Montrose Wall Murals To Check Out

Montrose Coffee Shops

Houston’s art scene is dynamic. And I’m not just talking about the local artists here or the actual Museum District (which is walking distance from me at Encore Montrose) boasting some of the best museums in the nation.

If you’ve been on Instagram at all in recent years, you know there are wall murals abounding in every corner of Houston, and Montrose is no different.

Here are some of my personal favorite Montrose murals to check out:

  • Pictured above is The “Paint Drip Wall,” which is one of the most well known and fun walls in all of Houston, located at Biscuit Home (1435 Westheimer). This is right in the midst of all that Westheimer/Montrose has to offer so grab a coffee or spend a few lovely hours at brunch and then hit up this wall on a sunny day and you’ve got yourself a heavily liked Instagram pic!
  • Of course we can’t skip the mural that screams Montrose, located at Revelry on
    Richmond (1613 Richmond Ave), less than a mile from our amazing Montrose apartments. Revelry also has a fun little bar vibe and above average bar food – it’s been a favorite of mine for years and also makes a good spot to watch the game.
  • The Rose wall, outside of STRETCH Studio in Montrose (2205 Montrose). Though I’ve never been to STRETCH, the concept and idea fascinates me, so I guess I should probably try that spot out (and then maybe snap a selfie in my favorite workout apparel afterwards for proof that I actually did it).
  • Check out this fun and colorful graffiti wall, in the parking lot of Pavement Clothing

    Photo courtesy: CarrieColbert.com

    (1657 Westheimer). I didn’t know this wall existed, until I saw my friend Carrie post about it (I’ve linked her entire Houston mural guide below, it’s a must-see).

Also, be sure to check out my friend Carrie’s comprehensive Houston mural guide, which she keeps up-to-date and takes the most adorable and glamorous pictures. Even if you’re not a blogger, I promise a fun way to spend a beautiful afternoon in Houston is grabbing your bestie and hitting up a bunch of these murals for some photos. It’s a great way to learn the city or revisit some of your favorite neighborhoods.

This blog post is part of a sponsored series with Encore Montrose, where I share first-hand accounts of what I love about living at this luxury Montrose apartment as well as my favorite things in the neighborhood, like these Montrose coffee shops.

If you’re looking for a new Montrose apartment, add Encore Montrose to your list and mention my name (Jayme or The Blonde Side) for an extra little incentive (plus it helps me). Check out the A7 (1 bed, 1 bath) and B4 (2 bed, 2 bath) floor plans, which have the best deals right now.

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6 Spots to Visit in Montrose This Month

Photo Credit: Hangry Houstonian

There are so many openings and fun things going on in Montrose right now. I need to get out more, but here are a few of my favorite Montrose picks for places to see and visit right now. If you have any others, leave a comment and I’ll add them to my Montrose bucket list! And the best part of living at Encore Montrose is I’m less than 2 miles from all these great spots! 

Magical Dessert Bar – If you’ve spent any time on Instagram, you’ve already drooled over this Unicorn goodness. When it opened a few weeks ago, there was literally a 4-hour wait. That seems crazy to consume a crapload of calories, but it’s a pretty unique concept and national press is going crazy over this place. The photo is from my friend Hangry Houstonian – I could never be patient enough to snap a good photo before indulging, so I’m sharing hers. Location: 907 Westheimer.

Vibrant – This is another new’ish Houston concept. This is a happy place for your daily dining ritual, open from 7-3 and dinner from 5-10. It’s a super healthy spot and if you go for breakfast, you cannot skip out on the Coconut Chia Pudding, because it’s also drool worthy. They also have a terrific array of cocktails, including sugar free cocktails using seasonal ingredients. I love a place where drinking doesn’t leave a massive hangover or any lasting guilt. Location: 1931 Fairview.

Present Company – Not new, but it’s the perfect patio to hit before

Patio Vibes at Present Company (Photo Cred: Present Company Instagram)

that Houston weather gets nearly intolerable. Looking for Monday plans? Check out their all-day Happy Hour every Monday from 3p – Midnight and check out their Bacon & Brussels Pizza paired alongside an Instagram-worthy cocktail. Location: 1318 Westheimer.

