January 2012 VIP

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 | NOVEMBER 2009 | theVIPmag.
com
COMPLIMENTARY
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3 | January 2012 | theVIPmag.com
O F S O U T H E A S T T E X A S
Everything you need to say
I Do!
planners,
fowers,
caterers,
stationery,
cakes,
venues,
dresses,
decor,
gift ideas
and
much
more!
Lamars OUTspoken fashion designer
Hot Hearts Conference burns brighter than ever
January events to avoid the winter blues
Barn or
beach?
Wedding
fashion for
any locale
REBORN
Mother turns
loss of sons into
life for many
+ Preparing for
a new baby in
the New Year
The Perfect Setting for
the Wedding Day
youve always dreamed of .
The Perfect Setting for
the Wedding Day
youve always dreamed of .
3950 I-10 South (@Walden Road) Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: 409.842.5995 Fax: 409.842.7810
www.holidayinn.com/beaumont-plaza
3950 I-10 South (@Walden Road) Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: 409.842.5995 Fax: 409.842.7810
www.holidayinn.com/beaumont-plaza
The CHRISTUS Outpatient Center now offers Ultra-Short
Open Bore MRI, providing you with more room for greater
comfort and less worry. The MRI is also quieter, so you feel
more relaxed. Additionally, a majority of procedures can be
performed feet rst with your head outside of the equipment.
The end result? You feel less confined, less stressed, and have
much better outcomes. Its another way CHRISTUS Hospital St. Mary is
providing a higher standard of healthcare in Southeast Texas.
www.christushospital.org/stm-mri
HAVING AN MRI JUST GOT A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE.
4 January 2012 | theVIPmag.com
Editorial
Executive Editor
DAVID CONSTANTINE
dconstantine@thevipmag.com
Contributing Writers
CATHLEEN COLE
AMANDA CORBELL
MARGARET B. GARDNER
LARENA HEAD
GRACE MATHIS
JANE MCBRIDE
HOLLI PETERSEN
CHERYL ROSE
Photography
Contributing Photographers
SCOTT ESLINGER
SILVIA C. MCCLAIN
REN SHEPPARD
LEE E. STINSON
Graphic Designer, Creative Media
DAVID CONSTANTINE
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on the cover
All eyes were on model Eryn Lambright from Warren in our Rustic
Elegance wedding shoot at Bauer Ranch in Winnie. Davids Bridal gave
us exclusive access to their 2012 spring collection and shipped us this
Galina Collection gown directly from New York City. Pictured here, Eryn
paired a plaid fannel shirt with her wedding dress for a fun, casual look.
Photography by Sarah e. Evans, fowers and styling by Tamara Menges,
makeup by Ashly Black and hair by Meagan Phillips
c o n t e n t s
vip magazine
inside january
06 vipersonality
06 Wedding planners:
loving the work when
the work is love
10 vip viewing
10 7 great venues to hold
your wedding
13 Engaging engagement
photos
18 vip style
18 The perfect seaside
nuptials
25 Howto create a rustic,
elegant wedding ... at
a barn
32 Lamar fashion
designer combines
fashion with activism
34 food&drink
34 Redefning and
redesigning the
grooms cake
36 vip spotlight
36 SE Texas events
40 vip worthy
40 How a mothers loss
saved the lives of
many
42 Hot Hearts celebrates
25 years in Beaumont
47 vip adviser
44 10 wedding gift ideas
47 4 great dates in
January
48 Calendar
49 Crossword puzzle
50 vip voices
49 Letters and e-mails
50 Preparing for a new
baby in the New Year
10
44
18
EHAL~C~7'5 C~L LCCALL Cw~HL A~L
CHA7HL LIAG~C57IC I~AGI~G CH~7H I5
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complement of diagnostic imaging services available in one convenient location. Patients
visiting us can expect exible scheduling, fast report turnaround and minimal waiting times.
Our womens center offers specialized testing in a separate, private enclave within the
larger facility. We are committed to making your experience here as pleasant, comfortable
and convenient as possible.
The ODC represents diagnostic imaging as it was meant to be. Exceptional quality and
expertise available to you without delay, and with a level of service excellence uncommon
in healthcare today.
Dr. Brent Mainwaring, Medical Director
A leading Beaumont radiologist for more than 18 years, Dr. Mainwaring guides the medical
team at The ODC. He is one of the regions top radiologists in interpreting womens,
general and specialized diagnostic imaging services.
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DIAGNOSTIC CENTER Find us on Facebook!
MRI CT Ultrasound X-Ray Digital Mammography DEXA Breast MRI Breast Biopsy
love
w e d d i n g p l a n n e r s
vipersonality
Loving the work
when the work is
he day of the wedding has arrived. As the bride, you want to take special
care and linger over your hair and makeup, but instead you are decorating
the reception hall dressed in sweats and a ponytail. Not what you always
pictured? What you need is a wedding planner. Wedding planners are experts
in the details and schedules involved in weddings. These coordinators can help
plan the vision fromthe beginning, get you started or take responsibility for a
smooth event on the big day. They have contacts with other service providers, fromvenues
to photographers. They are familiar with costs and current trends. They are enthusiastic
supporters, sympathetic listeners and a neutral person when clashes of opinion occur with
relatives or bridal party members.
Though it may appear this career choice is like living one big party, planners work long
hours, including most weekends. They frequently must step very considerately through
emotional minefelds. Just like any other business, they must fle taxes, send bills, stay current
in the feld and market to potential clients. Above all else, they must be extremely organized,
coping with many stressful situations with a calm exterior.
Two local women recently took the risk of following their passion by becoming full-time
wedding planners/event specialists. We asked Angel Dauphine and Michelle Randall to share
some behind-the-scenes insights into what they love about the business of love.
Michelle Randall
MeShells Wedding Bells Wedding Planning &
Design, Beaumont
At her frst wedding vendor show, Mi-
chelle Randall was very nervous. She had
planned her own wedding and two wed-
dings for personal friends, but launching
her own business took a leap of confdence
in herself. At the show, Randall connected
with one bride, who hired her because of
the rapport they established. Within her
frst year of business, Randall booked 24
weddings.
I have always had a passion for plan-
ning, Randall said. Though she always
enjoyed throwing grand birthday and din-
ner parties, she didnt consider it a career
option until after she married and wanted a
job with more family-friendly hours. I just
didnt see myself as an entrepreneur, she
remembered. However, she began taking
event planning classes online, attending
wedding business seminars and ofering
her services for free to gain experience.
She now works full-time as a planner and
recently hired an assistant.
Its smooth sailing on the outside and
very hectic on the inside, said Randall,
describing a planners role. Youre on a
timeline and you have to be very organized.
You have to be a complete people person,
you have to be able to listen, you have to be
calm, you have to be someone the couple
can look to and trust.
Developing a personal relationship with
each bride and becoming friends is impor-
tant to Randall. However, if she believes the
couple is making a decision that will clash
with previous choices or if she is asked for
an opinion, she will speak up. I will always
have my opinions; they are hiring me for
that, she said. Working with a wedding
planner, you are getting someone who has
t
photography by SCOTT ESLINGER text by CHERYL ROSE
theVIPmag.com | January 2012 7
worked with diferent vendors and knows which to
trust.
Before hiring an assistant, Randall worked long
hours preparing for weddings, aided by her husband
and mother-in-law when she needed more hands. Man-
aging the timelines and details of multiple weddings at
once has required her to develop business systems to
stay organized. She would like to one day run a wed-
ding frm, with multiple coordinators specializing in
diferent aspects of weddings.
For Randall, the reward for a job well-done is the
appreciation of the happy brides. Their thankfulness,
their expressions, their hugs as they leave for their hon-
eymoons thats what matters to me, not how much I
sweated, she said. Its the most rewarding feeling.>>
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Angel Dauphine
The Wedding Hub, Nederland
When Angel Dauphines son was little, she
tapped into her natural creativity to put on
over-the-top, thematic birthday parties for
him each year. Later, she worked at Lamar
University in a role involving alumni events
and corporate parties. Along the way, she re-
alized how much she enjoyed planning special
occasions that make people happy.
Working on an event is a lot of fun in-
teracting with diferent people, thinking cre-
atively but planning a wedding and pulling
it all of in one day is a lot of work, she said.
At the end of the day, if the bride doesnt
know of anything that went wrong and she
just foated through the night, the reward is
worth the efort.
Dauphine began planning parties and wed-
dings as a part-time business fve years ago.
The frst wedding she coordinated was for
professional golfer Chris Stroud and his wife,
Tifany. It was an immersion learning experi-
ence as the young couple was constantly
traveling and many decisions and deadlines
fell to Dauphine. Looking back now, I am so
grateful for the opportunity I had to learn by
planning that very special wedding, she said.
My knowledge and skills have grown in leaps
and bounds since then.
Dauphine said that a willingness to work
hard and an ability to respond quickly under
pressure are essential in the events business.
A great planner knows how to address and
resolve an issue without the bride, groom
or guests even realizing there was one, she
said. Planners are very helpful in managing
the wedding budget and timeline, but also
provide physical labor, she explained. Trans-
forming a reception hall to the bridal vision
can be a 12-hour day of lifting and carrying,
for example.
For Dauphine, part of the fun in her job
is the chance to exercise her crafting and
creative skills. Ive always been extremely
creative, she said. She loves do-it-yourself
projects and recently made faux chandeliers
out of decorative pearls and ribbon for a wed-
ding in the vintage trend.
When she was laid of from her full-time
job last year, Dauphine took the opportunity
to open a new business to serve brides. This
is just something I woke up one day and
jumped into head frst, she said. In addi-
tion to Dauphines planning services,
her Wedding Hub business represents
11 vendors in the events trade, from
various rentals to forists to invita-
tion designers. Every bride is
special and has a very diferent
vision, she said. It is very im-
portant to respect her vision and
also to assure her that you are
there to support her throughout
it all while making everything
shes ever dreamed of into her
perfect day.
day and
In addi-
services,
esents
om
vita-
How to Pick a
Planner
There is no offcial quali-
fcation to become a wed-
ding planner. However, there
are various event planning
credentials that can be earned
through coursework.
An essential consideration
is reputation. Other than
personal references, planners
can hold memberships in
organizations that require a
credible reputation to join,
such as the Better Business
Bureau or Angies List.
Experience is the most valu-
able credential for an event
planner.
