Austin Slave To Fashion

This past week, I’ve done something I never thought I’d have the balls to do; I started a for real grownup website! I’ve been saying for at least nine months that I am going to build a real website to serve as sort of a portfolio for my blog and my work and my mayhem and foolishness. I finally got off my butt and did it and I couldn’t be more excited!!

What does that mean for my Tumblr?? Have no fear, I’m not going away. I will still be posting images here and links to my blog posts on my site. So you can still follow all of my crazy, I promise!

I enjoy the community here on Tumblr and I could never really abandon it. I’ll still be around have no fear. Feel free to check out my new site……and stalk me on Twitter and Facebook and Pinterest :)

• 1) Put your iTunes on shuffle. Give me the first 6 songs that pop up.

1- One in a Million by Aaliyah, 2-Kids by MGMT, 3-Voice Mail #4 by Original Broadway Cast of Rent, 4-Disconnect by She Wants Revenge, 5-Someone Like You by Adele, 6-Valerie by Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse

• 2) If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

I wish I had some cool answer that was some obscure humanitarian saving the spotted gecko in the Amazon, but honestly, I’d do anything to meet Pink. She’s been through some shit and she works through it in her music and that music has helped me work through a lot of my own demons. Plus, she just seems like a cool broad.

• 3) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17.

“You know more than you think you know, just as you know less than you want to know.” The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (I put part of line 18 as well to finish the sentence)

One of the greatest books ever.

• 4) What do you think about most?

What I’m going to do with my life. I have way too many plans and not nearly enough time!

• 5) What does your latest text message from someone else say?

Call me if you’re up - from my friend Justin

• 6) Do you sleep with or without clothes on?

With clothes of course! If the house catches on fire, I am not running outside naked.

• 7) What’s your strangest talent?

I don’t really have any strange talents -they are all fairly run of the mill.

• 8) Girls…. (finish the sentence); Boys…. (finish the sentence)

Girls are pretty awesome. Boys are pretty awesome too. (In all fairness, I hate generalized statements so I didn’t put a lot of thought into this.)

• 9) Ever had a poem or song written about you?

Yes I have. My friend Eliza Wren wrote a song years ago about me. I was super flattered!

• 10) When is the last time you played the air guitar?

I can’t honestly remember. I’m more of an air singer than an air guitar player.

• 11) Do you have any strange phobias?

FEET. I seriously cannot deal with feet. They gross me out and creep me out all at the same time.

• 12) Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?

A grape when I was a kid……. a pencil more recently. I know, I know, I never learn……..

• 13) What’s your religion?

Born and raised Catholic……. now sort of a rebel Catholic.

• 14) If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?

Getting in or out of my car and going inside. I’m not a huge fan of the outdoors. Though apparently I am going hiking soon……

• 15) Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

In front - I am awful at taking pictures!

• 16) Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

She Wants Revenge. In the words of the lead singer “We make music to cry to or fuck to.” 

LOVE these guys :)

• 17) What was the last lie you told?

Hmmmm I’m not sure. I’m not really in the habit of lying. I tend to be pretty straightforward.

• 18) Do you believe in karma?

Heck yes!

• 19) What does your URL mean?

It means Austin Slave to Fashion

• 20) What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?

My greatest weakness is probably my predisposition to addiction. My greatest strength is my perseverance. 

• 21) Who is your celebrity crush?

Oh there are so many……. but my biggest one is probably Jim Parsons. What can I say, I love the tall skinny white boys.

Totally stole this from a site called StarPulse.com.

• 22) Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

Yup.

• 23) How do you vent your anger?

I don’t deal with anger very well. I don’t get really angry often, but when I do, there’s usually a lot of yelling involved. Then I cry, then I take a nap.

• 24) Do you have a collection of anything?

Shoes, lip gloss, and owl jewelry.

• 25) Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?

I definitely prefer talking on the phone. Video chatting requires me to put on makeup and brush my hair.

• 26) Are you happy with the person you’ve become?

Why yes, yes I am.

• 27) What’s a sound you hate; sound you love?

I really hate any loud, jarring sound - construction, sirens, horns, etc. The sound I love is any beautiful singing voice.

• 28) What’s your biggest “what if”?

Oh lord……… what if things had worked out differently with him. I’m not going to say who him is, but I will say that not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. You know that song “Anytime” by Brian McKnight? No? I’ll wait while you go Google it. That plays in my head at least once a day.

• 29) Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens?

Let’s just say I believe in the unexplained. I think there are many things in this universe that cannot be explained by modern science. 

• 30) Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm.

Right arm - my nightstand. Left arm - my pillows

• 31) Smell the air. What do you smell?

This Scentsy wax warmer thing. The scent is called Satin Sheets or something like that.

• 32) What’s the worst place you have ever been to?

The hospital where my father died.

• 33) Choose East Coast or West Coast?

