Austin » Her Daily Muse - The digital sketch book of designer Sierra Bailey

Macarons on my mind…so where can I get them in Austin?

Austin, daily muse, food, inspiration Comments Off

Nov 162011

It has been months and months since I have enjoyed scrumptiously yummy Macarons. That is just cruel to treat myself that way! I did a bit of sleuthing of where to find the best Macarons in Austin and have narrowed in down to two places: la boite on South Lamar and La Patisserie on South Congress (I live in South Austin, 78704 so my search was a bit location biased for that reason.)

Have any of you been to either eatery or have any other recommendations of where to get the yummiest Macarons? I think tomorrow afternoon I'll take a field trip and fill my craving...I can't wait!

All images may be found on Pinterest.

I have never been so happy for a gloomy day…

Austin, daily muse, inspiration Comments Off

Nov 152011

That sounds so melancholy, doesn't it? Well since I have moved to Austin 3 months ago, there have been few enough gloomy days that I can count on them on one hand...if a few fingers were cut off. I can't help it, going to Syracuse made me work better during gloomy weather. Well today it is not only gloomy, but there was an extended period of RAIN and THUNDER. It was awesome. Hey, I'm from the North East, all of this abundant sunshine has been confusing my brain.

Festivities and fun times!

Austin, daily muse, inspiration, life of a designer Comments Off

Nov 112011

I love having fun things to look forward to...I mean really though, who doesn't? I have TWO awesome things to go to this weekend and I am ultra excited because I am going to check them out with a girl friend of mine and that will make it even more fun! The Austin Craft Riot Holiday Show is this weekend, and it will be extra special as I will get the chance to meet many of the crafty ladies I have known via the Switchboards for years and I love it when that happens! Also going on is the Austin East Side Studio Tour, being a person who basically lives in their own studio, I adore checking out others spaces. I also have not really been on the east side before so I get to explore more of the city a bit too. Yay!! Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

Advertising, the holidays and wanting to just curl up in a ball

Austin, business, daily muse, inspiration, life of a designer, Ramblings 2 Responses »

Nov 042011

I have had to resist the urge to curl up in a ball and go to sleep for about every second of the past few days. Before I moved to Austin I kept telling people that I would have a day job again because when I don't I tend to spiral into pits of depression when I hole up in my studio alone for too many days on end and I need to force myself to get out and do things. But then I got here and had a chance to really focus on Manic Trout and taking it to the next level. Which is awesome...until I start to spiral. Ugh. I have a ton to do though to get ready for the holiday season...do you realize how close Christmas is??? Yeah, we won't go there right now.

Right now I am focusing on getting inventory to at least a normal level and making sure all my ducks are in a row. And Advertising. I hate creating Ads. In the past, I have had others do a few for me...but I have a bit of an advertising background and the skills to do it...and all the stuff is right in front of me...so I'm doing it. But I don't like it. This may be some of the spiral inducing matter in my life right now. Must. Resist. Curling. Into. Ball.

On a random side note...I have the heat on, in TEXAS! It feels so indulgent! It also was about 55 in my apartment when I got up this morning and that is no bueno! Its kind of amusing how heat works here in the south...it comes out of the ceiling vents...which are put there to make cooling the place down a quick task, but let me tell you, I am so happy that I ignored the scoffs and brought my ll bean sheep skin "wicked good slippers" with me, because the bare floors are FREEZING here when its cold (ahem, under 65 out)! Brrrrrrr.

Two Super Heros are let loose on 6th Street

Austin, holiday Comments Off

Nov 012011

The costumes were a hit! We had a great time and it was INSANE on 6th street. I thought as it was Monday it would be quieter then the weekend, but WOW. The streets were packed, and it was fantastic eye candy! We were asked to join in many photos, and I even managed to get one snapped myself.

Ready to save the world!

Spidey's getting frisky!

Spiderman is ready for action!

He even planks in costume

Just a bunch of Super Heros on 6th Street

Look, there's 2!!!

Tati was the best Prince EVER and finished the night on the Jackalope!

How was your Halloween?

It’s finally feeling like fall!

