JUST SAY MO

Blue + Mustard

2012-02-03T19:23:00.004-06:00

I've spent the past several hours freaking out over my friend Emily's closets (note the plural) in her fabu San Francisco apartment. Girls Weekend!

blue blouse / Old Navy
mustard trousers / Marshall's
leopard print flats / Tory Burch Reva ballerina's
hot pink nails / red lips / arm party

Love EPP's oversize dining room art!
And that chandelier!
And the art deco entry hallway!

Our weekend tagline: Who's living better than us?

Will made so much fun of this outfit.

2012-01-31T07:30:00.000-06:00

This was my "I'm just throwing this on because you are rushing me" and "Registering for wedding gifts makes me weirdly anxious and crabby so I'm a little pouty" outfit on Sunday. When I emerged from the bedroom shouting "I'm READY," Will burst into laughter. He said "What is this? Your wanna-be rock star girlfriend, Cali skater, trendy magazine writer, hipster poseur costume?" and we laughed and laughed.

hat / Urban Outfitters
aviators / Forever 21
white vneck tee / Target
shrunken gray blazer / Target
black leggings / theory
Intyce boots / Steve Madden
hot pink nails / hot pink lips

Notable mention in the background: The newest edition to our record collection, Florence + the Machine on vinyl! She joins a few other in being the only records from this century.

Inspiration:

These Boots Are Made for Walking...

2012-01-30T07:30:00.000-06:00

... down the aisle. This weekend I found the perfect pair of wedding cowboy boots at Austin's Heritage Boot. Their motto? "Part artwork. Part footwear. All fancy." I had no choice but to break them in by walking all over downtown last night- from new hot spot Easy Tiger {sausages, cheese, beer, long lines} to Rainey Street and it's still-teasing-us-and-not-open-yet Container Bar.

denim shirt / vintage
statement necklace / Nordstrom Rack
black skinny jeans / Gap
cowboy boots / Heritage Boots
silver envelope clutch / H&M
hot pink nails / hot pink lips / top knot
{note the white streak in the hair! fierce!}

Why do I try on a million things and then always end up in a denim shirt and denim pants?

Move over Carrie Bradshaw.

2012-01-28T09:30:00.002-06:00

So... having a magazine internship is even cooler than I thought it was going to be. Thursday night I unexpectedly got an invite to a club opening. Click HERE to read all about it in my first piece for the TRIBEZA blogs. Normally on a Thursday I'd be home in bed reading Moby Dick, but there I was out on the town until 12:30am. Look out Carrie Bradshaw!

1970's Boho floppy felt hat / Forever 21

black blouse / Target

faux fur vest / Marshall's

bell bottom jeans / Citizens of Humanity

studded clogs / Ugg's
vintage snakeskin clutch / from my grandma

statement ring / H&M
red nails / red lips / "W" necklaces

love letter in my back pocket / from Mick Jagger
{shhh... don't tell my "W"}

First Day

2012-01-27T07:30:00.000-06:00

You know how your mom used to take a photo of you on the first day of school? This is sort of like that.

brown, black and cream blouse / World Market
{stopped in to buy some wine, bought a shirt}
#shoppingproblem
black capri trousers / j.crew
tricolor heels / Stein Mart
top knot / red lips / red nails / "W" necklaces / arm party

It was my first day at my new magazine internship with TRIBEZA! Of course I'll keep you posted by re-posting everything I write for them.

Floral + Red + Leopard

2012-01-26T16:45:00.000-06:00

I've interrupted my reading for an outfit of the day photo.

floral blouse / Target
red pants / H&M
leopard print wedge booties / DSW
"W" necklaces / arm party / "Geranium" nail polish

Inspiration:

Put Your Records On

2012-01-24T07:30:00.000-06:00

Obviously the number one record I always put on is Rumours by Fleetwood Mac.

oversize white vneck tee / Target
shrunken blazer / Forever 21
skinny cargo pants / Old Navy
red ballet flats / Old Navy
"Geranium" nail polish / Essie
orangey red lips + arm party
*note the obelisk*

While lounging on the couch the other day, Will took an interest in the table scape on top of the records.
Will: "What's that?"
Maux, feigning innocence: "What's what?"
Will, pointing to my new 2 foot tall obelisk: "THAT"
{this guy doesn't miss a thing}
Maux, trying to pretend she's had it forever: "Oh, that's an obelisk."
Will, exasperated: "Why did you buy that?"
Maux: "Well, I've been in the market for an obelisk for a long time, and I found one today."
Will: "You've been in the market for an obelisk?"
Maux: "I'll probably spray paint it gold."
Will: "Of course you will."

Outfit inspiration? Oh, I saw the blazer and cargo pants look on some of my friends:

Red + Camel

2012-01-16T07:30:00.000-06:00

People always get lost on their way to our house because it's up in the woods and the roads are all twisty. We tell people to be on the lookout for a bright red Harvester International pickup truck that lives at the end of our driveway. It's not ours, but I like to pretend it is. It's so gorgeous- why have I not taken an outfit picture using it as a prop before?! I think I was inspired by the red pants.

This was my Going To Register for Wedding Gifts outfit. I can't seem to make decisions or get my shit together for our registry. Which is pretty weird considering it's picking our fabulous gifts for yourself, and that sounds right up my alley.

Apparently I cannot get enough of turtlenecks.

camel turtleneck / j.crew
red trousers / H&M
{honestly, from 2001. haven't worn them since 2004!
so glad they survived all those closet purges}
bag / DSW
tricolor heels / pictured, Zara {mine, Stein Mart}
{I hate when you can't find the image anywhere}
arm party + cat eye sunglasses + OPI Sweetheart nails

Inspiration:

{image via blog BrooklynBlonde / found on pinterest}

One last thing before you go... if you love old Harvester International trucks, and you also happen to love novelist firemen, I highly suggest you read this book:

{Truck: A Love Story, by Michael Perry}

Cat Woman

2012-01-15T10:02:00.003-06:00

Every time I go see live music in Austin I chastise myself for not doing that more often. Friday night Will and I + friends went to Frank's (yeah, that good hot dog place- they have live music there) for The Great Coats EP release party. I got the "knew them way back when" feeling that I was watching the next Spoon- keep your eye on this band. Fair Warning: No matter how many bright accessories you pair with black leather pants and a black turtleneck, your friends will insist on calling you Cat Woman all night. Also noteworthy, the more drinks your friends consume, the more often they will stroke the thigh of said leather leggings. People can't help themselves.

black turtleneck / Macy's
bright yellow ruffle collar coat / Old Navy
black leather leggings / Nordstrom's
bright blue fold-able flats / Target
time piece / to watch your self-imposed curfew sail by
{working at 630am on a Saturday morning should be illegal}
bright purple nails
grandma's vintage snakeskin clutch

Winter Color Blocking

2012-01-13T16:15:00.000-06:00

Color blocking is not just for hot pinks and hot temps- it works in the winter too. I wore this outfit the other night at book club- where we read The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles {the new Great Gatsby}, and then watched some decidedly uncivil behavior on The Bachelor 16. We're a high-brow/low-brow type of club.

purple turtleneck / Old Navy
{yep, more turtlenecks. when it works, you work it.}
green skinny jeans / Current & Elliott
color block heels / above from Zara, mine from Stein Mart
teal nail polish + arm party

Happy Friday!

I love a good turtleneck.

2012-01-11T07:30:00.000-06:00

Will: "You look pretty in turtlenecks"
Maux: "I know."
Will: "You know? What a diva."
Maux: "Well, my mom always tells me that."
Will: "What's with the leopard and leopard?"
Maux: "Will, you know there is no such thing as too much leopard print."
Will: "Such a diva."

leopard print fedora / Target (altered)
black cashmere turtleneck / Macy's
skinny ankle zip cargo pants / Old Navy
leopard print flats / Tory Burch Reva Ballerina
cargo coat / Marshall's
j.crew look-alike bag / DSW

Also this week Will accused me of being "just like Carmela Soprano.
I took that as a huge compliment.
Imagine if Will had to be married to an actual real diva.
Will + Beyonce.

{mom, thanks for always making me feel good!}

Wearing black turtleneck + skinny ankle length pants + flats always makes me think of this:

There's a Bump-It In That Hair.

2012-01-10T07:30:00.001-06:00

If you're going to an Elvis Birthday Party, some high Priscilla bouffant hair won't hurt.

mustard colored dress / Target
gray tights / Spanx
boots / Steve Madden "Intyce"
necklaces / vintage, j.crew, Target

And here's my friend Anna!

While Will and Brian (her boyf) were outside grilling I recruited her to take these outfit photos/Will refused, and then turned the camera on her because she looked so dang cute. I love the knotted-at-the-waist denim shirt over a dress + leopard print flats! Planning on copying this look soon.

Here's a laugh:

This is how most outfit photos go- I'm talking, making a weird face, all of a sudden have one lazy eyelid, I'm maneuvering my hair, and occasionally eating a chip. This is a rough life, guys.

Sunday Afternoon Attire

2012-01-09T15:30:00.000-06:00

Here I am taking in the cool brisk air on the porch once I finally got my shit together and changed out of my pajamas yesterday. Elvis Birthday night out, woah. When I was properly composed I took myself to Target and Whole Foods. Ah, Sunday.

blue & white stipes / Stein Mart
{I'd been looking for white with blue stripes, and finally found it!}
brown corduroys / Nordstrom Rack
mocasins / Target
{my outdoor pair, not to be confused with slippers}

Long Live the King

2012-01-07T13:30:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is Elvis's Birthday, and tonight we're headed with friends to an Elvis Birthday party at the Continental Club. With Elvis impersonators! The last time I saw an Elvis impersonator show, the promoter tried to convince me to come on the road with them as a Priscilla impersonator. True story.

{this photo is ahmazing}

Leopard Print Button Down

2012-01-04T18:45:00.000-06:00

j.crew calls this the "perfect" button down. I don't know if I'd go that far, but it is a welcome addition to my leopard print collection.

This is my "Rachel" pose / aka I can never get the timer right on the camera and was actually looking at a split end {hence the concerned expression}, and my friend Rachel nonstop checks her hair for split ends. Friends of Rachel will laugh, others are thinking- get on with it. And yeah, my shirts half tucked in. I don't work in an office and that's just the kind of styling behavior one can get away with when your day consists of getting a massage and going to a Bachelor viewing party {Full Disclosure: I take the Bachelor 0% seriously and also please know that today I bought a copy of Moby Dick to read in a book club that consists only of me and my dad. I'm a serious person most of the time}.

leopard print button down / j.crew
statement necklace / H&M (recent)
orangey red skinny cords / gap
wedges / bandolino
bright purple nails + red lips + Weekday Edition arm party

Jump around.

2012-01-03T15:15:00.000-06:00

It's getting harder and harder to convince Will to take outfit photos of me- namely because he's scared I'm going to freak out if we can't manage to take good ones. Which occasionally does happen. This time I promised to just jump around and flip my hair and not pose.

pink beaded statement necklace / Buffalo Exchange
brown & cream striped tee / Forever 21
perfect vintage Levi's / JM Dry Goods
{like, seriously high-waisted, worn out wallet pocket cowboy men's Levi's}
leopard print flats / Reva Ballerina Tory Burch
cat eye sunglasses / Maya Star

This was taken New Years Eve day as we were headed to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Woah. Even having read all the books and knowing what was coming, still WOAH.

