My husband and I are very excited to announce that we are having a baby! After much anticipation “Baby Schnitzel” as we like to call him is due in October of this year. A lot of love will be surrounding our little guy as he enters this world. Just recently, our two families joined forces – The Brende’s & The Schmidt’s – in Los Angeles, California for the ultimate couple’s baby shower! Not without a spectacular sunny day to go along with the picturesque view, the event took place above the Hollywood Hills at my Uncle’s abode. The same home of the annual Brende Easter Egg & Beer Hunt, in fact.
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Canadian Salad Makes Its Way To Houston!
July 1st was Canada Day. In honour of Canada’s birthday my husband and I set off on a journey to find a Canadian food specialty called “poutine”. Believe it or not, it is no easy find in this melting pot of a city with over 4 million people! Fortunately, there is help on the way! Let me introduce you to Houston’s newest restaurant in the thriving Energy Corridor called Tubs Poutine!
Brother-sister duo Brian and Caroline Nguyen along with chef guru Lyle Mathes are the first to open a poutine only restaurant right here in Houston. Barely 1-month old, this restaurant is creating a crowd who loves food with a heart, comfort for the soul, and a casual friendly atmosphere which gets you to saying all is “Eh-OK” in this world! Brian’s world travels to Toronto, Canada inspired him to bring this cuisine back to Texas. Fortunate for him, his sister Caroline is a veteran in the food and hospitality industry and chef Lyle has cooked for the Jimmy Kimmel show, the Houston Rockets, the New England Patriots, American Idol and the Los Angeles Lakers….just to name a few! Even cuter to the story, “Tubs” is the nickname of Brian’s son.
Forty, Fabulous, and Preggars!
There are many milestones in our lives, in my case, I had to combine two at once! I recently hosted my 40th Birthday party with my besties, but what they did not know is that I was 15 weeks pregnant! A very hard secret to keep when my social life involves champagne! Not to mention, hiding a 3-month baby bump!
Pink and blue was my color scheme and a spring patio setting was important to me. The perfect venue for a Sunday afternoon was A’Bouzy….a champagne bar and restaurant in the oh-so-fancy River Oaks neighborhood! My spread included fresh floral arrangements, charcuterie board and lite bites, Sprinkles mini cupcakes
(some gluten free), and flowing champagne! I wanted my guests to be bubbled up with sugar and sweets for our very special announcement!
I got married at 37-years old, so having a “Baby Schnitzel” as we are calling our little bundle, is truly a blessing! Honestly, the thought of being a mother grew with me in time. When I was in my 20’s-early 30’s, I just wanted to work hard and play hard! Today, I still enjoy of that but my priorities have shifted. I love being married and motherhood is my next natural progression. I cannot wait!!!
Lilly Loves Texas!
Who does not love the brand Lilly Pulitzer? The resort wear and color schemes they offer just makes me smile! In fact, it’s my mother’s favorite, truly! In April, my mom came to Houston for a visit and what better place than to take her to her favorite store in Highland Village? Coincidentally, the boutique had a featured artist that day custom painting clutches and totes!
Sipping bubbly, enjoying lite bites, and shopping, what a combination! My sister joined in the fun too. It was the perfect girls’ family outing!
A HUGE score, and now dear to my heart, is this custom painted clutch I got of my little fur ball in heaven Chako, let him rest in peace. The artist captured the spirit of my Persian kitty prince perfectly! This handbag is by far my most prized possession moving forward and I will wear it close to my heart! I am so appreciative of this custom creation.
Thank you Lilly Pulitzer for adding a little sunshine into our lives! Lilly loves Texas and Texas loves Lilly!
If you’d like to visit the Houston store the address is 4035 Westheimer Road or shop online at www.lillypulitzer.com . See you there, perhaps?
Happy Fondue Year! A Fun Tradition To Get You Through The Holidays!
I love the holidays for so many reasons. It is this time of year when people amp up their game BIG TIME with festive decor, cuisine and desserts, music, and all of that shared with quality bonding time with family and friends.
It’s the traditions that fascinate me. In The Schmidt family (my in-laws) for instance, every New Year in Ohio they host a family fondue night. First off, the natural setting up North is so perfect because it’s cold outside, the fireplace is crackling, we’re all bundled up in sweaters and boots, and this year there was snow which makes it even more magical! Back to the food, how about hosting a party where your guests are their own chefs? That’s right, just master the art of gathering and forget the thought of slaving in the kitchen! That’s why fondue night is such a genius idea. The fondue fixins are unreal folks and all will forget you did not spend all day and night in the kitchen preparing their meal! The spread gets more 
ambitious every year I think. Check out this display. Besides the cheese, salivate over the lobster, tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, beef, and oh yeah the veggies! A new addition to the savory lineup is the ravioli and the truffle tortellini! This tradition takes hours of edible enjoyment and it’s interactive which I love too. Mix in some German gluehwein to wash it all down or sip some champagne cocktails, laugh and chat a bit, then dive in for seconds, and thirds, nobody is counting! To finish off the evening with some sweetness, bring on the chocolate with strawberries, pineapple and bananas! My life is complete!
