Tag: houston

Lazy Saturday

Woke up surrounded by snoozy dogs and the sound of rain. I had planned to run a few errands and probably won’t unless the rain stops. No complaints: Since our drought is predicted to last into next summer and maybe longer (three or more years!), rain is welcome. Today is the Iron Bowl–Alabama vs. Auburn football–the day on which both Tom’s and my families take opposite sides, but all in good fun. Tom’s wearing his Bama shirt, and we may have friends over to watch the game. Snacks!

Also, thanks to today’s mail, I know what I’ll be reading the next few days. It’s always fun to get new books from authors who are friends, and these offer a road story, a mystery, and a crime caper. Congratulations, Jeffrey, Greg, and Rob!

Work of Art, 2:6

Working during the night on sections of a brick wall in Brooklyn, Bravo’s Work of Art competitors were asked to create a work that embodied the subversion of street art. Since Lindsey couldn’t ask the Work of Art followers to risk arrest by doing likewise on someone else’s property, she asked us to create a piece of art that met the same criteria. Here’s what I came up with.


For my background, I used a photo I took at the Houston Arboretum in April 2008. During times of stress or frustration, I seek out places like this one. When my mind races with all the things I wish I could change, I come back to this mantra, so I photoshopped it onto the brick wall.

I’m not subversive enough to ever tag someone else’s property. If I did, though, I’d sign it with a ram symbol, like the one here, because I embrace my Aries nature.

So pretty girl


Guinness admires the new scarf Penny was given when she went for a grooming today at Montrose’s wonderful Dogtopia. All the dogs at The Compound are doing their best to make Penny smell like a real dog again with some rousing playtime and their own brand of grooming.

You can see Penny and more of the wonderful at Scout’s Adoption Event, from 10 am to 3 pm, in the Heights at 1128 Heights Boulevard (between 11th and 12th Streets). Even if you can’t adopt or foster another dog at this time, go by to take the dogs out of their crates for bio breaks, walks, and cuddle time, and to visit with the amazing Scout’s Honor volunteers who are the best friends possible to Houston’s abandoned, stray, and rescued dogs and cats. You can also meet Tim, Man’s Best Friend’s Best Friend, and who knows–The Big H has made a guest appearance in the past and may show up again.

Runway Monday Finale, Part 2 (PR 9:14)

Draw near, the Tenth Muse is arriving to introduce my final collection for Lifetime’s Project Runway ninth season finale.

She’s Summer, the Muse of Fashion, and she’s here to welcome us to the court of the Fairy Queen.

As the minutes tick toward dusk and the magic of the forest night, she sees the Three Pixies approaching.

A few minutes later, the Two Sprites hurry toward the gathering place.

They await the arrival of the queen of their fairy ring.

Once they’ve all assembled, they begin to reveal the shimmering dresses designed for each of them especially for this night. All dress fabric except Laura Lee’s Dupioni silk and Summer’s synthetic blend is printed metallic georgette silk. The capes are velour and crushed velvet. Enjoy this magical night of fashion with Fairy Queen Marcella and her royal court.

The Pixie Thomasina:

The Pixie Laura Lee:

The Pixie Noelle:

The Sprite Dallas:

The Sprite Cari:

The Muse Summer:

The Fairy Queen Marcella:

Romancing the Stone:

Dancing in the Trees:

My final collection is inspired by pixie dust, Halloween, and a belief that magic is wherever we look for it. Thanks for sharing this season of Runway Monday with me. I hope you’ve enjoyed it.

Fabric for Summer’s dress is a gift from Lynne. All shoes are Mattel. Cari’s and Dallas’s necklaces designed by me. Crystals in Cari’s necklace a gift from Kathy S. Marcella’s crown modified by me from a Mattel crown. Photos were shot at Houston’s Glenwood Cemetery, most of them at the grave of my friend Tim R, who was an early champion of my creative energy, relished listening to tales of witches and vampires on tape by candlelight in his wonderful cottage, and would be delighted at providing me a quiet place to have some fun with dolls and fashion.

Previously this season:
9:13 Finale, Part 1
9:12 The Final Challenge
9:11 This Is For the Birds
9:10 Sew 70s
9:9 Image Is Everything
9:8 What Women Want
9:7 Can’t We All Just Get Along?
9:6 The Art of the Matter
9:5 Off to the Track
9:4 All About Nina
9:3 Go Big Or Go Home
9:2 My Pet Project
9:1 Come As You Are