Austin Eavesdropper in Rare Magazine!

Oh my gosh! You guys!!

I came across this just now while browsing on my girl Tiffany's blog, Austin Is Burning! I am totally thrilled!

Please excuse the self-promotional nature of this post, but, can I just tell you how touched I am to be included on this list?  It is part of Rare Magazine's annual "Rarest of Them All" issue, where readers vote on various "Best of" categories. I didn't even know when the poll was going on! But I guess people voted for me!!

If you cannot tell, I am on my period right now (sorry!) so my emotions are kind of, um, abundant. But I just want to say this:

The fact that this blog has readers is EXCITING ENOUGH to me. But the kinds of readers who say it is their favorite? That almost makes me cry a little bit. I always think I'm not doing enough. "I should create a Facebook page...I should make more videos...I should comb through all the archives of my stupid-looking early posts and re-format them or better yet delete them and hey what the hell is an RSS?" And trust me, I want to do/fix/learn all of those things!

But while I learn and improve, I so, so appreciate everyone who has stuck with me and found this blog enjoyable.  This is the most fulfilling hobby I have ever had. I have gotten to meet the coolest people through Austin Eavesdropper, I have had a forum to talk about my public obsession with this city, and I have opened up certain posts and read your comments before when I need to feel a little bit awesome again. (It's true.) I want to continue to make it better so that you love it even more, and if you ever have a suggestion or simply want to say "hi," please know that I do a little tap-dance whenever people write. tollymoseley@hotmail.com.

Wow. I'm kind of acting like I won an Academy Award here - I think I'll stop now. Before I do, have to say it, one more time:

thank you. i love you!

Interview: Matt Swinney, Founder of Austin Fashion Week

In just five days, little ol' Austin, Texas will throw its very first Fashion Week. From July 13-19, local salons, designers, boutiques, and lounges will host a movable feast of fashionable wares, complete with trunk shows and a local Fashion Awards ceremony. Like SXSW, the events are all over town and the schedule is pretty damn extensive, with stores and designers debuting new lines and hosting sample sales. In true Austin fashion, our vintage stores will be a big part of the festivities, which sets us apart from Fashion Weeks elswhere in the world.

AFW's founder, Matt Swinney, was kind enough to pop by Austin Eavesdropper to dish on all the haps.

1. First things first, Matt: What are you wearing?

Seriously? Actually, I'm wearing uber-preppy plaid shorts and a very stinky polo shirt, because the glamour side of this job is getting to distribute Fashion Week pocket guides and posters to hundreds of people in 100+ degree heat. Loads of fun.

2. Matt, you're the founder of Rare Magazine as well as Austin Restaurant Week. Tell us about your background in those capacities, and how they prompted you to start Austin Fashion Week?

Rare certainly gave me the connections to even THINK about being able to pull this off. I'm so proud of my time there and the relationships I've built -- some days, it literally makes me a little verklempt to think about the quality of human beings I get to work with on a day-to-day basis. I should probably tell them more often, but the level of respect I have for boutique and salon owners, along with the local artists that make things like Fashion Week possible, is through the roof. Restaurant Week gave me the confidence to know that I have the ability to pull off a huge-scale event, and Austin Fashion Week is certainly that.

3. How long has Austin Fashion Week been in the works? Were there any early conversations that inspired you to take this on?

You know, not as long as you'd think probably. Working on Austin Restaurant Week and helping to make that successful gave me an understanding of what it takes to pull off similar events (on a scale perspective). I've always wanted to do a big event driving tons of foot-traffic into local boutiques. In Austin, the sheer number of local boutiques and salons here is unlike any other American city, on a per capita basis. People need to not forget to walk in the doors of those retailers, lest they're not there when you really need them. Doing this in a down economy is even more important in my mind.

4. This next statement is going to shock a lot of people: Austin, Texas is different than New York City. It's even more different than Milan and Paris. Why did you feel it was important for Austin to have its own Fashion Week?

Austin doesn't equal New York? I don't believe you! Kidding aside, I think most people from so-called "cosmopolitan" cities like the ones you mentioned probably don't even register Austin as a "fashion" city, and those that do probably look down their noses at us. But, so what? I KNOW designers in Austin, I KNOW boutique owners, I KNOW salon owners, and you know what? They have more talent in their pinky fingers than most people, so who cares if we're just a small little hick town in the middle of Texas? For me, it's about educating every Austinite about the level of talent here. I'm not saying we necessarily WANT to be any of those cities you mention (we don't), but how are we ever going to get there without trying to raise the bar by having our own version of Fashion Week?

