Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket

Sunday, August 31, 2008

A living room in Hyde Park wages War on Ugliness

So today on this lovely Labor Day weekend, R. and I are transforming our formerly horrendous living room ceiling into something fabulous. Or at the bare minimum, something not an assault to the senses.

You know how, in every office, there's that ugly, white, porous-looking ceiling tile?


That is our living room ceiling. 

We have lived with this sorry excuse for a ceiling over a year now.

And there not sufficient adjectives in the English language to properly describe the magnitude of my ceiling hate.

And - as if that weren't enough - the ceiling uses fluorescent lighting. Horrors.

So, yesterday was the Day of Reckoning for the ceiling. I bought some pretty fabric (at Fanny's - magical) to cover each and every monstrous rectangle. And it is actually turning out quite lovely!

Here is an in-progress shot:

It's not the best shot ever, but as you can see, we're doing green and brown thing. We thought that would go best with our carpet, which is PINK (also not our choice, but we're renters, so what can ya do, eh?)

Our goal is to finish it tomorrow.

Austinites - whether you live in Hyde Park or otherwise - are any of you working on any home improvement projects? Ceilings, walls, or perhaps furniture?

I'm putting together a Q&A for God's least favorite nightlife blog, The Famousish. They are fellow Austin bloggers and pretty damn rad. I'm going to try and send them some questions tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Seen at Koriente on 7th St.


Last night, we saw Rumi grace a particularly wonderful little chair at Koriente.

Right before R. sat on it.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Follow that Bird tonight, y'all

Hey everybody - got plans tonight? Go see these people!



Follow that Bird
! is playing tonight at the Scoot Inn. My friend Tiffanie is the drummer in this indie outfit, and besides being amazing, some of these band members teach at GirlsRockCamp Austin.

Talented and good people!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Chilango margaritas are my only friend

Let it be known that the Chilango Margarita at El Chile is officially my favorite drink!

I'm giving it my personal prize: Gold star, Chilango Margarita! Austinites, have you tried this? No? Well, don't just take my word for it. Listen to Jessica S. at Austin Yelp, talking about El Chile:

"I'm sure I've eaten here. I know I liked the food. I know I loved the salsa. I don't think I've ever been disappointed by the food. Or the service.

I do know that I've had several Chilangos here. And that's why I can't remember the food.

I do remember that I love those, though."

Yes, Jessica S., yes. I just finished having one this evening, and seriously, how can you say no to this drink. It's spicy, it's orange-y, the sides are rimmed with "lucas" (that tangy/citrusy stuff that used to come in little green packets, that you liked off the palm of your hands...do you guys know what I'm talking about? Or was that just a San Antonio thing? Do you all think I'm horribly unsanitary now?)

Non-Austinites, please come and try one. Hey, speaking of that: what's everyone's favorite drink? I'm taking a poll. Well, actually, I'm wrapping up a poll right now about everybody's favorite candy when they were a kid. What? Yes: it is currently on this blog's sidebar, but shall disappear soon enough. Just vanish away! And then, we can all move onto alcohol.

I should point out, though, that the majority of folks here favored Reese's Pieces as a child. In fact, no one liked Tootsie Rolls, that miserable excuse for chocolate. Good for you. I knew you all had good taste.

Let's end the night with a pretty outfit.



An homage if you will to one of my favorite characters of all time, Penny Lane in Almost Famous.

Make more movies like this one, Kate!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

5 things I routinely give up only to come desperately crawling back

1. Coffee

2. Meat

3. Us Weekly

4. The desire to lose 5 lbs

5. Splenda

I'm sure you all have some too. So what are yours, Austinites and non-Austinites?

There are many vices for which I am (usually) on the side of Right: cigarettes, buckling my safety belt, reality shows (for which we must turn only to Bravo, home of classy reality television, with the occasional exception of Rock of Love or Keeping up with the Kardashians). And then there are plenty of things that are probably not exemplary but I am nowhere near giving up: hog-tying the cat, for instance (Oh stop. She loves it.)

Switching subjects - guess what I did, everybody? I discovered and have started using Google Analytics!! I can hardly express my excitement for learning what a "body tag" was in HTML-speak, so that I could properly install its tracking service. Isn't that sad? Things have truly taken a turn for the worse when you're excited about body tags.

