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5.30.2014

BE BEY! (FOR CHEAP)


Saw this look on Bey's instagram this week. And then saw the rip-off on Necessary Clothing - which is like the NY equivalent of F21All hail Queen Bee!

Happy weekend everyone and HAPPY WEDDING DAY RYAN AND JULESEEEE!!!!

Muah,
Megan

-BE BEY!!-







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5.29.2014

The Fertility Process from a Man's Perspective


I was recently introduced to Stuart Burkhalter, the author of Catawampus, by a mutual a friend. (Hi Amanda!)  Stuart and I spoke briefly about our writing, publishing, etc. processes but it wasn't until I read his memoir that I really got to know him. 

Stuart's subtitle is precisely why I was interested in his memoir; THE FERTILITY PROCESS FROM A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE!!! How refreshing, right? I can't fathom Danny writing about our fertility clinic experiences - mostly because Danny is aggressively dyslexic - but still.

I'm technically infertile due to my cancer history, but I've always said that I think I got off SO EASY in that regard. Danny and I learned very soon into my cancer diagnosis/prognosis that I was not a candidate for infertility treatment. We therefore had immediate closure and pursued adoption accordingly with no lingering "what ifs".

For so many people, however, like my college roommate or my sister-in -law, its much more difficult because there's always that hope that you could conceive. That hope, that lack of closure, is what I think would be so hard to sit with.

Stuart's story is quick, honest, and often frustrating because there was nothing I, or anyone, could do to help. He and his wife (who I googled half way through to picture her accurately) seemed like such nice people who didn't deserve the cruel hand they'd been dealt.

I by no means think you need to be currently experiencing infertility to enjoy Stuart's story. In fact, its probably best you're not as it could be an especially resonating, and therefore painful read.

*You can learn more about Stuart here and buy Catawampus here on Amazon.

 
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5.28.2014

Houston Chronicle

My picture was in the Houston Chronicle over the long weekend. It was exciting as I haven't been in a newspaper since my hometown paper printed my wedding announcement right after my wedding had been called off. #Memories

When I heard I was in the paper I dropped what I was doing (nothing) and drove up to the corner store to get a copy. Overly excited, I ended up buying four copies which the cashier assumed I did for "the coupons".  "Oh yes! I love coupons!" I told him.
 
Thanks for the feature Houston Chron/Joy Sewing! Can't wait until next time unless of course it's my obituary in which case there's no rush. You hear me? NO RUSH!!!

 
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5.27.2014

Forever 21 vs. Currently 32


I keep wanting to not shop at F21 because of my mature age but I just...can't....stop....
This country is all up in arms about the rise of meth addition in middle America - um, what about frugal fast fashion? It's equally an destructive and widespread phenomenon though admittedly not for your teeth.   

Or is it?

Waiting for my dealer to stop by.


The key to jumpsuits are skinny-cut legs. If you buy a wide-leg cut you will like Gumby. (I know because I bought a wide leg one and looked like Gumby.) Skinny legs are the secret. To jumpsuits and life in general. Go head and write that down.

P.S. My Texas necklace is from here. Use code "Greetings15" for a 15% discount.


-TWINSIES!-



5.23.2014

My Blog Car

image via Tim Gough for The New York Times

I've been a blogger for 3.5 years now. As the blogging industry continues to exponentially grow I've been reflecting on its evolution, direction, and where I fit in to the community. Both Christopher Wiegand's documentary, The American Blogger, and Lauren Kelp's piece, The Aesthete and Social Media have been helpful catalysts in this contemplation. But the most enlightening pot of gold I came across was an ancient interview with Brian Awitan which talks about what he calls the "curation culture" that's running rampant in our beloved blogosphere.
 
Brian's point is that we as bloggers and social media connoisseurs are not making anything anymore because making something is work. Making something (art, music, stories, meaningful photography, etc.)  requires talent, a point of view, and above all, discipline. "Curation", on the other hand, is simply sharing what others have already made though new age tools -Blogs, pinterest, Tmblrs, etc. (I acknowledge the counter to that statement is there is an element of artistry in curation; the originality of the curation and graphic design abilities for example. I buy into that argument to a certain extent.)

My take on blogging has always been that a blog is not the end game but rather the vehicle to get you to your end game. So if you wanted to be a famous makeup artist, for example,  you should start a blog (not to make bank - that's now a pipedream) but to give you credibility and exposure to gain opportunities as a makeup artist. And those respective opportunities will hopefully be lucrative.

