WHO DAT!

WHO DAT!!! GO SAINTS!!!

Luxury trains

My husband has always had a fascination for trains. I believe his love for trains began at a very young age of 2 years old. Reminiscing through old childhood photographs I've seen practically half a dozen train theme birthday cakes. And he has had several train sets from little toy ones to top dollar. I began this previous week searching for a train trip that we might be able to take. Train travel use to be very chic and luxurious. There are still some very expensive trains presently. I know when we've been traveling through Europe these magnificent machines were much more relaxing than any first class flight I'd been on. It seemed odd to hop from one country to another in a matter of hours. And it what fun to watch the foreign countryside out the windows as we flew by.

I'm searching for something in the states but perhaps we'll have to go out of country to have a true train experience. Some of my favorite finds are:

1.) Royal Canadian Pacific - The Royal Canadian Pacific is one of the most beautiful trains in Northern America. It consists of 10 Canadian railways. The train is made up of silver, brass, walnut paneling, gourmet cuisine, and fine wine. Beautiful!

2.) Golden Chariot- The Golden Chariot was named after the famous stone Chariot in Hampi. This train travels through parts of South India. Each coach is named after the dynasties. They have beautiful luxury suites, piano lounge, grand dining room filled with fine china and silver, and finally a spa to get your mid afternoon massage. Definitely makes my list.

3.) Orient Express- The Orient Express is my favorite train of all. It's very famous and has been in several movies. As most of you know that I'm a huge Hercule Poirot fan and James Bond. Both have been on the Orient Express. Yes, Agatha Christie put the center of location aboard the Orient Express in her murder mystery. And James Bond traveled on the infamous Orient in the movie "From Russia with Love." Look at the lovely wood paneling. Absolutely stunning! One day I will travel on this gorgeous train.

I also wanted to share some great news I found out about an estate piece I picked up during my trip to Dallas, TX. Previously I posted about a small bee pin I managed to come across. Here's the photo.

Well, I came across another and found out that this one (of course it's a bit more glamorous) is worth $800.00! I have yet to have mine priced but it's such a conversational piece I was thinking of wearing it on my lapel of my wool coat.


I adore estate jewelry but knowing that I found such a great piece makes me enjoy my little bee that much more.

Austin, Texas

I just got back from our little outing to Austin, Texas. We had a fantastic trip but I wish it would have lasted a bit longer. My husband had a meeting that lasted a good portion of the afternoon but I had a fabulous day visiting my old favorite little shops. To tell you the truth it felt sort of strange for me to be driving around Austin once again. It feels like we really haven't left. Like I've been on a long extended vacation but I was home once again. I suppose it's because we've been living in Austin for the past 5 years. I still don't feel like a Houstonian yet. Sort of a fish out of water but it will take time to be truly be acquainted with this city. Houston is so large.

After I dropped off my husband I scurried down to the Tea House, Tea Embassy. I had a lovely vanilla and raspberry loose leaf. It was the perfect day for a nice cup of hot tea. It as in the 30's in Austin and drizzly all afternoon.

Since I had the afternoon to myself I decided to do a little shopping. I found the most gorgeous black wool jacket. It's so adorable and I can't wait to wear it. I also found 3 cashmere sweaters and a beautiful ivory silk blouse. I believe that you can never go wrong with cashmere. It's always a classic look that seems to be timeless.

Afterwards I had lunch at one my favorite little Greek bistro. I had a Lamb Gyro, Pilaf Rice, and a cup of Jasmine tea. It was a lovely quite lunch and I enjoyed "people watching." Does anyone else enjoy "people watching?" I love to watch people and in Austin you're almost always in for a good show. I quickly ate my lunch and decided to keep warm by catching a movie. I went to see Sherlock Holmes. I thought it was bit slow but I enjoyed it. However, it wasn't anything like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It was entertaining but not your classic Sherlock Holmes (which I prefer).

However, I did appreciate the furniture, artwork, and tea set. They had a lovely tea set. I wish I could get my hands on it. Now that I'm back it's getting back to my normal routine. I'm off to the gym. Wishing everyone a beautiful start to a lovely week.

Texas Tea

This year is off to a busy start for us. This month has been absolutely exhausting but a good exhaustion. I've had a very good 2010 so far. And thus I have 11 months more to endure I'm planning on spending them as equally as full of events. We only have a few days left of our blissful January and I must say that February's agenda is jam packed of interesting and exciting things as well. We'll be heading off to Austin in a few days for business. My husband has some political business and I'll be spending the afternoon on my own. I'm planning on taking in a couple of new exhibits at the museum of art and hitting up one of my favorite central Texas tea house, TEA EMBASSY. Here's a little clip for y'all. Once you watch it you'll truly understand why it's on my "must to do" list while in Austin.



It has been a fantastic find. The funky boutiques, unique restaurants, and little shops is what I miss most about living in Austin. However, thankfully we still do business in the capital city so I'm able to still visit my favorites (just not as often as I wish).

