Furniture 4 Kids: Build It and They Will Come

Furniture 4 Kids took place on February 19th at Sixty Five Hundred on Cedar Springs to raise ends for one of my favorite charities, Vogel Alcove.  Creative teams had been given a plain wooden toy box and challenged to design and create a one-of-a-kind toy box that was judged and auctioned off the night of the event. Guests grazed a room filled with stations from Dallas' hottest restaurants, including Del Frisco's Steak House, Dragonfly from Hotel ZaZa, Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck, Nick & Sam's Steakhouse, Stephan Pyles and Start! Restaurant.  Emcees LeeAnne Locken and Steve Kemble took over the stage and whipped bidders into a buying frenzy for these amazing one-of-a-kind creations. Bidders could bid to keep or ‘Bid-to-Donate’ to Vogel Alcove. This dynamic duo (along with a fantastic group of sponsors) helped to raise $75,000 for the event. The toy box aspect of this event is entirely fitting since Vogel Alcove is a local organization who's mission is to provide the youngest children of Dallas-area homeless families with the foundation for success.  Private Jet and Zeppelin sponsors enjoyed impeccable cuisine by Celebrity Chef Lisa Garza, Owner-Operator at Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar and Owner-Operator at Lisa Garza Taste Studio.

Furniture 4 Kids Announces Vogel Alcove as 2015 Charity Partner

G.L. Seaman and Company Executive Vice-President Ashley Lowrance, Laura Flores, Vogel Alcove President and CEO Karen Hughes, OFS Brands Area Manager Robin Rucker, Regina Bruce

Created by OFS Brands, Furniture 4 Kids, has got the 7-year itch and have decided to shake things up for this year's 2015 fundraiser. I attended last night's kickoff party to see what they had up their sleeve... Mark your calendar's for February 19th because you won't want to miss out on this evening. What's staying the same is that OFS Brands Dallas is once again partnering with presenting sponsor G.L. Seaman and Company to host Furniture 4 Kids in and that the key feature of Furniture 4 Kids will continue to be the Design Competition. What's that, you ask? Creative teams are given a plain wooden toy box and then they design and create a one-of-a-kind toy box that will be judged and auctioned off the night of the event (see photo below). Competition is fierce and entries are out-of-this world! A good analogy I heard last night compared this event to the fantasy playhouse's that are auctioned off every year at NorthPark Center. Same sort of vibe. Bidders may bid to keep or ‘Bid-to-Donate’ to Vogel Alcove. Robin Rucker of OFS Brands shared that because Vogel Alcove's mission is helping children soar, the theme for this year will be AVIATION.

Dallas Celebrities Share Their Favorite Holiday Traditions

If you said the word "holidays" to a group of 200 people, I can guarantee you that 200 different visual reactions would occur within the minds of those being asked. Some of us grew up with lots of traditions and rituals, while others did not. This time of year is magical and wonderful and part of that reason is that everyone celebrates it differently! I asked some of my favorite Dallas celebrities and media pals to share what their favorite holiday traditions were. I hope you enjoy reading their answers as much I as did. Happy holidays!!

"Every Xmas eve since I was a little boy my family has celebrated the Feast of the Seven Fishes*. Now that I have Spoon we celebrate that family tradition in the restaurant.  The next morning I drive out to my wife's family's ranch and open presents with the kids and roast a couple of prime ribs and celebrate! "

- John Tesar, Owner and Executive Chef of Spoon Bar & Kitchen and former Top Chef contestant

*The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas celebration. Today, it is a feast that typically consists of seven different seafood dishes. This celebration commemorates the wait, the Vigilia di Natale, for the midnight birth of the baby Jesus. 

"My favorite part of the season is reminiscing about the look on the faces of children as they gaze upon Santa. I spent two years helping Santa in Kerens, Texas. I actually dressed up as Santa and drew holiday shoppers to town.

Many children posed in front of me for picture taking. It wasn't possible for them to sit on my lap but I remember the look in their eyes. Now that I'm Big Tex, I rest during the holidays but I still enjoy seeing children gaze up at a 55-ft. cowboy in amazement during the State Fair of Texas each year."

