Need I say more? Available at DeVille Fine Jewelry, starts at $870.

OMG, how cute is this gummy bear nightlight? If this doesn’t instantly make you smile, you need to lighten up. Available at Kuhl-Linscomb.

 I don’t know about you, but I love perks. And I love the perks of my Platinum Card. Granted, I used to love the Continental perks affiliated with the card which sadly are no more thanks to the United merger (ugh). And rather than explaining how the point system works, I’ll tell you how I’ve most recently used the perks. In October we went to California and were able to book our entire stay at the Bacara Resort & Spa with our points, as well as secure upgrades in our room, $100 towards a spa visit and late checkout at Carmel Valley Ranch. Most recently, an AmEx concierge helped me locate two tickets to the Florence and The Machine show coming this month in a particular section, and I haven’t bought one plane ticket for the last four trips I’ve taken. Well, except for the 10% price of the ticket that United makes me pay for my infant who sits on my lap. For the actual details on the perks of an American Express Platinum card, visit www.americanexpress.com. Oh, by the way, they aren’t an advertiser, although I wish they were…

It’s a complete coincidence that this page is so colorful! I love Elaine Turner’s take on the flip-flop. Foam and rubber merge to create a chic sandal appropriate for more than a pool day.

Camilla Frank’s designs are perfect for the summer. Either poolside or beachside, the designs are fabulous! Available at Neiman Marcus + Tootsies.

Think of these as Legos® for adults! I love that they stack and store. Prices start at $19.99 at The Container Store. Inside: super-hydrating Vita Coco waters. www.vitacoco.com­­

By Carla Valencia de Martinez

Alexa Pulitzer’s Monogram Notes are beautiful and wonderful to write on. Initials are made using fishy, four-legged and furry friends. $12 for a set of 10 at shop. www.alexapulitzer.com

Who doesn’t like Post-its®? These are from their new Farmer’s Market and Neon collections.

I love how stella & dot continues to make women its priority. Whether it’s selling it and making them wildly successful, which in turn translates to happy, or wearing the latest trends at affordable prices. This necklace is perfect for the summer over a white tank and some cut-offs? Sierra Necklace $148, www.stelladot.com/tyshmefferd or contact Tysh Mefferd, tysh@tyshlovesjewelry.com

Am in love with Estee Lauder’s Mad Men collection packaging. It’s even better when you open it to find beautiful old school gold compacts and lipsticks in smashing shades of red!

These minikits for every ailment imaginable (from Target) are the bomb.

There’s nothing like my pot of honey a la Winnie the Pooh! Local organic honey from Gunderman Farms available thru The Rawfully Organic CoOp. www.rawfullyorganic.com

I just love this lithophane votivo light by Lladro. The sacred “OM” symbol is just icing on the cake for me. $75 at www.lladro.com

 www.sandboxthreads.com has the most simple yet giggle-inducing kids’ wear. I am loving these two. We’re already rocking a Chewbacca one from a few season’s ago thanks to our contributing editor Victoria Bartlett who turned me onto the site.

 

By Carla Valencia de Martinez

Photography by Sofia van der Dys

There’s nothing quite like the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. We are so lucky to have such a renowned collection. Equally as amazing is the bookstore. The shelves of books are inspirational.

I love tie-dye. It’s a problem. But I couldn’t resist the new hippie collection for Skidless by yogitoes. I will be radiating happy, hippie peace during my yoga sessions. Namaste!

I love Caldrea’s refrigerator freshener. An organic material, which looks like loose rocks, called zeolite absorbs odors. The rocks are refreshed monthly by emptying the zeolite onto a flat tray and placing in direct sunlight for 2-3 hours. Repeat and reuse indefinitely. Available at caldrea.com

Jo Malone London does scents flawlessly. I can’t see the reason in needing more perfumes than really two. But if you’re Jo Malone London and you keep creating new fabulous scents season after season, what is a consumer to do other than give in? So, good luck picking one of these fabulous London Blooms Collection. I’m a Peony & Moss kinda gal.

One of my gal pals gave me this cookbook and I just can’t get enough of the recipes! I love Clean Eating magazine and the book summarizes all the wonderful recipes to keep me and my body clean!

Last month my trusty juicer died. I mourned for 4 days and saw my skin, energy, happiness and vitality go to shit. Seriously, I am not being dramatic here. So I got a Hurom slow juicer and am smitten. Plus I’m back to feeling wonderful.

