anthropologie

a few weeks ago, i was lucky enough to receive an invite from my friend emily to a book signing at the Rockefeller Center Anthropologie store.

but really, the highlight was the champagne and empty store that we got to peruse.

if you've never been to new york city at christmas time (Nov. 1 - Jan. 7) then you have not the slightest idea of what a crowded store looks like. first, let me refresh your memories that most of the stores in Rock Center have 3 floors: basement, first and second. the basement is typically the men's section of the store, while the 1st and 2nd floors are devoted to women and/or kids. so, backtrack, three floors does not equal less crowded, it equals 3x as crowded at christmas time.

so retailers beware: 3x as crowded equals julia doesn't want to step foot into the store at christmas time, unless there is free champane offered.


note: this is not the first anthropologie event i've attended. my first was at the store opening in Austin, TX with danielle of so great. there was also free champagne at that event.

the big bang theory

a few weeks ago, one chilly, rainy, Friday night, i went to an event at the Museum of Natural History with a few handfuls of friends. this event was something we'd planned to go to for about three weeks, and everyone was quite excited. there really is a lot to be said about ending your work week by starting your weekend off with a gin martini with a lime twist and a museum event.

so anyways, the event was your typical NYC museum event, complete with hipsters and yo-pros (my newly created term for young professionals). there was also a dj/band (can't remember) who was pumping the bass through out the planetarium wing.

to escape the crowd, and ear pounding music we decided to hop into the glass walled elevator and get in line for the planetarium show. after taking seats in the white dome shaped room, the show began, as did the expansion of my knowledge.

sure, i went to school, and i paid attention (i was always very good, hated feeling like i was caught off guard), but i cannot for the life of me remember learning the intricacies of the Big Bang theory. and if i was in fact taught this theory, then it was not nearly as interesting as this show was. i learned so much!

and the best part was i got to go play with my friends afterward, like recess. although, i don't remember recess having wine, gossip and a coat check.

Free wine* *wine is actually beer this time

so it's been a little bit since i've attended a free wine event. i'm sure most of you are thinking that that series was an early spring thing i did, and for the most part it was. i'm not sure if it was the economy, my busy calendar or what, but now i'm back with another free wine piece! and this time, it's actually free beer.

the kind folks at welovebars.com are giving away beer for blog posts. according to their website, these guys run a group of bars consisting of: the Black Bear Lodge, Kingshead Tavern, Bullshead Tavern and Whiskey River. when you go to the site, make sure to listen to the tunes!

they claim the giveaway is in honor of the man who invented the global hypertext system (what?) which became the early internet. this all happened in the late 80's/early 90's when i was but a wee lass who though beer was disgusting. thankfully that is no longer the case! so bring on the beer boys!

much thanks to my friend Tushy who forwarded on the article.

o'mom

when i was at home a few weeks ago, my sistalicka emily and i were chatting about how mom sends us newspaper clippings having to do with things in either NY or Chicago. emily said she always felt bad throwing them away, but just couldn't keep them all. i always keep them and then happen upon them months later, note: they get most often get tossed after my second read.

why does this matter you ask? well because i think mom and her new iphone have figured out a way to bring us the clippings electronically! see below image:

type reads:

subject: your next blog topic?
body: Couldn't find a link for article in DMN so I did the next best! About 2 sisters who 'love baking and sweets!' How is Ally? Bet she loves the cooler weather. Skip said they had a record low Sun night. KKLL. Mom
code breaker: DMN = Dallas Morning News; Skip = Uncle; KKLL = kiss kiss love love (used to come up as KILL from her itouch)

so as usual mom found a gem for my next blog topic. o'cookies is a sister duo in NYC and Dallas that make healthy cookies. hey, as long as they're tasty i'm in! check them out and let me know what you think!

Pure Lines

when Rachel, a member of the gaggle, invited me to Wolfram Ruoff"s Pure Lines Collection at the Sous Les Etoiles gallery last thursday night, i jumped at the opportunity.

in my usual fashion i had no idea what the art opening would entail, so i was pleasantly surprised to walk into the small and simple gallery. it was the perfect size for a (max) 10 piece show. the first thing my eyes were drawn to ended up being my favorite. it was a black and white photograph of times square, something typical that you see on the street, being peddled, in times square. but there was something different about this photo. there was something jumping out at me, a lot of things, they were enhanced lines, lines that had seemingly been pulled out of the image and almost turned into tubes of neon that the XXX signs are made of in Vegas. it was Awesome! every time i looked at a different piece, there was something else there.



even with all these lines jumping out at me from every photograph, we were able to finish the gallery pretty quickly. good thing too because the artist himself was there just to talk to us! ok, maybe not us, but he did answer our questions. see below for a recap, and pictures:

J and R: So how exactly do you create these pieces?