Anyway, I discovered that people from 24 countries have read this blog! Wow! I was operating under the impression that pretty much only Austin people, i.e., my friends who I conned into it, as well as a handful of my buddies from California, were reading this. Like, 8 people or so. Apparently I'm wrong so you tell me, Alaska, or alternatively, South Africa, whose residents are mysteriously logging onto That Austin Girl on a fairly regular basis (thank you!): What would you like to see? Do you enjoy hearing about my atrocious eye makeup? The oddball delight that is Austin Craigslist? I mean, personally, I enjoy talking about ending the lives of swarming flies through a swift vaccuum-cleaner induced death, but maybe I'm shouting into a void there with unsavory things like that.

Or, if you're like me, you just enjoy being voyeuristic. And that's cool too.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Perfume for the people

This has nothing to do with Austin, but I'm reading a delicious book right now I want everyone to know about:



It's so rich and gossipy - and it's about perfumes! The authors are not afraid to put some scents right in their place, and I love all the declarative, oh-no-you-didn't damning of the unworthiest scents. Here are Luca Turin's thoughts, for example, on men's sport fragrances:

"This is stuff for the generic guy wishing to meet a generic girl to have generic offspring. It has nothing to do with any other pleasure than that of merging with the crowd. My fondest hope is everyone will stop buying them and the genre will perish. Just say no."

Isn't that a tongue-lashing? Sit down, sport frangrances: Luca just called you out.

Here's one more, from Luca's wife (I think?) Tania Sanchez, advising us on how to go against type when selecting a personal fragrance:

"Some mischief and surprise are needed to keep life fresh, for you to smell your perfume anew. Therefore, I urge you, if you are a floral gal, to set prejudice aside and wear a thing without flowers. If you are a luxury goods kind of gal, with a Kelly bag on your arm and Manolos on your feet, I urge you to try on something that you believe to be beneath you. If you are ultrafeminine, wear a man's scent. And if you are butch, doll it up for once. Live a little. Try it on. It's only perfume."

Isn't is glorious? Don't you want to be friends with these people?

I at least want to wear some perfume to work tomorrow.

I have always been attracted to either spicy, Asian scents myself, or edible-smelling things that Bath & Body loves to create. I own a lotion called "Cinnamon Rolls" or something ridiculous like that, and it smells wonderful. Like you could eat my arm.

Austinites, do you favor a scent?

Monday, August 25, 2008

Jobs-on-the-side: A cautionary tale.

I routinely put this post up, then take it down, then put it back up. Just paranoid I guess.

If it's not here right now, check back in soon - I promise it'll come back.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Rory McNeill + More Polyvore fun

Is there any everyday task that you perform in such a way as to give your friends and loved ones cause for concern? R. experiences heart palpitations, for example, when I handle knives. Maybe for you, it's your driving skills. Or worse, your dancing skills.

Well for many Austin ladies, choosing a hair stylist is a Big Deal. A decision that gives them anxiety. As it should: we're a city of stylishly-coiffed people. I walked into a party last night for example, and the kitchen alone was virtually bursting with adorably ironic, mullet-headed cuties. Sort of like:
























Exactly, like that guy. Austin girls wear this look very well. I am not one of them but no matter - for any self-respecting hipster, boring hair is simply inexcusable in a city like ours.

So
all of that being said, Rory McNeill is someone you should know about.

Rory's glam little space, Roar on E. 5th, has been operational for about a year now. I won't tell you too much because the real story will be in the November Rare, but suffice it to say that Rory himself has highlights to die for (he's a colorist, natch), a dreamy team of stylists, and a salon that basically looks like my fantasy apartment. Think old Hollywood, Bette Davis aesthetic, if Ms. Davis had an affection for the Texas hill country. A harlequin chandelier here, a set of antlers there. You know: Texas!

(Maybe I exaggerate on the antlers but...you get the idea.)

And, guys...y'all know TLC's "A Makeover Story?" Rory was on that show! (As the makeover-administering person. Not makeover recipient. Pause: how fun would it be though to go on one of those shows? Even if you're not unfortunate-looking? I honestly get choked up at the end of "What Not to Wear" when the made-over person has their big reveal, and everyone basically acts like it's the second coming - "OH my GOD! I can't believe it!") Anyway, I think it happened while he was heading up this tucked-away, referral-only salon in Chicago called Tousle. But now, Rory is ours - all ours! - right here in Austin.

