Austin Way Magazine - GreenGale Publishing - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/881258
Carla McDonald welcomes society reporter Michael Barnes to one of her memorable holiday parties. THE SOIREE SPECIA LIST By Becca Hensley "It's gone fast—like a great party," says Austin's soiree host extraordinaire and PR titan Carla McDonald in reference to the four fabulous years that have flown by since she launched e Salonniere (thesalonniere.com). e party-savvy, nationally focused website has built a stellar reputation and gained an impressive following by paying homage to fetes and those who throw them, from Cornelia Guest to Lulu Powers. Building on its success, e Salonniere has just debuted Les Pages, a resource compendium that lists trusted vendors for all aspects of entertaining around the country. "Les Pages features the best event designers, caterers, floral designers and venues in 18 major U.S. markets," says McDonald, adding that other cities will come soon from around the world. What trends does McDonald expect this holiday season? "Glamour is back, and after all the rusticity and Mason jars, I couldn't be happier about it," she dishes, further noting that e Salonniere has seen more parties than ever in 2017. "If you're hosting a party, plan ahead. We have a great checklist on the site that's a major stress reducer." ART OF THE PART Y 2 8 A U S T I N W A Y L A T E F A L L 2 0 1 7 | M O D E R N L U X U R Y . C O M ONE FOR THE BOOKS For authors, a starred critique from Austin's Kirkus Reviews (kirkusreviews.com) is a huge honor: Only about 10 percent of the thousands of books the publication examines each year receive a star, which now also makes the writer eligible for one of the largest literary awards in the world, the Kirkus Prize. At an invitation- only ceremony Nov. 2, just before the Texas Book Festival weekend, three writers out of six finalists in the categories of fiction, nonfiction and young readers' literature will each receive $50,000. Says Clay Smith, Kirkus editor-in-chief: "[Not only are we proud to] inform readers year-round about which books are worth their time, but [also] the Kirkus Prize puts a powerful spotlight on 18 of this year's most excellent books." –KB Three winners out of 18 finalists, announced in late September, will take home the prestigious Kirkus Prize Nov. 2. The 35.63-carat cat's eye moonstone, a highly prized feldspar gem, is set in platinum and bronze in Sir Zoltan David's Iris Necklace. The strand consists of 35 round cabochon- cut moonstones and 164 ideal- cut diamonds. MOONSTONE MAGIC "By the light of the silvery moon, an ocean of life awaits your magical touch." is sentiment, engraved on the back of the 35.63-carat moonstone pendant on celebrated jewelry designer Sir Zoltan David's Spectrum Award-winning Iris Necklace, is a dreamy illustration of the Hungarian native's creative process, using precious stones as a precious reminder that we're all creators. It's a notion that will be widely shared as the Austin jeweler's magnum opus joins the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection early next year. "One of my biggest joys about this piece going into permanent collection is that the quote will be seen by plenty of people," says David, who with his wife, Patti, runs the Zoltan David showroom at the Hill Country Galleria. e engraving, he adds, serves as "a small reminder of how much power and freedom to create we have in our own lives." e Iris Necklace will be the first piece of jewelry featuring moonstones in the Smithsonian's collection. –HM N O W I N A U S T I N LITER ARY LOVE SHINING MOMENT