22 Dec Countdown to Christmas!

Happy holidays everyone!! What a great day today: School’s out, made breakfast for 5 teenagers (sleepover last night), and just putzed around. LOVE the holiday break when everyone can spend time together plus do their own thing.  Woohoo!  Like laze by the fire watching a TCM movie by our Christmas tree or enjoy shopping for wonderful gifts. And what a gorgeous day to wake up to after all that fantastic rain we got!!

I am NOT a Black Friday shopper…so I headed to some fave local boutiques to spend a little time enjoying all the handmade gifts by local artisans/designers.  Loaded up for relatives at Blue Genie Art Bazaar so I could ship that off today…and NO line at the post office.  Only 4 more days left, so spread some holiday cheer while you make a mad dash!  And be sure to have the most amazing, magical holiday ever!!!  See you in 2012  xoPG

P.S. Please be sure to scroll past Blue Genie below to see all the other interesting gifts and art available in Austin stores and online.

 

  TOUCH OF SASS

 

 

 

 Love the little shopping area on the corner of Lamar and 5th.  Touch of Sass and Extraordinaire are two faves.  Currie, the owner, has THE magic touch with one of the most beautiful stores in Austin!! With a gorgeous decor of wedgewood blue, she displays stunning jewelry alongside stylish handbags and even artwork by local artists. The drawers that pull out with an array of different jewelry designers is a perfect and unique presentation that allows customers to peak and browse with leisure.

EXTRAORDINAIRE

And owners Steve and Michael of Extraordinaire carry tons of unique gifts!  From Alessi table ware to Fortuny lamps, they have one of the most colorful and diverse gift shops in Austin!  I found a wonderful tea cup/strainer….but oohed and awed over these luxurious linens by MH.  They feature many designers from all over the world, with a little bit for everyone at many affordable prices. And you can indulge in a gourmet chocolate truffle while you shop!

BLUE GENIE ART BAZAAR

My daughter and I headed up to this local art fair and totally scored on getting all the gifts needed for nieces and nephews.  With a few mustache soaps, we then hit the jackpot:  make-up bags by Anne Marie Beard.  Over 130 local artists’ work are featured at this 10 year old celebrated tradition in Austin. Stop by!

 

From pottery to gag gifts, and Chia hats, there’s a little bit for everyone.

Below is Monique Capanelli, owner of Articulture Designs showing some of her wares.  Known for her amazing interior botanicals and sustainable landscapes, you can find some of these beauties perfect for that green thumb in your family!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And to finish our shopping fun, we couldn’t resist playing around with Chia hats and mustaches!!

HOWL

Now onto South of the river, the beautiful Lady Bird Lake. (yes, sometimes in TX we call lakes rivers!) You don’t have to go far from the bridge to run into this neat strip of shops on the left heading south.  Along with bridal, fabric and designer clothing boutiques is tucked HOWL INTERIORS.  With their motto of “Fearless Fashion”, Howl is a unique breed here in Austin.  It is so different, there really isn’t another store like it in the world as far as we know!  That’s because owner, antique collector, and artist Barry Jelinski has built his studio behind his eclectic shop creating everything from handcrafted furniture to hand-cut glass mirror candelabras.

(Here’s artist Kendall Rabon’s link; for some reason I can’t link IN the photo??)

This portrait above has a story: The painting is by an artist from Newcastle, UK, named Scott Dobson.  He is apparently a bit of a legend, as when the painting was posted online, HOWL immediately was contacted by two different individuals living in Newcastle who wanted to comment on the local hero.  The box below it is a incredible creation by owner, Barry Jelinski, called “Leo in a Box”.  It’s made from several antique materials.  You push a button on the side, peek in the little hole, and voila you see a tiny mouse looking in a mirror back at you.  VERY cool!!!

And something that has always captivated our attention is this amazing matador statue.

Aaron Jelinski, who holds down the fort by running the day to day shop gives us the scoop:  ” The Toreador was discovered at a San Antonio estate.  It belonged to a man who, in the 1930’s worked on Broadway….but he left there to spend the rest of his life designing and creating parade floats.  This piece is probably from the 1950’s.”

It is fascinating and diverse antiques such as these with stories and histories all their own, that, along side with Barry’s art pieces, make HOWL a rare find in Austin, TX!  Check them out on 1st Dibbs too!

FLOCK (2120 Oxford)

Many Austinites have been flocking to this brand new store in South Austin.  I never get much of a chance to spend time shopping, so really enjoyed looking at all the new artisans/designers that talented merchandiser Ashley Woodson has brought in.

In addition to Lights Out Candles and many local jewelry designers Flock carries, this quaint little shop now features incredible hand-dyed silk scarves by Shimmer and Bliss.

Flock also carries dynamic paintings by local artist Fernando Palomo.  You can also find larger, more provocative paintings by this same artist just across the street at Aviary Decor.

SERVICE MENSWEAR

We wrapped up our Christmas shopping on South Congress with a little bit of clothing shopping for our guys at Service Menswear (one of THE best men’s boutique in Austin.)  Always love coming here because I know that I will get the BEST customer service!  I was able to purchase socks for my son, a shirt for my husband, and an ornament for my daughter. Owner, James, is a huge supporter of local businesses (love to talk shop with him!) and always knows what my guys like. Couldn’t ask for a better one stop shopping experience!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 KENDRA SCOTT

And right next door on the bustling South Congress is Kendra Scott’s new boutique (she just opened one in L.A. too!)  Kendra is a local fixture in Austin’s business and philanthropic communities.  You can find her designs worn by gals like me in Austin or a movie star in L.A.  Her Color Bar has been a huge hit, as customers can select the color of stones for a “custom” look.  Guys, take a hint here….perfect place to please the missus!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We finished all that holiday shopping off with a sweet treat at the locally-owned retro candy shop Big Top!  All the businesses mentioned in this blog are locally owned in Austin, TX.  They may be trying to bring more national chains here, but many of us hold dear our locally owned shop owners cause they carry such unique clothing, jewelry, art, antiques, and fabulous gifts that can’t be found anywhere else!  So what’s stopping you….please go say hello and snag that perfect gift for Aunt Mary Sue!

Lest we forget, please think about helping the families of Austin’s Season for Caring.  We were inspired by the story of our neighborhood hamburger stand, P. Terry’s, donating one day’s profit, a record $16,113.68.  WOW!  So we called up Katy at the Statesman to see if the ten featured families would like some one-of-a-kind pillows for their new furniture and homes.  (We also wanted each of the mothers to receive special VIP pillows so they’d have a little something just for them under the tree).

Assistant, Rachel Meyer and I had great fun getting them all ready.  When we delivered them Katy said “We’re seeing so many small businesses in Austin really coming forward with in-kind donations and instead money too.”  You not only can help these 10 families, but whatever is left, once their needs are met, goes to many other needy families from each agency.  For more information on Season for Caring, please call 512.445.1732 or visit statesman.com/go/seasonforcaring.  (If you have a similar program outside of the Austin community, please think about sharing with them).

We wish you a festive holiday celebration with family and friends!!  xoPG