Austin: Howard Daughters

Seriously, why is everyone is Austin so dang cool? I just came across this on Rikshaw Design and I'm bubbling with envy - my favorite foodie Aimee will be, too, when she reads this - over Howard Daughters. Owned by sisters Blake and Elizabeth, who have worked with Alice Waters at Chez Panisse and Chad Robertson and Liz Prueitt of Tartine Bakery, the girls churn out organic sweets and ice cream made from local ingredients and will turn up at your next party with this super cute trike filled with mouthwatering goodies.

Again, I'm a freak for packaging and I so appreciate the old-school throw back vertical stripes and simple oval logo. Their menu is, of course, seasonal and the rotating menu has things like candied citrus peels, coconut rum macaroons, and chocolate wafer sandwiches filled with mint ice cream.

Dallas: House of MacGregor

I wish I could really pull off a hat. If I could, I would head straight over to Cassandra MacGregor's studio above Bolsa in Oak Cliff to shop her handmade collection of chapeaus. This past week I've been busy pulling for a magazine photo shoot and one of her hats will be featured in a summer outfit I'm putting together.

She also sells her wares at VOD in Victory Park. For my daughter's birthday last year darling VOD co-owner Jackie Bolin commissioned a custom pink tie dye hat for my girl, similar to the one below. P loves it and will began wearing it again this summer.
Love the idea of wearing this on the beach with just a basic black bikini and sunglasses. Such a chic way to keep the sun at bay.
Here's one of Cassie's cocktail hats. Wouldn't this be gorgeous at a fall wedding?

Dallas: Forty Five Ten

You better believe I'll be there tomorrow.

Texas: Central Market & Argentina

Central Market in Houston, Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, Austin, Southlake and San Antonio kicks off Passport Argentina today, its first big international food and wine event. For two weeks the store will be filled with empanadas, boutique Malbecs and other award-winning wines, and tons of cooking classes and opportunities to meet, eat, and happy hour with some of the world’s most famous wine makers.

Chefs like Francis Mallman, Diego Coll and Narda Lepes from Argentina as well as NY Mag’s hot chef Natalia Machado of Industria Argentina in NYC will be touring Texas this week and next. Can’t wait to cook with Francis Mallmann in Dallas on May 19! I’ll be there – check out all the classes (as well as download a Tango playlist and learn how to fill and crimp an empanada) by visiting centralmarket.com

Everywhere: Isabel Marant fall '10

I know it's not even summer yet, but I'm already pining away for the first fall delivery of Isabel Marant at VOD. The minute this came down the runway I went a little cuckoo for the skinny cropped sequins pants. Love. Them.

The way she paired them with kitten heels has me dusting off my Prada D'Orsays from spring 2002.
If you don't already have a denim jacket, run, run, run to get one now.
Get outta town with that furry coat! Are you dying over it?
Here are the matchstick jeans from J. Crew that could work as a substitute for the denim. I'm sure J. Crew will have a dark wash version for fall, but if not, you can also just give them a rinse with Rit dye for a richer look.

Counting down the days 'til August...