The (Final) To-Doux List: March 20–Indefinitely
THE TO-DOUX LIST is lifestyle editor Abby Ledoux’s weekly roundup of pop-ups, markets, and whatever else she feels like doing around Houston each Friday–Sunday (generally). This is the final installment of the series—not because the world is ending, but because this is Abby's last week at Houstonia. Take care and stay well, friends.

Image: antoniodiaz/Shutterstock
Squeeze in a Workout
When: Anytime
Where: The yoga mat collecting dust in your living room
What: Say it with me now: This is the week we start working out. For the vast majority of us who are working from home indefinitely, it's almost unfathomably tempting to forego basic habits like showering, say nothing of freaking cardio. But we must find a "new normal," and if we keep exclusively eating Flamin' Hot Cheetos and burning an average of six calories a day, our bodies are eventually going to rebel against us, COVID-19 or no. So, let's collectively agree to get workin' on our fitness, even if we can't be up in the gym (or, at this point, safely in a park). So charge your phone, unfurl your yoga mat, and dust off those dumbbells—do it for the endorphins if nothing else. Here are just three of the many local studios and fitness professionals offering virtual workouts right now:
- DEFINE Body Online: Free online workout classes (bounce, barre, yoga, dance cardio, and more) for both members and non-members, plus mental health tips to stay sane.
- Camp Gladiator Hustle from Home: Free virtual workouts led by certified personal trainers for members (aka "Campers") and non-members, live-streamed thrice daily (5:30 a.m., 8 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. CT) Monday–Fridays; 8 a.m. CT Saturdays; and available anytime on-demand.
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The FITT Cycle App: The women-only lifestyle community founder Lindsay Huelse—a Houston-based fitness guru, certified nutrition coach, and retired nurse—launched a companion wellness app in January to offer workouts (including quarterly challenges) recipes, nutrition trackers, and virtual community—talk about timing. It's available on IOS and Android for $39/month or $390/year.
Self-Soothe with Online Shopping
When: If you're anything like us, likely between the hours of 2–4 a.m.
Where: The comfort of your bed, couch, or cushiest chair
What: Taking social distancing seriously and supporting local commerce are not mutually exclusive. Yes, you can still participate in the age-old salve of retail therapy without resorting to (further) lining Jeff Bezos's pockets: Just because many local shops have physically closed does not mean they're not open for business. In fact, it's more crucial than ever to keep our dollars in the local economy, especially if we don't want to emerge from this quarantine cocoon to find our local faves permanently shuttered. The vast majority of local stores are encouraging online shopping through special sales, free shipping, and even curbside pickup or delivery. Those without fully functional e-commerce sites are partaking, too, often through Instagram or virtual personal shopping via FaceTime. Check with your own preferred retailer to see what they're offering, but here are a few of our favorite creative alternatives:
- Manready Mercantile has rolled out virtual shopping. FaceTime in at 713-861-6618 to be assigned a crew member who will help you find what you're looking for or offer personalized recommendations based on your preferences and budget. Need a unique gift? They'll even include a hand-written note with your package. Plus, owner Travis Weaver will post a rotating "Deal of the Day" around 11 a.m. each morning—previous deals include a free handmade candle in a whiskey glass ($28–38 retail value) with every order over $50.
- By popular demand, Emerson Rose now offers "quarantine kits" as much-needed pick-me-ups to keep it cute while WFH. For $70, choose from two kits including the real essentials like jade facial rollers, graphic tees, the incredible-smelling Capri Blue Volcano candles, and red wine face masks. Available for shipping, curbside pick-up, or delivery from noon–4 p.m.
- Paris Texas Apparel offers free shipping on all orders, and a new collection of O&G-related items meant to rally around Houston's central industry and elicit a chuckle during the awful Black Mirror episode we currently find ourselves in. The cheeky products include hats, tees, mugs, and bumper stickers emblazoned with "Make oil $80/bbl again." Need we say more?

Netflix and Chill (But Like, Actually Chill)
When: At all times
Where: Parked in front of your preferred device
What: First of all, um, yes, we're still watching. But even if your Hinge date is TBD for the foreseeable future, you don't have to binge alone: There's an app for that. Or, more accurately, a Google Chrome extension. Netflix Party facilitates remote watch parties through synchronizing video playback and a group chat, so call up your preferred binging partner and submit to the messy magic that is Love is Blind. Or check out our staff's quarantine viewing (and reading) recommendations. And once you burn through those, here's a few more for good measure, and all with local ties:
- Hip-Hop Evolution chronicles the transformation of the genre in the U.S. over the last 50 years, and Season 4, Episode 2 pays special attention to H-Town with "The Southern Lab," paying tribute to the pioneering influence of DJ Screw and the chopped and screwed sound.
- The Innocent Man is a highly bingeable, six-episode true-crime series based on John Grisham's tome of the same name, centered around two brutal murders in early-'80s Oklahoma that led to wrongful convictions. It's executive-produced by native Houstonian Ron Dinerstein.
- Rich Kids won a slew of awards after it premiered in 2018, and you might recognize some scenes in the indie flick that follows a group of poor, troubled Texas teens looking to see how the other half lives: It was filmed around Houston and Pasadena.