Houston’s real estate landscape is continually changing and growing. One of the newest prestigious properties is The River Oaks, elegantly designed, with a nod to the mid-century-mod roots of the building, by Lauren Rottet. New residents and design aficionados gathered to toast the grand opening of the high-rise, and buzzed about amenities like the pet spa. Nearby, Nan and Company Properties and MC2 Architects hosted an open house at a new-construction property, filling the mod home with luxury handbags, courtesy of Christie’s International Real Estate. Proceeds from the art-like accessories went to local nonprofit Sunshine Kids.
WHAT WAS THE highlight of 2022 at your business? Winning Best of Show at the 2022 ASID Ruby Awards was very exciting. It was an honor to be recognized and supported by amazing industry partners and friends.
Successful people usually have many choices in what to do professionally. Why did you choose this? I discovered interior design purely by accident. Growing up on a farm in East Texas, I didn’t even know this was a profession. I took a beginning interior design class with a friend in college, and I fell in love with it. I believe I’ve been successful because I work hard, and I truly love what I do.
We’re fans of late educator Stephen Covey, who used to say that successful people “begin with the end in the mind.” At your business, what are you striving to accomplish? At this point in my career, I am working more as a mentor to my team. I want to leave my team and clients better off because they worked with me. Even though I’ll probably never 100 percent retire, I am slowing down and thinking more about what I want to leave behind. I feel so blessed with the success that I’ve experienced creating and building Eklektik Interiors, and I want to focus more on giving back to my industry and community.
Covey also spoke of having a “win-win strategy,” in which both the business owner and the customer win in the transaction. Can you describe your win-win strategy? When my clients are happy, I’m happy. It’s just that simple. I believe having a win-win strategy is being aware of the impact that you have and owning it. Every day that I get to get up and do what I love to do is a win. Figuring out different solutions, thinking outside the box, and finding inspiration in the process, is how I continue to find ways to make myself and others happier.
What’s special about your team? My team is eager to learn and tackle challenges. They love it just like I do! We all work together and individually to reflect Eklektik and our philosophy. We believe that the project isn’t about us; it is about our client and what they have asked us to do. I trust the fact that my employees know how to do just that. I love to see each designer flourish on their own and work together as a team for Eklektik’s success.
What’s new for 2023 that you’re excited about? We are very excited to announce our new location at 9434 Katy Freeway, Suite 200! Our studio in now dedicated 100 percent to interior design. We know that everyone is worried about inflation and being careful with their money. We are committed to working smarter as we give our clients the most bang for their buck. I’m excited to slow down and simplify my business and life and give my staff an opportunity to grow.
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UPTOWN, DOWNTOWN, GALLERIA, Heights, Bellaire or Montrose — wherever you are, here’s where to take the edge off a long day with gently priced eats and drinks. We threw in a suggestion for safe discounted rides, too. Cheers!
Artisans
Artisans
Artisans celebrates social hour every Monday through Friday from 3pm-7pm with discounted cocktails, wines and French-inspired fare. Come hungry for charcuterie boards and salmon crudo, and thirsty for $10 glasses or $36 bottles of wine and cocktails. All small bites are $12 — or order all five starters for $50!
Aya Sushi
Aya Sushi
Sushi Sunday means all bottles of wine are 15 percent off all day! Whether you’re sipping a crisp sauvignon blanc with a fresh sashimi platter, or a smooth pinot noir with a savory roll, count on the wines to enhance every bite. Every other day of the week, all house cocktails are $10 from 5-6:30pm.
Balboa Surf Club
Balboa Surf Club
To celebrate its first anniversary, on weekdays this fall, Balboa is offering crispy house made French fries on the house with cocktails at the bar from 3-5pm. To sip, consider the frozen signature Bracco, Westside or the El Guero.
Doris Metropolitan
Doris burger (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)
You know you want it, and happy hour is the only time you can get it: the famous Doris burger! The masterpiece on an artisan challah bun includes smoked Gouda, lettuce, tomato, and aioli along with truffle fries. Happy hour runs Tues. through Sat. from 5-7pm, and on Mondays from 5-9pm at the bustling bar or the patio. Snag $10 house wines, $11 signature cocktails, and bites like tuna tartare, Israeli salad, kofta kebab, tenderloin or shrimp skewer, and more. Don’t miss out on the $12 half-dozen oysters.
Jethro's Cocktail Lounge
Jethro's smashburger (photo by John Cantu)
The still-new Montrose area watering hole celebrates happy hour every Tuesday through Friday from 4pm-6pm with $8 cocktails and an Early Bird Special: a smashburger, fries, and a beer for $15. Also, every Tuesday, Jethro’s honors half-priced smashburgers all night.
