Austin Street Style: Katie.

Katie, at Zilker Botanical Garden on Saturday.

Guess who done graduated from college? That's right, this girl! I am so incredibly happy and relieved to have it all over with. I will miss some aspects of the academic life, especially my friends and professors. I will also miss my job at The Art Institute of Austin--I was the Fashion Assistant to the Fashion Department. Now, I'm down to the one retail job. Life will be a lot less busy now!

With my diploma, during graduation.

My entire family came to Austin for graduation. I spent most of the past week with them, as they flew in from California and Montana. It was a nice little break from reality to have them here. We ended up spending a good chunk of the visit just bumming around Austin. My graduation was on Thursday, so on Friday and Saturday we went downtown and to Zilker Park. 

I ended up snapping these photos at Zilker Botanical Garden! The botanical garden is a great place to visit, if you're ever in the city of Austin. There are 8 gardens, including a pre-historic garden, as well as a Japanese garden. It's one of the few places that is beautiful all year-round in Austin, as there are plants specifically for the winter months, as well as the spring. 

I also took a few other photos; hope you enjoy them! 

What a festive little handbag!

 My family at Zilker Botanical Garden.

 The Butler Window.

 Chillin' by the pond. 

Austin! Something is always "under construction". 

Gagarazzi: the long-awaited recap.

I am a terrible blogger: I attended Gagarazzi nearly two weeks ago, and I still haven't found time to write a post before now. For shame!

Can I blame it on the first week of classes and working double-shifts?

Does a video from Gagarazzi make up for my procrastination?

Yes? No? Maybe?

Either way, Gagarazzi was a drop-dead gorgeous night, filled with a nonstop, good-vibes-all-around energy that I would only expect in Austin. Despite not knowing half of the Lady Gaga songs I heard, I had a jolly good time. From the costumes to the raffle prizes, the Lady Gaga-themed benefit was 100% a success.

Thanks to local bloggers and other local news outlets, Gagarazzi attracted over 600 partygoers! If it wasn't for my media pass, I wouldn't have been able to get in--the venue was packed. The Lady Gaga-themed benefit for Equality Texas raised nearly $2,500, as well. How impressive is that? A big congrats to the crew over at Homespun Horror, as they pulled off one heck of an event that I hope the city of Austin never forgets! Feel free to relive the Gaga magic that occurred at The Highball through my photos.

This is what I wore...with electric blue tights, no less.

  Allie in my "I found DVF at a swap meet" dress.

 It's not Halloween--it's GAGARAZZI!

 Some of the goodies that were raffled during Gagarazzi.

 Lady Gaga Barbies, for all!

 Painting by the ultra-talented Haylan Teel.

The winner of "The Best Gaga" Costume Contest.

 Miss Chevious.

 More of the festive, revelry within Gagarazzi's audience.

 Boylesque performer, Jasper St. James.

 Dolls From The Crypt: Yes, she really is wearing a meat dress.

 Brynn, of Brass Ovaries.

 Brynn was recently named Miss Texas Pole Star 2011.

 No wonder: her grace and athleticism is inspiring.

Partygoers. 

 

Eric Teel, of Homespun Horror, covering Gaga's "Future Love".

 Ginger Snaps, dancing her way through "Judas"...

 "Let's have some fun; this beat is sick."

Jolie Goodnight of The Jigglewatts.

"Caught in a bad romance."

Dolls From The Crypt: Paparazzi.

Austin Street Style: Christine.

Below the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin.

For the first time in years, I watched the Mexican Free-tailed Bats fly out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge.  I went with my biology class, and it was our final sesh of the quarter.

Fun fact?

Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony.

Another fun fact?

I have two more finals to go, and then I can have my sanity back for a week!

I wish Autumn Break was longer than a week because, afterward, I have to put all of my attention on the new quarter and graduation.

Dum, dum, dum...

The Congress Avenue Bridge, with the bats leaving for the night.

Austin Street Style: Fashion's Night Out hosted by TRIBEZA + by george.

