San Marcos: James Perse

When I was last in San Marcos, say at the beginning of March, I wandered through Prime Outlets - my favorite area being the north end by La Perla, Neiman Marcus Last Call, and Barneys - and there was a James Perse outlet that was being finished out.

You can't find a thing about it on the Perse website, but I promise you it's there and now open for business. And since JP tees and clothing never, ever go out of style, you're in for a bargain on classic, super-soft styles that you'll keep forever. It's on my list of must-stops when I'm in Austin next week. Perse at a discount? Yes, please.

Everywhere: Absolute ridiculousness

Have been in Houston working all day, but came home to news about this. Heather Havrilesky made me laugh with her story on Salon.com.

Dallas: Central Market & Argentina

OMG. Just returned from an amazing night of all things Argentine. I went to a private dinner hosted by Central Market with a menu created by Argentina's most famous export, chef Francis Mallmann, who essentially looks like the spawn of Ralph Lauren, Spalding Gray, and Einstein. Which means he's actually kind of hot. But again, you know I love older men.

Mallmann's theory about cooking is that nothing more than a hot flame and a few herbs or salt is needed for the perfect meal. Everything is cooked on a fire and this what I came upon before I sat down for dinner.
This is what the animal looked like plated and I must say that the lamb was remarkably tender. It cooked for 7.5 hours and was served with grilled potatoes, arugula, and roasted almonds. The La Posta Pinot Noir was served perfectly cool at just about 63 degrees.
After that I completely geeked out - as only a journalist would - when I spotted Michael Pollan grilling half of Mallmann's menu. Pollan cooked my food, people! How amazing is that? Pollan is working on his next book which is about the significance of cooking with fire and its attribution to human evolution and he flew down for a bit of research. I love his writing, his opinion on the slow food/real food movement, and Food, Inc., is a film I've recommended to everyone I know.
After too many Malbecs this is where I ended up.
This is the only way you'll ever see me tango.

Dallas: Swimwear & Tread

I've conquered 15 Tread classes since April 12 and it's time to buy new bikinis for the summer. I've lost a total of three inches, a few pounds so that I'm now back to my normal weight, and everything in my closet fits better than ever. I also feel amazing. Feel amazing to me = looks amazing. I wanted this Tori Praver suit below - no, that is not me trying on the suit - but VOD was sold out of my size - that would be small! - so I'm looking for something similar.

I also love this Lem Lem cover up, but seriously after all the sweat and hard work I've put in I'm not in the mood for covering up.
My swimsuits are always, always black. I'm a purist and dislike busy prints or garish colors - you'll usually find me in tonal greys, blacks, nudes, more grey - but I love the eggplant color of this bandeau bikini from Victoria's Secret.
Lisa Marie Fernandez's flesh colored neoprene suit has little details that whisper "I'm wearing shapewear!" but it's still sexy. I do like the stitching and construction of the piece.
Last year I wore my Shimmi bikini into the ground and I'm all about their collection this year, too. This shade of heather grey looks as if it's terry cloth or made from a sweatshirt.
What will you be wearing this summer?

Houston: Claridge + King

Laurann Claridge, an editor at Houston's PaperCity, and her sister Lizbeth King have hit a home run with the latest addition to Claridge + King, their menswear-inspired line of button downs, pajama pants, and tees: The Travel Set. I have a slew of trips on the horizon and I'm convinced I need this to jet off comfortably. Tucked inside a little pewter striped fabric case is a generously sized wool and cashmere blend shawl, matching ankle socks, and a cotton eye mask. When everything is taken out of the case, you can use it to cover those questionable little airplane pillows.

I'm also convinced that I won't be able to really sleep soundly until I'm wearing this every time I lie down in my California king.
Striped packaging. What's not to love?
The pretty monogram styles from which to chose if you so desire a personalized shirt.
The pajama pant.