New Living Furniture (Rice Village)

I happen to be running some errands in the neighborhood and saw this neat little shop with a small workshop next to it off of Kirby in Rice Village.  I get a quick peek at some of their furniture through the window and decide I need to check this place out!  I have to say, I really loved it!  It was really neat shop.  A concept I have never seen before.  You know me, I love rustic meets contemporary.  On top of the fact that everything just looked cool and interesting, they are also very environmental conscious!

 

If I had seen this place a couple of months ago, I probably would have purchased our bed frame from here.  They do a lot of custom work.  I am looking for some night stands, so when I get some time, I am probably going to check out their services.  Isn't their warehouse/storefront cool?  I love it!  I'll post once I find out what the costs are like and if I get a finished product.

 

http://www.newliving.net/

Canino Farmer's Market (Airline)

So, I'm out with my mom today, helping her with some errands and since we're in the neighborhood she decides she wants to go to the Airline Farmer's Market.  I vaguely remember going to it in my childhood, but I have never been in my adult life.  She says when we were children she would go all the time and buy hoards of veggies and stock up.  She says it was cheap. 

I love farmer's markets so we decide to stop by.  It's so close to my neighborhood and my work, I can't believe it's just a stone's throw and I'm just now going to this.  It's big, real big.  It's really cool like neat, but it's hot, like temperature.  I question if it's cheap.  If it is, it's not by much.  Walking in, I'm starting to vaguely remember going here.  As a child, I remember not liking it so much...I think I found it boring.  The heat is starting to trigger some memories too.  I think I would like coming here more if it was cooler.  It's a little unbearable for me, although they do have these big fans blowing air in...still hot.

As I'm walking, I decide I'll pick up a few things.  I really don't think it's that much cheaper, but can't be for sure.  As I'm walking my basket out to the outdoor area, the cashier yells out, "you can't take those groceries out of here, you have to pay!".  Oh, I didn't realize they were different businesses.  I only missed the several cashiers set up at the end of this warehouse!  So, I leave my basket behind while I check out the rest of the little shops.  I really love this whole concept, but I'm still thinking...it's hot and I'm thinking I would rather be in an air conditioned space right now.  I'm starting to sweat too and it's making me feel uncomfortable especially since I have to do some work later.

I'm persuaded into buying one of these mouth watering mangoes on a stick.  It's $1 for the small one, $2 for the big one.  He asks, spicy or regular?  I get the regular.  As I peel off the plastic wrap, I'm thinking...did he wash his hands when he cut this?  Ah whatever, some dirt never hurt anyone.  I think it's really cool how they jammed up a stick into this mango, it's so nifty.  I shall return....when it's cooler.  I'll have to come again with a friend or the boyfriend and see what they think to put the final thoughts together about this whole farmer's market thing...at least on being a regular thing.  Anyways, it's definitely neat, go by on a cooler day and let me know if you think it's priced cheaper, like my mom says.

Premier Wine & Spirits

New on Yale in the shopping center between Washington and I-10.  This location came in handy while we were entertaining this weekend, attempting to make Margaritas!  The owner and employees were so helpful.  The employee that was helping us was so honest.  She advised us to use a cheaper Tequila for Margaritas, as opposed to someone doing Tequila shots and looking for more high quality Tequila.  Isn't that awesome?  That's the kind of people I like, honest ones!  So, I definitely liked it here and I'll be back if I am in need of wine and spirits!

Kuhl-Linscomb (Upper Kirby)

I'm not exactly sure how I have lived here in Houston all my life and have never been to these wonderful little shops.  Kuhl-Linscomb is a combination of 5 shops that have an assortment of everything you can imagine, from candles, diffusers, gifts, decor, furniture, to faux flowers!  I guess the best description I can think of is it's an upscale Bed Bath & Beyond.  It's awesome, I love it!  They also provide free drinks!  They had frozen drinks, one was the slimrita, the other was a pomegranate sangria and free beer!  It's probably because they can't sell it or else they would have to get a liquor or beer license.  Super fun place to just walk around or great place to just get some nice gifts from.  You must go visit!

