THE SOURCE OF ALL THINGS PAPERY

Have you ever heard of The Paper Source? I sort of knew about it. Whenever I'd see some neat project in a crafty magazine or blog, they'd often mention supplies ordered from there, but somehow I never got around to visiting their website. My sister Poodie says they were her go-to source for invitation paper, party bags, and ribbon during her years of being Executive Assistant and Party Queen of the World. What I didn't know was that they actually have some brick & mortar stores -- not until I stumbled across one Monday evening, as Hubby and I strolled around the little shopping center in Houston where our hotel was located.

What I also didn't know was that they carry all kinds of artsy-craftsy goodness, such as this fabulous journal decorated by one of my all time favorite artists/art journalists/designers Cori Dantini!
 

I got an awesome stencil too.

Then of course there was all that fabulous fall stuff, like mask making kits with themes such as sugar skulls, Halloween, woodland creatures, and Lucha Libre! I almost bought a kit for making the cutest place cards ever -- little foxes! Fortunately, that's when I realized they were trying to close the store for the evening, and I decided to quit before I did any more damage.

Guess what my hubby said to me as I was making my getaway? "You know they have one of these in Austin, don't you?" DOH!

HUBBY'S WEIRD SATURDAY

I almost forgot to tell you what my hubby was up to this weekend, while Lexi and I were at the shower in Dallas. He went on Austin's first annual Weird Homes Tour, and it was a doozie! His favorite house was one called Casa Neverlandia, and I must agree. If ever there was a house that screamed Becky T. Lane, it would have to be this one!

The man was obviously born with my kind of color-madness!

The owner is a bead artist, and his creations are hanging throughout the house, though I'm not sure you can see any in these photos here. This next shot from his studio actually makes me drool!

I just adore a house with curves!

Not shown is the swinging bridge that leads across to his treehouse!

The owner says he can guarantee there's been at least one car that has run off the road when rubbernecking to get a better look at his home. Perhaps being on the home tour will help prevent future incidents.

Of course, this wasn't the only home on the tour. If you follow the link above, you'll be able to see the others, which included a teeny-tiny home of less than 400 sq. ft., an earthbag home, an artsy compound consisting of an old Victorian farmhouse and several cottages, and more! One thing is for certain -- there's no way that Lex and I will be missing out on this tour next year!
 

I CAN LIVE WITH THIS

When Hubby took that three-week consulting gig down in Port Arthur a while back, I was not too crazy about it. The long drive back and forth each weekend was hard on him, he was gone for too long, the available food was all unhealthy, and I knew he wouldn't get a lick of exercise. Plus, the whole area was nothing but refineries, so there wasn't really anything for me to do if I went along with him. He was so happy when he was finally done with it! Needless to say, I was a bit surprised to hear he had accepted another job.

This one was different though. It would involve just a couple of trips to Houston, for only a night or two each. I didn't go with him the first time, since I was just back from Charleston and fixin' to leave for Dallas. He figured they'd put him up at the Holiday Inn or Marriott out in the Park Ten area, where most of the business travelers stay, but I guess those were full. Instead he found himself staying in the brand new Sorella Hotel, in Houston's newest mixed-use development, City Centre. When he asked if I wanted to join him this time, and stay at the Sorella, I said "Try and keep me away!"

Our daughter, the interior designer, would have loved our hotel room...

which contained something I had never seen in a hotel room before -- a sectional sofa!

What I loved was the balconies, where we sat sipping wine and enjoying all the activity down below.

And, of course, the shopping was none too shabby. Especially this one shop we discovered during our after-dinner stroll. My artsy-fartsy friends are gonna be sooooooo jealous when I tell you about it tomorrow, and show you what I got!

What's even more amazing is that this development is adjacent to Town & Country shopping center -- my old stomping grounds when we had the townhouse on Memorial, and home to Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Einstein's Bagels, and best of all, a ginormous bookstore. Imagine, all of this in walking distance to our hotel. Oh yeah, and a movie theater too! Which is why a couples' meet-up with our BFFs is already in the works for late Nov./Early Dec., once the Christmas stuff is up. Squee!

On the whole, all business travel starts to suck after a while -- especially when you do as much as my poor hubby used to do. But an occasional one-nighter like this? This we can live with!

POODIE, PREZZIES, PAINT & PETIT FOURS

Just got back from a whirlwind trip to Dallas for Lexie's family wedding shower, hosted by big sister Poodie (aka Carolyn).

The theme was "Stock The Bar", and the prezzies included everything from ice buckets and cocktail shakers to molecular mixology books and, of course, plenty of wine and booze.

Moonshine

A Mustache Corkscrew

A Skull Ice Bucket

All the sisters and nieces were there, except for Austin's poor fiance Areeg, who had a huge test coming up this week to study for. When Austin sent me the note saying Areeg couldn't make it, he said "but don't worry, I'll definitely be there." I had to break it to him gently that he wasn't actually invited -- that it was girls only. "For a stock-the-bar shower? You've got to be kidding!"

Lex + Cousin Steff

Cousin Merrit + Aunt Gus

Aunt Dani was there too, but for some reason the only picture I got of her was a close-up of her behind.

For entertainment, we got to decorate two sets of holiday wine glasses for Lex and Nate -- half for Christmas and half for Halloween.

Lex may get to keep most of the loot, but the rest of us got the champagne...

plus a whole day of hanging out with some of my favorite people, and a talking-into-the-wee-hours slumber party with a couple of them! It was a very good weekend.

Now I'm off to Houston for a day or two with my hubby, who is doing a bit of consulting work there. When I get back I'll tell you all about the shenanigans he was up to while we were in Big D!