Poth: Modern Doghouse

I have to give some love to my younger brother Matthew who just sent me some pics of this recycled modern dog house he created. 

 Our aunt Eloisa has always had dogs and her latest brood, a group of Chihuahuas collectively referred to as Al 'quitos - short for chiquitos - now call this scrap wood and metal abode home. Using left over lumber and vents from a recent project, Matt created a modern dog house with an rooftop water bowl- all the better for Al 'quitos to admire the vistas of Seguin - and cantilevered the top to provide shade in the afternoon. 

 This is such an great exercise in sustainability and recycling. Who knew that a bunch of bits and pieces could be turned into something so artful?

I want him to build me a chicken coop. I'll let you know when I talk my husband into letting me get some chickens. 

Houston: Tiny's No. 5

I got an enthusiastic text from my dear friend and Houston-native, Brooke. Brooke is the classiest person I know. She always has the perfect outfit, gift, witty comment, you name it. So when she said "you have to blog about Tiny's  No. 5", I, of course, took note. 

 She and I are both huge fans of Thompson + Hanson and its wonderful cafe, Tiny Boxwoods. Tiny's  No. 5 is its sister location in West University and it has all the chic elements of the original. 

You can count on the same great food - think morning quinoa or chicken and biscuits for breakfast, smoked salmon tacos for lunch, and tuna tartare or hatch green chili stew for dinner - but there are a few elements here that give it a real neighborhood feel. 

To encourage diners to walk or ride their bike to the restaurant, they offer a fleet of bicycles that can be checked out to ride home or if you've had one too many white wine mojitos, you can also bum a ride home in Tiny's  No. 5's electric car, GEM. Sweet, huh?

Houston: Solange Knowles

Way to go, Solange! Beyonce's little sister, whose style I've admired for years - remember when she cut off all her hair? So chic! - is the new face of Madewell. Love!

Read more here.

Marfa: Lineaus Athletic Company

A couple of years ago when I was in Marfa for a photo shoot, I met this wacky guy on a the Marfa Food Shark bus and he told me about these handcrafted medicine balls he makes. 

The chrome tanned leather that's used to make these medicine balls, footballs, and medicine bags just gets softer and more supple after years of use and regular oiling. 

 They are so well-crafted and beautifully designed that I consider them heirloom-worthy. 

 Click here to buy what I think are some of the best gifts for men around.

San Antonio: Acequia

I was working in San Antonio last Monday so I had to stop in sloan/hall to say hi to Marcus Sloan and get updated on what's new in-store. 

 He told me that in the fall, sloan/hall will begin carrying more clothing including - get ready - Balmain.  Then he led me over to some of the apothecary items and told me about bath and body line, Acequia. Based in San Antonio, the company has created some of the loveliest scents for their products.

 Granada was by far my favorite with its leather and tobacco notes, while the Pepper Basil was a fresh counterpoint. The line is made with shea butter, goat's milk, and aloe vera which leaves your skin not greasy, but thoroughly moisturized. 

And I love that the name, the Spanish word for aqueducts, pays homage to San Antonio's water wells which brought life to the earliest settlers of the area.