Houston Living

Thai Sticks Modern Thai Cuisine

2012-05-14T11:29:00.000-05:00

I recently made a trip to a little place that I used to frequent, but hadn't been to in quite some time. That place is Thai Sticks on Montrose. I'm so glad I did! The food was as good as I had remembered. Also, because it's quiet and you can actually hear your other guest, it's a great restaurant to go to if you want to have a conversation with someone.

Here are some pics, taken from the Thai Sticks website, of the dining room and patio:

For an appetizer, we ordered spring rolls with peanut sauce. So good. The veggies in it were fresh and the sauce was one of the best peanut sauces I've had. Obviously I was enamored with it because I chose the chicken and veggies with peanut sauce as my entree. The chicken was tender and juicy and had no traces of weird fat or veiny stuff. Although, I think I actually preferred the sauce cold, as it was when I had it as a dip for my rolls. Either way, the whole meal was satisfying. I'd say the wine list leaves a little bit to be desired, but the food makes up for it, in my opinion.

Some of the dishes at Thai Sticks (pics are from their website):

Here are the deets:

Thai Sticks
4319 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, Tx. 77006

Phone: 713.529.4500
Fax: 713.529.3139
Email: info@thaistickshouston.com

Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:00-2:30pm

Dinner: Mon-Thurs 5:00-10:30pm
Fri & Sat. 5:00-11:30pm

Sunday 5:00- 10:00pm

Houston Botox, Houston Dermatology, Houston Spine Surgery

2012-04-12T18:16:00.002-05:00

Houston Botox - Bella Rosa

If you've read my blog at all you will know that for quite some time I have been unhappy about my wrinkled forehead. Thankfully, I have rectified the situation. I will say, without a doubt, the best experience I have had with Botox has been at the Bella Rosa Clinic (Dr. Mark Schusterman) with Nurse Practitioner, Melanie Ryan. Trust me when I tell you that this clinic is amazing. I have had more than my fair share of Botox, and I'm not ashamed to admit. My forehead can look like a Pug without it. Melanie does an amazing job of not only injecting it with little pain, but also making the final product last. And, I mean it lasts! Some places I have been to have given me wrinkle relief for only a month. With Melanie I can go almost 6 months before I need to have injections again. She is also incredibly sweet, friendly and is really knowledgeable. I feel very fortunate to have found this clinic. If you need Botox and are tired of paying an arm and a leg every other month, call the Bella Rosa Clinic (713-383-7672) today and make an appointment with Melanie.

Houston Dermatology - Nigro Dermatology - Dr. Reena Jogi

I cannot recommend this place enough. They are so professional, courteous and Dr. Reena Jogi is amazing. I have been for medical and cosmetic appointments and each time Dr. Jogi has far exceeded my expectations. She is quite possibly the most personable doctor I've had the pleasure of meeting and she takes finances into consideration when she prescribes treatments. If you are looking for a Dermatologist call Dr. Jogi and make an appointment. Whether you have a weird mole, wrinkles, a crazy vein in your leg (not me, just giving suggestions...) or anything else skin related, Dr. Jogi can treat you and will do so while making you smile. Her nurse is pretty awesome too! To make an appointment call Nigro Dermatology at (713) 333-1770.

Methodist Neurosurgery And Spine Associates - Dr. J. Bob Blacklock

You might recall that I wrote about Dr. Blacklock a few years ago after my sister had a cervical fusion. I still stand by that review. Dr. Blacklock, in my opinion, is by far the best Neurosurgeon in Houston. I would not trust my family, nor myself, in the hands of anyone else. I've referred my mother, my sister and friends to him. I really hope that anyone who has ever been told they needed spine surgery will at least let Dr. Blacklock take a look at them. He is honest, will not do surgery unless it is absolutely needed, and is incredibly skilled. He has an amazing bedside manner and is an all-around genuine person. Call his office and speak to Kay for an appointment: (713) 441-3800.

Karen Steele's Red Carpet Party

2012-03-26T15:45:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to buy your tickets today. This event sounds like a blast!

Karen Steele's Red Carpet Party

2012-03-07T10:38:00.000-06:00

Looking for something fun to do that also helps out a great cause? Try the Karen Steele Red Carpet Party, organized by the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation, and held at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Galleria on March 30.

The Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation was founded by Dr. Franklin Rose and his wife, Cindi Harwood Rose, in 2005. The foundation was founded after Cindi's sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and was told she had only 3 months to live. That was 7 years ago and she is still going strong, however, the idea that more than 45 million Americans are without health insurance drove the Rose family to help those who have been diagnosed with this disease and cannot afford proper post-care. The Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation "provides free reconstructive surgery to post-cancer patients who are not able to afford health insurance".

Tickets are $125 and benefit the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation. Reuel will perform live at the event at Saks. At the after-party Nashville country singer Allan Duhon will sing with award winning artist Kristine Mills at Deborah Colton Gallery at 9pm. Come on by, don your best duds and walk the red carpet with some of Hollywood's rising stars! Details can be found on the party's Facebook page.

This event is on the heels of another charitable event, Broadway Belts for Pulmonary Fibrosis, that benefited the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, which was founded by Dr. Rose's father, the late Albert Rose. Dr. Rose's brother, Daniel Rose, MD is the current head of the foundation.

Dr. Franklin Rose and Cindi Rose at the Broadway Belts for Pulmonary Fibrosis event with broadway star Andrew Rannels:

Photo Credit: Chris Owyoung

Current obsessions

2012-02-27T14:55:00.000-06:00

Here are some links to a few things I'm obsessed with right now. I can't help but think that if I love them then EVERYONE must love them, too. Right?