By Carla Valencia de Martinez Photography by Sofia van der Dys

I LOVE it when something that is so incredibly good for you tastes equally as delish! Lucky Layla Farms creamy drinkable yogurts are handcrafted by in-house yogurt artisans (really) and feature real fresh fruit. Available at Whole Foods.

This pen completes me. I love knowing it’s in my purse, it makes me smile. Crayon pen at Kuhl-Linscomb.

In December I took classes at Sur la Table, both completely different. One was a Juicing + Smoothie class with The Rawfully Organic queen, Kristina Carillo-Bucarem. The other, a Mastering Macaroons class with Courtney Goff. Both were equally amazing. I still have yet to make a macaroon, but I will. Visit www.surlatable.com for classes.

My love for my Hunter boots is pretty deep but my trusty old pair have been looking shabby with white residue. Apparently this phenomenon is called “blooming” and is a result of the small amounts of wax included in the 100% natural rubber boots. The white residue is natural and normal, but it comes right off with Hunter Boot Buffer, restoring them to their original splendor. Which also keeps me from buying another pair I certainly don’t need.

I am by no means a Brit, nor do I pretend to know a thing about fish n’ chips, but I do know
I LOVE Laurenzo’s version. Perfectly fried on the outside, deliciously moist on the inside. Serve it up with a Santo hand-crafted beer by Texas’ oldest craft brewery with art by Day of the Dead local artist Carlos Hernandez and my day is pretty much made. Laurenzo’s Prime Rib, 4412 Washington Ave. St. Arnold’s Santo beer available at Central Market.

Rather than roses this year, give this
rose-scented candle
by Diptyque.
It’ll last longer. www.diptyque.com

By Carla Valencia de Martinez
Photography by Gabriella Nissen

De Petra’s jewels continue to make me swoon! Plus they repurpose leather scraps as well as use recycled metals. I love how much this local brand has grown – They are now available at Anthropologie! But if you want more exclusive pieces, make an appointment. De Petra art and jewelry, 713.296.9696. www.depetra.com

LOVE Goodbyn Bynto boxes! They come in a variety of colors and sizes and are perfect to pack your lunch and go. No more bags. It takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you like your Ziplocs like I do. Goodbyn.com

How cute are these pup lovepup collars? It’ll be hard to pick one…thank goodness I have
2 dogs! 25% of all proceeds donated to no-kill shelters. Available at Kuhl-Linscomb and www.lovepupdesigns.com

I love knowing we made this. Our super rich compost dirt took a year to break down, but now it’s making my herbs and veggies thrive.

I am obsessed (or should I say Pascual is?) with WubbaNub Infant Pacifiers. They are super cute and easy for him to hold. Pop the whole thing in a small mesh bag into the washer and wash to reuse. We have a bunch! Available at Longoria Collection and Kuhl-Linscomb.

By Carla Valencia de Martinez
Photography by Gabriella Nissen

Check out the pop-up shop called Gift in West Ave this month! With a focus on well-designed, luxury goods tailored around the five senses this shop is sure to send you into sensory overload! Expect designs from Thierry Lasry sunglasses, Alexa Rodulfo Candles, Pamela Love jewelry, Carmina Campus clutches, SUPER sunglasses, Seletti home products and Kyotofu-NYC Japanese desserts.

Gift. Curated Shopping by PEEL | 2800 Kirby Dr. 713.874.0025 | www.giftbypeel.com.
11am – 6:30pm Monday-Wednesday
11am – 9pm Thursday – Saturday
12pm – 5pm Sunday

I know I am not the only one who has been anxiously waiting for Phoenicia Market to open their YUMMY shop downtown, and now it’s here! Creamy bricks of feta, bags of hazelnuts, fresh baked Pita, labne – oh my!

Elaine Turner’s minaudiere is just the right amount of shine to any festive look, plus you can cross it over your body for a night that turns into dancing or into a clutch for a dressier occasion.

Another design favorite, Restoration Hardware, opened The Gallery at Highland Village simultaneously with the brand’s second Baby & Child Gallery in the nation last month. Their innovative approach of handcrafted furnishings capturing effortless European luxury and exceptional quality is incomparable.

Something about a collection called Copernicus enchants me. I love H. Stern’s constellation inspired baubles and would certainly be happy to find these in my stocking. Available at Zadok Jewelers.

