McAllen: Quinta Mazatlan

It's 87 degrees and sunny in McAllen today and if I was there right now I'd be exploring the grounds of Quinta Mazatlan.

This beautiful outdoor sanctuary is beloved by bird watchers.The main space is a former mansion and all of its room are still in tact with the original tile. The white stucco, casement windows and red tile roof scream my name. I love this Spanish-Med style of home.
This is also a popular wedding spot. Doesn't it look lush? It's hot as hell though from May to October. March seems like the perfect time to visit.

Dallas: Bonnie Basham

As promised, here are some shots of Bonnie Basham Baby now available at Baby Bean.

I kind of want some for myself.

Dallas: Bonnie Basham

Don't you need some Bonnie? Here are some of her new spring pieces exclusively at Cabana.

Next week I'll have some pictures of her new line for kids at Baby Bean, Bonnie Basham Baby.

Richardson: Jessica Simpson

You gotta love Jessica. The press has hounded her about her ho-hum singing and dancing skills, her disastrous romances, and her fluctuating weight. But by the end of this year, Simpson's fashion empire will more than likely cross over into $1 billion in sales. Who's making fun now?

Click here to read New York Magazine's profile on our favorite girl from Richardson.

Photo courtesy of New York Magazine

Dallas: Pucci

Highland Park Village has announced that Pucci will open on the southeast side of the outdoor shopping center next month. I've not looked at Pucci in a long time, but after checking out their spring collection I'm thinking it feels very Roberto Cavalli, no?

Austin: W Hotel, ACL, and Willie

Sorry for being MIA, but I've been blowing and going since I got home Monday afternoon. I told you guys that we planned on having drinks and a quick bite at Second Bar + Kitchen at the Austonian and they totally delivered. It was pretty packed with a very sleek looking crowd so we sat at the bar and order a smattering of things including this pretty cheese board. I also went bonkers over the Tom Collins glasses that they served my Titos and soda in and the minute I got home I went and bought a dozen of them.

At 7:45 we walked two blocks down Willie Nelson Blvd, aka as 2nd, and spotted knitter Magda Sayeg's fantastically sweet homage to Willie. She's the founder of Knitta Please and takes her craft to the streets for a new kind of urban art. The knitted red bandanna and braids are genius.
We moseyed up to the mezzanine level, had our tix scanned and walked inside.
And lo and behold, a sweet sight for my eyes: An entire bar dedicated to Tito's Vodka. Ever since I heard my friend Martha order her Tito's and soda I've jumped on the bandwagon and now I always specifically ask for Tito's no matter where I am. Gotta support my Texans.
At 8, Willie came on stage wearing a black suit and supported by a 40-piece orchestra. A few songs into it, he took a break. 15 minutes later he came back on stage in jeans, a t-shirt, and a black cowboy hat, a Texas flag unfurled from the ceiling to become his backdrop, and his 5-piece band began to play "Whiskey River." Once he got around to "On The Road Again" the hat came off, his signature red bandanna came on, and everyone screamed. Now that I've heard him sing "Georgia," "Hey, Good Looking," and "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" I can die happy.
Monday morning I was at the airport - I swear I feel like I live at the Austin airport lately - and while in line at Maudee's for a breakfast taco, this gal was sporting a red/orange Dooney circa 1991. Is this really coming back around?

Austin: Second Bar + Kitchen

Headed down to Austin this morning for Willie's concert tonight at the new Moody Theatre/ACL Live Studios on the ground floor of the W Hotel. I'm super excited to be a part of the inaugural concert and I'm really looking forward to meeting friends at Second Bar + Kitchen for dinner and drinks before the show.

Second opened in the Austonian at the end of last year and everyone has kind of gone nuts over the space and the food. I def want to start with the black truffle pomme frites and thinking about winding things down with the pappardelle for dinner. I'll have a full report for you when I'm back on Monday. I'll let you in what's shaking at the San Jose, if Second Bar really lives up to its rep, and what the new ACL space looks like. Happy Sunday, y'all!
Images from Eater.com

San Antonio: Garage of Goods

Darn it, I wish I was in San Antonio tomorrow for the second Garage of Goods event. Tomorrow from 9 am to 3 pm Josephine Street Cafe's parking lot will be transformed into an outdoor bazaar with everything from clothing and shoes to furniture and home accessories for sale all at least 50 percent off original prices.

