Pajama Jeans!

Are these old news? If so, apologies.
They're jeans! They're pajamas! My entire freshman year of college would have been vastly different had these been around.

Fact: These will be on my doorstep in 4- 6 weeks. This may be because I'm going to review them like I did Bump-its and Smooth Away a while back. Or it may be because I'm a lazy suburban housewife now, and someone invented these with my ever expanding booty in mind. Video to come!

Best of 2010

I'm on the road heading back to my beloved Texas today, so I thought I'd do a little 2010 wrap-up. Instead of posting my favorite outfits (big yawn!*), I thought I'd post some links to my favorite Adored Austin posts:

January 26: No Nike Shorts! No Nike Shorts!

February 17: Worst Valentines Day, ever

June 25: The Anatomy of a Fashion Blogger

September 29: Sexy Halloween?

August 26: What Not to Wear- the Pregnancy Edition

November 10: Celebrities smell

Thank you to all of you! You have made 2010 a banner year for Adored Austin. I've had a lot of fun, but I do have some big changes coming up for 2011 (to be announced soon). I hope you'll stick with me in the new year. I've loved having you!

*Tiny P.S.
I don't think all "best of what I wore this year" posts are boring. I just think mine would be boring.

Yum-o!

If you have ever been a tourist in Atlanta, you have probably been to the World of Coca-Cola museum. I bundled little Jude up, and Hubs and I made a day of it:

Sorry for the lack of style photos as of late. I've been living in my BCBG jeggings (c/o TJ Maxx), F21 sweater, and carrying my Timi & Leslie diaper bag. Jude's been rocking a knit teddy bear hat and has been bundled up in my Moby Wrap all winter break.

My favorite part of the museum was the taste room where there were sixty different Coke products to try. The infamous "Beverly" from Italy was just as gross as everyone said it would be:

If a lemon peel had a baby with crushed up Aspirin and took a bath in carbonated hose water, that would be the Beverly. I can't believe people in Italy pay good money to drink that.

After the Coke museum, Hubs and I met up with our dear friends Lee and Ruth at the trendiest restaurant I have ever been to- FLiP Burger Boutique. Hubs (the VEGETARIAN) surprised the heck out of us all by ordering the steak tartar burger:

That's raw beef, y'all! This is probably the opposite of what a vegetarian should eat.

And get ready to get jealous. I had a Nutella and burnt marshmallow milkshake:

Yum-o! I'm going to try to recreate this at home. I just need a kitchen blowtorch.

I've been having a wonderful time on vacation, but I am getting anxious to get home. Hubs got me photography lessons for Christmas, so I'm excited to get signed up and to start improving. I'm also excited to get some of the packages I'm expecting. Waiting for me should be my new camera bag:

For a few reasons, the other one I ordered did not work out, so after a lot of deliberation, I returned it (and had to pay a pesky restocking fee-- grrr!). I'm going to try the Lola bag from Epiphanie, instead, and I have high hopes that it will work out. The designer is from Texas, and I'm going to do a little interview with her later this month. I wish the Lola bag came in Adored Austin pink, but this teal will look quite smashing with my diaper bag. I'm excited!

Christmas in Atlanta

It snowed here in Atlanta on Christmas!

Despite his new snow suit, my little Texas baby was not having it!

I'm pretty sure I ate my weight in sugar cookies. This means I've been wearing a lot of leggings.

While at Christmas dinner, I saw the coolest ring, ever:

Hubs' Uncle Dennis got his fiancé a three karat ring. Hilarious!

DIY: dress to dress

Admittedly, I wore a weird dress to the Austin Blogger Awards. I am sure that people were like "SHE won best fashion blog? She dresses like a frumpy grandma!" Ha. That's true sometimes, but I do want to defend my purchase. From the get- go I had intended to do a refashion DIY on the dress. Ever since stumbling across this post, I knew that I would like to try it for myself.First thing first: I had to make this dress into a skirt. I hacked the top off, leaving the elastic band intact to the skirt portion.

Next (and this is so easy, you'll flip), I simply turned the skirt/ dress inside out and made two five inch cuts and stitched two straight lines:

I didn't quite get it when I saw the instructions on Welcome to the Good Life, so I drew the handy diagram on the right to show you how you'll fit into this dress.

Truthfully, I ended up cutting out the liner because the fabric was all bunchy due to my less than stellar sewing skills. This meant I had to add a full slip. No biggie. The result? A totally different looking, but a much more "me" dress:

Add a winter coat (unless you live in Texas right now) and boots, and bam! You're good to go!

date: 21 December 2010
occasion: dreaded trip to the dentist office
dress: thrifted Savers/ refashion DIY
belt: thrifted Savers
socks: American Apparel
boots: thrifted Style Station
coat: c/o ThreadSence

I ended up getting this pea coat from my holiday wishlist, and I love it! It recalls a certain Sherlock Holms-esque style, and it's the perfect medium weight to serve me well both here in Austin and in (colder) Atlanta over the holidays. Hubs and I are making the 15 hour drive with Jude tomorrow at 5 a.m. Wish us well! If you don't hear from me between now and Christmas, Merry Christmas!

[ThreadSence is an Adored Austin partner]

Sound the alarm: Austin's TIKKR watches blowing up big time

I first saw TIKKR Watches at Austin Fashion Week. They adorned the wrists of a model in one of the mash- up competition photos:

Then, a few weeks later, when my friend Nicole posted a Facebook status proclaiming her TIKKR love, I knew it was time to investigate. What I found were the coolest watches, ever. Big and bold and designed right here in Austin, these are incredibly awesome. The biggest draw? Since the band is made to be interchangeable, it's something you can easily sport every day.

A few days ago I interviewed Cory Stout, the chief time keeper and founder of TIKKR Watches:


Me: How'd you come up with such a cool idea?
Cory: In a way, it chose me. I visited my best friend in China last year. On my last day, I went to this underground mall to grab some gifts. One of the items was this clean, simple watch. I wore it around for a few weeks and I got 10 compliments a day, it was unreal. So I got back with my friend to have them made, I put my own touch on the design, my mom came up with the brand name, and the concept just grew from there. Like the back of some of the watches say, "Start Today", and that phrase means a lot to me. When opportunity knocks, go get it. Start Today. That is what TIKKR is all about.

Me: What color combo Tikkr best represents you- Cory Stout?
Cory: Grey Matter band with a black face. It's a subtle, clean look that still gets noticed.

Cory (L) with UT Football coach Mack Brown (R), proudly showing off their TIKKR watches.

Me: What would you say to someone who says "We don't need watches anymore because we all have phones"?
Cory: I say you're right! TIKKR keeps great time, but I find myself checking my phone to see what time it is (and to check TIKKR customer service e-mails 24/7). But precision time-keeping isn't what TIKKR is all about. TIKKR is about having fun, matching your color combo to your outfit or mood. I see the TIKKR color choices as a great way to express yourself visually.

First choose either a white face or a black face. Then deliberate over the twenty different band choices.

Me: What color combo sells best in Austin?
White on white is the cleanest look of all and sells the best. I was hoping the Longhorn-inspired, all Burnt Orange watch would sell well this season, but Garrett Gilbert kept throwing the ball to the other team!

Me: What is your favorite time of day?
Cory: 5:00pm. Any time zone. Also, I really enjoyed 10:10:10 October 10, 2010

Me: If you could give any person in history or any character a TIKKR watch, who would it be?
Cory: Zach Morris from Saved by the Bell.
Hahaha! I think Zack Morris would take two. They would have went so well with his giant cell phone.

I just picked up my TIKKR watch yesterday and I can't stop staring at it. I love it so much. I went for a white face with two bands: white and Adored Austin pink (also know as razzmatazz). I'm planning to get bright yellow, mint green, and red bands after the new year.

My favorite part about TIKKR watches? They have clever sayings engraved on the back, and you don't know what you're getting until you open your watch. Mine says "Sorry for Partying".

If you like what you see here, right now until Saturday, TIKKR is offering Adored Austin readers 15% off with the code ADOREDAUSTIN. What are you doing? Get on it! This watch is big (like, literally) but I'm sure they're about to be the next big thing nationally. Plus how adorable is Cory? I mean... hello! His sweet mom helped him name his company! I'd probably support TIKKR just for the cuteness factor of that story alone. Wouldn't you?

Check out TIKKR here.

[note: at the time of the interview TIKKR was not yet an Adored Austin partner]

It's December. Someone tell that to Texas.

Can you believe that it's been above 75º here in Austin lately? I wore shorts in middle of winter, and with tights on I was a little toasty! I didn't have any plans to do anything except to run some quick errands, so I just threw on the same cardigan, tank, and tights from the day before.



date: 20 December 2010
occasion: running quick errands
cardigan: American Apparel
tank: c/o Love 21
shorts: c/o ThreadSence
tights: Target
wood bangle: Nordstrom Rack
wedges: Cynthia Vincent for Target
frames: Buffalo Exchange, new merch

Even though three of the major components of this outfit are the same as the day before, this feels totally different to me. What a difference a pair of glasses and winter shorts makes!

I had seen winter shorts on Jen, Erin, and Rebecca, so being the big time follower that I am, I felt the desire to try them out, too. And ever since getting my grubby paws on these wedges (thanks again, Sydney!), I was curious to see how those would transition into winter. I tried this outfit on with knee socks, but I felt a little silly with that much bare leg in winter. This outfit is outside my norm, but I do rather like it and feel better about taking more risks and grabbing inspiration from my more- fashionable blogging friends.