My new necklace my sister and her hubs bought for my birthday. It's just like the one in my most recent post that I loved from The New Adventures Of Old Christine:

These jeans (AG Adriano Goldschmied) I just ordered from Shopbop.com (funds courtesy of my mom for my b-day):

MAC's 'Ruby Woo' red lipstick (another b-day gift from a different sister, it was a good birthday):

This book (The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins) as well as the movie coming out that has been made based on it:

The Kate Spade 'Anchors Away' bracelet:
Mockingbird Bistro (some of the best food I've ever had)
My Michael Kors gold watch, also found at Shopbop.com
And, lastly, Hint of Sea Salt Almond Nut-Thins. I could eat only these for the rest of my life and I'd die happy.

Clemente Javier - Long hair specialist

2012-02-20T13:52:00.002-06:00

There are many things I don't particularly like about myself: my wrinkled and currently un-botoxed forehead, my body (I'm a woman for pete's sake), my broken pinky and my inability to carry a tune, to name a few. My hair is not one of these things. Although, in the past I could not say that. My hair had always been a huge problem. It's thin, but I have a ton of it. It likes to frizz out as soon as moisture hits it and it never seems to fall properly in place. My views about my hair have changed drastically ever since I started going to long hair specialist, Clemente Javier.

As with most things I love, I found out about him through Twitter. And, I'm so glad I did! He has helped me to learn the best way to style my hair, protect and care for it, as well as help me to understand what looks best on me. Typically, when I visit a salon they cannot wait to grab the clippers and remove a foot off the length of my locks. I appreciate Clemente because he will cut the hair that's necessary to keep it healthy, but he will do his best to keep the length.

He also taught me what products are absolutely necessary versus trying to up-sell me on a product line that is expensive but useless. I cannot tell you how much I loathe the "up-sell" at salons. The fact that Clemente does not carry a line of products is a huge bonus for me. I never feel pressured to buy product and I know if he recommends one it isn't because a manager is staring at him intently to make a sale.

Here is a picture of my hair from my last trip to see him, I love this picture because I can honestly say I love my hair and I love my stylist :-) (taken with my iPhone, photo untouched, hair is highlighted):

Make an appointment with Clemente:
713.364.9551
clemente@clementejavier.comhttp://clementejavier.com/contact/

On a sidenote, here is a picture of a necklace that I have been obsessed with for over a year now. If you love the show "The New Adventures Of Old Christine" like I do, then certainly you are as much in love with this necklace as I am!

Kroger carries Perfect Fit Meals and Trevor likes Arian Foster

2012-02-09T15:10:00.001-06:00

Something fantastic has happened to our Kroger Signature stores in Houston, folks. They have started carrying Perfect Fit Meals! If you are like me and love the convenience of pre-packaged healthy meals, but hate the inconvenience of making a trip to the Perfect Fit Meals storefront and another trip to the grocery store for your produce, then you will be super excited about this. I know, the idea that I find making two trips to two different stores cumbersome totally reeks of laziness. I can't help it, I despise shopping (I do not carry the girl-shopping gene).

I have a few tips on food choices: The egg omelet? Go ahead and skip it. Not a good one. The chicken salad? So darn good. The jury is still out on the Vegetarian chili. I can't decide if I love it or hate it. The stackable enchiladas are pretty good as well. Keep in mind, it's healthy food. Please don't expect it to taste like Chuy's.

I believe, based on my conversation with one of the Perfect Fit Meals employees, that they are rolling this out to a new Kroger Signature store each week. I know it's currently at the Kroger on 11th/Shepherd in the Heights, on West Gray and on Westheimer/Voss.

Here is a picture of the Chicken Salad I love...Keep in mind, some of it is missing...oops! If you look below it, I tried to include some of the tag so you could see the nutritional info and how their meals are labelled.

And, here is a picture of it next to the Caribbean style beef filet kebobs. I haven't tried that one yet, but you get the idea. These pictures should give you an idea of portion sizes.

The cost averages out to about $7-$8 a meal. I buy them to take with me to work once or twice a week.

Now, for my favorite part of this post. I was with my sweet nephew Trevor at Chuck E Cheese a few weeks ago and I asked him who his favorite football player was and why. Thankfully, I had my camera phone turned on. He loves Arian Foster (who doesn't?), but his reasoning might be different than most. It's so cute, although I wish he'd not explained his adoration for the football player while eating a mouthful of pizza...

Haven Restaurant and SNL's Weekend Update

2012-01-26T14:32:00.001-06:00

There are two things I love dearly, food and SNL's Weekend Update. Therefore, I've decided to combine both in one post!

Recently, I dined at Haven with my good friend, Catherine Couturier (owner of John Cleary Gallery). Actually, I've been there with her twice and both times were amazing. We visited Haven during lunch and I was surprised to see how affordable the menu was for what I consider to be an upscale restaurant. Chef Randy Evans has put together a delicious menu "using the freshest local ingredients...with food that reflects the flavors of the Lone Star State". I can't think of a better way to describe it! From the deviled eggs to the gulf fish, every item on the menu has been thoughtfully prepared and cooked to perfection. While you're there, stop by the bar and say "Hi" to Adrienne. She's the best and goes out of her way to make you enjoy your visit.

Shrimp Corndog:

Haven Restaurant:

Haven Restaurant
713-581-6101
2502 Algerian Way
Houston, TX 77098
M-F 11am-10pm
Sat 5pm-11pm
Sun 11am-2pm

***Logo and images taken from Haven website***

Lastly, I adore SNL's Weekend Update and I've been meaning to post my favorite one for awhile now. I know that there is always controversy surrounding Alec Baldwin, but I don't care. I love his imitation of Tony Bennett so much. This keeps me laughing all day:

From NAR: Homeowner's Insurance Annual Check-up

2012-01-26T13:56:00.000-06:00

Here is a great article that outlines how you might be able to save money on your homeowner's policy:

Homeowners Insurance: Time for an Annual Check-Up

By: G. M. Filisko

Published: August 28, 2009

An annual check-up on your homeowners insurance can result in a healthier policy and a healthier pocketbook.

