Melina Cristina Bridal

A few weeks ago, I had a lovely little visit with Melina Cristina of Melina Cristina Bridal Couture, a truly unique experience for Houston brides. Tucked away in River Oaks’ distinctive Artigiani Center, this boutique gives brides the red carpet treatment (that I've only really ever seen in the movies). If you are a fashion forward bride that wants to be a part of creating your own, one-of-a-kind couture gown...Melina Cristina is for you.

As soon as you walk in through the red doors, you are greeted with champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and a girly paradise of sparkly beads, and fine fabrics to inspire you...

Then you can try on various muslin samples (simple pattern dresses) of the Melina Cristina Couture and Dream lines collections. Slipping on these little patterns allows them to determine the absolute best fit and style for each individual bride.

Next, the bride will work with Melina Cristina and her illustrator to design your own personal dream gown! Once the dress design is finalized, measurements are taken, and a new muslin is made to the exact size of the bride. This allows the muslin to be altered and perfectly fitted to the bride's body before the actual fabric is cut.

As if Melina Cristina wasn't fabulous enough already, 20% of all Melina Cristina sales go directly to their charity People Helping People Worldwide, that drills water wells in Africa.

You can learn more about People Helping People on the Melina Cristina website.

Want to meet Melina in person? You can visit with her at the upcoming event Wedding Belles on September 6th. ✿B

Itty Bitty Spaces

A little inspiration for this week's projects.

Vintage Wedding

Working on a little wedding project. What would we do without pinterest?

Need an extra hand?

It's super duper rare that Très Chic offers sales on organizing services, so be sure to take advantage of the back to school blow out!

For more information visit http://www.treschicdesignshouston.com/

Not in Houston? Inquire about our virtual organizing services: info@tcdhouston.com

Save the Date! Fashion's Night Out 2011

Arizona Muse, Photo: Craig McDean

Save the date for September 8th as Houston celebrates Fashion's Night Out! Enjoy fashion shows, mixing with your favorite designers, scavenger hunts, limited-edition merchandise, photo booths, music and more!

Wanna be a part of the fashionable festivities? Be sure to log on to www.fashionsnightout.com to start planning your big night, and keep checking back in the coming weeks as more participating retailers share their event details for the big night! You can also follow FNO on twitter.

Stella & Dot Giveaway!

**This giveaway was completed on 8/30/11, BIG apologies for the typo of 9/30 posted on other sites.

Aren't these just cute as a slithery button? Be one of the first to get your hands on a Stella & Dot key pouch from the new SoHo collection, just released last week and featured in the Sept. 2011 issue of InStyle magazine!

Manufactured in the same factories as Coach, Prada, Burberry and Kate Spade, Stella & Dot's beautiful key pouches are available in black crinkle patent leather, snakeskin embossed leather or luxurious lamb skin.

The winner will have their choice of one of the sleek pouches above.

So how do you enter?

1. First, LIKE Stella & Dot Stylist Stephanie Duhon on FB.
2. Second, leave a comment on our Très Chic Facebook Page, telling us what itty bitty goodies you might carry around in your new pouch. Oh and don't forget to LIKE us too:)

*Not a Facebooker? You can leave your entry comment below (right after you finish listening to your Sony walkman and talking to your best friend on your 10 lb Zach Morris cell phone:-)

Want to rack up some extra entries? (1 additional entry each)

1. Vote for us here (Lifestyle - Houston's Weekly Chic) :-)TY!
2. Follow us on twitter at TresChicDesign & LSUBELL82
3. Follow and/or add Houston's Weekly Chic to your blog roll:)
4. Tweet about the giveaway

*Giveaway ends August 30th at 11 p.m. est Good Luck!!

Gallery 3 Benefit for Breast Cancer Survivors

What a busy week we have going on in Htown! Be sure to swing by this swanky event for an amazing cause for Gallery 3....

Gallery 3 At Winter Street Goes Pink
What: A Benefit To Raise Money For the Young Survival Coalition
When: Thursday August 25, 2011 6:00 until 9:00 p.m.
Where: 2101 Winter Street, C3 First Floor Houston, TX 77007
Follow Gallery 3 on FB

Free To Public, Entire Family Welcome
Pink Appetizers By Heather Cornejo Of Creative Catering

Featured Artists:
Glass: Karen O'connor
Photography: Geraldine Gill, Jackie Leavitt
Jewelry: Sherry Atkinson, Wendy Bantle, Vivian Harris, Ann Westby
Paintings: Kathy Biddle, Ellin Blumenthal, Linda Hall, Larry Jones,
Terry Leavitt-Chavez

10% Of Proceeds To Be Donated To "Young Survival Coalition"
To provide resources to those recently diagnosed with breast cancer that are under the age of 40.

Mad About Man Men

Thanks to Netflix (finally) streaming the first few seasons of Mad Men, all of my inspiration these days seems to come straight from the 50's. And wouldn't you know it, Banana Republic has jumped on the bandwagon with their new Mad Men line, which will surely empty my pocketbook by Christmastime.

