CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE

Back to School-Kid’s Stores

August 5, 2010 by Pansy | Comments (0)

My favorite back to school outfit was a bright blue button-up smock dress with a white collar. It had two big side pockets and an artists brush and painter’s pallette appliqued on the right side. I remember how great I felt when I waltzed into homeroom fashionably late (chaotic carpool) the first day of 4rd grade and whipped out my new pencil holders, erasers, and tablets from my equally cool new backpack. I had the right look and the right tools to get that schoolyear going. But after visiting several boutiques in Austin with back to school in mind, I would love another crack at starting back to school with the even cooler fashions and accessories available today. I could really rock fourth grade!

Since it is stunningly hot here in Austin for back to school, the water bottle is a must. Fortunately, fashionable water bottles are available. PerriBerri has CIGG waterbottles in all colors and are made out of recycled aluminum. Perfect for your new backpack! And who knew that school supplies were now so trendy. Japanese erasers are very cutting edge in all shapes from soccer balls to iced cakes. Tom’s shoes are comfortable, lightweight, machine-washable slip-ons in every color imaginable. When you buy a pair of Tom’s, the proceeds go to buy a pair for an underprivileged child. perriberri.com

Izzy and Ash is for the chic kid. Rock band shirts and graphic tees are great for jazzing up a pair of shorts. Nano and Monster Republic give boys the edgy, LA look: you know, casual, energetic and devilish! The ultra cool backpacks from Dante Beatrix are owls, ladybugs and dinosaurs. Zio Sport is an Austin-based company that makes activewear for kids so comfortable that they never want to stop playing! They offer a great assortment all of which are perfect for the August return to school. izzyandash.com

For the back to preschoolers, Bright Beginnings has nap mats that roll up neatly like a yoga mat. You can buy the matching pillow and lunchbox to go with the mat, too. Personally, I love the wall of socks at Bright Beginnings. It’s such a great time to start off with complete pairs of socks and trendy ones at that. They have backpacks on rollers so you can glide down the hall like on the way to the airport and not have the backache. I especially loved the annual keepsake books they have from preschool to 6th grade. That’s a good way to keep things organized each schoolyear rather than throwing papers into a huge storage box to be gone through “later.” My third grade insider, Allison, tells me the candy wrapper accessories are the IT item. The wrappings from Reese’s, M&M’s and Double Bubble are used for headbands and purses. So so cool. bestdressedkids.com

Trendy Bella Mi has a room dedicated to tweens. Juicy Couture clothes, handbags and jewelry are in great colors. I really wish they had my size in Twirly Girl because the dresses, skirts and leggings were adorable and reversible and all designed to express your inner twirl. They even have the under twirls you wear when you are wearing a skirt or dress but have to do a spontaneous cartwheel or simply twirl. Good thinking! The Lelli Kelly glittered sneakers are fabulous as are the ballet flats and cowboy boots by Willits. Room.it.up has all sizes of brightly colored backpacks and lunchkits. They also carry groovy journals and legal pads. bella-mi.com

Best Bachelorette Gifts

July 7, 2010 by Pansy | Comments (0)

The bride is a vision of beauty, romance and joy.   The next chapter of her life and all the expectations that come with it lies happily before her. But, understandably, brides are a delicate breed.  She has the biggest To-Do list she has ever faced in her life!  As a friend of a bride, the perfect gift can make all the difference.   I recently looked around Austin to see what gifts might make the bride feel even more special and loved at this exciting time in her life.

Women know that lovely lingerie can change your life and a visit to Underwear was truly inspiring.  To keep our bride rested, there are silk sleep masks embroidered with “Kiss the Bride” that are delicate but practical.  The French line, Hui, is a creamy lace fabric guaranteed to make you feel elegant.  Stella McCartney has some enticing boudoir pieces and Mary Green has some lovely “something blue” silk panties.  These items are perfect gifts for brides!  Go by Underwear, 916 W. 12th Street. shop-underwear.com

