Description of true love?  Maybe.

Ode to THE PERFECT PAIR OF JEANS?  Absolutely.

Here in Texas, a pair of jeans is a year-round staple, so Stephani Kagan of the 2ND Street District’s, Girl Next Door offers the skinny on skinnies (and bootcut, straight leg, boyfriend cut, etc.)!

How to Get the Perfect Pair of Jeans

1. Know what style you want before shopping, Skinny Jeans? Straight Leg? Bootcut?  Also look at different rises and position of back pockets – they may provide an optical illusion that works in (or against!) your favor.

2. Know what color or rinse you’re looking for, and which one will flatter your figure the best. Darker denim tends to look great on everyone.

3. Come in with some ideas about designers you’ve tried before or seen on your favorite celebrity (especially those who have body types similar to yours) and ask to try them on.   

4. Be open-minded, finding the perfect jean is similar to finding the perfect bathing suit, bra, etc. Patience is key!  Different designers may have different sizing so don’t be limited by the number you see on the size tag.

5. Take advice from the sales associate; they know how jeans from their vendors  fit – and are educated in what looks good on different body types!

“Rules” of What to Wear with Your Denim

Skinny jeans looks best with a fitted top that’s the right length or a billowy top that still flatters your figure. Proportion is key, and you want to balance out the top and bottom of your frame.

Boot cut jeans look great with a fitted top, maybe even a top tucked in – with a bigger cut on bottom, you want to be sure you show off your waist. 

Cropped jeans are fun, but can be tricky if you aren’t “height advantaged!”  They may “cut off” your leg, so pair them with heels, or if wearing them with flats, try to pick a top that is a bit more monocromatic with your jeans so you’ll appear longer and leaner.

Thank you, Stephani and Girl Next Door for feeding our denim habit and keeping the 2ND Street District Where Texas Warmth Meets Austin Cool!

The street fest features an outdoor art fair of more than 100 nationally recognized artists, local food trailers, craft beer, cocktails, live music and interactive projects for kids of all ages.

All your favorite 2SD businesses can’t wait to welcome you!

Join us: http://ow.ly/jU9EM

Designers John Varvatos and Billy Reid to speak

AvecMode and Austin’s 2^ND Street District have announced the inaugural edition of “The Neighborhood” which will take place arch 11-14. Square, the mobile payment startup founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, will be the official payment processor for brands featured in pop-up shops. Among the speakers lined up for the event are acclaimed American menswear designers John Varvatos and Billy Reid.

“The Neighborhood at The 2^ND Street District will be a unique time for both people attending SXSW and Austin residents to discover and learn what’s new and next in style,” said Joah Spearman, co-founder of the showcase. “Between socially-driven brands and insightful panels, there is plenty of reason for Austinites and SXSW badge holders alike to make their way to 2^ND Street District for The Neighborhood.”

The Neighborhood at The 2^ND Street District is a style-centric showcase consisting of pop-up shops by emerging and established fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, panels featuring thought leaders in fashion design, e-commerce and technology, and a slew of activations and can’t-miss parties. Consumers are encouraged to download Square Wallet in advance of The Neighborhood to maximize their shopping experiences. Square Wallet is the fast, easy way to pay with your phone, enabling individuals to pay at their favorite local businesses, discover new ones nearby, explore menu listings, and store receipts.

“We are delighted to host The Neighborhood at The 2^ND Street District as we pride our district being Austin’s community focused style hub,” said 2^nd Street marketing manager Julie Sutton-McGurk. “Comprised predominantly of independent businesses, we always want to encourage collaboration and an atmosphere of creativity, which is why this event seemed a perfect fit. Our consumers value being ahead of the curve when it comes to style.  They’re forward-thinking tastemakers, and we’re happy to provide them with what is sure to be a catalyst for inspiration.”

Varvatos and Reid will be featured speakers in intimate Question & Answer sessions with Huffington Post Style executive editor Anya Strzemien. 

“There are a lot of favorites happening for me here: I love music, I love style, I love Austin, and I even love SXSW and all its craziness,” said Strzemien.  “I’m really looking forward to working with The Neighborhood at The 2^ND Street District to bring HuffPost Style’s Style Sessions Q&A to Texas.”

“I am very excited to be part of The Neighborhood at The 2^ND Street District & HuffPost’s ‘Style Sessions’ discussing my two favorite subjects — music and fashion. It’s an interesting link, and one that has quite an effect on pop culture,” said Varvatos, who often styles Gary Clark, Jr., one of the more recent stars to come out of Austin’s famous live music scene.

