Abby Ledoux
Houston
VP of Comms & Marketing @ppgulfcoast, formerly @ppfa. Ex-journalist, native Vermonter turned Houstonian, unabashed Dunkin stan. Opinions are obv just mine.
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Articles by Abby Ledoux
Shop Local Houston Gifts
100 Best Shops Wander in post-brunch and try to leave empty-handed. It’s nearly impossible, even—especially—when you’re not looking. 04/24/2018 By Abby Ledoux, Noah Nofz, and Najla Brown Plant Shopping Flora Culture Co-Owner Jemine Oaks talks to Houstonia about which houseplant is best for new owners. 01/18/2022 By Danielle Wright Hou Jewels Shop from local labels like KAECHE, C. Shel, Bella Madre, and more.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Coziness
As we roll into the (at least slightly) cooler months of this bizarre year, it’s a good time to lean into making our living spaces as comfy and relaxing as possible—and to spend our dollars locally while doing it. Here are 10 fall essentials for nestling in.
9 Essential Items for Your Next Tubing Trip
Astral Men’s Water Shoes $90, Whole Earth Provision Co.: Montrose, wholeearthprovision.com Who will save your sole? These water shoes, cleverly disguised as sneakers, are cool enough to go from river to restaurant. Kodak Underwater Disposable Camera $20, Urban Outfitters: Multiple locations, urbanoutfitters.com Call it the cheapest time machine ever: You’ll be transported back to your ’90s summer camp days as soon as you pull this bad boy out.
This Mother’s Day, Find a Local Gift for Every Type of Mom
This Mother’s Day, Find a Local Gift for Every Type of Mom Do you always struggle to find the perfect present? We got you. Published in the May 2020 issue of
Behind the Scenes of Our Vibrant Spring Fashion Shoot
Take a peek behind the scenes of our ultra-colorful April 2020 fashion shoot, inspired by the spring runways, red carpets, and store windows all awash in vibrant hues this season. With such big and bold looks, we knew we needed a background that could hold its own. Enter Present Company, the lively Montrose watering hole known for its uber-photogenic decor, like its colorful murals, loud furniture, neon signs, multitude of plants, and funky birdcages.
Spring Fashion 2020: True Colors
ON A FINE SPRING DAY AT PRESENT COMPANY in Montrose, one thing's for certain: There’s no gray area. Spring’s playful silhouettes come in every color of the rainbow, from rich jewel tones to Day-Glo neon to flirty sherbet hues. Thanks to vibrant color-blocking and monochromatic ensembles, getting dressed has never been more fun. SHOPS Cheeky Vintage 2134 Richmond Ave. (Montrose). 713-533-1121. Elizabeth Anthony 1180 Uptown Park Blvd. (Uptown). 713-622-1331. Kick Pleat 2565 Kirby Dr. (River Oaks).
Q&A: Project Runway Contestant Alan Gonzalez Shares What the Show Taught Him
Houstonian Alan Gonzalez competed on season 18 of Project Runway. Image: Courtesy of Joe Pugliese/Bravo FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER Chloe Dao made it work on Project Runway, another Houstonian has stolen America’s heart on the hit show: 25-year-old Alan Gonzalez. Gonzalez is unapologetically loud, often refers to himself in the third person (“You can follow @alantude on all social media to keep up with the day-to-day moves of Alan,” Gonzalez says), and jokes that he has the drive of a four-wheel truck.
When You're Down and Out, This IV Drip Spa Makes House Calls
Image: Elnur/Shutterstock.com Last month, I was so sick. Pre-corona, something god awful ripped through my office and left in its wake a phlegmy, hacking, exhausted mass over a series of treacherous weeks. My turn came right around Valentine’s Day, and it hit me like a freight train. I went to urgent care and left armed with prescriptions—for antibiotics, Tamiflu, and lidocaine for my throat, just to cover all the bases—then retreated to my bed for the better part of a week.
Does Houston Have Its Own Song?
The investigation began, as so many do, on Reddit. “Found a vinyl record with songs about Houston at an antique shop,” one “M3RKin_badly” wrote in the Houston sub-Reddit online forum. “Apparently, there was a competition with KRBE in 1982 to create a song for Houston … I recorded the songs from the vinyl if you would like to hear them.” We would, and we did (thanks, M3RKin). And 20 seconds into the opening track, “Houston Is My Home,” we knew we needed to know more.
