THIS YEAR'S HOTTEST HEADLINES

Houston's bravest heat up this year's hottest society stories

Houston Grand Opera presents Costume Sale

Houston Grand Opera presents Costume Sale

  • Hotel Granduca's tea service and delightful finger foods
  • Hotel Granduca treating guests to afternoon tea
  • The "Texas Tea" option at the Four Seasons: Lobster salad slider, roast beefwith pickled onion slivers, quail egg toast with truffle and herbed goat cheesestuffed finger sandwiches
    Photo by Emile C. Browne
  • Ladies enjoying the afternoon tea at the Four Seasons
    Photo by Emile C. Browne
  • The tea room at St. Regis
  • Kiran's mixed berry tarts
    Photo by Debora Smail/RealityPhotography.net
  • Afternoon tea at Kiran's
    Photo by Debora Smail/RealityPhotography.net
  • An intimate setting for afternoon tea at St. Regis
  • The extensive tea selection at the Four Seasons
    Photo by Emile C. Browne

  • Has the Duchess of Cambrige singlehandedly brought hats back in style?
  • Hot pink hat by Phillip Treacy, $950, at Neiman Marcus
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • The author had a fascinator specially for her wedding.
    Courtesy Photo
  • Black feathery fascinator-style hat, by Kokin, at Neiman Marcus.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Hats for spring come in all sizes and shades....
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • The groom arrived by elephant for the actual wedding ceremony.
    Photo courtesy of © J. Cogliandro Photography
  • No expense was spared for the elaborate decor of the three-day wedding.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Recreating the intricate carvings of the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur tookImagination 3D six months.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Henna paintings on palms and feet are part of the wedding tradition.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • The setting at the Hilton Americas-Houston was a vision of light, color andIndian-inspired design.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Beautiful trinkets were given to wedding guests by "maharajas."
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • The Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom is readied for the ceremony.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

TV at the Alamo: The Royal Wedding

TV at the Alamo: The Royal Wedding

  • Blue-Eyed Butcher premieres Saturday at 7 p.m. on Lifetime TV.
    My Lifetime TV
  • A scene from Blue-Eyed Butcher with Lisa Edelstein as prosecutor Kelly Siegler.
    Photo by Jack Zeman/My Lifetime TV
  • Sara Paxton as Susan Wright in Blue-Eyed Butcher
    Photo by Jack Zeman/My Lifetime TV

  • Red Lion
  • Ouisie's Table
  • Alamo Drafthouse
  • Regent Street prepares for the Royal Wedding.

Wills + Kate = 4EVA

Cheerio! Where to go to watch the royal wedding

  • Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly
  • Prince William and Kate Middleton
    Photo by Mario Testino
  • Which of these couples has the more touching date on April 29?

  • Packham is know for embellished gowns with slim silhouettes
  • Designer Jenny Packham at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sept. 2010
    Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz

  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com

  • Food can be funny, but maybe not laugh out loud funny like the classic video ofLucy and Ethel in the chocolate factory skit on I Love Lucy.
  • Then there's Steve Sneeds, a guy in California whose blog TheSneeze.com has afeature called Steve, Don’t Eat It! where he reviews stuff like pickled porkrinds and decades old boxes of cereal.
    The Sneeze/Steve, Don't Eat It!
  • It’s hard to beat the classic Peep Show where pink bunnies in G-strings poledance for an audience of yellow chicks with tiny cigarettes and one dollarbills.
    Neatorama
  • From the website My Food Looks Funny, the moderator's comments: Thank goodnessit's not fried!"
    My Food Looks Funny

  • Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly
  • Prince William and Kate Middleton
    Photo by Mario Testino
  • Which of these couples has the more touching date on April 29?

  • The prince, the ambassador and the cowboy go western at Somerville Acres.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • This cowboy could out-rope Will Rogers.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • The barbecue crew came with a hefty load of supplies.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Prime rib was cooking all afternoon over hot coals.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • The cows were safe with this Bellaire city councilman behind the rope.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Mike Wells demonstrating cutting horse talents.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • His first-time riding western since years back.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Blueberry cobbler cooked over coals in a dutch oven.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge

  • Rihanna in Stella McCartney gown and Sevilla in Jet bag.
  • Ashley Greene in Donna Karan gown and Judith Leiber Guilloche antique silver bag
  • Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney gown and Judith Leiber Corner Rectangle inPalladium clutch
  • Penelope Cruz in Oscar de la Renta gown
  • Mary Kate Olsen in a vintage gown by Christian Lacroix and Judith Leiber Tessenin Siam fan clutch
  • Serena Williams in Oscar de la Renta gown and Judith Leiber clutch
  • Elizabeth Banks in a Tommy Hilfiger gown and Judith Leiber Figure Eight inKarung bag
  • David Lauren in Ralph Lauren tuxedo; Lauren Bush in Ralph Lauren gown withJudith Leiber FEED 1000 clutch
  • Ashley Olsen in Christian Dior Couture and Flip Top in Capri bag

  • Princess Grace's wedding gown

  • A still from T-Mobile's Royal Wedding Dance video
  • The funny clip took me back to my time spent studying at the University of St.Andrews, where, for one semester, Prince William and Kate Middleton were myschoolmates.
    Photo by Ellie Knaus
  • I arranged my class schedule in order to have four-day weekends.

  • Yao Ming and wife Ye Li, pictured here at a Tux and Tennies gala, were spottedlunching at Ouisie's.
    Photo by Patrick Peñas for LastNightPics.com
  • Prince Jean de France, Duc de Vendome and Princess Philomena on their weddingday in France.
    Photo by David Niviere
  • French mezzo-soprano Marie Lenormand will perform at the Royal Weddingsluncheon.
  • Princess Philomena and Prince Jean with their son Gaston

  • A protester stands in front of a burning barricade during a demonstration inCairo January 28, 2011
    Photo by Goran Tomasevic
  • Zukhro, an employee of the city zoo, walks with Vadik, an 18-month-old malelion, on the territory of the zoo in the capital Dushanbe, January 20, 2011.Employees take the lion from its cage to have a promenade along the territorytwo times a week while holding a piece of meat to attract Vadik's attention soit walks nearby.
    Photo by Nozim Kalandarov
  • Researchers dressed in panda costumes put a panda cub into a basket beforetransferring it to a new living environment at the Hetaoping Research andConservation Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong National Nature Reserve,Sichuan province February 20, 2011
    Photo by Heng Yi
  • A 22-year-old woman in a wedding gown is grabbed by Guo Zhongfan, a localcommunity officer, as she attempts to kill herself by jumping out of aseven-storey residential building in Changchun, Jilin province May 17, 2011.According to local media, the woman tried to commit suicide after her boyfriendof four years broke up with her, just as they were making plans to get married.The woman did not sustain any injuries during the incident.
    Photo by Li Ping
  • A miner climbs on excavated rocks after a giant drill machine broke through atthe final section Sedrun-Faido, at the construction site of the NEAT GotthardBase Tunnel March 23, 2011. Crossing the Alps, the world's longest train tunnelshould become operational at the end of 2016.
    Photo by Arnd Wiegmann
  • Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand lays on the track after falling during the women's1,500 meters heats at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu August 28, 2011
    Photo by David Gray
  • Tsunami Swirls
    Photograph from Kyodo/AP
  • Kesennuma, Japan. March 15, 2011
    Photo by James Nachtwey
  • Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchessof Cambridge kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011 inLondon, England
    Photo by Peter Macdiarmid
  • Shuttle launch. May 16, 2011
    Photo by Stefanie Gordon
  • London Riots
    Photo by Amy Weston
  • University of California, Davis, California. November 18, 2011
    Photo by Wayne Tilcock

  • Ralph Lauren designed Lauren's Bush wedding gown and his son David Lauren'swestern-style tuxedo
    Photo by Norman Jean Roy/Courtesy of Vogue
  • Lauren Bush Lauren
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
  • Lauren Bush Lauren, left, and Sharon Bush, showcase the Judith Leiber FEED 1000clutch, $495 at Neiman Marcus and Judith Leiber
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
  • Lauren Bush and David Lauren at the Costume Institute Gala last spring where sheintroduced the Judith Leiber FEED 1000 clutch.

