Finding the perfect apartment can be tricky, no matter what city you’re in. But as I’ve shared before, I have moved my fair share of times, so I’ve dubbed myself somewhat knowledgeable on this topic.

5 Tips for Picking Your Perfect Houston Apartment:

Obviously, think about what is most important to you. If you love to cook, having a spacious kitchen with chef-inspired appliances and a large kitchen island is certainly going to be advantageous. If you never cook or entertain, you can focus on maximized square footage in the living room and bedroom or massive walk-in closets, without the need for a decent kitchen. I love to cook and love the white counters and cabinets and space I have in my new apartment at Encore Montrose.

Along with thinking about what you want, it’s equally important to think about what you don’t want or what is missing. Picture your old apartment or living situation — what was missing that is now a must have? Perhaps you had an old apartment with only a stand up shower, and you dreamt of an oversized garden tub. That helps narrow down certain apartment complexes and floor plans, because now you know you know a tub will make or break your new Houston apartment deal.

Be realistic. If you lived in an apartment and have a super active dog, finding a place with

a huge dog park is probably a top-seller. One of the reasons I fell in love with Encore Montrose is their dog park. Neither my dog nor I have much time or interest in going for long walks. What he loves is being set loose for 10-15 minutes so he can sniff around and be off-leash and it’s a bonus because I can check client accounts, read or respond to emails. Another important note: an apartment saying they are pet friendly is one thing, but actually being pet friendly is completely different.

Location is obviously important, but it’s not always apples to apples. For starters it should go without saying you never know if you will remain in the same job for the next 12 months. As was the case with me ten years ago, I got laid off from the healthcare industry and I would have had zero other reason to live in or near Memorial City. Instead, I opted for an area that was centrally located – made me closer to some of my favorite restaurants, close to my friends so they could come over and visit for girl’s night, and still close to my gym, doctors and more.

It’s also important to keep in mind if you work remotely and only go to the office two days a week. Even if the commute is brutal, you may want to sacrifice a longer commute to live in a particular neighborhood or a better bang for your buck when it comes to an apartment since you’re only commuting once or twice a week versus every day.

Once you decide on a new Montrose apartment, be sure to check out these Montrose hidden gems. 

For my current apartment, the view of a bright, beautiful plant wall is what sold me. Some apartments charge a premium for certain views (i.e. courtyard, pool or downtown Houston skyline views) so if it’s something you’d regularly enjoy, maybe splurging on a downtown view is worth the money but a dual bathroom vanity isn’t. Everyone is different.

Set a budget and stick to it. Figuring out what you can and can’t afford is obviously a key step. I recommend using an apartment locator (they usually know the best deals) or a resident referral (use my name and we both score!). Finding a brand-new apartment (known in the industry as a “lease-up,” usually means you’ll find great specials, like mine currently is. Taking advantage of a few free weeks or months that is prorated is more than ideal.

I am also a fan of living in brand-new apartments, like this one. There’s just something refreshing about being the first person to ever live there, which is another reason I love Encore Montrose. The staff is proud of their building and amenities, so they always keep it clean. Since it’s a new building, everything is new – the pool chairs, outdoor grills, commercial-grade gym equipment (like Jacob’s Ladder, which is hard AF) and more.

This is part of a sponsored blog series with Encore Montrose. I am using the blog to share what I love about Houston, and specifically Montrose, plus all the tips, tricks and amenities along the way. These luxury Montrose apartments are currently offering major leasing specials, including look and lease gift cards and a few weeks free, so don’t miss out. Drop a comment or an email if you’re interested in touring or stop by Encore Montrose and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) sent you!

I love when Fall rolls around, mostly because of the upcoming holidays. Not that the weather gets super cold here in Houston or there’s a major need for UGG boots and scarves, but you’ve got Halloween, Thanksgiving, then of course my birthday, Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day, so there’s a lot to decorate and plan for.

It’s definitely a habit I got from my mom, but I absolutely love decorating for the holidays, so I wanted to share some tips for Halloween decorating on a budget (because let’s be honest – I roll on a budget). 

