Christmas Boutique at the Houston Country Club!

The Christmas Boutique held at the Houston Country Club and invited by Michele B and I was told it was supposed to be like the Nutcracker Market, to which I was about to decline, but I heard it was supposed to be a really exclusive thing, much better than the Nutcracker Market and since Michele was inviting me and Angela, I decided to go.  Wow, was it better...much than the Nutcracker Market!  Much smaller in scale, but much better.


But before I go into detail about the boutique, check out the invitation.  Wow...interesting...

Lorraine Abercrombie decorate these trees!  They were like Christmas trees on sterioids!  I can't believe she did this, it was really nice and every inch of each tree was covered!

 Nice spread, I know, but amazingly I had only a small plate and was full.

This is a really bad photo, but I really liked the way this tree was decroated.  It had hydrangea, burlap bags, very simple, very French Country, totally my style. 

Maybe 50-60 booths in all.  I found several booths I liked, pictures below of my favorite things.

Sorry, shots overexposed and you can't see the detail.  I thought this diamond and gold pretzel necklace was so quirky and fun, $600.  These crosses were really nice too, I think my friend Rebecca has a similar cross to the one on the right, $300 or 400 something, I forget.  The one in the middle was cute too, diamonds were not full diamonds, I'm not sure how to describe it, you see a lot of the gold, less diamond, $500 something.  You can't see the size, but they were all very dainty, very small, probably less than half an inch.

I really liked these too.  They were very small and dainty.  The S of course.  They can do it in gold too.

I thought this was cute too, gold and small diamonds.

Shelter Wade Jewelers

7373 Broadway, Suite 106

San Antonio, TX 78209

I didn't want to look like a freak and take a photo of everything I liked.  But, I got business cards!  So if you need a baby shop, oh my gosh, they had such cute stuff! 

Itsy Bitsy Boutique
Susan Watt
3414 Eastside St
Houston, TX 77098
theitsybitsyboutique.com

Perriberri
2805 Bee Caves Rd, Suite 414
Austin, TX 78746
perriberri.com
coupon code: Holiday15 (offer expires 12/15/2010)


I did purchase some toffee, sooo good.  Enough in this package to share with a host of folks.  Too much for one person for sure.

Out of the Oven
Sheri T. Farmer
2380 Tammy Drive
Sulphur, LA 70663

They deliver!  Ok, that's enough for this entry.  Happy Shopping!

Sonoma Wine Bar

If you haven't been to Sonoma Wine Bar off of Richmond near Kirby, you are missing out on one of the nicest wine bars in Houston.  It's very dark inside from the lighting to the rich colors, feels very masculine, but has feminine touches like little chandeliers over the booths.  Right now is a nice time to go, they have the fireplace lit, it's even cozier.  Feels like a lodge somewhere in the mountains.  Great atmosphere.

A pretty decent wine list, but I have to say, I know I'm not the most educated on wine, but I'm not completely in the dark either.  The wine list, I recognize very few brands.  This day I had the Bodegas Carchelo Cab, which i liked.  The food here is pretty darn good too.  The pizzas (pause) very good.  Here with the girls...or also great place for a date or a small group.

Sonoma

(713) 526-9463

http://www.sonomahouston.com/

2720 Richmond Ave, 1 block West of Kirby

Houston, TX 77098, United States

The Gym on Thanksgiving Day...

crickets
--
Soo Kim
sooandthecity.com

the Counter

The Counter off of Washington, near Shepherd...finally, I visit.  So I'm not really craving a burger, but this place has been on my to do list for so long, quite frankly I just wanted to scratch it off.  Building your own burger kind of places don't really appeal to me so much.  I visualize skimpy patties, lots of fixings, fast food, mediocre atmosphere, not a sit down and chat with your company kind of place.

OG and I walk in and the place is packed.  Clean, modern, seating in booths, tables, at the bar, and outside.  We decide to sit at the counter, my favorite spot in a restaurant.  I forget our server/bartender's name, but she's super friendly and nice.  She places these narrow clipboards in front of us, explains the process, we quickly order the sweet potato fries, while we finish ordering. 