  • Kate Middleton and Prince William
  • Zooey Dreschanel
  • A scene from the 1991 movie, "The Bachelor"
  • Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in "Notting Hill"

  • India, Shah Jahan Receives the Persian Ambassador, Muhammad 'Ali Beg, folio fromthe Windsor Padshahnama, c. 1633, ink, colors and gold on paper, the RoyalCollection, Windsor
  • Egypt or Syria, Mosque Lamp, c. 1354–61, enameled and gilded glass, MuseumCalouste Gulbenkian, Lisbon
    Photo by Catarina Gomes Ferreira
  • Ardabil Carpet, Tabriz, Iran, dated 1539-40 (A.H. 946), silk plain weavefoundation with wool knotted pile, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of J.Paul Getty
  • Ahmed Mater, Saudi, born 1979, Illumination Diptych (Ottoman Waqf), 2010, goldleaf, tea, pomegranate, Dupont Chinese ink and Offset x-ray film print on paper,Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Edge of Arabia and the artist
  • Turkey, Robe of Honor, end of the 17th–first half of the 18th century, silk,silver thread wound around white and yellow silk cores, taqueté weaving(seraser), Museum für Islamische Kunst, Berlin
  • China, Giraffe with Attendant, 1403–34, ink and colors on silk, mounted as ahanging scroll, Philadelphia Museum of Art, gift of John R. Dorrance
  • Syria or Egypt, Pair of Bracelets, 11th century, gold, fabricated from sheet,decorated with wire, granulation and repoussé, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

  • Alabama coach Nick Saban made sure to remember to act like he enjoyed theGatorade bath this time.
  • The crystal football is the worst trophy in major sports. Considering it's themost meaningless, that's almost fitting.
  • Tryann Mathieu — the Honey Badger — went missing in the BCS title game.
  • Trent Richardson finally broke the LSU-Alabama touchdown drought in the fourthquarter of the rematch.
  • Les Miles
  • Nick Saban

  • Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef
    Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef/Facebook
  • A scene from last year's Grand Tasting during Wine & Food Week in the Woodlands
    Photo by Steven David
  • Wine and Food Week/Facebook
  • Alyssa Rapp, wine wizard master of ceremonies
    ClaudiaChan.com

  • It's a smashing summer for Lynn Wyatt.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Lynn was among the 900 guests attending Prince Albert's wedding in Monaco.
  • Lynn stayed with John Furnish and Sir Elton John for the White Tie & Tiara Ball.
    Photo via Feed Agg
  • Lynn had the inside track on Karl Lagerfeld's 2011-12 Haute Couture show forChanel.
    Photo by Olivier Saillant/Chanel News
  • He organized the birthday lunch at Ouisie's for La Wyatt. Here they are shown ata previous event.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Tory Burch will host Lynn at her South Hampton home.
    Photo via Newscom

  • Sure, Kate Middleton and Prince William are cute and stuff. But why do we careso much about their wedding?
  • That's a nice building, that Westminister Abbey. Looks like a mighty finelocation for overly-priced royal nuptials.

  • It's official: Kate Middleton and Prince William are engaged!
  • A royal dress to-die-for is for sure.
  • A ride in the royal carriage..
  • to an enormous and fabulous wedding.

  • Sleepwalk with Me
    Sleepwalk with Me/Facebook
  • Lauren Ambrose and Mike Birbiglia in Sleepwalk with Me
    Sleepwalk with Me/Facebook
  • A scene from Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer
    Photo by David Lee
  • Frank and Robot movie poster
  • Marcel Carne’s marathon-length masterwork, Children of Paradise, is set in andaround the theater world of Paris circa 1828.

  • Tomiko Jones, L'arbre du St. Ambreuil
  • Will Michels, Muir III
  • Colin Blakely, Lighted Tree

  • A hot air balloon ride through the canyons of Turkey was thrilling, beautifuland indescribable.
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Showing Texas pride at Ephesus
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Enjoying a boat ride on the Marmara Sea: From left, Giti and Parivesh Zarinkelk,Deborah Elias, Sara Smith, Scott Brogan and Alyssa Goldsmith
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Evil eye necklaces for sale
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Exploring the Underground City in Goreme National Park
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Deborah Elias learns to make homemade Turkish breakfast breads in the CCR Hotelin Cappadocia.
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • The captain from Balloon Turca deftly drifted the balloon through thespectacular canyons, and upon landing staff provided us with a much welcomedglass of champagne.
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Carlos Obando in an Istanbul rug shop
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • A gorgeous morning in Turkey
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Carlos Obando, from left, the Hon. Ahmet Aydin, deputy chairman of the MajorityPolitical Party, and Ximena Murillo
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Ximena Murillo, left, learning how to make a Turkish rug
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Deborah Elias in an underground cistern in Istanbul
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Deborah Elias, Alyssa Goldsmith and Sara Smith at Haga Sophia Mosque
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias
  • Dinner at the home of a Turkish businessman and his family.
    Photo courtesy of Deborah Elias

