Young Women's Alliance Fashion Show

This Friday the Young Women's Alliance presents Fashion Evolution, a fashion show featuring Austin designers Linda Asaf , Rachelle Briton , and Margarito Alonzo's men's fashion.

There will also be exclusive shopping  from Beyond Tradition, Limbo Jewelry Design, Solettos, and Stella & Dot.

If you wanna attend this PIMP event at the elegant Driskill Hotel, you can get a VIP ticket for $100 that gets you a seat with a glamour swag bag or you can get a General Admission ticket for $40.

If you are anything like me and you are scared by things that require a cover charge over $5, then you can at least attend the after party at Speakeasy's Kabaret Room which costs $5 without a Fashion Evolution ticket (free for those who attend the fashion show). 

Austin Fashion Week Pick: ax + apple

Have you noticed that in Austin everyone and their dog thinks they can be a jewelry designer?  I do love the "do it yourself" attitude that the people of this town have.  However, I feel like everywhere I turn these days someone is trying to pull off their basement made arts and crafts projects as wearable art.  Okay, some can actually succeed at this.  Some can't.  When the participating designers in Austin Fashion Week were announced, I scoured the list of jewelry designers to find some designs that stood out above the "basement crafters" and the "pretty, but seen it befores."

I succeeded when I came across "ax + apple."  Jamie Lyn is the designer behind this classic jewelry with a modern edge.  Originally moving from South Florida, Jamie has since lived in 7 different cities.  Growing restless in her surroundings easily, Jamie eventually found her way to Austin.  She calls Austin "my kind of town" and says she feels lucky to call it home.  And lucky for us, Jamie says she will be sticking around for awhile.

I did a little Q&A session with Jamie to find out more about her interesting jewelry:

Of all the artistic outlets to choose from, what made you choose jewelry design?

It took me years to hone in on jewelry.  I studied fibers and fabrics, ceramics, and specialized in photography in college.  And while I was well received in these outlets, I was still restless and often found myself feeling creatively stagnant.  I had to push too hard.  It wasn't until years after I graduated that I started dabbling in jewelry making.  I started teaching myself basic techniques and fell in love with metal.  I love the sound it makes, I love watching it melt and oxidize...  I love all the tools and the fire and the endless possibilities, and I love that when you finish a piece you get to put it on and keep it with you.  I am constantly buzzing with ideas... which made me realize this was my match.

Au Revoir Soigne

I am sad to have to relay the information that Soigne, a local Austin boutique, is closing its doors permanently.

I really liked Soigne.  I have to say though, I'm not terribly surprised to hear about their closing.  Every time I shopped at Soigne I was the only customer in the store.  It was quiet enough in there to hear a shirt fall off the hanger.  They also did carry a lot of brands, such as French Connection, that you can easily access at a department store.  Their stuff was a little on the high end and kinda pricey.  However, I still shopped there and still found some cute items that I still wear today.  Remember my "Spring is Sprouting" photo shoot?  Or my "Wouldn't It Be Lovely" shoot?  They both featured items found at Soigne.

I still wear these wedges all the time.  Yes, they also had these same wedges at Anthropologie, but they were on sale at Soigne!  Totally worth the price because they are comfy too.

Lovely Austin has Moved!

Lovely Austin, which is a fabulous boutique on South 1st St.,  has moved down the street into a bigger and lovelier location.  I guess their previous locale just wasn't big enough to handle all the loveliness.  To celebrate their move, Lovely Austin is having a Grand Re-Opening Bash!

In addition to the move, they will be celebrating the fact that they now carry the line of locally and sustainably made handbags and accessories from Austinite Anne Marie Beard.

So if you wanna check out some awesome local fashion, listen to some live bluegrass by Whiskey Shivers, and drink a Lonestar or two, come celebrate Lovely Austin's move.

Gallery Black Lagoon

Local jewelry designers Stephanie Jimenez, Danielle Kress, Ingrid Kuper, Lisa Linbrugger, ELizabeth Baird, Holly Riley, Kristin Laing, Maggie Goen, and Christine Terrell will have their jewelry on display and for sale! 

This event is one day only and free to attend.

If you want to buy something, they will be accepting cash only.  Make sure you also bring some cash for the cash bar which will be serving mimosas, sangria, and cosmopolitans all day long.

Fun Fashion Find: Jean Diapers

"HUGGIES® gets fashion forward with new denim diaper design to help your baby stay trendy while keeping dry."

Umm what the hell is going on here?? Why do we need babies to look like they are wearing jean shorts?  My friend James found these in a store in New Mexico and sent me this photo.  Have y'all seen these in Austin yet?  Apparently they came out a couple of months ago so I don't know why I am just now hearing about this ridiculousness.  Check out this hilarious commercial:

STYLE Watch: Pixel Pop

Where: Pixel Pop at the Mohawk

When: Friday July 16, 2010

Recap: Pixel Pop

Last friday, I went to the Mohawk to check out the comic book creativity (and to accidentally get drunk.)  Pixel Pop brought together artists and fashion designers to create a comic book inspired event.  This event was a lot of fun, and, like most events held at the Mohawk, there was something going on in every little corner of the venue.


Live music, pop up shops of local designers, comic book artists showing off their art, two photobooths to get your photo taken at.  There was just a ton of awesomeness and creativity.


The fashion designs were inspired by the art of Chad Townsend.

Fashion FAIL: what have I done?

