Store Review: Austin Sin & Style

I have to admit, as curious as I was to see what new boutique Austin Sin & Style had to offer in the style department, I was equally if not more curious to see what the "sin" of Sin & Style would be.  Did y'all know that Fleshlight was invented in Austin?  Do y'all even know what a Fleshlight is?  Kids reading my blog (and my mom) please do NOT google this.

But among the sex toys, masks, and cigars, (yes even the cigars are Austin made) at Sin & Style, there is also a smörgåsbord of locally designed clothing and accessories (more accessories than clothing) that put the style in Sin & Style.  

Friday at Frisco

Most of my family is still in town for the holidays, which means I feel overfed and lazy (and loved).  My family is all about going out to eat.  Our days are planned entirely around our meals and where we will eat them.  When outsiders spend time around my family I'm pretty sure they are incredibly confused about how we are all not obese.  Today's New Year's Eve lunch was spent at a restaurant my family has been frequenting ever since I can remember, Frisco.  They somewhat recently updated their menu and added some new items, so I actually like the place even more now.

I can't believe I can fit into this skirt right now, or that I can be wearing a skirt without tights on New Year's Eve.  I love crazy Texas weather!

Happy New Year's Eve! 

Giveaway Winner!

Last night I found a winner (actually a winner found me) for my first giveaway ever!  It was kinda way too much fun wandering around Austin in my panda hat waiting for someone to spot me.  I gave out clues on my facebook and twitter where I was/ would be.  Last night at the Eastside Knit Night, a follower of my blog, Jillian, found me and claimed the VINCA bear ring!

Giveaway: VINCA happy bear ring

This is my first Giveaway ever on the blog, so I am really excited about this!  I came up with this idea on the spur of the moment the other night and tweeted it, but since it was so last minute I decided I should extend this idea and give y'all a week in order to win.

So, here's the idea:
This week I will be wandering around town wearing my new panda bear hat that I bought at Urban Outfitters (yes, this hat is kind of ridiculous but isn't it also kind of adorable?)

The first person to find me in my hat and mention this giveaway will win an equally adorable bear themed fashion item, this "happy bear" ring by local designer Amanda Dimova of VINCA.

Black and White and Red All Over

I've talked before about using a pop of color in an outfit to add interest.  Recently my favorite color combo has been using black and white with a pop of red.  This is a pretty classic combo and, in my opinion, it never really goes out of style.  Several of the clothing items seen here are things I have had in my closet for awhile.  The exceptions (things you can find in stores now) are the black and white striped shirt from the Gap, fake leather shorts and scarf from Forever 21, swimsuit from Target, and the VINCA jewelry which was courtesy of local designer Amanda Dimova.  If you don't know anything about VINCA you can check out this post I wrote back in August.  VINCA stuff is available for purchase on their website, or you can find some of it at local boutiques Parts and Labour, DownSTAIRS Apparel, IF + D, and Capra & Cavelli.  Correction: VINCA is no longer sold at Parts and Labour, but you can find it across the street at Creatures.

Bon La Vu Fashion Show and Launch Party

Bon La Vu is a new online boutique that features one styled outfit a day assembled by stylists with various pieces from local boutiques and designers.  To celebrate their website launching, Bon La Vu has put together a fashion show that will feature individual local designer pieces as well as outfits created by Bon La Vu stylists.

Austin Fashion Week Pick: VINCA

Some women might put out on a pair of diamond earrings in order to say to the world "I am a sophisticated woman."  The VINCA customer, puts on a pair of diamond shaped earrings made out of wood and makes the world laugh.  This laugh is what VINCA jewelry designer, Amanda Dimova, strives to achieve with her work.  Amanda claims she is "incapable of making something that's not either cute or funny."

I first came across Amanda's jewelry when I was shopping on South Congress and went into one of the best stores to find local jewelry, Parts and Labour.  A little bear ring made out of acrylic seemed to be shouting my name.  I could almost see him bouncing up and down like a little anime character saying "pick me pick me" in a high pitched voice.

While VINCA jewelry is playful and happy-go-lucky, Amanda is serious when it comes to her design process.  While most jewelry designers use materials that are already made, Amanda makes the actual components.   Amanda got the idea to work with acrylic when her family, who owned a shoe factory, bought a laser cuter for industrial purposes.  Amanda quickly learned that some pretty cool things could be produced with the precision of a laser cutter.  These pretty cool things include jewelry pieces titled "Rocker Bear", "Super-Power", and "La Grappa."

VINCA jewelry seems like the perfect jewelry line for a lot of the Austin gals I know.  Amanda says she has a friend who