Seeking Original Artwork? Here’s Where to Shop for It Online!

Furnishing your home with original artwork is a very fulfilling hobby, but unfortunately it can also be very expensive. There are quite a few websites that offer artwork created by independent artists for much less than gallery prices, which makes them beneficial to both you and the artist. Here are a few of the best.

Etsy
Etsy has become the internet’s go-to spot for handmade art and home goods, and for very good reason. This online marketplace enables independent artists to create an online shop and sell their goods, whether those goods are paintings, sculptures, or even wall hangings made out of old license plates. Best of all, you can search Etsy by keywords to find exactly what you have in mind for any room in your home.

Fine Art America
If you’re looking for more traditional paintings or photography for your home, Fine Art America is a great resource. This site features artwork from artists and photographers from around the world, at all price points.

Zatista
While many online art stores sell reproductions of famous works, Zatista offers only unique, original works that none of your neighbors will have. If you live in a small town or city that isn’t teeming with art galleries, this is the ideal way to browse thousands of pieces from artists who could be the next big thing.

Let Little Ones Run Wild (Safely) at Wonderwild

"The sky's the limit" isn't just a slogan at Wonderwild; it's a pretty apt description of the three-story playscape. At this indoor playground, kids can zoom down an inflatable slide and pop out just under the gaping jaws of a massive, smiling crocodile. The cushy crocodile slide shares space with a bounce house where kids can get in some exercise while they play, as well as many other colorful fixtures.

Let kids hop around on a soft jumping pillow or watch while they climb through tunnels and navigate corners in the three-story playhouse. It's connected to set a parallel slides where little ones can race their friends and then scamper back up the steps for another round. Toddlers and more laid-back youngsters might want to stick to the train table, plush building blocks, or other more low-key playthings.

Wonderwild
2230 Buckthorne Place
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-1044
gowonderwild.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wonderwild-the-woodlands-2

Cattail Park: Dogs Welcome

Despite its name, Cattail Park actually welcomes dogs. Its dog park keeps small pooches (under 20 pounds) in their own separate section, complete with kiddie pools for splashing. Nearby in the fenced-in space for larger dogs, you can grab a seat while your pup runs around with new friends. The park provides waste disposal bags and trash cans so that you can easily clean up after your furry friend.

In addition to the space for dogs, Cattail Park has plenty of features just for humans. Take a spin around the jogging track or play a rousing match on the tennis courts. Round up some friends and hit the basketball courts or baseball fields. You can also bring along a picnic lunch and spread out at one of the tables or claim one of the barbecue pits and cook up a feast.

Cattail Park
9323 Cochran's Crossing Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/Facilities.aspx?Page=detail&RID=32
www.yelp.com/biz/cattail-park-the-woodlands

Culver’s: Burgers and Custard in The Woodlands

For the ultimate dinner and dessert combination, head to Culver’s in The Woodlands, where you can dine on famous ButterBurgers and custard, made in-house daily. The burgers are cooked to order and made from fresh, Midwest beef that comes sandwiched between a toasted, buttered bun. You can order your burger with one or two patties and topped with a number of toppings including bacon, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese. Pair it with Wisconsin cheese curds, onion rings, or crinkle cut fries.

No trip to Culver’s is complete without finishing your meal with the restaurant’s signature custard, which is made from real Wisconsin dairy and cold-pressed vanilla and Dutch blend chocolate. The restaurant makes the thick and creamy frozen treat in the restaurant throughout the day and can mix in such fixings as Oreo cookies, fruit, candy bars, and cookie dough.

Culver’s
8800 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 364-9595
www.culvers.com/restaurants/the-woodlands
www.yelp.com/biz/culvers-the-woodlands

Love to Cook? Master These Must-Know Knife Techniques

If you love to cook, you know how important it is to use the proper cutting techniques in every recipe. Many people don't know the proper names of these techniques, however, which often leads to using the wrong one. Here are three important types of cutting that are essential for everything from entrees to desserts.

  1. Julienne. To julienne, you want to cut vegetables or other food items into stick-shaped pieces that are long and thin. Start by cutting the item into a square, then slice it into rectangular-shaped pieces lengthwise. Repeat the same step on each of the rectangles until you're left with pieces that resemble matchsticks.
  2. Chiffonade. This type of cut sounds fancy, but it actually just refers to cutting herbs or thin leaf vegetables. Roll the herbs up into a tight tube, then roughly chop across with a sharp knife. It doesn't matter how the cuts look, just that the pieces are small enough to sprinkle throughout a dish.
  3. Dice. Dicing is similar to chopping, but it creates entirely uniform pieces for dishes like stews or fruit salads. Begin with a rectangular shape and continue to cut it both directions until you're left with uniform pieces in the size that you desire.

