Americana

I can't resist a smile when it's 4th of July weekend and flags are all over people's lawns. Why don't they do it all the time... and here I am hoping they'll go on sale now that it's over. Happy 4th of July.

Twirl x Kate Spade.

Written by Jess. Posted on September 03 | 10. Filed under Cravings, Entertainment, Music, Shopping. No comments.

Have you smelled twirl, the new Kate Spade fragrance? I haven't, but it has notes of jasmine so I'm pretty sure it's divine. From the site:

  • pink watermelon mingles with blackberry and red currant
  • enhanced with a heart of fresh flowers including orange blossom, star jasmine, tiare flower and sweet magnolia
  • finished with luminous musks and a touch of french macaron (straight from the patisserie, of course)

They've created a lovely mix to twirl to in conjunction with its' release. Go get it. (free).

And while you're there, drool over these ahhmazing sparkling shoes. Yes, please.

Hotel Stay: HOTEL SORELLA

Written by Jess. Posted on September 01 | 10. Filed under Americana, Entertainment, Interiors + Home Decor, Two Things. Tagged , , . No comments.

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TWO THINGS: Second thing. This past weekend was one of the best ever. Friday was Steven and my 6 year anniversary--our last "dating" anniversary to celebrate because the count will go back to zero when we get married! AND Saturday I went WEDDING DRESS shopping!! And then after that Steven and I travelled a really long two-minutes to Hotel Sorella in CityCentre for an in-town getaway. We lounged at the pool both days and ate a fancy-schmancy dinner at Eddie V's. Jesse Dayton was playing at Monnalisa Bar but we both had food hang-overs and didn't make it. Sad face. The Platters - My PrayerI ate breakfast twice on Sunday and took full advantage of all-day Katz's coffee!

I'd like to recommend Hotel Sorella to our friends and family that will be traveling to Houston from out-of-town for our wedding---located in our 'hood in Memorial at CityCentre, Sorella is the epicenter of various restaurants, cafes, shopping, Studio Movie Grill (we're there every week) and more which are tightly wound up so there's no long-distance walking. It's right at I-10 and the Beltway so you've got extremely easy access to all of Houston from this very spot, to get to our wedding venue would take about 20-30 minutes.

Hotel Sorella is a warm, contemporary space with super comfortable beds + linens, modern furnishings, amazing views-- but the best feature is its' location. If you want to walk there are a ton of options: the pool is on Monnalisa's 2nd-level patio which is above The Yardhouse, adjacent to Bistro Alex, overlooks Straits and Ruggles Green--those are just the places that are THISCLOSE. A few steps farther and you've got Anthropologie, Studio Movie Grill, Cafe Rose, RA Sushi, Brio Tuscan, Chipolte and Jamba Juice!  There's always something going on, like farmers markets or dog parties in the park--we love it here, and this is our favorite hotel we've ever stayed at in Houston.

❤ WE ARE OWLS CAMILLA SCARF

Written by Jess. Posted on August 31 | 10. Filed under Cravings, Entertainment, Fashion. No comments.

R29 GIVEAWAYWant to get all wrapped up? Refinery29 is giving you the chance to be the first kid on the block to rock We Are Owls' enchantingly haunting creations—one lucky reader will win their signature Camilla Scarf in antique white (and you thought skulls were out!). Just tell them what you'd rock the must-have accessory with on their Facebookpage (inspiration photos count, too!)…their fave answer scores the scarf!

HERE'S MY ENTRY... fingers crossed a friend of mine wins (or me!)

❤ WE ARE OWLS CAMILLA SCARF

❤ WE ARE OWLS CAMILLA SCARF by henryd featuring bangle bracelet jewelry

His v-neck t
$29 - calypso-celle.com
V neck tops »

Lace balconette bra
$84 - net-a-porter.com
Lace bra »

Hello Define
hellodefine.com


Hotel Stay: the MOONRISE

Written by Jess. Posted on August 30 | 10. Filed under Americana, Entertainment, Interiors + Home Decor, Two Things. Tagged , . No comments.

