What's worn out in your wardrobe? Need a new skirt with pintuck detailing, or a snazzy pair of Grecian sandals? Looking for a stellar handbag to complete your fall look?
Girls, Ladies, Fashionistas... if you haven't heard about Le Garage Sale - then you're just not living the Austin way of life!
As I get ready to settle in for a Saturday night of cleaning, I'm looking back on all of the wonderful events of last week, and ahead towards one more day of Le Garage Sale!
Le Garage Sale is a bi-annual shopping event featuring discounted end of season and preview merchandise from Austin's hippest boutiques and designers. Many of the participants of Austin Fashion Week are participating, including myself, and my dear friends Amy Barber of Sweettooth Bags and Diane Petkoff of Tasty Jewelry. This is the ONLY time you can get *annemarie* bags at such a discount!
Come on out to Palmer Events Center on Sunday from 11am to 5pm - the entrance is just $10.00, and the shopping deals are endless!
xo, Anne Marie
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Austin is so hip...
It's just another Thursday night in beautiful Austin, Texas, and my oh my there is so much going on! Why don't you let me guide you through my picks of the evening?
We're gonna roll out from South to North, from Congress to 11th!
First off, make a stop at Birds Barbershop on South Congress as they continue to celebrate being named one of America's top 100 Salons by ELLE magazine!
From 5pm to 8:30pm they will have a cocktail party with special prizes. You only have a few days left to take advantage of their August special - 1/2 off the Ladybird with color.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
Next up join me at Parts & Labour for Dueling Glamazons - An Accessories Trunk Show! Just a few blocks north of Birds' on South Congress! I've teamed up with Leslie Bonnell of the Stitch Lab, and former Costume Designer at Zach Scott, to bring you an evening of Glamour, Sweets, Craft Demos and general fabulousness!
I'll be debuting some fabulous new clutch purses and Art Bags, and Leslie will be rocking your world with new jewelry! While you sip on some complimentary cocktails, enjoy sweet treats from Blue Note Bakery and Pie Fixes Everything... then head to the back of the store to relax with a 5 minute massage by Paul Drown, LMT.
We're also having Amazing Prize Drawings!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
After Party! If you still have any energy left after these two amazing parties, head out to Austin's latest musical event - Souled Out.
Produced by Brandon Badillo of Bemba Entertainment, Souled Out is a bi-monthly Soul and Neo-Soul music series at the Historic and Funk-a-licious Victory Grill.
This week's line up includes an opening set by Tje Austin, followed by headliner Courtney Sanchez and Unified Theory. Cutie-pie DJ Aquaman will keep you in the mood in between sets. $5.00 cover.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
Well - if you don't have a reason to get out tonight - you just must not be alive! Join me for a night out on the town, and wear your best accessory - a fabulous smile!
xo, Anne Marie
We're gonna roll out from South to North, from Congress to 11th!
First off, make a stop at Birds Barbershop on South Congress as they continue to celebrate being named one of America's top 100 Salons by ELLE magazine!
From 5pm to 8:30pm they will have a cocktail party with special prizes. You only have a few days left to take advantage of their August special - 1/2 off the Ladybird with color.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
Next up join me at Parts & Labour for Dueling Glamazons - An Accessories Trunk Show! Just a few blocks north of Birds' on South Congress! I've teamed up with Leslie Bonnell of the Stitch Lab, and former Costume Designer at Zach Scott, to bring you an evening of Glamour, Sweets, Craft Demos and general fabulousness!
I'll be debuting some fabulous new clutch purses and Art Bags, and Leslie will be rocking your world with new jewelry! While you sip on some complimentary cocktails, enjoy sweet treats from Blue Note Bakery and Pie Fixes Everything... then head to the back of the store to relax with a 5 minute massage by Paul Drown, LMT.
We're also having Amazing Prize Drawings!
When you arrive you will be entered into a free drawing for some incredible prizes such as...
- Theater Tickets! Two tickets to see "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at ZACH and two tickets to see Rude Mechanicals "I've Never Been So Happy" at the Off Center!