Planners may charge a per-
centage of the total wedding
budget, by the hour or offer
packages for different ser-
vices. According to Dauphine,
one of the most popular pack-
ages is day of assistance,
where the planner directs all
the vendors, handles details
and prevents disasters on the
actual wedding day.
Ultimately, its about rapport
and trust. If youve checked
the background and reputa-
tion of your candidate, the
most important question to
answer is whether you can
work cohesively and intimately
with this individual on one of
the most memorable events of
your life.
VIP
vip viewing
w e d d i n g p a r t y
Art Museum of Southeast Texas
A fne wedding deserves fne art, and this venue has rooms full
of just that. The museum holds extensive fne art collections of
paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs of the 19th through
21st centuries. The decorative arts collection includes English
Wedgwood, silver and both contemporary and traditional glass.
With its emphasis on American art, the museum also has a
growing regional collection of folk art. This elegant setting offers
a soaring glass pyramid ceiling, a glass-enclosed caf and a spa-
cious courtyard complete with a beautiful fountain. Art Museum of
Southeast Texas, 500 Main St., Beaumont 77701, 409.832.3432,
events@amset.org, amset.org/rent
Beau Reve
A marriage should be like a
beautiful dream, so perhaps
this venue is the place for
a dreamlike reception. The
majestic historic home was
built in 1901 and includes
two dining rooms, four bed-
rooms, two sitting rooms and
a loft. Elegant appointments
grace the home and theres
also a grand fountain. The
carriage house is used as the
main restaurant, and thats
where wedding receptions
take place. Weddings can
be performed in the carriage
house, in the gazebo or on
the porch of the main house.
Beau Reve, 4400 Atlantic
Road, Port Arthur 77642,
409.962.2422
Jefferson Theatre
This magnifcent restored theater could
be the perfect venue for a wedding
production. The ornate interior radiates
romance with its blending of marble,
gold trim, statues and columns. Twin
staircases meet to provide grand en-
trances and perfect photo opportunities.
The chandelier, original to the Jefferson
Theatre, is a replica of one of the great
chandeliers that hung in the Hall of Mir-
rors at the Palace of Versailles. And as
an added beneft, the happy newlyweds
will see their names up in lights on the
marquee. Jefferson Theatre, 345 Fannin
St., Beaumont 77701, 409.838.3435
ext. 4203, marrington@ci.beaumont.
tx.us, beaumont-tx-complex.com
7
w
e
d
d
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v
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n
u
e
s
V
I
P
text by CATHLEEN COLE
The Brown Center
For privacy and scenic tranquility, The Brown
Center of Lamar State College-Orange might
be the right choice. This stately, Colonial-style
home is surrounded by an 88-acre garden and
situated among tall pines and plentiful azaleas. It
encompasses nearly 20,000 square feet with 14
rooms including six bathrooms and two foyers. The
entry foyer is especially elegant with its lariat-laced
stairway winding through a woodland mural. The
Brown Center of Lamar State College-Orange,
4205 W. Park Ave., Orange 77630, 409.883.2939,
terrie.smith@lsco.edu, lsco.edu/browncenter
Julie Rogers Theatre
Set the stage for a refned reception at Julie Rogers Theatre
for the Performing Arts. Sparkling chandeliers light the
elegantly appointed lobby area, which is graced by twin
staircases and two lounging areas. The spacious foyer
provides a stately entry to the venue. Julie Rogers Theatre
for the Performing Arts, 765 Pearl St., Beaumont 77701,
409.838.3435 ext. 4203, marrington@ci.beaumont.tx.us,
beaumont-tx-complex.com
Rose Hill Manor
A marriage is a historic
event, so why not
celebrate it in a historic
home? This stately
mansion was built in
1906 and is one of the
oldest landmarks in Port
Arthur. It has spacious rooms,
an elegant stairway, antiques
and a grand piano. Another
beneft: the 13-foot-wide,
wrap-around porch with a view
of the gardens and the Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway. Rose
Hill Manor, 100 Woodworth
Blvd., Port Arthur 77640,
409.985.7292
Sugas
Jazz up the reception in this
historic building built in 1914.
The upstairs event area is
graced with a private art col-
lection and has a dance foor, a
stage and a terrace overlook-
ing downtown. Theres also an
elegant courtyard with gardens
and a waterfall. Sugas Deep
South Cuisine & Jazz Bar, 461
Bowie St., Beaumont 77701,
409.813.1808, catering@
sugasdeepsouth.com, sugas-
deepsouth.com
He fnally popped the question! (Or
maybe she did.) And now the happy
couple is planning a wedding. Should it be
a big church or temple wedding? Or maybe
a simple ceremony at the reception venue
would suit the couple better. And speaking of
reception venues, where should that important
after party take place? There are many
wonderful offerings in Southeast Texas.
Marissa Sellers Anderson of Glass Slipper Events
and Lindsay Bennett Zummo of Its All n the Pre-
sentation have some sage advice when it comes
to booking a venue:
Consider your personality and what type of
reception you want when looking for a location.
Formal or casual? Artsy or back-to-nature? Wild
dance party or quiet gathering?
Make your fnal guest list before you call. Head
count matters and can determine your venue
options.
Book as far in advance as possible, espe-
cially if you have only one date in mind. Being
fexible about the date will give you more
options.
Decide if you want all-inclusive ser-
vices or if you will work with multiple
vendors.
Read the rental contract care-
fully to be aware of all fees and
deposit requirements.
Book it
VIP
When it comes to your health, you now have more choices than ever.
Altus Healthcare offers Beaumont the highest levels of service, quality and convenience. Our state-of-the-art facility on
11th Street, between Broadway and Liberty, features a wide variety of imaging, sleep and surgical services in an attractive,
friendly and comfortable environment.
Our new Altus Cancer Center will open this Fall, offering the latest and most innovative cancer treatments by
board-certified/board-eligible oncologists, right here in Beaumont.
To learn more, talk to your physician or visit us at www.altushms.com.
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Business Meetings & Conferences
Receptions & Luncheons
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p h o t o g r a p h y
vip viewing
Thats
Engaging!
M
odern
wedding
albums are
just as likely
to include
photos of the bride in her
bathrobe, having her eyebrows
plucked, as they are to show
formal portraits taken at the
altar. Couples these days want
as personalized a record of their
big event as possible.
Thats why many are chroni-
cling their trek to the altar as soon
as it becomes ofcial that theyll be
making one. Engagement photos
give couples a golden opportunity
to capture their personalities, sense
of humor and personal style
right from the start.
We wanted to have casual
photographs that represent us
as a couple, said Brittany Bald-
win. She and her fanc, Shelby
Clark, worked with Beaumont
photographer Marc Shepherd of
InFrame Pictures to create a series
of relaxed outdoor shots. Some
feature bold colors like the brides
electric-blue dress and a handful of
bright sunfowers, while others are
black-and-white representing a
range of feelings from playful to
passionate.
Shelby and I both love to laugh
and have fun. We were happy that
the photos captured our person-
alities. We wanted the pictures to
portray how happy we are, Bald-
win said. We wanted our pictures
to be unique. We chose to do some
while the weather was still a bit
hot outside to get some fun, bright
colors mixed in with our upcom-
ing winter/fall photographs so we
could have a variety.
Shepherd said more couples are
interested in engagement photos
that go beyond the typical look at
the camera and smile shots, ex-
plaining, They want that special
shot that introduces themselves as
a couple to the world.
Couples start chronicling their
trek to the altar as soon as
they decide therell be one
text by MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER
p
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t
o
g
r
a
p
h
y
b
y
M
A
R
C
S
H
E
P
H
E
R
D
>>
photography by LACIE GRANT
Beaumont photographer Lacie
Grant of Essence Photography
recently did an engagement shoot
at a carnival that set up shop at
the Parkdale Mall. The colors and
lights captured MaryYoung and
Dylan Bres sense of fun, and their
comfort level with each other.
I chose Mary and Dylan for this
style of session because Mary is
very bubbly and outgoing. Dylan
seemed a little more reserved and
was probably a little less excited
about being in front of a cam-
era, which most men are, Grant
explained. I knew that this would
be a great way for Mary to bring out
her playful side and help Dylan for-
get for a moment that a camera was
pointed at him. I think whatever
makes Mary happy puts a smile on
Dylans face, and we certainly cap-
tured that during the session.
Grant said getting to know
clients as a couple before put-
ting them in front of the camera
is essential. Not all choose to go
with a theme, and many come to
her with no real idea of the kind of
shoot they want. In that case, she
and they just have to trust her
instincts.
Sometimes photography is
most beautiful at its simplest form,
and sometimes themes or stylized
sessions are just perfect for certain
couples, she said.
Shepherd warns against using a
photographer who relies on a cook-
ie-cutter approach, taking couples
to the same locations, using the
same poses. Engagement photos
leave lots of room for individuality
and creativity, so photographers
need to get to know their clients
and were not just talking about
the brides. (Sorry, ladies.)
Its critical to build a relation-
ship with the couple and that
includes the groom-to-be, he said.
Lets face it, most guys dont like
sitting through a series of shoots.
Thats why the photographer
needs to be sure to include the
groom-to-be in the decision-mak-
ing process. Theyre a couple. That
means both should have a good
time, and the photographs should
show both of their personalities.
Both photographers suggest
scheduling engagement photos
The Blind Factory
Windows give life to a room.
How you treat them defnes
the mood and the atmosphere.
Your style is unique, so you
need options. Your room
should refect who you are
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Unlike ready made draperies,
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New Look!
7396 College St. Beaumont, TX 77707 409.866.4055 Toll Free 877.281.9717

as soon as possible after the
couple decides to get hitched. That
ensures the excitement level is at
its peak, and it gives them time to
use the photos to announce their
engagement through cards, news-
papers or social-media sites like
Facebook, for their save-the-date
cards and wedding invitations or to
display at the reception.
Its also a great insight into what
they can expect from the client/
photographer relationship for the
wedding photos. Even though most
engagement photography is worked
into the overall wedding-photo
package, it gives the couple and the
photographer time to get to know
each other and get comfortable
working together.
Sure, couples can count on
friends or family members to take
engagement photos, but for a small
addition to their wedding-photogra-
phy budget, they can have creative,
highly personalized photos with a
more artistic touch than most ama-
teur shutterbugs can produce.
Shelby and I agreed that
spending a little more from our
budget on pictures was worth it,
bride-to-be Baldwin said. We will
always have these pictures to look
back on forever. They will always
be a memento that reminds us of
how we felt so excited and ready to
start our journey together.
