Korean Festival Today!

At the Discovery Green! Beautiful day to go!

Hermann Park!

We were attempting to go to the Pinewood Cafe at Hermann Park, but they were closed.  Instead, we walked around, ate ice cream and sat on some grass.  I have never walked around Hermann Park and it's a great place to have some leisure activities.  There are bicycle boats, ducks to feed, bridges to walk over, fountains to run through, people to look at, and lots of places to sit around and do nothing on.  We liked it a lot and have plans to go back and picnic...fun fun!

Soo & the City Tumbler!

B-Cycle

I had heard about these rental bikes set up around Houston some time ago and I really just wanted to rent one because I knew they had baskets on them, so I could take the dogs out on a beautiful day. Well, I finally got a chance to rent it this weekend with Matt, Ethan and we brought the dogs of course. I wished I had taken a photo of us because it was so nice getting to do it. It's called B-cycle and it's a program that is being implemented in many Texas cities including San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. It's really neat, you just find a station you want to rent it from, choose how long you want to rent it for and then pay by credit card and it releases your bike! You can pick up from any of the station and drop off at any of the other stations. It's really cool, we rented from GRB and rode from downtown to UHD on bike trail and then to Target and back. It was such a nice day, there were a ton of people out and we got a lot of cool stares. For more information and bike stations, go to http://houston.bcycle.com/.

We liked it so much, we ended up going to Bike Barn and buying new bikes for us all!  Both Matt and I got these really fun Trek comfort bikes.  He just fell in love with the light pastel green with brown seat bike and I got the black one...just kidding.  We purchased a few extra accessories I got a wicker basket for the handle bars and a rack and a iron basket on the back for Cody.

 

 

 

 

We have not had a chance to ride them yet, but we are jumping out of our skin excited to this weekend!  Don't the dogs looks so excited about their new G-ride?! 

Spott's Park

One of the best parks inside the loop!

Sundance Theater

Formerly, Angelika Theater, now Sundance Theater. Wow, what happened to this place. I knew they had changed names, but did not know they did a complete overhaul. You now pay for your tickets inside, can pick your seats at the counter, even reserve them ahead of time. The place has this new rustic, contemporary facelift, very nice inside! You can even buy food food and wine! The seats are very comfy and are grouped on twos and separated by a console table looking arm rest. Wow, I was pretty impressed. I'd probably go here for all my movies, but like Angelika its mostly Indy films. It was a great experience! I love this place!

And...I went back another day and had a difficult time finding on street parking, so we parked in the garage, we get into the theater, pay for our tickets, then cashier asks, "did you park in the garage?"  I said yes and they then hand me a voucher for $7.  Is this not the most awesome theater in the whole wide world?!!  Love...it.

Pinot Pallete (Galleria)

I was invited to Pinot Pallete for pasta, painting and pinot...three great things in one place, of course I was going to go!  I invited Uyen and I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did, but it definitely inspired me to pick up a hobby.  Ok, what's the next hobby?

This was in a great location, galleria, really close to the Galleria mall.  I'd definitely recommend trying it, it's different and fun!  Thanks Jodie for inviting!

Quickie at Sprinkles

Get your mind out of the gutter!  It was just a quick stop at Sprinks with Jim after lunch fromTiny Boxwood's. I didn't realize they had coffee. I didn't have any but Jim said it was ok. He did say it was super strong, which I think is the best kind of coffee...mm mm.

My little thing to do is to get cupcakes, take them back to the office, and sample with the girls. I have to share my indulgences...share in the guilt!  That's my motto.  I got 4 cupcakes, Raspberry, Coconut Lemon, Dark Chocolate, and Red Velvet. At Sprinks, Dark Chocolate used to be my favorite, but I think I'm back to my lemon roots.  My favorite this time around was the Coconut Lemon, while Jodie and Amanda's was Raspberry. All in all, everything yummy...but Celebrity Cupcakes is still my favorite. 