Round Top Antique Fair

This weekend, I went to the semi annual Round Top Antique Fair.  I think I was in heaven!  The weather was amazing too!  It's near La Grange with miles and miles of tents full of antiques and cool stuff!  I could have spent all day there.  Unfortunately, I did not come prepared and did not come armed with a cart to haul away my great treasures, so I bought nothing.  There's always next time, in October!  Can't wait!

Coming to Highland Village!

Sorry, it's hard to see, but the white plastic says "JCREW"!!!  Yay!  I guess Anthropologie is moving their real estate across the street too.

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?! 

Estate Sale

From an estate sale, $20.

BHLDN

This shop at Highland Village (former pet adoption center) is so cute. A ton of wedding and wedding party dresses and accessories. It looks really really expensive, but you can actually find really nice dresses for under $300. It's not cheap, but it's still somewhat affordable. They also have lingerie, shoes, jewelry, crafts, etc. Very cute shop, go visit!

HEB Montrose Opened!

I haven't been yet, but I'm just learning about the opening of this new HEB in Montrose and wanted to share the news.  It's located on the corner of of Dunlavy and W. Alabama.  It's 75,000 sf and they say it's larger and wider than the Buffalo location.  I'm planning to visit soon...it looks naiss (nice).

:)

Borders Going Out of Business Sale!

Sad to see Borders go, tear...but look at this amazing sale they're having!  I was sure there was going to be nothing left, but no, still tons of books!  You walk in and you're overwhelmed by wanting to buy a ton of books and then you come to your senses, like me, and tell yourself to buy only what you need or what you were already planning to buy.  The deals are good at 30% to 40% off, but they're not rock bottom prices.  But then again, they're brand new books that you can buy for much much cheaper prices than what you'd be paying at regular book stores ...so it really is a good deal.  They're even selling their furniture. 

My awesome purchases:

• 2012 Planner, originally $17, got it for $8.
• Wuthering Heights, originally $7, got it for $4.
• Pride & Prejudice, originally $15, got it for $9.
• Sense & Sensibility, originally $19, got it for $11.
• I could do anything if I only knew what it was, originally $16, got it for $10.

By the way, all Borders are going out of business.  So, find one near you!

C & D Hardware

I went to C&D Hardware to get spare keys cut and I've been in before, but I've just never noticed all the cool things they have in here.  I think these are just the cutest, retro, mailboxes.  They have tons of other cool things, including acrylic tumblers, doormats, house warming gifts, wine stuffs, etc.  Cool place!

Olive & Wine

New shop in the City Centre.  At first, I thought wow, this is really excessive...totally unnecessary.  Then, I started sampling...yum!  They're olive oils in all different flavors!  I got two bottles, Roasted Garlic and Cilantro.  They're a really great way to bake or cook with to add a kick of flavor.

They also have balsamic vinegar concoctions.  They have little small sample sizes at the register, if you want to go really small to test.  They have 2 sizes, smaller one is $9, bigger ones $19.  The truffle oil was $19 and $39.  By the way, I now know the difference between truffle oil and chocolate truffles, two totally different things.  If you want to know what truffles taste like, try the truffle oil here, you'll totally get it.

So much fun!  Bread for sampling, I could have stayed here all day...to the point of wearing out my welcome.  I also got these convenient pour spouts.  Good for drizzling.  They're only $5 each.  It's so neat in here, great idea, never seen such a thing.  Owner says they have this concept in other major cities.  Anyways, I think it's really cool, can't wait to use my new olive oils!

Today at the office, I'm paged that I have a delivery. I come down and am surprised by a client holding a beautifully arranged yellow orchid from Buchanan's Plant Nursery. An unfortunate turn of real estate events brought her to my office with this sweet and thoughtful gesture. It's not that I really thought I was at fault for the turn of events, but oddly I had a couple of disturbing and unpleasant dreams the last couple of days about the situation. The card attached was just what I needed. I'm left but thinking about how powerful thoughtful words and the smallest gestures have. Something good to remember about how to bless others.

By the way, Buchanan's Plant Nursery is oddly one of my favorite places to get staging furniture and pieces. Some of my favorite pieces are from Buchanan's, located off of 11th st near Arlington. One of the best plant nurseries in my opinion and staff are friendly and very helpful too.

dark chocolate covered acai berries

so addictive good!

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!