Update: I hope everyone in the South Island is all right today after the earthquake! It must have been so scary, and I'm glad that no one was seriously hurt (at least, according to the news items I've read so far). We're thinking of you. Friends and family: I'm trying to get hold of you. Please get in touch!
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Beret - Dotti
Shirt - '80s little boy's cowboy print shirt with snap fastenings, thrifted
Belt - vintage
Trousers - vintage, thrifted
Shoes - Zara
Bag - vintage, from Retropolitan in Christchurch
It's my first rainy day here in Austin! The temperature has dropped to 72 degrees (according to my dashboard) and, I have to say, it's a little on the chilly side for me. Clearly I have acclimatised very well.
A couple of nights ago we went out with some friends to the Paramount Theatre, where they are playing a series of classic movies on the big screen. It is an absolutely beautiful theatre - it's worth going just for the architecture (and the wine!). We saw Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, which I loved. Although the theme tune has now been stuck in my head for two days. And it's one annoying tune to have on repeat.
I went to BookPeople yesterday - one of the best bookstores I have ever been to, and certainly the best in Austin. I just love it there. And they are currently having a sale of books on writing for writers! Hooray. Among others, I picked up The Artful Edit: On the Practice of Editing Yourself by Susan Bell. I found it a really excellent guide to self-editing as a writer, with lots of useful tips, and highly recommend it if you struggle with gaining objectivity and perspective on your work (I know I do!). Although Bell does speak about micro-editing to some degree, I think the book is really more useful when it deals with macro-editing. She also examines in detail the working relationship between F. Scott Fitzgerald and his editor (Max Perkins) that produced The Great Gatsby, and I found this fascinating. Slightly worryingly, however, The Artful Edit was riddled with editorial errors - at first I leafed to the back to see if this were a sort of cleverly embedded test for the reader, but no. Just mistakes. I tried to ignore them and focus on the content, and if you do the same I think you'll find it helpful. Although maybe read with a red pen for your peace of mind, as I ended up doing.
Unsurprisingly, I also went thrifting, and came away with some treasures! As soon as I have my US bank account sorted, I'm going to start selling some vintage through Etsy. I'm really looking forward to it.
Loot: straw hat (vintage scarf added by me); 1950s green cotton print dress; 1950s sheer polka-dot dress with collar; 1980s gingham and cherry print cotton sundress with cut-out back; 1970s gingham tiered maxi dress.
P.S. This is apropos of nothing, but I pass this gorgeous building on Guadalupe frequently. Isn't it lovely?
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