Choosing a
photographer
Here are some tips from Marc Shep-
herd on choosing a photographer for
your engagement photos:
Make sure you feel comfortable
with the photographer. If you sense a
sales pitch, chances are thats exactly
what it is.
Make sure the photographer
knows what he or she is doing. Just
because they have a camera doesnt
mean they know how to take good
photographs or even know to how
to use it! How many cameras do they
use? The last thing a couple needs is
a photographer who shows up to their
engagement shot with one camera,
only to have it break down.
Choose a photographer that doesnt
have any hidden costs.
Choose a photographer who is
willing to experiment and try different
things, and be willing to listen to your
ideas and try to incorporate them into
the shoot. VIP
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b e a c h w e d d i n g
vip style
seaside nuptials
I
ts incredibly easy to become over-
whelmed during wedding season;
however, panic attacks dont fatter
any bride-to-be. With so many deci-
sions to make from fowers to photos,
dresses to serving dishes and makeup
to music, planning your big day can
cause a big headache. In an efort to
ease some of your stress, we at VIP as-
sembled some of the most talented local wedding
vendors to demonstrate 2012s hottest wedding
trends while creating the perfect beach wedding.
the dress
So where do you begin? Most brides want to
get the most nerve-wracking, yet most enchant-
ing, part of the wedding planning process out of
the way frst: fnding The Dress. Sukis Bridals,
Formals and Tuxedos in Orange could be the best-
kept secret in the city. With a plethora of gowns in
every style you can fathom available, Sukis also
ofers brides a free veil or tiara with the purchase
of a gown.
Owner and operator, Suki Howard, says that
while every bride is unique and looking for some-
thing diferent, many of this years newer styles
are more daring and dramatic than gowns in past
years.
Designers are starting to veer away from pick
up and are going with more luxurious fabrics and
more innovated styles, she said. One-shoulder
gowns are very trendy, along with accessories like
beaded crystal, pearl or fower belts for the dress.
The gown featured on our bride is an Isa-
dora Anne gown that Howard hand-picked for a
beach-front wedding. She describes her choice as
modern, fun, firty and beautifully detailed with
text by AMANDA CORBELL art direction by STEPHANIE DO AND GLENDA LITTLE photography by ALLEN AYRES AND MARIUS LARDIZABAL
lace and crystal beads.
It was perfect for a beach wed-
ding, she said. You can never really
go wrong with a one-shoulder chif-
fon dress, either.
For brides that are struggling to
fnd their perfect dress, Howard says
patience is key. Dont get discouraged
and remember that the dress that
is meant for you is out there, just
like the perfect man you found. She
encourages brides to let their person-
ality take center stage, but do not be
afraid to try on diferent styles be
open and adventurous!
the venue
The dress can set the tone for
the entire event, just like the venue.
Options are endless when it comes
to fnding the perfect place to say
I Do, but one thing is necessary:
physically going there before your
wedding date. Dont merely look
online and hope for the best. Do the
leg work so you escape any unwel-
come surprises (and panic attacks).
One of the frst decisions you can
make about the location is whether
you and your groom would prefer an
indoor or outdoor wedding. Outdoor
weddings can add instant ambience
and sometimes even instant and free
foral arrangements. If you are a
beach lover, what backdrop could be
more appealing than the ocean and
white sand?
Shirley Adams of Swedes Beach
Properties, which has been serving
the Bolivar Peninsular for more than
50 years, can help you fnd the per-
fect rental property for your special
day. A Sea Glass Estate was the home
for our shoot and provided plenty
of rooms for preparation, a party
and overnight guests.
Consider a fall or spring
wedding on our beautiful
open beaches, said Adams.
You can create an unfor-
gettable wedding experi-
ence in a casual setting. No
permits are needed to get
married on the beach and
you can always return year
after year to commemorate
your special day.
stationery
Once you have the location
booked, its important to have
people save the date, so to speak.
These days, many couples decide to
go with electronic invitations and
save-the-date emails. While very
green of them, there is something
extra-special about receiving such an
important invitation via snail mail.
The anticipation of opening up a
beautiful envelope bearing your wed-
ding announcement is something that
never goes out of style (and there are
a number of eco-friendly options).
Dressy Designs by Glenda Little
is located in Port Neches and is a
one-stop-shop for stationery, place
card and addressing needs. Wedding
stationary controls the style of your
wedding; much like the location >>
VIP tip: White
bridesmaids
dresses
Following last
years royal
wedding, white
is no longer
reserved just
for the bride.
For our shoot,
we chose two
knee length
diamond white
dresses for our
bridesmaids.
controls the tone. The style can
be formal, casual, fun, whimsical,
elegant, colorful or a mix of several
styles. The style can be embellished
with everything from ribbons, enve-
lope liners and even your font choice.
Initials and monograms were
popular in 2011 and I see that popu-
larity continuing into 2012, said
Little. Lacey textures are something
new Ive begun using and I love the
look of detailed ivory lace wrapped
around a layer of ivory shimmer-
ing paper. Its the perfect way to
incorporate the brides dress into the
design of her invitation.
Little says she believes that using
elements from a themed wedding
(also called personal branding)
will continue to be a hot trend, as
well as using eco-chic paper.
Dressy Designs works with the
bride to create custom stationary, so
trendy or not, customers are free to
be as unique as they want with their
ideas.
flowers
One of the most overwhelming
parts of planning a wedding is fnd-
ing the right fowers to carry down
the aisle and to add dcor to your
venue. Flowers can transform the
ceremony and reception venue, start
a conversation between guests and
add color and scent to your big
day. While many brides start
out with a type of fower in
mind, it can prove challeng-
ing to bring that vision to
life. Thats where La Belle
Fleur Wedding Designs
comes in.
Stephanie Do, owner
and head event designer
at La Belle Fleur, says
the days of choosing and
sticking with one type of
fower are over. More and
more brides are fnding
that less is not necessarily
more and are varying their
bouquets, tablescapes and the
sizes and types of fowers they
use. Do says she is seeing brides
incorporate non-foral accessories
into their wedding bouquets, such as
vintage brooches, buttons, feathers,
twigs and anything else that can add
an extra punch to the bouquet.
A trend I am seeing for center-
pieces is that they are not identical
for each table, said Do. We are
designing tablescapes that vary and
brides are embracing this concept
because they are not restricted to
choosing only one design.
For the beach wedding shoot,
Do hand-wired sea shells and clams
to the bridal bouquets for a beach-
themed wedding. In Dos opinion,
the foral arrangements are the
one thing after the dress and cake
that guests will remember about a
wedding. She says with the array of
colors and types of fowers available,
theres no end to what fowers can
do. >>
VIP tip: mul-
tiple dresses
In 2012, we
will see more
brides choosing
a dress for her
ceremony and
a completely
different style
and design for
their reception.
Some brides
will even select
a third dress to
wear when the
party is kicked
off or for their
after-party.
desserts
The pivotal part of any wedding, the cake
cutting signifes the end of a formal evening and
is usually quickly followed by music, danc-
ing and drinks. The cake, or cakes, is not to be
underestimated. Whether you served attendees
hors doeuvres or a plated meal, everyone wants
dessert. Not only must it taste delicious, but if
done right, it can be a key player in adding style
to your reception. Dawneen Hebert of Artistic
Confections in Groves, says the trends in wedding
cakes this year are showing of texture, shapes
and anything outside of the box.
Last year, the clean and modern look was
popular, she said. While the modern aspect is
still big, the sizes, shapes and patterns are chang-
ing. Geometric patterns can be added to cakes and
special touches like having lace in the fondant to
match your dress are being implemented.
Cupcakes, petit fours and candy tables are
also trendy this wedding season. Hebert chose to
showcase how cakes can be carved in the beach
photo shoot, where she carved an hourglass into
the cake. One of her specialties is creating three-
dimensional cakes and she says there is no limit
to what she can create for couples.
Anything goes right now, said Hebert.
Brides are really thinking outside of the box.
makeup
It is this writers personal philosophy (and
was also on my wedding day) that come what may
with the cake, the guests, the photos and all of the
other wonderful things that are somewhat left to
chance, the one thing you have to ensure is that
you look stunning on your wedding day. Hair,
makeup, accessories these are all vital parts
of your wedding day look. Erica Strazz of Salon
Status in Lumberton, Katie Killebrew of Salon
Elle in Port Arthur and Leigh Anne Britton of
Ooh-La-Laighs Jewelry have graciously given us
a rundown of what things to keep in mind when
creating your look.
Selecting the right makeup takes lots of
research. The face you would normally wear to
work or out on a Friday night may not be the
look you want or need for your wedding day. >>
art direction by STEPHANIE DO AND GLENDA LITTLE
photography by ALLEN AYRES AND MARIUS
LARDIZABAL, BELLAFOTOGRAFICA
desserts by DAWNEEN HEBERT, ARTISTIC CONFECTIONS
stationery by GLENDA LITTLE, DRESSY DESIGNS
fowers by STEPHANIE DO, LA BELLE FLEUR
hair by KATIE KILLEBREW, SALON ELLE
makeup by ERICA STRAZZ, SALON STATUS
jewelry by LEIGH ANNE BRITTON
dresses from SUKIS BRIDAL
tuxedo from TUXEDO JUNCTION
table decor from FRED MILLERS
bride JULIA TRAN, NEDERLAND
groom CODY DISHON, BRIDGE CITY
bridesmaids HANH MAGANA,
BEAUMONT AND JESSICA DIXON,
NEDERLAND
Plus, keep factors in mind such as
whether your event is indoors or
outdoors and how to keep your color
intensifed for photos. The goal of
wedding day makeup is to look like
you, only better.
Strazz says outdoor weddings re-
quire oil-free makeup products and
the makeup has to be long-wearing
to stand up to the elements. She
recommends using a setting spray
over your makeup, such as Urban
Decays All Nighter and using strong
water-proof mascara like Blinc Mas-
cara. She also advises brides to use a
lip stain instead of a gloss or lipstick,
since fy-aways can get stuck in gloss
and more importantly, its easily
transferred to the groom.
Trends right now are showing
a more vintage-type of look, in the
style of pin-up girls, she said. But
every bride is diferent and with
sites like Pinterest and YouTube
available, many brides are just doing
their own thing. Strazz strongly
suggests doing a trial run makeover
before the wedding and keeping
blotting papers, lash glue for lash
strips and lip stain handy during
your reception.
hair
Hair stylist, Katie Killebrew
says when it comes to wedding-day
hair, its all about keeping it natural
and loose. Brides can get away with
everything from braids, bedhead and
even some frizz these days.
