MARY NIX SHOULD RUN FOR MAYOR

Haven’t heard of her yet? You will. Let me explain: Dallas has a new recycling program. I’ve been too busy to get details, but the City delivered nice big blue recycling cans to our homes shortly after New Year’s. We’ve recycled for years, back when I lugged bales of newspaper to Dry Gulch to last year’s blue/brown bag system. But now…
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MATHEWS NICHOLS TEAM SUPREME

My sources tell me that Briggs Freeman was burning up the company credit card at the Mansion today, celebrating being named the No. 1 producing team at Briggs Freeman with $85 million in sales for 2006. And it was also Erin Mathews’ birthday. (Don’t ask, don’t tell.) She leaves tomorrow for California to be on a panel discussing the “Team Approach to Success in the Luxury Market” at the third annual Luxury Conclave at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point. What a way to spend your birthday! (Going by private jet, I hope?) The conclave is attended by the top agents and marketing experts from the U.S., Canada, etc.

Call me when you come home. We’ll slum it at Starbucks and I’ll hang onto everything you’ve learned!

STEPHANIE ANNE: FOR THE HOME…AND THE BRIDE

Great scoop! Ever wonder what style mavens choose for their own homes? The other day, at Rebecca’s suggestion, I stopped in to Stephanie Anne. While registering there, I found out that Stephanie is engaged; they’re getting married in the garden of a Tuscan villa, and of course, she’s registered at her boutique. I asked her to give me a rundown of her list (see her china at left). Read about it and this weekend’s elaborate bridal event in the jump.
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SNEAK PEEK INTO BALENCIAGA SHOW

Our dear intern, Eugenie McCarthy, just came back from a sneak preview with Jo Szymanski, associate director of the Meadows. And she’s raving about the upcoming Balenciaga show. Eugenie reports that it was so amazing she thought she had visited the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum in New York, as it harkens back to the Jackie Onassis exhibit. More on this show…
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AT HOME WITH THE PAST IS PAST

Lisa Luby Ryan is consolidating her stores in Snider Plaza– closing At Home with the Past and moving select inventory over to Vintage Living. Everything there is now 70 percent off, but don’t look for the Cath Kitson aprons–they are all gone.

EVERYBODY’S TALKIN’ RALPH…

Still awaiting a statement from Ebby Halliday–which will be nothing but positive, I am sure–about precious Ralph Randall’s departure to David Griffin. Ralph will, of course, take his $45 million Preston Hollow listing with him to David Griffin.

You will hear it here first. We’ve gotcha covered. All the news that’s fit to print… er blog…

RE: LEED CERTS

Paige, technically he’s right about a building being able to be sustainable without being LEED certified. However, just like the designation ENERGYSTAR, LEED has been put into place to add measurable credibility to sustainability claims. Frankly, on a building that big (the new stadium), the cost to get certified would be such a small percentage of the budget–I can’t imagine not just going for it…

RE: LEED CERTS

Loyd, so funny that you just posted that because I literally just got off the phone with Mike Kawecki, chair of the North Texas USGBC. LEED certifications were the main topic of our convo.

Hit jump to hear about your taxpayer money, the new Cowboys stadium, and which city boasted a $85 million electric bill.
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FIRST LEED PLATINUM HOUSE IN TEXAS

Here’s a bright ray of hope for every environmentalist in North Texas…Heather’s House, located just the other side of Fort Worth, has just been certified as the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum house in Texas–and the third in the nation. Translated: This house is uber energy efficient and meets the strictest requirements set by the US Green Building Council. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT. There are several other homes seeking LEED certification in the Dallas area…more on those soon. In the meantime, check out Heather’s House (Ferrier Custom Homes is the builder and Dallas based Gary Olp is the architect) here.

AT MY TABLE

Was just at shop At My Table in Snider Plaza where Claudia Armstrong showed me her darling selection of vintage dinner club plates. There are some rimmed in Tiffany blue with “The New Arker” in the middle, apparently the stamp of a restaurant that used to be in either a NJ trainstation or airport (anybody out there know?), $125 a piece. She’s also got plates from an Ivy League school and various country clubs. What an easy way to add whimsy to your dinner party!