Neither - I’m a southerner through and through. 

• 34) Most attractive singer of your opposite gender?

Josh Groban!!!

Seriously???

• 35) To you, what is the meaning of life?

The meaning if life is to learn and to show love.

• 36) Define Art.

Art is an emotional expression that you experience through your senses.

• 37) Do you believe in luck?

Not really……then again, that might be because I’ve never won at bingo……

• 38) What’s the weather like right now?

Freaking cold!! 

• 39) What time is it?

12:12 am……. oh hey, that’s pretty cool!

• 40) Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?

Yes I drive all the time. I’ve been in many accidents but I’ve only been driving in one accident.

• 41) What was the last book you read?

Just reread The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. The last new book I read was Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

3rd book in the Hunger Games series.

• 42) Do you like the smell of gasoline?

Not really.

• 43) Do you have any nicknames?

Well most people call me Cathy which s a nickname from my middle name Catherine. However, I do get called Slavetofashion a lot as well (my Twitter handle).

• 44) What was the last movie you saw?

I saw The Muppets yesterday with my mom and sisters and friend!!!

• 45) What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had?

I don’t know how to pick the worst……. dislocated thumb, cracked ribs, fractured hip, broken pinky, broken nose…… it’s a long list……

• 46) Have you ever caught a butterfly?

Nope, I don’t really like touching insects unless it’s a pillbug.

• 47) Do you have any obsessions right now?

Yes, yes I do.

• 48) What’s your sexual orientation?

Straight……. unless Christina Hendricks is around. Then all bets are off…..

My favorite picture of her as Joan on Mad Men.

• 49) Ever had a rumor spread about you?

Yes, yes I have.

• 50) Do you believe in magic?

I am undecided on this.

• 51) Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong?

No. I learned a long time ago that holding a grudge only hurts me.

• 52) What is your astrological sign?

Scorpio.

• 53) Do you save money or spend it?

I spend it. I’m terrible at saving.

• 54) What’s the last thing you purchased?

Pizza at Mandola’s tonight.

• 55) Love or lust?

I dislike them both. I am not a big fan of intense emotional feelings. 

• 56) In a relationship?

Nope.

• 57) How many relationships have you had?

Well that depends; what defines a relationship? I have dated lots of people, but I have had 3 great loves of my life.

• 58) Can you touch your nose with your tongue?

Nope.

• 59) Where were you yesterday?

Well since it’s now technically Wednesday, yesterday I was at work and at Mandola’s and at home.

• 60) Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

Yup- my shirt is pink, my water bottle is pink, my laptop and mouse are pink, my bookmark is pink, 2 of my pillows are pink….. it’s kind of my favorite color.

• 61) Are you wearing socks right now?

Nope.

• 62) What’s your favorite animal?

Owl

They just look really smart :)

• 63) What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you?

If I put it out on the interwebz it wouldn’t be a secret anymore now would it??

• 64) Where is your best friend?

I imagine she’s at home with her husband and her baby.

• 65) Spit or swallow?(;

Well that all depends now doesn’t it?

• 66) What is your heritage?

Mexican.

• 67) What were you doing last night at 12 AM?

Same thing I’m doing right now - writing random stuff for my blog.

• 68) What do you think is Satan’s last name?

Smith…… that’s a pretty common last name.

• 69) Be honest. Ever gotten yourself off?

I’m a classy lady so  won’t answer that on the interwebz.

• 70) Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend?

I like to think so. Though I could totally get frustrated with me at times.

• 71) You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do?

Save the dog. If my boss is that heartless, I should probably find a new job.

• 72) You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid?

A - Yes, I would tell my family and close friends.

B- I do what I love. I spend time with my family, I visit the places that mean a great deal to me, I listen to the music I love, and I help my loved ones find peace.

C- Yes I would be afraid. New adventures are always a little scary.

• 73) You can only have one of these things; trust or love.

Trust.

• 74) What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?

Cabaret from Cabaret sung by Liza Minelli. Life is a cabaret indeed!

This is a picture from her singing Mein Herr - I couldn’t find one from the song Cabaret.

• 75) What are the last four digits in your cell phone number?

9952

• 76) In your opinion, what makes a great relationship?

Honesty, humor, and great chemistry

• 77) How can I win your heart?

Make me laugh and make me think.

• 78) Can insanity bring on more creativity?

Yes it can.

• 79) What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far?

It’s a little personal to put out on the interwebz, but 7 years ago I made a decision to seek help for something that I couldn’t fix on my own.

• 80) What size shoes do you wear?

Usually 8.5

• 81) What would you want to be written on your tombstone?

Always.

• 82) What is your favorite word?

Rapture.

• 83) Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart.

Burn.

• 84) What is a saying you say a lot?

Wear something slutty.

• 85) What’s the last song you listened to?

