Austin Shopping

Nordstrom Rack Grand Opening!

2009-10-16T22:12:00.009-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, readers, my real job has been pretty busy lately and I just have been too exhausted. BUT wanted to at least post ONCE this week, and what better topic than the grand opening of Nordstrom Rack at Gateway on October 22?? Here are the details:

At the grand opening we will hold our 'Race Through the Rack' sweepstakes. One lucky person will be chosen to be the first customer to enter the store and have 90 seconds to select up to $2,000 worth of merchandise. Arrive early—the drawing will be at 8:45am in advance of the 9am grand opening. The first 1,000 customers will receive a Nordstrom Rack tote bag as a gift with their opening day purchase.

Okay, the tote bag I have to tell you does not excite me, but if anything can get me to stand in line for a store opening, it's a shopping spree.

Vera Wang Rock Princess Fragrance

2009-10-05T12:02:00.003-05:00

So a few weeks ago my friend Kim was in town from Dallas visiting, and of course, we headed straight to the mall to shop. We were crusing through the fragrance counter when we spotted this sort of crazy looking black bottle. It was Vera Wang Rock Princess. We both sprayed it on and were completely enraptured by it. As we kept shopping, periodically one of us would just stop midsentence and say "...we smell sooo good!"

I am terrible at identifying fragrances, so here's the (very weird, actually, in my opinion) description from Sephora:

Each verse is equally captivating in the dark, fruity scent that channels
sultry rock-star attitude. It takes the stage with an exhilarating intro of
succulent white peach, bittersweet red raspberry, and an illuminating flash of
vibrant bergamot. The chorus reveals itself in lovely layers of ultra-feminine
florals. Hypnotic heliotrope, vintage-inspired rose, night-blooming jasmine,
delicate lily, and an unexpected riff of sharp, spicy accents. The melody
bridges to a finale, cloaking the essence in the warm, sensual glow of plush
cashmere woods, smoldering musk, elegant iris, and creamy coconut.

I don't know about all that, but it seriously smells amazing, sort of sweet and musky at the same time (I know...I could not write for the Sephora fragrance department).

Don't let the bottle scare you, it sort of looks like it's designed for a goth teenager, but I think you'll really like the fragrance. It's $72, so I'm hoping someone will buy it for me as a gift (so wish my husband read this blog!).

Sweater Boots - Separated at birth!

2009-10-01T12:03:00.009-05:00

When I was in Wyoming at the Texas/Wyoming game a few weeks ago, an adorable Wyoming fan was wearing these Ugg sweater boots over jeans, and I loved the whole look, just totally cozy and comfy. They're adorable, but they're $140, and I'm just not prepared to pay that for sweater boots. Maybe if I lived in Wyoming, but how often can you really wear sweater boots in Texas??

Well, imagine my surprise and delight when I saw this incredibly similar pair at Old Navy. I mean seriously, these look almost identical to the Ugg pair. And at $34.50, the price is much easier to justify.

Clinique Mineral Makeup

2009-09-30T11:51:00.003-05:00

You guys know I love my Smashbox mineral makeup, with its awesome delivery system by which you shave off just the amount you need--so much neater than traditional mineral makeups, which just get everywhere, especially when you try and travel with them.

Well, Clinique has entered the mineral makeup fray with their Superbalanced Makeup, which has identical packaging to my Smashbox fave. And it's $34.50 for 18g, versus the Smashbox, which is $59 for 21g, so it's quite a bit cheaper. My friend Shelly, a girl who knows her makeup and a fellow mineral makeup devotee (she got me into bare minerals to begin with), tried this and really likes it.

Here's the thing: the Smashbox version has all sorts of vitamins and antioxidants in it, and supposedly reduces the appearance of wrinkles. And I feel like it really works! My skin responds really well to it. And I feel like my skin really glows after I use it. So I'm not sure if the Clinique version will do the same thing or not. But at that much of a price difference, I think I'm going to try it once I run out of Smashbox. If anyone has used the Clinique version, or if you've used both Clinique and Smashbox, let me know what you think!