What about y'all? Have you tried winter shorts, yet? Or tights with open toed shoes? I was nervous to try either, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised!

[ThreadSence is an Adored Austin partner]

Fashion Gives Back

Every year, right after my birthday in October, I make an ultimate Christmas wishlist and unabashedly email it to Hubs. Stuff on it ranges from the expensive (earrings from Tiffanys) to the very, very expensive (a 17'' MacBook Pro).

Dear sweet Alyson from Alyson is Neat emailed a bunch of her blogging buddies, asking us to remember that the holidays are not all about getting our ultimate wish lists fulfilled. She encouraged us all to get involved with a charity project this season and to encourage our readers to do the same.

An Austin-based charity that I adore is Music for the City. You may remember them from the zany holiday sweater post that I did on Saturday. I failed to mention that they are about so much more than just fun and sweaters.
Music for the City is a movement of artists and Austinites that bring together music, arts, and charity to aid the poor, sick and helpless. All proceeds from their CD go directly to a couple of local children's shelters, and the artists involved put on benefit shows, give free music and art lessons to kids who would never have the opportunity for such lessons, and serve the homeless. An easy way to help Music for the City expand their aid is to buy their CD or download it on iTunes:
Lest you think this CD is a compilation of some no name amateur Austinites, let me assure you that this album contains songs from big name acts like Alpha Rev, Quiet Company, and Miranda Dodson. Download it today, or donate to the cause online. 100% of the profits to go helping this organization help those in need.

Here's a complete list of the bloggers who committed to Fashion Gives Back. Please check out these other blogs and charities when you get the chance:

Alyson of Alyson is Neat supported Invisible Children.
Paige of Barefoot & Vintage gave to Casa Pacifica.

Indiana of Adored Austin supported to Music for the City.

Merl of Clyde's Rebirth gave to a few local shelters where she has received her famous cats, Clyde and Mo.

Nickie of Wild As A Mink gave to Barc Shelter.

Lisa of Archives gave to Dire Straights Animal Companion Rescue.

Grace of Money Smart Fashion gave to Last Chance Animal Rescue, Inc.

Robyn of Twitch Vintage gave to All Children's Hospital Pediatric Research.

What charities do y'all support?

Black Swan ballerina

My church meets every week at Ballet Austin, so I cracked up when I came home from church and my mom proclaimed, "You look like Black Swan ballerina." High bun on my head, tulle skirt, and the tendency to walk on my tip-toes? Yeah, she was probably right.

date: 19 December 2010
occasion: church then lunch with my mom and sister
skirt: F21
cardigan: American Apparel
tank: c/o Love 21
tights: Target
scarf: gift from my friend
shoes: c/o ThreadSence

Oxfords (both flat and heeled) are all over the place this season. I had been looking for a pair of traditional black and white ones and was excited that ThreadSence had an affordable pair in my new size online. They sold like hotcakes, though, and the only size left in stock is 8.5!

[ThreadSence is an Adored Austin partner]

Some of you may find it odd that I had lunch with my sister because I've always said I was an only child. I thought I was, too, until somewhat recently! My dad, who died when I was three, had a baby girl with his high school sweetheart six years before I was born. His high school girlfriend gave the baby up for adoption, so I've just been floating through life, as an only child. Turns out his "baby" is now a gorgeous woman, living three hours up the road from me in Dallas of all places! She was placed in adoption in Panama, adopted by an American couple stationed there, and has been looking for her birth family for the last couple of years. We've connected, and it's been so nice! She was raised as an only child, too, so suddenly we have each other. We have a lot in common-- we both have young boys, we have our dad's chin, and we both love acting:

She dresses really awesome, but as of right now she does not have a fashion blog.

Comment of the Day: "This is me reading your blog today: 'lalalala OH, CUTE CUTE Indiana. I love the ballet look. I need a skirt like that and OH! I love those shoes and... awwwwwww... sniff... sniff... BAWL'. SUCH A GREAT STORY!~ Yay!~ Family!" -Work With What You've Got

Winner: Ann Kelle iPad or Kindle cover

I had a little help with this video:

Thank you to all the people to entered, and a giant thanks to Ann Kelle for choosing my blog for such a great, unique giveaway. Congrats to the winner from my mom and me! She's visiting from Thailand, and I had the hardest time explaining what my blog is and why I wanted to interrupt her cooking to do a video. Hilarious!

Winner: Lulu*s Dress

Apologies for the video quality. I am still getting used to the new camera.

Congrats to the winner! Thank you to everyone who entered. Huge, wonderful thanks to Lulu*s for doing such a fun, generous giveaway!

