Thread Conscious

June 27, 2011

Media Monday: Kim Kardashian, Cynthia Rowley & Lancome Collabos

Filed under: Charity,Fashion News,Great Sales,Media Mondays,Online Shopping — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Nik @ 11:14 pm

Alright, let’s get to it.

Fashionista reports that Cynthia Rowley and Birchbox have teamed up to offer beauty enthusiasts a great deal.  You remember Birchbox, right?  Cynthia Rowley has designed a fun and sophisticated limited edition gift box, and it could be yours if you sign up for a Birchbox membership (only $10 per MONTH) before June 30th.

Chicology reports that Rent the Runway has partnered with beauty giant Lancome to offer makeup for purchase in addition to wardrobe rentals.

QVC joins forces with Kim Kardashian and Kelly Ripa to fight ovarian cancer.  QVC Presents Super Saturday Live, on July 31 from 2 PM – 4 PM (EST).  All proceeds will benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF).

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

June 22, 2011

Thread Thursday: TULLE 50% Off Sale Online TODAY

Filed under: Great Sales,Online Shopping,Thread Thursdays — Tags: , , — Nik @ 11:04 pm

Hello Fashionistas,

I’m still learning my way around Austin and where all the great sales are, but a friend just told me about an online sale at TULLE that was too good to pass up.

Good news: It’s 50% OFF.  Bad news: It ends TODAY (Thursday 6-23-11).

Admittedly, I’m not familiar with TULLE; I think its collection is best described as a cross between Anthropologie and Forever 21.  It’s cute and flirty with a splash of folksy vintage inspiration (see below).  Sale prices ranged from just $14 for a v-neck t-shirt to $47.50 for a coat.  That’s right, I didn’t see anything over $50!  Happy shopping!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

 All photo credits: www.tulle4us.com 

June 20, 2011

Media Monday: Luxe PR & Promotions in Austin

Filed under: Fashion Business,Media Mondays,Networking Event — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Nik @ 10:00 am

Not too long ago, I was in Austin for a business meeting and on my return flight to Dallas, Fate decided to deal me a hand.  As I meandered down the narrow aisle, I spotted a chic camel-colored Michael Kors purse perched underneath a seat.  The flight was open seating and filling up quickly, so I decided not to try my luck and instead to take a seat next to the Michael Kors bag. 

As luck would have it, the equally chic owner of that bag was none other than Robyn Grona, co-owner of Luxe PR & Promotions, based in Austin.  Grona, and business partner Anthony Martinez, started Luxe only a year ago and since then the pair have taken the Austin fashion scene by storm.  This new venture is definitely a reflection of the dynamic duo at the helm: young, ambitious, glamorous and generous.  The birthday bash was held at BoConcept in downtown Austin, and guests included Ana Reign of Ana Reign Designs, milliner Lana Chu, creator of the Lana Chu Collection , Joanna Wilkinson of the super adorable fashion blog Keep Austin Stylish and Susana Garza of Austintatious Deals.  Happy Birthday Luxe, and here’s to many more!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

 

Luxe PR Co-founders Grona and Martinez (L) and designer Ana Reign (Far Right)

 

Guest Lana Chu (far right) and friends.

June 13, 2011

My First Saturday as an Austinite: Anthropologie, West Elm & Whole Foods

Filed under: Clothing Store,Food/Restaurant Review,Foodie Fridays,Great Sales,Home Decor,Thread Thursdays — Tags: , , , , , , — Nik @ 10:00 am

Living in two different places has its challenges- and rewards. I so love the life I have in DFW, but Austin has been calling me for a while now and I’ve finally decided to answer. Yes, I’m setting down roots in Austin while leaving some planted in DFW.  I believe living in both places will only help my blog, and me, grow and develop professionally. After a couple of weeks of settling into my Austin apartment, I decided to venture out and learn my way around the city. So with a full tank and an empty schedule I set out on Saturday morning to see what Austin had to offer.

10:00 AM Private Yoga Lesson in Shipe Park

I didn’t think it’d be very zen of me to snap photos during yoga, so after we ended class with my favorite pose, Savasana, I took a few pics of my vantage point on my mat. Afterwards we dangled our feet in the pool to cool off.

12:00PM Lunch- Torchy’s Tacos @ Trailer Park Eatery 1st Street

Photo Credit: trailerfooddiaries.blogspot.com

This taco stand always has long line of dedicated foodies. I ordered my two tacos to go and while I waited stepped next door to Holy Cacao for an iced Mexican Hot Chocolate. Cold and sweet, with a devilicious hint of cayenne pepper, it’s the perfect summer treat.

1:00PM Sale at Anthropologie on 6th and Lamar

Expensive to some, reasonable to others and charming to most, Anthropologie has really grown on me over the years. And now that I know it’s the sister company to Urban Outfitters and Leifsdottir, I like it even more. 

