LIVE: HOUSTON'S HISTORIC SIXTH WARD

While in Houston, I took the opportunity to snap some shots of the neighborhood in which my mama lives. It is one of the oldest in the city and it's absolutely beautiful. It sits just outside of downtown and directly next to the historic Glenwood Cemetery…Howard Hughes is buried there. The neighborhood is relatively small and the historic society maintains the integrity of the architecture within the community. The homes speak for themselves…

H/S/K&T: TAYLOR LAUREN ALVIS

Another Houston BFF that has ventured across country…this one to New York to study design at Parsons! It feels like years since both of us were getting dressed up every Wednesday to go to Mango's/Fitz. Then again it has been just about that long! Her picks are super cute, especially for the coming summer months. That is if those months would ever come. Another cold rainy day here in Nashville. From what I hear, it's not much better in NY. If you think Taylor has great taste…you should see her big city apartment. Adorbs ) 

HEAD: Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

SHOULDERS: Abrial Shoulder Bag by Beracamy Paris

KNEES: Abeni Romper by Dolce Vita

TOES: The Andie Sandal by Madewell

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: RACHAEL LOSCHE KRUK

Sometimes while living in Nashville you have brief encounters with people you know you could become great friends with…but they're gone just as soon as you've met them. This here lady is one of those people. We met at the Dwight Yoakum show here at the "Mother Church of Country" aka the Ryman. Her beau plays keys for Dwight. She is a native Houstonian who packed up and left our fare state for sunny California…maybe one day we will both return to the familiar streets of Montrose but for now we're both pursuing adventure. Rachel works in the music biz, as many I meet here do, at Silver Side Productions. The first thing that struck me was her amazingly natural red hair followed by her beauty and then by her apparent sense of style. These photos were taken in her LA neighborhood, Silverlake. It looks so sunny and alive….it is freezing and storming outside here in Nashville as I write this…

PS Rachel is a girl after my own heart with that Texas ring! 

Photo Credit: Johnna Lynn INSTAGRAM // copperpeace

Sephora Black Liquid Eyeliner

Jordana 'Honey Luau" Lipstick

Mother's Vintage Necklace

Vintage Cable Bracelet

Crop Top by Free People

Fringe Concert Purse by Copperpeace

Texas Ring by Jen Cervelli

Black Blazer by Zara

Fanny Pack by Copperpeace

Vintage White High Waisted Pants

Urban Outfitters Ecote Sandals

'Russian Roulette' Nail Polish by Essie

OUT & ABOUT: THE OPRY

Robert's lovely friend, Elizabeth Cook, put us on the list for The Grand Ole Opry last night and it was absolutely wonderful! The cast from the show Nashville was in attendance since they were taping for the show…my boss man Jim Lauderdale performed his own stuff and then played banjo for 'Claire Bowen' so make sure you catch him on the show! We spent most of our time wandering around backstage through all of the wonderfully decorated dressing rooms of past Opry stars. Our personal favorite was Porter Wagoner's…so many shiny things! Of course we caught many great performances and only in Nashville would Robert find himself playing a 10k guitar in Vince Gill's dressing room and have Charley Pride stop and begin dancing to Robert's music…needless to say we're pretty happy here.

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: HIATUS

Apologies all! Things have been crazy busy and I honestly haven't had the time to make a new W+W post ( I began working for Jim Lauderdale and Imogene + Willie so I have been good busy! I promise to have a sweet post for next week! 

muah.
des.

