art furnishings %26#8230; Coquette Boutique %26amp; Bistro has just opened in the spot formerly occupied by Pixie %26amp; Ivy, at 1848 Westheimer at Hazard. Check out Coquette%26#8217;s collection of edgy fashion labels Michelle Mason, LnA, Sass %26amp; Bide, Alice McCall and Alexis Lamontagna while snacking on pastries and sandwiches delivered daily by Scott Tycer%26#8217;s Krafts%26#8217;men Bakery. A psychic will also be on hand to deliver your fashion forecast %26#8230; One Green Street opens in January at 5160 Buffalo Speedway, just north of Westpark. This new entirely green fashion, home and beauty boutique will carry earth-friendly designs by Edun Jeans and A Lot to Say, essential oils by Crazy Rumors, hair products by Hamadi and organic skincare by W3LL People and Billy Jealousy %26#8230; The Italian designers behind jewelry line Faraone Menella, Amedeo Scognamiglio and Roberto Faraone Mennella, are making a personal appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue Tuesday and Wednesday, December 1 and 2, in the first-floor fine jewelry department. Also at Saks: Giambattista Valli%26#8217;s resort collection is now available in the second-floor designer area. And Saks%26#8217; newly remodeled first-floor contemporary designer area now carries hip collections Helmut Lang, Elizabeth %26amp; James, Current Elliott, Hanii Y, Rag %26amp; Bone and Gryphon %26#8230; Dreams do come true. Tom Ford has finally announced that he will launch a collection of womenswear, possibly as soon as Fall 2010. We%26#8217;ll keep you posted %26#8230; Molly Hubbard and Patricia Peckinpaugh Griffith have opened up their Nobility Studio for holiday shoppers. Stop by 2413 San Felipe, one block east of Kirby, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 am to 4 pm, until December 22 to check out Patricia Peckinpaugh%26#8217;s luxe jewelry designs, Baird %26amp; Baird exotic skin handbags and accessories, plus fashion designs from Hubbard and Peckinpaugh Griffith%26#8217;s Nobility Studio %26#8230; Sew Crafty, Houston%26#8217;s first craft studio and sewing lounge, has moved from White Oak Avenue to a new space at 321 W. 19th Street, the heart of Houston%26#8217;s Heights neighborhood.%26nbsp;

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We%26#8217;re loving

Trunk Shows of Note

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:17:55 GMT

Belle Mari%26#233;e Bridal
2509 River Oaks Blvd., 713.523.0068; bellemarieehouston.com
June 10 %26#8211; 20: Badgley Mischka in-store gown viewing
June 17 %26#8211; 19: Jorge Manuel
October 1 %26#8211; 2 Anne Barge

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Brickhouse Bridal
200 Valleywood, The Woodlands, 281.681.3430; www.brickhousehouston.com
June 25 %26#8211; 26: Watters %26amp; Watters
August 20 %26#8211; 21: Simone Carvalli

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Casa de Novia Bridal Couture

3331 D%26#8217;Amico, 713.523.9090; www.casadenoviabridal.com.

October 1 %26#8211; 2: Oscar de la Renta
November 18 %26#8211; 20: Monique Lhuillier

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Elizabeth Anthony / Esther Wolf
1180-08 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.622.1331; www.estherwolf.com
June 15 %26#8211; 16: Lourdes Chavez designer suits and dresses

June 17 %26#8211; 19: Designer Eveningwear Showcase, featuring Claire's Collection, Liancarlo, Marchesa, Melinda Eng, Sherri Hill, Stephen Yearick and more

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Impressions A Bridal Salon

4001 Westheimer, Second Level, 713.622.1122; www.impressionsbridalsalon.com

June 17 %26#8211; 19: Vera Wang trunk show

June 24 %26#8211; 26: Lazaro trunk show

July 15 %26#8211; 17: Romona Keveza Legends trunk show

August 5 %26#8211; 7: Anna Maier ~ Ulla-Maija trunk show

August 19 %26#8211; 21: Carolina Herrera trunk show

September 9 %26#8211; 11: Monique Lhuillier trunk show

September 23 %26#8211; 25: Vera Wang trunk show

November 11 %26#8211; 13: Romona Keveza Legends trunk show

December 16 %26#8211; 18: Romona Keveza Couture trunk show

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Linda Cunningham
3310 Edloe St., 713.621.3232; www.lindacunningham.com
June 7 %26#8211; 12: Lafayette 148

Macy's at Memorial City Mall

800 Memorial City Way, 713.461.0400; macys.com

Updates coming soon

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Maison de Mode

2431 Rice Blvd., 713.527.8285; maisondemode.com

July 30 %26#8211; 31: Augusta Jones for mothers of the bride

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Mia Bridal Couture
11958 W. Gray, 713.622.2022; www.miabridalcouture.com.

