Tasty Tuesday: Branch Water Tavern

Fortunately for my waistline and taste-buds, I have managed to rope a few recruits into my new Houston exploration adventure (read: my attempt to eat my way through the 4th largest city in the USA). So, on one of those unbelievably cold (for Houston, TX) days last month, Mom and I went on a foodie adventure to Branch Water Tavern in the Heights. 

The place was totally empty, and it was quite clear that the poor souls who had managed to make it to work with out sliding off the interstate that day were ecstatic to see other living creatures. Still, aside from learning that Houstonians refuse to leave the house when temperatures dip below 32 for fear of death-by-frostbite ... or something, I think I may have discovered a new potential favorite spot. 

I can totally imagine the place full and lively and humming with the deep drone of good conversation and clinking glasses. The dark green wallpaper and wood paneling make for a cozy atmosphere, and the leather banquettes ensure top notch rear-end comfort.   

Not to mention the tasty niblets...

Prosciutto wrapped arugula - 

To be fair, I think you could wrap anything with prosciutto and pour parmesan cheese on it, and I would declare it a culinary miracle, but this was really a lovely little bite. Plus, you get your greens in and it's totally painless! Kinda like when mom poured cheese on your broccoli as a kid...

Beet salad -

Honestly, I'm not really a beet fan, but Mom, who is, absolutely loved this salad. You'll have to take her word for it. I was at least able to appreciate it from an artistic standpoint. The salad was beautifully presented, and I never knew beets came in so many variations of red. 

Matzo ball soup - 

Being an absolutely freezing day, a nice warm soup course was in order. This matzo ball soup was perhaps the best I've ever had - much better than Kenny and Ziggy's, and if I had a matzo ball soup making Bubbe, it might even be better than hers.   

Apple pie a la mode - 

Who in their right mind could pass up any combination of apple, pie crust and ice cream? Certainly not Mom and me. One word - Heaven!

Just in case you didn't get it the first time - HEAVEN! 

Not All Who Wander Are Lost

I have found myself, yet again, at one of those crossroads in life where the only intelligent question people seem to have to ask me is "so, now what?" Please, rest assure that those of us who have just conquered one mountain in life and find ourselves standing at the base of whatever mountain is next... or perhaps on a prairie searching for the next mountain to climb as the case may be, will let you all know what's next as soon as we know ourselves, but for heavens sake STOP asking!  It really makes the whole process quite miserable. Really people, I am extremely sick of this question, and I feel a little sad if that's the only small talk tool you've got... not that I should be talking. But still, there must be some other fresh, new, humiliating and emotionally degrading question you could ask. What about inquiring about my love life? That always hits an equally sore spot but is just a little less tired. Furthermore, the weather is always a nice topic.

As a method of self defense (and self-preservation) I have taken to making up witty, self-deprecating and ridiculous remarks to the "what next question". Well, I've been seriously contemplating joining the circus - I have an uncanny way with lions. I hear there's a group of traveling minstrels holding auditions. In reality, I'm submitting my application for a position as a panhandler at the intersection of 610 and Memorial. It's a competitive market, but I think I've got a shot.

All jokes aside, this in between time has been an extremely helpful phase for me. After sleeping off 16 years of exhaustion due to school induced sleep deprivation, I've had the chance to do some mental wandering, to get a little bored and to think about what I might actually want to do with my life - or at least the next 5 to 10 years of my life. I still don't have an answer - so don't ask - but I'm getting closer.

For now, I'm trying my hand in the food service industry as a part-time cashier at the fabulous Tiny Boxwoods (the cafe at the Thompson & Hanson nursery), and rediscovering Houston, Texas in my spare time.

Hopefully this will all lead to something productive and glamourous. In the meantime, look out for the fruits of my rediscovery here.

Putting Your Shoes On

Dear readers,

I am sorry for the recent leave of absence. I have just graduated from college and have been experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. What do you do when you've been a told to do one thing your whole life and suddenly its over and your supposed to fling yourself head first into something else?

Well, after a brief moment of Kafka like melding with the couch, I pulled myself together and decided to figure this next step out gracefully - whatever that means.

I recently got some great advice from someone whom I respect and admire. She told me that you've got to put your shoes on to take yourself seriously.

So, here's to putting on shoes and stepping into the future and figuring this whole life thing out - or at least having a good time trying (which I think is really the point).

A New Year

The season for resolutions has begun!

In the past, I have found the practice of New Years resolution-ing to be an unproductive, self-deprecating tradition rife with the sweet smell of hope and success, yet tinted with the stench of failure. 

Not to be a Debby-downer, but if most of America (if not the western world) is vowing to eat healthier, exercise more and lose weight yet again, how many of us can say that our resolutions to do the same last year and the year before and the year before were successful? It seems to me that if we are all still hoping to lose that 10 pounds, we have had to face the awful truth that we have failed to achieve our previous year's resolutions yet again. Certainly, facing up to that failure is a painful experience. A stale, sour experience which does not encourage the setting of further goals - the stuff of growth, self-confidence, and life. 

