adored austin: August 2011

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Crash

It's my fault for not having my camera in the case, but Sunday afternoon, Jude grabbed my camera by the strap from the entry table and CRASH! My lens busted. The camera appears to be in okay shape but I cannot get the cracked lens off the body.

Please accept this kitten as a humble apology for the lack of posts yesterday and today.

[photo c/o PlaceKitten.com]

Hopefully I can scrounge up some Austin Fashion Week coverage and have that up later this week. I hope to have the camera situation figured out late this evening.

In the meantime, would anyone like to do a guest post on the greatest thing you've ever found at a thrift store? If so, get in touch by filling out this form.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Five pieces you can totally thrift this fall

[Note: this was my first commissioned piece for Lucky Magazine through the Lucky Style Collective. Look for future in-print contributions soon!]

I want to impress upon people that shopping at Goodwill doesn't mean looking like you're vying to be an extra on Mad Men or like you missed the bus to Woodstock. Here's some fresh, non-costumey, fall styles that can be found via a simple sweep through your local resale shop. Use these fall runway photos for your weekend thrifting inspiration.

1. Ankle length trousers — Look for a pair in a smooth, light weight wool blend that's relaxed through the thigh but tapered at the ankle. Make them modern by hemming them two inches above the ankle like these Yigal Azouël and Zac Posen slacks.

2. Bright Blazers — Avoid basic black and opt to amp it up with a slightly oversized, double breasted blazer. The more sheen and shine, the better. For fit, find one with a length that hits between your wrists and mid-thigh. Keep it buttoned to look perfectly polished or unbutton it to show your softer side.

3. Office Dresses — For an alternative to the typical skirt and jacket combo, try a button up dress with a nipped waist (cinch with a thin belt if necessary). To keep it workplace appropriate, choose one that falls either just above or right below the knee. Steer clear of denim weight cotton or flimsy satin-like material which wrinkles easily and looks cheap.

4. Chunky Gold Jewelry — Check out the display case for bold 80s’s pieces. High five worthy finds include big links and huge animal heads. Paired with a silk scoop necked shirt, let your new animal friend be the icebreaker in any room.

5. Oversized sweaters — Pick one with a cool cable-knit detail or playful contrasted buttons that's not yet pilling. Go up a size or check the men's section for one has that just the right amount of cozy.

Runway photographs via Style.com

Friday, August 26, 2011

Acting out

One of the most frequently asked questions that I get is "How do I get blog sponsors so that I can quit my day job?" My answer: I have no idea. I usually refer them to other bloggers who are doing this. As for me? My ultimate wish is use Adored Austin as a springboard for a job in which I can combine my love for performing with my love for blogging. I'd love to make ridiculous video blogs for an online media company, publication, or an apparel site that I admire or I'd love to have a weekly segment on the local morning news where I do lighthearted pieces about fashion trends or shopping. At this point, I don't think Adored Austin or even acting will ever be my full-time job. Chris has a job that affords us the honor of my being able to stay at home with Jude, we are trying for another baby (or two or three), and to be quite honest, I don't have the same enthusiasm for commercial or print work anymore. I love acting but once I had to start bastardizing my craft for mindless, shallow gigs in order to make a buck, I became jaded with that side of the industry. I do not want that to happen with blogging.

I recently got new acting headshots. Headshots may seem like a strange investment for someone who isn't really acting anymore. A few months ago I left a rote commercial audition and resolved to be done with "acting" for good. I'm using "quotes" around "acting" because it was after leaving that audition that I realized that the print and commercial auditions I'd been going on lately weren't really "acting" per se. It's more like modeling with a few lines of dialog, and I have zero desire to model.

