StyleFixx Giveaway!

Greetings, lovely readers. Do I have a fun giveaway for you!

StyleFixx Girls Night Out is coming to Boston next week, and they've graciously offered free tickets to Ip & Audrey readers! I have two to give away, one for you and a friend. Read on for more details!

What is StyleFixx? A fabulous nightlife and shopping event featuring the latest in fashion, beauty and accessories. In addition to great shopping from emerging Boston designers, guests indulge in complimentary cocktails and FREE spa treatments... Not to mention the legendary StyleFixx Swag Bags filled with goodies!Boston's event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6th and Thursday, October 7th at the Boston Center for the Arts (5pm-10pm). I'll totally be there to cover the activities, so perhaps we'll bump into each other if you attend!

If you win, your name (and your friend's) will be put on the VIP list, so you will pick up your access pass and swag bag at the VIP booth. To enter, simply leave me a comment! Winner will be chosen at random by midnight on Sunday, October 3rd.

Good luck!

Trippy hippie luxe

Wow, another week flew by... I can't believe it's already Thanksgiving time. Then, as a semi-hippie-liberal vegetarian, I don't exactly gear up for this particular "holiday." A day of gluttonous feasting while most of the world goes hungry followed by a day of gluttonous shopping and retail employee trampling... God bless the U.S.A.

>_<

Ahem. I'll step off my soapbox. You know that I don't think shopping is evil; it's just that the dark magic of Black Friday seems to turn people evil. I know-- I've worked retail during the past two Black Fridays. But although I call myself a hippie, I'm not exactly anti-establishment (hellooo, Free People!). I still love - ok, that's an understatement - to shop, so I've decided to leap ahead of the greedy crowds to come and start my Christmas shopping early. So much more relaxing!

And to go along with my lazy, hazy mood, I created a Polyvore that captures my current fashion/aesthetic fixation... Boho rock, baby!

Boho Rock by erincathleen featuring Juicy Couture accessories

I wonder what the rest of the world does on Black Friday. In America, the consumer lust is disgusting... but are there psycho Black Fridays shoppers all over the world? (Hmm, something to Google...) I find myself wondering what Japan or France or Germany must look like during this crazy pre-Christmas buying bonanza... How do you all spend - and what do you spend on - this infamous occasion?

Girls Night Out

Happy Saturday! I'm excited for a gorgeous summer weekend, and got to kick it off early at Shecky's Girls Night Out. I was invited to the event as a fashion blogger, so I was pretty stoked (I've been to Shecky's before to work with Jute & Jackfruit). It was fun to roam around as a shopper and take pictures.

Shecky's is pretty much a big fashion bazaar that takes place in cities across the U.S. Local and independent designers showcase their wares, and prices are slashed for the lucky shoppers. Boston's event takes place in the Cyclorama. As expected, the place was packed!

Jute & Jackfruit couldn't be there this time around, but I did happen upon another eco-fashion line, this one out of NYC: Eco-Soul. The pieces looked cool and I plan to investigate more in the future...

View from below: the ceiling of the Cyclorama (just for fun, in black and white):

Since it was crowded, it was tough to get an outfit photo inside. But I tried!

Dress: Wal-Mart (My 4th of July dress!)
Layering tank: Target, maybe?
Leggings: Forever 21
Boots: Payless
Fedora, scarf: Gap
Bracelet: Gift from mumise
Necklace: Borrowed from mumsie!
Purse: NY & Co.
Red bag: Shecky's Goodie Bag :)

More on the famous Goodie bag later! You might be wondering why in the name of all things summertime I was so layered up. In August! Weather-wise, it was a tempermental week (which is really the norm for New England anyway. At this point I shouldn't let it surprise me). That day, in particular, it was rainy and cold in my area all day. When I went into town that evening, the sun came out and heated up the rain-soaked ground... making all my layers seem rather superfluous. I think this will be a good look in February, though. :P

A few outdoor shots:
The sidewalks are brick like this everywhere in the Back Bay. I think it's my favorite Boston neighborhood. The little sunflower garden growing amidst all the brick was a lovely surprise. :)

So what's in a Shecky's Goodie bag, you might ask? All kinds of fun stuff!

