Round Top: The Prairie

Just when you thought you were far too into mid-century modern to ever swoon over shabby chic again comes Rachel Ashwell's new B&B in Round Top.

The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell has opened for business right in time for the fall antiques fair which begins September 28.

Set on 46 acres, the property has five homes situated around each other one of which is a common area/lounge where you can gather for meals and drinks.

The homes are perfectly outfitted in Ashwell's signature look: slip-covered sofas, Farrow & Ball wallpaper, flowers in jam jars, claw foot soaking tubs, and chandeliers.

Wouldn't this be a fantastic place to spend a family holiday, say, Thanksgiving or Christmas?

These beds look so unbelievably cozy. I think I'd sink into them and never emerge from the room.

I've wanted to do Round Top forever, but have hesitated because of the lodging - I'm spoiled, what can I say? - but this is more than perfect. I'm going. Who's in?

Photos courtesy of The Prairie By Rachel Ashwell

Houston: A Bientot

A Bientot has moved into bigger digs in the same shopping strip, but right around the corner from their original location on Westheimer.

It's now two stories and is essentially on River Oaks Blvd but it's still overflowing with tons of trendy, affordable accessories.

The layout is much better and you don't feel like you have to uncomfortably squeeze by the tables and shelves to get to things.

Some of the Kenneth Jay Lane bracelets they have are fabulous, some with amazing dragon heads with green eyes and others with zebra stripes and rhinestones. There's a entire table of stuff that channels Rachel Zoe.

Dallas: Annie Clark

I was so happy to see Annie Clark, aka St Vincent, in October's Elle. She's one of a dozen tastemakers who are profiled for their devil-may-care approach to style.

The Dallas native and Lake Highlands High School grad just released her third album, Strange Mercy, last week. Listen to the tracks here and then try to tell me you haven't fallen for her, too.

New York: Kelly & Ken

How cute is Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing with Kelly Wearstler? This is from yesterday in NY. Wearstler had a presentation at Bergdorf's and here are a few pics.

Um, I'll be needing this

And you know what I want off this table? That crazy bronze siamese twin hand that's holding that clutch. And that chair in the background.

New York: J Crew Spring '12

I can pretty much guarantee the pajama trend will continue through spring.

This is such a breezy spring look. I like that they showed this little bloomer in a realistic, wearable way. That long sweater makes it doable.

Brilliant color and pattern combining

Just go ahead and buy yourself some printed bottoms, okay?

Everywhere: Missoni Mayhem

After carpool this morning I stopped by Target to pick up some things for the house. On my way to get batteries I saw all the Missoni racks. It looked like the place had been looted. And mind you this was at 8:15 am, a mere 15 minutes after Target's doors opened.

I've never seen anything like this. You'd of thought there was a scavenger hunt for hundred dollar bills by the looks of the ladies racing up and down the aisles with their shopping carts overflowing with zig zagged dresses and pillows.
And I'm wondering: Is this because these women have always really loved Missoni, have pined for it and want their signature look at a great price or is the urgency to have a sweater a byproduct of the hype that's been generated by bloggers, Target's facebook page, and the media? What do you think? Is Missoni at $40 something you'd push another person out of the way for? Or is your dignity more valuable?
Or do people just want to resell the stuff on Ebay?
Target's website is even down this morning and I'm thinking it was overwhelmed with demand for the limited edition pieces.
The children's section did have a slew of darling sweater dresses and tights left over and I did end up buying some things for Pilar. But is it more meaningful to have a shopping cart full of Missoni for Target items for $800 - the woman in front of me - or better to just save that money and invest in the real thing? Thoughts?

New York: Favorites so far

It's obvious from what's coming down the runways: next spring is all about prints. I guess I'm going to have to embrace this trend otherwise I'm not going to be able to buy much next season. Herewith, my favorites thus far:

Tommy Hilfiger. With Peter Som consulting they've got my attention. Hilfiger reeled me in with this fall's silk pajama pants - which BTW, they're completely sold out of. I spent a portion of Saturday afternoon begging someone at TH to please, please, please call me back if the person ahead of me on the size four list didn't pick up her pants. No dice. I'm waitlisted.

Thakoon.
Rachel Roy.
Rachel Roy.
Lela Rose. I will live in these trousers.
Diane Von Furstenberg. These slouchy pants moved so beautifully down the runway.

New York: Fashion Week

Apologies all around for being MIA! Last week was wheels off. Deadlines, a visiting friend, an early Friday flight to New York. Manhattan was blanketed with machine gun toting military due to terrorist threats and I've never been more freaked out to ride a subway in my life. Getting a cab was pure hell since everyone else felt the same way. Regardless of that, I was glad to be in Manhattan during the 9/11 Memorial. I did what Bloomberg asked and went about my day and business, although in a pretty somber, reflective mood.

Fashion Week began the day I arrived and was in full swing over the weekend. Yesterday Derek Lam sent some great looks down the runway, many of which are so doable. These printed pants - I'm finally warming up to prints - would be great with a white button down.
The cut of this dress is so subtly sexy.
And the makeup that Estee Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux did was perfection.
The thick brows, warm skin, and nude glossy lips are exactly what I want to look like. Clean, simple, fresh, but thoroughly polished.
And even though the nails look vanish-free, they are actually polished with EL's Nude Attitude nail lacquer. So pretty.
Derek Lam courtesy of Style.com; Estee Lauder courtesy of Estee Lauder.

Houston: Candylicious

I've been hearing about Candylicious for the past several months after a friend discovered it on a recent trip.

It's a candy store filled with all kinds of old-school and modern day goodies, a sweet tooth fantasy land.
But the real draw are the candy sculptures. Using a glue gun and a lot of creativity, they attached color coordinated candies to styrofoam numbers - perfect for birthdays or anniversaries - or custom shapes to make original centerpieces for parties or events.
My daughter had a Barbie cake for her birthday this year, but I think next year we'll go with one of their Barbies with the candy ball gown.
They can custom make any shape you want, be it a pirate ship, The Hulk, Superman, Dora. You name it, they make it and cover it in the sweets of your choice.
Candylicious, 1837 W. Alabama, 713.529.6500.