Dallas: Hail Merry

Holy. Cow. I've been munching on Hail Merry's new Chimayo Chili pecans all afternoon. So spicy and sweet and so good for you. I can't get enough.

Austin: Spruce

You know that Chinese proverb, Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime? This should be the credo of Austin's Spruce, a fantastic establishment that not only will reupholster and redesign things for you, but also - and this is an important also - will teach you how to reupholster your furniture yourself.

You heard me right. They offer DIY upholstery classes so you can get your creative game on. Watch out Kelly Wearstler.
They also have a good selection of things they've done themselves and salvaged finds that've been gussied up.
Love these footed side tables.

Dallas: Lucia

Had a fantastic meal at David Uygur's new Oak Cliff restaurant, Lucia, last night. Right next door to Dude, Sweet Chocolate in the Bishop Arts District, the tiny 14-table boite - reservations definitely a must - was warm, cozy, and exactly the kind of place I want to dine.

We started out with a smattering of salumi and pickled vegetables, chicken liver smeared on crispy bread, and lamb meatballs on top of a tomato ragu. Dinner was gnocchi with prosciutto, winter squash ravioli with sage and butter, and we ended things with a rich chocolate budino topped with whipped orange cream, candied orange peel, and salted caramel.

They have a good Italian wine list, but no full bar; just an FYI for all you cocktail drinkers. I've already made my second reservation and I can't wait to go back. Lucia, 408 W. 8th St., 214.948.4998.

Photo courtesy of Dallas Morning News

Everywhere: Lay's Limon

This is a very random post, but I officially have a problem. My name is Kristie and I'm addicted to Lay's Limon potato chips.

I've never been a big chip eater but when I did, I liked to squeeze a bit of lime on them (if you've ever been to Mexico, you're familiar with the street carts that sell chips with lime slices and a drizzle of chili).

About a year ago I bought these and I can't stop buying them. Thank goodness I mostly shop at places these aren't sold, but I'm finding myself making special trips to Tom Thumb, Target, even 7-11 to buy these. This morning I was in my pantry and I shut the door behind me and shoved a handful of these tangy things in mouth before my daughter could see her mother eating chips for breakfast.

Sabinal: Two Bar West handbags

Do you know about Two Bar West? Sisters Laurie and Stacy McFadin, fifth generation Texans, make these studded and fringed handbags out of their studio in Sabinal, just south of San Antonio.

One part rock and roll, one part Texas cowgirl, the McFadins use buttery soft leather and vintage belts as handbag straps.
Even though they are a super small company - no press person, they answer their own phones - they've been picked up by places like Fred Segal and Anthropologie.
And Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and Miley Cyrus are regularly spotted carrying their Two Bar West fringe bags around Los Angeles.
I have a bag similar to the one below and get gobs on compliments on it.
And this one has a studded vintage belt for the shoulder strap.

Everywhere: Free People

Never in my life have I shopped at Free People, but last week I came across this gorgeous lace skirt and I had to buy. It arrived this weekend and Saturday I ended up wearing it as a dress because it was so long. It doesn't have a liner so I wore black under things that peeked through and topped it with a black blazer to make it a tad more conservative - if that's even possible seeing as how you could see my underwear underneath.

So tonight I went back to the site to see what else they had online and I've gone bananas over this crochet dress. Comes in black or off-white.

I also love these little lacey tap shorts. How great would these be with a chunky sweater?
And my daughter would flip over these clogs. I often find her playing dress up in my closet - I'm shocked at how well she can walk in my heels - and these are age-appropriate shoes that would give her a little taste of that lift she loves when she puts on my shoes.

Houston: Sunday Riley

A few months ago when F|D Luxe debuted my column "State Wide" one of the first people I wanted to write about was Houston born and raised Sunday Riley.

Riley's press person sent me a slew of skin products to try and I'm down to my last drop of this extremely addictive dry oil. Over the course of 3 months I've used it every single day and it's given my skin a perpetual glow. I've got oily skin, but it hasn't clogged my pores, absorbs quickly into my skin, and moisturizes like nothing else. Love it, love Sunday, and headed to Barneys tomorrow to buy another bottle.

Everywhere: American Apparel twist scarf

Just picked up a $14 twist scarf from American Apparel and have been playing around with it for an upcoming ensemb.

They're evocative of Louis Vuitton's 2009 bunny ears, but not as dramatic and look at me, more of a plebeian take on the idea. I'm not completely sure if they'll work on me, but you know who they look darling on? My 3 year old. I think I may have just answered my own question.

San Antonio: Dorien Leigh

Have you read the Town & Country cover story (Jan' 11 issue) on Dorien Leigh? It's a fascinating look at the life of the San Antonio native who is widely considered the world's first supermodel.

Leigh's younger sister Suzy Parker was equally as stunning and was also one of the highest paid models of her time.

Richard Avedon photo

Dallas: SMU Glossy

After 9 pm is my time to relax, but right now I'm having an 'effin conniption after scouring through 20 pages of SMU Glossy.

Have you seen this? If you're over 30 you've probably not and I'm def over 30. I'm not emotionally equipped right now to figure out whether it's pure jealousy and the in-my-face realization that my collegiate style was no where near as cool as these SMU kids or if I'm p.o.'ed that half of them dress better than I do now.

Photo courtesy of SMU Glossy

Dallas: Forty Five Ten

It's that time again! And just when I'm ready to add another Rick Owens skirt to my repertoire. Happy hunting...

