november picks.

it's party season, not that you need an excuse to get alden up. and they'll be bowled over when you give peace a chance with this list of picks:

alden up.
just like a prayer, madonna is coming to houston. and whether or not you're blessed with tickets, party with madge lovers at alden-houston hotel. you'll lap up the cocktails that are undoubtedly as flavorfull as the tour (the "sticky and sweet" tour, that is). november 16th. 1117 prairie street. between fannin and san jacinto. 832-200-8843. www.aldenhotels.com


give peace a chance.
you're all about a little luxe in your life. but how often does it come hand-in-hand with helping humanity? now with the brilliant earth silver peace pendant ($90) you can be sure your jewels do good. this petite piece shines with a single canadian diamond, and with the guarantee that it's socially and environmentally kind. that means free from the human rights abuses often associated with the diamond trade, and produced with minimal environmental impact. available online at www.brilliantearth.com


bowled over.
forget joe the plumbers, tacky shirts and bad beer. 300 bowling rolls a little taste into your ten-pin. with blueberry muffin martinis, blackened lamb chops (and even "two bite" sliders) you'll think the menu is a strike. don't forget, that's a good thing at the alley. 925 bunker hill road. between denise and woodsage. 713.461.1207. www.3hundred.com


new kid on the block.
if that card in your wallet says you're old enough, hit block 21, a new lounge bar upping the cool quotient on washington ave. this new venture from the owner of the flat cell already has its fans. and you'll agree that the drinks are realistically priced and the bartenders laid back. also the DJs fill and the warehouse-meets-morroccan space with crowd-pleasing jams. 2420 washington avenue. between sawyer and oliver. no phone yet.


life savings.
the new resale shop couture blowout brings the likes of givenchy, jil sander and chanel (pictured), sans the shock-and-awe price tags. still not sure? this well-edited selection is brought to you by one of houston's best-dressed ladies, fatou fall. 1621 westheimer road. between kuester and mandell. 713.520.7585.


way two go.
too much of a good thing? more like two much with the upcoming opening of benjy's #2, sister spot to benjy's near university village. mike potowski, the former chef de cuisine of famed japanese resto noe, will mix faves from the original spot with more asian fare. opening late november. 5922 washington avenue. at cohn. 713. 522.7602. www.benjys.com