Dresscapades Part Three: In Which I Try To Look Tough

The last in the series of the floral dress, but by no means the last of the dress. I love this thing.  Maybe if I'd put the petticoat I bought underneath my dresses that don't come with one built in, I'd love those just as much, too.  Maybe...

Coat: from Goodie Two Shoes on SoCo
Dress: Charlotte Russe
Tights: Target
Heels: Aldo
Necklace: my mom's
Attitude: all my own!  I'm working on my "attitude face."

I can safely say I've swept the floor since this picture was taken.  Not that it will have done any good by tomorrow.  It's a good thing dogs are worth all the effort.  (I love my puppy).

Lennon hates these shoes, and they kind of make me feel like a pony, but I still like them, and they were on clearance.  I saw a more expensive pair in a store during the Boutique Crawl, and the clerk suggested wearing them with denim shorts and a white t-shirt, which I might have to try.

Spending Time Together: Head to Head

Lennon and I have been going through some couple-strife lately, and one of the things we are trying to do as a remedy is remember things we did for fun when we were happier with each other. 

One of the difficulties in trying to find time to be together is that we are both big on hobbies.  We really don't need anyone else to entertain us during the day, and sometimes we forget to do things together.

I like to work around this by setting aside time in advance as "together" time, whether or not there is a decision on what to do with that time.  Lennon prefers that time come around organically, like, "oh hey!  Let's play chess."  The compromise is when someone wakes up in the morning and says "let's play chess tonight."  Planned time, with an activity we both enjoy. 

I think I can safely say that neither of us is in the mood to break up, but to quote classic phrases, "something's gotta give."  I'm trying to plan (there's that word he hates) a fun Saturday for us to spend together.  Thus far, I have plotted out a morning visit to the farmer's market at the Triangle, swimming at Barton Springs, biking to a coffee shop to read and make fun of each other, and/or a rugby game, then in the evening we are invited to a house warming party in east Austin.  Friday I hope we can go to lunch with some friends and visit the Cathedral of Junk since it's in a bit of legal trouble with an uncertain fate, and I haven't seen it yet, (and there is no school - woot).   

Any suggestions for inexpensive things a sometimes-happy couple can do together?  We argue over the silliest things now.  We are going to have to resolve not to let our building frustrations with each other impact our day. 

In Little Rock, Lennon and I were the connoisseurs of dive bars and 5 a.m. gay dance clubs.  Maybe we need to revisit some old habits?  We've hardly even explored Austin yet, as moving here was so expensive.

Until life stops being expensive, I'm content to play chess at home with smoosh face.

Keds, Sailboats, & Bicycles

Sunday was beautiful and sunny, and I threw these shorts on to take a ride to Epoch coffee to, -gasp-, sit and talk to Lennon!  No laptops, no headphones... actual conversation!  Does that ever happen in coffee shops anymore!?  Maybe on first dates.  And business lunches.  And study groups.  No, wait, those last two don't count.

We sat on the patio and drank coffee and tea just to be outside and have a destination for our bike excursion.  These flats double as my house slippers in the summer, and Chictopia is having a Keds sponsored contest, so I delayed our trip to have Lennon take a flurry of pictures of me in my polka dot Keds.  I actually have this pair in brown and blue as well, because I got them 50% off, which means you have to buy two, right?  Maybe that rule only applies if there's rick-rack on the shoe.  These have rick-rack.

 
Sweater: Forever 21
Tank: Target
Shorts: Target
Shoes: Keds
Glitter headband: from Goodie Two Shoes

Now if I could only teach Lennon to take pictures without cars in the background...   :)
I shouldn't give him a hard time.  When I get a place to myself I'll have to buy a tripod, and be even more embarrassed to take pictures of myself outside.

SXSW Austin Carnivalle

The whole SXSW RSVP thing for free events is new to me, and I wouldn't have even known that such events existed if it wasn't for my friend Phil, who told me I had to RSVP rightthissecond for an event called Austin Carnivalle because The Walkmen, who I love, would be playing.

Sadly, I missed them, but I did get to go late one afternoon, and there were RIDES!  And free beer!  Oh yeah, and music!  I made a short video on one of the rides, and made my *first ever* little movie with credits and everything.  If you feel like getting motion sickness, please watch!





I also love The Rifles.  I took a lot of pictures, so here is a smattering of my photos from the event:
 

This was right next to the American Apparel flea market tent, but I did not feel up to braving the line or the mud for t-shirts.  Maybe next year.  Oh, and it should be noted, Phil screamed like a kid on the ride, it's why I added a sound track :)

SXSW + Austin in a Nutshell

For all of my friends outside of Austin who are asking me what SXSW is and what Austin is like, I found this video made several years ago that does a fairly good job of depicting both the festival and the city.  For all of you who are more hip than I, (don't raise your hand, I know you are), this video is probably old or not inclusive enough, but I thought I'd share it anyway, no apologies!

Floral Dress Escapades: Part Two

You may remember my enthusiasm for this dress on this post, so here it is a different way.  I wore this on the last Saturday of SXSW when I wanted to go see free outdoor music shows and browse around South Congress with Michelle, but then the weather decided it wanted to be like a windy corridor in cold Chicago!  Needless to say, our outing was cut short by the literally whipping winds and all the crowds cuddling together in stores just to be off the street.  Not even tights, a sweater, and a jacket were cutting that kind of cold.