- Sublime Stitching Embroidery Patterns Goodie Bag!
- A gorgeous pair of Milli Starr millinery felt hair clips with Swarovski crystals from designer Laura Del Villaggio!
- Six different 1/2 yard cuts stack of Echino Etsuko Furuya Japanese print fabric!
- A mini wallet and cosmetic bag from *annemarie*!
- Yummy soap from Feto Soap!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
After Party! If you still have any energy left after these two amazing parties, head out to Austin's latest musical event - Souled Out.
Produced by Brandon Badillo of Bemba Entertainment, Souled Out is a bi-monthly Soul and Neo-Soul music series at the Historic and Funk-a-licious Victory Grill.
This week's line up includes an opening set by Tje Austin, followed by headliner Courtney Sanchez and Unified Theory. Cutie-pie DJ Aquaman will keep you in the mood in between sets. $5.00 cover.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
Well - if you don't have a reason to get out tonight - you just must not be alive! Join me for a night out on the town, and wear your best accessory - a fabulous smile!
xo, Anne Marie
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday Finds - Resources for Small Businesses in Austin
I am veering into Business Plan land... and I wanted to share some fabulous resources for small business owners, or potential owners, here in Austin, Texas!
The first thing you need to start a business is a dream and a strong drive. If you have that - you can succeed - with a bit of research, a willingness to ask for help and a kind heart willing to give help in return.
So - are you ready?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The City of Austin's Small Business Development Program, or SBDP, offers free and low cost classes in subjects ranging from Small Business Bootcamp, Quickbooks Training, Customer Service, Business Plan writing and much more! They also have links to TONS Of resources in the Austin Area. Note - the website is not super user friendly or eye-catching (it's a City site, afterall) - BUT - do not discredit the treasury of info tucked away on there!
*MY PICK* How to Write a Business Plan - $45 - a steal!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The University of Texas at Austin Professional Development Center - it's just what it sounds like, Professional Development. They have recently teamed with the SBDP to offer classes for small business owners taught by amazing professionals!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BIG Austin offers classes and workshops for new & small business owners, business strength building, and pioneered micro-lending in Austin.
*MY PICK* Free Tightwad Marketing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crafty Business Seminar with Jennifer Perkins of The Naughty Secretary Club
Jennifer brings years of experience as a Nationally successful Crafty Business owner to the table. Her use of Social Media to promote her business is legendary - and STILL ahead of the curve.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SCORE Austin teams retired business professionals with new or growing business owners for FREE Counseling and low cost Workshops. Again, another not so user friendly site - but check it out because it's worth it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy Business Building!
xo, Anne Marie
The first thing you need to start a business is a dream and a strong drive. If you have that - you can succeed - with a bit of research, a willingness to ask for help and a kind heart willing to give help in return.
So - are you ready?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The City of Austin's Small Business Development Program, or SBDP, offers free and low cost classes in subjects ranging from Small Business Bootcamp, Quickbooks Training, Customer Service, Business Plan writing and much more! They also have links to TONS Of resources in the Austin Area. Note - the website is not super user friendly or eye-catching (it's a City site, afterall) - BUT - do not discredit the treasury of info tucked away on there!
*MY PICK* How to Write a Business Plan - $45 - a steal!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The University of Texas at Austin Professional Development Center - it's just what it sounds like, Professional Development. They have recently teamed with the SBDP to offer classes for small business owners taught by amazing professionals!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BIG Austin offers classes and workshops for new & small business owners, business strength building, and pioneered micro-lending in Austin.
*MY PICK* Free Tightwad Marketing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crafty Business Seminar with Jennifer Perkins of The Naughty Secretary Club
Jennifer brings years of experience as a Nationally successful Crafty Business owner to the table. Her use of Social Media to promote her business is legendary - and STILL ahead of the curve.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SCORE Austin teams retired business professionals with new or growing business owners for FREE Counseling and low cost Workshops. Again, another not so user friendly site - but check it out because it's worth it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy Business Building!
xo, Anne Marie
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thrift Thursday - Hip Home Goodies for $20 & under!
