Black Tie

Kenny and I recently attended a very exciting event in Houston called the Astros' Wives Black Ties and Baseball Caps. Its a dinner and auction that benefits the Houston Women's Center. We were very lucky to get the chance to go, but didn't get the invite until the day before. Kenny called me from work and I could tell he had something to say but was reluctant to tell me. He said something like, "So we got asked to go to this thing tomorrow, a dinner, its in Minute Maid Park, its hosted by the Astros..." (all this was sounding great to me but then he continued with..) "and its Black Tie." The first thing that I thought was, "I have absolutely nothing appropriate for that type of thing" and I told him so. Well, all he had to do to convince me was utter the magic words, "I'll take you shopping for a dress." (any excuse to go shopping and for a fancy dress...count me in!!) So I replied, "OK! and shoes!"

After he came home from work we headed out to find a dress and there is no better place to shop in Houston than the Galleria. The Galleria is the largest mall I've ever been too and it has all the best stores. There's Tiffany, De Beers, Cartier, Valentino, Saks, Neimans, etc. All of which are too rich for my blood (for now atleast ; ) ).  So I knew the perfect store to go to. As soon as we walked in, we headed straight for BCBGMAXAZRIA. Within 30 minutes of being in there I found a great dress, tried it on, decided it was perfect and bought it. I was shocked that it was so easy to find a dress and I'm sure Kenny was relieved. Little did he know, we would still be in the Galleria for another 2 hours looking for the perfect jewelry and shoes. I found shoes (and they were fantastic) but had no luck with jewelry. So I went home feeling pretty good about what we found but I still felt something missing without the right jewelry. The following morning, I decided I would try my luck on 19th street in the heights at all the antique stores, vintage shops, and boutiques. I walked in and out of every store. I looked in all the jewelry cases in every antique store and nothing jumped out. Luckily in the last store I went to, a cute boutique called Jubilee, I found gold chandelier earrings that would work just fine. I rushed home and started getting ready. The whole time I was feeling jittery because not only was I going to this "fancy" event but I was also meeting Kenny's boss. I wanted to make a good impression.

K got home and we loaded up. We headed to Minute Maid Park. Upon arrival a valet service took our car and we waltzed right in. Everyone was dressed to a T, but I think we fit right in. Kenny looked great in his dark gray suit and black tie. He didn't have time to get a tux and the only other tux option he had was a tux he had from the 10th grade so the dark suit was the way he went. Why he still has that old tux is beyond, sentimental maybe.

We signed in and walked around the corner to see this.

these were taken by the press
i didn't want to seem uncool by getting my camera out

I was getting very excited. We walked down the walk way to get to center field. Some photographer guy took our picture a couple of times, but I still haven't figured out where those pictures went. He probably deleted them after he figured out we're not famous.

Inside, the food was great. Kenny was excited to see some of his baseball idols and I was enjoying looking at what all the women were wearing. The event flew by. It was over in no time at all, and my wine glass was never empty. Needless to say, the service was great. We left feeling very lucky to have gotten the chance to go.

I was too nervous to take pictures inside the event, which i realize was dumb now that its over with, so I don't have any from inside the field. We took a few when we got home.

had a few drinks afterward at a place across from Minute Maid Park

"Take my picture, Kenny"

posing but turned out pretty good

love him

Restoration Hardware

love ++ linen bedding

+French Postal Desk

Fishing Weights

I really need one of these

restorationhardware.com

more decor

Leather Jute rug

Chair for desk

Pinconehill.com

Love the color combo

 

Neat Store

Momastore.com

Decor

http://www.westelm.com/products/grid-tufted-grasscloth-headboard-g105/?pkey=cheadboards-bed-frames

 

http://www.sundancecatalog.com/product/home+decor+catalog/bedroom+furniture/unique+beds/wood+%26+iron+bed.do?sortby=ourPicks

Awesome Stuff

http://www.wisteria.com/

http://www.sundancecatalog.com/

+ grouping of frames

+ chair

White Linen Night

Kenny and I had a great time attending White Linen Night in the Heights this past weekend. This is an event where artists, musicians, restaurants, and vendors in the area come together for a fun filled night. Every one who attends wears white and brings a bottle of wine to walk around with. The event takes place on 19th street. The street is blocked off and there are booths set up with funky art and cool jewelry. After walking around looking at all the awesome stuff we finished the night with dinner at Shade.