- Big Tex, State Fair of Texas spokesperson and Texas icon

Oh So Tasty: Brunch at Sissy's Southern Kitchen

Eggs Sardue

Chef Lisa Garza of Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar recently invited me in to try her new brunch menu, which is now available every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “I’ve wanted to offer our guests brunch for quite some time now, but needed time after opening and rolling out lunch to perfect each signature brunch dish,” Garza says. “I tried to include some quintessential southern brunch dishes with a modern Sissy’s twist.” I am a big fan of Sissy's: From the atmosphere to the delicious Southern cuisine to the server's in their vintage attire - Sissy's offers up a taste of Southern culture and cuisine that  always provides an experience of the utmost satisfaction.

In addition to the new brunch items, the menu also features select beverages such as the Sissy’s Chandon Mimosa carafe (with a medley of fresh squeezed seasonal juices), Bloody Mary (handcrafted with homemade pickles), Grapefruit Julep (with fresh grapefruit, Texas honey and agave), and the Texas Screwdriver (made with Tito’s vodka, orange and calamansi). Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar is an authentic Southern restaurant by chef Lisa Garza, a former contestant on The Next Food Network Star and owner of Lisa Garza Taste Studio.

Happy (Chinese) New Year!

Dean Fearing, Wolfgang Puck and Stephan Pyles
photo: Stephan Pyles on Twitter

Famed celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, was in Dallas on Wednedsay to celebrate the Chinese New Year at his Dallas restaurant, Five Sixty. Joining Puck at this celebration were chef pals Stephan Pyles, Dean Fearing and Lisa Garza. Puck told the DMN that he was in Dallas because he has so many friends here. The celebrity chef culture is apparently alive and well in Dallas!

Lisa Garza Offers Her World Famous Chicken To-Go

Fiddle dee dee, my prayers have been answered!! 

 

Starting Friday, June 22nd, Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar patrons can order a bucket of Chef Lisa Garza’s house-spiced, buttermilk-soaked fried chicken to take home for dinner. Buckets include 10 pieces of dark, white or mixed chicken and a side of slaw or whipped potatoes for $24 (plus tax and gratuity). Orders can also be placed ahead of time by calling 214.827.9900.  I'm not kidding when I say this is the BEST fried chicken I have ever eaten. I dream about it. It's just that good!!!

 

Jen Miller and Drew Ginsburg noshing on Garza's Fried Chicken at her grand opening party

 

Also launching the 22nd, Lisa is launching new happy hour specials featuring select Southern cocktails. Each day between 5 and 7 p.m., $6 seasonal drink features will be listed on the specials board. Expect weekly rotating cocktails mixed with Patron, Belvedere, Maker’s Mark, Stillhouse Moonshine and Moet. 

 

Sissy's Southern Kitchen & Bar is located at 2929 Henderson Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206

Sissy's Southern Kitchen & Bar: Come Sit a Spell

Lisa Garza with Cynthia Smoot

Well, fiddle dee dee! I do declare that I have found a new place to sit a spell and sip a mint julep.

Lisa Garza, a former contestant on The Next Food Network Star and owner of Lisa Garza Taste Studio, opened the doors of Sissy's Southern Kitchen & Bar to the public on Monday, February 27th.

I got a sneak peek/taste last Thursday at this exciting new dining experience that features authentic Southern cuisine, cocktails and décor at a media luncheon hosted by Garza.

“The concept is inspired by my Southern roots. I was born in Memphis and raised by an old-school Southern daddy,” Garza says. “I have worked in and around the fine dining scene for almost 20 years—Sissy’s will be a slight departure. I want to build a fun place that feels like home in the South with great food, awesome drinks and friendly service.”

(left) Chef Jeffery Hobbs  (right) Grandma's Layered Salad, Fried Okra and Shrimp & Grits

Garza hand-selected Chef Jeffery Hobbs, her dear friend and partner at Suze for seven years, to execute her culinary vision. If you only order one thing - you MUST get Sissy’s fried chicken: a choice of white or dark meat prepared in a house-blended brine and soaked in buttermilk. It is so damn good that we were literally fighting for pieces at our media luncheon.  And at the grand opening event, Drew Ginsburg ate at least 5 pieces right in front of me and then lamented about how he was going to have to call his trainer first thing the next morning. But, it was so worth it, wasn't it Drew...