Today on Thrift Thursday I am featuring work by three Austin Artisans! These items are Thrifty because they're either made with recycled items, or they're just too darn cute to be that cheap! Look no further for a Summer Gift or Personal Decor Pick Me Up!
*annemarie* just likes to Use Capital Letters!
*annemarie* just likes to Use Capital Letters!
Cookbook Safe by PommesFrites
$20.00
Although the storage area is cut to fit your precious recipe cards (hiding them from your evil sister, Becky Sue) I think it's a great place to stash Rhinestone Jewelry & Belgium Chocolate!
Coaster Set by ::tasty jewelry::
$12.00
Coasters are not just cool - they're necessary! Why not get some uber hip ones with original graphic designs by Diane Petkoff?
$12.00
Coasters are not just cool - they're necessary! Why not get some uber hip ones with original graphic designs by Diane Petkoff?
Recycled Vintage Glass Soy Candle by DixieDIY
$11.00
This just makes me think of Grandmother MaryAnn - her rad South Austin apartment off of Oltorf with the green shag carpeting, red velvet furniture and awesome toys for us kids. Unleash your inner Grandma and freshen up your home!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DANG! Austin has some talented artisans (that we knew) - with amazingly affordable stuff!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Find more work by Austin Artisans!
xo, Anne Marie
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
DIY Wednesday - Awesome Bash this Friday!
It's Wednesday, the day I get inspired by people's amazing DIY skills, and sometimes share my own. Well there is a group of 4 talented girls here in Austin that you need to meet!
They are The Wondercraft and they're going to teach you to craft! (What rhymes with craft? Sass + T?) Classes cover a wide array of fields: polymer clay, resin casting, upcycled jewelry & t-shirt projects, classic drawing techniques, and more! They have lessons targeted to Kids, Tweens & Teens, and Adults. Artists can learn new skills, take classes to help launch their DIY business, and join in a community that is encouraging and friendly.
What makes the Wondercraft neat to me is that they are teaching classes in locations all over Austin, at times in their very own Airstream Trailer, AND they will bring the craftiness to you with a Custom Craft Party! Say goodbye to lame-o bridal showers - invite the Wondercraft girls and your guests will walk away with a hip, handmade craft, feeling great about their abilities, and with better memories than a lame "clipboard game."
Over the past year I have had an opportunity to get to know and work with the ladies who founded the Wondercraft. They are Beth Albrecht of Paired Hearts, Jennifer Bryan of Lucy Blue Studio, Beth Hempton of The Snuggleherd and Kimberly Sae-Eau of Broken Ear Productions.
Try to keep up with me - Beth A. and Jen were both vendors at our amazing Lone Star Ladies Present: Shop Austin Event, all four gals are members and keystone leaders of Etsy Austin, and Kim just won the Golden Boot for Rising Star at the Austin Fashion Awards.
I got a little preview of their DIY Demonstrations at the Austin Handmade Party during Austin Fashion Week, and I can't wait to see them teaching classes in full swing.
If you didn't already know what a cool town Austin is to live in - this just adds to the ever-growing lists. For anyone who likes to craft, create, sew, draw, paint... we've got you covered! Check out my list of places to learn in Austin at left!
Come meet the girls of The Wondercraft at the All Austin All Handmade Bash this Friday, July 31st. Produced by my dear friend Candace Carlisle of Electric Promotions - the Bash features Austin Artists - including *annemarie* - a Fashion Show by Team Fabrication, Live music, Up-Dos, a Photo Booth... and lots of amazing food and drink!
See you there!
xo, Anne Marie
They are The Wondercraft and they're going to teach you to craft! (What rhymes with craft? Sass + T?) Classes cover a wide array of fields: polymer clay, resin casting, upcycled jewelry & t-shirt projects, classic drawing techniques, and more! They have lessons targeted to Kids, Tweens & Teens, and Adults. Artists can learn new skills, take classes to help launch their DIY business, and join in a community that is encouraging and friendly.