One of the reasons why I kept my hair so long was to match the headshots I had done in 2008. Alas, the recent haircut precipitated the need for new headshots, which is okay because technically, a working actor should get new ones once a year or with any major change to their appearance (since my last headshots I've gained about 15 pounds, had jaw surgery to correct an overbite, and had braces to correct a wayward tooth). The dude who did my 2008 headshots Photoshopped me within an inch of my life, so I like that these new ones actually look like me. Here's a few of the unretouched proofs:

photos by Mark Herron

Here (L-R) we have the bored business woman, the wide-eyed girl next door, and the stay-at-home mom: all necessary archetypes for any actress' headshot repertoire. I'm not throwing in the towel on acting just yet. I'm still seeking paid theatre, independent film, and network television work.

Before I had Jude I was able to work as a company actor at two much loved local theatre companies and also booked some really great industrials, local commercials, print jobs, and independent films. The year before I had Jude I had the biggest auditions and call-backs of my life: Leah Clearwater being one of them. Then I took 2009 off to --you know-- gestate a child, and I've been having the darndest time getting back in. I've been on ten auditions, been called back in for five, and booked zero. Jude, on the other hand, has been called in for three and has booked two. Go, Jude! Maybe being a full-time stage mom is in my future.

He loves hamming it up for the camera and he is pretty cute, wouldn't you say?

My other dream jobs include a magician's assistant, Tina Fey's personal assistant and new best friend, and the tv host of a spinoff I'd like to pitch that's just like the Food Network's show "Man vs. Food" but it's called "Woman vs. Desserts". It's me. Eating massive desserts. You'd watch that, right?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

What the?

Well, guys, it's been nice blogging with you for these last two years.

I am in strict violation of unspoken style blogger law. The authorities are on their way to pick me up to do some mandatory shopping.

Shop ATX: HEM Jeans + AG Jeans

Many months ago I bought a Groupon to Austin's famed denim bar HEM Jeans (<--- beware. Site automatically plays music). It was $50 for a $100 gift certificate but was not good on sale items. Shortly after I got it, I eagerly and excitedly went in. Imagine my dismay when 1- the Groupon barely covered half a pair of full-price jeans, and 2- I had the most frustrating time finding a pair of jeans that fit. I kept telling the salesgirl that I was a size 29 or 30 and that I didn't want any heavily whiskered jeans or cropped jeans. She kept bringing me size 27 or 28 to try on ("They'll stretch!" and ankle length pants that made me look like a cased sausage with a muffin top). Blerg. I left empty handed, a little peeved, and spewing and sputtering that shopping for jeans was way worse than shopping for a swimsuit. This had quickly become my first Groupon regret.

Fast forward to last week. With only a couple more weeks until my Groupon regret was to expire, I went back in, armed with a gift card to help cover the balance. I arrived right as the store was opening for the day and was greeted happily by Aimee, one of the owners. She quickly assessed my needs and immediately started filling my dressing room with her top picks.

I didn't tell her this, but I really wanted a pair of jeans that fit into my new guidelines: made in the USA, eco friendly (denim manufacturing is notoriously bad on the local environment), and a classic style that would last me years and years. I was fairly certain that I would not be able to find a single pair of jeans that fit even one of these requirements let alone a pair of jeans that even fit.

Then-- shut the front door!-- second pair on, the denim angels started singing. I tried on a pair of oh so soft Ballad jeans from AG. Holy smokes! The fit! The feel! They made my flat boy's-like butt look like a lady's! No muffin top or back spillage! And I wouldn't even need to have them hemmed! I gulped a little at the price tag ($178), but I had my $100 Groupon and my $50 gift card, so I was out of pocket $30 that day.

jeans: AG Adriano Goldschmied | tank: Old Navy | vintage vest: Blue Velvet | necklace: City Wide Garage Sale | wedges: Cynthia Vincent for Target | hat: Walmart
And here's the part that I really appreciate: these jeans not only fit like a dream, but they are produced solely in the United States using an "eco friendly" process. The wash I chose was not distressed and was made with an eco-friendlier indigo dye. The slight flare makes them a style that is sure to stay in my closet rotation for years.