5. How do you see Austin, Texas fitting into a larger fashion community?

It absolutely fits. See Kendra Scott. See Anthony Nak. See Cat Swanson. See Jenny Hart. See Jen Perkins. See Austin Craft Mafia. ALL of these talented men and women (and many others) have put us on the map.

I've had people ask me to define "fashion in Austin." What I love about it is that we are fashionable almost because of our lack of fashion. For us (I'm speaking generally), it's not about what's "hot" or "in." For us, it's about what we feel comfortable in. Hell, it's 1000 degrees here, so of course we're going to wear flip flops to work! That doesn't mean we don't have fashion. It just means we're comfortable throwing a $5 vintage tee with a $300 pair of jeans. I think that's admirable. When I'm in Dallas, I have friends that literally would not walk out of the house in a baseball cap on and no makeup. Here? That's Saturday at Kerbey Lane with all the "fashionistas" of Austin. In Dallas? That's not "fashion" -- that's WORK!

6. How will our fashion week be different than other, older fashion weeks elsewhere in the world?

Well, most Fashion Weeks are about celebrating big-name designers and new collections through fashion shows. While I think that's something that we'll do in the future, the big downside to that is it doesn't get people moving through the fabulous boutiques. For me, it's important to introduce designers AND boutiques and salons.

7. Who are some of the special guests that will be present at AFW?

Kayne from Season 3 of Project Runway will show some pieces from his newest collection at the Austin Fashion Awards. We'll also be hosting 6 designers who just finished up in the Fashion Merchandising School at UT. There's another REALLY big surprise guest that I can't tell you about yet, but I can tell you there will be a seriously cool pop up shop coming to town the 2nd half of Fashion Week. The lovely and incredibly talented Jenny Hart from Sublime Stitching will emcee the Fashion Awards show.

8. What are the big highlights of AFW that people absolutely should not miss?

Oh gosh. I think the Fashion Awards are going to be ridiculous. I think it will be a party people talk about until next year's show. I think the pop up shop (to be named soon) is a can't miss. And, I just hope that people look at the entire events list and really make an effort to support as many of these participants as they can. They're just too talented as a group.

9. Who are some of the people and companies in Austin that are helping to make AFW possible?

The 2nd Street District has been an amazing partner. The retailers in the District have really stepped up to make Fashion Week possible. All of our media partners are amazing, but specifically Mix 94.7 and Time Warner -- they've both been with me through thick and thin. The newest addition to our team (by "team" I mean Launch787 and Clink) is the Wyatt Brand. David and Kristen and their team have been immensely helpful through this process.

10. Give us a brief sneak preview of the AFW Red Carpet Fashion Awards.

Alpha Rev. The Octopus Project. Mike Relm (have you checked him out? seriously). UT Fashion Designers. Kayne. Jenny Hart. The Soldier Thread. Ume. All in Dell Hall at the Long Center? That sounds like a PARTY to me. Ever wanted to go to the Grammys? The Oscars? Well, think of this as our version of those....we'll try to live up to that!

Rare Magazine: News

Ok Austin community that cares about Rare: let's make this right.

So Taylor contacted me last night after this blog post had been up, and said he wished I would have emailed him first. Fair enough - that's a totally valid point. He also told me the July issue would release (YAY writers and photographers!) and that he had been interviewing and hiring new staff members for the magazine. I don't know who those staff members are yet, but I guess we'll find out.

Bottom line: Rare is surviving, which is thrilling news. As for what's to come, if the mag will change, take on a different style/tone - I've got no news there, so again, guess we'll see.

Anyway...I've had enough drama for one day.

Before I sign off, I just want to reiterate the fact that this magazine's founder, Matt Swinney, created something this city clearly adores and feels passionately about. When Carrie Crowe came on in 2006, she and Matt turned it into a publication attuned to the creative pulse of this town, featuring a new visual artist every month and assigning stories on everyone from street food vendors selling kebabs out of their trailer, to eco-couture fashion designers showing pieces on runways. The community-minded stories, such as local transportation and greener city planning, underline their solid vision that Austin is a place for innovators of ALL kinds -- right down to the mag's kicka*s design.

I've said it once and I'll say it again: The publication or company in this town that gets Carrie next is immeasurably fortunate - one of the besteditors I have ever had, and I probably speak for all of the writers.

