Beauty Is Back And Loves Armani
September 16, 2008
Alright, I am hurricane Ike’d out (city is a disaster though everyone is definitely working together to get things back up and running- endless large trees scattering the streets and homes and many without power or water).
It is time for some cheering up and for me, that means food and fashion. Let’s start with a little look of fashion.
In my previous posts I mentioned I took off for some relaxation in a hotel some 150 miles away from the disaster of the city. We did some beautiful shopping and I couldn’t help but fall into this gorgeous Giorgio Armani dress.
I love Giorgio Armani- what isn’t there to love of such beautiful designs? The fabric simply melts and falls perfectly into place, it is quite simply like heaven.
And this dress, too, melts and flows off the skin just like heaven. The color is gorgeous (I love lavender/lilac shades, so soft yet so bold and elegant). Ah, heavenly!
I am starting to feel refreshed already, wow. Much more to come *hint*hint* especially shoes and delicious food 
ciao xx
Some Of Ike’s Destruction And Survivors
September 15, 2008
Well the sun is shinning and the sky is once again blue in Houston. Power and water are returning in little pockets throughout the city which is lovely to see.
After the first day without any power or water, we and the neighbors decided to make a spontaneous trip to Lockhart TX for some bbq/warm food and perhaps a stay in a hotel if it was possible. Lockhart is about 150 miles away, and so I phoned the hotel and discovered they had only two rooms available- perfect! We ended up staying a couple of nights there and absolutely enjoyed ourselves.
Now, when we left we had two bags of ice from before the storm. One was in a cooler along with any meats and cheeses we had. The other I placed in the freezer to act as a second cooler for the meantime. I had placed some sodas in there as well- so they would be chilled for later and last longer.
Now, when I say spontaneous I mean we thought up the idea and acted on it within ten minutes- packing a very light and very quick overnight bag just in case. (It is a 2-2 1/2 hour drive and the restaurant would be closed in 3 hours, we had to act fast). So we acted quickly and things like the soda were left in the freezer (no electricity anyway at the time).
Well, upon returning home the power must have come on late last night for sure enough there was quite a mess, lol. Vodka survived just fine… luckily for me I usually only keep vodka and some dessert wine in my freezer (I know, I know- its me though). I can live with that being the only destruction in my house.
Now outside was a different story. There is some roof damage apparent, but I still am not sure of the severity. A lot of water did make it through in the hallways of our apartment complex (everything is indoors, much like the layout of a hotel).
Our fence is, well, gone for the most part. So are all of those in the buildings around us. Much tree damage to be seen just about everywhere in the city, though again things certainly could have been much worse and I am grateful they were not.
This is a view outside our balcony of the courtyard entry way, our trees lining the walkway have ben smoothed down by the storm. All our windows are in tact though I cannot say the same for much of downtown.
Phew, I am exhausted. Much cleaning and much traveling. I’ll be posting again soon with some happier, yummier, prettier posts. Great food and three new gorgeous shoes were also a result of this storm for me, and you will be seeing them shortly. Until then, much love- xx Bombshell Beauty
Ike Update And My Dissapearance
September 14, 2008
Well, no power or water as to be expected like much of the rest of the city. Our apartment building looks fine- definitely some roof damage though I don’t know the severity yet, and some sort of minor gas leak at the entry. There are things to be done.
We took a spontanious road trip with our neighbors to Lockhart TX which is about 150 miles west of the city of Houston, for some amazing barbque and a couple of nights stay at a hotel (oh the pleasures of electricity and water!). Seems to have been a great choice for us and we are definitely enjoying ourselves.
I am writing from the hotel, will have a better update once I return home later tomorow and am able to upload my many pictures. I’ve spoken to most of my friends and family and everyone seems to be okay which is grand. Most everyone reports that they are well, just bored. Better than not, I am glad they are well.
Talk to you soon, many new gorgeous fashion finds and stories to tell- its been quite the adventure!
xx, Bombshell Beauty
Not Looking So Pretty, Ike
September 12, 2008
Ick.iCK.IcK. So when I left Miami I am not so sure what I gained, lol. Oh well, at least I know the routine I suppose. I like where I am anyway.
Ike is huge, but at least it looks like it is moving quickly and will be over and done with fairly soon. Much water expected and *probably* no electricity for a bit. I’m prepared for it.
