Murder Mystery Valentine's Dinner

Nothing says "I Love You" on Valentine's Day like live death. This year, take your bloody valentine to see the Murder Mystery Players at Dave and Busters. It's an interactive, comedic theatrical experience that you won't soon forget. Be careful, you may even become one of the suspects!

Performance includes extended menu, hilarious comedy performance, Power Card, and lots of extras to make your Valentine feel special. Call for more details!

$49.99 PER PERSON

(not including tax/gratuity)

Saturday, February 14, 2009
Dave and Buster's

6010 Richmond Ave

Houston 77057

713-952-2233

7620 Katy Fwy

Houston 77024

713-263-9693

Valentine's Day Gifts

I'm so excited because I just figured out what I want to buy myself for Valentine's Day. One of Mia Sophia's ultra-feminine, romantic stained glass masterpieces. She creates so many beauties, I can't decide which I like the best? Check out her etsy site, and let me know which is your favorite. I'm leaning toward this little swallow...

Shecky's Girls Night Out Houston 2009!

It's that special time again! Shecky's Girls Night Out is coming back to Houston!!

Get your girls together, sip cocktails, enjoy complimentary manicures, hand massages and mini makeovers while you shop emerging designer fashions at fantabulous prices! It is such a blast, you don't want to miss it!

The general admission tickets are complimentary, and Shecky's Famous Goodie Bags, which I highly recommend, are just $25. (FYI...soon we will be having a giveaway for some free Goodie bags!)

WHERE: The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice
909 Texas Ave. (Between Travis & Main St.) Houston , TX 77022

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 4 – Thursday, Mar. 5th 5p.m. – 10p.m.

"What is Daisy" Giveaway Results!

Congratulations to Carrie!

She is the random winner of our "What is Daisy?" contest. Unfortunately we still aren't sure what Daisy is, but a prize is still in order. Miss Carrie will be receiving a lovely set of handmade note cards perfect for spring time correspondence. Thanks for playing everyone...I have a another fantastic giveaway coming up. Stay tuned..

RISTORANTE CAVOUR

Even if you aren't interested in an over night at the Hotel Granduca, you can still enjoy a romantic evening of "epicurean delight" at their signature Ristorante Cavour. Their chef David Denis, will be offering the following Valentine's Day Menu. Reservations Recommended 713.418.10008

Valentine’s Day Menu
February 14, 2009
$65 per person

Amuse Bouche
Confit de Canard en Strudel
Duck Confit Strudel with Huckleberry Marmalade

Appetizers
Risotto de Langouste aux Truffes
Lobster Risotto with Celery Root and Burgundy Black Truffles
or
Huîtres de la Côte Pacifique en Salade de Fenouil
Pacific Coast Oysters with a Sweet and Sour Fennel Salad,
Tarragon Vinaigrette

Entrées
Duo de Bœuf
Duo of Black Angus Beef Tenderloin and Glazed Short Ribs,
Fricassée of Jerusalem Artichokes
or
Loup de Mer au Chorizo Espagnol
Chilean Sea Bass on Risotto, Rosemary Porcini Broth,
Fricassée of Porcini and Spanish Chorizo

Dessert
Chocolat
Chocolate all the Way:
Panacotta, French Macaroon and Homemade Cherry Port Wine Ice Cream

Studio Movie Grill

Spend Valentine's Day at one of my favorite places in Houston. The Studio Movie Grill (which I visit at least once a week) will give you the Hollywood treatment this Valentine's Day with red carpet, live music, wine, roses, dinner and dessert. Definitely a fresh take on the stale dinner then a movie concept. Click here to RSVP.

HOW-TO: RETRO APPLIQUE PILLOW COVERS

I'm four days overdue and going INSANE!!! I have been keeping myself busy working on these pillows for the baby's room and they are finally done. I have never done applique like this before, so I had no idea how they would turn out, but I have to say that I am very happy with the result.



I started with two chartreuse pillow covers from IKEA. ($7.99 each)


A little sketch I did of the birdie pillow.


I sketched some patterns on cardboard for the bird pillow. The flower pillow I just cut out freehand.


I pulled some fabric from a bin that I keep of all the scraps from vintage dresses that I hem. There were some really fun retro prints that went with the colors in the room. I then traced the pattern on fabric and cut it out.