WR: I do them on the computer.

J and R: Oh, cool. It's really interesting, we haven't ever seen anything like it...

WR: Yes, I think I'm the only one who does this kind of art. I've been doing it for 2 years now and not seen anyone else attempt it.

J and R: Well it's really fantastic and you did a wonderful job, we're glad that we came to check it out. Thanks!

it seems as if we only had one question, you say? well that's because there is a fine line in the question asking, when you're at a gallery, you don't want to ask too many questions because then you may come across as interested in purchasing the piece, when really that is not the case. and especially during these trying times you have to tread lightly.

which brings me to the 2nd best piece of the gallery, they had free wine. while i did not partake, getting over a cold, it still added to the experience.

if you're down on broadway between prince and spring any time before may 22, 2009 be sure to hop in for a looksie, and ask a lot of questions!

who needs botox when you have bangs?

given the recent, yet not so sudden downturn of the economy, and in an effort to become a better saver, i've resolved to only attend events where they offer free wine. this doesn't make me a moocher, you see, if the event is advertising "complementary wine" then they want you to attend and to have your fill of it.

my first exploratory outing using this methodology was to the LeMetric event at Saks Fifth Avenue, hosted by BettyConfidential.com on Thursday evening. i gathered a gaggle and we went unknowingly to the back of the shoe floor (10022-SHOE, the floor's very own zip code).

the speakers at the event were none other than Betty's own style + beauty editor Lois Joy Johnson, Elline Surianello, founder and CEO of LeMetric hair center, INC., and Valerie White, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist Executive Coach and author.

Elline spoke first, giving a background of the LeMetric system and how it came to be. she suffers from alopecia, a disease that causes her hair to fall out, and after living with this condition for her entire life, she finally realized she could do something about it. she began to design her own hair pieces, pieces that stayed put with practically nothing to hold onto, pieces that were different than anything she had ever know before. quickly she realized that she could help other women as well, and from this grew what LeMetric is today: a custom hair replacement strategy for women. she is very clear that she only does women, and "only hair on the head!" Ms. Elline also made it clear that the cause of hair loss is rarely physical, and more often than not it is caused or made worse by mental factors, i.e. tragedy, loss of a loved one, life change, etc.

enter Dr. Valerie White. Dr. White was very helpful in getting the audience understand that a woman is defined by her hair but that there are things she can do to remain confident even through difficult times. things such as shifting the balance of thinking in order to remain positive.

it segued nicely into Lois's topic: the 10 rules to follow to be healthy, hot and happy. don't worry, i wrote them all down for you to read:

1. get rid of belly fat, muffin tops and that belly: buy a SPANX full body suit for spring
2. get measured for a new bra, the new average size is a 36D (!)
3. buy more dresses than tops and bottoms (they don't cut you in half)
4. buy 1 pair of new jeans
5. substitute a self tanner for body lotion "makes you look yummier"
6. get botox (or if you're against, please see title of post), a good concealer and big sunglasses
7. use fashion as strategy
8. show arms, legs and decolletage
9. cut out the size label on your clothes
10. keep up appearances, specifically beauty wise

if you go back and re-read my intro to this piece you'll see that the last item on this list and free wine mission do not necessarily mix, but they do have something in common. it is that cutting back on entertainment is admirable, but cutting back on beauty necessities, eye brow waxing for example, is not. remember that girls.

i started the event with one purpose in mind (free wine) i left learning a few valuable lessons and hearing motivational women speak, plus i got to look at some very pretty shoes. i feel that it was a very successful inaugural free wine outing. if you know of any more, or would like me to cover yours feel free to let me know.

Guest Blogging

a few weeks ago my friend Lee of "Nachos NY" asked me to be a guest blogger on Texas nachos. you see he has this love for nachos that has spread to his blog, it was even mentioned in Thrillist (way to go man)!!! i managed to crank out some verb-ature on the subject and he's posted it. check out the piece, below, and you'll get my drift. also, you need check out the rest of his site, it's quite a masterpiece.

I’ve continued to reach out to the people I know all around the world. Today, Julia Yale of Texas Casual and friend of the blog wrote in to tell me all about her love for nachos since being a wee lass. While I may disagree with her style of nachos, I love the way she handles her argument.

My nacho love started at the wee age of 7 when my family went out to eat at Uncle Julio’s in Dallas, TX. After purveying the menu I felt that the bean and cheese nachos were going to be my best bet. After watching the tortilla machine spin those balls of dough, baby, right round, round, round, until they became little inflated pillows and then finally tortillas, and consuming more Dr. Pepper then healthy for any age, my meal arrived. The plate came and atop it was a heaping pile of yellow corn tortilla chips that were so thin they could only be homemade in the restaurant smothered in refried beans, also so thin they could only be homemade in the restaurant covered with a coating of what could only be cheese. Monterrey jack, cheddar, American, a nice blend of all three, thinly shredded and melted to perfection resting as a blanket of yumminess for me to indulge in.

