Finally made it to Aspen if only for 48 hours. But even in this short amount of time, I've seen more familiar Houstonians here than on a stroll through Neiman Marcus.

At an annual private picnic on the banks of Castle Creek, H-town was well represented. Stevie and Ramsay Gillman were telling friends about their new house in Starwood, having left the Snowmass home where they had nested for 30 years. This is, everyone says, THE time to pick up a great buy in Apsen — be it jewelry or a vacation home.

Witness the darkened storefronts and going-out-of-business signs through much of town. Trés sad. Even the much-beloved Amen Wardy has down-sized, taking over the corner spot where the Chanel boutique once sold its pricey threads.

We ran into Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi at the picnic — he sporting an amazing tan, both doing the "Italian cowboy" thing, as Giorgio explained, in western hats and costumes. The movie-star tan is a result of their daily motorcycle rides through the mountains sans sun screen. Cathy, however, was fair as a flower, never allowing the sun to touch her without serious sun block.

Jana and John Scott (Scotty to friends) Arnoldy were there loving their first full summer in their own beautiful Aspen home. She's bunking here non-stop while he is back and forth to Houston on business.

Also in the picnic mix were Leslie and Jack Blanton Jr., Denise and Bill Montelone, Nancy and Jack Dinerstein, Nanette and Jerry Finger, Diane Lokey Farb, Janet Gurwitch, Minnie and Will Baird, Meg Goodman, Claudia and Fred Lummis, Nancy and Tom Gordon and on and on.

In town, just as they were about to board the gondola for a ride up to the mountaintop for lunch, we spotted Sofia Adrogué and Sten Gustafson with their family.

Cerón in Aspen

The stylist to the social stars was up to his eyebrows in sophisticated tresses over the weekend. Dallas' Gina Betts, co-founder of Cerón Salon, jetted to the Rocky Mountain nirvana to celebrate her birthday at three different events. If that didn't keep Cerón and staff busy there was that huge Houston wedding that required his attention. No details on the wedding as yet but we can tell you that it poured down rain Saturday and again on Sunday.

It seems you cannot escape the frizzies even in Aspen.

Toast the coast

Back in Houston, it was a salute to the Gulf Coast and a benefit for the National Wildlife Federation, when the Elaine Turner flagship store stayed open late at the event hosted by New Orleans native Alixe Ryan. No one feels the pain of the oil spill more than those from south Louisiana.

Making the most of the mid-summer's night, guests mingled with the designer amid her collection of summer handbags and casual shoes.

Party goers included Jonas Fertitta, Allyson Cheesman, Kathy Bracewell, Heather McLeskey, Jim Turner, Gracey Winters, Jennifer Hobson, Ashton Stresau, Tracey Bamberger, Dianna Patterson, Elissa Turnham, Diane Zdunkewicz, Don Jones, Kathy Burton, Alixe Ryan, Jeanie Janke and Sandy Echols.

Feasting on Good Hope

It might have been as hot as Hades on Saturday afternoon during the VIP party for the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition cast and crew plus H-town swells. But with a tent, fans, an upbeat atmosphere and really good food, the heat was on the back burner.

Supplying a rich assortment of sustenance for all was a variety of restaurants including Fleming's Prime Steakhouse — Town & Country, Backstreet Cafe, Hugo's, Max's Wine Dive, The Tasting Room, Catalan and Ibiza.