FREE Print from Kristine Noel

Hope everyone has a beautiful weekend! To set the mood, I thought I'd leave you with some gorgeous work by Houston photographer Kristine Noel. I was immediately struck by how classic and familiar they are. They have such a lovely vintage feel. Each one seems to evoke pleasant memories of the days when all we had to worry about was jumping in puddles, and swinging in the park.

Kristine is offering a free print from her Etsy Store to a Houston's Weekly Chic reader!! Hooray! Just visit the store, and leave a comment below about which print is your favorite and why. Contest will end on Monday, March 9th. Man I love freebies!

Spring Buzzz

I'm starting to feel a slight twinge of spring in our Houston air, which alway seems to result in a warm weather shopping spree. I think that spring fever is what inspired me to (finally) purchase one of Dallas' designer T's...and the fact that they are on sale. I love all of her designs, but her "bees knees" T draws me like a bee to honey...get it? It's a bee...eh, eh? Go here to see some of her other beauties.

Fish Food

My dear friend Janine, tipped me off on the latest pedicure fad to hit luxury spas. Hopefully the photo above is self explanatory, because if I actually explain it, I might throw up in my mouth a little. If not, check out this video. Sorry local ladies, you'll have to cross state lines for this tasty fish dish. It is completely illegal in Tejas. So I ask of you, would you EVER have this done? Even if it were free?

Chuy's Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Recipe

**UPDATE**
Thanks to a wonderful reader, we finally have the real recipe!!! See below! You can also go here, to see a video of the owner making the Boom Boom recipe.

Some of you may already know about my obsession with Chuy's Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Enchiladas. Not only is it fun to say, but I imagine it is served daily in heaven's cafeteria. These little enchiladas turned this northeastern girl (who felt less than lukewarm about Mexican food) into a total Tex Mex lover. The real secret is the Boom Boom sauce, and I have found a copy cat recipe. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks awfully promising. I feel like I just discovered the Holy Grail. Here it is...

SAL HERNANDEZ / CHUY'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

10 corn tortillas

1 1/4 lb cooked roasted chicken

1/2 c vegetable broth

1/4 c water

1/4 T each salt and pepper

3/4 lb roasted green chilies

2 oz tomatillos

1 1/2 oz cilantro

1 oz green onions

3/4 oz minced cerrano peppers

1/2 oz lime juice

1 1/4 lb American cheese

additional mixed shredded cheese for topping

In a saucepan, add vegetable broth, water and spices and place over a medium to high flame. Using a food processor, puree roasted green chilies, tomatillos, cilantro, green onions, serranos and lime juice.

Add to saucepan, stirring in well. Bring mixture to a slow boil. Lower flame and slowly add American cheese, whipping as needed to remove clumps and make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom. When the cheese is melted and mixed, remove from heat. Yields 1 Quart.

To make enchiladas, fill a corn tortilla with 2 ounces of cooked, roasted chicken. Roll up and place in a baking pan. Top with mixed cheese, as needed. Warm in a hot oven for 4 minutes, until cheese is melted. Top with Boom-Boom Sauce.

Best and Worst Dressed Oscars 2009

Here are my picks, let me know what you think!

BEST
I know people will fight me on this, but Marissa Tome was my #1 pick!

Loved Penelope's vintage

Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson hit the nail right on the head.
Natalie Portman
Anne Hathaway

The dress was a bit of a yawn, but those emerald earrings woke it right up!

WORST Oh Beyonce..why! Why?

Sorry Miley..eek!
If only Sarah Jessica had a little more fabric on top.

Bridget Fonda in "some old thing" she just threw on. Too much fluff for Cotillard

Baby Miles

So I decided to play hooky from work yesterday, because I just had to go see the new baby! A 5 ft. tall baby. His name is Miles, and he is the Houston Zoo's newborn. He was born January 30th, at 69 and a half inches tall, and 110 pounds. He's about as graceful as a lanky, awkward, adolescent boy, and cute as a button. The best part of skipping work to meet him...NO CROWDS!! To see more photos of the precious Miles, click here!

Shecky's Goody Bag WINNERS!

Using http://www.random.org/, I found these lucky winners. Each winner will receive 2 Goodie Bag Tickets so that you can bring a friend to the event as well. If you didn't win, make friends with one of the winners so you can go too!

Drum roll please....

