New Years Eve

It's the last day of 2008.

So much of my life has changed this year and I am truly thankful for everything that I experienced. Some people may not know how much they have taught me while others probably don't want to hear another word of it. But I want you to know how much I love you. Hopefully next year will be even better, I really do hope.

My plans: House party on E.16th apparently... seems like this is where my friends are ending up, so I'll most likely be there.

I don't have a New Years kiss. I've never had one!! Wahhh.. :(
Hopefully if I do get one, it'll be the one I want.
You know where I'll be.

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In the meantime,

- FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO NYLON! yes.

- Ruelala.com is having their year-end boutique sale. If you don't know them yet, they sell name-brands for like 75% off. It's pretty much the most amazing thing ever. Their year-end boutique includes: Kay Unger, Kate Spade, Helmut Lang, Nicole Miller, 7 for all Mankind, James Perse, Theory, Via Spiga, Laundry by Design, Hanky Panky... just to name a few. I scored myself a Helmut Lang sheer tank top for about $30... woohoo! It is invite only, so let me know if you want in. :]

x,

Frances

Post-It Note Art

Weburbanist.com did some crazy shit with post-it notes. I'm definitely inspired. I brought back the majority of my art supplies from home, so I'm gonna start getting back into the groove of that as well. Anyway, check out this:


Will someone please do that to my walls?

Lanvin <3 Acne

Lanvin and Acne Jeans have recently joined forces to create an amazing denim line that works creatively with the beloved fabric. Blue denim is definitely making a comeback in all things non-skinny pants! And it's great.





x,

Frances

Chuck

It's hard to get enough of him, I know. He's a fat and furry. Ladies, he's single. I should really start trying to take more pictures of people instead of my cat.


And I had to include this picture of my two cute Asian parents... haha. Ok, I might have staged this JUST a little bit, but not really even...


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Anyway, today I woke up to some Dunkin Donuts, drove to Austin, went straight to work, came home and watched CSI. I am exhausted. I hope your day was more interesting than mine!

x,

Frances

fashion faceoff.

When it really comes down to basics like these... well, the label vs. your pocket...



Old Navy Buffalo-Check Flannel Shirt $24.50 3.1 Phillip Lim Plaid Boyfriend Shirt $250



American Apparel Melange Jersey Pocket Skirt $30 A.P.C. Bow Pocket Skirt $290


Silence & Noise Moto Zip Matte Legging $58 Les Chiffoniers Leather Leggings $955

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Caught this baby at Northpark today. It started out pretty slow but then it got really intense when they finally cut down to the chase. Really a strange character... movies like these about controversial people are always awkward because it forces you to try to understand where they came from... and then you start to feel sympathetic and then you begin to feel guilty for feeling sympathetic because you're really supposed to hate them because they kind of fucked everything up. So I guess, it worked... because it did get me thinking in the other direction. It started to make me question... meh, well Michael Sheen did a really good job playing Nixon because his voice was creepy as hell.

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Oh and apparently I'm an advertisement.



Wahhh!!! Weird!


x,

Frances

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.

A genuinely great story. This is the movie I feel everyone looks out for. If you want to see a movie that celebrates life and love, then Slumdog Millionaire is the movie to see this year. It's smart. It's clever. It's funny. It's sad. I wasn't wowed on any artistic factor but in the grand scheme of things, that's not what is important. I don't think it was trying to go out of its way to be an independent film on the level of style. And that's great because I think it might have lost itself by doing that. It was simply a story. A really really good story. Sure to become a lot of people's favorites, no doubt. All I've been hearing are great great great things. The soundtrack is not that bad either. Seeing how the movie was set in India, the popular Sri Lankan, M.I.A., who is rarely shy when it comes to singing about her political opinions... was a really fabulous fit. One of the last movies that you will most likely catch before the year's end, and it'll surely be on the top of your favorites, I promise. It's worth it if you believe in love. Or maybe even more so if you don't.

x,

Frances

My Christmas Wishlist: Bearded Guy, Two-Tone, Velvet, Kate, and Jill.

My Wishlist:



Either Or Tights. (pictured on left).
A $14 rendition of the Chanel tights on the right. Sold at UrbanOutfitters.com.



