San Antonio: Southward Apparel

San Antonio-native Miranda Ward teamed up with her bestie Sammie Pace and launched, Southward Apparel, a line of Texas-inspired tees. 

The two Texans and University of Texas Austin grads moved to LA after graduation and with Ward's textile and merchandising degree and Pace's B.S. in Public Relations, the ladies are now ready to debut their line of trendy tees. The stars and striped shirt above is my fave. I'd so wear this ALL THE TIME with my Isabel Dickers boots and jeans. 

Monday, October 1 is the launch of their online biz so get ready to order away. Click here to read the girls' blog, Deep In The Heart of LA.

Bushland: Libby Lane

Tell me. How much do you love these bags?

 I've had my October Vogue sitting around for weeks and just picked it up and was wowed by the front-of-the-book article on 25 year-old Libby Lane's leather handbags, totes, and clutches.

 Lane hand-cuts the leather on her family's cattle ranch outside of Amarillo to create her super chic eponymous collection. 

 And now I'm going to add her to my daily blog list. Click here to read. 

San Antonio: Dos Carolinas

If you're anywhere near SA today, I hope you stop by the new Dos Carolinas boutique in The Pearl Brewery (303 Pearl Pkwy, 210.224.7000). 

 For years the makers of the best custom guayaberas have been making and selling their wares out of a small South Town studio. 

 It's, of course, still there, but now you can buy ready to wear shirts at the new Pearl Brewery store which opened this morning. 

Buy a shirt today and get free monogramming with purchase. http://doscarolinas.com

Austin: Heywood Hotel

Last week I was driving down Cesar Chavez on the east side of Austin and I came upon the Heywood Hotel. 

Simply put, I love how it looked. So I went online and now I'm dying to stay there. There are only seven rooms, but they're all well-appointed, but not in that homogenized way you get with big hotels. 

 Each room clearly has its own personality. While staying here, you can borrow the Heywood's bikes to buzz through east Austin. Think Franklin BBQ, Big Red Sun, and Domy Books. 

 Sounds like a perfect day to me. 

The Heywood Hotel

Everywhere: Piece of Toast

About a year ago I wrote about Molly Bernadette and Sally Ann, the darling sisters behind one of my favorite blogs Piece of Toast. This morning they posted a little profile of me and what I wished I was wearing. Take a look at their fun interview here.

Austin: Texas Monthly

Pick up the October issue of Texas Monthly to see my monthly style page, Essentials. 

This month I showcase my top picks of belt buckles by Texas artists. Click here to see online. 

Next month: cast iron

Dallas: KOCH

One of my favorite designers, Nicole Musselman, is having her annual clean-out sale. Her line, KOCH, is known for its beachy, bohemian vibe and her sweaters are the foundation of my wardrobe. 

This Wednesday head over to Kerry Maguire's home for a clean out sale of amazing pieces that I promise you'll live in. The prices are so fantastic that this will serve as early Christmas gift shopping for my girlfriends. 

Austin: Helm

By now you probably know that Joshua Bingaman and his line HELM Boots are finalists in Martha Stewart's American Made Contest. I know you want him to win just as much I do, so click here to cast your vote. 

Vote once a day until September 24 and keep your fingers crossed that he's the one!

Dallas: The Lumen Hotel

Just one more reason I want to be Tim Headington's best friend.

 His recent expansion of The Lumen Hotel is much needed departure from the cookie cutter vibe of other area hotels. There is truly no other hotel in Dallas that's even near the level of modern sophistication. Which makes me wonder what the hell The Joule is going to be like after it's $90 mil reno. 

 The Lumen now boasts a rooftop terrace, a pool surrounded by cabanas, floor to ceiling windows that flood the rooms with light, and a new restaurant and bar, The Front Room: A Park Cities Diner. 

 Doesn't it just make you wanna check in for the weekend?

I can feel those Frette linens now.

Everywhere: Alex and Lee

Have you seen the new necklaces by Alex & Lee? Originally the duo create items in the 70s for fans like Grace Slick, Elton John, and Salvador Dali. The vibe is like Mad Max serving cocktails to the Pharoahs on Planet Acid. 

 For resort 2012 Proenza Schouler teamed up with them for some spectacular pieces that once again brought them to the spotlight. 

 I nearly had a heart attack when I clicked on the history page on their website. It's almost too good to be true. Think a cosmic mix of the outdoors, chest plates, turbans, men in skirts, and fur vests. 

 In Dallas you can see the line at, where else, Forty Five Ten.

 The one below is my favorite. I love all the interwoven cord combined with the brass scarab. These pieces are so, so special. Maybe my next paycheck I can splurge.