I'd be over there at 9 on the dot to shop for clothing from my fave SA boutique, Meadow, and to look over what Pagoda has to sell.

Dallas: Sour Grapes

Don't you love art with a sense of humor? I like to surround myself with funny things, items that make me smile, that brighten my day. And not that there's not intellectual commentary behind the work of Sour Grapes, but their wall of open-mouthed paletas at the Dallas Contemporary just makes me grin.

Don't miss their show opening tomorrow night at The Dallas Contemporary. And if you want to keep up with them and life in Oak Cliff - I've discovered some very cool things on their blog...DJ Sopa, you are hired for my next party - click here and mark it as a favorite.

Dallas: Walk The Line

You need to mark your calendars now - March 13, 4 pm - for what is sure to be a fantastic afternoon. The quarterly Chefs For Farmers events are sponsored by Central Market and each dinner pairs a chef with local farmers and their goods and the end result is a delicious gourmet meal showcasing locally grown foods.

The March event will be at Highland Park Cafeteria where you'll walk the cafe line with your tray and grab your food while listening to DJ Jennifer Miller spin some tunes. Tickets are $85 and the proceeds benefit The Family Place. Click here to buy tickets.

Dallas: Vanessa Bruno and VOD

VOD just received a pre-spring shipment of Vanessa Bruno and this gauzy, floor-skimming dress is on my list of must-haves for the season. The never-ending icy weather in Dallas is killing my mood and all I can think of are upcoming trips to warm and sunny LA, Miami, and La Jolla.

This would be perfect for a night out with a Chan Luu sequin bra and nude lace underpants or great for throwing on after a swim in the pool.

Houston: Tootsies

It's open! Tootsies' new location on West Avenue in Houston is ready for business. What are you waiting for? Don't you need some new shoes?

Austin: Juan Pelota Cafe

Super curious what you have to say about this: Have you been to Juan Pelota Cafe in Lance Armstrong's Austin bike shop, Mellow Johnny's? I was working in Austin today and already got my fix at Jo's but passed by this on my way to the Capitol.

I just looked at Yelp and there are some folks that love it more than anything and then others that say the staff is just terrible. Have you ever been there before? I'll pop in on Sunday when I'm back in Austin - Willie Nelson at the new ACL Live at Moody Theater! - and let you know what I think. Just wondering if anyone's had firsthand experience.

Dallas: Super Bowl parties

I'm not afraid and I'm not embarrassed to tell you I'm a Belieber. I am. I love him. And I'm fully anticipating the full on geek- out I'm going to pull tomorrow night if I happen to see him at one of the Super Bowl parties I'm attending tomorrow night.

My sister has already spotted Duran Duran at Urban Taco and I've heard various accounts of other celebrity sightings despite the icy weather. I know I'm going to see the Black Eyed Peas at dinner, Ashton, Demi, Justin Timberlake, Snoop, and Hilary Swank at an assortment of parties. What about you? Who are you excited to see?

Everywhere: Kelly Wearstler

She's discovered blogging. Check it out here.

Texas: Gilt Groupe

I've been looking at vintage watches online and here are a few I found that I love.

The classic leather straps on these are so pretty and feminine.
But then I get all cross-eyed over a stainless steel band. Oh, the choices!

Tomorrow I'm going to try to keep it together while I peruse Gilt Groupe's vintage watch sale curated by Hodinkee's Benjamin Clymer (if you love watches, you must follow his blog). And, if you're not already a member of Gilt, what are you waiting for? Texas Style And Substance readers click here for a special invitation to join! Happy shopping!

Texas: OPI Texas Collection

The only possible way for me to brighten up with all the depressing icy weather outside is to get a mani/pedi with one of OPI's new colors from their Texas Collection.

If you've picked up this month's issue of FDLuxe, you saw that they're my editor's pick for February and after browsing the colors and the clever names, you can see why. My favorite: "Houston, We Have a Purple." Unfortunately, they left out Dallas in any of the names, but the 12 fantastic shades make up for it. Launches tomorrow nationwide.