How does this go-getter get any rest and relaxation with a never ending to-do list, dogs that wake up 30 minutes before the alarm goes off (daily), work stress, blog demands, and an active social life? Travel, right? Yeah, right. So maybe we can’t afford to travel every month (hey, wouldn’t that be nice?). The […]
Houston
DragonCon 2017 Costumes: Preview & Works in Progress
For “normal” people, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and Labor Day marks the end of summer. For those of us costume hobbyists, Memorial Day means there are less than 100 days until Labor Day weekend when we bring our favorite costumes to DragonCon in Atlanta, one of the largest pop culture conventions in […]
Italian Wine Seminar at ICCC
My husband and I, both members of Houston’s Italian Cultural & Community Center (ICCC) and frequent guests at their wine tastings (read about past events here and here), were thrilled to attend their first ever Italian wine seminar in four two-hour classes over the course of four weeks, led by Master Sommelier Craig Collins (Meet the Sommelier at […]
Sewing 18th Century Pockets
When I made my Claire from Outlander (Season 1) costume last year, I didn’t include pockets in the skirt. Pockets make every outfit magical, from 18th century on. So rather than adding the pockets in the skirt I so desperately coveted, I decided to make a set of traditional 18th century pockets that could be […]
Costuming at Comicpalooza 2017
Comicpalooza, Texas’ largest comic book, pop culture, and entertainment convention, happened over the weekend (May 12-14, 2017) in Downtown Houston. I attended all three days and treated it as a costume deadline and cosplay dress rehearsal for the larger convention that we attend, DragonCon during Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a good […]
Costuming a Barbarian at Texas Renaissance Festival
Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF for short) runs every year during October and November in Todd Mission, Texas (just north of Houston). There is something for everyone! Costuming, jousting and other shows, shopping for handcrafts, festival eating, people watching, and wine/mead drinking. As a casual costumer, I try to play along with their themed weekends (Oktoberfest, […]
Wine Infused Events at Houston’s ICCC
I’m a habitual wine taster. Wine tasting is how you learn what you like without committing to an entire bottle! I may not be able to distinguish notes and subtleties like the professionals, but I do appreciate the aromas and flavors of each taste. Through wine tasting, you get a guided tour through a region’s geology, […]
Visiting Oak Alley Plantation near New Orleans
Usually when I visit New Orleans (read about highlights here), I drive there from Houston. An easy detour on the way there or back is a stop at one of Louisiana’s iconic plantations, Oak Alley Plantation. This antebellum plantation, featured in Interview with a Vampire, is as lovely in person as it was on film. […]
I’ve Run Everywhere, Man: Destination Racing
I’ve been a runner for about two years. I love my city (Houston) but it’s crazy hot here, and the mosquitoes fly faster than I can outrun them. So our “racing season” is limited to a few short months between the first cold front in October and the last cold front in February. What’s a […]
Houston Top Picks for Locals and Tourists
I live and work in the fourth largest city in the United States, and I’ve been here all my life. The sprawling city, the surprising number of trees, the bayous, the traffic, the heat & humidity, the mosquitoes, and the unlimited food options are all a part of every day life for this Houstonian. So […]