[More about AG's eco friendly process here.]

Beware y'all. Once you get into the premium denim gang, you can't get out-- not even by a mass beating. My complete jean line-up is as follows:

Introducing Tess

On Monday night I had the pleasure of being introduced to Theresa Kopecky, the incredibly sweet and talented designer behind Tess, a locally made, vintage inspired dress company here in Austin, Texas. I was so impressed with her workmanship and her passion for creating truly local garments that I just had to share her with y'all:

Aren't they lovely? View the complete collection here. Now we can tell that Chinese manufactured Banana Republic Mad Men Collection to go ahead and eat its heart out.

From the Tess press release:

"It’s sad, but true; despite the wealth of garment-manufacturing skills here in the US, most American-designed clothing is now made overseas. New Austin-based design company Tess, however, has big dreams to change all that. Not only is every Tess garment designed and manufactured right here in Texas, but the company also wants to play a part in boosting the American manufacturing industry as a whole and bringing back its glory days.

“Here at Tess, we want to play our part in reinvigorating the US garment industry,” says Theresa Kopecky, Tess designer and owner. “We believe in the quality of American workmanship and in the skills and spirit of the workers themselves.”

To this end, Tess Designs makes use of Texan companies for its pattern-making; grading and marking; and manufacturing – right down to the button-loops and belts! Keeping it local and keeping it real – it doesn’t get much more Austin than that.

“We believe in the USA, in American jobs, and in America’s ability to manufacture … I guess you could say that I want to save the world one dress at a time!” says Theresa. "

What impressed me most is Theresa's heart. In addition to all the fashion week events she's participating in, she's also doing a 499 Dresses event, which is a dress sale that fully benefits "The Winding Road to Recovery", a documentary about "disabled veterans using cycling as a means of recovery from lost limbs, post tramatic shock syndrome and life after coming home". As the only child of a United States Army officer killed while serving active duty, I am going to be there to support this cause:

Jackson Cleaners has been collecting donated dresses for a while, and they'll all be on sale Saturday at Austin Tri-Cyclist. I'm still uncertain what I'm wearing to the Austin Fashion Awards on Saturday night, so perhaps I'll find a gem there.

If you'd like to meet Theresa and see her designs in person, make sure to attend tonight's Doo-Wop Party Bash at Touch of Sass:

Burgers and Tess dresses? Obviously someone knows the way to this girl's heart...

Skirts from dresses without cutting and sewing

Psst... I have a blog post up on the Delightful Dozen in which I divulge how to successfully rig a too-short dress into a fine fitting skirt:

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Giveaway [closed]: $50 to ElectricFrenchie.com

I love that Austin is home base to a ton of amazing online retailers. One of the newest e-boutiques is Electric Frenchie. That's where my silk blouse called home before it came to live with me, and it's been one of my favorite things to wear this summer.

My favorite part of the shop is the Austin Designers section. Right now there's some really cool jewelry pieces, but I imagine that section will be fuller in the future.

To celebrate our mutual love for Austin, Electric Frenchie is giving one lucky Adored Austin reader a $50 gift card:

To enter, simply check out Electric Frenchie, then come back here and tell me what your favorite item in the shop is. As always, no need to follow me on a bazillionty social networks or to Tweet or blog this contest for extra giveaways. Please, only one entry per person.
[edit: form removed. entry period over.]
Please check out Electric Frenchie on Twitter and Facebook. They're new to town and Chonie, the shop owner, is living the dream with this new venture, so be sweet and give them some online lovin', okay?

Dressing up is, like, totes hard, y'all.

Yesterday I realized that I am not that good at dressing up. When I go to events in which I'm expected to dress up (-ahem- like Austin Fashion Week) it is my natural inclination to put on a dress, some wedges, slick my hair back into a bun, and call it a day. No layers, no accessories, nothing too quirky. And I call myself a style blogger? FAIL. The red dress I wore for the kickoff event on Saturday was nice, but it was by no means exemplary of Austin style or even my own personal style. In short, I give this outfit a half smile and a small stifled yawn. In other words a C-.