6 Tips for Decorating for Halloween on a Budget:

1. Let the Apartment Decorate For You. When you live in a fun Montrose apartment complex, the decorations around the main areas will help put you in the spirit and add to the overall festiveness. Our management team decorated all around the lobby and even created an amazing (as you can see in the photo) photo backdrop for our pups to take pictures and enter a contest. This is Denali – I guess he’s some sort of superhero, but this pet costume cracks me up.
2. Save Money with DIY Projects. I love these DIY Pun-Kins (which have been seen all over Instagram for years) from Studio DIY, because they’re so fun, bright and clever. The best part is a DIY night with a few close friends is like a double bonus. You can host a girl’s night in your Montrose apartment as well as create your own decorations and keep them personalized to you and your style. I always love a good excuse for a girl’s night with wine, gossip and more wine.
3. Hit up Target’s Dollar Section. You know that front section of Target that has tons of stuff you don’t need? Yeah, that one. They always have holiday and seasonal little trinkets – grab a few and decorate one area of your home or apartment. A few spooky seasonal items will go a long way. 
4. Focus on Decorating One Area. In my apartment, I have a massive kitchen island that runs the length of my kitchen (one of my favorite features). It’s one of the first things you see when you walk into my apartment, so that’s the area I plan to focus on for holiday decorations, because a few key pieces makes an impact and stands out. Create some DIY black and orange garland or find a few free printables (see next tip), add a cookie tray with festive recipes like these Rice Krispies Treats w/ Oreos recipe, and voila, your holiday décor on a budget is pretty much complete.
5. Take Advantage of Free Online Resources. For example, be sure to follow The Blonde Side on Pinterest as well for more recipes and DIY projects to help with ideas for the holidays. You can also go this route with free holiday printables, but one of my favorite suggestions (especially if it’s for quick décor and not something to keep hung up year-round) is to find some funny Halloween sayings or even create your own on Canva or another app and print them out in frames throughout your home. You can repurpose picture/hanging frames you already have (sorry mom and dad for covering our family photo with ‘Witch Better Have My Candy,” but it’s all for the love of Halloween!) or pick up some cheap ones at Target or Wal-Mart. 
6. Decorate What You Already Have. No need to reinvent the wheel here. If you have a cool cactus that holds a big spot in your living room, add spread out cotton to make it look like cobwebs (for Halloween, duh) or add Christmas lights during the holidays if putting up an actual Christmas tree feels overwhelming. If you happen to have orange bath or kitchen towels, be sure to pull those out and use them during Halloween/fall, so it adds to the overall vibe and theme. If you’re like me and have a lot of stuff, you probably have a ton you can easily and affordably repurpose.

Those are a few of my Halloween and general decorating tips for balling on a budget. Do you have any to share?

This is part of a sponsored blog series with Encore Montrose. I am sharing what I love about living in Houston, and specifically Montrose, plus all the tips, tricks and amenities along the way. These luxury Montrose apartments are currently offering one or two months free on select floor plans and the best part is we get to be neighbors. Drop a comment or email if you’re interested in touring Encore Montrose and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) sent you! You can also give them a call at 281.843.1578.

As I shared last week, I recently moved back to the Montrose area and love it. This area has so much uniqueness and for someone who works in the creative field, I feel it has kept me motivated in that field.

It’s no secret (as in, not at all), that Montrose has some amazing little spots, and if there’s one word to describe this eclectic neighborhood, it’s laid-back, which is totally my speed. One of the things I love most about living at Encore Montrose is that every time I go for a walk or drive, I always find something new.

Here are my 5 picks for hidden gems in Montrose (the places themselves may not exactly be hidden gems, but some have cool features, menu items, etc. I wanted to share). Let me know if you have any favorite Montrose spots (especially happy hour recs!).

5 Montrose Houston Hidden Gems:

1. The Patio at The Pit Room – 1201 Richmond

This takes your friendly neighborhood bar to scary levels. It’s less than a block away and I absolutely love it for a few good reasons. For starters (and probably most importantly), they have canned rosé, which we all know I am a sucker for. They also made Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Barbeque Joints in Texas. They are dog-friendly (though admittedly I rarely take Denali anywhere, because he’s not a social dog), they make there own chicharrones (I had to google what these were, but once you taste them, you’ll instantly become a fan), they host LIVE music almost every Friday night, they are a HUGE college football spot (mostly Texas Tech, which doesn’t matter to me, but it’s a fun vibe), and on Wednesday nights on The Patio, they have fajitas for $15. And did I mention The Patio has happy hour every day from 11a-7p? Boom – could there possibly be more reasons to love this nearby spot? (If so, I want to know, so please comment!)