Happy New Year from Cruella DeVille

2012-01-02T23:15:00.000-06:00

William and I are not New Years people. All we wanted to do was lounge in his parents hot tub and drink a little champagne and look up at the stars and occasionally polar plunge into the pool, but his parents were having a dinner party so we had no choice but to crash it. Here I am making my grand entrance:

emerald green blouse / Marshall's (looks like this Marc Jacobs)

-don't know why it looks blue in this photo-

black & white animal print skirt / old j.crew

thick black tights / Spanx

suede ruffle heels / Madden Girl
"Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous" disco ball polish / OPI

white streak / how jealous are you?

and...

how many top knots have I done without knowing this little device exists?!

GENIUS! $4 Bun Maker

I've got one now!

{p.s. I wore two pairs of tights to make them extra black and thick}

Stars and Bell Bottoms

2011-12-31T09:55:00.005-06:00

If I wait to take an outfit picture until the porch is clean of leaves- guess what? I'll never take an outfit picture on the porch.

tiny stars blouse / Forever 21
trouser jeans / Target
boots / Old Navy
cat eye sunglasses + red lips + arm party

Inspiration:

Emerson of Emerson Made. And yes, the difference in quality between these two photos is startling and embarrassing. Posting anyway.

This is December in Chicago?!

2011-12-26T14:00:00.000-06:00

Such mild weather! I'm home for the holidays, and thinking that my dad might be better at taking daily outfit pictures than Will is.

Chicago Bears hat / Christmas gift from my grandpa
cat eye sunglasses / Maya Star
oversize sweater / Old Navy
leggings / theory
boots / Nordstrom Rack
+ red lips + arm party + "W" necklaces

Once again, airport fashion.

2011-12-23T09:20:00.002-06:00

So... sometimes I do this weird thing. Just as I freely pin great outfits to my pinterest board in order to inspire me when getting dressed, I have also been known to secretly take camera phone pictures of strangers if I spot someone wearing a great outfit. The trick is to pretend you are upright texting. It's like a creepy version of street style photography. I'm on a plane right now, and was (obviously) in the airport earlier this morning. The airport is well documented as my favorite people and fashion watching spot. I need several things: a red pointing laser, a camera crew, a tv series, and I will take America's bad airport fashion DOWN {that just reminded me of when my dad says "Just like downtown, babe"}. Guys, I'm running on little sleep here. I'm free associating.

Personally I like my airport style to be: Groupie On The Run. I want to look like Mick Jagger and I just had a big fight and I am getting the hell out of dodge, straight from the hotel to the airport. Possibly on my way to see Lindsey Buckingham. Just kidding, I would never do that to Stevie Nicks. My new penchant for leather leggings makes this look even easier to pull off. Well, today in the airport I found a kindred spirit. And I secretly took a picture of her rock chic look. It's too embarrassing to show you {that means I will post it as soon as I get my phone uploading to work}, so here is a little inspirational Polyvore collage:

snug fitting concert or band tshirt / vintage, please
-TUCKED IN! the tuck in is key-
long skirt
boots that were made for walking
+ turquoise and metallic accessories

Although, let's be clear, if I had just broken up with Mick Jagger I would certainly NOT be wearing a Rolling Stones Lips tshirt during the escape.

Inspiration via pinterest:

{image via the honey bee}

I'd probably add a bra to this look. Although she does get extra Groupie On The Run points for going without.

Date Night Christmas

2011-12-22T10:10:00.004-06:00

Will and I are going to be apart this weekend so last night was Date Night Christmas. We went to Lambert's. Again. Because it is that good {boar ribs!}. When I was getting dressed I invited Will to peruse my pinterest "How To Get Dressed" board and pick an outfit he would like me to wear. This is what he chose:

denim on denim + stripes + pop of color shoe

{image from Kendi Everyday, via pinterest}

This is what I wore:

I was trying to get Will to take "an outfit picture" after I got dressed, but he adamantly refused "because we'll fight and it would ruin Christmas." He's such a nice guy he snapped one anyway while I was putting the final topcoat on my bright red nails {while saying: "Look at you, what a diva! A diva never leaves the house without painting her nails" -that's why I'm laughing}.

And then we opened presents.

When Will handed me the last present to open he warns: "Don't get pissed."

It was a scale.

Will's Christmas presents to me: a jumprope, a water bottle, and a deluxe scale that measures body fat composition. We laughed so hard because it looks really bad to have given your fiancé a scale for Christmas, even though it was exactly What To Get a Crossfit Girl for Christmas. I really wanted that jump rope. He goes, "Please don't Facebook or blog about this." And then add's: "Well, the scale is really for me anyway."

dark denim button down / Old Navy

B&W striped sweater / Target

distressed denim crop jeans / j.crew

purple suede platform heels / Aldo

arm party + red nails + "W" necklace collection

{Full Disclosure: I gave Will the Lambert's cookbook, the new Kurt Vonnegut biography, Sparks of Genius, and two Sudoku books. All books, no motorcycle}

Green Jeans + Leopard Print

2011-12-19T12:00:00.000-06:00

I love the way this pops!

leopard print sweater / thrifted @ Savers
green skinny jeans / Current/Elliott @ Nordstrom Rack {recent}
brown belt with gold buckles
boots / Old Navy
puffy down vest / j.crew
collection of "W" initial pendants / Maya Star & Mercury

Inspiration:

{images via pinterest}

Chicken Shit!

2011-12-19T10:00:00.000-06:00

It's hard to explain Chicken Shit Bingo on Sunday afternoons at Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon to people who have never been. Tiny dive bar, bingo board laid out on the sole pool table, wire cage with a chicken inside it on top of that, $2 tickets to wait and hope for the chicken to shit on your square, cash money prizes, $2 Lone Star beers, free chili dogs, and Dale Watson (Dale Watson! He's as handsome as Elvis!) and his band crooning country honky tonk favorites in the corner. Needless to say, the place is packed.

{the chicken}

{the dance floor}

If you happen to own a rubber chicken purse like I do, this is perfect venue for it:

{images by Maux}

Scott Schuman, come find me.

2011-12-18T08:00:00.001-06:00

It only took me 15 minutes to take this photo.

Walking down Second St. en route to lunch at Lambert's (omg, the boar ribs!) I honestly half expected to be accosted by a street style photographer. Especially since it started raining and my matching black and white polka dot umbrella made me look even cuter. Alas, I have not yet made my debut on The Sartorialist, but this is certainly a debut of some kind on my own blog.

Here's what the same outfit looks like in a polyvore collage:

denim button down / I have many; this one, Target
leather leggings / Nordstrom
loafers / penny loves kenny at DSW
leopard print fedora / Target (altered, recent)
cape / Zappos (recent)
+ fiesty Arm Party and some bright lips

FYI: Will hates the cape.

Inspiration:

leather + denim + leopard / image via pinterest

and Gwen Stefani in a cape + fedora

What to get a Crossfit Girl for Christmas

2011-12-15T11:00:00.000-06:00

My Christmas list isn't all monthly facials and Louis Vuitton purses and honeymoons to the French Mediterranean. I need some bad ass Crossfit essentials as well.

pull-up band's / $30 each, amazon
{you need these in the home to show your pull-up's off to your boyfriend}
scoop neck tank / $52, lululemon
kettlebell / $15-60 depending on weight, amazon
{I already have one, but I wanted this list to be thorough}
speed rope / $30, amazon
{for faster double-under's you need the kind that twirls at the base}
inspire ruffle crop pant / $92 lululemon
{$92 is crazy town for workout pants, I know}
ab mat / $35, amazon
case of ostrim jerky sticks / $25 for 20 , amazon
{a sure sign you are a crossfitter is eating ostrich jerky}
yum! chase that down with...
case of Zico coconut water / $25 for 12, grocery store
new 1+ liter H20 bottle / $8, amazon

I'm very particular about my water bottles. They need to be 1 liter or more, have a small mouth top so you don't spill in the car, and be suction mouthpiece so you don't waste time screwing the cap on and off. I drink 3 liters of water a day- I am serious about hydration. I finally found a reusable one!

Need some inspiration?
Check out my LOVE TO SWEAT board on pinterest

Or, join Crossfit.

Get in my pants.

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

You need these pants. Old Navy Charmeuse Cuffed Capri's, on sale online for $12. I've got them in all three colors. They are very slouchy and cool. Old Navy is not paying me to advertise their pants, but wouldn't that be awesome? How can I make that happen?

mustard long sleeve / Zara
pullover/ Old Navy {similar here}
gray cuffed capri's/ Old Navy
leopard wedge booties / Madden Girl @ DSW {similar}

leopard print tshirt / Forever 21
ivy green cuffed capri's / Old Navy
lace up booties / DSW

pink silk button down blouse / Nordstrom Rack
black cuffed capri's / Old Navy
black suede wedge booties / Steve Madden @ Marshall's {similar}

How to Have a Book Club

2011-12-14T12:10:00.001-06:00

I think my book club has discovered the secret to having the best book club ever. We have a new rule- someone has to always NOT read the book. This actually happens quite organically on it's own, we don't need to assign the non-reader. It just takes the guilt away from the one person who doesn't have time to read the book that month and then maybe tries to flake out from book club by not coming at all. But that's no fun! You miss out on all the wine and gossip and dinner! {Our book club is also a wine, gossip and dinner party club. Isn't yours?}

We discovered this over a year ago, when someone showed up to The Hunger Games , by Suzanne Collins book club having not read the book, and we ended up having the most stimulating discussion as we tried to explain the plot and the meaning of The Hunger Games to this person, and ultimately each other.

Old Book Club = Boring, standard book club fare.
"I liked it. Did you like it?" and "Yes, I liked it too."

New Book Club = Stimulating discussion.
"This is what happened first.... it meant this...."
"And then this happened...."
"No, no, no- you're wrong, this..."
"Wait, I thought that was a parallel to...."

When I hosted Roses, by Leila Mecham (the Gone with the Wind of Texas) at my house, we ended up using the dry erase board in my dining area to diagram the complete life trajectories and love lives (including affairs and secret children) of each character. It looked like this:

For the person/people who hadn't read the book, it was like we were telling a really gossipy, scandalous story. Anyone have secrets of their book club they want to share?

{Tonight we're meeting for The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford}

Aubergine Corduroys

2011-12-14T07:30:00.002-06:00

Before the leather leggings, corduroys were my winter staple. I've got them in every color. Recently I tried two new color combination's with my aubergine pair: blue and mustard.

Hosting Dinner Party at Home:
blue blouse / Nordstrom Rack
aubergine corduroys / j.crew
statement necklace / Target
slippers / Target
{you can get away with wearing slippers to a dinner party if you are the host}

Going to Book Club:
brown & cream striped long sleeve / Forever 21
mustard yellow sweater / Target
aubergine corduroys / j.crew
"W" pendant necklace {W for my boyfriend}/ Maya Star
leopard print flats / Tory Burch Reva ballerina's

+ essie Velvet Voyeur nail polish
and a Week Night Edition arm party

Inspiration:

{image via pinterest}

POST EDIT: Liv, since I don't live in Denver anymore we can't just go shopping together. Nordstrom Rack Juniors Section. Brand: Love Squared. Price: $19.99 each. I've got brown, cream, blue, and pale pink. Here are the only ones I could find online. Let me know how the search goes.

