Christine Fail's Schatzelein

Just as hard as it is to pronounce this local boutique's name, Schatzelein (pronounced shots a line), it is just as easy to become enamored with its selection of jewelry.   Schatzelein owner, Christine Fail, has carefully curated a variety of handmade designer jewelry from around the world for this special Austin jewelry boutique.  Among the international artists, Schatzelein also proudly offers several Austin based designs including owner Christine Fail's own line of simple yet modern pieces.

This South 1st accessories boutique has been around for a little over a year now.  I have been meaning to check it out for awhile, but only recently made it inside and I am so glad I did!  This boutique contains many beautiful pieces and several different styles from antique inspired chunky rings to lightweight understated earrings.  While the selection of styles is varying, the quality is not.  Every brand carried at Schatzelein is well-made and has been thoughtfully selected.  But while the designs are high quality and handmade, the prices are not outrageous.  I have my eye on a few pieces and will definitely be back. 

Check out my photos of Schatzelein and its beautiful jewelry:      

Glitter and Gold

Lizzy Newsome

Spotted at: Glitter & Gold Poshmark party at Etcetera Etc.

What she does: Toy curator of Toy Joy

Favorite Austin spot: Xanadu Karaoke Room at the Highball

Joanna Wilkinson

keep austin stylish

Upcoming Event: Bleach Online's Tokyo Plum Release

Bleach Online launches their newest issue at Beauty Bar this Wednesday.  Should be a great event to do some style watching.  Plus 2 of my favorite Austin shops, Laced with Romance and Dog & Pony, will both be setting up pop up shops!

Event details below:

Tiffany's Boy Blue

Alexander Comsudi

Spotted: South Congress

What he does: Merchandiser for Zara

Favorite Austin place: The Greenbelt

Joanna Wilkinson

keep austin stylish

Kitty Cat Eye

Lauren Vitello

Spotted: South Congress

What she does: designs jewelry at Corvus Noir

Favorite Austin place: she doesn't know yet because 

she's from NY but is moving to Austin soon

Joanna Wilkinson

keep austin stylish

Fun Fashion Find: Mickey Hat

I know that it was like 90 degrees today and Austin is about to start melting so there's no more use for winter hats, but this Mickey Mouse hat is just too much fun to ignore.

 Sauce Mickey Hat, $38

Found: Etcetera, Etc.

Joanna Wilkinson

keep austin stylish

Upcoming Event: Leap into Spring with Fawn + Raven

Spring is almost here, and Fawn + Raven is leaping in with a party to celebrate the new season.  With complimentary drinks from Deep Eddy Vodka, March 8th is a great time to shop at Austin's new boutique Fawn + Raven.  

Please note that this event was previously scheduled for a different time and has been moved to Thursday, March 8th!

Event details below:

Casually Crested

I have a lot more free time now that I am doing strictly freelance work, so I'm taking the opportunity to shoot more Street Style photos.  Plus, I plan on taking a ton of Street Style photos during SXSW because  that was my favorite part of SXSW last year.  So, if you're gonna be out and about, make sure you are keeping Austin stylish!

Stancey Moore

Found: 2nd St. shopping district

Occupation: Architecture student

Favorite Austin spot: Book People

Joanna Wilkinson

keep austin stylish

Upcoming Event: Fabricker Grand Opening

Fabricker has only been open about a month, but has already gathered a following of local designers and crafters who are loving this new fabric store's unique selection of carefully curated fabrics.  Next Friday is a great excuse to come check out the store is you haven't already because Fabricker is throwing a Grand Opening party!

Event details below:

Fawn + Raven

It took me awhile to find Fawn + Raven.  Even though I'm directionally challenged, you can't really blame me.  Tucked away on W.35th, this new little boutique is easy to miss.  But what's behind the big wooden door of this tiny grey house should not be overlooked.  With its wallpapered walls, dark moody interior, and belts hidden away in drawers, it really feels like you're in your own closet when you're inside this boutique.  Or rather, this is what you would want your closet to be if you could have one of those luxurious Real Housewives type of walk-in closets. 

The small setup of Fawn + Raven definitely lends itself to an intimate customer service shopping experience, which is what store owner, Kim Sierra, specializes in.  Kim encourages customers to set up an appointment if they need some one-on-one styling help.  Besides the personal styling, one of the things that makes Fawn + Raven unique is its selection of brands you won't find much of in Austin- Gypsy Junkies, House of Harlow, Beatrice from Italy, and Clover Canyon, to name a few.  But Kim likes to mix in a few lower end brands like Ark & Co. as well so clients can meld lower end pieces with higher end pieces.  "As long as its made well, we will carry it" says Kim.  She's also keen to carry local designers and has many jewelry pieces by local Austin designer Rene Guest.

Upcoming Event: Fashion Freakout 5

If you're really into the fashion scene in Austin, or even if you're not really into the fashion scene in Austin, this is the one fashion show you have to check out.  Put on by Prototype Vintage Design, Fashion Freakout now in its fifth year, brings together local vintage clothing with live music performances to create a rock star fashion show.  Of all the fashion shows I have seen in Austin, this show is the best at capturing the vibe of Austin's fashion scene - unique, eclectic, and fun!  Check out my photos from last year's Fashion Freakout to see what I mean.  (I also had a video of last year's show but youtube took it down because they are evil.)

I can't wait for this show!  I'm especially pleased to see that new local favorite, Charm School Vintage is involved this year.  Last year Laced with Romance stole my heart with their unique looks and bold styling.  Who will make my heart flutter this year at Fashion Freakout 5?

