Texas unearths new ranking as 2nd best state for urban treasure hunting

HIDDEN GEMS

Photo by Evgeniy Kozlov on Unsplash

Word is out: Texans love to treasure hunt.

Texas has ranked No. 2 in LawnStarter's 2023 "Best States for Urban Treasure Hunting" report. The Lone Star State has the most metal detecting sites, pawn shops, flea markets, and geocaching locations (a total of 226!) in the nation, the report says. Additionally, the state has the second-higuhest number of treasure hunting groups and geo-tours, and the third-highest number of storage unit auctions.

Those who are new to the hobby and want to find some new gear, worry not: Texas also has the second-highest number of mining, metal detecting, and hardware supply stores out of all 50 states. (Just be aware that you can't metal detect in state parks without a permit.)

For anyone who thinks metal detectorists find only junk, remember this story from a few months back, when a Dallas resident unearthed a class ring dating back to the early '90s and was able to reunite it with its long-lost owner?

The only state to outrank Texas is California, which the report called "a fitting outcome" for the Golden State, considering its history of gold mining in the mid-19th century and popularity in local communities. Washington, also known as "the birthplace of geocaching," ranked No. 4.

The top 10 states for urban treasure hunting include:

No. 1 – California
No. 2 – Texas
No. 3 – Florida
No. 4 – Washington
No. 5 – New York
No. 6 – Pennsylvania
No. 7 – Virginia
No. 8 – Ohio
No. 9 – Missouri
No. 10 – Arizona

At the bottom five of LawnStarter's list are Rhode Island (No. 46), Delaware (No. 47), Montana (No. 48), Wyoming (No. 49), and North Dakota (No. 50).

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Houston beauty expert ranks top 5 celebrity makeup lines for A-list looks

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Another day, another celebrity makeup brand is hitting the market. More and more celebrities and influencers are jumping into an already crowded space and bringing their masses of fans with them.

And why wouldn't they? According to Oberlo, the beauty industry is worth a staggering $579 billion in 2023. Celebrities get to cash in on their name and likeness, while fans get something designed by their favorite VIP.

Fresha recently conducted a study on the most popular celebrity beauty brand. They looked at the average monthly search volume for each beauty brand, the Instagram following of each official account, TikTok posts, and the number of views on each TikTok hashtag. An overall beauty index score was calculated from each variable to find the most in demand celebrity beauty brand.

The top five list has some heavy hitters and notable absences. Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez comes in at No. 1, followed by Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, Florence Mills by Millie Bobby Brown, and R.e.m. Beauty by Ariana Grande.

We looked to Houston makeup expert Mari Metzler for her take on the celebrity makeup craze. Metzler is not only an industry veteran; she created her own makeup line, making her a certified expert on what to look for in products.

"When a known name stands behind a product, it's like a friend recommending their favorite lipstick or foundation. It cuts through the overwhelming noise and offers a trusted starting point for consumers."

Metzler took a deep dive into each celeb-backed line to give her opinion on what's the best of the best.

Rare Beauty

Favorite Product:Rare Beauty's Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation

What It Does: Provides medium to full coverage with a lightweight, natural finish.

Why We Like It: The foundation feels incredibly weightless on the skin yet provides excellent coverage, offering a natural, radiant finish that lasts all day.

Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty ranks as number one celebrity makeup line. Photo by Rare Beauty

Kylie Cosmetics

Favorite Product:Kylie Cosmetics' Kyshadow - The Bronze Palette

What It Does: Features nine pressed powder eyeshadows in neutral and bronze hues with matte and shimmer finishes.

Why We Like It: This palette is incredibly versatile, making it easy to create everything from a natural daytime look to a more dramatic evening eye.

Kylie Cosmetic's eye shadow pallets have great colors for fall looks.Photo by Kylie Cosmetics

Fenty Beauty

Favorite Product:Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

What It Does: Delivers explosive shine in universally flattering shades.

Why We Like It: It's not sticky, has an addictive peach-vanilla scent, and gives the lips a luscious, fuller look.

Rhi Rhi's Fenty Beauty line is color inclusive for all skin tones. Photo by Fenty Beauty

Florence by Mills

Favorite Product:Florence by Mills' Cheek Me Later Cream Blush

What It Does: Provides a buildable, blendable pop of color that lasts.

Why We Like It: The formula is creamy and easy to blend, providing a natural, youthful flush to the cheeks.

