july's must-have list

Reagan's favorite things: Best beauty on the go, chilling out for wellness, and much more for July

Adorable little Knox and our columnist have your must-haves for July.

Photo courtesy of Reagan Bregman

Editor’s note: We originally met entrepreneur Reagan Bregman in 2021 when we were the first to report the launch of her athleisure line, Exiza. Her brand quickly drew rave reviews for its ethical, sustainable practices, great fits for every body type, and effortlessly cool vibe.

Fast forward to 2023, and Reagan is a new mom to adorable baby Knox, still overseeing Exiza and its new line, a sought-after influencer and guest host, and a social media tastemaker. (Oh yeah, she’s also married to a nice gentleman named Alex who is really, really good at baseball, business, and paying it forward.)

With so many of her fans constantly asking and commenting on her fab finds, we’ve recruited this Houston star to spotlight some of her favorite things — and where to find them — each month. Take it away, Reagan!

Can you believe it's already July? Between being a mom to Knox, traveling to away games, running a company, helping family, charity dodgeball games, and more, the summer is flying by. That means taking time for recovery, wellness, and fun escapes — and finding products and apps to make busy life a little easier.

We can all relate to having to get pretty in the car, at the gym, or on a plane, so I've picked some makeup that has been a lifesaver for me for summer away games. After having Knox while also staying in shape, recovery is more important than ever, so I'm sharing some of my favorite places to help me get back in the game.

And yeah, summer is busy, but it's also fun! I hope you have as much fun as we did with some of my July faves.

Best beauty for ladies on the go

Our travel schedule this summer is go-go-go, meaning I'm constantly in the sun (sweating, ugh), hopping from cars to flights, and with very little face time. That's why I look for simple, easy makeup.

Lately, two products from Merit Beauty have been my go-to — especially when traveling.

Merit Perfecting Complexion Stick is great for travel.Photo via Merit Beauty

If you only have minutes to get ready or you're putting yourself together on a plane, try the Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick. The stick is easy to use as foundation or concealer and works anywhere. The Flush Blush Balm glides on and lets your skin show through without feeling cakey,.

The Merit Beauty Blush Balm lets your skin shine through without feeling heavy.Photo via Merit Beauty

Recover, relax, repeat

For so many of us, these scorching months are nonstop with activities — especially if you have a family or work obligations. My word this month is recovery — as a new mom and also as someone who's serious about exercise.

A little recovery with pampering never hurts, which is why I love The Covery at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. It's the hotel's new recovery and wellness center. The Covery offers advanced red light therapy, cryotherapy, an infrared salt sauna, hyperbaric oxygen treatments, therabody compression, IV therapy, and so much more. For sports recovery, look for Pulsed PEMF therapy and even BrainTap treatments to get your mental game on. Consider this your one-stop shop for recovery and wellness.

The Covery the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa Chill out with cryotherapy in The Covery at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa.Photo via the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

Recovery for new moms is important, which is why I head to SculptU for their great pelvic floor therapy. The team not only helps moms, but anyone dealing with sports injuries, needing rehab, massage, chiropractic work and more. They have locations all over the city which helps me when I'm on the move.

SculptU massage woman SculptU treats recovering moms, sports injuries, and more.Photo courtesy of SculptU

Partying like Barbie

The whole city is celebrating the release of the new Barbie movie (check out the ultimate Houston Barbie celebration guide here). I had so much fun shooting some Barbie-inspired looks with Tootsies in honor of the new movie release. All of the looks were stunning! We did Western Barbie, Disco Barbie, Malibu Barbie, 9-5 Barbie, and more!

Reagan Bregman Tootsies dress BTS Barbie: Reagan at the Tootsies Barbie shoot.Photo courtesy of Reagan Bregman/Tootsies

Make a splash with family fun

We love heading to Color Factory because it's cool and indoors (obvi), but also because it's immersive fun for the whole family — especially little Knox! We love all the different rooms, IG-worthy scenes, and places to literally dive in and have a ball in the bubble room. This is a great spot for families, out-of-town-visitors, date nights, and more.

Color Factory Houston balls We have a ball at the Color Factory.Photo via Color Factory

We all love the boating life in the Gulf Coast, but if you don't want the hassle and pain of buying, storing, and maintaining a boat, rent one on Boatsetter. We used this app during spring training and had the best time. Our driver was so kind and it was such a seamless experience.

Here in Houston, Boatsetter is perfect for trips to Lake Conroe or Galveston, or if you’re visiting Austin, Lake Austin and of course, Lake Travis.