Event details below:

Puppy Love

Happy Valentine's Day from me and my lovable cuddle bear.

hat: Laced with Romance

beaded top: Feathers

adorable dog: Boo

xoxo
Joanna Wilkinson
keep austin stylish

Fun Fashion Find: 1960's Acid Yellow Dress

Amelia of Amelia's Retro Vogue says this color was unusual for the time it was made, the mid 1960s.  However, Amelia notes that this bright unique color is actually a neutral and can be paired with many different colors.  I agree!  I love this color. 

Vintage Acid Yellow 1960's Beaded Dress, $60

Found at: Amelia's Retro Vogue

Joanna Wilkinson

keep austin stylish

Fun Fashion Find: Heart Pendant

Not your typical heart necklace.  A unique and edgy Valentine present idea for a unique and edgy girl.

Anatomical Heart Pendant by Rima Hyena

Found at: Laced with Romance, $120

Joanna Wilkinson

keep austin stylish

Upcoming Event: Las Cruxes Re-opening Party

Las Cruxes, a local boutique specializing in handmade and vintage clothing as well as art, has moved into a bigger space.  Las Cruxes is now located upstairs from their old location which was below the Fresh Up in the courtyard of Spiderhouse Coffee.  You can come celebrate the Las Cruxes re-opening at their party Friday night at their new location.  

More event details below:

SXSW What to Wear?!

We are only one month away from the free booze, free tacos, live music, and complete madness that is SXSW.  Because SXSW comes at an awkward seasonal transition time in Austin where the weather is as moody as a pregnant woman, it's essential that you put some thought into your wardrobe.  SXSW brings in people from all over the country and even the world, so it's also important to show Austin style in a good light.  (Plus, you'll wanna look good if you want to score with that cute out of towner.)  

Here are my suggestions of what to wear during SXSW in order to stay both comfortable and stylish.

The Pattern of Coffee and People

It's unusually fitting that a coffee house named after a classic fabric pattern would mix coffee sipping with vintage shopping.  With "Fancy Fridays" happening every Friday for the month of February, Houndstooth Coffee welcomes you to put on your "fancy" frills, enjoy some hand brewed coffee, and maybe walk out with a special vintage find.  But don't let the word "fancy" turn your t-shirt wearing self away.  The people behind Fancy Fridays say "fancy" is subjective and open to interpretation.  Good thing, because this is Austin after all and the phrase "casual Fridays" is much more likely to get participators.  However, I did really appreciate the well dressed baristas and customers that I saw on Friday, so I encourage everyone to embrace it if you're feeling fancy. 

Last Friday was not only the first Fancy Friday for Houndstooth Coffee, but was also the first pop up shop ever for Hold Vintage owner Stephanie Press.  While the selection was seemingly small occupying just a tiny corner of the coffeehouse, there were surprisingly many great appropriately priced pieces.  Stephanie is pretty new to the vintage game, having been curating vintage for only about a year now.  However, Stephanie already has a great collection of not only vintage clothing and accessories, but housewares and decor as well.  Stephanie showed what she called her "Urban Pioneer" collection with Southwestern printed bags, gingham dresses, plaid button downs, and bolo ties to name a few.  Stephanie plans on having the pop up shop themed differently every Friday.

Austin Fusion Launches With a Fun Floral Fashion Show

Photography by John Paul and Fuzebox, as well as art by Charlie Terrell added color (and thanks to John Paul some slight nudity) to the white walls of the Swan Dive last night.  Austin creatives and stylish spectators gathered at the home to Vintage Vivant in order to party for the launch of Austin Fusion.  This new online magazine celebrates the many talented artists who put their heart and soul into keeping Austin interesting, artistic, and yes, weird.

To get the party started last night, models (with some killer bods) walked a runway sporting clothing from Electric Frenchie, jewelry by Gay Isber, floral headpieces from Bloomers, lingerie by designer Sabra Johnson.  Hair and makeup was provided by Kelli Wilson and Bobbi Douglas as well as Russ & Co.  I have to give it up to Edith Henry for styling the show as it was a cohesive and pleasing fashion show to view.  The stand out pieces from this show were the floral headpieces from Bloomers which really pulled the show together, made it cohesive, and made the outfits runway worthy.  I'm now dying to make one of these!  Don't judge me if this Spring I walk around looking like a flower pot.

Style Profile: Shari Gerstenberger

The first time I walked into the stylish collective house on the east side known as Maison d'Etoile, I was greeted by a smiling face bubbling with enthusiasm and excitement.  Shari Gerstenberger, the owner of Charm School Vintage, always lights up a room and fittingly charms others as much with her cute and quirky personality as she does with her cute and quirky clothing.

Although the South Carolina native planned to pursue journalism after she graduated college from Colorado in 2007, the now vintage boutique owner ended up in Austin first as a buyer for Buffalo Exchange.  Her job working for Buffalo Exchange was Shari's first introduction to vintage and the notion that loving clothes could be a job.  With no plans of opening up her own store, the opportunity to join the Maison d'Etoile collective was something that fell into Shari's lap.  With doubts of entering a scene seemingly already saturated with vintage, Shari soon realized that Austin was in fact missing moderately priced, well-edited vintage on the east side.  Shari says the east side definitely needed the magic, glamour, and possibility for total transformation that Maison d'Etoile provides from combining vintage clothing with wigs, make up, and salon.  "Nothing else like this exists, maybe in the whole country.  It’s really exciting to be part of a space so magical!"