The Search for the Great White

My quest was so simple. A 4ft white Christmas tree to adorn my office window. White trees are everywhere. How hard could it be? Little did I know that I had been cursed. Everywhere I looked, had conveniently sold out. Sure, they will probably get more in, but I didn't want to wait! I wanted my white tree NOW! I covered most of the common cheap Christmas decor avenues: Target, Kohls, and not one, not two, but THREE Garden Ridge stores all to find that the white tree shelf was bare. The search went on for weeks. Then, on a 1 a.m. run for dog food, the heavens opened up, and there it was. A beautiful pre-lit white wonder for $19.99 at the one and only Wally World. The evil empire conquers once again.

**Above you can see Ophelia enjoying our new beauty

New Art from Chris "Beeks" Beekman

The very talented Chis Beeks has some new ass-kicking work that you must see. Of the google hits Houston's Weekly Chic receives, more people are searching "Chris Beeks art" than any other topic. Obviously, people are starting to take notice. Here are just a few of my favorites.
* Also be sure to check out the Chris Beeks website for much, much more.

Crikey!!

How fun is this slithery reptilious scarf? To me it says, "I'm practical about my warmth, but I still like to party." You can find the Vasquez Gator Scarf, along with a slew of other road kill neck wraps at Hello Lucky online, or off of Studewood Street.

Trend Watch: Let It Snow Houston!

Houstonians only see snow once in a blue moon, but thanks to a reemerging trend, we can see it all year long. That's right, the good old fashioned snow globe is all over the map this season. Supposedly originating in France in the 1800's, they didn't become popular in the U.S. until the 1920's. Ever since then, snow globes have ping ponged between being a luxury item and being in the "touristy souvenir" category. However, this year snow globes are on like Donkey Kong. They are popping up in some of my favorite shops, and adorning the homes of design trackers across the globe.

One Eyed,One Horned, Crocheted People Eater

This little creature put me in my happy place today. Otis the one eyed monster is just one of the many wonderfully kooky creations by Susan at Barking Dog Designs. If you need a one-of-a-kind gift for a little one this holiday season, be sure to visit her Etsy page and support our local artisans!

The Flu is Coming!!

Well, not really. But it got your attention didn't it? If the flu really is coming to a neighborhood near you, the evil genius that is google will give you a heads up. Google Flu trends tracks the path of the influenza virus across the U.S. based on what people are googling, and where they are googling from. Don't worry, the entire state of Texas is completely in the clear...for now.

If you see the flu creeping toward you, don't panic! Go read this eHow article on How to Prevent a Flu.

Shecky's Girls Night Out Houston

CLICK HERE for 2009 SHECKY's Girls Night Out info!

Few things shake my inner girly girl into a twitter, but this upcoming party makes my soul smile. Pay attention ladies, this is an event that will make you want to pull out those Manolo Blahnik's (you know, the ones you haven't worn since Sex and the City went off the air), and trot on over to the Crystal Ballroom. Oh yeah, and the tickets are totally and completely FREE...so read on.

What the heck is it?
Shecky's Girls Night Out is a five-hour shopping/socializing experience, that includes:

• Unique up-and-coming designer fashions at 75% off
• Open Bar provided by Chambord (hellooo...free booze...you know that means I'll be there)
• Free spa services
• Shecky's swag bags (two deluxe goodie bag tickets for $25, but the contents are worth $100+)
• Much, much more!
  

When is it?
Tuesday Nov. 18 and Wednesday November 19 from 5p.m.–10p.m.
Where is it?
The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Hotel
909 Texas Ave. (Travis & Main St.)

What is Shecky's?
They are a national media company that hosts these fantastic soirees across the country, for the sole purpose of you having a killer time.
Shecky's rocks my proverbial world. RSVP HERE or email me if you have further questions!

Vaughan Christopher Gallery Grand Opening!

The art scene in Houston just got even awesome-er...in a priceless sort of way. Tonight is the grand opening of the Vaughan Christopher Gallery on South Shepherd. Even if you know zilch about art, you will definitely recognize some of these big names. Favorites such as Picasso, Warhol, Matisse and Dali are all represented. Check out their info. below for specifics. I will be there with cocktail in hand.

