RSS this is life in austin/aspen
In honor of the recession, do free things tonight (at least until 10):
Happy Hour Pre-Party thing at do512:
10th Anniversary Party at Shiki on Second Street
6-10pm celebration with drinks, food, DJ, and giveaways! Come to Shiki and shop!
October 9, 2008
Tidbits or Tribeza? Tough Thursday!
I LOVE Austin Tidbits parties. They’re rare (quarterly?), obviously causing them to be more exciting than Tribeza parties, and they usually have fab gift bags and super-fashiony people, making them way more exciting.
Not that Tribeza parties don’t have fashiony people–and I will say they draw a fair man-crowd, whereas Tidbits men are randoms off the street and boyfriends–but their happy hours seem to be hit or miss. Maiko a few months ago with free sushi? Hit. Random apartment opening? Miss. This Thursday? Boutique. 50/50, leaning toward miss because it’s out in Westlake.
The Smackdown:
Austin Tidbits Fall Happy Hour
Locale: Downtown, Second Street at Eliza Page
Promises: “Dazzle,” gemstones, drinks, snacks
Time: 7–9pm
vs.
TRIBEZA Happy Hour
Locale: The Hip Chic (Village at Westlake, Bee Cave at 360)
Promises: exclusive peak into their new digs, models, DJ, food, cocktails
Time: 5:30-9pm
September 29, 2008
Let’s talk about the Second Street District
Formerly, I was not impressed with the Second Street District. My main beef was that it’s ridiculously hard to park. I get that it’s a mixed-use development and you’re supposed to walk, but say you don’t live there and you still want to shop there–give me just one free parking garage! Bridges on Lamar has a free parking garage for its retail.
My number two beef is that everything closes early. Some of the shops were closed at 6pm! But I think that’s gradually changing, and the restaurants are obviously open.
Also, the shops are all expensive. And they still are. But it seems like they’ve started finding a good mix of high- and lower-priced items, like $34 shoes next to $230 dresses. Plus there’s always Peyton’s Place, which is very reasonable. Today I LOVED Estilo. Obviously, you say, everyone knows Estilo is the place to go. But today there was just the friendliest sales girl, the cutest LBD, and sweet vintage belts from Moss Mills.
I also loved Shiki–friendly salesgirl again, but also some really cute dresses, especially a short green silk jumper-style dress. Hard to describe, but it was precious. I really missed out on the silk romper craze this summer season … but then again, where in the world do you wear a silk romper?! I might have to break my steadfast no-shorts-at-night rule for a silk romper.
I digress. So the new boutique Minx seems pretty cool, but every time I go there it is closed. This includes a random Saturday, today at noon, and tonight at 6pm. Also, they’re already having a sale. If a boutique just opened AND is never open, what can it possibly have to put on sale?! Um, maybe most of its inventory?
Point is, maybe like me you thought Second Street is an expensive place with boutiques with little selection. True. But remember that it’s Austin, and you can roll up shoe-less or whatever and the salespeople will still happily ask you to let them know if you need any help.
Anyway, go shop. Fuel our downtrodden economy…
UPDATE
MINX was open today! I went around 2pm, and the owner, Kate, was there and as sweet as she could be. They also had great summery silk dresses on sale for $120, beautiful bright yellow, shimmery purple, pretty, un-fussy flowers … good stuff. The prices were a good mix, though the cutest things were all expensive, of course. There was good jewelry too. Worth checking out, and hopefully they’ve worked out the kinks of opening hours!
September 3, 2008
I’m Off To Ecuador!
Tomorrow morning bright and early I’m headed to the airport to fly to Ecuador! I’m meeting my brother, who is already down there, for 8 days of adventures with volcanoes, hiking, and surfing. I can’t wait!
Of course, I won’t be blogging because I have limited access to the internet. I’ve posted a few entries for events in the coming week to tide you over, but in the meantime, I’d also suggest you check out:
Design Notebook – blogger Melanie Spencer covers all the design events, she usually posts a roundup once a week, so check here for what to do this week and next
Tribeza’s Fashion Week – there are a few free events leading up to the hot fashion show, which benefits Candlelight Ranch, a wonderful retreat for kids … I’d definitely take a ride on the Boutique Crawl bus to keep the booze and buying in check–Thursday, September 11.
austin360.com – it’s an obvious choice, but they usually have the scoop on events in Austin
I’ll be back late Thursday the 11th, so hopefully I’ll have some fun news and events for the weekend!
August 28, 2008
Another Thursday, Another Plethora of Events
Good thing I have that fence to paint (it’s never done. You finish building the sucker and you just have to paint it) or I’d never be able to decide which of these events to go to! That and I’d go to the LAST Nike training run at SIX lounge before the big run this Sunday if I had time. Run 7pm at SIX.
