ADVENTURE 43

I've got to hand it to the Indians for consistency. Anywhere I go in the country, you're there, with your ridiculously delicious lunch buffets and "original" decor. This week, I found my people and their food. No matter that it was a 30 minute drive from the office, 2 hours lunches never hurt anyone. Especially when it's $11.95. Varun, you are the man!

ADVENTURE 42

Sometimes after work, I walk through this amazing neighborhood called Southampton. Oak tree lined streets, stunning colonial and southern architecture, it's gorgeous. The following "sighting" stopped me in my tracks today.

Are you serious?? Texas, you are adorable. Thanks for charming the boots off me.

ADVENTURE 41

When "the" Adriana Bloom told me she was coming to Houston I immediately lept for joy.

 My first New York City visitor! And my dear dear friend. 

Expectations with New Yorkers are tricky things. When you're dealing with people who think the entire country...no world...revolves around them, you have to be very specific with what's coming their way. So we had a chat.

"Bloom there are 3 ways people in Houston spend their free time. And they take it very seriously."
1. Eat
2. Shop
3. Drive (and discuss what they ate and bought and where they're going to eat and shop next)

She was on board. And boy did we do all 3 of those things with no exceptions. We took the 4-story Restoration Hardware (Bloom is pregnant and when she was asking the Manhattan store where the Resto Child store was, they ironically told her they did not have one in Manhattan and that their largest one was in Houston, Texas! Worth the trip huh Bloom? Take that Manhattan.) and Pinkberry by storm.

But our favorite stop hands down was Cavender's Boot City. You'll see why. 

You can't make this stuff up.

Here's where the magic happened. Right off of 610 at Kirby.

Bloom's a natural cowgirl.

Cowboy's and their Commandments. Yes please.

Blooms cousin's in Ecuador now own shirts very similar to these. Get your ride on.

Maybe I fell in love with these boots. To my Texans, they're Lucchese's.

 You're never too young for state pride. 

Baby boots.

Still baby boots.

My favorite part of this establishment, my Marlboro man. I was enamored. Still am.

Maybe gave me directions to get to the booth he runs at the rodeo. Wink!

A shout out to California. 

Bloom I love you. Ya'll come back now, ya hear?!

ADVENTURE 40

After the horse races we were hungry. 11pm. We were a little discouraged when Google Maps pulled up a pha place as the only "food" close to the tracks. We're thinking quick in and out, grab some food, head home. And then we stumbled upon Las Ranas. Game over.

Latin Karaoke

Participation Rules

Volume level = Loud

Key = One

Effort = 300%

Performance = Unreal

I know what you're thinking..."Well of course Mala sang... But wait, does she speak Spanish? Know any Latin pop hits? I don't think she does."

People, when there's a will, theres a way. One word - Selena. She's a universal language. I wouldn't wanna let you down. FYI, I normally find apologies before any performance taboo, but in this particular case, forgive us, we couldn't hear a thing we sang!

ADVENTURE 39

Saturday night, what should we do? 

Go to the horse races of course, wouldn't you? 

Worth every second, I'll prove it true. 

Enjoy these pictures, good feelings will ensue.

My winning ticket. I broke even, felt good about it. Better about the horses name "Malabar".

Fashion city! These boots reminded me of the Olympic Winter Games (ski jumps, people). This little boy is in Texas heaven. And this dapper gentleman just got called back for the Newsies Houston tour.

Thank you Sam Houston for this fabulous entertainment. 

ADVENTURE 38

This was one of those, "you had to be there" moments, purely from a scale context, but I'm going to attempt this post anyway. I'm walking in HEB (big grocery chain here in the Lonestar state) and my good friend Brian says,

"Have you seen the sauces?"

"What kind of sauces? What do you mean?" 

"We can't go until you see this."

"Ok...I don't really need any 'sauce'."

"Trust me."

Out of all of my Texan experiences, this is in the top 5 of helping me understand the cultural mindset. And their palate priorities. Back to scale, keep in mind, that this is a Costco sized grocery store.

You know you're close to Mexico when....

.... EVERY bottle you see in these 2 pictures is SALSA.

... and EVERY bottle you see in this picture is HOT SAUCE.

Last but not least....

BBQ sauce. EVERY single bottle. Costco sized aisle.

"Are you kidding me????"

"Worth it?"

(jaw still gapping open)

"Every single minute."

ADVENTURE 37

After this adventure, anyone who says Houston doesn't have style, will be immediately driven (or kicked) to Kuhl Linscomb. My mom graciously came to help me design my new apartment and in our short time together, we quickly realized the truth of this equation in Houston:

High Salaries + Low Cost of Living = High Disposable Income

High Disposable Income + Space + Low Frequency of Entertainment = INTERIOR DESIGN 24/7

These folks take pride in their style and know their secret spots to make their huge homes look stunning.

Here's some eye candy from Kuhl Linscomb, the 5 store village of class, sass, and Texas pride.

Vintage Ceiling Signs...so fun!

Giant Hot Dog

His random placement is key to his charm.

And here comes Texas!

This is made out of cardboard, seems like an Anthro dream idea.

Of course. Of course. Of course.

Narcissists.

A horseshoe chair

Mom with her KL map in a horseshoe chair. She couldn't believe this existed. Who can???

We don't know where to put this. Or what do with it. Except photograph it. 

Clearly the winner of the day. Create your own caption here.