What makes the Wondercraft neat to me is that they are teaching classes in locations all over Austin, at times in their very own Airstream Trailer, AND they will bring the craftiness to you with a Custom Craft Party! Say goodbye to lame-o bridal showers - invite the Wondercraft girls and your guests will walk away with a hip, handmade craft, feeling great about their abilities, and with better memories than a lame "clipboard game."
Over the past year I have had an opportunity to get to know and work with the ladies who founded the Wondercraft. They are Beth Albrecht of Paired Hearts, Jennifer Bryan of Lucy Blue Studio, Beth Hempton of The Snuggleherd and Kimberly Sae-Eau of Broken Ear Productions.
Try to keep up with me - Beth A. and Jen were both vendors at our amazing Lone Star Ladies Present: Shop Austin Event, all four gals are members and keystone leaders of Etsy Austin, and Kim just won the Golden Boot for Rising Star at the Austin Fashion Awards.
I got a little preview of their DIY Demonstrations at the Austin Handmade Party during Austin Fashion Week, and I can't wait to see them teaching classes in full swing.
If you didn't already know what a cool town Austin is to live in - this just adds to the ever-growing lists. For anyone who likes to craft, create, sew, draw, paint... we've got you covered! Check out my list of places to learn in Austin at left!
Come meet the girls of The Wondercraft at the All Austin All Handmade Bash this Friday, July 31st. Produced by my dear friend Candace Carlisle of Electric Promotions - the Bash features Austin Artists - including *annemarie* - a Fashion Show by Team Fabrication, Live music, Up-Dos, a Photo Booth... and lots of amazing food and drink!
See you there!
xo, Anne Marie
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Austin Fashion Week: Wrap Up
Ahhhh, the first ever Austin Fashion Week ended last Sunday, July 19th, with the Austin Fashion Awards at the Long Center.
Of course, I am not a "real" writer - because all the "real" writers posted their reviews on Monday - and it's Thursday! I am slooooooowww because I like to party when I party, and then I need to rest. For a full on critique, visit Marques Harper's Blog.
Here is my lowdown:
Thursday Night was my Trunk Show at Urban Groove - and I was delighted to see lots of friends and get my hair, make-up and nails done by the lovely girls at the Salon. They have a great staff of beautiful and sweet women that work there - and I highly recommend their services!
Next we hopped over to Austin Handmade for their Grand Re-Opening party... super fun! They had a special cake made by Sugar Mama's Bakeshop, live music, and DIY demos by The Wondercraft.
Saturday morning was my 2nd event at Urban Groove; it was a special day and I got to reconnect with several old friends. Thanks for stopping by! After loading and unloading my car in the heat of the day, I relaxed for a bit before heading out to the next party!
Camille Jackson, designer of Diamonds and Guns, had her party at Urban Betty Salon - where she provided homemade cupcakes, and they had an awesome DJ spinning tunes with 3 awesome raffle prizes. I got to meet lots of ladies from the Etsy Austin Team, and had two more cupcakes - to end a week FULL of cupcakes!
Sunday finally rolled around and it was time to strut our stuff on the Red Carpet. Matt Swinney of Launch787, along with Clink Events, did a great job of producing the Austin Fashion Awards. It was so fun to walk down the Red Carpet and get our pictures taken, and sitting at the beautiful Long Center during the ceremony felt so... Hollywood! Especially getting to see my friend Kim Sae-Eua win the MAJOR award of Rising Star! Wow, Austin has never had anything like this, and I look forward to seeing just how big it gets for 2010.
Cheers!
xo, Anne Marie
Of course, I am not a "real" writer - because all the "real" writers posted their reviews on Monday - and it's Thursday! I am slooooooowww because I like to party when I party, and then I need to rest. For a full on critique, visit Marques Harper's Blog.
Here is my lowdown:
Thursday Night was my Trunk Show at Urban Groove - and I was delighted to see lots of friends and get my hair, make-up and nails done by the lovely girls at the Salon. They have a great staff of beautiful and sweet women that work there - and I highly recommend their services!
