BonBon!

November: Currently...

CURRENTLY...

Reading: 13 Bankers, by Simon Johnson and James Kwak

Craving: Caramel Apple Cider

Overwearing: Charles David black peeptoe pumps

Loving: Oversized cashmere sweaters

Planning: Post-graduation champagne celebration!

Tired of: Working 8am-10pm

Lusting for: YSL Iconic Arty cocktail rings

Trying to: Land a dream first job working for the Texas Legislature

Overwhelmed with: Fellowship applications

Writing: Senior thesis on China's domestic labor migration policy

Dancing to: Matisse ft. Akon, "Better than Her"

Eating too much: Oven-roasted broccoli with sea salt (it's addictive!)

Looking forward to: Christmas decorating!

Drinking: Half-caf Americanos by day, La Crema Pinot Noir by night

Thrifting for: Vintage wide leg designer trousers, gold statement bracelets

Saving for: Ticket to Dubai vacation

Missing: Snowy shearling-jackets-and-leather-boots weather

Crafting: airtight research abstracts, compelling personal statements

Resolutions

I've been staying very busy these past couple of days modeling at various Fashion Week events. Last night, I posed in a window on 2nd Street advertising Stacy Kenyon's Bandita Couture custom swimwear. I'm in LOVE with her styles - definitely going to order one to have for next summer!

Between Fashion Week, moving and a slew of internship interviews, I've barely had time to breathe since I arrived back in Austin. I'm having a blast, of course, but I can't wait to get settled into a saner routine. To mark a new beginning and get Fall started on the right foot, I'm starting a 2-week vegan, gluten-free cleanse on Monday. I already have my menu planned out. All that remains is to stock my fridge with healthy yummies to get me through the next two weeks. Can't wait! Check back soon for recipes and healthy eating tips.

Austin Fashion Week '10: Monday

 

 

I had a great time at jewelry designer Dean Frederick's "The Heist" party last night, featuring eats from Mulberry and Franks, Tito's vodka, a diamond giveaway, and live music by local greats The Soldier Thread and Quiet Company. I'm already so tired of little sundresses and tanks, so I instead chose this thrifted black jersey dress - lightweight enough that I didn't die from heat exhaustion, but still with a little more edge than a boho frock.

Also, check out this cute bag I found at - wait for it - Goodwill. It's a no-name brand, but is supple, buttery leather and I think it elegantly captures the current ladylike trend in bags. Check back soon for more of my latest thrift finds! ;)

Austin Fashion Week '10: Sunday

 

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of walking in the Keep Austin Beautiful show at the Austin Museum of Art, featuring pieces created with environmental sustainability in mind. My outfit - which also happened to be my favorite of the show - was the stunning "Systems Supernova" dress by designer Tina Sparkles, constructed from computer wire. It must have weighed at least 30lbs, but was extremely well-received by audience members and media alike! Here's an interview that aired on News 8 Austin - scroll to the bottom to the Tina Sparkles segment and take a look (or watch them all - all the participating designers had some really fabulous pieces on display)!

After the show (and a quick afterparty-slash-photoshoot at The Marq, which promises to yield some fun images), I headed over to Pearl Salon on 29th and West, where my lovely friend and ridiculously talented makeup artist Maris Malone Calderon and fabulous hairstylist Jen Hoover hosted their Zoolander party. Free Tito's vodka, cupcakes, and vibrant conversation made for a great afternoon. I've got a few pics to share, but realized belatedly that my temporary computer has no way to convert RAW to JPEG... so you'll have to check back soon for an update. ;) 

August To Do List

I am a master list maker. Writing things down is such a stress reliever, and a great way to stimulate creativity. Try it sometime (if you don't already)! I always have a Moleskine notebook on me just for jotting down thoughts, ideas, and most importantly, lists. Here's a little insiders peek at my August to dos!

HEALTH:
- Undertake a two-week vegan, alcohol-, caffeine-, refined sugar-, gluten-free cleanse diet to kickstart my fall healthy eating plan (after I get my fill of margaritas and queso, of course!)
- Buy Ballet Austin community school class card and take full advantage of their ballet, modern, dance fitness and yoga classes

BEAUTY:
- Go see Rahel at Topaz Salon for a mane makeover. My mom and I both adore her! Can't wait to get her help freshening up my hair.
- Stock up on late summer nail polish shades. I'm especially hoping to find a perfect salmon pink, muted lilac, and over-the-top glam metallic gold.

AT HOME:
- Get settled in my new apartment! Flip through old issues of Dwell and browse HGTV.com for design inspiration.
- Make travel photo prints. Matte and hang.

OUT ON THE TOWN:
- Check out Paggi House's Thursday night Summer of Sangria Reverse Happy Hour.
- Belatedly celebrate my 23rd birthday eating Wink Restaurant's to-die-for fois gras with my family.

