I'm sorry; I posted this a couple of days ago, but something ate it so I'm posting it again.
You knew I would make it to Nordstrom Rack soon! I love a discount but some discount stores carry secondary lines. The store had already been open for several days when I got there, but it was still crowded.
They carry lots of good brands but I don't think all of this merchandise is carried in their stores. They had lots of Sofft shoes (which are a necessity due to my early days of pointy shoes and high heels) but they fit sort of weird, perhaps why they were here. But I could spend a long time just browsing the shoes! Lots of shoes.
Separate racks for designers such as Nanette Lapore separates and Alberto Makali tops, but again I'm not sure that these are from the store. I did see some great leather gloves that were very reasonable.
I would definitely go again. I think you could find some good deals but you have to be lucky also.... or find out when they get shipments!
While I was out that way, I stopped by Ann Taylor. Dale Coker has been telling us about the this season's classic looks there. They had some basics like a black skirt and white blouse for $39 each. They looked a lot more expensive!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
This is going to be a great Thanksgiving!
Guess what! My son, Scott, is coming home for Thanksgiving. This is a big deal..my kids live in Arizona and New York so they don't get home often. Scott and I are going to research new restaurants, exhibits, etc. so I'll have lots to tell you about!
Also, I think I'm going to break down and get a new computer. If you've tried to email me or Pat's Picks you may have had trouble. Lots of emails are going in a black hole. I hate setting up things like a new computer..... sounds simple but it never is. But I'll have expert assistance with Scott here.
By the way, I saw Dan and Linda Baker, jewelers from Dallas, at the International Gem & Jewelry Show. They have beautiful things... love to look and hear the stories about how they develop the pieces. Anyway, they are thinking of having their Master's Art Show in Austin. That would be great! The artists are selected to be the best in their fields.
Also, I think I'm going to break down and get a new computer. If you've tried to email me or Pat's Picks you may have had trouble. Lots of emails are going in a black hole. I hate setting up things like a new computer..... sounds simple but it never is. But I'll have expert assistance with Scott here.
By the way, I saw Dan and Linda Baker, jewelers from Dallas, at the International Gem & Jewelry Show. They have beautiful things... love to look and hear the stories about how they develop the pieces. Anyway, they are thinking of having their Master's Art Show in Austin. That would be great! The artists are selected to be the best in their fields.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Jewelry on 5th
The Art of Jewelry opened Friday night, and, not being one to miss any jewelry show, I was there. It was a wonderful chance to see one-of-a-kind creations from award-winning artists. Intricate metal designs, beads, gems and the artists were there to explain how they created the pieces.
I spotted some earrings that reminded me of some I bought years ago. Sure enough, it was the same artist only now she has a full line of earrings, cuffs, necklaces & more. Christi Klug cuts delicate shapes in metal for unique shapes. One of her designs is above (center). Check the Website http://www.arton5th.com/Jewelry-Perm/Preview/preview-AOJ.htm for a peek at some of the other designs.
The jewelry was modeled by 5'11" gorgeous models in strapless, black cocktail dresses. I'm not sure they would look the same on a 5'4" slightly pudgy woman in jeans!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Italian Wine 101
Hurrah! I was on the wait list for the first Italian wine class at the Austin Wine Merchant and I got in! Jeremy Parzen teaches the six-class series. Jeremy has a Ph.D. in Italian from UCLA and is a published author and translator of Italian works. In addition, his articles on food, wine and food history have appeared in national cooking magazines.
He is at his best in a class like the ones at Austin Wine Merchant. This is not a wine geek class but a very approachable look at the food and wine of some of the major producing regions of Italy. When talking about the structure of the wine, he calls the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo a Friday night wine...good with pizza. The Campania Aglianico is a Saturday night wine... for steaks and hearty stew.
And....he has kept all wines in a reasonable price range. All were $13 - $25. These are beautiful wines, many from small producers.
There are five more classes: Tuscany (Oct 13, $37.50), The Other Piedmont (Oct. 20, $25), Piedmont's De Facto Cru System (Oct. 27, $37.50), the Enigmatic Wines of the Venato (Nov. 3, $37.50), and Italian Wine & Civilization (Nov. 10, $25)
Cheers!