Secondly: I cannot stop playing with Polyvore.


Saturday, August 23, 2008

In a perfect world, I would have this outfit



If you see me walking around in Austin with these duds, it's official: I have arrived.

Roar Salon


So, I spoke with Rory McNeill yesterday of Roar Salon. Before I give him a proper welcome to That Austin Girl however, I want to just say...holy freak, the space is beautiful. And Rory is a doll!

Has anyone been here before? My heart (er, hair) lies with Vain, but I'm curious to know if any Austin ladies or super hip gentleman have already been to Roar. Yes?

Interestingly enough, a girlfriend and I gawked inside the windows like peeping toms once, about a month ago, stumbling back to our cars from 4th St...let me just say that sober and in the daylight, it is even lovelier.

Friday, August 22, 2008

A reasonable request

Ok y'all, remember how we were talking about the insanity of Austin Craigslist? And specifically, the charming missed connections? Here's another missed connection, from today.

As you'll read below, this one is not so much of the wistful and romantic sort but more like an incredulous, losing-my-patience announcement.

A girl writes to her crazy neighbor: STOP RUSTLING AROUND WITH YOUR BLACK PLASTIC BAGS IN THE MORNING! I don't think it's too much to ask.

Austin Craigslist girl, you have the floor:

"Dear guy, I really don't know where to start here....."

(Ok, pause. Are you loving it already?? She has had it. Can't you just see her punching the keys on her computer all pissed off? Heh. Carry on):

"For the past three months you have disturbed me....While it may be that you are the one disturbed I must confess that you are interrupting my morning. I choose 7:30 as my time to meditate and journal....have done so for the past several months in peace....until you came along. I have no idea what it is that you are doing, but every single morning at about the same time you rustle around with these mysterious plastic black bags....If I didn't hear that they sound as though they are full of aluminum cans then I would surely have alerted the authorities in response to the nature of your morning rituals....You open and slam your little car's doors over and over again...sometimes without doing anything at all, other times pulling out or shoving in these twelve or so bags....Now since you disturb my peaceful consumption of coffee and news I have to wonder what on earth it is that you are trying to accomplish. You go up and down the stairwell several times to your apartment, each time you go up you stand at the foot of the stairs and look up for several seconds....I often wonder if you are counting in your head the number of times that you've gone up and down the stairs, or maybe the stairs that your feet have climbed or descended that particular morning...exercise routine, maybe? I never come away with an answer. You always seem to have extra bags in your car that you pull out and shake loudly to open them up to the wind.....next you take them upstairs where, I am guessing, you have a bedroom full of the aluminum? If I were a paranoid sort I would think that maybe you have somehow found a way to kill off your neighbors ( yes, I do know that a few of them are empty-headed oxygen suckers ) and ultra-size them into the cans or whatever is in the bags....

Anyway, I am not trying to bother you, but could you please keep it down?....seriously all of that rustling around with the bags is really distracting....I have a hard enough time getting up without having to decipher what it is that you are doing.....for God's sake I am about to start school again and I just can't handle the fugitive-like movements of your mornings....

thanks,

from the girl in the building across from you....and no, I won't tell you which building.....happy bagging to you."

I love the "fugitive-like movements of your mornings." Seriously dude, stop being so OCD! Because I really think that's what we're dealing with here.

Austin Craigslist continues to be a generous bounty. Forget our city's adorably quirky local businesses - these are the people keeping Austin weird.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Pop lock and drop it

This boy's not from Austin, he's from another planet!!



You're welcome!

Songs for unsuspecting boyfriends: The Toadies

Since junior high, The Toadies have provided a soundtrack to my love life. Which isn't that surprising, given the intense yearning of their music.  (It also doesn't hurt that Todd Lewis has, in my opinion, an unusually sexy voice.)

Cases in point:

In the eighth grade, my boyfriend of one week, Matt, gave me a mix tape with "I Burn" on it.  Which I assumed to mean, " ... with love."  Naturally.

My first year in college, the school brought in The Toadies to play live at our campus.  I sat next to my crush, Vincent, and tried to think of something clever to say.  The Toadies sang "Possum Kingdom" in the background, and I said: "That's near Dallas."  He said: "I know."