June 25 %26#8211; 26: Kenneth Pool
July 1 %26#8211; 3: Sample Sale
July 23 %26#8211; 24: Rosa Clara
August 6 %26#8211; 7: Judd Waddell
September 10 %26#8211; 11: Christos
September 17 %26#8211; 18: Amsale
October 29 %26#8211; 30: Kenneth Pool

November 26 %26#8211; 27: Amsale

December 1 %26#8211; 3: Sample Sale

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Neiman Marcus

Galleria, 713.621.7100; www.neimanmarcus.com

June 9: Eskandar Custom Cashmere Focus Day

June 16 %26#8211; 17: Vince trunk show

June 24: Ralph Lauren trunk show

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Nordstrom

Galleria, 832.201.2700; www.nordstrom.com

Updates coming soon

Now and Forever Bridal Boutique
3701 Kirby Dr., 713.218.0369; nowandforeverbridalbtq.com
June 18-19 Tara Keely

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Saks Fifth Avenue

Galleria, 713.627.0500; www.saksfifthavenue.com

Updates coming soon

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Tootsies

Highland Village, 4045 Westheimer, 713.629.9990; www.tootsies.com

Updates coming soon

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Sonic Boon

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:09:29 GMT

I%26#8217;m positively hooked on the Sonicare toothbrush that polishes pearly whites immaculately clean. So, how did I ever lived without the Clarisonic sonic skin-cleansing system? Its soft brush removes six times more makeup than a washcloth without stripping your skin, ensuring those costly serums and moisturizers sink deep into your pristine pores. The new Mia is a travel size with a smaller price tag, too. $149, at clarisonic.com.

Model Gems

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:56:14 GMT

It%26#8217;s carats and catwalks on Wednesday, December 9, when Sotheby%26#8217;s offers up gorgeous gems from gorgeous Brazilian model L%26#250;cia Moreira Salles, the late philanthropist, muse to Valentino and exclusive house model to Chanel. (We loved her for her gift to The Morgan Library %26amp; Museum just before she passed away in January: rare, bound Oscar Wilde letters and manuscripts, their whereabouts unknown to scholars for 50-plus years.) During her highly stylish life, Salles amassed diamond and ruby rings from the unparalleled JAR of Paris, luminous pearl necklaces and rings, even a pair of Verdura onyx cuffs studded with emeralds and sapphires, all on the block as part of Sotheby%26#8217;s one-day %26#8220;Magnificent Jewels%26#8221; sale. If you happen to be taking Manhattan from December 4 to 9, preview it all at Sotheby%26#8217;s glittery headquarters %26#8212; or wave your virtual paddle from here at sothebys.com. Information 212.606.7000.%26#160;

Bulgari Celebrates

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:53:54 GMT

Luxury jeweler Bulgari continues to celebrate its 125th anniversary with the launch of the Serpenti collection and a special Christie%26#8217;s auction this month. The new collection, inspired by the dynamism of the serpent, includes sinuous and flexible bracelets, rings and watches in pink and white gold, dazzling with diamonds and multicolored gemstones. Three exclusive Serpenti bracelets will be auctioned at Christie%26#8217;s in New York on Tuesday, December 8, along with eight one-of-a-kind Bulgari creations and seven limited-edition timepieces, a value estimated at $4 million. Bulgari will donate all proceeds from the auction to Save The Children%26#8217;s %26#8220;Rewrite the Future%26#8221; campaign, which provides education for 8 million children in conflict-affected areas. Bulgari Serpenti collection from $3,950, at the Bulgari boutique.%26nbsp;

Little Bean

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:42:11 GMT

5308 Junius St.
214.370.9111
littlebeanshop.com
Keys to the Door: Owners Christine and Steve Visneau.
For Your Little Human Beans: We first noticed Baby Bean Vintage Daywear, a retro-inspired line of kiddie clothing made from vintage fabrics, on the racks of fashion boutique Kacky %26amp; Carl, then on the backs of celeb tots such as Suri Cruise. Now Baby Bean gets its own crib: Owners/designers Christine and Steve Visneau have opened a storefront in East Dallas%26#8217; historic Junius Heights neighborhood. There, you and the little one can find homemade togs, handcrafted toys, other clothing labels and accessories sourced from everywhere from Brooklyn to Tokyo. The front of Little Bean is artfully arranged with Christine%26#8217;s dresses, pants, bloomers and bibs, plus dolls by Jess Brown, stationery by Shinzi Katoh and hair clips by Silla. In back, pro photographer Steve has set up his S.W.V. photo studio. The Visneaus%26#8217; joint resume reads like entrepreneurs who take their fair share of Flintstones vitamins: baby clothing creators; co-proprietors of a quarterly children%26#8217;s online mag, smallmagazine.net; and parents of two small girls. With Garden Cafe to their right and a playground across the street, Little Bean has found the right pod.%26#160;

