Foelber Pottery: Sculpt New Memories With Family and Friends

If you’ve always wanted to take a spin on a pottery wheel, Foelber Pottery Gallery & Studio offers classes that will give you a chance to do just that. This friendly, welcoming pottery studio welcomes aspiring sculptors of all ages, from the youngest children to inexperienced adults and even longtime, experienced artists.

Enter the arched doorway of the tree-shaded building and you’ll find a large, open gallery area displaying beautiful sculptures created by on-site artists. There are frequent exhibits and gallery openings featuring local sculptors, as well as outdoor festivals during the fall. If you want to try your hand at creating your own pottery, Foelber Pottery also hosts classes taught by experienced artists and private parties that make fun bonding activities for your friends or family.

For a complete list of upcoming events at Foelber Pottery or to sign up for a class, visit the studio’s website.

Foelber Pottery
706 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1703
www.foelberpottery.com

Ten Thousand Villages: Shop Globally-Sourced, Fair-Trade Crafts in Houston

You know you've got something special when you can combine beautiful artisan-made items with the satisfaction of knowing that your purchases are supporting ethical, sustainable production. And that's exactly what you'll get at Ten Thousand Villages, a national retailer with a location here in Houston.

As you browse around the store, you'll see huge variety in the style of items produced in different nations from around the globe. Admire an African stoneware place setting or a Guatemalan sculpture crafted out of salvaged aluminum scraps. Run your fingers across the fine beadwork adorning a brightly colored table runner, or select a fruit basket woven out of rushes. Feel free to inquire about the origins of any object that interests you as the staff at this shop are typically very knowledgeable about the craftwork that goes into each object, as well as the challenges faced by the communities where the items are produced.

Ten Thousand Villages
2424A Rice Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 533-1000
www.tenthousandvillages.com/houston
www.yelp.com/biz/ten-thousand-villages-houston

Happy Memorial Day

Today we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our great country. We hope you have a great Memorial Day!

Fill Up On Flavorful Meats at Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse

At Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse in Houston, you’re in for a truly satisfying meal of perfectly grilled, expertly marinated meats prepared just like they are in Brazil. From the tender lamb chops to the juicy bottom sirloin and the signature garlic beef, there’s something for everyone who appreciates a premium cut of meat.

Best of all, Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse serves everything in the form of an all-you-can-eat buffet right at your table. Your meal begins with a serving of cheese, olives and prosciutto, a wide selection of salads and multiple soups, and that’s even before the meat course is served. To add even more to your delicious dinner, Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse offers a full bar serving wines, spirits, and beers and even decadent desserts — if you have room after dinner, that is.

Because it gets very busy at peak hours, Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse recommends making reservations before visiting.

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
5865 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77057
(832) 844-5174
www.chamagaucha.com

Home Decorating Tips Everyone Should Know

You don’t have to be an interior design pro to create a magazine-worthy home; all it takes are some smart tips and some creative thinking. Here are just a few of the most important home decorating tips that every renter should know.

  • Focus on creating balance. No matter how large or how small a space, creating balance through furniture and decor is one of the best ways to make any room feel spacious and comfortable. Rearrange furniture as many times as you need until you can move easily around the room, and attempt to create symmetry whenever possible.
  • Choose a color scheme. You don’t need to go all out with a specific color scheme, but choosing a few key colors and using throughout the room is key for creating a cohesive look. Use things like throw pillows, artwork, and rugs to tie the whole room together.
  • Focus on height. Many people focus on filling the room from side to side without thinking of filling it from top to bottom. Make sure that you add taller furniture, shelves, or large frames to fill that empty top half of the room.
  • Create an ambiance. Even if you have brand new furnishings, your space won’t feel like a home without personal touches. Add lush, green plants, great smelling candles and meaningful artwork to achieve this kind of ambiance.