The next year, I kissed Gabe in his bedroom while "I Will be With Her Tonight" played on his stereo. We tried to figure out whether the narrator of the song was a voyeur, a rapist, or an obsessed ex-boyfriend.  Gabe and I didn't last, but this particular question still does.

The Toadies are playing at Stubbs on September 4, for the bargain price of $25.  Todd Lewis, you will see me there.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

One-Eyed Doll + more neato Austinites

So tonight was Rene G's b-day at Melting Pot, and I met 7 new Austinites to get excited about.  These include: 

-Kimberly Freeman, front girl of Austin power-rock duo One-Eyed Doll

-Daniel Upton, artist and owner of local tattoo outfit Golden Apple Studio

-Andre and Leigh de la Reza, the firefighting, twin-raising, bagpipe-playing, attorney-performing duo behind local blog Casa de Monos 

-Nicole Hommertzheim, Kansas native and design/managment assistant to Rene Geneva (am I spelling your last name right, Nicole?)

-Kathy Oglebay, sign language teacher and regional retail buyer at Whole Foods.  Neat story: Kathy started out bagging groceries at WF, and now, she's a fashion buyer for the store - the one who works directly with Rene, as a matter of fact.

-Darren Minke, local artist who does everything from digital art, to stain painting, to film and animation.  Check out his cache of work here.

I checked out One-Eyed Doll's website as soon as I got home, and their music is freaking rad - think Pixies + Veruca Salt.  They are about to go on a UK tour, but before they do, they're having an Austin send-off at Red-Eyed Fly on Sept. 12.  I will definitely be there. 

Lots of neat tidbits from tonight that I'll try to fit in over the next few days - for example, did you know that Whole Foods offers "Tours for Value Shopping?"  (Thanks for that one, Kathy!)  It's this thing where a Whole Foods employee will personally take you around the store and show you how to shop without going broke.  Who says Whole Foods is only for the green elite?

Monday, August 18, 2008

A vice president for all seasons

With all the speculation swirling around Obama's and McCain's once and future VP's, we were all beginning to wonder what was going on, weren't we?

The leading theory proposed by news networks was that the two were waiting each other out, waiting to see who the other would pick, then they'd make their move accordingly. So, we made our bets. We heard several iterations of the "chess game" metaphor. We rightly assumed that John Edwards was probably out, while others still pointed out that John McCain cheated on his former wife after she suffered an automobile accident that required 23 operations. (Which is not what I even want to talk about, really - Mr. McCain brought up his failed first marriage all by himself on Rick Warren's debate last weekend, so, you know, way to be open about it.)

But now, Obama has made his move! The New York Times reported today that we'll know his VP by the end of the week. And what's more - it'll likely be one of these guys.

1. Evan Bayh

Senator from Indiana, looks sorta like an older Ed Norton. And...eh...I know this is neither the time nor place to say such things and only reinforces my odd taste in men, but...kind of a hot ticket? Those two together? It even sounds good on a bumper sticker: "Obama Bayh '08." All syllabically harmonious and everything.

2. Tim Kaine
Governor from Virginia. Two interesting things about this guy (and I'm sure there are interesting things about you too, Mr. Bayh, it's just that I've chosen to objectify you. For the time being). One, Kaine handled the Virginia Tech shooting last year with lots of grace. I think it's saying something that tons of kids are still applying to go to that school, and Kaine probably had something to do with that. And secondly - this was really the clincher for me -
he recently refused to sign a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, which the legislature voted to place on the ballot. Love!!

3. Joe Biden
The most well-known of Obama's VP shortlist. You may remember him from the early 2008 presidential race - in fact, he dropped out just three and a half months ago. Biden has the foreign policy chops that Obama lacks, and has over four decades of politico experience - but. Would that round out Obama's whole Washington rookie thing? Or is he just a little too "establishment" for Obama's candidate-of-change image? It's a tough call, apparently.

We'll know what Team Obama decides soon, but in the meantime, where o where shall McCain's VP come from? And more importantly: do you care, Austinites?