Slap on the limp wrist

Mayor Annise Parker tackles hipstrict house party

  • Sleepyheads Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard.
  • Mayor Annise Parker's latest tweet.
    Photo via Twitter
  • Annise Parker at this year's Mayor's Tea, held at the mayor's home

  • The hat that stole headlines could be yours.
  • So that's where the cat went!
    Facebook
  • You will be very, very broke in the near future.
    Facebook
  • Feel free to blame Philip Treacy, the designer of the monstrosity.
    Photo by Robbie Reynolds

  • Grace Van Cutsem, William's goddaughter, simply couldn't save royal face anylonger.
    Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
  • Little Gracie found herself in the backseat with Rebecca Black, and had the samereaction.
  • Grace has had enough of Donald Trump, too.

  • Photo by Todd Parker/STP Images Inc.
  • Photo by Todd Parker/STP Images Inc.
  • Photo by Todd Parker/STP Images Inc.
  • Photo by Todd Parker/STP Images Inc.
  • Photo by Todd Parker/STP Images Inc.
  • Photo by Todd Parker/STP Images Inc.
  • Photo by Todd Parker/STP Images Inc.
  • Photo by Todd Parker/STP Images Inc.
  • Photo by Todd Parker/STP Images Inc.

  • Mark Kelly holds wife Gabrielle Giffords' hand at TIRR Memorial Hermann.
  • Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly
  • Space Shuttle Endeavour

  • The white iPhone 4 is finally out today. Should you care?
  • The next iPhone model — colloquially known as the iPhone 5 — is expected to bereleased in the next few months.

  • The house is beautifully covered in fig ivy which neatly frames the mullionedwindows and French doors.
  • The dramatic entry hall has been used as a setting for ads in Veranda, SouthernLiving and Antiques Magazine.
  • The master suite is extra spacious and features contemporary bath and closets.
  • The interior pool terrace is reminiscent of a glamorous French hotel.
  • The living room is filled with light thanks to the floor-to-celing French doors.
  • This spacious guest bedroom enjoys a serene ambiance.

  • Prince Jean de France was guest speaker at the benefit luncheon Joanne KingHerring organized for her Marshall Plan for Afghanistan.
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
  • River Oaks Country Club chef Charles Carroll is back from Afghanistan withgreetings for Joanne King Herring.
  • It might not be Elizabeth Taylor but expect plenty of Cleopatras at the Museumof Fine Arts, Houston ball in October.
  • Reece Davenport makes her way along the beach in St. Barts where shooting beginson EROS II.
    Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
  • Judy McGee, from left, Sydney Faust, Scott Basinger and Elsie Smith join forcesfor Texas Children's Hospital.
    Photo by Kim Christensen

  • Hilary Duff will be exchanging this red for white in her wedding tonight.
  • Because Hilary Duff looked so bad before, she fanatically worked out for the bigday.
  • The Kennedy Cottage at the San Ysidro Ranch resort where Duff will wed.

  • Once the sun set, the lighting became dramatic.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • The open-sided tent was the perfect party venue for the perfect spring night.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
  • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com

  • For Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly, it's a "Beautiful Day."
    nanazoca.blogspot.com
  • Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off.
  • Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly

  • Dinner will be at Ambassador Rivkin's official residence.
    Photo by Michel Dufour
  • The black-tie dinner and concert take place in the Louvre.
  • Janet Jackson will rock the foundations of the Louvre with her privateperformance.
    Photo by Scott McAlpine
  • Chateau du Champ de Bataille where the Louvre contingent will dine on Mondaynight.

  • Cerón celebrated his U.S. citizenship in customary flamboyant style.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Dr. Jim Willerson, left, and Dr. Billy Cohn at the Texas Heart Instituteluncheon.
    Ken Hoge
  • Dr. Denton Cooley at the Texas Heart Institute luncheon.
    Photo by Patrick Armstrong
  • Greg Gorman, from left, Lynn Wyatt and George Lancaster at the Decorative CenterHouston.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Prince Jean de France and Joanne King Herring at the Royal Weddings underwriterdinner.
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
  • Michelle Hevrdejs, from left, Diane Lokey Farb and Jana Arnoldy at the RoyalWeddings dinner.
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
  • Clo and Charles S. Cohen at the Decorative Center Houston.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge