Houston’s Sweethearts — 6 Remarkable Women Honored

What: The ninth annual Houston Sweethearts tea

Where: Saks Fifth Avenue

PC Moment: Think the sweetest of 150 ladies in red, high fashions and to-die-for handbags. Those were key ingredients in the fundraiser for the Mission of Yahweh homeless shelter for women and families, which has grown remarkably since it began as a small gathering of like-minded ladies in a private home. Ringleaders of the Valentine’s Day-themed gathering were Anne Carl; Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan; Saks marketing director Sylvia Forsythe; Kim Moody; the multi-talented Warner Roberts; and Alicia Smith, founder of Innovative Legal Solutions and Best Dressed honoree.

Taking bows as 2019 sweethearts were vice president of Mediplus Panama Karina Barbieri, Houston Astros Foundation executive director Twila Carter; Laurel D’Antoni, community activist and wife of Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni; philanthropist and IW Marks Jewelers muse Joanna Marks; philanthropist and managing director/managing partner of SFC Energy management Hallie Vanderhider; and Laurette Veres, editor-in-chief and producer of H Texas Magazine and Bridal Extravaganza Show.

These remarkable women were not the only standouts in the Galleria emporium. Special guests were handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez and Dallas’ Tina Craig, founder of the popular blog Bagsnob.com. Guests schmoozed with Craig, while several among them scooped up one of  Gonzalez’ luxurious bags. Brad Marks was one of the first to have dibs on a particularly  fetching bag, a Valentine’s gift for his wife, Joanna.

PC Seen: Beth Wolff, Gayla Gardner, Stacey Lindseth, Bethany Buchanan, Carlos Barbieri, Astrid Van Dyke, Joyce Frassinito, Carol Sawyer, Cheryl Byington, Angie Roberts, Jessica Rossman, Ericka Bagwell, Samantha Kennedy, Bobbie Weinstein, Mady Kades, Merele Yarborough, Fredell Deutser and Angela Lipsey.