How to Add Mid-Century Modern Flair to Your Apartment at 2411 Washington

Mid-century modern furniture is having a major resurgence, with everyone from your best friend to your local coffee shop getting in on the trend. If you love the teak woods, clean lines, and hairpin legs that mid-century design is known for, these simple tips will show you a few easy—and affordable—ways to incorporate it into your own apartment.

  1. Think of wood first. While it may be tempting to buy that imitation wood table at your local discount furniture store, to create a true mid-century look, you’ll want to use as much real wood as possible. Teak, walnut, and oak are some of the most popular styles from this era. If you’re on a tight budget, even replacing one or two pieces with a real wood piece will make a big difference.
  2. Go for geometric patterns. In terms of textiles, think bold, geometric patterns combined with subtle tweeds and pops of mustard, rust and teal.
  3. Update the lights. Go for a dramatic arc floor lamp or a shiny bronze desk lamp, or even switch out your kitchen’s light fixture with an oval-shaped hanging pendant.
  4. Switch your sofa. If you can afford it, invest in a low-profile sofa with clean lines and slim legs. This is a surefire way to create a mid-century look with one statement piece.
  5. Add art. Finally, add abstract art with bold colors as the finishing touch.

10 Easy Ways to Add a Mid-Century Modern Style to Your Home [Freshome]
Mid-Century Modern Style Decorating [Wayfair]
Add Midcentury Modern Style to Your Home [HGTV]

Happy Fall!

With Autumn just arriving, we hope everyone enjoys all of the fun this season has to offer! Happy Fall!

Raise a Glass to a Romantic Evening Out at Cork Cafe

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a beer fanatic, you'll find something to please your palate at Houston’s Cork Cafe. This wine and beer bar is equally laid-back and elegant, with a list of high-quality wines and craft beers that's so lengthy, you may have a hard time choosing the perfect glass. However, the knowledgeable staff is always on hand to offer a recommendation or to explain the intricacies of each unique option. There are wine bottles and glasses lining just about every square inch of the walls, and Cork Cafe even offers elegant bar bites, like baked brie and artisan flatbreads, to pair with your beer or wine.

Cork Cafe’s handsome interior is stylish and comfortable, with intimate two-seater tables and tall stools along the wine bar. A dark, neutral color palette and glowing light fixtures make everything feel quite romantic, which is likely why Cork Cafe is such a popular date night destination.

Cork Cafe
25712 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77429
(281) 758-1682
www.corkcafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cork-cafe-wine-and-beer-cypress-3

Shop Artisan Crafts at the First Saturday Arts Market

Art fans in the Houston area love visiting the First Saturday Arts Market, a family-friendly event that features works from some of the area’s best visual artists. This outdoor market is held in the charming Historic Houston Heights neighborhood, and it features live music, food trucks, and grassy areas for lounging before or after you explore the stunning works of art.

Wander through the market and you’ll find white, tented booths filled with works by almost 50 different artists, including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and even handmade artisan crafts. All of these items are available for purchase at reasonable prices, so this makes a great place to visit if you’re looking to fill you walls with local art. Stop by to have an affordable lunch, check out live, local music and maybe even bring home a new painting to hang on your wall.

First Saturday Arts Market
540 W. 19th Street at Lawrence Street
Houston, TX
(832) 273-4798
www.firstsaturdayartsmarket.com

Nguyen Ngo 2: Don’t Banh Mi-ss Out

Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches are beloved all over the world for their crave-worthy combination of marinated meats, pickled carrots, and cilantro on freshly baked French bread. Nguyen Ngo 2 is one of the best places to enjoy casual Vietnamese fare in Houston, and it has a colorful, modern design and convenient ordering system that appeal to all types of customers.

The restaurant’s expansive menu is where it really shines. Nguyen Ngo 2’s wide assortment of banh mi sandwiches in styles like seared pork belly and meatball are made with premium ingredients. Regulars recommend adding a fried egg to any of the sandwiches on the menu, as the runny yolk perfectly complements the crusty bread. Although its strip mall location isn’t exactly atmospheric, Nguyen Ngo 2’s comfortable, stylish interior and authentic menu makes it well worth the trip.