I find myself, however, in purgatory right now - still in my vehicle even though it's taken me where I wanted to go, which for me, has always been to be a prolific author and a contributor to various publications. Currently, I feel like I have a firmly planted heel in both worlds. My blog has given me the creditability, opportunity, and most importantly, the confidence, to attempt being a career author. I'm currently trying to sell my 2nd book and adapt my first book into a screenplay.

But where does that leave my blog? I can't give 100% to both. (As Lisa Yoder articulately reminds us, we don't have as many hours in the day as Beyoncé.)  I now have a harder time justifying how a post about wanting to bed Harry Connick Jr. will help me achieve my end goal of getting Allison Williams to play me in 99 Problems but A Baby Ain't One - THE MOVIE!. (And more importantly, Jonah Hill as my husband.) Sure, I genuinely enjoy writing blog post about rolling potpourri joints at my mom's house and curating Solange's "sometimes a bitch snaps" look.  Especially because blogging, as opposed to working on books or a screenplay, is instantly gratifying. It's quicker, it's easier, it's more lucrative (in the short run) and above all, it's a safer. You can't fail at it.

But I don't want to be safe. And I definitely don't want to be called a curator when, if I put my head down and do the work, I can be fall on the maker side of things. Because even if my writing is shit, it's still something I made. I'd rather fail as a maker that succeed as a curator.
 
My blog isn't going anywhere. It's still my platform to share projects I'm working on like the aforementioned 2nd book and screenplay.  It's still my place to write about my family and even share the occasional curation.
 
But I also feel like my blog car (Range Rover - Olsen Twins style) has, indeed, taken me to my end game and final destination and it's time to get out. I'm also grateful for the timing because although I'm still passionate about blogging as ever its an industry that's becoming more saturated and curated everyday which makes me concerned for its future.
 

 
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5.21.2014

Yesterday's Photoshoot

Yesterday I had a little photo shoot at my house for a magazine you may have heard of called Vogue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  JK. It wasn't Vogue - it's a slightly less circulated, but equally cool publication called Conquest Magazine. (Published quarterly by MD Anderson.)
 
I wrote a piece for Conquest's summer issue and they needed photography to accompany it. The photographer was Wyatt McSpadden who I since learned via his business card he gave me is AN AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER.  I'm glad I didn't know prior as I would have been nervous. In the last 24 hours, however, I've developed a Wyatt obsession and am plotting how we can cross paths again. (Sitting outside at night with night vision goggles - that's how!)
 
Wyatt and I working together. NBD. I'm hoping after the piece is published he and I will find ourselves in some sort of Annie Leibovitz/Miley Cyrus scandal. I realize I'm old and not naked but one can dream.  
 
The whole gang.  From right to left; Andy Olin (from MDA), Wyatt McSpadden, Me, Macy, + Miriam Smith (MDA).

We even had craft service in that I made cookies and served coffee and Crystal Light. "Red" flavor. It was profesh guys!
 
As I summed up the experience super eloquently to my friend Jill later that night, "it was fun and I felt cool."  Thanks MD Anderson for making me feel cool. And saving my life. That was key too.
 
 
*P.S. - If you're super confused about all this cancer stuff, my book is a great reference point. Or check out my cancer thread.
 
*P.P.S - It was my Aunt Deb's birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday Aunt Debbie!
 

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5.20.2014

The Best Ethnic Eats in Houston

My mom's boyfriend sent me this article which I think is indicative of his good taste. Not just in the publications he reads (Conde Nast Traveler - how stately!) but his taste in women warrants recognition as well. I mean, he's dating a woman with my same genetics, DNA, modesty, etc.
 
Below is the CN Traveler article about Houston. I actually haven't heard of a lot of these places but want to try them out asap.
 

The Chef:

After stints at Catalan and Brennan’s, chef Chris Shepherd struck out on his own, opening Underbelly in 2012. The restaurant quickly became a hotspot, and Shepherd not only won Food and Wine’s Best New Chef award, but also received James Beard Award nominations the past two years. Thanks to his Texas locale, Shepherd has something working for him that many chefs don’t. “People outside Houston think it’s really hot here, but we have air conditioning, which is better than New York can say in the summer,” explains Shepherd. “More importantly, we have the extended growing seasons that allow us to get really cool things year-round, like strawberries from December through May.” Shepherd’s daily changing menu also sets Underbelly apart. “I never wanted to just buy a box of anything,” the chef notes. “We’ve managed to stay pretty true to that.”
 

The City:

“Houston is a beautiful city to be in right now with all the upscale dining and this ethnic explosion, especially of Vietnamese, Chinese and Hispanic cuisines, in the past 20 years,” says Shepherd. “Before, I’d go to Chinatown and not know anybody, but now I go and I see my customers. People are more open to trying things, and ethnic food doesn’t get watered down because they’re cooking for their community.
 