What type of coverage do I have?
The most effective type of coverage is known as “replacement cost,” which covers, up to your policy limits, what it would take today to rebuild your house and restore your belongings, says Jerry Oshinsky, a partner at Jenner & Block in Los Angeles who has represented homeowners in litigation against insurers.
“Extended” replacement cost coverage provides protection to your policy limit, say $500,000, and then perhaps another 20% of the cost after that. Percentages vary, but in this example you could recoup up to $600,000 on a $500,000 policy, assuming your losses reach that high. Extended coverage can compensate for any unanticipated expenses like spikes in construction costs between policy renewals. Now harder to find due to the industry shift toward extended replacement coverage, “full” or “guaranteed” replacement coverage covers an entire claim regardless of policy limits.
A less attractive alternative is “actual cash value” coverage that usually takes into account depreciation, the decrease in value due to age and wear. With this type of policy, the $2,000 flat-screen TV you bought two years ago will be worth hundreds of dollars less today in the eyes of your claims adjuster. Kevin Foley, an independent insurance broker in Milltown, N.J., favors replacement cost coverage unless you can save at least 25% on the premium for going with actual cash value coverage instead.
Even if you have replacement cost protection for your dwelling and personal property, don’t assume everything is covered. Structures other than your home on your property—such as a detached garage or swimming pool—require separate coverage. So too do luxury items like jewelry, watches, and furs if you want full replacement cost because reimbursement for those items is typically capped.
How much coverage do I really need?
OK, now that you’re clear on what type of policy you have, you need to figure out how much policy you truly require in dollar terms. Let’s say you purchased your home five years ago and insured it for $200,000. Today, it’s worth $225,000. Simply increasing your coverage to $225,000 may nonetheless leave you underinsured. Here’s why.
The key to determining how much dwelling coverage you need isn’t the value of your home but the money you’d have to pay to rebuild it from scratch, says Carlos Aguirre, an agent for Liberty Mutual Insurance in Arlington, Texas. Call your local contractors’ or homebuilders’ association and inquire about the average per-square-foot construction cost in your area. If it’s $150 and your home is 2,000 square feet, then you should be insured for $300,000.
There’s no rule of thumb for how much your homeowners insurance should cost. Insurers use numerous factors—age, education level, creditworthiness—to determine pricing, so the same policy could run you more than your neighbor. In recent years the average annual premium was $804. Oshinsky advises against scrimping on insurance because big increases in coverage probably cost less than you’d think. He recently purchased a liability policy that cost $250 for the first $1 million in coverage. Adding another $1 million increased his premiums only $12.50 more.
How can I lower my premiums?
The higher your deductible, the amount you pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in, the lower your premium. Landing on the appropriate deductible level requires remembering that insurance should cover major calamities, not minor incidents, says Foley, the independent insurance broker. Most homeowners should be able to absorb modest losses like a broken window pane or a hole in the drywall without filing claims. If you can, then you’re wasting money with a $250 deductible.
Foley’s rule: If you’re a first-time homeowner and don’t have a lot of savings, moving up to a $500 deductible will probably stretch your budget. However, if you live in a ritzy home and drive an expensive car, then you should be able to afford a $1,000 deductible. In Milltown, N.J., for example, the premium for a $200,000 home with a $500 deductible would be $736, according to Foley; moving up to a $1,000 deductible drops the annual premium to $672. That's $64 in savings.
Every major insurer offers discounts to various groups, such as university employees or firefighters. Figure about 5%. Ask which affiliations would entitle you to a discount and how much. If an AARP membership would result in a $50 savings, pay the $16 dues and pocket the $36 difference. Many insurers also offer discounts ranging from 1% to 10% or more for installing protective devices like alarms and deadbolt locks, for going claim-free for an extended period, or for insuring both your car and your home with the same carrier.

Material Girls

2012-01-03T12:36:00.000-06:00

One of my newest obsessions is Pinterest. Actually, this is a growing obsession for many (mostly woman). I have found so many cool new blogs through Pinterest, most notably my new favorite design and lifestly blog, Material Girls.

Material Girls focuses on all things beautiful in a range from affordable to outrageous. The blog has different authors from different cities including Houston. Lauren Haskett, founder and managing editor of Material Girls is also the Houston contributor and she is fantastic. She is a great design resource and I read her blog religiously.

Here are a couple of pics of her baby's first birthday party. I love how she incorporates design into her personal life and shares it with her readers:

And what a cute way to store presents as a showpiece during the festivities:

Hop over to the Material Girls today and let me know what you think. You won't be disappointed!

Walkscore

2011-12-22T09:52:00.003-06:00

This is one of the coolest sites out there. You can input the address you either live in or are planning to purchase in and it lets you know the "walkscore" of that property. Your walkscore is determined by how close you are to parks, trails, stores, restaurants, entertainment, etc. The higher your walkscore the less likely you are to have to depend on your car.

Here is the link: http://www.walkscore.com/

Here is an example of a pretty good address based on walkscore: http://www.walkscore.com/score/1111-Hermann-77004

Have a great holiday!!

Wreaths Across America - Houston

2011-11-22T11:33:00.001-06:00

What a great way to tell our soldiers and their families how much we appreciate the sacrifices they have made for our freedom. Wreaths Across America, originally started at the Arlington National Cemetary, has made its way to Houston. This annual wreath laying ceremony will be performed at the Houston National Cemetary on December 10, 2011. Any donation amount is appreciated, although a full wreath is $15.00. As we get ready to sit down with our families this Thanksgiving, let's all take a moment to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

This organization is a 501-C-3. All questions can be answered on their FAQ's here. Think about donating either your time or a few dollars to this great cause.