“We really enjoy opportunities where creative spirits can overlap and music is a natural love for us. It one of the favorite parts of our jobs,” said Reid. “The city of Austin and music — really cannot be separate thoughts. The scene here nurtures it and welcomes all to enjoy it. We are so proud to be a part of such a great community.”

Along with Varvatos and Reid, Phil Russo, chief design officer for Cole Haan, StyleLikeU co-founders Lily Mandelbaum and Elisa Goodkind and several other thought leaders in fashion and technology will speak as part of The Neighborhood at The 2^ND Street District’s speaker lineup.

Some of the emerging brands to be featured in The Neighborhood at The 2^ND Street District’s pop-up stores include various brands representing Austin along with music-savvy socially-responsible brands such as I/O Denim, Electric Picks, Teysha Shoes, Wren & Glory, Copper Peace, Pura Vida Bracelets, Esperos Bags, Bedstu Shoes, Bucket Feet and Paleo Denim.

The event, taking place daily on March 11-14 from noon to 8pm along 2^nd Street, is free and open to the public, and will feature panel discussions, pop-up shops, select gifting opportunities, on-site screen-printing, and experiential activations. Exhibiting designers will be selling their lines onsite using Square.

Before launching The Neighborhood at The 2^ND Street District, AvecMode, had previously created and produced “Style X” for SXSW in both 2011 and 2012 as its official fashion showcase working with established and emerging brands to create panels, pop-up activations, runway shows, after parties and gifting experiences for musicians.

For more information, 2SD “Neighborhood” events and incentives, and schedule, please visit wetheneighborhood.com.

You know this.  It’s one of the reasons you love this town, but did you know how many photographers call ATX home?  Many.  Lots.  A plethora.

A couple of weeks ago, we made a public plea for a Chief Imaging Officer (We still don’t know the best title for our go-to photog.), and received almost a hundred portfolios and cover letters!  After combing through some incredible pictures and hearing fascinating tales of adventures, we found who we believe to be an ideal ”fit” for The 2ND Street District.

Sabrina Consolascio can be found ”walking around town with [her] camera in hand, following [her] bliss, capturing life, energy, and emotion.”  That sounded pretty awesome to us, so we asked that she help herself to what the 2SD had to offer, and she happily accepted.

Look for her work (coming soon!) in our print ads, on our website, and all throughout our social media pages as she brings you her perspective on Where Texas Warmth Meets Austin Cool.

Clockwise from center: Karina Grimaldi mini dress @Estilo; Perfect Pant in red from @Langford Market; 2006 Buil Tino de Toro @Malaga Tapas and Bar; Little Drummer Lightning Bolt @Austin Rocks; Ban. Do heart clutch @Etcetera, etc.; Men's Rockmount Ranchwear in Atomic @Austin Rocks

If love was a color, it would be a shade of scarlet, don’t you think? 

Clockwise from center: Michel Fonne Rose at Cru; lace embroidered dress at gallery d; NYT 36 Hours, 125 Weekends at Mercury; Jane Italian bikini at Teddies for Bettys; OPI Euro Central at Luxe Apothetique; Banane Taipei tote at PRIZE; Wildfox Couture Make Out Party hoodie at Girl Next Door; Glitterati ring at Sikara & Co.; Joie Piggy Wiggy Whisk at Serve Gourmet Gadgets & Goods; Volante Camelia glass bowl at 1020 Glass Art; Little Girl's Pink Chicken Riley dress at St. Bernard Sports

Whether you’re giddy with anticipation or your eyeballs are about to roll out of your head, Cupid’s holiday is upon us, and the 2SD is blushing like a bride.

From books to bodywash, rosé to risque, the holiday’s perfect pastel is blooming in Downtown Austin. 

Parties of one take heart.  Even if you’re not a smitten kitten, you can still enjoy the view from behind rose-colored glasses.

What we need: Images of our hood + a few “staged” shots to be used on our maps, etc.

What’s in it for you: Small budget + photo credit on everything we use + marketing on our website, social media, etc., and the title of “Chief Imaging Officer.” Or “2SD Photographer Laureate.” Or “MC Snaps-a-Lot.” Or “Principal Papprazzo.” (Suggestions welcome.)

Send link to portfolio, availability, and pricing to: retailmarketing@amli.com with your preferred title in the subject line. And, please share with your photog friends!

*Those with the most votes will be guaranteed a spot in the finals, however any window that the panel deserves to be judged will be included.

STEPHEN MOSER – As the elder statesman of Austin’s fashion scene, Stephen Moser is the Style Avatar for *The Austin Chronicle* and designs clothing under the name of Made In Heaven by Stephen MacMillan Moser. Consistently listed as an All-Star in the Out & About 500, Moser’s high profile and outspokenness have earned him a controversial reputation and legendary status.

