2015 Heroes And Handbags

May 8, 2015Charity Event, Fashion, HotelAnna Kaplan, Elaine Turner, Heroes And Handbags, Heroes For Children, Kendra Scott, Laura Cernock, Laura Murray, Lori Lemon Geshay, Nicole Brende, Omni HoustonNCB

Selfies w/ my friends Lori Lemon-Geshay, Laura Cernock, and Laura Murray

Sipping champagne, shopping, and mingling….all for a great cause! Count me in! May 7th at the Omni Hotel over $250,000 was raised to benefit Heroes For Children. A sold out event the 2015 Heroes And Handbags bruncheon is their signature event and the money helps families with children battling cancer. In it’s 10th year it was very exciting for me to be the Handbag Co-Chair along with my friend Anna Kaplan. Event Chair and my BFF Lori Lemon-Geshay lead the team and Host Committee and WOW does she deserve a standing ovation! Founder Larissa Linton showed a tear when the final numbers came in! The largest fundraiser for the organization in Houston to date! Way to go!

If you have never attended this event before please add it to your list for 2016. Imagine a room full of 150+ new and “gently loved” designer handbags and all are up for bid! Since 100% of the bags are donated, 100% of the sale of the bags go directly to the charity. From paying a utility bill, to rent, to transportation, and many other needs, Heroes For Children is able to help thousands of families every year with your help. The digital bidding process in itself was super exciting. Basically you are able to place your bid via your smart phone. Each time you get out bid they text you a notice. You can place a new bid and even offer a cap bid amount. Anna Kaplan and I did a television segment on KPRC Channel 2. Here is video link and it will show you some of this year’s handbag collection including Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and other amazing designers! I’m already thinking about next year’s event and what selection that one will bring? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u18bLhIsny0

As you can see I won the Versace bag! The Winner sign sure got me jumping out of my chair! My friend Claire really took home the cake scoring 5 handbags!

A special thank you to the event Sponsors including Elaine Turner, Kendra Scott, Paper City, CultureMap, Momentum Porsche, A Bientot, Tanglewood Flowers & Garden, and What’s The Occassion Creative Cakery. Also a job well done by the Chairs and Host Committee members, the Donors, and Patrons who bought tables and $250 tickets to the event. The success of this event is an example of the very generous with a big heart of a city of Houston we call home. If you would like more information on the charity and ways you can help all year long visit www.heroesforchildren.org or you can find them on Facebook! Event photos coming soon by photographers Herb Hochman, Jaime Lagdameo, and Quy Tran so please check social media, Paper City, and CultureMap.

It’s Crystal Clear. Say YES to Baccarat!

May 6, 2015Fashion, Hotel, Living, Travel & Leisure20 West 53rd Street, Baccarat, Baccarat Hotel New York, Crystal, Luxury Hotel, Luxury Real Estate, Luxury Realtor, New York City, Nicole Brende, Sotheby'sNCB

My recent Sotheby’s top producer award trip to NYC was simply off the charts! Perfect weather, living in luxury at the Waldorf Astoria, and enjoying private art exhibit events at the Sotheby’s auction house, a Broadway performance, fancy dinners, shopping on 5th Avenue, and bike strolls in Central Park and around the city. In the middle of our great adventure we were introduced to the ultra new and ultra luxurious Baccarat Hotel. This place is my dream! Surround me every day with crystal chandeliers and luxurious decor. All I can say is more more more!

Baccarat Hotels & Resorts translates the perfect craft and noble heritage of the legendary, 250-year-old French crystal maker into an elegant lifestyle. Combining this rare legacy with modern elegance and elements of unexpected magic, each of the brand’s hotels and resorts has been conceived as a gracious hôtel particulier, welcoming guests with impeccable service and distinctive amenities. Baccarat Hotels & Resorts launched in March 2015 with the opening of its flagship New York property. Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York will be followed by Rabat, Morocco, in 2016, with additional openings in Dubai and Doha over the course of the next several years. Rumor has it, add Miami to the mix!

Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York is a contemporary Manhattan take on a classically elegant Parisian hôtel particulier. It blends influences past and present to create sumptuous spaces, both grand and intimate that inspire wonder with their enchanting surprises and carefully considered details. Although one night’s stay can range around $1000, in my opinion this is an opportunity of a lifetime. In the bar area, I enjoyed a negroni cocktail served in a Baccarat crystal glass. Only the finest dahling! Even the bartenders and cocktail waitresses wear Baccarat crystal jewelry.

Their lounge is set up like a custom home with beautiful seating arrangements and private rooms for entertaining and meetings. I found my favorite “fur” chair too. It’s the Texas chic in me 🙂 Sought after Paris-based design duo Gilles & Boissier created nearly every piece of furniture in fact for the hotel’s soaring salon-style public spaces, as well as the 114 light-filled rooms and suites of the hotel. Weaving artisanal Baccarat crystal elements throughout, they lavished attention on each surface, be it a sparkling mica-covered vaulted ceiling, silver-leafed wood paneling, pleated-silk walls or a monumental marble table. New York design masters Tony Ingrao and Stephen Sills, respectively, handled the 60 residences and the ground-level contemporary French restaurant, Chevalier.

The next time you go to New York City indulge in some Baccarat elegance because you are worth it! After this experience I think I need to add Baccarat to my wedding registry list. Move over Waterford, Baccarat has a hotel! Located at 20 West 53rd Street , New York , New York , 10019 across from the Museum of Modern Art, enjoy the radiant glow of this 50 story masterpiece. You are welcome my friends! Trende Brende has you covered.

Bunnies & Beer = Brende Easter Bash!

April 15, 2015Living, Recreationbeer hunt, California, Easter, holiday event, Nicole BrendeNCB

One of my favorite family holidays is Easter time. Each year we celebrate at my uncle’s home in the Hollywood hills with perfect weather and picture perfect views. The traditional prayer, food, egg decorating contests and egg hunts take place.

My favorite event is the adult beer hunt. Forever kids at heart my cousins and siblings line up with buckets in hand in anticipation for our big hunt. The goal is

to pick up 5 beers with attached poker cards, any beer with nothing on it is free game, and we must find one Mexican coke bottle usually containing a $2.00 bill on it. Once we gather back on home base we play poker. Whoever has the best hand wins first prize. The good news is that the prize table is full and all of us walk away winners.

Now, I have shared this tradition with friends before. It’s amazing how this concept can grow with creative input! Alterations to this idea may

include champagne and wine in lieu of beer. Or, maybe more money is attached to the bottles! However you spin it, this activity is a hit and it will live on for generations to come in the Brende family.

And poor Easter bunny, he always seems to end up in the pool! LOL. Nonetheless he always manages pick himself up and stop by the house for the festivities year after year.

A Small Dose Of Joy Can Go A Long Way

April 1, 2015Uncategorizedcandy, Daniel Knez, gifts, Houston, JoyLabNCB

There are highs and lows in our days and in our lives. Sometimes we just need a little dose of happiness to get us through it. Well, I might just have the medication you need and no medical doctor prescription is required.

New to the internet shelves is a fun concept called JoyLab. This recently launched company founded by a fellow Houstonian Daniel Knez offers products to make your friends and family smile, yet offering a much more global sense of happiness. JoyLab is a bottle of sugar candy pleasure curing such symptoms as a “bad hair day”, “love intoxication”, or “Sundays without football”. For every relief bottle sold JoyLab will provide school supplies for children in need around the world including the U.S. for a better education. One out of five children cannot afford supplies which leads to a bad quality of education.

JoyLab offers custom designs for most occasions, events, and corporate bottle design. What an unique and savory way to make someone feel special and provide the perfect cure to those ridiculous struggles in life. This one shown is a prescription for a bad hair day. Compositions include tickles, cuddles, snuggles, giggles, kisses, etc. Also, Dr. Joy recommends a regular dose to maintain happiness. Always remember who gave you this bottle too!

What a sweet gift concept! I love supporting fellow entrepreneurs in Texas. Plus, each bottle of “smiles” can really make a difference in someone’s day in a positive way. To find out more about JoyLab view their site at www.JoyLab.co or you can find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tell them “Trende Brende” sent you!

