Over 29 –that’s when we start celebrating anniversaries, right?

I grew up  in Western Colorado  and received  my mechanical engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.  I moved to Houston when I was appointed to be the Environmental Compliance Manager for four gas plants in Mont Belvieu.

Moroccan Oil (not only to moisturize my hair, but also works well to nourish my hands and legs), Dry Shampoo (because the island wouldn’t be the only thing with roots), and CoverGirl Outlast lipstick (a girl’s gotta look good in her rescue photos, right?).

My parents.  Growing up in a small town in Colorado, I didn’t see people dress up. Heck, dressing up was putting on a nice T-shirt some days. The exception to the rule was my parents. They both taught for 35+ years and each day they made sure they looked their best. My father wore a suit every day and taught me that it’s much better to be overdressed than under. My mother fostered in me a love for heels and, more importantly, how to walk naturally in them. They both taught me it’s okay to stand out in a crowd and that you should own your style, no matter what other people are wearing.

There’s an ice cream that I’ve only been able to find in Hawaii. It’s called Kauai Pie: coffee ice cream with ribbons of fudge and macadamia nuts. My mouth is watering now…

Be yourself and the people who truly love you will love you for who you are, not who they want you to be. Sounds like so simple of a concept, but one that I’ve struggled with. ‘Tis better to be accepted as you are than to try to be someone everyone likes.

There are times when I get more excited over finding a good deal on things than the actual things themselves. I love finding a great outfit or purse at More Than You Can Imagine. The owner, Vicki, always knows exactly what to pull for me to try on, especially when I have a big event coming up. I also love shopping for dresses at Neiman Marcus Last Call at Katy Mills. And where to start on restaurants? That’s part of what makes Houston so great! I absolutely adore Masraff’s, Ruggles Green and Nordstrom Cafe.

I’m excited to continue my partnership with the United Way as we continue to expand our Reading Together program in seven local schools. I’m also over-the-moon excited to chair Una Notte in Italia in the fall. It’s one of my favorite events of the year. This summer I plan to spend a lot of time in my home state of Colorado soaking up the dry air and enjoying good hair days.

I love hanging out with my kids, whether it’s snuggling on the couch watching movies or playing knockout with the neighbor kids on our basketball goal. Our lives are so crazy that it’s nice to be a homebody and just chill with a book or a crossword puzzle.

When I used to live in Spring Valley, someone introduced me to a fun BYOB restaurant called Hollister Grill. It’s so tiny, it only has a few tables but the food rivals any restaurant I’ve ever been to.

I’m a CultureMap junkie. I’m also a fan of tinybuddha.com and the Memorial Area Trading Facebook page.

Whatever you wear, make sure you own the look. Whether you’re feeling it or not, walk with the confidence of a supermodel. Bubble skirts look good on everyone. Airbrush makeup is worth the splurge every now and then, especially when applied by a rockstar makeup artist (thanks Misty).

Sugar Free Red Bull, high heels and lots of sleep.

My friends all laugh at my strong distaste of wet paper. Yes, something totally silly to be afraid of.  I blame the public swimming pool growing up for traumatizing me.

Two summers ago I took a girls’ trip to the South of France. We took our little rental car everywhere from Nice to Cannes to Monte Carlo. Between the scenery, the food, the people and the shopping, it was a trip I’ll never forget. We spent one day at the Grand Hotel in Cap du Ferrat. Magical.

Singing somewhere. I sang in a Christian band at church for 10 years. Thinking I might have to pick up a mic again soon.

I loved reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Twelve Years a Slave was so powerful I’m still moved by it. I recently re-watched The Words and it was just as poignant the second time. I’m sure my enjoying the movie had nothing to do with Bradley Cooper starring in it.

What isn’t humorous about my life? I once skipped an entire line while singing the national anthem at a NCAA basketball game. Heck, even the fact that I received a singing scholarship to an engineering school is pretty comical. Or who doesn’t giggle knowing that I come from a town whose claim to fame is Mike the Headless Chicken? Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up.