Rock the Casbah on North Loop!

Hey ladies and gents, my friends over at Blackbird Clothes & Curios sent me an e-mail about an event that's going on in Austin's North Loop IBIZ District. It's purr-fect for all the Austinites that still need to feed their fashion addiction after Austin Fashion Week and Le Garage Sale! Sponsored by the Austin Independent Business Alliance in conjuction with the Small Business Development Center, Rock the Casbah is going down Monday, August 29th. It'll feature fashion from all of my favorite North Loop ("NoLo") boutiques: Blue Velvet, Ermine Vintage, Forbidden Fruit, Green House, Splendor, and--obviously!--Blackbird Clothes & Curios. With music provided by Breakaway Records, appetizers served up by Phara's Mediterranean Cuisine & Christopher's Casbah, lighting by ILIOS, and samples of casbah comsos from Cinco Vodka, Rock the Casbah is guaranteed to be a rockin' weird fashion show. They even have KUT's very own Laurie Gallardo as the hostess, folks! Not to mention, Katie Cowden will be behind the camera lens in the hookah lounge-themed photo booth!

Naturally, I'm going (as well as keeping my fingers crossed that my ride doesn't flake). The only other question is, WTF am I going to wear? What?
Rock the Casbah: an exotic sampling of North Loop fashion, food, and music.

Where?
Phara's; 111 E. North Loop Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78751.

When?
8/29/2011; 8-10 pm.

Other Info?
Phara's is B.Y.O.B.

Many thanks to Blackbird Clothes & Curios for the images & info!

Bike For Your Rights: benefit for Mariel Mentink.

I realize I haven't posted in about two weeks: I've been dealing with a nasty chronic bronchitis that won't go away, plus after Foods Not Bombs two weeks ago I found out via e-mail that my brother's aunt passed away. Then Alexander McQueen killed himself, which left me feeling more depressed than I already was, so I've been extraordinarily busy and sick and just trying not to overwork myself because I can't afford to be sick. But with that said, I actually have nothing to complain about, unlike others who are in need of support now:

On the morning of New Year's Day, a cyclist named Mariel Mentink was struck from behind while on her commute home. The 40 mph hit-and-run left Mariel in the intensive-care unit at Brackenridge, and doctors and nurses are still tending to her injuries: skull fractures, broken vertebrae, and other cracked bones. You can read about Mariel's ongoing recovery here, which notes that the back operation Mariel underwent takes six months for the pain to subside. Four days ago, Mariel stood for the first time since January 1st.

With that said, the cycling community has rallied for Mariel and the Mentink family. This coming Thursday, February 25th, the Shangri-La (1016 East 6th Street) is hosting a fundraiser and benefit to help support the Mentinks and raise bike safety awareness in Austin.

The list of local businesses helping out with the benefit is long (Shangri-La, Bijou Tattoo, Freewheeling Bicycles, Whole Foods, Xen Kitchen, etc.), and you can visit the Facebook page here for more information. You can also visit Support Mariel Mentink for information regarding future benefits in support of Mariel. As Mariel is a resident of Chicago, there is information on the Support website about benefits in the Chicago area as well.

Also, if you live or are frequently near where she was hit at (MLK near Springdale), be sure visit the Help Find Who Hit Mariel Mentink Facebook page.

Every Day Should Be a Fashion Friday.

After our classes ended today, my best friend Megan and I--both fashion students at the Art Institute of Austin--did some damage to our wallets.

We first went shopping at Wet Seal, where I have an Employee Appreciation 50% Off Weekend.

After I bought a denim romper and a green cardigan, I decided we had to hit up Terra Burger off The Drag for some lunch. However, when Megan and I approached The Triangle at Guadalupe and Lamar, I told her we had to make a pitstop at SoLa: "I read something about a sale somewhere..." (Thanks, Amanda!). Everything there is still 50% off, including already marked-down items.

After buying a set of gold octupi earrings and a gorgeous dress that looks fabulous on now and will look even more fab as I continue my journey of weight-loss (I want to lose 19 pounds by my 21st birthday, April 21st), Megan bought a wine-colored romper.

I like to think they're swimming on my coffee table.

This dress has a great gold-colored exposed zipper on the side.

Megan in SoLa!

We merrily made our way down Guadalupe to Terra Burger, a place Megan has never been before. I was so excited to have her try the food there because everything from the soda to the locally-made burger buns is organic. The burgers are half-price on Fridays, so this added to my excitement. Megan absolutely loved the joint! She ordered a hamburger and soda, while I got my usual veggie burger and fries (for the record, I am a vegetarian). When visiting Terra, I alternate between getting fries and getting a chocolate baby-sized shake.

Megan is no longer a virgin to Terra Burger!

Afterward, we made my usual round of the Guadalupe-located stores: Urban Outfitters, c. jane, Wish, Cream Vintage...As always, I fell in love with everything at Cream Vintage, especially a dress their seamstresses and tailors had reworked into their own vision. After trying it on, Megan made the suggestion of getting it taken in in a few places. Lindsey, the seamstress who helped me, was very nice and even let Megan take a photo of her working. I've always loved Cream Vintage since moving back into the Austin area in 2008, and I'm so glad they have in-house seamstresses. Their services are only $7, which isn't too shabby. The cost of the overall purchase was less-than-expected, as everything in the store, excluding sunglasses, was 20% off.

Lindsey and me at the Cream Vintage West Campus store.

I forgot to get a photo of the Betsey Johnson swimsuit cover-up Megan bought for $20 at Buffalo Exchange, but it summed up the crazy, wonderful day. I've decided every day should be a "Fashion Friday"; I just need more of a cash flow first.

End result of the Cream Vintage dress!

The weather was so nice, Megan changed into a blouse she bought at Urban Outfitters.

Special thanks to SoLa for the logo.