Love Buzz Pizza Pub – If you’re a pizza lover, you’ll love this cheesy spot. Granted, it’s not new either, but it’s worth a visit or revisit if it’s been a while. Night owls can rejoice because they’re open until 2a every.single.night. That seems crazy to me since I go to bed at 9p, but for those who stay up late, you’ll love this spot with major Montrose vibes. Plus, they run great deals on Wednesday nights like free slices with any mixed drink purchase (9p-1a). Location: 408 Westheimer.

Goodnight Charlie’s – If you love a honky tonk good time (and you should because you live in Houston!), then don’t miss this spot boasting live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They also have a killer happy hour Tuesday – Sunday from 4-7p and come hungry because their tacos are worth all the calories followed by an ice cold beer. Location: 2531 Kuester St.

Cafe Bustelo – This adorable pop-up coffee shop in Montrose is too cute and packs a rich Latin coffee punch on top of it all. I’m not sure how long it’ll be around (rumors are May 25th, but that often changes due to popularity) and there’s usually a line, but the place is too cute to miss and the rooftop coffee sipping spot is a great way to kick off the day. It’s bright  yellow and you’ll see the line, so it’s hard to miss. Location: 3615 Montrose.

Also check out these 5 Montrose Hidden Gems or these local expert’s favorite spots for other Houston Montrose spots worth checking out.

This blog post is part of a sponsored series with Encore Montrose, sharing about the things I love about this Houston eclectic neighborhood and why I love my Montrose luxury apartment. There are a few current leasing specials going on right now (but not for long) — stop by 4508 Graustark St. for a quick tour and be sure to mention me (Jayme or The Blonde Side) and maybe we’ll be neighbors soon. You’ll absolutely love the pool that overlooks 59 and the Montrose location that puts you in the middle of so many hotspots in town.

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Win $1,000 to ACQUA MedSpa

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ACQUA MedSpa Giveaway

I am currently running one of the biggest contests e-v-e-r on Instagram right now. Head to my Instagram post to officially enter, and be sure to leave a comment on this blog post for a bonus entry.

 

Here’s what you could win: 

I’ve partnered with the amazing babes at ACQUA MedSpa to give one of you $1000 towards one of the following treatments (yes, it covers the full treatment + maybe even more!): CoolSculpting, Laser Hair Removal, HydraFacials (that’s enough for a hydrafacial for you + 5 friends!), Microneedling or Fractora. 

 

Of course, if you don’t win, you can still mention me and get 20% off any full-price service, as well as any of their products. They use the Skinceuticals line, which is one of my favorites and hitting up ACQUA in Webster is probably the best way to restock all your skincare products. And if you don’t know what you need (don’t worry, I never do either), the gals there will help you understand your skin and what you could benefit most from.

 

They are also running amazing April specials to get you ready for summer. Here’s a peak at a few of their Houston MedSpa specials:

 

April is CoolSculpting month, so all month long you’ll get 15% off the service (actually, if you mention Jayme or The Blonde Side you’ll get an even better deal of 20% off). It takes about 30-90 days to see results, so I recommend if it’s something you’re interested in, book your FREE consultation ASAP. 

 

This month they are also offering “Buy 2 syringes, get $100 off the 3rd” and that goes for any filler product. I’ve only used Braidee for my injections in the past, but I know all the gals at ACQUA and can vouch for their work – any would be great to visit! 

 

A brand-new service this month is the “Mini Lip,” which is ideal for those first-timers or those looking for a tiny add-on. Here you’ll get ½ syringe for $325, and they’ll make sure you see beautiful results in no time flat!

 

Thanks for reading – don’t forget to leave a comment below for those bonus entries to win $1,000 towards any of the services mentioned above. Contest ends April 8that 12p CST so good luck!

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My 2019 BMW X5 Car Buying Experience at BMW West

2019 BMW X5 from BMW of West Houston

In December I treated myself to a new car – the 2019 BMW X5. Prior to that, I had a 2016 X5 (the hybrid version) and wanted a sexier and faster car, so when the new body style of the popular SUV came out, I was on it.

Thanks to my friends at BMW of West Houston, I was able to make a decision on a new car that fit my needs. There’s so much chatter of when exactly is the best time to buy a new car – is it the end of year, beginning of year, etc? That’s what I love about the team at BMW West – they talked me through the pros and cons of purchasing one of the 2018 vehicles on the lot that had a ton of year-end incentives, or ordering my own custom 2019 and getting the new body style and features.

