abby try again

Mockingbird Domestics

 

Hey Austinites!

Just wanted to let you know a great new store is opening next weekend and you're invited!

Mockingbird Domestics features goods by several local folks (including some of our FELIZ artisans). On September 15 they are hosting a Grand Opening and you should totally go! I wish I could but we'll be in California celebrating my son's first birthday.

Yeah, he's going to be ONE. WTH!

Anyway, the store is run by a really sweet staff who are super friendly and have great taste. The space is going to be more than just a retail space-they've got some great stuff planned for the future. Be sure to stop by their blog or online shop if you are not in Austin. 

OH and go enter the GIVEAWAY! Only three people have entered, come on that is amazing odds.

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And just a note to say: you guys rule. Seriously, I've been getting the sweetest comments and emails about this post and I wish I was more put together and had time to answer each one.

THANKS!

Back soon.

a post on "why"

As some of you know, I've been working on this project since January. I can honestly say, it's been more work than any other project I've done (apart from raising a child, of course). Recruiting artists, sponsors, finding venues, figuring out the details, trying to promote, etc, etc...you understand.

Now that is not to say that I don't enjoy it, but just that-it's a commitment for sure. And to be honest, something that I'm working on for free (is that wrong to admit? Well, I'm all for being honest).

Recently someone asked "Why? Why do this?"

A fair question, to be sure, but for some reason it irritated me as well. Maybe because I find myself asking that question over and over again in my head? 

So I've been taking some time to pause and think about the answer.

Well, I guess the answer is-because I want to believe. I want to believe in people who pursue their dream of working for themselves. I want to believe in people who love to make, to create. I want to believe in people who use their talents to create beautiful, lovely things. I want to believe that when you get all these types of people together-that something magical happens.

You know why I believe this? Because I've seen it here and here and so many other places. And I want to share it. And I really and truly believe that Austin has this community that can support this.

Now I know that "believing" doesn't pay the bills. I'm aware that this is not something we would be able to keep up year after year without paying ourselves for our work. Hopefully, we can make this happen. 

Maybe I'm crazy; that's probably true. I just really feel that life is too short not to take risks. You gotta dive in some times.

I just wanted to say thank you to all of those who've been supporting us over at FELIZ. We feel the love and appreciate it!

What are you working on lately? I'd love to hear.

 

Soon...

I'll be back in this space soon, I promise-well, I hope.

In the meantime I've been posting over at my side project: FELIZ.

Isn't the Texas sky just gorgeous?

Hope you are well, my friends.

busy byrd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Watching The Byrd Collective work the other day.

Hope you enjoy!

Happy Monday.

 

Contigo by iphone

 

My birthday dinner at Contigo Austin, shot on my iphone.

I highly reccommend this kid friendly (and dog friendly) place! There is a gorgeous park across the street complete with a waterfall and blooming wildflowers. You should make a whole afternoon/evening of it.

We had ox tongue sliders (that were much more delicious than I'd thought they'd be), mussels in a green garlic sauce (amazing), and a cold potato, beet and arugula salad (better than it sounds). We skipped dessert as we had a cake waiting at home but the local strawberry shortcake sounded pretty incredible.

I had a sort of revelation that evening, as we walked among the flowers in the park. I'm actually really sort of starting to love Texas. It feels good.

Thanks for the birthday wishes. Happy weekend, folks.

trying it out

 

Yesterday I came home from some errands to a presnt from James. The present was a new Canon DSLR. I am super bummed that my trusty Yashica film camera is no longer with me, but I'm thrilled to jump into a digital world. I do love film but with a baby it is a lot of trouble.

These shots are from a little walk we took around sun up this morning. Some are very blurry and not quite right, but all together I'm pretty happy. I can't wait to learn more about this camera and get shooting again.

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Thanks for the kind words about Feliz. Feels good to be up and running again.

Happy weekend to you.

Feliz

Hello again!

I have some fun news. Natalie and I have been working on a project for months now (gosh actually talking about it for over a year) and it's finally ready. We happily present to you: Feliz.

Feliz will be a whole weekend full of activities. We're having a meet and greet party at our sponsor store, West Elm (and maybe another fun get together but that's hush hush for now), workshops on Saturday and a holiday sale on Sunday. We're already working with about a dozen artists but we're taking applications for more!

If you've followed this blog you know I've done some events in the past. Those events usually featured artists that were chosen before announcing the event itself. This time around we wanted to open it up to others to try and find some new great talent (or maybe some old great talent we just didn't think to ask;). We are so excited to share the details with you over the next few months.

We are thrilled to be hosting this here in Austin. This whole planning process has been such a great way for me to get to know this city better and I can't wait to share more about that.

A huge thanks to Natalie for bearing with my new Mom brain and for being a super inspirational partner.

Thank you for reading, following and commenting. It may sound a little cheesy but you all have helped me through this transition into motherhood and a new life more than you'll ever know.

Thanks for taking the time to check out Feliz!

migas

Here's a non baby post for you.

If you are in Austin it's likely you can't travel more than 20 feet without running into a restaurant, liquor store, taco truck, deli, coffee shop or other place that sells breakfast tacos. They come in all shapes and sizes; almost always wrapped in foil and served with a little side of hot sauce. My favorite breakfast taco is a migas taco.

Migas tacos can be utterly flavorless, super rich, made with terrible american cheese or even no cheese at all...or they can be extremely delicious. My old standby was the Jess Taco from TacoDeli but I've found a new favorite that makes the Jess seem tasteless and bland. My new favorite migas taco can be found at this ridiculously over the top restaurant. It's totally worth dealing with the kitsch to try it. Be sure to ask for avocado on top and grab lots of salsas at the salsa bar.

And of you are missing my baby talk...I'm back to blogging over here.

something fun

So I mentioned last week that I was able to peek around the new Paloma's Nest Boutique and over here you will find a special little sneak peek and a great q&a with owner Caroline Colom Vasquez.

Thanks to Ez of Creature Comforts for letting me guest post and a big thanks to Caroline for taking the time to show me around her new boutique and for answering all of my questions.

For those of you in Austin, the boutique open Wednesday (tomorrow) and there's a grand opening party on Thursday! For more details about the event click right here.

All right...I'll be away from here for awhile...thanks so much for reading and have a great week friends!
 

summer time

I don't care what anyone says-it's summer here in Austin.

Happy Tuesday!