Species by the Thousands - Bearded Guy Sweatshirt
This is like... too sweet for words. They also have a 70's Guy one.


ASOS - Motel Drape Button Through Floral Tulip Skirt
I've been looking for the perfect tulip skirt... there are so many cute ones. But this one is really a good deal, I think. And it is sooooo cutesy... haha.



Dr. Martens 1914 14-Eye Boot in White
EEEEEEEEEEE!!!


Jill Stuart Sasha Dress
It's almost spring...?
Everything at chickdowntown.com is currently 55% for the next 24 hours. private55.
And this is on there! Along with this amazing red Marc by Marc Jacobs peacoat, but... yeah.


Members Only Velvet Leggings in Pewter
These leggings are on my must-haves. The only reason I haven't bought them yet is because they're fucking $88. BUT, along with the Jill Stuart dress listed above, these are also on chickdowntown.com and they are currently 55% off. So really they're like around the $40 range. Which I guess... sigh. AHH THEY ARE SO GREAT!




Kate Spade 2009 Small Desk Calendar
Dear Kate Spade, I want to be you. You are the classiest woman alive and I really like lobsters too. I heard your daughter's name is Frances... but I promise I'm not creepy. But I really really really am obsessed with you because you're kate... and you make amazing everything. <3

Happy Christmas!

x,

Frances

DOUBT.

Caught this flick today at the Angelika in Dallas. DOUBT. It was really good and I think a lot of people thought it was funny. I didn't think it was that funny. I think it was all the old people sitting around me that thought it was funny. I guess it's humor beyond me. Anyhow, I thought Meryl Streep did a really good job at being a bitch. I think she's really good at playing a bitch! She's especially scary when she doesn't wear make-up. Like, in that scene in The Devil Wears Prada where she is in Paris with Anne Hathaway for Fashion Week but she had just found out her husband wanted a divorce... and she was scary-looking? Yeah, Meryl Streep definitely makes for a mean scary nun. The end left me a little confused though, about who did what ... but then I guess that's the point of the movie... is that you don't know what people do, so you start to doubt. And then it makes us all go crazy. Ahh!!! Go watch it.

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And I shall leave you with a picture from our work party... where I found out Rachel had been lying to me this ENTIRE time about who she got for Secret Santa!! Turns out she had me. And she made me tell her who I had. And I told her the truth. BAH!! Anyway, I ended up with the LOLcats book (YAY!!) and a new Uglydoll keychain, appropriately named Puglee, since both of mine broke/disappeared. :(

Whatttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, I tried Sushi Sake in Richardson... I had been hearing "amazing" things about it. Ok, it wasn't that bad. They had good service. But... they had no rolls with avocado or cream cheese. What? And their spicy tuna wasn't spicy. The best is when there is spicy mayonnaise on top of the sushi roll (asian mayo mixed with sriracha)... you can get some of that goodness at Silhouette in Austin or Naan in Plano/Allen. And they didn't even have Spicy Salmon. But they DID have the Volcano Roll which is my FAVORITE... but it wasn't spicy either, wtf! I hate when they say sushi is spicy but it isn't. hahaha. And then they were out of green tea ice cream. Lame. But ... it wasn't bad sushi. It just didn't fare up to what everyone made it out to be.

Sigh, until next time.

x,
Frances

Pictures from The Twelves

Saturday night was a night of parties and open bar! It was amazing! First, I went to Mohawk with Charlene and Dani to see Matt & Kim... for a mere 2 cans of food. We ran into our friends there who had wristbands and so I scored myself free drinks and vietnamese sandwiches (what?! those were spicy) for the rest of the show. To be honest, I don't really remember if Matt & Kim was any good. But I think I had fun, haha. And then after that, we headed over to the Compound to see our friends PLUS MOVE play (first picture). They are like the coolest guys in Austin now, can you tell? Exciting things to be expected! Yay! And yeah, despite the ridiculous cover, which I guess wasn't that ridiculous after having unlimited Miller High Life and vodka, I guess... it was fun! Haha. I broke my camera though. That wasn't fun. And then after that we walked over to the after party at Music Gym which was fun and a complete blur, so I'm sorry to anyone I forced into conversation with me. I don't know when I will get that many free drinks again, so I guess no worries.

