Texas Style and Substance

Dallas: Megan Adams

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:26:00 +0000

How pretty are these melamine plates designed by Megan Adams? NeimanMarcus.com just picked them up this season and I love the color combinations that Adams used.

Adams did undergrad at SMU and grad school at UNT. I've been a fan of her original textiles for the past couple of years and I'm happy to see that she's dipping further into the home category with these new plates.

Dallas: The Jumping Jacks

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:05:00 +0000

If you like good photography and cute pit bulls, then click here to see Dallas-based writer Jason Sheeler's new photojournal revolving around his adorable dog Jacks.

It's artful, poetic photography and there's no reading required. Which is sometimes just what you need when you're constantly inundated with information. Consider it a weekly breathing space.

Amarillo: Cadillac Ranch + Vogue

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:51:00 +0000

Love the feature spread in this month's Vogue shot at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo.

Gotta hand it to Stanley Marsh 3 for funding the art installation that's located on his land.

Visitors to the site are encouraged to add their own bit of graffiti and scribbles to any of the 10 cars nose-planted into the ground.

Photos from here.

Houston: David Peck

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:55:00 +0000

Just a few of my favorite spring looks from Houston-based designer David Peck.

Peck, who btw is super easy to look at, plays the cello, graduated from Parsons Paris School of Art & Design, and worked at Paco Rabanne.

He launched his line a couple of years ago and it's all designed and produced in Houston.

This grey and white strapless gown is gorgeous. It's made from organic cotton poplin/voile. I can just imagine how heavenly and light it must feel to wear.

What do you think? Are you as drawn to his designs as I am?

Fort Worth: Holy Kombucha

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:46:00 +0000

Have you ever tried this stuff? I just drank some last week and I've been thinking about its sweet fizziness ever since.

Kombucha is a fermented black tea, natural detoxer and overall pick me up. Holy Kombucha is a brand I just happen to now love because of their business model and mission. Read about it here.

I just wish the HK was easier to find. It's a little elusive and I wish you could at least order it online.

Houston: The Little Bird, Inc

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:34:00 +0000

Go ahead. Make your way to The Little Bird, sip some champs, and shop Keele Lloyd's consigned Dolce, Cavalli, Givenchy, and Chanel. Consider it a Valentine's Day gift to yourself.

You can read about her and other top Houston tastemakers in this article I wrote for the December issue of Departures.

El Paso: Dezso at NYFW

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:02:00 +0000

I had high hopes of posting these pics on Thursday night, but considering that I didn't get back to my hotel until who knows what time and then my computer cord almost electrocuted me, well, it didn't happen.

But here are some shots from Sara Beltran's Thursday afternoon show in Chelsea at Root Studios.

Sara had seven models clad in some simple and chic black wetsuits to let the jewelry be the focal point.

The models, some on chairs that Sara designed in India, were positioned around big pieces of driftwood with diamond-embedded neon pink shark jaws hanging from the ceiling while a series of iphone shots she took of some neon cord she shaped into a wave hung on the walls. Proof that things needn't be fussy or overdone for major impact.

Dying.

Tomorrow I'll post some more shots of some pieces that will make you flip.

Everywhere: No Pudge

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:11:00 +0000

Am I the last to arrive at the No Pudge party? I recently had more than my fair share of No Pudge brownies at a dinner party and I couldn't believe that they're all natural and fat-free. Have you guys every tried these?

You add non-fat yogurt to the mix - or applesauce if you want lactose-free - bake, and out comes some of the chewiest brownies I've ever sunk my teeth into. So random, but so good.

Dallas: Koch Fall 2012

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:04:00 +0000

Want a sneak peek at Koch's fall 2012 collection? Check out this new James Gilbert-directed and

-produced video shot entirely in Detroit, the city that served as part of the inspiration for the collection. It's moody, sexy, playful, all things that I think make up a Koch girl. Enjoy!

Dallas: Sterling Moore

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:57:00 +0000

They may not have won, but the Patriot's Sterling Moore rocked it tonight. Read here about the SMU alum's inspiring story.

Everywhere: Nopal chairs

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Dying over these. Traditional with a whimsical nod to the Nopal cactus. Available here.

Dallas: palmer//harding

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:53:00 +0000

A friend who's written about palmer/harding in the past sent me a link last month to a piece on them that ran in British Vogue.

The same article ran again in American Vogue's February issue and I was excited to see former El Centro student Levi Palmer getting major recognition stateside.

Palmer studied pattern making and womenswear at the downtown Dallas Community College before moving to London to study at Central Saint Martins.

His and his design partner Matthew Harding's beautifully artful take on a wardrobe's most basic staple makes me wonder what they would do if they produced an entire RTW collection. I have a gut feeling I'd be smitten.

Houston: H&M

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:13:00 +0000

They've finally announced it: H&M is set to open not one, but two stores this year in Houston. In the next few months one will open at Baybrook Mall and Willowbrook Mall will welcome a store come fall.

Houston: Crave Cupcakes

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:39:00 +0000

How about ordering a few dozen of these from Crave for your Super Bowl party next weekend?