(Right photo stolen from Diya)
Intern Rachel & I on the red carpet. Rachel looks awesome.
my dress: ModCloth | my heels: Franco Sarto (same exact outfit here)

I decided to get a little more creative last night for a girls' night out at Red House Pizzaria and more fashion week festivities at Blo and The Driskill:

Yes, I hiked up this skirt that was formerly a dress, then belted it and bloused it, to attempt to work it as a mullet-hemmed dress (short in the front, long in the back).

dress: LuLu*s via TxSCC (similar) | vest: Francesca's | necklace: Buffalo Exchange | wedges: c/o Wanted

Today I took the day off from Austin Fashion Week. I took Jude and my friend's son to Chick-fil-A to play on the indoor playscape, and then I nursed a sore throat with lots of peanut butter cookies that my best friend left here (they're all gone, Bee!).

blouse: c/o Electric Frenchie (last seen here) | shorts: PacSun | boots: c/o Wanted | headband: c/o Accessorize

Just so you know, I feel like this is closer to something that more accurately represents me, not the two outfits above. This is what I wear when I'm running Jude around town or when I'm doing nothing of great importance. This is the girl you're going to run into at the grocery store or at Savers.

This week is Austin Fashion Week (EDITED)

Austin Fashion Week is a one-of-a-kind experience that gracefully combines big name showcases (like Betsy Johnson) with the creative, independent designers that Austin is known for (like Boudoir Queen). Every night is a party where fun is the objective almost as much as fashion. Jaded, stuffy industry types are no where in site. Instead you'll find artists, lovers of style, and designers full of passion, hope, and infectious vigor for their craft.

Austin is a city known for being the innovators for technology, music, and film-- that's why Twitter debuted here at SXSW, why Austin City Limits is a staple in the music industry, and why a lot of notable filmmakers and actors call Austin home. It's no wonder our fashion happenings (Austin Fashion Week and StyleX during SXSW) have started gaining national attention. We are becoming a city to watch for in terms of new designers. I love that I don't have to go to New York every year to get inspired by fashion. Inspiration is here, practically in my own backyard.

The fashion scene in Austin is just like our fair city: eclectic, laid back, and creative. The label chasers are few and far between; instead, the fashion forward will mix their investment pieces with conversation- starting vintage pieces or their favorite, broken- in boots that they've had for a decade or more. Carefully curated vintage shops are in every neighborhood and high end boutiques really strive to cater to their loyal customers. We are not slaves to fashion-- individual style is what's king.

Every year I find myself contemplating attending New York Fashion Week, not because I want to go to oh-so-serious fashion shows, but because I'd love to meet other bloggers and the people behind the brands that I work with. New York Fashion Week isn't really my scene, though, so I'm trying my best to convince the rest of the country to come out to Austin to see what we have to offer.

Diya, Intern Rachel, Joanna, and me | Photo ©Fashionably Austin

What I love about Austin Fashion Week is that it exemplifies my beloved city. I've said this over and over again, but it's true: Austin is a city that loves fashion but we don't take ourselves or what we wear too seriously. At Austin Fashion Week I can sit on the front row with Intern Rachel and my buddy Joanna while she says things like "Oh that one is kind of cute...in a slutty trailer park kinda way...". I can see a Betsy Johnson show (fall RTW), rock out with Austin's best 80's cover band, then watch a runway presentation showcasing the state's best independent designers.

Look! It's Hannah from America's Next Top Model walking in the Betsy Johnson show (I still think she should have won!).

Dress by Ciaria | Photos ©Fashionably Austin & Ed Lehmann

The really great thing about Austin Fashion Week is that there are 70 events, most of which are free and all of which are unpretentious. Here are some of my picks for this weeks' fashion week festivities:

Austin Fashion Week 2011

Tomorrow is the official launch of Launch 787's Austin Fashion Week. It's hard to believe that this will be my third year covering it on Adored Austin.