Knife Skills: Different Types of Cuts [The Culinary Cook]
Top 10 Knife Skills [How Stuff Works]
Perfect Your Knife Skills With This Chef's Guide to Knives [Lifehacker]

Riva Row Boat House: Spend the Afternoon Floating Downriver

The Riva Row Boat House is one of The Woodlands’ most popular community amenities. Located within walking distance of both Market Street and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, this beautiful, rustic boat house offers residents a way to rent kayaks and experience a unique view of the Woodlands Waterway.

Both single or tandem kayaks are available, and they cost just $15 to $20 for the first hour. Guests are able to determine their own route down the waterway, and if you choose to row all the way to the end of the route you’ll find a beautiful lake right next to North Shore Park. Whether you go solo, with a date, or even bring your dog along for the ride, the Riva Row Boat House offers the perfect outdoor activity for a hot Texas day.

The Riva Row Boat House is open year round, though its hours are different throughout the year. Check the informative website for more information about kayak rental times and rates.

Riva Row Boat House
2101 Riva Row
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 210-3965
www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?nid=360
www.yelp.com/biz/riva-row-boat-house-the-woodlands

The Olive Oil Restaurant: Enjoy Greek Fare and the Sounds of Live Bouzouki

Located just a short trip from Avana Grogan’s Mill, The Olive Oil Restaurant is an authentic dining experience in the heart of the Woodlands. The dimly lit, rustic interior is full of comfortable tables large enough for the whole family, and guests are always greeted warmly at the door by one of the friendly servers.

The wine list is very impressive, and the menu is just as large. Specials change daily, but traditional favorites like grape leaves, moussaka, gyros, and cheese pies always stay the same. The Olive Oil Restaurant serves a number of beef, lamb, and seafood platters with your choice of traditional sides like arakas or bamies. Best of all, the restaurant hosts live music and belly dancing evenings on weekends complete with the tradition of breaking plates and shouting “Opa!”

The Olive Oil Restaurant
373 Sawdust Road
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 367-0114
www.oliveoilgreekrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-olive-oil-restaurant-the-woodlands

Caffe di Fiore: A Fusion Menu in The Woodlands

Caffe di Fiore serves up a fusion menu in The Woodlands. The emphasis may be on Mexican cuisine, but the restaurant's menu also features a selection of pastas and pizza.

Breakfast is a great time to stop in and fuel up for the day on hearty fare like Chilaquiles Con Pollo with tortilla chips, shredded chicken, cheese, refried beans & sour cream, Huevos Con Chorizo with spicy sausage, cheese & refried beans, and Vegetarian Eggs Benedict with spinach & tomatoes. Later in the day, you can try Tacos de Barbacoa with beef, onions & borracha salsa, Green Enchiladas with tomatillo sauce, and Tampico Style Carne Asada with refried beans & guacamole.

Caffe di Fiore is open Monday through Saturday in The Woodlands, Texas.

Caffe di Fiore
10110 Woodlands Parkway
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 298-1228
www.caffe-di-fiore.com/ordereze/default.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-di-fiore-the-woodlands

These Online Quizzes Put Your Memory to the Test

As you age, you may notice that your memory isn’t quite as sharp as it used to be. Luckily, there are a number of online quizzes that will test your memory and help you to keep it strong for years to come. You’ll even notice yourself improving the more often you do them. Here are just a few of those memory quizzes that are available online.

Short Term Memory Test
Do you often find yourself not remembering why you walked into a room or forgetting to pick up milk on the way home from work? Short-term memory is very important in day-to-day life, and this online quiz will show you just how sharp yours it. A sequence of letters will quickly appear on the screen, and your test is to see how many you can remember.

Dinosaur Eggs
If you prefer a memory game that’s a bit more fun and exciting, Dinosaur Eggs is the perfect choice. This addictive online game features colorful graphics of adorable dinosaurs hidden in eggs, and players must match the dinosaurs with their twins by memorizing their position in the group.

Memory V
Popular educational website Knowledge Adventure created this explosive card game to test players’ memory in a creative way. The game displays a series of cards for just a moment before flipping them over, and players must avoid each card that contained a photo of a bomb.

Vintage Finds at Camille’s Antique Boutique

Add a girly touch to your décor with items from Camille’s Antique Boutique in Spring. This former art teacher has amassed a delightful collection of vintage furniture, knick-kacks, china, and clothing. The shop has an ever-changing selection of painted antique furniture in French Country and Shabby Chic styles as well as historic chandeliers, antique china and more. Pick up a floral tea set, lace table cloth and host a tea party. Or bring your friends and browse through their closet of vintage women’s clothing and accessories with everything from dresses, hats, jewelry and more.

Camille's Antique Boutique
218B Main Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 528-8779
www.yelp.com/biz/camilles-spring

Pin It on Pinterest