So. Matt and Carrie created something grand, which I feel very lucky to be a part of. I even got my first tattoo during a Rare interview, believe it or not. Taylor, I am also happy to have your communication, and hope that you continue the great thing those two started.

Who's ready for happy hour?

Rarest of Them All Party: WEDNESDAY!

Um.....PUMPED. This is Wednesday night. Who's going? Let's discuss.

free grey goose + white denim + amy's ice cream + "confetti cannon" (?!) = YES PLEASE!

What's your favorite thing from this list of awesome?

I feel so sophisticated with the Rarest of Them All Party at the Long Center this year. Like a fancy grown-up! Tickets are $25, and include drinks/food along with the musical performances....and whatever extra confetti cannon/fireworks madness. Here's the Do512 post about it, where you can listen to music samples, and the Facebook invite. Apparently, last year's Rarest party had over 1500 people.

Darcie Duttweiler and I wrote the copy for year's winners in this year's Rarest of Them All issue, and I have to say that is an intense but FUN writing project. You know what else is intense? Predator. R. and I are watching it right now, and the Governator is about to get his ass kicked.

Valentine's Day for hipsters

For this month's Rare Magazine, Cory Ryan and I got to do a fun piece called "I Heart Austin." Inside, we put together date nights for different categories of Austin couples: The Rockstar, The Eclectic, The Jock, etc. Well kids, we left out someone pretty special, and that is our city's hipster contingent. What's a hipster-in-love to do this Valentine's Day? Where do you turn when your ironic heart secretly yearns for some ooey-gooey commercial romanticism?

You lace up your pink Chuck Taylors and get your freak on, that's what.

Every time I attend a Car Stereo (Wars) dance party, I dissolve into a sweaty mess caused by copious busting of moves. Every time I hear Chris Rose's mixes, all I can think is: "ah, Daft Punk and Britney Spears...together at last."

Nash Cook will bring the photobooth to Beauty Bar for this event (anyone notice how photobooths are all the rage these days?) and High Society will supply a real-life kissing booth! Wonder who will supply the kisses....

But wait, back up for a minute. Maybe dance parties aren't your thing. Maybe you prefer your Valentine's slightly more on the sultry, not sweaty, side. Do you like tasteful nakedness? Nakedness for a cause?

It's funny: I can't remember that last time I visited United States Art Authority and left without seeing a nipple. (And I'm not complaining). R. and I went to an Enchanted Forest-sponsored event there last year for Valentine's Day, and loved it. Tickets are sold out for the dinner, but the afterparty starts at midnight and should be super-fun. Especially since Rebecca Havemeyer will be there! (Girlfriend's getting around these days, non?)

Finally. As befits a hipster-jock, there are several Austinites flying around lately on vintage single speed bikes. Perhaps you've gotten your wheels serviced at the soon-to-be-moving East Side Pedal Pushers, or maybe you're a Mellow Johnny's downtown commuter type. I'll admit that I am neither. However, I still think this event sounds pretty cute:

For reference: Juan Pelota = the coffee shop inside Mellow Johnny's, and it is named after Lance Armstrong's one remaining man jewel. (That he still somehow manages to impregnate women with).

Note that this event happens on Friday, so technically, the day before Valentine's. Is this event's set-up not genius? Exercise, burn off a ton of calories, and then go drink. (Which leads to all kinds of delightful trouble, as personal experience recently reminded us).

Tomorrow, I'll be posting on Valentine's Day for Foodies. If you've got suggestions, feel free to email or leave a comment.

Interview: Vintage stylist Sarah Dean

A few months back, I had the giddy good fortune to sit down and chat with local vintage stylist, eBay store owner, and fashion blogger Sarah Dean. We featured her in our November fashion issue at Rare, and since our first interview together, I am unashamed to say that I stalk her on a fairly regular basis. I mean, with styling mojo like this....



...how could one not stalk?

Read on to hear about the girl who channels Courtney Love and Catherine Deneuve with equal aplomb, skips through homes of dead people, and has vowed to wear only thrift/vintage for an entire year, Sarah Dean.

