Westheimer Block Party

The Westheimer Block Party was so much fun! It's basically seven to eight venues, usually former houses, set up with bands on every floor or parking lot, playing all day. Bring your own beer, paint your own face, enjoy the wonderful Houston weather. for the record, everyone's favorite band of the day was Ringo Deathstar, a pop band from Austin.

I loved all the cute families that came out-- my favorite was the little boy who proudly wore his wolf hat. It doesn't get any cuter than that. (And he kind of looks like what I imagine my boyfriend looked like when he was little. I have a adorable photo of him dressed up as a bunny to prove it; will save it for an Easter post). The colors, clear skies and action of the block party set up the perfect opportunity for me to play around with my camera for the first time.

Pollen Break

Busy weekend, busy start.. will post lots of pictures soon. For now, enjoy my allergies!

Photo by Paige Newton Photography

Scroll Down for Swacket Fun!

Sweater + Jacket from HarputsOWN

Anvil Bar & Refuge

So last night I headed out to Montrose's Anvil Bar & Refuge, a cocktail bar run by Robert Heugel, Kevin Floyd, and Steve Flippo-- a couple of cocktail freaks who also manage Drink Dogma, a cocktail blog dedicated to art and seduction of quality spirits.

My first drink was adorable and delicious. Gin, honey and lemon. Named for something related to a bee. I don't remember, but it was good. Didn't want to drink it too fast good. My second drink was a drink that involved egg whites and tequila. It was okay. Kinda frothy and didn't sit right knowing the two were mixed. The atmosphere was great, the clientele was a little more upscale than one would expect, but I think that will balance out as time goes on.

Jacked pictures from Drink Dogma and someone's flickr account, who obviously has some stake in the bar. Both sites provide lots of neat photos and information about how the the bar came to be.

Sidenote: I hate that I ended two sentences on this post with prepositions.

..the end user

My friend, Nick, whom I mentioned before about his LifeHacker fame, is starting a new blog about how to put your computer to work for you. He says, "We don't create software or computer hardware we simply use it...we are the end users."

Take a look!

... the end user

Woah! Guerilla Knitting.

Haven't seen any in real life, but I'm willing to bet it would turn a frown upside-down. The lost shot is of First Street in Austin, Texas.

THIS WEEKEND. WESTHEIMER.

So excited. Having one of my favorites in town for the Westheimer Block Party (which I can now walk to thanks to my new location) and the weather looks promising.

Small Houses X9

The 2009 Rice Design Alliance Architecture Tour will highlight innovative examples of small houses, under 2,000 square feet. This year's tour will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m

Easter Threads

Uploaded a few baby chicks at our Etsy Shop: mon petit peche

weekend of gluttony

- went to Maria Selma Mexican in Montrose. a little over-priced, but good.

- stocked up on desserts from Thierry Anre Tellier Cafe & Pastry Shop. ohmygoshsoyummy.

-went to Texas Junk Co. for the first time. Wow, if you need, want a pair of fabulous vintage leather boots, this is THE place to go. Huge selection prices from $30-60.

-BF brought me three time world champion gumbo from Lafayette, LA. Delicious.

-Tokyohana Sushi in River Oaks has the best drink and sushi specials. We made out like bandits.

-Saw I Love You, Man. Paul Rudd is dreamy as always. He and Jason Siegal are funny. I laughed. Out Loud. A lot.

- met with BF's family for dinner at Goode Co. Taqueria. My so filling. I woke up full and still taste the grilled onions in my mouth.

I envision vegetables for the rest of the week....

Coolest Wedding s/l/a/s/h Cocktail Dress Ever

not that I'm looking... Holly Stadler at Etsy. and, only $175? I do!

Birth of Cool

Anyone in Austin for SXSW? I wish I was, too. If you've got time to fit The Blanton Museum of Art's Birth of the Cool: California Art, Design, and Culture at Midcentury, do it.

