Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Too Fat for Photos

Pantagraph covered New York Fashion Week with an article by Megan Scott. Megan reports that Models wore up to a size 2 and 4! Designers rejected prepubescent 13-year-olds.

Interesting that the article had not a single picture of the new "fat" models. The U.S. Council of Fashion Designers of America held classes on eating disorders.

Sorry, fashion should not hurt.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Aspiring to $280,000 Earrings

A $300,000 wardrobe?

Well, $280,000 were the earrings alone.

The nice thing about the USA is that we can ALL aspire to wealth, fame, power, and even fancy earrings.

Fashion and Style are about your personality, they are about your accomplishments, they are about your personal expression.

Fashion and Style are about YOU.

I aspire to have nice things. I aspire to live well and enjoy my success.

Being jealous and petty is not stylish.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Kawasaki 704 Series Color: 34 Gray.

You will see more of these glasses... very soon.

USA TODAY: Bruce Horovitz captures the details in an 09/04/08 article:

"The Kawasaki frames are made from titanium and mounted via a screwless, tension system.

Similar but older versions of the frames have been worn by Colin Powell, David Letterman and Whoopi Goldberg, says Bart VanderVelde, national sales manager at Italee. But few celebs in glasses have set off this kind of frenzy, he says. "

Link to the: Italee Website

Monday, September 1, 2008

Bikram Yoga - Yogagroove (Austin)

It's hot... it's gross... your heart will race and you will get sweaty! But try it for a few days and you will be hooked.

We're talking about Hot Yoga at Yogagroove.

At first we were concerned about going. But not everyone there has a perfect body, and not everyone can hit all 26 postures. Once you start concentrating you forget about everyone around you.

Yogagroove enrollment for the first month for under $30, with unlimited access. If you choose to continue you can choose a package based on your expected usage.

Yoga... Hot Yoga... Very cool.

Link to: Yogagroove, Austin.

Lions and Tigers and Pant Suits, Oh My!

Some pictures should never be posted on the web. We are not big fans of synthetics. Especially since natural fabrics can be colored into a wide spectrum of beautiful colors.

Few would argue that these four colors would reproduce well on cotton. A nice silk camisole in any of these colors would be fantastic. But an entire suit is a little over-the-top.

Still, you have to admire that Hillary, or someone on her team, is aware of the smallest detail of her wardrobe selection.

The two blues suits would have faded into the background and the red suit is just a little too "Republican".

Laura's white linen jacket and skirt, with tan shoes was simple and sweat.

Cantaloupe anyone?

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

More on Sunglasses

Conde Nast publishes Fashion Rocks Magazine. While quietly thumbing through the pages we came across a four page spread of very stylish sunglasses.

LensCrafters? Really?

Turns out that LensCrafters a major sponsor of Fashion Rocks. So they garnered a four page splash.

We checked the LensCrafters site to find brands like Anne Klein, Bulgari, Burberry, DKNY and Prada. Seems like it's time to go shopping.

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Texas Little Black Book – A MyLlyons Project
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The Price of Beauty - New York Times

We try not to go too far afield when writing. But cosmetic procedures can not be ignored. This NY Times article presents an interesting discussion of cosmetic procedures competing with medical procedures.

Health and Beauty are intertwined. The article presents a fair picture of the challenges facing you as a consumer, and your Doctor as a provider.

The "Price of Beauty" article caught our eye in tandem with "Skin Deep: It's Botox for You, Dear Bridesmaids". 

“Giving them a bracelet isn’t as special as spending an evening together. Plus, as you get older, everyone is more conscientious about their skin and appearance,” she said. “Giving them something for themselves — as opposed to something that they’ll never wear again — is more meaningful.”

We felt so naughty getting our hair and nails done at the same time.

Now we can all get a little wrinkle relief!

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Texas Little Black Book – A MyLlyons Project
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Sunglasses are the new handbag?

We were sitting at Happy Hour with a co-worker - staring at her new sunglasses. "Yes, they were very expensive, especially since they are prescription".

Then she pulled them off and placed them into a beautiful Coach Eyeglass Case. We did not find them on the Coach site, but they are available at this link on Amazon.com: Coach Eyeglass Case. Hard case in brown and tan, three different sizes to choose from.

Sorry, shoes and handbags will not be replaced by sunglasses.

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

MyLlyons Web Site Updated

Our parent web site, MyLlyons.com has just been posted. The new design is clean and fast and looks more like the "vision" of the final product.