I remember Wilma in Miami (though we didn’t get any recognition- its okay, we know how to take care of ourselves). No power for over three weeks, lovely. Didn’t have gas either which meant cold showers for the most part.
The first day after the storm was fun- grilling steaks with the neighbors and neighboring restaurants, cool fresh weather, and an all around friendly attitude to help each other out. Great way to get things back in order.
It was the second week it started to get old, you know when you haven’t had any produce, meat, or other non perishable item in days and the battery charge of your laptop and other items have run out.
By no means do I feel light about it- its dangerous and causes severe destruction. But how you handle it can be controlled. The photo above was in my neighborhood in Miami; there was this large tree in front of our home that came crashing down and just missed our car. You cannot see it in this photo (all you would see is leaves and branches anyway) but you can definitely get the feel and see smaller trees that also fell. Our home was down the street and on the other side of the road from this photo. There were cars on top of cars, gas station roofs peeled back like food cans, and downtown was nothing but glass. I have a whole new respect for my building!
Well here we go again. I’ll let you know how this one goes. Much love and safety to those in Ike’s path.
A Lovely Welcome In A Basket
September 4, 2008
What a lovely way to welcome someone, and this one came unexpectedly. It is time for us to renew our lease for our apartment (a simple chore if anything else) when afterwards we are given this lovely basket. If only every errand came with such a gift- I am impressed and happy to be where I am, a very good touch on their part.
They also make fresh baked cookies downstairs by the concierge- I love these guys. So friendly, too. The basket came with some yummy lemon iced biscotti, a freshly baked cookies scented candle, some ritter chocolates (a favorite of mine, yum) and a bottle of savignon blanc with a cute little bottle charm of grapes. Well done, and how lovely!
It makes me think though- when was the last time I did this.. too long ago. There’s something to be said about presenting a welcoming gift in a well thought package. Doesn’t take much, but the details go far. The last time I presented someone with a basket was quite some time ago- its just so easy to present someone with a bottle of wine. I like the charm on the bottle, it really dresses it up and is quite simple to do. Its the details that stand out.
Cafe Cubano Just Around The Corner
September 1, 2008
This is great; I move from Miami and at apparently the same time so does this gentlemen around the corner. Even better, he opens up a little shop and calls it “Cafe Cubano” and you guessed it, serves the most wonderful cafe cubanos and all the traditional Cuban cuisine to go with it. Yum!
My fiance loves the coffees, but only once in a while for him. He instead has found delicious enjoyment in the Malta from Hatvey- oooh, this is a good one.
They have a couple different Malta’s, I think this one is the best by far- it has the most flavor, strong and distinct which I like in a beverage. Just the smell alone is fantastic. This is a must try if you ever come across it- let me know when you do.
Okay, back to the cafe cubano- or in my case, cortadito con leche evaporado. There is nothing like a nice strong espresso brewed with sugar and then topped off with steamed evaporated milk- just a little of course, and talk about heavenly! Oh I love this drink, and finally I can begin having them again and just around the corner from where I live- how lovely is that?
He makes my favorite little pastry to have with a coffee, too- the guava and cheese pastels. It compliments it perfectly.
I would love to see walk up Cuban Cafes start spreading like the Wine Bars have been, maybe this will be the next thing. What a treat that would be. People need to love coffee again (actual coffee- don’t get me started).
Alright, I am off for a cortadito and guava and cheese. Ciao.
Ooh- a little PS, Here’s a little look of some of the other fun sodas they offer. I’m told the IronBeer tastes similar to a fruity Dr. Pepper, but I don’t know- we’ll see. We bought them to try later, I’ll let you know how it goes.
Beauty, All Class And All American
August 29, 2008
How lovely is she; I must say I am quite pleased to see a conservative woman take such a grand role in our society. I honestly had no intentions of getting into politics here (as messy as it can leave things), however I cannot avoid mentioning recognition especially after today. It is only appropriate that I do so.
Alaska’s Gov. Sarah Palin is making history and it is something I would love to see go through all the way. She has a great voice of reason and determination like no other. And what a wonderful family, too- she is all class and everything I like to see. Bravo. Isn’t she gorgeous, too? Well spoken and an intelligent lady, McCain’s choice in a Vice President is quite wise.