For the sake of our psyches, the strength of our self-confidence, the integrity of our word, and the hope for growth, it is time that we all sat down and resolved to keep our New Years resolutions - whatever they may be. 

Fortunately, this year there is a new tool in the resolution keeping tool box: a website called StickK.com where users can enter into binding contracts with themselves to stick with their commitments. The creators of StickK.com use the principles of behavior economics - namely that incentives get people to do things - to help people make goals and stick to them. After setting a goal, users vow to report to a referee (virtual or real) each week, and if the weekly goal is not met, users can arrange to fine themselves a specified sum sending the money to a person, charity or even an "anti-charity". The idea is that, the threat of losing money provides an incentive for people to stick with their goals. 

So this year, with StickK's support, I have jumped back on the resolution bandwagon, and I hope I can inspire some other's to do the same. Achieving goals is the spice of life, so let's all get out there and spice it up!

Happy New Year!

Fashion Friday: Etsy - Quench Metal Works

Another great ring. This one from Etsy shop Quench Metal Works. 

Being a part of the blogosphere - even for just the short 3 months that I've been here - has taught me so much, and Etsy may be the best thing I've learned. 

For those of you who still don't know what Etsy is, go check it out - just make sure you don't have anything pressing to do because I guarantee you'll get lost in the fabulous world of Etsy for hours. 

Cheers!

Fashion Friday: A Cautionary Tale

Last week, winter really hit London hard. It was absolutely freezing. There was enough snow on the ground to make walking a treacherous activity in anything except for ugly shoes with some heavy duty traction; and I was sick to death of being cold EVEN for the sake of fashion. Furthermore, I was just getting over a particularly debilitation cold which made me tired and grumpy (and apparently a bit senile as is evident by the previous sentence).

Anyway... with all these factors playing key roles in my wardrobe deciding game this particular morning, my main concerns were simple: comfort and warmth. To this end, I threw on some corduroys that were just a hair too baggy and a tad too long, an oversized t-shirt that didn't tuck in quite right and a sweater wrap that just didn't have quite enough structure to pull the whole thing together. On top of all that mess, I threw on my big, black, dirty (but fabulous) Hunter wellies (with the sock insert of course). I left the accessories out of the equation completely. Before anyone gets too horrified, I did at least manage to put on some mascara and blush before sloshing out the door, and I was sure to pack my cute shoes in my bag to put on once I made it through the snow drift. Still, it seems needless to say that I was not looking my best on this day, and here I am coming to the point of the story...

It is, of course, on this sloppy of all sloppy days that I run into my office crush. I'd been trying to catch his eye for months with impeccably cut dresses, impossibly high heels, and totally fabo accessories, and I'd all but given up hope that I would get a chance to reel him in. Well, here he was, making polite conversation in his beautiful suit while I looked like Farmer Brown's daughter on a trip to the big city.

Moral of the story folks: Even if its cold and nasty and awful outside and you just don't feel like getting dressed properly - do it! You never know who you may run into.

So, here is some outfit inspiration for looking great even when you just want to be warm and comfy:

1. I love this One Pocket Sweater from Chinti and Parker, and it comes in so many great colors (though I think the gray with navy pocket shown here is my fave). Now, I know I talked about Chinti and Parker last week, but I just can't get over this brand, and no post combining winter, comfy and cozy would be complete without a shout out to Chinti and Parker.

2. This outfit via The Sche Report is hot! I love the sweater dress look. It's so versatile. You can express your style in anyway with a sweater dress. I like how this take has a little bit of an edgy flair. Even on a day when you're feeling kinda frumpy, this outfit has the punch to pull you out of your slump - or at least keep you looking great even if you're not feelin' it. 

3. It took me a trip across The Pond to realize how great Top Shop is, but now there's no going back! I always find something fabulous in there, and the prices are so reasonable. This outfit just proves my point. I love that capes are in this year, and I'm totally digging the "Heeled Hiking Boot" look. I even bought a pair for myself!

4. Don't you just love this oversized sweater from Ami Dans La Rue via ShopBop? Plus, I'm totally digging her bling!

5. Another great look from ShopBop. I think the fur vest is brilliant (though I would have to go for an equally awesome faux version)

Tasty Tuesday: Hummingbird Bakery

My roommates mother did a terrible, awful, wonderful thing this week. She sent my roommate a box of 12 beautiful cupcakes from The Hummingbird Bakery, and these cupcakes are so darn stinking good that I just can't stop thinking about them. I thought I'd share the yumminess so that at least maybe I wont be the only one day dreaming such sweet dreams.

Check these out: Black Bottom Cupcakes - dark chocolate sponge cake with a cheesecake center and cream cheese frosting. 

Londoners - run, don't walk, to your nearest Hummingbird Bakery!