Inside Houston
Houston Is Beautiful
Editor's Letter
We are always looking for ways to honor the tremendous amount of volunteer work done in Houston. So many people contribute so much of their time and funds to those in need. Warner Roberts, Houston’s own sweetheart, compiled this list after much heartfelt research. Her goal: the recognize the extraordinary Houstonians who make our city great. We celebrate this list with The Social Book (thesocialbook.com) where the list is prominently published on their home page.
As rodeo season is upon us, I’m thrilled to feature homegrown innovator: Christina McAllen, owner and designer at jewelry hot spot Christina Greene. I met Christina just before she changed her name to McAllen when she launched her bridal line. Meet this local gem and enjoy her entrepreneurial story.
Shoutout to our very own Houston Astros! Thank you for another amazing season and bringing the championship back home. We loved every minute of it!
Laurette M.Veres
Editor-in-Chief, Inside Houston Magazine
2023 Bridal Extravaganza Show
July 15-16
The George R. Brown Convention center
1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010
Features
Most beautiful
I believe there is something beautiful about every human being. I take the liberty to define beauty as the ability to spread joy, lift spirits, encourage, and inspire. This beauty is measured through service. The men and women on this list are not only physically captivating, but they make our city a more beautiful place through their generosity of spirit, compassion, creativity, and dedication to serving. Kahlil Gibran wrote, “Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.”
christina greene
Christina McAllen is the owner of Christina Greene jewelry store in Houston. Before opening her store, she designed jewelry as a hobby during college. McAllen began her college career studying interior design at TCU. However, she transferred to public relations and marketing. During this time, she began to design bracelets and necklaces with wire wrap and stones. Realizing this was her passion, McAllen returned to school in New York to study design and fashion. Once she graduated with her master’s degree, she moved to Houston, where she started her jewelry business and opened a jewelry store.
Follow her on her website
Four seasons houston
Whether you are visiting Houston for the first time or a long-time resident seeking a Staycation, look no further than the Four Seasons Hotel for your home away from home. The hotel completed a full renovation during the pandemic, breathing new life to the already gorgeous property.
marriott puerto vallarta
What would be a truly out-of-this-world vacation? One is not constrained by the earthly world in which we live, but one that reaches into what may lay beyond. A destination wedding that includes both the friends and family in the here and now, as well as the generations of loved ones who have passed through this physical world and now live in our hearts and our memories. Puerto Vallarta’s Dia de Los Muertos holiday, or Day of the Dead is the perfect occasion and the Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa is the perfect setting.
Charity
pet set
The 18th Annual Fierce and Fabulous Soirée hosted by PetSet raised an unprecedented $1.1 million. More than 700 animal lovers packed the Post Oak Hotel ballroom to see Cole Hauser and Forrie Smith of Yellowstone fame. Leading the helm of this sold-out event were chairmen Tena Lundquist Faust, Tama Lundquist and Sue Smith. The philanthropic trio honored Houston’s sweetheart Sidney Faust for all her hard work and charitable generosity to the community. Houston PetSet is a non-profit organization providing grants to Houston area charities that benefit animal welfare and is committed to spaying, neutering, rescuing, adopting, and transporting the homeless pet population
https://www.houstonpetset.org/
Kid's meals
Kid's Meals and Luncheon's Co-Chairs hosted the Annual Harvest Luncheon at the Marriott Marquis with over 1,400 guests on November 11, 2022. Last year, Kid’s Meals celebrated reaching their goal of providing 1.7 million meals with the help of supporters. Kids’ Meals has delivered free and healthy meals to the homes of children who face hunger and poverty in Houston since 2006, dedicated to ending hunger in childhood through collaborations and providing resources to families.
Visit www.kidsmealsinc.org
Children's Museum
The Children’s Museum Houston raised $950,000 at the “Viva Las Vegas” gala on October 1, 2022. Houston’s leaders and supporters attended a gambling evening to support the education and outreach programs the Museum provides. At the gala, there were Vegas showgirl entertainers, a casino, and the King of Rock n’ Roll. Attendees enjoyed a multi-course feast and a dessert inspired by Elvis. The Drywater Band performed and had the guests dancing all night. Moreover, a live auction took place with exclusive and unique items donated by guests. The Children’s Museum of Houston is dedicated to increasing children’s desire for learning.