CHERYL BEMIS – Cheryl has enjoyed being in front and behind the camera as a fashion reporter, writer and producer.  Her fashion travels have taken her to the tents at  New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and of course Austin Fashion Week.    She enjoys covering all aspects of the fashion business from interviewing celebrities backstage at shows, shooting video and pictures at the end of runways to interviewing new up and comers. Cheryl launched the weekly television fashion segment, Fashionably 8, for the former News 8 Austin, now YNN Austin in 1999, and was the first on-air personality for News 8 Austin to receive recognition for her work by the Austin Chronicle from Stephen Moser.  

In 2009 she launched Austin’s only online fashion magazine, Fashionably Austin®.  Cheryl keeps up with the growing and talented fashion pool in Austin which has become quite a fun endeavor–Fashionably Austin is where all the great local fashion news in Austin is housed for all to see and enjoy.  Not only is Cheryl using her creative skills producing videos and writing stories for her website and for several Austin magazines, she also runs her advertising agency Bemis Digital Media.   As a media planner for numerous Austin clients she helps grow businesses using television, radio and online platforms.  Cheryl has been married to her husband Rob for five years and has three grown children. 
 

ABDUL MANSOOR – With a Masters of Architecture and as an Architectural Designer with Overland Partners Architects, Mansoor has worked with some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions and important places of educational, cultural, and national heritage.  He has served as guest critic at area universities’ School(s) of Architecture, and as a graphic designer with fd2s, an Environmental Graphics and Wayfinding Consulting Firm, Mansoor has worked on a broad range of projects that require his trained eye, including hospitals, retail centers, corporate offices, transportation facilities, and mixed-use and retail developments in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. He is LEED AP certified, an AIA Associate, and a member of the Society for Environmental Graphic Design, SEGD.

Come visit the 2ND Street District for our 2ND Annual Holiday Window Walk, and then VOTE HERE for your favorite design created by students from The University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, and St. Edward’s University.  The students’ windows with the most votes will be in the finals, to be judged on December 15th, to win a $1000, $1500, or $2500 scholarship donated by Silicon Labs!  Construction made possible by The Downtown Austin Alliance.

Get your list ready because Santa Claus will be checking it twice.  He’ll be at 241 2nd St. (Lavaca & 2nd Street) from 1-5 p.m, so bring your cameras. Spend the rest of the day admiring the windows and stopping by participating businesses for holiday festivities.

Local Austin music groups will also be present to entertain you with cheerful holiday performances starting at 3 p.m. outside Austin Rocks (Guadalupe & 2nd Street). Enjoy music from:

Austin Harmony Chorus-

The Austin Harmony Chorus (AH!) is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, an independent, non-profit music education association dedicated to the promotion and enjoyment of four part harmony singing for women of all ages around the world. The purpose of this organization is to educate members in the art of singing A Capella music, barbershop style.  Austin Harmony performs at community events and private events throughout the year.

Austin Harmony Chorus’s remarkable journey began with a vision shared by six women, and chartered as a chapter of Sweet Adelines International with 27 members on October 17, 2005. We perform many different types of music, from Broadway show tunes to the popular music of yesterday and today. We are always looking for ladies who would enjoy singing with us. No formal musical background is required, and reading music is not necessary. We provide all the tools necessary for each member to learn her part in every song we sing, so if you like to sing, please consider visiting one of our rehearsals. We think you might just want to keep coming back.  “Real Women, Real Harmony, Real Fun”

Austin School of Rock-

The School of Rock is Austin’s premier performance-based musical program for kids 7-18. We offer first class instruction in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals in a fun, challenging environment.  Students receive weekly one on one lessons as well as weekly rehearsals. Our students have performed at the ACL Festival (past 6 years), The Erwin Center, Antones, Stubbs, Emos, La Zona RosaThe Mohawk, Red 7 as well as venues all across Texas and the US.  We are located centrally at the Northcross Shopping Center at Anderson and Burnet.

Amber &  Nick of Austin Music-

Amber (11) and big brother Nick (16)  perform a lively interactive show featuring songs and dance from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s with Christmas tunes as well.  Their experience includes more than 200 performances in Central Texas (Austin) and the East Coast including BookFest, Zilker Hillside,  Paramount, State Theatre, Nutty Brown, Freddies, Boat House, Ice Cream Fest, Chuy’s Parade, Artz Ribhouse, Ruta Maya, Maria’s and dozens of parties,  small festivals and other events.

Younger audiences love to sing along with Amber and Nick  while moms and dads are charmed by their antics and humorous one liners.  They frequently call on volunteers to help with shakers,  bubbles,  chorus parts and dance steps.