Houston New Year's 2009: Murder Mystery

If you are tired of the same old boring New Year's Eve (screw you Ryan Seacrest!!), why not spice it up with a little live death? Dave and Buster's is hosting a wild New Year's murder mystery dinner with champagne, a DJ, and a power card so you can play games afterward.

The Murder Mystery Players are a group of highly trained comedic improv actors that always make the audience the star of the show. Their antics will keep you rolling in the aisles with or without your champagne. Ticket info. is below. See you there!

$65.00 PER PERSON!

(Does not include tax and gratuity. )
Dave& Buster's

6010 Richmond Ave

7620 Katy Frwy #100

Call: 713-952-2233 (Richmond) or

713-263-9693 (Katy Frwy) for prices and info

The Bee's Knees

Even if you were blessed with glowing, flawless skin, cold winter weather and dry heat can wreak havoc on your visage. This my friends, is the solution. Burts Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser. I'm sorry if I sound like a commercial, but this stuff is the BOMB diggity. It ridiculously moisturizes, is 100% natural, and smells like a fresh cut Florida orange. I'm fairly sure it comes from the God's...or just Burt. Either way, I'd like to shake Mr. Burt's hand. Well done sir, well done.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, we sure did!


It took about 20 tries to get this picture right. I am not too good with the timer and am so picky about how I look in pictures these days. Depending on the angle, I can look 20 pounds lighter or heavier.


I love sitting on Jeff's lap, but I think he will be happy when I don't weigh almost as much as him anymore!


Our favorite activity lately has been seeing how many things we can balance on my baby belly at one time. I can't wait to meet my daughter, but I am keeping busy with silly games in the meantime. :)

Merry Christmas!!

From our (bizarre) furry family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Oh Deer...so much wrapping!

Instead of buying 20 different colors/patterns of wrapping paper this year like I normally do (with at least 30 different types of ribbon), I decided to pare down and simplify. After aimlessly wandering Michaels for 20 minutes, I bought:

• white craft paper
• brown craft paper
• raffia -just plain old naturally colored raffia

Still a little bit plain for my taste, so I bought some totally adorable gift tags from Dallas and VOILA...presents that look like they came out of a magazine. My friends and family are out of luck because I'm thinking about keeping them. I don't want the gifts inside, I just want to save them to decorate my house next year.

Etsy Treasury

Okay, so just for funzies, I created an Etsy treasury called "Hot in Houston". Not the most creative name, but c'mon I was in a hurry. It is made up of some of my favorite pieces created by our wondeful local artists. Go see the treasury and tell me which one is your favorite!

Another must have item for my baby's room is an owl shaped pillow! Here are a few that I am considering after an extensive Etsy search. Maybe I'll even make my own in my spare time. :)

From Pretty Lil Things

From Joo Sweetie


From Pinch Face



From The Small Woods



From Manic Muffin Totes


From Cuore



From Zemphira

So, I have about a month until my due date and the insomnia has really set in. Luckily, I have Etsy searches to keep me busy. I have been looking for something to hang on the baby's wall and I just came across this shop, Icing On The Cupcake. Here are some of the adorable prints they have!

Nooks and Crackers...er Crannies

Just wanted to give a BIG thank you to one of my fellow organizers, Janine Godwin, for giving Houston's Weekly Chic such a super sweet write up on her (highly entertaining) Nooks and Crannies blog. Whenever you need some helpful information/advice along with a pinch of wit and a dash of sarcastic humor, go check it out. She's a trip. Thanks Janine!

Wondering what I have been up to lately? I have been busy preparing for the baby's arrival! I had my final baby shower on Saturday and on Sunday I had a big Salvage Life Sale at my house. This will probably be the last sale for awhile. Let's see...what else?...setting up the baby's room, selling furniture we no longer need on Craig's List, clearing some of my clothes out of the closet in the baby's room, getting massages and Chiropractic adjustments for my increasingly painful back, going through baby hand-me-downs from family and friends, doing extra photo shoots and stocking up on merchandise so my business can make it through the newborn stage, and waddling my way through the mall to find Christmas presents.


My favorite three-layer dip from Trader Joe's. Sun-tomato, Pesto and Cream Cheese. How cute are those star crackers?


Pinwheels! Cream cheese, ham and green onions wrapped in a flour tortilla and sliced up. The other version has olives and bell peppers, Delicious!


Pretty centerpieces!


The cake was made of cupcakes and had the cutest little baby made of fondant on top.


My mom gave me a box of my baby things and I absolutely love this sailor dress! i can't wait for her to wear it!


My Grandma got me the travel system (stroller and car seat) that I registered for.


My sister Amy got me the most adorable white faux fur coat for her to wear next winter.


Me and my dear cousin Joan!

Salvage Life Christmas Party and Sale

Here are some pics of the merchandise set up at my home for the Christmas Party and Sale I had on Sunday.

Happy Birthday Peace!

The iconic peace sign is about to turn 50. Dimensions is the only place (that I know about) giving it a formal Birthday party of all shapes and sizes. So lets go eat some proverbial cake! Some of the peace loving brands you will find celebrating at Dimensions are Awake, Twisted Heart and Lisa Freede.

"From tie-dye to stripes and scarves to stone, there is peace at last at Dimensions. "

I guess being over the hill isn't so bad when you are a sign.

