naturally sweet valentine.

Need a cute idea for a healthy valentine's day treat?

These are so sweet and perfect for your kid's classmates or your work colleagues.

Just open, download the PDF, print onto sticker paper, cut out with a 1″ craft punch, 

and apply to your special someone’s favorite fruit. 

Thanks Elephantine, for the tip!

Be mine.

Valentine's Day is officially around the corner.

To make it easier to give some love, 

check out these super cool down-loadable valentine's day cards. 

Thanks for the tip, Poppytalk.

And Happy St. Valentine's... all month long! 

Oomph Trajectories

 

Oomph Trajectories investigates the illusionary possibilities of repetitive line, through mark making and hand working of wire. In this work Michaela Bruton examines how movement and rhythm can be generated through repetitive pattern, and whether this can create an illusion of life or ‘oomph’ in otherwise inanimate forms. The essence of time and hand made processes is reflected through works that pursue repetitious detailing. 

Thanks All The Mountains, for the tip.

Allyson Garro, the owner and creator of Coco Coquette

Are there some days you just look in the mirror and need to tap into your inner-diva? It happens to me all the time, especially when I realize my hair is looking somethin' crazy and I'm in same yoga pants as yesterday.

Well, that's when its time to walk straight into the magical world of Coco Coquette and get yourself a beauty treat. Allyson Garro has created a gorgeous den of diva-ness tucked away in a little bungalow cottage on East Cesar Chavez. In her studio shop, you will find absolutely stunning hand-crafted wigs she has created locally-made jewelry, fanciful head-dresses... and let's not forget a wonderful palette of make-up and perfumes.

I first encountered Coco Coquette during a fabulous Girls Night Out, where all the girls were fitted for hand-selected wigs and got their make-up done by professional make-up artist Mahshad Valiki of Big Bang Collective. It was one of the funnest nights I've had in a long, long time. (The next time you need an idea for Girl's Night Out, take this recommendation. You will not be disappointed.)

But back to Allyson Garro. 

What makes a sweet, uber-creative girl like Allyson tick? 

Let's find out:

Necessary extravagance
The three Ps: Organic Produce, Pedicures and Prosecco!

Favorite color
I'm beige to the bone.  Is that weird?  My favorite color is such a non- color.  I also like peach, brown and gold... which I think are all distant cousins of beige.

Favorite gadget
Teasing comb and a hot glue gun - I'm lo-tech.

Favorite dessert
A fresh young coconut, a spoon, a straw and a butcher knife.

Favorite ingredient
Love.  And truffle oil.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
There is a lot of love in my life.  My best friend of almost 12 years, a Rottweiler named Violet, just passed and I am feeling her absence every day.  Romantically, my boyfriend Greg Rhoades is my greatest love!  I'm very close to my family, too, and then there's the matter of being blessed with friends who I am in awe of on a daily basis... Group hug!  ((UPDATE:: Allyson just got engaged on recent trip to Costa Rica. ❤ Many Congrats!!))

If you were to do and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A unicorn, of course!  I'd like to prance around all day, chasing rainbows and jumping through waterfalls and leaving my hoofprints in the freshly fallen snow in some enchanted forest. 

What do you value most in your friends?

Imagination, daring and playfulness

What is your favorite item of clothing?
I'm a big fan of the City Wide Garage Sale, especially on Sunday afternoons when the vendors are dumping their wares at crazy low prices.  I bought this cream colored (borderline beige) oversized wool cardigan with gold buttons for $1 and I wear it everyday.  It makes me look like an old man, but I combat that look with red lipstick.

So there you have it!

Allyson of Coco Coquette is meant to be your new best friend. She's funny, nurturing, good with kids and super-duper creative. You must purchase yourself a little something special from Coco Coquette and unleash the diva from within!

But wait... there's more. 

Get a fix of Coco Coquette during their upcoming event!

12 Designers, 12 Dancers, 12 Twisted Love Themes

Hosted by infamous New Orleans' MC, the insatiable Chris Lane!

Doors at 8, show at 9
Tix $8

The Designers (In Show Order)
Tina Sparkles
House of Space
Jen Rea of Team Fabrication
Amanda Martinez
Katinka Pinka
Lovecraft Vintage
Louise Black
Shari Gerstenberger
Teddy Darling
Curry Beth
Chia

Lingerie by Teddies For Bettys!

Special Performance by MC Sweet Tea!

...more fabulous wigs created by Coco Coquette...

blue tit bird.

This is truly a fascinating little mama bird.

Female blue tits gather lavender, yarrow, curry, mint and other scented plants for their nests shortly after laying eggs, and continue to do so until the chicks leave home.

"They are real botanists and do a great job exploiting their environment to protect their chicks," says Marcel Lambrechts of the Centre for Functional Ecology and Evolution in Montpellier, France, one of the researchers.

The birds make a potpourri of 10 aromatic plants from the 250 species in their habitat. Many of the chemicals in these plants ward off bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and insects.

Sheesh, and I thought I was a good mama. 

She is one hard-working little lady.

Read more here.

Awwwwwww...Freakout!

When it comes to most things, Austin is ahead of the game. Consider the music scene, the great outdoors, yummy food, progressive living, etc, etc.

But for awhile there, the fashion scene was bleak. This town was just so utterly casual, it was kinda depressing. I'm totally guilty too, but enough already with the tee-shirts and flip-flops everyday of the year.

Well Fashionistas, your time has come. You can officially wipe away your tears, rev your fashion engines and certainly mark your social calendar for some serious catwalk action!

The Proto-Hunnies from Prototype Vintage Design have answered your stylish prayers by presenting Fashion Freakout Four on Friday, February 4th at The Mohawk, along with New Bohemia and Laced with Romance.

Here's my advice. Get your hustle on and tickets fast because this baby is sure to be a sold-out event.

  

And everyday folks, do not be afraid. I came to this show last year only 8 month pregnant and had a total blast just enjoying the eye candy, sipping my cranberry with soda... and texting The Husband saying I'd be home late. 

Have a look-see at what the critics say:

"The Prototype Vintage Design team created quite the scene at the Fashion Freakout...if the applause, laughter, oohs and ahhs account for anything, it appeared as if Austin's hipsterati approved." -The Austin American Statesman

"The line that snaked out the door, around the corner, as hopeful scenesters waited to get in on a one-in/one-out policy, indicated that this fashion show was worth freaking out for." -The Austin Chronicle

"To put it simply, the Fashion Freakout blew the rest of the city's fashion shows out of the water." -Austin Style Watch