TASTE: BAKED MINI VEG QUESADILLAS

These little guys are perfect for snacking, finger foods at a party or the main course to a fabulous tex mex dinner! They take no time at all and are a healthy alternative to their crispy counterpart. I love 'turn key' style dinners. Something you can prepare easily, throw in the oven and et voila...dinner is ready. I am a big fan of being creative with recipes. I never follow any to the tee. This is the perfect example of a food you should experiment with! I love the simple black bean and sauteed onion combo but looking for something more interesting? Sautee your favorite veggies and throw them on in or...you may stay tried and true...to the classic cheese quesadilla. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 (12oz) Can Black Beans 
• 8oz Shredded Cheese
• Corn or Flour Tortillas*
• 1/2 Chopped Onion
• 1 TSP Olive Oil 
• Cooking Spray 
• Salt to taste

DIY: THE LITTLE THINGS

I truly believe it's the little things that make all the difference. This is a perfect example...this flag hangs above our couch in the living room. It is the largest wall hanging in the room and being centered above the couch, it is somewhat a focal point in the room. Robert and I were never really content with the way it looked and decided it needed a change. That is when I recalled the bag of clothespins I had down in the basement and Robert said he had a spool of wire! Combining these two things to re hang the flag made it much more pleasing to the eye. Moral of the story: Sometimes it just takes a little tweaking. Don't go nuts if you don't have to. 

H/S/K&T: BRANDI LISENBE

Today we have the sister of one of my previous H/S/K&T guests, Kelly Amber Garcia. These ladies are the brains behind the super cute/hip blog, Mucho Mucho Bueno Bueno...which is why I am honored that they were able to take the time to share their favs with us! You can find Brandi snipping and styling at her co-owned salon, Do or Dye TX, down in Houston. To be honest I have yet to meet this busy lady but since I am in Texas now maybe I will!! Hint hint Brandi! 

INSTAGRAM // lisenbesquared

HEAD: Lovely Bird Biarritz Floppy Hat w Braided Suede

SHOULDERS: Rugged Overnight by Stash Co

KNEES: Roxy X Kassia Meador 3MM Long John Suit

TOES: Indo Board Pro Balance Trainer

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: INSPIRATIONS: KATHARINE HEPBURN

I mentioned in my previous W+W post I had dressed as Katharine Hepburn for Halloween a few years back. That got me to really thinking about her and reminiscing over her countless classic Hollywood hits. That in turn led me to start thinking about how her style was so iconic; anti feminine slacks were preferred over bedazzled silk dresses. She was a private woman until her later years and always maintained a fearless attitude towards life. I feel she was able to show this not only inside but out through her dress. If you haven't seen any of her films start with The Philadelphia Story. 

DIY GIFT: VEGAN LAYERED WHITE CAKE IN A JAR

I firmly believe in never showing up to any type of celebration, party or gathering without a gift. A girlfriend from high school moved to Nashville only a couple of months before we made the move and it was exciting to be able to reconnect with someone I loved so much back in the day. Her birthday was recently and with little time to prepare, I made these little gems for her and her husband. I followed these recipes for vegan white cake and vegan white cake icing. I had everything on hand sans the lemon juice which I subbed apple cider vinegar for. I began by making cupcakes out of the white cake recipe and while those were baking prepared the icing. Follow the jump to find out how I made them look so adorbs! 

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: JESSICA BRIANNE JANES

Jessica is a jack of all trades type of woman. Her main focus is theater and acting but you can find her doing all kinds of things around Houston; tending bar at the hip Montrose spot, Grand Prize...serving coffee and cake at another hip Montrose staple, Brasil...and last but not least, playing the part of a woman with various illnesses to which aspiring med students must diagnose. She's impersonated having a seizure for a solid minute in the lobby of a hospital and even a pregnant woman panicking in to labor. Jessica definitely doesn't lack personality or knowledge of Hollywood starlets passed...the night we met I was dressed as Katherine Hepburn for Halloween and she had been the only one able to recognize my costume that day. This lady is one of my first texts when I come to Houston so without further adieu meet the enigmatic mogul herself! 
INSTAGRAM // samejessica

China Red Lipstick by Sonia Kashuk

Kensington Market Sunglasses

F21 Earrings

Vintage Black Eel Skin Clutch

Lilly White Sheer Floral Dress

Black American Apparel Tube Dress

Black Hanes Tights

Minnetonka Boots