VAUGHAN CHRISTOPHER GALLERY
Friday, November 14, 2008
7-10 pm
1217 SOUTH SHEPHERD HOUSTON, TEXAS 77019
COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Works by Chagall, Dali, Francis, Haring, Hirst, Kaufman, Lichtenstein, Manes, Matisse, Miro, Moore, Murakami, Picasso, Quinn and Warhol are brilliantly showcased in the intimate space. “We have a large quantity of very high quality works,” said Amy King. ” Because our collection is so diverse, I think anyone could find something here that intrigued them, and I find that possibility extremely exciting.” Among the 100 pieces in inventory, we have iconic works such as Warhol’s Marilyn and Lichtenstein’s Bull Profile series to less familiar treasures like Picasso’s Picador et Chevral and Chagall’s Romeo and Juliet.

Jimmy Ferry Show at Xnihilo Gallery

If you want to see some fantastical art work that is like nothing you've seen before, go see our friend Jimmy Ferry's show in the Xnihilo Gallery at Taft Street Coffee. He's got 15 brand spanking new prints up (including the one above), that will be sure to knock your socks off. They are only up through Turkey Day, so be sure drop in.

Free Snapfish Book...Thanks Oprah!

Thanks to Oprah and her new "Clean Up Your Messy Home" tour, Snapfish will give you a free 8x11 bound photo book. It would typically be $29.99, but thanks to the richest woman on earth, all you have to pay is shipping ($6.99). You have to request your coupon from snapfish.com by this Friday, November 14th, and then you have until Sunday to use that bad boy. Just in time to make a holiday gift for someone special.

Chic Organizing Tip: If you didn't catch Oprah today, the snapfish album was used for a Mom who was drowning in her kids artwork. They scanned their favorite pieces, uploaded them to snapfish and voila! Instant art coffee table book. So start hitting that upload button.

I'm totally digging this new shrug clutch from The Laughing Mouse. It is exactly the same colors that I have in my bedroom, so it would be like carrying around a little piece of home. Plus, I've been looking for a wintry bag to warm up these cool Houston nights. Well, at least the last couple of nights this year have been sort of chilly...kind of...right?

Pick a Puppy for the Obamas

Pictured above: Gerald & Liberty Ford

Whenever a new family moves into the White House, it seems like a four legged furry friend is never far behind. In fact, we have record of presidential pets as far back as Washington's horses and John Adams' two dogs (who were named Juno and Satan by the way). Ford had Liberty, a gorgeous golden retriever, the Clinton's had Buddy a chocolate lab and Socks the cat, and the Herbert Walker Bush clan had Millie. The presidential pet list is long, including birds, hamsters, silkworms, goats and even bears. That's right, bears.


So we think President Obama has enough to worry about, so let's help him pick a dog! What breed (or mix of breeds) do you think the Obama's should choose and why? Also, what should they name it?


(I may be biased, but I think it's high time a doxie graced the oval office)
Pictured above: Gus G. Hayes

Michelle Obama's Black and Red Fade

Did YOU like Michelle's white one-shoulder gown by Jason Wu? Leave your comment here.

Regardless of your political affiliation, fashion is a universal language. Boy were we excited to see Michelle Obama's daring black and red fade dress by Narciso Rodriguez from his Spring 2009 dress collection. So my question is: Did you love it or hate it? Either way, how exciting that we have a fresh, stylish, and elegantly unobtrusive first lady to look forward to watching. Lemme know what you think!

Melting Mortimer

I guess I'm still in a bit of a Halloween haze, but I just LOVE these Mortimer candle bust..things. It has that special kind of wax that oozes like blood down poor Mortimer's face. Only 361 more days until Halloween!

You can find Mortimer at Urban Materials and Accessories Online, as well as a lot of other modern, funky, yet extremely well priced funzies.

FREE STUFF FOR VOTING !!!!!

Listen up Houston! Hear are some fantastic freebies. In case you haven't already heard...Starbucks is giving away a tall coffee to anybody who votes today. Ben and Jerry's is also giving away some scrumptious scoops, and Krispy Kreme is giving out free star shaped donuts with red, white and blue sprinkles. Don't forget your "I Voted" sticker!

So exercise your right to vote, drink your coffee with your ice cream and donuts, then go exercise your body (or just veg out on the couch watching the eletion results unfold:-) Voting has never been so delicious.

Reasons to Love Houston....

As Houstonians, we brave months of oppressive, unbearable heat. And for what? Why do we put ourselves through this torture? It's simple. Flip flops in November. It just doesn't get any better than that. Enjoy the weather Houston (and that extra hour that has been added to your day)!