Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Stormy night in Houston

Tonight my husband had to work and I'm home alone. I'm starting to get to use to him being gone at night but this particular night it's storming out. I'll tell you, I honestly hadn't experienced weather until after I moved to Texas. They say, "Everything is bigger in Texas," well, that also counts for storms. We get some big nasty storms that roll across this region. It makes me truly appreciate the lyrics to Stevie Ray Vaughan's, "Texas Flood" (especially since we moved to Houston).

The rain was coming down so hard that I thought the house was going to float away. My poor flower beds. I'm anxious to check on them in the morning. I decided to make the best of the stormy night and turn off the overhead lights, light candles, poured myself a glass of wine, and played some Sarah Chang. I grabbed a book off our bookcase and soon found myself actually enjoying this weather. Hope all my Houston friends are staying safe and dry tonight.

Crawdog...Love it!

Two things I love most...jewelry and art...

A couple of days ago the current Mignon Faget catalog came in but I haven't had time to flip through it until today. I'm in love with the Gemma collection. I must get my birth stone! I also adore the Bamboo collection. It's stunning but I'm not sure where or what I would wear it with. I could always make a statement at the supermarket, LOL!

This past week I picked up a new necklace. I think it's going to look fantastic with a black turtleneck this winter. What do y'all think?

I finally hung my favorite painting on the wall. This is my favorite piece of art that we own. It's Rembrandt's Esther. The original hangs in the Pushkin Museum. I would love to see it in person but I don't think we have any plans to travel to Moscow anytime soon.

HOUSTON AEROS

Last night we went to the Toyota Center to watch the Houston Aeros. Y'all, we had the best time. It was Michael Jackson appreciation night so everyone got a MJ glove. The entire night they played Michael Jackson songs. Everyone was dancing in the stands and even the mascot, Chill E. Dog, got in on the action. It was hilarious to watch him bust out into the MJ moves. I got a big kick out of watching the cheerleaders too. I use to be a cheerleader and was laughing as you could see they didn't know the routines and one even tripped and fell. I guess that's not a nice thing to say but it was still funny to watch. They had several schools there singing patriotic songs and the kids were really cute. I was amazed how many kids and families were there last night. And the kids didn't totally annoy me. They were actually well behaved and I didn't see anyone act like an idiot considering they were serving alcohol. All and all it was a good night. And the best part....HOUSTON WON!!! 5-2 GO AEORO'S!!!

The Houston Aeros warming up before the game



My adorable husband wearing his new Aeros hat



Our $20.00 Nachos!!! Yummm, check out all those jalapenos!!!



Mascot Chill E. Dog dancing to Billy Jean. My husband and I loved when he would throw his head back like MJ use to do. It was so funny...

The President and Nachos

Airforce One just landed in Houston and the President along with secret service drove by our house. Well, actually they were about 5 miles away from our home heading north (causing traffic jams). He's headed to College Station to speak at Texas A&M for former President George H.W. Bush (who also resides in Houston). Aggie nation is very conservative so it will be interesting to see how they welcome him into Bush country.

Tonight my husband and I are heading downtown to watch a hockey game, Houston Aeros. They are playing the San Antonio Rampage. My husband has been working long hours this week so he's excited. This will be the first game of the season for us. I have a large jalapeno nacho with my name on it, LOL!

This is going to be an awesome day. Finally we got a cold front that rolled in last night and it feels great outside. I actually have the french doors propped open as to invite the fresh air in. I'm planning on taking full advantage by hitting the greenbelts and working in my yard this afternoon. Hope y'all have a fantastic weekend.

BROWN in Houston, Texas

I must share with y'all a fabulous shop called, BROWN, located in Houston, Texas. It's filled with so many wonderful unique pieces. I love the chandeliers! I love lavish chandeliers because they remind me of Europe. Look at the fork and spoon piece. Isn't it fantastic?

Awww....Isn't my hubby sooo cute?

I was organizing old pictures and came across a few of my hubby when he was a little boy. They were too cute I just had to post them.

My hubby (far right) was second up for "Mr. Catfish" in Covington, LA.... Don't y'all think that middle kid who won is creepy? The twin boys reminds me of my twin sisters when they were kids (except they aren't boys, LOL)...

Hubby is about 4 years old and he was really into Lone Ranger. Check out those pants? I told him he needs to get a pair of those for when we hit the town. I'm sure people wouldn't forget his name in pants like that, LOL....

Awww, hubby in his suit. He was sporting suits all the way back in the early 70's.

My father-in-law use to work for NASA and use to take hubby to the work site. He use to love to look at the rocket and planes. That was a little NASA plane he use to carry around with him instead of a stuffed animal.

Katie Holmes, Jimmy Choo, and Rattle Snakes...

What does a girl do on a Saturday night when her husband is working the late shift in the ER? Surf's fashion sites of course. I found a site that is completely 100% dedicated to Katie Holmes hair. Yes, it has finally happened. Her hair has gained more celebrity status than her acting capabilities. It's true, the only time you hear of her (minus Suri) in the news these days is when she gets a new ugly cut. I use to think Ms. Holmes was a cute girl but since she cut her hair into that yucky bob two years ago, it's been all down hair (oops, I mean hill). She looks like my old high school gym teacher with the really, really, really short hair. Very few woman can pull that look off (like Halle Berry). Halle Berry is gorgeous in short hair.


I think 90% of us have made that mistake of cutting our hair super short before. I was a thirteen when I asked my mom's hairdresser to cut my hair into a short sassy style. It was the early 90's and I wanted to look like Josie Bissett off Melrose Place (old school Melrose) but it turned out more like the lead singer, Mike Score, for the Flock of Seagull's (not cute). Thankfully those newsboys hats were in style that year while it grew out.

