Marfa: El Cosmico

It's open. Finally. Liz Lambert's El Cosmico is finally ready for biz. Stay in a refurbished trailer, above.
A teepee

Or a yurt. Any way you slice it, you better be prepared for manana....

Austin: Bows + Arrows & Spartan

Love Bows + Arrows and Spartan, two side-by-side boutiques on South Lamar in Austin. Lauren Thumlert, the gamine owner of the former, has a great blog that she regularly updates with pics of new merch, shots of recent trips, and beautiful randomness. I know Lauren from her days of working at the now closed Premium 93 in the West Village and it's not surprising that she owns such a stylishly subtle clothing store. She got the first spring shipment of Current Elliott. Run, run, run to the shop. Or order online.

Photo courtesy of Bows + Arrows.com

Dallas: L. Bartlett

L Bartlett in the West Village has a huge new shipment of Alex and Ani expandable bracelets. They are selling them in singles and range between $12 for a plain bracelet to $29 for one that's beaded. I adore the one with the St. Christopher medallion, so much so that it's at the top of my list to buy for any friends about to travel.

They also have a ton with astrological signs. I had a store credit so I got one with a Cancer emblem as a nod to my darling Pilar, since I already wear a bracelet with my son's name. On another note, Glass Slipper, which is right next door to L Bartlett has closed. They cleaned out the store and kaput, sayonara. Glad my credit wasn't there.

Austin: A Piece Apart

It's so dreary in Dallas and I'm pining away for warmth and sun. I'd wear this tank dress from A Piece Apart designed by Austin's Laura Cramer and NY's Starr Houtt.
Belt it at the natural waist with this studded belt from American Eagle Outfitters.
And slip my feet into these simple leather flops from Gap.

Kiddoes at my side, strolling around the neighborhood, looking for someone's lawn to plop down on, drinking a Topo.

Everywhere: Koch

My dear friend Nicole Musselman Boykin is the designer behind Koch (pronounced "cook"), a line of clothing and handbags inspired by her far-flung travels and her love of her home-away-from-home, California. She's a total beach girl with a brain - beautiful, blonde, fun, but with intense intellect - she's one credit away from her masters degree in literature, has the most beautiful vocabulary (never peppered with words like "cool" or "awesome") and is the most sound person I know. In one sound bite, a total inspiration.

We'll journey to India in October and her line is something I'll have packed in my suitcase for the adventure. Here are some pictures from her spring collection which is in stores now. In Dallas, you can purchase at Cabana on Lovers Lane.
I would love to wear this caftan with all my hair pulled back in a low bun, simple flat sandals and one big cocktail ring for a dinner out. Or just with bare feet to mill around my house.