WORLD SERIES WIVES

Houston Astros wives dish on their favorite game day foods, styles, and superstitions

The Houston Astros paved the way to their fourth World Series appearance in six years by sweeping the Mariners and Yankees with a final win in New York. Astros fans now have their eyes trained on Minute Maid Park as the team prepares for game one of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Fans eagerly wait for the biggest game in baseball to start, but Astros players and their families have been gearing up for this day since February, when spring training began. They have gone through 162 baseball games this season (81 away from home), and now have their game day prep down to a science.

Aside from the game itself, food, fashion and superstitions make watching nine innings more fun, so we sat down with three Astros wives, Kara McCullers, Kat Pressly, and Janelise Maldonado, to talk about their favorite game day routines. After all, even the most casual Astros fan knows that a good game day routine is just as important as the game itself.

CultureMap: Baseball is known as one of the most superstitious sports. Do you have any superstitions on game day?

Kat Pressly: I am really careful not to say anything if we’re winning big or someone is having a good game — I don’t want to jinx anybody!

Kat Pressly, Kara McCullers, Janelise Maldonado

Photos courtesy of Kat Pressly, Kara McCullers and Janelise Maldonado.

Astros baseball players prepare for the World Series with their families.

Kara McCullers: I’m typically not a very superstitious person. However, if I wear a particular outfit and he loses a game while I’m wearing it, you won’t see me in it again.

Janelise Maldonado: I think I’m superstitious by nature. I always drive my husband to the field for home games and never cross my legs or arms when our team is at bat.

CM: What are your favorite game day meals?

KP: When I’m at a game and want to splurge, my number one favorite is the loaded baked potato, and I also love a Shake Shack burger.

JM: Elotes, loaded nachos, or La Michoacana tacos.

CM: What are your go-to game day outfits?

KP: During the regular season, my go-to “uniform” is a plain white tee or tank and jeans with cute sneakers. Things are definitely different for the postseason. It is such a unique opportunity and something I never want to take for granted, so I like to have a lot of fun with it.

KM: A top and denim shorts with some boots/booties or a cool pair of pants with a bodysuit and sneakers – many times paired with an Astros hat. During the postseason, a little more planning goes into our outfits, and I usually special order game day gear.

JM: Before kids, everything was about style, high heels or platform sandals. Now I lean towards sneakers. Cargo pants and leggings are essentials – because I can dress them up or down.

CM: If you are at home, how do you cozy up to watch?

KP: To be honest, being pregnant these past couple of years (especially during west coast games), I watched many of the games in bed.

KM: The Astros games usually overlap my daughter’s bedtime routine, so I often try to get her ready for bed while simultaneously watching the games. Sometimes, she and I watch on the sofa together before heading to bed. She loves to watch the games, and we always try to attend if Lance is pitching at home.

JM: It’s always a party in our living room.

CM: Do you prefer silence and watching alone, or do you like having a watch party with other people?

KP: I don’t mind watching the game alone because I love listening to the commentary. Probably once a week, I have my parents over or watch with a few friends, and I love that also.

KM: During the regular season, I prefer watching alone, but during the postseason, I love watching with other people and being at the stadium with family and friends.

JM: I’m so used to watching games with a crowd around me that now silence feels awkward.

CM: There is so much excitement around the World Series. How do you keep everything calm and in control for your family?

KP: When we first got traded here in 2018, I got overly excited for the postseason and was beyond exhausted by the time it was over. This is our fifth postseason with the Astros, and I’ve learned to just take it one day at a time and enjoy the ride.

KM: It’s a super chaotic time, so I try to do my best to balance everything and handle the smaller stressful things like tickets and packing. Let’s just say baseball wives wear a lot of hats during this time of year.

JM: I’m always anticipating an event (part of being a catcher’s wife). Three of us in the family don’t think about anything related to baseball until game day. We try to rest as much as we can during off days.

CM: Do you get nervous on game day?

KP: Not so much during the regular season, but a close game in the postseason can be a little nerve-wracking. However, I have all the confidence in the world in Ryan and everyone on this team.

KM: Yes! I’m not sure that will ever change. This being our seventh postseason experience, I do think watching him pitch in bigger games has gotten a bit easier each time. I always want the best for him and want him to play well because I know that’s what he wants and what he works so hard for.

JM: I definitely do – I feel sick, I shake and I want to scream to let it out. Being calm and relaxed for an important day is not a good sign for me.

CM: Do you do anything special with your husband before a game?

KP: It depends on the day. Lately, we’ve been taking our bikes out to eat with all the nice weather we’ve been having.

KM: Nothing too special. I try to let him sleep in as much as possible, then we grab coffee or lunch and spend time with our daughter before he leaves for the field.

JM: If we have time, we will squeeze brunch at Tiny’s No. 5.

CM: How do you prepare your kids for all the cameras and excitement after postseason games?

KP: They’re so little they don’t know what’s going on, but it’s been much more exciting to share these special moments with our babies.

KM: I’m not sure Ava understands all of that just yet. She gets a little overwhelmed with the excitement and cheering at the games sometimes, but I think she’s starting to get used to it. She loves watching her Daddy play and going on the field.

JM: Being so young, Aiden and Anaiah don’t understand much about cameras. Right now, they only care about getting to hug their Papito, and for my youngest, just being able to run on the field.

CM: What is your prediction for the series?

KP: Astros in 4!

KM: Astros in 6. I hope we get to win at home this time around!

JM: We have a team that’s on a mission. We sacrificed dinners, sleep and family time to give my husband the space he needed to prepare for each series. The team has gotten to the part of the season they have worked so hard for since spring training.

Now, it’s all or nothing!

HAUTE HOUSTON

High fashion label Sachin & Babi makes rare Houston appearance

Photo courtesy of Sachin & Babi

Sachin & Babi is hosting an exclusive shopping event so Houstonians can snag pieces from their Resort Collection on November 12 from 5 to 8 pm at Avant Art Gallery.

Having dressed the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama, Mindy Kaling, and Octavia Spencer, high fashion label Sachin & Babiis known for its attention to embellishment, color, and silhouette. Ahead of the sold-out Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon, where the New York-based brand will be headlining with ready-to-wear looks from their fall collection, Sachin Ahluwalia, one-half of the high fashion duo is making a rare in-person appearance in the Bayou City.

"We are thrilled to see what Sachin & Babi will bring to our Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon," Angie Lane, Houston Ballet's chief development officer, tells CultureMap. "Saks Fifth Avenue has been an invaluable partner over the years, consistently creating an engaging and dynamic show for Nutcracker Market luncheon guests."

The brand, which has a large customer base in Texas, has its sights set on more permanent digs and retail expansion in the Lone Star State.

"In Texas, fashion is embraced in the truest sense. There's a celebratory spirit and full-of-life energy that aligns with our brand ethos," said Ahluwalia. "Our goal in everything we create is to celebrate the women who inspire us and remind us why we do what we do. I have always believed that the most important component of a woman's wardrobe is her smile, and Houston has that joyfulness so ingrained in its culture."

We sat down with Sachin Ahluwalia to discuss the brand's fall collection and what we can look forward to from the label in 2025.

CultureMap: How would you describe your fall collection?
Sachin Ahluwalia: Each season, we're inspired by the nature surrounding us, but this fall, we were particularly struck by the captivating beauty of botanical flowers. We referenced some of our favorite photographers who have captured striking macro shots of oversized blooms, and from this, we focused on the romantic allure of a 'White Rose in Moonlight.' While we often envision roses bathed in sunlight, a rose is equally enchanting beneath the moon's glow. There's a subtle message there — a reminder that beauty can thrive even in the quiet of night.

CultureMap: What colors and fabrics are you leaning towards for fall and winter?
SA: This fall, we focused on deep floral contrasts on luxurious viscose chiffon, faille, and Mikado. As fall also welcomes the return to the social calendar and gala season, we emphasized intricate beading and embroidery, creating unique, wearable pieces that make her feel her best for all the celebrations ahead.

CultureMap: When you create a collection, who are you designing for?
SA: For the past decade, Sachin & Babi has been redefining what it means to dress for life's most memorable moments. We design to a level of sophistication rather than any particular demographic. Aiming to offer more than just a garment, we want to give our customers a transformative experience that celebrates each person's unique style and story. We dress her for her most special occasions because she deserves to feel extraordinary without compromise.

CultureMap: What has been inspiring you for your 2025 collections?
SA: We are inspired by the incredible women in our country. She continues to marvel and inspire us with her confidence, elegance, and beauty. We're committed to helping her feel her most beautiful for all of her special moments, big and small.

CultureMap: Do you think you will ever move away from your east-meets-west aesthetic?
SA: It's hard to divorce ourselves from our natural inclinations and DNA. Babi and I spent our first 20 years in India, but we've spent the last 30 years building our home in New York City. We embrace our natural propensity for color, craftsmanship, and embroidery from India and marry it to the lifestyle of the women we know and adore in the US. Our goal is to converge traditional Indian techniques with a modern sensibility to create ready-to-wear that feels made for you.

Photo courtesy of Sachin & Babi

Sachin & Babi held an exclusive shopping event in Houston.