WBW- The Other White House-revisited

 WBW- Way Back Wednesday is the same as TBT- Throw Back Thursday only it's done on Wednesday.

I did a post on this fading 1905 mansion in a previous post titled The Other White House in 2019. At that time the owner of  Le'Nell's Beverage Bar had bought the property, added her beverage store to the left and had future plans of turning the mansion into a family restaurant.

Fast Forward to September 24, 2022.

I was part of the Eat, Drink and Ride Tour with a group of Red Hatters. Le'Nell's was a stop on the tour.

The establishment is designed beautifully.  They have a wide assortment of beverages.  Gins, which were displayed in a bath tub. Whiskey, wine, sake, and much more.

* Champale

That's it 🍸🍷🍹

. 

B-Uniq Sophisticated Ladies 7th Anniversary

March 1, 2019 was the Seventh Anniversary of B-Uniq Sophisticated Ladies (BUSL)  The Uniq is intentionally spelled that way to make it Unique.
BUSL Queen, Queen T.  assigned pairs of us to decorate a table. Regalia colors of red and purple for Red Hatters and pink and lavender for Pink Hatters were to be used. Gold, silver, pearls, rhinestones and any other bling could be used at will. That's a large part of being a Hatter- blinging it up.

The tables would be judged by visiting Queens who'd be attending the anniversary. There would be a first, second and third place winner.  Below are the tables. A wide array of items were used making each table unique.

I can't remember who won, but whoever it was deserved it. All of the ladies worked hard.

In addition to this stand out feature, there was a program which included, impersonators of The Supremes, Ike & Tina Turner,  an illusionist and a true singer of an Aretha Franklin song. Each year we have Mr. M. our fantastic DJ  jamming out the tunes. There was a silent auction, door prizes, vendors, lunch, dancing, and all sorts of gaiety. 

Several of the BUSL hatters husbands are always champs in helping out with the heavy lifting, driving and just wherever they can help out. I've jokingly said that we should call them Red Cappers and get them red caps since most men seem to prefer a cap to a hat.

There were about 140 ladies who attended the Seventh Anniversary.  It was great seeing many who'd come in from out of town and who I'd made friends with at other hoots.

 After such a grand and joyous affair, I slept like a log that night.  ZZZZ

END ***

Ebony and Ivory Sassy Hatters

Red Hat Society (RHS) members strutted their favorite Red Hat Costumes and Regalia at Queen Bridget’s, Ebony and Ivory Sassy Hatters (EISH), meet and greet luncheon.  This was also an event to sign new chapter members and give insight into what the RHS is about.  Scheduled were talent, dancing, dining and most of all meeting other ladies who were there to have fun.

Hatters are known for tea and tea parties. At each place setting was a box containing, a tea cake, two candies, a tea bag and a honey stick. 

There were hooped skirts, pirate costumes, pajamas, poodle skirts and general Red Hat regalia.

Cash prizes were awarded to 1^st and 2^nd place costume winners.

 EISH members dressed in 1950’s poodle skirts, fitted sweater tops, hair scarves and head bands, bobby socks, tennis and I even saw a pair of red, high-heeled sneakers.

One member of the Flamboyant Prima Donnas sang  Help Me Make It Through the Night. Members of Fellowship of Friends did a coordinated dance routine.  Members from the Red Hot Mamas had us all laughing and participating in their exercise routine done to Tooty ta

Lunch included savory, skinless, baked chicken breasts, spring greens salad with fruit and cheese, seasoned baked vegetable medley, rolls and iced tea. For dessert, red velvet cake (which is the RHS signature dessert) along with a dollop of lemon mousse inside a chocolate candy shell.  

    

Of course every RHS event has the 50/50 cash drawing. Attendees purchase tickets for a set price. The money goes into a pot. If a person’s number is called she wins half of what is in the pot with the other half going to the hosting chapter. Since RHS is a non-profit, this money is used toward sponsorship of future events. Other funding efforts include auctions, and ticketed gift basket drawings. Of course members pay a fee to attend the various events.