2. The Montrose Studios – 1604 West Alabama St. 

This creative indoor studio is just plain brilliant. Y’all already know I’m obsessed with good photo opps and this is the place in Montrose (or anywhere in Houston really). Ever see an Instagram photo and have major envy? This is your place – it’s a photography studio in Montrose that does all the hard work (the setup, the prop purchasing, the lighting, etc.) and you rent out time slots to use their backdrops (like my favorite Confetti Room, which is now back and pictured above). You bring your own camera gear (though they are friendly enough to loan out extra lights and stuff), photographer or of course you can use your iPhone, and you use their stellar setup (most of the doors close, so it’s private so you can act goofy). They setup, you show up. And bring on the Instagram likes. Follow them on Instagram to see all their new themes and book in advance as they do sell out!

3. Buffburger – 1540 W Alabama St.

This new burger concept is another spot almost walking distance from Encore Montrose, but it just opened and I absolutely love their vibe. They feature all natural ingredients supplied by local ranchers, farmers, and bakers, plus they have WiFi and breakfast from 7a-11a, 7 days a week. I definitely plan to make this a morning routine from time-to-time if anyone wants to join. Their egg sandwiches are messy AF, but worth every calorie and napkin. I’m a sucker for loyalty punch cards, so there’s another bonus. Word to the wise – they are CASHLESS, so bring plastic with you!

4. Velvet Taco – 907 Westheimer

The Montrose location is too cute for words. Neon signs are my love

language, seriously. And their tacos are mind-blowing delicious. Not that I need late night snacks because my bedtime is legitimately at 9p, but they are open really late (M-W 11a – 1a, Th 11a – 3a, F 11a – 4a, Sat 10a – 4a, Sun 10a – 1a) and they serve brunch all day! (Who stays up until 4a?!) Plus they have this incredibly novel “backdoor kitchen” concept where you knock/enter through the back door and get 1 whole rotisserie chicken, 2 sides ‘elote’ corn, 6 corn tortillas, roasted corn pico and heat sauce (for nights you don’t want to cook) for $20. And you can’t miss their “Kick Ass Margarita” for $6.50. Oh and the most massive and moist red velvet cake for only $3.50. Now do you see why I have to workout so much? They even have a mobile app to help you skip the line (but I don’t have it).

(If you’re looking for the best tacos in Houston, including Velvet Taco, be sure to check out this Houston taco post I worked on Carrie Colbert with!)

5. Bar Boheme – 307 Fairview 

This eclectic wine bar may be a Montrose hideaway since it’s kind of tucked off Fairview, but it isn’t really a hidden gem because most people already know it. What you need to know: the last Sunday of every month you can expect a scene fit for reality TV with all the excitement that comes with the Drag Queen Brunch. On any other day, the old world vibe is great to catch up with old friends, sip on a craft cocktail or beer or plan your weekends and post up Saturday and Sunday for all-day happy hour. Their pizzas are pretty fantastic, brunch is even better. I consider this one of the most laid-back, non-judgey bars in all of Houston.

“Indeed, when Austin was still a relatively straitlaced Southern college town, Montrose had already unfurled its freak flag. … Montrose, and not Austin, as the true birthplace of Texas counterculture.” — Texas Monthly

I mentioned Montrose was laid-back and all of those spots above are counter-service, which I love. Sure, there are some other fantastic spots worth visiting, but for now, those are 5 of my favorites.

This is part of a sponsored blog series with Encore Montrose. I am sharing what I love about living in Houston, and specifically Montrose, plus all the tips, tricks and amenities along the way. These luxury Montrose apartments are currently offering two months free and the best part is we get to be neighbors. Drop a comment or email if you’re interested in touring or stop by Encore Montrose and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) sent you! Or give them a call at 281.843.1578.

In full transparency, I wasn’t sure I was going to share this experience. The main reason is I’ve always had major skepticism when it comes to any sort of treatments or products that offer “quick fixes.” My dad taught me long ago when something seems too good to be true, it usually is. But in this case with CoolSculpting, it wasn’t. 

 

I entered the doors of DaVinci Body Sculpting with a misguided attitude. It had come highly recommended from a friend, but I still had my doubts. I’m so skeptical about stuff like this — I even take my own before and after photos, because I wanted to make sure the photos hadn’t been doctored/edited in any way (I once had a bad teeth whitening experience where they posted my photos and claimed my teeth were 12 shades whiter and was so mad I didn’t take my own before pictures, so I learned my lesson). 

