On the go with too many things to pack? Look no further than this stylish Cala leather-trimmed canvas tote by Hereu. It’s the perfect, chic accessory for your light and breezy summer lifestyle.
$380. At Fave.co. [NOT .COM].
Want a haven for sleep? Look no further than this Snooz white noise sound machine. Not only is it travel-friendly, but it also has an optional iOS and Android companion apps feature. Now, sleep like a baby.
$79.99. At GetSnooz.com.
Technology at, and on, our wrists is now a way of life. Meet the Apple Watch collaboration with Hermès. In stainless steel with orange and Mexico Pink band made incorporating the coveted H motif.
$1229. At Hermes.com.
Luxe sneakers keep getting more luxurious. The new monili embossed metallic stretch knit fabric sneakers with suede trim, designed by Bruno Cucinelli, prove that made in Italy reigns supreme.
$1095. At NeimanMarcus.com.
When it comes to relieving the visible signs of stress, we find that the Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask, by Shiseido, does the trick. With packs of 12, it starts working upon initial application.
$70. At Sephora.com.
When traveling, it’s always smart to be prepared. With the Aviator Grand and Carry-On carbon-neutral luggage set, you’re ready for anything. We choose these in Safari Green because an adventure always awaits.
The set, $485. At TourParavel.com.
When traveling, wearing a mask will be de rigueur on the plane and when you arrive in lands far away. Why not slip into a comfy number like this one made of satin-lined silk charmeuse?
$75. By Johanna Ortiz. At ModaOperandi.com.
Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Molecular Skincare Discovery Set for summer has all the travel skincare you need, including a cleanser and facial scrub that all come in a colorful bag. Your global beauty will be exactly that.
$110. At NetAPorter.com.
It might get chilly where you’re going, so have a light cardigan handy. This sublimely soft cashmere one, knitted in the USA, will do the trick perfectly to keep the chill off during flight, too. By The Elder Statesman.
$1,795. At MatchesFashion.com.
The perfect gold hoop, one you’ll return to again and again, is perfect for travel. Also, for poolside or dining al fresco, this nearly weightless gold-plated pair is the only one you’ll need.
$395. At ModaOperandi.com.
The newest candle to be a hit with those in the know is Social-Lite. Gorgeous and filled with delectable scents with such themes as Set To Jet, Make Mine Champagne, Modern Ingenue, My Secret Past, Darling Really, and Isn’t It Rich, these five-star candles will add a sophisticated element to every room.
$58 each. At SocialLiteCandles.com.
The American Friends of Versailles, led by Amarillo-born Catharine Hamilton, is inviting guests, under the gracious guidance of Princesse Béatrice de Bourbon des Deux Sicilies, to enjoy a spectacular benefit trip of palaces and gatherings from Vienna and Prague. This one-of-a-kind tour of the fabled cities benefits the ongoing renovation of Versailles. Make plans now for October 2–10. $20,000 per person.
BOXT luxe table wine, Austin-based and female-owned by Sarah Puil, has launched into the new hot craze of premium boxed wines. The three red and white varietals use Napa winemaking techniques, are eco-friendly, and sourced from the best grapes in the world. Available through a subscription service, with free shipping direct to your doorstep.
At DrinkBOXT.com.
With travel in all of our futures, we can hardly wait. Until we’re on that jet, headed for, say, Italy, we can enjoy the flair of the fabled country with art by San Antonio-based artist Allison Gregory, whose contemporary work of abstract and specific venues, like the Italian Riviera, shown here, always brighten any venue.
You’ll definitely want to see the Texas Performing Arts exhibit Behind the Scenes: Hollywood’s Sistine Chapel. Among the 50 backdrops received by Texas Performing Arts from the Art Directors Guild Backdrop Recovery Project was a nearly complete replica of the Sistine Chapel. These 18 backdrops represent full-scale copies of the historic frescos, that are a cornerstone of High Renaissance Art, and were used in MGM’s 1968 papal drama, The Shoes of the Fisherman, starring Anthony Quinn.
The BAE bag is a flagship product from Austin-based Betsy Christian, founder of Bae Liles. The totes, which come in orange and white, and black and white canvas, sport sturdy leather handles. Maker Moms handcraft them in Kenya to create sustainable lives through Fair Trade and every purchase contributes to their financial well-being. Look for a line of easy-to-wear dresses next.
