A couple of weeks ago I was working on a project for DMagazine.com and while I was researching some stores I discovered this darling new gardening shop on Greenville Avenue next door to H.D.'s Clothing. Downing Hill got me excited about spring. They have an assortment of tools and home decor accessories, but my favorite are the Vance Kitira gardening kits, little metal cages filled with clay pots, scissors, gloves, a trowel, and wood plant markers. 
Here's one with clay pots made into votives.
The weeks after Christmas are always particularly good for deals. Everyone's trying to move fall merchandise to make room for spring deliveries that are already hitting stores. I trolled around Barneys yesterday to look at their markdowns on Dries and Marni, but I ended up walking away with this gorgeous python Lanvin bag. Handbags and shoes. The things I always spend the most money on. 
Isn't it beautiful? I'm so excited to own this bag. My first Lanvin, a buttery white leather bag, was ruined during fashion week last year. While I was taking notes during the 3.1 Phillip Lim show, my blue ink pen leaked leaving sticky streaks and fingerprints of permanent ink all over it. I had to have it dyed navy. The python bag was marked down 40 percent, then marked another 33 percent off that. They have a ton of other Lanvin, Givenchy, and Louboutin bags marked down.
I've been a fan - no pun intended - of Indian peacocks mirrors for a while. Three years ago I pined away for one at Mecox Gardens but the $3,200 price tag kept it at bay. Pier 1 has this amazing budget-friendly version, above, for $249. It's available in-store in January.
Wisteria, another Texas-based home decor company (Pier 1 is based in Fort Worth) has this pricier version for $2,100. 
Have you been to Monument Cafe in Georgetown? It's a great place to stop if you're roadtripping down I35 and want something other than DQ or a greasy spoon. It's about 30 minutes north of Austin. Rusty Winkstern, a New Yorker turned Texan, owns and operates the cafe and he uses only fresh ingredients - organic when possible - and the menu is to die for. Think hearty, southern fare like fried Texas shrimp, hand breaded onion rings, pork chops with cream gravy and chocolate and coconut cream pies. Epicurious loves this place. 
Target has done it once again. No, not collaborate with some fabulously chic New York designer. What they've done again is deliver the clothing from one of these collaborations a full 3 days early. That's right, kittens. Thursday night at the Target on Haskell in Dallas, smack next to the food court, was the Rodarte for Target Collection already picked over by Dallas fashion vultures out to get a piece of Rodarte heaven at a steal of a price. 
This line marks Morgan's foray into a super upscale zone of candle making. And I must say, the scent is to DIE for. It's simply beautiful with notes of water hyacinth, jasmine, and tuberose in a woodsy base of warm, sensual patchouli. It's kind of like love in a box. 
Each candle has a red wax stamp embossed with a fleur de lis which is then tied with a thick red grosgrain ribbon. It is super chic and I can't wait for you to get one of these, too. What's your favorite Niven Morgan scent?
Catherine Fitzsimmons, the founder and designer, is doing clothing for spring and bedding in larger sizes. Perfect since Pilar's moving into a twin bed (no more crib. sigh.) She's got a great blog that I read daily. 
Take a break from the holiday madness tomorrow night from 6 to 9 pm at a White Elephant Party hosted by Austin Post. It's at Lanai Lounge (5th and Congress) and there'll be free food and drinks from Kenichi, Promise Pizza, and Dulce Vida Tequila. It's free, it'll be fun, and you know you need a break just as much as the rest of us. Click here to rsvp. 
If you're in Dallas, stop in Little Bean this week and get 15 percent off all purchases.
Brooke Hortenstine and Rob Brinkley have been working their chic little tails off and it's finally here. PaperCity is now online. They have a fantastic little option where you can search your name or others for party pics and you can also be updated every time a new pic of you is posted. Don't act like you're not gonna sign up for that.
The lovely Bridie Clark was in Austin last night for a book signing fete at Malverde at La Condesa on 2nd St. Kendra Scott along with the gals from Gilt Group hosted Clark to celebrate her second novel "The Overnight Socialite." Don't let the title fool you, this is no chick lit fluff. Bridie graduated from Harvard, was an editor at The Harvard Crimson, and has written for the New York Times and Vanity Fair. Click here to buy a copy.
Today through Saturday in the former Stacy Hyde space on Henderson Avenue there is a pop up shop filled with jewelry, totes, jackets, scarves, furs, and designer sunglasses. The 3-day holiday sale is open today and tomorrow from 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm.
This carry-all would be great for travel.
Designers Soraya Silchenstedt and Candice Pool - Pool is a Houston native - have their line at Barneys, and Colette. 
L bartlett in the West Village in Dallas just got these new banded skirts - a la Herve Leger - by Pleasure Doing Business. They are a mere $88 and would look so cute with an Alexander Wang tee. A great price considering that Herve skirts are around $600.
Early press registration is now open for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. The February 11-18 shows will showcase looks for fall 2010. Are you going?
Tomorrow night is Forty Five Ten's annual December Decadence party in Dallas. This is a fun one to go to and 10 percent of all sales from the evening benefit The Family Place. Cameron Silver will be in from Los Angeles with a trove of wonderful vintage clothing, Jan Showers will be signing her new book, Glamorous Rooms, and Kimberly Whitman will be meeting and greeting guests as the host of the event. Tickets are a $50 donation to The Family Place. Is there a better way to spend a Thursday evening?
Hot diggity. Tillman's Roadhouse is now open in Fort Worth. Here's to blood orange margaritas and cupcake carousels in Cow Town.
Have you been to Cupcake Cabin by Kate's Frosting in San Antonio's Alamo Heights? You've got to stop by for some of their delectable little cakes in flavors like Chocolate Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, and Cranberry Orange. This winter there are flavors of the day and each Thursday you need a standing date for the Pink Champagne cupcake. Even though daily tea time begins at 4 pm we suggest you stop in before that as sell-outs can cause severe disappointment.
Look who was out in NYC last night to support our leader Tom Ford at the screening of his directorial debut "A Single Man." Don't you love the jacket? Ferragamo's murmasky fur coat with fox fur collar. Prrrrr......
Prada's Infusion d' Iris Perfumed Candle is a pretty luxe gift for someone on your list. It smells of iris and mandarin orange, an utterly dreamy combination, and is available at Neiman Marcus. $78. I know, I know. 78 for scented wax is a lot, but it smells so divine.
Electric Navajo poncho, $18
Leatherette skinny pant, $29
Nelson bootie, $24
When everyone turned their place card over we found that it was a $100 gift card to Ylang23. So generous of Joanne.
JT thanking everyone for coming.
Some of Waterman's new pieces. I love that apricot color.