 

Founded in 2017, DaVinci Body Sculpting was started by cosmetic surgeon and liposuction surgery specialist, John Bergeron M.D. and his wonderfully pleasant wife Lori Lemon Bergeron.

 

The place is decorated beautifully, and I was immediately greeted by Phoebe at the reception desk. She was kind and warm, asking if I needed anything, if I had questions and totally eased my mind from the first minute. Then I met Lori and Suzanne, two of the most down-to-earth and knowledgeable women around. 

 

Here’s Why CoolSculpting Isn’t a Quick Fix and Why I Trusted DaVinci

I visited DaVinci mere days before heading to Mexico and was hoping my abs would magically look more chiseled and I’d look a little “slimmer.” Nope. They didn’t even try to lie to me. Lori told me I probably wouldn’t see results for at least 30 days and it could take up to 90. She said if my main goal was to drop a few pounds before Mexico I should go on a juice cleanse and CoolSculpting wasn’t a fit. I was bummed about Mexico bikini pics, but my interest was piqued. 

 

She also told me I likely wouldn’t see major results. Again, I’m not overweight by any means. During my free consultation, I pointed out a few areas I wanted treatment and once again, Lori and Suzanne told me no. The more areas you treat, the more it costs, and they still told me no. I wanted to do my upper abs (right under my rib cage), which is an area I’ve always been self-conscious about and they told me it was all muscle and the treatment wouldn’t take and I wouldn’t see any results there. We decided to focus on my lower abs and my flanks as I had some heavy asymmetry that the CoolSculpting treatments could correct and even out. 

 

What Exactly Is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive and highly advanced fat reduction treatment that uses

cold temperatures to freeze and destroy fat cells (destroying fat cells sounds amazing, right?). In simple terms, it targets and reduces actual fat by literally freezing it to death. Read more about the science behind CoolSculpting. There is absolutely no down time (as in I met a friend for happy hour and dinner immediately after and was back in the gym the next day).

 

My other hesitation about posting my CoolSculpting Houston  experience was that I take a lot of pride and spend quite a bit of time working out. I’m certainly not overweight, but I did have some areas (and asymmetry in my “flanks” – aka love handles) that I wanted help on. I was also afraid of judgment from my readers. Why can’t she just workout harder? Maybe her workouts aren’t as good as she says. Maybe she doesn’t need to drink so much wine or should cut down on carbs and save money. Those were the thoughts running through my head. 

 

But then I realized – I don’t care what people think of my workouts or what treatments I get. It’s my body and I’m quite proud of all I’ve accomplished when it comes to staying in shape, pushing myself to meet goals and doing research on beauty and cosmetic treatments like this. 

 

What Made Me Decide To Get CoolSculpting in Houston?

The short answer can be summed up in two words: stubborn fat. I’ll be honest; I didn’t know there was an actual thing (as in medical terms) as stubborn fat. If anything, I figured stubborn fat referred to my obsession with donuts, but it’s a real thing. 

 

So What Is Stubborn Fat?

Again, I pride myself on how hard I work at the gym. That certainly doesn’t mean I couldn’t work harder or eat a more clean diet, but there is such thing as stubborn fat. 

 

Not only did I do my own research before committing to the treatment (I came back after my free consultation so I had time to think about it), but the ladies were incredibly knowledgeable on so many aspects, including stubborn fat. Did you know there are many different types of fat that all respond differently to diet, exercise, lifestyle and more? That’s where “stubborn fat” comes in. Because stubborn fat (subcutaneous fat as it’s medically known) gets less blood flow than other kinds of fat, it’s harder to burn off in the gym, no matter how many crunches you do. The higher density of alpha-receptors also make it more difficult to burn off, which also gets released at a slower rate, so you can probably see where it gets its name from, right? (I learned a lot about stubborn fat and its release rate here.)

 

To be honest, they were almost just as skeptical in treating me as I was in scheduling the appointment. Lori repeatedly asked what my “goal results” were and what I was expecting. She wanted me to be happy with the outcome (as all good business owners do) and I totally respect her shared mentality – don’t overpromise and under deliver. 

