Two outstanding and high-profile designers will appear this month at two of our most prestigious charity events. As design chair of the CTC&G– and NYC&G-sponsored American Red Cross Red & White Ball, Mary McDonald will be the bright star among stellar decorators who have designed the fantastic tabletops for the evening. Forty-two tables, each one more creative than the last, will be the talking point of the gala and can be seen in CTC&G’s June issue. νOn May 2, British-born Kathryn M. Ireland will be the keynote speaker at the Near & Far Aid House Tour breakfast. Held at the Patterson Club in Fairfield, the event serves as the unofficial kick-off of spring. Four hundred or so beautifully attired Connecticut women convene early for a delicious breakfast, lots of networking and the joy of hearing from a design star. The rest of the day is spent touring extraordinary homes in Fairfield, Southport and Westport. νFor information on these events, please visit redcross.org and nearandfaraid.org. See you there!