Austin: Kyle Bunting

I'm having a bit of a love affair with Kyle Bunting right now. Not the actual man - although if you met Kyle you could easily fall in love with him. I can say that because I've known him for more than a decade - but the gorgeous hide rugs, chairs, and wall art that Bunting designs and produces in Austin.

He takes hide and pieces parts together in patterns to create original designs that would work anywhere from a modern to a traditional home.
This graphically driven pattern is so gorgeous in white and the contrast against my black saltillo tile kitchen floor would look pretty spectacular.
Can you get over these chairs? Come on! Killing me with creativity.
Cow hide never looked so cool.

Everywhere: Teal and Turquoise

A few weeks ago I was in F!D's downtown office and editor-in-chief Tracy Hayes had a slew of her collected turquoise jewelry rounded up for a product shot - which you can see on the contributor's page of this month's issue. I am so in love with the June/July cover, aren't you? The combination of the deep teal background, the dark model with those gorgeous full brows, and denim jacket piled with Native American jewelry is such a refreshing departure from ubiquitous summer covers with glossed lips, white clothing, or swimsuits.

I was having a teal moment about a month ago when I bought this Flora and Henri one-piece for my daughter.
And we all know that Isabel Marant, the French go-to designer for cool girls everywhere, was having a turq moment when she sent these down the runway last fall for her spring 2010 collection. These are available at Net-A-Porter.

Of course, if you're a purist and only want the real deal, you can't go wrong with finding items on Ebay.

Everywhere: Chanel seasonal must-haves

This being Texas and summertime officially here, I've pared down what goes on my face. Aside from mascara and a bit of blush, these two recent discoveries have proved key to my get-ready routine.

I'm loving Chanel's UV Essentiel Daily UV Care for my face. It's a thin solution that's put on first thing after I wash my face. It's light enough that it's barely noticeable under my moisturizer, blush, or even foundation.
And since I'm a bit of a lip balm addict - plain and simple Carmex being my favorite - Chanel's Hydramax Lip Care has been a pleasant super lightweight alternative to what I usually wear. Perfect for the summer when anything too rich or thick feels excessive when combined with the stifling temperatures.

El Paso: Cinco Puntos Press

For 25 years Cinco Puntos Press in El Paso has published books related to border life. They've covered everything from women of the Mexican Revolution and border violence to graphic novels for young adults. I visited their small downtown press last year and loved these books - below - for my kids.

Using handpainted Oaxacan wood figures little ones familiarize themselves with the alphabet and learn each words Spanish counterpart.

Such good gift ideas. In fact, I think my dear friend Monica should expect something like this for her daughter's upcoming 1st bday.

And I love how this book, The King of Things, is inspired by the Mexican loteria.

Dallas: DVF to open in HPV

It's confirmed: Diane von Furstenberg is opening its 10th free-standing boutique in Highland Park Village this September. DVF will be sandwiched between Vilebrequin and Carolina Herrera and the 1,500 square foot space will carry clothing and accessory collections, including swimwear, shoes, and handbags.