New Salon Mirror Mirror Helps Me Face The Mirror

Mirror Mirror owner, Martha Lynn Barnes

Among the gorgeous painted walls and the appropriately beautiful mirrors, several golden boots add to the decor at the new salon on Burnet and West 45th Street.  Austin Fashion Week award winner Martha Lynn Barnes is proud to admit her previous accomplishments in the local salon industry.  But even with a successful run at Jose Luis Salon and Luxe Apothetique, opening her own salon Mirror Mirror is her proudest accomplishment thus far.

Having not had even a trim in more than a few months, I took Martha Lynn up on her offer to give me a cut and redo my highlights at her new establishment.  Poor Martha Lynn... if she had known the state in which I would be arriving to her salon, she might not have been so giving.  I confess that the morning of my Mirror Mirror hair appointment I was looking rough.  Really rough.  Like the kind of rough when you wake up and don't even want to look in the mirror because you can feel the hideousness seeping out of your pores.  If I had asked that morning "Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?", unless we had been talking about skin color, I would not have been declared the fairest of them all (I blame the bartender at Chinatown for this.)

But Martha Lynn didn't get mad at me when she realized her brush was going to get stuck in the contents of my hair.  Like the sweetheart that she is, she continued to work her magic and made me feel like I might actually be able to show my face to the rest of Austin that day.  Good thing too, because the White Party was that night and I wanted to look good.  But Martha Lynn made me look better than good.  She gave me exactly what I wanted which was a trim and some natural looking highlights.  My hair instantly looked healthy and fresh.

Already satisfied with my experience so far, something magical happened when I asked "do y'all do makeup here too?"  That's when Martha Lynn directed me to one of the other makeup and hair stylists at Mirror Mirror, Alisha Jurkevicz.  Alisha hooked me up with one of the best makeup applications I have ever had.  Although the application of it felt odd, the airbrush makeup made my skin look flawless.  She also made my eyes look amazing with a few expertly placed false lashes.  I almost jumped out of my chair with joy to start dancing to Flashdance's "What a Feeling" which was appropriately playing out of the speakers.

After my experience at Mirror Mirror, I was more than ready for the White Party and was happily no longer afraid to look in the mirror.

Style Watch: The White Party

Where: The Long Center

When: Friday, May 27, 2011

It's hard to stand out in the crowd when you and everyone else are forced to wear the same color.  So for the Lifework's White Party, it's all about the accessories and the pop of color.  The most popular pop of color at the White Party this year was definitely blue.  Gold, turquoise, green, and yellow were some of the runners up for most popular accent color.

My friend and fashion designer made me a custom designed dress for the White Party, but unfortunately the measurements that I gave her were quite off (I blame the girl who measured me for a bridesmaid dress I am wearing in a wedding in September, because those were the measurements I gave my friend).  The dress she made me was way cuter than the backup dress I had to end up wearing, so I was pretty bummed.  But I at least got to show off my awesome gold stilettos I got from Betsey Johnson.

Check out what everyone was wearing at the White Party:

My Outfit: Those Summer Nights

It all started when my friends and I had an event to go to at the Highball and then wanted to howl at the moon at Barton Springs after.  What's a girl to wear on an evening such as this?  That's when I was forced to get a little creative and used my awesome 80s swimsuit that I got at Room Service as a top.  This swimsuit works with several different skirts to be transformed into a great dress.  Best $10 ever spent.  The swimsuit dress is perfect for fun in the sun, dancing, and debauchery.  Summer nights in Austin are now even better.

swimsuit: Room Service

skirt: y and i boutique

necklace: Strut

shoes: Steve Madden at Macy's in the Domain

Joanna

keep austin stylish

It's Getting Hot in the 2nd St. District

Teddies for Bettys owner, Ashley M. Kelsch

It seems like it was just yesterday that I walked into a newly opened lingerie store on South 1st street called Teddies for Bettys to do some important fashion investigating for a Valentines blog post.  But the truth is, that was over a year ago.  Since then, the local one stop lingerie shop has grown and spread its wings.  But there are no Victorias Secret angels here.  This local boutique is more than a step above your typical lingerie chain or department store by not only offering designer lingerie, but high end sox toys as well. 

Teddies for Bettys recently made the move to the 2nd St. district and celebrated their "It's Getting Hot in Here" grand re-opening last Thursday with sexy Z tequila, sexy lingerie models, and even a sexy DJ.  I have to admit that although their old house on South 1st had an intimate local vibe to it, the 2nd St. district definitely feels like a better fit for the store.  Owner, Ashley M. Kelsch, says it was always her intention to be on 2nd St. but starting out on South 1st was the best option for her at the time and a great first step towards making a name for the store as a shopping destination in Austin.  Ashley is happy to report that since moving to 2nd street, her store has had far more foot traffic and her regular customers don't seem to mind the transition. 

With its yummy restaurants, the swanky W hotel, the new ACL live venue, and the new Violet Crown Cinema, the 2nd street district has really shaped up to be a happening Austin destination.  And the fact that a big national chain like Urban Outfitters is coming soon to the area, proves that 2nd street has not only established itself as a successful shopping district, but it's also broadening its appeal by attempting to bring in a younger crowd.  It's getting hot in the 2nd St. district!  And Teddies for Bettys has the perfect combination of an upscale feel with some downtown flair to fit right in.

Check out my photos from the Teddies for Bettys "It's Getting Hot in Here" grand re-opening:

Trend Alert: High Waisted Jorts!

I saw a lot of high waisted jorts at SXSW, and something tells me they are going to stick around throughout summer to be one of this summer's biggest trends. 

I was feeling crafty and decided the best way to get the jort look I was craving was to make my own.  So, I headed to Goodwill to find some mom jeans with good jort potential.  Found these vintage Guess jeans for $7 and took them home with me and had my way with them.  If you want to make your own jorts all you need are jeans, scissors, and maybe some sandpaper for distressing.  Just keep in mind that once you throw them in the washing machine they will fray up even more.

First Look: Austin Fashion Week 2011 posters

Check it out.  Your first look at this year's Austin Fashion Week posters.  You once again have Pixel Peach's Gary Dorsey to thank for these beauties.  I thought last year's main poster bared a resemblance to Christina Aguilera, but this year's artworks actually do incorporate the images of some pop culture icons. Audrey Hepburn, Gene Wilder, and Josephine Baker all make up the strange and somewhat random Austin Fashion Week 2011 threesome.  I think these are pretty rad though, what about you? 

Unfortunately I've been hearing more and more negative comments from people within the Austin fashion community about Austin Fashion Week.  What's your opinion?  Do you plan on attending or participating in this year's events?

Joanna
keep austin stylish

Upcoming Event: Blo Salon Launch Party

What:

• pink cupcakes, blo-tinis, bubbles, and pink tutus
• Blo On The Go touch up station
• live graffiti performances
• DJ
• all proceeds from ticket sales go towards the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
• click here to purchase tickets 

A Betty Lash Makeover

Local makeup and beauty salon, Betty Lash, moved from their spot on West 3rd overlooking the train tracks, to the much bigger and beautifully decorated space on West 15th street.  To celebrate, they threw a great bash last Sunday night where they were offering free makeup applications.  I took them up on their offer, because, who wouldn't want to get their makeup done for free? (I kinda hate doing my own makeup, so this was especially awesome for me).  Check out my photos of the newly made over Betty Lash as well as my Betty Lash makeover:

Upcoming Event: The White Party

On May 27th Austin's A-listers will be decked out in all white at one of the most anticipated parties of the year.  All the proceeds from the White Party go to the non-profit organization, LifeWorks, which works to transition children and families from crisis to safety and success.  LifeWorks helps over 10,000 families each year by operating 17 programs spanning housing, counseling, and youth development.

This year the White Party will have Grey Goose cocktails, food from some of Austin's best restaurants, and music by DJ Johnny Bravvo.  But, what I'm most excited about is being there to document all the style.  And what will I be wearing??  UT graduate, and clothing designer Lauren Perdue is working on making a custom white dress for me as we speak!  Those are her sketches above of possible dress options.  Aren't they amazing? I can't wait to show y'all the result!

What:

• Grey Goose cocktails
• food by Paggi House, Second Bar + Kitchen, Bess Bistro, Max’s Wine Dive, Ranch 616 and more
• music by DJ Johnny Bravvo
• all proceeds go to LifeWorks
• buy tickets

Recap: Strut 512 Fashion. Art. Music. Giving

I don't know if y'all noticed, but, last Thursday my Events page was filled with a row of back to back fashion events.  I did a little party hopping and already buzzed from my Stella Says Go birthday party drink, I made my way to the Strut 512 event which was raising money for Spirit Reins.  Spirit Reins is an awesome organization that uses horses to help emotionally or behaviorally challenged children.  