Well, I get all pumped up about elections, and my money's on Mitt Romney. So he's a Mormon. The evangelical vote is up for grabs this time around anyway, right? He's just glittery and smiley enough for McCain, who I swear to God almost fell asleep during his own speech the other day. I mean, I've caught the man on Daily Show interviews a few times, and McCain's not too bad - he just looks very, very tired.

But speaking of Romney - do you want to see something totally random? This is him in 1969, getting married:



Weird - isn't he just one thick-rimmed pair of glasses away from a Buddy Holly?

And why is it oddly funny that Mitt Romney had a 1969 wedding??

Sunday, August 17, 2008

I heart Sarah Dean

So, I just interviewed Sarah Dean for Rare about 15 minutes ago. Sarah is a vintage stylist, and girlfriend does some kickass work. I was so enchanted by her company that I had to come tell you guys about her.







Pretty rad, right? I have to save the nitty gritty for the actual story in Rare's fashion issue (November), but I can tell you this: not only is Sarah a talented stylist with bang pow clothing taste, she shared an awesome idea while we were talking.  An idea I really hope materializes: wearing no new clothes for an entire year.

It's more than just wearing her old, pre-existing duds.  Like, I have to save money, so I won't go shopping for a year and I'll keep doggedly wearing these 2006 skinny jeans the whole time dammit. It's much cooler than that, because actually, she can still go shopping - however, all purchased items must have previously belonged to different owners. So for one twelve-month period, her body shall don only second-hand, be it vintage Dior or Salvation Army girl scout uniforms.

Isn't that a cool idea? She wants to document it too, through a blog or website. In addition to being a "vintage" effort, it's a green one too, which just makes the whole thing that much more Austin-fabulous.  So Sarah: do it, lady!

Switching subjects - sort of, since this actually ties into Sarah too - have you guys ever heard of this book?



Garlic and Sapphires was probably the best book I read last year. It's written by Ruth Reichl, former food critic for the New York Times, who documents the way she conducted her restaurant reviews - in disguise.  

See, clever Ruth knew that every restaurant she visited would put on this big production if the Food Critic for the New. York. Times was in attendance, so she visited each restaurant one time as herself, and one time dressed up as somebody completely different.

Anyway, one of Ruth's favorite disguises for herself was a character she invented named Brenda. "Brenda" had bright red hair, dressed in loud, colorful clothes, wore a big smile and laughed at everything.  Ruth describes her as the "best possible version" of herself.  And you know, that's exactly who Sarah reminded me of: Brenda.  Right down to the red hair.  

If you guys met Sarah, I think you would agree that she's the best possible version of somebody, too: funny and self-deprecating, open and kind.  I wrote down everything she said, because she was so effortlessly quotable (a rare luxury, truthfully, in any interview.  Instead of having to tease clever, quippy sentences out, I couldn't keep up with the great stuff she said.  "The first time I saw a vintage Barbie as a kid, I knew I wanted to dress like a cupcake every day."  "I never met a floral pattern I didn't like." - Love?) 

Anyway, when I told Sarah she reminded me of Brenda, Brenda who was Ruth's favorite disguise, outgoing in her personality and clothes, Sarah had a great response.  "Well, why didn't she dress like that every day?"

Hair before and after

Yesterday, before bangs:

Today, after bangs:


(And no, the bed is not made in either picture).

More later.

Friday, August 15, 2008

You're so VAIN...you probably think this post is about you

....And if you're Buffy at Vain Salon, then you're absolutely right.

I am visiting Buffy in approximately 17 hours and 3 minutes. I've got roots the size of Texas. And like my girl Kitty, the siren song of blond hair is, for me, never that faint.

So tomorrow we're going blond. Quite blond indeed. And with that blond, there shall be bangs, I've decided. Examples:







I couldn't resist an Olsen.

Ladies, do you do bangs? What are your thoughts? Hip or bothersome? Men, do you wish you were a woman, so you could do bangs? Don't be shy.

And if you are in the market for an excellent Austin colorist, let me sing the praises of Buffy, who has taken me to the dark side and back. Perhaps you don't remember? Here's a sort of blurry photo from me last fall:

Sorry for the awful picture quality. Anyway, Buffy right now has a small legion of devoted clients - but we are growing in number. So if you're in Austin and hair color is in your future, this is the girl you must visit.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Statesman, y'all

So, I'm in the paper today everybody! And R., too.