+ Sabia (that spa I got a facial at and LOVED!) and KickPleat host a party:
Sabia + Kickpleat Party Invite
+ Rae Cosmetics is hosting its Third Birthday party (although really, when isn’t Rae Cosmetics hosting or displaying at some party? Their lip gloss is great so I really can’t complain, but it’s true, they’re everywhere.
Three Beautiful Years
Come join the fun at the Rae Cosmetics Studio and Courtyard. You are invited to a fabulous evening of food, drinks and music. Enjoy a free makeover, a trip to the photo booth or a spin on the dance floor.
Proceeds benefit Girlstart. (www.girlstart.net)
Thursday – August 28th, at 7:00pm
The 26 Doors Shopping Center – 1206 W. 38th Street
+ Speaking of places that are always partying, its also Second Street district’s second birthday and they’re OBVIOUSLY throwing a bash.
For the second time in the past month, the district is celebrating its birtday with giveaways, sales, and snacks, plus an 8pm champagne toast on the Taverna patio with cupcakes from Delish, cookies from Tiff’s Treats, and gelato from Paciugo.
+ Along the same street, Design Within Reach is hosting a Wine and Design event:
From 6 to 8pm, try wine from Taste Select Wines (which is getting good reviews for coolness and being able to buy 1/2 glass of wine … who wants only half a glass of wine?!) and shop for dining room furniture, which is 15 percent off when you mix and/or match six or more chairs, stools, and tables. RSVP to austin@dwr.com. DWR, 200 W. Second St., 472-7200.
August 25, 2008
Emerald’s + Peyton’s Place
Boutiques in Austin are a dime a dozen nowdays, so sometimes I forget about the old standbys, like Emeralds. Long occupying primo 6th & Lamar real estate, the clothing and gift shop is a spot of some confusing identities–$25 tops next to $425 dresses–but nonetheless a great place to find something to wear.
The shoe selection is relatively cheap and top notch. I found some stellar purple heels that were a smidge too small, but I wanted to buy them anyway AND they were only $40. I didn’t end up getting them, but I’m jealous of anyone who they will fit and can buy them.
Up front they have some expensive dresses and mid-range jewelry, but head to the color-coded (nice!) racks and you’ll find relatively cheap tops, skirts, and even dresses for going out or a liberally-dress-coded office, like a creative industry. They also have quality basics from Michael Stars. I need to stop by more often to snag cute, relatively inexpensive going-out clothes!
I also stopped by Peyton’s Place for a quick perusal, and while I was disappointed in the quantity of clothing–and the price points have gone up a bit since they opened a year or so ago–I did buy a good basic cotton slip/dress, which is similar to what I bought the only other time I went: basic black flats. So it may be just me, but it seems like their basics are cheap and their not-basics, while cute, are not so cheap.
One thing Peyton’s Place has going for it is that I brought along a guy friend on this shopping excursion, and the cute salesgirl asked him if he wanted a cupcake. He said no (how can he resist?!) but asked her for a beer, and she said, “Oh, I think we have some left over from a party we threw,” and returned to ask if he’d prefer Tecate, Dos XX, or Corona? He was thrilled (and chose Tecate).
August 21, 2008
Update to Restaurant Week
The other restaurant week, not the one that just ended. So confusing, I know, we had no restaurant week and now we have two?!
For the “official” Austin Restaurant Week, over 50 restaurants will provide $25 and $35 three-course prix fixe menus to diners for eight nights. A list of participating restaurants will be released Sept 2, but sign up at the website to be the first to know!
In other RARE magazine news, the owner/publisher just bought DIY South Lamar boutique Moxie and the Compound … the Statesman has the full scoop.
August 21, 2008
A Thursday of Free Jewelry Events
Yeah, a smidge random that there are TWO jewelry events this Thursday, but hey, we can roll with it. I won’t be at either, as I’ll be running the Nike Human Race training run I’ve come to love so dearly. But for those not pounding the pavement:
Design Your Own Necklace at Madewell
Visit the Domain this Thursday night to design your own necklace with Jeanne Kirkland of UrbanPosh jewelry (found at Eliza Page and Soigné) The necklace is free with any purchase of $100 or more. While at the store, Madewell will take $25 off any denim you buy! Complimentary Cocktails plus DJ Mahealani will be spinning tunes all night.
Date: Thursday, August 21st
Time: 6-9pm
Location: Madewell at the Domain (Across from North)
… so it’s not quite free ($100 purchase?!), but the cocktails are free ..
And then there’s the worldwide Anthony Nak launch at Eliza Page that everyone seems to be talking about. Jewelry definitely isn’t free, but cocktails and food are, so here’s the flyer:
Anthony Nak Launch at Eliza Page
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