Sweatshirt + Skirt

2011-12-13T07:30:00.002-06:00

I was about to give away this slightly shrunken workout sweatshirt and toss this skirt into the costume bin - it had an asymmetrical, pirate wench hem - when my mom came to town and shortened it to so-hot-right-now knee length. My mom knows how to do lots of cool stuff. It's her birthday today!

gray crewneck sweatshirt / American Apparel
belt / so old I can't remember where it's from
knee length chiffon skirt / Target
booties / Old Navy
bag / thrifted at Next to New
tortoiseshell cat eye sunglasses & "W" pendant necklace/ Maya Star

Inspiration (left side):

{image via madewell}

{image via pinterest}

DIY Christmas Tree

2011-12-12T13:03:00.002-06:00

William is Scrooging me. He won't get a Christmas tree. It's like he has no spirit. He also says I get no presents! {blah blah blah, we're saving for our honeymoon, blah blah blah} He better be careful or he's going to have a "Christmas Carol" experience. So I marched right into our garden (read: made him go), uprooted a tomato plant frame, wrapped it in red Christmas lights, and FALALALALA LALALALA THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT LIVES ON! I also busted out the old pom-pom maker and created a little red and green pom-pom garland to loop over our cattle skull. It's adorable. Then I threw some silver ornaments and twinkling white lights in glass jars. Done.

Behold:

I did all of the crafting above while playing Christmas music FULL BLAST, alternating between Bing Crosby and Mariah Carey. I also have a soft spot for "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home" by Darlene Love. On repeat, over and over. If it's a year that I don't get to go home for Christmas because of stupid work, I will just listen to that song and cry. It's pathetic but it feels appropriate. And surely you all recognize cult classic holiday movie White Christmas. Best Christmas Movie Ever. I was so excited last week to get to see it on the big screen at Alamo Drafthouse!

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Another Holiday Party

2011-12-11T15:21:00.004-06:00

I should have titled this post: "I Love to Eat Appetizers." Because I do. Or, "Appetizers Count as Dinner During the Holiday Season." At a party last night I hardly left the buffet table. As I was standing there, eating more and more delicious appetizers, I was telling a story about how the night before at Will's office holiday party I had felt emboldened to constantly return to that appetizer buffet table because I hardly knew anyone present, and they could just be like "who's that girl in the leather pants who keeps eating?" A guy I didn't know said, "Wait, you're admitting that you wore those same leather pants last night?" And my friends laughed, because every time they've seen me in recent weeks I've been wearing the same pair of leather pants. Dude, when it works, you work it.

Another encounter...
Different stranger: "Oh, you have a blog, what do you blog about?"
Friend, interrupting me: "Her leather pants."

red and black plaid flannel shirt / Target
fisherman's sweater / Buffalo Exchange
leather leggings / Nordstrom
red ballerina flats / Old Navy
red MAC lipstick
red + gold glitter nail polish
+ Weekend Edition arm party

It's not displayed above, but make sure you fold plaid sleeves over sweater sleeves at wrist. And... I'm willing to bet that I get a call from Emily, my unofficial blog publicist, admonishing me on the unladylike habit of a. eating so much at parties and b. blogging about it.

Inspiration for leather pants + fisherman's sweater:

{image via blog momsafashiondork / found on pinterest}

{thanks Erin and Brandi for a fab cookie party!}

Guess who got to wear the leather leggings she wanted to wear to Will's office party?

2011-12-09T22:00:00.001-06:00

green "silk" blouse / Marshall's
leather leggings / I think we've covered these
red ballerina flats / Old Navy
gold glitter clutch / vintage
red nail polish + gold glitter top coat- so festive!
+ red MAC lipstick
and a Weekend Edition arm party

{that means several extra bracelets- you want lots of clanking while you sip the bubbles}

Girl, I was looking gooood strutting down Dirty 6th sober at 9pm in order to get home before bedtime. I left Will there. He is probably wearing a Santa hat riding a mechanical bull at this very moment.

Finger Party!

2011-12-09T17:30:00.001-06:00

I regret showing Will the website Man Repeller, because he is now a little too familiar with the phrase. Whenever I come ta-da-ing out of my closet he goes, "Oh god, Man Repeller again." He's currently trying to talk me out of wearing leather leggings to his office holiday party tonight. The more fashionable I get, the more befuddled he looks. He does do this cute thing where he sings out "ARM PARTY" when I'm getting dressed and piling on the bracelets. And when we were discussing wedding bands (ahem, something that he apparently didn't know we needed) he goes: "Wait a minute- now you need a finger party, too?" YES. FINGER PARTY, love it! I'm gonna stack 'em high! Of course I had to push the envelope by telling him about additional diamond bands he can give me as "push presents" when we have our babies (plural). His head almost exploded. His response: "The baby is your present!" I was laughing too hard to respond. Poor guy.

*PLEASE NOTE I HAVE JUST COPYRIGHTED THE PHRASE FINGER PARTY*

{wait, does finger party sound gross? or do I just have a high school boy sense of humor?}

My leather leggings are the hardest working item in my closet.

2011-12-09T12:20:00.001-06:00

I CANNOT stop wearing them. They are just so god damn fierce.

Book club? Leather leggings.
Movie night with a girlfriend? Leather leggings.
Shopping? Leather leggings.
Going for a massage and facial? Leather leggings.
Bringing soup to a friend on bed rest? Leather leggings.
Will's office holiday party? Leather leggings.
Christmas cookie exchange? Leather leggings.

sweater cape / Urban Outfitters
leather leggings / Nordstrom
black + camel flats / DSW
leopard print fedora / Target (looks just like this sold out jcrew one)
{except, ahem, $150 cheaper, and by the same designer}
military coat / Nordstrom

I bought this eponymous item- once again, the hardest working item in my wardrobe- from Nordstrom (sold out- snap! I mean, sold out- sorry!)- they are leather in the front and regular legging material in the back, which I was worried about, but the seaming adds to the rocker/motorcycle look. They were not expensive. They are faux leather. I was just experimenting with the idea of leather leggings -who buys leather pants online without trying them on? This blogger. However, I love the look so much that I told my mom: "Next year I am splurging for, like, the $600 lambskin version."

Alternate blog entry title: I should have been a 1970's rock groupie.

How To Wear Leather Leggings: Every time you are going to wear plain leggings or jeans, replace with leather leggings. Rock with confidence. Simple.

{POST EDIT: Yes, totally easy to cut the ribbon and feather off hat. I forgot to mention that I did that. It is literally indistinguishable from the j.crew version.}

Pink on Pink + Leopard

2011-12-08T17:33:00.004-06:00

Color blocking works in winter too! I met Will for lunch today at Madam Mams (delicious pad sea-ew!) and got another vote of confidence / "What the hell are you wearing?" with a little side of "What are other people in your meeting wearing? Are you the fanciest person in the meeting?" I reluctantly admitted that most other people at my meeting were wearing scrubs.

pale pink button down blouse / Old Navy
cheetah print sweater / thrifted at Savers
salmon pink corduroys / j.crew
boots and coat / Old Navy
+ arm party!

Inspiration:

{Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer}

Buzz List

2011-12-08T07:30:00.000-06:00

Read: Can't put The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides down. Seriously, I am even attempting to read to the next paragraph at stop lights.

See: Love it when this commercial comes on. Makes me feel like partying with my family. Had to download the song "All Night Disco Party" by the Brakes. And now I want a cowbell for Christmas.

Laugh: Just wasted an hour -no, not wasted, thoroughly enjoyed every minute- watching many of the video's on Jenna Marbles you tube channel. Underwear Horoscopes? I DIED laughing. Then I went and changed my underwear accordingly and subscribed to her channel.

Hear: Sons of Anarchy soundtrack- Songs of Anarchy. Clever title. Bad ass songs for bad ass bikers. And for good girls to fantasize about being a bad girl with said bikers.

Organize: I get a new Personal Pocket Journal every year and I'm already planning my 2012.

Check Out: Courtney from Most Eligible Dallas is blogging! Go see What Courtney Wore.

Read: This article about Lululemon is SHOCKING. I felt guilty that I was actually wearing a lululemon ensemble while reading it. Yikes!

After reading that article, you will be depressed about yourself and all the $$lululemon$$ you own. Here, read this craigslist ad yoga mat for sale / deconstruction of a hot yoga class and you will laugh.

On Demand: Bill Cunningham's New York. Excellent documentary!

Date Night Austin: Sushi and a Movie

2011-12-07T12:00:00.001-06:00

I love date nights. I love planning them. I love getting dressed for them. I love driving there. I love the people watching and eavesdropping on other tables. I love strolling in the rain from the restaurant to the movie theater (read: complaining about how my shoes are giving me a blister and why'd we park so far away?). On Sunday night we went to Piranha Sushi (note: PiraNHa, not PiraHNa- I think I've been spelling that wrong my whole life. Not that I have reason to spell piranha all that often...) and then The Descendants at Violet Crown Cinema. Oh, George Clooney, I've loved you ever since Doug Ross, MD.

blue and white striped long sleeve / Forever 21
knit pullover / j.crew
jeans / the perfect vintage Levi's from J.M. Drygoods in Marfa
snake skin kitten heels / Stein Mart
trench coat / Banana Republic

Austin Shopping Alert: JM Dry Goods just opened an Austin outpost! Check it out!

Dress for Success

2011-12-05T22:30:00.000-06:00

Today I had an interview to possibly become an intern for a local magazine. Very exciting stuff around here at Just Say Maux!

brown and cream striped top / Forever 21
patterned skirt / Target
boots and fur trimmed cargo jacket/ Old Navy
purse / DSW (looks just like this j.crew satchel)
...don't forget the arm party!
nails: Essie Smokin' Hot

Inspiration:

Reality:

Yep... more headless outfit blogging. It's either this or never blog again because I'm trapped taking horrifying unflattering photos of myself. More on that later.

Debut of the Sequin Pants

2011-12-03T09:31:00.001-06:00

Last night I went to a Cross Fit women's only Holiday Party. A house full of strong and fierce ladies is the perfect supportive environment to debut a new pair of sequin pants, especially when the only thing these ladies have ever seen me wear is head-to-toe lululemon, a ponytail and a sweaty red face. I considered my outfit a success when other women complimented it and when I walked into a bar to meet William for a drink afterwards and he scowled and exclaimed "What the hell are you wearing?!" Success- these pants are fierce!

Oversized white button down, Nordstrom Rack
Sequin leggings, Express
Madden Girl suede ruffle heels, found @ Stein Mart
grandma's vintage snake skin purse
MAC red lipstick

POST EDIT UPDATE: It's only fair to also disclose that the sequins sometimes stick together, and that this happened to me when walking across the street in front of traffic and I couldn't get my thighs apart and was worried about ripping the sequins out and I was scream-laughing for Will to help me get my pants unstuck. And also, three glasses of champagne didn't make this any easier or prettier.

This is me attempting to be a Daily Outfit Blogger.

2011-12-02T15:30:00.002-06:00

Christmas Shopping:

black + white gingham button down / Buffalo Exchange

black + white striped sweater / Target

orange/red skinny cords / j.crew
red nail polish, black patent leather loafers

{more on this Outfit Blogger attempting thing later}

POST EDIT: Sami, I tried doing full body shots but then I' was dealing with facial expressions and body angles and that was exhausting me. Even looking at this photo I'm like, geez square your shoulders.

My arm party also needed this.

2011-12-02T15:03:00.000-06:00

Renegade Cluster Bracelet (Stella + Dot, $59), bought at a fabulous little Stella + Dot trunk show/ cocktail party at Spruce Upholstery Wednesday night. Arm party + cocktail party = potent combo.

Hello blog reader Meredith! You made my night when you asked...
"Are you Maux? I read your blog."

{I DIE- it's like being a celebrity!}

Thank you, Target.

2011-11-30T15:00:00.001-06:00

One well-curated shopping trip to Target is all it took to get the pieces needed to complete some looks I've been loving on my How To Get Dressed pinterest board. If you don't pinterest, please do so now.