Skinny Cords

2009-09-29T11:47:00.005-05:00

Well, I like my Martin + Osa skinny jeans so much, I'm now seriously considering these velvet slim jeans! They're the same slim fit as my jeans, which I love because they are not skin tight, and thus very flattering. Also, I love the idea of wearing these tucked into my new brown riding boots! I love them in the kettle brown color. They're $69.50, so very reasonable.

On the other hand, I also like these matchstick cords from J. Crew, just a little more at $79.50. Serious dilemna. Can only be solved by dragging one of my friends to both stores with me to watch me try them on and advise.

Sale Alert: Cashmere at Ann Taylor!

2009-09-28T06:54:00.005-05:00

So I posted about this Ann Taylor cashmere ruffle sweater a few weeks ago, and it is seriously on sale right now. It was originally $155, and it's now $67.49, after an additional 25% off that shows up once you add it to your basket. At the same price is this beautiful, ladylike cashmere cardigan. $70 for 100% cashmere!! This would make a seriously great gift...possibly for myself!

BR Gloves and Scarves

2009-09-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

Banana Republic has some really great looking winter accessories right now. I really like these gorgeous chiffon trimmed gloves and scarves. They're a mix of nylon, wool, and even a little bit of cashmere. I love these, they're so pretty and ladylike. I need to keep these on my list for Christmas, these would make great gifts. The gloves are $30 and the scarves are $50.

But my personal favorites are these beautiful tiered knit gloves. I think these would look amazing with a bracelet length coat or worn over long sleeves--the tiered detail definitely needs to be shown off! Also $30.

Drugstore Find! Tinted Moisturizer

2009-09-23T11:59:00.004-05:00

My friend Tara has been using Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for a long time and loves it, but at $42 for 1.5 oz, she decided to look for a cheaper alternative. She tried Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer and is really happy with it. It's on sale right now at drugstore.com for $9.19 and comes in 1 oz sizes, so it's almost $30 cheaper than the Laura Mercier product. They both have SPF 20, but the Neutrogena product also contains retinol, so it has anti-aging properties as well. I cannot tell the difference, the Neutrogena looks great. Another drugstore success story!

Plum Nail Polish

2009-09-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

I absolutely love Revlon's nail polishes. The formula is really easy to apply, long-wearing, and retail for under $5.00. And they come in some great colors. A few weeks ago I picked up a new shade at Target called Plum Night. For some reason, I can't find it online yet, but check your drugstores. It is the perfect color for fall. It's a very, very deep plum color, but doesn't read black. This picture is not the best, but you get the general idea.

Anna Sui for Target

2009-09-18T09:01:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to hear that Anna Sui was doing a line for Target based on one of my favorite shows, Gossip Girl. You can see the full line here, but most of the stuff is sold out online, so I headed to my neighborhood Target to see what they had. I wanted to get this blue dress, but they didn't have my size, so I bought these two dresses and headed home to decide which one I liked best. I liked both of them a lot. They're $60 each, so fairly expensive for Target, but the designs have so much great detail, and they actually feel very substantial. I really like the empire waisted dress on the left, with its studded criss-cross ribbon detail, but I have been looking for a drop-waist dress for a long time, so I'm keeping the one of the right instead. I love the way the vertical lines on top contrast with the horizontal layers of lace and velvet on the skirt, and the little faux-belt detail is so cute. If you want to snag a piece from this line, get to Target immediately, because they're going fast.

Project Runway Week 5 Recap

2009-09-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

I missed re-capping last week's episode because I was out of town, but I managed to catch it at the hotel and was so glad Qristyl was sent home instead of Logan, who I love in spite of his crazy prom dress creation of last week. This week, the gang headed off to the L.A. Times, where they discover that this week's challenge is to create a garment out of newspaper.

The episode started off with Johnny singing a song about how he's not going to be in the bottom 3 this week. Anyone else sensing some foreshadowing? Johnny's original idea was to make a dress which appears to be held up by a bunch of origami birds that are wrapped around the neck. But after Tim told him that it looked like a "craft project gone awry" and like the birds were attacking the dress, Johnny wadded the dress into a ball and threw it away. He then lied repeatedly to his model and the other designers, telling them that the dress was ruined by a steamer and that's why he had to start over. He didn't like how the second dress was turning out, so he just started doing a crossword puzzle. Whaaat? Cue confessionals by the other designers in which they bemoan his bad attitude, lack of passion, and complete disregard for the truth.

