Everywhere: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Once again a killer sale is happening when I'm out of town. Beginning tomorrow Nordstrom celebrates its anniversary by marking down new fall merchandise that's just been delivered to their stores. Through August 2 new collections from Rag & Bone, DKNY, True Religion, John Varvatos Star USA, BOSS Orange, and a ton of others will be on sale.

Check out these boots: Guess Revenge boots, $198.95, on sale through Aug 2 for $129; Sam Edelman Sutton boot, $299.95, on sale for $199; Stuart Weitzman Hammer boot, $595, but on sale for $349.
This Suzi Chin dress is regularly $148, on sale for $98; the Kenneth Cole Emcee Squared handbag is normally $298, but marked to $198 for the Anniversary Sale. Again, this is all new clothing and accessories for fall. You know you're dying for a new something for the upcoming season.

Dripping Springs: Dripping Springs Vodka

Something else from Dripping Springs, Texas that's the complete opposite of Richard's Rainwater. Dripping Springs Vodka is about to be added to my bar alongside Tito's not only because it's Texas-made using mineral-rich Hill Country spring water, but because I drink more vodka sodas than anyone I know.

It's good enough that it won Gold and the Vodka Purity Trophy at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2008.
Click here to see a few of the DSV cocktail recipes I'm about to test. Purely for work purposes, of course.

Dallas: CaritoCaro

CaritoCaro opens its doors the last week of July in the West Village. Next door to Paciugo, the boutique carries a slew of handbags, sandals, swim wear, and jewelry handmade in Latin America. Everything in store is made in super-small batches - of each design there will be only five - and 5% of the total profits will go back to programs that support those indigenous communities.

Can't wait to get one of these mochila handbags from Colombia. Vogue editor Lauren Santo Domingo collects this little gems, and last December everyone from Proenza Schouler, Missoni, and Phillip Lim create their own versions of mochila's for Miami's Mochila Project which benefitted the Wayuu tribeswomen who weave these bags.

Austin/Houston: Show Ponies Pretty People

Years ago Annebet Duvall left Austin (and Houston) for NYC to intern for Nylon, and eventually work for Vogue, and the now defunct Jane, but she's still a Texas girl through and through. She's back here often for trunk shows for her line, Doucette Duvall, and today she sent me a link to a newish blog of hers, ShowPoniesPrettyPeople.

Duvall is also a talented stylist (see her fab portfolio here) and her new blog gives a sneak peek at her road trips, photo shoots, and the evolution of her eponymous line (hello, Barneys order!). It's an easy way to keep up with her because she's tripled-booked these days.
Photos courtesy of Doucette Duvall.

Austin: Falling Whistles

There are so many amazing design companies that are socially conscious, many of them have founders who are from or live in Texas. Everyone from JADEtribe, GAIA for Women, TOMS, and Ashley Pittman are producing products made by people who are paid a fair wage or the merchandise benefits an organization.

The newest to be added to the list is Austin-based Falling Whistles. Sean Carasso founded FW after a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where he learned that small children who were too young to carry a gun were given a whistle to blow to alert the army of oncoming fighters.
100 percent of the proceeds of each whistle purchased from FW benefits children who've escaped from the ongoing war and Texans Erin Wasson and Beyonce are already donning their own Falling Whistle necklace.
Don't you want to help? Click here to read why we all should.