Click here to see LOTS more photos on Facebook

At the grand opening on Friday, February 24 I spied Amy Vanderoef and LeeAnne Locken who had skedaddled over from A Night at the Karaoke Lounge benefit for Turtle Creek Recovery Center. DJ Jen Miller and Bri Crum were caught noshing on squash puppies and deviled eggs and Barney's Jackson was cruisin' the crowd working the room is his usual debonair style.  If you wanted to find Lisa Garza... you only had to go as far as the makeshift dance floor where she spent most of the night dancing to the sounds of 70s disco and 80s rock.

(left)  Jen Miller & Drew Ginsburg  (top right)  Rhonda Sargent Chambers & Daniel Winson Lewis
(bottom right) LeeAnne Locken & Rich Emberlin

Expect other Southern staples like corn fritters with whipped honey butter, whole fried okra, chili fried oysters and rémoulade, shrimp and white cheddar-green onion grits, Low Country gumbo, chicken and waffles topped with black strap molasses, and slow-cooked beef short ribs. The desserts were my least favorite part of the menu.  Nothing blew my skirt up.  Keep to the apps and entrees and you will not be disappointed.  The bar program features old-school Southern cocktails and a vodka “tea bar” that consists of crystal urns filled with signature tea-infused punches.

Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar is located at 2929 North Henderson Avenue and will be open for dinner Monday through Wednesday from 5 p.m. to midnight, and Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.  Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 214.827.9900. For more information, please visit www.sissyssouthernkitchen.com.

Lela Rose: Who Wore It Best?

(left)  Olivia Munn     (right)  Lisa Garza and Cynthia Smoot

Last night, Lisa Garza debuted her new restaurant, Sissy's Southern Kitchen and Bar, to a packed house of well-wishers.  I decided to don my best Southern Belle frock for the occasion and showed up in this vision of loveliness from the Lela Rose Spring 2012 Collection.

Olivia Munn attended the Vanity Fair and Juicy Couture “Vanities” 20th Anniversary at Siren Studios in Hollywood, California on February 20, 2012 wearing the same frock.

So, who wore it best?

Aw, we all know the answer to that question! I can't compete with a Hollywood starlet half my age. But it is a great dress!  Recap of Sissy's menu to come...

In a nutshell, call to make your reservations now. This place is going to be HOT.

Lela Rose, 69 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205,  214.599.6283

Sissy's Southern Kitchen & Bar, 2929 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, TX 75206, 214-827-9900

Mad for Plaid: Burberry Re-Opens at NorthPark

Pat Smith and Cynthia Smoot

Wednesday night was a sea of plaid at NorthPark Center. Shoppers weren't wearing any 'ole lumberjack plaid. No! I'm talking about the definitive plaid of Burberry!   

Tracy Madans, Katherine Reeves and Elizabeth Showers hosted a grand soiree to celebrate the re-opening of Burberry's spiffy new spot in NorthPark Center.   You can now find the store in between Gregory's and Louis Vuitton, by the Hammering Man sculpture.

LeeAnne Locken & Lisa Garza Selcer

You know I was just beside myself to have a reason to pull out the fabulous Burberry trousers I scored earlier this year at Uptown Consignment.

Did you know that according to Business Weekly, Burberry is the 98th most valuable brand in the world?! So, those pants were an investment!

Inside the boutique I ran into the entire DFW Style Daily team: Lisa Petty, Rhonda Sargent Chambers, Jim Duran and Priya Bhola. 

Rhonda S. Chambers, Lisa Petty & Priya Bhola

Victoria Snee and Amy Vanderoef were perusing the plaids along with Gregg Asher, Yvonne Crum, Pat Smith, Molly Nolan, Karen Lukin and Jack Son.

HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince of Wales have granted the company Royal Warrants.  So, if you fancy yourself hip enough to don the same plaids as the most famous Brits in the world, step into Burberry and check out the options.

But beware... the plaid is very addicting! 

