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38 LA SERENISSIMA SHELBY HODGE TURNS THE PAGE. PHOTOGRAPHY JOHNNY THAN. W hile one might be tempted to stop and smell the roses, the freesia, and the gardenias in Todd Fiscus' Houston outpost of his wildly successful Avant Garden flower and gift shop, there's so much more to explore. Just ask the posh coterie that gathered for Francesca Bortolotto Possati's book signing hosted by Becca Cason Thrash and Ceron. The River Oaks District boutique was the perfect platform for introducing Houston globetrotters to Possati and to her coffee-table book, Venetian Chic (Assouline), which showcases Possati's favorite artisan shops, markets, and restaurants. As CEO of the Bauer Hotel Group in Venice (Bauer Hotel, Il Palazzo, Palladio Hotel & Spa, Villa F) and a native Venetian, this lady knows whereof she speaks. Guests, including Ms. Possati, made a photo romp through the shop's two immersive experiences: #FlowerRain (photos snapped in a shower of flower petals) and #BringTheHouseDown (Instagram moments recorded in a disco scene with smashed chandeliers all about). Champagne flowed, and Fiscus' signature caviar with potato chips whetted appetites before the chic clutch headed off to dinner. WHO: Leigh and Reggie Smith, Gary Tinterow, John Thrash, Marnie Greenwood, Luba and Alan Bigman, Elizabeth Petersen, Duyen and Marc Nguyen, Christie Sullivan, Blakely and Trey Griggs, Sabiha Rehmatulla, Cathy Echols, Don Mafrige Jr., Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu, and Sima Ladjevardian. See more Shelby Hodge at papercitymag.com. VENETIAN CHIC AND SMASHED CHANDELIERS AT AN AVANT GARDEN ROMP. Marnie Greenwood Becca Cason Thrash Stuart Rosenberg, Amy Johnston, Mark Sullivan Duyen & Marc Nguyen Nick Florescu & Dominique Sachse Alan & Luba Bigman Christie Sullivan Dan Brodsky, Sara Dodd Gary Tinterow Michael Hogan George Lancaster Ceron, Elizabeth Petersen Francesca Bortolotto Possati Don Mafrige Jr. Clifford Pugh Lindley Arnoldy Sabiha Rehmatulla Sima Ladjevardian