The thing about Texas nachos is that each bite you take is a combination of crispy, smooth, hot and cheesy. The beans and cheese melt into each other in your mouth and you can’t stop it from watering. Every visit back to UJ’s my mouth was rewarded with the tasty morsels, no jalapeños please, I was only 7! As I got older and braver I began to realize that the sour cream and Pico de Gallo and guacamole that always rested on the bed of lettuce in the middle of the circle of heavenly nachos were very tasty and complementary toppings that shouldn’t go to waste. I’ve since remained a fan of the simple bean and cheese nachos. I see no need to add on beef, steak, chicken or much of anything else; after all it is the Tex-Mex way and I think you’ll find most other true Texans agree whole heartedly. Deep in the heart of bean and cheese Texossssss.

Saturday Night

last saturday night, the 7th, i ventured all the way down to soho (which i love but never go to) with Seaver to met up with Ian, Dana and her mom and aunt, and Danielle. we were all going to the Amanda Dolan Heart Attack show at the Ward-Nasse gallery.

now, after a day of revelry in Hoboken it was a stretch to get me there, and an even bigger stretch to get me to leave. the pieces by Ms. Dolan were very light, glittery and young at heart... i loved the shimmery paints she used to accentuate the neon hearts with. my favorite pieces were the assorted minis displayed on a hidden wall - picture shown below - they would be absolutely precious for a little girl's bathroom, or for my bathroom to be honest. my next favorite part was the mini cupcakes that i was told are always at Ms. Dolan's shows. well Ms. Dolan, you've got me hooked, i will come to every show just to enjoy those, and a side of your art.

my last favorite part is this picture that Danielle "didn't even pose for".

note: if you knew us at UT, you know that we went to everything we could with the words "opening" "complementry cocktails" and "tribeza will be there" in the description. this is merely a continuation after a 1.5 year hiatus.

(photos complements of Belkis Carrasco)

12th Annual EIF REVLON Run/Walk For Women

since the year is almost two months over, and my new year's resolutions have gone out the window (sound familiar?) i was delightfully surprised when this little gem was in my inbox this morning.

On Saturday, May 2nd, 2009, join 40,000 participants in Times Square as we celebrate the 12th Annual EIF REVLON Run/Walk For Women. Men, women and children of all ages are invited to share in the excitement as we come together in a united effort to help eradicate women's cancers. Your participation in raising critical funds and awareness will work toward ensuring a bright, cancer-free future. Join the Fight!

WHAT: A 5K Run/Walk and Health Expo

WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 2009

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

7am - Onsite (late) Registration.
Pledge Drop-off and T-Shirt/Giftbag Pickup

8:15am - Celebrity Opening Ceremonies

9:15am - Official start of 5K Run/Walk

10:00am - Finish line festivities & Health Expo change to Survivor Ceremony

WHERE: Begins in Times Square and finishes in Central Park

WHO: 40,000 dedicated men, women and children

WHY: To raise awareness and critical funds for women's cancers research, treatment, counseling and outreach programs.

BACKGROUND: Created in 1993 through the committed and collective efforts of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Lilly Tartikoff, and Ronald O. Perelman, The EIF REVLON Run/Walk For Women has grown to become one of the nation’s largest 5K fundraising events. To date, the Run/Walks (LA/NY) have distributed nearly 55 million dollars for cancer research, treatment, counseling and outreach programs. Thanks in part to these funds, new treatments are being developed and lives are being saved.

I'm considering volunteering due to budget constraints, but with a celebrity opening and gift bag who would say no to a $30 entry fee + it's for a great cause. anyone interested? if so, be sure to go to: http://www.revlonrunwalk.com/ny/

news!

hey hey hey! there were some exciting developments that happened last week and i’m here to share them all with you fine folks.

1. EIC at so great has made the big move up to NYC. she’s staying on my couch til thursday then off to her new digs in “billyburg” (direct quote). everyone make sure to wish her luck!

2. there is a new blog for you to waste time at work looking at check out. it comes to us courtesy of my roommate Lauren. make sure to go to stalk all recent adventures of this crazy kid at la la la lauren, especially her most recent post re: our weekend adventure to atlantic city!

3. you may have noticed that you went to a different web address to get to this blog today. that's because i purchased www.txcasual.com for my personal(!) and public use. tumblr was fantastic but the custom domain thing was a little too buggy for me so now i'm being supported through blogger. i'll be working on bringing my previous tumblr posts over to the new space in the next few weeks. thanks for the support y'all!

happy monday kids. stay tuned for more.