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ANYWAY
I'm done with finals, FINALLY. I'll be going back to Dallas this week for a little bit. And then back here in Austin. Anyone know of some good New Years parties?

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I'm so stuffed from Torchy's. Green Pork Chile Taco. I like you.

x,

Frances

MILK.

Caught Milk on Friday at the Alamo Ritz. I'd just recently written an article about domestic partner benefits at UT and hearing testimonies from people who are really affected by the inequality... really made me interested in watching this. It was a really good movie ... it left me pretty teary-eyed, ha ha. James Franco and Emile Hirsch really were the icing on the cake. As much as I love Diego Luna, his character was unbelievable obnoxious... I couldn't stand it. I was almost glad when he hung himself, haha. Question... How much weight did Sean Penn have to lose to play this movie?! He was so petite! I can't believe I'm even saying that. Sean Penn was petite. He played the part really well. I think people have taken to evaluating good acting as playing a part that is totally unlike yourself. Once-stoner ... beefy Sean Penn ... as a petite gay activist makes for a delectable treat. The Prop 6 outrage runs almost parallel to Prop 8... the Christian church being the main force against Prop 6 and ... the Mormon church as a huge force against Prop 8. It's all very interesting. You think we're progressing, but there are still so many people out there who honestly truly hate to accept. What's your deeeeeeeal. Sigh. Anyway, go watch the movie. It will leave you in a good deep state of thought... wishing you could do something for someone... whatever it is. Yay?

Speaking of discrimination against gays, check out Austin Style Watch's awesome post about Mohawk speaking out against Ice Cube's opener.

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Anyway, still recuperating from this weekend's craziness.
I will post pictures later... from my now-broken camera. :( SAD.

And if you were driving a car Friday night on 7th and Red River and you happened to hit a biker and drove off, you should be glad your parents love you because no one else should. HA!!

x,

Frances

Yumminess in my tumminess. UPDATE!

The holiday season calls for yummy treats. :) Yes, I made these.

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
The recipe is here

Gingerbread Cupcakes with a sugar glaze

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Karinne very cold, but very happy!

Short-lived snow, but magical none-the-less. :)

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So, Facebook has ads that I'm guessing... "cater" to your interests. And this is what I saw while looking at my awesome new profile picture. It reads:

Pornography
Find out how porn may be affecting your relationships.

I'm sad. Who does Facebook think I am?

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Finally two of my very talented co-workers have fun shows this weekend.
One is Ringo Deathstarr tonight at Emo's for the 101x Independent Workforce Xmas... they'll be performing inside. The Ting Tings and the Black Kids will be outside. Ooo!

And then Plus Move will be making their Austin debut on Saturday at the Compound.

UPDATE:
MATT&KIM "Secret Show" at Mohawk on Saturday!
It costs $2 or you can bring 2 cans of food.
Doors at 8pm!

Sounds funnn..

Anyway good luck on your exams if you're not already done. I have 2 tomorrow. Gross.

The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year

x,

Frances

Yours Truly on American Apparel's Website

There it is, my friends. :) You can see it for yourself here.

I just ate an amazing giant breakfast taco at Star Seeds... complete with black beans, egg, sausage, and cheese. Soooo good.

And it's ... SNOWING!!!

:)

I love it.

Kid Sister ft. David Banner - Family Reunion

x,

Frances

A.P.C. wears your jeans for you. How nice.

The French clothing label that is kind of a big deal if you wear it here in the states, none other than A.P.C., has a new denim line called "Butler Worn Out". Basically, instead of you having to break into your new jeans and make them look worn-in, someone else is going to do it for you and you can buy them new... already old! It's kind of laughable, but the thing is, I am almost positive someone will go crazy for these ... premium pairs of denim that have been so personally broken-in by someone else's ass. I mean, if I was given a pair, I would probably be excited. But that's because I'm too poor to own anything from A.P.C. at this point, anyhow. Soon enough, though... soon enough.