TRIBEZA's September offering: The Style Issue.

I attended TRIBEZA's Style Issue launch party at By George this past Thursday, which coincided with the store celebrating Fashion's Night Out. If you don't know what Fashion's Night Out (FNO) is, here's the skinny:

Created by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue, FNO is an annual event that launched in New York City two years ago. Its purpose is to support the fashion industry in this dismal economic climate by making shopping fun again. In its third year, FNO was celebrated worldwide--from within the United States and across the oceans, Fashion's Night Out is now a globalized event. Eighteen countries participated this year, and it's all to further support the fashion industry as it continues to find a way to make its everyday end products sustainable and affordable.

I feel incredibly lucky to have been invited to the By George Flagship (524 North Lamar) by TRIBEZA, and to have met the staff of By George. Before Thursday night, I had never actually been to the By George Flagship, though I have been to their South Congress location. I felt like a kid in a candy store, as it was was a delight to see labels I mostly read about: Dries Van Noten, Lanvin, and Marni, to name a few. And of course, I finally met TRIBEZA's editorial assistant and event coordinator Carolyn Harrold. I love being able to put faces to names of the people that contact me because of Bella Vogue, more so if they're an actual Austinite!

I hope you enjoy the photos I took during the Style Issue launch party. I didn't know a single soul there, so a lot of my photographs were more than just a style shots. For those particular pictures, I may do another "I Spy"-type post, as the first (and only) one was an easy way to summarize my fashion adventures while gallivanting around Austin.

I finally found a reason to wear my dress from LuLu's! (I won a gift-card during the Texas Style Council Conference in March, and only recently placed an order.)

With Carolyn Harrold, TRIBEZA's Editorial Assistant & Event Coordinator.

Peach has been a favorite color of mine this past season.

I like the subtle details of each dress; the gathers, the flounce, and the belts...

A few dapper gentlemen: I especially like the fringe scarf.

Proof boho-chic will continue into the fall.

The structure of this dress--its picture does not do it justice!

Side note: I am still getting used to Blogger's updated settings and interface, so if there's a little less continuity between posts (with photo captions, sizes, etc.), I apologize in advance. I am trying my best to make each post consistent with the next. Thank you for your understanding.

Austin Street Style: Monday on North Loop.

Anyone that has an interest in street fashion should be reading and listening to what Bill Cunningham of The New York Times has to say. He has mastered the art of taking someone's photograph without the subject realizing it. And sometimes, that's the best way to take a style photo.

I've always thought photos of people in their natural state of being are more interesting to look at, before I even knew who Mr. Cunningham was. Snapping a candid shot also takes out the clumsy "Hi, I write a style blog you've never heard of, can I get your photo?" chat. The bottom line? People, as strangers, fascinate me, and capturing the essence of an event can be done without anyone posing for their photo.

So here are the rest of my photos from Monday night's Rock the Casbah Fashion Show at Phara's outdoor patio. Some are candid, others are not. Either way, I hope you enjoy this little piece of Austin.

Laurie Gallardo: her radio personality matches up with her personal style.

I like the floral pattern on the stripes.

Juliana and Amy, from Blackbird Clothes & Curios.

With Juliana, co-owner of Blackbird Clothes & Curios.

I like how she tucked the handkerchief halter into the high-waisted shorts.

Still wearing her skirt from Splendor, this model has the look of a genie.

The lighting was done by ILIOS.

This is designer of the leather pouches that were shown during the Green House segment of the fashion show.

I have to give props to the belly dancer.

Phara's, as we were leaving.

At Epoch with a muffin to-go: Lisa; many thanks to her for getting me to the show!

At Epoch: I was inspired by Sofia Coppola's lavender wedding dress to break out these tights.
My tights and boots are from Wet Seal, while my shirtdress is from Target. I say "shirtdress" because it was meant to be a kid's shirt, with an attached cami underneath. I cut out the cami long ago.

If you would like to see my photos of the fashion show, I posted them on Tuesday.