I'm Back!

Hey everyone!

I'm so sorry for not posting in, well, FOREVER! I promise I'm not wearing work out clothes all the time while I'm watching Baby E. This will no longer be my excuse and I promise to update my blog more!

So here's my first post back, a few photos taken at the 2012 HRC Gala this past weekend. (Thank you Ben!) I had an amazing night with Baby E and my uncles, as well as my awesome date. Doesn't he look handsome? I have gone to this event two other times before so this time I decided to go with something a bit more simple and dress it up with jewelry (In this case, diamonds thanks to my Uncle Michael). We sipped on champagne and had an amazing meal while many people spoke on the issue of human rights. Actress Amber Heard was there as well to lend her support to the cause. It was an amazing night and I cannot wait to be there again next year.

Photos courtesy of Ben

Outfit

Dress: Zara 

Jewelry: Diamonds thanks to my uncle, Tiffany bead earrings, Grandmother's vintage engagement ring

Shoes: Steve Madden (not pictured)   

Cravings

My friend Minhthy and I were craving a little outdoor adventure the other day and since the weather has been so nice we couldn't resist a trip to Empire Cafe. We enjoyed a nice lunch out on their patio and were able to catch up on some much needed girl time. After lunch we decided to head over to Crave cupcakes, which in my opinion is the best cupcake place in Houston. I enjoyed their limited run pistachio and Minhthy had their mint chocolate chip cupcake. I think my favorite so far has been their dark chocolate, or maybe the red velvet, or there's even the German chocolate....I guess I'm still debating over which one takes the lead.

 After our cupcakes we decided the day was not over. We went over to Minhthy's apartment to watch bad Netflix movies. If any of you out there have Netflix watch instantly then you know there are some good movies on their list, but there are a lot of one and two star rated movies that you can't help but watch and continue to watch. You know it's a horrible story line or bad acting or maybe both, but you get sucked into the story and have to watch until the end to know what happens. I have been on a bad movie watching binge lately racking up such titles as Jennifer's Body (sorry all you Meghan Fox lovers out there), the People vs. Larry Flint, The Cheetah Girls (thank you Baby E), and Sleeping Beauty (definitely not the Disney version). Have any of you seen any good or bad movies lately?

Thanks Minhthy for taking these pictures!

 

Outfit

Top: Renew Denim

Jacket: Forever 21

Skirt: DIY

Shoes: Target

Jewelry: Necklace from Greece worn as bracelet, Stella & Dot, Charlotte Russe ring, Marc Jacobs ring, ring from Greece, black bangles from The Admiralty

Titanic

On April 12th the Houston Museum of Natural Science hosted a VIP night to celebrate the Titanic, 100 years later. My Uncle Matt (who's quite awesome, if you didn't already know) was able to get my friend Minhthy and I last minute tickets to this sold out event. Three cheers for Matt! I was never a huge fan of the movie and I wasn't one of those lusting teenagers over Leo. However, I am a huge history nerd and the history and story behind the Titanic fascinates me. The event described a first class area where a sting quartet would be playing (in my opinion, much like the band playing as the ship was sinking and people were scrambling to life boats) as well as third class where there would be a Celtic band playing.

The event was fabulous! As you entered you received a swag bag (if you were the lucky few like Minhthy and I were) that had free museum passes and a discounted Titanic exhibit pass, which I definitely need to use. Once inside, on the left was the live band for third class and on the right was first class, which was held in the gemstone area (a perfect place for first class). Minhthy and I decided to beat the crowd to the exhibit, so we started there. Upon entering you received a card with a real passengers name and a brief bio, I was an older woman with a daughter and traveled first class...we would need this later. Once inside it was incredible! All of the artifacts from parts of the ship, to history of passengers and the builders of the ship, and quite a few personal belongings. It was amazing to see what items were almost immaculately preserved and those that had much deterioration. At the end of the exhibit you were able to look up the name you were given and see if you survived. I thought since I was first class that surely I would have survived, but Minhthy told me not to get my hopes up....however, I did survive!

Overall this exhibit was amazing and the VIP night to celebrate the Titanic's voyage 100 years ago was a great showcase of her history. I can't wait to use my pass to the museum I got that night to go again and maybe I'll buckle down and see the movie as well.