Inspiration:

Brown and cream striped tee + funky patterned skirt / found on pinterest

Inspiration:

Leopard shoes + burgundy cape + leopard hat / from blog Atlantic-Pacific

Inspiration:

pajama set top as blouse / found on pinterest

Inspiration:

leggings + oversize white tee + shrunken gray blazer / found on pinterest

Inspiration: Arm Party!

arm party / phrase coined by Man Repeller / image found on pinterest

Purchases:

Do I drop everything and just go with Bella's Breaking Dawn wedding dress replica?

2011-11-22T15:17:00.005-06:00

Stop the stitching! Breaking News! Halt the alterations on my grandmother and mother's 60 year old Princess Catherine-eqsue wedding dress! I just learned that replicas of Bella's Carolina Herrera designed wedding dress from Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn part one are going to be released by retailer Alfred Angelo for $799. Whatever I end up wearing, the take home message is that long sleeved wedding dresses are going to be HUGE this year.

You still can't find a picture online of Bella Swan wearing the dress! Such a tightly guarded secret for moviegoers- just like a real wedding. Apparently, the cast didn't even see the dress until Bella walked down the set's aisle.

POSTEDIT: Saw it in person and material looks totally cheap.

I'll pretty much do anything Gwyneth Paltrow tells me to do.

2011-11-21T20:48:00.001-06:00

First it was the country glamour look inspired from movie Country Strong- plaid shirts and rhinestone necklaces have a strong rotation in my closet. Then it was sweating to Tracy Anderson workout videos in my basement. Pink feather earrings? Got those. Occasionally her version of "This Woman's Work" will bring a tear to my eye driving home from a long day on the Labor & Delivery unit. And now... brussel sprouts. Unlike most people, I actually like brussel sprouts, but ever since reading her cookbook My Father's Daughter, I have been cooking her sprouts recipe nonstop. Even William is a convert. Need to bring a side dish to family Thanksgiving? I recommend these Carmelized Brussel Sprouts.

{image and polyvore by Maux}

Twilight Breaking Dawn Part One: I Do!

2011-11-17T14:20:00.004-06:00

What's this?

Oh. That's just my VIP pass to tonight's 12:00am premiere showing of Twilight's Breaking Dawn Part One. It's a Bella and Edward wedding invitation- how cute is that?

Obviously, a Twilight movie marathon is preceding the event.

Miniature Indian Priestess Headdresses are Optional

2011-11-09T14:00:00.002-06:00

I don't have bridesmaids, I have a bridesmaid TRIBE. A tribe of 10 (yes, 10) wacky and wild and wonderful women. Ten is a lot. To quote one of the maids of honor (yeah, got two of those): "We might have too many chiefs, and not enough Indians." I went into crazy crafting overload to make them all something special to formally ask them to be my bridesmaids- inspired by this adorable idea from Rifle Design.

1. Cut out 10 paper doll chains (hardest part).
2. Cut out 10x10 (that's 100!) paper doll dresses in the color scheme of the wedding.

3. Add the dresses to the paper doll chains.

4. Cut out 10x10 (that's 100!) hairdo's, matching color and cut to each of your bridesmaids, because you are seriously crafty.
4a. Make a repeat trip to Michael's for more brown paper when you realize that you have friends with two shades of brown hair- dark brown and light brown. Get it right!

5. Label all the paper dolls with each bridesmaid's name- it's a fun introduction to the bridal party!- rotating each of them to be the first in line.

6. Make sashes and miniature Indian Priestess Headdresses out of bright feathers, gold glitter pipe cleaners, and pink chevron felt.

7. Make ten of them.

8. Assemble the suite: paper doll chain, 'Choose Your Own Dress' wedding colors palette, and Will You Be My Bridesmaid? card.

9. Send with LOVE!

{photos by Maux}

{See the original!}

House Arrest

2011-11-06T22:30:00.002-06:00

On Friday night Will and I vowed not to leave the house for 48 hours. No coffee shops, no grocery stores, no sneakily using Target as a grocery store and then shopping, no dinner dates. I think the last time I stayed home this long I may have been grounded.

It was heaven!

We did go for a hike in the hills around our house, which Will rightly called out as more of a Real Estate Pornography Walk:

Maux: "I like the fence on this house."

Will: "Uh-huh"

Maux: "And I like the roof on that house."

Will: "Uh-huh"

Maux: "Ooh, that one's for sale. Let's see how much it costs."

Will: "A lot."

Will: "I'll race you to the top of the hill."
Maux: "Ooh, look at these city views from up here!"

Then I set up a little at-home workout center. Oh, don't mind me- I'm just going to do some Pilates on my Reformer while Will watches the Cowboys game and drinks beer. Then I'm going to do some yoga outside in the fresh Austin air. Finally! Finally some breezy, almost spring like weather... in November. And actual clouds!

This yoga mat is genius. I don't always want to go to yoga class, and I can't always remember what move comes next. If left to my own devices I'd spend a lot of time in Child's Pose. Absolute genius! You just mix it all up into the flow you want.

Adding Hunter boots to my yoga ensemble, I did yard work for hours. I may be the only person who owns Hunter boots that actually needs to wear Hunter boots. It's a jungle in that backyard. I have blisters from raking, but now it's ready for a Fall Backyard Supper Club.

Reading! I finished 4 books in one day. They all blurred together in my mind last night as I was trying to fall asleep (I also slept a lot this weekend! Remember I said it was heaven? It was!). This was a very strange combination of books to have swirling in your head at once:

Presidential assassination
bad boy celeb tell-all*
essays from a comedy writer
grief stricken mother

Plus we watched a marathon of Season 4 of Sons of Anarchy (FX) and Workaholics* (Comedy Central). Some episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX), too. And then a Woody Allen movie. And drank a couple bottles of red wine for good measure. My dreams last night were strange.

The TV show marathon aspect of this weekend is what really drove home the similarity to being grounded in high school (not the copious drinking of wine, nor the being home alone with a cute boy part), and I loved it. I love being grounded.

* A note on Workaholics. I'm trying to think of another show that made me laugh out loud, rewind, laugh out loud again, and then text my younger brothers telling them to watch it. Nope, can't think of one. This show is HILARIOUS. Fair warning: If gross, little brother type of humor isn't your thing, you might not love this as much as I do.

* A note on American Outlaw, by Jesse James. I read it completely expecting to hate on it. I just wanted to be up to date on my tell-all celeb memoirs. They are, like, the research papers of Us Weekly. Now, I love bad ass cheatin' motorcycle men on Sons of Anarchy, but not cheating in real life. Not to Sandra Bullock! But... I found a strange compassion towards him. I almost wanted to walk myself over to Sandy's (yeah, we're neighbors) and say, "Wait- I know you're already divorced, but did you read this part about how sorry he is!?"
POST EDIT: DID I SPEAK TOO SOON? ARE THESE ALLEGATIONS GOING TO BE IN THE MEMOIR SEQUEL?

{Tonight we allowed ourselves out of the house to see a movie.
But I really like grounding myself and I'm going to do it again.}

A little of this and a little of that.

2011-11-04T10:20:00.000-05:00

These are little snippets of conversation we would have if we went out for coffee together this morning.

On relationships:
- Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries divorce? I'm all for it.

- Did you know Robert Plant (yes, that Led Zeppelin-y Robert Plant) lives in Austin now (what cool person doesn't live in Austin now?) and dates songstress siren Patty Griffin? I die! Musical heaven! They are in a little local band together called Band of Joy. Check out this chemistry.

- Are Tory Burch and Waris Ahluwalia an item? I get the distinct impression they are. I hope so.

On personal wellness:
- I want the Zeo sleep tracker, $99-150. Track the quality of your sleep! A good nights sleep is the new hot sex or great night out or wild binge.

- It's no secret I love a DIY manicure- but more and more lately I get bubbles, bumps and smudges. I MUST HAVE this at-home LED gel manicure set from Ulta. Will this change my life? Will I never step foot in a nail salon again? $60.

On music:
- Florence + the Machines new album Ceremonials! Can't stop listening! Great, grand, sweeping! Have I mentioned yet that I luerve Florence?

- The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams- modern day country twangers cover never-before-recorded Hank Williams songs that were discovered in, wait for it... the lost notebooks that were with Williams when he died.

On cooking:
- This is what I have eaten for lunch every day for weeks:

And you should make it too because it's delicious! Sweet potato, brussel sprouts, goat cheese, dried cranberries, and walnuts.

- I read cookbooks like regular books, something Will finds very strange, as I never seem to learn anything from them. I recently read and liked Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook My Father's Daughter, so maybe I can spice up my strict sweet potato regiment and try something from here.

On laughing:

- This Jimmy Kimmel You Tube video made me laugh so hard, especially the part at the end. The one about parents telling kids they ate all their Halloween candy. Have y'all seen it? It's eveywhere.

On joy:

- Elaine's baby Paul and I like to video chat each other. We hold our glasses to the screen and "cheers" each other, we play peek a boo, we shriek at each other no reason, we do happy feet dances, and occasionally I get to talk to his mom about important topics like my wedding and my streak of gray hair (great combo). But yesterday baby Paul stopped all the action when he finally said the word we've all been waiting for him to say.... "MO-MO!" Heaven! Utter, total heaven!

{The word we've really been waiting for him to say is MAMA}
{Sorry Elaine}

{Okay, your turn. What's new?}

Extremely Tearful and Incredibly Moving.

2011-11-03T10:15:00.001-05:00

Oh, just bawling my eyes out at the trailer for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the film adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's 2005 novel to be released January 2012. That's enough time to re-read this incredible book (although, yikes, after a quick review it looks like critics were not too kind... for example, "riding the 9/11 gravy train")

November 1st

2011-11-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

Is today the best day ever?

- New Florence + the Machine album downloaded on iTunes and listened to at top volume en route to work this morning:

- New releases delivered to my door from amazon.com on the actual day-of-release:

The Perfectly Imperfect Home, by Deborah Needleman {former Domino magazine editor}

Blue Nights, by Joan Didion

Mindy Kaling's (The Office) new book of essays Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Here's an excerpt: Best Friend Rights and Responsibilities (hilarious! you must read!) and here's a video clip. Hmmm... makes me want to write a book of essays.

{So much reading to do!}

Patsy and Eddie, darling.

2011-10-31T22:48:00.004-05:00

I'm ashamed to admit... I didn't have a Halloween costume this year. That is basically a cardinal sin in my world. Halloween is usually my favorite holiday of the year! I just wasn't feeling it. Will and I were out for a completely normal dinner tonight, in a restaurant full of people not in costume, when in walked...

My first thoughts: Lady Gaga and someone?

And then it hit me.
I had no choice but to yell out "Absolutely Fabulous!"
And then get out of my chair and go compliment their exquisite taste in costumes.

{This British tv series is yet another wacky, campy must see.}

*best costume of the weekend!*

Next Halloween, I promise.

2011-10-31T22:31:00.001-05:00

Beverly Hills, what a thrill!

{I don't even know why I feel compelled to credit these images as Shelley Long playing Phyllis Nefler in cult classic Troop Beverly Hills (1989), because surely you all already knew that... right? If not, rent immediately. IMMEDIATELY.}

-Full merit badge patch to Amy for suggesting this idea!-

But what I really want to do is have a group of girls all be Phyllis in different outfits, because how could you only pick one to wear yourself? And what friends would only want to be Wilderness Girls? Life lesson: Everyone wants to be Phyllis.

I don't even know what to do with myself.