The sleek look is out and move-
ment is in, she said. Even curling
irons are out and tools such as
ribbon irons and clipless irons are in
to create hair that resembles Taylor
Swifts.
For the beach wedding shoot, Kil-
lebrew styled the brides hair using a
ribbon iron and styled the brides-
maids hair using a clipless iron. She
used all-natural Aveda products,
little hairspray and avoided anything
slicked back.
The beachy, natural look is so
in, she said.
jewelry
Tying the entire bridal look
together can be as simple as one per-
fect accessory. Former art teacher-
turned-jewelry-maker, Leigh Anne
Britton says she creates jewelry that
she, herself, would want to wear.
She fnds inspiration from the past
and present and combines them into
works of art using beach glass col-
lected from local Texas coastlines.
For the beach shoot, she created
a piece using frosted, worn beach
glass, put next to vintage crystal
chandelier prisms. She then stamped
the beach glass with a pattern to
make it look more sophisticated. If
there is a treasured piece of jewelry
in your family that you would like >>
to update and incorporate into your
wedding look, Britton says she can do
that, too.
I have had several people bring
me their odd and end family heirloom
jewelry to create new pieces that they
enjoy wearing today, she said. I also
make jewelry using vintage brooches,
ear bobs, brass stencils, clock parts and
other interesting items.
For more on Ooh-La-Leigh, fnd her
on Facebook, at the Rustic Door in Ned-
erland and Classic Designs in Parkdale
Mall.
memories
And at the end of the big day, one of
the most important things you want to
have is all of the memories you worked
so hard to create. A unique (and trendy)
way to capture that is to have a photo
booth set up that guests can enter at any
time and take fun, casual photos that
you get to take with you at the end of the
night.
Imagine This Photo Booths is a
brand-new company in Southeast Texas
that is rapidly taking of. Brides and
grooms like that the pictures taken in
the photo booth print immediately for
guests and fash drives containing all
of the evenings photos are ready for
the happy couple before they leave the
venue.
Its a great alternative for people
who get tired of dancing, said co-owner
Maggie Nelson.
The photo booths hold up to 10
adults, are wheelchair accessible and
come with diferent backgrounds and
options for props, such as mustaches and
other fun items. Backdrops can be cus-
tomized and the time and date is printed
on each strip. All packages that can be
ordered include an attendant to work the
photo booth and a scrapbook.
All of the equipment we use is pro-
fessional, said co-owner Scott Alabed.
We use high-quality, printer paper and
all of the photos come out looking great.
So tell those panic attacks that you
have this whole wedding thing under
control. Relax and enjoy the memories
you are making in just planning your Big
Day! VIP
VIP tip: Late
night snacks
Whether hot
chocolate,
mini burgers
or these donut
shooters, late-
night snacks
will be popular
in 2012 as
guests prepare
to leave or seek
a boost for the
afterparty.
1126BostonAve. Nederland, TX77627
409-721-WHub www.wedding-hub.com
1126BostonAve. Nederland, TX77627
409-721-WHub www.wedding-hub.com
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EVENT SERVICES
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CONSIGNMENT CORNER RENTALS
VENDORS GIFTS ANDMORE!
6755 Phelan, Ste. 17 Beaumont, TX 77706 409.861.5762
CLOTHING ACCESSORIES
CHAN LUU
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FINE JEWELRY
5905 PHELAN BLVD.
BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77706
409-866-5859
MADE IN THE U.S.A.
RING OF FAITH
Sterling Silver
or
14 kt. Gold
text by GRACE MATHIS
styling, fowers and decor by TAMARA MENGES
photography by SARAH E. EVANS
hair by ASHLY BLACK
makeup by MEAGAN PHILLIPS
catering by BEAUMONT CATERING COMPANY
desserts by THERESE JORDAN
stationery by LEIGH ANNE SPENCER
ceremony dress from DAVIDS BRIDAL
reception dress from BRICKHOUSE BRIDAL
grooms attire from THE MENS WEARHOUSE
shot on location at BAUER RANCH, WINNIE
bride ERYN LAMBRIGHT, WARREN
groom COLT KELLEY, WARREN
w e d d i n g s
vip style
ow do you make your big day special? Ac-
cording to these wedding experts, the most
important thing is you! Think about the things
that your spouse and yourself enjoy and the
feelings you want to leave with your guests to create
one-of-a kind weddings. For this shoot, we choose to
go Rustic Elegant, which is something all Southeast
Texans can relate to. Think outdoor elements with soft
natural colors and a timeless vintage feel. We hope
youll fnd something that speaks to you and that you
can make your own.
Tamara Menges Designs
www.tamaramenges.com
Inspiration: In our area we have a lot of grooms
(and brides!) that enjoy hunting and other outdoor
activities. We also have a lot of ranches in Texas,
so I immediately thought about the Bauer Ranch. I
came up with the design concept Rustic Elegance
because I still wanted the not-so-outdoorsy couples
to fnd some things within the shoot that they might
be inspired to recreate for their own nuptials. I knew
that I wanted to keep the styling, foral and clothing
more rustic and not country.
Creations: For the table setting, I acquired some
fantastic tree logs for my centerpieces. I stood them
upright and assembled the neutral-colored foral
cascading around them as well around the top on
one with a large candle. The rest of the table pulled
together with ladder back chairs, bride and groom
wreaths and an over-exaggerated runner. For the
ceremony space, we made columns out of reclaimed
fence posts, and I made the arrangements, again
very muted in color, in galvanized metal pails. The
ceremony setting pulled together perfectly with babys
breath-covered willow balls, mismatched chairs, a
burlap runner and pew arrangements.
Favorite wedding trend: Im seeing rustic elements
everywhere. Remember you can take any element
and recreate it in a way that is truly unique to your
personalities.
www.saraheevansphotography.com
Inspiration: I took the theme of Rustic Elegance
and applied it in a romantic feel while photographing.
The ranch was such a beautiful location that I really
took inspiration from the items like the red barn,
wooden fence, golden felds and horses. The barn
made a stunning vivid backdrop for our couple and
allowed them to pop in the shots.
Other creation: Inspired by a piece of artwork in
a Restoration Hardware magazine, I used our rustic
icon of the deer and painted it onto old reclaimed
wood as a guestbook. Nowadays couples are looking
for creative alternatives for their guestbook and why
not make it a piece of artwork for your new home?
Favorite wedding trend: The use of natural colors,
such as gray, whites, creams and pale colors. Another
trend that I am loving is the focus on smaller intimate
weddings in unique venues that are a bit out of the
ordinary.
Leigh Makes Designs
409.718.5020
Inspiration: After I heard word that there would be
antlers used to help get the rustic feel across, I chose
to use some vintage stamps that Ive been collecting. I
love taking something whimsical and iconic and mak-
ing it into something elegant and beautiful. Everything
else I used seemed to follow after (color, lettering,
style etc.) to highlight the deer in an elegant way.
Creations: First off, I love a good square invite.
Next, to go into our diagonal insert, I made my own
envelope from an Italian handmade paper. I am such
a fan of handmade paper because of the way it feels.
Last, I chose to pair rubber-stamping with digital
printing and heat embossing to create a warm and
cozy handmade feel without making the invite look
cheap. I fnished it off with hand-set eyelets and twine
to add some rugged, hardware charm. I also created
tags and deer place cards.
Favorite wedding trend: I love how couples are
coming up with themes for their weddings and not
only the obvious thematic themes that you see physi-
cally all over the wedding, but a personal theme like
love or gratitude. I think by carrying these personal
themes throughout to not only bring the couple
together, but all of the family and friends they have
asked to join them on their big day as well, makes for
a wonderful warm and loved flled day!
Something Beautiful Hair & Make-Up
409.350.0918
Keris Salon & Boutique, Kountze
Inspiration: When I pictured rustic elegance, I
thought of French braids. Of course not school girl
braids, but something romantic and sweet but still el-
egant. To me, the braids and rustic theme just seemed
to go hand in hand, so I was going for a sweet country
girl all grown up and elegant for her big day. >>
Favorite wedding trend: Brides dont want the
traditional updo anymore. I love that part of my job,
where I can be creative and make the perfect hair-
style that suits each bride and their personality.
There are more personal touches going into weddings
and I love that, because its your day and it should be
all about you and your spouse.
Viva Bella Makeup Artistry
409.225.4052
Inspiration: The look of the bride has to coordinate
with the dress, accessories and overall look of the
wedding. I was told the vision of the wedding was
going to be very refned and elegant rustic. I imme-
diately thought grays and browns for the rustic look
with a touch of pink for femininity and elegance.
Favorite wedding trend: I like the vintage trend. I
love the fact that something old is becoming some-
thing new. I also like thinking outside the church.
Location weddings are beautiful.
Beaumont Catering Company
www.beaumontcatering.com
Inspiration: This menu was drawn from nature and
respect for local seasonal ingredients. Couples are
using food as a way to express their personalities and
taste literally. These are autumn ingredients, and we
imagined the husband being a hunter. We wanted to
showcase classic comfort food with a twist and take
the familiar favors but represent them in a rustic
elegant presentation.
Creation: We put a twist on the traditional meatloaf
and used wild game such as venison and bison.
Also, using mushrooms to create a hearty risotto
with Parmesan is a great substitute for the standard
potato as a side item. Another seasonal comfort food
was the French onion soup with croutons. For the
cocktail hour beverage, we prepared a punch-style
cocktail drink called Valley of the Kings with whiskey,
amaretto and pineapple juice. The warm sensation
from the whiskey, as well as the color of the beverage
and foating orange slices all keep it seasonal. These
types of drinks are very popular because theyre
conversation starters and budget-friendly.
Favorite wedding trend: Clients wanting to offer
guests late-night food instead of favors. Guests love
the new treats, and its a great way to end a night of
cocktails. The trick is to present these casual foods in
a way that still has style and fair. As well, theres no
wedding food anymore. Its all about what you like.
T Cakes Creations, Spurger
409.283.0467
Inspiration: Rustic elegance meant simple and
pretty so I went for a cake that wasnt adorned with
too many extras.
Creation: I created a 3-tiered cake with the top and
bottom tier having a crumpled effect, topped off
with a large fower, accented with an edible button.
The cake was placed on a cut of pine tree as a cake
stand to create a simple feel.