BURBERRY | 525 North Park Center  Dallas, TX 75225 | 214.369.1100

Lisa Garza is Cooking Up Aprons for a Cause

Earlier this year, Lisa Garza debuted a line of vintage-inspired hostess aprons, called Caviar Couture.  Last night, Lisa unveiled her latest entry to the collection at Neiman's Downtown: a set of Mother-Daughter aprons with net proceeds going to benefit Vogel Alcove.  Lisa told me that every apron is named after a woman in Lisa's life.

In honor of her partnership with the Vogel Alcove, these aprons were named after best friends and co-founders of this charity.  The Mother's apron is named "Thelma" for Thelma Vogel and retails for $75.  The Daughter's apron is named "Doris" for Doris Budner and retails for $55.  Each apron is available in white or pink.

Lisa Garza in a Couture Caviar hostess apron with Kim Rozell who's sporting the "Thelma" apron

Vogel Alcove is a wonderful charity providing daycare services to homeless children ages 6 weeks to 6 years.  Since 1987 the Vogel Alcove has offered homeless parents a safe place to leave their children while they work to rebuild their lives. The Alcove remains the only early childhood program in Dallas whose primary focus is to serve very young homeless children residing with their families in local homeless and domestic violence shelters. My marketing firm is currently working with them on various projects, so I know firsthand what a tremendous job they do.  Lisa is a passionate partner with Vogel Alcove because of her own past experience with homelessness.

In a 2008 post on the Food Network Addict, Lisa said,

"Anyone who really knows me, knows this, I overcame a very difficult and abusive childhood to be the strong woman I am today. I will never forget where I came from. I will never forget what it feels like to be hopeless and in need of love. I don't throw change at the homeless; I hug them, I love them and I feed them.  I am sick to death of all these beautiful celebs eating up the attention and not addressing real issues. I don't think food TV does enough to educate the public on how hard we work to feed the homeless, how many millions of dollars are raised because we donate our time, food, and service to charity events, sometimes, during the busiest time of our year.... Divas have hearts too, big ones. "

I like a woman who puts her money where her mouth is. Caviar Couture aprons are available at  Neiman Marcus in the Downtown and Northpark locations.

Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Counts Down to September 23

Family Gateway's "Celebrity Waiter Luncheon" Chairman Shay Geyer and Maggie Kipp hosted a countdown party at TOOTSIES for this year's annual luncheon, which will be held on September 23. Guests enjoyed nibbles, cocktails and informal modeling by this year's Celebrity Waiters featuring designs from BCBG and emceed by Rhonda Sargent Chambers of RSC Productions. 15% of the evenings sales went to benefit Family Gateway.

(top) Shear Genius star/hair stylist Daniel Winson Lewis and "Oh So Cynthia" Smoot, Allison Edwards and Courtney Edwards from Where Wear In The City with fashion designer, Sarah Jones of Status  (bottom) Maggie Kipp, BCBG representative, Victoria Snee, Lisa Garza, LeeAnne Locken, Shay Geyer, Alison Volk of Tootsies and Rhonda Sargent Chambers

Family Gateway's "Celebrity Waiter Luncheon" event is an entertaining and lively luncheon with silent and live auctions featuring celebrities from local business, media, politics, sports and entertainment industries as waiters. 

Each table sponsor hosts a table of 10 generous guests who come prepared to tip their waiters with wild abandon and to bid for the extraordinary and unique auction items.

Waiters seek tips in eccentric ways - pocketing your silverware, withholding your meal, singing, performing and dancing; the antics are endless as waiters will go to great lengths to raise the most money during 90 action-packed minutes. This lively competition between waiters results in important funds being raised for Family Gateway.

Click here to see photo's from this event on Facebook

About Family Gateway: 
Family Gateway breaks the generational cycle of homelessness by providing individualized care to homeless families with children; restoring the dignity, stability and self-sufficiency of the family unit.

Food for Thought Delivers

Last night, I attended the 3d annual Food for Thought celebrity chef charity event at the Tower Club, whose proceeds benefit Big Thought, one of the nation’s leading nonprofits focused on building partnerships that allow all children access to quality learning opportunities.  Food for Thought featured more than a dozen chefs from our city’s finest establishments presenting signature “tastes” of their specialties during the evening.

