Houston: Paris Texas Apparel Co.

Love these Texana-themed silk ties from Paris Texas Apparel Co.

 Brothers Patrick and Paul Hotze have created a collection of 10 prints of everything from the Texas flag and oil derricks to Texas towns and my personal favorite, the armadillo (I had a dream the other night that I had a pet armadillo).

 With Christmas around the corner, this may be my go-to gift for a few people in my life who shall remain nameless. Don't want to ruin anyone's surprise. 

PS Are you on instagram? I'm a little addicted to it right now. Follow me there @kristierhoitsma

everywhere: the loneliest planet

See it. It's On Demand beginning today. 

Dallas: Forty Five Ten & The Four One One

My new favorite blog: Forty Five Ten's The Four One One

 It has the fun, magazine-y kind of layout that I devour. I want to look at every piece, read about every little thing, and then buy it all. 

Bookmark it, read it, love it, live it. 

Dallas: Anteks

Looks what's just arrived at Anteks: Pendleton blankets.

 These gorgeous Native-American-inspired wool and cotton blankets are loomed in Oregon at the company's family-owned mill.

 They're so beautiful and would make a great Christmas gift. If I had one, I'd hang it on a wall like a piece of art or place it at the end of my bed. 

Fredericksburg: Vaudeville

So the other fantastically chic place in Fredericksburg is home decor boutique/cafe/private event space, Vaudeville.

Smack in the middle of Main Street I saw a white sign with what looked to be an animal skull with antlers. Upon closer inspection it was two nude ladies mirroring one another in a stretched out sensuous pose with the letter V balanced between them. Love at first sight. 

 This is part of the event space. A bar with a Kyle Bunting cowhide mosiac.

 Shoulda bought these cubes and wood coffee table.

 The tea bar in the subterranean cafe

 Looooove the Thomas O'Brien Hicks pendants. I have the same ones in my kitchen.

Vaudeville-branded tea

 Jams and jellies.

Doesn't the menu look yummy?

 My latte made with their La Marzocco espresso machine

I would come to the cafe everyday with my computer and work, wouldn't you?

Fredericksburg: Carol Hicks Bolton

In my opinion, one of two of the most chic places in Fredericksburg is Carol Hicks Bolton Antiquities (I'll tell you what the other one is in the next couple days). 

 Her enormous warehouse on South Lincoln Street is filled with taxidermy animals, Belgian linen bedding, and gorgeous collections of curiousities. 

 Everything is curated to a neutral palette and most of Bolton's finds are brought back from European flea markets. If you want to discover your own treasures, Bolton will take you overseas and get you entree to her best kept secret spots to shop. 

 Never thought I needed a stuffed ferret on a log, but now I think I just might. 

Dallas: Flywheel

Have you heard? Flywheel has come to Dallas. Opening day is Monday, October 22. 

 The ultimate spin gym has landed in The Shops at Highland Park. From what I've heard, the classes are an almost spiritual experience. Yes, that's what I said. 

 Here's what sets Flywheel apart from other spin classes: 1. There is stadium seating, so every seat in the house is a good one. 2. Each bike digitally displays your performance info. And most importantly, you can opt in or out of having your performance displayed on an in-studio screen to compete with other riders. 3. Flyhweel has an in-house deejay who curates all the playlists making music an integral part of the experience. 4. They have showers! Helloooooooo! 5. And lastly, they provide complimentary water, towels, and indoor cycling shoes. How's that for customer service?

 Wanna try it before it opens to the public? Guess what? You can. This Saturday, October 20 at 9:30 am. Just RSVP to flywheel@buzzellco.com or call 214.219.9191 x 2 and mention Texas Style and Substance. When you do, you'll be entered for a chance to win one of four 30-day memberships we'll give away during Saturday's class. Space is super limited, so rsvp asap.

I'm excited! Are you?

Dallas: Reed Krakoff

As you know it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and just about everyone has graciously jumped on the donation band wagon, donating a portion of this or a portion of that to breast cancer fundraisers. 

 Reed Krakoff is offering a collection of nine of their Boxer bags in a range of materials from glove tan leather, patents, and beautiful exotics in varying shades of pink.

 The bags are available for purchase beginning today through Sunday, October 14 and are exclusively available at Neiman Marcus NorthPark. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Dallas County affiliate of the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure.  

Houston: Hermés

Today you must, must, must stop by the Hermes store in Houston if you have time or are in town. 

 Through this Sunday, October 14, the venerable purveyor of luxuries and leather goods celebrates its legendary craftsmen during its Festival des Metiers.

Visitors will get a first-hand look at how their beautiful handbags, scarves, and other items are created.

I wish I could be there to witness it all. I promise it will give anyone who goes a better understanding of the time and effort their talented team puts into each and every piece.