2011-10-21T12:00:00.001-05:00

The last time I had a free weekend to myself in Austin was way on back in early May. I've been out of town, or hosted out of town guests, or worked the whole weekend every.single.weekend ever since. And now?! Now I have today and Saturday off (working Sunday, of course. Boo work). I should stay home on the couch, but I'm itching for date night and window shopping and exploring new Austin hot spots. Not to mention...

This weekend is also the Gypsy Picnic -Trailer Food Festival

What: A gathering of Austin food trucks
Where: Auditorium Shores
When: Saturday October 22nd 11am-8pm
How: Free admission, $3 samples
Also: Beer and music.
Hmm: Last year the lines were ridiculously long.
Read: Austin Food Truck blog Trailer Food Diaries.

this weekend is also...

The Texas Book Festival! Last year I went with my parents about bought about a dozen new books. Still hoping for a sighting of founder Laura Bush, Texas librarian extraordinaire.

Where: The Capitol Building and grounds
When: Saturday and Sunday October 22-23
How: Free admission, food vendors
Also: Lots of books for sale
Hmm: How can I fit all these events in?

Events that caught my eye:
Mark Twain: The Adventures of Samuel Clemons

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President
{new book about assassination attempt of James Garfield}

Cooking Tent with Gesine Bullock-Prado
{local baker, sister of Sandra}

Memoir: When to Tell the Story with Donna Johnson
{author of Holy Ghost Girl, about growing up on a Pentecostal revival tent circuit}

Cooking tent with Paula Deen
{PAULA DEEN!}

Cooking tent with Kathleen Flinn
{author of The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry}

Douglas Brinkley on Alaska
{prolific American history writer,
also literary executor of Hunter S. Thompson's estate}

Writers on Reading with Karen Russell
{author of Swamplandia!}

Slow Love: How I Lost My Job and Found Happiness
{with author Dominique Browning,
former editor in chief House & Garden magazine}

Plus the Lit Crawl Saturday night at random bars and dives and drive-in's all over town, with such literary rock stars as Adam Mansbach (author of the hysterical bestselling kids book for grownups Go The F*** to Sleep), wacky Chuck Palahniuk, and music journalist Chuck Klosterman.

So much to do and see!

And, And, And, let's not forget... This is Texas Friday Night Lights high school football season, y'all! So of course Will and I have to make an appearance at his cousin's varsity football game tonight.

New required reading.

2011-10-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

A whale of a blog launch! An uber stylish and jet setting friend of mine had a little list serve called Photo of the Day that she exclusively emailed to only her nearest and dearest.... until yesterday! Photo of the Day THE BLOG went live! A good add to the google reader for one amazing photo each day, such as the one below.

{POTD is Jennifer Petrilla, sister of blog correspondent Emily}
{So proud!}

I like blogs where stylish ladies take pictures of what they wear everyday. New favorites =

This Time Tomorrow.

and
Lucy Laucht

I like old photographs juxtapositioned onto current photographs. Check out Dear Photograph.

I'm awesome. You're awesome. Let's hang out. Addictive and often uncommon candid photo pairings of Awesome People Hanging Out Together. For example, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.

Also noteworthy:
Grape Expectations post about the VMAs made me laugh.
Essential for wedding planning: Snippet & Ink.

Little Readers

2011-10-20T07:00:00.001-05:00

Do you have a collection of your favorite books from childhood that you are going to read to your little Vivian's and Poppy's and Sam's and Andy's? Here's a cute how-to for making mass market paperbacks look like hardcover classics:

{instructions HERE}

!!!Beezus and Ramona!!!

Knitta Please

2011-10-19T21:00:00.000-05:00

Speaking of graffiti, this is yarn graffiti. It's called Yarn Bombing.

Founder Magda Sayeg is also owner of super cool Domy Books located in Austin and Houston. I've spotted some yarn graffiti of hers around town:

The lettering at Jo's Coffee on South Congress
{photo by Maux}

Blanton Museum/ UT campus/ view of the Capitol
{photo Austin Statesman}

me and a "hotel room" at El Cosmico, Marfa

{photos by Maux}

Did you know my mom is a crazy good knitter?
{that makes her a Pimp Ass Knitta}

Paying rent is so boring.

2011-10-18T14:00:00.001-05:00

I'd much rather buy all this stuff.

- !Genius! I've been trying to fit a BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) Upholstery Class from Spruce Austin into my schedule, but it hasn't happened. Nor have I quit my job to open up my own upholstery studio. Now I can just buy their new DVD and DIY it. Here's a preview:

- I need this real phone attachment for my droid! Can you imagine how great it would look to be sitting in traffic talking on a real phone in your car? Or walking around your apartment cleaning while holding an actual phone between your ear and shoulder as you fold laundry and gossip? Or keeping one of these in your purse so when you are walking down the street window shopping you are talking on an actual phone? I NEED this! {$30-50, YUBZ "Retro Handset"}

- Finally saw the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. If you haven't seen it you must, regardless of whether or not you are a fan of street graffiti art. I wish I had enough money to buy a Bansky. What's the deal, is Mr. Brainwash for real or what?

- Speaking of, Mr. Brainwash designed the cover art for Madonna's new greatest hits collection Celebration. Madonna is also doing the Superbowl Half Time show. That sounds like something I'd put my book-I'm-reading-while-Will-watches-football down to watch.

- I really want a huge fig tree, but we just killed a cactus so I don't think we're ready yet. This from the people who are talking about getting a dog! And then having babies! What are we thinking?

- Trying plum lipstick and liking it.

- Finally got my hands on (ha!) some hard-to-find Smokin' Hot polish by Essie.

- Surprisingly cool Uzbeki/Suzani bedding from Bed Bath and Beyond that makes me want to redecorate my guest room when I just redecorated it two weeks ago {HERE}.

- I need a new, more industrial clothing rack since the one I have is listing sideways. Will cites clothing overload, I claim shoddy materials.

- Envisioning myself spending every night this winter at home learning all the dance moves on Dance Central for xbox. The commercials always get my attention and make me jealous I don't know those moves. First we're going to need an xbox.

- Needing an Indoor and an Outdoor pair of Mocassins as Austin flirts with fall weather. By fall weather I mean temps in the 70's and low 80's. {$20, Target}

- Talking Will into leopard flannel sheets slowly but surely.

More buzz-worthy anecdotes:

I am a sucker for Evolution of Dance compilations:

{spotted on The Social Secretary!}

A message to LGBT teens- It Gets Better! These videos made me cry:

{Watch more videos and sign the pledge}
Heck, maybe even upload your own video.

This guy is going to educate the world's school children for free.

How cute and clever is this baby announcement?!

First spotted by Abby McCary, we are now locked in a baby race to see who gets to make this first.

{Happy Afternoon!}

The Woodstock of Antiquing

2011-10-14T15:00:00.001-05:00

The first promising sign was the fact that I got lost headed there. Leaving after work and headed into the unfamiliar territory of deep, dark nighttime rural Texas "somewhere between Austin and Houston," both my car and phone GPS could not seem to locate me or my destination. I got a nice flashback of the 1990's, veering like a drunk driver while squinting at an actual folded paper map in the dim cabin light of my station wagon while barreling down a highway. "You're not from around here, are you?" the gas station attendant asked me, and I was crushed, because I wanted to be from around there. In fact, in the parking lot of the same gas station I had held my phone aloft and waved it around for service to text Will that we needed to get ourselves a summer house out here, ASAP.

I was headed out to Roundtop Antique Fair, to a rental cabin with the beautiful Thornberry sisters, their friends, their mom, and their moms friends. Everyone needs a trio of beautiful sisters to teach them about and take them to places such as Roundtop Antique Fair. I finally found them drinking beers and talking shit in the Fayetteville gazebo and after a few rounds of ghost stories we were all fast asleep in our bunk beds. Over breakfast we all reported what we were searching for, so everyone could be on the lookout. My list:

mexican blankets
mint julep cups
green dishware
a spinning postcard rack

Finally arriving around 9:30am we were frantic with concern- would there be anything left?! Someone- and I'm not gonna name names- had actually taken the time in the morning to put curlers in her hair. I'm not judging, I'm just making an observation about living in Texas. I just patiently ate another Hawaiian roll & summer sausage & cheddar cheese sandwich and then wrapped another one in a paper towel and hid it in my purse for good measure. Let's talk about my "purse" for a minute. It was more like... an over the shoulder fanny pack. I was ready for battle. There was a goddamn tape measurer in there and a To Buy List and a checkbook and $100 cash.

{treasures inside}

Things were confusing at first, I had imagined it like a state fair. I thought we were going to pay admission, walk through one main gate, and then slog greedily up and down each long aisle shrieking at treasures. It was more like the entire county was for sale. Every field, every parking lot- full to the brim with rare finds. Tents and barns for miles and miles- Roundtop, Marburger, Warrenton. We texted people we had planned on meeting up with: Abort Mission. This place is a zoo. Every woman for herself. Make your own experience. We'll compare notes later. Good thing I packed an emergency sandwich.

I repeat, the Woodstock of Antiquing.

You must come. We must go. Twice a year. Let's make it a tradition. We can bring Will's truck and wear cowgirl hats and make a real rural Texas Girls Weekend out of it. Next time I'm getting a larger than life iron horse sculpture. Or two. Fighting each other.

At sunset that evening, as I wearily drove home to Austin, I called Will with my problems. I'm sweaty. I stink. I'm out of water. I'm covered in dirt. There's manure in my nose. There's dust in my teeth. Hay in my hair. I'm sunburned. I went over my budget by $60. And I have no room in the car to pick up Maggie now...

"Wait a minute," he said, "How can you have no room in a station wagon to pick up Maggie?! What did you buy?!"
Me: Silence.
Will: "Maureen Elizabeth, what did you buy?"
(A sure sign that Will has spent too much time vacationing with my mother, he will now refer to me as "Maureen Elizabeth" when he is being stern. He appears not to notice that it has absolutely no effect on me whatsoever when my mom does it, and ditto with him)
Me: Silence.

Well, for starters, I bought a tailgate.

When pondering the $30 purchase (bargained down from $45), I asked myself
WWND?
What would the Novogratz do?
They would buy a rusted out 1970s Ford truck tailgate.

Here are my other finds:

awesome swirly green "cigarette or business card" box
bold and wacky necklace
jadeite mixing bowl

and a butterfly chair- a real one, none of this collapsible plastic shit.
And there's the tailgate resting on the porch.
Will actually loves it.
Shall we make it into a bar? Shall we mount it to the wall?

{Update: Shabby chic maven Rachel Ashwell has a new B&B in Roundtop, TX. Totally adorable and I want to stay there! The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell}

Loud and on repeat.

2011-10-14T12:37:00.002-05:00

- On the Floor, Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull
- Paris (Ooh la la), Grace Potter + the Nocturnals
- Give me Everything, Pitbull
- the new album Cults, by the Cults
- the new album Helplessness Blues, by Fleet Foxes
- the new album Metals, by Feist (!)
- anything I can get my hands on from the upcoming Florence + the Machine album!
- Party Rock Anthem & I'm Sexy and I Know It, LMFAO
- Adele's 21. Still.

{What are you shuffling to?}

Wheels Up to Sunny Palm Beach!

2011-10-14T12:35:00.001-05:00

Greetings once again from the airport fashion runway that is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where I wait for yet another connecting flight to a far flung wedding. This time it's Palm Beach, Fl. Will had firmly put his foot down and said- Enough is Enough- so I voyage alone to this last and final wedding of the season. Will's boycott inspired several other husbands to do the same, hence it's going to be a wild Girls Weekend. The Breakers, brace yourself.