Links of the week - focus on fashion

2011-11-02T17:24:00.000-05:00

We haven't done "Links Of The Week" in quite awhile now have we? This time around I would like to focus on fashion. I am someone who is addicted to all things fabulous, cut well, stitched properly, made out of luxurious material and lastly, slapped with a tag that says Prada or Proenza on it. Granted, I cannot afford any of these things, but I love them nonetheless. There are fashion blogs and websites out there for everyone, no matter what your story. Whether you're in love with designers, a vintage collector, hipster, overweight, underweight, male/female, housewife, rocker or a model. It doesn't matter, there is something out there for everyone and you can find it with this lovely search engine I found called Google.

I indulge my inner fashionista that is so desperately dying to get out and rob me blind by reading some of my most favorite fashion blogs. Tops on that list is a local woman who has an eye for style and is a genius when it comes to finding lower cost alternatives for today's top trends. Merritt Beck, who runs the fashion blog Manolos and Martinis, has an impeccable sense of style. Her looks are classic, tasteful and she is able to mix color into her everyday looks without looking garish.

Pretty Miss Beck:

This picture is borrowed directly from Merritt's website: Manolos and Martinis

Next is Rumi Neely and her blog, Fashiontoast. Reading this blog can cause depression in women whose constitutions are not as strong as mine. Rumi's life, as reflected in pictures, is amazing. This woman travels the world, rubs elbows with the fabulous, has a fantastic man in her life and does it all while looking effortlessly stunning. She makes fashion look easy and for that reason alone, I am an avid reader.

Rumi Neely:

This picture is borrowed directly from Rumi's website: Fashiontoast

This brings me to my third and final fashion blog must-read, The Man Repeller. Contrary to what the title implies, this is one pretty and witty lady. Leandra Medine is fearless in her style choices, hence the cheeky name of her blog. She is funky, eccentric and pulls off some risky outfits with great panache.

Leandra Medine:

This picture is borrowed directly from Leandra's website: The Man Repeller

I hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I have!

Fresh Arts Coalition Fall Social

2011-10-06T21:15:00.000-05:00

Fresh Arts Coalition launches the Fall arts season and the Fresh Arts Society at Cha Champagne and Wine Bar

Fresh Arts Society Fall Social offers a chance to meet 25 of the most vibrant arts organizations and connects audiences to #houarts with year round special offers, ticket discounts along with exclusive opportunities from Fresh Arts member organization

09.28.2011– Fresh Arts Coalition invites #houarts lovers to join us in celebrating the kick off of the fall #houarts season. Come join the party at Cha Champagne and Wine Bar on Wednesday, October 19th from 6pm to 9pm and discover the fall arts offerings. Events this fall include anniversary seasons, musical masterpieces, theatrical world premieres, dynamic dance performances, fantastic films and more! Join in on the conversation with directors, choreographers, filmmakers, artists and other Houston arts creators involved with Fresh Arts Coalition organizations all while enjoying wine and light bites—included with the purchase of the first month of your Fresh Arts Society membership!

The Fresh Arts Society Fall Social will feature performances by Chris Becker and Thomas Helton of Musiqa with excerpts from their Music for Silent Film series. Also, featured will be The Matt Willhelm Jazz Trio. Cha will feature a pop up art gallery curated by DiverseWorks.

Fresh Arts Coalition Fall highlights include new works by Opera Vista: Powder Her Face, Blaffer Art Gallery: Window Into Houston, Main Street Theater: Cakewalk (World Premiere) and Diverseworks/University of Houston Center for Choreography: Memoirs of Sistahood.

Performances this Fall also include Dominic Walsh Dance Theater: 10th Anniversary Season Opening Performance, Musiqa: Around The World, Mercury Baroque: Love, Power and Politics, ROCO & Inprint: Musical and Literary Ofrenda, Opera in the Heights: Cosi Fan Tutti and many more!

This event is also the official launch of the Fresh Arts Society, Fresh Arts Coalition’s new audience membership that offers special access to shows and events in film, art, theater, dance and more along with discounts to partnering local businesses! For just $5 a month or $50 a year (2 months free!), you can join the Fresh Arts Society, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, light bites and a raffle ticket for your chance to win fabulous #houarts prizes!

What: Fresh Arts Society Fall Social
When: Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Time: 6-9 P.M.
Where: Cha Champagne and Wine Bar, 3939 Waugh Houston, TX 77019

Cost: $5 which includes 1st month of membership in Fresh Arts Society monthly subscription, a raffle ticket for #houarts prizes, a glass of wine or bubbles and light bites! Sign up for a 1 year $50 membership to the Fresh Arts Society and get two months free!

Ticket Pre-Sale: http://fasfallsocial.eventbrite.com
Musiqa: http://musiqahouston.org
DiverseWorks:

John Cleary Art Gallery-Fine Art Photography

2011-09-07T18:32:00.002-05:00

The other day I was having lunch with my friend, Catherine Couturier, owner of John Cleary Gallery Fine Art Photograpy, and she made a comment about photography that stuck with me. I asked her what she thought about some of the new applications available for our current app-obsessed society such as Instagram and Hipstamatic, both very popular since the advent of the App Store from Apple. Her response was interesting - she explained that a photograph is something tangible, not what you find on online mediums such as Instagram. A lot of the work that goes into producing a beautiful photograph is put into it's development, printing, and the final end product. A true photographer is one who not only has an eye for taking the image, but who can also process it so that the end result is an amazing piece of art.

This art has become somewhat lost in this digital age, where a novice can feel like a professional because of the mass quantities of people who "like" the novice's online images. These online images are fun to look at, and I have also loved being an Instagram user. Even so, taking a trip to the John Cleary Gallery is quite an eye-opening experience.

The artists who are lucky enough to be part of the John Cleary Gallery's exhibits are some of the most talented in the world. Catherine's eye for thoughtful, amazing photography is evident as you pass through the doors and into the stark white walls and concrete floors of the gallery.

