Cuckoo for Culottes

Don't think you're cool enough to pull off the monochromatic modernistic look (yes I just made that up), with all its purposeful tailoring, minimal detailing and graphic silhouettes? Think again. Culottes have officially made a comeback and I'm welcoming them - however long this style ride lasts for - with open arms (bienvenido a mis piernas). And if you're in the market for a pair, Kick Pleat is where I'll send ya. 

Austin-based boutique Kick Pleat opened a River Oaks store last November and it brought with it just what H-Town needed: carefully curated, quality pieces by up and coming designers (Rachel Comey, A Piece Apart, Jesse Kamm, Isa Arfen, etc.) you won't find (in person) anywhere else. Here you'll encounter all the high-waisted, wide-legged trousers and beautiful, billowy blouses to pair them with your heart desires. Finding a way to make this look for you may be a bit daunting at first, but once you allow yourself to become enlightened to 1) how versatile these pieces can be (dress up, dress down, mix and match - aka use an item of clothing more than just a few times before gettin' sick of it), 2) how pairing these styles with a bold accessory can totally transform your look into a work of art (insert Italian chef kissing fingers motion here) and 3) how dang chic you look wearing them - you be drinking the kool-aid in no time. 

While doing my research on some of these labels, I stumbled upon these words by Jesse Kamm: "I believe we are on this spinning rock for a short time, so do what you love, and do it well."  That hits me where it hurts in a plethora of places - but it also leaves us with some wisdom to apply to today's post: culottes may only be around for a little while, but the love of not wearing tight white jeans in the Texas humidity will last longer - so wear them, and wear them well. 

Gold Earrings - ACB// Black Off the Shoulder Top - Rachel Comey// Orange Culottes - Jesse Kamm// Red Lucite Bangle - Lizzie Fortunato// Embroidered Clutch - Lizzie Fortunato// Red Tassel Earrings - Lizzie Fortunato// Bow Off the Shoulder Top - Isa Arfen// Navy Culottes - Samuji// Black and Gold Earrings - Lizzie Fortunato// Black Ruffle Top - Creatures of Comfort// Yellow Pants - Isa Arfen// Pink Lucite Bangle - Lizzie Fortunato// Pom Pom Mules - Rachel Comey

Houston's Hidden Gem: Annu's

As promised, today's post presents the inside scoop on Annu's, a family owned business located just off the Katy Freeway that sells some of the most unique, authentic, and well-priced statement jewelry from India and South Asia. This is the exact type of place that gets me doing a happy dance jiggity jig on the inside (think "hello my baby, hello my honey" moves a la WB Frog), while trying to remain composed on the outside (so as to not give off the impression I'm about to rob the place). 

And because I'm feeling particularly bossay today, here are the dos and don'ts of visiting this hole-in-the-wall Indian treasure trove:

  • Do make a pit stop on your way to/from San Antonio or Austin or whatever wild wild Western town you're headed to/from - it's about 10 mins past the Ikea
  • Don't think you're in the wrong place when you hit a strip mall in the middle of no-man's land dubbed "Market Place Antiques" that is essentially a bunch of pop-up vintage shops under one roof (where my jewels at?!)
  • Do allow your eyes to widen when you look at the prices of most of the pieces (most less and some just a little over a hundo)
  • Don't be like their other loyal customers who have refused to tell their friends about the store (that's been around for 6+ years) out of fear their "oh this old thing?" secrets will be exposed (ra-huude)
  • Do marvel at the store owner's ability to give you the background info on each bead on every piece - from where they originated to how they were dyed to how uh-mazin' they look on you
  • Don't stress about not being able to leave work early to go see this to-good-to-be-true-exotic-emporium (they're only open Fri-Sun, my dears)
  • Do permit yourself to have a moment when you learn that everything they carry is inspired by Iris Apfel: she is the store owner's muse and a living testament to the fact you'll be wearing anything you buy for longer than you think
  • Don't delay - Annu's is currently having a Rodeo sale and everything is 30% off (say what?!)
  • Do invest in some statement pieces that could easily transform a black-on-black or white-on-white outfit into a show-stopping ensemble - funk. it. UP!

PS. Don't fret if you're not a local and can't see Annu's for yourself - they have an Instagram account and have been selling pieces to any who so inquire. 

 

Be the Bird of The Ball

Today officially marks the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Perhaps you're questioning whether you should trust this blog as a source of credible information - or perhaps the humid 86 degrees Houston weather is all the convincing you need (proof is in the puddin'). 

And while (if nothing else, trust me on this) I'm not one to welcome the coming of the so-hot-you-gotta-peel-your-thighs-off-the-car-seat temperature change, there are silver linings to this time of year. A big one being that it's finally seasonally appropriate to take some inspo from our feathered friends and dress like a flamingo (if you just said that to the tune of walk like an egyptian we are on the same page).