Here's my humble contribution to the airport people watching spectacle:

It's a look that says, "Maybe I'm a fashion stylist, or just a chic interior decorator to the stars." Either way, it certainly does not say: I don't give a shit. Also...notice how I made my McDonald's fries really tiny to minimize that I ate some. Naughty but delicious!

Loved 'em all, but I'm pretty glad wedding season is almost over so I can start focusing on my own wedding and other noble pursuits such as sitting still doing nothing and saving money.

Want to see what I'm planning?
Check out my Wedding Inspiration pinterest board.

In other news, there is (literally) a pack of wild dogs run amok in our backyard, and I can't even be bothered to deal with them, nor the hole in the fence. Will's inevitable contrarian rebuttal to this would be: "They're not wild, one of them is the neighbors dog." One of them.

I want to see this movie. And this movie. And that movie.

2011-10-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

I've made a Happiness Project pact with myself to go see two movies a month. Because going to the movies makes me happy, either all alone or on date night. We are going to need a lot of date nights to see all these...

-Johnny Depp and Hunter S. Thompson meet again:

Desperately trying to get tickets to see the advance screening at the Austin Film Festival October 20-27th!

- Michelle Williams as a sultry Marilyn Monroe!

-Footloose is either going to be amazing or a total dance movie fail. Previous examples of dance movie fails include the remake of Dirty Dancing.

-I already have tickets to the November 17th midnight showing of Twilight: Breaking Dawn part one. You know what else I have? Goosebumps:

{who is going to reread the books before seeing this?}

-Bad ass trailer, bad ass heroine:

{you better read the books first!}

- I also need to see the George Harrison documentary that already aired on HBO!

{He's my favorite Beatle!}

- I recently read Rob Lowe's memoir (please, no judgment), so now I need to devote an entire day to watching St. Elmo's Fire (it's been a long time), Hotel New Hampshire (loved the book), About Last Night (never seen it), The Outsiders (never seen it), and the entire series of The West Wing (never seen it). You might wonder why I was even reading his memoir, as I seem to be alarmingly unfamiliar with most of his work. What can I say? The excerpt was good in Vanity Fair magazine, I am alarmingly promiscuous about the things I will read, and I love(d) him on Brothers & Sisters. The memoir was getting a little boring and I was tempted to put it down... when I got to the "I Was the Pioneer of the Celebrity Sex Tape Scandal Experience" chapter. That's not really what the chapter was called, but you get my drift. I also probably need to google "rob lowe underage sex tape." Right?

{Movies are the best.}

The Carrie Diaries

2011-10-11T22:35:00.001-05:00

Candace Bushnell's prequel The Carrie Diaries to be made into a tv series on the CW about the teenage/young adult life of Carrie Bradshaw. I feel like they are going to Gossip Girls trash all over this. Did we learn nothing from the movie sequel? Leave Carrie the way we liked her!

And for the record, this is the way I liked her:

I prefer an early Carrie. A Season Four Carrie. An Aidan/Big love triangle Carrie.
But of course I'll watch it.

Subtopic: Is asking yourself if you are a Carrie/Samanthan/Charlotte/or a Miranda still a relevant social question for young girls? I pondered this as I stared out the window that is directly in front of my writing desk. Hmmm, I wonder which one I fancy? Who could it be...

Reading Radar

2011-10-11T22:33:00.001-05:00

So many books, so little time! These are the newest titles I am waiting to explore:

-The Cat's Table, by Michael Ondaatje

The English Patient is one of my favorite novels, but I've had a hard time getting into any of Ondaatje's other work. I got excited for this one, though, when I learned it was narrated by an adventurous young boy sailing alone on a cruise ship from Ceylon to Britain in the 1950s.

-The Art of Fielding, by Chad Harbach
I'm imagining this book to be the literary equivalent of The Field of Dreams movie. You think it's all about baseball, but it's really all about total awesomeness. (Also interesting - the Vanity Fair article and expanded mini e-book titled "How a Book is Born: The Making of The Art of Fielding."). Oooh- here's a book excerpt!

-Blue Nights, by Joan Didion
The companion piece to the masterful A Year of Magical Thinking (regarding the close deaths of her husband and only child), this one further explores the death of Didion's daughter and the grieving process that followed.

-The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides
I'd read anything by the man who created such diverse worlds as The Virgin Suicides and Middlesex. What a Pulitzer Prize winning imagination! Now we have a mid 1980's Brown University love story. Everyone's going to be reading this book this fall.

-Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy, by Caroline Kennedy, along with the companion documentary.
A snarky and chain smoking, stream-of-consciousness Jackie Kennedy? I'm there. I don't care that the gossip is 50 years old. It's Jackie.

-The Art of Instruction, Chronicle Press
You know those cool, oversize botanical posters you see hanging in chic living and dining rooms, that you personally don't own because you only find them way overpriced in stores? Well, here's a whole book full of those.

-Vogue: The Covers, ed. by Hamish Bowles
120 years of Vogue covers sounds like the perfect go-to coffee table gift book of the holiday season.

-The Perfectly Imperfect Home, by Deborah Needleman
Former editor of Domino magazine, maybe you've heard of it? Her first book- The Domino Guide to Decorating- is a must have design classic. Don't forget to pre-order for November 1st. I'm really excited for this one!

-Design Sponge at Home, by Grace Bonney
Oh, just another successful home design blog turned into a how-to decorating book. {Jealous}.

-Martha Stewart's Handmade Holiday Crafts, by Martha Stewart
Nothing you make will look as good as the pictures, but it's worth a shot.

-Simply Divine: A Guide to Easy, Elegant & Affordable Entertaining, by Lisa Vanderpump
Yes, that Lisa Vanderpump. I actually guffawed out loud when I saw the word affordable in the title. Now if only Kyle would write a book called "How to Make Your Hair Look Like Mine."

And... AND... AND!
Look, my old friend Bryan Batt (Mad Med) from New Orleans just published "Big, Easy Style" (get it?). I want this book yesterday.

{Now I've gotta go get in bed and read! Goodnight}
Happy Reading

Famous in Milwaukee?

2011-10-10T23:45:00.001-05:00

What a weekend in Milwaukee! I had so much fun I was actively considering moving there. It's like a mini Chicago, with easy parking. Two of my favorite people in the world got married, the weather was gorgeous and fall-like, and my huge, hysterical family had a wild and wonderful time as usual. We just love to have sweaty dance circles {hello, Dave and Ann McHugh and LMFAO "Party Rock Anthem"} and laugh and get together all the time and then laugh at the same joke some more.

The beaming, happy couple:

Beezus and Captain Andy
{I repeat: two of my favorite people in the world}

The gorgeous bride:

The raging dance party:

Maux and brother in law Shaan and yes that is a garlic butter stain on my bridesmaid dress.

{we are really, really, really good dancers}

Sidenote: I was incredibly flattered to meet so many JustSayMaux fans at all the wedding shindigs. I'd be washing my hands in a bathroom, and a cute girl would introduce herself as a reader of my blog. I'd be ordering a water at the bar to try and sober up, and a guy next to me would offer up that he just loves the story about when I pooped my pants. Emily Weber became my new best friend. A group of girls wanted me to introduce them to Will. Strangers chided me for my blog hiatus. Several of you thought it was strange and embarrassing to introduce yourself to me but did it anyway. Hello, doing strange and embarrassing things is basically the essence of Just Saying Maux, so I'm glad you did.

Two Possible Scenarios:
1. I am on the precipice of being Beyonce-caliber famous
or
2. All of my blog readers are my cousin Beth's college friends

Either way, I'm thrilled. Hello again Milwaukee fans!
Please send me your blog links! Don't be shy.

Moves like Jagger

2011-10-09T17:05:00.005-05:00

Airport fashion is fascinating to me. If one was still allowed to go through security without a boarding pass, I would totally hang out there just to people watch- a favorite high school past time of mine. It is just fascinating. Will thinks I need a laser pointer so I can point it at people passing by as I either compliment or criticize their outfits. This could be a really good idea for a tv show.

I just have constant stream-of-consciousness commentary on every outfit I see. Sometimes it's as simple as YES/NO/EXEMPT, but usually it is a lot more involved- sometimes I even take secret photos of people in really good outfits. Instead of sidewalk street fashion, I need a "Moving Walkway" fashion blog. TV show development people, call me.

Here's what I wore on my latest jaunt through the airport this weekend. It's a look that says, "Not only am I reading the new Mick Jagger biography, I might actually BE Mick Jagger's girlfriend."

-Moves Like Jagger is such a good song- on repeat many, many times at my house.

-You can now buy that amazing orange/red lipstick seen on all those lithesome j.crew models, by lipstick guru Poppy King (what a coincidence, that is also the name of my future born second daughter!)

-My new leopard bootie wedges! My mom bought them for me! I die!

{Happy Travels!}
{Dress Well or Stay Home!}

Tandem!

2011-10-07T09:15:00.002-05:00

This is the sort of thing I've been up to on my blogging hiatus. Just so you know.

I'm baaaaack.

2011-10-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

What the hell is wrong with me? It's been over a month since I've blogged.

It's because I'm newly in love. With Facebook. It's like Facebook is my new blog. William is ashamed of me and my 2006 style frequent status updates, mobile photo uploading, and check-in's everywhere we go. He says, "Facebook is over." Readers, are we friends on Facebook? If we aren't, I'd totally friend you now without discretion. {profile}

I'm also obsessed with pinterest, and that is truly where a lot of the blogging energy is going {my pinterest boards}. Do you need an invite?

But I'm back now, and here are some random smatterings!

Cool video that makes me want to go camping:

Almost There - The Muir Project from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

Wonderfully written and honest blog post by my bestie.

I want to make these mini cakes on The Social Secretary.

I missed this festival in Marfa, but how cool is the poster?

Patty Griffin, people! Patty Griffin!

New Florence+Machine album coming Oct 30th! So excited!

You can download "what the water gave me" on iTunes. Love it.

Ok, I'm back.

What's Hot in the ATX

2011-08-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

Ha! Get it? It's 110 degrees here- everything's hot in Austin. Here's my Austin Hot List:

1. Cross Fit
I feel like Cross Fit is reaching a cultural tipping point, since everyone all of a sudden keeps telling me they are going to start doing it. I've been going for a year, and I love it. The work outs are so hard! I did 100 pull-ups the other day. It's amazing.

{Cross Fit Central Austin}

2. Tyler's Shorts
When I first moved to the South- New Orleans, 2009- I noticed all these college girls running around in Nike short shorts. Now I have joined their ranks, not for a sorority fashion trend, but because it is so freaking hot that I just cannot work out in capri pants. My favorites are the bright colored shorts from Tyler's.

{Tyler's Austin}

3. Rae Cosmetics
At first I scoffed at Rae Cosmetics, believing that it was marketed as Makeup For Working Out, but then I realized, 'Wait. I live in Austin. I go outside. Therefore, I need sweatproof makeup.' CHANGED MY LIFE. Sweatproof = Austin proof.

{Get some}

4. Herman Miller at Austin Museum of Modern Art
Date nights have to be air conditioned. This exhibit was a slight let down (more like a school poster board presentation than a real commemorative exhibit), but we love modern furniture so can't complain.

{Exhibit Info}

5. Mid-Century Modern knockoffs at K-Mart?
I didn't believe it myself, but it's true and they're amazing. Thank you, Cyndi Edgington, for the design scoop. Now all I have to do is find out where there's a Kmart in Austin and then go spend all my money there.

{Baxton Studio at Kmart HERE}

6. Missoni for Target
I am beyond excited. I am going to order oodles online for the first moment they are on sale. This is even possibly wait-in-a-line-outside-Target-before-it-opens level of excitement. I expect cutthroat shopping competition. I am grabbing all the zig-zaggy linens and shoes I can carry.

