We left Houston in a bit of a rush, almost unceremoniously — considering that we had lived in the city for nearly 50 years, in several different neighborhoods, through a good assortment of careers. Our exit was based on several factors, primarily on compounding exhaustion with ever-intensifying weather, including both summer temperatures and topical storms. For us, there was simply mounting evidence that Houston was a young person’s town, requiring an abundance of bravado, resilience, money, and driving skills — all of which, at age 71, we were experiencing in diminishing supply. We weren’t looking for a smaller town, but a more civilized (predictable?) one, although Houston’s lack of formality had been part of what attracted us in the first place. Even in1976 (the year of our arrival) and the decades that followed, Houston was the Wild West — a barely controlled mess of a city, held together with smart people and baling wire. I loved rough-around-the-edges Houston from the get-go. And now that this era has come to a close, I find myself surprisingly grateful for the life I’ve lived there. It truly is a unique city, surrounded by an the simultaneously lovable and deplorable state of Texas. Navigating this terrain has been my great challenge and honor. I will always be a fan. After 48 years, I leave Houston as a grateful citizen. Here’s what I want to thank Houston for:
Thanks for everything, Houston. Enjoyed the show. We've gone from "weekenders" to "full timers" in La Grange, TX — at least until we figure something else out. This will be interesting. . . .
0 Comments
My love affair with Texas started 45 years ago I grew up in Salt Lake City, in an ultraconservative, religion-infused, and patriarchal culture. I was the daughter of a ranch-family career woman and a Lebanese blue collar worker who were not, um, mainstream. With my olive skin, brown eyes and preference for more diverse lifestyles, I did not fit in. I couldn’t wait to get out of there, and Texas was my first stop. At 22 years old, my husband and I moved to Houston at the same time the rest of the country (seemed like) did, in1976. Our welcome ceremony included a car fire 30 feet away from our overloaded U-Haul on the gridlocked I-45 South freeway. I loved it immediately. Over the next few months, we settled into jobs, found housing, bought automobiles and made lifelong friends. The contrast to safe, stolid, Utah was clear. Here was a BOOMING economy, people that were a lot bolder and wilder than back home, and the entire place boasted a pretty cavalier attitude about “the ways things ought to be done.” The oil was pumping, the Oilers were winning, and everyone — including me, an English major with no other skills — could find a good job. That starter job turning into a 45-year entrepreneurial career was not unusual here, while was hard to imagine in Utah or anywhere else. The feeling was palpable: this was a land of opportunity. It had the air of the Wild West. A melting pot of energy Even though everyone back home meant to scare us off with tales of the heat and the bugs and the craziness, I fell for Texas hard. I loved being able to be outside year-round, I loved the range of skin colors and the cacophony of languages, I loved the arts & culture, I loved the professional sports, I loved the nonstop hustle. The activity was constant, and it was all accessible. Where else could you get tickets to an off-Broadway play and park right outside on the street? Where else could you drive on the beach? Beyond Her wraps are something I am fond, and really proud, of. From the beginning, they've been a staple — for me and many of my customers. Made of a soft, lightweight, and warm bamboo jersey, they are a perfect accessory that you can carry in your bag for chilly nights and restaurants. Embellished with original images, and hand-printed with organic yet contemporary images, you'll learn to love them. And in true BH fashion, they're washable! Our complete line-up of large bamboo jersey wraps with my designs is featured here. People always ask how to drape them, and I'm sure there are many ways. But, in my very first attempt at a homemade video, here's what I suggest! We always laugh that Beyond Her is a lifestyle, and you can see that at any trunk show at Her house. I love playing store! It's a lot of work to move furniture, but after all the fussing and fighting, I honestly wish I could keep my downstairs retail forever! Here's a look at this year's show. Our last event for 2023 is on Saturday Dec. 2 from 11-4. A couple of items (the calendar towel and the mugs) can be pre-ordered and picked up at the show. But some items are truly unique, and must be seen in person. I invite you to stick around and see what's new! Covid did a number on community-based artnepreneurs like myself. Markets were out, of course. And the whole lockdown pretty much coincided with my technical coming-of-retirement-age. I succumbed, I guess, figuring it was destiny. It was during this time that I committed myself to creating fine art. I took the fundamental