The 5 Guys You'll Meet Online Dating In Houston
When I first moved to this city–sight unseen–as a single 20-something, you better believe I was on all of the dating apps. Tinder? It's necessary. Bumble? Natch. Coffee Meets Bagel? Apparently that's a thing, yes. I swiped so hard my thumbs got jacked. I was nothing if not committed to the cause: After getting in a car accident en route to meet a guy, I still went on the date. Anyway, there's a time and a place for my online dating tales, and it ain't here.
I Tried It: 'The Bachelor' Casting Call
“Can I leave early to get my hair done?” I asked my boss last Thursday afternoon. She obliged, which is how I found myself perched in a bright yellow salon chair at River Oaks Drybar while Maddie B. crafted a Dirty Martini—the blowout chain’s “tousled and textured style”—from my unruly mane. I have quite a lot of hair, which meant quite a lot of work for Maddie, and approximately two uninterrupted hours for me to consider what I was about to do: audition for The Bachelor.
Houston Worships at the Altar of Beyoncé
Beyoncé took us all to church. That’s really the only way to describe the power of the performance she and Jay-Z brought to NRG with their On the Run II tour stops last Saturday and Sunday nights. Let’s get something straight: Everything you’ve heard about Beyoncé is true. Every hyperbolic accolade, every dramatic analogy to a goddess or a queen or a superhuman force of nature—all that hype is warranted.
In the Dominican Republic, Old-World Magic Meets Untarnished Seaside Beauty
The un-tarnished coastal beauty of Las Terrenas All my life, it seems, I’ve been blind to my true identity as a ’50s-era Hollywood starlet shooting on location in a foreign land. What other explanation is there for the suite I’ve just entered, with its impossibly high ceilings and thick wooden shutters to throw open and greet the day?
Travis Scott Announces Inaugural Astroworld Fest at NRG Park in November
Travis Scott is making good on his promise to revive our beloved theme park (from album opener "Stargazing," '99 took AstroWorld, it had to relocate / Told the dogs I'd bring it back, it was a seal of faith): The Missouri City rapper, whose Astroworld release claims the Billboard 200's No. 1 spot, today announced the inaugural Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on Saturday, November 17. Scott will headline, of course, but the rest of the lineup for the one-day extravaganza remains TBD.
What Did I Learn By Freezing My Fat Cells?
CoolSculpting, the fad body contouring treatment, freezes and destroys fat cells beneath the skin. There I stood, mostly naked as a stranger covered my body in brown Magic Marker, questioning every choice that got me here. A cheerful medical spa manager named Natalie had the distinct pleasure of identifying my “problem areas” that afternoon, a process that required I strip down to my skivvies, stand before a full-length mirror, and announce what I most hated about myself.
The (Final) To-Doux List: March 20-Indefinitely
THE TO-DOUX LIST is lifestyle editor Abby Ledoux’s weekly roundup of pop-ups, markets, and whatever else she feels like doing around Houston each Friday–Sunday (generally). This is the final installment of the series—not because the world is ending, but because this is Abby's last week at Houstonia. Take care and stay well, friends. Squeeze in a Workout When: Anytime Where: The yoga mat collecting dust in your living room What: Say it with me now: This is the week we start working out.
Retail Roundup: Hemline Heights Is Here; Hellos and Goodbyes at River Oaks District
Hemline franchisee Shannon O'Shea Martin, who opened Hemline CityCentre two years ago, will debut Hemline Heights this Friday, March 13. a historically unlucky day just got a lot more promising: Hemline Heights—the fifth Houston-area location for the New Orleans-based, fashion-forward boutique—will open its doors this Friday, March 13 at 1533 N Shepherd Dr., Suite 110.
The To-Doux List: March 6-8
THE TO-DOUX LIST is lifestyle editor Abby Ledoux’s weekly roundup of pop-ups, markets, and whatever else she feels like doing around Houston each Friday–Sunday (generally). To submit an event for consideration, email details to [email protected] Shania voice: Let's go girls. Drag Diva Brunch: Country Queens Edition When: 10:30 a.m. buffet, 12 p.m. show.