 2:15PM Sale at West Elm on 5th and Lamar

Now, I’ve not been to West Elm in quite a while. It seemed they never had any really good sales, and I always found myself at Z Gallerie instead. Well, I suppose things have changed. It’s their End-of-the-Season Sale and my friend just got a steal of a couch from West Elm (marked down to $350 from $1500!!!). He showed me pictures of it on his phone after yoga class. It’s so chic and classic: white with black damask print- there are so many ways to decorate his living room I don’t know where to start! Luckily, this sale includes accessories and dishes as well. So, if you’ve wanted to revive a tired-looking room in your home, get to West Elm now. 

3:15PM Picked up dinner from Whole Foods on 5th and Lamar

My new obsession: Tandoor Chef Indian Cuisine, specifically palak paneer. You can get it in the freezer section of Whole Foods. I discovered it while in California two months ago…OMG, it’s sooo good, as in I stopped going to Indian restaurants in Cali when I found this. Why fight San Francisco traffic when you can just eat a delicious meal at home? Anyway, palak paneer is a dynamic blend of creamed spinach, curry and other seductive Indian spices adorned with delectable cubes of cheese.  Have this over brown rice with a side of naan (kinda like pita bread): heaven!

4:00PM Real Housewives of New York Re-runs

I’ve been missing them all week- and they’re in Morocco! It’s so Sex and the City 2…well, not quite.

5:00PM Dinner at Home/Reflection

It was a great Saturday. I started my day getting centered with a little yoga in the park, went window shopping in downtown, and picked up a healthy dinner. I am seriously digging the Austin vibe.

Other Sales: A little birdie told me at a party this past Thursday that Neiman Marcus in Austin is having a great sale right now!  It’s been going on for a week now so be sure to check it out.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

June 6, 2011

Media Monday: The Cool Hunter

Filed under: Art and Culture,Fashion Blog,Media Mondays — Tags: , — Nik @ 11:02 pm

I try to keep up with a lot of different fashion blogs.  Alas, with my frenzied travel schedule as of late, relocation and business meetings, it’s proven difficult to get in my daily read.  But there’s one blog that is truly a must-read, and should be on regular rotation in your subscription list.  I speak of none other than The Cool Hunter.  It’s the perfect treat for the fashion enthusiast and style intellectual (and music, food, architecture and design lover).  Smart, sharp and to-the-point, The Cool Hunter eloquently covers all things artsy without an ounce of pretentiousness- which makes it that much cooler.  And with its focus on creativity and emphasis on a global perspective, it has something for everyone.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

(Photo Credit: http://genericfashion.blogspot.com)

June 2, 2011

Thread Thursday: Empire Vintage in Palo Alto, CA

Filed under: Clothing Store,Fashion Blog,Thread Thursdays,Trends,Vintage — Tags: , , , , — Nik @ 10:00 am

Luckily, during my last weekend in California, I discovered the most adorable vintage shop in Palo Alto.  I was just leaving brunch and as I headed to the corner of an intersection, I happened to spot a sign out of the corner of my eye: “VINTAGE CLOTHING.”  Like a moth to a flame, I darted down the sidewalk to take a closer look.  Once inside, I found vintage treasure and more.

First, it was so great meeting Tiffany, the owner of Empire Vintage.  Genuine, warm, funny and knowledgeable, Tiffany brought her boutique to Palo Alto less than two years ago.  Since that time, she’s won over regulars, who return to the store time and time again.  After seeing what’s in store, you’ll understand why.

News flash: Capes.  Are.  Cool!  This leather cape was not only light-weight, but also the perfect shade of light brown.  Capes are great alternatives to the usual jacket, or even wrap.  Generally, buying out of season should ensure finding winter items at a reasonable price.

My pitiful cell phone picture doesn’t do this tuxedo collar leather jacket justice.  It was sooo 80′s, in a very good way.

It was nice to see cowboy boots, all the way in California…

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but sequins– sequins are forever.  For me, diamonds and sequins aren’t to be reserved just for evening; I’d wear both first thing in the morning!

Seriously retro shoes.  I mean Little House on the Prairie retro.

Now I admit, I haven’t really been into the “brogues” trend, but this pair, in this unexpected navy color were pretty and tempting.

Empire had a mixture of new and vintage, regular and off-the-wall items such as wigs- for women and men!  (The store stocks 1970′s era type costumes as well.)  But the bonus of the evening was meeting fellow blogger Lottie of Lottie Loves fame.  A lovely English dame, Lottie is a self-proclaimed domestic diva with vintage style, and it shows.  I really like how Lottie has embraced the beauty, glamour and feminity of the 1940′s.  She has dedicated her blog to celebrating these themes and the result is an honest and heartfelt homage to domestic godesses.  Kudos to you, Lottie!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik