I Caved

So, I caved on all fronts today.  I've never been a fan of jean shorts (a.k.a. jorts), but I caved and bought a pair today.  It was so hot and I had on my skinny jeans and I just couldn't take it anymore.  And they are kinda in style this summer.  Plus, I had a pair of grey Paige jeans that have been collecting dust in my closet for quite some time now, so I took them to Hem and got a $30 credit.  Granted, $30 takes you about as far as your mailbox there.  These J Brand shorts were still pretty pricey and buying them put me over my budget that I had clearly set out for myself, but, oh well, I caved.  At least I have something to wear during the summer when I don't feel like wearing a dress. 

The Grass is Greener

Les Artistes Recap

Les Artistes: The Revolution, was the first art and fashion show that creator Grace Rogers has ever put together.  I have to give her credit for putting together a great show.  Creativity, interesting people, and good music were all around me at the Scoot Inn last Saturday.  The art was really great and I would show y'all some pictures, but, everyone was all up in arms about people taking photos of the art.  So I guess you had to come to the event to be able to see it.  I told y'all you should have come!

The music was provided by the band Soul Track Mind, which you can see every Wednesday night at TC's Lounge.  I don't think I've ever seen another white man with so much soul.  And guess what?! I happened to have helped the wife of the drummer (pictured on the left) pick out the very dress she was sporting at the show (It's from SoLa where I work)! How great is that?

Another fashionable girl was this lovely sprite (pictured on the right) who was frolicking around with a lovely glow around her wearing a dress from Free People.  She designed the stage for the night which looked great.

Fashion FAIL?

So, this is really just more of a Fashion WTF, than a FAIL.  Because I didn't actually see this girl fall and break her ankle DOWNTOWN at a bar on 6th street, I can't really technically call it a FAIL.  The shoes are actually kinda cool in a barbie drag queen in Miami sorta way.  But, would you wear these downtown? I feel like I would fall in those even without a drink or two.  Not to mention, the pain of walking around all night.  Maybe she was only at that one bar for a short period of time? I actually see vertically challenged girls wearing these types of shoes a lot and I don't see how y'all do it for an extended period of time.

So, the question is, would YOU wear these shoes downtown?
By the way, I realize this post makes me sound like an old lady, but I'm okay with that.


keep austin stylish

Sex And The City Fashion Show

All week long, Speakeasy invites you to bring your SATC movie ticket stub to receive A COMPLIMENTARY COSMOPOLITAN and NO COVER.

And to kick things off, night one of Sex And The City is being celebrated with a fashion show inspired by none other than the 4 ladies of SATC.

Dress Your Nest

I moved into the house I am living in right now back in August of last year and I have finally gotten my bedroom to look like it has some style.  When starting the design process of my bedroom and bathroom I used the Dress My Nest (a TV show on the Style Network) technique and looked to my wardrobe for inspiration.  I am telling y'all about this because I really think it is a helpful technique.  Sometimes designing a room can be overwhelming and you don't know where to start. 

On Dress My Nest they pick out "personal items" and "style items" to use for inspiration.  A personal item can be anything that has sentimental value and you like the look of.  A "style item" is something out of your wardrobe that suits your style.

Although my room is still a work in progress, I am happy with it enough to show y'all the pictures of it and explain how I used my "personal items" and "style items" for inspiration.  I wish I had a before picture to show y'all of what my room looked like before, but sadly I can't find one.  But rest assured, it was pretty ugly.  The walls were green and it had really old blue carpet.  The bathroom actually wasn't that bad, but I still had to change it up a bit because that's how I roll.

Here are the personal and style items that I chose to use for my room:

Les Artistes: The Revolution

Les Artistes: The Revolution is an event showcasing art and fashion by local artists.   "The purpose of Les Artistes is threefold: to revolutionize people’s relationship with the arts by encouraging them to see art in different mediums and forms of expression; to encourage each individual to take it upon themselves to create positive change now and for future generations; and most importantly to bring people together from all walks of life through our shared love of the arts."

SoLa AND THE CITY 2 Giveaway!

SoLa is giving away 4 tickets to the Sex and the City 2 "Ladies Only" showing at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz with reserved balcony seating for Saturday May 29th at noon, a $50 gift certificate to SoLa, and a $25 gift certificate to the Alamo Drafthouse.

Stanton Grand Opening Party Recap

Conquerors of the denim world of Austin, sisters Loree and Aimee have branched out from their jean store Hem to venture into clothing other than denim.  Stanton clothing company carries clothes for both women and men.  The sisters wanted to create a shop that was for the everyday woman and man with affordable clothes including dresses, tanks, tops, and some jewelry for the gals and casual polos, button downs, and shorts for the guys.

Stanton Grand Opening

You know that jean store on W.12th St called hem?  Well if you don't, you should check them out if you are looking for high quality denim.  Hem carries high end denim brands for both women and men including True Religion, J.Brand, People's Liberation, and more.  One of the coolest things about hem is that they have a vintage department and if you donate your gently used premium denim you receive a $30 credit to use in the store.

Cinco de Mayo Fashion Fiesta Recap

Cinco de Mayo is really just an excuse to drink margaritas and eat Mexican food, right?  Hey, I'm not complaining.  In fact I pretty much celebrate Cinco de Mayo every week.  But, for the official Cinco de Mayo that happened last Wednesday, I celebrated in style at the 26 Doors Fashion Fiesta.  Free food was provided by Santa Rita (one of my favorite mexican restaurants in Austin), and free margaritas were handed out by  Paula's Texas Orange (they were strong and delicious.)  Sweetmeat entertained us with their music (and their charm.)  That leading lady of theirs is a talented spitfire, and, she unofficially started off the fashion show by sporting a large statement necklace that matched her dress. 

Wouldn't It Be Lovely

Wouldn't it be lovely if you could feel like a modern day Eliza Dolittle?  That's exactly what happens when you put on this black and white striped hat from Soigne.  Add some lace, a bow, and a cream and gold necklace from local designer Stephanie Jimenez and you are on your way to becoming a fair lady.  These looks prove that you can still look sophisticated and pulled together in the heat of summer. You don't have to look like a Cockney flower girl all the time.

   

Lovely Austin Concert Series

Lovely Austin is kicking off their summer concert series with live music from Deadtown and Whiskey Shivers and free lonestar.  If you've never been to Lovely Austin, it is a boutique featuring consignment clothing as well as contemporary lines from local designers.  I personally have yet to check out Lovely Austin so I am looking forward to seeing what it has to offer and of course reporting back to y'all about what I find.  Plus, how can I pass up live music and free lonestar?

UT "High Voltage" Fashion Show Recap: Part 2

After the main collections had walked the runway at the UT Fashion Show, the evening and bridal gowns were ready to be shown.  This part of the night is probably the most exciting because of the drama.  Evening gowns are more special and make more of a statement than the collections.  And I don't think there is another type of clothing that girls and women enjoy looking at more than wedding gowns.  When one of the last bridal gowns was walking down the runway I hear the girl sitting behind me say "oh please don't let this be the last one!"  No wonder there is an entire TV show dedicated to the process of picking out a wedding dress (admit it, you've sat down and watched "Say Yes to the Dress" and couldn't change the channel until it was over.)

UT "High Voltage" Fashion Show Recap: Part 1

The UT fashion show has come a long way in the past years. When I was at UT I was a member of the University Fashion Group which plays a big part in putting this show together. Not only has the production value of the show grown since I was a University Fashion Group member, but the designs that the students present have improved as well. I was very impressed with all the work presented at the show. Even though I didn't love every collection or every piece, I could still see the hard work and effort that was put into these designs. Congratulations to all these newborn fashion designers. Y'all have bright futures ahead of you.

Casting Call for Bravo's "The Fashion Show"

A little while back I posted this post about Bravo casting for their show "The Fashion Show." Well, the casting producer for the show personally contacted me and is going to give any designers that I refer to her a VIP pass to the open casting call in Austin next weekend!

Here's what you need to bring to the casting call:

• your completed application
  
• a portfolio of your work
  
• three articles of clothing that you have created and that best showcase your designs
  
• one piece of government-issued photo ID
  
• a non-returnable photo of yourself

To download the application click here. And to contact me so that I can refer you, click on the Contact tab on the menu bar of my site. Please email me a little something so I can check out what you've got. I look forward to seeing my Austin designers' talent and being able to refer you!