Fresh Friday Finds

And the work week finally comes to a grinding halt. Whew! It's getting harder and harder to be in the professional mindset. But it should be a beautiful weekend, and we have lots to celebrate! Tonight my bestie and her bf get into town, and we will join them and another couple for dinner at the new, uber-trendy Houston restaurant, Oxheart. The name is a bit intimidating, no? Apparently all the ingredients found on their menu are local- I'm thinking pine cone souffle with a dash of grilled mosquito? We shall see.
Then Saturday is the Sip N See followed by Melissa's birthday on Sunday. We are heading to the Houston Polo matches to celebrate! Dang, this town is gettin' all classy and shizzz.

Here are a few other tidbits to brighten the weekend:

Go buy yourself some diamonds- you can afford these for sure!

Alfred Hitchcock tells us his secret to happiness- it makes sense . . .

For the more adult Easter celebrations

Hamburger eyeshadow! "Looks" good enough to eat!


Here's hoping we all get to wash off the grit of the week and spend good times with peeps we love!

Lemme See That Bebe!

This Saturday I'm hosting a Sip n See for a sweet friend, and coworker, who adopted a little one that past December.
J and I often talk about adoption as a possibility of our future, so it's been really neat to see Bess and Andrew go through the process.
Bess did not want a baby shower before the adoption, since there are no guarantees until after the baby has been born and legally given to you. So I am thrilled that we get to celebrate with her now! Plus, I personally think baby showers are more fun if the actual baby gets to attend! Poor little Andrew doesn't know what's coming his way- 10+ baby lovin' women, that is!
Anyhew, I want to keep the party simple and sweet. I'm thinking kind of a mix between rustic floral with a backyard BBQ/little circus theme:



I (and everyone else with a Pinterest account) LOVE striped straws! I got a pack in red for the shower. Blue for boys has been done to death, ya know?



It is an early morning party, so breakfast foods are a must, and I love the milk in mason jars with fun straws idea!


And what's more cutesy rustic than mason jars? Good for beverages and flower arrangements!

Despite it's addictive qualities, I do love me sum' Pinterest, and it's a great place for cute idea inspiration. I'll let ya' know how much actually makes it way to the party!

Love, Hate, Houston, And Chicken Salad

Sometimes it's really hard to love Houston. The heat, the concrete, the giant trucks. Sometimes I feel like a burnt offering cooking on a hot concrete alter, only to be sacrificed to the god of Gallon Hats and BBQ.
But Houston is not without its merits: there's world class health care, low cost of living, and of course, BBQ! Sexy, right? So yeah, sometimes I do wish I lived somewhere a teensy bit more exotic or cultured.
So you can imagine my excitement when yesterday I accidentally stumbled on a little gem right in the middle of H-town.
I was coming back from the Dermatologist (once again, lovin' the health care here) and was near Rice University, one of my favorite areas, when I saw signs for the Rice Houston Farmer's Market!
Well, I just pulled right over to see what this was all about. And I had a great time! There were about 15 or 20 booths all set up by local farmers and businesses selling everything from organic kale to organic mosquito repellent!
I took a few quick pictures of the action on my phone:




It was perfect weather for such an occasion, and even though I got there right at the beginning, it was already full of other eager buyers.




Food-wise, I didn't get too much since I had just done a grocery run the day before, but I did scoop up this mayonnaise-free chicken salad and some homemade Sage Crackers. It made a great afternoon snack!




I also purchased some organic mosquito spray. Apparently, the secret ingredient is Catnip! Who knew?! But it's true I've never heard of cats complaining about mosquito bites. I might've bought some snake oil, but we will see!




I love the first 2 ingredients of this! Even though I don't know how I feel about someone breathing all over my chili . . .




But my favorite part were all the lovely wildflower bouquets! I got 2 for just $5 each, and they instantly made me happier!



Well, Houston- just when I think I've got you figured out, you go and surprise me. I guess that's the secret to any good relationship: stability with a dash of mystery every once in awhile. And thanks again for the health care.

for the boy

I'm always on the look-see for gifts for the guy who has everything. So you can imagine my instant joy when I came across this little guy:
And then my instant, crushing disappointment when I found out Han is all sold out. But of course, because it's AWESOME (in the voice of Archer). Le sigh, let the infinite gift search continue- only 9 little months until Christmas!

Pop and Lock

One of my many (many) goals for this summer is to brush up on my rusty culinary skills. Usually J and I get by thanks to Amy's frozen foods- and based on the amount we buy, they might get by thanks to us. You're soooo welcome, Amy's Corporation!

So since we already have a penchant for frozen goods, one of my "cooking" projects for this summer is to delve into the wondrous world of the Popsicle!
Can you think of a better summer afternoon treat than a sugary, chilly, delight on a stick?! It instantly brings back memories of slip and slides and sunburns. And now that we are over 21, they can also be a great way to satisfy your libations!

But first, I need to start with a Popsicle maker. We are way past the days of a toothpick in an ice cube tray, people!




This is the one I'm leaning toward, and I think it would make a lovely "start your summer off right" gift from the hubs. So if you see him, make sure you drop a hint about how wives are always happier when in possession of their own Popsicle maker.


Then it's on to the recipes. Once again, thank tha' good lawd for Pinterest! So far it's been the site for most of my Popsicle inspiration, and here are some of the recipes that really grabbed my attention:




Raspberry and White Peach Swirled Popsicles! What a perfect way to capitalize on summer fruit!