Here are some pictures from previous exhibits and receptions held at the space:

You can find a list of exhibitions on the official website for the John Cleary Gallery. Below is a picture from the most recent exhibit (one of my favorites), Mitch Dobrowner: "Storm Series":


Mitch Dobrowner: "Monsoon"

The next exhibition, currently hanging in the gallery, is Jeri Eisenberg: "Bokah". The opening reception for this exhibition will be Saturday, September 17, 6-8 p.m. Stop by to check out the artist and the gallery, you will love it! This exhibition is a series of defocused, blurred images from "common wooded landscapes" which are then printed on thin Japanese Kozo paper and segmented into diptychs, triptych or quads.

Here are two from the series:

Giant Magnolia:

Silver Pear Willow:

All images in this post are from the Gallery directly, or taken from the Gallery's official website, with permission.

John Cleary Gallery
2635 Colquitt Houston,
TX 77098 - tel: 713-524-5070

Mary McDonald Interiors

2011-08-18T13:10:00.000-05:00

Being a Realtor®, it's no secret that I love houses. Something that goes hand in hand with this is my appreciation for great interior designers. I had seen a lot of Mary McDonald's work in publications such as House Beautiful, Town and Country and Veranda, however my adoration of Mary McDonald, the person, came when I started watching Million Dollar Decorators on Bravo.

Touted as being the inspiration behind the character of "Karen", on Will and Grace, Mary McDonald is both hilarious and insanely talented, all wrapped up in a petite little package of gorgeousness.

Her design work is seen in some of the most affluent homes and businesses, so it is with great excitement that I am writing today about the affordable lamp line that she has launched in collaboration with Robert Abbey, Inc. Sometimes it is just one simple, beautiful piece of furniture or accessory that can completely transform a dull room, and any one of the lamps from her recent collection could add that extra special touch to a home.

Not familiar with Mary's work? Here are a few examples of why I am such a fan of her style:

*all photos are borrowed, with permission, from Mary McDonald's official website*

Classical Glamour:

Isn't that beautiful? With the launch of her latest book, The Allure of Style, you can get some great inspiration for adding some elegance to your own home.

As for her lamps, they vary from the range of "Classic Glamour" to "Whimsical" giving you an option for whatever your taste leans toward.

Here are some pics, once again borrowed, with permission, from her official website:

This lighting collection is available in Houston at Kripsen Collection and High Fashion Home. Here is a full list of US and Canadian retailers:

US RETAILERS:
MSK Illumiations	212-888-6474	New York, NY
Klaffs	203-866-1603	South Norwalk, CT
		Westport, CT
		Danbury, CT
		Scarsdale, NY
Suffolk Designer Lighting	631-283-4800	South Hampton, NY
Allen's Furniture	402-331-8480	Omaha, NE
Garnand's Furniture	620-276-2326	Garden City, KS
Keller Furniture Galleries	785-628-1048	Hays, KS
Jayson Home & Garden	773-248-8180	Chicago, IL
HW Home	303-545-0320	Boulder, CO
Slifer Designs	970-926-8200	Edwards, CO
Topnotch Furniture	208-726-2297	Ketchum, ID
Grace Home Design	307-733-9893	Jackson, WY
Eclectic Home	504-866-6654	New Orleans, LA
High Fashion Home	713-528-3838	Houston, TX
Krispen Collection	713-621-4404	Houston, TX
Gump's	800-284-8677	San Francisco, CA
Grace Home Furnishings	310-476-7176	Los Angeles, CA
Portabello Road Furniture	480-584-3435	Scottsdale, AZ
Farrey's	305-947-5451	Miami, FL
Bungalow Classic	404-351-9120	Atlanta, GA
James Michael Howard	904-389-5100	Jacksonville, FL
Cleveland Lighting	440-461-3450	Lyndhurst, OH
Sedlak's Interiors	440-248-2424	Solon, OH
Ruth Wilson Showroom	614-421-3070	Columnbus, OH

CANADIAN RETAILERS:
Ambienti	514-259-4444	Montreal, QC Canada
Union Lighting	514-340-5000	Montreal, QC Canada
Elte	416-785-7885	Toronto, ON Canada
Prima Lighting	905-851-1188	Vaughan, ON Canada
Universal Lamp	416-787-8900	Toronto, ON Canada
Chintz & Company	250-388-9906	Victoria, B.C. Canada
		Vancouver, B.C. Canada
		Calgary Canada
		Edmonton Canada
		Alberta Canada

Lastly, if you are on Twitter, you should be following her....she is a great source of laughs!

White Linen Night in The Heights

2011-08-03T11:43:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again folks. Time to pull out your white shirts, dresses, shorts, shoes (it's not Labor Day, yet) and come out to the Heights for White Linen Night! I post about this every year, so if you want the back story on what it is about, click here.

This year the parties have expanded to White Oak. There will be a ton of activities including "Three Parties. Two Hosts. One Night", sponsored by the Fresh Arts Coalition. This event will take place at Fitzgerald's on the corner of White Oak and Studewood, starting at 6pm. Can't make it at 6? Don't worry, the party will go well into the night, with an after party from 10pm-2am.

Also be sure to check out "Pink Street". All vendors involved in this event will be donating proceeds toward breast cancer research and/or the American Cancer Society.

19th St. will be shut down, as it is every year, for the Art Market and the Fashion Show.

Worried about gettin' hungry or thirsty? No fear, the Food Trucks will be there!

All the details can be found on the official website for this event, White Linen Night Heights.

Here is a link to the map of events. The Wave, a jitney shuttle service, will be on duty transporting you to and from all the festivities, so you don't have to walk or try to find parking in order to enjoy all the fun. It's free, but be sure to get your inebriated self back on it in time to get to your car (with your designated driver). The shuttle stops at 10pm.

Looking forward to seeing everyone out and participating!

Vic and Anthony's

2011-07-14T15:36:00.000-05:00

I recently was lucky enough to get to dine at Vic and Anthony's with some friends for a lovely dinner. I hadn't been in years and had forgotten just how good the place was.

