Corpus Christi: Selena

I woke up this morning thinking that it's so hard to believe that today is the 17-year anniversary of the death of Selena Quintanilla Perez. She would have been 41 years old on April 16 and I can only imagine the mark she would've made on the music industry had she lived. 

As always, her incredible family is keeping her name and spirit alive and a new album with digital duets with Don Omar, Cristian Castro, and Samo will be released on Tuesday, April 3. I can't wait to add the new version of "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" with Selena Gomez to my permanent playlist. 

Marfa: Feist

I so want to make a trip to Marfa for Feist's concert at the Crowley Theater on April 25.

This show is going to sell out so quickly. Tickets on sale today. 

Corpus Christi: Jeremy Jordan

Broadway has a new darling, Corpus Christi-native Jeremy Jordan. 

 Last year he played the lead in Broadway's Bonnie and Clyde and did a stand out job as Jack Kelley in Newsies, which ran at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse.

Such a good job that he'll reprise his Newsie lead tomorrow evening when the musical makes its Broadway debut at the Nederlander. 

The fab photo above is by Susan Watts of the New York Daily News where this story about Jordan ran a few days ago. 

Houston: Toast & Laurel

I'm a stationery and gift wrapping freak. I go absolutely nuts over classically simple papers and I think it's a crime against humanity when I receive a gift that's been put in a lazy paper sack.  

So when I discovered Houston's Toast & Laurel, I kind of had a moment, a blip in time when my heart skipped a little over finding something that's so in my wheel house, so in line with my salutation values.

 There simply is no substitute for putting pen to paper and writing a thank you, a recognition, and little hello. And when you have gorgeous paper to write on, you're more apt to put it to use. 

 Wrapping gifts is the same. It means time was taken to do this, you're important enough that you deserve to unwrap something with giddy anticipation rather than reaching into a careless bag. 

I buy rolls of this paper from The Container Store and any of Toast & Laurel's lusciously thick grosgrain ribbons would pair perfectly. What about you? Does it bother you when someone gifts you something in a bag? Is a verbal or email thank you good enough or do you expect something more?

San Antonio: Bird Bakery

 Actress/model/journalist and San Antonio-native Elizabeth Chambers and her husband, actor Armie Hammer (who spent his formative years in Highland Park) open Bird Bakery this Saturday, March 31. 

The Alamo Heights sweet spot will serve coffee, tea, pastries, and yummy cupcakes all inspired by Chamber's grandmother's recipes. The location makes it easy to grab and go, coffee in hand, to my fave Broadway shops Pagoda, Penny Lane, Lee Lee Shoes, and sloan/hall, which BTW has moved into the gorgeous historic Mobil station a few blocks down from its original location.

If anyone makes it to Bird, let me know how it is. It's the first place I'll go to next time I'm in SA to see my family. 

Dallas: Stanley Korshak & Be Inthavong

You're invited! Please join me and Be Inthavong and Chadwick Bell next Thursday, March 29 at Stanley Korshak for a sneak peek at their fall 2012 collections. 

 I've known Be for a while - he grew up in Dallas and was the other half of accessories line, Be & D - but last year he launched a namesake collection of luxe leather-woven handbags.

 He's getting a ton of attention right now and has been featured in Elle, WWD, Fast Company, and Forbes among many others. 

 This envelope clutch finished with coral python is getting my attention. 

So please come by for a drink, to meet Be and Chadwick, and to just have some fun. Hope to see you!

Dallas: Save Image As

Peek inside the mind of actor and St Mark's alum Miles Fisher at his blog, Save Image As. You know you want to know what's going on in that head of his. 

Everywhere: Kris Nations

I mean, really. What do I need more than this necklace right now?

Nothing, I tell ya'. Absolutely nothing. 

Dallas: El Si Hay

With the mild weather, it's the perfect day for noshing on tacos outside at El Si Hay in Oak Cliff.

I know there's a wealth of fancy tacos spots that have popped up around the city. But their ridiculously overdone logos and outrageous nouveau food combinations can never beat the real deal, tacos like your grandmother - if she was Mexican like mine are - used to make. 

 Simply grilled chicken and steak sprinkled with fresh squeezed lime and enveloped in a fresh corn tortilla accompanied by a Mexican Coca-Cola. 

 And for just $4.50 it's the best deal in town. 

Dallas: Beauty Live at the Dallas Galleria

Come and see me and a slew of other beauty experts tomorrow at the Dallas Galleria's Beauty Live event! We'll be answering any and all beauty questions and conundrums during a q&a panel at 11 am. 

Can't wait to see your smiling faces!

Dallas: Birthday

A little recap of my birthday weekend. An incredible Avant Garden arrangement from the mister.

 Cruz built me this very special Lego scene inspired by my favorite show, Dallas Swat. I'm the girl in the pink shirt having a stand-off with some bad guys. 

 Mother and sister brought over a cake. Roxanne is exactly 4 years and one day older than me, born March 12, so we always celebrate twin-style. 

 Special delivery from Brooke H. A beautiful succulent arrangement from Grange Hall. Wouldn't expect anything less from Lady Perfection. 

 Also was gifted a mani/pedi from Moni R - my nails look great - and an intimate and super casual dinner with dear friends at Ojeda's. JR Bakes made me the most amazing - and still WARM - Buttermilk Pie. Even the handwriting on the label looks like it's from a bespectacled, apron-clad granny who keeps eggs on the kitchen counter.

 And Courtney S also brought some chocolate dipped Rice Krispie Treats and cakeballs. John T handed over vegan cookies, and Rob, JS, and C provided more than they could imagine. Thank you for a wonderful birthday, lovelies. 

Austin: The Byrd Collective

I've spent the gloomy Dallas morning obsessing over the work of floral and event design company The Byrd Collective.  I daydream about becoming a florist and after seeing photos of their work, I want to run out to get bunches of flowers for my own arranging session.

 Owner Ashley Woodson Bailey is a Corpus Christi-native and honed her chops at KCD Worldwide (they rep everyone from Marc Jacobs to Anna Sui) and was the event director for Savannah College of Art & Design.

 Look at these gorgeous and super creative invitations. 

 Love that Hick-sian print

And I never get tired of pretty swirls of calligraphy.
All photos from The Byrd Collective

Everywhere: MetCon3 at Equinox

You guys know I'm always checking out the latest hot workout. Last year I was all about Tread and Beyond Pilates - both of which work - and this year I've embraced spin with John Terlingo at Equinox.

Above: Our instructor wrote out the order of exercises we were going to do on the mirror
 But last week I got an email inviting me to try a new class at Equinox called MetCon3. It's 40 minutes of a warm up, three hardcore ten-minute intervals that are made up of one-minute exercises, and a cool down. Are you doing the math? You do ten one-minute exercises in ten minutes, rest for 60 secs, and repeat. You do this three times and the idea is that you bring your bod to the brink of "I can't," rest, and then start over to "improve the storage and delivery of energy to the muscles." 

This means fat loss not just in class, but for up to 16 hours afterwards for women and up to 48 hours for men (thank you, testosterone). This class was intense, but Will - the creator - and the music were fantastic. And just when you thought you were about to die, you got a minute to rest. Totally doable and if I only have to do two 40-minute workouts a week, I'm game. Wouldn't you be?