Just got back from a long weekend in Port Aransas, Texas - part of a little island off of Corpus Christi that is known for its fishing and spring break scene. It was no Hampton’s, and I can’t say I’m impressed with the town - think Jersey shore - but because there was so little to do that interested me and my beau, we actually got to relax. So, as there was little to appreciate in any type of creative scene, we spent about an hour hunting for the gallery scene Google lied to us about, and instead gave up and decided to have Dos Equis instead. After that much needed lapse of time, I was able to stumble upon the one diamond in the rough boutique in the city - Ragdoll. The merchandise mix was impressive for Port Aransas - the owner was knowledgeable about her pieces - I tried on a pair of graphic shorts from a Kenyan designer - and ended up discovering the eclectic, adorable and forward swimwear line Maaji.
At first Maaji seems something very Brazilian, but with definite Bollywood notes. The attention to detail was what first got me - the polka dot ruffled bandeau top has a sweet metallic lasercut eyelet detailing on the sides, in royal blue with a magenta back tie. The other piece I actually got to touch and drool over in person was the one piece cross between leopard and rose print with endless ruffle detailing (Dezert one piece). The price point is high - but not too high - especially for those of us in a climate where you actually utilize a suit more than a few times a year. I just loved that there was so much going on, so much novelty, like swim couture. It was like an entire outfit in one or two pieces of Lycra. My big question is how Victoria’s Secret hasn’t bought any? This line is so impressive, I’m not sure why I had to go to an island off of Texas to find it.
Mosaique bandeau $142
Dezert one piece $138
Dezert Plaid $120
At the Shecky’s Dallas event last week, I was able to meet some very impressive up and coming designers that will also be showing in Houston this Wednesday & Thursday, March 4th & 5th. The vendors I radiated towards were fun, whimsical, and of amazing quality. At Shecky’s you could get anything from a Swarovski studded skull tee, to gorgeous knitwear, to $700 jewelry on sale for $150. That’s the wonderful aspect of Shecky’s - a lot of the vendors are selling at trunk show prices and are all in one spot. And - of all the vendors I spoke to, they were all signed up to sell at Houston - so if you missed Dallas, it’s definitely worth the drive (and the cocktails were sufficiently loaded too).
Click above logo to purchase tickets. See sister post “For all the Dallas Darlings - Shecky’s GIrls Night Out”.
LiaMolly - New Orleans based knitwear designer & Anthropologie alum ($130’s & up)
Elli Grace Swarovski skull tee w/ removable bow (adorable) $75
Cowgirlz Candy Texas handmade jewelry ($40-50 ish)
Laura Morgan - Austin based fine jewelry designer
Click the below “subscribe” button to be eligible to win tickets to the Shecky’s Girl’s Night Out event in Dallas this February the 25th - 26th. The gals at Shecky’s are collaborating with The Sidewalk is a Runway to give away 2 tickets each to 5 lucky readers (bring a friend!). If you’re in the hood you MUST check it out - see post “For All the Dallas Darlings - Shecky’s Girl’s Night Out“.
Remember - these are Shecky’s goodie bag tickets so at the event you’ll be able to take home a feminine filled bag of tricks valued at over $100, as well as gain admittance per gratis (fo’ free). Who wouldn’t want a free blow out and a cocktail?
Shecky’s is a big deal in New York - but the word has got to get out to our girls in the south, especially Dallas! Shecky’s is kind of jack of all trades night of girly fun - i.e. a bevy of designers to shop from, complimentary manicures, blow outs, and DRINKS! They’re held every few months in different cities, and this February 25th & 26th - they’ll be in Dallas.
General admission is free (sign up via www.Shecky’s.com), but it does not include their famous goodie bags - valued at over $100 worth of beauty and girly treats. To get a goodie bag (trust me, you’ll want it), tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Oh - and if you buy before Feb 15th, they’re only $15.
Texas ladies: I’ll be giving away 2 goodie bag tickets to a lucky reader - stay posted!