Tommy Hilfiger filled in for Michael Kors--I miss MK! Nina was gone too, and things just weren't the same without them. Eva Longoria Parker was the guest judge.

Althea and Gordana both created really beautiful prints from the newspaper. The judges slammed Gordana because hers looked so wearable--personally, that's what I liked about hers, that had to take a lot of work. But I agree with Heidi that it was a little boring.

The judges loved Christopher's evening gown, with a really rigid bodice and gorgeous skirt out of layers and layers of paper "feathers", but they awarded the win to Irina, who made a trenchcoat with an incredible textured collar and cuffs, they almost looked like fur.

On the runway, Johnny repeated his lie about the steamer ruining his first dress, while Nicolas huffed about and rolled his eyes. Most of the judges tore apart the dress and the styling. Johnny responded by telling them how amazing his original dress was, which led to more huffing and eye rolling from Nicholas. When the judges asked him what his problem was, he told them about Tim's critique of Johnny's first dress and and about what a mess it was.

Johnny and Nicholas were the bottom two designers. As expected, Johnny is out. He started crying in his confessional and said that Project Runway was harder than battling addiction. Tim curtly dismisses Johnny, and as soon as Johnny is in the workroom packing up his stuff, says how ridiculous Johnny's crazy fiction is--Tim is "incredulous" and I have never loved him more!

Trend Watch - Foldover boots

2009-09-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

I love the new foldover boots that are out right now because they do great things for curvy women. They give you a little more volume at the calf and ankle, so they totally balance out the hip area and make you look perfectly proportioned. Plus they just look cool. I really like these tall boots from Martin & Osa for $350 (I know, they're expensive, but aren't they fabulous??), and this mid-rise suede pair from Aldo for $110.00.

Plaid Coat

2009-09-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

I was in Wyoming last week for the Texas/Wyoming game (hence the lack of blog posts, sorry!) and after the game, my girlfriends and I spotted this adorable plaid peacoat on a fellow Texas fan. We loved it so much, I had to ask her where she got it. I was shocked when she told me she got it at Delia's. I absolutely love the color, the fur-lined hood, the cute pockets and the button tab sleeves. But I especially love the price - $100! They have a bunch of other cute plaid coats too, check them out here.

Tweed-y Black Blazer

2009-09-15T09:00:00.003-05:00

Check out this sweet, structured tweed-like jacket from...wait for it...American Eagle? It's cotton, not wool, so it may not hold its shape as long as pricier versions, but at $69.50, it's a bargain. And at the same time, it has some great details, like the contrast stitching and cute pockets. Personally, I'd remove the rose pin, but that's just me-to me, the pin looks a little dated. If you are trying to build a work wardrobe, get this jacket or one like it. I have one a lot like it, and I wear it with everything. You can wear it with trousers or a pencil skirt to work, or with jeans and flats on the weekends. Such a great wardrobe stretching piece.

Kari and Jocelyn Discuss: Louboutins and shopping at high-end department stores

2009-09-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

And now, time for a new blog feature, in which I basically post email conversations between me and my friend Jocelyn. The other day, she sent me a picture of these gorgeous Louboutin shoes, and the conversation began.

Joc: You would not believe how close I was to buying one of the above two pairs of shoes. It was scary Kari. Really scary.

Me: Louboutin--that is terrifying. They are both gorgeous, so I completely understand the terror you almost brought upon yourself. There is something about that red sole...

J: EXACTLY. I can totally pick those out on any celebrity. I just really love that oversized boxy toe they have. I also am obsessed with just the classic black platforms. I will say one thing - those suckers are TALL. I must be 5'10" in them. I loved it. I probably would have cried if I actually bought them.

K: YES! I am obsessed with platform pumps right now. I can't believe you even tried those on, I would be so afraid that I would love them. You are very strong, Joc.

