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Around {H} Town + Travel, Featured, Hurricane Harvey fundraising

Help #Harvey families in need | The Torres Family

September 13, 2017

Hi guys! I can’t tell you how happy it makes my heart to continue to hear from readers, asking how they can help. So many have sent in financial donations and others have contacted me directly to ship Amazon boxes of supplies to my house, which I’ve dispersed to my community. Seeing the human spirt come alive to help others in dire need, most complete strangers, continues to amaze me.

I hope it’s ok that I continue to share stories of families who are still trying to put their lives back together from the aftermath of Harvey. There are so many who have lost so much and if I can share even a few stories, it’s worth using this website platform to do so.

This post hits close to home because today we want to share a story of a family that I personally know. Sweet Isaac is a student in Charlie’s class at school and his mom is one of our school’s teaching assistants. Isaac’s home was flooded during Hurricane Harvey. His parents didn’t have flood insurance and the damage cause by the hurricane was extensive. Their need for repairs is urgent, as Bri currently cares for her 80 year old mother and father, who also live with them.

I’ve been back and forth from Isaac’s home on the south side of Houston over the past week and it’s been incredible seeing so many teachers from school helping move furniture out of the home, parents of his classmates demo’ing (not sure if this is a word, but it’s certainly in the daily vocab of Houstonians lately) walls and an army of University of Houston students pulling up floor boards to dry out what was left of the home.

I can’t think of a family who is so deserving and so in need of our help right now. If you’d like to donate to help Isacc’s family rebuild and get back on their feet again, here is their fundraising page. They are halfway to their fundraising goal, an amount that is needed to do the bare minimum repairs so that they can move back into their home again. If you’d like to contribute in other ways, please email me directly!

Fashion, Featured

green with envy

September 12, 2017

Since this time last fall I was 8 months pregnant, I’m overdue for some new fall outfits. I’ve been having a major moment with everything mustard yellow and this dress had me fall florals. It feels very Gucci-esque to me. I love the shorter skirt underlay, this dress move so beautifully. Now will one of y’all please invite me somewhere fun so I have a reason to wear it?!

Other green dresses L. Avenue is coveting…

Shop Alice & Olivia fall collection here

Photos by Traci Ling

Fashion, Featured, Interiors

Interiors | book case styling

September 11, 2017

During the nesting period when I was pregnant with Jack I not only went through a major organization overhaul in my house but also found a million things around the house that needed my attention. What is it about being pregnant and finding never-ending to do list items? It’s definitely not because I feel better when I’m pregnant. Maybe it’s because I’m sober when I’m pregnant. When you’ve had a glass (or 2!) of pinot everything seems to look better, right?! I joke. Kind of.

I tasked my friend and interior decorator guru, Alison Meyer for some book case inspiration. The last time I paid any attention to my book cases I was also very pregnant and moving into our new house. So my time and energy to making the book shelves awesome was very limited. Fast forward 4 years, it’s time for a few changes/updates.

The current shelves are decent, but given the fact that these built in book cases take up the majority of wall space in the living room means they are worth focusing on improving. The first step….drumroll please….WALLPAPER! I’m kind of obsessed with wallpaper and this Miles Redd for Schumacher wallpaper is the perfect backdrop to add an element of depth to what was once a pretty one-note backdrop. I love this playful geometric pattern, which was actually hand drawn with a pen and magic marker. So rad!

Here’s what I learned from the process. Less can be more. When I originally styled my book cases I found myself over crowding the space which looks cluttered. I like a layered look but not cluttered. Like Coco Chanel suggests, put on all of your jewelry and then take two pieces off before leaving the house.

Every book case needs…

Fashion, Featured

Style your guy | Nordstrom fall collection

September 11, 2017

Fashion week is checked off the list and we’re finally back-to-school today so I’m starting to incorporate some more routine to-do list items that I’ve neglected recently. Before Harvey hit Houston I had a chance to do a little fall shopping for the kids, but realized that I forgot to shop for my main squeeze. Bret’s not really into shopping (can you believe that?!), so luckily he gets to benefit from being married to someone who is. What a deal! Ha! Every season I hit up Nordstrom to pick out a few wardrobe updates for him and wanted to share some of my favorite pieces this fall, in case you also help style your guy!