(top left) Tiffany Derry, Private Social with an assistant (top right) Lisa Garza, Lisa Garza Taste Studio

(bottom Left) John Tesar, The Commissary (bottom right) Khanh Dao, Pho Colonial

Lisa Garza is known for her signature look, which is a sleek, severe bob. But last night her tresses were sporting a longer look, with her hair grazing her shoulders.  When I commented on the new look, Garza replied, "Wedding hair." Every girl gets sucked into the Princess Bride thing and Lisa is no exception. She is set to marry Travis Selcer later this Fall.

Click here to see more photos from this event on Facebook 

I am very excited for the late-September opening of Private Social by Tiffany Derry. You know me and my love of reality and competition TV shows! The experience will be very unique as the “Private” dining side will be more on the quiet side, with more of the upscale dishes that many have come to love from Derry.  The “Social” side will be the place for local socialites, with menu items all under $10.  Derry notes that, “I am treating them like two different restaurants.”

 (top) Daryl "Moose" Johnston, Steven Doyle of CraveDFW.com with Leslie Pritchard, Regina Bruce

(bottom) Diane Johnston, Allyson Aynesworth and Candy Evans

 
Each year the Food for Thought steering committee honors a local civic leader with the Gavel of Excellence for significant contributions of service to our community.  Clarice Tinsley of FOX 4 News was the Mistress of Ceremonies, who had the pleasure of introducing this year's honoree, Daryl "Moose" Johnston.  Daryl has a long track record of charitable giving for this community, but last night's award was for his work with Slant 45: Service Learning Adventures in North Texas, a program designed by Big Thought and the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee, to inspire youth to become champions of community service.

About Big Thought
In supporting Big Thought, we are helping give children access to creative instruction and hands-on learning during school hours and beyond, all year long. Big Thought supports community partnerships, cultural integration for academic achievement, youth development and family learning. It partners with community agencies including school districts, library systems, child care centers, recreation centers, and juvenile detention facilities to support the success and education of our rising generation in school and life.

 

Mad Hatter's Tea Party 2011

The 23d annual Mad Hatter's Tea Party was held on April 21, 2011 at the Dallas Arboretum benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum. A drizzly day couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the Southern Belles who turned out in full force wearing their finest chapeaus for a tumble down the rabbit hole.

 (left) Jill Rowlett with Honorary Chair, Yvonne Crum a.k.a. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum sporting McKenzie Childs teapots that they had converted to purses for the occasion  (top right) Wonderland Decor  (bottom right) Judges Lisa Garza, David Nelson Wren and LeeAnne Lockon

Marilyn Hailey's vintage hat collection and sketches were on display in the courtyard during the champagne reception, collected over the years with original hats and designs from Frank Olive, who designed hats for Neiman Marcus when she modeled for them.  Wandering the crowd were celebrity judges Valerie Elizabeth, Lisa Garza, Daniel Winson Lewis, LeeAnne Locken and David Nelson Wren looking to dole out fabulous prizes to the best hats.  Let me tell you, the competition was fierce!

Click here to visit my photo gallery and see all the festive finery!

Steve Kemble gave a nod to the future Princess Kate Middleton

After much oooh'ing and aah'ing over the wild array of millinery creations, guests enjoyed a fashion show produced by the imitable Jan Strimple featuring luscious fashions from Tory Burch, Karen Millen, Tootsie's, Betty Reiter and Anne Fontaine. 

At the end of the show, awards were given out for:

Most True to Theme: A Timeless Tory;

Most Botannical: Fontaine’s Floral Finery;

Most Whimsical: Tickle My Tootsies;

Most Elegant: Magnificent Millen-ary;

Best of Show: Dee-Lightful;

Most Outlandish: Reiter or Wrong

(Note the nod to sponsors.  Clever...) 

Click here to see video snippets of all the winners! 

After the fashion show, we ladies tottered out to a beautiful tented pavilion where we enjoyed a seated luncheon.  This was one of the most enjoyable events I have ever attended. It was whimsical and fun, everyone was into the theme and the spirit of the event and the Arboretum did an amazing job providing a stunning backdrop for the fundraiser.

I'm already pondering my attire for next year's event...