Brandi Smith
Brandi is a recovering journalist who spent more than 20 years of her life in TV newsrooms from Oregon to Idaho to Texas. She was born and raised in Umpqua, Oregon, a community that her kids constantly remind her qualifies as a “village” because of its booming population of 112. As you might imagine, Houston has been a big change! Brandi moved here with her partner Justin in 2015 and has embraced big-city energy. Now she lives in Fifth Ward and soaks up everything Houston has to offer – concerts, events, breweries, restaurants … you name it.
165+ Birthday Freebies and Discounts All Around Town
Updated December 2025
Birthdays still come with perks, but let’s be honest: they’re not exactly free anymore. These days, most birthday treats come with a...
Why You Need to Put a Korean Body Scrub on Your Christmas List This...
Moms, gather round. I need to tell you about the moment I basically shed my entire past life and emerged a new woman in...
Fun and Useful Stocking Stuffers for Babies, Big Kids and Teens
If you’ve ever found yourself panic-scrolling at midnight on Dec. 23 thinking, “Do I have anything small enough to put in these stockings?” you’re...
Experience Gifts Houston Families Will Actually Love This Year
If you’ve ever watched your kids tear through presents on Christmas morning only to … forget half of them by New Year’s, you already...
What Parents Need to Know about ‘AirPod Ear’
If your kids are anything like mine, you already know what’s at the top of their holiday wish list: earbuds. Always earbuds. They lose...
Where to See Fall Foliage in Houston Right Now
If you’ve lived here long enough, you know two things can be true at once: no, Houston will never look like New England on...
How to Make the Most Out of Your Halloween Pumpkin
The candy wrappers have been swept up, the costumes tucked away, and your little ghouls are already asking about Christmas lights … but what...
How to Help Houston Families Affected by SNAP Benefit Delays
When one Houston family struggles, we all feel it. With the possibility of SNAP benefits being delayed or interrupted, many parents across our city...
What to Do and Where to Get Help if You Lose Food Assistance
If you’ve been following the news, you might have heard that millions of families could temporarily lose access to SNAP benefits as soon as...
7 Ways to Turn Pumpkin Seeds into the Best Fall Snack
Carving a pumpkin is only half the fun — the real treat comes after! Don’t toss those seeds. With just a few ingredients and...