Fredericksburg: Root

Look at these cute Swedish Hasbeens that are being delivered to Root in Fredericksburg this month. Just in time for the warm weather, Hasbeens are handmade so no two pairs are alike.

The ones below are for kids and although Root is not carrying them for the mini-me set, I wish that Baby Bean Vintage in Dallas would. I would surely scoop them up for my darling, P.
Photos from Root's wonderful blog and Swedish Hasbeens.

Dallas & Houston: Lauren Pierce Atelier

Houston native Lauren Bush makes her way back to her home state on March 20 from 2-5 for an in-store appearance at Barneys in Dallas to present her new line, Lauren Pierce Atelier. With this exclusive collaboration with Barneys - available March 20-26 - shoppers customize a dress by choosing from a slew of hand-dyed fabrics made by African women then picking one of five different dress silhouettes for the ultimate personal statement.

Bush has been an all around do-gooder since her days at The Kincaid School and she brought one of her altruistic visions to life a few years ago when she debuted FEED Projects, a line a burlap bags whose proceeds fed hungry children. Click here to watch the kicky video that explains the Atelier concept in four simple steps.

Photo from Treehugger.com

Everywhere: Theory

When I received Theory's new lookbook recently, I knew they had turned an aesthetic corner. Of course, I've always leaned on their pieces as wardrobe basics, but their new website and its contents is anything but.

Theory.com is now completely e-commerce and they've done something brilliant by enlisting a slew of super-talented, and varied stylists to come up with their versions of perfect looks using the spring collection. On the site you can click on names like former Vogue staffer Kate Young and Elle's former style director, Isabel Dupre, and it will take you to the looks they've pulled together, all of which are totally chic. To make it even easier, simply click on Shop This Look, and you can buy away.

Photos courtesy of Theory.

Everywhere: J. Crew

Well, girls, if you thought it was a hassle to try to online order some of J. Crew's most coveted items - think about this perfectly studded belt below or their fabulous jersey Lomellina swimwear, the items that you always have to wait for because they're on dreaded backorder - things may get a bit tougher come May when you not only have to compete with other stylish Americans, but with stylish women from around the world. Just got a press release that J. Crew and Net A Porter are teaming up to offer selected pieces to shoppers in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East (because a ruffled cami is a top priority for the people of Iraq).

I'm really being selfish here. I want the Net A Porter international set to be decked in J. Crew. But I also want J. Crew to up production on the top sellers so the American audience can get what they want when they want it. What is it that people say? Help the people in your own backyard? Warning: this post may be the result on having my orders delivery dates more than six weeks out. And three glasses of champagne.

Dallas: Nest

Nest in Snider Plaza is changing things up a bit. Donald Fowler, the former buyer for Stanley Korshak's home department, has come on board to help guide the shop in a more focused, but still fully sophisticated direction - a little less Adler, a little more hard-to-find. There is now an area that's dedicated solely to Heather Wiese Alexander's Bell' Invito Letterpress Stationery and another section where you can find a well-edited selection of coffee table and cookbooks.

Donald, who BTW is the nicest, cutest man, is wild about this new line, Cor. The ball-shaped glycerin soap contains nano-silver which works as an anti-bacterial and after washing your face it leaves behind a thin veil of SPF 15.

DF also told me about a special offer: Bring in canned goods for the North Texas Food Bank and you get a percentage off a single purchase at Nest. 40 cans=40 percent off. Sounds like a deal to me.

Dallas: 48 nights

48 nights made its debut tonight in an old Oak Cliff building at I-30 and Sylvan. The pop up restaurant, the brainchild of Chris Jeffers, Tim Byres, and Chris Zielke will be open every Monday and Tuesday night for the next six months and volunteer chefs like Marc Cassell of Park, Sharon Hage of York Street, and Graham Dodds of Bolsa will be cooking an ever-changing menu. Once the six months is up, the building will be demolished to make room for a Lake Flato-designed mixed-retail development. The best part: all the restaurant proceeds benefit North Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army Dallas, American Red Cross DFW, and The Volunteer Center of North Texas.

Photo courtesy of 48Nights.com

Dallas: Amber Venz

Are you familiar with Amber Venz? Let me introduce you. She's a Dallas native, graduate of SMU and had already created and sold her first jewelry collection by her 2005 freshmen year. Her aesthetic is a beautifully unusual mix of one-of-a-kind finds - think vintage coins, crosses, and Chanel beads - paired with mixed metals, fresh water pearls and lusciously thick grosgrain ribbon. To me it feels Mad Max meets Diana Vreeland. Tough and rough meets ethnic glamour.

There are only two necklaces like this one below. Copper rings on a heavy chain.

This is my favorite, Tia. Copper chains with a ribbon braided through.
This is a body chain that drapes over your chest.
The Leanna with matching Whisper earrings
A multi-strand white coral necklace

Everywhere: Lela and Erin

My favorite fall 2010 looks from Texas gals Lela Rose and Erin Wasson.

