Debs’ Ado!
Hiber-nation!
Before the vernal arrival, five debutantes celebrated the preceding season to great delight. Billed “The sNOw Ball,” the celebration at Southport Hall showcased twins Claire and Kate Kehoe, Maggie Latham, Emma Perez and Anna Beth Talbot. They extended welcoming hands, as did their parents, Karl and Kyle Kehoe, Mark and Raye Latham, Billy and Marcelle Perez and Kirk and Julie Talbot. The warmth of hospitality prevailed.
Southport Hall was transformed into a winter wonderland, thanks to vases filled with snowballs, votive candles atop fluffy snow drifts on cocktail tables, and large snowflakes and twinkle lights, both inside and out. Elektra Cosmetics Glitter Buffet “frosted” the face of many a guest, while lighted snowflake necklaces and rings, along with snowflake headbands, rocked the revelry as relevant accessories.
The theme was picked up sartorially. Each debutante wore her favorite frosty attire; some sparkled, some shimmered in a variety of prints and pastels.
Favorite foods added to the fun. Lucky Dogs were scarfed down with glee, followed by Cupcake Collection desserts. Late-night bites included sliders with fries, pizza slices and double-stuffed eggrolls. Sated, the party pack was primed to dance.
Partying as the nearest and dearest family members were Miles Kehoe; Claire and Abby Perez; Bradley, Josh and Matthew Latham; and Michael Talbot, all siblings of the honorees. Also, grandmother Cappy Kehoe. Noted, too, were Conrad and Carol Appel; Rob Vosbein and Lisa, who were joined by daughter Ellison; Nicholas and Michelle Lorusso with Katherine and Sophia; Charles and Valarie Corcoran with Kate and Layne; Kim and Helen Butcher with Laura; and Roth and Debbie Kehoe with Meghan. Also, Rob and Katy Calhoun, Jody and Anne Guillot, and, accompanied by their sons, Anne Honeywell with Jefferson, Albert and Carol Bienvenu with Albert, Andre and Angele Thionville with Aidan, and Noel and Maria Johnson with Lawrence.
Saying “yes” to “sNOw Ball” were Becky Dorman, Lexi Solomon Ramirez, Pia Mulleady, Meghan Greenebaum, Keith and Elizabeth Crawford, David and Tiffany Rieveschl, Grayson and Lana Lovick, Brien and Susie Toso, Lucas Bires, Grant Washington, Madelyn Baughn, Lauryn Pugh, Christina Urrea, Rand and Ruth Ragusa, Tom and Nancy Collins, Ralph and Gretchen Breaux, Chuck Walsten and Yvette Monju, Mark and Libby Adams, Jim and Claudia Nelson, Catherine Lassen, Elizabeth Daniel, Maya Caruthers, Michael Butler with Jane Patout, Roberto and Ana Rodriguez, and David and Jeannine Martin. Dozens more added to the “frosty” frolicking.
Heating up the dance floor was Neutral Snap, a local-based pop-punk band that played both their own hits and lively dance numbers as they interacted with the crowd. The energy level was Mt. Everest high! Special guests Tiffany Alexander and Aubrey Synclaire entertained the bash brigade with their takes on Kelly Clarkson and Cher. Everyone cheered them on with robust applause. When the music makers played “All the Small Things,” the five debs joined them on the stage for some lively moves. And for vocals, Anna Beth belted out “Thunder.” More robust applause!
After the roll of “sNOw Ball” the feted fivesome reflected on their party when decorations, food, music and fun fused for a hot time. In seasons to come, there will be no melting of their memories.
Perched to Party
“Happy Hour” topped the gold-colored, white-scripted invitation extended by Vivian and Chappie Eppling in honor of their daughter, Marguerite Harris Eppling. The location was the Gilded Perch bar in the Park View Historic Hotel on the Audubon Park edge of St. Charles Avenue. Guests relished the mid-afternoon fun that was dutifully observed by Kipling, a gorgeous peacock, who had a former active life, but now enjoys a more stationary one. He is perched over the bar’s mirror with a full feather-spread. Another peacock is posed more demurely.
Hanging, too, from the ceiling is a gilded cage. And nearby, a painted rendition of one.
Marguerite cherishes butterflies, which she uses for her logo, and thus they became the decorative focus. The setting was filled with butterfly accents, even in the honoree’s hair. As for her strapless dress from ASOS, the metallic colors of pink, blue and green predominated.
Hostess Vivian Eppling, wore another figurative hat as the event planner, which she does professionally. She designed the layout, including the floral arrangements and additional eye-catching details.
The fabulous food was placed on a central table covered with deep teal linen and centered with flowers in a white vase and in a clear smaller one. Nearby were adjacent tables for more taste treats and another bar, accented with peacock feathers. Choice eats were po-boy sandwiches, mini muffalettas, a charcuterie board (with cheeses, sausage slices, crackers, olives, nuts and grapes) and desserts. Strawberries tempted, as did king cake, cookies, brownies and meringues. Champagne was a popular libation, along with the specialty drink, Hugo Spritz. Marguerite was introduced to it during her time in Italy this past fall.
Among the many perched for the partying were deb sibling Grayson Madeleine Eppling and grandmothers Patricia Daly Eppling and Monica Guital Heigle. Additional family members were Mark and Caroline Wegmann, Jack Wegmann, William Wegmann, Elenore Eppling and Gretchen Reineke Eppling. Add to that grouping a host from the debutante set.
Nestled in a corner, and near a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked an abundance of greenery, were the musicians, an acoustic guitarist and a violinist. The headlining name was Harry Hardin. They played background music, as well as more upfront contemporary numbers that evoked Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, Drake and Harry Styles.
In the years to come, thoughts of “Happy Hour” will stay embedded in Marguerite’s memory. They will also take wing, recalling her “farfalla” fun.