Did y'all see the Jimmy Choo "Blyth" collection? I love this bag! It's large enough to be a decent mid size tote but elegantly shaped. And those side straps gives it a little devilish personality. Yes, I really like this bag. Will my husband let me drop $1900 for one, ummm....gotta say no. But hey, a girl can dream. The name makes me chuckle because theirs a burned out desert town on the border of California/Arizona called, Blythe. We drive right through it on I-10 between L.A. and Phoenix. When we are back in California visiting relatives Richard likes to tease snooty strangers by telling them he's from Blythe just to watch their reaction. He gets them going for awhile until he finally reveals that he's not from there. It's hilarious to watch their eyes when he talks about killing rattle snakes for lunch, LOL! Guess you have to be there. It's late and I'm heading off to bed. Have a fabulous weekend.

Nicolas Cage's house in the Big Easy

Nicolas Cage is selling his home in New Orleans. I really like the staircase and the bedrooms. I'm not a big fan of the red rooms but I do like the kitchen. Great open plan and beautiful grounds!!! Look at that fountain!

The Flu & House Hunters

I have the nasty flu. I have the chills, fever, & aches. I hate being sick. I know I got this horrible virus from my hubby. He's been sick all weekend with the flu too. It's bad enough when one person in the house is sick but the other....urgh!


I'm wide awake and can't sleep. It's nearly midnight and I'm watching House Hunters. I'm addicted to this show. Why? Have no idea. I'm obsessed with international House Hunters. I would love to buy a villa or beach cottage as a vacation home. There's so many wonderful places to visit. I use to want to buy property down in Costa Rica but in the past 10 years it's become too commercialized (too many Americans).


I think if I were going to buy a vacation home I would buy a villa outside of Madrid, Spain. Spain is awesome, food, clothes, shopping, and sights. We were suppose to go last year to Barcelona, Spain with another couple but were were right in the middle of our move. They had a fantastic time. I wish we could have gone but I'm sure we'll be able to go soon. Where would you buy your vacation home?

No room service....

I just learned that the twin girls I use to nanny for are attending Yale University and are on the rowing team. I'm so very proud of them. I believe I began watching them when they were at the age of 7 so it's a bit difficult to imagine they are enrolled in college now. Very strange and it makes me feel older. Not old but older, LOL! These two were "real" characters. I have so many hilarious stories about my nannying days. The twins parents were both Cardiac surgeons and weren't home much. The girls had been raised by nannies and by the time I arrived they had earned themselves quite a reputation.

Being the youngest in my family I had absolutely zero experience with children. So, you could imagine the trouble we got into. Also, being from a middle class family with five siblings taught me to be thankful for what I had and I tried to teach those same values to these girls. They were not your typical 7 year olds. When I met them they were receiving a weekly allowance of $200/each and they were spoiled rotten. They were always doing something to the poor housekeeper and also the previous nannies. However, growing up in a household of six girls (me #6); they didn't have a chance. I was always two steps ahead of them. I believe I was the only nanny that disciplined them and told them "no." Believe it or not they didn't mind when I cut their allowance to $10 a week, made them earn it through chores, taught them to be respectful to adults, be compassionate towards those less fortunate, and made them arrive on time for their appointments. I also hugged them a lot and told them how special they were to me. When the time came for me to move on I remember they begged me to take them with me. I sobbed all the way home. I'm so proud to see the women they have become and I hope that I played a small part in it.

I remember a funny story when I was their nanny. We had to stop by my 1 bedroom apartment so I could pick something up before heading back to their gigantic Victorian home. This house was beyond beautiful. They even had their own rooms custom built so the fireplace and bookshelves were at their height. They also had their own private terrace and outdoor furniture (just what any child needs). So that should give you a clue of what they were use to. Me, I lived in a new 1 bedroom apartment across town near the college. It was my first place and I supported myself all on my own and was enrolled in school. I was so proud of myself and of my humble dwelling. I was totally taken back and caught off guard by their reaction....

Twin #1: "What are we doing here?"
Me: "I have to stop by and pick something up. It will only take a minute."
Twin #2: "Gigi, I'm hungry."
Twin #1: "Me too. Can we order room service?"
This stops me in my tracks as I realize that they believe this is a hotel room. "Um, this isn't a hotel. This is actually my apartment."
Twin#2: "You mean you live here?" Eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
Me: "Yes, this is my home."
Twin #1: "But it's so small. I mean you could fit your entire house in my bathroom." She's probably right.
Me: "Well, yeah but it's just me and I'm in college." I'm actually embarrassed and trying explain my situation to a 7 year old.
Twin #2: "You should really think about moving into a bigger house. I mean, you don't even have a garage."
Me: "Well, that takes money and when you're in college you don't....most people don't have a lot of money because they are in school so they rent apartments."
Twin #1: "You don't have any money?!!! Shocked at the realization that not everyone is well off. "We can ask mommy if you can move into the guest house. It's much bigger than your house and nobody lives there."
Twin #2: "And at least you will have a pool and garage."
Me: "Well, I actually have access to a pool." I pull my drapes open and point to the complex pool. Thinking that this will make my situation look brighter.
Twin #1: "Do you know those people?" I shake my head no.
Twin #2: "Gigi, this IS a hotel not a house.
Twin#1: "And it's not a very nice one."
Twin #2: "Yeah, I mean you don't even have room service."

I don't think I'll ever forget that conversation, LOL!