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TWO THINGS! Two fabulous hotels in one month--August has been such fun this year! First up is the Moonrise Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri where Steven and I stayed August 6th. You may remember this post about our trip. I loved all the ultra-outerspacey modern design--classic midcentury furniture (chairs especially) bring you back to a time when space travel was new and futurism ruled--also loved the bright blue hallways that were dark and felt like walking on the moon! The proximity of the Moonrise to all kinds of great eating, shopping and entertainment is wonderful--we cruised around the area on Saturday morning eating breakfast at Meshugga Cafe, walking a couple miles on Delmar and going into Good Works furniture where we were tempted to buy a new sofa and ship back to Texas--the staff is super friendly and helpful here! We then walked pretty far for two ex-college-campus-walking kids to Forest Park... on the way we were yelled at by an angry cyclist who we supposedly were in the way of while crossing the road!! At the boathouse you can rent kayaks, paddle boats and row boats; we took the paddle boat through the park and it was the most freaking fun ever--the ride climaxes at Art Hill around the fountains, it's beautiful there!

I definitely recommend staying at the Moonrise if you're in St. Louis... it was a beautifully out-of-this-world hotel! VISIT: http://moonrisehotel.com


A Super Flip.

Written by Jess. Posted on August 27 | 10. Filed under Uncategorized. Tagged , . No comments.

Most of you guys know that Steven flips cars. You know, like Jeff Lewis flips houses? Here's a peek at his newest acquisition... it's a work in progress and I'll let him update you on all the details sometime soon!

We Live Here But We’re Sightseers.

Written by Jess. Posted on August 27 | 10. Filed under Entertainment, Music. No comments.

Here's a song I love to listen to and sing, especially on Fridays...

UNDER THE ROTUNDA x the LUCKSMITHS

It’s already Friday
And soon it’ll be Friday night
And if you’ve got something planned
I suppose I’ll understand
But give me half an hour
And I’ll meet you in the gardens
I’ll probably be waiting under the rotunda if it’s raining
And somewhere near the see-saws if it’s not

We can wander round the football ground
As the sun sets on the grandstand
If it gets a little cold there
We can hold hands in the goal square
It’s getting dark and baby don’t the shops shine bright
I’ve been here for hours
I can’t see the florist for the flowers
And I can’t see the point in hanging around

I know we’ve done all this before
But once more won’t hurt
So let’s do it once more
Bereft of ideas
We live here but we’re sightseers

Somewhere over the railway line
There’s a light on in your loungeroom
Do you remember when I found you fast asleep?
You were so slow to your feet
I didn’t mean to yell
It’s just that I’m a little jealous
‘Cause you can do the Rubik’s Cube and I can’t

I relied on blind faith and dumb luck
But eventually the stickers came unstuck

I know we’ve done all this before
But once more won’t hurt
So let’s do it once more
Bereft of ideas
We live here but we’re sightseers

Lady Love. TWO.

Written by Jess. Posted on August 20 | 10. Filed under Fashion, Ladies. Tagged . No comments.

The problem with Scandinavia is that all the girls are gorgeous, tan and experts at minimalism without lacking luster. For the second installment I introduce you ladies and gentlemen to Swedish darling Victoria Törnegren.

If her long, blonde loose curls and magical way with the monochromatic don't cause you crushing too, then I don't know what the hell is wrong with you.

Need a translator?

Lady Love.

Written by Jess. Posted on August 20 | 10. Filed under Fashion, Ladies. No comments.

Girl crushes are easy enough to manage. That's why it's completely necessary for me to start letting you guys in on mine. Consider this series my high-school locker full of real-life lovely ladies.

Number ONE. The most adorable, gorgeous girl on the web, she's been blogging since she was like 14 and always shows up looking amazing. Here's Lisa Olsson of LisaPlace --she's a brunette, bronze beauty with some serious fashion sense. She takes brilliant photographs and is a model + cheerleader. She's not afraid to be silly. I've followed her blog since I was in college-- I really want to go to Sweden, don't you?

Need a translator?

Slang Bracelets.

Written by Jess. Posted on August 18 | 10. Filed under Fashion, Jewelry. 1 Comment.

Too bad there's not one that says "dollhouse". HA that's what we used to say.

Slang Bracelets $18

Back to School for Grown-Ups

Written by Jess. Posted on August 18 | 10. Filed under Americana, Shopping. 1 Comment.

Growing up, back-to-school shopping was one of the most exciting things, ever. Not only did you get about 27 new outfits, but there was also the school supplies list that meant you had to get those 4 boxes of kleenex and wide-ruled notebook paper packs (even though you preferred college-ruled).

It's strange when you graduate from high school and are never given this opportunity again--unless you're planning on having children of your own one day to take BTS shopping (I am, just for that reason alone... Yes, I am being facetious). Here's what I want right now, going back to school not required.

**I'm not going to buy that wooden box for myself, it's probably going to have Amanda's heart!!

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