Spotlight on: Though Very Humble by Linda of Little Tin Soldier

My absolute favorite thing about blogging is that it has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful, talented people and to form friendships with folks that I may not have had the chance to meet otherwise. One of these friendships formed from blogging is with Linda, of Little Tin Soldier, who I featured back in 2010 as one of my favorite bloggers. Linda lives in San Antonio, but we regularly get together for thrifting adventures, which always results in one of us buying something silly with animals emblazoned on it.

For a long time, Linda has been known for her adorable illustrations, and she's now doing custom illustrations in her newly launched Etsy shop, Though Very Humble. A while back she sent me this Lovebirds illustration in a cute as can be likeness of Chris and me:

We love it! She even drew the little camel print from this dress! 
In addition to Lovebirds illustrations, she does blog headers, portraits, monograms, and baby announcements. If you need to boost your blog's branding (I think a paperdoll portrait would be so cute in someone's sidebar!) or if you want an adorable gift for an engagement or wedding, you should order a custom illustration from Linda. It's super affordable, especially for fully customized art. Check out samples of her work at Though Very Humble. Yay!

Spotlight on: Crowned Bird

In college I used to be one of those annoying people who liked obscure bands then scoffed when they got mainstream, half offended that "regular people" claimed to be fans, when in fact, I had truly been a fan for years. This led me to short period of time where I did not share any of my music likes with others for fear the band would go all Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle" on me. 

I do not want to be that person when it comes to fashion, so that's why I'm so excited to show you Crowned Bird designed by Austin local Priscilla Barroso. Consider me obsessed!

Images & video ©Crowned Bird

The colors! The prints! The shapes! I really can't get enough of it, and her styling is right on. Everything is so fresh but completely wearable. I mean, take a look at this fish skirt! 

 

Honestly, I can see Crowned Bird being sold at Anthropologie or even in a capsule collection at ModCloth. I can so see Zooey Deschanel rocking this swing dress on New Girl next season, can't you? 
And since I'm a sucker for cute videos, look! They made one! Never have I been in a unique position to get a glimpse of a designer's work so early on when I'm certain the designer is going to make it big time. I want to shout from the rooftops! "Crowned Bird is going to be famous, y'all! Support them and learn about them before anyone else!" 
Because Crowned Bird is just starting off, I'd love to help Priscilla create a buzz about her adorable, new line and help her fund her dream. Won't you join me? The world needs more American produced, high quality, super adorable clothing, wouldn't you agree?
Please take a moment to check out the following:

• Crowned Bird on Kickstarter. What a great way to support an emerging designer and perhaps even own some of her work in exchange for a start-up donation. Every little bit helps, even if you can only throw down a buck. She's got just 11 days from today to meet her Kickstarter goal. If you donate $50 or more, you'll be entered to will $1000 worth of merchandise from her adorable fall line but donations of even just one dollar are highly appreciated, too.
• Crowned Bird on Inspirare. If you can take one minute to register and vote, Priscilla is up to have her entire production and distribution paid for! Wouldn't that be lovely if we helped her win?
• View the entire Fall 2012 Collection and pin pin pin away!
• Join Crowned Bird on their various social media links: Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Priscilla's Pinterest

I'm going to stalk Priscilla around town and force her to be my friend as we eat candy and snow cones together. Then I'm going to buy all her clothes and when she gets famous, I'm going to be like, "Duh, people! I loved her, like, way before you did!" Oh, wait. I promised I wouldn't be that person. Okay. Scratch that. Instead I'm going to stalk Priscilla around town and force her to be my friend as we eat candy and snow cones together, then I'm going to buy all her clothes and when she gets famous, I'm going to be like, "Yes, yes, I've been a fan for a really long time. I'm so glad you've discovered her, too!"

That's a little sweeter, isn't it?

Introducing Tess

On Monday night I had the pleasure of being introduced to Theresa Kopecky, the incredibly sweet and talented designer behind Tess, a locally made, vintage inspired dress company here in Austin, Texas. I was so impressed with her workmanship and her passion for creating truly local garments that I just had to share her with y'all:

Aren't they lovely? View the complete collection here. Now we can tell that Chinese manufactured Banana Republic Mad Men Collection to go ahead and eat its heart out.

