Save Room for the Berry Bread Pudding at Masraff’s

An elegant ambiance, expertly attentive service, and a sumptuous menu of flavorful fare are the hallmarks of Masraff’s. Seating options include the bar with an elevated fireplace, the patio, or in the chic dining room.

Settle in with a glass of wine from Masraff's expansive inventory, then whet your appetite with the ahi tuna tartar, garlic seared calamari, or the chilled colossal crab. Move on to the main event with pan seared diver scallops with carrot ginger bisque, coffee rubbed filet mignon with wild mushroom risotto, or pan roasted chicken breast with au gratin potatoes. Save a spot for the warm triple berry bread pudding with cream cheese mousse.

Masraff's is open every day.

Masraff's
1753 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 355-1975
www.masraffs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/masraffs-houston

How to Find Find Farmers’ Markets Near You

If you strive to include local, organic produce in your diet, this post is for you! The following two websites make it easy to track down farmers' markets near you, so you can continue to stock your kitchen with fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers.

USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory [USDA]
Listing more than 8,200 markets across the U.S., the USDA's farmers' market directory makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for. You can search by zip code, available products, accepted payment, and location (e.g. farm or closed-off street). Making this tool even more convenient, results can be exported to a spreadsheet or viewed in map form.

Farmers' Markets [Local Harvest]
This website displays local farmers' markets in map form with a directory of market names listed underneath. Simply type your zip code at the top of the webpage, then click the results for more information and product highlights of each farmers' market.

Here Are 4 Uses for Mayonnaise Beyond the Sandwich

Whether you like the taste of mayonnaise or not, you should add a jar to your cart the next time you’re at the grocery store. This basic condiment is incredibly useful on things other than sandwiches, from your face to your furniture and everywhere in between. If you want to learn how mayonnaise can help you save time and money around the house, check out these creative tips.

  1. Give yourself an at-home manicure. To get salon-quality soft hands right from your own bathroom, soak your fingers in a bowl of mayonnaise before painting your nails. It will soften cuticles and make them easier to trim.
  2. Create a DIY facial mask. It may not smell as pleasant as your typical facial mask, but mayonnaise works wonders on the skin on your face. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes to soften dry patches and encourage healthy, glowing skin.
  3. Remove water stains from wood. If you have pesky rings on your coffee table from cold drink glasses, remove them in just a few minutes with some mayonnaise. Simply rub the mayo over the water-stained area and wipe it away with a clean towel.
  4. Fix a squeaky door. Use some mayonnaise to fix a door that sticks or squeaks. Rub just a bit on the door’s hinge and it will instantly remove the squeaking noise.

20 Uses for Mayonnaise [All You]

11 Home and Beauty Uses for Mayonnaise [Reader's Digest]
9 Surprising Non-Cooking Uses for Mayonnaise [Every Day]

10 Unexpected Home Uses for Mayonnaise [Wise Bread]

The Internet’s Best DIY Photo Album Sites

Nothing can give a space a personal touch quite like framed photos of friends and family. Whether you're looking to spruce up your home or give a personalized gift to that special someone, these two photo service websites are for you.

Shutterfly
Arguably the internet's most popular photo service site, Shutterfly makes it easy to create custom photo albums, collages, stationery, calendars, and much more. Simply upload your favorite photos from your computer and start designing. The gift portion of the site allows you to design mugs, canvas prints, totes, tees, smart phone cases, magnets, mousepads—even blankets!—using your favorite photos. Better still, the website's prices are affordable, and frequent online coupon codes promise even more bang for you buck.

Snapfish
Whatever the occasion, Snapfish likely has a commemorative gift with which to remember it by. Create a wedding photo album, design graduation announcements, or put a personal touch on greeting cards and stationery. Like Shutterfly, Snapfish also offers a wide variety of photo gifts, from mugs and calendars to blankets and jewelry. Or you can just keep it simple and order standard prints!

Shopping With Elbow Room at Memorial City Mall

If you haven’t been to Memorial City Mall in Houston lately, you’re missing out. This large mall has recently gone through a renaissance, transforming it from a rundown to a favorite in town. Many shoppers prefer this mall over the Galleria for its convenient location, parking, and fewer crowds. Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears and Target are anchor stores, but there is a wide range of contemporary shopping options, including everyday favorites like Ann Taylor Loft, Express, and Foot Locker. The mall boasts plenty of specialty stores, like Apple, Build-A-Bear, Pandora, Sephora, and Teavana.

The food court has been recently updated, too, with numerous selections for a quick bite to eat. Options range from good ol’ American Chick-Fil-A to Sarku Japan. If you need a full service spot to refuel, California Pizza Kitchen and The Cheesecake Factory are shoppers’ favorites. Kids love the whimsical play area that includes a carousel and train that takes little shoppers on a ride through the mall.

Memorial City Mall
900 Gessner Road
Houston TX 77024
(713) 464-8640
http://www.memorialcitymall.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/memorial-city-mall-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/www.bluewaikiki.com

5 Reasons to Have Petroleum Jelly in Your Beauty Arsenal

Though it’s tempting to splurge on pricey makeup and skincare products, few things are more useful than good old-fashioned petroleum jelly. This miracle product is simple, very versatile, and, best of all, incredibly affordable. Here are just a few of the best beauty uses for petroleum jelly.