One of the reasons why I love this dress is because of the built-in petticoat that gives the skirt its volume.  I feel like a cross between a ballerina and Scarlett O'Hara in a hoop skirt. 

Dress: Charlotte Russe
Ring: Target
Cardigan: Target
Jacket: Forever 21
Tights: Target
Shoes: Target (geeze!)
Headband: Charlotte Russe
Cameo Necklace: Grandma's

I think she'd approve.

Floral Dress: Three Ways, Part One

Sometimes I debate and debate and debate over buying an item of clothing, (this is inherited, I watched my dad do it today over a rain coat at REI - he decided his golf jacket at home was good enough), decide to buy, and still walk out of the store slightly remorseful that I spent the money.  This was one of those times.

I went back and forth in the store on whether to buy this dress, decided I liked it because of the poufy skirt, put it on at home, recollected the maybe $25 that it cost, and thanked my debateful self for being pro on purchasing, because I realized I love it.  I've already worn it three times in two weeks, so I decided to post side by side pictures before doing individual posts.

Thus it only seemed proper to start with the basics, so here is just the dress itself.  I wore it today to go to the Arboretum with my Dad and step-mom for dinner.  They are getting ready for a two week trip to Peru to see Machu Picchu, and wanted some hiking and rain gear.  I'm already well into my daily flexibility exercises so I can hide in their luggage; my forehead can finally fully fold into my knees, (ok, not really, I can't even touch my toes - but one of these days I'm getting to Machu Picchu!). 

Dress: Charlotte Russe
Shoes: BCBG
Necklace: from Kristin Stuart, Little Rock
Weather: a balmy 80 degrees and beautiful

Taking A Break From Research

I'm trying to read every article I can find about the book and movie The Taqwacores since meeting the film maker at SXSW, and I came across this photo from a piece written by a columnist upset that Kathryne Bigelow made no mention of Iraq in her Oscar acceptance speech for Hurt Locker's best picture win, which can be seen as reflective as a national disregard for the people affected by events in Iraq on a daily basis.  I don't know; this photo is some kind of haunting.

Cookies + Guacamole

My step-sister Courtney recently moved into a new town house that is veryvery nice, and she invited me, my other two-sisters, and some friends over to have a housewarming party.  It was only appropriate to wear a dress I bought while shopping with them in Austin the day before.  Plus, Courtney lives two hours away, and nothing says "travels well" like jersey fabric.

Dress: from Nordstrom Rack ($20!)
Shoes: Classified
Necklace: Accessory City in Little Rock

I don't know how it got started, but someone ate a chocolate cookie dunked in guacamole, and then decided that I was the only sister that hadn't done it, and surely must for a photo opp.  But I'm a stinker, (or lame), and only put the green cookie in my mouth for the picture.  No contact with taste buds were made, (wouldn't want to spoil the flavor of that delectable Lone Star I'm holding).

Meeting God

Because I am incapable of going to sleep before 2 a.m., regardless of what time I woke up this morning or when responsibility dictates I should wake up tomorrow (today?), I was possessed by the whim to scan a few of the vibrant photographs from one of my favorite college "text books," (being an English literature major with loads of elective courses in religious studies, I had very few actual text books). 

Meeting God almost looks like a coffee table book because of its full size, color photographs on every page, but it's so rich with information, text, explanations, stories, history, and new things to wonder about, that it most certainly earns a title over the waiting room status of "coffee table books."  The American Museum of Natural History stocks it, so surely it has some heft in the world of academia.  Regardless, the photos are the selling point.

My copy is filled with underlinings of purple pen from my notes when reading it for a world religions summer school class in college.  And for the sake of honesty: I'm one of those people who took summer school classes for fun.  Every year.  Religious studies, Mesopotamian history, civics, survey of international politics... whenever I'm interested in something, I devour it, (although civics and politics are two interests I really couldn't care less for now, which is terrible, yeahyeahyeah - so I hear we passed a health care bill?). 

I'm not sure if I'm simply hungering for some sort of visual inspiration, or a color feast, or if wanderlust is setting in and I'm craving anything I associate with travel.  Either way, I scanned a few of my favorite photos to share.

I really want an elephant to pat me on the head.  And to wake up early in the morning and pray in cold river water.  And to wear a sari and not look like a lame tourist, (I have no delusions about this ever happening).

Also for the sake of honesty : before anyone calls me an over idealizing romantic in terms of other cultures, all I have to say to you is this: salmonella, my old friend.

I check Lonely Planet for openings for writers almost monthly, but am yet to ever see a call for a position I could actually fill.  Although after reading Do Travel Writers Go To Hell? I may be tempted to one day say "forget the safety of sponsored travel," as "safety" was a loose term according to the author.  All I need is my camera, a writing utensil, and some gumption, right?  I have gumption.

Now back to my day dreaming.  Er, night dreaming.  It's really time for bed.

Band of Horses: A Teaser

I have so many pictures to go through for SXSW, but I wanted to post proof that Band of Horses did indeed play in my church.  They filled the room, both literally and audibly.  They also gave me chill bumps.  What room is better for a dramatic and melodic crescendo than the pitched roof of a sanctuary?  There isn't one.