When you walk into Milk + Honey, you instantly relax.  The setting is peaceful and it smells wonderful.  A great gift to ward off any bridezella tendecies is the Milk + Honey Retreat.  This consists of a 60 minute massage with aromotherapy, a 60 minute facial and the lux pedicure/manicure.  The bride gets to visit all 3 areas of the spa and leaves renewed and relaxed.  Bridezella be gone!  Milk + Honey, 204 Colorado Street, milkandhoneyspa.com

Paper Place is an inspiring place to browse for brides.  They have a great selection of picture frames.  Why not frame photos from the different showers and parties as gifts?  And since writing thank you notes becomes a part-time bride for any bride, check out their selection of notecards.  You can also order postcards announcing their new address. Paper Place is at 4001 N. Lamar.  paperplaceaustin.invitations.com

The PJ Shop features women’s loungewear as well as jewelry and clothing.  How perfect to give the bride a new robe to relax in after her latest round of parties!  I love the Plum Pretty Sugar Silk Road Sweet Robe.  So feminine and silky.  Their slippers are so attractive too. Check them out at thepjshop.com

Back Home Furniture is full of unique details for the home.  They have some very chic sofa pillows that would make great gifts for the new home.  Also, their throws come in unusual colors. Walk around and get ideas.  Getting a gift not on their wish list can be a fun surprise when you know the bride and groom’s taste.  backhomefurniture.com

When the bride and groom return from their honeymoon, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a week’s worth of meals lined up for them? Vicki Commiso, Personal Chef and Catering, customizes the menu and delivers it!  How lovely to come home to Lemon Chicken Piccata served over whole wheat noodles, Asparagus with Tomato confit and a green salad with citrus vignette.  They can eat on their new dishes with all their new tableware while being inspired about what to cook starting the next week!  Vicki Commisso, 512-744-5991.

Sweet Treats in an Austin Summer

June 30, 2010 by Pansy | Comments (0)

A Texas summer is full of childhood memories of popsicles by the pool, ice cream cones melting down your arm while you lick it as fast as you can and som’mores around the campfire.  Maybe our tastes have developed from way back then but a summer treat is still a great recharger when it is 100 degrees outside! Even if you haven’t run around Town Lake, biked Southwest Parkway or been to yoga and pilates in a few weeks, you deserve a sweet treat just for hanging in there during these dog days of summer in Austin.  I’ve been on the search for some summer treats and am excited about what I found!

Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop feels familiar and smells delicious when you walk in the door.  The floor is black and white checkered and there are colorful aprons hanging on the wall.  In the display case, the Pineapple Upside Up Cupcake with a cherry on top was alluring as was the Ginger Cookie cupcake.  The summer bestseller there  is the Marilyn Monroe, a swirly blonde cupcake with buttercream frosting that melts in your mouth.  It is the original blonde bombshell!  Go find your summer favorite at Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, 1905 S. 1st Street, sugarmamasbakeshop.com

The Snack Bar adjoins the historic Austin Motel on South Congress.  Dessert is available all day long even as they are a diner by day and lounge by night. And they have great coffees to go with your dessert. The Rosewater Cake is exceptional.  It is a 4-layer cake with pistachio and cream cheese icing. My favorite is the Black and Tan which is a dark chocolate brownie and peanut butter blondie heated then served with Blue Bell Ice Cream.  I love blonde brownies and this is even better with the addition of the peanut butter.  Try it!  The Snack Bar is at 1224 South Congress, snackbaraustin.com

Cutie Pies is the hot pink trailer at 1600 South Congress.  Jaynie Buckingham, the pie maker, wears a tierra for good reason:  Southern Living magazine just named her Buttermilk Pie  ’the best pie in the south.’  It is fabulous, too, creamy but not too sweet.  Jaynie says the Texas Twister pie is an Austin favorite these days.  It’s white chocolate with coconut pecan.  She is at her trailer Wednesdays through Sundays until she runs out of pie. cutiepiewagon.com

I can’t talk about desserts without mentioning the great crop of Fredricksburg peaches this year!  They are so sweet and juicy.  This is the best crop they have had in five years.  Thursday through Sundays, Fredricksburg Peaches has a trailer right next to Cutie Pies so get a box and  make a cobbler, or slice and add to your Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla or just sit in the shade and eat one.  It’s summer and you deserve a treat!