There is no doubt that when it comes to December, the Park Cities know how to dress up mighty pretty. And like checking out an elegant ball gown by Diane Monique Lhuillier, it requires time to take it all in. Unfortunately, the streets lined with beautifully lit homes can also become log-jammed with cars and horse-drawn carriages. Whether it’s a side street or a major boulevard, there is no such thing as hurry-scurry.
Perhaps the greatest traffic black hole of this season was on Thursday, December 20. It was a perfect storm of folks wanting to have that last minute gasp of partying before leaving for an extended holiday weekend and others leisurely making their way home from shopping.
Need a for instance?
Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Débutante Holiday Party
Let’s start with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League holiday party for the DSOL debs, honor guard and all their folks at Cynthia and Brice Beaird‘s marvelous home on Lorraine. Hmm, let’s see. Using all the fingers and toes, that meant more than 150 were expected to fill the 1927-built residence designed by HP Village architects Marion Fooshee and James Cheek.
But the challenge was not managing that number in the perfect-for-Christmas mansion with stained glass and beautifully restored decorated archways. Cynthia is an old hand at that. Why, she even had hot apple cider outside for those waiting for planned carriage rides or their cars.
The problem was getting to the Beairds’ homestead. First, there were two other parties being held on the street. Normally, that would have been manageable. But then the valets’ no-fail plan fell apart when a shuttle bus plugged up the already filled-to-capacity street like a cork in a bottle of Dom. And then there was that longer-than-condominium limo, whose passengers hopped out feeling no pain and walked down past a couple of houses and then fell back into their limo.
Ah, but once inside the Beairds’ home, the stalled parking situation was well worth it. Lizzie Weeks was welcoming guests and receiving birthday congrats at the front door; Deep-bow choreographer Channy Ronchetti was back in town after completing an internship with “Vogue International” and working for a fashion house.
DSOL Debutante Ball Chair Kay Weeks reported that Tom Addis and Junior Villanueva were creating quite a set for the February 2 ball at the Meyerson.
Cattle Baron’s Ball Christmas Party
On the other hand, parking conditions were more reasonable for the Cattle Baron’s Christmas party at Cate and Jeremy Ford‘s mansion on Beverly. Well, yeah! Lorraine to Beverly is like Keira Knightley to Dame Judi Dench. Both classy but totally different sizes.
Of course, it helped that the Fords’ home had an auto courtyard to expedite the arrivals and departures of guests like Olivia and Jeff Kearney who had made the trek from Fort Worth, where they had attended Elaine and Neils Agather‘s annual party. They had one more stop after the CBB party — dinner at Nick and Sam’s Grill with Tanya and Pete Foster and Gregory Dunbar and Terry Van Willson for belated birthday celebrations for Pete and Gregory and an early anniversary celebration for the Fosters.
2012 CBB Co-chair Skye Brewer was solo-ing it because husband Bill was prepping for a trial. JB Hayes was buzzing about her boss Ken Hersh‘s closing a deal earlier in the day where his NCP Energy Capital Management would be acquired by the Carlyle Group for $424M. Santa obviously came early at the Hersh household.
Hostess Cate was receiving accolades for her holiday-decorated home. She admitted that this time of year was her favorite. But she was also a little shy about her write-up on the “D Moms” blog earlier in the day. Why did she do it? To help promote The Trains at NorthPark that will continue to choo-choo until Sunday, January 6.
2013 CBB Co-chairs Mary Gill and Brooke Shelby managed to herd the former CBB chairs together for a photo. Mary and Brooke plan to announce the headliners in January for the upcoming 40th anniversary gala. While they wouldn’t reveal the group, they were adamant that Mother Nature would not be a party pooper.
But the partying didn’t stop at the Ford’s home. A passel of the guests headed over to Javier’s, where they proved that CBB-ers know how to continue the holiday celebration.