Favorite wedding trend: My favorite trend is the
crumpled/ruffy look of cakes. I am loving the simple
cakes rather than the over the top creations. I am
also in love with the use of vintage cake stands. I
think a simple cake on top of a beautiful vintage cake
stand makes for the perfect combination.
Tim and Vicki Bauer, Winnie, TX
409.651.1776
Inspiration: The red barn provided a sweet backdrop
and attribute to our rustic love story. There are four
venue areas which can be used for events here: the
gazebo on the pond, the majestic live oak-canopied
lawn that can seat up to 400 guests, the rustic red
barn and the stampede party barn.
Favorite wedding trend: Three types of weddings
work here. Rustic Elegance: You drink wine from a
real wine glass. Country Elegance: You drink wine
from a stemmed mason jar. Cowboy Elegance: You
drink wine from a red Solo cup.
Galina Collection ceremony gown (PK3357), $599
Available at Davids Bridal (pictured on magazine cover)
Palm Springs reception gown by Watters Brides, $2,095
Available at Brickhouse Bridal, Houston, www.brickhousebridal.
com, www.wattes.com (pictured on previous page)
Grooms attire: Calvin Klein gray 2-button satin-edge peak
lapel tuxedo, gray vest with tie and patent leather tuxedo shoe
available at The Mens Wearhouse
VIP
Serving our community since 1918 with elegant to
casual catering from small to large groups. Let us cater
your next event. Youll fnd our experience and attention
to detail sets us apart from the rest. Call our specialist
at 409.840.9051 ext. 1
Monclas Catering. 2530 W. Cardinal Dr., Beaumont, TX
409.840.9051 ext.1. www.monclas.com
Let us help you make memories on your special occasion.
Custom and interchangeable signs available for your theme
party, graduation, sports, and holidays.
Find us on Facebook:
Fabs yard signs
409-790-8491
also located inside:
Holland House
1205 Boston Ave, Nederland
The Place to Accessorize is
BBS Collection
4347 Crow Rd, Beaumont, TX 409.924.0202
Nickolinas
1257 W. Lucas, Beaumont, TX
409-896-2543
www.nickolinas.com
Kameleon Jewelry is
the most fun, fexible
interchangeable jewelry
system in the world, and it
is now available exclusively
at Nickolinas! Stand
out from the crowd, and
create your own unique
accessories from designs
including rings, earrings,
pendants, bracelets,
necklaces, and more.
Now Open: MANS CAVE
Come shop for yourself or that special man in your life.
Mans Cave is a unique collection and creative creations
from a mans point of view.
Fred A. Simons Tae Kwon Do
3965 Phelan Plaza, Suite 107
Beaumont, TX 409.860.5744
NEW LOCATION! Southeast Texas highest ranking Black
Belt, 9th degree Grand Master Fred A. Simon, is now
offering classes in his new studio. Study martial arts
under a Texas Legends Hall of Fame and Texas Martial
Arts Hall of Fame Member. Call now to reserve a spot
for you or your child! Classes are conveniently offered at
noon and at night.
*Member of the BBB
Also follow Burns on Facebook! www.facebook.com/burnsantikhaus
A direct importer of European Antiques, Burns Antik Haus,
located on Calder at 6th Street, can help you bring old world charm
to your home.
Open Tues - Thurs 10 am to 5 pm and Fri - Sat 10 am to 3 pm.
(409) 835-3080
8
fabulous nds
Retailers we love and their
merchandise we love to have!
Cat5 is available to check out every Thursaday
in the Beaumont Enterprise and it is distributed
to the top locations in the
Golden Triangle.
thecat5.com
The best spot to fnd out what is going on with the
latest trends in dining, night life, music, art, events,
and fashion in the Southeast Texas and Southwest
Louisiana areas.
Thursday
Capture that very special moment in time, your
Wedding Day picture, with a custom made frame from
Ellis, and create an heirloom for generations to come.
3737 Calder, Beaumont, TX 409-839-8473
www.ellispottery.com
www.drwilgers.com
KENNETH D. WILGERS
M.D. P.A.
3282 College St., Beaumont
(409) 832-8600
Melissa Evans
RN, MSN, FNP
Certifed American Board of
Family Practice
Full Service Medical Clinic
Treating Adults and Children
Same Day Appointments
Available
Medical Weight Loss
Botox
& Restylane
Treatments
Lab & Xray Available on
Site
Custom homes are our specialty and our passion. Classic Homes
specializes in building custom homes using quality materials,
unique architectural details and excellent craftsmanship.
Give me a call and lets sit down and review your plans today.
Another Fabulous Custom Home From Classic Homes
Jimmy Rippeon Cell 409-656-3939 Offce 409-347-1107
5955 Caswell Rd. Beaumont www.classichomesbmt.com
General
Construction
&
Fashionably
outspoken
Lamar freshman Terrence
Jackson combines fashion
with activism and a desire
to put an end to bullying
f a s h i o n d e s i g n
vip style
text by MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER
photography by SILVIA C. MCCLAIN
T
errence Jackson is
a self-proclaimed
spokesperson
for individuality.
And 10 seconds into a
conversation with the
19-year-old Lamar freshman
fromSan Antonio, youll
have no doubt about how
serious he is.
Jackson, who majors in fashion
merchandising at Lamar, speaks
out passionately about a topic that
currently is a hot-button issue
around the country bullying and
violence against members of the
gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender
community.
I was basically the only dif-
ferent boy where I was growing
up, and children seemed to have
the idea that they had to treat me
a certain way call me names,
pick on me, he said. But when I
got older, I realized I have to take a
stand now or it will always be this
way, I will always be bullied, I will
always be the underdog.
Jackson found his style and
his voice at a young age and, he
said, told them straight up that
I will not be bullied. Since then,
Ive had the mindset that no one is
going to bring me down. Nothing
anyone does or says can afect me.
My pride is way bigger than any
of that.
Big dreams
Jacksons plans for the future,
in addition to a career in the world
of fashion design, include acting
as a role model to children who
feel somehow diferent from what
society holds up as the norm, and
educating the public on issues
of tolerance, acceptance and the
tragic consequences that can result
from a lack thereof.
A lot of designers have their
issues and organizations they pair
with. When I make it big and I
have the name and the image and
the media attention, I can reach
a lot of people, he said. But
even if that doesnt happen, Ill
continue the fght against bullying.
And not just in the matter of the
straight community against the gay
community. I want to address the
prejudices that we face within the
gay community too.
Jackson sees himself founding
a nonproft organization that uses
fashion as a way to teach young
gay men and boys how to express
themselves personally while still
presenting themselves profession-
ally.
Fashion is a big, big thing
in the gay community, and I can
use that to reach people, to show
young boys how to be themselves
and how to express themselves
creatively while still being present-
able, he explained
La Soiree
But for right now, the next
big thing on Jacksons horizon is
the Cirque de la Soiree black-tie
fundraiser that will take place at
6:30 p.m. Jan 29 at the Beaumont
Civic Center to beneft the Baptist
Hospital Cancer Center. In addi-
tion to dinner, entertainment, and
live and silent auctions, the high-
light of the fourth annual gala is
the high-end Night at the Moulin
Rouge fashion show.
New this year is a collabora-
tion between the show and the
Lamar Fashion Merchandising
Association, a student organization
focused on promoting awareness
of Lamars fashion merchandising
program, providing experiences in
all aspects of fashion, and increas-
ing public appreciation of fashion
merchandising in the community.
Ashanti Dyson, president of
the FMA, said working on La
Soiree is an opportunity to get the
associations name out into the
community. Last year, FMA mem-
bers helped out with manpower
at the show. But Dyson, a senior
corporate communications major,
jumped at the chance to expand
the organizations role this year.
Kristie Young, executive direc-
tor of the Baptist Hospitals of
Southeast Texas Foundation, said
organizers asked FMA students to
create some over-the-top designs
to be featured on the runway.
[FMA members] decided
among themselves who would
create the dresses, Young said.
Terrence is really so talented, and
they really rallied behind him.
For the show, Jackson cre-
ated dresses in two categories:
elegant and fantasy. For elegant,
he designed a chic, sleek cocktail-
style dress covered in tactile roses
and kicked up a notch with a bold
neckline and intrigue-enhancing
cutouts. Its very Audrey Hepburn
with a dollop of Lady Gaga.
Jackson created a slew of fanci-
ful designs for the fantasy category,
and the one chosen to be created
for La Soiree was an elaborate,
Marie Antoinette-inspired frock
I chose fashion because: I love to
create beauty.
My professional role model is:
Tyra Banks. She took that one passion
that she initially had modeling
and turned it into so many different
things. She wanted to have a talk
show, and she did. Now shes a pro-
ducer. She had dreams that she never
let go of. And that is beautiful.
My personal hero is: my mother.
She didnt have the best childhood,
but she held on to her dreams.
She had a dream of writing a book,
and she did it. Im a big believer in
dreams, and without her Im not sure
I would be like that. Even through all
her trials, she is still achieving hap-
piness.
I would like to be remembered
for: being an awesome person not
just for being some gay guy, but for
helping others, donating, serving the
community; for being kind-hearted,
for having a personality and a little
spice; for being quirky. Thats what
makes me, me.
G
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Jacksons personal favorite.
Once the designs were set, FMA
members got busy gathering all the
necessary materials to make them
a reality, and theyll be the ones
bringing the creations to life for
their trip down the 80-foot-long
runway come gala night.
Young said this year is just the
beginning of what the foundation
hopes will be a long relationship
with FMA. Next year, it plans
to make it a more formal design
competition, with judges coming in
from around the state to decide on
the winning fashions.
We want to keep the collabo-
ration going, she said. It really
is a great way to get the students
involved and make the show an
ever better experience all the way
around. VIP
The
MAN
cake
Amidst the
wedding
hoopla,
something
for the
groom ...
T
he pice de rsistance of
the wedding reception,
the bridal cake is a vision
of beauty as it towers on
its own table, its tiers
decorated with flowers, ribbons and
curlicues. Nearby is another cake?
But this one looks like a set of golf
clubs. (Or perhaps a smart phone or a
bucking bronco or a football helmet
the ideas are endless.)
Traditional option
In Southeast Texas, unlike some
areas of the country, grooms cakes
have been a longstanding tradition. I
was raised around this area and when I
started working at Murphys Cake Shop
in Port Arthur, grooms cakes were part
of the package so if they wanted the
wedding cake, they got the grooms cake
too, said Pat Daigle of Mauriceville,
who has been making specialty cakes
for 40 years. I can remember when
there were rarely grooms cakes in wed-
ding idea books, but now it seems to be
catching on everywhere.