By now I have totally gotten this whole Austin fashion show thing down.  I know that if I get to a show much later than when it is supposed to start I won't miss anything.  This is because Austin fashion shows are almost always horribly uncoordinated and never start on time.  Therefore, I wasn't as much concerned about when the fashion show would start as I was concerned about how much tequila my margarita had in it.  After convincing the bartender to put an extra shot in my drink, I think I would have enjoyed this fashion show no matter what the fashion looked like.

After my bathroom break I naturally made my way to the bar again to get another drink, because, why wouldn't I need a drink while I'm shooting runway photos?  By the time the show started I think I was pretty drunk so it definitely might have been the tequila talking but, I actually enjoyed this fashion show.  I especially liked seeing the artsy "Project Runway grocery store challenge" type repurposed designs from San Antonio designer John Castro of Kastro Kills.  That last gold dress was like if Princess Leia in the gold bikini had a love child with C-3PO.

Check out my photos from the show:

Mana Culture

Ask Me: I Need To Find A Shirt And Tie

I just bought this jacket with matching pants for the UT Law graduation ceremony (woo!):

theory.com

So, I need to find a shirt and tie.  I really want this to pop, the problem is the color is kind of flat in person.  The only color pattern I'm even sort of happy with, light blue dark blue, seems overdone and kind of boring:

Any suggestions on colors or on where I could find some good options in Austin?  


Best,
Zac (@zaxzorz)

Recap: Fiesta Fashion Show

"Maybe I should start calling myself a designer." That's honestly what I was thinking when the first outfit of the night walked the runway at the Fiesta Fashion Show Sunday night.  Does taking a pair of jeans and cutting part of them out and replacing it with neon lace and then creating a "top" by simply taking a yard of tulle and tying it around your boobs really make you a designer?  The sad thing is that in Austin it apparently does.  I'm sorry to have to be the one to say this but, adorning an outfit does not make you a designer.  The other day I took a plain white tee and painted a flag on it and if I don't call myself a designer then you probably shouldn't either.  Maybe one day the ideas of ByDavidJ will be fully developed, but I don't think those designs were anywhere close to being ready for a runway.

Luckily though, not ALL the designs from this night were lacking maturity.  I liked one of the swimsuits from Dija Swimwear, thought the jewelry by Simmang Design was cute, and the black dress with sheer lace from Monica Michelle Li was really cool.  Even though there was some lame fashion in the mix, overall the show was at least interesting because it was A) designs I had never seen before B) all local designers and C) not a mall fashion show with boring styling.  Honestly I'd rather think the fashion is ugly than be bored to death by outfits I can see on mall mannequins.  What do y'all think about the designs from the show?  Check out my photos:

ByDavidJ

Upcoming Event: Strut 512 Fashion. Art. Music. Giving

What:

• Food
• Drinks
• Live Music by Rock House
• Fashion and Live Auction
• DJ Johnny Bravvo
• Fashion Show with local boutiques and designers: 81 Poppies, Mana Culture, John Castro with Kastro Kills, Catherine Nicole Jewelry
• Benefits Spirit Reins
• Advance Tickets $30, $40 at the door

Where:

• Umlauf sculpture garden and museum
• 605 Robert E Lee Road

View Larger Map

When:

• Thursday, May 12
• 6:30 - 10 pm

Joanna

keep austin stylish

Sale: Ornamental Things 7th Anniversary Sale

Local jewelry line, Ornamental Things is having their annual sale.  Everything is 35% off through May 19. The sale only applies online at www.ornamentalthings.com and not in stores where Ornamental Things is sold.


Joanna
keep austin stylish

Upcoming Event: Celebrate 31,536,000 seconds of TIKKR

What:

• Austin based watch company, TIKKR's one year anniversary party
• this is a VIP section of the 3rd annual La Condesa Cinco de Mayo party
• must be wearing a TIKKR watch to get in
• free food, free drinks

Where:

• Malverde, upstairs of La Condesa

View Larger Map

When:

• Thursday, May 5th 
• 6 - 9 pm

Joanna

keep austin stylish

Outfit: Patriotic Pride

I went a little crazy last night when the news broke that Osama Bin Laden had been found and killed.  I tweeted up a storm, I opened up a bottle of wine, I sang the national anthem at home by myself, and then I busted out my paints and my scissors to make a t-shirt.  What did you do?

t-shirt: made by me

jeans: Joe's Jeans at Saks Fifth Avenue

shoes: Aldo at the Domain

sunglasses: Ray Bans

Joanna

keep austin stylish

Style Watch:"Fashion Shock" Wilhelmina Brown Anniversary Party

Where: Austin Arthouse

When: Thursday April 28, 2011

Anyone else think Cory Feldman was looking kinda like Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer?