Underage Fashion (and sex) at Katy Perry Last Night.

“So, how do I look?” I asked my one-and-only before heading to the Katy Perry concert at the AT&T Center last night. “Like all the other soccer moms who’ll be accompanying their 14-year-old daughters,” he jokingly replied. “Stop,” I began, “her lyrics are way too explicit for kids.” I was certain that not only would the show be an adult concert, but that to fit in with the trannies and drag queens whom happen to follow Kitty Purry (her alter ego in which she actually dresses up as a kitty and looks like a drag queen herself), I’d need to improvise my fashion a bit. I wore a translucent red top with a black lace bra, copper and gold sky-high heels, a pair of gaudy earrings I bought in Portugal, and stonewash jeans that were so tight I couldn’t look down while seated. I felt like one of those pregnant women who can’t see their feet after seven or eight months—except way hotter, obviously.

However—and how does everybody get the memo on these things but me?—I was not savvy enough to wear a bright blue or pink bee-hive wig (as a tribute, I’m assuming) to Perry last night. Upon arrival to the AT&T Center, my girlfriend and I noticed all the wigs running around us; wigs that were finished off with outfits like leopard-print pants, sparkly dresses and candy-cane tops that were so unbelievably fitted they looked painted on. Upon closer inspection, and much to my dismay, we noticed that many of the wigsters were actually 14-year-old girls!

“Candice,” I said to my fabulous friend just featured as NSIDE Magazine’s Style and Substance—shameless plug—“how can parents let their daughters come to a Katy Perry concert? This is Katy Perry, not Britney Spears circa 1999.” She replied, “Wow, I don’t know,” reciting their lyrics, “that one song, I kissed a girl and I liked it? Really, Mom? Maybe their parents just don’t know what the songs say.” As we made our way to our seats, I thought, even though I’d just jammed out to Perry’s Teenage Dreams CD in my car that afternoon, and even though California "Dreams" also happens to be the name of the tour, and would obviously feature such songs from said CD, that perhaps I was overreacting. “Well, maybe they’re not that bad.” I couldn’t quite recall the lyrics anyhow in that particular moment due to drinking a double vodka tonic without eating dinner (FYI: if you want to lose weight for fashion week, vodka tonic has almost no calories).

When the concert started, Perry opened with “Teenage Dream”—a song that wasn’t actually all that bad, if the adult in you could forget the allusion to sex, “I’m a get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans, be your teenage dream tonight. Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans, be your teenage dream tonight.” But it was all downhill from there, from her ballad of “I kissed a girl and I liked it, I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it,” to “You’re so gay and you don’t even like boys,” and also, “I want to see your Peacock, cock, cock, your Peacock, cock, cock.” It was in this “cock” moment that I heard Candice state a ghastly, “Oh my God, she’s making a motion like she’s jerking off her microphone!” I, however, disagreed with Candi, how could she think something like this? “Candi, no. She’s giving the microphone a blow job, hello? That swift motion is a pop-culture connotation for blow jobs.”

“God,” she said, “I’d really hate to be here with my daughter right now.” Not that either of us has a daughter, but were glad that we didn’t.

If you could get past the fact that you were sitting next to a bunch of kids last night, and could refrain from trying to cover their eyes (unlike Candi), the concert was actually one of the best ones I’ve been to in a long time. I’d put it up there with Ani Difranco in Rome and Pearl Jam in Chicago. If you’ve always wondered— like I did—whether Perry was one of those Hollywood sell-outs who only sounds good in the recording studio, then wonder no more. She really does have a great set of pipes and not only rocked the house with them but serenaded us on her glittery guitar from a cotton candy-cane cloud above. She’s also a great entertainer with unique fashions and props that set her apart from other acts. I will say one thing though: Perry’s success seems to lie in the fact that, most of her songs are filled with catchy but trite sayings and other over-used and overtly sexual metaphors. It’s very beginning songwriter-ish, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she actually did get help from a 14-year-old daughter while writing them.