Finding a Home a World Away: Middle East
Mo Amer Mo Amer Kuwait Amer’s family is Palestinian, but he was born in Kuwait, which—in 1990, when he was 9—was invaded by the Iraqi Army, launching the first Gulf War. His mom moved the family to America, and they landed in Houston. His dad, an engineer, later joined them. “America completely shaped my entire life,” says Amer. “It introduced me to standup comedy, which is an indigenous form to America.
The Geek's Guide to Houston
With the release of Disney+, the subsequent debut of America’s new green-alien sweetheart Baby Yoda, and the continued mainstreaming of Marvel and DC comic books, you could say it’s a good time to be a nerd. Thanks to streaming services and the worldwide web, so much of the realm of geekdom has become easily accessible, with products and likeminded individuals just a few clicks away. Maybe that’s why the very concept of the nerd has undergone such a makeover.
Friendships Forged Around the Karaoke Machine
"I won't sing," I told my friend Najla on our way to Genji, the Japanese restaurant and karaoke bar on the west side of town. “I’m just here to observe.” I was about 15 steps from being way out of my element—this, I knew. My conversation the previous day with a girl named Clarisse had confirmed that much. Clarisse, head officer of the Houston chapter of something called Geek Girl Brunch, had invited me to tonight’s sing-along.
Our Picks for the 10 Best Nerdy Gifts to Buy
Arts & Culture Geeked Out Our Picks for the 10 Best Nerdy Gifts to Buy Our nerdiest wish list spans price ranges, fandoms, and alternate universes. By Abby Ledoux 3/2/2020 at 12:00am Published in the March 2020 issue of Houstonia
Finding Home a World Away: Asia
Pitsami Norm Pitsami Norm Cambodia Norm was born in Cambodia during the rule of the Khmer Rouge, the communist regime responsible for the brutal massacre of an estimated 1.7 million people, including two of her siblings and numerous other relatives. In 1983, when she was 6, her family resettled in Massachusetts after fleeing their home in the dead of night.
Finding Home a World Away: Africa
Hakeem Olajuwon Hakeem Olajuwon Nigeria Olajuwon, perhaps the most dominant athlete in Houston history, had a hall of fame career. These days he’s one of Houston’s elder statesmen, period. But he easily could have landed somewhere else. Olajuwon spent more time playing soccer than basketball in his home of Nigeria, but at seven feet tall he found himself being recruited to play college basketball in the U.S. by multiple universities.
Finding Home a World Away: Caribbean
Carla Poli Carla Poli Jamaica Poli was supervisor of entertainment at a Jamaican resort in Trelawny when she met a couple who danced at a popular studio here. She so impressed them that they suggested she pursue a career in the States. Understandably skeptical, Poli waited two years “until one day it just hit me like a ton of bricks,” she says. “I was like, ‘that’s it.’ I put in my notice and booked a ticket to Houston.” That was 2006.
Houston: The American Dream
Houston, in many ways, always has been a city of newcomers. The city owes its very existence to a pair of brothers from New York who calculated that immigrants would be drawn to their exaggerated promises of a paradise on the Texas coast, complete with cheap land, ocean breezes, and plenty of possibility.
Rodeo Season Kicks Off with a Stylish Shindig to Honor 2020 Sweethearts
Houston doubled down on its love for the Rodeo this year by celebrating 2020's outstanding female Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo volunteers with a blowout party on none other than Valentine's Day. Part luncheon, part fashion show, and part boot-scootin'-boogie, the 21st-annual sold-out affair saw 1,400 Houstonians don their western best at the downtown Hilton Americas to recognize five accomplished honorees, fittingly dubbed "Sweethearts of the Rodeo" this year.
Houston Literati Shines at 34th Annual Inprint Poets and Writers Ball
Inprint, Houston's leading literary arts nonprofit, put on another splendid show this year with its 34th annual Poet and Writers Ball, held earlier this month at The Houstonian and chaired by Anne Whitlock and Michael Skelly. All told, 380 guests helped raise more than $340,000 to further Inprint's efforts of promoting literary arts in the community.
The Blue Bird Circle Resale Shop Is Back and Better Than Ever
The Blue Bird Circle is 97 years old, so you can forgive it for having a little work done—on its beloved Montrose resale shop, anyway. Founded in 1923, the venerated volunteer organization is dedicated to helping children afflicted with neurological disorders.