Dancing, entertainment, door prizes, food and innocent mayhem is definitely a part of the fun at all of the events I have attended. We were all surprised at being gifted a selfie stick from EISH as we left the event.

That's it ***

Bling Is Our Thing

If you only want to see the pictures scroll down.
There are Red Hat Societies (RHS) all over the world. I happen to belong to a chapter known as B-Uniq' Sophisticated Ladies (BUSL). Yes that is the correct spelling with emphasis on the "Unique" portion. 

The focus of the RHS is for women of 50 years and older to get together and  "play" which is really to have fun.  Events are known as "hoots". Pink Hatters are women under the age of 50. When a Hatter turns 50, they are given a "Reduation" and a red hat.

Most chapters have a large hoot on their anniversary date inviting any and all official Red Hatters that would like to attend. In some cases you must show your official membership card because there are a lot of renegades who call themselves Red Hatters but don't observe the rules and regulations.

In keeping with this year's theme, Bling Is Our Thing, I decided to make a lighted skirt. Below you can see the steps I took to make the skirt.

When all was done, I ended up not wearing the skirt. I was not pleased with the aesthetics of the outer skirt.  I instead chose to wear a normal red dress with lots of jewelry. 
Let it be known that I'll go back to the drawing board and may refashion the lights into something completely different. It isn't over. 

B-Uniq' Sophisticated Ladies

 

 

 That's It***

Red Hat Holiday Party

The Red Hat Society has many chapters in the U.S. and abroad. Below are some photos taken from our holiday party at one of the many antebellum houses preserved and used  for social events.

There was live music in the form of a solo rendered by one of the members. A skit of "The Night Before Christmas," used for the left and right gift game. A Purse Scavenger Hunt is always fun. You just never know what can be found in a lady's handbag. After a prayer and blessing lunch was served.

Left/right prize winner 

Chapter photographer

Chapter Queen

The Chapter's only Pink Hatter.

 

 

Pink Hatters are under the age of 50.  There is only one in
this chapter and she also happens to be the Queen's daughter.
There are several mother/daughter members in the chapter.

I'VE GOT A SECRET SISTER  A Secret Sister is very similar to a Secret Pal. Someone chooses your name  and you secretly give them inspiration, small gift or whatever throughout the year. At the end of the year that person is revealed and presents their Secret Sister with a gift.
Here the secret sisters show off their gifts.

Daughter and Mother

JAZZY JEWELS

There are numerous chapters of the Red Hat Society.  You can read all about it at the link I've provided. The goal of the society is for women over the age of 50 to take time for themselves after looking after others and to have fun.Women under the age of 50 are called Pink Hatters. Various chapters will attend and support events sponsored by other chapters. Above is a collage from a luncheon sponsored by The Jazzy Jewels.

1.Red Hatters are allowed to reverse their colors on  their chapter's aniversary and founder's anniversary. That is why these ladies are dressed in red with purple hats. A member may also reverse her colors if it is her birthday month. 

2. Centerpieces were beautiful and elaborate, By the time I decided to take pictures many had been collected from the tables. The center photo gives you an idea of what they looked like.

3. The Jazzy Jewels prepare to sing and dance for the audience. Audience participation is encouraged.



I like to step out of the box when I can so instead of a traditional hat I chose to make a Fascinator in the shape of a tea cup and saucer complete with dainty napkin (a paper doily) and spoon. Protuding from the top of the tea cup is a credit card (fake) because shopping is the official sport of  the Red  Hatters. I was allowed to were a purple hat because it was my birthday month.

Part of the program included  the recitation of Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou. The performer was full of expression as she  presented this extraordinary ode.



Everyone was given a goody bag when they arrived. Above is what was inside the bag.  Door prizes were awarded  and I received the purple water bottle you see on the left.

THAT'S IT ***