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    Mad Hatter's Ball

    Children’s Museum’s Mad Hatter’s Ball with Alice and the gang is a stunning visual delight

    Marcy de Luna
    Oct 17, 2016 | 5:10 pm

    The Children’s Museum of Houston annual gala is always a hot ticket. This year was especially so as 500 guests filled the ballroom at The Corinthian to celebrate the “Mad Hatter’s Ball" in visually-stunning Alice in Wonderland surroundings.

    Partygoers entered the looking glass through shiny silver curtains into a fantasyland as Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts, courtesy of Party Princess Productions, greeted them. The whimsical setting was the work of Bergner & Johnson Design, who brought the evening’s Mad Hatter theme to life. “There are lots of garden elements, top hats, clocks, and hanging elements (including floating playing cards, rampant vines and dazzling chandeliers). We’ve been here working since Tuesday,” Rebekah Johnson told CultureMap.

    The interiors were so spectacular that more than 630 people liked a photo that CultureMap posted on its Instagram page Saturday night.

    While black tie attire ruled the night, there was no shortage of exuberant hats in every shape and size.

    The philanthropic spirit was evident as attendees purchased $50 raffle tickets (to win a Cartier Ballon Blue 36mm stainless steel watch), and bid on silent and big board auction items. Live auction items, including a five-night getaway at The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa in Phucket, Thailand and a Labradoodle puppy, went to the highest bidders, who were inspired to give back.

    Jackson & Company’s multi-course menu fueled guests before they hit the chess-inspired dance floor to the tunes of popular band, Skyrocket.

    Elva and Truett Akin, and Monica and Greg Meeks chaired the evening which raised $955,000 dollars to further develop the museum’s educational and outreach programs.

    Having fun for a good cause were Claire and Jack Blanton III, Leslie and Jack Blanton, Reyne Hirsch, Jennifer Roosth, Children’s Museum of Houston board president Geoff Bracken and wife Shelley Bracken, Bill and Courtney Toomey, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Lisa and Kevin Barksdale, Kristen and John Berger, Dr. Kelly Coleman, Pam and Stephen Daniel, Julie and Ron Finck, Glen Gonzalez and Steve Summers, Hunt and Allison Harper, and Brad and Lauren Morgan.

    Also joining in the fun spirit of the evening were Amy and Zeph Moss, Katherine and Paul Murphy, Winifred and Nicholas Phillips, Mindy and Sean Rice, Rachel and Sebastien Solar, Anabella and Saul Solomon, Candace and Brian Thomas, Ali and Haydeh Davoudi, Carolyn and Chris Dorros, Eleanor and Dan Gilbane, Leigh and Chris Joseph, Claudia Kreisle, Jennifer and Chris Laporte, Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith and wife Tiffany, Krystal Thompson, and Molly and Coert Voorhees.

    John Harrell, Caroline Harrell with the Queen of Hearts,left, and Alice, right.

    Houston, Childrens Museum of Houston Mad Hatters Ball, Oct. 2016, John Harrell, Caroline Harrell
      
    Photo by Alexander Rogers and Gary Maltz
    John Harrell, Caroline Harrell with the Queen of Hearts,left, and Alice, right.
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    Recipe for Success

    Houston’s chicest support kids’ health at farm fashion show

    Joel Luks
    Jun 19, 2025 | 1:30 pm
    Recipe for Success Fashion in the Fields 2025
    Photo by Michelle Watson
    Founder Gracie Cavnar, center, with the participating chefs.

    On a picture-perfect spring afternoon, Houston’s haute families traded their city stilettos for stylish wedges and sun hats at Hope Farms, where fashion met philanthropy at the Seventh Annual Fashion in the Fields Brunch and Fashion Show. With Japanese umbrellas dancing in the breeze and the scent of ranunculus and rose wafting from centerpiece watering cans, the event proved once again that cultivating health and style are not mutually exclusive.

    The star of the show — aside from the petal-perfect runway looks — was the event’s uniquely multi-generational leadership. Elizabeth Phillips chaired the event alongside daughters Ariel Lopez and Brittany Faulk, with granddaughters Finley Lopez, Hallie Faulk, and Rose Faulk making it a family affair to remember. Sheree Frede, Sarah Phillips, and Sara DeJay Willis served as co-chairs, reinforcing the event’s legacy-minded ethos.

    And legacy was the buzzword of the day.

    “To see the next generation picking up the torch is deeply inspiring,” said Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar, who’s spent 19 years growing the organization’s mission to inspire children to eat fresh, nutritious food. That mission took center stage — quite literally — when a pack of pint-sized models dressed by Itsy Bitsy Boutique (and some dapper dads in M Penner) pranced down the runway to collective awws and camera flashes.

    Recipe for Success Fashion in the Fields 2025
      

    Photo by Michelle Watson

    Founder Gracie Cavnar, center, with the participating chefs.

    The main event unfolded with spring collections from presenting sponsors Mason’s Daughter, Sachin and Babi, and City Boots, punctuated by sustainable style highlights from Magpies and Peacocks. ABC13 Houston anchor and style savant Miya Shay emceed with flair, serving commentary as vibrant as the garments.

    Of course, no fashion fête is complete without a fitting feast.

    Guests noshed on a Michelin-pedigree brunch courtesy of a chef dream team: Tommy Laczynski (Barcelona Wine Bar), Barbara McKnight (Culinaire), JC Ricks (Dandelion Café), Drake Leonard (Eunice), Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), and Patti Delgado (The Original Ninfa’s). Glasses clinked over Down the Rabbit Hole cocktails, a botanical blend with carrot juice from Hope Farms and wines courtesy of 55 Seventy Private Member’s Club.

    The day’s emotional high came during Paddles Up, raising scholarships for Hope Farms’ summer camps. Cynthia and Tony Petrello led the charge with a $5,000 gift to fund a dozen weeklong experiences for local kids. Raffle winners walked away with floral subscriptions, design consults, private cocktail classes, and fresh produce deliveries. The Foundation also honored Chef Kevin Bryant as Chef of the Year and Samuel Jackson as Volunteer of the Year for their unwavering commitment to sustainable food education.

    Looking ahead, Lyndsey Zorich, a Foundation Advisory Board member and fashion entrepreneur, is already at work assembling next year’s dream team of stylish moms to chair the 2026 event.

    Among the stylish crowd were Beth Harp, Gayla Gardner, Celina Hellmund, Anita and David Garten, Rudy Guerra, Veronica Neal, Sara Morgan and Oscar Brown, Laura and Etai Funk, and Gina Gaston Elie.

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