Never is a Promise by Fiona Apple (I still have my iTunes on shuffle from question 1!)

• 86) Basic question; what’s your favorite color/colors?

As stated earlier, it is pink.

• 87) What is your current desktop picture?

At home - the random changing picture that comes with Windows 7. At work - the movie poster for Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.

I can’t wait to see this!!

• 88) If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be?

Tim Cavazos. It’s a long story……

• 89) What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on?

Where did you get those scars on your arm??

• 90) One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do?

Probably faint.

• 91) You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power?

Flight. I hate wasting money on gas.

• 92) You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again?

I would relive the last 30 minutes of my last visit with my father.

• 93) You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

Something that happened to me when I was 17, almost 18. It set me on a course of a lot of pain and sadness for the next 5 years of my life.

• 94) You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?

Duh, Josh Groban.

• 95) You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?

Cambodia to see Angkor Wat.

I would forgo all creature comforts to spend a day here.

• 96) Do you have any relatives in jail?

Not that I know of, but I wouldn’t put it past a few of my family members…..

• 97) Have you ever thrown up in the car?

Yes, but I made it out of the car before I puked.

• 98) Ever been on a plane?

Yup.

• 99) If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say?

Can we all just stop taking life so seriously? None of us are getting out alive anyway. Let’s try to make the most of our time together.

• 100) Give me your top 5 favorite blogs on Tumblr.

LifeIsYoursToMiss

FuckYeahJoshGroban

LittleTinSoldier

GirlWithCurves

SnappyCasual

I am the WORST about posting outfits. Every year I say I’m going to do more outfit pictures and every year I don’t do it. So this year, I’m not even going to bother saying it. I’m just going to hope for the best!

I wore this last Thursday (yes that was still in 2011) to a meeting and then lunch with a friend. I’ve been getting into leggings lately and am slowly getting comfortable wearing them. At first, I admit I was nervous about styling them. I want to present my body in the best possible way - after all ,beauty deserves to be shown off. But I also didn’t want to look ridiculous and like I had forgotten my pants. SO I’ve been paying a lot of attention to proportion and layers when wearing leggings. I pretty much love this outfit!

Thanks to Ilene for taking my picture!!

Look at that, I even have 2 different angles!!

Leggings - Target

Black shirt - Nordstrom

Gray sweater - Old Navy

Red necklace - Gift from IleenieWeenie

Snake ring (barely visible) - Gift from BFF

Shoes - Tory Burch Reva Flats via Nordstrom

You also can’t really see it, but I have a sweet red manicure. Yeah, I’m fancy like that……

How do you feel about leggings? What’s your favorite way to wear them??

There’s this amazing blogger here in Austin - her name is Tolly and she writes Austin Eavesdropper. Not only is she a great person and friend, but she’s a total inspiration. Want to redecorate? Check out her blog. Want to get motivated to try new things? Definitely check out her blog! Ever year, she chooses a New Year’s Word. Instead of making resolutions, she chooses a word that will be her sort of theme for the year. I’ve been thinking long and hard about this, and I’ve finally come up with my word.

My 2012 word is FEARLESS.

2011 was a rough year for me. I admitted defeat in my struggle to handle my depression on my own and returned to taking medication. My relationship of 5 1/2 years ended and I was forced to start my life over as a single rather than part of a couple. My nearest and dearest friend, my sweet Schmo, my adopted big brother died. I faced a lot of harsh realities and a lot of pain. But you know what? I’m still alive. None of it killed me, and it’s helped me see that I really am quite capable and strong.

I spent a lot 2011 being afraid. I was afraid of living on my own, I was afraid of standing on my own two feet, I was scared of dealing with adult things like debt and banking and savings accounts and bills. Most of all, I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to be a fully formed person after so many years of being a half in a set. I’ve found that I am definitely a whole person, and I have so many goals and dreams and plans. And that I am fully capable of being on my own.

In 2012, I want to be fearless. I have a lot of goals this year- personal, professional, and interpersonal. And every single one requires me to be fearless. I have to be willing to put myself out there as a business woman and be confident in my abilities. I will not fear trying new things to stimulate my mind and body and soul. I will not be afraid to be myself, the good and the bad. I will go out on a limb and tell people how I feel….. especially if I feel warm and cuddly about them.

This past year I found out that it’s hard to keep me down for long. A lot of things hurt me, knocked me down, and took the wind out of my sails. And yet, I always managed to get up, dust myself off and keep moving. I’m not saying this to brag or to get words of congratulations. This is a reminder to myself that I am absolutely capable of getting back up after I get knocked down. That no matter how hard things seem, and how sometimes I feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, I always find my way and keep moving forward.

I am looking forward to 2012. This will be the year in which I will be fearless. Who knows….. I might even get it tattooed on me…….

HUGE thanks to Tolly for the inspiration to find my word of the 2012!! What’s yours??