San Antonio: Ocho

I had the pleasure of visiting Liz Lambert's Hotel Havana in San Antonio last year a few weeks before they were due to open the doors. I've not been back since, but now that I've seen these photos of the hotel's completely renovated restaurant and bar, Ocho, I'm going to have to forgo my family's home next time I'm down south and check in here for a day or two.

The turq and mustard yellow are my favorite color combos. It's so rich-looking.
I'm feeling Tito's poured over ice and topped off with a fizzy pour of Topo Chico.
I can't even tell you how long I've been drinking TC. So glad that everyone else is coming around. It's big, round bubbles are better than any other soda you've tried, I promise.
Gorgeous
After several rounds at Ocho, I'd ordered room service and have this delivered to cure any ailments.

Photos by Allison V Smith, courtesy of Giant Noise

Dallas: Mottega & Mark Moussa

Mark Moussa is kind of a rock star in the world of home decor. His Dallas-based Arteriors creates everything from side tables and mirrors to home objects and wall hangings. But what I've always loved most about Arteriors are the lamps and lighting.

I think Moussa must feel the same way, as he's hit on a genius idea with his new venture, Mottega, a company solely dedicated to client-designed custom lamps that are delivered to your home in 2 weeks. You go online, chose the lamp base shape, the color, and the shade, and voila, your perfect lamp will be delivered in 14 days flat.

Arlington: Blake Mycoskie

Arlington's Blake Mycoskie, aka the chief shoe give, became the chief sunglass giver on Monday. He and his team unveiled their new product earlier this week (I know it's Wednesday. I'm not exactly priding myself on punctuality lately) and I like what I saw.

Here are a few pics from the event
Blake's brother Tyler was on hand to unlock the capsule and do the big reveal
This is the full out frenzy over trying to be one of the first 30 people to buy a pair to ensure you got a Blake-signed sunglass case.

Austin: Contigo

One more reason Austin's east side is the best place to be: Contigo. The restaurant is owned and operated by Ben Edgerton and Andrew Wiseheart and they were inspired by Edgerton's family's South Texas hunting ranch of the same name.

I like their earnest explanation for opening: not everyone is able to visit the ranch, so they wanted to bring the ranch to them. They like to sit outside, drink beer and margaritas, and eat good food with warm friendly people. This is the essence of Contigo.
And how gorgeous is this picture below? It makes me want to be there right now. All that's missing is some Willie Nelson and tejano music and I'd be in heaven.
Make sure you check out their website. Their blog will give you a good idea of how these boys operate, what their values are, and I guarantee that you'll be swooning as much as I am. And I've never even met them.

All photos courtesy of Contigo

Arlington: Blake Mycoskie

What's in the tube? Mycoskie unveils the next product in his TOMS buy-one-give-one empire next Tuesday at a handful of Neiman Marcus stores across the country, one of which happens to be at NorthPark. Does anyone want to meet me there at 12:30 pm to see what the big reveal will be?

Everywhere: Summer Sales

It's that time again. Stores start moving current season gems out the door to make room for the upcoming shipments of new clothing and shoes. Barneys is always my favorite place to get shoes and the 40 percent off sale is in full swing. A few of my favorite finds:

YSL strappy gold wedge. Was $1,085 is now $649.
YSL cork wedge. Was $695, now $419.
Manolo Blahnik Bersena. Was $995, now $599.

Lanvin wedge. Was $1,245 is now $799.

I know $799 is still some serious coin, so I, like many of you, will have to wait until the next markdown before I can even consider any of these kicks. Fingers crossed that they still have my size floating around somewhere.