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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com/ A MyLlyons Project
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Friday, February 29, 2008

Victoria's Secret is... too sexy!

I heard this on the radio, then had to find the article. CNN is the source for this quote:

"We've so much gotten off our heritage ... too sexy, and we use the word sexy a lot and really have forgotten the ultra feminine," said Sharen Turney, Victoria's Secret's chief executive, in a call with industry analysts."

A deeper read in the artlce shows that they went "too young...".

Whew, I was worried there for a minute. ~Tom.
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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com/ A MyLlyons Project
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Don't look... Ok, you can look.

Weird. Austin is weird...? Follow our links to these weird titles on Amazon.

Now that is weird.

Amazon provides suggestions based on your user profile. I wonder what combination of clicks led them to offer this particular suggestion. I did take a look at some of the related titles. My goal is to go out and find something (anything) similar here in Texas. Of course, I will skip the Texas Roller Girls.

If you or your friends are dressing like this... well, I can't decide if this is fashion (uber-style) or faux pas.

What do you think?
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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com/ A MyLlyons Project
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Monday, February 25, 2008

The Bride Wore... her ego.

The New York Times has a recent article describing the new "sexy" bride (story here).

Yes, the wedding is about the bride. But it also about the groom, and both families. The NYT's bride is an ego centric "bridezilla", self-centered and vain.

Why not be a beautiful bride? Why not appeal to all family members, why not enjoy the tradition? Why not be hot for the bachelorette party, and perfect for the wedding?

Why not?

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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com/ A MyLlyons Project
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Luck Magazine – 50 Best Stores in Texas

Lucky Magazine has "The 50 Best Stores in Texas" in their December 2007 magazine and online.

Austin is well represented with By George, Eliza Page, Feathers, Kick Pleat, Luxe Apothetique, Parts & Labour, and the award winning Shiki. Local talent is featured with a plethora of options. (I always wanted to use plethora in a sentence).

Feathers carry vintage clothing and accessories. They do not appear to have a website, but here is a Google Map to help you find them.

Luxe Apothetique is right next to IBM (but no website?). Here is another Google Map.

Parts & Labour have a website (sort of?).

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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com
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Sunday, January 27, 2008

Sephora – An Amazing Store






Sephora is quickly becoming a favorite in every woman's beauty arsenal. What an amazing store! I love going in there. They carry top quality makeup, skincare, hair and nail products. Their staff is always ready to give their customers and a complimentary makeup consultation. The professional staff at the store is usually able to provide you with free samples so you can try them before you buy. The Sephora online store carries the newest products – and some of your older favorites as well.

If you have not been to Sephora it is must visit destination. My must have and beauty secret is "Smash Box Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer". I use the green tinted Primer to help fill in small lines and take some of the redness out of my skin. This makes my foundation go on much smoother.

Sephora has partnered with JC Penney's and many of their stores now have a Sephora store JCP stores. It is a smaller version of a store but just as wonderful. The new JCP store in Round Rock just opens with a Sephora inside.

Here are our Round Rock area Sephora stores:

Austin, Arboretum Market
Austin, Barton Creek
Round Rock (inside JC Penney, University Avenue)

Coming soon to Wolf Ranch in Georgetown

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Texas Little Black Book –
http://www.texaslbb.com
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MyLlyons Project
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Saturday, January 26, 2008

Shoe Style and Practicality

It is not unusual for us to browse through Harper's Bazaar Magazine to keep up with trends. But really, an ankle boot (bootie) with a 4" (5"?) spike heal and a peek-a-boo toe? This one is by Dolce and Gabbana ($750). Well, that really doesn't pass our practicality test. Maybe they would work as "Limo shoes" (from the limo to the club that is…).

Instead we offer a couple of alternatives:

Cole Haan has a new shoe called the Air Elly. The "air" part of this may sound familiar – (hint: Air Jordan). Yes, Nike Air Technology is built into this very fashionable Cole Haan shoe. Check out the Air Elly Mary Jane for under $200. We found this shoe in the February 2008 edition of Lucky magazine.

Maybe our practical side is showing, but Lucky magazine has a two page spread of boots in their January issue (p. 79 and 80). Every one of the boots would meet our style and practical tests.

Croc is expanding their product offerings (and there is a Crocs store at the Round Rock Premium Outlet Mall). In the meantime, they are getting some interesting competition from Skechers. Skechers is advertising washable, light-weight, anti-microbial… (This sounds like a Croc to me!). The line from Skechers appears to be a dressed up version of the original Croc – so Skechers are a little behind the curve from our perspective. We'll have to drop by the Outlet see if the new Croc lines have arrived.