Nguyen Ngo 2
14015 Bammel N Houston Road
Houston, TX 77014
(281) 895-8998
www.facebook.com/pages/Nguyen-Ngo-2-Vietnamese-Sandwich/168956649833256
www.yelp.com/biz/nguyen-ngo-2-houston-2

How to Help Ensure Your Growing Teen Is Getting the Proper Nutrition

Teenagers may seem like they don’t need your help with anything, but as a parent, you know that this simply isn’t true. When it comes to proper nutrition, your growing teen needs you more than ever. Here are a few smart tips to help ensure that your teenager is eating the right foods and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

  1. Have regular meals together. Eating together doesn’t just bring you closer as a family, it also ensures that your son or daughter eats a well-balanced dinner every evening. Prepare meals with lots of whole grains, lean meats and fish, and fresh vegetables.
  2. Prepare more food. As your child becomes a teenager, his or her appetite will begin to increase dramatically. Keep teens energized by serving larger portions at mealtime and keeping lots of healthy snacks on hand.
  3. Limit saturated fats and sugars. Even if your teen loves to snack on potato chips and chocolate candies, these things can contribute to certain diseases later in life. Try to limit the foods that contain saturated fats, sugars, and sodium in your household.
  4. Increase calcium intake. Because teenagers typically go through growth spurts, they require much more calcium than children and adults. Serve low fat milks, yogurt, or even calcium supplements. Ask your child's doctor for advice.

Nutrition for Children and Teens [HelpGuide.org]
A Teenager’s Nutritional Needs [HealthyChildren.org]
Do Teens Have Different Nutritional Needs Than Adults? [SF Gate]

Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery: From Classic Czech to Tex-Czech Kolaches

Classic Czech kolaches start with the basics at Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery: eggs, butter, and no preservatives. Bakers shape the handcrafted dough into pillowy pastries and fill them with a healthy dollop of fruit filling. Apple, peach, cherry apricot, and poppy seed are all available.

Bakers don't stop at traditional kolaches, though. They also craft a new type of baked good: the Tex-Czech kolache. Unlike the sweet Czech pastries, Tex-Czech kolaches come filled with ingredients like bacon, ham, sausage, beef chicken, eggs, and even jalapenos. Customers are welcome to grab just a few of the small kolaches, but they can also stock up with a couple dozen and take them home for a party or gathering.

If you aren't up for a kolache of any sort, try one of Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery's other decadent treats. From gooey cinnamon rolls and fruit strudels to pecan sticky buns and scones, Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery has its customers covered.

Olde Towne Kolaches & Bakery
8821 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77063-3625
(713) 781-7155
www.otkbakery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/olde-towne-kolaches-and-bakery-houston

Happy Labor Day!

Wishing everyone a happy and relaxing Labor Day!

Willowbrook Mall: Add Some Shopping to Your Weekend Plans

If you’re an avid shopper in the Houston area, you know that there’s certainly no shortage of shopping destinations. The Willowbrook Mall is one of the city's most popular places to indulge in a bit of retail therapy, as it has a modern, convenient layout and a wide selection of shops for any type of interest. From trendy teen clothing stores like Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters to department store staples like Dillard's and Macy’s, clothing retailers appeal to shoppers of all ages and styles. The mall also contains home goods stores, gift shops, and even stores for books and music.

Hungry shoppers can grab lunch at one of the diverse eateries in the food court, and there are smaller food kiosks throughout the mall’s corridors, as well. Although it's known to get a bit crowded on the weekends, Willowbrook Mall is a reliable Houston shopping destination.

Willowbrook Mall
2000 Willowbrook Mall
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 890-8000
www.shopwillowbrookmall.com
www.yelp.com/biz/willowbrook-mall-houston

Grab a Chopped Steak Burger at Carriage House Cafe

You will take a step back in time when you cross the threshold of Carriage House Cafe in Houston. The restaurant is adorned with worn and weathered wooden beams, subtle brass lighting, and interesting antiques from the 1800s. Classic Western music (think Hank Williams) complements the ambiance of the large, family-friendly eatery.

Begin your meal with a trip to the large salad bar, then order one of the 1/2-pound or 1-pound chopped steak burgers loaded with toppings such as bacon, cheese, jalepenos, and house-made barbecue sauce. Specialty dishes include honey rum grilled chicken, chicken fried steaks, barbecue brisket and house-made slow-smoked country sausage. The "little buckaroo and buckarettes" menu will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters and entree specials are offered daily.

Carriage House Cafe
7955 Fallbrook Drive
Houston, TX 77064
(281) 469-2002
www.thecarriagehousecafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/carriage-house-caf%C3%A9-houston-2

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