He is at his best in a class like the ones at Austin Wine Merchant. This is not a wine geek class but a very approachable look at the food and wine of some of the major producing regions of Italy. When talking about the structure of the wine, he calls the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo a Friday night wine...good with pizza. The Campania Aglianico is a Saturday night wine... for steaks and hearty stew.
And....he has kept all wines in a reasonable price range. All were $13 - $25. These are beautiful wines, many from small producers.
There are five more classes: Tuscany (Oct 13, $37.50), The Other Piedmont (Oct. 20, $25), Piedmont's De Facto Cru System (Oct. 27, $37.50), the Enigmatic Wines of the Venato (Nov. 3, $37.50), and Italian Wine & Civilization (Nov. 10, $25)
Cheers!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Jewelry in 95 degrees
It may have been 95 degrees but I was out there at Pecan Street Festival trying on jewelry. The Gilded Giraffe was there with their shell and silver pieces. I had to buy the pearl earrings with silver beads imprinted with tiny dragonflies. Unfortunately, they don't have a Web site.
I also discovered Jessica Weiss from Knoxville. She does unusual, primarily dangling, earrings with stones. Her Web site is http://www.jessicaweissjewelry.com/ Don't be shocked...the designs on theWeb site are usually in 18K or 22K gold, that is, expensive. They run several hundred to several thousand dollars. But at Pecan Street she had silver and gold plate. A pair of earrings would run $30 - $80. Very delicate leaf shapes, branches or circles with turquoise, black onyx, pearls. She said you could order and she would ship, but the pieces at the show are not on the Web site. Don't know how that would work.
A similar look is Windy Mink http://www.wendyminkjewelry.com/ , a NYC jeweler who is featured in numerous magazines and occasionally on Gilt.com, the designer discount Web site. She has a sale going on right now on her blog.
The earrings at the top of this post are Windy Mink's.Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Not your ordinary library
Last Sunday I visited Laura's Library, the new Westbank location on the southeast corner of Bee Caves and Cuernavaca. This is not what I was expecting! It is what you always dreamed a public library could be.
Lots of new titles.. books and CDs....and plenty of comfortable seating to browse. I checked out a set of CDs from The Great Courses on music theory. I had wanted to order it for some time but it is very expensive. Now I can enjoy it!
If you love to cook, they have a collection worthy of the best bookstore. It's not a big library but well chosen selections.
I especially love the nooks (some with leather chairs!) to read in a soothing atmosphere. And did I mention the views? Amazing. So comfortable and homey.... better than my home!
They are open M & T Noon-8, Wed-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-4, and Sun 1-6.
Lots of new titles.. books and CDs....and plenty of comfortable seating to browse. I checked out a set of CDs from The Great Courses on music theory. I had wanted to order it for some time but it is very expensive. Now I can enjoy it!
If you love to cook, they have a collection worthy of the best bookstore. It's not a big library but well chosen selections.
I especially love the nooks (some with leather chairs!) to read in a soothing atmosphere. And did I mention the views? Amazing. So comfortable and homey.... better than my home!
They are open M & T Noon-8, Wed-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-4, and Sun 1-6.
Monday, September 14, 2009
The real devil
I saw The September Issue last weekend. I loved it! It's a documentary about the production of the September issue of Vogue magazine, featuring Anna Wintour, of course. In case you don't know, The Devil Wears Prada was based on her and her role as editor of Vogue.
Loved seeing how they put together a large issue... behind the camera at photo shoots, discussions of photo quality, etc. And to top it off, when I got home The Devil Wears Prada was on TV!
Before I close, Victoria wants you to know that the service around here is deteriorating. She has always preferred her water straight from the bathroom faucet, but now she wants it from the tub faucet. I heard a meow echoing in the bathroom and found her in the tub looking longingly at the faucet.
But if it runs too fast, it gets her feet wet, which is a problem. And it's not easy to get a tub faucet to trickle just right. Only a cat owner could understand this!
Loved seeing how they put together a large issue... behind the camera at photo shoots, discussions of photo quality, etc. And to top it off, when I got home The Devil Wears Prada was on TV!
Before I close, Victoria wants you to know that the service around here is deteriorating. She has always preferred her water straight from the bathroom faucet, but now she wants it from the tub faucet. I heard a meow echoing in the bathroom and found her in the tub looking longingly at the faucet.
But if it runs too fast, it gets her feet wet, which is a problem. And it's not easy to get a tub faucet to trickle just right. Only a cat owner could understand this!
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