Grown-up Shoes :: Blog, Vintage Shop, and Styling :: Austin, Texas

The Newest Addition

Ana Perkins — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:48:07 +0000

Excited to announce that GUS is now on Currently Obsessed! CO allows me to curate my favorite finds and keep them all in one place. Some of these products end up being used for posts on the blog, but since there are so many things I love, many wonderful pieces get left out and never have their time here on GUS. Well! Now you can see exactly what I’m loving all of the time by following my favorites here. I add items almost every day, from super affordable finds to dream-worthy frocks.

Want more? You can “stalk me” to keep track of hundreds of great finds, here.

The Ruby!

Ana Perkins — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:59:37 +0000

Last month on April 12th, The Ruby hosted it’s first event! The Ruby is made up of myself, Chelsea Fullerton and Candice DePrang and was created out of a desire to better connect the creative ladies in the Austin community. At this first event, held at Take Heart on E. 11th street, Nina Gordon, the shop owner, spoke to the group about her creative journey from social worker to shop owner. It was such a relevant discussion for many women in the room, many of whom were contemplating a career switch into the creative realm or who had recently made one (like yours truly). Nina was gracious, articulate and so personable—she was the perfect first speaker and hostess for The Ruby.

From interior designers to illustrators, florists to stylists, every guest brought her own unique view point and talents to the gathering. Chelsea, Candice and I are in agreement that Austin is an incredible city for style and design and just beginning to be thought of as such. We’re known for music, for keeping it weird, for tie dye and cowboy boots and queso. But we all believe that it’s time for Austin to be known for it’s incredible designers and stylists as well, and it’s from this belief in the local talent of Austin that The Ruby was born. And oh! Do we have lots of more in store…

We’re currently planning two summer events, one of which is at one of your favorite national stores (trust me on this), although I’m not announcing it on the blog until a little later. Stay tuned…we’ll soon have a site up where you can purchase tickets and read info on upcoming events.

Want more?
Check out the gorgeous invites we sent out for this event and read more about our branding process here
Read Chanel and Camille’s wrap up on Camille Styles
Read Jennifer’s wrap up on If I Must Say So
Follow The Ruby as we tweet about all of our favorite things

All photos by Julie of Zach and Jewels
Event hosted by Take Heart on E. 11th St.
DIY bracelet created by The Ruby with instructions from Honestly, WTF

1970′s Bride For a Day

Ana Perkins — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:19:22 +0000

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to share these photos with you! A couple of months ago my friend and hair stylist extraordinaire, Chenoh, asked if I would be her model for a vintage feeling bridal shoot that her hair salon was doing. How could I resist? It was a really fun day of having my hair pinned, sprayed, curled and bound up with sweet little flowers. I went to Whole Foods after the shoot in my normal clothes with my hair and make up still done and it was so fun to walk around the store with this incredible updo, huge fake lashes and then just my little stretchy pants, t shirt and trench coat. Really fun look : )

I have to admit though: I was so nervous before the shoot! Luckily, Chenoh and the lovely Dagny Piasecki, who took the beautiful photos, were so sweet and put me at ease and the whole day ended up being wonderful.

Are you good at getting your picture taken? One time my friend Alex (and if you like that link, read this one and this one) and I were flipping through some old photos of ourselves and she said “Whenever I look at photos of myself, the same phrase always comes to mind: not a model. Just…not a model. And I’m okay with that.” I always laugh when I think of that : )

Better Together

Ana Perkins — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:42:22 +0000

One of the questions I’ve been happily fielding since I started this new career path is “What exactly are you doing?” : ) So, I thought I’d tell you a bit more about what I do and what I can do for you. From branding to event styling, here’s the low down.

What I do is divided into two distinct categories:

Graphic Design With graphic design, I create original pieces like logos, branding, flyers, invitations and anything else along these lines that you dream up. If you are in the market for wedding invitations, I will encourage you to check out The Creative Parasol, who’s entire business is beautiful custom wedding invitations and who I work for part time each week.

Styling In terms of styling, I do events and photo shoots including but not limited to weddings, birthday parties and look books. I meet with you, discuss your likes and dislikes and then dream up a vision and work with you to ensure that it’s exactly what you want, from simple and laid back to Great Gatsby level glamour and everything in between.

So, the next time you’re planning a bash, wanting a new blog logo or have a desire to send out some killer invitations for your 3oth birthday, I’m your girl. E-mail me at ana@grownupshoes.com to say hello and find out more.

PS: want examples of my work? An online portfolio is coming soon. In the mean time, I can email some to ya. Just ask!

Collage details: Kraft envelope | French press | Glasses

Dressed Up, Dressed Down

Ana Perkins — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:34:08 +0000

As much I love a pair of cut offs for the summer (and you know I do), the new trend of fancier shorts is right up my alley. Above are two excellent examples: a girly pink tweedy short and a black and white polka dot pair. I’m really torn between both these looks. One is so preciously brunch-with-mom and the other so perfectly laid back and summery. Can I have it all?

Which one is more “you”?

Dressed Up: pink shorts | peter pan collar blouse | barrette | striped flat (need these!) | gold watch

Dressed Down: tee shirt | necklace | shorts | sandal | earrings (available at one of my favorite local stores, Take Heart on E. 11th in Austin)

Favorite French Line + Memories of Paris

Ana Perkins — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:08:30 +0000

So many sweet things happening in Sessun’s 2012 spring and summer line. Mixed gingham, red and white silk hair bows, florals and stripes living together in harmony. The casual stylishness of it all makes me miss France.

Almost exactly a year ago today I was boarding a plane to meet one of my best friends in the whole world in Paris. We stayed for nine days in a friend’s apartment in the 12th arrondissement, rode bikes almost every day, ate entire meals of crusty bread and stinky cheese and marveled at the overwhelming beauty of one of the most enchanting cities in the world. Probably the best lunch I’ve ever eaten was on the lawn at Versailles. The estate is so big we felt like we were the only ones there on the canal—not another person in sight. Bare feet, baguettes, wedges of cheese wrapped in yellow wax paper and red wine from plastic cups. Sitting in the sunshine as the clouds floated by, it was a simple meal I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Some of my more well-traveled friends say that Paris is over. Done. Next. But I don’t think I could ever tire of it. Of course there are other cities I’d like to see, but no matter how cliche it becomes (of course cliché is a French word : ) , no matter how touristy, it will always be a city of magic to me. And I hope that doesn’t ever change.

How Do You Updo?

Ana Perkins — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:11:56 +0000

When tying your hair up for the day, which would you prefer: The messy side braid or the neat and curled ponytail? Kind of torn between these two looks myself. I think I’m a little of both.

Source for the photo on the left is a crazy Japanese site that made me think it was giving my computer a virus, but if you really wanna see it (are you sure?), click here. Pony tail source was equally as elusive.