Check out ChickRocks Handmade Jewelry and Stationery

When Marianna Urutia graduated from her Master’s program in architecture at the University of Houston, the recession had already begun. Undeterred, the native San Antonian found a way to use her skills and passion. “I took it as a clue to experiment and explore,” Urutia explains, “I’d already been very crafty and part of being in interior design and architecture was about being very elegant.” Today Urutia is the creator of her own line of handmade items called ChickRocks. Her most popular items for sale are the jewelry and paper goods, which are each uniquely designed by Urutia herself.

“My physical models in grad school were always well crafted, and as a teen I enjoyed making friendship bracelets,” says Urutia, “but I wanted to explore and be more modern.” Characteristic to ChickRocks accessories are the modern combination of colors and textures. While Urutia tends to stick to the same color palates, her items are still one of a kind. The two-inch bobby pins pictured here, for example, are made with orange and yellow polka dots against a white background. But they are also made with silver tone and vintage Lucite, which gives the jewelry a clean and elegant look. For Urutia, it’s not just about the “less is more” factor, but also “quality over quantity.”

Similarly, a pair of ChickRock earrings is made in 14 karat gold filling with turquoise and yellow stones, and red jade briolettes, while the necklaces in the flower series are also made with 14 karat gold filling and pink faceted glass stones. However, ChickRocks uses other, more creative metals, “I also like to oxidize some of the silver pieces to make them black, like for the Bell necklace,” explains Urutia. Her love for crafts—and experimenting—has even inspired her to take metal smiting classes at the Southwest School of Arts and Crafts. “It’s very different than my handmade jewelry,” she insists, “because it involves fire chemicals and a torch, and takes much more time to master.”

J’adore ChickRocks jewelry, but I also love their paper goods. And who doesn’t need a cute, little spare notebook to throw in the purse every morning—or some extra greeting cards for a forgotten birthday party? The journals are made from scratch, and the most in-demand greeting cards can be attributed to ChickRocks’ signature wiggly one-eyed monster, reminiscent of “Where the Wild Things Are.” The square glassine envelopes containing the greeting cards won me over, as its translucency makes it perfect for the monster to sneak up on its recipients.

Check out ChickRocks for yourself. Their price point is one of the best I’ve seen in a very long time, and just as this story began with a recession; it must end with explaining that ChickRocks prices are perfect for one. The mini cards start at one dollar, with the rest of the paper goods no more than eight dollars. The jewelry, such as the bobby pins, start at four to five dollars. Items can be purchased through the online shop at Chickrocks.com, Etsy, or at the D.I.Y. Factory on San Pedro Avenue, as well as Pulquerios on South Alamo.

Brides Against Breast Cancer Tour of Gowns Stopping in Texas

Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting wishes and memory-making events for men and women battling stage IV breast cancer, has kicked off its 2011 Brides Against Breast Cancer™ Nationwide Tour of Gowns. The event will be stopping in San Antonio on Saturday, July 16 – Sunday, July 17 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio. Local brides-to-be will have the opportunity to find their dream gowns at incredible savings while making wishes come true for metastatic breast cancer patients.

The charity wedding gown sale will feature hundreds of beautiful wedding gowns donated by famous designers, retailers, manufacturers and individuals starting at just $199 and up, including hundreds of brand name and designer gowns, some valued up to $8,000! Tiaras, veils, crinolines and other accessories will also be offered. Making Memories is currently accepting wedding gown donations for gowns 2006 and newer. The gowns need to be shipped to the warehouse in Oregon. Visit Brides Against Cancer for instructions on how to donate gowns.

In addition, while the Nationwide Tour of Gowns is in town, Making Memories will be searching for deserving residents in the area with stage IV breast cancer who would like their dreams fulfilled. Deserving individuals will want to logon to Making Memories to secure a wish packet.