You can't see my pic in the online version, but it's on the front page of today's hard copy. Look for the nerd in glasses typing on her laptop.

Before you ask - it's nothing accomplishment-related. It's an interesting story by Eileen Flynn about the "balkanization" of Austin, and how the city is breaking up into it's own little universes - such as, oh, for example, Hyde Park. And seeing as how R. and I rarely leave the neighborhood....well, we were ideal subjects.

During downtime, R. walks back to the shed to make wood things, or his studio to play drums, and I head to Quacks on to write, eavesdrop and stalk Chloe. (Who, sadly, I haven't seen lately. Where are you, friend/crush?)

In other news, got home from work trip last night at 1-in-the-morning-ish. Now, maybe it was because I was so damn tired, but this thing happened at the airport that I can't stop thinking about. It wasn't even that big a deal, just a passing observation. Wanna hear about it anyway?

Picture this: a skinny little blonde boy, maybe 5. He's in front of a downward-moving escalator with his dad, knees shaking. He inches cautiously up to it, Dad right behind him. You can tell he's really nervous, and in all truth, I don't blame him. From the second to the first floor at the Austin Bergstrom Airport, it is a really tall escalator.

He almost takes a step, but not with conviction - besides his toe, the whole rest of his body is leaning backwards. So he sinks down on the floor instead, right in front of the escalator, and into his dad's arms. He can't do it. As he starts crying a little bit, his dad sighs, "Jason..." -In that voice, you know? That calm parent tone. He's seen this before.

Like I said - it was probably lack of sleep. But the whole thing was just so sweet and honest to me. Yes, escalators can be pretty damn scary when you're 5. No, I don't want to step on. Sometimes it would be nice to have your fears so easily defined, yes?

Ever since I was a little kid, big dogs have scared me a little. Isn't that lame? I don't even know where that stems from.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Putting eggs in the Ann Patchett basket, and bees on Bear Grylls's face

Work-wise, Monday was so severely a Monday today.

You know when work gets so ludicrously insane that you must, out of necessity, go immerse yourself in something else? And then, it's usually to ambition-less effect - magazines, Mad Men, browsing Wikipedia, or whatever?

But on occasion, this happens.



Ann Patchett is one of my favorite writers. I read Bel Canto in India a few years ago, and Truth and Beauty during college. So far, I'm enchanted with Run. I'll tell you all about it as I get further in.

I'll tell you what's not enchanting, though.



Sorry to not give you any warning there. Guys, that is BEAR GRYLLS from "Man Vs. Wild!" Stung on the face by a bee in Baja!

I mean...are there words for this?

Also, remember the Daily Mail's expose last year calling Bear a hack? What say you now, Daily Mail?

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Return to Austin: Georgia (and Hilton Head) on my mind

Hi everybody.

R. and I just got back from Savannah/Hilton Head this afternoon, where we've been for the past four days. Savannah, as you know, is the setting for the southern gothic book (then movie) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and one of the reasons I have always wanted to visit Savannah is to see all those wild, real-life characters John Berendt talks about. The Lady Chablis, the dude who ties live fruit flies to his body, the other dude who "walks" Uga, the University of Georgia's dog mascot (which is actually dead). I mean we've got Leslie here in Austin, but this was like a whole town of Leslies. So rightly or not - Savannah has always been the place in my mind where you go to discover charming oddities.

Imagine my delight then, when we discovered this little guy!

That's a cat with thumbs, people. Opposable. Doesn't he look like he's drunk and giving the thumbs-up? Like, duuude...I'm so wasted.

Anyway, there is apparently a whole type of cat called "Hemingways" like this one. Jen, R's sister, introduced us. Here's a better picture, with R. kind of holding its hands up:

Heehee. Funny, right? Cat thumbs!

But that wasn't all, in terms of "wildlife." Our home base was Hilton Head, South Carolina, where some of R's family lives. We went kayaking in the ocean one day, and saw dolphins and s-h-a-r-k-s (I know, WHAT! Babies, but, still - sharks. Yes, I did hold my paddle up above my head. You move right along and don't let me impede you, shark babies.)

We also saw this guy in Hilton Head:


Ok so just to be clear, R. took that picture. This is the one I took:


Haha. Anyway, back to Savannah.