Cream blush is everywhere this season. Photo by Florence by Mills

R.e.m Beauty

Favorite Product:Interstellar Highlighter Topper

What It Does: This highlighter offers a satin-pearl sheen that enhances the skin's natural luminosity.

Why We Like It: The formula is subtle and never glittery, perfect for achieving a fresh, dewy glow.

Photo by Rare Beauty

Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty is the highest ranked celebrity makeup brand.

Get that freshy glowy look just like Ariana Grande with her makeup line's highlighter. Photo by R.e.m Beauty

Armandos' family-friendly, Tex-Mex sister restaurant taps Katy for 2nd Houston-area outpost

mandito's on the move

Katy residents will soon have a new option for fajitas, enchiladas, and margaritas. Mandito’s Tex-Mex has claimed the former Jax Grill location (9910 Gaston Rd.) for its second Houston-area outpost.

Photo by Mackenzie Smith Kelley

Mandito's serves all the Tex-Mex favorites.

Part of the Palacios Murphy Hospitality Group that also includes River Oaks favorite Armandos and Italian restaurant Lulu’s, Mandito’s is a more family-friendly establishment than its upscale siblings. Joining an original location in Round Top and an outpost in Bellaire that opened earlier this year, the restaurant takes its name from the childhood nickname of co-owner Armando Palacios — “Mandito” is “little Armando.” It is expected to open in early 2024.

The menu centers around burritos, enchiladas, flautas, and fajitas as well as the signature burrito bowl, a clever reimagining of a taco salad with ground beef, steak, or chicken topped with lettuce, corn, cheese, avocado, beans, and more. Other favorites include the Tex-Mex Kale Caesar, Tres Hombres Plate (three different enchiladas), and the Tex-Mex Banana Split. They’re paired with a robust range of frozen and shaken margaritas.

Palacios Murphy COO Alex Curley lives in Katy and sends his children to Katy ISD schools. He’s bullish on area that’s grown 20-percent since 2020, according to a release.

“As a Katy resident, I am ecstatic to be able to oversee the construction of a Mandito’s Tex-Mex in the community that I love deeply,” Curley said. “I have no doubt that Katy residents and visitors to the area’s numerous attractions will quickly fall in love with Mandito’s Tex-Mex. We have put a significant amount of work into making this concept a neighborhood locale that caters to a number of different audiences who are collectively in search of a communal space that prides itself upon delivering delicious food and drink selections and outstanding service to each and every guest.”

In keeping with that optimism, the Katy location will be slightly larger than its Bellaire sibling, with the ability to seat over 150 people indoors and 50 more on a patio that will look onto the development’s green space. In addition, an expanded to-go area will have a dedicated entrance to expedite pick-ups.

The restaurant wants to give back to its neighborhood, too. Therefore it will host spirit nights for local schools and sports team and offer a 10-percent discount to Katy ISD employees and first responders.

Cult craze Hello Kitty Cafe Truck says hi to Houston area on cross-country tour

the other pink craze

The famously pink Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is making its way down to Houston in October for a special day of treats and cartoon cat collectibles.

The cutesy vehicle will bring a horde of new Hello Kitty clothing, plushies, and accessories to First Colony Mall (16535 Southwest Fwy) from 10 am to 7 pm on October 7.

Among the new items is a bright pink tote bag with rainbow straps and desserts decorating the front, an assortment of Hello Kitty baked goods, and a transparent coffee mug with sprinkles in the handle and different desserts printed on the glass body. Visitors can also snag an adorable lunchbox and a 18-ounce or 32-ounce stainless steel rainbow thermos.

Hello Kitty rainbow tote bag The bright pink reusable tote bag has rainbow straps.Photo courtesy of Sanrio

As for the hand-decorated baked goods, guests can expect to see Hello Kitty's classic friends Keroppi the frog and Chococat appear on petit fours. The leading lady appears on miniature cakes, a giant sugar cookie, small box sets of madeleines, and French macarons.

The popular attraction has been touring around the country for nearly a decade, drawing crowds of thousands of people every year. Houston will be its second Texas stop on the tour — following Arlington — before visits to Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso later that month.

As a note, the cafe truck only accepts debit or credit cards, and not cash.

Other Texas cities on the tour route include:

September 30 – Arlington
October 7 – Houston
October 21 — San Antonio
October 28 – El Paso

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