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa
WHEN: Power Hour Preview Shopping Spree – $10 Admission per Attendee

Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. – Noon

General Sale – Free Admission

Saturday, July 16 from Noon – 6 p.m.

Sunday, July 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Teaching Your Kiddos Spanish? Check Out Baby Besos

Many of our parents and grandparents were taught as Hispanics growing up in South Texas, “If you want to prosper in the U.S., do not speak Spanish, do not teach your children Spanish.” Fortunately, times they have a-changed; parents can and should teach their children more about their culture. I met with mother-of-two and owner of Baby Besos, Victoria Herrera, who built a business that teaches other children and her own about being Latino with fashion and other child-friendly tools.

“After I had my second child, I realized I wanted my children to love and understand Spanish the way I love it,” explains Herrera. “I tried to find tools around the house to expose them to Spanish, but I couldn’t find anything. So I decided to start a business and found things from all over the country.” Herrera found books, CDs, toys, blocks, accessories and more. Inspired, she started making her own burp cloths, bibs, blankets, and clothes. “I brought items from all over, but I ended up starting our own line of blankets and bibs.”

As we met, Herrera began emptying the contents of her bag, first pulling out a blanket made with the traditional, bright floral hand-embroidered Mexican dress. “This is a dress that my grandmother would’ve worn. Now that I have a daughter I want to pass on a tradition of that dress. But I created the blanket with a modern twist to it.” While the pink Mexican dress adorns the middle of the blanket, it’s made up of several bold fabrics and materials like purple mink with raised polka dots and colorful cotton flowers. “Raised dots are good for a child’s motor skills,” says Herrera. “It’s good for them to feel different textures. But I also make other mainstream blankets that are still a little bit bolder than your normal baby blankets.” Herrera unfolded a two-sided blanket with cute zebra print and soft mink on one side, and turquoise and black flowers on the other. Perhaps it does not include the Latino flare of the blanket made with the Mexican dress, but it is still loud and proud; it is still Latino.

And it’s probably the Latino influence in her garments and accessories that captures people’s attention and won Baby Besos a business award from the South Texas Women’s Center. Herrera pulls out more contents from a bag she also sells, and low and behold, a bib with a giant Virgin Mary on one side and the color red on another, emerges. We are meeting in the Starbucks in a more—how do I be diplomatic about saying this?—less Latino side of town. The conservative Texan in me had to joke, while looking over my shoulder, “Well perhaps you can use the red side when you have more conservative guests coming over, and the Virgin Mary side amongst Latinos.”

Herrera even sells dyed cloth diapers with embellishments, a pink shirt that says, “You’re giving me Ojo,” and a boy’s onesie with the words, “No Hablo” written on an etch-a-sketch. She also sells an array of baby blankets and other clothes with images from the famous Mexican game Loteria, like “El Apache” or “La Luna.” In addition, Baby Besos is growing. They’ve just partnered with Carrizo Project, a company that heads to Honduras to teach women how to sew and be self sufficient. “They are literally in the mountains of Honduras sewing!” Herrera excitedly explains. “And they teach the women confidence. I started selling their bags, and 100 percent of the proceeds are sent back to Carrizo Project in Honduras.” Herrera sells them as diaper and baby wipe holders. “But you can use them for other things like spoons and baby food,” she adds.

To see more Latino-centric items or to go shopping, logon to BabyBesos.com. They have everything from $5 onesies to $90 blankets with their average price running from $15-$25 an item.

Austin: Day Trip to Dress Shop

Dress Shop is no longer one of Austin’s best kept secrets. Tourists from local hotels were stopping by during my visit to check out the infamous store owned by the, “Dress Evangelist,” Leslie Gandy. “We carry dresses that are both ‘of the moment’ but will last for a long time,” explains Gandy, “we do have our fair share of college and even high school customers-but the dresses appeal to the many professional women who work near us, as well as tourists of all ages looking for a fun purchase on their visit to Austin.”