The traditional form for a grooms
cake has been a simple chocolate cake
with chocolate buttercream frosting and
perhaps a fruit topping, often strawber-
ries. Though this still remains a popular
choice, brides and grooms have begun
g r o o m s c a k e s
food dining
text by CHERYL ROSE
thinking outside the basic geom-
etry of rounds and rectangles.
In the last 10 years, there are
more requests for a theme with
whatever the grooms interests
are, Daigle said.
Beyond the cake
pan
Julana Phenix, the owner of
Something Special Bakery, said
her orders run about half and
half for traditional vs. themed.
With the sculpted cakes, its
often something about the groom
that makes him stand out a
hobby, a profession, perhaps
where he went to school, she
said. She described the variety of
sculpted grooms cakes she has
made, including deer heads and
hunting themes, sports themes,
musical instruments and, on one
memorable occasion, a 3-D ver-
sion of the University of Georgia
bulldog mascot. (A precaution to
the unwary cutting into a cake
that is looking at you may cause
hesitation. Phenix said that with
the bulldog, the family had to put
a napkin over its face to cover
the eyes before they could start
cutting and, even then, started
with the tail.)
Daigle is currently working
on an Elvis-themed cake. Texas
Longhorns with burnt orange-
colored icing are popular. She
also made a miniature police car
including shining battery lights
for the headlights. One of her
biggest challenges thus far was
a request for a cake that looked
like a trumpet resting in its case.
She had to borrow the instru-
ment from the groom so she
could replicate each detail.
David and Sara Kaiser of
Beaumont came to Daigle with
the idea of a guitar cake. Sara
was concerned that the sample
cakes she had seen during a
search of the internet didnt look
very much like actual guitars,
but Daigle was confdent. When
I saw it, it was more than I ever
thought it could be, Sara Kaiser
said. It was so realistic. It was
life-sized with all the strings and
knobs. It was just amazing.
Jerry McMillan of Beaumont
said that when they were dream-
ing up a cake for his future son-
in-law, Zach Rowe, the family all
thought he would like an Aggies
theme, since he went to Texas
A&M. However, Rowe thought a
table saw would represent both
his hobby of woodworking and
his degree in construction sci-
ence. Phenix was able to repli-
cate a fabulous version of a
table saw in cake, McMillan said.
Other dessert
options
Though sometimes the bride
may keep the grooms cake
design a secret, increasingly the
groom is invested in the planning
of the cake. They will design
the cake down to a T, Phenix
said. Many grooms are fnding
examples on the Web, but both
bakers agreed the proliferation
of TV shows like Cake Boss
and other cake competitions have
risen expectations about what
can be done with four, sugar,
eggs and butter.
Some grooms are scrapping
cake and choosing a completely
diferent option such as brown-
ies, cookies or cheesecake. Wed-
ding planner Lindsay Zummo of
Its All n the Presentation recalls
one wedding where the grooms
cake was actually smores. If
they do stick with cake, its no
longer always chocolate. Phenix
said she commonly gets requests
for carrot cake, for example.
Edible art
A point of pride for both
bakers is that everything about
the cakes is edible. Theres no
reason it cant all be edible, said
Daigle, explaining how she made
trumpet valves with sugar dough
and the car headlights with sugar
globes. Fondant, buttercream,
gum paste, sugar, pastillage and
candy clay are some of the mate-
rials bakers use to make sculpted
pieces. Though some of Phenixs
more complicated cakes require
a wooden structure, she coats all
of the wood in white chocolate
to create a protective barrier for
any wood that comes in contact
with cake.
Crafting edible art can take
many hours and a lot of creativ-
ity. Both bakers charge more
for a sculpted cake than they do
for a traditional cake as a result.
Daigle will only accept one wed-
ding per weekend because of the
time involved. Phenix said the
latest she can accept a sculpted
cake order is two weeks ahead,
but that the busier wedding sea-
sons book up far in advance.
After putting in many hours
of efort on this edible creation,
how does it feel to have the art-
work cut up and consumed? It
takes a long time, but its fun,
Daigle said. After all I put into
these cakes, I can cut into them
in a second.
From deer heads
to favorite sports
teams to iPhones,
the only limit to
grooms cakes is
your imagination
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the basic geom-
rectangles.
years, there are
a theme with
s o u t h e a s t t e x a s e v e n t s
vip spotlights
TANs Paint
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Frank and Carrie Coffn, Lynda Kay and James Makin
REN SHEPPARD
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F
or years, Valerie Fortunia
carried a drivers license
that noted her wish to be an
organ donor. The 49-year-
old Fannett mother of two
believed it was a privilege
to give life even as she lost
hers. She never imagined the
ultimate gift would come not from her, but the
two people she loved most.
On Aug. 6, 1997, Valeries frstborn son,
Jeremy Fontenot, was killed in an automobile
accident on his way home from a basketball game
with friends. The 16-year-old Hamshire-Fannett
junior was only four miles from home.
Because he passed at the scene, emergency
medical responders took the young athlete to the
morgue. Refecting on Jeremys gentle, giving
spirit, Valerie called the coroners ofce to ask
if he still could be a donor. They assured her he
could.
After Jeremys death, Valerie kept going by
focusing on being there for her younger son, Mike
Dunnam, who had lost his beloved big brother.
I was single at the time and it was just me
and Mike. It made our relationship even closer,
she said.
Twelve years later, on Sept. 5, 2009, Mike was
killed in an automobile accident. The 22-year-old
was a half mile from home.
RTI Donor Services, a not-for-proft network
that provides donated human tissue and bone,
called Valerie to see if she wanted Mike to be a
donor. Absolutely, she told them.
Because neither of her sons had been put on
life support, they could not be organ donors, but
they still live on in others. Mikes ligament re-
paired an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), giving
a man back his mobility. Mikes heart valve now
pumps blood for a baby girl in Arizona. His bone
allowed a woman who was becoming paralyzed to
continue walking.
Both boys were able to donate tissue and
bone used for cornea transplants, skin grafts for
burn victims, glaucoma repair, dental procedures,
soft tissue repair, ligament replacement, heart
valve replacement it just goes on and on. Its
unbelievable how many lives can be touched by
one person.
Receiving letters from grateful recipients
brought comfort to Valerie, whose boys still are
very much alive in her heart and life.
The letters mean so much to a parent who
lost a child. Now I know there is a physical part of
my sons that continues on in other families. Its a
mothers pride, knowing my sons are still doing
good things on earth. What better gift than that?
Because records were less open back in 1997,
Valerie doesnt know who received tissue from
Jeremy, but she knows lives were improved, or
perhaps, saved.
The gifts her sons gave to others and the let-
ters she received from recipients are high on what
Valerie calls her grateful list.
It means so much to the donors parents
that they took the time to write and say, Thank
you. That cadaver was someone who was deeply
loved, and the recipients shared their gratitude
with strangers. Its a simple thank you note, but it
means so much to the family. It breaks your heart
in a good way.
A year after Mike died, Valerie received a
phone call from Katie Banik, a family services
specialist at RTI, asking if she would speak to
v a l e r i e f o r t u n i a
vip worthy
text by JANE MCBRIDE
lost
saved
two sons
many lives
I dont want them to be forgotten. Im whats left here
on earth for them to be remembered Valerie Fortunia
hospitals about the donor program.
Absolutely, Valerie told her, pleased to
give back to the organization.
Katie asked Valerie to tell her a little
about her boys. Valerie wrote a letter,
describing her familys journey and the
loss of Jeremy and Mike. Not long after
she mailed the letter, RTI called again.
They said they were touched by my
story and Katie asked me, Have you
heard of the Rose Parade? Valerie said.
You mean the Rose Bowl in
California on New Years Day? Valerie
answered.
Yes, Katie said. RTI, along with
several other organizations, partici-
pates on the Donate Life foat, where
28 people, both donors and recipients,
ride in the parade. We want you to be
our ambassador on the foat.
I didnt even know they did
something like that, Valerie said. It
was a huge surprise. Who would think
Valerie from Fannett, Texas would be
the one chosen for this honor?
Valerie and her husband, Chris, will
make the trip to California. An insur-
ance company has named Mike as the
2012 Floragraph donor honoree. His
portrait, made entirely of fowers, will
be displayed on the foat. Valerie also
will wrap a piece of paper with her
sons names and a personal message
around the stem of roses donated in
their memory, then place them in the
foats garden at a special ceremony.
RTI will donate roses for both boys.
Women who have lost children share
things others cant always understand.
One is the need to talk about their chil-
dren and to hear their names spoken
aloud.
I dont want them to be forgotten.
Im whats left here on earth for them
to be remembered, Valerie said. They
want me to be happy and do good. I live
in honor of them.
Among the moments she considers
sacred are those when she feels her
sons presence and infuence in her life.
On Dec. 30 my 50th birthday
I will be decorating a foat in their
honor. Is that not awesome? Yeah, she
laughed, Those boys are throwing me
a big birthday party. VIP
save a life
More than 112,000 U.S. children and adults are on the waiting list for organ transplants;
hundreds of thousands more need tissue transplants. Visit www.donatelife.net/Commit
ToDonation to learn more. To read Valeries story: www.rtidonorservices.org/events_out-
reach/rose_parade/ To purchase a rose in honor of a donor, visit www.donatelifefoat.org
and click on dedication garden.
Contact RTI Donor Services at: 11621 Research Circle, Alachua, FL 32615; Call: 386-
418-8888 or toll free 877-343-6832; Email:
RTIDSWebManager@rtix.com
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And they said to one another, Were not our
hearts burning within us while he was speaking
to us on the road, while he was explaining the
Scriptures to us? Luke 24:32
ack in 1986, a group of Southeast
Texas youth ministers had a vision to
provide a high-quality evangelistic
experience for teens. The result
was the first Hot Hearts Conference
in 1987 in Beaumont. The event combined
the messages of youth ministers with some
of the best contemporary Christian bands.
Over the years, the conference has grown to
include cities throughout Texas, Arkansas
and Louisiana.
The Hot Hearts Conference is still beat-
ing strong and celebrates its 25th anniversary
this month at Ford Park with 7,000 people
expected to attend. Thats good for Hot Hearts
and also good for the city. The Beaumont
Convention and Visitors Bureau has enjoyed a
wonderful, long-standing relationship with the
Hot Hearts Conference, said Dean Conwell,
executive director of the bureau. Congratula-
tions to them on their upcoming 25th anniver-
sary celebration. The conference attendance
continues to grow year after year, which stimu-
lates business activities not only to Beaumont
hotels, but to other ancillary retail outlets too.