Oh, and they changed the sign further down, right above the entrance, instead of way at the top of the building.  Not sure why it was so high up in the first place, as it's hard to find the shop if you've never been there.  Moving the sign down near eye level, smart.

Whole Foods Market Opening June 22!!

I can't wait!!

http://www.houstonpress.com/slideshow/view/33576832 -

Houston's HIWI Co-founder Randy Twaddle

With much excitement, I recently saw a client of mine, Randy Twaddle, on the History Channel's "How the States Got Their Shapes" with Brian Unger.  I about fell out of my chair upon seeing him appear on this random show I happen to be watching.  Here he's being interviewed by Brian Unger about Houston's infamous no zoning laws in front of the Beer Can house, which is rare for a metropolitan city in the US.

It's just strange how I've noticed Randy's ubiquitous presence in Houston once meeting him.  A very talented and successful artist known for his drawings and designs in art exhibits nationwide, co-founder of ttweak, and co-creator of HIWI (Houston, It's Worth It), as well as a designer of rugs exhitibed and sold at Carol Piper Rugs.  He's gone out on his own now, he'll be presented in the Moody Gallery at  2815 Colquitt  Houston, 77098 next Saturday, June 4, @6-8pm.

He's an amazing artist!  Go check him out at http://www.randytwaddle.com/index.htm!

I would have no idea how this piece is put together, but he apparently traces the transistor, modifies/sections off the piece, then carefully pours coffee onto the canvas.  Goregous! 



Celebrity Cupcake Minis

So cute, I'm going to explode!  I think this is such a great way to sample and have all your favorite flavors.  They're $1.75 each.  I'm a total a cupcake freak and this is my favorite cupcake shop in Houston!  The cupcakes are so stinkin cute, presentation is impeccable and they taste really good too. There's great attention to detail with each cupcake from the moistness and lightness of the cake, sweet and flavorful with all organic ingredients, icing is perfection and the edible decorative fondant is just such a charming finish.

For Sam and Katie...

One for Jodie, two for me...

muahahahahaha...

Bernie's Burger Bus (Sackett near Westheimer)

So Ryan tells me about this burger place, insists I must go, but he doesn't know the name or anything...it's all very mysterious, I'm intrigued.  We pull up...ok...different, ok...definitely has character...I already like it, but what is it?

What it is, is Lizzard's Pub with Bernie's Burger Bus parked on the side.  They are not affiliated.  The owner of Lizzard's Pub is kind enough to let BBB park, provide food, do their own thing and patrons can sit and buy a beer or drinks at Lizzard's Pub and sit and enjoy their patio.  Awesome casual atmosphere, great quiet tree lined street surrounded by bungalow homes occupied by commercial businesses.

The owner, Justin, who's burger bus is named after his grandfather Bernie, has been operating this bus here since October, but I wanna say he said he's been in the business for 15 years...don't quote me on that.

Justin is super friendly and you can tell he chats a lot with his customers, he's got his window lean down.  Ok so, here's the menu on the side of the bus, it's pretty simple, but also creative and fun.  All the menu items follow a school theme...the principal, substitute, bully, detention, the preschoolers, kindergartners, etc.  

I get a classic burger called the Principal (Traditional approach to the classic American burger with mustard, ketchup, pickle, thin sliced onions, shredded lettuce, and slow roasted garlic tomatoes $7).  I thought it was pretty good.  It had a different flavor to it, but I couldn't put my finger on...then I realized maybe it's like a slight worcestershire flavor.  Under "extracirricular activities", since they ran out of sweet potato fries, I get the handcut fries, which I thought were good too, nice and just the right amount of salt.

Ryan gets the Substitute (Burger topped with a bleu cheese, thick sliced crispy bacon, burgundy laced mushrooms and Bernie’s Tipsy caramelized onions $8 or $9 I forget).  He said his was good, said he really liked it.  

They make their own condiments, ketchup texture looked a little different, but they both tasted like good ol ketchup and mustard, just the way I like.  Nobody likes gourmet ketchup or natural ketchup that doesn't taste like ketchup, right?