This year I'm dedicating my antique explorations to hunting down vintage tea caddy's. I have a couple that I use religiously but I think it would be such a treasure to have more than one. I just purchased a beautiful tea cabinet this week. Wow, you should see my tea set now. I had to put the cabinet on display in the living room so I could sit and gaze at it. It's silly I know but I love tea, china, and the works. The whole experience really. I just found a woman in my neighborhood that just moved down from Chicago. She loves tea, tea houses, and antiques as much as I do. I can see that this is going to be a beautiful friendship, LOL. We are suppose to have high tea at the country club in a couple of weeks. She is a bit older than I am and her daughter just had a baby. Yes, quite a bit older than I am but our love for tea and antiques fills the gap. Isn't that a lovely way to have an birth announcement with a tea party? I love it! So many women are not into the traditional things anymore. I suppose I'm just an old fashion traditional girl.

I found an article that I found really interesting about a wonderful man named Jackson Hicks. He owns a catering company called, Jackson & Company, based in Houston, Texas. Mr. Hicks throws the most elaborate tea parties in his historic Greek style home. He fancies himself on exquisite details down to the cloth pressed napkins, silver pieces, china, and hundreds of flowers. Oh what I wouldn't do to be invited to one of his tea parties.

Vancouver 2010

I'm really excited about the winter Olympics in Vancouver this year. Figure Ice Skating is my absolute favorite sport in the winter Olympics. This year I'm totally rooting for Shasha Cohen. Her skating is so elegant and she's so beautiful. I love her outfits too. Go Shasha!!!

Princess Diana

I've always admired Princess Diana. I felt that she was a physically/spiritually beautiful woman. She had such a big heart that was full of life. She truly loved the poor, handicap, and orphans. When watching her interact with others you could see that it was absolutely 100% genuine. Not only was a she a loving soul but she had style and class. No matter how bad things got she approached them head on with strength and grace.



A couple of years ago I was able to see the Princess Diana exhibit. It was fabulous. They had her infamous wedding dress on display. It was memorizing to know that I was standing less than a foot away from the dress of the century. Not only did I see her dress but her LV luggage and tea set. Yes, I drooled over the royal tea cups. I sat imagining which one she sipped her Earl Grey from.



Such a tragedy to lose such a beautiful soul. My heart breaks every time I see Prince William or Prince Henry. They loved their mum so much and to lose her at such a young age must have been difficult for them. They were lucky to have had her for the short time they did, as we all did. I don't think there will ever be another Princess Diana in this lifetime.

My Thrifty Finds

I decided to venture out and see what I could find at the local thrifts/antique shops around town. Well, my trip wasn't a total bust. I normally come across several fantastic finds but today one of my favorite thrift shops was in the process of being renovated. I suppose that's a good thing considering that it's not a very pretty store. I decided to peek inside and came across a few more decorations for Easter.

I'll tell you the truth. I've had so much fun finding such cute and inexpensive holiday decorations this year. I use to not put much thought or effort into decorating for the holidays when I was single. I would just go home and magically everything was purely festive. However, now that I live 3,000 miles from home and have a household of my own I find that I yearn for a festive holiday. I want our house to be remembered as something special and so I've been going out of my way to prepare for holidays. Little to my surprise I found that purchasing holiday decorations can add up to a small fortune. And since our great nation is in a bit of a economic slump it's prudent to shop for deals (or steals as I like to call them). I've been thrilled to show y'all my wonderful display of treasures I find on my journey across Houston. I'm not sure what thrills me more...my nick knacks or the deal I get. All and all I'm so overwhelmed with excitement that I had to post tonight.

I purchased all three bunnies for .50 cents each. And I got the little fellow with the basket for $1.00. I'm thinking of putting him into my bathroom and putting a bar of decorative soup in the basket. Just for a little uniqueness.

And I couldn't possibly pass up this adorable bunny. She's going on my mantel for Easter. I loved her little dress. She's so girly I had to have her.

And I found these lovely egg ornaments for my pink Easter tree. I'm so looking forward to decorating my Easter tree this year.


I picked up another bunny for .50 cents and this beautiful Hurricane lamp. I collect Hurricane lamps and when I see one as cheap as this one I can't pass it up. I've seen Hurricane lamps as this one in the store for $25.00 each. I'm thinking of buying some etching paint and painting some vines around it

I needed to replace a lamp in the living room and found this one. It's so stunning and will definitely bring the green color out in our rugs/drapes.

And finally I found this bird wire pot holder. I placed it on our front porch and put our fern in it. Depending how big my fern grows this Spring/Summer if it will remain in the wire holder. I was thinking of putting something else in it so you can actually see the details. However, I'll have to wait for Spring when I can go to the nursery.

I just happened to pick up some Anna Griffin office supplies for my Shabby Chic office. Don't you love having pretty desk accessories? I know it makes my bookkeeping more enjoyable, lol. Hope y'all have a wonderful week.