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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com/
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MyLlyons Project
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Hutto Texas is Keen

We have a local newspaper called "Community Impact ". Community Impact has the best coverage of living and working for the residents in the cities on the northeast side of Austin (Hutto, Round Rock, Pflugerville and Cedar Park). John Garrett, the publisher, and his team do a top notch job on a publication that is supported entirely by advertising.

Two items caught our attention from the January 2008 issue. First was the news that Hutto is the fastest growing city in Texas (annual rate of 667%). Mayor Maxwell of Round Rock reported last winter that Round Rock is expected to double in size by 2012 and has a 10% annual turn-over. California and Florida may be dead… but we're still growing.

The second item is that REI is building a new concept store in Round Rock near the IKEA and Premium Outlet Malls. For those of you from the West Coast (I'm from San Francisco) this is great news. REI has outdoor style that translates well to urban use. Consider the KEEN Oswego Bag that REI carries. High style, recycled materials priced from $55 to $70.

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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com/
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MyLlyons Project
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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Round Rock Premium Outlets

One of the big advantages of living in Round Rock, Cedar Park or Georgetown is that you are just minutes from the Round Rock Premium Outlets. 125 stores are located at I-35 North, Exit 257 (or) I-35 South, Exit 256 (directions/map).

We have spent a good deal of time (and money) at Ann Taylor, Coach, LancĂ´me-Designer Fragrance & Cosmetic, and BananaRepublic. The Round Rock Premium Outlets is an open air mall with just a little protection from the elements. So bring a coat and umbrella on bad weather days. Also, there is not a lot of good food in the mall. There is a Chili's and TGIFridays just outside of the parking lot.

Special message to the guys: At the south end of the mall is the Cinemark 14 movie theater. Let her roam around for a couple hours while you catch a movie in a cool, comfortable theater.

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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com/

A Myllyons Project
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Monday, January 14, 2008

What will work for you?

FashionPrincess from Zimbio.com has it right: If you are looking for a fresh new look for the New Year, or you are still searching for the perfect hair style…

Well then take a look at today's Celebs. Celebrities spend big bucks on personal stylists to find a hot look. Follow these trend setters to find something that works for you.

Whether you are looking for the long and sleek look, or a new bob, check out this page Zimbio.com to see what is going on. Bob is hot, and have you seen a faux-bob?

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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com/
A Myllyons Project

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Sunday, January 13, 2008

Two other Blogs to read…

We need to call attention to a couple of local blogs.

Christina Jones runs http://www.ebeautydaily.com/ from College Station.
Look for beauty advice and plenty of produce information.

Beth Lambert runs http://www.styleshaker.com/ from Austin.
This blog has important, local fashion news.

Texas Little Black Book is a centralized source for personal care providers in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Georgetown. We want to make it a little easier to find whatever you need.

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Texas Little Black Book – http://www.texaslbb.com/

A Myllyons Project
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Thursday, January 10, 2008

Where is Austin?

Allure Magazine printed their Best of the Best Directory in their October 2007 issue. Where was Central Texas? Where was South Texas?

Dallas, Plano and Frisco get mentions in the following categories:

  • Haircuts
  • Hair color
  • Facials
  • Brows
  • Massage
  • Nails
  • Waxing
  • Bronzing
  • Body Treatments
  • Blowouts

Salon Three Thirty – Yancy Smith 214-219-1100 (Dallas, haircuts)

Select Salon and Spa – Margaret Mustantig & Vicki Bonnheim – 214-727-9879 (Dallas, color)

Luxury on Lovers – Marilee St. Louis – 241-352-8800 – (Dallas, facials)

Always at Peace Organic Day Spa – Amy Bohn – 972-422-7322 (Plano, massage)

Nail Bar – 214-528-6245 (Dallas, nails)

Skinfinity Aesthetics – Mary Vidal-Gray – 214-454-5500 (Dallas, waxing)

Bliss Spa Dallas – 214-397-4160 (Dallas, bronzing)

Face and Body Day Spa – 972-599-0881 (Frisco, body treatments)

Salon Pompeo – Deanna DiPizio – 214-979-0440 (Dallas, blowouts)

We know that Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park and Georgetown (and Houston, and every other big city) have a lot to offer.

TexasLBB (Little Black Book) is going to fill in the missing information.

Please feel free to tell us about your provider or yourself!


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http://www.texaslbb.com/

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