MD Anderson Gives Parents a Much-Needed Night Out
For families with seriously ill children, date night likely falls low on the priority list. Recognizing that, MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital partnered with the brand-new Westin Houston Medical Center and the Sunshine Kids Foundation to treat parents and caregivers of pediatric patients to a romantic night out.
The To-Doux List: Feb 14-16
THE TO-DOUX LIST is lifestyle editor Abby Ledoux’s weekly roundup of pop-ups, markets, and whatever else she feels like doing around Houston each Friday–Sunday (generally). To submit an event for consideration, email details to [email protected] Earn that pint-of-ice-cream-and-SVU-rerun binge, girl.
Houston Officials Stand With Planned Parenthood at Record-Breaking Luncheon
A record number of people stood with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast last week when the health care organization held its annual fundraising luncheon to celebrate the 47th anniversary of landmark Supreme Courtdecision Roe v. Wade, which affirmed the constitutional right to abortion.
5 Totally Romance-Free Things to Do for Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is one week away. If you're in love, congratulations, this post is not for you. (Try this one, this one, or this one.) But if you're fed up, swiped out, and all out of love (so lost without you), you've come to the right place. There's no reason to waste a perfectly good Friday night simply because you're unattached. Or scorned.
The To-Doux List: Feb 7-9
THE TO-DOUX LIST is lifestyle editor Abby Ledoux’s weekly roundup of pop-ups, markets, and whatever else she feels like doing around Houston each Friday–Sunday (generally). To submit an event for consideration, email details to [email protected] Lemon Laine Makeovers When: Sat, Feb 8; by appointment Where: Lemon Laine, 714 Yale St., Suite 1K What: Grab your galentine and head to this Heights Mercantile natural beauty and wellness boutique for a fresh (literally) look.
Retail Roundup: New Tenants Bloom in Rice Village for Spring
It feels like Texas didn't get the message, but spring is, in fact, on the horizon. And with a new season comes a slew of anticipated store openings—plus forthcoming beauty destinations, crowdfunding for a Houston-based/French-made footwear brand, and pop-ups just in time for Valentine's Day. Create your own lipstick this spring when MYX Blend Bar opens in Rice Village.
'The Social Book' Toasts to 25 Years with a Stylish Soirée at Neiman Marcus
This year marks the silver anniversary for The Social Book, the comprehensive calendar of Houston's fundraising events, and more than 600 guests turned out to mark the occasion late last month for this year's launch party. The party took place at (and was co-hosted by) Neiman Marcus, which celebrates an anniversary of its own in 2020: 50 years in the landmark Galleria building.
Want to Travel Around Europe for Free With Your Bae?
This could be you. Grab your boo, pack your bags, and make sure your passports are valid and your Instagram is poppin': Robbins Brothers, the national jewelry store with a Galleria-area location, is looking for Proposal Ambassadors to scout the most romantic engagement sites around Europe—for free!—and document their travels on social media.
Houstonians Paint the Town and Raise Nearly $1 Million for Special Needs Campers
The Revaire was bursting with color last weekend when over 600 people turned out for Camp For All's annual gala. This year's theme, "Paint the Town," saw charitable Houstonians don vibrant getups and open their pocketbooks for the local nonprofit which runs a unique, barrier-free camp on a 206-acre property outside Burton, Texas, for children and adults with challenging illnesses and special needs.
This Is Where Houstonians Loved to Sweat It Out in 2019
if you want the best sweat sesh in the city, your search is over. For the past five years, fitness subscription service ClassPass has recognized the top male and female instructors in each city it operates in. Last year's top spots for Houston went to Kymeko Taylor at RIDE Indoor Cycling and Zach West at Revolution Studio.
How to Get Houston Voting
At first blush, the mission seems simple enough. “We want people to vote, we want to make it easy to vote, and we want to inform people,” says MaryJane Mudd, president of the League of Women Voters of Houston, a nonpartisan organization. Just over 15 percent of Harris County turned out to vote in November, a number that is higher than the state average by three points. But there is much progress to be made, and the League’s dedicated volunteers are working toward that with a three-pronged approach.