1. Shelly Delight

2. A Texas Gal

3. Sweet n Sassy Baby

4. Super Holly

5. Mulberry Street

Congratulations everybody! Be sure to send me your email address if I don't already have it. Thanks to everyone for entering!

Chris Beeks at it Again

Everytime I see fresh work from Mr. Chris Beekman, he always takes it to the next provacative level. I think you'll find that these paintings are no different. Man this guy is talented. Have a look see.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from Houston's Weekly Chic!!

Screw you V-Day

I've been posting a lot of Valentine's Day related stuff this past week, and I've unintentionally alienated a large group of people that quite frankly, don't give a rats ass about this romantic holiday. These bad boys are for you...

Unconditional Love

How do you say I love you to the one who is always there for you, listens to you, cheers you up, and licks your feet? Here are some ideas from Joy Butler on how to tell your furry friends that you love them.

• Spa treatment-grooming, mani/pedi
• New bed
• New food dish
• Treats..of course
• Jewelry-collar charms
• Car ride which ends with a dog park or trip to the pet store
• Home massage to soft, soothing music (my personal favorite)
• New outfit/accessory - We can't stop gushing over this cerise pink In Bloom Puppy Neck Warmer by Mulberry Street (pictured above). Talk about having the the hottest dog in Buffalo Bayou Park!

Free Swag Bags!!!!!

Ahhh how I love freebies! My girl Blair at Shecky's Girls Night Out, is giving away 5 famous Goodie Bag tickets to Houston's Weekly Chic readers! The bags are valued around $100, and the tickets can be used for any event in the country. You can get more information about Shecky's here and even become a Shecky's Insider.

If you'd love some free swag, you have until Wednesday February 18th to comment below.

Lisa Rinna's Grammy Dress

So with my first glimpse of tonight's Grammy's I see this dress. I'm torn. Do I love it? Is it too much? It's a bit boobalicious for me, but I'm still drawn to it. Please help. What do you guys think of this gown?

Buy Local for Vday!

In my world, Valentine's Day isn't only for couples. I remember looking forward to Valentine's Day because my parents always bought me chocolates and a couple of little gifts, usually jewelry. Some might say I was spoiled (okay so I was), but like so many young girls, I never worried about having a boyfriend for that one stupid day. Whether you are buying for Mom, sister, daughter or significant other, there are plenty of Houston made gifts available. Here are a few, and many more to come!

From top to bottom: The Laughing Mouse, Green Erica, Cherdak and Pocket and Spark

Bye Bye Domino??

It is WAY too early for April Fools Day. I can't believe this is real. First Blueprint,then Domino? There's got to be a way to stop this madness!! This makes my heart hurt.

Here's the editor's letter:

Dear readers
It is with very heavy hearts that we say farewell. Over the last 4 years, in 28 issues, we have done our best to create a great magazine. We started with a real idea—that style is for everyone—and tried to carry it out with stories that provide inspiration and empower you to act on it. From your tremendous response, we know that we were onto something. In this tough economy, however, we simply weren't able to get the advertising support we needed.

As domino evolved, we never lost sight of our original democratic premise. Looking back at the manifesto we published in the premiere issue, the first tenet of domino is still the truest: Home should make you happy. We hope we have played a part in making this come true for you.
Love,All the editors of domino

Shecky's Girls Night Out Dallas

I didn't want to leave our Dallas readers in the dust! Shecky's Girls Night Out is also coming to Dallas February 25th-26th so reserve your tickets today!

Here is the full tour schedule for Shecky's:

Philadelphia – Feb. 24th-26th
Dallas – Feb. 25th-26th
Boston – Mar. 3rd-5th
Houston – Mar. 4th-5th
New York City – Mar. 11th-14th
Chicago – Mar. 18th-20th
Washington, D.C. – Apr. 23rd-25th
Miami – Apr. 30th-May 1st
Atlanta – May 6th-7th
San Diego – May 14th
Los Angeles – May 20th-21st
San Francisco – Jun. 17th-18th
Las Vegas – Summer '09

Valentine Baby

Looking for a Valentine's gift for that special guy in your life? No, not the big one. The special itty bitty one. Look no further than Sweet 'n Sassy Baby's Iron Applique Valentine's Tie. Just a quick pass of an iron, and you will officially have coolest babe on the block. Just be sure to keep him away from all of those single ladies!