Street Style: tacky holiday sweater party

Last night was the Music For the City benefit party. Like most holiday parties these days, the theme was ugly Christmas sweaters. Hubs and I have thrown ugly Christmas sweater parties for the last few years, but I was sure that they were on their way out, so I gave our hideous sweaters to Goodwill. Hopefully our old sweaters were having a rocking good time at whatever parties they attended this year!

Because I no longer had mine, I put out a desperate Tweet to borrow a holiday sweater. The very famous crafty mom blogger Lindsay from Living with Lindsay came through for me. For the record, I think this sweater is super cute and not at all tacky.

But of course, I'm the girl that wears a cat cardigan without a hint of irony.

date: 17 December 2010
occasion: Music for the City Benefit
sweater: on loan from Lindsay
shirt: thrifted Ralph Lauren (Savers)
jeggings: BCBG c/o Marshalls giftcard
boots: c/o Whooga (review coming soon)

In what may be the silliest Street Style post ever presented on Adored Austin, check out what some of the other party attendees were decked out in:

No animals were harmed in the making of this outfit.

The day before, I squeezed my wider booty into a snug skirt. Today I squeezed my wider feet into my favorite shoes. Oh, they were snug, but I got 'em on without having to chop my toes off:

date: 16 December 2010
occasion: nothing but I'm pretty sure I'm going to repeat this this weekend
faux fur infinity scarf: DIM (did it myself)- tutorial HERE
sweater: courtesy of Lands' End Canvas via Lucky Alpha Shoppers
tunic: thrifted Wet Seal via Buffalo Exchange
faux leather paneled leggings: Trouvé
shoes: Lulus c/o gift card that I won

Fake fur, fake leather, I think I even had fake meat for dinner, but do you know what's not fake? My enthusiasm for being able to fit into some pre-pregnancy heels again! I am digging flats lately, but sometimes I need a pair of heels to make a casual outfit have a little more oomph. Know what I mean?

DIY: Infinity faux fur scarf

I haven't done a DIY in way too long!

I'm a huge fan of my circle scarf and of faux fur and animal print. I decided to mix all those ingredient together to make a faux cheetah infinity scarf. Dare I say it was the quickest, dirtiest DIY I've ever done. Granted, it's not as nice as the LOFT one that Jen from Jen Loves Kev has, but for a fraction of the price and only 30 minutes of your time, it ain't too shabby.

What you need:

• 1.5 yards of faux fur
• Sewing machine
• Heavy duty machine needle
• Scissors
• Coordinating thread
• Needle
• Straight pins

Mum's the word at Modcloth

Before we begin, I want to say that I really like ModCloth. My blog will attest to that fact. For my last two big events, I've purchased ModCloth dresses, even as recently as last weekend! You should also know that I have also received some courtesy items from ModCloth. For years, I have been and still am, for all intents and purposes, a ModCloth fangirl:

I Spy prize | Delightful Dozen dress | last weekend | D12 tunic | Fashion Week

What's the difference?

This Mink Pink sweater is called the Cheet'n Heart cardigan but according to Mental Floss, these are actually leopard spots! Apparently there is a difference.

I am still figuring out this new camera, but let me tell you, having a remote helps heaps!

date: 15 December 2010
occasion: lunch w/ Grechen at Mandolas to discuss the Texas Style Council Conference
cardigan: Mink Pink
t-shirt: INC
flats, tights, & braided belt: Target
skirt: Tommy Jeans

I still have thirteen pounds to go until I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight, so I was super excited that I was able to shimmy my much wider hips into my favorite skirt and it actually zipped. This may not be the case in a few days because I plan to get my nom on in Atlanta over the holidays.

Comment of the Day: "As a zoologist, I actually know this. Cheetah spots are like single, large thumbprints, while leopard spots are more like rosettes." -Katie

What the crap, GAP?

Yo, GAP. This is messed up:

This GAP FEED bags cost $39.99, but five whole dollars of it is given to "help improve school food and nutrition education in America". Don't get me wrong-- that part is cool. What's uncool is the fact that the outside of the bag and the hang tag is stamped with MADE IN THE USA, but the inside tag says the truth: "MADE IN CHINA".

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

And to quote the Consumerist:

"So while $5 of the price of each 'Feed' bag (ranging from $19.50 to $39.50) will go toward feeding children in the U.S., none of it went to an American adult for actually manufacturing the bags."

Word.

[SOURCE]

Update: Apparently not all the GAP FEED bags are made in China. The one Jessica over at What I Wore is giving away is all American- made!

[photo c/o WiW]

Update 2 [17 Dec]: Lacey tweeted me that Yahoo picked up this story today. GAP has responded:

"... some of the bags in the "FEED USA" collection are made in America. However, the FEED USA Denim Bucket bags are made in China, and should not have been connected to the made in the USA signs. We apologize for any inaccurate messaging."

[SOURCE]

Whew. Yesterday was a weird day here! Now back to our regular, lighthearted Adored Austin postings!