Men’s casual shirt under $100

Men’s shoes under $100

Photos by Traci Ling

Around {H} Town + Travel, Give Back, Hurricane Harvey fundraising

Help #Harvey families in need | The Brown family + an unsung hero

September 9, 2017

Today, we want to share the story of the Brown family with y’all. Two years ago Matt proudly purchased his first home in the charming, family friendly Walnut Bend neighborhood of west Houston. He married sweet Katie a year later and then just a few months ago they announced they’d be adding a baby girl to their family! Matt and Katie were busy making plans for the baby and nursery, including lots of DIY home improvements, and then Harvey happened.

Their post Harvey experiences are hard for me to write because I’ve seen first hand what this beautiful couple has been through. It brings me to tears just looking at photos from the past few weeks.

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When news of the reservoir releases came about, Matt and his wife decided better safe than sorry and evacuated from their home. Then their worst nightmare became a reality when they learned that the water was quickly enveloping their home and car. When the flooding began, Matt was safe with his wife, but decided to head back to his street to help rescue his neighbors from their home. The only chance to safely evacuate others stuck inside their flooded home was by boat because the water was so high, and currents fast. Matt, a former Eagle Scout, came up with the rescue plan to write “GONE” on the homes that had been evacuated and tirelessly worked to help his entire street evacuate well into the midnight hours. Matt is an unsung Harvey hero.

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The homes in Matt’s neighborhood had never flooded before and were now inundated with floodwaters for the next few days (and some even weeks). Most of Matt’s neighbors, including Matt, do not have flood insurance. In spite of this huge stroke of very bad luck in the form of a 100-year flood, Matt continues to be upbeat and positive about his situation. Matt’s determination to salvage what he can from his first home has been awesome to watch. He’s worked day in and day out with no hired helpers, cleanup crews, and contractors. There’s no budget for that so he’s doing it all himself, with the help of his friends and family, who have started a fundraising website for Matt, Katie and baby girl Brown.

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If you want to help the Brown’s rebuild after Harvey (hopefully in time for the arrival of his baby girl), please visit their fundraising site here.

Fashion, Featured

not so basic LBD

September 5, 2017

Hey guys. We’re starting to return to work today, but our #1 priority remains- helping Houstonians in light of the recent devastation from Hurricane Harvey. So what does that look like for L. Avenue? You’ll continue to see Harvey coverage on our website including ways you can donate and shop for a cause, in addition to our more routine scheduled content.

Additionally, this month we’ll be donating 100% of our business profits directly to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. What does this mean? This might be a good time to briefly explain how our business works. L. Avenue is a small business that is made possible through two income streams-1. contracts with brands: this is when we collaborate with brands who pay an agreed upon flat fee to work with us and 2. commission: when you visit our website and purchase something we post via our links we receive a commission for that purchase from the retailer. For example, today’s black sandals that you see linked below. If you like them and click our link and purchase-we get a small commission. You aren’t charged anything additional though! It’s basically like I’m getting sales commission if you’re shopping at the L. Avenue online boutique instead of a physical sales person at your local boutique. Make sense? Sorry for the rant, but readers have asked this question in the past so it seems now is as good a time as any to explain it to y’all! So this month, we’ll be donating our profits back to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

Now let’s dive into this pretty LBD, shall we? I found this gem at Nordstrom and love it’s a classic silhouette with a fringe twist. This dress will be on repeat and really works for any season. It would be great for any special event on your future-wedding, holidays, or even dressed down for something more causal.

Here are some more black dresses we’re loving for fall!

Photos by Aliee Petrovic

Beauty, Featured

ELEMIS 3-piece skincare discovery kit

September 4, 2017

After having my third baby I noticed that my skin was in need of some serious attention. It was dry and lack luster and at 35 years old I felt like I actually looked older than 3-5! So lately I’ve been paying closer attention to my skincare regimen. Which for starters means no more nights of skipping washing my face and SPF all day, everyday. And when Elemis and QVC reached out with an offer to sample their Pro-Definition 3 Piece Skincare Discovery Kit it was the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at anti-aging products. I have been compensated by QVC for my participation. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’m pretty sure my grandmother’s jaw just dropped when I mentioned QVC, she’s a long time super fan! I didn’t realize that QVC wasn’t just for those who order via their tv show. You can also order online! When I browsed the site for the first time I saw a ton of my favorite brands available and lots of great deals at that. I digress…

So I tried the Elemis Pro-Definition 3 Piece Skincare Discovery Kit over the past few weeks and really love how my skin feels and looks. The kit is only $49 and includes a day cream, cleansing oil and night cream. It comes in this fun, contemporary travel bag too. Even if you’re not traveling, every on-the-go mom can use a cool pouch for lipstick and a few essential beauty products, right?!

