Linked by the ship channel, Houston Texas is an inland port city founded in 1836. For an investment less than ten thousand dollars, brothers and founders John Kirby Allen & Augustus Chapman Allen purchased over 6600 acres on the Buffalo Bayou banks. Which once struggled as a trading post and developed as a regional transportation hub, Houston is now the fourth largest city in nation!
Over the years this town has attracted many entrepreneurs, oil tycoons, and a wealth of supporting businessmen and women. Just imagine the real estate back then??? I had the opportunity to meet architectural historian and author Stephen Fox. In his latest book “The Architecture of Birsdsall P. Briscoe” he examines Briscoe’s work here in Houston from a span of 1876 to 1971. The country homes displayed in this book is not for the modest. Briscoe’s designs embodied taste, style, class identity, and during periods of economic expansion catering to the most wealthy families and for generations to come! Showcasing extraordinary architecture, see the creations in such historic neighborhoods as Courtlandt Place, Shadyside, Broadacres, and River Oaks. If you love architecture, beautiful homes, history, and Houston, then definitely add this book to your collection. Take a step back in time and just dream! What was once considered the countryside, is today in the heart of Houston. You can purchase a copy of this attractive coffee table book on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at most bookstores!
Happy Canada Day 2020! Since I met my husband, this is a newly celebrated birthday for me. I love Canada Day because I love my Canadian husband. It has become a tradition, since our discovery of the restaurant Tubs Poutine in Houston, that we actually come here once a year on this special day.
If you have not discovered poutine cousine, hopefully we can enlighten you. Imagine a tub of French fries, with gravy, then add in extras such as “anything” you love truly. For example, I always order (once a year) the La Quebec. It is topped with tender rotisserie chicken and buttery sweat peas. My husband Jan went for the Classic Poutine this year. It is fresh-cut potatoes, topped with the oxtail & Hennessy cognac gravy and squeaky cheese curds. Other options include pulled pork, lobster, brisket, and chicken-fried-chicken for example. The venue is located in an old dry cleaner. Small space but with character. Grab a Canadian beer too. This is not the meal for the calorie counters! And a pro tip, since I have been 3 times now in the past 3-years. If you come on Canada Day, wear a Canadian inspired shirt or bring your Canadian passport, and you will get around 15% off your oder! You are welcome. “Je vous en prie”.
Tubs Poutine is located in Houston’s Energy Corridor at 13429 Briar Forest Drive in between Eldridge Parkway and Highway 6. Visit their site at www.tubspoutine.com .
Houston nailed it as host city to Super Bowl 51! Thank you to our Mayor Sylvester Turner, city officials, and to the thousands of volunteers who helped make this all possible! Celeb interviews repetitively mentioned how friendly and hospitable Houston is, as well as organized I should add! For a town known for its traffic, honestly I too can attest I was very impressed with the “flow” of our city.
Discovery Green
Starting with Discovery Green as our official ground zero for events and live reports, there could not have been a better place! From carnival rides to the NFL Experience exhibit there was plenty of action and activities for families from day to night. Here is a photo my father took just days before the “BIG DAY”. Every day the grounds were open to the public and at night private parties galore to explore! I think the media scored the highest because after all they were needed at all hours to capture all of the action!
Trellis Spa at The Houstonian Hotel
My friends Lori, Lisa and I happened to be at The Houstonian Hotel’s Trellis Spa just days prior to the big game. Little did we know it was media appreciation day and we happened to slip right into the middle of all the action as they sipped champagne and performed live shots post their spa services. We made some new friends that day! When in Rome, right? Thanks for the free bubbly and entertainment!
True Foods specialty drink
Then came actual Super Bowl Sunday!! You should have seen the HEB parking lot off San Felipe! We could not find a parking spot so we went around the corner to Rice Epicurean Market. Sadly their lot was pretty much empty but lucky for us they had everything we needed! This being a good Texas steak, potatoes, guacamole, queso, and chips, plus beer and other fixins. You know, football food! Thank God hubby and I walked to True Foods for breakfast hours before off of Post Oak Blvd in Uptown. We drank our nutrients and burned off some much needed pre-game calories.
Tom Brady & Gisele Bundchen
Wherever you watched the game I am sure it was a blast. My friend Holly had a party bus, my friend Lori invited me over to her house, my cousin Allison actually had tickets to the game….so jelly! I had some options! I am not much of a football fan but after watching the Pat’s lose so bad in the first half then came back historically in a half-time showdown?!?! I could not believe my eyes! I am not the biggest Tom Brady fan, he’s hot and all, and his wife Gisele is cool…but I give him major credit for what he was able to do to ultimately win the game. Sorry Atlanta Falcons. I know you were the underdog. You put up a great fight.
Lady Gaga
The biggest winner of the evening hands down was Lady Gaga!!! Consider me one of your little monsters my lady! For those who did not even know they were a fan they probably are now! To pull off starting at the top of NRG Stadium then flying throughout her whole performance. True talent deserves the utmost applause. Lady Gaga, you are welcome any time to Houston. We heart you!! And if you missed her performance here it is! This YouTube channel has had millions of hits.
Okay, sol I am taking you back to August of this year. Sometimes I get a bit behind. My friend Lori put together the most amazing bridal shower and I love her so much for it and that day in time deserves some Trende Brende attention! If you have ever stepped foot into the Hotel Granduca in Houston then you will see why this place is worth raving about. Naturally, it set the scene for the most perfect shower ever. This Italian boutique hotel in Uptown offers an elegant experience like none other. Lori and I occasionally come here for our “girl time” for high tea during the week and happy hour on Thursdays. We’ve even seen and met celebs here such as singer Steven Tyler and reality TV star Rob Kardashian for example.
Back to my party. From the formal invitation, to the personalized gift bags including monogrammed candles, to the venue, to the food and flowing champagne; my friend really knows my style! By the way, Hotel Granduca has the most savory Sunday brunch! Who knew? Stations included the meats, the cheeses, omelets, and desserts. What got us most excited was the fried chicken and waffles, the grilled cheese with bacon, peanut butter and jelly, and the sushi and oyster bar!! WOW! I should just go ahead and book my standing reservation for every Sunday I am in town for the rest of my life! For more information on their brunch, the hotel, and events check out their website www.granducahouston.com.
Us & Them.. who is cuter? LOL!
I just have to say, the party was so sweet including my wonderful parents, my sister, and a selection of dear friends. We laughed, nibbled, sipped, shared stories, and opened gifts. What an intimate day that I did not want to end.
Our boys met for the first time too. Looks like they will get along just fine. LOL! Hey, it’s important. Thank you again to Lori for hosting such a flawless and meaningful shower. Jan and I are truly humbled by your generosity and love.
“The JaNic”
Before I go, have I mentioned that I have definitely found my prince and knight in shining armor??!! 🙂 I am the happiest girl ever! It is the best feeling to love and to be loved. I am marrying the smartest, kindest, honest, caring, and most handsome man in my entire life. God Bless #TheJanic and our amazing future ahead! For our love story we’ve put together a short video https://youtu.be/TL0se2PqxzM. Yes we are goofballs!
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!