The Goodie bag alone is worth the price of admission (though this blogger got in for free!). I was especially excited about the full-size "Yes to Carrots" hair mask and various vegan snacks: mini Larabars, Riceworks chips and more! Mmm...

I did make one little indulgent purchase at Shecky's: this vintage-y lace babydoll dress (it doesn't have a label, so I'm calling it vintage!):

A closeup of the pretty details. And once again, that's my mother's necklace. :)

I can't wait to style this! It's a little too warm out to wear now, but as soon as it cools down again, I'll pop this atop leggings and knee-high boots.

Shecky's should be back in Boston sometime this winter, and I hope to host another ticket giveaway. If you don't live in the area, be sure to check their website for Girls Night Out events near you!

Shecky's Girls Night Out: Exclusive Giveaway!

Attention New England fashionistas: Ip & Audrey is proud to announce its first-ever giveaway, courtesy of Shecky's Girls Night Out!

Never been to Shecky's? Girls Night Out is a fashionably fabulous event where ladies can shop for one-of-a-kind finds from indie designers and boutiques from across the U.S., and for a sweet discount-- up to 75% off! You can also sample exclusive beauty treatments, games, and delicious cocktails and food pairings. Best of all, you'll walk away with a famous Shecky's goodie bag full of $100 worth of amazing products! Boston's August event is all about fall fashion; get ready to bid summer goodbye and embrace autumn in style.

The details:

Date: Wed.-Fri., Aug. 12th-14th, 2009
Time: 5pm-10pm
Place: Boston Center for the Arts - Cyclorama
539 Tremont St. (Clarendon & Berkeley Sts.) Tickets are $25-30 in advance, $35-40.

Or... if you're local, and at least 21, your admission can be FREE! It's simple; all you have to do is leave me a comment. :) Thanks to Shecky's, Ip & Audrey has a pair of tickets for two lucky winners (that's four tickets in all)! If you've won, I will send you an email confirmation. Enter for a fun night out on the town and a fabulous Goodie bag!

This contest will run until Sunday at midnight. By Monday you'll know if you've won!

I was happy to work with Jute & Jackfruit at the last Shecky's event in Boston this past winter. I hope my fellow NE fashion lovers and bloggers are able to make it next week!

Romping 'round Bostontown

My visit with Emily has come and gone already. We had a lovely time catching up over over Tealuxe iced chai, several cups of Starbucks and Mary Lou's coffee, and one late-night run to Taco Bell (mmm). I've mentioned before that Em visits every summer, usually around the same dates, but this year was damper than usual. But all the unseasonal showers, bad traffic and expensive parking in the world couldn't keep us from exploring Newbury St. and engaging in some mild retail therapy. Gloomy, congested Boston might have done its best to bring us down, but we slugged it out, came out as champs, and took home the prize! Okay, quite a few little prizes, actually...

In between the coffee stops and shopping, we each took some artsy black and white photos. Emily had her awesome SLR (so jealous!), but I'm pretty pleased with my little digital Nikon's capabilities. I do miss using film and plan to rejoin the 35 mm club soon. Without further ado, a few Boston-y (and Plymouth-y) things we found:

Emily thought to stop and photograph this beautiful walk-up. I couldn't resist snapping a few myself...We were also fascinated by the flights of these birds during a misty afternoon at the Plymouth waterfront...Oh! But this post wouldn't be complete without a few outfit poses, would it? Here's my exciting purchase of the week (and the one item I've been hunting for all summer): a cute retro-style romper. I've been looking for a romper that meets certain qualifications (must not be too short or make me look even more like a 12-year-old) and am really happy with this floral one from Forever 21:I actually owned a secondhand romper like this one in high school, but gave it away because I had no idea how to style it without looking like my afterschool social time was spent sipping smoothies at the Peach Pit. Happily, this romper is a bit more vintage pin-up than 90210. I think.

You've seen most of these pieces before...
Romper: Forever 21
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Belt: Kohl's
Flats: Wal-Mart
Locket: Vintage

Emily's outfit was so pretty, too! I'll miss my friend dearly, but I know she'll be back...

... if, for nothing else, a few laughs, a few days spent seaside, and an iced Minty Lou. :)