Austin: Spruce

You know that Chinese proverb, Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime? This should be the credo of Austin's Spruce, a fantastic establishment that not only will reupholster and redesign things for you, but also - and this is an important also - will teach you how to reupholster your furniture yourself.

You heard me right. They offer DIY upholstery classes so you can get your creative game on. Watch out Kelly Wearstler.
They also have a good selection of things they've done themselves and salvaged finds that've been gussied up.
Love these footed side tables.

Dallas: Lucia

Had a fantastic meal at David Uygur's new Oak Cliff restaurant, Lucia, last night. Right next door to Dude, Sweet Chocolate in the Bishop Arts District, the tiny 14-table boite - reservations definitely a must - was warm, cozy, and exactly the kind of place I want to dine.

We started out with a smattering of salumi and pickled vegetables, chicken liver smeared on crispy bread, and lamb meatballs on top of a tomato ragu. Dinner was gnocchi with prosciutto, winter squash ravioli with sage and butter, and we ended things with a rich chocolate budino topped with whipped orange cream, candied orange peel, and salted caramel.

They have a good Italian wine list, but no full bar; just an FYI for all you cocktail drinkers. I've already made my second reservation and I can't wait to go back. Lucia, 408 W. 8th St., 214.948.4998.

Photo courtesy of Dallas Morning News

Everywhere: Lay's Limon

This is a very random post, but I officially have a problem. My name is Kristie and I'm addicted to Lay's Limon potato chips.

I've never been a big chip eater but when I did, I liked to squeeze a bit of lime on them (if you've ever been to Mexico, you're familiar with the street carts that sell chips with lime slices and a drizzle of chili).

About a year ago I bought these and I can't stop buying them. Thank goodness I mostly shop at places these aren't sold, but I'm finding myself making special trips to Tom Thumb, Target, even 7-11 to buy these. This morning I was in my pantry and I shut the door behind me and shoved a handful of these tangy things in mouth before my daughter could see her mother eating chips for breakfast.

Sabinal: Two Bar West handbags

Do you know about Two Bar West? Sisters Laurie and Stacy McFadin, fifth generation Texans, make these studded and fringed handbags out of their studio in Sabinal, just south of San Antonio.

One part rock and roll, one part Texas cowgirl, the McFadins use buttery soft leather and vintage belts as handbag straps.
Even though they are a super small company - no press person, they answer their own phones - they've been picked up by places like Fred Segal and Anthropologie.
And Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and Miley Cyrus are regularly spotted carrying their Two Bar West fringe bags around Los Angeles.
I have a bag similar to the one below and get gobs on compliments on it.
And this one has a studded vintage belt for the shoulder strap.

Everywhere: Free People

Never in my life have I shopped at Free People, but last week I came across this gorgeous lace skirt and I had to buy. It arrived this weekend and Saturday I ended up wearing it as a dress because it was so long. It doesn't have a liner so I wore black under things that peeked through and topped it with a black blazer to make it a tad more conservative - if that's even possible seeing as how you could see my underwear underneath.

So tonight I went back to the site to see what else they had online and I've gone bananas over this crochet dress. Comes in black or off-white.

I also love these little lacey tap shorts. How great would these be with a chunky sweater?
And my daughter would flip over these clogs. I often find her playing dress up in my closet - I'm shocked at how well she can walk in my heels - and these are age-appropriate shoes that would give her a little taste of that lift she loves when she puts on my shoes.