Happy Presidents’ Day

On this day we honor all of the Presidents of our great country. If it weren’t for them, our country would not be what it is today!

Happy Valentine’s Day

We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebrating with the ones you love!

Your Body Yoga and Pilates Center: Do Something Kind For Your Body and Mind

If you want to do something good for your body in the Houston area, try a class at Your Body Yoga and Pilates Center. This full-service yoga studio offers hot yoga classes in a room heated to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, aerial yoga classes using yoga hammocks suspended from the ceiling, and traditional Vinyasa flow yoga that is perfect for yogis of all skill levels. If you’re looking for a different type of workout, the Pilates and Barre classes will help you to tone, tighten and lengthen your muscles, as well as increase flexibility throughout the body. There are even ballroom dancing classes with private or semi-private instruction.

In addition to its instructional classes, Your Body offers relaxing massage therapy that aims to reduce stress, relieve pain and even lower high blood pressure. Combine a massage session with a beneficial yoga or Pilates workout and your body will surely thank you.

Your Body Yoga and Pilates Center
3605 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 874-0800
www.yourbodycenter.com

Dance the Night Away at Howl at the Moon in Houston

Houston is home to quite a few great live music venues, but Howl at the Moon is a local favorite that stands out amongst the others. This lively bar, dance club, and music venue hosts some of the most exciting parties in the city, making it a go-to spot in the Houston nightlife scene.

The venue portion frequently books an eclectic array of local acts and nationally touring musicians, spanning genres from hip hop to pop and even hard rock. The spacious dance floor offers ample space for you to rock out to your favorite band or get down with your friends to a DJ spinning the latest dance tracks. Howl at the Moon is known for its 86-ounce buckets of booze, but the numerous bars also offer classic cocktails and a great selection of beers.

There are often elaborate parties for holidays like Halloween and New Years Eve, but it also makes a great place if you’re planning your own birthday or bachelor party.

Howl at the Moon
612 Hadley St
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 658-9700
www.howlatthemoon.com

Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen: A Whirlwind of Food and Fun in Houston

Whether you’re looking for a place to find great Mexican food or for refreshing drinks with your friends, Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen is a great spot for both. This swanky cantina serves modern takes on classic Mexican cuisine in a stylish, see-and-be-seen atmosphere, complete with a grand entryway, stylish bar, and warm tables large enough for your entire group.

The menu features taco salads and seafood ceviche for lunch, and the build-your-own lunch plates are economical options for your midday break. For dinner, Cyclone Anaya’s offers Tex-Mex combos, enchiladas, and grilled fajitas, and there are vegetarian and gluten-free options. Tequila flights, mojitos, and flavored margaritas are some of the most popular beverages at Cyclone Anaya’s, but there are also a number of imported Mexican cervezas for those who prefer beer.

The weekend brunch is also one of the most popular in town, making this an exciting eatery at any time of day.

Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen
309 Gray Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 520-6969
www.cycloneanaya.com

How to Create an Eye-Catching Vignette

While design magazines and blogs make it seem effortless to throw a few things together on a shelf and make it look stylish, in real life, it’s not quite as easy. If you want to learn how to create a magazine-worthy vignette, these simple tips will show you the way.

  1. Start with a blank slate. No matter what type of finished product you have in mind, it’s always best to start with a blank surface so that you can really visualize where things will go.
  2. Gather complementary colors. Before placing the items in your vignette, make sure that they all look good together. They don’t have to match exactly, but they should look purposeful together.
  3. Start with the largest item. Place your largest item first, whether it’s a lamp or a vase of flowers.
  4. Think of layers. Place items at varying heights and depths, such as a couple of large frames against the wall and smaller candles at the front. You can also stack books horizontally to offset the vertical items.
  5. Play with spacing. Move objects a few times, then step back and admire your work to find the right spacing.
  6. Consider texture. Finally, create texture in your vignette. Incorporate lush plants, flowers, feathers or even a woven basket as a finishing touch.

Creating a Well-Styled Table Vignette [Jenna Burger]
8 Tips for Making Beautiful Vignettes [HGTV]
Rule of Three and Odd Numbers [Cecilia Walker Design]

Not Jus’ Donuts: More Sweets Than Meets the Eye

Just like its name suggests, Not Jus’ Donuts is a bakery that offers a whole lot more than your hole-in-the-middle breakfast treat. Whether you’re looking for a customized birthday cake for an upcoming party or a box of sweet treats to bring with you to the office, you’ll find every type of dessert at this friendly local bakery.