J: I did try them on - and tacky style too. I took off my Reef flipflop in the middle of saks and took the shoe off the shelf and got right in. I felt so trashy...I was not dressed appropriate for Saks. I had on a $16.99 TJ Maxx dress and flip flops. Shameful. But really then you feel kinda like Julia Roberts in pretty woman and you feel like you have to prove that you can afford this stuff when, typically, you cannot. Its depressing.

K: I feel that way everytime I go in Neiman's or Saks and am looking at high end stuff. Feel it is obvious that I cannot afford anything I am looking at, but at same time, feel the need to project that I could buy whatever I want, which makes me shuffle around uncomfortably, making it very obvious I cannot afford anything I am looking at. Vicious circle.

J: It is terrible. I pick things up, look at prices, and think to myself - good god, are you serious?! And I want to drop the item instantly in case there is a fee to even pick up said object. But I must disguise my face as - Oh thats not bad. Maybe I should get one in each color.

Hate the fact that you have to dress up to go into certain stores for fear they will shun you. That is another reason I love Nordstrom--they are nice to me no matter what!

Cashmere blend striped cardigan

2009-09-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

I am way into stripes right now, and this striped cashmere and silk blend cardigan from Martin + Osa is so adorable. It's so versatile, I know I would wear it all the time. And it comes in a gorgeous deep blue color with black stripes. $160--but get on their mailing list and you'll get some great coupons.

Burnt Orange Cords

2009-09-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

Attention UT fans! Old Navy has burnt orange cords right now for $29.50. The color looks much better in person. They have a classic boot cut leg, and are really soft and comfy. Perfect for the one or two cool weather games we get. :)

Project Runway Week 3 Recap

2009-09-04T10:02:00.001-05:00

I didn't post a recap last week because of technical difficulties, but decided to do one this week because I knew being a team challenge it would full of dra-ma!

The challenge: create a California surfwear look. The real challenge: work in teams of two. Duh,duh,duh... (collective groan from designers)

Team 1: My girl Sharin and Carol Hannah.

Team 2: Mitchell and Ra'mon. Ra'mon was terrified to work with Mitchell since Mitchell had been in the bottom two the previous two weeks. Who could blame him? Mitchell said he chose Ra'mon because he wanted someone who could carry him in the challenge.

Team 3:Qristyl and Epperson, who clashed from the beginning because Epperson kept bossing team leader Qristyl around.

Team 4: Jordana and Nicolas (who decides to create "an ombre of macrame" - huh?)

Team 5: Irina and Johnny

Team 6: Logan and Christopher, the no-drama team

Team 7: Althea and Louise

The teams consulted with surf girls, got their fabric from Mood, and then headed into the workroom, where you could tell which teams were working and which were headed for an implosion. Qristal and Epperson snapped at each other and tossed back Tylenol, while Mitchell made snide comments while watching Ra'mon do all the work.

Tim enters with a surprise. Each team has to create a second look: an avant-garde design which coordinates with the surfwear look. Duh, duh...okay you get it.

Basically, at this point it becomes very clear that Mitchell cannot sew. "I have wonderful ideas in my head, but technically, I'm in trouble...I'm in big, big trouble." Dude, how did you get on this show?? At a certain point, Ra'mon just started doing all the work without even telling Mitchell what he was doing. He was still sewing and hand dying fabric with less than 30 minutes left until the runway. He just kept plugging along, and he miraculously created their two outfits pretty much single-handedly.

Max Azria of BCBG was filling in for Michael Kors and adorable Rachel Bilson was a guest judge as well.

I thought most of the teams did pretty well--I LOVED Sharin and Carol Hannah's collection, but they were just safe. The two top teams were Johnny and Irina, who had a really cute macrame theme, and...Ra'mon and Mitchell! Whaaaat??? Ra'mon looked so relieved. Mitchell admitted to the judges that Ra'mon did pretty much all of it except for a swimsuit that is totally hidden by the dress. The judges love the looks and are amazed that Ra'mon did all of it himself.

The bottom teams were Qristal and Epperson, obviously, who seemed to forget the judges were there as they basically just carried their bickering from the workroom to the runway, and Nicolas and Jordana, who sent down a sheer lace bodysuit with garters that was pretty hideous.