Next we hopped over to Austin Handmade for their Grand Re-Opening party... super fun! They had a special cake made by Sugar Mama's Bakeshop, live music, and DIY demos by The Wondercraft.
Saturday morning was my 2nd event at Urban Groove; it was a special day and I got to reconnect with several old friends. Thanks for stopping by! After loading and unloading my car in the heat of the day, I relaxed for a bit before heading out to the next party!
Camille Jackson, designer of Diamonds and Guns, had her party at Urban Betty Salon - where she provided homemade cupcakes, and they had an awesome DJ spinning tunes with 3 awesome raffle prizes. I got to meet lots of ladies from the Etsy Austin Team, and had two more cupcakes - to end a week FULL of cupcakes!
Sunday finally rolled around and it was time to strut our stuff on the Red Carpet. Matt Swinney of Launch787, along with Clink Events, did a great job of producing the Austin Fashion Awards. It was so fun to walk down the Red Carpet and get our pictures taken, and sitting at the beautiful Long Center during the ceremony felt so... Hollywood! Especially getting to see my friend Kim Sae-Eua win the MAJOR award of Rising Star! Wow, Austin has never had anything like this, and I look forward to seeing just how big it gets for 2010.
Cheers!
xo, Anne Marie
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Re-Launch of Custom Orders - PARTY TONIGHT
Ladies Ladies Ladies! Custom Orders are Back!
In 2002, I started making handbags from recycled jeans, clothes and curtains. Since then I have amassed a large fabric stash, sold thousands of purses and wallets, and designed well over 100 original bag patterns. The *annemarie* one-woman-business is still going strong, and tonight I am celebrating by reintroducing the famous *annemarie* Custom Order!
You can choose from 4 accessories and 4 purse styles, and over 20 fabrics for endless combinations. As part of Austin Fashion Week, Urban Groove Salon is hosting me through Saturday, and tonight our party features the classic Austin Cosmo
from Dripping Springs Vodka and Paula's Texas Orange.
In addition to designing your own custom handbag, you can get a mini mani, makeup, and mimosa! The event is free and is from 4pm to 7pm
The *annemarie* Party tonight is part of the Etsy Austin Party Hop. We have 7 designers hosted by 7 boutiques/salons. We're all donating a portion of our proceeds to Family Eldercare, and if you attend 3 events this week you can win some awesome prizes - including a purse from *annemarie*!
Later tonight, head out to Austin Handmade for their grand re-opening party with more free drinks, sweets, a fashion show, and make-and-take. This is a call to the Austin Craft Community to come out and support your local, home-grown, hand-made, 100% original peoples!
xo,
Anne Marie
*annemarie* Green Since 2002 - and not going anywhere!
In 2002, I started making handbags from recycled jeans, clothes and curtains. Since then I have amassed a large fabric stash, sold thousands of purses and wallets, and designed well over 100 original bag patterns. The *annemarie* one-woman-business is still going strong, and tonight I am celebrating by reintroducing the famous *annemarie* Custom Order!
You can choose from 4 accessories and 4 purse styles, and over 20 fabrics for endless combinations. As part of Austin Fashion Week, Urban Groove Salon is hosting me through Saturday, and tonight our party features the classic Austin Cosmo
from Dripping Springs Vodka and Paula's Texas Orange.In addition to designing your own custom handbag, you can get a mini mani, makeup, and mimosa! The event is free and is from 4pm to 7pm
The *annemarie* Party tonight is part of the Etsy Austin Party Hop. We have 7 designers hosted by 7 boutiques/salons. We're all donating a portion of our proceeds to Family Eldercare, and if you attend 3 events this week you can win some awesome prizes - including a purse from *annemarie*!
Later tonight, head out to Austin Handmade for their grand re-opening party with more free drinks, sweets, a fashion show, and make-and-take. This is a call to the Austin Craft Community to come out and support your local, home-grown, hand-made, 100% original peoples!
xo,
Anne Marie
*annemarie* Green Since 2002 - and not going anywhere!
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