At BaeLiles.com.
The perfect, slim-fitting shirt is possible. Really perfect, as a matter of fact. The sleek and slim UNTUCKit line of shirts and pants (and warmer gear for fall) are about as great as it gets for ease of comfort and travel-friendly as well.
$99 for shirt, $98 for pants, as shown. At 80 stores and UNTUCKit.com.
If ever there was a sports movie about the can-do Texas spirit, it’s the Texas-produced 12 Mighty Orphans. Starring Luke Wilson, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, and Lane Garrison, it’s the true Depression-era story of a group of orphans led to a football championship that captured the hearts of FDR and the entire country.
Let’s face it, literally. We’ll be in the sun all summer, and we need to protect our skin from its potential damage. We love that Oars & Alps, for the naturally-inclined, is on a mission to help men chase the sun safely. All six sun-friendly products, from sunscreen to moisturizer to post-sun cooling spray, are 30+ SPF. Prices vary.
At OarsAndAlps.com.
When hosting a gathering, what better way to show that you’re a true Texan than with state-shaped ice cubes? These conversation starters are not only cool, literally, but also are practical to keep chilled beverages as cool as, you guessed it, ice.
Sometimes a fellow just wants to don a hat in the summer to keep the heat out and style on. May we suggest this 100% straw number, with a silk grosgrain band, made in Italy? It’s called the Borsalino and should be addressed as such as your new favorite warm-weather must-have.
$224. At Yoox.com.
If you haven’t taken up pickleball, which is sweeping the world, it’s not too late. This fun derivation of tennis meets ping pong meets badminton, even has a devoted fan in Clooney. If it’s fun enough for him, it’s fun enough for us. Get your equipment and accessories at Franklin Sports to soon own the court.
We’re inspired by top celebrity looks to see how we can replicate them and make them our own. This summer we’re digging the glasses that Daniel Craig wears in the upcoming Bond film, No Time To Die, with the luxe lenser Barton Perreira x 007 Series 2 Collection. In four killer styles.
From $425. At BartonPerreira.com.
Lutie’s, the long-waited garden restaurant at the new Commodore Perry Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, is the hit everyone knew it would be. In fact, it might be the best meal in town these days. The restaurant features stunning design by powerhouse style maker Ken Fulk and a culinary program by husband-and-wife chef team Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu, formerly of acclaimed local establishments.
At Luties.com.
Swift’s Pizza Company, created by Kris Swift and Adam Jacoby of Jacoby’s and Grizzelda’s, offers authentic Italian fare that can’t be beat on the Eastside. Set within Swift’s Future Design decor, we recommend you “build your own pizza” from the delectable menu. The beverage program features modern twists on classic cocktails, as well as local and imported draft beer and wine.
At SwiftPizzaCo.com.
The newest must-dine in the city, courtesy of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group, is hands down ABA, in the newly opened Music Lane development in SoCo. From the modern interiors to the extensive patio seating options under the mighty oaks, it’s a breath of fresh air serving contemporary yet approachable cuisine.
Eataly Dallas recently opened its first-floor café, Caffè Lavazza, an Italian-style, all-day café and bar experience. The space serves as Eataly Dallas’ first-floor entrance from NorthPark Center. The star of Caffè Lavazza will be La Torre (The Tower), an Italian favorite often found in elegant metropolitan bars, and will feature an overflowing array of savory or sweet bites to share amongst friends (or to enjoy yourself).
At Eataly.com.
Commanding three levels and nearly 70,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, this one-of-a-kind Restoration Hardware retail concept presents artistic installations of luxury home furnishings in a gallery setting. It includes the Rooftop Restaurant, which offers an ingredient-driven menu in a year-round, skylit garden escape beneath a dramatic atrium with retractable glass walls, sparkling chandeliers, and heritage olive trees.
At RH.com.
Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs has added an all-beef dog, Make Mine Texan, at Fletcher’s Pop-Up appearances throughout the summer. Fletcher’s worked with local meat purveyor Syracuse Sausage to create an original recipe for the company made with brisket (and other secret ingredients) to give it a natural, hickory flavor that compliments Fletcher’s proprietary cornmeal batter.
