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LIFESTYLE LETTER

FEBRUARY 2021 PUBLISHER

Kamilla Batchelor | kamilla.batchelor@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

Meet the Makers

Gabi De la Rosa | gabi.delarosa@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Evan Deuvall

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN A CITY WITH SUCH A THRIVING ART

L AYO UT DESIGNER

SCENE. Everything from fine art, to performances, and even graffiti parks are at our

Jayme Emery

finger tips. If you are already an art connoisseur or if you are new to the scene take a

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

minute to scan this month's issue for new artists to support.

Ashkan Roayaee

We loved getting to know this month’s featured artist Karina Gonzalez Edwards, principal dancer for the Houston Ballet. As we all know, COVID shut down our favorite performance venues and this allowed Karina, for the first time in her career, to take a break from the stage. She has been enjoying every minute of spending time with her family and working on new projects. There are also great articles on Houston’s newest garden - Houston Botanic, a Valentine’s Day gift guide, and dinner recommendations for the special day. Do you have a special talent for jewelry making, pottery, painting, baking, carpentry, or something else? Maybe this month you take a leap and start your own Esty store online! Or maybe you already have a side gig in the works. We’d love to see what it is you do. Tag us in your posts so we can support you and share the incredible makers in our community.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

Stay safe and healthy, Houston!

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Gabi De la Rosa, Editor

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

ON THE COVER Karina Gonzalez Edwards, Principal Dancer, Houston Ballet Wardrobe: Unbridaled Boutique

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHKAN ROAYAEE 4

River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

CityLifestyle.com/RiverOaks

Proverbs 3:5-6 River Oaks Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the River Oaks area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in River Oaks Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

INSIDE THE ISSUE FEBRUARY 2021 FEATURES 10 Table for Two Houston restaurants are ready to amplify their offerings with delicious meals for Valentines’ Day.

14 Places We Love The Houston Botanic Garden is enriching life through discovery, education, and the conservation.

18 Karina Gonzalez Edwards Karina Gonzalez Edwards on getting back in front of an audience and enjoying the simple moments with her family.

24 Explore Houston’s Art Scene Houston’s vast creative scene is

18 10

teeming with creativity. Meet six who are making waves in our city.

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Food & Wine

City Scene

Local Limelight

24 Artist’s Palette 28 DIY 34 Hot Spot

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FOOD & WINE

TABLE FOR TWO

HOUSTON RESTAURANTS ARE READY TO AMPLIFY THEIR OFFERINGS WITH DELICIOUS MEALS FOR VALENTINES’ DAY.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR, AND IT IS TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT A ROMANTIC DINNER FOR TWO ON VALENTINE’S DAY. As Houstonians, we are lucky that we have so many notable restaurants to choose from; high-end, casual, and everything in between, there is something for every couple to enjoy. Many Houston restaurants will have prix fixe menus or multi-course meals to relish, but there are also scrumptious offerings on every menu sure to make your partner swoon. As with any large holiday, reservations are usually recommended even if you will be enjoying your meal to-go.

1. French inspired restaurant La Table is sure to please with their delectable Cured Salmon dish. The entrée is paired with a delicious potato galette, features smoked egg yolk, and garnished with watercress as well as five grams of Regiis Ova ossetra caviar.

Photo Credit Shannon O'Hara

River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

HOUSTON

ARTICLE GABI DE LA ROSA

Photo Credit Jenn Duncan

2. Executive chef, Robert Del Grande of Turner’s, serves a decadent Shrimp Cocktail with five pieces of wild Gulf jumbo shrimp alongside delicious house made cocktail and tartar sauces.

3. A fresh Winter Pomelo Salad from Musaafer accented with papaya, radish cress, and orange dressing, which is playfully hidden inside a lemon.

Photo Credit Raydon Creative

Photo Credit Fertitta Entertainment.

4. Bloom & Bee inside the Post Oak Hotel is sure to please with its Valentine’s Day special of Butter Poached King Crab Legs and Croquette with blood orange beurre blanc.

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P L AC E S W E LOV E THE HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN IS ENRICHING LIFE THROUGH DISCOVERY, EDUCATION, AND THE CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

THE HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN THE CITY’S NEW LIVING MUSEUM FOR PLANTS OPENED IN SEPTEMBER. It transformed what was once a municipal golf course into an oasis of learning, discovery, and horticultural beauty, with outdoor gallery spaces displaying a collection of tropical, sub-tropical, and arid plants from around the world to showcase the biodiversity that thrives along the Texas Gulf Coast. hbg.org 14

River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

VALENTINE’S DAY VALENTINE’S DAY LOCAL LIMELIGHT

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River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

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HOUSTON BALLET’S KARINA GONZALEZ EDWARDS ON GETTING BACK IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE AND ENJOYING THE SIMPLE MOMENTS WITH HER FAMILY.

KARINA GONZALEZ EDWARDS, A PRINCIPAL

her husband and daughter became ordinary. This every-

DANCER FOR HOUSTON BALLET, FOUND HER

day occurrence offered Edwards, whose days are filled

SILVER LINING IN 2020, THE YEAR THAT DOGGED

with rehearsals, fittings, and classes from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

THE WORLD WITH PANDEMIC, FEAR, AND UNCER-

each day, a welcome break in her usual routine.

TAINTY. The forced shutdown offered the Venezuelan

Edwards’ love for ballet began by accident when her

native and mother to three-year-old Julia the longest

mother, looking for after school activities, mistakenly took

break of her career. For the first time since her maternity

seven-year-old Karina and her sister to a ballet school

leave, the simple act of enjoying three meals a day with

instead of gymnastics. The school was having auditions

River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

that day, and never having set foot in a ballet studio, Edwards auditioned and was granted a spot. She trained there until she was 16 and then went on to the Ballet Nacional de Caracas. At the age of 18, without knowing English, she headed to the United States for a

dances for smaller studios. “This has been a very new world for me

position with the Tulsa Ballet in Oklahoma. In 2010 she moved to

to create ballets. This time has been an exploration in another way

Houston to work with the Houston Ballet and has since been pro-

and has given me new visions as an artist,” she said. “Not just as a

moted to principal dancer – the highest level a dancer can reach in

principal dancer, but as a choreographer, and as a teacher.”

a ballet company. For Edwards, this promotion has special mean-

For their part, the Houston Ballet has been committed to keep-

ing, because she is the first Latina principal dancer for the Houston

ing their season going through virtual projects and recordings until

Ballet. Overnight, she went from being a ballerina to becoming a role

in-person performances can occur later this year. The ballet com-

model for girls of color everywhere.

pany has also kept classes and rehearsals going virtually for many

Accolades and honors aside, the past year has given Edwards time

months before returning to the studio slowly and with social dis-

to explore new projects she didn’t have time for pre-pandemic. She

tancing in place. “We are lucky to have returned to the studio a little

has used her time to collaborate with musicians and choreograph

bit,” says Edwards. “When we are in the studio, we can’t touch each

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/RiverOaks

FRESH PERSPECTIVE (CONTINUED)

other; we have to work in small groups and wear masks the whole

her daughter Julia, in part to enjoy being outside, but also to keep her

time. We are going to make the season happen with virtual projects,

body moving. “I think it is good to have a break for your body. I have

and I feel fortunate to have a contract.”

learned, especially after pregnancy, you learn to refocus again,” she

For dancers who are used to exercising for approximately seven hours per day, this break has proved challenging to keep focused

says. “I feel like when I came back from my maternity leave, I was a better dancer. I had a whole different body, and I felt stronger.”

and in shape. The Houston Ballet has supported its dancers by

Like many performers, Edwards is looking forward to returning to

offering Pilates classes and HIT workouts through ZOOM. Edwards’

the stage. Although she doesn’t know exactly when that will be, she

husband, Rupert, a retired dancer with the Houston ballet, built her

is optimistic that The Houston Ballet will return before the year is out.

a small studio in their garage so she could continue practicing. Still,

“I miss my time on stage. I love performing in front of an audience – it

Edwards laughs and says it has been hard to keep up her stamina

is what I miss the most,” says Edwards. “I know it will come soon, and

between all the cooking and baking she is enjoying with her family.

I think every dancer feels that when we return to stage, there will be

Walks through the neighborhood have become the new normal with

even more passion in what we bring to the audience.”

