Sunday Brunch

There's nothing better than Sunday brunch. If I could bring any food with me to a desert island, it would be Sunday brunch. (I'm sorry. I can't get any more specific than that.)

The fella and I, along with some other friends, went to brunch at Moonshine, and I selected another piece I picked up from Le Garage Sale to join. I like to wear my most favorite pieces of clothes to my most favorite events. Looks like I might have enjoyed brunch too much, judging by the stain on the front.

What I'm Wearing

Soho Tee in Grey/Ivory (StyleMint)

MM Couture Maxi Skirt (Maya Star via Le Garage Sale)

Black Leather Belt (J.Crew Factory)

Mossimo Patent Leather Ballet Flats (Target)

Shanghai Eclipse Pendant (JewelMint)

Black, White, and Gold Bracelet (Forever XXI)

Blanc Bomb Ring (JewelMint)

Gold Michael Kors Runway Watch (Macy's)

Monte Carlo Bracelet (JewelMint)

Black Regal Bangle (Bauble Bar)

Royal Ascot Ring (JewelMint)

Didi Teardrop Earrings (Send the Trend)

Essie Nail Polish in "Absolutely Shore" and OPI Nail Polish in "Cajun Shrimp"



Little Thrills

I like the idea of highlighting little treasures I pick up or discover throughout the week, so I'm planning to make this "Little Thrills"  post a weekly one...

This week I bring you my new favorite (read: my only) lipstick. Normally, I stick to lip balm, or -- if things are getting really wild -- slightly pink-tinted lip gloss. But, I was flipping through a magazine last week and was uncharacteristically drawn to an ad for Maybelline SuperStay 14HR Lipstick. Hours later, during a (very characteristic) trip to Target, I spotted the Maybelline display and selected the perfect shade of beige.

Maybelline SuperStay 14HR Lipstick in Beige ForGood

I can't say this lipstick lasts 14 hours, but when I apply it diligently, it definitely lasts all through the workday. It's the one thing I haven't taken off all week!

The February Dress

Obviously, it's not February, but I never posted the dress I purchased for my dress resolution last month. This number was a steal at $15 in the STRUT booth during Le Garage Sale. Even though I'm a procrastinator with blogging, I'm thrifty when it comes to shopping. We all have our strengths.

I actually have no clue what I'm going to pick as my March dress. Have any suggestions?

What I'm Wearing

Final Touch Navy Mod Dress (STRUT)

Grey Tights (Forever XXI)

Jolly Suede Wedge Booties (ShoeMint)

Ribbons and Chains Necklace (J.Crew)

Rhinestone Bow Ring (Forever XXI)

Royal Ascot Ring (JewelMint)

Didi Teardrop Earrings (Send the Trend)

Essie Nail Polish in "Absolutely Shore" and OPI Nail Polish in "Cajun Shrimp"

Making Fuzzy Tracks

I'm typically not a huge SXSW participant, because crowds scare me more than curling iron burns, but I got invited to the “Make Fuzzy Tracks” SXSW party, hosted by mixtape marketing and Bearded Pony and decided to go because they were giving out free drinks. Also, I knew some of the peeps behind the scenes. ... The drinks were yummy though.
I came straight from work, so I went with a mix of office casual and bold accessories.

And here are a few other photos I took from the party:

      

1) mixtape marketing and Bearded Pony koozy
2) Bush Baby Beer bartender pouring free samples
3) Lauren Brown of He's My Brother She's My Sister tap dancing on the drums
4) Lots of Sweet Leaf freebies
5) The "free drinks" menu of the night
6) Having fun with the props
7) The Fella double-fisting with samples
8) Craig of Bearded Pony, presumably explaining why he is awesome
9) Random stickers
10) Sweet Leaf-flavored lip balm for the taking

What I'm Wearing
White Oxford Shirt (J.Crew Factory)
Black Marled Sweater Vest (Swapped from Jen of Purse & Clutch via the Swap.com exchange at Texas Style Council)
Cropped Skinny Jeans (Gap Outlet)
Jolly Suede Wedge Booties (ShoeMint)
Shanghai Eclipse Pendant (JewelMint)

Black, White, and Gold Bracelet (Forever XXI)

Blanc Bomb Ring (JewelMint)

Gold Michael Kors Runway Watch (Macy's)

Monte Carlo Bracelet (JewelMint)

Black Regal Bangle (Bauble Bar)

Royal Ascot Ring (JewelMint)

Didi Teardrop Earrings (Send the Trend)

Essie Nail Polish in "Absolutely Shore" and OPI Nail Polish in "Cajun Shrimp"

The Texas Style Council in Instagrams

Much of the weekend was wet and rainy, but Sunday afternoon brought sunny skies and the Texas Style Council conference. This was my second year to attend, and just like last year, the symposium did not disappoint.

12

34

56

1/2) The front and back of my DIY business card (I stained the paper in black tea)

3) View of the crowd before Kendi's keynote

4) The conference schedule and my manicure -- OPI's "Cajun Shrimp" and Essie's "Absolutely Shore"

5) Stripes side-by-side with Jennifer, my blogger AND real-life friend

6) A panel featuring J, Jen, Elizabeth, and Kyla, and moderated by Molly

The Dress Resolution

A few weeks ago, I mentioned a fashion resolution I made, and it's time to introduce the dress that started it all, along with the resolution spelled out.

I bought a knit dress from Forever XXI in the fall, and the intention was to wear it to two upcoming weddings. Since then, I've also worn it to work, during a Saturday night outing with friends, to church (and, most recently, out to a Valentine's Day dinner with my fella). After examining my closet, I couldn't find any other dress that seemed as versatile as this one, but I was hooked on the concept. Thus, the resolution was established, and the rules are below: 

Resolution Rules
1) Purchase one dress each month, to total 12 dresses in 2012. 
2) Each dress must be able to transition easily from day to night. In other words, they must be appropriate to wear both to work and out on the town.
3) Total budget for the dresses is $600, or an average of $50 per dress.

Stay tuned this week for my February dress!

What I'm Wearing

Knit Dress (Forever XXI)
Studded Belt (J.Crew)
Patterned Tights (J.Crew)
Brown Ankle Boots (Old Navy)
Didi Teardrop Earrings (Send the Trend)
Gold Glasses Necklace (Forever XXI)
Black, White, and Gold Bracelet (Forever XXI)
Gold Michael Kors Runway Watch (Macy's)
Gold-Plated Bangles (Luxe Apothetique)
Monte Carlo Gold Bracelet (JewelMint)
Pearl and Beaded Bracelet (Gift from a craft fair)
Blanc Bomb Ring (JewelMint)
Essie Nail Polish in "Brooch the Subject"

Napa and San Francisco in Instagrams

The fella and I spent a long weekend in California, exploring Napa and San Francisco, for no good reason other than we like eachother a lot. I returned to Austin about 20 lbs heavier, and only 10 of those were from bringing back  bottles of wine.

   1     2

34 

56

78

910

1112

1314

1516

1718

1/2) Our B&B in Napa

3/4) Waiting for lunch at Rutherford Grille and wine tasting at Peju

5/6) The cave underneath the Far Niente winery

7/8) A picnic lunch at Rutherford and the lawn at Frog's Leap
9/10) Pretty vineyard "weeds" and the Stag's Leap entrance 

11/12) Driving into San Francisco and my first clam-chowder-in-a-breadbowl

13/14) Watching the seals at sunset on Pier 34 and dessert at Ghirardelli Square

15/16) Two different views of San Fransciso from our boat out to Alcatraz

17/18) Alcatraz Island and our farewell sub sandwich lunch at Little Luca's