Step Aside Hercules

Gladiator sandals are everywhere this year. I am on the hunt for the perfect pair...I'm thinking metallic or snakeskin. The gladiator "look" has many interpretations, from flat casual to sassy heels...who would have ever thought that such an ancient look would end up on the runway!

J Crew $195

J Crew $175

J Crew $78

Piperlime.com

Tory Burch, Saks $150

Urban Outfitters $150

Old Navy $20

ELuxury.com $650

Endless.com $99

Forever 21 $13

Barneys $650

Denim Jacket Makes a Comeback

The Gap $29.50

I don't know about you, but I have missed denim jackets when they faded out of the fashion scene for a while. Guess what? It didn't take long for a comeback! I love denim because it goes with EVERYTHING...floral, black, white, bright, neutral...it all works. It adds some character to a super boring outfit and mellows out a really dressy shirt or dress! Now is the perfect time to dig out your ol' denim jacket, dust if off and put it to work this spring and summer! The layering options are endless!

If you are like me and get rid of things before they can have a second chance, here are a few very affordable options that should be easy to track down.

American Eagle $49.50

Old Navy $29.50

Levi's $78

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo taken at Indulge in Houston last Saturday

Something sweet for someone sweet...
I am going to surprise my valentines (husband and two sons) with a candlelight dinner tonight. Here is the menu which is made up some of their favorites:

• Fresh ciabatta bread and olive oil (for Austin)


• Mixed greens salad with strawberries, pine nuts and feta cheese (for Taylor & me!)


• Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken (for Austin and Taylor)


• Chocolate Cheesecake (family recipe) with fresh whipped cream & strawberries (for Jay)


• Riesling and sparkling cider

Gourmet Chocolate Cheese Cake

This decadent cake will be the sure way to win Jaybird's heart!

1 - 6 oz. pkg. Nestle’s Semi Sweet chocolate morsels
16 oz. cream cheese
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ tsp. cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
8 oz sour cream

Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over warm water.
Beat softened cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy and smooth.
Gradually beat in sugar, then eggs one at a time.
Add melted chocolate cocoa and vanilla.
Blend thoroughly.
Stir in sour cream and pour into chilled crusts,
Bake at 350 oven for about 50 minutes.
Cakes will puff during baking and crack open and then sink when removed from oven.
Cool to room temp and then refrigerate at least 5 hours.
Can be frozen.
Top with sweetened or chocolate whipped cream.

This will fill two of the ready made chocolate cookie crusts or make your own.

Part III, Mom's Birthday

Design District, 2620

2620 Joanel Street Houston

http://www.heathermoorejewelry.com/

We simply fell in LOVE with this line of jewelry...

If you know me, you know that I really NEED (okay...want) this lamp!




They carried lots of amazing shell pieces by Peggy Green. This cross was one of my favorites!



I know what you are thinking...a perfect sign for my office!



I have lots of shell mirrors, but when I saw this one, my heart skipped a beat!

Spring is in the air...

I woke up today feeling better! The sun was beaming after a night of crazy storms. I was pouring my first cup of coffee and to my surprise, I heard birds outside chirping! Yeah...a sure sign of Spring is on its way...

After a trip to Thompson + Hanson, we REALLY had a dose of Spring fever! Their nursery was brimming with fresh spring flowers and baby grasses.

We adored these miniature cement planters!

Mom and Dad next to a fresh tray of pink hyacinths...sweet~

After a stroll through the nursery, we enjoyed their shop....love the all white scheme with gray ceiling beams!

These weathered urns were amazing and mom said the flowers were not real...fooled me!!!

Dad checking out the detail of this table...in case mother OR daughter wants one someday...

Giant kale adorned this fabulous table!

http://www.thompsonhanson.com/

3600 West Alabama, Houston

Happy Birthday To My Sweet Mom

First, sorry for the delay in postings! Last week was so crazy and then I zipped over to Houston on Saturday morning (my normal blogging time!) to surprise my mom for some early birthday fun (today is her actual birthday)! I loaded the car with a yummy cake from NothingBundtCakes http://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/ and a bouquet of flowers and was off to make the surprise visit as the sun came up!

At one point along the drive, I called her and she asked me if I was working on my blog! I said...OF COURSE! I didn't want to lie, but was having so much fun pretending that I was home in my pjs drinking my coffee when I was really on a mad dash to her house! When she called me back she was in the car waiting for dad (she said they were headed downtown to shop and for lunch!). I was only 10 minutes away and already flying so I called my dad and informed him of my little plan and insisted he "stall". I pulled up to the house just in the nick of time! We had fun the rest of the day shopping, eating, shopping, eating....here are some photos to share our fun day with you! We started off at Nordstroms where mom picked up some gorgeous grey UGG boots, then off to JCrew where we had fun checking out all the fresh new looks for Spring and where I did a little birthday shopping!!!

After a lunch at Taco Milagro, we had to have some birthday dessert! Mom was so excited to take me to Crave Cupcakes! The pictures should tell the rest of the story!

I love the cool blue vintage mixer for their logo!

Time to taste...we shared a chocolate coconut (to die for!) and a lemon cupcake (perfect)! Yes, mom they were as good as you had promised!


Love them!

http://www.cravecupcakes.com/

Located in Uptown Park, Houston

P.S. I will be posting more entries on our birthday weekend!

Happy Birthday Mom...I love you!

I am now home recovering from some awful flu-like virus so I hope to get caught up on blogging (in between naps!) so check back soon!