Indi Indi Quite Contrendy... plus a giveaway from Duluth Trading Company!

- - - - -

While I've been away, Chris has been hard at work in our garden. One of our first major projects as new homeowners was having seven raised garden beds put in. When I was doing more outfit posts, I'd often use the garden as a backdrop, so over the years, you've gotten glimpses at some of our backyard bounty:

Chris and I don't claim to be master gardeners (our friend Jenni takes the cake on that one), but over time we've learned some great tricks of the trade. When we first started our garden, we would simply mark what we had planted with large popsicle sticks, labeled in Sharpie. This method was lacking because the Sharpie bleeds on the wood, and the sticks are small and sometimes disappear among the plants. Sure, there are a lot of fancy garden markers out there, but it seems silly to drop a lot of money on something that is literally going to go into the dirt. This weekend, I was thinking about our garden, and I came up with what I'm now calling "crazy convenient garden markers". These are awesome because the clothespins act as labels, and they can be shuffled or several can fit on one dowel. Best of all, not including the seeds, I spent a mere $4.00.

Supplies:

• Outdoor acrylic paint (any color) 
• Paint marker (contrasting color) 
• Paint brush or sponge 
• Standard sized wooden clothes pins 
• 1/4'' thick 12'' long bamboo dowel rods (check in bakery supplies) 
• Names of seeds
• Not pictured: plastic cup, paper plate, and paper towels

Instructions:

1. Place clothes pins around a plastic cup so that they can be painted on both sides in one go and can dry easily, without laying flat.
2. Using several thin layers, paint the clothes pins.
3. Paint the dowels (optional- I skipped this part for now).
4. Label clothes pins with the names of the seeds.
5. Label additional clothes pins with notes or planting or harvest dates.

I think these could be super cute if one were to be very methodical in their painting and labeling, but they're still pretty cute when they're imperfect.

Some of you might wonder how Chris and I have a successful garden in Austin when the temperatures are consistently over 100º for most of the summer. The answer is consume lots of water, work in the morning, wear a big hat, and dress cool.

Duluth Trading Company recently hooked me up with some sweet outdoor work clothes that I can't wait to use in the garden once I get back to Texas. I've been wearing the heck out of my Armachillo shirt here in Indiana; I honestly can't believe how lightweight and comfortable it is. It's the kind of shirt that a person could wear year long. Can you imagine? Long sleeves in Austin in August? This shirt makes it possible.
I wasn't actually expecting these clothes to be cute enough to wear outside the garden, but I think I can make it work:
And best of all, they're certainly durable enough and designed to get me through a summer in our garden, which I can't wait to get back to. If you'd like to try something out from Duluth Trading Co. yourself, feel free to enter below to win a $50 gift card. I'll choose the winner tonight, so be sure to enter right away! As always on Adored Austin, no need to follow a bazillionty links or Pin or Tweet or repost anything for a gazzillion additional entries:

Bonus: Enjoy free standard domestic shipping until June 30th with a $50 purchase using code T13PRCG.
- - - - -
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Texas Style Council 2013: It's On!

We're doing it!
You know, after last year's conference I wasn't convinced that there was a need for another Texas Style Council symposium, but after evaluating a lot of the feedback I got from last year's event and endeavoring to make subsequent TxSC conferences markedly different, I think this is going to be our best year, yet!

Registration opened today, and we're having twice a many tickets available and making sure that any woman (blogger or not) can get something out of this conference. We're calling it TxSC Summer School, and the focus is on learning. We've scrapped the panel / audience format in lieu of hosting two days of smaller, intimate, hands-on / face-to-face classes. [more info on our changes from 2012 here]

Our teachers are phenomenal. Our keynote presenters are Emma & Elsie from A Beautiful Mess, plus a few other familiar faces:


If you are a woman who has a lifestyle, fashion, DIY, or mom blog -or- if you own a business that caters to women-centric industries, you will get a ton of bang for your buck at TxSC Summer School. Our full line-up is on its way. In the meantime, take advantage of our early bird discount and register soon. Tickets sold-out both last year and the year before.

We've only just begun going through our perspective speakers' pitches, and we haven't yet begun seeking official conference sponsors. If either of those opportunities interest you, contact me and the TxSC advisory team here. We're also looking for a few local volunteers to help our registration manager get check-in done at all of our events.

Two things: (1) it's incredible how much we've grown in the last four years (note blogger #5), and (2) Huge props to Joa Jean, our patient, talented web designer who came back on this year!  Our TxSC website has never looked so good.

Austin Eavesdropper Post on Ethical Shopping in Austin

My friend Tolly wrote a thought provoking post about ethical shopping and she included a list where you can shop with heart in Austin. I recommend hightailing it over there to read it at Austin Eavesdropper:  
Read more >>>

Kid of the Year (in other words, give your mom a really great Mother's Day gift and be funny)

Do you want to earn "favorite child status" from mom this year? I can guarantee that you'll be in the running if you give your mom a Mother's Day Gift that is equal parts thoughtful, useful, and delightful. A present that will make her smile + a card that will make her laugh = sure hit. Here are some ideas that will make your siblings wish they would have thought of that:
1. CANDLE // card inspiration: "No one holds a candle to you, Mom."
[pictured: Capri Blue Red Volcano candle via Anthropologie]

2. RING // card inspiration: "For all those times when I was growing up and you wanted to ring my neck."
[pictured: Catbird Heart Ring exclusive to Anthropologie]

3. SHOES //  card inspiration: "I bet raising us was no easy feet!"
[pictured: white crochet TOMS via Nordstrom]

4. TOTE // card inspiration: "You are TOTE-ally the best mom, ever!"
[pictured: red striped reusable tote by Baggu]

5. MEASURING CUPS //  card inspiration: "When it comes to being a mom, you more than measure up." or (sappier) "Our love for you is beyond measure."
[pictured: Measuring Hedgies via Anthropologie]

6. GRATER // card inspiration: "Mom, you're grate!"
[pictured: Beak the Clock Grater via ModCloth]

7. WHISK // card inspiration: "I whisk you were here!"
[pictured: Martha Stewart stainless steel balloon whisk via Macy's]

8. WINE GLASSES // card inspiration: "For all those years you had to put up with my wining."
[pictured: Mikasa Cheers white wine set via Dillard's]

9. DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME //  card inspiration: "I can't picture a life without you!"
[pictured: Kodak Pulse wi-fi digital frame via Amazon]

If your mom does, indeed, deem you her favorite child after you used one of these ideas, high fives all around! If anyone else has any punny gift ideas, leave them in the comments below!

- - - - -
This post also appears on the Simon Style Setter blog. I love that they let me come up with the permalink title. Ha!

These businesses gave (a darn).

I want to take a quick moment to highlight the generous and awesome people who supported my fundraising efforts for the Austin Children's Shelter during Amplify Austin. Please take a moment and visit and support these kind companies (don't forget that Mother's Day is coming up soon!).

Beauty Queen Blog

 

I officially met Cindilu, the make-up and hairstylist behind Beauty Queen Blog during the Texas Style Council March mixers. She was so sweet and funny. She says, "My personal goal [is to] enhance natural beauty and create magic for everyone I come across. My passion is to create looks that you can wear every day to feel your best."

Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Blank Slate Patterns
Melissa, the blogger behind Melly Sews, took the big plunge and quit her day job to start her own small business, Blank Slate Patterns. Featuring modern sewing patterns for kids, these affordble patterns are absolutely adorable. Because she's a mom to two boys, she has great patterns for the little gentlemen in your lives. She says, "I choose sewing over buying because I like unique, well-fitting clothing. And I like that through sewing I can dress myself and my family more responsibly with regards to the environment by utilizing upcycled/recycled materials and support small and local businesses by sourcing fabrics and materials from them."

Shop | Blog | Facebook

Dragonflight Dreams
I met Amanda at Texas Style Council last year, and our paths have crossed a few times out since. She's a kind soul, creative and thoughtful. Dragonflight Dreams is her shop of hand printed clothing, tote bags and art prints with designs of a whimsical, fantastical, or elemental nature.

Shop | Blog | Facebook

Little Low Studio
Caitlin and I met at Le Garage Sale earlier this year, but I was already familiar with her goods shop Feb 10 Designs because I had been stalking a few of her animal alphabet prints via Etsy. When I found out she was launching an Eco Friendly print shop, I was excited to see her new work. Everything in her shop is awesome-- clean and modern with a touch of whimsey, my favorites are her hoop art prints.

Site | Etsy | Facebook

Longhorn Fashions
Way back in 2010, Tessie sponsored Adored Austin when she first opened her online retail shop. We did a great giveaway, and she even sent Jude an adorable Longhorns outfit, which Caroline is about to inherit! Longhorn Fashions is the go-to place to find affordable, adorable burnt orange clothing and accessories. Why relegate yourself to a shapeless mascot t-shirt, when you can find a cute sundress to wear to your campus events, instead? (Psst- there's a few maroon and purple items online, too).

Shop | Blog | Facebook

Musana Jewelry
As someone who is striving to highlight more companies that actively partner with global artisans and pay them a fair wage, I was really happy to learn about Musana Jewelry, where 100% of profits return the the artisians in Lugazi, Uganda. Each piece of jewelry sold takes the women artisans one step closer to survival, to providing for their children, and to eventual independence to pursue their dreams. While working for Musana, they practice English, receive literacy training, health training, financial guidance, and help with savings plans. The hope is that Musana will be a springboard for them to eventually stand on their own and pursue their dreams. After paying the women’s salaries and for operational costs, Musana jewelry profits are put back into the community to strengthen families and stability through various international development projects.

Shop | Blog | Facebook

Noonday Collection
I did a big spotlight post on Noonday Collection a few weeks ago, as it's one of my favorite companies. Their jewelry is so lovely! The artisans Noonday purchases their collections from know their craft. For them to be paid a fair and competitive wage for their skilled work is a life-altering opportunity for most of them. Because the artisans are working under Fair Trade guidelines, your purchases enable them to earn more than what they would be earning in another job. This extra income allows them to put their children in school, buy chickens, or even expand their own business so they can employ their local community. Lilly Neubauer is my Noonday Collection Ambassador, and she's a kind hearted, super helpful gal up in Dallas.

Shop | Lilly's Blog | Lilly's Twitter

Polished
I owe much of the success of the Texas Style Council to Tracy. My very first year throwing it (when it was called the "New Media Fashion Brunch"), she generously hosted. I later learned that her Etsy shop (now with over 13,000 sales and a 100% positive rating) is one of the top Etsy shops, ever! Wrap your head around this: there are over 500,000 active Etsy sellers, and Polished ranks as the #42 jewelry seller. Featuring bright, chunky, eye catching designs, Polished is best known for its Day of the Dead collection and it's one of a kind pottery shard jewelry. Nothing is over $35 and everything is handmade here in Austin!

Shop | Facebook | Twitter

POM (Patterns of Movement) PR
Kristen Chin is the public relations maven behind all of Austin Fashion Week. I first met her in 2009, when Adored Austin was a baby and POM PR was about to launch. I am always impressed by her company's work; their communication with me has always been personal, friendly, accommodating, and swift, which is a breath of fresh air! If ever I am in need of public relation services, Kristen is the one in Austin who I'd trust with that task!

Site | Facebook | Twitter

Red Chair Market
I finally got to meet Anita, the genius behind this new company, last March at Langford Market, and I was so impressed with her candor, knowledge, and warmth. Sometimes a company comes along and you ask yourself, "Why didn't I think of that?" That's what I said to myself when I first learned about Red Chair Market, which is a listing service for vintage, antique, and used furniture. As someone who loves vintage furniture but has had two bad Craigslist experiences, a place like Red Chair Market, is a welcome relief.

Shop | Blog | Facebook

Team Ensor
Shannon and her husband Joe were in my Bradley birthing class, and her daughter Stella was born a couple weeks after Jude (and she's due any day now with her second daughter, too, so Josie and Caroline will be in the same grade, too). After spending ten weeks or so together preparing to become first time parents, we got to know the couple behind Team Ensor Real Estate pretty well! Strange fact about the kind of emails I get via Adored Austin: on average of 10 times per week, I get an email that says, "We're thinking about moving to Austin. Can you recommend places to live?" Strange fact about me: I am always looking at Austin real estate, and dreaming way beyond what my family can comfortably afford! Ha! In fact, at this very moment, I have a tab of Team Ensor opened up, and I'm looking at houses a little closer to my husband's work. I have my eye on a half acre up north. If you're thinking about moving to Austin or relocating within Austin, I really recommend reaching out to my friends Shannon and Joe.

Site | Facebook | Twitter

Toni Marie Photography
Embarrassing, but true: I am active on a local mom board. Chris calls me a "forum warrior", but I'll take his teasing any day because truly I feel better connected to the local mom community by being an active participant on the boards. I met Toni through the boards, and I just love her work. The older I get and the faster life seems to be whizzing by, the more photos I wish I had. When people list off prized possessions, family photos are often one of those things we say "if the house were burning down, I'd quickly grab my photos". I really love Toni's attention to light, and I'm a big fan of her "Mommy & Me Sessions".

Site | Blog | Facebook

Tupelo Grease Co.
Launched in 2006 by Texas graphic designer Dylan Moore, Tupelo Grease Co. is inspired by a throwback lifestyle filled with smokey back-street card rooms, dimly lit lounges, blaring rock joints and honky tonks. Tupelo Grease just feels like Texas to me. The line features ultra-soft graphic tees, thermals and pearl snap shirts, and retro accessories like distressed trucker caps and chunky buckles.

Shop | Facebook | Etsy

Thank you so much for supporting the businesses who support my fundraising efforts in Austin.