Tonight is the disco themed pre-party at Cyprus Vangaurd. Tomorrow is the big kick-off event, and there's little events every night between now and the awards ceremony next Saturday. For the complete schedule check out FashionWeekAustin.com. Can't wait to see you there!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Orchid Grey Gardens

Adored Austin readers, meet my garden. Garden, meet my readers. I know you've seen each other around, but you haven't been properly introduced, yet. I did a guest post all about it on Orchid Grey today. Jaunt on over there to learn a little more about all that stuff you've seen in my backyard.

Our garden is usually in the background of my outfit photos, but I haven't ever really taken the time to give it a proper show-off post.
Read more at Orchid Grey »

It's never leather weather

There is going to come a time when I can't pull off leather shorts anymore. I mean that literally. They kinda stick to you when it's over 100º outside.
leathershorts

I bought this shirt last week from MyHabit.com which is like Gilt Groupe but on Amazon. Linda told me that sweatshirts are going to be "in" this fall, and I believed her. Therefore, a cool gray sweatshirt was on my master wants list for the fall.
back

The selling point of this was the back and the fact that it was made in the USA and the fact that I had some Amazon credit burning a hole in my pocket (Amazon credit works at MyHabit.com). The brand is AIKO who debuted last year at Spring '10 NYFW. They started off as a "modern concept primarily based around reinventing the classic sweatshirt" but have already evolved to include cool leather skirts and modern cut dresses. They're also on ShopBop if you want to check 'em out.
toes

Don't laugh at my pedicure. Okay. Go ahead. Laugh. I attempted to do it myself (I usually leave my nails unpainted, just buffed). I am going to get better at this. I hope.

The details-
date: 17 August 2011 | ocassion: shopping at HEM
shirt: AIKO | shorts: 80's Purple | Bandini: Barely There | sandals: c/o Fibi & Clo (a Texas based company!) | polish: Essie- California Coral

I don't know what I was thinking when I bought leather shorts for this climate.

Oh! One more thing: I wanted to let you know that the 50% off Many Belles Down apparel at High Gloss Fashion has been extended one day (so it's good all day today/ Thursday now with code "ADOREDMBD"). I wanted to show you how my Many Belles Down dresses fit! I promised I would...

Summer 2011 MVP: these shorts

How many photos is too many for an outfit of the day post? If you said six, I'm sorry.

date: 15 August 2011 | occasion: lunch at Shady Grove with Bee
vintage blouse: gift from Jessie at The Spice Rack | shorts: Strut (made in the USA) | shoes: c/o Wanted | Texas necklace: c/o Maya Brenner (25% off with code "AUSTIN") | medallion necklace: vintage from Style Station | feather necklace: Charlotte Russe | peace sign bracelet: c/o Jeweled by Alyssa (handmade) | watch: thrifted Michael Kors

I took these shorts to Boston and wore them almost every day. I haven't unpacked, yet, but I did open the suitcase to grab these out of the top to wear again today. Addicted to shorts! I love these particular shorts a lot and when I got them for the Texas Style Council Conference last spring I had no idea they'd be my summer staple. I don't know if they're worthy of six pictures, but I've been so behind on outfit photos that I may have gone a smidge overboard today.

All this begs the question: how many photos is too many per outfit? Six? Twenty six? One hundred and six?

Flash Sale: Many Belles Down at High Gloss Fashion

One of the challenges about trying to buy more things made in America is that at first glance, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of options out there. One can only take so much ~~gold lamé~~ 80's inspired stripper wear in life, American Apparel.