The last time I dined here, I had not yet been diagnosed with Celiac, so I was able to go hog-wild with the menu. So, I was a bit nervous about whether or not I would have any options. Wow! I must say I was extremely surprised by just how many options I did have. I had already contacted the Concept Executive Chef, Carlos Rodriguez, to let him know about my allergies. He took such wonderful care of me and made sure to let the server, who rocks by the way (Michael Fulmer, ask to sit in his section), know which dishes could be made to work with my allergies and which could not.

The food was outstanding, the service was impeccable and the entire experience gets an A+ from me. We were given a great recommendation for wine by the Sommelier, and Michael Fulmer was incredibly gracious and attentive.

I am a huge lover of redfish, so the fact that they had it available was very exciting to me. The seasoning was so delicious, not overpowering and the sauce complimented it without drowning it. The fish was cooked to perfection, not too flaky, but just flaky enough. It melted in my mouth and made me a happy, happy lady. My dinner companions enjoyed the filet and the prime strip, both of which looked absolutely amazing. Carlos was nice enough to send us some amazing gluten-free appetizers: the tomato and mozzarella, tuna tartare and the seared scallops. That in itself should have been enough for me, but it was so tasty I had to get more. I ended up ordering the lobster bisque (best I've ever had) in addition to my redfish entree, the appetizers and the creme brulee. Needless to say, by the time we left I had gained about 15 pounds, but it was so worth it.

The ambiance of Vic and Anthony's is fantastic. The place is beautiful, the patrons are an eclectic mix of businessmen/women, socialites, baseball fans (it's next to the field), concert goers...anyone and everyone! If you haven't been to Vic and Anthony's, or if it's been awhile, I suggest you high-tail it back there as soon as you can. And, ask to sit in Michael Fulmer's section when you make your reservation. You will be treated like Royalty. Also, be sure to give Carlos Rodriguez a wave as you walk by, he deserves some love for being such an incredible chef.

I can say, without hesitation, this will always be my go-to place to take potential clients, good friends, or anyone that I want to impress with a fabulous dinner.

Houston locations hours:

Sunday through Thursday-
Cocktail Lounge opens at 4pm, Dinner is served from 5pm-10pm

Friday-
Cocktail Lounge opens at 4pm, Lunch and Dinner served from 11am-11pm

Saturday-
Cocktail Lounge opens at 4pm, Dinner is served from 5pm-11pm

Reservations: 713-228-1111
Located at 1510 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002

Houston menu

Alamo Drafthouse

2011-07-07T13:27:00.000-05:00

So, I decided to go and spend some time with my bff who lives in Austin, TX. for the 4th. We did tons of fun things, but one that really stood out for me was going to the Alamo Drafthouse to see a movie. When I realized that we had one in Houston and that my lame-ass had not yet been, I was excited to go and see what it was all about.

Let me first start out by saying that in no way is this a place I am recommending for the best meal of your life. However, I was very pleased by the menu options and the food that I ordered. Also, they have a huge list of alcoholic beverages to choose from including craft beers, wine, cocktails, etc. That alone is reason enough to go.

What a great date place Alamo Drafthouse would be. You can wine and dine your lady all at once. The best part? If it's a blind date, or first date, or someone you've been with for years, you can still make them feel super special by doing dinner and a movie all at once.

I was surprised to see such great offerings on the menu. Of course popcorn, the staple of every movie, is available. In addition were some interesting meal options such as a fried goat cheese salad, spinach and artichoke dip, rep pepper hummus, burgers, wraps, pizza, you name it! Each location has it's own menu, but they all mostly offer the same items. I was at the location in Austin, on Research Blvd. We have two in Houston: one in Katy, on Mason Rd., and one in West Oaks.

What was the most interesting to me was the ability of the servers to deliver the food throughout the movie without once entering into my frame of sight. It wasn't until I received my meal that I looked around to see a bunch of wait staff crouched down delivering food. How someone can crouch and deliver food in a movie theater is beyond me, but somehow they do it.

Now, if you are looking for some Dolby Surround Sound 3-D goodness, I don't know if this particular cinema would be the best for you. Even so, they have some really neat events that you can attend, like the Justin Timberlake "Sexy Back" sing-a-long (hello! I have to be there), a "Johnny Mnemonic" screening where they will display all your texts about the movie on the big screen as it airs (I must go to this simply because Keanu bugs), and of course, the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" (what cinema would be complete without this event?).

If you want to go do something different, have some fun and enjoy a pretty darned decent meal while doing so, I would highly recommend the Alamo Drafthouse. Keep in mind, this is based on my impression of the Austin, Lake Creek, location. If you've had some experience with our Houston locations and would like to share, please feel free to comment.

Orion Auto Service

2011-06-12T15:51:00.001-05:00

Wow, what a heck of a few months it has been. I apologize for my absence and lack of blogging, but I've been a very busy Realtor! Now that things look like perhaps they are slowing down, I thought I'd take a second to review a place that has been on my list FOREVER.

Those that know me know that I used to own what quite possibly could be put in some type of historical register as the biggest p.o.s. automobile in the world. I had a 2003 Land Rover with massive body damage, in addition to over 100,000 miles. The doors wouldn't open (with the exception of the driver's seat, thankfully), every single light on the dashboard was on, and it was a craptastic little fiasco I had on my hands. I now have a new car, thank GOD, but during my hellish experience with said piece, my only saving grace was Orion Auto Service.

Specializing in imports, this place should be the primary example for all other auto repair shops with regard to customer service, quality of work and price. I cannot tell you how many times I had to go to this place as my piece fell apart. It was something new, almost everyday.