1. You are a "vintage stylist," and a badass one. Explain to readers what that means, exactly?

Well, I work with photographers and models, helping them ('helping' is pretty subjective, eh?) select outfits/clothes/accessories for photo shoots. With photographers, I am usually there to help them pull off a theme or a mood. With models, I try to assist them in adding certain styles to their portfolios, like "editorial" or "commercial." I have a pretty clear niche because I only use vintage and thrift store clothing. I fancy myself a "green" stylist that way, because wearing recycled clothing is a great way to minimize your impact on the environment. I sell vintage and thrift store finds that I find for shoots on ebay, which continues the recycling theme. :)

2. How did you stumble onto such an amazing job?

To a certain extent I made it up. When I started putting my vintage clothing collection up for sale on eBay, I got hit up by a couple local photographers to lend clothing for their shoots. Then I started coming to the photo shoots and saying pretentious things like "wow, that is the wrong necklace, let's try a lanyard pendant." After a few of those, feeling rather brazen, I put "wardrobe stylist" on my MySpace page, set up an online portfolio and duped people into thinking I knew what I was doing. Now I almost do.

3. Why are vintage clothes magical?

Because they evoke memories with all the senses! Photos you've seen in old books, your favorite classic films, the way your grandma smelled, rock n' roll icons...all those things come back to you when you see these great pieces from the past. And for all practical purposes, vintage clothing is one of a kind. Sure a dress may have been mass produced in the '60s, but what are the chances that many survived to this day? You buy a vintage dress, you can be confident you will be unique in a crowd. It's become more important to a certain group of people now to use style as an expression of personality and taste. Vintage clothing can tell people a lot about you in an authentic way. It's the difference between wearing a '70s costume at a Halloween party and wearing a real polyester jumpsuit to dinner. Like "Yes, I actually like Jimi Hendrix in a non-ironic way."

4. Where do you find your vintage wares?

I spend way too much time in thrift stores and I stalk estate sales like a starved lion. Estate sales (because I have realized lots of people aren't familiar with these) occur when people pass away and their family or lawyer puts the entire contents of their homes up for sale on the cheap. I am there when they open, unashamedly ransacking the homes of dead people. It's a little twisted. To find gold at thrift stores though, you have to get out of town. I suggest finding the most podunk towns in your state and hitting up the salvation army, garage sales, and church donation shops.

5. Your own style reflects a few style signatures...big hair, love of belts and boots. Who and what influences your personal style?

I am usually trying to emulate whatever musical style I am listening to that day. I will have a '90s Courtney Love week, a week of Dusty Springfield, and usually a month at a time of Stevie Nicks. The same thing happens when I read F. Scott Fitzgerald or watch Catherine Deneuve in Belle De Jour. Find amazing things that move you first, get dressed second.

6. Talk to us about The Year of Living Thriftily! What's this blog all about?

This is my love child. I combined my love for thrifting and vintage with my attention seeking nature. A few months ago, I committed to only buying and wearing vintage or thrift store clothing, shoes, and accessories for at least a year. It sounds a little trivial to an outsider, but it has had a great economic and stylistic impact on my life. I was an impulse buyer and definitely shopping outside my means, so this was a little bit of a self-intervention as well. I am saving money, reducing waste, and taking my creativity up a notch. I am blogging the experience because I wanted to be held accountable and because I love to write. It's been so much fun so far! I will admit to throwing in a lot of personal nonsense, photos of my kid, and thinly veiled critiques. It's my blog and I'll judge if I want to!

7. Hit us with your vintage shopping tips. Favorite local shops? Fave websites?

I'm constantly plugging Feathers on S. Congress because of how well edited the selection is, how nice and clean the layout is, and how large the dressing rooms are. It's a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of vintage stores I have been to. Online I am a huge ebay addict and my favorite ebay shops are Lullie Vintage and Shop Calico Vintage (EDITOR'S NOTE: Calico = amazing boots!!). For things to wear, I love adorevintage.com and shopnastygal.com. To dream I peruse thefrock.com and vintageous.com.

8. Best thing about Austin fashion?

I think fashion in Austin isn't the sizzling pressure cooker it is in a lot of places, like New York or L.A. There is a relaxation about it here that allows people to experiment without living in fear they'll be turned out of the club. And Austinites seem to know when to turn it out and when to keep it simple. You don't see people still trying to rock a hand knit scarf in June because it looks cool. They know when to let it go and be comfortable...which is something I will probably struggle with until death. I may actually die in an accident involving my heels and the absence of flat ground here!

EDITOR'S NOTE 2: To peek right into Sarah Dean's luscious vintage life, check out her blog here. To go shopping at her eBay store - where I'm currently drooling over the look below - head here.

(LAST AND FINAL EDITOR'S NOTE - I lerve models with tattoos.)