The Picks:

Houston’s best restaurants according to Chris Shepherd:
  • “If it’s a special occasion, you can find me at Hugo's—they’re on their 12th year and it’s the standard of consistency. Oxheart is also pushing the limits; it’s just 36 seats, tasting menu only, and it’s very seasonally driven. [Chef] Justin Yu uses pretty much the same produce as I do, so it’s neat to see the same product but done with a different mentality.” 
  • The Pass & Provisions is great, too. It changes all the time, but Provisions is just one of those places I always go and just say ‘I want ham,’ and they’ll serve the ham of the day with mustard and rye puree.”
 
  • Asia Market is one of my favorites. It’s this little grocery store in the Heights that seats maybe 20 people, but it’s the best traditional Thai cuisine there is. It’s really true to the flavors. The papaya salad is the best, and they do a dish with preserved duck eggs, like a curry, and it’s absolutely amazing.”
  • “For Vietnamese, I go to Saigon Pagolac, a very classic, interactive experience with seven courses of beef that you cook at the table. I love taking groups: We sit and roll our own spring rolls and lettuce wraps, with whole caramelized catfish, veggies and herbs. It’s overwhelming to the senses but so awesome.”
  • London Sizzler is this traditional British curry house owned by the Patel family, who have done such an amazing job of keeping the food very true to Indian flavors.”
  • “If you want Sichuan, Mala Sichuan is so true to form. I always see my customers there. Justin Vann is a sommelier who helps places like Mala with their wine and beer lists, so you can go and get a really good bottle that’s supposed to go with their food. I love drinking Grüner Veltliner with mala fish with Szechuan peppercorns.”
  • “I can’t not mention Reef. Bryan Caswell, one of the most important chefs in the city, has transformed how people think of seafood—he brought them away from just getting snapper and grouper; now people are ordering cobia and trigger fish. What he’s doing for the city is changing the whole landscape.”
 
JULIE SOEFER PHOTOGRAPHY
Korean braised goat and dumplings

Best Kept Secret:

“There’s a little place right around the corner from me called Aladdin—it’s like a Mediterranean café of a Southern meat and three. You walk in, there’s a cafeteria-style line, they’re pulling warm bread out of the oven, and for $10 you get this huge five-pound plate of goodness. You pick your hummus, a salad, a protein, and all these different vegetable sides. It’s like the Houston version of Nashville’s Arnolds.”  * I love this place too incase anyone cares. - Megan
 

Signature Drink:

“I’m a bourbon drinker. If I want something really good, I go to Anvil and they’ll create something for me. They’re so good at what they do; it’s a wonder wall of bourbon. If I were forced to have a cocktail, I would have an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan, and I’d go to this speakeasy with the worst name ever: Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar.”

Where to Stay:

“I really like the Houstonian. It’s out of the way, right next to the Galleria, but it’s on its own land. It’s kind of hidden and eloquently done and just beautiful.” 
 ________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you guys think of this list? No Papa Murphys on there. Just saying.

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5.19.2014

Paige's Surf Inspired Nursery

Anyone who reads my blog regularly knows Paige. She's the unsung hero of Greetings from Texas, taking countless pictures of me, Macy, and......me again. (Whatever guys, narcissism is cool!) Paige's eye, however, stems beyond her camera and into the home décor arena. I'm constantly asking her for advice on paint colors, how to style something (like my office), or where to buy cool shit on the cheap. So its not surprising that her son's nursery, a mid-century surf inspired space, was featured last week on 100 Layer Cake-let.
 
 
 
 
Otto Jackson Budde.
 
Photos by: Lynn Nguyen
Crib: Oeuf Rhea
Rug: One Kings Lane
Chair: Passed down from great uncle
Dresser: Broyhill Brasilia via Etsy
Storage:
Ikea
Curtains: Target
Light: Ikea
Lamp: Target
Art: Allposters, Etsy, handmade, Anthropologie
Bedding: Pottery Barn Kids
Pillows: Lulu and Georgia
Side table: HomeGoods
Book shelves: Ikea

 
 
 
In conclusion, Paige is livin the dream; cute baby, hot husband, cool house, and above all, a friend who's bitchin.
 
THE END
 

*For more from Paige, check out her website and blog here.
 
 

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5.16.2014

The Megan Wine

It's Friday!!!!! An apropos time to tell you about a recent discovery I've made on the wine front. After sampling Cabanero Red at the grocery store, "a table wine with natural Habanero flavors"  I'm now addicted.

I'm not a sommelier so let's see how this description goes but Cabanero Red is spicy - which is weird because I don't like super spicy food. But the first sip you take you get peppery notes that tickle your tongue (kinky!) and the second sip is a creamy, sweet goodness.


While the bottle suggests pairing the wine with equally spicy things such as chicken mole, tamales, or a creamy cinnamon flan - I'm partial to pairing it (or any alcohol really) with this breathalyzer from Target.

My Dad bought me a breathalyzer years ago and its so much fun. I bring it out every time we have friends over for drinks and pass it around, only to accuse person who blows the highest of being an alcoholic. Usually that's me, so that's less fun, but you get the idea.

Houston peeps - you can get The Megan Wine at HEB. It's currently on sale for like $8.50 or something. (Who knew I had such cheap taste? Not Visa!) Other people, you can order it online here.

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!

*This is not a sponsored post. I just really love this wine and drinking in general. 
 
*No children consumed alcohol in the making of this post. The adults considered it but thought 8:53am was too early. Even for a Friday.


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5.14.2014

HISTORY OF MY HAIR

photos by Awake Photography

For those of you who woke up this morning inquiring about the history and specific nuances of my hair ( obviously all of you) - TODAY IS YOUR LUCKY DAY! WOO HOO!

It all started when I was 7 and had a bowl cut. I broke my foot via gymnastics and went to the doctor who gave me crutches. As I was practicing with the crutches, the doctor repeatedly said to my mom "he's using them right. he's using them right." My mom, attempting to console me, told me this mistake was a result of me not wearing earrings - as though earrings were solely responsible for signifying my gender.

I started growing out my hair then only to cut it super short in college to accompany some platinum blond highlights. It was hideous and I was single for four years.

And here we are today! My hair is long and people rarely mistake me for a male.


-These are the products I use to keep my hair luscious-

Hana Professional Flat Iron 1" - I was sent a straightener to review when I first started my blog. It's awesome and I still use it. Watch my  video on it here.

Ceramix Xtreme Hairdryer - I borrowed my friend Griffins hairdryer once while staying at her house and was blown away (ha! get it?) on how amazing it was. Assuming it was a professional, insanely expensive one, I was shocked to learn it was only $59.99  I still think the pricing is a mistake. Get it on it while you can. 

Bed Head Wave Runner, 3 Barrel - My hair is naturally wavy but I use this to touch it up. Despite numerous YOUTUBE tutorials I can't master the bohemian curl with a curling iron. This is easier and looks more beachy where the curling iron technique looks more polished.

Dove Dry Shampoo - I only wash my hair like 2 times a week. Judge away judgies. I have been dying to dry the Dove brand as I read it's Nicole Richie's fave. It's only $5 but hard to find. You have to order it online.

Malin+Goetz- MY FAVORITE BEAUTY BRAND. The peppermint shampoo is orgasmic, the packaging should win a graphic design award, and my hair responds well to it. If I was a high roller I'd splurge on Malin+Goetz on the regular. (Read about my visit to the NYC Malin+Goetz here.)

Do or Dye Texas - Houston people, holler up on Brandi.

Free People Headbands- There is nothing better than wearing a scarf in my hair and pretending I'm a cool hipster as opposed to the 30 something mom that I am. Free People headbands are my go-to. 

-SHOP THIS POST-







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5.13.2014

Get the Look: Solange Knowles

 photo solangeknowles_zpsd40708c4.jpg


Like the rest of the world I've been obsessed with the Jay, Bey, & Solange elevator drama. Last night on her show Chelsea Handler predicted that Jay did something shady at the Met Gala and Solange was simply defending her sister as Beyoncé famously did nothing to stop the attacks. But Beyoncé's instagram post about giving relationships up to God make me think Solange is just a loose cannon slash hood rat.

Let's not forget when she was real bitchy in this Fox News interview.

Hood rat or not, homegirl can dress. As you'll see from my Solange pinterest board she's had a lot of hits (albeit misses too) in her coming of age. This above "risky business" outfit is one of my fave Solange looks. She got flack for it, which will happen when you don't wear pants, but I think its hot and something shortys like me could pull off.

What do you guys think happened in the elevator?
I want to do nothing today but read your hypotheses.
Make this dream come true for me.

 
 
 
-GET THE LOOK-



5.12.2014

Pool Party

This weekend in Houston it was as steamy as Blake - Lively or Shelton - depending on your sexual preferences. In this rare case I love both and am picturing a ménage a trios to really experience the simile.  We had friends in town from Michigan and it was nice to give them a retrieve from their Midwestern temps. Here are some pics from our day at the pool.
 

It was a great Saturday followed by a nice Mothers Day.
Anyone watch Mad Men last night? OH MY!


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