Snakeskin Schoolgirl

// thrifted Gap sweater / Forever 21 chambray boyfriend shirt / Flying Monkey skinnies / James Rowland boots / Abro bag / Kenneth Cole necklace //

Mad props to James Rowland for digging up these faux snakeskin beauts. As you can probably tell from my last post, snakeskin has become my latest obsession. A little less cheeky than leopard (still love you tho) and a little more classy. I like it how it instantly adds texture to an outfit. This pair is Chelsea style with a little bit of goring on the back edges, but they totally remind me of snakeskin cowboy boots. I get pretty excited about anything that brings me back to my Texan roots.

// Lyle Lovett "Long Tall Texan" //

Just another reminder to enter the Shopbop giveaway!

Fall Into the Gap

There was a time when I would have stayed far, far away from the Gap. I feel like they have really stepped up their game since the days of being known for just khaki and preppy v-neck sweaters. (yes, those are snakeskin print skinnies) Practically everything at the GAP right now is on sale up to 60%. I dare you to walk in and not find one thing you like. I found 4. If you are ordering online, I suggest ordering down for tops and sweaters. I'm normally a Small but had to take an XS in the sweaters. Check out the Ritchi lookalike that's even better than the one I posted before, and it was only $25 thanks to the sale.

Mediterranean Delight

Not sure what you guys were up to the day after Thanksgiving, but this is how mine went...
couscous salad, eggplant ikra, curry chicken, leek pie, kibbe w/ tahini sauce
nom, nom, nom, nom...
orange blossom pistachio gelato

// Dolce & Gabbana top / Generra tank underneath / Target ponte pants /BCBGeneration wedge boots / Dimoni bag / Forever 21 sunglasses //

Bryan and I looove Middle Eastern food, so after several unsuccessful tries to figure out where we were going to dine out, we finally came up with Phoenicia Deli. We've been dying to try their new location in the heart of downtown, so it was about time we made the move. We ordered a sampler of the cold deli selections, hot kibbe, and of course, their fresh "conveyor belt" pita. Before leaving, I made sure to grab a cup of their delish orange blossom pistachio gelato which was tucked away in their bar area. I've been on a weird gelato kick for awhile now. According to Bryan, I went into an immediate euphoric state after the first bite. This is some serious food for the soul man!

Don't forget to enter my Shopbop giveaway! Ends Dec. 9!

$100 Shopbop "Give Thanks" Giveaway

As everyone is winding down from a self-induced food coma, I thought I'd share a little holiday cheer with a Giveaway. I figured I could try to beat out all the Black Friday deals by giving you the chance to win a $100 Shopbop gift card for FREE (nothing better than free, right?).

Shopbop has probably one of the most extensive inventories of designers, including some of my faves such as Zac Posen whose designs exude the ultimate in modern femininity and Sonia Rykiel which appeals to my fun and whimsical side. I would probably use the gift card to stock up on basics for the cooler weather like these Vince Sweaters which could all easily become a winter staple.

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is comment with your name and email address in this post. Don't forget to Fan Shopbop while you're at it!

This Giveaway will run for 2 weeks starting today and end on Fri., Dec. 9, and the winner will be picked at random. Oh and yes, this is open to International Readers as well!

Enjoy the rest of your Black Friday and GOOD LUCK!

I See Turkey in My Future

// Zara striped tee / Flying Monkey jeans / thrifted belt / Target boots / Obaku watch (find here) / little o by wolfbrother necklace / orangeisthesun bracelets //

Elena Portz of Teen Council "Male & Female Shadow"

jewelry by Frilled and Feathered

knitted rabbit scarf from Hello-Lucky

orange is the sun

And for all the haters...

Whew, finally got a chance to put this post together after a short week, which meant much more work cramped into very little time. No matter, I am super excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow! Probably my favorite holiday of the year by far. Nothing says a good holiday than spending time with family and eating lots of delicious homemade food.

This weekend I squeezed in some time to drop by the annual Winter Holiday Art Market or WHAM for short. It's a great place to shop early for Christmas gifts or to buy a few treats for yourself. I don't do much Christmas shopping anymore, so I ended up purchasing 2 beautiful screenprints from our friend, Carlos Pozo, and a couple of stackable bracelets from Houston jewelry maker, Jennifer of orangeisthesun. I'm completely enamored with her modern take on the friendship bracelet and found the bracelets to be versatile and extremely fun to mix and match. Plus, she recycles vintage buttons for the clasp holder. (go green!) No doubt I will be ordering more from her Etsy store. I even discovered Bryan secretly wearing one out the other day. So yes, I think they're great for both girls and boys.

So I have to say, if I had to choose a uniform, it would include stripes, skinnies, and a pair of boots. I've had my eye on Saint James t-shirts for awhile now but have yet to muster the courage to plunk down almost a hundred dollars for stripes. Truth be told, I have plenty in my wardrobe arsenal, but who can have enough of the classic design? Not I. So when I found this top at Zara for less than $20, I really couldn't say no. It's comfy and lightweight and makes the perfect staple for layering or wearing alone. I've been pretty impressed at how well stripes pair with just about anything.

Wishing everyone a joyous Thanksgiving and look out for my Black Friday giveaway from Shopbop!

Baxie Loves the Limelight

// blouse c/o Langford Market / Free People skinnies / Jeffrey Campbell tortoise shell boots (bday gift from Bryan!) / Forever 21 necklace / multi-strand necklace gifted from mom //

I don't know what it is about the camera, but my cat loves it.

// Zoo Kid "Out Getting Ribs" //

Kitsune Collection

When I think of Spring, this is what I see:

Oh so crisp and so clean with a retro hint of the '20s! Kitsune has become more than just a music label these days. I'm really adoring their new spring collection and the soft, neutral color palette. Mmm... more cobalt blue please.

BRC: Big Red What?

Mussels w/ bay leaf, chablis, garlic, celery & butter
Tempura Fried Green Beans
Market Fish of the Day, flounder on a bed of tomatoes and spinach in a white wine butter sauce
Cake Balls from their other establishment,Petit Sweets

Gastropubs (or as I call it food, fun, & beer) have been sprouting up all over town. BRC is one of them that I've passed countless of times, caught the giant red cock (the avian kind) statue from the corner of my eye, and thought to myself, "I really need to put this place on my "To Try" list." So when some friends wanted to meet up there, I was happy to oblige. The marriage of a well-rounded beer selection and good food makes for a great hangout spot IMHO. Although I'm not much of a beer drinker, I love the artful process that goes into making a good brew which is enough to reel me in.

The deep red damask wallpaper and black-and-white photos create an inviting and cozy atmosphere. I also have to give kudos to the staff who went above and beyond to accommodate all of our issues. The fish was cooked perfectly, and I'm sure to stick to the seafood selection the next time I return. The casual atmosphere is great for just drinking with some buddies, but there are also plenty of tasty bites to satisfy those food cravings.

The Renaissance in Pictures

// Staring at Stars sweater over LNA dress / Converse Chucks / Dimoni bag //

Had an amazing time with friends at the Renaissance Festival this past weekend. It's quickly become a yearly tradition where coolness is determined by the size of your dragon wings. Where fantasy becomes reality and where you can stuff your face with anything on a stick and drink yourself silly on mead.

This was the first year I dropped in on the campsite, and as suspected, the medieval party just never ends.