30 December 2009

Downing Hill

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.

Merry Christmas to me

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.

29 December 2009

Peacock mirrors

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.

Monument Cafe

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.

22 December 2009

Flower Power

Earlier this week on Elements of Style I read about Dandelion Ranch in L.A. I'm mad about their organically balanced arrangements. Do you know of any place in Texas (better yet, Dallas!) that does arrangements like this? Everywhere I use does tight, round compact florals and I'm bored with it. Any recommendations?



19 December 2009

Rodarte at Target

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.
I bought the marigold yellow lace sweater, above, a nude and navy above-the-knee dress with a raw-edged black chiffon collar, and a navy and whitish horizontally-striped long sleeve tee. I had to buy a large in the sweater because they were sold out of mediums and smalls.
Every time, from Tracy Feith to Thakoon, they've always delivered early leaving me in the dust size-wise.

18 December 2009

Niven Morgan

Try not to be envious, but guess what I have in my hot little hands? Niven Morgan's new candle Jean Baptiste, inspired by the founder of New Orleans. This candle is not in stores until early next year and soon after the candle arrives an entire line of bath and body will be ready for delivery.
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?

16 December 2009

Patti Smith, Dec 30, PBS

Oh, you have no idea how excited I am right now! I just got a press release about fashion photographer Steven Sebring's almost 2-hour Patti Smith documentary airing on PBS on December 30 (Patti's birthday). "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" was shot over an 11 year period and it gives an incredibly intimate look at the notoriously press shy musician/artist/mother. She's the original cool girl punk poet, she's got a style that so often inspires designers today. I love this picture, below, of her on Bleecker and the one above with her children. Click here to watch the incredible trailer.


Rikshaw Design

Soon I'll be redecorating my daughter's room and I adore the hand block print bedding on Indian cotton voile at Rikshaw Design.

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.

White Elephant Party in Austin

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.
Don't forget: This is a white elephant party, so you need to bring an inexpensive wrapped gag gift.

15 December 2009

Spring Rachel Rachel Roy

OMG. Click here for a preview of the spring collection hitting Macy's next month. Dying. DYING.

14 December 2009

Little Bean promo

If you're in Dallas, stop in Little Bean this week and get 15 percent off all purchases.

13 December 2009

Guess who's online?

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.

10 December 2009

Bridie Clark in Austin

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.

Dallas pop up shop

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.

09 December 2009

Studded handbags

Forgot to mention these earlier in my post about L. bartlett. Laura, the owner, also has some great studded synthetic leather handbags for around $140. I really like this first bucket style bag in oatmeal gray.


This carry-all would be great for travel.

Finn Jewelry

Aren't these pretty pieces from NY-based Finn Jewelry?

Designers Soraya Silchenstedt and Candice Pool - Pool is a Houston native - have their line at Barneys, and Colette.

Love these skirts

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.

Fashion Week

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?

December Decadence

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?
xx,
kr

08 December 2009

Tillman's Fort Worth

Hot diggity. Tillman's Roadhouse is now open in Fort Worth. Here's to blood orange margaritas and cupcake carousels in Cow Town.
xx,
kr

Cupcake Cabin by Kate's Frosting

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.

07 December 2009

Madonna supports Tom

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......

Tuesday!

Hi everyone! So sorry I've not posted anything today, trying to catch up on some deadlines. But I wanted to let you know that if you're in Dallas, you can listen to me tomorrow on Mix 102.9 at 8:05 am talking about holiday gifts. Later in the evening you can catch me on Good Morning Texas's primetime holiday show at 7 pm on WFAA's Channel 8. We'll be on the air from 7 to 8 pm and it's a show you don't want to miss! I'll be showing you how to put together some amazing party-ready looks from NorthPark Center.
Will post tomorrow about a fun book signing party in Austin, new pictures from Stag, and deets on what's shaking in Houston.
xx,
kr

04 December 2009

Prada candle

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.

HSN

I have a confession that I should keep to myself, but I'm curious if anyone else find themselves in the same situation. Just about every night after I put my children to bed, I'm so wiped out I'm only able to lay in my bed and 1. read (but sometimes that takes too much energy) or 2. watch two hours of HSN. I've never been moved enough to call in and order, but that may be changing soon. I'm swooning over Carol Brodie's Rarities Collection right now, especially this jade and diamond ring.

Andy Warhol Christmas

Absolutely adore these 1950s greeting card illustrations by Andy Warhol. There is something so sweet, almost Dr. Suessian about them, that I'm so drawn to.



03 December 2009

Forever 21 grand opening, Austin

Forever 21 is having a grand opening for its new location at The Domain, its third Austin store, on Saturday December 5.

Electric Navajo poncho, $18
Leatherette skinny pant, $29
Nelson bootie, $24

Cathy Waterman at Ylang23

Today I was so happy to attend a girls luncheon in honor of Cathy Waterman at Joanne Teichman's beautiful home. Joanne owns Ylang23, and the jewelry she selects for her boutique will knock your socks off. Cathy flew in last night for the lunch and a trunk show that runs through this weekend at Ylang23 - and then her vegetarian self and her husband are off the Mississippi Delta for a few days.
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.