Fun fact (aren't I just full of 'em today) - it's somewhat of a mystery why flamingos stand on one leg. Just like there's no satisfactory explanation for this behavior, there should be no need to justify why you feel compelled to rock out with your frock out. So wear your pink plumage with pride and be the bird of the ball - zero shrimps given. 

Flamingo Earrings - Elizabeth Cole// Flamingo Dress - Silvia Tcherassi// Burst Earrings - Johanna Ortiz// Feather Heels - Topshop// Pink Jumpsuit - J.Crew// Clutch - Lizzie Fortunato// Pink Feather Earrings - Lizzie Fortunato// Pink Feather Top - Prada// Fringe Raffia Dress- Angel Chen// Flamingo Bracelet - Nach Bijoux

When Shotgun Willie & Noe Come to Town

Today's post is dedicated to the two men who will be clogging my brainwaves this weekend (sorray huzband) - Willie Nelson and Noe Perez (huh?).

Willie's playing at the Rodeo this afternoon - and I for one can't wait to see the 83 year old legend go to town. Riddle me this: is there anything more iconic than Willie's bandana headband? There ain't. So I styled my version of the bandana - which is really an embellished scarf necklace by Roarke NYC, an accessories brand co-founded by a fellow UVA alum (wahoo-wa, mamasitas) offering vibrant, beautiful and so-different-in-the-best-way hand beaded pieces. They're my go-to way to spice up an outfit without thinking and I'm positive Willie would approve (little cherry on top to the band of gypsies look we're both going for). 

On Thursday I went to a viewing of Noe Perez's latest collection: Allures of the Wild Horse Desert and the Colors of South Texas at William Reaves I Sarah Foltz Fine Art. As a non-native Texan who feels like she has spent a good chunk of her life looking outside the car window while riding southbound on US-59 (how much longer until Buc-ees?), I could immediately grasp what makes Noe's pieces so inviting. To the regular eye, they are beautiful landscapes (see a few below). But to the eye belonging to the worn and weary traveler who braved the bumpa-to-bumpa to make it to [insert name of South Texas destination here] by dinnertime, Noe's art captures that "five-hour-drive-was-totally-worth-it-why-don't-we-move-here-don't-ever-make-me-leave" feeling you get when its mid-Saturday and you're surrounded by friends, in the middle of no-cell-service land, in awe of how expansive and untouched and beautiful the Texas countryside can be. And to the eyes who actually grew up in the Wild Horse Dessert, the paintings are the backdrop of life as they know it - the pieces are the settings of childhood memories and the truest depictions of home.

I was able to briefly talk with Noe at the reception - about (yep, you guessed it) the Sunday Scaries. Although he isn't familiar with this term (as far as I know), Noe told me about his "regular" job as an engineer in Corpus Christi and how the highlight of his day is going home to his studio. But I nearly choked on my bacon-wrapped something when he said the dread of returning to the office on Monday gets him reeling with ideas on Sundays, which have become the day of inspiration (tell me about it, Stud). So there you have it - just like that, I've officially found my Sunday Scary spirit animal and he left me looking forward to tomorrow. 

Tribal Scarf Necklace - Roarke NYC// Chambray Top - Frame// Port Suede Pants - Rag & Bone// Chocolate Crocodile Mini Bag - Elizabeth Purpich// Suede Booties - Tecovas// Cowhide Bag - Elizabeth Purpich// Striped Top - Veronica Beard// Red Scarf Necklace - Roarke NYC// Green Suede Pants - Rag & Bone// Brown Cowboy Boots - Tecovas// Bandana Scarf Necklace - Roarke NYC// Off the Shoulder Denim Top - Intermix// Western Belt - Maison Boinet// Black Leather Pants - Rag & Bone// Black Crocodile Mini Bag - Elizabeth Purpich// Black Booties - Tecovas   

Leprechaun Chic

Is there even such a thing? Before answering that - let me enlighten you to the peculiar fun fact that there are no words for "yes" or "no" in the Irish language (that's like so totally blarney to me but whatevs). Instead, the Mac'Daddies and O'Doogles of the world typically respond with "I do/don't understand," "I would/wouldn't like," or "it is/it isn't."

So - for the sake of all things emerald and St. Patty's Day festive (R.I.P. St. Fratty's Day days of yore), to that I say (not in accent, since for some reason it's coming out very Borat-esque): I do believe it is possible to look like a fab while wearing all green, and I would (very much) like all the items pictured below. 

Jacket - Alix of Bohemia// Leather Pants - J Brand// Octopus Keychain - Min and Mon// Tassel Earrings - Hart// Metallic Bodysuit - Zara// Green Pants - Diane Von Furstenberg// Jewel Mules - Jeffrey Cambell// Emerald Earrings - Nicola Bathie// Crop Top - Selva Negra// Printed Pants - Etro// Sage Sandals - No 21// Rainbow Keychain - Edie Parker// Jumpsuit - Nookie Wood// Ombre Drop Earrings - Rebecca De Ravenel// Patent and Ruffle Sandals - Toga Pulla