Tag Archives: Laura Cernock

It’s Tea Time Ms. Trende

bridal tea whole groupI truly have the best group of friends. After my engagement announcement in January, the year of 2015 was ALL ABOUT THE PARTIES! One of them included a high tea at The St. Regis Hotel in Houston. I even had some friends fly in from Chicago and North Carolina! Thank you for making me feel so special my loves!

bridal tea bride to beI have written about tea time here before and I cannot express how special it is. From the service, to the harpist, to the amazing assortment of teas, finger sandwiches, and the scones, it is a true treat.

Although I adore my teas, champagne and mimosas are a definite festive must! My hostesses were so creative with the table arrangements too. All had to find their seat by viewing their childhood photo in a frame. It made for a wonderful conversational piece as well as a thoughtful take home memento.

bridal tea jan oliverI just have to reflect on one thing too. How cute is my hubby for showing up at the end of the event to not only greet my lovely friends , look very dapper in the process in his suit, but to be the only man in the room and help us ladies pack up the party?!?! My Jan-Oliver Schmidt is the ultimate gentleman.

So, the next time you want to do a lady-like party definitely keep the tearoom in mind. What Texas gal does not enjoy dressing up? The room is very intimate as in “small” so book your reservation weeks or even months in advance.  If you have a food allergy let the kitchen know too.  They were able to accommodate both of my bridal tea pinkies upgluten-free and vegan friends.

And yes, pinkies up too dahhlings and enjoy!

2015 Heroes And Handbags

Selfies w/ my friends Lori Lemon-Geshay, Laura Cernock, and Laura Murray
Selfies w/ my friends Lori Lemon-Geshay, Laura Cernock, and Laura Murray

Sipping champagne, shopping, and mingling….all for a great cause! Count me in!  May 7th at the Omni Hotel over $250,000 was raised to benefit Heroes For Children.  A sold out event the 2015 Heroes And Handbags bruncheon is their signature event and the money helps families with children battling cancer.  In it’s 10th year it was very exciting for me to be the Handbag Co-Chair along with my friend Anna Kaplan.  Event Chair and my BFF Lori Lemon-Geshay lead the team and Host Committee and WOW does she deserve a standing ovation! Founder Larissa Linton showed a tear when the final numbers came in! The largest fundraiser for the organization in Houston to date! Way to go!

Winner!
Winner!

If you have never attended this event before please add it to your list for 2016.  Imagine a room full of 150+ new and “gently loved” designer handbags and all are up for bid! Since 100% of the bags are donated, 100% of the sale of the bags go directly to the charity.  From paying a utility bill, to rent, to transportation, and many other needs, Heroes For Children is able to help thousands of families every year with your help. The digital bidding process in itself was super exciting.  Basically you are able to place your bid via your smart phone.  Each time you get out bid they text you a notice.  You can place a new bid and even offer a cap bid amount. Anna Kaplan and I did a television segment on KPRC Channel 2. Here is video link and it will show you some of this year’s handbag collection including Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and other amazing designers! I’m already thinking about next year’s event and what selection that one will bring? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u18bLhIsny0

Congrats Claire Harmon!
Congrats Claire Harmon!

As you can see I won the Versace bag! The Winner sign sure got me jumping out of my chair! My friend Claire really took home the cake scoring 5 handbags!

A special thank you to the event Sponsors including Elaine Turner, Kendra Scott, Paper City, CultureMap, Momentum Porsche, A Bientot, Tanglewood Flowers & Garden, and What’s The Occassion Creative Cakery. Also a job well done by  the Chairs and Host Committee members, the Donors, and Patrons who bought tables and $250 tickets to the event. The success of this event is an example of the very generous with a big heart of a city of Houston we call home.  If you would like more information on the heroes and handbags signcharity and ways you can help all year long visit www.heroesforchildren.org  or you can find them on Facebook! Event photos coming soon by photographers Herb Hochman, Jaime Lagdameo, and Quy Tran so please check social media, Paper City, and CultureMap.

 

 

 

It’s Tea Time!

Laura, Lori, Nicole, Mallika, Angela
Laura, Lori, Nicole, Mallika, Angela

I adore to luncheon with the ladies but a spot of tea is even more refined! Wouldn’t you agree, dahling? In honor of my friend Lori’s birthday we decided to treat her to a lovely afternoon tea at The St. Regis hotel.  Our friend just got back from London so this theme played perfectly well too!

You see, Afternoon Tea is a time-honored tradition at The St. Regis Houston. At the intimate Tea Lounge surround yourself in elegance where butler-style service and a traditional menu of petit-fours, tea sandwiches, scones, and Devonshire cream await those who appreciate the finer things in life.  I admit, we do appreciate the finer things in life (thanks Mom). Adding to the ambiance a harpist performs while guests savor the special St. Regis Tea Blend, just one of a large selection of premium loose leaf teas offered.   As a special request, we made sure to have a bottle of Veuve Clicquot waiting for us at the table upon arrival. We also created personalized name cards for each guest at our table.

st regis all picSince the theme of the occasion was our friend’s birthday, we decorated the table with some fresh florals.  And for table talk fun we created a game full of “British-isms”.  We drew phrases out of our decorated vase and had to guess what each one meant.  It kept us laughing for hours.  Those crazy Brits, no matter what they say it sounds so bloody fabulous! For example here are some of our favorites: Tosser, Wanker, Lost the Plot, Bee’s Knees, Wonky, Dog’s Bollocks, Arse-over-tit, Easy Peasy, and Strawberry Creams! LOL look em up!

Another nice touch is the box of macaroons they give you to take home.  It would be quite uncivilized to make us go home empty handed, right?  I really appreciated the free valet service too.

st regis dessertReservations are definitely required my friends.  In fact, we were on a waiting list and got lucky due to a cancellation. The Tea Lounge fills up fast and it’s only open Friday through Sunday from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.  The dress code is business casual; however we went on a Sunday so we went for the flirty dress and signature hat theme.  For more details and to book your special reservation at the St Regis Houston call 713-403-2631.

 

 

Laura Cernock, Lori Lemon Geshay, Nicole Brende...a.k.a. the "Blonde Mafia"
Laura Cernock, Lori Lemon Geshay, Nicole Brende…a.k.a. the “Blonde Mafia”