Thursday, September 24, 2009

Thrift Thursday - Round Top Awaits!

It's just not Fall without a trip to Round Top, Texas during Antique Week!

You can check out past posts of my visits to Round Top, as well as my Flickr Sets... while you wait to see what goodies I will share from this trip!

Patina Loft returns to Round Top this time as well - how exciting!  Patina Loft is a socially conscious company that refurbishes Chinese Country Antiques and sells them to dealers in the US.  Round Top is the ONLY time customers can buy direct from them.  My brother-in-law works for them, and they are a wonderful company with a great vision.  They have a map online where they will be located!

Pictures from the Patina Loft Booth Last year





October 2008




Spring 2008





YES - aren't you excited for me :-) ?  I will be sure to stop at Seafood and Donuts in Giddings, and have a Kolache!!!

xo, Anne Marie

Friday, September 18, 2009

Fashion Friday - *annemarie* hits the Runway!



This Saturday Electric Promotions will bring another exciting event to the Austin Fashion and Craft Scene.  We're expecting a huge turn out - so get there early!  We've gotten great coverage so far thanks to Austin Tidbits, Launch787, Do512, the Austinist, and more!

We Make Stuff is a showcase of talented folks in a variety of crafty fields - Music, Art and Fashion!  Held at the Scoot Inn, a favorite dive bar on the East Side, the evening is sure to have something for everyone.


You can shop for funky handmade goodies from a select group of artists, including *annemarie*, or take part in judging the Skateboard Painting contest.  You can head inside to get crafty with Team Etsy Austin and The Wondercraft!  Hang out and watch skate demonstrations on the half-pipe, and stick around for live music from 3 bands, including Austin favorite Hollywood Gossip.
The Fashion Show... oh yes, a very exciting part of the evening!  We have lovely models from The TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls & The Jigglewatts.  I will be showcasing 5 very special Art Bags - get ready to rock it!

Details
:: When :: Saturday, Sept. 19th, 7:00 pm
:: Where :: The Scoot Inn,  Austin, TX, 78702
:: Cost :: $6.00 at the door, 21 and up only
:: Benefit :: Purchase Raffle Tickets for items donated by local vendors, benefitting Art From the Streets.

Other Events
** You can also catch *annemarie* at Gruene Market Days Sat & Sun, Sept 19th & 20th.

**Blue Genie Art Rummage Sale!**  The iconic Blue Gene Art in East Austin is having its first ever rummage sale!  Original art, supplies, and more - this sounds RAD!

xo, Anne Marie

Friday, September 11, 2009

Fashion Friday - Curvy is Better!


Back when I was a Costume Design Student at the University of Texas, I toyed with the idea of launching a clothing line for curvy gals. I sketched out designs and everything... but never did it. The purse bug bit me!

I've been hovering in the 12 to 16 size range for about 10 years - and believe me, if anything it helps me get dates! Beauty does come in all shapes and sizes - and I love my super skinny sister as much as my super curvy one - but not everyone is so "curvaceously minded"

That's me at left, rockin' the curves at the Sci-fEye Ball!




Enter Anslee Connell, aka SavannahRed (pictured below). Anslee is an Austin-based designer and photographer on a mission to provide Curvy Ladies with super fabulous clothes!



She is producing her first ever fashion show next week, RetroCurves, a '50s themed debut collection of "curve-friendly apparel [that pulls] our current trend away from unflattering shapes and takes them back to defining the waistline."

Connell hopes that "with my designs, beginning with this collection, a curvy woman may regain the confidence in herself by looking great and feeling wonderful in something that was handmade for her unique body. Hopefully then, she will offer every stranger on the street that beautiful smile she may have been hiding."

Wow. I love this concept! I have been sewing my own clothes since I was about 12, and though I don't make much for myself anymore, I am still a huge fan of custom clothing. Looks like SavannahRed has a bright future ahead! I would highly recommend that you bring any young women in your life to this event - because ALL WOMEN are beautiful - no matter the age, no matter the size... a smile can always light up a room!




***Details***


WHEN: Wed. Sept. 16th, Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm
WHERE: Space12
3121 E. 12th st., Austin, TX
COST: $7.00 at the door, cash preferred
TREATS: Free Root Beer Floats & Drinks!

xo, Anne Marie
aka - One Curvy Lady!

ps - don't forget to mark your calendars for next weekend's We Make Stuff!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

DIY Wednesday - Cover Up!


Today's post was inspired by Austin Crafter and blogger Chastity Gordon. She has a blog/business called Belle and Burger and posts DIY projects and info about her latest crafty creations.



I love the idea of recycling what you already have - and Chastity does a step by step tutorial on how to turn a vintage sheet into a fresh Iron Board Cover! How smart is that?

Make It!
Read the full tutorial from Belle and Burger.














Buy It!
Don't have the skills or time to make your own? Check out these offerings on Etsy.
















French Riveria Board Cover by Hestiahousworks
















Fruit Basket Ironing Board Cover by CityChicCountryMouse

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Make your Plans now - There are two amazing events next week you do NOT want to miss!


Thursday, September 17th - Retro Curves Fashion Show!

*featuring the designs of Austinite Savannah Red - details on Friday!































Saturday, September 19th - We Make Stuff... art, music, fashion.



Featuring *annemarie*'s handbags on the runway, live music, goody bags, and much more! Details on the blog next week :)

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Sunday Steals!

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

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.




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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...

OH, and if all of that madness wasn't enough for you, Leslie has wrangled three of her amazing teachers from the Stitch Lab to do craft demos!

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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.

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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?

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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!

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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!

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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

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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.

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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!

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Happy Business Building!
xo, Anne Marie