Lela Rose
Erin Wasson

I'll be back in full swing next week, posting more regularly. Been unusually, but happily busy with the kiddoes activities this week.

Austin: Anthony Nak

Austin-based CFDA award-winning jewelry line Anthony Nak is calling it quits. The team will officially be done at the end of March, but before then they are having one serious online sale beginning today through Feb 28. We're talking sample sale prices and some of their glorious gems are marked up to 70 percent off retail prices.

Nak Armstrong and Anthony Camargo are amicably parting ways, but Nak will soon debut his eponymous line. Coming out later this spring, Nak Armstrong's first collection, Eden, is inspired by gothic architecture and contain raw diamonds and gems, and gold snakes, vines, and leaves. Can't wait to see it, how 'bout you?

xx,

kr

Dallas: LD Tuttle

Any day now the LD Tuttle's I ordered from VOD last fall will be in. I've been waiting for months for the spring delivery and it's just around the corner. The Float, below, will be a go-to shoe for the warmer months ahead.

Here are some other styles from seasons past. I love how unconventional Tiffany's heels and platforms are. On another note, her stepsister lives here in Dallas so every time Tiffany's in town, she also has a family visit. I always like to find out what kind of connections people have to Texas. They always have at least one.

Everywhere: Alexander Wang

Set your clocks. Today at 5 pm (est) SHOW Studio will direct and host a live feed of Wang's fall 2010 collection. I have a feeling that live feeds will become the way of the future for fashion shows. Nothing can compare to the energy and excitement of being at an actual show, but they run a close second. Click here to watch today.

Dallas: Snow day

My Thursday was supposed to be unusually busy, but because of the snow (7 inches at this point) my entire day was cancelled. Kids at home, snow on the ground, no electricity. It was lovely to be forced to slow down.

We built Chico
Then he was decapitated
We peeled off our clothes
Made a mad dash for the fire
And made a vegetable risotto with what we had in the pantry. Since our refrigerator didn't work (no electricity) Mr. H used snow from outside to chill some champagne in a mixing bowl.
Few things make you feel more grateful, more free of trouble, than a warm home and food to eat on a cold, wet day.

Everywhere: McQueen

A terrible way to start fashion week today. Alexander McQueen R.I.P.

Dallas: Snow day

I need to just accept that it's going to be cold for another month and get over warm-weather fantasies, but when I woke up this morning and saw 2 inches of fluffy snow blanketing the ground...well, you always want what you can't have. Digging this Mignon dress from Archive Vintage that owner Kerry Bonnell just added to the inventory. The sleeve are slit up the middle. It's so Aurora Greenway from Terms of Endearment.

Also dreaming of Fendi's Lucite platform sandals. Don't you love these? The flounciness of the fabric and the neutral color make me think of wearing them with my old Balenciaga-esque cargo pants and a drape-y Helmut Lang tee.
Here's a Chanel that's been at Archive for a couple of months and I can't believe no one's scooped it up. It's in beautiful condition. Would pair it with these YSL sandals.

Valentine's Day: Champagne

My drink of choice is champagne. Have always loved those little bubbles tickling my throat and with Valentine's Day around the corner, I'm hoping for a little Saturday evening champagne sipping. One of my favorites is Veuve, but since I'm desperately trying to be more fiscally-minded, I'm going low-budge with a pretty blanc de blanc - which is essentially a sparking white, just not produced in the Champagne region of France.

Aside from the packaging, which I'm a total sucker for, I like the sweetness of Sofia, from Coppola Vineyards in California. This has been a favorite gift to give during the holidays. Who doesn't love a portable roadie?
Here's the bigger bottle. The label is just so, so pretty. The contents even better. $20.
And this is another sparkling white I found for $14 at Whole Foods today. De Chanceny.

xx,

kr

Dallas: Winter Kate

Neiman Marcus NorthPark is going to carry Nicole Richie's Winter Kate spring/summer collection. Richie is set to make a personal appearance at the store on Tuesday, March 4 from 6-8 pm on level two (near the shoe department).

I like that she's one of the few celebrity designers, much like the Olsen twins, who actually wear what they've designed, Nothing speaks more loudly about a line than when it's not worn by the person whose name is on the label.

Self-promotion

totally forgot, but if you're in the Metroplex, you can listen to me advise on Valentine's Day gifts tomorrow at 8:05 am on Mix 102.9 with the darling Victoria Snee.

Everywhere: Abstract Expressionists

When the US Post Office honored Charles and Ray Eames last year, I was thrilled to have sheets of beautiful stamps that made my stationery even more distinctive, elevated it even. On March 11 - happy birthday to me - these artful gems go on sale to celebrate American Abstract Expressionists. I love the Pollock (middle) and the Motherwell (lower left). Nice to give as gifts to artist friends, aficionados or anyone who appreciates a thoughtful gesture.

Everywhere: Wedges

Still pining for warm weather and wedges. A few of my favorite pairs. Vera Wang Lavender Label.

Dolce Vita
DVF
12th Street by Cynthia Vincent
12th Street by Cynthia Vincent