Opened in August 2009, Dress Shop remains the first women’s retailer on Congress Avenue in over a decade. And what better way to announce that a woman can join the ranks of men, than by opening a women’s boutique in a historically male-dominated business area? As if Gandy’s message isn’t clear enough, her dresses are literally the perfect fit, as they’re designed for a real woman and not for the double-zero-diva modernistas have become obsessed with hating. According to Gandy, “we really advocate looking good. The hour glass dress is flattering and fits really well. Our dresses are made of many different [and forgiving] materials, like knit and stretch. We also carry an array of styles and designers, such as Yoana Baraschi, Bon Bon by Micah, Suzie Chin, and Maggie London.”

Dress Shop’s price point ranges from affordable to expensive, as there’s a look for every occasion: casual, cocktail, sundress, work dress, etc. In addition to carrying dresses, they sell all the pretty little things and accessories that accompany them. Necessities for, “no more wardrobe malfunctions,” as Gandy likes to call it, includes original Hollywood fashion tape, disposable nipple covers, silicone nipple covers, deodorant removing sponges, plunge back bras, and more. However they carry more fun necessities and accessories such as, sequin encrusted handbags and jewelry galore, like sparkly bracelets, peacock feather necklaces, gold and silver earrings.

The clutch bags are my must-haves, as I found myself jealous and fantasizing about them within moments of leaving the shop. I’m also still pining away for the timeless polka dot sensations and the Audrey Hepburn-inspired dresses. Today I’m considering re-modeling my closet area—or even the rest of my house—to look like the interior of Dress Shop itself. The shop’s vintage aesthetic with colorful splashes of black and white, baby pink, and exposed brick, features an original Durham Tobacco ad from 1896.

About the owner: A Texas A&M alum, Gandy left her home state to live in New York City, where she honed her sense of fashion. She worked for Us Weekly Magazine, focusing on celebrities and style, and became the marketing manager for Macy’s. She met her Longhorn husband in the big apple, who convinced her to move back to the lone star state and share her knowledge and passion for fashion with the rest of us. Her mother owned a similar shop in the 80s in Texas City. For more on Dress Shop, visit their site, facebook account, or stop by IRL.

Caroline Kennedy's Five-City Book Launch Tour

Caroline Kennedy came to San Antonio for a five-city launch tour promoting her new poetry anthology, She Walks in Beauty, A Woman’s Journey Through Poems. Titled after Lord Byron’s famous poem, the anthology includes works from other greats of English literature, such as Edna St. Vincent Millay, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Amy Lowell and more. However, proudly featured alongside those greats are selections from the Alamo City’s own greats: Barbara Ras, Naomi Shihab Nye, Sandra Cisneros, and Rosemary Catacalos.

I had the humbling opportunity to attend Kennedy’s San Antonio tour, and appreciated not only reading stories from local women writers, but that San Antonio was representin’ with the likes of Caroline Kennedy. I fought the urge to raise my hand and announce that I too, am part of the local women writers scene. Who knows, maybe Kennedy’s next edition will include an installment, of my notorious “Chick-Lit.” Until then, I enjoyed reading the work of my predecessors and hopefully you will too. The idea for the anthology came to Kennedy on her 50th birthday, when friends sent her poems to commemorate the occasion. Inspired to celebrate the stages of a woman’s life, Kennedy divided the anthology into several sections, from Falling in Love, to Marriage, Work and Motherhood.

Barbara Ras’ Secret Lives describes a risqué journey mothers may embark on together. These mothers “that smear peanut butter on bread” are the ones who are “talking about their bodies and what they did with them in Portugal, Hawaii, the coast of France, it’s better than cards, it’s anatomy and geography…” A personal favorite, Naomi Shihab Nye’s My Friend’s Divorce is a rhythmic story about her friend’s garden, representing a fresh start. In Little Clown, My Heart, Sandra Cisneros captures the emotional tantrums that come with romantic love through the youthful voice the author is famous for (“Spangled again and lopsided, Handstands and Peking pirouettes”). And Rosemary Catacalos’ Crocheted Bag, featured in the chapter on “Beauty, Clothes, and Things of This World,” reminded me of Gertrude Stein’s high modernism.