Swag

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:38:19 GMT

NorthPark Center
214.691.0123
lovemyswag.com
Keys to the Door: Owner Lisa Alfieri, store manager Carol Reese.
Shop Like a Rock Star: Swag, NorthPark Center%26#8217;s new jewelry and accessories emporium, stocks an impressive lineup of designers who have made fans out of the famous %26#8212; rocker-chic celebs John Galliano and Madonna, to name just two. It%26#8217;s all about the celebrity shopping experience at this boutique. Owner Lisa Alfieri (of the Alfieris who opened The Old World shop in 1966) is stocking Pandora, King Baby Studio and Alwand Vahan. Love dangly things? Sip on a glass of wine while you gild yourself in 14K gold or sterling-silver charms %26#8212; or throw on a Virgin Saints and Angels cuff, a Thomas Sabo pendant or a one-of-a-kind Dian Malouf ring. What%26#8217;s more, amidst all the sparkling bracelets, necklaces and earrings, you can outfit your castle with the painted-glass lighting of Ulla Darni, the glittery trinkets of Jay Strongwater and the organic animal bronzes of Loet Vanderveen. You and your home %26#8212; drab to fab in no time.%26#160;

Hadleigh’s

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:35:50 GMT

74 Highland Park Village, Second Floor
214.770.4743
hadleighsbespoke.com
Keys to the Door: Owners Gable and Ed Shaikh.
Isn%26#8217;t That Dandy: Something tells us Jay Gatsby would%26#8217;ve shopped at Hadleigh%26#8217;s. Husband-wife stylistas Ed and Gable Shaikh %26#8212; you may remember them from their days at Ralph Lauren in Highland Park Village and their subsequent turns at Stanley Korshak %26#8212; have brought back masterfully constructed, artisan-made, tailored-to-fit men%26#8217;s and women%26#8217;s clothing and chic accessories %26#8212; just the thing for motoring about in the Rolls-Royce or for parties at the manor. For dapper gents, that means Cesare Attolini suits, hand-knit cashmere ties, Barker Black shoes, BRM watches, even handsome eyewear and luggage. For her, it%26#8217;s Hadleigh%26#8217;s tailored jackets of a silk-cashmere blend or a range of custom shirts in more than eight dozen fine fabrics. Our detail obsession? Hadleigh%26#8217;s custom-made, royal cotton boxers %26#8212; luscious skivvies and highly giftable, too. But delicious design doesn%26#8217;t end there: The appointment-only atelier, on HPV%26#8217;s second floor above Menchie%26#8217;s Frozen Yogurt, is as tasteful as its wares: dark glossy wood floors, exposed ceiling rafters and debonair architectural furniture make for the perfect studio for indulging in the art of fine dressing.%26#160;

Bulgari

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:32:57 GMT

NorthPark Center
214.414.9666
bulgari.com
Glowing All the Way: It may not be Rome%26#8217;s via dei Condotti where Bulgari has resided for 125 years, but the new boutique at NorthPark Center will satisfy the Elizabeth Taylor in us all. Saunter through the brown marble entrance into the 2,500-square-foot store, where jewels and timepieces gleam. The Dallas boutique is one of the first in the world to follow Bulgari%26#8217;s new design mantra of contemporary interiors with immaculate decorative touches %26#8212; think chocolate-brown leather detailing on vitrines and a stunning optical fiber chandelier. Color bursts come by way of Bulgari%26#8217;s sparklers, of course: amethyst, blue topaz and green tourmaline gemspop against the quiet modernity. But it%26#8217;s not just the jewelry that is stealing glances. Dabble in Bulgari%26#8217;s accessories, where arm candy for her is a leather handbag of ebony python and nappa plisse with antique gold hardware. And for finely dressed fellas, we love Bulgari%26#8217;s black calf-leather briefcase with palladium-plated hardware.%26#160;

Curiouser and Curiouser

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:25:06 GMT

That sly Lewis Carroll. His classic tales, "Alice%26#8217;s Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There," have been reinvented by master movie director Tim Burton, who will take filmgoers next March on a dark, gothic adventure where queens are good and bad, both red and white, and bellow on a whim, %26#8220;Off with their heads!%26#8221; It%26#8217;s a cinematic take only Burton could create, with a simply mad Mad Hatter and all manner of potions that tempt Alice to indulge in a sweet bite, then a wee drop and grow then shrink monstrously in size.

Won%26#8217;t you follow us down the rabbit hole, too? Just launch the slide show to get started.

Smith %26 Company

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:20:10 GMT

Brownstone Antique Center
2736-C Virginia St.
713.524.0100
Keys to the Door: Owner Wayne Smith.
What%26#8217;s in Store: Fans of Wayne Smith%26#8217;s former antiques and jewelry store on Bissonnet (Circa, Antiques and Estate Jewelry) will be thrilled to hear that the jeweler and gemologist, after more than five years living as an expat in San Miguel de Allende and working with private clients, has returned to Houston and again opened up shop. The jewelry box of a boutique, designed by Dennis Lyons Interiors in pale purple hues with Donghia fabrics and Maya Romanoff for Donghia mica%26#8211;flecked wallcoverings, houses an impressive selection of fine jewelry by Kimberly McDonald, Rina Limor, Emsaru, Rawat and Ashley Park; custom design work; and exquisite estate baubles from such jewelry heavyweights as Bulgari, Harry Winston, David Webb and Cartier.%26nbsp;