this is matt, he is a bonafide badass

The East Austin Studio Tour is full of creative badasses like photographer Matt Wright-Steel, creative collaborative Sodalitas and masters of glass Rejina Thomas over at Graphic Glass. The past several years I have found another MUST SEE artist or studio to tack onto my list. This time I’m getting smart and will ride my White Unicorn around the east side. I highly advise this type of transportation – there will be a lack of parking spots and more importantly, it’s a great excuse to get off your ass and enjoy the gorgeous day. It’s going to be 81 degrees – I just looked it up. [edit] oooh- looks like a little cold snap is working it’s way through central Texas. Throw a vest on and let’s do this anyways!

Bring some cash, get ready to drink some beer and make friends! If you’re one of those people who don’t like art, go anyways, there’s lots of people watching and live music. You never know who you know that loves to make art.

+E.A.S.T. 2009

Le Garage,  it only happens twice a year for one weekend only.   It’s a MUST for the fashion fiend on a budget.  I discovered the illustrious women of Herff Christiansen there and walked out with 5 articles of clothing for a pretty (inexpensive) penny.  I scored a Marnie Bugs bag for $15 that was regularly priced at $400!  My man scored an entire wardrobe change for about $100 from Service Menswear – I’m talking $5 designer t-shirts.

HOW IN THE HECK DO THEY DO THAT?  It’s the past season’s merchandise!  Um, brilliant?  Austin, with it’s boutique nature, doesn’t carry the square footage to hold a rack of past seasons merchandise – they’ve got to cut their losses and open some dollars up to buy for more current trends and fashions, which translates to super sales for us!  50% – 90% off beautiful clothing – my favorite spots to visit – By George, Estilo, and Service Menswear.

TIPS TO ROCK IT TO THE MAX?

1).  Wear pretty underwear – you may find yourself whipping off your clothes in front of many many people and into that pretty/sexy/must-have dress/skirt/jeans.  Don’t be afraid – pretend you’re in Europe for the day.

2).  Set a budget – You will want to set a limit for yourself, the goods are just too fabulous to walk away from with an open pocketbook.

3).  Bring CASH – It’s quick and it’s easy to track.

4).  Breathe.  No seriously, I hyperventilate for the first 30 minutes from excitement and sensory overload.  Lots of people and lots of gorgeous gorgeous clothing, footwear and accessories.

5).  Bring a buddy – this buddy will be a lifesaver – well, someone has to hold your purse, shoes, new bags of goodies and other garments flung off in excitement when reaching for the next.  A second opinion is always nice too, although, if you don’t make it with a buddy – there are lots of lovely fashionable ladies that won’t hesitate to give a good opinion.

Good luck ladies!  Hope to see you there!

Direct Link + Le Garage August 29 | 11a – 6p & August 30th | 11a – 5p

$10 for one day pass

$15 for two day pass

T + M

I’m not quite sure why the awkward pose (or the bruise, that does not exist in R.L.) – probably because I was excited beyond belief about hearing Henry and Sasha play with some serious sound in, of all places, a museum.  Did I fall into Heaven this weekend?

LOVE THE R E V E R B.

This was my favorite piece in the place, I’m a total sucker for street art, thanks a lot Banksy.  Also pictured is my lovely man, T.    I’ve got some okay iPhone photos that I will post later on, but I though this was pretty cheeky.  The Houston Chronicle is everywhere it seems!  For more photos click here.

The exhibit is called “NO ZONING”, which I find absolutely hysterical, as it is the very reason I LOVE HOUSTON so much.  It’s true.  I say it and I mean it.  I’ve had lengthy conversations about the loveliness that is a house and a coffee shop and a nationally acclaimed boutique next to another house  all on the same street. . . and it goes on.   A real city with diversity and culture.  and ART.  and good food.  and  . . .

A fantastic event positively.

I’m excited under my skin thinking about the CAMH but it doesn’t end there!

