Months after Benjamin Brollier proposed to Courtney Corinne Wood in the garden of her family’s home, with a cushion-cut diamond ring his mother Louise helped select, his mom passed away. In planning their lavish New Year’s Eve wedding at River Oaks Country Club, C.C. and Benjy kept Louise top of mind and in their hearts, curating thoughtful details like heirloom jewelry and special wedding programs. But the high school sweethearts also wanted to celebrate life and love, and ring in a fresh New Year with 500 loved ones — a vision expertly executed by Keely Thorne planner Jennifer Kaldis, and the floral and decor team at Todd Events. C.C. and Benjy each had 18 attendants standing by their side at the altar, and out on the dance floor, which remained packed even after the stroke of midnight! After fueling up on late-night breakfast tacos, the newlyweds escaped in a convertible Rolls-Royce — with a backdrop of fireworks, of course.
Houston Boutiques Take Springtime’s Vibrant Hues and Jewel Tones to the Edge
THIS SPRING, TAKE the season’s vibrant hues and jewel tones to the edge.
Jeweled top, by Gucci; tights, $8, by Amazon; vintage earrings, by Yves Saint Laurent at DesignVault; oval-link bracelets, from $4,750, by Rudolf Friedmann at Deutsch Fine Jewelry.
Gown, $1,290, by Badgley Mischka at Tootsies, with vintage jewelry, by Yves Saint Laurent at DesignVault.
Top, by Giorgio Armani, with tights, $8, by Amazon.
Beaded dress, by Oscar de la Renta, with accessories, stylist’s own.
Rhinestone bodysuit, $650, by Bronx and Banco at Tootsies, with vintage necklaces, by Yves Saint Laurent at DesignVault.
Silver gown, $3,850, by Gaurav Gupta at Neiman Marcus; diamond earrings, $8,000, elongated cocktail ring, $10,800, snake cocktail ring, $4,250, chain-link diamond band, $2,300, diamond estate bracelet, $150,000, all at Valobra Master Jewelers.
Vintage blazer and crystal shorts, by Nue Studio, and jewelry, all at DesignVault.
Scarf, by Paco Rabone at Design Vault; skirt and bracelet, both by Chanel; ring, by Gucci; jacket, stylist’s own.
Gown, by Valentino; boots, $1,690, by Valentino at Tootsies; black-gold diamond-leaf earrings, $21,000, at Valobra Master Jewelers.
Staud dress from Tootsies and a YSL necklace from DesignVault.
Photography by Jhane Hoang
Styling by Angelique Gioldasis
Art Direction by Patrick Magee
Model Kenna Skye
Hair and Makeup by Hannah Breshears
Photography Assistant Sarah de la Rosa
Digital Tech David Cole
Wardrobe Assistant Erin Hector
Photographed on location at The Park HTX
Pizza, Pizza! Magdalena’s Is Latest in Long Line of New ‘Za Spots Popping Up All Over Houston
Prosciutto E Rucola Pizza
CAN HOUSTON HAVE enough piping-hot pizza places? It appears not, as ones like Nonno’s garner national acclaim and celeb-backed ones like Pizzana open on prime corners.
What’s one to try next? Magdalena’s, a new neighborhood Italian resto in West U with homemade pasta and hand-tossed pizza. It’s all scratch-made using the recipes of the restaurant’s namesake, chef/owner Nicolas Nikic’s mom.
The kitchen uses select ingredients sourced in Italy including cheeses, olive oils and prosciutto. Everything is ultra-fresh, like the flash-fried artichoke and the shaved brussel sprouts — and those are just the antipastos! The burrata salad is a baseball-size helping of burrata (need we say more?) served with roasted cauliflower on a bed of arugula.
Nikic’s inventive pasta selections include sweet-corn ravioli with lobster and the oh-so-cheesy tortellinis topped with fresh herbs. Hand tossed and baked to a crispy perfection, the pizzas aren’t to be missed. The Siciliana features mozzarella, olives and capers — what could be more Italian than that!? There’s also pizza topped with clams or preserved tuna for the more adventurous. Buon appetito!
Cheese Tortellini
Panna Cotta with Berry Compote
Sweet Corn Ravioli with Lobster
Tiramisu