Revenge of the nerds: Built By Snow

These past few weeks, I've had the sincere pleasure of getting to know Austin band Built By Snow for Rare's "Music Maker Series," which the magazine does every March. As fortune would have it, their new CD "Mega" releases on January 20, which I jammed out to in my car driving between San Antonio and Austin these past few days. In case you're already familiar with Built By Snow and their vigorous hand-claps, there are moments where you sort of have to choose between driving or hand-claps when operating a vehicle/listening to "Mega." Hand-claps usually win! (If you're me!)

So as you can see by the picture above, Built By Snow loves their keyboards. Any Cars fan will adore "Mega" for this very reason. But even if synthesizers aren't your thing, "Mega" is downright nostalgic for anyone born between the years 1975-1985 (give or take a few years), given the 8 bit video game beats running through the whole album. It's a bit like having a dance party and putting Mario and Luigi in charge of the turntables. (The song "Implode Alright" is a good example).


"Mega" is highly danceable, and the guys sound like they have a blast with these songs. Many reviewers have labeled them nerd rock, which is fitting I suppose given their penchant for love metaphors involving magnets and Pac-Man. While listening to this CD, I kept envisioning a John Hughes-like movie scene, where my geeky science lab partner and I gaze at each other longingly over half-dissected frog parts, I smile a coquettish, brace-filled smile....when suddenly. My beloved rips off his glasses, jumps onto the black formica table, and declares his love for me by singing into a beaker.

Which should give you an idea of Built By Snow's vibe.

Science class romances aside however, my favorite part about this band is their response when I asked them how they got their big break. The answer? Good old-fashioned Battle of the Bands. Here is JP Pfertner, explaining that fateful day in April 2006:

“None of the other bands knew who we were. We even heard them saying backstage that their only real competition was Band A or Band B. We got lucky and drew the straw that allowed us to play last... and we killed it! It was like the scene at the end of “Revenge of the Nerds” when everyone realized that the nerds were the cool ones! When we finished, the whole crowd was chanting our name, and the other bands seemed shocked to have never heard of us.”

Don't you love!

Anyway, Built By Snow has a show this Friday at Mohawk and personally I can't wait. Have you all seen them before? It'll be my first time to see them live. You guys bring the attitude, I'll bring the hand-claps.

I'm going to be on the radio tomorrow! + Tribute to LEGOS

Y'all! Check it:

That Austin Girl will be on the "JB and Sandy Show" on 94.7 tomorrow morning!

I'm sliding in at 7am, and I don't know for how long or what we shall be discussing, but I'm sure our esteemed hosts will think of something great. And if not, my morning mimosa will.

JB and I met through Rare Magazine, and keep tabs on each other's blogs. He writes a monthly column for front-of-the-book, while I kind of write....whateva. For example, this week I am interviewing a cupcake caterer, the Radio City Rockettes, and composing a "think piece," if you will, on local hangover cures. (All, um, for the Holiday Issue).

Switching subjects dramatically. After some polite trash-talking about Legos this past week, I've come to realize that many of you are in fact quite enamored of those colored plastic interconnecting blocks. Legos are preferred by 15 out of 31 people who voted in our Favorite Toys poll, as a matter of fact!

(Which, it bears mentioning, is way more love than the comparatively high-tech and interactive Teddy Ruxpin got. Sorry Teddy: We so do NOT want to hear a story!).

So being a My Little Ponies / Barbies gal myself, I thought I'd metaphorically extend the olive branch with these impressive, sometimes disturbing, examples of Lego genius. Observe:



Below - Brad and Angelina (with babies!!) Thanks to Sissel for the fun tip!:

Starry Night:

Edward Hopper (I think?):


Yay Austin!!


Ok everyone, brace yourselves - you thought Brad and Angelina in Lego form was pretty good? Check this out:It's Amy Winehouse! Are you loving it??

Here's another serious piece of Lego art, by I believe the same artist as the yellow, chest-ripping open sculpture above:

Dude.....deep......

No I'm just kidding, this is pretty freaking cool, Lego artist man (whose name, I believe, is Nathan Sawaya). Interesting story: This artist left his job as an attorney last year to become a full-time Lego sculptor. In fact, his exhibit "The Art of the Brick" is touring museums in the US right now. Dare to dream, kids!)

So Legos people: I have to admit. You guys can make some rad creations after all. Besides, like, forts and stuff.

Now, off to perform some investigative research on hangover cures.