River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

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ARTIST’S PALETTE

Explore Houston’s Art Scene

EDGAR MEDINA ART STUDIO

Artist Edgar Medina has been inspiring Houston communities with his colorful works of art for over ten years. Originally from Mexico, Medina pulls his vibrant heritage into his craft through his love of bold colors. With a reputation for his large-scale abstract works, you will see a theme of nature influencing his artist touch as you explore many of his series. medinaedgar.com

HOUSTON’S VAST CREATIVE SCENE IS TEEMING WITH ARTISTS & MAKERS. MEET SIX WHO ARE MAKING WAVES IN OUR CITY.

Liliana Olmos, founder and artisan of Olmox Jewelry creates beautiful pieces using the ancient art of filigree jewelry. To achieve the beautiful scroll work and delicate

ARTICLE GABI DE LA ROSA

lace-like patterns, she spins precious metals into fine pliable threads. This is done by manually stretching the metal until it is fine enough to work into complex ornamental shapes. Olmos describes her style as ”timeless with a contemporary twist.” olmox.com OLMOX JEWELRY

HOUSTON IS LAUDED FOR MANY THINGS FROM ITS DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY TO ITS SPORTS TEAMS AND EVEN ITS VAST NETWORK OF FREEWAYS. In the past several years however, the city’s robust art scene is making a name for itself, as well. Artists from just about every genre have made Houston their home and keep the current of creativity in the city thriving. This month we have handpicked six local artist you need to know.

River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

J. LANDA JEWELRY

BOX SPARROW STUDIO

Abbie Preston Edmonson, owner of Box Sparrow, is an artist whose primary focus is clay. For Abbie, each piece becomes a surface for intuitive mark-making and gestural brushes of color, quickly moving and throwing the

J. Landa Jewelry, a longtime Houston jewelry retailer,

brush against the clay vessel to encapsulate movement

has just moved and opened its new doors in River Oaks.

with vibrant patches of glaze that are then overlaid with

Expect to find jewelry that’s inspired & bold, luxurious &

washes of color much like watercolor. She chooses to

global. Owner Jay Landa helps his clients create jewelry

leave the form mostly unglazed, allowing the raw texture

looks that are unique and personal. j-landa.com

of the clay body to unveil itself through both the smooth and matte surfaces of pigment. Her color choices are intuitive and at times, emotional. It becomes more about what she feels in the moment, what color she is drawn to and how they interact with one another on the surface of each piece. boxsparrowstudio.com

Eepi Chaad is a practicing multidisciplinary artist, advocate, and environmentalist who tells stories using tex-

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tiles, fibers, metals, places, and people. Chaad’s work studies humanity’s relationship to both natural and built environments through time. Chaad believes “art is for every community and creativity is in every human.” esquaredpidesign.com EEPI CHAAD

Dusti Joyner is an artist who creates sculptural paintings with pallet knives. She uses large amounts of thick acrylic paint to create movement through light, shadows, and pattern. As natural light passes the canvas throughout the day, it changes how my paintings are perceived creating a unique experience to every viewer. She loves exploring the use of scale and palette knife strokes to create different textures. dustijoyner.com CityLifestyle.com/RiverOaks

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River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

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DIY

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H A N D M A D E H O M E A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO ALL THINGS DIY WITH EXPERT AUDREY KUETHER

River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

Before I made these cute gold leaf dishes, my jewelry was a tangled mess. Now I actually enjoy keeping it organized and displayed! Don’t let gold leaf intimidate you – it’s a game changer. Check out the tutorial to learn how to make some of these pretties for yourself or for gift giving.

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SCAN ME FOR THE FULL TUTORIAL!

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/RiverOaks

SCAN ME FOR THE FULL TUTORIAL!

T E R R I F I C

T O Y

A N I M A L

P H O T O

D I S P L A Y S

DIY (CONTINUED)

River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

I turned these toys into some fun photo holders, but they are also super fun used as table place settings at a kid’s birthday party. They double as a party favor!

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/RiverOaks

DIY (CONTINUED)

SCAN ME FOR THE FULL TUTORIAL!

P R E T T Y

P O M

It doesn’t get more fun than yarn pom poms – ok maybe I need to get a life, but nonetheless .... In this tutorial , I show you just how easy it is to make your own pom poms and pull them together to make the cutest wall hangings.

River Oaks Lifestyle | February 2021

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