Loro Kirby
Loro slushees
Grab a late lunch or early happy hour from 2-6pm at the new Asian smokehouse on Kirby. Pulled-pork tostada, smoked-shishito queso and crunchy cabbage salad are just a few of the oh-so-affordable small plates ($6-$9). Yummy boozy slushees are just five bucks!
Októ
Cocktails at Októ (photo by Becca Wright)
Montrose’s new Mediterranean spot already has one of the buzziest bars in the city. Weekday happy runs from 4pm-6pm with $10 wines by the glass and $12 cocktails like the espresso martini and Októ G&T. For specially priced food, check out the octopus bites, Greek salad, steak frites and more.
Heights & Co.
Salted watermelon cocktail
Grab happy-hour sips Monday through Friday from 2-6pm with discounted cocktails and wines. Choose the spacious patio or duck indoors in their revamped sunroom for $8 cocktails like the Height’s Pink Lemonade and the Salted Watermelon, as well as $8 wines by the glass and $1 off all beers. Weekend happy hour offers $10 bloody Marys & $5 mimosas by the glass from noon-1pm.
Roka Akor
Dynamite Scallop Maki at Roka Akor
Feeling hangry? Get to this sushi shrine early, because happy hour ends at 6:30pm. The ambitious bar/lounge menu boasts almost 20 food options! Choose from sushi rolls, grilled scallops, wagyu and kimchi dumplings, a burger with truffle fries, Japanese fried chicken, and more. Beer, wines, cocktails and sake are also specially priced.
Alto
Among its many promotions, luxury rideshare Alto is offering discounts on rides to and from select restaurants, many of which have happy hours. Use codes ANDIRON, EUNICE, MONEYCAT and WOODROWS for 15 percent off Alto clean and safe rides in marked Alto SUVs. For rides to eateries in The Big Vibe Group (Flora, Graffiti Raw), use code TBVG15.
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Astros Altuve, Tucker and Hader Host Major League Fundraiser for Kids, Pets and Other Causes
Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Sep. 13, 2024
AN ANNUAL EVENT to raise funds for some of the top Astros players’ favorite causes was a glam slam, thanks to a new venue and major league star power.
José Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Josh Hader hosted the event — attended by many of their teammates and more than 500 other guests — at Post Oak Hotel and won big for their charities. Tucker supports Hospice care organizations, while Altuve's foundation donates to several groups, including the Sunshine Kids Foundation. And Hader backs foster-care nonprofits like Covenant House and Be a Resource (B.E.A.R.). The Lance McCullers, Jr. Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for pet rescue and adoption groups, also received proceeds from the party.
This year's Team Up bash was more of an expo-style soiree, with an entrance flanked by Rolls Royce and Bentley vehicles and a towering Champagne Wall. With an open bar courtesy of Maven — which is also co-owned by Astros players — and stations serving bites from some of the best restaurants in town, the party was a hit. And who wouldn't want to pet the precious puppies who are up for adoption? Reps from local nonprofits brought their furry friends to promote the cause.
But add in a raucous live auction emceed by Johnny Holloway and touting all-star prizes, and it's no wonder that the Team Up fundraising record of $600,000 was topped! One of the most sought-after items was a private catered dinner with hosts Tucker, Altuve and Hader; the trio also donated autographed gear and custom art created by Skel and signed by the players. There was also the chance to throw the first pitch at a game, and to sit in owner Jim Crane's personal Diamond Club seats to cheer on the 'Stros.
Adonis Braithwaite and Jose Altuve
Josh and Maria Hader
Trevor and Emily Finnan
Audrey White, Kathy DeLamora and Julie Chen
Tammy and Tim Andreas
Brian Ching and Lindsey Yates
Susan and Mike Plank
Courtney McKinney and Samantha Tucker
Shooting Stars dancers
Craig Biggio
Shelli Lindley, Jenna Lindley, Adonis Braithwaite, Steve Lindley, Amber Braithwaite
Emily George, Lindsey Leigh, Natalie Jobe
Sam and Kyle Tucker
Eugene and Caroline Zhadanov
Rita Shuma, Marian Harper and Jennifer Wisler
Garrett and Jayne Johnston, Jennifer and Scott Allison
Peter and Helen Crain
Jim and Whitney Crane
Nick and Kristin Johnson, Lori Schultz, John and Lindsey Leigh Hohlt
Joe and Pamela Espada
Nancy and Mauricio Dubon
John and Terri Havens
Morgan Bourque, Jasmine Wilcoxson
Kat and Ryan Pressly
Tootsies models
Katie MaGee, Samantha Tucker, Maria Hader, Lauren Whidden
Mike Lowenberg, Daphne and Stephen Savva
Kyle Tucker, Skel and Johnny Bravo
Michelle and Chris Durham
Matthew Lindley, Jayme Hunt, Peter and Helen Crain
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