Ra'mon won the challenge! And in a twist, Mitchell was eliminated, even though his team won--as Heidi told him "Three strikes and you're out." In my opinion, Mitchell should have gone home last week--those shorts he sent down the runway were even more ridiculous than Malvin's egg-top.

Cheap Tights Found!

2009-09-03T09:00:00.005-05:00

Tights are yet another of my fall obsessions. They're a really great, inexpensive way to update dresses and skirts that you already have in your closet, and add some color to your wardrobe. I love these Old Navy tights, they're only $6.50, and they come in great colors, including this gorgeous teal color that I really think I must purchase, and a really pretty purple color. They have argyle and herringbone styles as well for $9.50.

Now if only the temperature would drop below 100, I might actually be able to wear them! My friend Jocelyn and I discussed this in the following email exchange:

Me: I'm way into tights this year.

Joc: I want cold weather for fall. I just can't get into tights when its 80 outside.

Me: That is what is really depressing me right now, because mentally, I'm over summer clothes and am ready to start wearing fall stuff, but it's so hot that actually wearing fall clothes would look inappropriate, not to mention be completely uncomfortable. This is when I feel I wished in a small village in New Hampshire or similar New England state.

Joc: Not sure about your village reference because I quickly got a picture of you churning butter.

Me: Yes, that is the image I intended to project. While wearing tights and platform heels, obviously.

On second thought, maybe I'll stay in Texas. Tights really don't go with butter churning.

On my wish list - AT Cashmere Sweater

2009-09-02T12:12:00.006-05:00

Okay, I really need this sweater! I love it in the Aubergine and Island (a really beautiful teal) colors, but it also comes in gray and black. It's $155, and it's 100% cashmere. I love the gorgeous details: cascading ruffles and super long, gathered sleeves. So much more exciting than a regular old cashmere sweater. Ann Taylor impresses me again!

Cheap Eyeshadow Find

2009-08-31T11:35:00.004-05:00

Well, I was so encouraged by my drugstore mascara find that I decided to see what other drugstore makeup products I could find to substitute for more expensive versions. I tried this Maybelline Stylish Smokes Eyeshadow Quad and I love it! The colors are so pretty, and as you can see from the picture, application directions are stamped right into the eyeshadow, showing you which colors to apply to your brow bone, lid, crease and corner. The formula wears really well, it really lasts all day. And it's only $5 at drugstore.com! I tried the grays shown above, but they come in other colors too, including browns, purples, and greens. I'm having great success with the drugstore brands.

Multi-strand chain necklace at Target

2009-08-28T11:40:00.003-05:00

I love this chain necklace by Hollywood Intuition, at Target for $15. It's really chunky and fun, and does not feel cheap at all, it has a nice weight to it that is unexpected in a $15 necklace. I really love that it mixes silver, gold and bronze, so it will go with any other jewelry you have on. If you like it, hurry, they are selling fast at stores. If you can't find it in the store, get it online.

Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara

2009-08-27T12:10:00.004-05:00

Okay, you guys know that I LOVE Diorshow mascara. It's the best I've ever tried, it's supervolumizing, never clumps, and is just generally fabulous. Well, I ran out of the stuff the other day, so headed to the mall to buy a new tube. When I got home, I realized the salesgirl had given me a different formula than the original. I was in a hurry, so I ran up to the drugstore to pick up a temporary replacement and grabbed this Cover Girl Lashblast. Uh...I really like it. I mean, really like it. Do I love it as I do Diorshow mascara? I do not. However, it's $8, versus $24 for the Diorshow...I can learn to love it.

It has an enormous brush, which I love, but the brush is tiny little plastic spikes. Sort of weird, but it definitely works, it made my lashes really thick without clumping. Okay, there was a little clumping, but not bad at all. Now, I applied two coats, whereas with Diorshow you only need one. But it stays on all day and I love the way it looks. I like it so much that I haven't bought a Diorshow replacement. This may be my new everyday mascara.

