At Dress for Success and Women of Wardrobe's annual Summer Soiree, generously hosted by Tootises, fashion-forward attendees dressed in pretty pastels, bold patterns and lots of ruffles — many designed by Houston's Hunter Bell, who showed off her fall line alongside jewelry by Claudia Lobao. Chairs Karishma Asrani, Courtney Campo, Allie Danziger and Melissa Sugulas welcomed guests to the event, which toasted the 20th anniversary of Dress for Success, and raised more than $20,000 for the org.
NESTLED IN THE heart of France, the town of Vichy holds a rich history in the world of wellness and hydrotherapy. Acquiring fame for their alkaline springs in the 17th century, the Romans were among the first to recognize the therapeutic benefits of the springs. They established a French spa known as “Vichy,” which still exists today and continues to attract spa-goers from around the world to experience the transformative effects of hydrotherapy.
Intrigued by the legacy of Vichy's wellness traditions, serial entrepreneur and spa visionary LeBrina Jackson founded and aptly named her very first spa Pure Vichy, knowing she wanted to incorporate the healing powers of water into her offerings. Drawing inspiration from a visit to France and her passion for water-based wellness, LeBrina aimed to bring the essence of Vichy's healing waters to Texas, creating a sanctuary where clients could experience the revitalizing benefits of hydrotherapy that she had fallen in love with.
Today, LeBrina's dedication to Vichy's legacy lives on at her Escape Spa in Cypress, just outside of Houston. Offering a range of Hydrotherapy services, LeBrina’s treatments seamlessly integrate Vichy practices with contemporary spa techniques to stimulate circulation, aid in relaxation, and promote healing and wellness. Water therapy has proven beneficial for a variety of health conditions including arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, cardiovascular diseases, and sports injuries, making the spa’s treatments perfect for anyone seeking an overall boost in their health and wellbeing.
“I read years ago that in Latin SPA stands for ‘solus per aqua’ or ‘health by water.’ Water has always held almost sacred space when it comes to healing,” explains LeBrina. “Then after experiencing the healing power of natural geothermal hot springs around the world as well as visiting Vichy, France, I realized I always felt like I pushed a hard reset button on my personal renewal. It became clear that if I wanted to offer authentic wellness therapies in any spa I would create, it was essential to incorporate water-based treatments into the service menu."
Among the spa’s signature treatments is the Nourishing Glow Wrap, a standout service that combines exfoliation with a luxurious volcanic clay mask. As warm water cascades over the body, detoxification and relaxation intertwine, leaving your skin feeling soft, hydrated, and radiant. Similarly, the Vichy Recovery Massage melts away stress under eight shower heads, followed by a full body massage and a body scrub — a synergistic blend that relieves tension. Additional signature treatments include the Sleek and Slim and Illuminating Vichy Body Peel, also designed to harness the power of water to boost relaxation and rehabilitation.
These offerings not only pay homage to the rich heritage of Vichy's spa culture, but also reflect Escape Spa's commitment to modernizing traditional wellness rituals.
Book a service at Escape Spa to experience the magic of Vichy hydrotherapy and expand your self-care regime.
LeBrina Jackson
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HEAR YE, HEAR ye! The Texas Renaissance Festival has announced its plans for its 50th anniversary season, which opens on Oct. 12 and is preceded by a series of exciting events of magic and merriment.
Texas Renaissance Festival, which runs on weekends through Dec. 1, says this year's will be its biggest yet and include several new attractions. Already the largest event of its kind, the Renaissance Festival is attended by more than half a million revelers every year. It was the subject of a three-part docuseries called Ren Faire, which aired earlier this year on HBO and portrayed the battle for who might succeed octogenarian founder George Coulam in running the festival. (Officially, the Texas Renaissance Festival issued a statement distancing itself from the film.)
Ahead of the party in Todd Mission, Texas, those in Houston can experience adventure and enchantment at several kickoff events this month. On Sunday, Sept. 18, the Once Upon a Symphony concert in The Woodlands "transports visitors to far off lands" in a celebration of some of fiction's most fantastical fairy tales. The next day, Sept. 19, Ren Fest and Karbach kick off the Karbachtober Fest at the brewery. St. Arnold also has an Oktoberfest on Oct. 4.
Then the gates open on Oct. 12, with the Ren Fest's own Oktoberfest celebration taking place Oct. 12-13. "Journey back in time to old Bavaria ... . Show off your lederhosen in our daily costume contest or participant in our bratwurst eating contest," beckons the website. Other themed weekends include "Pirate Adventure" and "Heroes and Villains," inviting the likely-already-dressed-up attendees to put on even more costumes and gear.
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JUST IN TIME for patio season, a brother location to Houston’s original Loro Heights from Hai Hospitality and Franklin BBQ will bow Sept. 28. Loro is an approachable concept in the Hai Hospitality family that is also home to the award-winning restaurants Uchi, Uchiko, Uchibā and Oheya.
The Loro Kirby (5333 Kirby Dr., to be exact) menu will balance Southeast Asian flavors with the rich textures of traditional Texas barbecue. “Houston really embraced our first Loro location in the Heights, so we decided pretty early on that we wanted to open another location in the city,” said founding chef Tyson Cole. “This location will feature a variety of fan favorite dishes along with new options guests will only find at Kirby.”
The casual space in a former autobody shop takes cues from its siblings in Austin and Dallas, with inspiration drawn from Texas Hill Country dance halls. The interior dining space seats 120, with 70 dining seats outdoors on a dog-friendly patio with a pergola overhead. For waiting guests, there is an expansive shaded patio with a walk-up outdoor bar serving beverages, plus some outdoor games.
The vast counter-serve menu showcases shareables, smoked meats, salads, warm rice bowls, sandwiches, sides and cocktails. Tempting shareables include smoked salmon dip with shishito salsa, chicken karaage and pork tostadas.
Some of Loro’s most popular items are found under the Meat selections, including the char siew pork belly served with house hoisin sauce; oak-smoked salmon with cucumber-yuzu broth; and crispy Thai pork ribs in a sweet-chili glaze. Starting at 4pm, Loro serves up signature smoked beef brisket with chili gastrique and Thai herbs. Two-fisted sandwiches also hit the spot. The oak-smoked pulled-pork sandwich with sesame slaw and smoked pepper barbecue sauce and the double smash burger are exclusive to the Kirby location.
The perfect antidote for transitional weather includes the Chilled Ginger Noodle Salad with ginger-cashew sauce, and the arugula-and-melon Salad with cucumber tomato and lime vinaigrette. Optionally, add one of several proteins: Crispy Szechuan tofu, Malaysian curry chicken, or curry marinated grilled shrimp. So much to eat here, so little time!
To celebrate the opening of the second location,
Loro Kirby will participate in several events and collaborations this fall. For opening day, Sept. 28, Loro will offer $5 all-day boozy slushees. Also, Oct. 26, Loro will pop up at Rice Village neighbor, Tecovas, serving bites and taking entries for a Tecovas/Loro giveaway.
Additionally, Loro chef de Cuisine Esai Negrete and Houston’s own “Sugar Fairy,” Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar, will collaborate on a pastry item for one of her Saturday Pop Ups — date to be announced soon.
Crispy corn fritters
Sweet-chili shrimp
Ribs at Loro
Crispy chicken sandwich
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