From the Tess press release:

"It’s sad, but true; despite the wealth of garment-manufacturing skills here in the US, most American-designed clothing is now made overseas. New Austin-based design company Tess, however, has big dreams to change all that. Not only is every Tess garment designed and manufactured right here in Texas, but the company also wants to play a part in boosting the American manufacturing industry as a whole and bringing back its glory days.

“Here at Tess, we want to play our part in reinvigorating the US garment industry,” says Theresa Kopecky, Tess designer and owner. “We believe in the quality of American workmanship and in the skills and spirit of the workers themselves.”

To this end, Tess Designs makes use of Texan companies for its pattern-making; grading and marking; and manufacturing – right down to the button-loops and belts! Keeping it local and keeping it real – it doesn’t get much more Austin than that.

“We believe in the USA, in American jobs, and in America’s ability to manufacture … I guess you could say that I want to save the world one dress at a time!” says Theresa. "

What impressed me most is Theresa's heart. In addition to all the fashion week events she's participating in, she's also doing a 499 Dresses event, which is a dress sale that fully benefits "The Winding Road to Recovery", a documentary about "disabled veterans using cycling as a means of recovery from lost limbs, post tramatic shock syndrome and life after coming home". As the only child of a United States Army officer killed while serving active duty, I am going to be there to support this cause:

Jackson Cleaners has been collecting donated dresses for a while, and they'll all be on sale Saturday at Austin Tri-Cyclist. I'm still uncertain what I'm wearing to the Austin Fashion Awards on Saturday night, so perhaps I'll find a gem there.

If you'd like to meet Theresa and see her designs in person, make sure to attend tonight's Doo-Wop Party Bash at Touch of Sass:

Burgers and Tess dresses? Obviously someone knows the way to this girl's heart...

Sound the alarm: Austin's TIKKR watches blowing up big time

I first saw TIKKR Watches at Austin Fashion Week. They adorned the wrists of a model in one of the mash- up competition photos:

Then, a few weeks later, when my friend Nicole posted a Facebook status proclaiming her TIKKR love, I knew it was time to investigate. What I found were the coolest watches, ever. Big and bold and designed right here in Austin, these are incredibly awesome. The biggest draw? Since the band is made to be interchangeable, it's something you can easily sport every day.

A few days ago I interviewed Cory Stout, the chief time keeper and founder of TIKKR Watches:


Me: How'd you come up with such a cool idea?
Cory: In a way, it chose me. I visited my best friend in China last year. On my last day, I went to this underground mall to grab some gifts. One of the items was this clean, simple watch. I wore it around for a few weeks and I got 10 compliments a day, it was unreal. So I got back with my friend to have them made, I put my own touch on the design, my mom came up with the brand name, and the concept just grew from there. Like the back of some of the watches say, "Start Today", and that phrase means a lot to me. When opportunity knocks, go get it. Start Today. That is what TIKKR is all about.

Me: What color combo Tikkr best represents you- Cory Stout?
Cory: Grey Matter band with a black face. It's a subtle, clean look that still gets noticed.

Cory (L) with UT Football coach Mack Brown (R), proudly showing off their TIKKR watches.

Me: What would you say to someone who says "We don't need watches anymore because we all have phones"?
Cory: I say you're right! TIKKR keeps great time, but I find myself checking my phone to see what time it is (and to check TIKKR customer service e-mails 24/7). But precision time-keeping isn't what TIKKR is all about. TIKKR is about having fun, matching your color combo to your outfit or mood. I see the TIKKR color choices as a great way to express yourself visually.

First choose either a white face or a black face. Then deliberate over the twenty different band choices.

Me: What color combo sells best in Austin?
White on white is the cleanest look of all and sells the best. I was hoping the Longhorn-inspired, all Burnt Orange watch would sell well this season, but Garrett Gilbert kept throwing the ball to the other team!

