I can't think straight because I'm going on an adventure tomorrow

Blogging skills have been sub-par as of late.

Here's an attempt at a come back!

The sweet, sweet Liesl over at Fabulous Fashions 4 Sensible Style bestowed the Versatile Blogger award upon me.

You know how these go...so I give you seven random facts about moi. 

1. When presented with too many side dish options, I tend to stress out over the order in which I'll eat them. 

2. I know all the words to many Selena songs. Just ask my friends who have been lucky enough to see me in full blown Juno mode.

3. Who is Juno? She is my alter ego that appears any time I make a reference to my half Mexican heritage. 

4. I have never been to Disney World. Cue violins.

5. Before my DVR got wiped clean, I was recording 33 TV shows. That is not a typo.

6. I love photo booths at weddings and will make multiple appearances in them. Example:

7. Tomorrow I leave for Australia, and my excitement level is off the charts!!

 

Get ready for an abundance of wildlife photos when I return!

And let's be honest, probably lots of pictures of food.

Amy's bachelorette weekend...or, how 19 women drink for free

I admit, this was only my second bachelorette party.

But I've decided they are one of my favorite events ever.

There is food, drinks [many of them free], dance parties, and fun girl time.

Not a bad way to spend a weekend!

This dance party lasted until almost 4 am. We are hardcore.

Lake Austin

Yes, there was a party bus involved.

Best idea ever: turning sunglasses into hipster glasses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As you can imagine a group of 19 females would be, we were a hit on 6th Street.

Fun times included:

Hipster glasses

Running through the torrential rain to get into bars [you can tell by our awesome hair in that picture]

Fending off strange European men who looked like they belonged on a Russian version of Jersey Shore

Buying several boxes of pizza off the street

I'm already gearing up for Courtney's big party weekend next year!

Where to eat in Houston: Underbelly

For as much as I obsess over love food, I've decided to start talking about places I eat in Houston that I deem worthy of sharing with the public. 

This may or may not stem from the fact that I recently created a FIVE page document of places to eat and drink in Houston to present to people when they ask the age old question, "What should I do when I visit Houston?"

Eat, my friends. Eat.

So if you're a Houstonite looking for new places to chow down or are planning a trip here, I hope you find my reviews helpful! 

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Underbelly

1100 Westheimer Rd.

http://underbellyhouston.com/index.php
Sample dinner menu as of August 8

Via

 Do you like fresh, locally sourced ingredients?
A menu that changes and never gets boring?
Tapas-style plates made for sharing?
Are you a wino?

Yes? 
Hooray! Underbelly is your place!

Grab some friends [or a date...I highly recommend for a date situation] and impress each other by trying plate after plate of combinations of goodness that you may not otherwise have considered.

The atmosphere is warm and inviting, which impressed me since I expected more of a boujie foodie feel [which, coincidentally, I am not opposed to]. 
The solid wood farm tables make you feel like you're sitting down to a low key meal in someone's country home...then the plates come out, impeccably presented, and impress the bejesus out of you, thus making you want to sing chef Chris Shepherd's praises.

Yeah, it's that good.

Alex recommends: Korean Braised Goat and Dumplings
While the menu does change on a regular basis, these morsels of magic are a standing item. You will eat one plate and then want another...or five.



BONUS!

Mosey right next door to the connected bar, Hay Merchant, for some post-dinner beers. 

We're talking the good stuff, if you're a beer enthusiast [which, I am not], including cask beer.

For those of you who do not enjoy drinking wheat flavored libations, try the Bombshell Blonde Shandy, a refreshing treat made with lemon ginger soda and a splash of beer. 


MORE BONUS!

If not even the Shandy sounds appealing, head down Westheimer a tad and drop in at anvil, otherwise known as my favorite bar on earth.

Not for the faint of heart, anvil is a spirits enthusiast's dream. The menu is limited, so you must rely on your own liquor preferences or word of mouth about favorite drinks.

Unlike Underbelly, anvil is boujie, BUT THAT'S OK! 

Try a Grackle, First Growth, or a French 75, and tell them Alex sent you.



Bon appetit!

The Cheesecakes take on Myrtle Beach

Don't be deceived; this post is not about food.

We decided to name our little girls trip group "The Cheesecakes" in honor of a Mr. Joey Cheesecake who took a liking to us one evening and provided us with free shots. We're big time.

The fourth annual girls trip was a great success.

Pool, beach, tanning, and silly evenings with some of my favorite people. 

What more could I ask for?

I'd just like you to know that our rental car was a mini van. That's right.

 

 

 

Please observe Joey Cheesecake in all his glory. Oh yeah, and our awesome connecting balloon hats that we wore all through dinner.

Carrie and Alexia are a good time.

 

Celebrating their birthdays early!

It was a good time, I can assure you that.

Girls Grip 2013: San Francisco/Napa or L.A.

Already can't wait!

TANC house reunion

Once upon a time, four girls lived in a house in college.

Their names were Taylor, Alex, Natalie, and Caroline [and for once semester, Laura].

They wanted to name their house, and decided to go for an acronym: TANC [or TANCD for that one semester]

The best of times were had in this house.

Last weekend the TANC house was reunited in Houston for the first time in waaaaaay too long.

It was beautiful.