Indulge Decor Blog

Fiesta San Antonio - 2010

J:

Blogger-At-Large

Parade Judge - Fiesta 2010

(Sweet husband invited to hold umbrella.)

Smiles and laughter, music, colorful sombreros, princess tiaras- what started out as a single parade to honor the fallen heroes of the Battle of The Alamo and commemorates the victory of San Jacinto has become a 10-day, city-wide event that you don't want to miss.  Fiesta San Antonio, or Fiesta for short, attracts 3 million people annually and provides hundreds of different events all over the city. Still an integral part of the festivities, The Battle of the Flowers Association sponsors many events and scholarship contests, in addition to the Parade.

Six months ago, we were invited to experience this grand event and Judge. We had no idea what we would Judge but we said, "Yes!". Spring came, and we received a welcome letter then later a wealth of information as to what we were to do and what we were to experience. We were selected to Judge the carriages in the Parade.

I packed my vintage summer evening dress for the party at the Botanical Garden, Petit Bateau tee shirt dress (from Indulge), favorite straw hat (for the anticipated heat), and sun glasses for judging, and drove three hours to San Antonio with my husband.

 

The city welcomed us with banners and flags of Fiesta colors of green, purple, pink, yellow, and orange on the front of homes and buildings. The spirit and gaiety... were everywhere...

The first event we attended was the Botanical Garden party on Thursday night. On arrival at the gate of the garden party, we were given badges. At one time, only the King gave coins, but now the different groups involved in the festival give ribbon-badges to all. Just a friendly Hello, and you are given a badge... What fun, what folly!!  Just a smile, and you become a part of the Royal Court.

Friday morning, we were bused to orientation, to the carriage judging site to select first, second, and third places.  It was not an easy job, as I felt like a butterfly trying to land on the most beautiful flower.  They were glorious. The flowers TO MY SURPRISE were NOT REAL but like the flowers at Indulge- you have to touch to really know.

Off to the Alamo, and a delicious picnic lunch hosted by The Battle of the Flowers Assoc. (a civic, non-profit, all-women's organization whose purpose is patriotic and education to teach the history of our state to keep alive the traditions of Texas). The ladies of the association were dressed in yellow, with sunshine yellow hats (a page out of the book by H.A. Ray, Curious George and the man wearing a yellow hat).  

   

We were pampered, fed, fanned, watered, and now ready for the scorching heat (the city Fire Department is equipped with everything from IV's to defibrillators on their mountain bikes as the 87-degree heat was ever present). And now we were on the bleachers, and the parade began.

Charros demonstrated roping on top of horseback, bands and more bands, horses and more horses, but saved by the bucket brigade- the A&M sophomore cleaners crew that followed the horses received the most appreciative applause... What an unpleasant job... but they all grinned and you could almost hear them "whistle while they worked".

 

And then what we have all been waiting for... The King, The Queen, and the Duchesses in all their splendor. The floats are magical and dresses caped with long trains of silk and brocade and each beaded with a celestial glow... unbelievably elegant. (Every year, there is a new theme for this grand court, and this year the theme is Famous Jewelers).  Queen of the Court of Dazzling Adornments: Van Cleef & Arpel, Harry Winston, Cartier, and many more. 26 gowns- all made by local women from San Antonio. 

Unlike Cinderella, these magnificent gowns are not created with a wand. Two or three years in advance, a Mistress of the Robes is selected. The theme is carefully chosen with research and imagination. It is a surprise to all when the theme is announced. The court is invited into a room and assigned the dress designed uniquely for them.  There are five or six women that are on the dressmaking staff.  These ladies are so devoted and committed to the Battle of the Flowers Parade that this becomes their profession for ten to fifteen years. It is amazing the number of hours, skill, talent, tenacity, and heart required to create these works of art.

The Queen

 

The Princess

 

The Princess on her Float

 

Duchesses adorned in the images of a few of our favorite jewelers:

Van Cleef & Arpels     Harry Winston

          

 

Cartier

Can you imagine trying to walk in these heavily jeweled gowns? Tennis shoes were worn originally, but twenty years ago things changed... now the crowd yells, "Show your shoes!" and out pops handsome one of a kind cowboy boots!

I will end this fairy tale with Saturday morning and the Pooch Parade... 15,000 decorated dogs marching down neighborhood streets... fluffed and groomed with costumes that could qualify for the Chinese Circus.

How appropriate that "man's best friend" should end this parade. Thousands of people lined downtown streets to watch The Battle of the Flowers Parade... Americans at their best, and San Antonio will be looking forward to seeing you next year!

75th Annual Azalea Trail

 

 

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the River Oaks Garden Club's Azalea Trail!

The Azalea Trail began in 1934 when 12 gardens were opened to the public for an entry fee of 5 cents (what a bargain!). Thousands are expected on this year's three-day, seven-stop tour. A $5 individual admission includes home and garden.

The tour includes 4 homes and gardens, the Bayou Bend estate gardens, the Forum of Civics, at 2503 Westheimer, and Rienzi, the 4.4-acre gardens at 1406 Kirby.

Bart Brechtor (you may remember him from Bulbilicious), the talented garden curator responsible for keeping the beautiful 12-acre grounds at the Bayou Bend estate, says that despite the nippy weather this winter, the "Jennifer" Kurume (purplish-pink) azaleas are beginning to bloom and show color as are the "Elegans" (lilac-pink Indica azaleas). With the long winter we've had, many azaleas are holding their buds, as you may have noticed driving around Houston, but a few days of sun should encourage these otherwise shrubish-looking plants to bloom.

In the meantime, Garden Club volunteers have cleaned Bayou Bend's sweeping beds and filled them with flowering annuals and tulips to spread color throughout the garden.

 

1. River Oaks Garden Club Forum of Civics - 2503 Westheimer

2. Bayou Bend Gardens, Philadelphia - Enter at 2940 Lazy Lane or One Westcott

3. Rienzi - 1406 Kirby

4. Home & Gardens - 3606 Chevy Chase

5. Home & Gardens - 3637 Del Monte

6. Home & Gardens - 3617 Inwood Dr.

7. Home & Gardens - 3650 Inwood Dr.

 

Ticket Information

Dates: March 5, 6, and 7, 2010

Hours: 11 pm - 6 pm

Prices: Seven Admissions $20; Single-Site Admission (available at each entrance) $5

 

Ticket Locations

River Oaks Garden Club Forum of Civics   -    The Arbor Gate in Tomball, TX

Another Place In Time    -    Bering's     -   Condon Gardens    -    Cornelius Nurseries

The Empty Vase    -    Garden Gate    -    Museum of Fine Arts     -   Bayou Bend

River Oaks Plant House   -     Tanglewood Gifts & Stationary    -    Teas Nursery       

Thompson + Hansen      -     Leisure Learning Unlimited     -   Randalls

Rice Epicurean

River Oaks Garden Club is a member of The Garden Club of America and was founded in 1927. The club has made many contributions to the Houston community in the areas of conservation, horticulture, education, and civic beautification.

Proceeds from The Azalea Trail support these ongoing projects:

• Maintenance of the River Oaks Garden Club Forum of Civics Building and Gardens (the gardens are open to the public).

• Maintenance of the 14-acre gardens of Bayou bend, the former estate of Miss Ima Hogg and now the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

• Continuation of the Bayou Bend Gardens Endowment, a charitable trust for the perpetual maintenance of the gardens. The endowment is also supported by public contributions.

• Hosting of the annual Sadie Gwin Blackburn Environmental Seminar, which is open to the public (admission is free).

• Publication of A Garden Book for Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast. In 2009, the River Oaks Garden Club made contributions to the following: Holly Hall, Casa de Esperanza, Trees for Houston, Lamar High School-HISD, and Students Conserving America.

Oh, and Don't forget to mind your manners when you're stomping through these beautiful homes...

Don't stray from the delineated path - there are plastic floor coverings and ropes to guide you so you can't pretend you got lost.

Don't go upstairs (the stairs are always blocked off with rope but you'd be surprised how many people make it up there).

Don't walk through the house backwards. Again, delineated pathways. Narrow. Crowded.

Don't ask how much the house costs. That's just tacky.

Don't pick the posies. Um, hello?

