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.

Houston: Diane Izzedin

A couple of years ago, Jackie Bolin introduced me to Diane Izzedin (that'd be De-Ahn). The Houston-based Belgian designer was making fantastic denim jeans that sucked in every little lump and bump and made your backside look like a 14 year olds.

Izzedin is moving forward with her talents and now making hand sewn python handbags.
Available at VOD, which has gone e-commerce. Scoot over to their site to shop online.

Austin: Kyle Bunting

Kyle Bunting, you need to stop. Look what the hide master has come up with now: A pair of Alexander McQueen-inspired Louiss that are knocking my socks off.

Phoenix + Simple Lovely

Head over to Joslyn's blog immediately to see a fabulous rendition of Lisztomania by Phoenix. LOVE IT.

Dallas: Green tea at Dive

After almost passing out at Tread today, I headed over to Dive to get my iced green tea and I have to admit I'm in full addict mode. First thing: The ice. It's the small pebble-y kind that's so easy to crunch and makes your drink slushy. 2. The tea. Unreal. Just a hint of flavor. Perfect to cool down with. 3. The sweeteners. It's not granulated sugar. No, it's either agave nectar or simple syrup so instead of wishing those sweet little grains would hurry up and be absorbed into your freezing cold drink, the liquid sweeteners instantly melt into your libation.

Dallas: Sale Time

It's my favorite time of year again: fall sales. Fall merchandise begins its 40 percent markdown tomorrow at Forty Five Ten and Barneys. Yip!

San Marcos: James Perse

One incentive for me to head home for Thanksgiving would be the James Perse sale that begins at midnight on Thanksgiving at Premium Outlets. That's right: James Perse along with La Perla, Barneys, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, and a slew of other fabulous stores will open for midnight madness on Thanksgiving night for everyone who wants to get a serious head start on Black Friday.

The James Perse boutique is my favorite, though. They have everything you could possibly want in soft cotton and it's all about 30 percent less (sometimes even more) than what is costs at regular stores. Love.

Austin: Kendra Scott

Austin native Kendra Scott opens her first brick and mortar boutique tomorrow in Austin.

The new boutique (1400 S. Congress) is right below the jewelry designer's studio and is an ambitious 3400 square feet decorated with mirror accents and white lacquered wood.
If you can't find something you love among her ready made pieces, head to the Kendra Scott Color Bar, an entire wall where you can pick from 30 different color stones and 40 distinct silhouettes for the perfect bespoke necklace, earring or bracelet.

Dallas: Koch

It's always around this time that I start to get excited about spring clothing. I know, I know. It seems silly when we're hardly wearing fall, but I can't help it.

Right now I'm particularly looking forward to the spring deliveries of Koch.
Yesterday I went to Koch's design studio on Lovers Lane and got a personal look at the collection
And I want everything.
Here are my two favorites:
Eliot top in charcoal linen
Gilberthe top in blue fisherman stripe. The Lyle tops are also a must for anyone who loves a tee, but is over the intrinsic basic-ness that is a t-shirt. The Lyle is cut slim through the torso, has a flattering deep scoop neck and a cap-like sleeve that gives some structure. The best is the fabrication. It comes in a tissue-thin grey cotton, sand cotton, and a mini-stripe knit.

Photography courtesy of Bret Gum

India: Bangles

I just downloaded a bunch of fuzzy pictures from my iPhone. Here are few from Jaipur.

We popped into Roop Rani to buy some traditional Indian bracelets and we weren't disappointment. Women come in and buy by the inch and their purchases are wrapped in newspaper and placed in boxes like these below.
Nicole and Karla trying to decide what to buy. Why the contemplative faces?
Because you are faced with thousands of shapes, sizes, and designs.
This is just one small section behind the counter. Think this multiplied by 20 and you have an idea of how many bracelets you're choosing from.
I've been wearing mine non-stop since I got home. I wish I'd bought more.