Another challenge about my new shopping/ brand partnership guidelines is trying to figure out how to do promotions that fit into this somewhat narrow area now. One of the reasons why I was tempted to just scrap my entire blog is the fact that 1.) I quite obviously enjoy shopping and I'm not ashamed of that fact (alone), and 2.) it's inherent in style blogging for the author to say "Buy this!". So I get that this dichotomy is going to be quite perplexing for us all. In one breath I'm saying "Buy less!" but in the very next breath I'm saying "But buy this!".

So please know this: when I do brand or company spotlights or promotions or giveaways I hope that you shop responsibly. I want to shop responsibly! Maybe shopping is like drinking. I recommend having a beer or two every now and then and will also recommend that you get a nice beer (back away from the Miller High Life!), but I do not recommend going on a bender with either cheap beer -OR- nice beer. Or maybe shopping is more like eating fried chicken. It's okay to have it every once in a while, but... never mind. I'm not the greatest with analogies. You get what I'm saying, right?

Okay. Back on track here. American made clothing. It's hard to find sometimes. It's especially hard to find in a lower price point in cute, contemporary styles. Enter the brand Many Belles Down. Cute, affordable, well-made, and produced entirely in the United States. You can find Many Belles Down at several well known blogger shopping haunts, including Adored Austin partners Lulu*s and High Gloss Fashion. I recently used my store credit at High Gloss Fashion to pick up two dresses for the Austin Fashion Week festivities (I got the robot dress and the moonwalk dress). I'm delighted to announce that for three days only High Gloss Fashion is offering 50% off all their Many Belles Down apparel with code "ADOREDMBD":

Look! Dresses with pockets. I know you're a sucker for dresses with pockets! Just a heads up, though: the photos of Many Belles Down on High Gloss Fashion do not do the clothes complete justice. I recommend checking out Many Belles Down on their official site to get a better look at them. I believe my MBD dresses will arrive today, so as soon as they get here, I'll snap a few photos so you can love them and then immediately decide to be dress twinsies with me. In the meantime, explore this great, new brand! But yeah, don't get drunk or eat too much fried chicken or... whatever. You know what I'm saying.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

With heart

Oh, no. Serious post time. Some of you hate when I write super serious posts, so if you are one of those, please allow me to direct you to this today, instead.

Serious post starts now and it's going to be a long one. I don't do these too often, but this one is important, so if you have time, stick with me.

Ladies I adore

I stole this picture from Amy's Instagram account:

Jen Loves Kev | Punky Style | Orchid Grey | duh

And this one, too:

Today Chris and I met Jen & Rowan, Punky & Adam, and Julie & (her) Chris for a day in Newbury Port. I had the pleasure of meeting Jen, Punky, and Adam last spring at the Texas Style Council, but it was the first time that I've met Julie in person. I've been reading all of their blogs for a couple of years, and it doesn't ever feel like I'm hanging out with strangers when I meet the blog authors of blogs that I love; it's more like catching up with old friends. We walked around together, did a tiny bit of shopping, and enjoyed lunch and beers on the cape. We even saw a dead blue shark on a boat! Chris Adams, Chris, and Adam (whoa!) even enjoyed hanging out together, sharing hilarious stories about the pits and perks of being the significant other of a blogger.

We ended our day with new friendship bracelets on our wrists and gelato in our bellies. In my eyes, it was pretty much a perfect day. I can't wait to see these women again in the spring during Texas Style Council 2012. Maybe by then BFF (Blog Friends Forever) necklaces will be just as cool as these friendship bracelets. Can we make that happen?

Monday, August 8, 2011

Giveaway: Show us your best menswear inspired look for any pair of oxfords from Wanted Shoes [closed]

I mentioned this on the Delightful Dozen blog the other day, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to live in these oxfords from here on out. I wore them today as we trekked around Rockport and I'll be wearing them often since they're the only flat shoe I packed for my trip.

Oxfords are a great shoe for the fall, and Wanted has the best selection around. I'm so excited to announce that one Adored Austin reader can win her choice of any Wanted oxfords that she'd like.