Here’s why I ordered a new 2019 vs. a 2018 on the lot: basically everything that was on the lot had all kinds of features I didn’t necessarily want or need. Sure, the incentives were great to get the price down, but I didn’t need things like head’s up display or twice the engine size. Charles Cannon at BMW West worked through the numbers with me, and showed me that if I ordered a brand-new car and only picked the features that were important to me, I could get it at the same cost, possibly even less. And boom – have the new body style too.

As a female, there’s definitely a stereotype that car buying can be difficult, but I think it’s the

BMW of West Houston Car Buying Experience

process in general. I needed someone to sit down with me (and I’m talking many hours, multiple days, different people explaining it to me a few different ways, time to process the information and fact check it with others) to understand my trade-in from my 2016 lease and what my payments would look like and if I should lease again or buy. I’ve found that working with a dealership you trust is the key. I even went so far as to price out my “dream car” at a few other local BMW dealerships, because I wanted to make sure I was comparing apples to apples.

I absolutely love my X5 – I got the M Sport package in Carbon Black (it is black, but looks almost navy in sunlight) and I love the sporty look. It has all the features I need and fits me perfectly.

Here’s the breakdown of my 2019 X5 from BMW West:

xDRIVE40i

  • 335-HP 3.0L TwinPower Turbo I6 Engine
  • xDrive All-Wheel Drive
  • Adaptive LED Headlights
  • 10-Speaker HiFi Sound System
  • Apple CarPlay™
  • Dual 12.3″ Digital Displays
  • Panoramic Moonroof
  • Active Driving Assistant
  • 0-60 MPH: 5.3s

If you’re on the hunt for a new car, definitely take your time researching models and reviews online and ask around. I am a big fan of BMW of West Houston and if you mention me during your visit or test drive, you’ll get a better deal. You can also leave a comment or shoot me a message if you want my tips on my favorite Client Advisors there. I recommend you ask for Charles Cannon – he’s the New Car Sales Manager and knows every car on the lot inside and out.

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5 Reasons I Love Hiatus Spa

5 Reasons to Love Hiatus Spa + Retreat in Tanglewood

I’ve been an H-Circle member at Hiatus Spa + Retreat for almost two years, and it’s one of the greatest uses of my money and a perfect excuse to treat myself (each month!).

Sometimes we find ourselves in a money crunch, but I wanted to share 5 reasons I love Hiatus Spa + Retreat and why I think it’s a good use of my (usually limited) income.

Reasons to Love Hiatus:

  1. The monthly membership ($69/month) ensures that no matter what happens in the month, I always leave room for a little me-time and well-deserved pampering. I usually get a massage or facial, and multiple studies show taking time for yourself is actually a really, really good thing.
  2. Also, there is definitely an added bonus of seeing the same esthetician or massage therapist each month as they’ll get to know your daily routine, workouts, body tendencies and skin changes on a regular basis. I’ve found seeing the same people means I get much more personalized and effective services with lasting benefits.
  3. Ronald Slaughter. He recently started at Hiatus (the Tanglewood spa location) and he is one of the best massage therapists I’ve ever had. I also feel like his name was made for this profession. He’s great at stretching and deep tissue massages, which is great for athletes and those who workout a lot. I’m sure he can do a more relaxing massage if that’s your preference, but I guarantee you’ll be sore in a good way after a Slaughter Session!
  4. The Aveda tea they use in the quiet area is my absolute favorite. I get to the spa early so I can catch up on some reading or even emails (probably not smart before a massage, but it works) and enjoy at least 20-30 minutes of hot tea before my treatment.
  5. The Tanglewood location. Hiatus is so close to everything I visit on a regular basis and I love that it’s smack dab between Dish Society and Local Foods – two of my favorite Houston restaurants. Usually I’ll head to Tanglewood a few hours before my treatment and post up at one of their patio spots for lunch and WiFi and then pop over my amazing treatment.

Also, check out my latest Houston blog post on 6 Reasons to Get a Massage Right Now.

If you visit this Tanglewood spa, use code JaymeHIATUS20 when booking at any of their locations to get 20% off! 

Click here to score more discounts at other spots too.

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FREELANCE + SPORTS + TRAVEL + FITNESS
COPYRIGHT 2019, THE BLONDE SIDE
CREATED BY JAYME LAMM