Spring Stripes and Florals

With spring flowers blossoming everywhere, I always get inspired to buy and wear brighter, bolder prints. Take, for example, the three printed tops pictured below. All of them were purchased during my brief trip to Austin and will make great layering pieces while the nights are still cool here in southern California.

Austin tourist T-shirt from a gift shop and floral printed hoodie from Dillard's.

Red & white striped jersey top from Charlotte Russe.

Floral printed tank top, $6.99 at dELiA*s.

Shopping Guide: South Congress aka SoCo in Austin

For anyone in Austin who loves fashion and shopping as much as myself, the SoCo shopping area has some of the best shopping and eateries in Austin. The area begins on South Congress from the 1400 to about the 2500 block. The SoCo shopping area can best be characterized as funky, fun, and eclectic. My absolute favorite store was Lucy In Disguise With Diamonds, perhaps the best costume shop I've ever visited. I browsed through well-organized racks of flapper dresses, fairy tale dresses, laced corsets, glittery tops, funky 1970s bell bottoms, go-go dresses, faux fur tops, masks, and so much more. In the end, I found a great pair of bloomers with black lace trim (pictured below) and a fabulous black and white go-go dress. Much of the merchandise can be rented or purchased. The store is located at 1506 S. Congress Ave.

At Uncommon Objects, there is a vast selection of antiques and unique Texas memorabilia. I also spied a rack filled with great vintage clothing and hats. It is located at 1512 S. Congress Ave.

If you work up an appetite while shopping, Güero's Taco Bar serves up delicious Mexican fare and has sweet margaritas to quench your thirst. They have the Oak Garden nearby where you can order drinks and listen to live bands. It's located at 1412 S. Congress Ave.

Around the corner is Eco-Wise, where they sell eco-friendly clothing, cards, flooring, paint, and much more. It's located at 110 W. Elizabeth.

At Parts & Labour, you'll find a small selection of unique T-shirts, handmade accessories, and great gifts made by local artists. I bought a darling Naughty Secretary Club necklace with a Texas pendant. Located at 1604 S. Congress Ave.
If it's shoes, bags, or trendy and inexpensive apparel you desire, I recommend Goodie Two Shoes at 1111 S. Congress. I picked up a star print tote and some white scrunchy boots all for under $30.

Above: Go-go dress from Lucy In Disguise With Diamonds and boots from Goodie Two Shoes.

At Therapy, you'll find higher end designs and a display with yummy chocolates. I did not find the merchandise to be very trend-forward or impressive. Unlike all of the other stores I visited, the customer service was severely lacking in this store, so I didn't bother to browse very long. Located at 1113 S. Congress Ave.

At By George, I browsed through racks of Ella Moss tops, FCUK dresses, and See by Chloé tops. I had read several girls raving about this store on online message boards, but I wasn't overly impressed. I saw a few things I liked but ended up buying an Eat Shop Los Angeles guide. Located at 524 N. Lamar and 1400 S. Congress Ave.

At New Bohemia, I wandered amongst racks of vintage T-shirts, Western shirts, dresses, and shoes. Prices were higher than I was expecting, but the selection was extensive. I left empty-handed. Located at 1606 S. Congress Ave.

Maya, located at 1508 S. Congress Ave., was one of my favorite boutiques. I lusted after a colorful painted flask for $40 and a quirky printed business card holder. There were many other great gifts, stationery, and unique items that caught my eye. On the way out I noticed a cozy couch at the front of the store, perfect for boyfriends and husbands to lounge upon while the ladies shop.

Tesoro Trading Company carried Mexican folk art, jewelry, and unique items from all over the world. I noticed lots of religious-themed merchandise, and not surprisingly, left without buying anything. Located at 1500 S. Congress Ave.

For ice cream, Amy's is a must. I had the refreshing mint flavor with graham crackers crushed in. There's sure to be a line on hot sunny days, but you can amuse yourself by people-watching while you're waiting. I saw a man walking a little pot-bellied pig and it was amusing to see how people and their dogs reacted to it. SoCo seemed to be full of people out walking their dogs. Amy's is located at 1301 S. Congress Ave. There are other locations, including one at the airport.

Above are the window displays at Lucy In Disguise With Diamonds.


Window display at Uncommon Objects

Target Boutique...Coming Soon?

While browsing Target's website today I came upon an image album labeled Go International Private Label Collection I. I recall reading a brief and vague blurb in Elle magazine about a Target Go collection being launched in April, so this must be it. I'm assuming it's the company's in-house designs, as there was no designer's name attached to it. With each new home furnishings, accessories, and apparel collection, Target seems to outdo itself and leave other cheap chic retailers in the dust. I love this company! They've done so many collections already that it's hard to keep up. Gryson handbags, Subversive jewelry, Loeffler Randall shoes and handbags...the list goes on and on. Most of the furnishings in my bedroom are from Rachel Ashwell's Simply Shabby Chic collection, and I'm very happy with the look I've put together, as I'm quite the inexperienced interior designer.