{The only local Target that will carry the collection is Arboretum}
{See the full collection HERE}

7. Ideal Heels
Why am I only learning about Ideal Heels- perfect for outdoor weddings- at the tail end of wedding season?! These would be perfect in snow and rain too. Oh wait, I forgot. It's never going to rain in Austin ever again. Great idea, local Austin business.

{Protect your heels HERE}

8. Top Knots and Gray Streaks
When my hair is down it feels like a squirrel is wrapped around my neck, so I've been rocking the top knot all summer. However, one small problem with the top knot is that it exposes my newest characteristic: a massive swath of gray hair streaking along my temple. It's pretty awesome.

9. Listening & Reading
Listening to: Washed Out's new bedroom sync-pop album Within and Without
Reading: ridiculously inspiring The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

10. Picker Sisters
It's kind of too hot to go outside, so I mostly spend my free time (ha! what's that?) on the couch watching recorded episodes of Picker Sisters on Lifetime and getting depressed that I am not a professional picker. I like to wear cowboy boots with short shorts and go through people's junk to find treasure that I will spray paint gold. Why am I not on this show? They're Texan, they're adorable.

{Watch it}

Oh. OH. OH! Speaking of Texans on TV, let's talk about two shows that make me exceptionally proud to be a Texan:

Most Eligible Dallas:

and Big, Rich Texas:

Each episode more mind bendingly crazy than the next. I love it. I just freaking love it.

Shorts!

2011-08-10T11:41:00.003-05:00

This summer I have been loving shorts. The bolder and brighter, the better!

Afternoon BBQ with William's coworkers:

I shed this outfit to hurl myself down a bounce house slip-n-slide, but that's another story.

Sunday Night Movie Date:

The only place in Austin you need to wear a cardigan is Alamo Drafthouse. Good thing it's leopard print and paired with hot pink shorts (color blocked with a red tee!).

Wedding Dress Appointment:

You might be surprised to learn that I spend a good 10 minutes polyvore searching "sedatives" to add to the set above. Oh, you're not surprised?

What are you waiting for?
Go put on some shorts!

Reading Radar

2011-08-02T09:23:00.004-05:00

Hey bookworms- here's a peek at what I'm reading now and what I'm reading next:

1. I'll Never Get Out of this World Alive, by Steve Earle

I read this book in one day. Singer-songwriter Steve Earle writes the type of lyrical novel all musician/novelists wish they could write {I'm sorry, but Josh Ritter, take note}. In the weeks surrounding JFK's 1963 assassination, the ghost of country crooner Hank Williams haunts the down-and-out doctor (now a junkie administering illegal abortions to whores in ghetto San Antonio) who gave him his last, fatal doses of morphine. Of course there is redemption in the end.

Think of: In modern day equivalents, it'd be as if Michael Jackson came back to haunt Dr. Conrad Murray ten years later.

See: Hank Williams history.
Note: 'I'll Never Get Out of this World Alive' was Hank Williams' last single before his death at age 29 in 1953.
Listen: For an especially poignant literary moment, I recommend Hank Williams in the background while reading this book.

2. Interiors, by Mary McDonald

On a lighter note, I cannot get enough of sassy decorator Mary McDonald on Bravo's Million Dollar Decorator, and need to get my hands on her design tome. Why did I not become her intern when I lived in LA?!

3. The Family Fang, by Kevin Wilson
I'm getting a Royal Tenenbaum's vibe from this tale of eccentric family dysfunction. My favorite! Out August 9, I've already pre-ordered on Amazon.

4. The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway

After diving into a Lost Generation of the 1920s binge recently with A Moveable Feast (Hemingway), The Paris Wife (McLain), and Woody Allen's movie 'Midnight in Paris', I feel like drinking champagne and absinthe in cafes all night and furiously writing during the day. But first I have to read The Sun Also Rises, the novel that put Hemingway on the map (1926). Disillusionment and moral bankruptcy take a trip to the bullfights of Spain. Next, I will probably have to tackle Zelda- A Biography, by Nancy Mitford...

5. Maine, by J. Courtney Sullivan
The Kelleher women retreat to their oceanfront compound in Maine {you had me at oceanfront compound} to "unearth 60 years of family secrets, grudges, and regrets." I reviewed Sullivan's debut novel Commencement for Elle magazine, and can't wait to go see this new batch of East Coast upper-crust intellectual characters.

6. The Girl's Guide to Homelessness, by Brianna Karp
A spunky look at overcoming a homeless childhood, launching a successful career, and then... The Recession hits. The waiting list for this at my library is so long!

7. Wanderlust: A Love Affair with Five Continents, by Elisabeth Eaves
This is not Eat, Pray, Love. Travel writer Eaves (former exotic dancer and author of another memoir titled Bare: The Naked Truth About Stripping) wants to find new places to visit and new men to love. One reviews states Wanderlust "reads like the diary of the intellectual gypsy you met while backpacking through Europe in your twenties; her itinerary made yours sound like a school field trip." I can't wait to get my hands on this book and lounge on an inflatable raft in the pool living vicariously through her. The soundtrack: Britney Spears "I Wanna Go."

8. Conquistadora, by Esmerelda Santiago
For some reason I am obsessed with all Central/Latin American, female heroine historical fiction. I have never even traveled to that region! Publishers Weekly called Conquistadora a "Puerto Rican Gone With the Wind." Oh, I'm there.

I had heard how good Room by Emma Donoghue was, but sort of dismissed it as tawdry, torn from the headlines pop fiction. I love that in a good Law & Order: SVU episode, but was unsure how I felt about it in literature. Not wanting to fully commit to owning it, I checked it out from the library... and (this always happens with library books) I CANNOT put it down and have been recommending it to everyone I talk to. Wow. The narrator is five year old Jack, who's entire world is contained in the one room in which he was born while being kept captive with his young mother. Reading this was deeply disturbing at some points, but ultimately heroic- I thought, 'Well, if this ever happens to me, now I know what to do to survive.' Hello, Jaycee Dugard. Your memoir is next.

{Happy Reading!}

Friday Afternoon Inspiration

2011-07-29T07:00:00.002-05:00

Hello lovebugs! Happy Weekend! And happy blog browsing... it's Friday, you weren't really going to do work, were you? I'm inspired to totally redecorate my house based on the following images:

Love these ikat chair covers!
{quick redecoration for a party!}

I need a reading nook like this ASAP.
Sooner than ASAP.

{oh, hello most gorgeous bright kitchen ever}

To Do #1 eat dinner outside tonight.
To Do #2 install wrap around seating on our deck.

The giant dry erase board in our dining room could sure use a gold frame.

That ugly chair in our bedroom I've been meaning to reupholster?
Chevron, for sure.

Let's move on to the guest room, shall we?

Contemplating placing my writing desk at the foot of my guest bed based on this photo.

Should the guest room get redecorated based on the colors of a Mexican blanket?
An armchair upholstered in Mexican blanket? Love it.

Duvet cover, West Elm

I also need this headboard.
Light pink walls + pink lampshades + seafoam green spread=
LOVE.

To Review:
I like bold patterns.
I like bright colors.
I want to reupholster everything.

Happy Weekend!

{decor images via House Beautiful June/July/August issues}

Pin It!

2011-07-29T06:19:00.004-05:00

How has it taken me until now to get a pinterest board?! I delved into it yesterday and became obsessed immediately. I've been shockingly blase about wedding planning, but wo-ho-ho not anymore! Oh, I'm just getting started. Do I dare say pinning is cooler and easier than blogging? Can't wait to create more boards...

{You can check my boards out HERE}
{And if you have a pinterest, let me know so I can follow yours!}

Sofalites: The New Socialites

2011-07-28T20:02:00.003-05:00

Globe Collection

2011-07-28T19:25:00.003-05:00

This magazine image:

Inspired this in my house:

Globes on the bottom shelf, who would have thought?

Date Night Austin: Violet Crown

2011-07-28T09:11:00.004-05:00

Read: The Paris Wife, by Paula McLain

{faux-memoir of Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Paris 1920's,
and the perfect complement to his A Moveable Feast}

Eat: Jo's Coffee Downtown

{yummiest tuna melt ever}

See: Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris"
{tourist Owen Wilson is transported on his nightly walks to 1920's Paris, finding himself in Gertrude Stein's salon, saving Zelda Fitzgerald from throwing herself off a bridge, falling for Pablo Picasso's lover, challenged to a boxing match by Ernest Hemingway, and sketched by Salvador Dali (a hilarious Adrien Brody), and that's just naming a few}
Woody Allen + literary inside jokes = total hipster nerd movie

At: new Violet Crown theater on 2nd
{artsy, small, good snacks}

Wear:

{Hmm, I probably should have worn black capri's with a black & white striped tee and some red espadrilles, but I was already wearing this Austin cowgirl chic ensemble that I really loved}
{Sorry Paris}

Food Truck Fashion

2011-07-25T18:25:00.003-05:00

Girls Night! Dinner at a food truck followed by wine, cheesy TV {hello, Bachelorette} and an air-conditioned couch. Thrifted little-boys yellow Polo button down tucked into a long bright purple skirt, accented with hot pink nails and orange sandals. The type of outfit William would say "WHAT are you wearing?" to = perfect for Girls Night Out.

{update: When I got home from Girls Night Will said he really liked my outfit.}

The "Don't Go!" Dinner Party

2011-07-20T07:30:00.001-05:00

Our good friends Alle & Dan are saying hasta luego to Austin and last night we threw them a sad, sad, sad going away party.

The Menu:
Drinks- Margaritas, Lone Star & Shiner Beers
{lots}
Appetizer- Chips and Guacamole
{of course}
Dinner- Watermelon, Onion & Feta Salad
Sweet Corn with Cilantro Lime Butter + Cotija Cheese
Spicy Black Beans with Chorizo + Chipotle Cream
and
Chicken Enchiladas with Green Chili Sour Cream Sauce
{yum!}
Dessert- Blue Bell ice cream bar with candy toppings
{why don't I always have candy toppings on ice cream?}

{you guys, I even made menu cards}

The Decor:
Festive, Texican, Bright

The Fun:

{laughing on the outside, crying on the inside}

The Gift:

All of the guests brought nostalgic Austin memento's for a big glass memory jar Alle & Dan can take with them to boring old San Francisco. Contents included:

plastic toy Bevo
miniature margarita and beer salters
an old ACL ticket stub

program for what's playing this month at Alamo Drafthouse
half used punch card from Jo's Coffee
tiny cup, serving spoon, and punch card from Amy's Ice Cream
Keep Austin Weird bumper sticker
Book People Austin bumper sticker
High Ball bowling alley card
Texas Bluebonnet and Texan wildflower seed packets
photos of Deep Eddy & Barton Springs
little baggie of green grass from Zilker Park
little baggie of dirt from the Town Lake Running Trail
tin foil Migas breakfast taco wrapper from Taco Deli
box of Texas pralines
Texas shaped cookie cutter
matches from Hotel San Jose, Perla's and Guero's
miniature "Howdy" Texas license plate
stolen menu from HopDoddy Burger Bar
wind up toy bat
photo of the bats flying out from the South Congress bridge
"Don't Mess With Texas" postcard
"You May All Go To Hell, And I Will Go To Texas" beer koozie

...and as the night went on we added an impressive collection of Shiner bottle caps.

Dear People Who DON'T Live in Austin, doesn't it look like fun to live here?
Dear People Who DO Live in Austin, aren't those good memento's?
Dear Alle & Dan, Don't Go! Stay! Come back!

