Yes, Thursday, November 7 continued to be a thriller after lunch. The evening of fundraising had folks trying to be three places at the same time. Alas, choices had to be made. Some committed themselves to just one event like the Flora Award honoring Jan Pickens at the Texas Discovery Garden or the Art for Advocacy Auction. Others party-hopped, like Doris Jacobs, who hosted a “Fall Fashion Reception for Realtors” benefiting the Salvation Army at Tootsies and then headed to the Crystal Charity Ball underwriters party. Here are just a few of the evening highlights:
DIFFA Wreath Auction
At the stroke of 6, Market Hall’s acres of parking were as filled as a stuffed turkey. What the heck? Signs read, “Sample Sale This Way” and “Antiques This Way”.
Seems the Dallas International Art, Antique and Jewelry Show’s ginormous showcase of luxury furnishings and collectibles was in half of the building and a Super Sale was going on in the other part of the building with a wall separating the two.
For the savvy DIFFA crowd, they either used the valet parking at the entrance or parked across the street in the Dallas Trade Mart parking lot. The not so savvy ones searched for priceless parking spots along the narrow lanes of the Market Hall parking. As the farthest end of the hall, the DIFFA wreath silent auction was underway with champagne flowing and guests snapping cellphone photos of other guests (Debra Nelson, Simona Beal, John Phifer Marrs, Matthew Simon, Clint Bradley and Greg Haynes Johnson), designers and the wreaths, of course.
Alas, sadly to report — the silent auction was a one-nighter. So look for them on the most fashionable Dallas doors.
So, what did you miss? Tractor Beam’s green and red Legos version, Gallerie Noir’s steer skull topped off with a wreath of red roses, Sissy’s Southern Kitchen of herbs and spices that included a dinner party or cocktail party, Moet Hennessy USA’s collection of fans, Robert Chapa’s white wreath of miniature gift boxes surrounding a Christmas morning motif and so many more. But perhaps the most fascinating of the group was the Gensler Architects’ 3D printed prototype that could have been snapped up for $1,200. Or, maybe Cunningham Architects’ wreath of wood shaving surrounding a 19th century bronze signed by Barye?
BTW, thanks to John Bobbitt’s curating the show’s “DIFFA/Dallas Designer Showcase,” DIFFA received a percentage of the opening night’s proceeds and a very nice thank-you in the four-figure range. Speaking of John, his own vignette in the showcase was a treasure of Napoleon III furnishings (1860-1870) with a backdrop of the most magnificent paneled walls with beautiful carvings. But then what else would you expect from him?
If you did miss this wreath auction, don’t miss the DIFFA 2014 Masquerade this spring.
Urban Revival
Taking the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge over the Trinity, more than 250 guests headed for Trinity Groves for Urban Revival benefiting Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. An addition this year was the entry tent with the pop-up shop with all types of goodies from Commonwealth Couture. According to the store’s Lynda Piepgras, not only were 20% of the sales going to Habitat, but Bank of America was going to match that figure.
This year’s Co-Chairs Heather and Malcolm Hicks and Nikki and Crayton Webb along with Amanda and Brint Ryan arranged to have 11 “bird mansions” along with little birdhouses for sale. Some were signed by all the Dallas Cowboys, another by the Texas Rangers and still another was inspired by MacKenzie-Childes. One of the birdhouses truly stood out. Underneath a miniature tree with itty-bitty birdhouses was a birdhouse village. At first glance it was a knockout, but look a little closer and you realized that it was made of mascara, lipstick cases and a thatched roof of brushes. Who was responsible for the cosmetic feat? Michael Glassmoyer and his team at Mary Kay!
With a goal of $150,000, the room was soon filled with such folks as Kathy and Richard Holt, Charlene Howell with Habitat Board Member Anne Haskel, Jill Magnuson, Brynn Bagot Allday, David Boyett, Becky and Tommy Bain and Gillian and Mark Breidenbach, who were fresh from the DIFFA wreath auction.
Crystal Charity Ball Underwriters Reception
While former Mexican President Vicente Fox with his wife Marta Sahagun was three-deep in fans and friends at Kandis and Bill Hutchinson’s estate the night before addressing the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, just a couple of blocks away at Ann and Lee Hobson’s marvelous home, the underwriters of Crystal Charity Ball were being honored.
Thanks to Stacy and David Blank of the Diamond Doctor, the party sparkled with champagne and loads of jewelry. Unlike last year when there were models wearing the beautiful baubles, the ladies of CCB were sporting diamonds like Marilyn Monroe only wishes. In some cases, it was actually hard to tell the loaners from the owned necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets.
Among the crowd glittering and chatting were D’Andra Simmons and fiancée Jeremy Locke, Jeff Byron, Pam Perella, Ralph Babb, Linda and Steve Ivy, Libby Allred, Carol and Don Glendenning, Karen and Bill Seanor, Marilyn Augur and daughter Margaret Hancock, Mary Clare Finney, Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, Patti Flowers and Tom Swiley, Lee Bailey, John Clutts and Dr. Sami Arslanlar and Heather and Bill Esping.
And when guests picked up their vehicles for their ride home, “the doctor” had a lovely surprise for them.