 

Outfit

Top: Thrifted

Skirt: BCBG (old)

Shoes: Bebe (old)

Jewelry: Juicy Couture heart earrings, Bebe bangles, Stella & Dot ring, Chloe Lane Studio "Oui/Non" necklace

Purse: Louis Vuitton Eva

SeanDavidBradley

My friend Kim invited me to a photography exhibit in the Village that her friend was apart of. It was a really interesting exhibit, his photos were in a trailer while some of the others were inside. There were a lot of really interesting pictures. Some were different shots of people's body parts. Although how I typed this comes off a lot more morbid than it really was, it was cool seeing peoples feet and arms intertwined. There were also photos like the cake photo at the bottom of the page with graduated cylinders indicating what goes into the slice of cake. Or the photo of someone's head with a dotted line across the top. The thought that I had just watched Hannibal before going out that night made me believe they were going to eat her brains! However...that's just my thought on that one. My favorite photo in the trailer was one of a staircase, the first shot here. It took your eyes both up the stairs and down, I almost didn't know where to look!

Here are a few shots I took that night.

My favorite SeanDavidBradley photo

Me and Kim

Outfit

Top: Forever 21 spaghetti, American Apparel chiffon top

Jeans: Rock and Republic (old)

Shoes: BCBG (old)

Jewlery: Stella & Dot flower earrings, DIY bracelet, Nordstrom bird ring (old)

Purse: Louis Vuitton (old)

Underbelly

After my outing at Bayou Bend Gardens I had dinner with a friend I met on our Modern Home Tour. We decided to go to this new restaurant called Underbelly. Don't be fooled by the seemingly unappetizing name because this place was delicious! Here are a few quick photos of what I wore for my night out with Kali!

I really like the effects on this one, very vintage looking

Outfit

Top: Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's tank, Forever 21 floral blouse (old)

Jeans: Hudson (old)

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Jewelry: Rebekah Vinyard necklace, Marc Jacobs watch, gifted craft bracelet, Tiffany mesh ring, Greek key ring from Greece, Stella & Dot flower earrings

Bayou Bend Gardens

Tuesday Caroline and I decided to go to Bayou Bend Gardens. The weather in Houston has been so nice I want to do anything and everything that involves being outside. Usually I go to Starbucks with a good book to read and enjoy the sun, but lately I've been exploring more of what Houston has to offer. My Uncle and I went to the Bayou City Arts Festival this past week and over the weekend Caroline and I went to an outdoor Matisayhu concert. (I must remember to bring the camera when I do things like this!)

We spent a few hours in the gardens that were a little more difficult to navigate with a stroller than the guard led us to believe. But, none the less, we did a good job of wandering the gardens and even ran into the staff parking lot where we were kindly asked if we knew where we were going. At the back part of the house there was a small grassy area with a fountain that seemed perfect for a picnic (minus the fact that food isn't allowed). However we did stop to soak in the sun and snap a few pictures. I think Baby E enjoyed watching the fountain the best.

Outfit

Dress: Forever 21 (old)

Shirt: Forever 21 (old)

Sandals: Aldo (similar here)

Jewelry: Stella & Dot earrings, Stella & Dot bracelet, bracelet from Greece, vintage name necklace, gifted bangles from my mom

Sunglasses: Vintage Christian Dior

Brunch

The Sunday Amanda was here we went to brunch at Backstreet Cafe. I didn't realize how popular this place was so I didn't have a reservation. However, I called that morning and was able to get a 1pm reservation (thank you rain for the cancellation).  After brunch we went to see The Vow with Channing Tatum. The movie was just decent, but I definitely enjoyed watching Channing Tatum!

When we sat down at our table they brought us this small plate of muffins and scones. My favorite was the simple walnut scone.

I ordered the benedict without meat and Amanda ordered the waffle, which looked delicious!

Here are just some snapshots we took at the table. It was pouring down rain outside which is why there are no full outfit photos.

Outfit

Top: Banana Republic sweater

Bottom: 7 for all mankind jeans (not pictured)

Shoes: Steve Madden boots (not pictured)

Jewelry: BCBG ring, Stella & Dot earrings