I love Target so much that I think they should open up a new division of much smaller, more boutique-y and trend-driven stores and call them something like Targetique, Targhette (like in Italian, pronounced Tar-GET-tay), or perhaps Target Boutique. The whole Tar-jay pronunciation is so overused in my opinion. Does anybody else have any name ideas? Feel free to leave your comments!

With these new boutiques, perhaps they could use some similar visual merchandising techniques as in Anthropologie or Metropark. The stores would cater to the fashion-conscious 18 to 45-year-old demographic in suburban America. They might even offer inexpensive home design advice or wardrobe consulting services. Fashion shows would be shown on plasma tv's, and there would be a organic fruit bar, bakery, salad bar, or tea lounge in one area of the store. They might have a new line of eco-friendly cosmetics and clothing. No more Starbucks, popcorn, or pizza like in many other Targets! Maybe bands would play there on evenings or they would host mini fashion shows. The ideas are endless, but not improbable. Who knows what Target may do next? Are any Target execs out there reading this? I had this idea first!

The Driskill Hotel in Austin - A Review

As I just returned from Austin, my next few posts will be dedicated to my experiences during my short trip to the capital of Texas. I do apologize if you find them boring, as I will cover more than just the topic of fashion in my attempts to become somewhat of an amateur travel writer.

My stay at the Driskill Hotel (pictured above) in the heart of the 6th Street Entertainment District was a pleasurable one. From the moment the valet opened up the car door and unloaded my luggage, I knew this hotel would make my stay as comfortable as possible. Any time I don't have to lift my over-loaded suitcase I'm a happy camper, especially with my bad back. Upon entering the hotel lobby, I was greeted by fancy columns, intricate marble flooring, ornate ceilings, and plenty of comfortable seating. Texas memorabilia adorned every nook and cranny of the lobby, bar, and mezzanine areas. Part of the reason why I chose the Driskill was because I wanted the full Texas experience. This hotel had so much more character, history, and personality than the other chain hotels in the area. All of the staff members that I encountered were friendly and very helpful. On the second day, the concierge recommended a fabulous place for breakfast called Austin Java, located at 301 W. 2nd St.

The well-appointed rooms had free high-speed internet, a ceiling fan, heating and a/c, a mini-bar and refrigerator, plush robes, and two vanity areas - one inside the bathroom and one outside. The vintage-inspired bathrooms were roomy and had plenty of lighting options, which is such a great perk. The housekeeping staff left plenty of extra towels every day. Although the beds were not the most comfortable, I slept well every night of my stay. For anyone traveling to Austin, I would highly recommend the Driskill Hotel, located at 604 Brazos St. The location is great for sightseeing, partying, and absorbing everything else that Austin has to offer.

The ceiling in the lobby with its decorative glasswork.

Pictured above and below is the seating in the Texas-themed bar and mezzanine area. At night, there is a pianist who plays and also chats with visitors.

10 Things You Must Do In Austin

I've just returned from Austin, Texas and I've decided to share my newly created list of 10 things you must do in Austin. Keep in mind that this list is from an outsider's point of view, as I'm sure the locals would suggest different things that I've never heard of. So based upon my experiences...here it goes, in no particular order:

1. Get a massage and then buy a delicious meal from the endless variety of prepared food counters at Whole Foods Market, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.

2. Shop for vintage-inspired styles and costumes amongst the incredible selection at Lucy In Disguise With Diamonds, 1506 S. Congress Ave.

3. Eat the popular enchiladas de mole and hang out at the bar for happy hour with the locals at Manuel's, 310 Congress Ave.

4. Absorb Texas history for a few hours at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave.

5. Watch a band play at a club on 6th Street or wander around the more upscale bars and clubs of the Warehouse District.

6. Devour an enormous omelette at Austin Java, 301 W. 2nd St.

7. Browse the fantastic selection of inexpensive apparel, footwear, and accessories at Goodie Two Shoes, 1111 S. Congress Ave.

8. Indulge in peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream and then dance the two step at The Broken Spoke, 3201 S. Lamar Blvd.

9. Support Austin's local artists and fashion designers by purchasing their creations from Parts and Labour, 1604 S. Congress Ave.

10. Take a relaxing boat cruise along Lake Lady Bird (aka Town Lake) and watch the bats take flight from the Congress Ave. bridge just before sunset.