 

I encourage you to check out CoolSculpting Houston for yourself (and read their CoolSculpting Reviews) and I highly recommend Lori, Suzanne and Phoebe at DaVinci Body Sculpting. They are so friendly, non-judgmental and they won’t sugarcoat things for you. Consultations are free and just 30 minutes. If you decide to go through with any treatments, mention my name (Jayme or The Blonde Side) and receive $200 off any treatment.

 

What Was the Actual Treatment Like?

The treatments were as painless, easy and non-invasive as promised in all the commercials you hear. Some take as little as 30 minutes (for me, one area was a suction that took an hour and 15 minutes), and you’re completely comfortable the whole time. From a plush robe, WiFi, snacks and drinks (yes, even alcohol if you want), three TVs and your own personal room, it wasn’t a dent in my day like I expected. I was still able to send and read work emails, watch TV or listen to a podcast, and once it was over, I got dressed and headed out to dinner. My treatment areas were a tiny bit tender and remained red for a few hours – so as long as you don’t plan to wear a crop top afterwards, it’s business as usual. (If you are an easy bruiser, I suggest investing in Arnica topical treatment, just in case.)

 

My Personal CoolSculpting Results

Again, full transparency here. Though the results weren’t guaranteed to be drastic, I did see a pretty decent change for the better in my physique, especially around my love handles (or muffin top area as people like to call it). I also noticed the asymmetry in my flanks (same area) had balanced out a lot more. 

 

Also, one thing I absolutely love is that they stand by their treatments. When I came in for my 90-day results (remember, not an overnight fix), I still saw a little asymmetry in my left side flank. Lori and Suzanne both agreed (though it was minimal) and didn’t even bat an eye for me to come in for another treatment. Also it was at no charge. I even asked if I was some special magic unicorn who didn’t have to pay for an extra treatment and they assured me they would do it (and would for any client) for any of their clients. Remember, they want their clients to be 100% happy with their results (and in turn brag to their friends, getting new clients). 

 

Perhaps there was also a tiny placebo affect of feeling more confident, and that wasn’t necessarily from the treatment. Working with the gals at DaVinci, they were major advocates for positive self-image and super complimentary of my body. Again, they weren’t pressuring me to do the treatments or promising viral-worthy before and after images. 

 

In Conclusion, Do I Recommend CoolSculpting?

Yes, in my experience, it’s definitely worth the free 30-minute consultation to see if CoolSculpting is a fit for you, and take my word – I’m incredibly impressed with the results and entire process.

 

Who Wants a CoolSculpting Houston Discount?

You’re in luck! After your free consultation, if you decide the treatment is right for you, tell the gals you know me (either The Blonde Side or Jayme works) and receive $200 off your CoolSculpting treatment.

Summer is here and if you’re in Texas, you know finding any sort of refreshment (a pool, a vibrant and fresh drink, a car with properly working air-conditioning, etc.) is an absolute must.

I always love sharing my favorite drinks (y’all already know I’m a big fan of rosé), but this summer I have fallen in love with Mighty Swell, a “naturally fun spritzer” that tastes exactly like summer should (I also love the fact the spritzer was born and bred in Austin and we already know some amazing things come out of Austin!).

The bubbly and fruity cans are refreshing and only 120 calories and 4g of sugar, so it’s already more fit-friendly than some of my other drink choices. Oh, and for those wondering, it’s also gluten-free and 5% ABV.

I’m a big fan of the variety packs (mostly because I have a hard time making decisions) that come with all four of their vibrant and bold flavors: Grapefruit, Mango, Peach and Watermelon Mint. Although I’m usually a big fan of grapefruit seltzer/sparkling water mixed with my cocktails, the PEACH is my go-to Mighty Swell flavor.

The Peach is definitely the most sparkling and refreshing flavor in my opinion, with a fruit forward taste and light citrus and orange blossom notes. I honestly like all the flavors, but the peach is surprisingly my favorite.

Although each flavor tastes perfect as is, I have tried a few different recipes to help add a new taste to them. Check out their recipe page– my favorites are the Swell Peach Fizz and the Groovy Greyhound (most of their recipes just include the spritzer mixed with one liquor, so it’s super easy to make and they go GREAT in a pitcher at the pool!).

I’ve also been traveling with these on a few recent road trips from Houston to refrigerate in the hotel room for cocktails while we’re getting ready. Some call me a genius, others call me a baller on a budget – I’ll take either!

*This was a sponsored post, but all thoughts and opinions here are my own, keeping it real like always!