Put your pedal to the metal at Hermann Park!

November 4, 2014Living, RecreationHermann Park, Hermann Park pedal boats, Houston Medical Center, Houston Outdoors, Houston Realtor, Houston Recreation, McGovern Lake, Nicole Brende, ParksNCB

Fall is the best time of year in Houston. In order to maximize this great weather here is something fun to add to your outdoors activity list!

Hermann Park near the Medical Center is not just known for its green space and choo choo train. It is neighbor to the Houston Zoo, Japanese Garden, Miller Outdoor Theater, and several area museums. However, recently I discovered McGovern Lake and their pedal boat rentals. What fun! Rentals are $10 per boat for a half an hour. Up to four people per boat, so it’s a great trip for kiddos too. It’s open from Monday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm. It is required to wear one of their ultra chic orange life vests. Make the best of it! The water appears to be extremely shallow but good viewing for some little fishies and lots of turtles!

Pedal boat tickets make great gifts for friends and family who love to come to Hermann Park! Order gift packages online or in the Conservancy Gift Shop. Hermann Park is located at 6102 Hermann Park Drive in Houston, TX 77030. Don’t forget to pack some sunscreen!

Trend Alert: Ruggles Black Food Bar spices up Houston!

September 24, 2014DiningBruce Molzan, Houston Dining, Houston restaurants, Lori Geshay, Neera Patidar, Nicole Brende, Ruggles BlackNCB

I love Upper Kirby for its location, it’s shopping, and area eats. Now a new flavor in town to add to the “must dine” list and to spice up Houston! If you have not experienced Ruggles Black it’s time to make your reservation. Restraunteur Neera Patidar (former owner of NOSH) has teamed up with Chef/ Co-Owner Bruce Molzan to create a restaurant bar only the two of them could pull off with flying colors! Consider cuisine influenced by India/China/France/America all compiled into one! The menu items appeal to all palettes and the dishes will WOW you with every bite! Caution, you may drool!

Recently my friend Lori and I dined here for dinner. We had a reservation; we were greeted with a smile, and seated immediately. Although just the two of us we ordered enough food for a group of four! It was really hard to resist the choices. Just to give you an idea, menu items include: angry shrimp, curry mussels, crab tower, pork belly beet salad, Paleo veggie tacos, pistachio encrusted snapper, crunchy kale salad, Tandoori chicken flatbread and lamb flatbread. Plenty of sweets too but we did not make it that far! My favorite dishes were the angry shrimp and curry mussels. Take a look at the size of the mussels too! Size does matter in my book (we’re talking mussels here) and I always ask my waiter to bring out a sample before I order them. (There is a particular popular restaurant in mind which always disappoints, but I will not throw them under the bus….today!).

Now let’s talk ambiance. This is a wonderful date place! The setting is small and quaint offering a more intimate dining experience. I prefer to sit in a booth next to the window, if I do get to choose my spot. There is outdoor patio space as well. The bar area is a bit crowded but once you have some good wine and apps, who cares! The space offers a modern casual and earthy feel. I don’t feel like I am in Houston, except for the fact I may know some of my fellow diners that evening!

In all, I have put this place in the Top 5 of my restaurant list. It’s trendy décor, intimate crowd, great service, and most importantly the food and wine; it hits all of my sweet spots! I will be back again, again, and again.

Nicole Brende, Neera Patidar, Lori Lemon Geshay

Ruggles Black is located at 3963 Kirby Drive. They are open for lunch and dinner. A reservation is recommended but not required. Check out their website at www.rugglesblack.com . While you are there, say hello to Neera and let her know “Trende Brende” sent you! She is not hard to miss in her oh-so-fashinably-fabulous ensembles!

Bulgari Baby!

September 5, 2014Fashionart exhibit, Bulgari, Bvlgari, gemstones, jewelry, The Houston Museum of Natural ScienceNCB

"Blonde Mafia" besties! — “Blonde Mafia” besties!

A fine Sunday afternoon activity is a trip to the museum. Recently we took a girls’ day “Sex And The City” style, wore our flirty dresses, jewels, and cabbed it to The Museum of Natural Science in Houston. A special exhibit currently on display is the fabulous Bvlgari or Bulgari showcase representing “130 Years of Masterpieces”.

Presenting 150 show-stopping pieces inspired by Greco-Roman classicism, the Italian Renaissance, and the 19th-century Roman school of goldsmiths, along with sketches and other materials from the Bulgari archives, Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces showcases Bulgari’s innovations in jewelry design and includes several striking pieces from the Elizabeth Taylor collection. I think my favorites came from the 80’s and also their iconic snake collection. Not to mention the gorgeous emerald pieces! You see the emerald is my birth stone so I am obsessed and even wore my emerald green dress and my antique emerald and diamond gold flower ring!

If you are into Hollywood, history, gems, and art, this exhibit is sure to take your breath away. While you walk the dark halls with halo-like displays you will get lost in time and sucked in to a fantasy world. I admit my take away was “I need to buy Bvlgari, now!”. What I did buy was a lovely $35 Bvlgari coffee table book. I bought several actually as they are great gifts too.

Tickets for adults are only $25. To purchase online go to http://store.hmns.org/DateSelection.aspx?item=2272 . Old and new Hollywood glam truly come to life here in Houston. While you are there, make sure to stop by the Gem Vault. It is an ongoing exhibit which always makes me smile!

Fall Trends + Fun Friends + Flirty Cocktails!

August 14, 2014Fashion, Uncategorizedfall fashion 2014, Fendi, Herve Leger, Houston Galleria, Neiman Marcus, Peter Roth, PradaNCB

It pays to take frequent trips to the Chanel counter. Our rep Candy at Neiman Marcus informed me and my fun “Blonde Mafia” BFF’s that there was a Fall Trends fashion event coming up. We were able to get front row seats and enjoy a great show and sipping on some champagne, nonetheless! Wednesday, August 14, 2014 we met on the second level where it was full of fashionable and fun people. All smiles and mingling prior to the show. Lots of selfies on the runway and passed hors d’oeuvres to keep us all from being famished. Let’s face it, when you are around models the last thing on my mind is eating! LOL. But turning down a flute of bubbly would just be “out of style” or out of “my style” at least.

New designer to the Neiman’s world and in Houston, TX for that matter is Peter Roth. He started off the one-hour show and announced some of his new fashions including very powerful, colorful shirts with embellished cuffs and tunics with some subtle sequin undertones.

On Trend—-think “Global Chic”. I think it would be really hard to break fashion rules right now. The edgy thing to do is to mix everything! They pulled it off on the catwalk. Not so sure how the rest of us will do, but I will attempt to try. Boho chic, statement necklaces, cammo, mixing of animal prints (from head to toe), knits, and green being the theme! Bootie shoes are a definite hit too. Models showed off some beautiful burgundy’s and grays. I was really obsessing over the shoes I think.

Ok, I am excited for the Fall now. Time to pull out my jewel tones, boots, furs, jackets, hats….I could go on and on. Mother Nature please bring me some beautiful Fall weather I am ready.!

LLG & Me sitting front and center for the show!

It’s Tea Time!

August 11, 2014DiningAfternoon Tea, High Tea, Laura Cernock, Lori Lemon Geshay, St Regis Houston, Veuve ClicquotNCB

I adore to luncheon with the ladies but a spot of tea is even more refined! Wouldn’t you agree, dahling? In honor of my friend Lori’s birthday we decided to treat her to a lovely afternoon tea at The St. Regis hotel. Our friend just got back from London so this theme played perfectly well too!

You see, Afternoon Tea is a time-honored tradition at The St. Regis Houston. At the intimate Tea Lounge surround yourself in elegance where butler-style service and a traditional menu of petit-fours, tea sandwiches, scones, and Devonshire cream await those who appreciate the finer things in life. I admit, we do appreciate the finer things in life (thanks Mom). Adding to the ambiance a harpist performs while guests savor the special St. Regis Tea Blend, just one of a large selection of premium loose leaf teas offered. As a special request, we made sure to have a bottle of Veuve Clicquot waiting for us at the table upon arrival. We also created personalized name cards for each guest at our table.