Gatsby’s Prime Steakhouse and the Daisy Buchanan lounge seek to bring new energy and a touch of the past to a structure that dates back to the 1920s. Both are on a historic and storied Montrose Boulevard block, just a stone’s throw from the Houston Museum District. The expansive patio is primed for people watching on the colorful thoroughfare.
With so much development in the Woodlands, the Back Table Kitchen & Bar stands alone on the grounds of The Woodlands Resort, serving seasonal, southern-inspired fare with global accents. What’s not to love about the 5,413-square-foot waterfront venue with an 800-square-foot terrace overlooking the 18th green of the Panther Trail golf course?
At BackTableTX.com.
A new French dining experience has just arrived in Houston. Always on the forefront of culture, of course, the city’s latest fare, Le Jardinier, is in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Located in the new Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, the seasonal ingredients and rich nutrients are artfully crafted into each dish.
For a serenely rural and relaxing experience, escape to SweetFire Kitchen, the culinary jewel of La Cantera Resort. The inviting atmosphere allows for indoor and outdoor dining, offering breathtaking views of the sweeping San Antonio Hill Country.
Recently opened in the lobby of the Jones & Rio building, just a stone’s throw from the San Antonio Museum of Art, Shiro Bistro offers fresh, contemporary Japanese cuisine that pushes the envelope of imagination and possibility through its presentation of cleverly curated plates. Fish is ordered daily, so reservations are encouraged.
At Resy.com.
Looking for upscale dining options before a night at the opera or symphony? Stouts Signature is now open at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring delectable plates from filets to risottos and backed by a full bar of handcrafted cocktails, Stouts Signature at the Tobin Center complements the arts with their own unique dining experience.
GOLDEN GLOW
Thankfully, it looks as though our summer might be different from last year’s with the revision of the mask mandate and pandemic protocol. Trying to imagine all the events and activities set in motion with this pronouncement truly astonishes the mind after the last year we all endured. What a lovely time of year to have all this transpire. Summer is the season of fun and relaxation, especially in the south. More importantly, summer’s most distinguishing characteristic is its power to heal, nourish and nurture. Of course, these are also all the attributes of the sun.
Had I lived with the Incas, Aztecs, or the Mayans, I would have been a committed sun worshipper like their cultures. With the advent of summer, people today join the ranks of celebrants answering the call of long-forgotten compulsion. Or, maybe not. There are continents of believers working long hours in stressful jobs to be able to get to the water to enjoy its restorative qualities. Beaches are covered in every color of the rainbow where not one more towel will fit. Today, we venerate the sun as much if not more than these three Indigenous Peoples combined.
Let’s face it. Healing properties are the sun’s stock and trade. This sounds rather masculine, yet it should be mentioned the sun is considered predominantly masculine. Breathing mountain air while drinking in the light of the sun allowed centuries of ailing patients to restore their health. In the U.S. alone, 127 million people live in coastal counties. Admittedly, the water is a big draw…and so is the sun.
THEN & NOW
Even ancient healing modalities recognized the curative properties of the sun. In Chinese Five Element acupuncture, the “stomach meridian” is associated with nurturance, nourishment, and caretaking (of others and the self). The color that heals this meridian is yellow, and one of its modalities is being in the sun. Stomach Meridian issues develop by the caretaking of others to the detriment of oneself, which refers to the maternal instinct when the mother’s needs are not fully met while she supports those around her.
In the Ayurvedic chakra system, the fire chakra is located in the solar plexus. Even the name of this chakra refers to the sun. It is masculine and relates to paternal energy and power, and not surprisingly, anger and abuse contribute to this chakra imbalance. A modality we frequently employ for an imbalanced fire chakra is to sit under a tree and let the light filter over your body. Keep your eyes open and allow the direct sun to enter your eyes and continue through your brain. Stay there for about five minutes to begin to feel nourished. The sun also supplies amounts of Vitamin D that we all need to stay healthy.
The sun’s most significant contribution is as a purveyor of light, and this is why it deserves to be respected. In fact, all the faiths in the world speak and pray about the light. Christianity speaks of being the way and the light. The Hindus have Diwali, their Festival of Lights. Vesak, Buddha’s birthday, is one of Buddhism’s most important holidays. Festival of Lightsin Judaism is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem. These all flow to seeking enlightenment. And there is much, much more to know. So, what are you waiting for this summer? Enjoy the light responsibly and the many ways it can enhance your well-being.