Pink Patent Pumps

2009-08-25T16:26:00.003-05:00

Okay, I love these pink patent leather pumps from Cole Haan, on sale right now for $111 at Smart Bargains. I love colorful shoes like these--if you're worried about what you'll wear with them, don't. They'll look great against a lot of colors, and will really make an outfit of neutrals pop. They would especially look gorgeous with grays. And they have the Nike Air technology that I love so much.

Project Runway is BACK! Here's the recap

2009-08-20T19:31:00.007-05:00

I was so excited for Project Runway premiere night that I decided to do a recap for you guys! The change from Bravo to Lifetime was pretty seamless--not too many changes to the format. They did change the workroom with the move to L.A.--I liked the old one better, I thought the new one looked really cramped.

The night started off with a two hour all-star challenge. Santino, Sweet P, Mychael, Daniel, Uli, Chris, Jeffrey, and Karto were the all-stars from past seasons competing for $100K. It was really fun to see the contestants again. Roughly 1/6 of the show consisted of images of Chris snoring. Chris snoring while everyone else sketched madly. Chris snoring while everyone else fights over models at the casting. Chris snoring on runway day while everyone else runs around madly sewing dresses on models. I guess it worked for him because he was one of the top 4.

Korto and Daniel were the two finalists. I loved Korto's collection, which was full of gorgeous prints, textures and shapes, but the judges chose Daniel as the winner. Eh. To me, his collection belonged in a gross, 80's gym. I loved his red carpet dress, which was a short cap sleeve dres made out of a black fabric with a beautiful sheen and bright white side panels. But the other looks were basically athletic tops alternately paired with a bubble skirt or tight pants, all based around a garish sort of teal color. Maybe it was too visionary for me, I just didn't get it.

Then we were on to the premiere of the new season, hurrah! The challenge was to create a red-carpet look. Apparently, Malvin doesn't know what a red carpet is: "I don't differentiate between different colors of carpet." Uh...sure you don't. Oh Project Runway, how I've missed you and your pretentious designers! Which brings me to Ari, who does a handstand against the wall while everyone else sketches, because she does not sketch. She "just sort of mediate(s) on the mood of where the garment will be and who will be wearing it." Awesome.

I love Shirin, who is from Richardson, Texas and is adorable--my love for her is completely based on the cute little vintage hat she wore on Day 1 and the fact that she is from Texas. It takes very little to win me over.

Johnny, who said he previously battled a meth addiction, had a mini-meltdown on Day 1 when he changed his design like 5 times, and sort of broke down to Tim. He finally confessed to Tim that he was afraid to fail. After a pep talk from Tim ("You can do it Johnny!!!"--love him!), he got it together and went to work, and ended up sending out a really pretty draped dress.

Malton tried to describe his dress, but really couldn't. "No one can describe the type of garments I do. There's not really a vocab for them yet." (eye roll) Um, Malton, you sent out a sleeveless dress. Calm down. (It was a cute dress though)

Out on the runway, out walks guest judge...Lindsay Lohan? Kinda weird, but okay.

Ari's outfit was...I don't even know what it was. It was hectagon shaped tiles out of silver metallic fabric sewn together to make a sort of halter tunic with a hood. In the workroom, Tim expressed his concern that the top was going to look like a "halter diaper." No Tim, according to Michael Kors, it ended up looking like a "disco soccer ball," which at least beats a halter diaper, IMO. When pressed by Nina Garcia to specify which red carpet her model would be walking, Ari cited the VMA's-- in 2080. Oh, and apparently the model is also receiving her nobel peace prize the same night. (At this point, LL bites her lip worriedly, as though concerned someone is going to make her wear this thing)

Christopher, who is a self-taught designer, won with this really cute, short, textured dress with a fun high-volume skirt. In the end, Mitchell, who sent out a completely sheer neck to floor caftan, beat out Ari, and she was sent packing. Honestly, I think I would have sent Mitchell home--at least I felt Ari's outfit was interesting (and would not get you arrested while wearing it in public, which I always feel is a plus). I will miss her, she was wacky and wonderful.

Overall, I thought the dresses were mostly really interesting, and it makes me really excited for the new season. You can check out profiles of the designers and see all the looks from last night's show at the new PR website. I don't love the new website, I find it really hard to navigate--just trying to find pics of the outfits from episode 1 was painful.