Since the theme of the occasion was our friend’s birthday, we decorated the table with some fresh florals. And for table talk fun we created a game full of “British-isms”. We drew phrases out of our decorated vase and had to guess what each one meant. It kept us laughing for hours. Those crazy Brits, no matter what they say it sounds so bloody fabulous! For example here are some of our favorites: Tosser, Wanker, Lost the Plot, Bee’s Knees, Wonky, Dog’s Bollocks, Arse-over-tit, Easy Peasy, and Strawberry Creams! LOL look em up!

Another nice touch is the box of macaroons they give you to take home. It would be quite uncivilized to make us go home empty handed, right? I really appreciated the free valet service too.

Reservations are definitely required my friends. In fact, we were on a waiting list and got lucky due to a cancellation. The Tea Lounge fills up fast and it’s only open Friday through Sunday from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. The dress code is business casual; however we went on a Sunday so we went for the flirty dress and signature hat theme. For more details and to book your special reservation at the St Regis Houston call 713-403-2631.

Laura Cernock, Lori Lemon Geshay, Nicole Brende...a.k.a. the "Blonde Mafia" — Laura Cernock, Lori Lemon Geshay, Nicole Brende…a.k.a. the “Blonde Mafia”

The Women’s Home YP Happy Hour at Fish & The Knife

July 30, 2014Charity Event, DiningChau Nguyen, Fish & The Knife, High Tech Texan, Houston Dining, Lori Freese, Michael Garfield, Nicole Brende, Sushi, The Womens HomeNCB

Joanna Podsiadlik, Nicole Brende, Laura Cernock, Lori Freese

I love to party with a purpose but in this town I could run out of money to donate with so many events! A charity I have chosen to invest my efforts in is The Women’s Home here in Houston.(www.thewomenshome.org). I love their organization, the people they support, and they always know how to put on wonderful themed events. Yesterday I attended their young professionals happy hour showcasing the grand opening of one of Houston’s hottest sushi spots Fish & The Knife. I knew it was going to be a great night to see cars lined up in valet, people walking the red carpet in their finest fare, being greeted with passed appetizers and cocktails. This 13,000 square foot space is sprawling, featuring multiple distinct areas to drink, dine, and to lounge. It is upscale and the design is brilliant with its textures and treatments. Word on the street it cost between $6-8 million to complete this project.

I will have to make a second trip back to truly indulge into the cuisine. They say this place is contemporary serving up a combination of New American, sushi, cocktails galore and in a super spacious setting. The menu is the work of executive chef Bob Iacovone, who works with executive sushi chef David Kim.

On the menu: chicken and andouille pot pie, Louisiana barbecue shrimp, speckled trout with crabmeat, cream cheese-stuffed crab cakes with pickled tomato green salad, miso-marinated black cod with cauliflower purée, grilled kobe flank steak with tempura vegetables, grilled lamb T-bone with roasted vegetables and potato hash, sweet soy-glazed beef short rib with wasabi cream and sugar cane smoked duck breast with duck confit spring roll served with spaghetti squash with a honey mustard glaze.

Beautiful sushi choices include yellowtail with jalapeño salsa and citrus sauce; albacore tuna carpaccio with garlic chips and ponzu; Japanese snapper with yuzu truffle vinaigrette; and seared tuna sashimi with chili sauce and masago. The Westheimer Roll features shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, masago and tempura flakes; the Houston Roll is made with snow crab, avocado, spicy salmon and mango. There are even nods to Iacovone’s Crescent City in the Jazz Roll (spicy tuna, avocado, eel and wasabi tobiko) and the New Orleans Roll (crawfish, avocado, snow crab, spicy tuna and wasabi tobiko).

Ok I am now hungry just writing this article! Fish & the Knife is located in the greater Galleria area at 7801 Westheimer, 713-677-0220. Maybe I will see you there? (Photos provided by the amazing and oh-so talented Quy Tran).

Nicole Brende, Lissa Goldsmith, Joanna Podsiadlik

"Trende Brende" & the "High Tech Texan" — “Trende Brende” & the “High Tech Texan”