Retail wrap
The Galleria has seen the opening of a few new boutiques to make a gal swoon! Miu Miu sparkly store offers ready-to-wear, bags, footwear and accessories collections. The visually impressive outside façade interprets the brand’s distinctive identity elements: golden damask, embellished by glass and studs, and the polished brass logo.
Prada also opened shop with smokey mirrors and dark marble finishes.
Franco Mondini-Ruiz presents his latest pop-up art sales performance, Couture on Canvas, a boutique art gallery that caters to lovers of fashion, romance, humor and art. The collection, created exclusively for Tootsies, was partially inspired by the enthusiastic support of Mickey Rosmarin, whose eagle eye for the couture was delighted by Mondini-Ruiz’s quirky and fresh interpretations of feminine glamour. Thursday, Feb. 9 – Tuesday, Feb. 14, 10am – 7pm, Tootsies, 2601 Westheimer at Kirby, Houston, TX 77098
Target will partner directly with the shop owners of specialty stores and boutiques to co-create affordable, limited-edition collections for its guests. The first flight of The Shops at Target debuts on May 6 at all Target stores and Target.com. Five exclusive collections across five different product categories, from five different U.S. specialty stores (The Candy Store, Cos Bar, Polka Dog Bakery, Privet House and The Webster) will reflect each shop owner’s unique perspective.
Pinto Ranch is hosting a few trunk shows to get you Rodeo ready!
Saturday, February 4, 10am-6pm – Lucchese. Meet the reps from Lucchese and be fitted by the experts. See What’s new in the Lucchese Handmade Classics Collection. Choose from the largest inventory of handmade boots in the U.S. or special order your dream pair of Lucchese boots. Saturday, February 11, 10am-6pm – Rocketbuster. Exclusive to Pinto Ranch. Meet Nevena Christi, owner & designer and her amazing “Art” collection of handmade boots. Have your foot traced for a truly custom pair. Saturday, February 18 from 10am-6pm – Stallion Boots. Meet owner and designer Pedro Muñoz who will be in-store with his high-fashion collection of handmade boots. See the newest skins and fine leathers from around the globe. Be fitted by Pedro or choose from our inventory.
Saturday, February 25 from 10am-6pm – Old Gringo. See the coolest boot collection showcasing the latest trends including zippers, embroidery and studs! Be fitted by the reps from Old Gringo and even special order from the Old Gringo warehouse…a Pinto Ranch exclusive.
open
The breakfast klub, a Houston dining institution famous for its Wings & Waffles and Katfish & Grits, celebrates its 10th anniversary with the launch of the breakfast klub Waffle & Pankake Mix and the breakfast klub Signature Seasoning – Soulful & Savory.
Whole Foods Market Houston and Sugar Land stores launched a Health Starts Here Challenge to help make attaining a healthier lifestyle easy and fun. Thru February 20, Whole Foods Market stores will have events to support you on this venture including access to cooking classes, cooking demonstrations, how-to guides, store tours, meet-up groups, lectures, workouts, reading materials and more recipes than you can use in one month! Visit their website for more information.
Snap Kitchen Memorial Park recently opened a new location at 5710 Memorial Drive. The location brings customers chef-prepared, flavorful, healthy meals and snacks that are portion- and calorie-controlled. The Food Experiments, which organizes food competitions throughout the U.S. for amateur chefs, is coming to Houston for the first time to host the Houston Beer Experiment. Local amateur chefs will have the opportunity to cook a unique “taste” that incorporates beer as an ingredient and serve it to the people attending the event. Winners will be chosen by attendees and celebrity judges, such as top food critics, after sampling each creation. For more information on participating and/or attending, please visit TheFoodExperiments.com. The Houston Beer Experiment presented by The Brooklyn Brewery, March 4, 2012, at Fitzgerald’s (2706 White Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77007)1-4pm. Tickets: $10 (includes a free beer).
Blu is the newsest addition to Sugar Land’s Town Square. The sophisticated boutique restaurant and lounge serves a blend of Euro-Asian cuisine and street foods from all over the world.
Destination
Picosa Ranch Resort, a premier luxury guest resort ranch steeped in history and located in South Texas, will welcome leisure guests for the first time in history. 30 minutes south of San Antonio, Picosa Ranch, the original homestead of former Texas Governor John Connally, is a working ranch nestled among centuries old oak trees and surrounded by 2,800 breathtaking acres and vistas over Texas pastures. Guests will be treated to an all-inclusive stay offering fine dining, wines and top-shelf liquors along with a wide range of activities including horseback riding, two swimming pools, fishing, skeet shooting, exotic photo safaris, tennis, billiards, canoeing, mini-rodeos, archery, arts and crafts for children or adults, hay bale climbing and open land as far as one can see to explore while walking, running or biking.
Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE earned a spot on the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Gold List for a second year in a row. The sought-after accolade places Hotel Sorella among the top 511 hotels, resorts and cruise lines in the world.
For art’s sake
Dance Month at the Kaplan Theatre introduces Motion Captured, An Evening of Dance on Film featuring local and national choreographers and film-makers. Sunday, February 12, 7pm at the IW Marks Theatre Center, 5601 S. Braeswood Blvd. To purchase tickets, visit erjcchouston.org/dancemonth or call 713.551.7255.
Eat Gallery opened shop last month. Designed like a traditional art gallery, The Eat Gallery is an eatery that features the edible artwork of local culinary artists and provides cultural arts to the city of Houston. Their statement says: “We curate a space in which: 1) People are cared for; 2) A dreamer can live his or her dreams; 3) Others can experience and taste those dreams, and imagine their own.” The next experience is a cross-pollination of local performing poets who will guide a poetry writing workshop, then curate an open-mic night of poetry at The Eat Gallery. Every Saturday at 6pm, 4420 Almeda at Rosewood. For more information, email dewing@awakeningsmovement.com.
community
The George R. Brown Convention Center will be celebrating its 25th year of operation with a series of events throughout 2012.