Maybe J will be more supportive of my pop project when I make these: Pina Colada Popsicles! These are rum free and low calorie but still look tasty. Mayhaps a good way to trick the boy into getting more fruit while also indulging in his favorite beverage a la on a stick!





And finally, for the more boozy bunch, how about these Watermelon Margarita Pops? I think these would be great at a kid's birthday party for the adults in attendance! Feel free to invite me to your kid's party if these little darlings will also be there!

So here's to a summer filled with red-stained smiles, sticky fingers, and childhood nostalgia, with a dash of adult indulgence!

A Springy Friday!

I know we are always glad for the weekend, but this one seems extra sweet. The weather is perfect, it's been an especially stressful, cranky week, and The Hunger Games movie is out!
We have a few plans, but also want to try and keep it simple. I am running the Law Week Fun Run- let's hope it's actually fun and that I don't collapse!
Also, the Bayou City Art Festival is here, and the weather should be perfect for sipping vino and perusing the art!
And lastly, we are going to try and fit in a showing of The Hunger Games on Sunday.

What are your plans? Anything else fun going on in H-Town that we should get in on??

Here are a few more Friday fun bits . . .

This seems like the perfect spring sippin' drink! I might add a dash of vodka . . .

Just got these for my spring shoes! I'm still unsure what all to wear them with! Maybe nice shorts and a jean shirt? Any ideas?

Oh my I love this group! Besides their music, which is ethereal and dark (think vintage Stevie Nicks) they just seem like kewl chicks- I want to be friends!

Hope it is a fabulous weekend for all of us! Cheers!

a day in the life

Scene: End of the day, Thursday, last class, Students are wrapping up as Teacher (me) gives homework assignment.

Student 1: Mrs. Chenoweth! Is that a retainer box on the ground?!

Me: Yes- it's been there since Monday. I kicked it to the corner, but it's been laying there, open ever since.

Student 2: That is so gross! Who would leave that?!

Me: I know! I would throw it away, but it's too nasty.

Student 2: Wait . . .

Other Students: What?

Student 2: Oh, that's mine. That's my retainer box. I forgot where I left it.

Other Students: AGHHH!!!! GROSS!!!! (As Student 2 ashamedly dashes over to the box and hurriedly stuffs it in his pocket)

Me: Outloud:*sigh* Mentally: I'll think I'll drink my afternoon vodka tonic outside today- the weather is so nice . . .

lip service

Sometimes it's hard to love summer, at least this is true of Houston summers. Summer here lasts about 11.5 months with average temps around 115. The heat invites a lot of its friends, including mosquitos, humidity, and mind-numbing headaches.

I swear I have reverse-seasonal depression. Everything northerners hate about the tough winters- the isolation, the unending sameness, I feel that about the summer.

But one of the pluses of the heat and sun is the tan! And with a tan comes the need for less makeup- just enough to highlight your golden glow.


My typical summer makeup regime consists of a little face powder, mascara, and lipstick. And I am so excited that vibrant, bold lips are back in style!

There is something about a bright smile that is lovely, no matter what time of year! Here are the two lipsticks I use and swear by:


For the easiest and prettiest color, get yourself a tube of Medieval by Lipstick Queen. This lipstick is actually based on a medieval recipe designed to bring out the natural glow of a woman's lips!
It looks a little bit differently on everyone, but the color is always bright, beautiful and natural! Plus it is uber-light, and I put it on like chap-stick.



For dressier, bolder occasions than the everyday, I reach for my Chanel Velvet #37 "L,exuberante"- this fuschia matte looks gorgeous- don't be shy to try it! It also makes your teeth look whiter and your eyes look bigger, and it might even burn calories for all I know!


So come on and join me in summer of colorful puckers! Besides, from gossiping to kissing to wine-sipping-everything is more fun with bright lips!

Happy St. Patty's!

Here's hoping we all get more than our fair share of Irish Luck this year! Cheers to all and much green love!

Puerto Rico, Courtesy of the Iphone

On our way! I wouldn't have minded a layover at one of these pretty little places. Assuming there would be tropical beverages and a landing strip, of course.








I could've spent the entire week just exploring Old Town San Juan. It was dripping in color, an enticing blend of energy and history, and is full of some of the best food I've ever had. And James is a fan since it's the birthplace of the Pina Colada.










A catamaran tour of some gorgeous islands was right up my alley. By the way, if anyone is interested in opening up a catamaran touring company, please let me know. I'd be happy to swab the deck.

America's oldest fort! As a girl, I wasn't too thrilled at first about traipsing around this ol' thing. But it was actually incredibly beautiful, and if it wasn't for the tropical storm gusts o' wind and steep cliffs, it would be a great wedding location. I'm sure that's what Spanish invaders were thinking.

Our home away from home. Not too shabby!

A special vacation gift from my favorite guy.

James always dresses business-casual, even for rainforest zip-lining.

We are shy and don't like to ask other people to take our picture, so we end up with lots o' closeups . . .

Tour Bacardi Rum factory- free drinks and outside seats are hard to beat! Plus, we learned how to make a "true" daiquiri!

Local cuisine is muy bueno! Bonus- anything served in a coconut is automatically perfect.

So thanks Puerto Rico! We think you are just fabulous. Don't change a thing, and we will see you again soon!

xoxo,

James and Karen (and our Iphones)