Me: What is your favorite time of day?
Cory: 5:00pm. Any time zone. Also, I really enjoyed 10:10:10 October 10, 2010

Me: If you could give any person in history or any character a TIKKR watch, who would it be?
Cory: Zach Morris from Saved by the Bell.
Hahaha! I think Zack Morris would take two. They would have went so well with his giant cell phone.

I just picked up my TIKKR watch yesterday and I can't stop staring at it. I love it so much. I went for a white face with two bands: white and Adored Austin pink (also know as razzmatazz). I'm planning to get bright yellow, mint green, and red bands after the new year.

My favorite part about TIKKR watches? They have clever sayings engraved on the back, and you don't know what you're getting until you open your watch. Mine says "Sorry for Partying".

If you like what you see here, right now until Saturday, TIKKR is offering Adored Austin readers 15% off with the code ADOREDAUSTIN. What are you doing? Get on it! This watch is big (like, literally) but I'm sure they're about to be the next big thing nationally. Plus how adorable is Cory? I mean... hello! His sweet mom helped him name his company! I'd probably support TIKKR just for the cuteness factor of that story alone. Wouldn't you?

Check out TIKKR here.

[note: at the time of the interview TIKKR was not yet an Adored Austin partner]

Much love for Mothlove & Project Runway's Gretchen Jones

I am not a Project Runway freak. In fact, last season was the first season that I watched the show. You see, despite my own attempted forays into reality television, I really try to avoid watching shows that make me become a part of what I call "the culture of criticism". I hate watching shows like American Idol because I don't think it's fun to become an armchair naysayer... and when I watch shows like that I find myself becoming a complaining, negative person. I mean, who am I to sit on my couch and say things like, "You're not talented!" when in fact if designers (or singers or -insert whatever for whichever show-) have made it to that level, they are far more talented than I am and probably 99% of the folks watching them on t.v.?

I was scared that Project Runway would make me become an armchair naysayer, but at the insistence of pretty much everyone, I started watching it (yes, I give into peer pressure pretty easily!). Needless to say, I was instantly hooked! I think everyone on the show is immensely talented, and this season my favorite designer right off the bat was Portland's Gretchen Jones. Her pre- Project Runway line Mothlove is the bohemian dream I long for. I crave these two dresses like you wouldn't believe: Reality television is a tricky beast. I'm sure I've mentioned it on here before, but I have auditioned for (an made it to the final rounds) of two reality t.v. shows. My number one fear while auditioning? Nope, not leaving home and Hubs for a long time. My number one fear was editing. It wouldn't matter how nice or funny or charming or smart I am. Nice does not always make for good t.v. and I would have no say in how I was edited.

Thus why I try to give folks on reality t.v. the benefit of the doubt. My dear Gretchen has received a lot of criticism lately for what I perceive is simply drama educing editing. After Thursday's show, I tweeted as much, so imagine my giddy surprise when Miss Jones herself tweeted me back the next day!SQUEE! Okay, I'll admit it. I get starstruck very easily. But instead of going on and on about how much I love Mothlove, I'll let her work on the show speak for itself:Yes. I'll take one of each, please, and maybe two of the tinsel skirt and maxi caftan.

Who else is watching Season 8 of Project Runway? Who are your favorite designers?

[links: Mothlove, Project Runway full episodes]

Comment of the Day: "...I want to squish Mondo into my pocket. He's totally adorable and I really love his work." -Alyson

Austin spotlight: Parsimony

So I told my agents that I wouldn't be taking any acting or modeling work until January 2011, and I've just been relaxing, surprisingly happy to be out of the rat race for a while. Truth be told, I don't usually have a lot fun auditioning for and taking professional modeling work. My skin is not at all thick, and for the greater part of my life I've been involved in industries where very thick skin is needed.

Something that I do enjoy, however, is modeling for friends and acquaintances. Today I had the distinct pleasure of doing a mini-session for my good friend Robie who owns Parsimony. She was up for an Austin Fashion Week award last year, and she's up for one again this year. She's also frequently featured on Etsy where she exclusively sells her custom, made-to-order dresses. I dragged Hubs along to our photo shoot and had him snap some pictures with our new point and shoot (a Canon PowerShot S90) so you could get a sneak peak of our session and see what I've been up to today:

Robie and I in her paperbag waist skirts. I love these!