Jen took us to this gorgeous place called 700 Drayton, an 1888 mansion just outside of Forsythe Park that has been restored to chic fabulousness. Here's a little tour:


Upstairs bar:


Downstairs area called "The Mansion:"

A hat gallery (don't even tell me a gay man didn't have some key role here):

And a conference room in The Mansion, whose carpet bares an exact replica of the carpet on the Titanic. (The picture's a little boring - woohoo, conference room - so just focus on the carpet:)


Don't you love how dark and moody everything is?

At the time John Berendt was stealing away to Savannah, he was technically still an editor for Esquire. I can see why his office in New York had a hard time competing for his attention. She's a seductive old dame, Savannah.


That's the fountain in Forsythe Park, as we were walking back to the car. French-looking, non? Savannah is one of those cities that came to prominence during the South's economic boom in the 1850s, and Savannah borrows a lot of architectural elements from cosmopolitan Paris. (God I love Wikipedia). But you can really see it here, right? So showy. I loved it.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Savannah!!

OMG you guys - tomorrow morning, R. and I leave for Savannah!!

Alright so, full disclosure: we're technically going to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Which also looks neato. It's just that Savannah's a mere hour away, and I've been excited about Savannah ever since I read this book. So it's probably the case that we'll only have a day there...but we WILL have one. Oh yes. A day we shall have.

I've gotten some cool Savannah recommendations from Jenny and Jill. Here's where they say to go: JJ Cagney's, which sounds sorta Austin-y. Live music with low-lit, laid-back ambiance. That and Bistro Savannah, which may be a little too estrogen-tastic for R. ("burnished heart-pine and exposed gray brick walls make this an ultra-chic yet casual dining favorite!"). But his little sister Jen will be with us, so maybe we'll dine there while he goes and finds a drum somewhere to play.

Does anyone know of any other cool Savannah (or Hilton Head) activities? And did you know that the Bird Girl statue is now in a museum?! (rather than her rightful cemetery?)

More importantly...what are you all doing this weekend?

Although I won't be around to enjoy these guys, I have an idea for Friday if you don't have plans yet (and live in Austin). 'Til We're Blue or Destroy (best band name ever?) is playing at Emo's on Friday night, who my friend Kullen Fuchs used to play with. Do you still play with them, Kullen? He used to be with R's band The Lennings, and sometimes he plays this funny little instrument that looks like a Casio keyboard with a plastic tube stuck on the end. And to make noise you blow through it, while playing your keyboard.

Now that I think about it, I don't know if it's a real instrument or if he made it.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Margaritaville + Reason to get excited about September 15

I don't know about you guys, but I love shocking my non-Texas friends when I tell them how hot our state is. "103 degrees?? Are you joking?" It's a badge of honor, in their minds at least, to merely exist in this climate. But hey, it's not like we don't reward ourselves - we lead the nation in bars per capita, after all.

So with heat and alcohol in mind, my new friend Dave Crey just forwarded me a fun tip - a margarita tasting happening next week at The Belmont. Y'all interested? It's one hour, and if you go, you receive a Belmont $25 gift certificate. I think it's even free.

Tim Sabo is coordinating it, so if you wanna go, email him at tim.sabo@ideacity.com along with answers to the following questions:

1. Your Name

2. Ague

3. Gender


4. Are you available on Monday, August 11th?

5. Do you prefer lunchtime or after 4:00 pm?

--And that's it.

Oh Belmont - I love that Monday margarita tasting, during lunchtime on a work day per question #4 and 5, isn't even a second thought! Just a preference. They might as well ask, "would you prefer to drink before your afternoon meeting with sales, or after?"

This is the reason my company needs to have a downtown office.

In other news, do you guys all remember Rene Geneva? Girlfriend is kind of a big deal - in fact, she was on WE (Women's Entertainment) Network last night (channel 28 for local cable-users), on their program Wedding Central. She did a show with them called "Amazing Wedding Gowns," where they picked just three wedding dress designers to feature - including VERA WANG - and Rene was one of them!! Would you like to see one of her dresses?



I know, holy ridiculousness. She does tons of other stuff too, and it's double-neato because it's all eco-friendly. What else? Oh yeah - Thievery Corporation is wearing her stuff on tour (with a stop at this year's ACL, y'all!) right now. Can you believe this badass?

