S.B. loves sharing flowers from the garden, and it seems the key to a great arrangement is an interesting composition —- tucking mint, sedum, lamb's ear or hosta leaves in with the roses, lilies or snapdragons. The same concept works with garden parties, and two recent events boasted guest lists as colorful as their garden settings.

First, Jennifer Bigham hosted a vivacious group May 15 at Dunaway Gardens, the historic property in rural Coweta County she purchased in 2000 and has meticulously restored to its lost grandeur. Don Nixon, director of the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts in Newnan, created a central grand arrangement, using mostly flora from the grounds. Arthur Murphey Florist of Newnan provided arrangements for each table. The eclectic bunch included Ann Beegle, chair of the Phil's Kool Kidz Classic charity polo match (www.koolkidzclassic.com), and Georgina Boesing of the Community Welcome House shelter and Cambridge House, a day center for senior adults. Also, sculptor Carol Harless; attorney and civic leader Leah Sumner; Pamela Prange, president of the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society; Carol Chancey, who serves on the board of Rhodes Hall and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation; local arts supporters Emeline Loughlin and Jill Truitt; and Judy Hughes of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Before sampling the buffet by Kimble's Events by Design, Bigham led a toast to friendship among a diverse group of accomplished women. What better reason to celebrate?

In other garden-luncheon news

Elegant chapeaux and comfortable shoes were displayed at "Flats and Hats," hosted by The Power of Women and Money, a women's business networking group. The May 20 event at Piedmont Park, featured event planning experts Kate Demarest Lastinger of Metaphrasis Group, Tony Brewer and Laura Rogers, executive chef of Carole Parks Catering (which created the luncheon menu of ginger-curried beet soup with shrimp, avocado-lima bean chicken salad and buttermilk chess pie with fruit). Lastinger urges boundaries for your bash; keep that know-it-all VP from rearranging the tables just before corporate functions. Rogers talked about coming up with fresh, original ideas for menus. Brewer was just full of great tips: Serve one-bite hors d'oeuvres. Say, "Nice to see you," instead of "Nice to meet you," so you don't offend someone you've met before. Include what to wear, in simple terms, on your invitations. And send those invitations in the mail.

"I think e-mail is one of the greatest inventions, but I will never send an Evite to anyone," Brewer said.

Quipped PWM co-founder Denise Elsbree: "Of course you're all here because of an Evite."

Donna L. Kain of The Buckhead Community Bank helped lead the discussion. Guests included Cecilia Crutchfield, Leslie Hale, Charron Hope, Betsy Hutcheson, Katherine Kay, Lee Hester Rhodes, Sharon Silva, Rachel Snider and Erin Wholey.

Here and there

The Arthritis Foundation's Georgia chapter recently hosted a luncheon at the Buckhead Ritz to gear up for the 27th annual Crystal Ball, which will be held there Oct. 18. "Enchanted Evening" celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Arthritis Foundation and honors longtime corporate supporter Delta Air Lines. Tom and Eileen Rosencrants chair, Jane Dean is advisory chair and "Power of 60" co-chairs are Beverly and John Mitchell. . . .The Mansion on Peachtree has officially opened its doors in style. At a toasting ceremony the morning of May 7, notables on hand to welcome this elegant new address in Buckhead included Atlanta Development Authority president Peggy McCormick, former Mayor Sam Massell and developer John Williams. Butlers passed champagne and hors d'oeuvres by chef Eric Chopin, while Mansion managing director Luigi Romaniello welcomed guests. The evening of May 9, about 500 fabsters turned out for a cocktail bash.

Greeting guests were Robert Mondavi Jr., grandson of the late vintner Robert Mondavi, and wife Lydia Mondavi, who led tours of the 29 Spa.

butterfly@ajc.com