Stop in for breakfast and you’ll find sweet and savory creations like the decadent doughnut breakfast sandwich, or try something more traditional, like an egg croissant sandwich. Not Jus’ Donuts also offers its famous doughnuts by the dozen if you prefer something sweet in the morning. Order a customized cake for your next special occasion in the shape of a super hero, a glamorous handbag, or even a sports team's logo. You can also pick up a homemade pie to bring with you as a favor to your next get-together.

Not Jus’ Donuts
2020 Dowling St
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 951-9211
www.notjusdonuts.net
www.yelp.com/biz/not-jus-donuts-bakery-houston

Handy Home Decorating Tips for Beginners

Whether you just moved into your rental at Residences at Gramercy, or you simply haven’t gotten around to decorating yet, it helps to have a bit of a plan in place before you begin decorating. Here are a few basic interior decorating rules that all renters should memorize to create a beautiful and inspiring space!

  1. Make changes slowly. Instead of heading out to a big box store and purchasing all of your furniture in one day, start with the bare essentials and work slowly from there. That way, you can be sure that you’ll end up with high quality investment pieces that will last for years to come.
  2. Incorporate different shapes. While most furniture features squared edges, such as sofas and tables, it’s important to incorporate circular and rounded pieces to balance things out. Try adding a circular dining table in an eat-in kitchen or a round rug in the living room.
  3. Add accent colors to neutrals. Instead of overdoing it with one color, furnish your room in soft neutrals and add pops of color throughout.
  4. Work with the architecture. If your home has a unique feature, such as a bay window or non-functioning fireplace, appreciate it for its charm. Play up this feature instead of fighting against it to add personality to your space.

Interior Design 101: 5 Rookie Mistakes You'll Never Make Again [Apartment Therapy]
The 7 Rules of Interior Design [Zillow]
The 3 Principles of Interior Design [HGTV]
6 Basic Interior Design Rules [Suite.io]

Holley’s: Sea(food) and Be Seen in Houston

Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a Houston favorite that offers a delicious selection of seafood prepared by some of the most renowned chefs in town. The resulting menu is fresh, modern, and creative, making this a standout eatery that locals adore. Holley’s menu features seafood dishes inspired not only by classic Texan cooking, but also by cuisines found throughout New Orleans, Kentucky Bourbon country, and along the eastern shoreline. A well-curated wine list rounds out the offerings here.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a place for a great dinner in town, Holley’s stylish ambiance and urban feel is sure to fit the bill. There is a business casual dress code throughout the elegant dining room, but if you’re looking for something a bit more laid-back, the attached oyster bar has a casual ambiance that still feels really special.

Holley’s
3201 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 491-2222
www.holleyshouston.com

5 Interesting Facts About Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra’s voice made him quite possibly the most popular singer of the 20th century, delivering personal lyrics and irresistible melodies with command and flair. He was a tough guy with a softer side, and American audiences simply couldn’t get enough of Ol' Blue Eyes. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Frank Sinatra.

  1. Frank Sinatra was so inspired by Bing Crosby that he dropped out of high school to pursue singing as a career. He performed at local nightclubs in the Hoboken, New Jersey, area and even got some air time on the city’s radio stations.
  2. After noticing his local success, bandleader Tommy Dorsey invited Sinatra to join his band. Sinatra and Dorsey enjoyed two years of hit songs together, but eventually Sinatra quit to pursue a solo career.
  3. In just three short years between 1943 and 1946, Sinatra released 17 Top 10 singles.
  4. In addition to his incredible voice, Sinatra was also a talented actor. He made his film debut in 1943 with the movie Higher and Higher, and in 1953 he won an Oscar for From Here to Eternity.
  5. Though Sinatra was signed to Capitol Records for the beginning of his recording career, he left the label to start his own label, Reprise, in the late 1950s. Warner Bros. bought Reprise, and Sinatra then started his own film production company, Artanis.

Are you a Sinatra fan? Tell us which song by Ol' Blue Eyes is your favorite!

Frank Sinatra [Biography]
Frank Sinatra Biography [Rolling Stone]
About Frank Sinatra [MTV]

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