White Stripe

This post is a tribute to my grandfather on my mother’s side. His name is George and he recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Describing his appearance is simple because he’s looked the same way for probably 50 years or at least as long as I’ve known him. His daily uniform consist of Liberty Overalls, Black Tennis Shoes with black Velcro straps, Square framed, thick lens glasses and a lack of teeth. He has a very distinct nose with a prominent hump and he always sports a little scruff on his face. His personality is stubborn but well meaning. He loves to carry on a conversation with anyone who is willing to listen. Granted, the conversation topic may simply be the latest gadget he has acquired (he loves tools and gadgets of any sort), but he’ll talk your ear off none the less. Although, the past ten years his conversations have become more and more one sided because of his loss of hearing. I’m never sure if he’s heard me or not now a days but he continues to talk so I just go with it. He’s had a long and full life so far. He is the father of 10 and the grandfather of many. I’m sure he’s seen and done many interesting things in his 90 years but there is one story that I’ve heard which stands out in particular.

Pawpaw claims to be the person who suggested that the transportation department paint a white stripe along the side of roads to provide a visible border to prevent accidents. Whether this is accurate or not I’m not entirely sure, but after a little research I can’t find anything in the history of Alabama Transportation that says otherwise. So I will continue to believe that maybe he really is behind the white stripe in Alabama.

In 1999, the local paper wrote a Lifestyle piece about pawpaw and his white stripes.

Included with the article was a cool picture of him standing over the white line of some winding, country road in rural Alabama that runs through his hometown of Rockford. It’s probably the road I use to get to his house.

I love this picture. I love how the road curves around into the trees in the distance. I love how he is standing with his hands in his overall pockets and feet straddling the white stripe. His toothless grin in between is prominent nose and chin shows how happy he is to be sharing this story with everyone.

I will definitely be printing the picture out one day to display in my family’s home.

I think this picture is so visually interesting that I played around with a few effects to see if I could enhance it. These are a few of the ones I came up with one boring evening.

Sunburst Warhol Inspired

I love that he has given me a quirky story to tell my friends. I hope I never hear if this story has validity or not because I enjoy thinking that I have some miniscule claim to fame through his story.

I’m Hooked

This past weekend Kenny and I went fishing out of Port O’Connor, Texas. Kenny got the call earlier in the week to invite us to go off shore. He asked if I was interested and I said sure, why not! I didn’t know what I was in for, but to my delight we were getting to go out on an awesome boat named the Hydrocarbon.

  It is a 40 foot Cabo Express and it is nice. I was most impressed with the interior. The Hydrocarbon had air conditioning, a bed room, sitting area, kitchenette, and a bathroom with a shower. As a girl these types of amenities are a luxury! I can’t imagine not having a toilet or A/C!!

We began our trip around lunch time Saturday and it took us about two hours to get to where we were going. We were headed to a place called the hilltops where the fishing is supposed to be really good. We got there after a long drive. We all napped a little bit so it didn’t seem to take that long. Once we got there all the guys (I was the only girl with guys) started setting up the poles while I sat inside and watched from the comforts of cold air conditioning.

  I had no idea how much preparation goes into off shore fishing, but these guys were all pros and had everything up and running in no time. After all the lines were in place out in the water, we started trolling trying to get a bite. I sat out there for a while waiting and watching intently, but after about thirty minutes I decided it was too hot and went inside to the glorious air conditioning. We trolled for four hours and didn’t have any luck. I was a little disappointed but I was still having a good time just being on the water and trying something new.

Another cool feature on the boat was a grill that fits right into a rod holder. So after the guys took all the lines down and got cleaned up, one of the guys grilled up some delicious steaks and tortillas and we had fajitas. I was quite impressed with the whole operation. I think Kenny should get one of those grills for his boat! We would definitely put it to use. Once the food was devoured, more fishing commenced. One of the guys knew all about swordfish fishing so he set up a few lines with squid and sent them down about 100-300 feet. Within twenty minutes we got a bite! Everybody was excited and grabbing cameras. Finally!! Something was happening.

Eric was the angler and everyone else watched as the sword was getting closer to the boat.

At one point it swam right up and beside the boat and we could all see it’s long, dark shadow.

After a relatively short fight we got the fish into the boat. Well the guys did; I was the photographer. This fish was so cool. It had huge eye balls the size of a cue ball. When I saw it up close I said, “that bill looks exactly like a sword” and then realized, “duh, hence the name.” This was the first time most of us had ever caught a sword so it was exciting for all of us. I was glad I could be there for Kenny’s first swordfish.

Kenny jumped in the water to get a group shot with the name of the boat.

After the swordfish excitement it was getting late so I went inside to fall asleep watching King Kong (did I mention there was satellite television) on the tv. I was pretty tired, especially after taking Dramamine so I fell asleep quick. I slept great! Sleeping in the boat with the sound of the generators humming and the boat rocking is like being a baby back in your mama’s arms. I haven’t slept that good in weeks!

The next morning we went trolling again and it was going kind of slow. They decided it was time for a change in location and that was just what we needed. I got to reel in my first off shore fish! A decent size dolphin and it was so much fun!  

  I loved it! I’m hooked! I can’t wait for the next trip.