courses for Houston's museum art school, then printing classes. Enjoyed it — and learned SO much. But I found myself in the same quandary I had been in, way back in my first years of college. Was I really an artist? Everyone seemed more passionate than me. Took me back to those conversations in 1972 when my fellow art students were deciding whether to buy cigarettes or oil paints. To me, there was no decision: cigarettes. Not enough fire in the belly, in '72 or in 2022. But then we emerged from the pandemic. And retail was back, markets were back, more plentiful than ever. I decided to do what I called a "last run," really to use up all the stock I had in the studio, and dip my toe back in the water. My first season back — boy! was I in for a shock. Over the lockdown years, things changed in my tiny screen printing / textile / fabricating world. The suppliers changed, the ink formulas changed, my supplies exceeded their expiration date, my equipment aged, websites and online selling evolved, etc., etc. It was like starting from scratch. New school I re-enrolled in printing classes and even had a good idea of where my textile printing / manipulation direction would take me, but the truth was, retail was calling me. I missed the world of creating and selling hard goods that people used every day. Why? It's beyond me! So, we're back. It's getting easier. We're figuring out how to work in this new terrain. . And, wonder of wonders, we feel welcome. We've missed you! It felt like time to diversity from plants and insects, and apparently it was, because the first stream of consciousness images for this year's towels focused on another obsession, fashion. Introducing the Beyond Her Paper Dolls Collection, new for 2023. Don't worry — plenty of nature still in the rest of our world. Houston Voters!! Nov. 8 = Election Day | Early Voting = Oct. 24 - Nov. 4, 2022 Voting is a right that we take for granted in the USA. But it is also a very serious responsibility. It takes time to do the research and form the opinions necessary to vote our individual minds, rather than what our families, parties or demographics tell us to. But unless you do the research yourself, you are voting blind. Here are some resources to help you #Vote Your Mind — and see for yourself. The links will take you directly to the websites, but in many cases you’ll have to poke around to find the information you’re looking for. It’s not as easy as it should be to be informed when you go to the polls. Keep in mind that upcoming elections in Houston in 2022 include a special constitutional amendment election to the Texas constitution on May 7. And a runoff for the primary elections on May 24. But these sites are updated with information as the year progresses. They are always a good place to start. HarrisVotes.com • This is a county-wide office that provides specifics on voter registration, poll locations, vote-by-mail information, a vote-casting calendar, and specific ballot finders. The site also covers voting machine operation and info for voting overseas and for people with disabilities. LWVHouston.org • LWVHouston is a nonpartisan organization that seeks to engage people in politics through access and information. For every election they provide a VOTERS GUIDE with details on issues and candidate information. The website also contains voting guidelines and coverage on developments in redistricting and voting laws. Vote411.org • Vote411 is a “one stop shop” for voter and election related information. In addition to polling, registration and individualized ballot info, Vote411 also lists debate and candidate information. VoteTexas.gov • This is a state-wide reference powered by the Texas Secretary of State. In addition to legislative and legal information on voting rights and regulations, the site contains election statistics and filing complaints. It also provides access to ballot information, polling locations, and guides to becoming a registered candidate. apps.TexasTribune.org • As a Texas-centric newspaper, the Tribune has numerous articles on Texas politics, but searching for upcoming elections will lead to very specific coverage. HoustonChronicle.com • This local publication is a good resource for general election information (search “upcoming election” for current local coverage). The site provides info on candidates and the Editorial Board makes recommendations on specific candidates that can be taken into consideration. Testing the installation at the studio April 27, 2022. The original #VoteYourMind installation took place on April 30, 2022 in Houston TX. Although prompted by the upcoming elections, the concept encourages us all to break free from the herd and become educated, self-governing, and frequent voters.
|
Her Point of ViewSo many Stay in touch!
|
All
American Made
Color Palette
Cool Office Supplies
Decorating
Design
Fashion
Furnishings
Green Living
Home Decor
Made In USA
Memories Of A 60-year-old
Modern Home
Modern Housewares
Modern Life
Nature Native Plants
Product Design
Summer 2016
Unique Dish Towels
West Elm