Amy shows off a ruffle front, 60's inspired, trapeze dress. Too cute! Jeana is behind the camera.


Amy dons Robie's bold print, strapless dress. Gorgeous!


Robie gets Laura ready for a wedding shot in the Princess Buttercup dress. Simple and beautiful!


Hubs grabbed this photo of me showing off the baby bump that seemed to just pop yesterday. Finally! I was so sick of just looking like I had a large lunch. I've been ready to look pregnant!

date: 5 May 2010
occasion: Parsimony fashion shoot
dress and belt: Parsimony
wellies: Costco

I love Robie's designs because they're simple and well made with loving attention to details. Nothing in her shop is over $82 which friggin' blows my mind considering that each and every dress is made custom to the buyer. That means you get to pick your fabric, your length, and then Robie makes the dress specifically to your measurements. Deal of the century, right?

Check out Parsimony here. If you're in Austin, Robie also teaches affordable sewing lessons. Her sewing blog is So Sew Something. She's a riot, and I truly hope Parsimony becomes a cornerstone in Austin fashion.

Dear Megan Nielson, I think I just drooled a little.

I'm sure you all saw the amazing new line from Megan Nielsen on What I Wore (my fellow displaced Hoosier!). I hope you were delighted by the whimsical, feminine shapes and put some of Ms. Nielsen's designs on your want list. I know I sure did! I'm practically salivating over these two things:

Lady dress and Sophia top

I can totally imagine Chuck from Pushing Daisies in the Lady Dress, and the Sophia top is one of those rare versatile things that I imagine that I'll still be able to sport once I get a bun in my oven!

Adored Austin's newest sponsor: Clyde's Rebirth

I first saw Clyde's Rebirth featured in a giveaway on Delightfully-Tacky and was so impressed by the designs that I literally started fawning over the necklaces like some women fawn over pink-cheeked babies. Y'all know I have a serious weakness for anything vintage or anything with an animal on it. Merl, the owner and designer, makes (neé rebirths) vintage jewelry into gorgeous, one of a kind, over the top, new pieces of statement making jewelry... and many of them feature a critter of some sort! Squeeee! People, these are the kind of things my friggin' granddaughter will beg me for! To which I will say, "Wait 'till I'm dead, kiddo! Wait until I am dead." Yes, you know I'm going to be a hip grandma that still rocks her animal jewelry.

Like this one! I'm excited that this fancy peacock will soon find a home here in Austin:

And look how lonely this little fox and leopard look without an owner. Won't you adopt these fabulous creatures?

I am ecstatic to be partnering with Clyde's Rebirth. I'm excited about Merl's work, and I hope you are, too. She recently took a huge leap of faith and quit her day job to realize her dream to design and sell her jewelry full-time. I applaud her and just know she has a long and successful career in front of her!

Check out Clyde's Rebirth on Etsy.
Follow Merl's fashion blog.

Clyde's Rebirth is an Adored Austin sponsor.

Spotlight on independent designers: Po Campo and Leighelena

Maria, the owner of Po Campo, just let me know that her bags are now available at Mellow Johnnys here in Austin. I love these bags because I usually just strap a plastic bag to my bike with a bungee cord and then end up using the hideous plastic bag as a purse. I'm going to go check these out very soon! What an adorable idea!

Leighelena is an Austin based enamelist, and she'll be showing off her new collection at Solid Gold boutique this Tuesday, December 8th. I'm starved for good, local fashion events, so I am going to try my hardest to check out this event, too!

Rosalind Keep: Trompe L'oeil

There is want...

And there is NEED...

Rosalind Keep, an undergrad at London College of Fashion, designed this adorably creative trompe l'oeil line, and I'm pretty sure I need the bottom dress in my life like NOW. Someone get this girl's clothing some major distribution, please! Mmmkay, thanks.