Keep Austin Weird

For those of you familiar with Austin, the photo above needs no explanation. If you're not familiar with the capital of Texas, behold the largest state Capitol building in the United States. Having wandered around inside it today, I can testify as to its enormity. It's no wonder I'm exhausted! I visited several museums today and went shopping along Guadalupe, a.k.a. The Drag. In all honesty, I'm a bit disappointed in the street style and the fashion/shopping scene here in Austin. Maybe my expectations were too high or I haven't hit the right neighborhoods. Yesterday I experienced my first dELiA*s store, Dillard's, and the very cool SoCo area. On Wednesday I watched an amazing performance by Matt White at Stubb's. If you haven't heard of him, his sound is comparable to John Mayer. Since it's Friday night, I'll keep this post short. After all, I'm in the heart of the 6th Street entertainment district, and there are bars, clubs, and shops to visit! I will post photos of my shopping adventures and purchases in the coming days. Cheers to Austin!

Karl Kani - Kouture Fashion Show Photos - Part 2

Trend On The Rise - Sneaker-Inspired Heels

Sick of your platform pumps or towering sandals? Sneaker-inspired heels are a perfect complement to spring's cropped pants, flirty frocks, and short shorts. They manage to be both casual and sporty without sacrificing comfort. I'd wear them during the day as an alternative to strappy wedges, slingbacks, or peep-toes. As a lifelong heel addict, I can certainly appreciate the added height that they provide.

Pictured above:

1. Ankle strap wedge skimmer, Wet Seal, $22.50

2. Keds 'Bliss' wedge, Nordstrom, $59.95

3. Rebels Mary Jane, Victoria's Secret, $55

4. Hale Bob lace-up sneaker, Victoria's Secret, $89

Photo credit: wetseal.com, nordstrom.com, victoriassecret.com

Jovovich-Hawk Flies Off The Racks At Target

I must have underestimated the popularity that the Jovovich-Hawk GO International Collection for Target would have. This is the tenth GO collaboration, and judging from the looks on the racks of the 4 Target stores that I have been to in the past 2 days, many pieces in this collection will sell out, if they haven't already. The Target closest to my home had the best selection, and when I arrived there at around 1pm, I could see lots of the smaller sizes missing. The black and gold star print vest was just about gone, as were many of the printed chiffon dresses. I grabbed what looked interesting to me and headed off to the overly crowded dressing room to take some photos.

I really liked this teal colored crochet-trimmed dress, but when I tried it on, the trim on the neck and sleeves irritated my sensitive skin, so I decided to pass.
This dress was one of my favorites, but when I put it on, the sleeves kept falling off my shoulders. I liked the fluttery sleeves, the nipped-in waist, and the delicate print. Perhaps I should have gone down a size, but they had very few left to choose from. There is a zip closure in the back which I found hard to reach. In the end, I decided to pass on this dress as well.

I saw this dress featured in Lucky magazine, so I was curious to see how it fit. I liked the button closures up the front and the fitted waistline, and I thought it was quite flattering. The deal breaker for me was that the fabric was transparent and ivory isn't one of my best colors. With a slipdress underneath and a delicate necklace, I think this piece would look great on many people.
Pictured above is the Arabesque halter dress. I tried a small, and found it to be very tight in the bodice area. In the Target ads, they showed it with the linen vest (which was almost sold out in my store). I didn't like the fit on top and the shape of the neckline, so I didn't buy it.

Overall, I wasn't wowed by the collection, as there seemed to be an abundance of the color ivory and also of prints with an orange-brown color scheme. I am glad they used a lot of cotton and some linen, as opposed to cheap looking synthetics. Even the polyester pieces were comfortable and steered clear of looking cheap. With regards to the sizing, I found it to be inconsistent from piece to piece. Many of the dresses ran small in the bodice area, so you may have to go up a size. I think that this collection, with its earthy boho chic vibe, appeals to a broader demographic than the Erin Fetherston cutesy babydoll styles.

I may return to buy the star print vest and tunic, the floral chiffon blouse featured in the ads, and perhaps the square-necked dress which is pictured above second from the top. I had every intention of waking up early on Sunday to be one of the first to see the merchandise, but my Saturday night activities took priority (meaning that I went out, had a blast, and slept in late) and I also didn't think that the collection would be so popular. My visits to 3 other stores on late Sunday night and early Monday morning also revealed that customers are favoring the Jovovich-Hawk merchandise. The dotted wrap dress, the smocked dresses, the blue & green swimsuit, and the striped knit tops seem to be the best sellers. I'm not so sure how the linen culottes, the ivory slacks, the denim miniskirt, and the short shorts will do, as there were plenty to choose from in the stores that I visited.

I ended up buying only 3 pieces from the collection pictured below. I'm curious as to what other people think of the collection and what they bought. Feel free to leave your opinions!