I am about the last person to do any sort of DIY. I never have been very creative that way, or really inclined to do it. But in getting ready for hunt.gather.style’s fall pop-up shop, I thought I’d play around with some vintage pieces and add bits of leather here and there. It was much more difficult than I thought when I envisioned what I was going to do (which is why I don’t DIY!!) but I’m pleased with how the pieces turned out. I did everything by hand and used recycled leather, so they’re also eco-friendly

Check them out in person at Touch of Sass on Saturday, November 3rd from 12-3 if you’re interested!!

You KNOW I love to shop, but I love getting a deal more, so one of the things I really like about living in Austin is that both Nordstrom Rack and Last Call are only about 10 minutes away (If the James Perse outlet and Off Fifth were also closer, I’d be in heaven). One of the things I don’t love about Austin is that Fall comes so late. The weather is kind of a tease lately with the cool temperatures in the morning warming up to low 90′s during the day, but Fall WILL come, and when it does, I will be ready.

Since Fall is my favorite season, I have TONS of lightweight sweaters and cardigans that carry over from year-to-year, but I do like to add one or two new pieces each year; this year, I’m craving “ethnic” prints and sweaters with interesting details. Luckily, Last Call has plenty of those, and at great prices – especially with their Friends & Family code (FRIEND – expires today) for 30% off:

Dolce cabo SW waterfall cardigan | $76 after the code
MICHAEL Michael Kors sweater | about $60 after the code
Line Intarsia wrap sweater | $209 after the code

If you sign up for their emails, you’ll not only get access to these events to shop in-store, but right now they’re doing a $1,000 gift card giveaway for newsletter sign-ups!

My partners and I at hunt.gather.style are popping up again next Saturday, September 29th for Summer’s last hurrah at Etcetera, Etc! We’ve discounted all of our Summer items; almost everything is under $25. Fall is in the air, but I always wear my Summer stuff here in Austin, especially great layering pieces like sundresses & silk tops.

And if you REALLY want to shop for Fall also, Etcetera, Etc. has some great cooler weather pieces that will go wonderfully with your vintage finds

Fabulous local Austin jewelry designer Jeannie Vianney is having a “Pin it to win it” contest featuring her super-popular lace pieces until September 30th – click here for more details. I’ve seen some of these pieces in person and they are substantial; I love the contrast between the delicate lace-look and the solid metal (the Chelsea cuff is INSANE).

I know, I always speak of MOSS…but since I was there this week and saw some of the pieces Sari pulled for the photo-shoot, and I was very excited about the AllSaints jacket (WHY do we not have an AllSaints in Austin? oh, I know, because it’s not hipster, or hippie enough – too “dark” maybe…we’re getting ready to NOT even have a Saks in Austin anymore. I mean…), I wanted to do another post. Okay? good. Check out some of the new stuff they’re getting in for Fall:

1 | All Saints jacket (so good. It’s a size large, so it was a bit too large for me, or else it would be in my closet right now), Vivienne Westwood skirt, Bottega Veneta boots

2 | Vince Shearling Jacket (this was so awesome, but a little warm for Austin, don’t you think?), Michael Kors Dress, Givenchy Embossed Handbag, Ralph Lauren Boot

3 | Laura Smalls Poly Coated Dress, Gucci Studded, Loeffler Randall Platforms (they’re my size!! on no…)

Visit MOSS’s blog for more details, or stop in to buy anything you see here. Just not the LR platforms.

I’m so hot I didn’t want to change out of the short little cami dress I’ve been wearing around the apartment while working. But no one wants to see me in THAT, so before I go out, I changed into something more public-appropriate – which honestly is something I wish more people would do here in Austin. CHANGE clothes. Maybe that outfit you wore to go running this morning, the torn-up sweats you wear around the house, or the leggings you wore to yoga ARE NOT appropriate to wear among other people. No, not maybe. They ARE DEFINITELY NOT appropriate to wear in public, where other people have presumably made an effort to look presentable. Neither are pajamas. Also, Spanx? Invest in a pair.

**rant over**

WEARING:
H&M top
Thrifted denim skirt (came with a pocket-full of Halls cough drops!!)
Kurt Geiger platform clogs (secondhand from MOSS)
Lizzie Fortunato necklace
Jas M.B. bag (from Barney’s co-op here in Austin, link goes to the black version online)

Okay, I realize that sometimes it’s necessary to run out to HEB really quick in your running shorts, and I’m sure they’re comfortable, but running shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops is NOT AN OUTFIT. I’ll admit that I haven’t lived in a lot of cities (besides Austin and Atlanta), but I’ve traveled a lot, and I have NEVER been in another city where nike shorts & lululemon leggings are considered “fashion” and if you’re dressed in real clothes, you’re weird. And there’s NO way it’s just the UT kids dressing this way…(anyway, that’s not an excuse).

Now, my rant is over. Maybe. For now, anyway. I have a lot of love for Austin, but so much frustration for the “fashion” here…I just had to vent! I care about how people present themselves. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what size you are, how much money you have, or whatever, if you take pride in your appearance by making just a small effort to get dressed when you leave the house, you will look – and feel – amazing.

And I’ll feel better too

(Sheesh…do I sound like I’m about to turn 40 or what??)

Is it just me, or is it hotter now than it was all Summer? I’m melting….and getting a lot of use out of my sleeveless Summer dresses. I actually wear Summer dresses all year in Austin, I just add a blazer, cardigan or leather jacket and I’m good. Boots would be great with the shorter options – and how cute would that Rachel Pally dress be with a cape over it and some knee-high flat boots? SO cute.

Anyway, check out Shopbop’s end-of-Summer sale (it’s a good one) – here are some pieces I’d pick up if I were you (from L to R):

Splendid cowl-neck dress | $41 (I have this in gray – love it and get compliments on it constantly. Last seen here)
James Perse dress | $157.50
Lanston asymmetrical dress | $100.10
Rachel Pally mini-caftan | $105.50
Lanston v-neck dress | $69 (I also have this in black. Last seen here)
Chaser leather-back maxi dress | $120

It’s been a long time since I visited Schatzelein; I’m definitely due for a visit soon, especially since Christine posted some beautiful new arrivals (agate studs…turquoise bracelets) on twitter last week. In addition to all the other amazing designers at Schatzelein, one of my favorites is the owner’s own line, Fail Jewelry. Christine’s pieces are right up my alley: simple, minimal, wear-every-day-and-never-take-off (like those rings above). Affordable too. If you’re not local, check out her online shop here, but if you are in Austin, you have NO excuse not to visit Schatzelein in person. You’ll thank me once you have

WEARING:
Thrifted skirt
LnA tee
Candace Ang necklace
Jas M.B. bag from Barney’s Co-Op in Austin (link to the black version online)
No6 Clogs (sold out)

I got this skirt from Gucci Goodwill, as my friend Sydney refers to it, and I love it (elephants!!!!!), but am torn as to whether or not to hem it. I am leaning towards NOT hemming it, because I’m lazy that way, but I know it would elongate my legs and generally make me look taller and slimmer if it was about knee-length. Would you hem it?

from l-r
shopbop
bloomingdale’s
net-a-porter

We love our bats here in Austin, and while I’m not a fan of printed tees, I can definitely get behind this “batty” tee by Marc by Marc Jacobs ($68). The bat’s almost “cute,” no?