No need to ask if there was a lawyer in the house at River Oaks Country Club recently. The place was packed with more than 1,000 legal eagles for the 61st Harvest Party, co-sponsored by the Houston Bar Association, the Houston Bar Foundation and the HBA Auxiliary.

Taking the reins of the event that raised a record $527,000 were bar association president T. Mark Kelly of Vinson & Elkins, auxiliary president Kathy Redden and foundation chair Rocky Robinson of Andrews Kurth. Funds raised support HBA's Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program which provides pro bono legal representation in civil matters to nearly 1,800 low-income people each year and provide legal advice to more than 10,000 each year.

This is one profitable party that was founded as the premier social event of the year for the legal community. Eleven years ago, it was designated a fundraiser. Since that time, it has raised more than $3.5 million for the foundation.

The heavy-hitter legal crowd and spouses included First Court of Appeals Judge Jane Bland, Doug Bland, Becky and Bill Lowery, Lauren Beck Harris and Warren Harris, Wendy and Alistair Dawson, Lynn and Stewart Gagnon, Lisa and Tom Ganucheau, Lilly and Charles Foster, Courtney Tartt Elias and Mark Elias, Anjali Nigam and Chelsie King Garza.

Bring on the bling

As the holidays approach, it seems that everybody's in the mood for bling. Just check out the SRO crowd that turned out Friday night for the De Beers all-about diamonds evening at the swank 2727 Kirby high-rise.

De Beers had to close the RSVP list when the number surpassed 80, well above the crowd of 50 or 60 chichi guests that they had planned on. Everyone wanted a look-see at the magnificent pieces on display.

The company's diamond expert Andrew Coxon winged in from London to share his expertise at the cocktail reception that featured a zillion dollars in stunning ice, individual pieces and collections brought in from around the world. Joining Coxon was De Beers U.S. CEO Hamida Belkadi in from New York. And welcoming guests was Bridgette Bottone, director of De Beers Diamond Jewelers in the Galleria.

Swooning over the glittery confections were Courtney and Mark Toon, Julie and Jim Goughary, Laura and Steve McNear, Jana and Don Sweitzer, Pam Barksdale, Lucky Chopra and Dr. Saqib Siddiqui. They raised their glasses of Veuve Clicquot to toast Nitish Sethi, who was the lucky winner of the raffle for the $3,400 wildflower pendant.

That would be the women of the Houston Polo Club, who recently played their hearts out in a three-day tournament and then celebrated with an exhibition match and champagne tailgate brigade at the Houston fields on the edge of Memorial Park. The competition, sponsored by the luxury Mayakoba Residences at Playa del Carmen, featured world-ranked players Sunny Hale, Cristi Payan of Houston and Tiffany Busch.

Joining the tailgate fun were Susan and Mike Plank, Sarah Simon, Randall Davis, Mary Rambin, Katherine Greene, Natalie and Charlie Weakly, Gemma and Patricio Vales and Edward Sanchez. While applauding the players, they kept warm with AGV 400 Tequilla and feasted on tacos from Yelapa.

Squaring off on the field for the exhibition match were team Mayakoba — Payan, Crystal Cassidy, Caroline Anier and Erica Gandomcar — and team Catena — Anne Andres, Brooks Diesel, Hale and Sarah Prinsloo.

Renowned player Kristy Waters Outhier, with ranches outside of Houston and in Utopia, worked the field as referee.

A worthy cause

Supporters turned out 300 strong for the Pink Door Nonprofit's "La Noche Rosa" gala at Villa Rinata, where the fun included a star turn by flamenco dancer Gabriella La Tempestad, live auction of paintings by local artists and dancing to the sounds of Walter Sur's Mango Punch. The evening raised $65,000 for the three-year-old organization that supports female cancer survivors.

Stepping into the spotlight were honoree Joanne King Herring, survivor legacy honoree Crystal Tatum-Brown, honorary host Edward Sanchez, outstanding chair honoree Bellaire City Councilman Corbett Parker, outstanding host honoree Ashlee Lee and outstanding board member honorees Kari Govin and Tanya Hayes. Chairs included Naji Ghorayeb, Daniella Guzman, Dr. Eric Hass and Shawn Lindsey.