Austin: Moss

Okay, Austin, one more thing you must put on your list: Moss Designer Consignment (705 B S. Lamar, 512.916.9961). Masha Harmeier and Emily Hoover, the lovely ladies who brought us Feathers Vintage Clothing, are having the grand opening of their newest venture next Thursday, December 9 from 7-9 pm. Pop in to find preowned Alexander Wang, Gucci, Chloe, 3.1 Phillip Lim all at a steal.

And check it: the girls had Tom Dixon make the furniture and clothing racks. Can it get more detail-oriented? Love.

Dallas: Wisteria

We need to talk about the preposterous notion that the new Wisteria Outlet across from Love Field is actually an outlet. I ventured over this afternoon and I left feeling like adding "outlet" to the name of the warehouse is a stretch.

Let me be clear: The merch is killer. Fabulous chairs, great couches, amazing coffee tables, and beautiful imported one-of-kind textiles. But everything - except for a true marked down section of really ganked up stuff in the back that had scratches or was missing a leg - was on average only about $20-30 less expensive than the catalog. I'm sorry, but $30 off something that's $700 is not an outlet price.
I get that you save on shipping for big pieces, but double digit savings on things that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars isn't deeply discounted enough to warrant the outlet name tag. .
Just know this going in and you'll be fine.
Otherwise head to over to Jakarta and Istanbul yourself to scoop up some genuine finds.

Dallas: Julie Gilhart

Holy crap, y'all. Dallas-native Julie Gilhart just left (quit? fired? retired?) Barneys as fashion director to pursue other opps. WTF is going on, people?

San Antonio: Agate Ranch

One more thing for your night time sched this Thurs: Agate Ranch trunk show at Meadow in SA.

Agate Ranch designer Kathy Bracewell finally has her website up so you can check out her designs there, too.

Austin: Spartan's Holiday Harvest Party

Okay, I'm seriously considering driving to Austin this Thursday night for Spartan's Holiday Harvest Party (7-10 pm).

So much has been said about eating locally and Spartan ushers in the true spirit of that credo by hosting Balcones Distillery, - go for a bottle of Rumble, a sweet spirit made from Texas Wildflower Honey, turbinado sugar from Sugarland, and Texas figs
Salt and Time, - goodness gracious, hello, artisanal salumi and pickles. And really, if Liz Lambert loves it, we love it, too.
- and Farmhouse Delivery - gift bushels of local produce? yes, please. Those three companies and more will be at the party this Thursday evening where you can buy and try a variety of their freshly grown and crafted goods.

Dallas: Zero + Maria Cornejo

Can we talk about the amazing-ness of this dress? Zero + Maria Cornejo Resort 2011. Just purchased from VOD for an upcoming holiday party and although it is very resort - the color, the lightweight fabric - I will be wearing it in December for a Christmas party because it's Maria and you can't go wrong when you go with Maria.

Everywhere: Valentino studded heel

I need.

El Paso: Sara Beltran

Ooooh, i'm so excited! I hung out with El Paso-native Sara Beltran while I was in Jaipur - it's where she lives now - and I ordered a few things from her. She just sent me an email that my package of goodies is arriving today.

I know those look like shells, but they are actually semi-precious stones she carves to look like sea shells.
These friendship bracelets are woven in Mexico and then she sews on little carved stones and other silver and gold pendants. These were just in Elle.

This is the back of Sara. She's got this great messy blonde hair, smells like coconut oil, and has the best accent. I'm dying over her rings. They are cast from fossils and then she embeds polki diamonds into them.
Love these diamond necklaces, too. In fact I love everything! Nice way to begin the holiday.

San Antonio: Luke

John Besh's Luke is now open in San Antonio!

Dallas: Dude at Barneys

If you can't make it over to Oak Cliff for Dude, Sweet Chocolate, pop into Barneys to buy from their abundant display on floor one.

Dallas: JFK

Today, November 22, forty-seven years ago.

Dallas: Turtle Meatloaf

I just returned from a friend's surprise white trash birthday party at The Ritz - white trash at The Ritz is really the only way to go - and one of the best parts of the night was the turtle meatloaf revelation.

A darling friend, a well-known stylist in town, passed around this iPhone photo of the turtle-shaped meatloaf that her aunt brought to their Saturday family potluck dinner. I've never seen anything funnier or trashier in my life. Are you dying over the hot dog legs, head, and tail? It's brilliant, really.

Austin: Walton's Fancy and Staple

One of my very favorite movies is "It's Complicated." Not just because of the story, but because I daydream of a life where I own a fancy, but vintage-tinged Dean and Deluca-esque bakery and floral shop. I die every time the making-croissants-late-at-night scene comes on. So I'm green with envy over Sandra Bullock's Walton's Fancy and Staple in Austin which is pretty much my daydream realized.

I was in Austin last night doing an interview for my Feb Texas Monthly column - be sure to get the Feb issue, cause Los Lonely Boys are hysterically funny - and passed by Walton's (at 6th and Rio Grande) while I was there.
A downtown spot that has a dedicated following of locals, it's the place to go when you want to sit, read the Times, and truly relish a delicious latte in a glass coffee mug placed on a saucer and eat a freshly made pastry. Or pop in for a lunch of roast beef on rye topped with gorgonzola and horseradish aioli, a warm cup of housemade soup, or a spinach salad laden with Texas pecans and jalapeno Chevre.
They also make picnic baskets to-go, can whip up a gorgeous flower arrangement, and have a lengthy Italian soda menu with flavors that can be mixed and matched for a truly bespoke libation (must try the watermelon and violet combo).
Doesn't it all sound so dreamy? Wish I could open a place like this in Dallas.