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SIMON GENTRY MARK ANTHONY NELSON I never understood children who were afraid of Santa Claus. At a very young age, I recognized the benefit of a relationship with someone who could deliver anything you wanted. Given that attitude, my mother edited my annual North Pole–bound letters in an effort to keep my acquisitive nature in check. She explained that I needed to be mindful of choosing only a few things in order to leave room in the sleigh for others' toys. (This was not a satisfactory explanation, as I didn't believe another kid's request for a tree fort should deprive me of an entire herd of hat-wearing ponies.) During one particular pilgrimage to NorthPark for my annual photo op with St. Nick, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Once out of maternal earshot, I figured I should explain that my previously mailed dispatch didn't accurately represent my entire wish list. That year's image shows Santa with an alarmed expression on his face and me ticking off inflated quantities on my fingers. Ultimately, an elf bodily Savannah Christian, Amy Adams, Lacy Ball, Lauren Scheinin removed me from Santa's lap while I was clarifying "…I want one, I mean four, Baby Tender Loves..." These days, I value quality over quantity. And while I had a blast compiling this issue's featured gift suggestions, nothing compares to what I've already been given: The relatively new presence of Savannah Christian, Lauren Scheinin and Lacy Ball on the PaperCity editorial staff means I couldn't ask for anything else. Their combination of insideand-out beauty, brains and talent makes coming to the office each day a pleasure. Those who've had the privilege of working with them thus far know exactly what I mean. I hope you also experience an abundance of riches this holiday season! Amy Adams Executive Editor amyadams@papercitymag.com DECEMBER 2012 | STYLE | FASHION | SOCIAL in this ISSUE 14 20&24 Party: Art + Advocacy powerhouse Parties: Luncheons: Celebrating Women, Equest: Unbridled Hope, On the Move and Expanding Worlds 31 34 Pick of the New: Fresh spots to gaze and graze Jewelry: Baubles with a story to tell 42 45 Gift Guide: A PC Holiday: Our editors' picks for holiday gifting 48 RHIANNON LEE Party: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams' fall fête Party: Escapade celebrates Día de los Muertos. Style: Inside the heads of designers Brenda Houston, Angela Scott, Ariel Saldivar, Elizabeth Anyaa 50 51 52 Fashion Parties: Kimberly McDonald at Forty Five Ten; Stephen Webster at Neiman Marcus NorthPark; Norisol Ferrari cocktail; Cornelia Guest at Tootsies; Fendi Baguette fête at Stanley Korshak Party: TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art 53 Party: A gentlemen's night at Timothy Oulton Parties: Dallas Opera's First Night of Pursuits of Passion; Big Black Tie Ball with Jewel Parties: A Celebration of Reading; Urban Revival for Habitat for Humanity Be Our BFF Travel to the City of Lights sans passport. The Crystal Charity Ball: "Le Grand Bal Parisien" takes place at The Hilton Anatole Saturday, December 1. Join media sponsor PaperCity and inimitable chair Aileen Pratt for an event that raises millions of dollars for children's charities. Tickets from $5,000 a couple; RSVP 214.526.5868, ext. 19; info@crystalcharityball.org … Co-chairs Connie Kleinert and Kelsea West and honorary chairs Karen Adams and Ashlee Kleinert invite you to take a stroll through some of the most beautiful private residences in the Park Cities during the Holiday Home Tour benefitting New Friends New Life Sunday, December 2. Pre-purchased tickets $20, $25 at the door; RSVP 214.965.0935; kcruse@newfriendsnewlife.org … No one can refuse The Yes! Event benefitting The Legacy at Preston Hollow's Dallas Home for Jewish Aged. On Tuesday, December 11, chairs Lisa Albert, Linda Garner, Tricia Gold, Amy Korenvaes, Ilana Rossel and honorary chair Carol Aaron invite you to The Omni Dallas for fashion insight from Karen Katz and Ken Downing of Neiman Marcus. Tickets from $150; RSVP 972.468.6162 or pgoodman@thelegacywb.org. Lauren Scheinin Making Spirits Bright Jim Kastleman, Publisher jim@papercitymag.com Rarely does one find a gemologist's eye, a businessman's acumen and a tastemaker's style in a single Chanel-clad package. But Rozalyn Colombo, private sales director of Graff, is just that. For nearly 25 years, she has successfully negotiated the male-dominated jewelry industry, beginning her career with Harry Winston in New York. Since then, she introduced that high-flying name to Dallas, and now procures and privately sells some of the world's most beautiful jewels through Graff. She has acquired a reputation as the go-to source for exceptional gemstones amongst industry titans (or, in the words she likes to share with author Tom Wolfe, "Masters of Graff yellow the Universe") and, subsequently, the and white women in their lives. However, getting her to diamond necklace to drop names is rather like extracting honey from a cashmere-covered vise — although, after much cajoling, she will admit to including the late Gianni Versace and various members of the Saudi royal family amongst her rather formidable clientele. Clearly, this is a woman who understands that selling million-dollar jewels in an Old World salon-style manner requires a certain amount of discretion. With Graff boutiques in New York, San Francisco, Bal Harbour, Chicago, Palm Beach, and Las Vegas, North American President and CEO Michael Graff has entrusted Colombo to build the brand in Dallas. She works directly with clients at their homes or Rozalyn offices, and occasionally arranges meetings at The Mansion, albeit Colombo with a security detail within easy reach. It's a style of business that harkens back to a bygone age, but this old-school approach isn't all that sets Colombo apart. Her own philanthropic leanings paired with an innate understanding of exactly what jewelry belongs with what gown means she often finds herself at blacktie events stifling the urge to whisper, "I have the most perfect Graff earrings for you." But resist she does, as the hard sell isn't in the DNA 9.07-carat pink of this self-described old soul. Besides, with a trove of the world's finest diamond ring non-conflict diamonds, Burmese rubies, and Colombian emeralds at her perfectly manicured fingertips, she knows that those with a penchant for the finest will ultimately find their way to her. Amy Adams Meet A Unlike some other so-called friends, we promise to never buy the same pair of shoes, reveal your real age or flirt with your significant other. Like us on Facebook (facebook.com/ papercitydallas) to get more of what you love from PaperCity! Social Datebook … wide!) I've had a great year of meeting and spending time with some amazing people — some of whom are in my life and some of whom were just passing through, but all of whom enriched it. I'm thankful for the amazing trip to India and Dubai that started this year, and I'm certain that my endof-year trip to Peru and Machu Picchu will be the perfect finale. I pray that everyone reading this letter has a lot to be thankful for, and that this holiday season will be historic — maybe the best you've had! Selling Desire the Old World Way 4, 6, 8,10 POP. CULTURE. GOSSIP. 12 I t's almost Thanksgiving as I write the last publisher letter in a year that has been outstanding on so many levels. Aside for giving thanks for the usual — great kids and healthy family — I'll give thanks for being in Texas and the strong economy that comes with it these days. (I think my clients — retailers, etc. — will agree!) Business is good, and I'm thankful for our family of staff who have made the magazine great — they work so hard and they deserve so much. We remodeled our Dallas office, and I know our staff here is very thankful for that. It's amazing what a little freshening up can do for the soul. (The blazing-fast fiber-optic internet we installed, along with replacing our 16-yearold phone system, makes everyone thankful and happy company- New Flame Add up Forty Flowers, Five Leaves and Ten Trees, and you get the summation of Forty Five Ten owner Brian Bolke's new candle collection. Created in collaboration with renowned apothecary house Red Flower, these smokeless luxuries contain soy, palm and coconut for an all-natural burn. Purists may choose to place them as Bolke intended: Forty Flowers (consisting of rare heirloom garden roses with hints of magnolia, quince and bee balm) blooms in the bedroom; Five Leaves (an herbal blend of basil, geranium, lemon verbena, spearmint and wild sage) works well in dining areas or the kitchen; and Ten Trees (an unusual woodsy mixture with whiffs of juniper berry, forest fig and amber) will flourish in the living room or library. During the month of December, 20 percent of the proceeds benefit the Fifty Nine Foundation established in honor of Shelley Musselman, the store's late co-founder and co-owner. Its mission raises awareness of the dangers and causes of brain aneurysms, while also aiding in the development of new studies to prevent them. $25 to $85 each; set of three small candles $75, at Forty Five Ten. Amy Adams DECEMBER | PAGE 4 | 2012