Or for Valentine's Day, these scrumptiously moist chocolate cakes with strawberry frosting, a yummy alternative to outdated chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Dallas: In Moving Hell

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:59:00 +0000

My fantastic TS&S readers, I'm in moving hell. I spent more than 12 hours yesterday moving into a new house - well, not new, but a fantastic '50s ranch - and am beat. I need a drink. I want someone to unpack my boxes. I want to curl up in a ball and wish all the stress away. The past two weeks of slowly packing while also working, mom-ing, and wife-ing has taken time away from here, but I will be back in full force on Monday. Prom prom. In the interim, here's where I just moved out of. Our casa treated us well over the past several years.

Once we're settled into the new place, I'll post some pics of that, too. It's a new chapter for us and definitely a new style of home. We've always lived in my beloved East Dallas, but the drive to my kids school was slowly killing me. Click here to see more from a wonderful post that style/SWOON's Sam did of Casa Hoitsma. All photos - except for the front of the house - are by her, too!

Everywhere: Random wants for spring

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:11:00 +0000

3.1 Phillip Lim bikini

J Crew toothpick jean

Samudra flamingo pouch

Tory Burch necklace

Isabel Marant's Handy sandal

Dallas: Cintra Wilson at the DMA

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:31:00 +0000

Are you going to see cultural critic Cintra Wilson tonight at 9 pm at the Dallas Museum of Art?

She will be discussing, with her signature blade-sharp wit, her new book Fear and Clothing. I'll definitely be there this evening and I hope to see you.

Photo credit: Sarah Forbes Keough

Houston: Alexandra Knight

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:35:00 +0000

Oh, I want it to be warm. When it does get above 70 degrees, these Alexandra Knight navy croc t-strap sandals are going to be mine.

Dallas: Simon and you!

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:20:00 +0000

Don't forget, my dears. Meet me tonight at Barneys from 5 to 7 pm to chit and chat with Mr. Doonan. You know it will be so fun.

Waco: Kermit Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:04:00 +0000

Have I mentioned my obsession with Town & Country since Jay Fielden has been at the helm? Of course I would love it now that a talented Texan is in charge.

Twice now he's put very Texas-centric items in the mag that have made me grit my teeth with scoop envy. The first was Miles Fisher - PS Miles, can you return my email? You emailed me first, remember? - and the second is the Kermit Oliver piece on page 38 of the Feb issue.

I mean, really. Do you any idea how many times I've been in Hermes in Highland Park Village and they've failed to mention - even when I've SWOONED over these particular scarves - that the artist lives in effin' Waco?

Mother.

this may have been written while sipping on my third glass of wine. whatevs.

Dallas: Simon Doonan and Barneys

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Will you be my date this Thursday evening? Will you please meet me at Barneys from 5-7 pm to be entertained by the incomparable Simon Doonan? The creative ambassador-at-large for what I consider the most excruciatingly chic department store will be here with his new book Gay Men Don't Get Fat.

In it he dissects the difference between gay and straight foods. You must click here to read Jeff Gordinier's NY Times article on Doonan and his book. I died over the part where he describes lesbian foods e.g., "thick porridge, heaping helpings of wheat germ...a crusty loaf of whole-grain bread is both ferociously lesbian and wildly heterosexual."

Dallas: Juice Bar at Whole Foods Market

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:48:00 +0000

For the last two days I've been preparing for my 2-day cleanse that begins tomorrow. I've eliminated meat, bread, caffeine, and refined sugar and have been starting each day with a warm water with lemon. The sugar (and bread) thing has been the hardest, so thank goodness for the Sweet Tooth fresh pressed juice at Whole Foods.

I've had one of these for the past two afternoons and I feel like it's helped get me over the afternoon slump that my latte usually gets me out of. It's a mix of beets, carrots, pear, and ginger and I had no clue that combination could be so delicious.

Dallas: Ken Downing

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:10:00 +0000

Everyone's favorite fashion director, Neiman Marcus' Ken Downing, makes an appearance on Project Runway tomorrow on Lifetime. Can't wait to see what he's got to say. Won't you tune in with me?

El Paso & Corsicana: Sara Beltran & Julie Haus

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:56:00 +0000

Congratulations, Sara and Julie! Two of our favorite Texan designers have been just announced as winners of the prestigious Ecco Domani award. Sara won in the accessories category and Haus Alkire won in the women's category.

The seven winners - who were chosen out of a group of around 200 submissions - get $25,000 to use for their collections at New York Fashion Week. I'm so excited for them!

Austin: Machine Shop

noreply@blogger.com (KR) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:37:00 +0000

My sweet friend Steven just introduced me to lighting from Austin's Machine Shop.

The styles are decidedly industrial and each light is made by hand.

A sketch is made, the glass is blown, and steel is forged to create simple, beautiful pieces that give mass production a thumbs down.

I love the chain pulley on the first two lights. There's something so satisfying about pulling on one of those things and having a light glow on or slowly fade out.