Every backyard needs a disco ball.

2011-07-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Forget the freaking bird feeder. I took that old thing down and hung a disco ball instead. There, that's better.

Tell me this doesn't look like the best time ever.

2011-07-20T01:22:00.003-05:00

{Alicia, Maux, Lake Michigan & good conversation}

I don't even remember what was so funny.

2011-07-20T00:55:00.002-05:00

We were just trying to take a nice picture of four friends from high school out to a nice dinner, when someone had to go and say something hilarious.

{jokes and sassy commentary by Alicia, Sara, Amy & Maux}
{delicious food by Miramar}

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness

2011-07-19T16:57:00.004-05:00

Alexandra Fuller is one of my favorite childhood-in-Africa memoir writers, and she's got a new one coming out August 23rd. I just pre-ordered my copy on Amazon.

{Her other memoirs: Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight and Scribbling the Cat}

"She just took a muscle relaxant." "Try four."

2011-07-15T12:22:00.004-05:00

Dear Lake Michigan, I love you.

Home again, home again! I just arrived in Chicago for another family filled weekend and my sisters wedding shower. Unfortunately, I brought a sinus infection and all my Texas allergies with me. I'm sick as a dog. My parents just left me alone in the house for another airport run, so I took a pretty strong painkiller I've been saving and now I'm just gazing at the lake and enjoying the cool breezes. This afternoon I have my very first wedding dress fitting with the tailor who is going to alter my grandma and mothers wedding dress for me. Uh oh.

Painkillers + bride =

Am I Ginny from Sixteen Candles?

{Great minds think alike. I was just gchatting with Emily, who advised me: "Good luck at the dress fitting, and pull your shit together...you don't want to be like the bride in 16 Candles"}

Decorating is totally delicious.

2011-07-14T16:35:00.002-05:00

Totally obsessed with Million Dollar Decorators on Bravo. My favorite is Mary McDonald. She was the inspiration for Karen on Will & Grace. Do I need to say more?

I also love it when Martyn says "decorating is totally delicious." If you love interior design, you need to be watching this show.

And! And! And! Coming soon to HGTV....the Novogratz's are back! Home by Novogratz starts this weekend on HGTV. I just set my DVR.

{love them. want to be them.}

Reading Radar

2011-07-14T16:31:00.007-05:00

- Wow. Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Varghese is one of the best books I have ever read. The Kite Runner meets Poisonwood Bible. I devoured it.

-I think I found the perfect present for the next time I need a gift for any of my friends who are parents. An excerpt: "You're not thirsty. That's bullshit. Stop lying." Ha!

-I die! I cannot wait to get my hands on this upcoming book from the former editor of Domino magazine. Sad sad sad that it's not coming out until November 1st.

{thank you for telling me about it, Liv Denver}

- Just finished musician Josh Ritter's novel Bright's Passage. Fans of his songwriting will appreciate it.

In other music news,
- loving the new Bon Iver album

- Heard "Johnny Ace is Dead" by Dave Alvin on the radio, cranked it up, almost drove Will's truck off the road drive-dancing, and came right home and downloaded it. It's playing right now in this house, top volume.

- I don't know who Jessie J is yet, but she looks like someone with whom I should be musically acquainted, don't you think?

My Drunk Kitchen

2011-07-12T09:51:00.003-05:00

You guys, I am seriously laughing so hard I am crying (which hurts my sore abs from all the hysterical laughing/dancing I did this weekend). Now this is my kind of cooking show! How can I get this girl to be my friend?!

{first spotted on Liv Denver- thank you, thank you!}

Omaha, somewhere in middle America

2011-07-09T13:04:00.003-05:00

William and I are in Omaha, Nebraska for a huge family wedding. Did any of you know old downtown Omaha (on the banks of the hugely flooded Missouri River) was this gorgeous?!

{well, I'm sure all my Omaha cousin readers knew, but the rest of you?!}

Airport Smooches

2011-07-07T10:17:00.003-05:00

Baby Paul, I miss you! Just look at him, tolerating my smooches and squeezes.

Funny, this is exactly the same face William makes during airport smooching at curbside check-in.

Clarence!

2011-07-02T07:40:00.005-05:00

I'm celebrating the life of Clarence Clemons, the E Street Band saxophonist extraordinaire who died this week, by blasting the entire Bruce & E St. Live 1975-1985 box set on vinyl this morning while I clean and party plan for the weekend. Oh, he's just sooooo good.

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

2011-07-02T07:40:00.004-05:00

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Wouldn't this also look cool above a bed as a headboard?

{image via Martha Stewart}

What are your plans this weekend?

Glamping?

Patriotic partying?

Americana accessorizing?

More color blocking.

2011-06-30T14:00:00.003-05:00

On my days off, I always tell myself I am going to stay home and not leave the bed/couch/balcony/hammock/piles of books and magazines to read, but then who's going to appreciate my outfit? Today I took my latest color blocking ensemble to Jo's Coffee on South Congress for some iced coffee and people watching. And, of course, to get people watched myself.

Waitress-at-a-truckstop-diner blouse, $1 vintage
High waisted red shorts, $25 the gap
Retro sunglasses, $3 forever 21
Espadrille wedges, $25 marshall's
and
some "diamond" lucky horseshoe necklaces piled on
a la
Carrie Bradshaw

Color Blocking!

2011-06-29T10:34:00.003-05:00

I have been very into color blocking lately. Bright! Loud! Bold! Below, some of my creations:

Make those colors POP POP POP!

Kayaks and Lazy Eyes

2011-06-28T05:47:00.003-05:00

When kayaking, we cannot take a single picture of the two of us together in which both of our eyes are open. It cannot be done.

Honey Badgers Don't Care.

2011-06-28T05:28:00.002-05:00

Inspired by this YouTube sensation, my girl friends and I renamed our girl gang The Honey Badgers. Honey Badgers, they don't give a shit.

You better run run run, outrun my gun.

2011-06-22T17:51:00.001-05:00

This is the song of my summer.

"Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People

Rainy Day

2011-06-20T12:10:00.000-05:00

It's a rainy morning in Denver, and we're all playing with our toys.

Elaine and I are on the couch reading stacks of magazines, drinking lattes we purchased through a Starbucks drive-thru (in our pajamas, which we are still wearing), while watching a Sex and the City marathon. Baby Paul is entertaining himself with every single toy he owns, some forward rolls, and repeating the word Da-Da over and over.

We just reached the end of Season Six/Series Finales and now, with tear stains dotting the fronts of our pajamas, we are going to drink mimosas, watch the Sex and the City movies, and try on /purge everything in Elaine's closet while Baby Paul takes a nap.

You know, just a pretty standard Monday morning on vacation. Here are some other shots from a Girls Weekend in Denver, which contained a lot of yoga, shopping, sushi, talking, some ill-advised spray tans, and of course- baby gymnastics class.

This is Baby Paul saying, "Dad, please come home from your guys weekend in Las Vegas and get me out of this j.crew store! These ladies won't stop kissing me and squeezing me and they talk a lot!"

Baby Paul likes to hold Elaine's cell phone, wear her sunglasses, and try to takes sips out of any beverage including hot coffee. But, alas, Baby Paul does not like to do all three of these things at once when Mama E and Aunt MoMo are trying to photograph him.

But he does know how to cheers.

So much fun to see all my Denver girlfriends!
{Emily! Abby! Keating!}

Tonight I have to leave the cool breeziness of the mild mountain weather and return to 100+ degrees Texas weather... and William. Caliente!

I Heart Good Commercials.

2011-06-15T19:21:00.001-05:00

Too good.

Vogue does Texas

2011-06-15T07:05:00.000-05:00

The new July issue of Vogue celebrates Americana with America the Beautiful: High Plains Drifter- a guide for what to wear/see/do in Marfa, Texas. Been there, done that.

Read the article {here}.

{images via Vogue}

Marfa, a pictoral

2011-06-15T07:00:00.001-05:00

Back in March I surprised William with a birthday trip to Marfa, Texas, an under the radar hipster destination extraordinaire. Here's the original post {voila!} and below, a pictoral. Never been? Do you love art and wide open spaces and small towns? You'd love it!

Tumbleweeds galore.

Prada Marfa
Not a real Prada store. It's an art installation in the middle of nowhere.

It's practically empty.
The front door is welded shut.
You can't buy anything there.
That's the point.

Art Marfa
Galleries, galleries, galleries. And Donald Judd.

Sleep Marfa

We stayed at The Thunderbird Hotel, a little 60's roadside motor lodge upgraded with in-room record players, cruiser bikes for everyone, and a typewriter delivered to your door in a red wagon if you need to compose any novels, love letters, or suicide notes.

More to come on the other place to stay in town, El Cosmico, but that place needs it's own post.

Ride Marfa
Exploring by bike is the best way to explore.

Eat Marfa

Pizza Foundation
Cochineal

Food Shark

Trains Marfa

An unexpected bonus in Marfa was the hourly freight train howling through town. I love the sound of a forlorn train whistle, don't you? Next time, we are taking the Amtrak from Austin to Marfa. So gorgeous.

Nothing like mixing train tracks and beer drinking.

Wear Marfa
The contents of my suitcase:

Shop Marfa
JM Dry Goods sold me the cowboy-est, broken-in-est, faded-est pair of old Wranglers ever, $30.

Strike A Pose Marfa
Getting William to take glamorous photos of me is one of my favorite vacation activities.

What's with all these head-down, hat-on photos?
Inspired by Michael Jackson (RIP) perhaps?

Read Marfa
The Devil's Highway, by Luis Alberto Urrea is required reading for anyone venturing to this region.

Lights Marfa
Yes, they're real. We saw them. That's all I can disclose.

See you there!

Sorry it took me so long to post them. There were just so many of them (over 500!), that it took me a while to decide to tackle the project. As you have seen, I just decided to post lots and lots.

Corpus Christi

2011-06-14T06:30:00.000-05:00

When I first moved here, it was news to me that Texas has a coastline. But it's true, I went there this weekend. Corpus Christi is a short 4 hour drive from Austin- and it would have been 3.5 hours if Will hadn't tried for 30 minutes to (unsuccessfully) talk me about of buying some Mexican blankets at a roadside market. William asks, Are Mexican blankets a need or a want? while Maux tackles questions such as, How many should we get? And in what color combinations?

Corpus is also home to the Very First Whataburger.

My hat kept blowing off.

Do you know how hard you would laugh if your friend couldn't hold on to a Banana Boat Ride because the previous rider had been covered in suntan oil? I do. I laughed so hard that I could no longer hold on to said Banana Boat and fell off. Twice. My abs still hurt today from all the hysterical laughter.

We innocently wave goodbye upon our departure, not yet knowing that one does not request a "wild ride" unless you really, really mean it.

We were with friends for a wedding, and you know us, we never have any fun.

What group photo doesn't turn into a brawl?

{photos by Maux, laughs from friends}

{Actually, this wasn't really my first time on the Texas coast. I did spend an eventful collegiate spring break on South Padre Island in 2002 {I went on college spring breaks a decade ago?!}, I guess it just wasn't that memorable. If you catch my drift.}

Oh, and guess who else was at the wedding?
One of my fellow Austin bloggers!
The one and only
Ginny's Austin!
Check her out.

Mud

2011-06-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

Before:

During:

After:

{omg Gina & Maggie are On The Blog}

Where: A running/biking trail, some obstacle courses, and a pit of mud.
What: The Muddy Buddy Adventure race.
Why: Because mud is fun.
Quote of the Day: "If this sucks, it's all Maux's fault."