I don’t think I’ve been as excited about a restaurant opening as I am about Uchi’s impending launch at the end of this month. As a self-proclaimed Uptown Sushi loyalist, I have to preface this by saying that Uchi is unlike anything we already have in Houston. Rather than just one more sushi spot, it’s an amazing addition to what’s here. I recently went to Austin for a tasting with Chef Tyson Cole and although I knew of his fame, it wasn’t till the drive back home that I read his book and am forever a Cole Convert. His story, passion and phenomenal food will turn you all into Uchi-addicts. Opening at the old Felix’s on Westheimer.

THE FIND is one of those special things that you see in other cities like Miami or LA that makes you wish Houston had something like that. Basically, it’s an eclectic outdoor market that never fails to impress me with one-of-a-kind finds as well as fresh new designers. I never walk out empty-handed. Don’t miss the carefully selected (by founder and fashionista herself Chelsea Dryer) group of talented, emerging designers selling their jewelry, handbagS, shoes and ready-to-wear collections in the backyard at Hughes Hangar Saturday, December 3! For more information, go to the blog: thefindhouston.blogspot.com

I know you’re all probably over the Missoni craze at Target, but I just LOVE my bike!

Pink Gel Coat is the perfect polish for everyday wear. The formula coats like a gel and protects and strengthens my nails through the week. Available at Sephora.

I got my flat iron a little too close to my forehead on a Monday and I had a wedding to go to four days later. Thanks to La Mer’s The Concentrate – which is recommended to post-surgery patients because it helps skin heal itself – the burn was gone just in time. Now available in a travel-friendly 30ml size at Neiman Marcus.

Giovanni’s Shave Cream creates the perfect shave, ladies. The cream takes a couple seconds to activate on your skin, but as soon as it does, a little tingle lets you know you are minutes away from super smooth, bump free, happy legs! Available at Whole Foods.

I don’t know about you, but when my eyes look bright and cheery everything else sort of falls into place. My current combo of Caudalíe’s Premier Cru anti-aging eye-cream and Kate Somerville’s Kateceuticals Multi-Active Repair Cream makes me look like I’m sleeping through the night…which I’m not thanks to my adorable 4-month-old. Available at Sephora.

I’m obsessed with Diptyque candles. Nothing screams “holiday season” like the scents of the season wafting through my house. Perdigone is gloriously warm and spicy with nutmeg, cinnamon leaves, clove and candied plum. DELISH! Available at Kuhl-Linscomb.

By Carla Valencia de Martinez

Love me my Bubba Keg! it keeps my juices cold. The ice stays whole for hours. It’s perfect for poolside adult beverages. Available at Walmart or www.shopbubba.com.

Halloween is one of my favorite things. I think it not only symbolizes the beginning of the holiday season, but when else is it OK to play dress-up? Pottery Barn Kids | www.potterybarnkids.com

Frasier Sterling Jewelry sent us her collection of baubles for the October shoot, and, well, we were smitten! Gobs of interchangeable options to choose from. They work best layered. Available at Katia and www.frasiersterlingjewelry.com

Boudreaux’s Rash Protector goes on clear and has kept Pascual’s bottom rash free! I love that it’s not white and pasty. It’s hard to find, but well worth stocking up when you do! www.diapers.com

We pulled these studded ASH boots for our fashion shoot and I fell in LOVE with them. I’ve been looking for motorcycle boots since last year, but just hadn’t found a pair that were rough but a little feminine … until these bad boys! Available at Neiman Marcus. www.neimanmarcus.com

Hands down, the baguettes from World Catering Café & Bakery on Silber are the best. I try to get them fresh out of the oven. They are made daily from scratch and when they are gone, that’s it for the day! 1073 Silber Rd. 77055, 713.780.4351 www.worldcateringhouston.com

By Carla Valencia de Martinez
Photography by Gabriella Nissen

Love this “decorate them yourself” speaker set. Brown cardboard is your medium so get creative. The sound is pretty good for a $12 set of speakers. We noticed they work better with the iPhone 4. www.greenleafgoods.com

I’ve had all sorts of fancy juicers; just ask anyone in my family who has gotten the hand-me-downs. But deep down inside I really only ever wanted a good, old-fashioned, hand-cranked, sturdy citrus juicer, which I finally found at Phoenicia Market. Best orange and grapefruit juice every day.

Tervis tumbler with snap-on instant mixer is perfect for a day by the pool! Mix up fresh margaritas instantly.

Lutron’s dimmer allows you to turn any table or floor lamp into a dimmer instantly. These have proved essential lately with a newborn!

This balsamic fig from Whole Foods Montrose’s self-serve station is amazing! I drizzle it over fresh tomatoes, basil and burrata – delish!

By Carla Valencia de Martinez | Photography by Gabriella Nissen