Only minutes after landing back in Houston Wednesday night fresh from Art Basel in Miami, Becca Cason Thrash dashed into her Memorial-area mansion just in time to rearrange place cards and freshen up before welcoming 40 for dinner. The guests of honor — jewelry designer David Yurman, his wife, Sybil Yurman, and their son, Evan Yurman and bride Ku-Ling Siegel.

The Yurmans were in town for a personal appearance at their Galleria boutique and accepted the invitation to join Becca and friends for a dressy dinner soirée. In honor of Evan Yurman's talents, the hostess accented her Alexander McQueen frock with a dazzling pearl and diamond ring created by the 27-year-old jewelry designer, following in dad's footsteps.

Dressing up the two elaborately-set dinner tables were pretty ladies Karen Pulaski, Sarah Simon, Chesie Breen, Diane Lokey Farb and Ann Wolf. Contributing to the meaningful table talk were Tricia and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Sue and Lester Smith, Greggory and Pat Burk, Gregory Fourticq and Susan and Mike Plank.

The Dewhursts arrived at the Cason Thrash home following a River Oaks fundraiser that was held in his honor and was hosted by Courtney Lanier Sarofim and Christopher Sarofim.

Under the radar

That would be P. Diddy, who slipped through town on a promotional tour for Ciroc ultra premium vodka midweek, over-nighting in the Presidential Suite at Hotel Derek. While in town, the record producer/ rapper/ fashion designer had a healthy appetite for tasty Italian fare.

His people contacted Valentino, the new classic Italian eatery in Hotel Derek, and ordered a multi-course dinner to go for 12. On the menu — seafood salad with shrimp, crab and caviar with citrus vinaigrette and an antipasto plate of assorted crudo with salami and prosciutto for starters, followed by New York prime steak served over arugula salad and fried onions and whole young chicken cooked under a brick with spinach risotto. For dessert, it was classic tiramisu.

Valentino chef Cunninghame West personally prepared the feast which was delivered by Hotel Derek to P. Diddy's private Lear jet.

A fine tradition

AIDS Foundation Houston continued its tradition of commemorating World AIDS Day with its annual luncheon, held this year at the Four Seasons Hotel, where Roseann Rogers and Lara Bell chaired.

Close to 300 attended and helped raise $120,000 for the non-profit's programs. The fundraiser honored PWA Holiday Charities with the Shelby Hodge Vision Award and honored Chevron as the corporate champion for its commitment to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In a special surprise, David Underwood Sr. made a special presentation to his son, David Underwood Jr. in honor of his years of service to AFH, most recently as board chair.

In the mix were incoming board chair Dianne Lewter, AFH leader Kelly McCann, Jackson Hicks, Bill Caudell, Jan Carson, Sara Speer Selber, Don Gill, Susan Bischoff and Lorraine Wulfe.

Child's play

Oh to have been a kid at Gigi's Asian Bistro & Dumpling Bar Tuesday night for the Joyful Toyful Fiesta. The stuffed animals, the bicycles, the dolls and action figures — 6,000 toys in all were collected from this event and from collection sites. That was double the number of holiday gifts gathered for underprivileged youngsters in 2008. On top of that, the event raised $60,000 for five children-related charities. Three cheers for honorary chair Andy Delery, who founded Joyful Toyful with Carmen and David Bridges 20 years ago.

The party, attended by 200 revelers, was underwritten by Gigi Huang and Janet and Fred Wahrlich. Joining them at the holiday fest were Carol and Dr. Tom Sawyer, Kim Padgett, Brenda and Tom Koch, Jan Carson and Chris Kase.