Banana Republic Mad Men
MidCentury Danish Sofa - Deja Vu
Atomic Era Chrome & Glass Serving Set
50's Starburst Clock

Elaine Turner Stiletto Social

Thursday August 25th from 10am-noon, Elaine Turner will debut her Fall 2011 Collection at her CITYCENTRE Boutique with TUTS Leading Ladies. The organization supports musical theatre education in Houston through The Pink Stiletto Fund, which provides special program enhancements to TUTS Education and Community Outreach for the price of a new pair of pumps.

Twenty percent of all stiletto sales will benefit The Pink Stiletto Fund for a 10-day period beginning August 25 through September 5. While enjoying breakfast bites and sipping pink champagne, the TUTS Leading Ladies will shop the new collection of handbags, clutches, satchels, booties, boots, heels and flats inspired this season by the timeless elegance of Audrey Hepburn and Paris. The collection will take you back to a nostalgic era of grace, femininity and classicism.

Tons of Tootsies coming up

Christina Greene Turquoise Drops Giveaway!

So you missed the Christina Greene trunk show last week? Fret not my chic-ies. Christina of Christina Greene Designs is generously giving us a pair of her timeless Turquoise Teardrop Earrings for one of you to take home!

So how do you enter?

1. First, LIKE Christina Greene Designs on FB.
2. Second, leave a comment on our Très Chic Facebook Page,
letting us know how you'd style these gorgeous drops with something in your current wardrobe. Oh and don't forget to LIKE us too:)

*Not a Facebooker? You can leave your entry comment below (right after you finish listening to your Sony walkman and talking to your best friend on your rotary dial phone:-)

Want to rack up some extra entries? (1 additional entry each)

1. Follow us on twitter at TresChicDesign & @CGreeneDesigns

2. Follow and/or add Houston's Weekly Chic to your blog roll:)
3. Tweet about the giveaway
4. Blog about the giveaway (leave url below)

*Giveaway ends August 22nd at 12 a.m. est Good Luck!!

Recap: Christina Greene @ Haut Chocolat

With Christina Greene of Christina Greene Designs

After drooling over pieces on the Christina Greene website for the last couple of weeks, I finally got to see the entire line in person last Wednesday night at Haut Chocolat. I'm a huge fan of semi-precious stones, and with everything from chunky hammered cuffs to dainty turquoise drops, there is something to suit everyone's tastes. By the way, I'm also a huge fan of Christina herself (and she looked SO adorable in her new Charlotte dress from 81 Poppies)!

For this upcoming week, I'm very excited to tell you that Christina is giving one of my favorite pieces from her line to one of you! The details will be up first thing on Monday! See you then:)

Furry Friday Feature: Oreo

It's Furry Friday once again! A new HWC blog tradition that we hope will help get some of our homeless Houston furry babies placed in homes. Every week we will feature somebody new that would love to be part of your family. This week meet Oreo!

Some info from DROH:

Oreo is as sweet as they come, with that mellow personality he has just stolen our hearts. All he wants out of life is to lay next to you, wherever you are in the house. If you are at your desk, he lays at your feet. Watching TV, lays by your side. Sleeping, snuggles at the foot of the bed....but then he gets too warm and jumps down on his own comfy bed! Mealtime is also a favorite time of day for him, so he needs to be fed separate from his buddies, otherwise he tries to eat everyone’s food. He’s not ever aggressive around food, he just likes to eat! He gets along fine with other dogs, he just has no interest in playing with them. Oreo is as low maintenance as they come, and he is very affectionate. I wish all my fosters were this easy (but then I’d probably adopt them all!)

The early bird gets the worm. If you see a puppy that would be a good fit for you home, be sure to get your application in asap, as they are on a first come first serve basis. Not ready to adopt? The Dachshund Rescue of Houston always needs fosters:)

Vogue Limo Houston

Here at Houston's Weekly Chic, we do our best to bring you only the chicest, cream of the crop companies - including boutiques, events, restaurants, charities and so much more - so buckle up as we introduce you to Vogue Limo's Houston!

Limo companies are a dime a dozen, but like all good things, sometimes someone has to swoop in and change things up a bit by offering something a little different. Their tagline Driven By Style says it all...

Vogue Limo's owner Greg Wilbur knows a little something about running a business in Houston (this will be his second and word on the street is he's already itching for his third) that's why his soon-to-be-released website is going to embrace some chic Houston women on his homepage. Vogue Limo will be honoring a woman each month and her shoes. Yes ladies, her shoes. Sounds right up our alley, doesn't it? Each month, the site will feature one local Houston woman and her shoes coming out of one of Vogue's top of the line limousines, and include a little story to get to know her. And her feet.