ON MY BOOKSHELF:
- "Someone Knows My Name," Oprah Book Club recommendation (by Lawrence Hill)
- "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," in Chinese translation (by JK Rowling)
- "POE," trade paperback edition (by my dear friend J. Barton Mitchell, recently recommended by the legendary Stan Lee at Comic Con!)

EVENT CALENDER:
- Austin Fashion Week, Aug. 14-21 - GSD&M, the Long Center, various add. Check www.fashionweekaustin.com for details.
- Austin Fall Home and Garden Show, Aug. 27-29 - Austin Convention Center
- IAOHRA Annual Human Rights Conference, Aug. 31- Sept. 3 - Mobile, AL (Austin is hosting the 2011 conference!)

And most importantly, fly home from Shanghai to Austin! The prospect of seeing good friends and family, eating Tex Mex and swimming at Barton Springs is making me more excited by the day. But goodbyes will be bittersweet, even as I remind myself they are temporary and that I will stroll luxurious West Lake, travel backwater towns, eat morning baozi and enjoy Chinese hospitality again soon....

Announcing: Austin Fashion Week 2010!

   

 

Austin's second-ever Fashion Week is set for August 14-21, and I couldn't be more excited! Between planning my outfit for the kickoff party (Saturday, Aug. 14 at GSD&M's Idea City) and collaborating on some soon-to-be-announced mid-week events, I've kept myself busy to make the time pass quickly.

The official Participant List has just been posted. You can see my model alter ego here: Emily Brandt: Austin Fashion Week. Be sure to check out all the awesome retailers and salons, exciting emerging designers, and of course all the talented industry people participating this year. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone - and especially looking forward to giving you lovely readers the inside scoop on all the fresh new ideas coming out of Austin's burgeoning fashion scene! 

Austinites, buy your tickets now at http://www.fashionweekaustin.com!

Summertime, and the livin' is anything but easy...

Heartfelt apologies for my extended absence. My list of excuses (to be elaborated on in future posts, never fear!) is below.

1. Emceeing my school's end-of-semester assembly -

   

Pros: I got to wear this fabulously over-the-top blue dress. When else in my life will I have an excuse to wear this many sequins and not feel the least bit embarrassed?

Cons: The entire assembly was conducted in Chinese. You try entertaining an audience in Chinese for two hours straight.

2. Lounging poolside at the Doubletree Hilton -

Pros: Huge grassy knoll with cabanas for relaxing, a delicious brunch buffet, and the only Beijing pool I know of that is open to the general public.

Cons: All of the beautiful ladies you see here (myself excepted) have since returned to the States, justifying my previous reluctance to spend time in front of a computer away from their company.

3. Graduation from spring language intensive -

Pros: Three week break from school, starting.... NOW.

Cons: Finals, and too many bittersweet goodbyes.

4. Great Aircraft Carrier Party!

Pros: An all-night international electronic music festival/dance party on board a decommissioned Russian aircraft carrier.

Cons: Much as I dislike Red Bull, it became a necessity that night.

5. Tokyo

Pros: A whirlwind vacation in the culturally rich shopper's paradise that is Tokyo, Japan.

Cons: Not enough time. 

   

Thao Nguyen Bridal

I did a lookbook shoot a little while back for local Austin bridal designer Thao Nguyen, and was blown away by her soft, feminine style and the quality of her work. Thao works on a individual basis, commissioning one-of-a-kind gowns for her clients. I loved wearing her creations for a day!

If you'd like to talk with Thao about your own wedding needs, I'll gladly pass along your contact info. 

ACL Music Festival - Inspiration Board

All my friends and family have heard me complain ad nauseum about my regret at missing the Austin City Limits music festival in 2005 - I still maintain that 2005 was the best line-up ever. But the just released 2010 Line-up is a close second! I have from now until October 8 to make my own schedule, listen to new artists, and most importantly, decide what to wear for those three warm, sweaty days in Zilker Park (and the warm nights inevitably to follow)... Here are a few of my inspirations.

1.

Free People gets this look right from head to toe. Love the cross-body coffee-colored bag, mixed prints, rugged leather belt and windswept hair. I'd substitute a comfy, cheap pair of gladiators for her heels, toss a bottle of sunscreen, shades and my camera in the bag, and be ready to go!

2. This girl, featured on The Sartorialist, is so free and summery with just enough of that music festival - indie rock kick.To duplicate this look, I'd pair a bandeau top and loose tank with grungy cutoff jeans, and accessorize with a voluptuous bib necklace, sun-bleached fedora, wrist cuff and espadrille flats.

 

3. For an especially warm October afternoon, I'd love to emulate this runway shot snagged from Forever21's blog, The Skinny. Relaxed linen shorts and a daring crop top under an open menswear-esq buttondown would look so darling paired with aviators and brogues.

Who's going to make it out to ACL this year? I'll see you there!