Boatsetter boat I'm on a boat! Live the boating life without the hassle of ownership with Boatsetter.Photo courtesy of Boatsetter

My best bites for July

Pastore Italian Kitchen

Pastore food spread My fave? Pastore's seafood dishes and more. Photo by Duc Hoang

I love this Underbelly Hospitality restaurant for raw summer bites like cured Gulf snapper and scallop crudo. Being an Italian restaurant, Pastore has great pasta and pizzas from a wood-burning oven topped with everything from clams, figs, and lemon ricotta.

The rooftop at Georgia James

Georgia James rooftop lounge interior Lounge at Georgia James' rooftop. Photo by Michael Anthony

Astros reporter Julia Morales and I recently held our summer shopping event here, and I keep coming back. The rooftop lounge has fire pits (for chilly weather, obv) and great views of Buffalo Bayou and the downtown skyline. Stop here for cocktails and wine, shareable bites, oysters, and of course, beefy steaks.

Trill Burgers

Trill Burgers I love the OG Trill Burger — and the box! Photo by Marco Torres/@MarcoFromHouston

Count us as fans of Bun B’s smash burgers — just like Drake! Whether you get the OG or the Vegan OG, these burgers — and that sauce — are 100-percent worth the wait. And his burger boxes are so cool!

Reagan Bregman Barbie dress pink Tootsies

Photo courtesy of Reagan Bregman/Tootsies

Come on Reagan, let's go party: Our columnist rocks a glam pink Barbie look for Tootsies.

BIJOU BAGS

Houston designers' diamond-adorned handbags turn heads in Hollywood

Photo courtesy of 11 Juillet

Houston-based twins Mary Kay Bowden and Kim Willson, co-founders of 11 Juillet.

Houston twins Mary Kay Bowden and Kim Willson are showcasing their Southern roots and global perspective with the launch of 11 Juillet. The brand's fine jewelry and luxury handbags are already favored by A-listers including Katie Holmes, Leslie Bibb, Jenna Ortega, Emma Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston.

11 Juillet, named after the twins’ birthday, debuted its first collection in March. The line blends Italian craftsmanship with modern elegance, featuring handbags made from Italian calfskin leather and jewelry made with malachite, mother-of-pearl, onyx, and ethically sourced diamonds.

“I’ve called Houston home for about 20 years, and Kim’s been here for about four,” Bowden tells CultureMap. “We originally grew up in Kentucky, where we first began to appreciate quality craftsmanship. In our early twenties, we spent time in New York, where we were introduced to fashion and design, followed by countless trips to Paris that deepened our appreciation for Parisian art and elegance. Once we settled in Texas, we were inspired by the South’s distinctive style.”

Handbags range from $8,000 to $20,000, depending on diamond selections. Each purse features a medallion made with diamonds and natural stones ranging from 3.4 to 17 carats. The medallions are removable and can be worn as jewelry.

Leslie Bibb 11 Juliet Celebrity Leslie Bibb is a fan of the Houston-based brand 11 Juillet. Photo courtesy of 11 Juillet

Each 11 Juillet handbag is made to order in Tuscany, where Italian artisans craft the designs from full-grain calfskin. “After visiting artisans across the globe, we found Italy’s heritage of leather craftsmanship is unmatched,” they explain. “We are closely involved in designing each silhouette and communicate with our Italian artisans daily, frequently visiting Italy to ensure every piece is made with the utmost precision and the finest materials.”

Their debut collection, Éclat de Joie, which translates to “radiance of joy,” represents what they stand for. “To us, the Éclat de Joie is the heart of 11 Juillet, a symbol of light, joy, and individuality,” said Wilson. “Each star medallion represents the harmony between natural beauty, technical mastery, and personal expression.”

Currently, 11 Juillet is available online only, though the brand hosts pop-ups in various cities where merchandise is available on-site.

“Success, for us, isn’t about chasing trends, but about creating heirloom-worthy pieces through timeless designs that hold meaning, reflect exceptional craftsmanship, and can be treasured and passed down for generations,” said Bowden.

As Houston’s fashion scene continues to grow, Bowden and Willson see the Bayou City as the perfect home base. “We are based in Houston, which is known for its effortless elegance and love of diamonds. We are inspired by Texas’s fashion scene and we wanted to create handbags that let you wear your diamonds not just as jewelry, but as modern heirlooms to be cherished and passed down.”

Kim Wilson and Mary Kay Bowden 11 Juliet

Photo courtesy of 11 Juillet

Houston-based twins Mary Kay Bowden and Kim Willson, co-founders of 11 Juillet.