A few months are already locked down with the women and the theme (I'm excited to announce Beth will also being featured for a special month, but it's a secret for now!):)

Here are a few months you can nominate people for on Vogue Limo's FB page or leave a comment on this blog post.

Remember, you must LIKE and write on the wall who you are nominating for what month ASAP - the famous feet photoshoot is in ONE WEEK. Oh, and did we mention the woman we feature each month will get a 5-hour limo session courtesy of Vogue Limo's? Yeah - these ladies deserve to be driven by style and Vogue Limo's is happy to do it!

January – New Years Resolutions! We are looking to feature a fitness person in Houston to provide tips on keeping resolutions and how to stay fit. Maybe even someone who started running marathons and has a truly inspiring story. We want her and her running shoes!

April – April Fools or April Showers – We are looking to feature your favorite local Houston weather woman in a fun pair of rain boots!

May – Memorial Day/Combat Boots – We want to feature a local woman who has or is serving our country. She deserves to be honored in a million ways, and we are hoping to provide just one of them on our website!

August – Are you ready for some football? Because we are! We are hoping to feature an avid football fan or a Texans cheerleader. Maybe even a UofH cheerleader?

September – Fiestas Patrias – we are looking for some Latin flair to add to the site with this month. Do you know a salsa or ballroom dancer who we should capture for this month?

October – Breast Cancer Survivor/Pink Shoes – This month we will also give a percentage of limo sales to the local charity of her choice. We are looking for the strongest breast cancer survivor in Houston. Or even a doctor!

November – Thanksgiving/Feature a Houston giver – do you know someone in Houston who just loves to give back? Does she have a favorite charity or volunteer all the time? We want to tell her story here.

Be sure to LIKE Vogue Limo Houston on FB and nominate who you want to see on the Vogue website. ASAP - the photoshoot is already set - just looking for the ladies and their feet!

Website coming soon!

(courtesy of guest blogger Jayme Lamm)

Select Oscar De La Renta at Atrium

ATRIUM READY-TO-WEAR OFFERS SELECT OSCAR DE LA RENTA SHOE COLLECTION

Atrium Ready-To-Wear is now carrying an exclusive line of Oscar de la Renta footwear. Only available at Atrium, the shoe collection will boast two designs in two colors dyed specifically for the boutique and offering shoppers an unmatched finish to ensembles.

“By offering this one-of-a-kind shoe collection, we can now outfit our clients in unique fashions from head to toe,“

Luvi Wheelock, stylist and Atrium owner.

“Oscar de la Renta is a timeless designer whose pieces will never go out of style. Both shoes encompass the traditional style of Oscar de la Renta’s design techniques.”

The two limited colors are gold and champagne. The gold shoe is available in a classic peep-toe pump silhouette that easily pairs with an array of outfits from a cocktail dress to a casual pant. The champagne shoe features a thick ribbon design above the toes with a classic pearl and crystal embellishment for upscale occasions. The designer, made famous by celebrities-donning his pieces down the red carpet, is one of the most famed fashion design houses in the world.

The fabulous footwear will be the perfect polish to Atrium’s selection of frocks and ready-to-wear pieces from sought-after designers including Prabal Gurung, Vera Wang, Victor & Rolf, Jason Wu, Yigal Azrouel, Angel Sanchez, Bibhu Mohapatra and Christian Cota.

81 Poppies Sample Sale Tomorrow!!

A little peek at what you might find if you join us at the 81 Poppies Sample Sale tomorrow night!

Who: 81 Poppies Sample Sale hosted by Tres Chic Designs (& Houston's Weekly Chic:)

What: Grab your stylish girls, and join us for a delightful evening of champagne, bites, and shopping! Meet designer Michelle Weisman, and learn what trends will be sizzling this fall. All 81 Poppies spring and summer inventory 60% off, with treats from Delectable P.I.E.S.

When: Tuesday, August 9th 6-8 p.m.

Where: 1138 Ashland Houston, TX

RSVP to info@tcdhouston.com

The Bordeaux Collection by Ken Downing

“The Bordeaux Collection” for Fall 2011 – designed exclusively by Ken Downing for Le Métier de Beauté – three exclusive sets of coordinating lipsticks and nail lacquers that will make you want to carry your gloves:)

For his second season with Le Métier, Neiman Marcus’s Fashion Director Ken Downing took the essence of the fall runways and distilled it into a beauty collection that mixes and matches essential color combinations into feminine, elegant beauty duos.

“The fall runways were filled with a return to polished sophistication and elegance. The message: ‘Lady Chic,’ remarks Mr. Downing. “Ensemble dressing – elbow length gloves, a sexy pump and coordinating handbag look right for the fashion moment. Color is paramount! Bordeaux and deep magentas became my inspiration and palette for the matched sets I created for Le Métier de Beauté. Now, the fashion message for the season is on everyone’s lips and fingertips!”


neimanmarcus.com

DKNY Fall 2011

Can't get over the cozy sophistication that is the DKNY Fall line at Saks.