This years lineup includes speaker Kevin
Phillips, the comedy team of Hurt and Manley,
illusionist Drew Worsham and the bands
Skillet and Press Play. Our plan is to attract
Christians in a high-energy, youth-oriented
conference, said Dwayne Oxner, spokesman
for Hot Hearts. The main goal is the ability to
share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Oxner, who
has been involved with the conference since
1996, makes the point that the event is not just
about the bands. It is not just a concert, he
explained, adding that the goal is not only to
fll the venue. It is an evangelism conference.
The purpose is to share the gospel so that we
can see kids come to know Christ.
Dream to reality
Steve Jean, minister to students at Westgate
Memorial Baptist Church in Beaumont, is one
of the original founders of Hot Hearts along
with other youth ministers from the Golden
Triangle Baptist Association. They had the
dream to provide a major Christian event for
students comparable to statewide and nation-
wide events that were usually held in bigger
cities. These were great events for students
who attended, but we knew most students
from Southeast Texas were not getting these
kinds of experiences mostly because of chal-
lenges based on distance, he said. So, we had
this outrageous idea to bring the event to the
students right here in the Golden Triangle. It
was a big dream bigger than we even imag-
ined that has become a reality.
The frst event in January 1987 was held at
the Holiday Inn on Walden Road in Beaumont
and about 1,000 students attended. That
sparked the idea that Hot Hearts could become
an annual event. More than the excitement of
a successful event, there was a passion, a dedi-
cation among the planners that we could not let
this life-changing opportunity go, Jean said.
That kind of passion and dedication, which I
must say comes by the grace of God, is still the
heartbeat of the steering committee to this day,
and that is why Hot Hearts continues.
The conference is a cooperative efort each
year of more than 300 volunteers from across
text by CATHLEEN COLE
Hot Hearts Conference celebrates its 25th anniversary
Southeast Texas. Hot Hearts has always had one laser focus, and that
is to help students connect with God, Jean said.
Faith and fun
Tammy Anderud, executive youth pastor at Praise Christian Cen-
ter in Beaumont, is taking her youth group to the conference for the
frst time, although some of her students have attended individually
in the past. Shes impressed with the quality of speakers and worship
teams coming to the event and might take up to 60 students. For our
students, I hope for them to see that they are not alone in their faith
in this area, that hundreds of their peers share the same faith and are
not ashamed of it, she said. We also hope that our students grow in
their understanding of their faith and have a great time doing it!
Anderud believes events like this help students reconnect with
their faith and grow in relationships with others who share their
faith. The conference also provides exciting and fun entertainment.
These events allow an opportunity for youth groups to bond as
well, she explained. They truly have an impact on our students in
their faith, in their sense of community and in their knowledge.
Donavon Cavender, a student at Lamar University, attended his
frst Hot Hearts Conference in 2008 when he helped set up and man
an informational table for Lamars Baptist Student Ministry. What re-
ally got him, he said, was the quality of the bands. The speakers and
the other entertainers were impressive, too, he noted. Hes been to
the conference every year since. I really enjoy the message, he said.
And I really love the bands.
Hot Hearts 2012, Jan. 20-21 at Ford Park, Beaumont
409.792.1960, info@hothearts.org, hothearts.org/beaumont
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w e d d i n g g i f t s
vip adviser
gift ideas to help
you go off registry
1. Sculpture
Give them a piece of local art history with
a sculpture by Charles Stagg. This fnely
crafted pine sculpture makes for a unique
gift that will defnitely bring wonder into
their new home.
Pine sculpture, Charles Stagg, Contact
artist for purchasing info, 409.659.6580
2. Drinks
Celebrate the special occasion with
champagne and throw in an extra bottle
that the couple can enjoy for their anni-
versary. The Dominus Napa Valley Estate
Uhrirtion Moneix can be stored and saved
for a wonderful 10-year anniversary
present.
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Cham-
pagne, $49.99 and Dominus Napa Valley
Estate Uhrirtion Moneix 2006, Millers
Discount Liquor, $134.99
3. Basket
Want to treat their taste buds? Jacks
Pak-It prepares customized gift baskets
that can be flled with meats, cheese,
wine, and many other things that are
sold in the store.
Customized gourmet gift basket, Jacks
Pak-It, Starting at $50
4. Art
Help them begin their art collection with
a piece from a local artist. This original
abstract painting by Carlo Busceme IV will
brighten up any room.
Untitled painting, Carlo Busceme IV,
$500, cbuscemeiv@gmail.com
5. Nature
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature
Center connects individuals with nature.
Treating the couple to a membership al-
lows unlimited admission along with other
benefts to enjoy.
Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature
Center Couples Membership, $60 per
year, 409.670.9113
6. Decanter
Decanters make a splendid gift for the
bar. This vintage crystal decanter is
elegant, practical and it would also make
for a great conversation piece at the
dinner table.
Vintage crystal decanter, The Tattered
Suitcase, $75
ant bring your self to buy another Kitchen-Aid Mixer this wed-
ding season? Try going off-the-registry to give the newlyweds
something extra special. Here are 10 gift ideas that are sure to
please the bride and groom.
text by LARENA HEAD photography by REN SHEPPARD
1
2 3
9
8
7. Music
The newlyweds will certainly enjoy
outings that wont cost them a dime. A
pair of season tickets to The Symphony
of Southeast Texas is an exciting way to
absorb some of the local culture.
The Symphony of Southeast Texas
Season Tickets, $67- $133 per person,
409.892.2257 or sost.org
8. Relaxation
Give the gift of relaxation. After the stress
of planning a wedding, the newlyweds
will appreciate a massage.
Couples Swedish Massage, The Getaway
Day Spa, $100 (50 min)
9. Goblets
Instead of gifting traditional glassware,
indulge in original handcrafted ceramic
ware. If youre looking for something
unique, one-of-a-kind pottery makes for
a gorgeous and functional gift.
Handcrafted ceramic goblets, Cindy
Grimes, $80 set of 4, txcynpottery@
sbcglobal.net
10. Book
Coffee table books make a great gift for
any couple. The newly released book
From Uncertain to Blue by Keith Carter is
a must for art and photography lovers.
From Uncertain to Blue, Keith Carter, The
Book Bazaar, $55
4 5
6 7
10
Bauer Ranch
Legendary Texas Hospitality
1800 Bauer Road, Winnie, Texas
409.651.1776
Rustic Elegance
Vintage Western
Southern Charm
Weddings & Events
photo by Sarah e. Evans Photography
Two Magnolias is dedicated to bringing you the most reliable
and delectable catering services in Southeast Texas. Whether
its helping with those special extras for your Rehearsal Dinner,
or preparing a feast for your guests, Two Magnolias can
accommodate your needs.
Let us help add the fnishing touches to your Special Day!
Hot lunches served daily.
Two Magnolias Catering
500 Main Street Beaumont
Located inside the Art Museum of Southeast Texas
409.833.5913
2
fabulous nds
Retailers we love and their
merchandise we love to have!
t he ni ght si de
of s e t exas
thecat5. com
FIND OUT WHATS
HOT AND HAPPENING
ON THE SOCIAL SCENE
{ January }
JANUARY 5
First Thursday at the Mildred
5 to 9 p.m. at the Mildred Building,
Beaumont. Food, drinks, live music
and sidewalk vendors.
JANUARY 6
Comedien Brian Regan
8 p.m., Julie Rogers Theatre,
Beaumont. Reserved seats $37.50.
800.745.3000 or www.ticketmaster.
com
JANUARY 6-7
Beaumont Public Library Book Sale
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 6; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jan. 7, Civic Center, Beaumont.
409.981.5911.
JANUARY 7
Anniversary Celebration
Spindletop Gladys City/Boomtown
Museum, Beaumont. 409.835.0823.
Willie Nelson
Nutty Jerrys, Winnie. Tickets
$30-$125. 877.643.7508 or www.
nuttyjerrys.com.
Jerry Jeff Walker
8 p.m., Grand 1894 Opera House,
Galveston. 800.821.1894 or www.
thegrand.com.
JANUARY 12-13
Fiddler on the Roof
7:30 p.m., Lutcher Theater for
the Performing Arts, Orange.
409.745.5535, 800.828.5535 or www.
lutcher.org.
JANUARY 14
The Texas Tenors
thegrand.com.
JANUARY 14-15
Streetz Dance Conference and
Competition
Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites,
Beaumont. 409.679-0001.
Little Big Town
Nutty Jerrys, Winnie. Tickets $25,
$30, $35. 877.643.7508 or www.
nuttyjerrys.com.
JANUARY 15
Fiddler on the Roof
thegrand.com.
Moulin Rouge,
The Ballet
January 31
Canadas Royal Winnipeg Ballet is
bringing its box offce sensation
Moulin Rouge The Ballet to
Beaumont. Along with a rousing
French soundtrack, Moulin Rouge
The Ballet features high-kicking
choreography and a passionate
story of love, ambition and
heartbreak. 7:30 p.m., Lutcher
Theater for the Performing
Arts, Orange. 409. 745.5535,
800.828.5535 or www.lutcher.org.
great dates in january
Symphony of Southeast
Texas Pops Concert
January 21
The Sounds of New Orleans: A
Tribute to Louis Armstrong featuring
Byron Stripling on trumpet, 7:30 p.m.,
Julie Rogers Theatre, Beaumont.
Tickets $15 to $36 for adults and $12
to $33 for students. 409.892.2257 or
www.sost.org.
La Soiree
Moulin Rouge!
January 28
Baptist Hospital of Southeast
Texass annual black tie gala
featuring a high-end fashion
show with professional and
local models, silent and live
auctions and music by Motion.
Tickets $150 and include
cocktails and gourmet meal.
Table sponsorships available.
409.212.6110.
Bridal Traditions
Winter Bridal Show
January 22
Annual wedding show kicks off
the 2012 wedding season. With
dozens of vendors, fnd everything
you need to prepare for your
Big Day! 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at
the Beaumont Civic Center.
Tickets are available in
advance at Cindys Bridal in
Vidor and J & J Monogram
in Lumberton
409.769.7599.