Anyway, that brings me to September 15, when 44 Whole Foods stores around the country will start carrying Rene's stuff in their "Whole Living" section. And p.s. - they already do here at the Austin Whole Foods. So when this girl explodes, which is not even a pipe dream with the whole green fashion craziness going on right now, just remember - you heard it here first.

Lastly: has anyone noticed how freaking every Hollywood family is having twins these days? Angelina, Jennifer Lopez, Marcia Cross - even P. Diddy and Elvis Costello?? What's up with that? Well, KXAS-TV in Dallas has a little theory about that.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

IKEA + So long, coffee

Ok everyone - sorry I peaced out for a few days.

You know when the weekend just engulfs you in a tidal wave of lethargy? That's what happened in between Thursday night and now. (I blame Mad Men: why do you have to be so addictive Don Draper, and your imminently watchable ilk?)

Anyway, another reason I haven't chimed in this weekend is because I've been miffed, perplexed really, over my achy stomach. I think it's trying to tell me something. And if I listen close, I think I can hear it saying, "Help! I'm being eaten away by coffee acid! Somebody help me!!"

Really...it's gotten to a bad place. And though coffee (...plus white chocolate mudslide cream) is hardly the worst thing I consume, it's the catalyst that makes everything else fall apart. Do you guys feel that way? The ones that are helpless to coffee? Besides the stomach-being-eaten-away thing, it also makes me shaky and hungry shortly after I drink it (which is about twice - sometimes thrice - daily).

So I need to make an appointment with my dear, lovely friend and natural-eating guru Sarah and get my head straight. In the meantime, I'm thrusting off the shackles of coffee and am going to attempt this:

Hot water + lemon + Stevia

I know, sorta lame. But is very cleansing. Ironic - since isn't lemon juice also acidic (and thus potentially aggravating)? Well, we're about to find out, aren't we stomach?

I'll tell you how it goes. In the meantime, another big decision happened today: R. and I officially joined the WASPy ranks and took our first trip to Ikea.



Ok, so, on a logical level alone I totally get the seduction of the place. Acres of cheap, fairly cute housewares and furniture. What could be better? One moment you're handling a kelly green houndstooth-patterned pillow for $14.99, and the next, why you are face-to-face with a whole room designed expressly to show off that pillow to its full potential. Very clever, you Ikea people!

But, Ikea is also creepy and frustrating. Creepy in that I feel oddly like part of a larger consumer-habit experiment when I'm in there - "Customer A's walking patterns show a distinct inclination toward items on right, plus a 1:8 item-pick-up to item-placed-in-basket ratio. INITIATE DATA ENTRY." - and frustrating, because it's so damn huge.

I know - everyone told me. Everyone told me it's like a maze, that you have to walk through the whole thing just to get out, that there is a freaking restaurant and daycare inside Ikea, which should tell me all I needed to know.

Still, all of that couldn't prepare R. and I for the onslaught of stupidity we felt walking around the store. Which way? What's an "ektorp? " Is this a real bathroom, or a display? I have to pee? Wait - where'd you go? Wha? Wha-huh?

Picture this: R. on his cell phone, me on mine, like walkie-talkies:

R: Where are you?
T: I'm at the restaurant. I am near check-out.
R: I'm in a warehouse now - it looks like Home Depot. Am I still in the same store?
T: Look for "check-out" on the signs.
R: I see food down here, too -
T: Do you see me?
R: Do you see the Home Depot stuff?
T: No - just follow the signs. I am at CHECK. OUT.
R: Ok, I'm going to follow these signs. Where are you, again?
T: (Sigh) I am - hold on a sec (turn to employee to confirm store coordinates)
Ok, um. Actually Honey, I've only made it through half of the store, according to the Ikea guy.
R: Oh, I thought -

And on and on and on.

By the time we got into the car, we both felt a little bit dirty, and a little dumber too, like lab rats. (But, but - I should point out that the lab rats are now in possession of a super-cute Olega lamp). Still, it's undeniable that Ikea, like Target - which I love - is one of those democratizing big-box stores that makes it possible for all of us to live a little prettier. And many a college student, newlywed couple, and single twenty-something living in her first studio apartment are grateful, I am sure.

I just can't decide if Ikea is redemptive...or evil.