I vowed at some point in my life to never wear sweatpants or anything like sweatpants out in public.  But, there I was the other day, going straight from a long day of work to yoga and then home to quickly cook dinner because I was starving. At this point I should have taken a shower and changed, but I was really wanting some frozen yogurt for dessert.  By then it was 10:30 and my favorite frozen yogurt place near my house, Berry Austin, closes at 11.  This is the result:

Thanks to my bff Josh for fashion failing me.

Hopefully this is the last time I have to Fashion FAIL myself, but, I'm not making any promises.



keep austin stylish

ATX Ladies Who Lunch

Today was only my second time to attend the ATX Ladies Who Lunch, but I have very quickly grown fond of these ladies and our lunches.  Today's lunch was at Mandola's in the Triangle.  Here's what I wore:

top: Room Service, necklace: Room Service, skirt: Forever 21, ring: SoLa

You Look Like a Girl From Abercrombie and Fitch

"I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch.
I'd take her if I had one wish."

Yes, I was just listening to "Summer Girls" by LFO.  When I put my iTunes on shuffle you really never know what is going to happen.  This morning it was actually being really lovely and consistent playing a string of 70s rock songs by musicians like Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, the Doobie Brothers, and Electric Light Orchestra.  But, playing somewhere in the middle of all this, was a song highly popular at the end of the millenium "Summer Girls."

The lyrics to this song brought up many questions.  How old was I when this song came out?  Did I ever own anything from Abercrombie and Fitch?  Is Abercrombie and Fitch still popular today?  Why have I not skipped to the next song yet?

Natural Neutrals

If you follow me on twitter then you might have already seen me in this dress.  I posted a photo of me wearing it in the dressing room of Urban Outfitters.  I had to immediately share my excitement of finding a super cute dress on sale for only $9.99.  Yes this dress was $9.99!  I love how it uses what most people might consider to be bland neutrals, and yet, is still a really interesting dress.  I have actually always been a big fan of grey and consider it to be one of the most interesting colors.  

Mixing neutrals is a trend I have noticed recently that I and other fashion conscious people have been sporting.  I like how this outfit has a natural vibe, without being granola.  And, my elephant necklace adds the perfect pop of color to keep things intereting.

Blackbird Singin in the Dead of Night

At my new job the other day, my co-worker Katie enlightened me about a new store.  Katie, who was wearing a cute black dress, exclaimed "I got this dress for only $30!"  She expressed her confusion about how this new store was able to have such cute stuff with affordable prices.  Katie already had me thinking that I would HAVE to check out this new boutique.  Then, when I heard it was on North Loop near one of my favorite stores, Room Service, I was more than excited to make a trip to this new store.

Blackbird has a nifty selection of both womens AND mens clothes and accessories.  The best part about this boutique is definitely the prices.  Having prices this affordable at a local boutique is pretty rare.  At Blackbird you will feel like you are getting a good deal.

What Happens at an ANTM Casting

I went to the America's Next Top Model casting call yesterday.  I figured I might as well go through the process to get a real report of what it was like.

The casting call started at 2:00.  I arrived at the Driskill and got in line around 1:30.  There were already a lot of girls standing in line by the time I got there.  It took about 3 hours for me to get to the front where they hand you a folder with your number on it to put all your filled out forms and photos in.  I was #98 in line which seemed odd to me because the line actually felt mcuh longer than that.  But, I have never been good at judging how many people are in a large group.

Pixel Pop: A Fusion of Art, Fashion, and Music

This comic book inspired show will feature fashion designs from Team Fabrication and jewelry by local designer Kelly Young of dEconstructed dEsign.  Complementing the fashion and vice versa, will be collaborative art by local illustrator Chad Townsend.

Portions of the proceeds from the door will benefit HAAM, a local entity ensuring access to affordable healthcare for all Austin musicians.  Cover charge is $5 ($7 for minors.)

Happy Birthday America

I hope y'all are having an awesome 4th of July so far.  My family and I did some grilling for lunch.  Hot dogs, fried okra, fresh fruit, apple pie AND banana pie.  Tonight will be steaks and a squash medley with maybe a salad.  I think I'm also going to try and make some homemade coconut ice cream. Mmmm.  I love July.

I Have Nothing To Wear

This is the night I felt like I had "nothing to wear."  As much as I know this statement is always a lie, on certain nights it feels like the most honest thing I could protest.  I decided to wear a loose tee that smelled of barbecue, a sequined skirt I thought I would only ever wear in Vegas, and my cowboy boots (which I should just start referring to as my feet since they are worn so often).  July 4th weekend in Austin, Texas.  Gotta love it.

Admiring the Hem Window Art

Have y'all ever noticed the awesome art that is in the windows of Hem Jeans?  It's pretty cool because it incorporates 3 iconic Austin things: the Frost Bank tower, the Capitol, and the Alamo Drafthouse;  but everything is all denim-y.  I think this artwork was designed by Pixel Peach Studio which, in spite of making websites (including their own) that automatically play music, they make some of the most badass websites and graphic design. 

Everyone: please stop making websites that automatically play music when you go to them! This is beyond annoying.  The Hem website is awesome, but make sure your speakers are turned down low or off. Ugh.

Pixel Peach Studio is also behind this year's Austin Fashion Week posters.

Stag's "Freedom Ain't Free" Flea Market & Sale Re-Scheduled

Due to the crappy weather that is expected for this weekend, Stag has re-scheduled their Flea Market and Sale to next weekend, Friday July 9th from 6-9pm and Saturday July 10th from 10am- 6pm.


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