You pick your type of meat (beef, chicken, turkey, veggie, etc), size is based on how it looks after it's been cooked and shrunken is the size quoted.  The 1/3 was plenty for me, OG got the 1/3 too, but they accidentally made him a 2/3 patty, view photo below.  Pick your fixings, sauce and bun.  They even have an english muffin.

Kind of fun.

Here's our lady server/bartender.

Look at this spread of our yummy sweet potato fries.  It doesn't look very big here, but when it came out, I thought it was a generous portion.  It's enough for two.  Tip, don't have the fries come out immediately bc you'll devour them all and have nothing to eat with your burger.  The sweet potato fries are slightly wide and crispy and they come with this creamy dipping sauce.  I had mine with ketchup and mustard, so good, try it.  I thought the fries were very good.

Right out this window is an unfinished parking lot.  Don't park there, they will tow, which is what they were doing while we were sitting here watching the commotion and getting the attention of everyone in the restaurant and the ones running out to save their cars.

I'm a classic burger kind of girl, not into all the fancy fixings.  I ordered the beef, 1/3, tomatoes, dill pickle chips, lettuce blend, on a multigrain bun with mustard and ketchup.  I was sure it was going to be like 5 Guys Burger and Fries, but the beef was very tasty.  I thought it was pretty good.

OG got the beef, accidental 2/3 patty, onions, tomoatoes, jalapenos, lettuce blend, white bun.  He said his was tasty as well.

Wine/beer list, not a huge selection, but they do have a decent list of your major beers.  I think the food is better than 5 Guys Burgers and Fries, which isn't saying much I know, since I don't think much of 5 Guys.  But I do actually think the Counter was good, not as good as Tiny's Boxwood's burgers, but good.  I actually think it's a pretty tasty burger and will probably be a returning patron.  Ok, that's all, over and out.

The Counter Houston

4601 Washington Avenue
Houston TX 77007

OPEN DAILY  

Sunday-Wednesday
Thursday-Saturday 11am-10pm
11am-Midnight

http://www.thecounterburger.com/HoustonTX/

Randy's Rugs

I may be published again in Papercity!  Probably December issue for the opening of Randy Twaddle Rugs at Carol Piper's Rugs in River Oaks Shopping Square.



My client and local celebrity, Randy Twaddle...I'm bragging, I know and I love it!



Artist/designer together with Carol Piper Rugs brings this collection of Randy Twaddle Rugs.  



Originally created for his own living room, now a collection of seven transformer rugs.  Unique, fun, creative, interesting, and just good looking designer rugs.



For more information on Randy or his collection, go to randytwaddle.com

Adopt Jack!

Jack from Bustersfriends.org. Only his back legs are still active. They say he can really take off once he gets going.  He's so sweet.  Someone adopt him!

New Listing 4/2 Updated Bungalow (Woodland Heights)

Oh my wow, do I have a new listing.  One of my most favorite clients!  This couple client in particular, so artsy and creative, fun and laid back.  Qualities you see in the home as well.  This is a very unique home, sleek and modern, smart, clean, super fun and is an expanded bungalow in Woodland Heights! 



Standing seam, energy-efficient metal reflective roof.



Minimalist design



This is a chalkboard wall, how cool is that?!



Neat bridge from the old bungalow to the new expansion where breakfast, coffee, reading, chatting, staring out into the sea of green and blue sky happens.



Is this a cool room or what?  First floor dark hardwoods, floor going up light hardwoods.  Lots of uniquely designed windows, sunlight, space, surround sound, custom built-in banquette, shelves, and storage drawers.



Fourth bedroom, currently used as a studio.  Super neat space.



Small deck off of studio room, Brazilian slated wood.



Third bedroom, super spacious, lots of light, neat window, cool cool cool room.



Master suite located on the second floor, light, airy, high ceilings with built-in bookshelves.



Fresh, sleek, modern, light light light!



Large deck off of breakfast bridge, Brazilian slated wood.  Yes, this is also zoned for Travis Elementary, it's 1924 sf, on a 5000 sf lot, $549,00.  This house has one requirement, new owners must be cool.  ;)

Call me for more information or if you’d like to see it!

S O O K I M
ABR, CNE
Greenwood King Properties
1801 Heights Blvd
Houston, Texas 77008
832-476-4114 office
832-545-0849 mobile
713-521-6814 fax

Crudeness

That's just so foul

I'm Published Again...in 002 Magazine ;)

...in the November 2010 issue :)

Ruggles Green (City Centre)

Reb, Justy and I decide to go to Ruggles Green City Centre for dessert.  By the way, City Centre is so awsome, I think I'd be there everyday if I lived on this side of town.  It's like a little bubble city...such a fun place, so much to do, and easy on the eyes.



So, we walk in and the interior is much different from W Alabama location.  Much trendier, greener and cozier. We came for desserts, so I'm not sure if the food is different from the W. Alabama location, probably the same.  We got the Apple Pie with ice cream and I got a cappuccino...both not very good.  But, the staff is super nice and friendly, always a good thing and the interior is comfortable, nice booths.  The food I'll have to try next time...over and out.

New Listing 3/2 Bungalow (Woodland Heights)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!  I have a new listing!  This is such a nice buy for someone that wants a house with a good size space in a great location.   It's a 3/2 in WOODLAND HEIGHTS!  Yes, that means it is zoned for Travis Elementary!  Exemplary, Magnet, THE elementary school in all of Heights.  It's like the Harvard of elementary schools in the Heights.  Can't say that on HAR, but this is my blog so I can say whatever I want! 

It's 1429 sf, lot is 5000 sf, but it's on a corner lot, so it feels bigger.  It's actually a really ideal layout.  All rooms on one side, with master in the back.  Living in the front, opens into dining, next to oversized kitchen with utility room in the center of the house between the rooms and the kitchen.  Also has a mud room!  How perfect is that?!!  Great for someone that wants to do some renovations to a house that has good bones.  Very clean, well maintained, great buy!





Call me for more information or if you'd like to see it!

S O O K I M
ABR*
Greenwood King Properties
1801 Heights Blvd
Houston, Texas 77008
832-476-4114 office
832-545-0849 mobile
713-521-6814 fax

Sprinkles Dark Chocolate

This is usually my favorite cupcake at Sprinkles, today, it's the worst cupcake of my life!  Ok, I'm being dramatic, but really it didn't taste very good and I can't believe they packaged this cupcake the way it looked. The paper was completely separated from the cake like someone had opened it, changed their mind and put it in MY bag. I don't think they care so much about customer satisfaction. I don't think Celebrity Cupcakes would ever serve such an embarrassing cupcake. I know, it's crazy how opinionated I am!

SushiPop (Memorial/Bunker Hill)

The new SushiPop in the HEB shopping center at the Memorial City epicenter off of Bunker Hill has arrived.  The same owners of the Fish, owners Michael Collins (the Fish) and Syndi Ong bring you a new idea, counter service quality sushi.  Decor is clean, minimal and contemporary.





Mike and the sushi chefs here whipping up your sushi rolls or combinations after you order.



The busy, hopsitable and part owner Syndi, serving us while greeting guests and squeezing in a toast.



Sorry forgot to photo the food again.  The fish is good, I liked it.  We ordered salmon, tuna, yellow tail sushi, and a bunch of other stuff I don't know what they were, as well as beef udon.  I liked it all.  Try the jalapeno roll, it was so good!



Food in the belly.





Cute wall art.



Very appropriate japanese-like super advance hand dryer.  Seriously, it took like 1 second and my hands were dry.



You put-ta han-za in da da-ry-ya



Definitely go, try it, they have coupons too!  Groupon coming up soon.

9770 Katy Freeway, Ste 100, Houston, TX 77055

Tel 713.935.0P0P (0707) | Fax 713.935.0708

Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 10 pm

http://sushipop.us.com/