Louboutin makeover

Joshua Bienko, Texas A&M professor, has modified Christian Louboutin stilettos...

On September 29, Houstonians can view his creations at Neiman Marcus (Galleria)

Anthropologie Wedding Brand

A bridal store operating under the Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters brands will be opening in Highland Village on August 18th.  The store's name: BHLDN, inspired by the Dutch word for “to keep".

This store will "celebrate a woman's most anticipated milestones and will give tradition a twist...with heirloom style and unexpected details.

great bridal gifts

Just Married flip flops can be purchased here

Custom hanger can be purchased here

 

 

Uncle Charlie

Houston Artist “Uncle Charlie” is having an art show this Saturday at Heights Ashbury Coffee House.

Charlie has created rock posters plugging shows in both Houston and Austin. His work has associated him with acts such as The Who, James Brown, U2, Radiohead, Metallica, and dozens of others.

 

 

Charlie has also designed packaging for Hi-C, Minute Maid, Imperial Sugar and Mission Foods.
His style is radiant and colorful, embracing a "...wide range of design styles to try and fit the vibe of a variety of different bands.” He admits the cartoon-character images are among his favorite.

Charlie currently serves as the official poster artist for Houston’s House of Blues, and his work also pops up at other live music venues around Texas.

CAUTION: graphic imagry

Even if you have never been inside, you may recall a mural that once graced the east side of the legendary Mary's.  Located at the corner of Westheimer and Waugh, Mary's used to be a gay bar abundant with history.  If only those walls could speak...earmuffs!

original

 The legendary mural illustrated a bar scene that portrayed actual regulars from the bar.  Although stereotypical and exaggerated, it became an icon.  Seeing that the city of Houston does not have many notable public art spaces, this mural was unique and instantly became synonymous with the community of Montrose 

after original was painted over
before resurrection of duplicate

In 2006 the mural was painted over...all that was left behind was the cat, Mr. Balls, intact and still on his barstool. Recently, a group of local artists were commissioned with the objective to resurrect the iconic mural.  With the cat as their guide, these artists reapplied the mural this week...attempting to recreate it exactly the same as the original, in all its glory. This process started Sunday night and its completion was celebrated Thursday evening with bottles of champagne.

Mr. Balls

The reappearance of this mural is all in time for the Houston Pride Parade.  Although it is anticipated that the Montrose community will enjoy the resurgence of this nostalgic imagery, this tribute is not meant to be permanent.  The new owners of the Mary's building envision this wall as a revolving art piece.

I can't imagine what'll be next...

Yacht

Yachts intrigue me...this yacht fascinates me!

Italian designer Pietro Russomano is the designer of this elegant 77 foot, 40 ton, 8 bedroom Speedline yacht.

Sinuous curves, elegant details, and minimal style

Although it does not exist in reality at this point, one can still dream...

Workman

Somewhere in Sommerville, Texas is a stunning oasis...

This paradise exists on the ranch of an oil man (said like Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood). This executive of a large oil company hired Custom Design Pool and Landscaping to design, develop, and bring this retreat to life.

The pool has 2400 square feet of water surface that can be heated.  Inside there is a swim-up bar for year-round use...and outside, a lazy river!  More fun amenities include a 16-foot long tube slide and a 10-foot tall four-sided waterfall with tunnel for lazy river.  There is a large tanning area with umbrella holders and area for playing volleyball.  And the pièce de résistance; a replica oil derrick with (spewing) fountain.

This retreat is not only comfortable and spectacular, it is modern and efficient with its Pentair Intelliflo energy efficient pumps, infloor cleaning system, and LED color lights.


Good work, man.

Urban going suburban

City Centre in Houston is getting an Urban Outfitters.

Check it out under construction:



Located below RA Sushi, Next to Flora & Muse



A bit industrial, but that's nothing new for UO



Using reclaimed wood...



Exterior steelwork detail





Purse?

I am constantly exposed to the construction world...and all of its glory (NOT).  In the past I came across this line of tool bags that I thought could be a really great alternative to a purse.
(hint hint...I want one)

The brand is Klein, and they can be purchased at a hardware/supply store near you.

They also have bags in canvas (alternative to a diaper bag?)

Hooked on Photography

Corey Arnold is a photographer and commercial fisherman.
He is a Southern California native who now lives in Portland...in between he has spent some time in Norway and Alaska. Specifically, the Bering Sea is where he spent six winters working aboard a commercial crab boat, and fished wild Salmon in Alaska.  Aboard these fishing vessels he developed a unique viewpoint for his photography, talent, and passion. Corey sought out the humor and humanity of his subjects, embracing a rebellious, playful, and quirky side. 

He has shot men lying on top of a room FULL of crab and hugging huge fish.  Arnold says he’s not a documentarian in the pure sense.  That said; he wants his images to tell stories...he’s not above a bit of staging.

His works can be purchased individually or you can purchase a book.  The 1000 copy print run of his first  book sold out in 4 and a half months!  Nazraeli Press will be doing a second printing which is now available for pre-order at fish-work.com.