Thrifty Chic Austin

Supermarket Shuffle

missveronique — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:05:36 +0000

This weekend, in honor of my big birthday, we went searching for filet mignon at a somewhat affordable price. Lo and behold Sun Harvest Market has them for a song at 6.99/lb. When checking out our personal favorite store, Central Market, those babies were $27/lb. Strangely enough H-E-B didn’t carry them at all. So no demand for good meat around here? This search for the perfectly priced filet made me start to compare our local “somewhat healthy” markets. If (and only if) you shop the sales at Central, you will come out not having spent your entire paycheck. That’s quite a nice treat. And the quality beats out everyone else, hands down. But… many of their prices are pretty steep for anyone calling themselves thrifty. Then we have Newflower, Sprouts and Sun Harvest. All of these are within 10 minutes of us so we can somewhat easily get to all three. Sun Harvest was the winner this week on price, but I must say the quality was not what I’d want in a filet. Can I say big mouthful of fat? Newflower suffers from having little to no “regular” items such as kraft etc and when you step out of the sale perameters, they are nearly as expensive as Central. They also err on the healthy vs the foodie. So where does that leave us? Drum Roll… at Walmart. And Central. And Fiesta Market. Fiesta is on our block so for a quick frozen cpk pizza, they are a godsend. Same goes for a lime/lemon, etc. Central is where we get meat, produce and little treats. And Walmart is the best place for the packaged crap you want to get as cheaply as possible and probably shouldn’t be eating in the first place! i.e. Little mini Oreos. And the generic toiletries are really high quality but amazingly affordable. Patene ProV- esque shampoo with exactly the same ingredients goes for $3.12 for the larger bottle. What are your thoughts for a few thrifty folks looking to shop the right places and still maintain a little of a soul?

Austin Rainclouds, Cute Umbrellas Needed

missveronique — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:44:17 +0000

When I moved to Austin from California, (yes I know) I had no clue it would actually rain here. And wow, am I happy it does. I love waking up and sitting on my porch looking at the ominous clouds and the bursts of lighting that are so common here. And I also have a secret, I love umbrellas. I am on some strange eternal search for the perfect umbrella. I’ll share a few with you that have recently caught my eye. Totes Crimson Red $12.99 Target, Antler Handle Deep Autumn Orange $42 Etsy, Elvis Presley Stick $30.00 Walmart, Marc by Marc Jacobs “Mini Miss Marc” $48.00 Bloomingdales, Stripe Bubble $21.99 Target, Brown/Pink with Lucite $23.47 Etsy.

Autumn Hat Roundup

missveronique — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:18:48 +0000

I have been thinking a lot about hats of late. I am not really one to wear them, but have decided to challenge myself and get one or two and see how it goes. In this crazy 94% humidity, I’m sure my hair will thank me.Little grey hat with bow $34.50 at J Crew Yellow Beret $12.99 and Faux Fur $14.99 at Target, Juicy Couture Band Military Cap $55 and Tarnish ‘New’ Fedora $68.00 at Nordstrom, Burberry Earmuffs $125.00 and Portalano Bow Beret at Saks.

Rain Boot Roundup

missveronique — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:57:36 +0000

The rain seems to be here to stay, and what better way to celebrate then adventuring outside with your wellies! I’ve pulled rain boots from all price ranges, and I think I like the target ones the best! Bias plaid multicolor at Target $24.99, Wellies at J. Crew $115, Pointer Boots $39.95 at Endless.com, Chooka Boot $70 at jildorshoes, Burberry rainboots $195 at Saks, Women’s Hunter Originals $79.99 at Overstock.

Remembering Irving Penn

missveronique — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:18:49 +0000

Irving Penn was a photographer who changed the way we view fashion and art. He died a few days ago at the age of 92.

Found Footage Festival at the Alamo Oct 25th.

missveronique — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:30:46 +0000

Found Footage Festival Vol. 4 Trailer

Before very recently, I had never heard of found footage as an art form. As an art student, I knew many people who used found items in their artworks, but never movies. And then I stumbled upon the video’s above and now can’t wait for the one day only showing of the 4th volume of Found Footage Festival. It should be a blast. See you there!

Showing ONLY at the Alamo South at 7 and 9pm for one day, the 25th.

Christian Louboutin Sale at Outnet

missveronique — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:20:27 +0000

Up to 65% off at the Outnet. Just thought you all should know. And since I can’t get them all, you should and I”ll just live vicariously through all of you!

State of the Smoke: Smelly or Chic?

missveronique — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:19:40 +0000

These days there are smoking bans in restaurants, bars, schools, and everything in between. When I was in grade school, second hand smoke was a huge no no and still is… thankfully. But coming from a house where my mother smoked, (outside or in her own room) it seeped into my clothes anyway and my teachers asked me about my home life, to my embarrassment, quite often. So it was definitely not cool in grade school. Then high school approached. Very few, if any of my friends smoked, even the one’s that did other “substances.” And adult life came at me and suddenly, no peer pressure at all, smoking sounded like a good idea. What? And I now know quite a few smokers. So what’s the deal? I have since reduced my habit to a social and “when drinking” smoker which is somehow even worse than actually committing to it! And I can’t really decide where our culture is on the topic these days. When watching MadMen, the ladies all look so damn chic with their painted nails and lipstick stained cigarettes. But we also rarely see smoking in any Hollywood pop movie. And then, today I came across this sweet pic on the satorialist:

Doesn’t she look amazing?So I remain curious about our collective view of smoking. Is it everyone’s dirty little secret? How many people smoke occasionally, but wouldn’t admit it? How different are the views overseas? In Italy and France, smoking is still very very popular. What do you think?

ACL Afterparty Tonight at Mixx!

missveronique — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:27:35 +0000

Alright you thrifty guys and gals, tonight there is free vodka flowing at Mixx (612 E. 6th St) from 9pm-2am. $5 cover. Come to see Kids at the Bar, DJ Davinci, DJ Scorpio and more!

Burlesque, Bluegrass and Booze

missveronique — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:59:15 +0000

Opal Divines downtown is hosting quite a party. Every Saturday in October, they are hosting a burlesque show performed by the jigglewatts with the Slackey family band playing bluegrass/country and well, bo0ze. Cocktail Hour from 9p-11p features $1 – $2 off classic & contemporary shots & cocktails. The Burlesque and live music 10p-12a.

See you there!