However, perhaps the dearest passage of the entire anthology wasn’t a poem, but a few sentences written by Kennedy herself: “Collecting these poems reminded me that when I was younger, I thought my task was to forge ahead and succeed as an individual. But growing older has helped me realize that our success lies in our relationships—with the family we are born into, the friends we make, the people we fall in love with, and the children we have.”

Caroline Kennedy has written and edited seven books on constitutional law, American history, politics, and poetry. None have included contributions from local writer and Gal about the Globe, Desiree Prieto, but I’m sure her next one will.

From Austin To the World: Ashley Hansen takes A. Renee Jewelry from “Drag” to Riches

Ashley Renee Hansen, designer and owner of A. Renee Jewelry, began featuring her first sets of earrings and necklaces on “The Drag,” in Austin, Texas. Now her dreams have taken her from the drag to designing custom-made lines for weddings and special occasions. “I have a client who wants pearls, pearls, pearls, for her October wedding,” Hansen explains, “Gray pearls, white pearls, pink pearls, pearls of all sizes! And she said to me, ‘we were so excited- we wanted to design the jewelry first, then design the girl and dresses based around the jewelry.’”



Hansen’s story is such an inspiration, not only because she went from The Drag to managing a jewelry line for a “custom-made” client base, but because believe it or not, she has a day job too. A Registered Client Associate at the brokerage firm, RiverStone Wealth Management, Hansen balances both passions. “I’m basically the client’s administrator; I assist the Financial Advisor’s with planning strategies and execute trades, but now with my promotion I’ll be doing more regulating. I’m hoping to lighten that position,” Hansen laughs. When asked how her jewelry comes to play in such a serious job she explains that her office is full of guys and those guys have wives, moms and daughters. “I try not to talk about it too much, but, you know, they celebrate Valentine’s Day, birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions.

However, Hansen’s style is perfect for both special occasions and every day events, because her jewelry is clean and classic, which she refers to as, “organic.” In addition, it’s light weight, earthy and calming. “It feels like you’re not wearing anything at all, and yet it’s so complimentary to the female body, and makes you feel very sexy and empowering,” Hansen declares. Depending on the piece, her jewelry may include gemstones, a bit of Swarovski, and are either gold-filled, gold-plated, or a unique copper. The splashes of colorful tones like blue, green, pink, as well as Native American Red and Indian Paint Brush, give off a very earthy vibe. Similarly, Hansen claims that many of the stones she works with have calming and healing agents that ward off negative energy like anxiety and depression, and instead encourage positive energy, like compassion and strength. “People have told me that they feel my energy when they wear the jewelry, which is funny because I get excited and pumped up when I’m making it,” Hansen explains, while adding, “My favorite gemstone is the Opal because it promotes feelings of love, passion and spontaneity. It’s also said to aid in visualization, imagination, and dreams- all of which have been huge components in getting me where I am today.”

Also previously featured on the famous site, “365 Things to Do in Austin,” A. Renee Jewelry hosts jewelry parties throughout the Austin area. Hansen’s upcoming events include a jewelry party at Simplicity Wine Bar and Bella on Sixth Street. She also hosts parties at clients’ houses and can host your party as well. If you’re in the Austin area, you can check out her jewelry display at James Allen: The Salon. The very affordable price point runs between $25- $75. You can also visit A. Renee Jewelry online and make a purchase through her website via the safe third-party partner, PayPal.

Fiesta in South Texas: Fashion Victims and Their Flair

Too much Fiesta flair can get one arrested, make others intoxicated, and get a certain Fashionation writer in trouble, as it invites too much inspiration for criticism. After attending a few Fiesta events this year, I’ve amended the slogan from, Viva Fiesta! to Muerte Fiesta!, as I wouldn’t want to be caught dead in some of the Fiesta outfits I saw, and hope that next year you aren’t either. In response to my new slogan, I’ve been asked the following question: “Just how much flair is too much flair?” A good rule of thumb: If ever in doubt, take something off.