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The Secret Is Out!
You do not need to travel to the Big Apple to experience real life Broadway musicals these days. Houston is blessed to be home to the Theater Under The Stars at the Hobby Center. Amazing productions come through the Bayou City. In fact, my husband and I just recently saw The Secret Garden. I actually read this book and I love the story-line. I couldn’t wait to see it and it sure did not disappoint!
A little history, The Secret Garden is a musical based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical’s script and lyrics are by Marsha Norman, with music by Lucy Simon. It premiered on Broadway in 1991 and ran for 709 performances.
The story is set in the early years of the 20th century. Mary Lennox, a young English girl born and raised in the British Raj, is orphaned by a cholera outbreak when she is ten years old. She is sent away from India to Yorkshire, England, to live with relatives whom she has never met. Her own personality blossoms as she and a young gardener bring new life to a neglected garden, as well as to her sickly cousin and uncle.
19th Annual Thanks for Giving Charity Gala
Some like it HOT and others kept it COOL for the 19th Annual Thanks for Giving Charity Gala benefiting the Kym Coleman Education Foundation. Saturday, October 14th my husband and I dressed up and joined our wonderful group of friends for the Fire & Ice gala for an evening of philanthropy and fun at the Bayou Events Center in Houston.
From the masquerade decor, to the music, dance floor and theatrical entertainment, to the silent and live auctions, there was something for everyone that evening. In fact, I won two auction items and also participated in the live auction which was a lot of fun!
The Kym Coleman Education Foundation was founded by Cookie Michael in loving memory of her daughter, Kym Coleman, who perished in a plane crash in 1993. Kym had a mission to assist school children that were not as fortunate as others were and to help improve their quality of education. This gala raises thousands of dollars to support incentive programs to low income elementary schools, like the Honor Roll Bicycle Program. For more information on KCEF visit their site www.kceffoundation.com.
Maximalist Oscar de la Renta Graces Houston With His Timeless Presence
Oscar de la Renta is the real deal in the fashion world. In fact, he was one of the only New York designers to have his own workroom on-site. His sophisticated silhouettes often ornately embellished with layered textures required skills that offered specific technique and supervision. He once said “drawing is actually the way of starting a collection. I draw first and that is my way of creating.” Fabrics were very important to Mr De la Renta, even more so than his drawings. Colors offered a special meaning that helped him create shape and life to things.
Holding nothing back, De la Renta was a self-proclaimed “maximalist”. With access to fashion’s finest materials and craftsmanship, he was able to indulge and let his imagination soar with endless flights of fancy. From now through January 28th, you can catch a real life glimpse of some of his most famous designs that have graced celebrities on the Hollywood red carpets, in films, even dressing America’s first ladies, pop singers, and dresses worn from some of Houston’s most famous philanthropists and socialites. The exhibit is titled “The Glamour and Romance of Oscar de la Renta” and his work is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston in the Audrey Jones Beck Building off 5601 Main Street. For museum members the tickets are free, and for non-members adult tickets are $25.00.
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Houston Weather Survival Kit.
Alright my friends, don’t mess with Texas weather y’all! Heavy rain is upon us in the Bayou City and it’s time to gear up. The category #3 Hurricane Harvey is expected to hit Houston on Friday and in some neighborhoods no doubt there will be severe flooding.Besides fueling up your car (which clearly I did right away) and running to the liquor store to stock up for hunker down “hurrication purposes”, there is a great website that SERIOUSLY helps you prep for disasters including getting us all organized and safe for the wet weather. Check out www.TexasPrepares.org .
A snapshot of the extensive checklist is below (just click on it for a full view), or for better viewing and downloading purposes go to their website. Important items on there include food & water, first aid & medication, lighting, car evacuation, area shelters, pets, documents, and people with disabilities.
Louis Vuitton Launch Party
Louis Vuitton just got “smarter” but it comes with a hefty price! July 12th I attended the launch party of the Tambour Horizon Watch at the Louis Vuitton boutique in the Houston Galleria. All I can say is….WOW!!! Apple you have some BIG competition in the smart watch division.
Sipping on champagne and cocktails mixed with music provided by a resident DJ made for a mix and mingling fashion forward unveiling event! My friends and I had a great time browsing the latest inventory, socializing with fashionistas, and of course getting familiar with the guest of honor….the Tambour Horizon watch! Thank you Tenley Huste aka Regional Retail Training Manager of Louis Vuitton for presenting to us all of the benefits of this savvy new gadget! It’s a game changer!