  1. Use it as an eye makeup remover. With its slick, gooey texture and petroleum-based composition, petroleum jelly makes a great eye makeup remover. Just smear some across your eyelids and wipe it off gently with a cotton ball or tissue.
  2. Highlight your cheekbones. Instead of contouring your face using an expensive, name brand highlighter, get the same effect for just a few dollars with petroleum jelly. Dot a tiny bit on the cheekbones, brow bones, and upper lip, then smooth it over with your fingers or a makeup sponge.
  3. Create a nail polish shield. If you always get nail polish on your cuticles while giving yourself an at-home manicure, smear some petroleum jelly around the nails to keep the polish from staining your fingers.
  4. Use it as a heavy-duty moisturizer. Apply petroleum jelly to elbows, knees, and heels to combat dry skin during cold winter months.
  5. Conceal split ends. If you’ve waited a bit too long between haircuts, dab a small amount of petroleum jelly to the ends of your hair to coat split ends and make them less noticeable.

16 Practical Uses for Petroleum Jelly [All You]
26 Extraordinary Uses for Petroleum Jelly [Reader's Digest]
57 Uses for Petroleum {Free} Jelly [One Good Thing]

13 Celsius: Drink and Be Merry

At 13 Celsius, a wine bar in Midtown near Baldwin Park, the grape is respected. In trying to emulate the great wine bars of Europe, all of the wines at 13 Celsius are stored with care in a cellar constantly kept at a temperature of – what else – 13 degrees Celsius.

Not only that, each bottle remains untouched until it is brought up to drink, ensuring quality. What that means is that you will always get a great bottle or glass of wine when you come to 13 Celsius. The bar and lounge is also very cool, with a 40-foot bar and furnishings procured from a now-closed hotel. It’s a great spot to meet up with friends after work or to bring a date after dinner for a drink!

Visit the 13 Celsius website to learn more about this Houston wine bar.

13 Celsius
3000 Caroline Street
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 529-8466
http://www.yelp.com/biz/13-celsius-houston

Love to Ski? Download These Apps Before You Hit the Slopes!

Whether you live in a ski town or you only get to the slopes a few times per year, you want to ensure that you plan your ski trip in order to make the most of your day on the mountain. These two helpful skiing apps enable users to check things like snowfall, trail maps, and other valuable information before setting out onto the lift.

SkiResort
The SkiResort app uses high-quality images, detailed maps, and up-to-date weather reports to provide information about more than 4,800 ski resorts worldwide. Zoom in on different parts of the trail map for the ski resort in your area, and even plan your driving route to maximize your time on the trail. Test reports, snow depths, and webcams also enable you to get a feel for the slopes before you even arrive at the resort.

Liftopia
Using an interactive map of resorts near your current location, the Liftopia app helps users to decide which one has the best conditions on any given day. Check out snow depth and the number of trails open at each ski spot, and even read up on which resorts are offering deals on things like memberships, packages, and lift passes to save you a bit of money along the way.

The Essentials Every Home First Aid Kit Should Contain

Accidents happen. Any given day could present you with slips, scrapes, burns, and bruises, which is why a first aid kit is something every home should have within easy reach. Here are a few essentials that every home first aid kit should contain.

  1. Adhesive bandages. Most people have the traditional bandage strips on hand, but make sure to stock up on larger and smaller types for cuts of different sizes and for awkward locations.
  2. Tweezers. You’ll never know the importance of owning tweezers until to rub your foot against the rough wood on a deck or patio. Ouch!
  3. Thermometer. If you’re worried that you might be running a fever, a reliable thermometer can tell you for sure. If you have children, be sure to invest in a children’s thermometer, as well.
  4. Aspirin. From soothing a headache to relieving aching muscles, aspirin is a necessity for all kinds of ailments. Once again, children need their own type of aspirin, so stay well-stocked on both types if you share your home with little ones.
  5. Topical antiseptic. To reduce the risk of infection, clean any small cuts with topical antiseptic or antiseptic wipes.

First Aid Kit Essentials Checklist [Real Simple]
Anatomy of a First Aid Kit [American Red Cross]
First Aid Kit Essentials [Johnson & Johnson]
First-Aid Kit Essentials [Parents]

Perbacco: Authentic Italian Fare in the Heart of Downtown Houston

Located across the street from Jones Hall, Perbacco serves authentic Italian food in a delightful, upscale ambiance. White linens drape over every table, while the walls are painted in a calming shade of pale blue. Large, undressed picture windows allow natural light to flood inside.

The laid-back atmosphere complements the plates of pasta and casseroles that Perbacco has to offer. The familiar menu allows patrons to experience traditional dishes in a pleasant ambiance. Lasagna and eggplant parmigiana are popular among regular diners, as are the tortellini alla panna and the spaghetti marinara. Fresh seafood and chicken selections are another pleasant option at Perbacco, grilled and served with salad or over pasta.

Visit Perbacco's website to find out more about this Houston restaurant near Reserve at Garden Oaks.

Perbacco
700 Milam Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 224-2422
www.perbaccohouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/perbacco-houston

Pin It on Pinterest