Chicago, Chicago.....

I know it's been awhile since I've posted, so I will start with my trip to Chicago to get me back into the swing of things. I went to visit my bestie, Chicago Cris. I had not seen her in about 2 1/2 years so I anticipated this trip for a long time, and I was not disappointed! The minute I saw her, we fell back into our goofy routine. We laughed, we cried, we ate, we drank, we shopped, but mostly, WE LAUGHED AND LAUGHED AND LAUGHED.

Things I discovered in Chicago....it is a WINDY city, and cold, and rainy (at least when I was there). Garrett's Popcorn is scrumptious and addictive. I love, love, love Trader Joes and wish there was one here in Houston. Mocha Coconut Lattes are the best drink at Starbucks. Tuliptinis at the Knickerbocker Hotel ROCK!!! Navy Pier is so much fun, even with 50 mph wind and a windchill factor of about -5. Payless has great bling, and tennis shoes when all you have are flip flops. I love Bloomies and Filenes Basement. I wish I would have gone back to Louis Vuitton and bought the purse my hubby said I could buy, but maybe next time :(

The biggest thing I discovered is that some friendships are timeless and priceless. When someone can make you laugh so hard that you cry, hang on to them. Enjoy them, and tell them how much they mean to you. I hope she knows, and I can't wait till we can get together again...my tummy still hurts from laughing so hard but it was SOOOOOO worth it!

My new hangout

Friends, I have completely fallen in love with my little town of Montgomery, and now there is even more reason to be in love! Cork This Winery is a small hometown winery on the corner of 149 and Hwy. 105 that my friend Jen introduced me to. It has been open for almost a year now, and I can't believe that I never ventured in until two weeks ago. It is the cutest place!! It's owners, Fawn and Karla are just the sweetest ladies and they have done themselves proud with this awesome little niche. They sell wine, of course...by the the bottle and the glass. While cozying up to the bar, they will bring out cheese and crackers and treat you to tastings of anything on the menu (3 per customer). There is great chit-chat and a quick lesson in wine-making techniques and grapes they use, how they got started, how life in a winery has been treating them. But the wine...OMG, the wine. I could talk for days about the lovely Sisters Who Sip (a blueberry Pinot Noir that had been sold out since Christmas but is now back in stock), or the Summer Sipper (a surprisingly light peach apricot Chardonney blend). I purchased both on my two separate visits to the winery. Probably the biggest surprise was the Girls Night Out (a green apple Reisling that is so crisp and clean and I can totally picture bottles of this by the pool this summer!) and if you normally turn your nose up at Reisling because it is too sweet...don't be to quick to judge, you really must taste it for yourself.

Treat yourself and your favorite BFF to a trip to Cork This Winery and see for yourself. A great place to spend a Saturday afternoon shopping for wine accessories (they have a great selection) and sipping some great wine. You will go back time and again, and probably take at least a bottle home each time (or maybe 3).

Valentines Day is nearly hear(t)!

Roses are dandy, sweets are a treat...but one of these gifts really can't be beat!

These sweet little items are affordable, oh-so-cute, and really...who wouldn't love to get one of these from their sweetie? I love Valentines Day and my dear husband is always so good about finding something just right but if your honey needs a little nudge, there is no reason to break the bank when for less than what dinner and a movie would cost, you could have at least 2 of these little gems and they will last alot longer than a glass of champagne and the tiramisu. Happy Hearts!!!!

Lips T-shirt (Forever 21) $11.80
Heart PJ's (Forever 21 ) $10.80
Coach Poppy Heart Sandals (Coach) $98.00
Coach Poppy Scarf (Coach) $38.00
Coach Poppy Coin Purse (Coach) $48.00

It's so Gucci!

For those of you who watched Big Brother last season, you will understand my title reference. And OMG, it is so Gucci! The spring/summer 2010 collection is in and there is absolutely NOTHING I don't love about it. Perusing through the online collection, I saw beautiful geometric prints and necklines. Platform sandals that are a mile high and gorgeous! Bags that are soft and squishy leather that I would love to carry. This is a collection that is made for normal people (with a huge bank account). What I mean is, there is nothing too weird or "runway" about this collection. It is wearable!! Cute shorts, lovely drapey halters, a pair of khaki capris that I could live in, no really....I want to live in those capris.

This is a collection that I would love to emulate for my spring/summer wardrobe. From its woven biker jacket to it's leather belted trench coat, the wrap halter dress or the schoolgirl henley dress...I am in love!!!!!

Songs about Rain (boots)

If you are a Gary Allen fan, then you may catch this reference. If not, oh well...I tried. Anyway, if I could write a song about rainboots, these three pair would definitely be my inspiration. My heart is all aflutter for the darling Burberry Painted Heart rainboots, but sadly, at $175.00, my hubby would go into defib if I bought them. Afterall, while practical in a rainy setting like Seattle, not so much so here in Houston. Don't get me wrong, it does rain alot here, but not $175.00 rainboot alot. I also adore the Coach Pixy rainboot but at $108.00, still a little out of my rainboot budget. The Kamik Hearts rainboot is a much more "wallet friendly" version for me considering the seasonality of which I will wear them and at only $55.00 I think my husband's health will stay in tact.

A Sweetheart of a Valentines Day outfit

This year I have decided to surprise the hubs with a little "dress up" for Valentines day. It's been awhile since we really did something special on V.D. since my birthday is so close (February 1st in case you were wondering). I think I have found the perfect outfit (sans the Wilma Flintstone necklace) for a night out on the town with my favorite Valentine. I am totally loving these shoes!!! T-straps are so sexy, and the little punch of red is very festive. I don't do many strapless outfits but when I do, the sweetheart neckline of this cute little dress is the most flattering choice for me so I think I could pull it off. I love a halter too...maybe for Presidents Day.

Golf-Just an excuse to shop?

Ok, so for Christmas my dear hubby bought me golf lessons so that I can see what his obsession is all about. I'm not gonna lie people. There was a time when I thought watching golf was as exciting as watching paint dry, but no more. After volunteering in a few tournaments, and watching the golf channel (no kidding, in my house it's all golf, all the time), I have to say that I am pretty excited about learning how to play. If you have ever met my husband, you know that he is a bigger clothes horse than I am, so immediately I think to myself, hmmm..gotta shop for cute golf apparel!! Yay, finally an excuse to shop that my husband can relate to, right?

Saturday, I bought the cutest little golf shoes (they were on sale, so of course I got 2 pair cuz you gotta have black and white). I also got the ultimate golf outfit. A navy skort with white trim across the bottom, a navy sleeveless polo, and the CUTEST white cardigan with navy stripes at the cuffs and button lines...soooooo cute!!! I must say that I look smashing in it, and like a real golfer!!! Or at the very least, a person who is trying to look like a golfer but way cuter :) So now I am ready to hit the driving range and twirl around in my little skort, show off the new shoes, and hope I don't get anything on my pretty white sweater.