Don't ask where the powder room is. Seriously. Don't

Don't say "Do you think that's real?" out loud. Sure, the homeowner will probably not be there. But let me tell you, her big-eared friends will be.

Do wait to say something tacky when you're safely outside (not that you would ever say anything like "They obviously have everything they own out" but in case you know someone who would). Again, friends with ears.

Do say how lovely everything is. Those wonderful Garden Club volunteers have come through and made the gardens absolutely perfectly beautiful and I'm sure they would love to hear how much you appreciate it.

 

Happy trails!

 

 

HOLIDAY SHOPPING CARD MADNESS

 

The Holiday Shopping Card

presented by Victory

benefiting - American Cancer Society

For those of you who don't live in Houston and for those of you who must aspire to higher more altruistic daily acts other than shopping, tomorrow kicks off the first day of the Holiday Shopping Card city wide mass spending hysteria. There are over 600 stores in the Houston area participating in the event.  If you haven't heard of the HSC before, this is  how it works - you buy a HSC Card at a 'participating store' for $70 - cash, check, Master Card, or American Express. That $70 is a direct donation to the American Cancer Society. In return for your thoughtful donation, the 'participating stores' will give you a 20% discount off the merchandise that you purchase between the dates of Thursday, October 22, through Sunday, November 1, 2009.

(Please note - the minimum donation is $70, you may certainly increase your karma against cancer and donate more - say $100 or $150 for good will. You would hate to be considered chintzy with Cancer.)  Especially, after you add up all the money you spent, I mean saved, using your card all over town!

So, you've decided to be philanthropic and make a 'generous' donation to help fight cancer, let's talk about you.  Or, me. here are some ideas of how you can spend and save.

 Last year, I saw a beautiful wool coat with patent leather piping in a fashion magazine - the designer was Burberry. I saved the picture and took it into the store just before the HSC started. The Galleria store did not order that particular coat, but they would be happy to get it in for me from another store.  SCORED beautiful wool coat at 20% off.

Two years ago, I fell in love with a Gucci purse on the right bank in Paris. (Can you really love a purse? That sounds bad, even to me.) For days I fretted, as I was on one side of Paris and my future new 'one-and-only purse' remained trapped on the other side. The trip grew to an end and there was only one day left to get the bag. I was left with a terrible dilemma - I could go get the bag or be crazy late in meeting my friends and potentially ruin the day for everyone. You'll be glad to know, I picked my friends and the day. But, the Shopping Gods rewarded me two months later with the exact same bag displayed front and center, under glass at the Gucci store in the Galleria - SCORED 20% off fabulous one-of-a-kind purse! (I guess there were at least two of these so-called one-of-a-kind purses, tee,hee.

Other like HSC stories:

 My antique garden table and chairs - ten years ago!

The dress I wear every Christmas Eve with my parents (it makes my mom happy to see me in something other than jeans) - YSL

The Flea and Tick Preventative for my beloved puppies and kitty - Sunset Animal Clinic.

Air-conditioning Filters - Berings.

The Six Black and Six White long-sleeved T-Shirts that need to be replaced for my husband to look presentable - Banana Republic.

One or two new Cashmere Sweaters from Ralph Lauren - again, for me.

The crazy expensive Cyclamen that I think looks really pretty in the pots by my front door - Thompson + Hanson.

 

Just to name a few examples. And, of course, there are my two beautiful stores - Saint Street and River Oaks Blvd. - that are plundered every year during these two weeks because we hardly ever have a sale.

In these 'harsh-economic-times,' who isn't up for saving 20% off  things you need and things you would just really like to have.

On my really-like-to-have list:

New Grey Wallet to go with grey purse purchased recently. Do I really need it - NO. Would I like to have it?  Sure, why not?!  I'll save 20% !

Like I've said before ladies, some times you've just got to spend money to save money ! That deep-seeded knowledge and our ability to accessorize is what separates us from the animals (Steel Magnolias) and our husbands, tee hee.

 

INSIDER TIP:

Since we're such good friends now, I feel that I can let you in on this little secret - Indulge and Thompson + Hanson are having a little cheese and wine soiree from 4 - 7, Wed. October 21st and you can shop till you drop while using your HSC and saving money!