Toast: Texas Discovery Gardens

'Tis the season to be jolly...and give back. P.O.S.H. is a proud supporter of many DFW organizations, so we are taking the time this month to TOAST a few of our favorite groups in hopes that it will inspire you this holiday season. 

First up, Texas Discovery Gardens. P.O.S.H. had the chance to work with co-chairs Marilyn Waisanen and Waverly Smith and the fantastic team of TDG on tabletop donations for the 2012 Flora Awards, honoring Barbara Hunt Crow. Not only is TDG a beautiful place for us to visit (The Butterfly Garden is a must see!), but we were proud to help honor such a wonderful patron for this whimsical place this is both organic and sustainable. According to Flora Award Chair Marilyn Waisanen, “Barbara demonstrates through her deeds what it means to give back to your community. The staff and board at Texas Discovery Gardens are especially appreciative of Barbara’s commitment to our mission of environmental education.” (MySweetCharity)

If you haven't had a chance to see and support this local treasure for yourself, now is the time to do so. For more info, visit Texas Discovery Gardens here. 

Featured: Texas Discovery Gardens 2012 Flora Awards honoree Barbara Hunt Crow; butterflies from The Butterfly Garden. 
Get the look: Gold Lace glassware, Barcelona Gold Dinner Plate, Blue and White China Collection, Fruitwood Chiavari Chairs - all P.O.S.H. Couture Rentals

Toast: A CLASS ACT

Emily Post: Table Manners via here. 

What makes a lady? The way she carries herself? Her ability to distinguish the salad fork from the dinner fork? Her circumstances? Certainly a POSH lady knows that clothes and appearances can help make a woman look nice, but it’s manners that make the world want to mirror her. This is why POSH partnered with Cassandra Fine Catering and Alley’s House to create a memorable evening of great food and a lesson in table etiquette.

Alley’s House is a nonprofit organization that empowers teen mothers and their children to achieve independence through support service, education, and mentoring. As a cause near and dear to the heart, POSH owners Jami Goetze and Laurel Howell understood that table etiquette shouldn’t be lost of single mothers. “I think being exposed to the basics of etiquette are important in success. Knowing how to conduct yourself in an interview, what to wear, how to answer a phone, and what fork to use during a formal dinner are becoming a lost art for today’s young people.” 

While Jami and Laurel led the dinner, waiters Randa Johnson and Gloria Azurdia served dinner from Executive Chef Juan Garrido. Cassandra Tomassetti, owner of Cassandra Fine Catering participated with Alley's House because she, too, realized the lost art of table etiquette. “I was raised in England, and table manners were a huge part of my training that helped me later in life. I didn’t realize [at the time] how grateful I would be [to have them]. The opportunity to teach and empower girls was a doubly great opportunity.”

This post is dedicated to the March graduating moms from Alleys House: Yesenya, Emerald, Kaylee, and Sophia. Class acts, indeed.

-   To learn more about Alley’s House, go here.