The Elemis Pro Definition Day Cream has been a game changer in the morning. I love the smell, it’s very clean and non-perfumey. It’s super hydrating and my CC cream glides over it nicely.

I was a little gunshy about the face oil at first because I’ve never used one before. The Elemis Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil is actually applied to dry skin and then you add water and rinse it off. I love how my face feels after using it! I’ve been using the oil at night before the Elemis Pro-Definition Night Cream and am really happy with the results.

I’m pretty low key on beauty products, so the ELEMIS discovery kit being only 3 pieces was easy to work into my beauty routine. Not to mention the products are so pretty on my vanity and nightstand!

Here are some of my favorite Elemis skincare products on QVC.com

Around {H} Town + Travel, Featured, Give Back, Hurricane Harvey fundraising

Hurricane Harvey | A city comes together + ways you can give back

September 2, 2017

It’s been pretty overwhelming seeing my city face this disaster that is Hurricane Harvey. Homes are still under water as I write this, but I know in my gut this city will rise up and come out of this even better than pre-Harvey days. I’ve never been prouder to be a Houstonian. Our community has come together to help one another during the aftermath of Harvey in such a big way. My inbox is flooded with group emails and texts-requests for help and then responses just minutes later-“on it, will be there with x or y.” Neighbors helping neighbors, people getting emails about families they’ve never met before and pooling resources to find a place for them to stay, clothes, toys and shoes for their kids.

Restaurants and food bloggers doing what they do best, cooking for first responders and families who have been displaced. Fashion bloggers doing what they do best, finding clothing, shoes and provisions for the 1,000’s in shelters. I was heartbroken to see a friend at church and learn that her family lost everything. But in spite of her sadness they continued to volunteer to help others going through the same experience as they are.

Police officers and newscasters who have also lost homes have been out there working 20 hours a day to help the relief efforts. And last but certainly not least, the Texan dudes and their bass boats! The only way we could help our friends get their clothes cherished photos, a wedding dress, and keepsake items yesterday was by boat, the water still flooded waist deep. And you wouldn’t believe how many guys, the majority who didn’t even live in a flooded area, were out on boats just trying to help people get back to their homes to asses the damage and grab what they could. It was pretty amazing to see. It’s courageous, it’s emotional and it’s beautiful to see the human spirit rise to such a surmountable challenge that faces our great city.

Houston will need so much more help over the years ahead. My ask from y’all today is to donate to help our city rebuild. If you feel compelled to help, here are 4 places I’ll donate to because I believe in their mission to serve our community.

Houston Flood Relief Fund This fund started by Houston Texan J.J. Watt. If theres one Texan who’s got our backs, it’s this guy.

American Red Cross The Red Cross has turned out in a big way for our city and is a well oiled machine during times of great need. Please continue to support their effort to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Houston Food Bank The Houston Food Bank provides hot meals to the thousands of people displaced and in shelters.

The Diaper Foundation Diapers have been one of the most requested items for the 1,000’s in shelters right now.

As far as what to expect from L. Avenue in the coming weeks, we plan to bring back some normally scheduled blog content starting next week but want y’all to know that we’ll be donating 100% of business profits to Hurricane Harvey disaster relief efforts from not through the end of the year. We’ll also continue to post about ways you can help out! Thank y’all so much for the outpouring of support you’ve already shown.

Around {H} Town + Travel, Give Back, Hurricane Harvey fundraising

Help #harvey families in need | the Clark family

September 1, 2017

Hurricane Harvey took so much from this amazing family. Fred and Abby have two precious children, Finn and Laurel. Their home flooded quickly and they have lost most of their belongings and both of their vehicles. Please help them recover and rebuild by donating here.

Around {H} Town + Travel, Give Back, Hurricane Harvey fundraising

Help a #Harvey family in need | The Cobb family

August 31, 2017

Hurricane Harvey has delivered significant loss and devastation to the Cobb Family. On Sunday morning their entire first floor was submerged in several feet of water, and both vehicles were destroyed. The water remains as of Tuesday evening. Thankfully they were safely evacuated with their two children and their black lab Cali.

In just 1 day 90 people have helped raise nearly 100% of the fundraising goal for this family. As you can imagine, they will need far more than this to rebuild their life and home, so we’re hoping to raise even more than anybody ever thought possible. The power is in numbers and there are so many generous people across the country pulling for Houston families like the Cobbs!