Kelly Wynne

The next bag I get will be one of these bad boys! I am CRAZY about this Texas-based line, Kelly Wynne, and especially the gorgeous custom leather and clean lines. Don't you love the texture? There's not a single bag I wouldn't fight you over. The clutches are gorgeous for a night out, and the handbags offer everything from the perfectly sized crossbody to a holds-all-your-junk tote. And, my fave, they are made right here in the U.S. of A! #ShopLocal #ShopSmall! Great holiday gift idea, or holiday look finisher! Shop online here, and check them out on Facebook (many cute "bag action shots")! 

Stones By Kate

I'm a big fan of rosary-style necklaces. I'm not Catholic, but I feel like Episcopalian is close enough right? The Christiana Necklace from Houston-based Stones By Kate comes in tons of color-ways and semi-precious (almost wrote "presh"....) stones. It's a statement rosary of sorts! Check out her full line on her website! 

Stylish Stingray

This line Leighelena, from Austin, Texas is one of my newest obsessions. A few months ago I found one of these cuffs at a friend's house and immediately attempted to steal it. I'm a big fan of stingray, I love it's unique texture-it's a very tactile leather. She also does a thinner double-wrap version which I love and think is a bit funkier. The designer, Leigh Navarro makes her entire enamel line by hand, and these cool pendants come in two lengths. I love the idea of doing several of them at once, similar to how they're displayed here. She also adds a little signature vintage postage stamp on each piece, a tradition she began to honor her grandfather who started a stamp collection for her as a child. Leigh has recently opened a store in Austin, and is being carried in numerous boutiques. 

You can visit the store in Austin: 

1215 Corona Drive

Austin, Texas 

78723

or visit her website:

http://www.leighelena.com/

Down Home Texas

This über-cool San Antonio home of decorator Gwenn Griffith comes straight from one of my favorite design mags, Elle Decor. While this home may be a little dark when taken as a whole for my tastes, there are a few elements I just think are amazing. The home is a former industrial space the designer has transformed over several years. My first obsession is this romantic almost Gothic zinc bathtub with the dramatic chandelier hovering above it. What an amazing place to relax.

This room is another example of an interesting use of scale; the dozens of paintings on the wall are in great contrast to the floor-to-ceiling windows and huge ceiling orbs (???) (And does anyone else think that the 3-legged side table is the same one they payed a fortune for on Million Dollar Decorator?)

And finally, this screened in porch is so Southern, but so modern. It's chic but cozy. I imagine it's a great respite from the 175 degree Texas heat!

Prairie Luxury

I've been a fan of Rachel Ashwell's for a while now; for those that aren't familiar Rachel is the creator of the Shabby Chic lifestyle brands and has created an empire based around her brand of unassuming luxury. I love her style. While her taste can sometimes be a bit too girlie for me, there is something irresistible about her pieces (which range from her Target line to her high-end linens and furniture line). 

When you see a room she has styled you immediately feel as though you could walk in and curl up with a good book and some hot chocolate (or wine depending on the book I guess). So imagine how excited I was when I recently learned that Rachel Ashwell has opened her very own bed & breakfast in a tiny little town in Texas! 

The Prairie is a collection of cottages bought and renovated by Ashwell in an antiquing town called Round Top, which is about an hour and a half from Austin. Each dwelling has it's own personality and charm, and it's set in a bucolic 46 acres of Texas countryside; it is the perfect place to go and completely disconnect. 

There is also a lounge and common area to catch a quick bite or cup of tea. If only she would add a spa, they'd have to kick me out to get me to leave. I can't wait to get down there and see it myself!

You can choose to hunker down in one of the cottages, or pick a room in the sweetly named Liliput Lodge.

Take a tour and check room availability and rates at The Prairie's website:
http://www.theprairiebyrachelashwell.com