Marlon, the owner (I think?), and his family are the best. He would always turn off my check engine light for me (at no charge), and get my wretched auto ready for it's yearly inspections with the bare minimum of work to make it pass. Toward the end of my relationship with this heinous car, I was unable to drive it, almost daily. Marlon would always get me back on the road to selling houses, at the lowest possible cost to me. He is the first person I have ever trusted with my car, and will be the last. I never felt that he was taking advantage of my ignorance or the fact that I was a woman, which let's face it, happens often at auto shops. In addition, when I asked him what all needed to be done in order to get it back to a "normal" condition and if it would benefit me to do so, or if it would be better to buy another car, he answered "buy another car". Now, this man could have nickel and dimed me for another two years (which was my goal for keeping it) and I could have spent thousands of dollars at his business trying to do so. Instead, he gave me an honest answer, and in turn, gained me as a customer for life.

No matter what you kind of automobile you have, import or not, I highly recommend visiting Orion Auto Services, located at the corner of 16th and Yale. You will not be disappointed.

Orion Auto Service, Inc.
1542 Yale St.
Houston, TX 77008
Phone: (713) 426-2299

Here are some pics of some sweetness to keep you going until my next post, which hopefully will be sooner, rather than later:

Trevor, aka, "Fattycake, the original" in his "bouncy house" at his 4th birthday party:

Next we have little Brandon, aka, "Fattycake, the sequel" at his very 1st birthday, enjoying some cake:

Here are the two brothers together, it's adorable to see how much Brandon worships Trevor, look at the look on his face...so sweet! (PS, I used instagr.am on this pic, so that's why it's filtered so weird and looks grainy)

Finally, my original sweet baby niece, Taylor. She's all grown up now :( but the makeup freak in me is so proud to see her getting a manicure, even though she's so big it makes my cry.

That's all folks.

Memorial Day Post-In Honor of Charles "Trey" Kitowski III

2011-05-30T12:36:00.000-05:00

I'm re-posting this in honor of my friend and personal hero, Charles "Trey" Kitowski, III.

On this day, I always like to thank all of those serving our country, as well as remember with great respect and thanks, those that have fallen for the sake of our Country's safety and our continued freedom.

Memorial Day became even more special to me after my best friend's cousin, Charles "Trey" Kitowski, III passed away in Afghanistan while on duty.

Trey (as I remember him) was always a special guy. I have such fond memories of growing up with my best friend, Lauren and her brothers and Trey. Lauren's brothers would make our lives miserable with constant pranks.

But, not Trey. He was so kind and always so respectful. Much like his Grandfather (his namesake), Trey was an extremely compassionate and kind spirit always ready and willing to help, not once turning his back on someone in need. Trey dedicated his life to helping others: 'helping with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, or finding a way to adopt any animal he could find.' So, it was a natural step for Trey to want to protect and serve his country.

And, protect and serve he did. And, he did it well. Exceptionally well. Trey entered the Army Reserves in 2005 and was then assigned to the 345th Psychological Operations Company, 2nd Psychological Operations Group, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; soon after he was deployed to Afghanistan.

Trey would write his family and call as often as possible while he was deployed. He was so excited about the project he had been assigned to work on, the project that would be his ultimate demise. 'On, August 12, 2007, Sergeant Charles "Trey" Kitsowski, III, age 31, was killed by an IED in Eastern Afghanistan. He died doing what he felt duty-bound to do.'

I write this blog-post with fond memories of the sweet, fair haired kid who always had a smile on his face, respected his Country to the utmost degree and loved his family and his friends with a heart bigger than that of the Country he served.

This Trey, today, is for you. And, all the other wonderful men and women out there who have risked their lives to allow me the freedom to write this post, to voice my opinion on what matters, to walk down my city streets without fear, to love and to laugh and to know that the Country in which I reside, the Country YOU protected, is the best in the world.

Thank you.

**Excerpts in italics and pics taken from "In Memoriam, Charles Kitowski"**

Noah's Kitchen Chili Cook-off -Come have fun and help a great cause!

2011-04-27T22:56:00.000-05:00

The following information is taken directly from the Noah's Kitchen Chili Cook-off official website:

2nd Annual Noah’s Kitchen Chili Cookoff

April 30th, 2011

Noon – 6PM

The Garden @ Hughes Hangar (formerly Washington Grill)

2811 Washington Avenue

Houston, Texas 77007

1/2 Block East of Studemont,

Across from Shell Gas Station

THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT

Welcome to the site for the 2nd Annual Noah’s Kitchen Chili Cookoff, a public festival with a chili competition aimed at raising operating funds for Noah’s Kitchen. This year the cook off is being held at Hughes Hangar in the Historic Heights area of Houston. Last year was a blast and we expect this year to be a huge success!!

Those interested in competiting in the cookoff, operating a vendors booth or sponsoring portions of the event, please see the menu below for more details.

We will also have a raffle like last year with ALL kinds of cool items and gift certificates to be won.

Also bring your “change – to make a change’ and vote for your favorite team’s chili. The team with the most ‘change’ will win the ‘People’s Choice’ award.

SPONSORS FOR THIS YEAR:

PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING BANDS:

12:00 -12:45 Zavala Band

1:00 – 1:45 Mike Quigley Acoustic

2:00 – 2:45 Wayside Drive

3:00 – 3:45 Benjamin Wesley

4:00 – 4:45 Prairie Cadets

5:00 – 5:45 Harmony Groove

PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING JUDGES:

Head Judge John Gray aka The Shameless Chef from Houston Press

Tally Kinghorn of Lone Star Beer

Brandy Graesser of Bran Bakes and Hubbell & Hudson’s Viking Cooking School

Lauren Ramsey of Radio Disney

Kerri Ryan of YMKM Agency

Geri Druckman of Food Renewed

JR Cohen of WeSLGT and YMKM Agency

JJ/ Jonathan Jones of Beavers and El Patio

James Beck of Eat More Heat

Kevin Strickland owner of Ziggy’s Bar and Grill

Twitter - no it's not a waste of time

2011-04-11T14:12:00.000-05:00

I have been utilizing Social Media for my Real Estate business for quite awhile now. That includes Facebook, LinkedIN, blogging and yes, Twitter.