Event Submissions
Do you have an event you would like to promote? Do it with VIP for FREE! Please send us detailsdates, times,
location, contact phone, web address and a brief descriptionto dconstantine@thevipmag.com. Information
should arrive at least 60 days in advance of the event.
February Previ ew
FEBRUARY 11
Golden Triangle Heart Ball 7 p.m., Holiday Inn, Beaumont
FEBRUARY 21
Taste of the Triangle, Ford Park
FEBRUARY 25
Girls Haven Gumbo Festival 10 a.m., Parkdale Mall
Mr. Habitat 2012 6:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, Beaumont
JANUARY 17
Gordon Lightfoot
Beaumont. Tickets $40-$65. 409.
838.3435.
JANUARY 19
Congressional District 14 Republican
Candidates Debate
7 p.m., Jeferson Theatre, Beaumont.
JANUARY 20-21
Hot Hearts 2012
Ford Arena, Beaumont. 409.951.5400
or www.fordpark.com.
JANUARY 20
Curious Creatures
Reception 7 p.m. Jan. 20, Dishman
Art Museum at Lamar University,
Beaumont. 409.880.8959, 409.880.
8141 or www.lamar.edu/dishman.
Meredith Jack - Black and This
Rejection of the Conqueror: Works by
Robert Pruitt
Reception and gallery talk by
the artists, 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 20,
Art Museum of Southeast Texas,
Beaumont. 409.832-3432 or www.
amset.org.
JANUARY 21
Burns Supper
Traditional Scottish feast and program
celebrating Scotlands famous poet
Robert Burns, Courtyard Cafe and
Bakery, Groves. Tickets $25, children
12 and younger $15. This is an annual
fundraiser for the Port Arthur
Little Theater. For reservations, call
409.727.7258 or go to www.palt.org.
Rodney Carrington
Nutty Jerrys, Winnie. Tickets $35,
$50, $75, $100. 877.643.7508 or www.
nuttyjerrys.com.
Spamalot
3 and 8 p.m., Grand 1894 Opera
House, Galveston. 800.821.1894 or
www.thegrand.com.
JANUARY 24
Mental Health America Annual
Dinner
6 p.m., MCM Elegante. Honoring
CASA and Christus Health.
409.833.9657
JANUARY 26
Fred Eaglesmith
Courvilles, Beaumont. Tickets $30,
includes dinner and concert. For
reservations call 409.860.9811 or
email bigrich@cajunfavors.com
The Harlem Globetrotters
7 p.m., Ford Arena, Beaumont.
Tickets $15, $22, $32, $55 and $85,
plus $3 facility fee. www.fordpark.
com, www.ticketmaster.com, or
800.745.3000.
JANUARY 27
Bryan Adams
Beaumont. Reserved seats $69.50,
$49.50, $35. 800.745.3000 or www.
ticketmaster.com
JANUARY 28
Carnaval!
Free family day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,
Museum of the Gulf Coast, Port
Arthur. 409.982.7000 or www.
museumofthegulfcoast.org.
Lagniappe Fest
11 a.m., Knights of Columbus in
Beaumont. Gumbo, garage sale, bingo
and music beneftting Anayat House.
Kitana Extravaganza Belly Dance
Workshop and Show
Jeferson Theater, Beaumont. www.
kitanabellydance.com
JANUARY 28-29
The Oak Ridge Boys
7:30 p.m. Jan. 28, 3 p.m. Jan. 29,
Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston.
800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com.
ACROSS
1 Party in the USA singer
4 You belong to me singer, last
name
8 Tactics
9 Walk the Line actress, frst name
10 Monsters Ball star, frst name
12 Drink that can be hot or cold
13 __ I ruled the world..... song
14 A martini can come this way
15 Top model, Banks
17 Land of the brave and free
19 Road, for short
20 It takes __ to tango!
22 The ___ Bunch
24 Blues great, frst name
25 Beyonces husband
26 Who Says singer
29 1970 Jackson 5 song
30 Required things
31 Mission Impossible stars frst
name
DOWN
1 Cowboy Casanova singer, frst
name
2 Wetlands plant
3 She sings 3
4 Scale note: ___, re, mi
5 Old West lawman, frst name
6 That Lady R&B singers, The ___
Brothers
7 Golfng starting point
11 Hall of Fame basketball player, Bird
14 Batman and Robin, e.g.
16 You see it on a billboard
18 Lakers star
21 Rapper, Lil ____
22 Kapow! in a comic
23 ____ Girls movie
25 Along came Polly star frst name
27 Football position, abbr.
28 Top grades
Find answers on page 4
c r o s s w o r d
vip magazine
letters e-mails
Dear VIP Magazine,
We are grateful for your October 2011 article, which gave us all a glimpse into the
beautiful and vibrant life of our beloved angel and friend, Carrie Naas, who recently
lost her battle with breast cancer.
Carrie was a treasured member of our Gift
of Life family. Through volunteering her time
for our many efforts and serving as a mentor to
the newly diagnosed, Carrie dedicated her life
to breast cancer awareness. Most recently, she
served as a member of our Pink Power Network
Advisory Committee, working to provide hope
and love to those affected by breast cancer
through our Gift of Life support group.
Carrie selfessly gave of herself and inspired
countless others through her example. A pas-
sionate advocate for early cancer detection and
education, she frequently told us how honored
she was to be our poster child in our efforts
to save lives. We commit to continue doing so
in memory of Carrie and our other loved ones
who lost their lives to this disease, knowing that they are cheering our efforts from
above.
We will all miss Carries warm smile, keen wit and the laughter and joy she brought
to our lives and hearts, and we treasure our many wonderful and happy memories. As
we extend our deepest sympathy, love and prayers to her family, we, also, thank them
for sharing her with us.
Regina Rogers, Founder and Chair
Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program
of
for
the
to
ser
Advisor
and
through
Carrie Naas, 1966-2011
Mexican
Restaurant & Cantina
Mexican
Restaurant & Cantina
4414 Dowlen (Crossroad Center) 409-924-7718
AUTHENTIC MEXICANFOOD
Gift Certifcates Available!
HAPPY HOUR 3-7 Mon - Fri
G
u
a
d
ala
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a
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2010
g u e s t c o l u m n
vip voices
C
hildbirth is
magical, isnt it?
Its almost
exactly like the
movies.
An only
slightly rotund
woman skips
into the hospital,
glowing with
anticipation. Shes immediately greeted
by a reassuring anesthesiologist, prepped
and ready to administer a painless and
not-at-all horrifying epidural straight
into her spine. There are no confusing
forms to sign, no medical bills to haggle
over. Theres just a calm and support-
ive birth coach holding her hand and
reminding her of how beautiful she is as
she instinctively delivers a perfectly pink
bundle of joy in just a few short min-
utes. As angelic mother and child lock
heavily-lashed eyes, the heavens align
and choruses of angels sing in harmony.
And fnally, awash in motherly wisdom
and rock hard abs, the new family leaves
the hospital to embark on a beautiful life
of springtime picnics and frequent trips
to Disney World.
I dont know about you but my child-
birth experience was almost exactly like
that plus or minus a few details.
Like, for example, the fact that it took
16 agonizing hours and a steady fow of
contraction-inducing pitocin (produced,
Im convinced, in one of the bottommost
circles of hell) for my perfectly jaundiced
and slightly underweight Keebler Elf to
make her grand entrance. The blessed
epidural arrived only after a mere ten
hours of writhing in anguish and per-
haps some mild bullying. And, at the
end of it all, the only thing I was awash
in was sweat and a pervasive feeling of
guilt.
Thats right. Ill admit it. Guilt was
my frst and most powerful emotion as a
mother.
I felt guilty that labor and delivery
wasnt at all what I planned. I felt guilty
that my baby was born early and had
to stay an extra day in the hospital. Of
course I loved her and would do any-
thing to protect her. But, somehow, that
didnt quell my overpowering resolve
that this small, vulnerable baby girl was
born to the most incompetent, undeserv-
ing mother on the planet.
Fast forward six years and Im stand-
ing at my kitchen counter at 7 am, sob-
bing into my daughters peanut butter
sandwich. Guess who forgot to pick up
Lunchables at the last grocery store run?
How could I forget her favorite food?
How could I let her down? Would she
get enough to eat or would a rumbling
tummy break her concentration during
that spelling test?
Life can look pretty dire so early in
the morning, peering upon the day with
sleep-encrusted eyes. And, of course,
it doesnt help that Im pregnant again.
So, yes, I cry over spilled milk, botched
peanut butter sandwiches and even the
occasional Geico commercial. Heck, who
am I to contend with beleaguered, doe-
eyed reptiles when under the infuence
of such formidable hormones?
Hormone-induced blubbering cer-
tainly hearkens back to my frst preg-
nancy. But, in almost every other regard,
this expectancy has been unexpectedly
unique. It might have something to do
with the fact that Im due in January, in-
stead of a sweltering August, heavy with
humidity that swelled my feet to three
times their original size.
But, I think the most major difer-
ence is that this time Im not hampered
by illusion. I know what is coming the
good, the bad and the ugly. Somehow
Ive found such knowledge to be simulta-
neously terrifying and empowering.
This New Year, while the rest of
America makes plans to lose a few
pounds, I will be entering a drought of
sleeplessness, with endless days and
nights revolving around feeding and dia-
pering a newborn baby boy. He will poop
through expensive outfts at inopportune
times. He will squall at restaurants. He
will spit up on every surface of my home
and scribble on my walls with crayons.
He will test my patience and break my
heart.
And, there will be plenty to feel guilty
about. I will silently cry in the shower,
recounting all my daily failings and
insecurities.
But, this time, Im prepared and
equipped with a whole new perspective.
With a new perspective comes a new
resolution. In fact, its my only New
Years resolution.
Im resolved that, no matter what, I
will enjoy it every painstakingly pre-
cious minute of it.
Because I know that one day this
new, little man will outgrow his soft,
baby blue layette. Hell stop saying he
wurvs me. Hell replace waking in
the night with spending the night with
friends.
Someday he might even resent me for
making an unsavory lunch or two.
In fact, experience has taught me that
the only thing Hollywood does get right
is this babies grow up.
And, even a hurried, guilt-ridden
mother of two wouldnt want to blink
and miss it.
text by HOLLI PETERSEN
New Year baby
Im resolved that, no matter what, I will enjoy it
every painstakingly precious minute of it

January 2012 VIP

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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 | NOVEMBER 2009 | theVIPmag.

theVIPmag.com | January 2012 15

Topical + Internal + Emotional Self-care

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