Here are a couple of really tough (for me) things that I aspire to: veganism and local-and/or-handmade-only shopping. The past couple weekends have found me visiting some inspiring places that fit the bill, so I thought I'd share my suggestions for a perfect Saturday in Houston. (Bring your appetite and a camera!)
Morning:
Get your hair cut at Shine in the Heights. The salon is based out of an old house, they always have cookies to help yourself to (whoops, there goes the veganism), and there is a real community feel in the interactions between the stylists and their "regulars."
If you didn't grab breakfast before (knowing me, I went straight to the salon from bed), your next step is to grab some goodies from Revival Market. Definitely not a vegan place, but local and yummy. Plus it has an old-fashioned vibe, so the workers there all wear charming striped aprons, bowties, newsboy caps, etc. They also have fancy coffee there for all you caffeine addicts.
The Heights has tons of cool independent shops on 19th Street, so that's definitely worth a stroll after your grub, but don't miss Hello Lucky on Studewood either!
Next head over to the museum district, but check out some of the less-usual suspects: the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and Lawndale Art Center. The former's gift shop is an exhibition space in itself, with amazing gifts at really reasonable prices from artisans all over the country, but especially locally. You can even visit some of these artists in their studios right in the building! And don't miss the historic theater next door, which you can apparently rent out for events. Then walk through the cool garden to the awesome, mural-decorated Lawndale building and check out their current exhibitions.
Lunch:
By now you're probably ready to eat again, so make your way to Almeda Rd., where you'll find the innovative Green Seed Vegan. (A word to the wise: arrive a little bit before you're super starving, because you will have to wait a little while for your food.)
Afternoon:
Spend some time in Rice Village, where ignoring the chain stores will result in some very good finds, particularly at Rush and Asha (both really cool jewelry stores on Rice Blvd.), and Ten Thousand Villages (which is simultaneously not at all local and at the same time very much supporting independent, local artisans . . . from around the world).
Evening:
Now that you've killed some time, you can eat again! Check out Field of Greens. Despite their being very confused in their signage over how to correctly (not) puncutate their name and an ambiance lacking some elegance, I give them an A+ for the food.
Dessert:
Did you not partake in the chocolate tofu pie at Field of Greens? Then treat yourself to gelato, sorbet, or cappucino at SweetCup, which I can never rave enough about.
Hooray, what a full day! Want more? For Sunday I recommend a when-it-opens arrival at Tiny Boxwood's (the beet burger is divine, and I believe their chocolate-chip cookie is the best I've ever had--again, not sure if this vegan thing is ever going to happen) as well as the wonderfully whimsical strip of Main St. between Alabama and Berry (Ensemble/HCC stop on the light rail), especially My Flaming Heart.
These folks also have some great Houston recommendations.
Listily,
L'Editrice
The Local First movement is really something special...and growing across the nation. Thank you for sharing Houston's spots. Ten Thousand Villages, by the way, is located in many cities, and their message and concept is pure and simple and lovely.
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