Shelby About Town
Queen Elizabeth's yacht bed, Farrah Fawcett's champion and a 10-10-10 bash arethe talk of the town
Dede and Connie Weil, flanking the Scottish bagpiper, were part of the HoustonSymphony patrons tour through the United Kingdom.Photo by ©Jami Lupold
Matt Strauss, from left, Debbie Levy and symphony maestro Hans Graf enjoy apost-concert party in Edinburgh, Scotland.Photo by ©Jami Lupold
Eileen Ford, left, and Alana Hamilton Stewart shared a personal moment atFashion Houston.Photo by Michelle Watson/LastNightPics.com
David Peck and Elaine Turner celebrated their Fashion Houston collaboration witha champagne party in her store.
Meredith McCarthy, from left, Mary Powell, Geetha Mammen and Sharon Brier atBrier's Bling Bling party.Photo by Angela Atlas
Ann Bullock, from left, Sharon Brier and Randi PatelPhoto by Angela Atlas
It's been veddy, veddy nice this week for Houston Symphony patrons joining the orchestra on its musical venture through the United Kingdom. They've enjoyed a private dinner aboard the British royal family's Royal Yacht Britannia, were treated to a private dinner in Edinburgh Castle, made a visit to St. Andrews, and, in London, viewed the Mounting of the Queen's Life Guard and toured the Household Cavalry at Knightsbridge.
No matter how sophisticated the travelers in this entourage, they had to be awed by these very special experiences. For example, during their evening aboard the Britannia, the Houstonians toured the royal family's staterooms and were more than surprised to find that Queen Elizabeth sleeps in "a tiny little twin-sized bed."
The group particularly enjoyed viewing the family photos that were on display throughout the yacht. Just ask Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Muffy and Mike McLanahan or Nancy and Bob Peiser. They were part of the Scotland group.
We are told that during the dinner at Edinburgh Castle, Houston Symphony maestro Hans Graf ordered haggis. It was ceremoniously presented by a parade of staff that was led into the dining room by a bagpiper. Not everyone was so eager to jump into the dish of sheep's heart, liver and lung. But some were game. Check with Joan and Marvin Kaplan and Dede and Connie Weil on that.
The tour of the stables at the Household Cavalry included up-close-and-personal moments with the horses, a treat for Mike Stude, Jan Barrow and Barbara McCelvey who were captivated by the royal steeds. Add to that adventure cocktails served in the Officer's Mess and lunch at the Table of Gentleman Offices, hosted by the Commanding Officer.
Obviously, the celebration of the symphony's first European tour in 10 years has been a success in more ways than one — including sellout houses, standing ovations and high critical praise for The Planets — An HD Odyssey.
On a mission
That would be Alana Hamilton Stewart, long-time friend of the late Farrah Fawcett, who now heads the foundation created in the star's memory to raise funds for cancer research. For several days, Stewart has been in town, where she graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School, meeting with doctors at M.D. Anderson and other researchers. She is here until Saturday when she heads back to home base in LA.
It wasn't all work and no play for the lithesome Stewart. At Lynn Wyatt's invitation, she was a guest at the Fashion Houston finale at Wortham Theater Center on Thursday night.
When Stewart received the invitation, she panicked. She had not brought any cocktail clothes. So she contacted her friends at Diane von Furstenberg in New York and they sent her down a shimmering cocktail dress. But, whoa, it was a bit too big. So off Stewart went to Tootsies on Thursday afternoon to have the dress quickly altered for that evening's festivities. She looked smashing.
Toasting Fashion Houston
Designers David Peck and Elaine Turner, who joined forces on the catwalk at Fashion Houston earlier this week, celebrated that partnership over bubbly in her flagship boutique in West University the following day. Peck's thoughtful collection was on display and available for pre-order while Turner's handbags and footwear offerings filled the shelves including custom shoes that Turner created in fabrics from Peck's CrOp collection.
Among those joining in the fashion fest were Peck's wife Michelle Phillips Peck, Jim Turner, Heather McLeskey, Jamie Collier, George Marshall Worthington, Blair Hollen Slaughter, Ashley Olson, Jennifer Kolker, Anne Walzel and Samira Salman.
A 10-10-10 celebration
Greenwood King's Sharon Brier and hubby Mike Brier weren't about to let that unique date pass without some sort of blowout. So they conjured up a 'Bling Bling" girlie bash for 75 of Sharon's friends ("All your girlfriends are 10s," Mike had said.) The ladies were invited to wear whatever made them feel like a "10."
For the party on Oct. 10, 2010, the Briers hired a pedi-cab biker to transport the ladies from their cars, parked along neighborhood streets, to the Brier home. Mike met them in the front yard with offerings of flavored 360 Vodka shots with double chocolate and peach the ladies' faves.
Party planners take note. The entertainment included a tattoo painter who adorned arms, necks and faces; a Bling Bling Table where guests could redeem their party tickets for a gift (decorated or bejeweled reading glasses, jewelry, animal print journals and calendars; a book exchange (every guest had to bring a book); and a feast of salads and desserts plus stiletto-shaped cookies.
International fete
Spanish Consul General Miguel Angel Fernandez de Mazarambroz opened the doors of his Tanglewood home earlier this week for Fiesta Nacional de Espana or National Day of Spain. The turnout included numerous notables such as Consul General of France Pierre Grandjouan, Italian Consul General Fabrizio Nava, Romanian honorary consul Nick Florescu, Hernan Arizmendi with Marciel Blum, Karen and Byron Hood, Ramon Hernan and Mary and Jan Dryselius, honorary consul of Sweden.
Sight 'ems
Mary and Vincent Kickerillo dining at Da Marco with Karen Pulaski and Steve Tyrell and at another table Denise and Bill Monteleone . . .
A beefy pack of Houston Texans, both offensive and defensive linemen, getting into the hearty chow at Mo's . . . A Place for Steaks, including Mario Williams, Shaun Cody, Amobi Okoye, Antonio Smith, Adewale Ogunleye and Frank Okam, to name a few.