What are Some Interior Design Tips for Beginners? [wiseGEEK]
Interior Design 101 [Visually]
Top Interior Design Tips for Beginners [Bliss @ Home]

Tout Suite Cafe: Hurry In for a Caramel Cupcake and a Vietnamese Sandwich

In French, “tout de suite” translates to “right away”, which is appropriate for a place that serves cupcakes so decadent, you’ll want to hurry in to try them. While Houston's Tout Suite Cafe is a combination bakery and cafe that specializes in cupcakes, that's not all that you’ll find on the expansive menu here. Salted caramel and tiramisu cupcakes mingle with Vietnamese steak sandwiches and avocados stuffed with quinoa and fried eggs, while cold-pressed juices and hot, fresh coffees are available to wash it all down.

The restaurant’s spacious interior has a stylish, industrial vibe, with long, communal tables, smaller cafe tables, and bare lights hanging from the ceiling. There are even benches covered in pillows where you can cozy up with your laptop to catch up on work!

Tout Suite Cafe is open daily.

Tout Suite Cafe
2001 Commerce St.
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 227-8688
www.toutsuite.co
www.yelp.com/biz/tout-suite-cafe-houston

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate Mom! Are you doing anything special for your mother today?

Cool Off With a Mangonada at Mango Beach in Houston

If you’ve never tried a traditional Mexican Mangonada, you’re in for a real treat at Houston’s Mango Beach. The Mangonada is an orange and mango slush topped with chamoy and chile lime salt, creating a delicious sweet and salty taste that is also very refreshing. These are by far the most popular items at Mango Beach, a popular sweet spot where locals often go to beat the Texas summer heat. In addition to Mangonadas, you’ll find savory lunch options like elote (a cheese-covered Mexican street corn) and hot Cheeto pie. There are a number of other types of blended fruit desserts and sno-cones, and you can add vanilla ice cream on top of any item to make it even more delicious.

Mango Beach is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily throughout the spring and summer. There are limited hours during the fall and winter months.

Mango Beach
2304 White Oak Drive
Houston, TX 77009
(713) 900-7500
www.facebook.com/pages/Mango-Beach/109741795756927

Irma’s: Enjoy Mexican Cuisine Morning, Noon and Night

If you’re looking for a family-owned eatery serving authentic Mexican cuisine, you’ll find it at Irma’s. If you come for lunch or dinner, Irma’s offers housemade guacamole and crispy chips to start the meal, and the popular strawberry lemonade is truly a can’t-miss menu item. Entrees like shrimp and spinach enchiladas and tender carne asada will leave you feeling full, while the sweet sopapillas make the perfect dessert to finish off your meal. For early risers, Irma’s even offers a traditional Mexican breakfast that consists of huevos rancheros and other favorites.

This local favorite is furnished with casual wooden tables and colorful Mexican decorations throughout, and it even has a full bar with flatscreen televisions for anyone who wants to stop by to watch the big game. There is also a plant-filled outdoor patio, perfect for warm evenings.

Irma’s
22 N Chenevert St
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 222-0767
www.irmashouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/irmas-restaurant-houston?sort_by=date_desc

Healthy Ways to Indulge a Chocolate Craving

Many people have a sweet tooth that creates a craving for chocolate, but while the occasional indulgence is okay, eating too much chocolate could be the end to your healthy diet. Here are a few healthy ways to eat chocolate that will keep you right on track when a craving strikes.

Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Shortbread Crust [Eating Well]
Make this seemingly decadent dessert the next time you have friends over for dinner, and no one will even know that it’s actually healthy. With just over 250 calories per serving and six grams of protein, you’ll get the taste of chocolate without feeling weighed down.

Black Bean Brownies [Chocolate Covered Katie]
While the addition of black beans to brownies may seem strange at first, you won’t even be able to taste the protein-packed beans when they’re masked by the rich, dense chocolate flavor. These brownies are also flourless, which is great for low-carb diets.

Healthy Homemade Chocolate [Wellness Mama]
Instead of grabbing a fat- and sugar-packed candy bar from the checkout counter at the grocery store, make your own healthier version at home. This recipe includes only four ingredients, and because they’re all natural, you won’t have to worry about ingesting any chemicals and unnatural ingredients.

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