For example, consider the culprit, pictured in her mug shot above. A committed Fiesta fanatic, she wore black and rainbow-colored cowboy boots to flatter a white, fiesta-embroidered house dress. Typically, a colorful flower—a-la-Carrie Bradshaw—adds a punch of flavor to any outfit, however this flowered creation ensures a swift punch in the face instead.

To compliment—or contrast—her off-the-shoulder flowers, the culprit accessorized with a little more Fiesta flair around the wrists. However, it is her hat that really ties the costume together and is worth mentioning as it is an example that more really is more. In my opinion, it even deserves an award—or perhaps a few more of those prestigious Fiesta medals. Tangled in cascarone eggs, confetti, streamers, and I think I saw a blinking night-light somewhere in there, stood a giant Toucan-Sam look-a-like. Whether or not the bird found the exit in time to make his grand escape is uncertain, however it is possible that he laid more eggs while up there. Where is PETA when you need them? Of course, such a costume would not be complete without a large, sky-blue sequin purse, possibly stolen from an 11-year-old daughter or Claire’s Boutique. Because if there is anything else this Fiesta fanatic still needs, it’s definitely reflective sparkly gear so similar comrades can find her.

If you have any other great pictures commemorating my new Fiesta Slogan, Muerte Fiesta! Please forward along to fashionation@sacurrent.com. I’m already looking forward to next year’s flair!

Texas: Re-Unveiling a A Gem This Easter

Celebrating holidays is best with close family and friends, and sometimes staying close to home can re-unveil a gem while teaching you a ton about where you’re from. I spent Easter at my Aunt and Uncle’s lake house in Lake Hills, Texas just a 45-minute drive from San Antonio, in northwest Bandera and Medina counties. Lake Hills is at the deeper end of Medina Lake—a man-made oasis covering a surface area of more than 5,426 acres. Since I’ve been a Gal about the Globe, I hadn’t been out there in eight or nine years, and was surprised at the lake’s noticeable changes.

The Lake is surrounded by beautiful trees, limestone rock and is home to largemouth bass, white and hybrid striped bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, among other species; it’s a great place for fishermen as well as tourism. However, among the marked features of the lake are, of course, the water and its depth. Lake Hills lies at the deeper part of Medina and when I last visited, water levels reached just below the trees, featuring a few mountainous cliffs with large gaps between the water and land, making excellent alcoves to jump off from. However, now the water level is so low—well-below the trees—that the lake looked more like a large canyon; no more alcoves, just open and dangerous jumping off points.

Lake houses were buried too high above the water: where I would’ve typically walked down a flight of steps leading down to a boat dock, I now reached the bottom of the steps to find several feet of limestone rock standing between me and the dock. I was left pondering, “How do I get down to the water with my glass of wine without breaking my glass, or, without breaking me?”

Additionally, long, exposed pipelines that typically run from houses and quickly hide into the lake were visible for some 10-20 feet; I wondered if there would soon be any water left for those pipes to pump, but more importantly, I wondered what else would soon be left of this place in years to come.

I am told, from family and friends, that since I lived in Texas, droughts have become worse—it’s almost normal now—with water levels in lakes, ponds and rivers rising and descending to surprising depths.

Staying close to home this holiday certainly re-unveiled a gem while not only teaching me a ton about where I’m from, but a ton about what has happened since I last lived here and got me thinking, “What else has changed since this Gal about the Globe left?”

More information on Medina Lake: It was originally built around 1912, as an irrigation reservoir for the surrounding counties; it feeds into the Edwards Aquifer and was thought to be the largest aquifer west of the Mississippi at the time. Check out pictures of its original construction, which includes the making of the dam, early postcards and speedboats from the 50s. http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/medina.html