I never have understood why there is a stigma attached to Twitter that it's a waste of time or stupid or doesn't really work. Some of my best referrals have come from Twitter. And, some of my closest friends.

When I initially signed up for my account, I was a little hesitant. I couldn't quite grasp the concept of it. My impression was that is was just a big chat room for people who were bored. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Yes, I'm sure there are plenty of times people tweet because they are bored, need to pass the time until the work day ends, or they just simply have nothing else to do. But, this past week put into perspective just how powerful of a tool Twitter can be.

In the Houston Twitter community, people create bonds. We make friends, we hang out together, we have drama, we have love, we have hate, we have it all! But, most importantly, we unite as a city when one of our "own" is in need.

You see, we had a bit of a tragedy this past week. One of our lovely "tweeter's", Linda, was in an accident on her moped and severely injured. She was taken to Ben Taub and released a week after being admitted. Trying to locate her mother and family was proving to be a bit of a challenge for her close friends that were in the ER with her, at her bedside. If you go back and read the timeline from when it was first posted that she was in an accident, and read all the tweets from these friends reaching out via Twitter to anyone who might have information (phone numbers, emails, etc.) to get in touch with Linda's family, it is quite amazing. The entire Houston community rallied and gathered around Linda using Twitter as a means to get in touch with her mother and family within 5 hours. Had it not been for the power of Twitter, who knows how long it would have taken?

And, that's just the beginning. Since Linda's accident, most of the Houston Twitter community (especially the foodie community) has used Twitter to rapidly spread the word and raise money to help pay for Linda's medical bills. Thousands of dollars have been raised (more than $10K!) through a silent auction, parking lot "block party", special sit down dinner, bake sale and raffle, with all proceeds going to Linda. People who hadn't even met her before came out for the benefit, just because it's what the awesome Houston Twitter community does; they go out of their way for one of their own. Especially if she is known and loved by many.

I'd like to take this time to personally thank all those that have contributed, volunteered, organized and most of all, taken care of Linda during her time of need. And, if after reading this, you still feel Twitter is useless, then we're probably better off not having you on there anyway.

Big, BIG thanks to Paul Petronella aka "PauliePetro" for donating the space for the benefit as well as all the proceeds form the Revive Italian dinner. (Paulie's Restaurant).

If you want to help, please follow TeamQue_Linda for updates on future benefits and for updates on her health.

Ja-Vi Boutique on Yale St. in the Heights

2011-03-15T17:38:00.000-05:00

Ja-Vi Boutique

I would like to thank my friend, Connie, who introduced me to Dragon Bowl Asian Bistro and Les Givral's Kahve, once again for introducing me to one of the greatest finds in the Heights: Ja-Vi Boutique. This place is so chocked full of awesomeness, I went into a state of awesome overload.

Where else can you find awesome jewelry, stationary, candles, gifts, clothes, shoes AND amazingly beautiful antiques/mock antiques? I'm not just talking an old sconce or scratched up chair, I mean SERIOUS finds.

Connie had been singing the praises of this boutique to me for years and years, but I never found time to stop by. Thank GOD I did! I'm in the process of having to get some furniture for my new pad, at 2125 Yale (another awesome overload), and I'm very specific about my tastes. They have some of the most unique pieces, all at very affordable prices.

One stop at this great little place, located at 1535 Yale St., just isn't enough. You'll find yourself needing to go back again and again and again for more. Also, the lady who helped me, Evelyn, was one of the nicest people on the planet. She is incredibly helpful and will move mountains to make sure you are taken care of while going into awesome-shock.

Just an FYI, they are going to be discontinuing the sales of their clothes in the near future. So, if you are in the market for some really cute and unique dresses, tops, jackets, jeans, etc., NOW is the time to go. They have massive price reductions so they can clear their inventory.

Here are some pics to get you revved up for your soon to be shopping trip at Ja-Vi. Because after seeing these, how can you not stop by?


Arnoires, tables, knick knacks


Awesome bed frame, chairs


Jewelry, cards, handbags

Candles, soaps, scented sprays, gifts

Jewelry, handbags, shoes

Picture frames, consoles, antique doors

Planters, tables, outdoor furniture

Part of the furniture showroom

Armoire, frame, table

Main furniture showroom

Table and bench

Clutches and wallets

Ja-Vi Boutique
1535 Yale Street
Houston, TX 77008(713) 426-5284
Tuesday-Friday
11:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday
9:00am - 6:00pm

Les Givrals Kahve

2011-02-20T01:24:00.000-06:00

Holy Delicious! I'd been wanting to try this place since it opened, but I always seemed to be pre-occupied or just way too lazy. Thank God my friend made me go one day. The menu is amazing and you know I loves me some sushi, so I was a happy little blogger.

We sat at the sushi bar and the "Waterfall" sushi roll was recommended to me. I promise, I almost cried it was so good. I decided that since this was a Vietnamese restaurant that I should try something from that side of the menu, which is not short on choices for picky individuals. Since I'm a gluten-issue gal, I had something called "Banh Cuon Thit Nhân", which is some kind of steamed rice sheet filled with a butt-load of scrumptious. Basically, I had no idea what the hell it was I was eating, but I was very impressed. I think it had some mushrooms in it? Anyway, it was great. The sushi was great. The atmosphere was great and I was just overall feeling great.

If you love Vietnamese fare and sushi (my weakness), then Les Givrals Kahve is a must try for you. If you go to the downtown location, say "hi" to Kevin who owns the sushi bar in this hoppin' joint. He was the previous sushi guru at my other haunt, Dragon Bowl Bistro....

Locations:
Downtown
801 Congress St.,
713-547-0444

Washington
4601 Washington Avenue
832.582.7671