Next, I glued all the pieces in place with fabric tac.



I added some matching embroidery thread and buttons to finish off the project.

Houston Valentine's Day Kickoff

There are oodles and oodles of romantic options available in H-town this Valentine's Day. Between now and February 14th, I'm going to attempt to keep you posted on every last one that plops on my doorstep. To kick off this Valentine's Day Extravaganza, I have a luxurious getaway package at the Hotel Granduca.

Hotel Granduca is an amazing, old world Italy style environment, located on Uptown Park Boulevard near the Galleria (can we say Valentine's Day shopping??) Here is what is included in their 2009 Valentine's Day Package:

Deluxe Suite Accommodations
(Friday or Saturday evening, February 13th or 14th)
Champagne and Strawberries upon arrival
Bouquet of Signature Granduca Roses
Special Gift from Hotel Granduca
Romantic Three-Course Dinner for Two in Ristorante Cavour (Beverages and Gratuity not included)
Junior Suite Accommodations $525.00
One-Bedroom Suite Accommodations $585.00

Also included: Looking fabulous while lounging by their gorgeous pool, sipping a cocktail

For Reservations, contact Hotel Granduca 713.418.1000

Hello-Lucky Anniversary Party

Happy Birthday Hello-Lucky!

This Saturday January 24th, join Hello-Lucky in celebrating their 1 Year Anniversary. The party is from 6 - 9pm, and will be rockin' out with Dj Psychedelic Sex Panther, and a slammin' fashion show.

You can also see Hello-Lucky featured in the January "Green Issue" of 002mag , the December issue of Houston Modern Luxury p52, and inthe February issue of Lucky Magazine!


Hello-Lucky
1025 Studewood Street
Houston, TX 77008
713-864-3556
www.hello-lucky.com

Chanel Iman Covers Page Six

In this week’s Page Six Magazine – Named after legendary designer Coco Chanel, this hot young model is now blazing her own trail in the fashion world. Meet Chanel Iman, protégée of Tyra Banks and favorite of Galliano and McQueen, who is determined to shake things up with her vibrant personality, cheeky tattoos and modern attitude toward race. Here's some excerpts from her interview and below is some behind-the-scenes footage of her cover photo shoot...

On rumors she has been involved with Kanye West, rapper Tyga, and singer-producer Ryan Leslie: “I’m young and I’m dating. But I’m not gonna say any names. There are special people in my life but nothing serious. Just having a man in general is a job! I have one job; I can’t have a second. I’m the type of girl that if I have a man, I want to be a good girl-friend and be there for them and take care of them.”

On her close relationship with Tyra Banks: “She keeps it real. She tells it like it is. She’s really been a great mentor for me.”

On the rigors of working New York Fashion Week: “Honestly, I try to forget Fashion Week once it’s over. I just want to go home and rest and just forget I even did it. It could drive you crazy! It’s just show after show after show, and you’re missing your family and they feel really far away. You don’t go to sleep. You work for a month. You spend all this time trying on clothes… what drives me the most crazy is people touching me all the time. That does get weird.”

On how she ended up naming her Maltese “Louis Dior”: “I really loved working with [Dior designer] John Galliano—he’s so amazing. He actually let me name my dog Dior. I asked him! Right after I bought my puppy, I flew to Paris and John was the first designer that I saw. So I was like, ‘Hey, I don’t have a name for my puppy, so is it OK, John, if I name him Dior?’ He said, ‘It would be my honor.’ So I took a picture of me and my dog and sent it to him. He loved it.”

On her frustrations at the difficulties that models of color face in the industry: “It’s not just black girls. It’s ethnic girls in general: Brazilian girls, Hispanic. You really don’t see a lot of Asians either. A lot of designers think that if every girl on the runway looks exactly alike, then people will come to the shows and buy the clothes because they won’t be focusing on the models….It’s not even just runway either... us ethnic girls should be getting a lot of the covers too! I would love to be on half of the campaigns these [white] girls are booking, all looking exactly alike. It’s not right. It’s not fair.”

Michelle Obama Inaugural Dress for LESS

Loving the First Lady's white Jason Wu one-shoulder gown! Did you love it or hate it? Leave your comment below.


These are the closest copy cats I've found so far (I know, they aren't quite the same) from Chadwicks and edressme.com. I'll post more as I find them!

Spiegel just sent out an email of Michelle's look for less. Here are some of their highlights.

Doggy DNA Results

Though the results are in, "What is Daisy" has still not been answered 100%. According to the results.....
Daisy is....

...a Cocker Spaniel?????

Huh? Well, I was willing to take the results at face value, but Daisy's other family members have convinced the scientists at the lab that a mistake may have been made. It's back to the drawing board to retest the blood, so the saga continues. Although nobody guessed cocker, there will still be a give away. I will be using a random number generator based on comment number to find a winner, and will announce them soon. Hooray!!!

Michelle Obama's Inauguration Dress

The night of the election, I threw up a small post about Michelle Obama's black and red fade dress. On the following day, Houston's Weekly Chic received 2,000 hits within 24 hrs, and continues to get hits every day. It was insane. Everybody from Iowa to India was googling the future first ladies' dress. Since this is obviously a popular topic, I thought I'd keep the train chugging along through the inauguration. So what do you think she should wear? I love the blue Michael Kors show on the Shine website, and here are some of my other favorites...

Absinthe

It's been a while since I've mentioned any Houston nightlife hot spots, but I have found one worthy. I originally visited there couple of years ago, but after revisiting the other night, I knew blogging must occur. It is called the Absinthe Restaurant and Lounge, and it is one of my happy places. It's a very dark, intimate bar with amazing food (the gourmet pizza's are my favorite), warm cozy ambiance, and knock out cocktails. And yes, they do serve the green fairy...if you dare. They have tons of cushy couches, which totally rock because you feel like you're just hanging out in your stylish friend's living room. I should also note that this would be a perfect after hours spot if you are on a hot date. However, if you and your date drink the absinthe, I cannot be accountable for your actions. Check it out and let me know what you think!

609 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-7575

GOLDEN GLOBE DRESS REVIEW

***************MY FAVORITES***************


Freida Pinto, in Christian Lacroix. I am obsessed with the color chartreuse lately. I wish I could find this fabric because I really need it for my Baby's room!


Rumer Willis, in Reem Acra. I love this wine colored gown, though I could have done without the belt.


Evan Rachel Wood, in vintage Elie Saab. Usually black is boring, but the textures and tiers make this dress interesting and surprisingly do not add unnecessary pounds.


Elizabeth Banks, in J. Mendel. This nude number has ultra flattering lines, perfect decoltage and sweeping hemline.


Drew Barrymore, in Dior. Though it reminds me a bit of one of those pastel colored q-tips or cotton balls, I love the retro risk that Drew took with this one. I think she pulls it off fabulously!

**************MY LEAST FAVORITES***************


Renée Zellweger, in Carolina Herrera. I don't know how Renee made it out of the house without someone telling her that her dress was on backwards!


Eva Mendes, in Christian Dior. Would have been nice if the bow wasn't so large. She looks like she might tip over!


Jennifer Lopez, in Marchesa. She already wore a shorter version of this dress in green. Live in the now!


Cameron Diaz, in Chanel. It looks like someone spit their gum out to make this dress...and what is happening with the grown out highlights?


Heidi Klum. If she is pregnant, I might let this one slide, but I scoured the internet and found no evidence thus far. There is no greater faux pas then looking pregnant when you aren't. Only time will tell.

Doggy DNA

WHAT KIND OF DOG IS DAISY?

Promise not to laugh? I had a DNA test done on my beautiful mutt Daisy. That's right, get Maury Povich on the phone, it's doggy DNA. The vet takes a blood sample, and sends it to a lab for a Wisdom Panel mixed breed analysis . A few weeks later, they unlock one of our very own mysteries of the universe. People constantly ask us what she is, and we just had find out.

So what do YOU think she might be? To be eligible, just guess 1 predominant breed, and leave it for us as a comment. Be sure to check back, because the winner might actually get a little prize. Correct answer will be announced January 19th!

Fall Photoshoot

I finally got the pictures from the fall photoshoot. We had a blast doing this shoot and the pictures came out great. Thank you to the following people:

Casey Lum- for organizing the entire thing! You are amazing! www.stylistcaseylum.com

Natalie Linh- photographer, natalielinh.com

Cassie Lyons- make-up, see more of her work

Katie Morton- model

Emma Burns- model, see more of her work

Pictures can also be viewed in the gallery at trend-fashion-today.com