Justin brings out this Truffle Laced Hand-Cut Fries w/ Parmesan and Green Onions.  I liked it, but since Ryan doesn't eat fries, I ate most of the handcut fries and was kind of french fried out by the time he brought out this free order of fries, which was awfully nice of him.  I did have a few bites though.  I liked the combination of the parmesan on the fries, that was different.  When they say something is truffle laced, I can never taste it...like truffle laced popcorn.  But, the person I'm with usually can, maybe I need more refinement or maybe they're just lying!  What is it supposed to taste like?  I have no idea.  Am I the only person that relates the word "truffle" to chocolate?   Or maybe it's like the Emperor and his invisible coat, like all these chefs are telling us these things are laced with truffles when in reality it's not and it's just for us to be like "ooh yes, I taste it, it's magnificient"...when really...no truffles.  Ok, anyways I digress, I wished I could have tried the sweet potato fries...more reason to come back!

Overall, I liked my whole experience.  I loved the charm and character of the whole idea.  This mobile school bus burger concept parked off a side street found, either by word of mouth or you accidentally fell upon it.  It's just stinkin cool.  This kind of business you hope that the food is good because the idea is so cool...and you sit down and eat and the food IS good.  I'm gonna be honest, it's not the best burger I've had, not that I expected it to be, but it was a dang good burger and tasty and satisfying, good fries.  But, the best thing about this place is that they make all their own ingredients FROM SCRATCH!!  That's just so unusual.  Organic grass-fed black angus beef (have you seen how these conglomerate companies raise and process beef? If not, trust me you'll appreciate grass-fed beef), condiments made FROM SCRATCH, that's just so strange...even the bun!  No perservatives or chemicals.  What is the world coming to...a fast food joint...located in a mobile school bus...that serves burgers and fries with all natural ingredients.  This whole concept is just so weird...I love loved it all!  It's got such an unpretentious, casual, fun, ogranic quality, the whole thing I just loved.  I'll be back for those extracirricular sweet potato fries!

Bon Running Social @Tqla

A friend of mine has been bugging me about running with this group he joined, that meets and runs at Rice, called Bon Running Group.  At the time I was thinking Rice is too far!  But after Bon's social yesterday, I'm more open to the idea, maybe.  It's probably 10 minutes from where I live, so it's really not that far...but further than the Memorial park which is right down the corner from me.  So, Bon  had a big social yesterday at Tqla where I learned more about this running group.  I must say it's a great idea.  They run, then after drink, eat and socialize.  Not sure how I feel about drinking after running, but overall, it sounds like a fun idea.  I don't think there's much out there like it now.  I will probably try to make it out next month after my other commitment is over.  Anyways, for more information http://www.bonrunningclub.com/.  They also have a group that meets at City Centre and the Woodlands.

On a side note, has anyone actually been running in this freezing weather?  It's been almost two weeks since the half marathon and I've made it out to run ONCE!  I feel fat.

Anyways, while chatting it up with T, David, OG, Jae and new friend Anand. I order some food...I get the shreded chicken tacos on corn tortillas on the happy hour menu, $2.  They're really small, but looking back, I think I could have eaten one and have been fine.  I thought they were pretty tasty.  No photos, sorry, must do better with the food pics.  Does anyone really care to see food pics anyways, I mean everyone does it.  Who cares right?  Do you really need photos?  Either way, must pay better attention.  I don't have food photos, but I did take a photo of my new friend, Anand.  Super fun, extroverted, smart and a nice looking guy.  I am on a mission to set him up!  Also, I've mentioned in my first blog about Tqla, but goodness holy gracious I must mention it again. The salsas are so yummy!  Warm chipotle and the pineapple green sauce, so good.  It's tempting to eat more than you should.  Ok, that's it for now...hope to see you on track at Rice next month!

Me and Jose Cuervo...or whatever his name is...

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!