6100 Westheimer, just west of the Galleria.

Monday through Friday, 10am – 6:30pm

Saturday, 10am – 6pm.

Now it's Obama's Turn... What shall he wear to his Inauguration?

Richard James Savile Row look for evening

Sean John look for evening

Salvatore Ferragamo look for day

Nautica look for evening

A Tommy Hilfiger look for day

A Countess Mara tie

With all the focus on what Michelle wore or should wear, both during the campaign and her anticipated outfit for the inauguration, we can be forgiven for forgetting what the President-elect should wear. Luckily some of the world's most adored menswear designer are on the ball. WWD.com has exclusive sketches from designers ranging from Salvatore Ferragamo to Sean John. See the slideshoe below for all the sketches of day and evening looks plus some snazzy ties. My picks are above.

Russo's Best Pizza in Houston

No seriously...it is. I'm far from being a food critic, but if there is any food I know well, it is the pizza pie. I can't believe it has taken me so long to write about Russo's Coal Fired Pizza. They are the first coal-fired pizza oven in Houston, and the results are amazing. A slightly charred crispy crust with a wide range of topping choices. Oh man my mouth is watering. They are located off of 290 at Hwy 6, but believe me, it is worth the drive.

19817 Northwest Freeway

Houston, TX 77065

(281) 477-6002

Crap-Free Christmas

"He recycled this gift! He's a regifter!" -Elaine Benes

As you conquer your Christmas list, give your favorite people gifts that won't be just another piece of crap laying around cluttering up their home (the aramotherapy alarm clock zen rock fountain seemed like a great gift at the time...). Here are some of my favorite crap-free ideas:

Yummy "of-the-month" clubs - Fruit of the month, Wine of the month, beer, cheese, ham, farm animals...whatever makes the receiver happy.

Gift wrap an experience - instead buying the newest high price electronic item, put that money toward a getaway vacation. That new iMac will be obsolete in a few years, but those vacation memories will never die.

Give the gift of culture - tickets to a movie, theatre, art gallery, opera, museum OR any sporting event

Consumable Gift Certificates - Dinner date for 2, Starbucks, Smoothie Shops, or favorite restaurants...not to be confused with actually eating the certificate.

Adopt an animal from the Houston Zoo or a beautiful Florida Manatee

Donate to a charity that the receiver is passionate about

Monthly Bill Relief - if they are a really good friend, take on one of their annoying monthly bills, or give them a monthly luxury (lawn moving services, housekeeping, babysitting, gas, dry-cleaning, car wash, gym membership, or grocery gift cards)

Cyperspace - gift card to iTunes, Netflix, or an online magazine

Spa Treatments - massage, facial, mani/pedi. ATTENTION ALL MEN: you can never go wrong with this one.

Invest - Savings Bonds, stocks, etc.

Hire a professional organizer...ya know..to help them get rid of the crap they get from other people

A Berry Merry Christmas

It isn't too late to get those holiday cards out to all of your favorite friends. Take advantage of A Punkin Card Company's fantastic holiday sale. Save 40% off your entire etsy order when you use the promo code "holiday40" in the message to seller and receive a refund through Paypal. Here are some of her beauties...

Everything I (should) Know About Being a Hostess, I (could have easily) Learned From my Mom

No matter when I visit my parent's home in Maryland, it always feels like I'm on a weekend getaway at a resort, or a cozy bed and breakfast. I realized this past Thanksgiving, that flying home gives me the warm fuzzies because of my Mother's impeccable skills as a hostess. So this past visit, I took notes. Here are 8 ways my Mom (and Dad too) taught me to be a hostess with the mostess to overnight guests any time of year.

1. Fresh flowers on their bedside table - beautiful, simple, and because they have to be purchased or picked recently, they show your guest how important they are to you.

2. Lots of healthy snacks that the guests can help themselves to without asking. Mom always has this amazing black bean salsa, cheese and crackers, and a variety of veggies in the fridge.

3. Workout facility - This is a major luxury, but a simple treadmill or directions to the nearest park will do. My husband's Texan blood can't handle running outside in weather below 70 degrees, so my parents treadmill is much appreciated.

4. An assortment of spa worthy toiletries in the guest's water closet make them feel especially pampered.

5. Provide bulky necessities - It's super helpful to have items such as a hair dryer, flat iron, bathrobe or a fresh pair of slippers that may be too awkward to pack. Just be sure to give your guest the heads up several days before their visit.

6. Guest room entertainment - Magazines, catalogs, popular novels, TV, anything that gives them private entertainment. It also gives them unspoken permission to enjoy some alone time on their vacation.

7. An assortment of breakfast choices - one morning we woke up to the options of Dad's amazing egg muffins, fruit, Cinnabons, blue berry muffins, and cereal. Though my Mom always has a ridiculous amount of food, a couple of low-maintenance choices are helpful for your guest.

8. Small gift or sentiment in their room - My mom often leaves newspaper clippings that she knows might interest me, a box of chocolates, or favors from a recent wedding or baby shower that I might have missed. An ex-boyfriend's Mom once left a bath and body set on my bed presented on a silver platter. I felt so special!

What are some of the fantastic ways that you pamper your guests?