Premium ass-rubbed denim. Yummy!

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I tried Guero's for the first time on Saturday. Why haven't I been there in my past 3 years in Austin, I don't know... I always wanted to be one of the people sitting on the patio ... but I don't have a big dog... and it seems like you need to have a big dog to fit in. Anyway, nothing was really that memorable except their spicy spicy spicy red salsa. Yummmz.

But whilst in SoCo... spotted this super-cute graffiti.

Very cute octopus.

And then later that night I saw this really crazy house with really intense Christmas lights up on Windsor.

And then I dressed my cat up as Santa.

Charlie Claus.

Yeeees my life is awesome.

x,

Frances

BRITNEY and LOST.

Britney.
Dallas.
March 31, 2009.


Got my ticket already.

I am so... EXCITED.

O M G

Yeah.

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And here is the sneak preview for Season 5 of Lost. ALKAJLKA!!!!



x,
Frances

Salvatore Ferragamo, George W. Bush, Bromance

I really actually didn't get too much crazy shopping done. I did my Black Friday rounds at Allen Outlet Mall, but ended up just running through a thunderstorm underneath a highway to get back to my friend's car... Haha. I did go to Nordstrom Rack and found myself a sweet sweet sweet steal. I found some cute Salvatore Ferragamo oxford/bowling shoe-esque shoes in the wrong aisle... but in my size! And made for wide feet! And 35% off the already marked-down price! I got these babies for a little over $100 when they were supposed to be about 6 times as much.


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I also saw Rachel Getting Married. I liked it, but it probably wasn't the best Thanksgiving film to see with the family. But then again, my family is really weird and likes watching dysfunctional family movies together... I do think Anne Hathaway did a great job. I think she will definitely get an Oscar nod. The only thing that threw me off was the cinematography. They kept using a hand-held camera which is great and all... but I didn't understand what the point of it was. And it just made me want to puke.

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If you haven't seen this interview, it's quite interesting:



C: "What were you most unprepared for?"

G: "Well I think I was unprepared for war."

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And finally, I am excited about The City with Whitney... but... Bromance?! ... Starring Brody Jenner and his guy pals... I don't even know...



x,

Frances

Broken Social Scene @ UT 1/31/08

Broken Social Scene will grace the Bass Performance Hall at UT on January 31 next year. Tickets are only $10 for students... and $22.50/27.50 for non-students. They're already half-gone I believe and they just went on sale a couple days ago. Drop that phone, park that car, buy your ticket. No, Feist will not be there. Haha.

x,
Frances

Photoshoots, Food, and Shopping... mmm...

I hope everyone has a safe trip home, wherever their respective homes are.
I will be in Dallas until Saturday... maybe Sunday.

I plan on going crazy on Black Friday. It's a yearly tradition for me and it always always always pays off. It is probably the best day of shopping ... ever. From the research I've done, Circuit City seems like the winner over Best Buy right now. Of course, Target and Northpark will be hit up. QT for some 4 a.m. coffee, mmm. And I will raid Nordstrom Rack this weekend like never before. I just want to spend some freaking money and release my stress...

There's also this party downtown on Black Friday... mayhaps I will go with one of you?




I pretty much just want to avoid my huge marketing analysis and presentation I have to have done by Monday. and my journalism test I have on Monday. and my international business test I have on Monday.

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Anyway, I also wanted to say I tried Cookie Lounge with Dani last week. I got a medium Creamy Brown Sugar cookie with El Rey White Chocolate and it was pretty amazing. I wouldn't say it's comparable to Tiff's Treats just because it's more custom-made and gourmet. Tiff's Treats has better comfort cookies... like the kind you want to make at home but it never turns out the way you want. Cookie Lounge is like... who puts these crazy ingredients in their cookie? I don't know but it's damn good. Anyway, it's by Pluckers on 23rd and Rio Grande.

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Last week I had a little fun with my friend Jennifer and Chris.
The Daily Texan popped along near the end when we were by the Hi, How Are You frog.


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And lastly, here is Charlie in the American Apparel Fleece Dog Vest he he..




Have a good thanksgiving!!

x,
Frances