You'll Never Want to Leave This Breathtaking Caribbean Island
This is how Aaliyah died. That’s all I can think as I strap into this 34-seat puddle jumper that will shepherd me the 230 miles from Puerto Rico to the small Eastern Caribbean island of Anguilla, a romantic hideaway renown for spectacular white-sand beaches and robust coral reef systems. This flight is the final leg of my journey, which began more than eight hours ago in Houston with a red eye from Bush to San Juan. But that was a real plane.
Retail Roundup: Kate Hudson Makes Her Houston Store Debut
2019 was a banner year for the ol' Galleria, which welcomed 17 new tenants to 5085 Westheimer and saw the renovation or relocation of more than 10 others. The momentum continues into the new decade, with the recent announcement of four new stores joining the ranks, including some Texas—and Houston—firsts.
Beloved Montrose Gym Opens $3 Million State-of-the-Art Facility
Timberline Fitness debuted its new 7,000-square-foot gym in November. After more than two decades on Montrose Boulevard, the family-owned Timberline Fitness has upgraded its digs. The beloved neighborhood gym stayed in Montrose but relocated to a 7,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility at 4305 Jack St. this past November. The new space off of Richmond Avenue is $3 million and two years in the making.
Score Vintage Designer Bags at This Upcoming Luxury Auction
L to R: vintage MGM Visetos drawstring bucket bag, Chanel flap bag, Louis Vuitton Saint Jacques tote, Gucci canvas dressage tote In the market for a Chanel flap bag or a Louis Vuitton Speedy? (Um, who isn't?) You might want to cancel your plans next weekend. At noon on Saturday, Feb 8, Gallery Auctions will showcase a selection of authentic designer bags and accessories from luxury labels like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Dior, Celine, Balenciaga, Yves St. Laurent, MCM, and more.
This Boutique Shopping Bonanza Raised $250,000 for Pediatric Cancer Research
What do you get when you combine more than 50 of Houston's best boutiques, 2,000 shoppers, and free-flowing champagne inside 20,000 square-feet over two days? Answer: a quarter of a million dollars for charity. The Sale—a two-day shopping spree presented annually by Houston Tri Delta Alumnae Chapter's fundraising arm, Houston Tri Delta Philanthropies—brought the best of both worlds to the Bayou City Event Center on Jan. 11-12 when bargain-hunters shopped major markdowns for a good cause.
New Study Ranks Texas the 39th Drunkest State in America
Just how well do Texans hold their liquor? A new study finds the Lone Star State is the 39th "drunkest" state in America, with just over half—51.72 percent—of adults drinking regularly.
On the Market: The Happiest Little Glenbrook Ranch
This new listing is what retro dreams are made of. Don't take our word for it—just look at the baby-pink alcove, orange wallpaper, and brick fireplace (and partial wall) in this circa-1957 time capsule. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home clocks in at just over 1,800 square-feet and is going for—wait for it—just under $220,000. An over-the-top luxury mansion it is not, but a dream home nonetheless for anyone who appreciates mid-century modern architecture and vintage, colorful vibes.
JJ Watt Has an (Official) Draft Day Bobblehead Now
Nine years after his first-round 2011 draft pick by the Texans, defensive end JJ Watt finally has an officially licensed Draft Day bobblehead. Just in time for Sunday's game, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum (yes, that's a real thing, based in Milwaukee) has unveiled an officially licensed bobblehead to commemorate the Texans' 2011 drafting of our own beloved JJ Watt.
The To-Doux List: Jan. 17-19
THE TO-DOUX LIST is lifestyle editor Abby Ledoux’s weekly roundup of pop-ups, markets, and whatever else she feels like doing around Houston each Friday–Sunday (generally). To submit an event for consideration, email details to aledoux@houstoniamag.com. View this post on Instagram Destiny’s Child in London, January 1998 A post shared by Nineties Anxiety (@90sanxiety) on Dec 29, 2019 at 2:17pm PST '90s Night When: Friday, Jan.
The Post Oak's $20,000 Valentine's Day Experience Is Back
Spend your way into their heart. A night at the Post Oak is romantic enough on its own, so can you even imagine what $20,000 at the ultra-swank Uptown hotel will get you this Valentine's Day? Well, you don't have to. The answer: the bougiest date you'll ever have. In fact, "date" is an understatement—this is a $20,000 experience.
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