The after party is hosted at my favorite favorite Houston bar, DEAN’S CREDIT CLOTHING. [EDIT: This is the NEW Dean's Montrose; 315 FAIRVIEW NEAR TAFT]

This is where a little flashback memory jog comes in . . .   ((((((entering photo montage)))))))

Let me just go off about Henry Chow and my unabashed love for his beats. . . . and his hair! My first encounter with Henry Chow was for one of my rowdier partners in crime “Dirty 30 Birthday Party”, cough, a few years back.  Miss. Wee B and I share some very similar tastes in music – BEATS THAT CAUSE YOU TO SHAKE IT!  And damn, did she ever book a DJ for that.  And so, my love affair began with Henry and his gorgeous hair. And Miss. Wee B, who will also be making an appearance, as the ever faithful PARTNER IN CRIME!

The greatest thing about this weekend is that it is a full circle event.  See . . . it turns out the DJ Daniel Allen, who may or may not be linked with Miss. Wee B, is playing at Dean’s too.  His latest release with Yevette Williams has been playing at my house at all hours of the day since I discovered it.

And then the fuller circle comes back to ZULU CREATIVE for mentioning this little event at CAMH. Can’t wait to see you all there!

Direct Links + CAMH homepage

+ Henry Chow

+ Sasha Braverman

+ Spain Colored Orange

+ Gracie Chavez

Your guide for all things AFW 2009

Colours Marie Guide to Austin Fashion Week 2009. It’s one of those things that you didn’t even know you wanted.  I hope that for one week, you can’t live without it.  Updated with the latest information on parties, shows, and live entertainment.

This little baby of a project will be updated with the latest information. Bookmark it!

love, Austin Fashion Week, Austin Fashion Week, Austin Fashion Week

stephanie marie

You want to use it?  Please link it: http://www.coloursmarie.com

Wings and Waffles

 I am not afraid of food.  I love it and live for it, anytime and any place.  I once scored major points for trying old fashioned pickled herring.  One can find these slimy chunks of fish stuffed into a glass jar at your local grocer.  My friend’s dad gave me a huge high five and then told me that in over the 20 years that he has been eating the stuff NO ONE had the nerve to try it.  I think I was on his favorites list after that bonding experience.  But, back to Chicken and Waffles . . . 

My first experience with Chicken and Waffles was at a neighborhood brunch put on by a bunch of Louisianan’s.  A smashing brunch party with homemade bloody mary’s, loud music and the strangest dish I have heard about in awhile, chicken and waffles.  Seriously?  So it goes, fried chicken, battered twice in buttermilk if you’re lucky, over one large waffle sprinkled with powdered sugar and topped with warm maple syrup.  My life has changed since that experience.  I have searched far and wide for any chicken/waffle combi.  

The Breakfast Klub in Houston, Texas is the winner.  The breading on the chicken is enough to bring tears to your eyes.  I just had to share.

direct link + The Breakfast Klub

explosions in the sky just emailed.

  Two knockout shows are scheduled for their latest Texas tour.

first stop  Austin, Texas.

 July 4th, Stubbs will feature  Explosions In the Sky with The Octopus Project and The Wooden Birds. – tickets are $18 -$ 20.  Stubbs is a music venue that has an impeccable delivery  of premium musical acts .  Take a look f or yourself  . . . 

photo credit: explosionsinthesky.com

2nd stop

houston • free press summer fest • august 8th

I’m geeking a little about the free press summer fest.  

Local Austin artists Explosions In the Sky, The Sword, Octopus Project, Ume, and Voxtrot  are representing the Austin scene and those are just the headliners of the 40 + acts that will play over the two day weekend!  

Needless to say, looking forward to August!  

I dug around in the archives of photos and managed to find a short and sweet taste of their performance this past SXSW at Auditorium Shores.  Killer shows up and down the whole SXSW roster, but a full blown concert in the middle of a park that frames downtown Austin for FREE?  

It’s moments like these that remind me why I absolutely love living in this city.

The Texas sky was breathtaking on the way to Dallas!  Since this Memorial Day weekend is rather cloudy, I thought I should share some photos of some of the finer summer days.  Each of these photos can be enlarged to show their true beauty.  The first photo was taken before reaching the city, the second is a structural gem that offers it’s own vision of the sky and the third photo is completely insane.  The glass building looks more like a building rendering – it almost looks like it’s see through from the clarity of the mirrored walls.  

I hope everyone has a great Memorial Weekend!