Visit www.cmhouston.org
Community
billboard bride
Every year, the Bridal Extravaganza Show chooses a real-life Houston area bride to be the face of the show. This bride is seen on billboards, across social media platforms, and at the show inspiring others with her story. Ka’cha Tousant, this year’s Billboard Bride, opened up about her experience at the show, and how it has shifted her wedding planning journey.
For more information visit
www.bridalextravaganza.com or call 281-340-7777
health museum
The theme of the Health Museum’s gala was Dia de los Muertos. Some of Houston’s top healthcare professionals were honored for dedicating their careers, and their lives, to address health inequities and developing educational programs that will pass on their advances to the next generation of caregivers. Between the live auction and donations, the museum raised $287,000 to benefit the museum’s educational and community programs.
entreprenuer organization
The Entrepreneur Organization of Houston kicked off the new year with a Moulin Rouge themed fete. The Historic Majestic Metro was a whirlwind of feathers, sequins and rhinestones and the Parisian cabaret décor by Demartino Design Group, took guests back in time. Emcee Corey Greene set the stage as entertainers from, Elevate NC memorized the sold out event with aerialists and themed dancers. EVOKE Experiences conceived this creative event featuring food by Amazen Chef Creations, entertainment from DJ Jason Farr and a costume contest.
crime stoppers
Crime Stoppers of Houston’s‘Leading the Way to a Safer Houston’ Annual Gala, slammed one of the park. Chaired by Sheridan and John Eddie Williams, the event raised over $1,355,000 for crime prevention programs and critically-needed victim services. This memorable event brought together 500 generous supporters, courageous victims of crime, devoted community advocates, elected officials and law enforcement from across Texas for a moving evening that honored Houston leaders, remembered innocent lives lost to senseless violence, and called for communities to come together and unite with Crime Stoppers in making Houston a safer place for all.
Day Trip
deer lake lodge
Deer Lake Lodge Spa Resort, located near Houston in the heart of the woods, is a secluded retreat offering guests a chance to unwind, relax, and reset their bodies and minds. Decorated with Texas boho flair, this unique destination offers a range of health and wellness experiences, making it the perfect getaway for those seeking self-care and relaxation.
Spa
Marriott puerto vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is well known as a breath-taking Mexican beach destination of stunning sunsets, expansive white sandy beaches and impossibly delicious cuisine. At the Marriott Puerto Vallarta, spa lovers, are welcomed to the largest spa in Puerto Vallarta. The Ohtli Spa is an astonishing 22,000 square feet in which to relax and be pampered. The Ohtli Spa welcomes guests with treatments from the traditional to the transformative, with traditional Thai massage to local tribal-inspired treatments, such as the water-based Jantzu Rebirth Water Therapy or Fire Opal Balancing Stone Therapy.
Spa costa baja
Nestled in the mountains of the Baja California Sur in Mexico on the Sea of Cortez, the Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz provides a true escape from overcrowded, bustling tourist beach wedding destinations. Espiritu, the resort’s spa, offers guests unique treatments that aim to harmonize the body, mind and spirit for a journey of inner and outer wellness. The spa utilizes a fusion of aromatherapy, local herbs, Chakra, Reiki, hot stones, quartz, reflexology, Ho’oponopono, and self-made elixirs to blend the new and ancestral techniques for custom spa treatments.
Entertainment
let love glow
Valentine’s Day is a chance to celebrate the people you love, whether it’s your significant other or close friends and family. Each year, Texas Weddings Magazine hosts a Valentine Party with a theme that highlights the love and affection Valentine’s Day represents. For this year’s event we wanted to do something a little different than the conventional Valentine’s Day aesthetic. However, we still wanted to incorporate the traditional Valentine’s Day elements. This is how we came up with “Let Love Glow” and there was no shortage of exciting and eye-catching attractions for guests to enjoy!
