Weekend Surprise~~~

I am getting ready for the beach this past Saturday super pumped up and ready to pack all the while Travis seems to be stalling. grr... "pleeeease get UP lets go! Lets pack!" He hops in the shower and then I take my turn after him- when I get out there is a note- "On a secret mission- be back soon"....I thought Yussss! Breakfast! He gets back and makes me hide in the bathroom so that I can't peak...??? hmm... so I immediately knew something was up... I asked him are we going to the beach?? - "nope"

Well... a few months ago we talked about doing an early or late anniversary bcuz we would be in Dubai on our actuall anniv. and we will be doing fun things with family- so I knew that this MUST be that weekend- and he said it was :)

He proceeds to show me a little slide show he put together... first it says How about a picnic in the park? Then a massage? Then a little dinner and dancing? Wine? Then a rebus with a picture of an eye and my stepdad's face (Khan) the next slide was Hotel Icon! (eye+khan)...haha...awesome... so needless to say I was pumped up!

We had Prosciutto, Boursin, crackers, and wine in the park then I was dropped off at Etheria Spa- loved my sweedish massage~ then I was picked up and brought to the hotel icon. We walked in an were handed our keys... in the elevator the attendant said we needed to put our keys in to reach the level of our destination...woah....penthouse level...(extremely giiiiddy!)... we enter our Oriental Suite.... big upgrade....king bed, clawfoot tub, 2 baths, living room, bar and amazing view of Houston. Travis had Vueve clicquot on ice and brought our champagne flutes that my parents gave to us as a wedding gift- he also had red roses on the bed. What an amazing husband- I definitely appreciate all of it! LOVED it all!

We relaxed- talked- just soaked it all in... Saturday evening we went to Sambuca for an amazing dinner (steak, lobster, sea bass, proscuitto mac and cheese- how can you resist?!) Great music- classic rock- Doobie Brothers, Simon and Garfunkel....just awesome...

Sunday brunch was at Mia Bella-now my absolute favorite brunch location....I had poached eggs on top of jumbo lump crab meat on creamy pollenta with a hollandaise sauce... perfection. Bottomless bloody marys, bellinis and mimosas for $8.95...great deal!

Loved the entire weekend- after our brunch we went home to see the pups and enjoyed watching the Cowboys beat the Eagles- :) Pics to come------

Where is Autumn??

Living in Houston I miss the seasons changing with the calendar. In Tyler, as soon as fall comes the cooler weather follows and the trees begin to change and the air just smells like fall. Here it is in the 70's and 80's and humid as ever. While I love Houston, I miss autumn! It will get here in the next 2 months, just need to be patient!


So life is good! The rents' were here for over a month. Had a blast with them. We went on a fishing trip. I think Trav and my mom won with their catches: (ps- not very good with the photos- they are stacked!)







If you want a good fishing guide Jesse Zepeda from Galveston...He likes to catch the big fish-we went out by the jetties- totally different experience than what I was used to in the bay. Lots of fun, but by the end I was a tad sea sick... He guarantees that you will catch fish...and we did. :)

Oh! In August I have to tell you... I went to the Women of Faith Conference in Dallas. Talk about a fantastic weekend! Great women, great message. I felt truly changed after this weekend. WOF is coming to Houston in November (13-14): I would love to get a group together to go.
Also, Joyce Meyer is going to be in Houston 11/5-11/7 at the Lakewood Church...price is Free for the conference!

Recent fun finds:

~Website: It has boutique, gifts, decorative items. excited about it... Check it Out!
~Website: It has all the cheap places to eat in Houston....Check it Out!
~ Recent knowledge of trappist beer. Love the complexity. I would travel to Belgium for this beer. End of story.

Also...
Trav and I were in the Galleria and we stopped into Teavana, tea shop. We fell in love with their cast iron tea pots with a stainless steel basket for tea leaves that sits down in the water. They were over $100.00... whew... We found one on ebay and snatched it up! It's red with a rooster...




Happiness:



~1/2 off at all Shoe Cents, but sad they are closing operation!
~Excited about this weekend: a birthday bonanza for sister-in-law, Katie, and a wedding bonanaza for Trav's cousin Catherine. Good times are about to be had!
~Excited about Halloween coming up- I can make my cookies and popcorn balls!


Sadness:

~The news... people in Indonesia...feeling for them after the earthquake a few weeks ago.
Much more simpler:

~Missed the Houston Dog Show.... still have yet to attend in August...
~Sad that the rents are back in Dubai.... loved them being here!




Have a great week~

xo LH

Summer Adventures

This summer is proving to be one adventure after another.

This past weekend we enjoyed time with our friends in Austin, Texas. I love the people and energy in Austin. We went to North By Northwest for dinner on Friday: http://www.nxnwbrew.com/

The menu is extensive offering many varieties of food. We had the skillet fried cornbread topped with goat cheese and portobello mushrooms. Mmm... We also shared toasts with roasted garlic bulbs. I highly recommend their Hefeweizen. It is refreshing, has beautiful color and I enjoyed the slight hints of banana in the beer. For my dinner I had the appetizer bacon wrapped scallops- perfectly done.

When in Austin you must visit Alamo Drafthouse- the one located on 6th street- and see a special feature- Master Pancake, Austin's movie mockery. The movie choices vary and the comedy always makes for an excellent night out. Alamo Drafthouse serves a full bar and food menu during the movie, which is relaxing and also a treat. Get there early for great seats!

http://www.originalalamo.com/Signature.aspx?id=15

We also went to Juan in a Million- a local hole in the wall restaurant, only known by locals. The tacos are out of this world. Try the "Don Juan" enormous breakfast taco or if you are in the mood for lunch the shredded chicken tacos are amazing. Their hot sauce is spicy and delectable

http://www.juaninamillion.com/

Another place I must write about is Dry Comal Creek Vineyard in New Braunfels, TX. It is a family owned vineyard and tasting room that has such charm. The staff is eager to help you learn about each individual wine and how to pair it with cheese and chocolate samples. They have a little boutique shop to buy wino treats and gadgets. We enjoyed walking around the vineyard and relaxing in their outside seating area. If you are near Austin you should make a little journey to this vineyard- you will not be disappointed.

http://www.drycomalcreek.com/

Excited!

Today I am excited about: Summer! What are your favorite things about Summer? I created a mosaic of some of the things about summer that inspire me :)

Off to the beach today to soak in the sun...

Under the Tuscan Sun

Recently, I was sucked into the flick Under the Tuscan Sun, the 2003 movie featuring Diane Lane. I had only seen it once before, but as I watched I
longed to have the free spirit she did in that movie. I love everything from the simple italian decor to the quaint town of Cortona.

Today it leaves me longing to travel and visit Italy for the first time... I have found this amazing bed and breakfast right outside of Florence... This villa has great reviews, nearby vineyards and breath taking views. www.villailpoggiale.it <3>

I can spend hours researching places I have never been...

Another Villa I must visit one day in the heart of Chianti Classico, a wine making region in Italy:

Villa Magiacane- it's much more luxurious and is known for its spa. http://www.mangiacanespa.com/

Beautiful! I must go!

Have a wonderful day- off to dream some more

xo

LH

Oh Pizazz!

Welcome to my blog.

...into my heart and soul :)

I am Lindsey Heaton- currently a city girl of Houston, Texas. I don't think it's feasible to explain oneself in one sentence or even five- so thus a blog. happy blogging!

xo LH