February 22 – May 17, 2009

The Blanton

Lavender Blonde Cupcake

My Lady Gaga Cupcakes

Don't say it. it's silly and I know it. Since I won't be bleaching the life out of my hair to achieve the most adorable color combination in the world, I will express my desires in the form of sugar, flour and eggs.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I made some St. Patty's Cupcakes to bring to work. It's yellow cake miz with buttercream icing. I tried my best to saturate the cake with green green green! It came out sort of lime, but that didn't stop me from playing with the icing, sprinkles and a little bit of chocolate. I realize the brown icing looks like a turd, haha I tried to recover with some sprinkles. They taste yummy, that's all that matters.

Cy Twombly Weekend/ Melty Rainy Days

As promised, I finally got a new camera, a Nikon D60. Hooray!

That kind of thing will do me no good when taking inconspicuous pictures in the Cy Twombly Gallery of the Menil Collection in Houston last weekend. Thanks iPhone. BF and I hit up three different museums because the weather was so crummy and we were dying to do something.

P.S. the gift shop at the Contemporary Arts Museum is incredible.

All photos taken be me except for the one with CT in it. NY Times.

Reminders for the Lazy

Austinite Erin over at Recovering Lazyholic has taken some fun pictures and turned them into magnets. They're all little reminders to go out and enjoy life. Such a cute idea and great web site!

things, updates, thoughts

1. Got my contract extended for a couple more months! what's a recession?

2. Enjoyed a couple recession sales-- got a Chris Benz tuxedo jacket a la for 93& off the original price. Kid you not. Also, a pair of gold shoes that are so incredibly comfortable and are the butt of grandma, cruise and shuffleboard jokes. I'm so proud.

3.Just started watching Summer Heights High, the best new comedy, guaranteed. If you like the Office, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, you will LOVE this. It's a character-driven, satirical mockumentary of the lives of high school students, powered by the hilarious Chris Lilley (remember this name) playing three parts perfectly. The DVDs were just released in the States this month so get it before Netflix puts you on the waiting list.

4. We're definitely getting a puppy this weekend. I have no idea what kind though? We will adopt from this place that utilizes vacant retail space in Highland Village to show of sweet little animals to hot, rich River Oaks mamas. So, it just depends on what is available.

5. I love being a short walk from a cupcake bakery. It's just rare that I get home from work before they sell out!

.. and that's it. I'm off to a commercial shoot for work. sounds glamorous doesn't it? It's for a plumbing company!

Moss y Mas

Bright green moss has to be one of my favorite plants in the world-- it just always looks so 'secret garden' to me. Most of the moss I see in Texas is that nasty, gray curly stuff that my Dad would put on his head (he's bald) and pretend he had a full head of wiry, curly hair. Love that man. Anyways, what I love about this particular green moss is that it gorgeous, but you can grow it any way you want!

Here's a recipe for moss graffiti:

1 can of beer
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Several clumps garden moss

You will also need a plastic container (with lid),
a blender and a paintbrush
_________________________________________________

To begin the recipe, first of all gather together several clumps of moss (moss can usually be found in moist, shady places) and crumble them into a blender. Then add the beer and sugar and blend just long enough to create a smooth, creamy consistency. Now pour the mixture into a plastic container.

Find a suitable damp and shady wall on to which you can apply your moss milkshake. Paint your chosen design onto the wall (either free-hand or using a stencil). If possible try to return to the area over the following weeks to ensure that the mixture is kept moist. Soon the bits of blended moss should begin to re-couperate into a whole rooted plant – maintaining your chosen design before eventually colonizing the whole area.

From storiesfromspace.co.uk

Electric Swirls

How great is this for a home office? I saw this awesome multi outlet at High Fashion Home in Houston last weekend. I was there just for giggles and was so amazed by everything that I immediately became depressed.

Design by Joris Laarman.

Pupz be Breaking Me Down.

I'm *this* close to adopting a dog...

it was so hard to walk away from this adorable, sleeping puppy showing off hiz grilllll at the Highland Village Pet Adoption store. Sad face.

Liz Claiborne Re-Do

Liz Claiborne may be down 830 million dollars (ouch!), but their Fall 2008 line looks so cute. Not your mother's clothes anymore...