Austin, daily muse, family, inspiration, Ramblings Comments Off

Oct 282011

The last two days have been finally feeling like fall here in Austin...I am wearing a SWEATER!! I was a bit sad when we came back from the cool temps of Colorado last week and it was down right hot here. I also got sick...which is now not so bad as the weather plummeted to 50 and I'm sure I would have ended up sick anyway. At least this way I'm already halfway over it. and rambling. So anyway...I'm all excited about fall and sweaters, slippers...blankets on the couch and Thea texts me a photo of her front yard covered in snow. Which was when I realized that I never get to see the first snow of the year fall on the leaves and all of that magical and beautiful stuff anymore. I was sad. However, this morning I woke up to a text from my mom. It snowed in Millbrook last night. A month earlier then normal. They are expecting an ice storm this weekend...

Wow, its amazing how quickly you can get over missing something! AND I can run around outside nice in toasty in a sweater.

Beautiful trees and pre show jitters

Austin, daily muse, inspiration, shows 1 Response »

Oct 062011

I freak out before shows. I freaked out before events I planned in my other profession as well. But not nearly as much as I freak out before shows. Especially before shows I've never been to and that will be different than what I have done before (I will be outside...at night!). Most especially when I have had waaaay to much coffee and got attacked by fire ants while packing the car (how do you stop the burning of the bites???). The freaking out stops the minute the show starts usually...so at least I have only a few more hours of spazzing to go.

If you're in the Austin area, tonight is First Thursday! Manic Trout and I will be at the Gibson Street Artists Market of off South Congress (by the dogs) from 5pm - 9pm. I'd love to see familiar faces!

Daily Muse: Fall footing

Austin, daily muse, family, inspiration, life of a designer, shows Comments Off

Oct 052011

I figure if I can't experience fall, I will at least live it though the blog...because I can.

I have a crazy busy next few days ahead of me, but filled with so many fun things that I'm all antsy with anticipation. Tomorrow I am participating in Austins First Thursday, which I think is basically a bug party on South Congress where all the restaurants, shops, and locals pour out into the streets the first Thursday of each month and hang out. If you're in the area, I have been approved to be in the Gibson Street Artists Market (by the dogs) so come by and visit!!

Friday I have a lunch meeting for a new project I am working on and then coffee with a new friend, squee!!

Saturday, Adam and I are off to South Padre to visit his parents and on Sunday, my sister Gillian arrives in South Padre too!!! I'm so excited to see her, it's such a change to go from seeing family all the time to only every few months, if that. I can't wait!!!

Recently in Instagram

Austin, life of a designer, OhThePlacesI'veBeen Comments Off

Sep 232011

I have forgotten to post recent Instagram photos, oops! Most of the last two weeks have been consumed by moving in and setting up my home and studio (those photos will be their very own post). However, I still have found time to do some fun things, including going to ACL (Austin City Limits Music Festival) for the day last Sunday...and that was a whole lotta fun! So here is a wrap up of most of the past month...

A show I did in early September, Saturday Vintage Market.

Proof that Fall has officially arrived...oh and fyi...I have gone back to a healthy candy free existence. Back on the wagon...for now anyway.

What I'm doing 90% of the time...when I'm not in my studio anyway.

Adam caught the planking bug!

Random Train Cars.

A rare break for happy hour. Herradura Margarita with Strawberry Puree. Yum.

A little bird joined us for breakfast at Austin Java. He was polite and didn't beg...much.

Adam's nieces coolest toy.

It tried so hard to rain and rescue Austin from the drought.

At ACL...I think we were at The Broken Social Scene here.

Tati and I went out for a girls lunch on her birthday!!

Yay, my inspiration boards are back!!!

I've had more fun than O thought recently...woo hoo!!! Have a great week-end friends!!

My week in Instagram

Austin, life of a designer Comments Off

Sep 022011

Ok, I cheated...there's a photo from last week too...but I thought it important to include Fashion Week and I think I missed a week? Well, with Adams move this past weekend things were a bit wonky. On a related note, one week from tomorrow and my apartment will finally be ready!! It was HOT this week...over 110 on more than one day, a few days we gave up by mid afternoon and headed off to watering holes...it seemed the only sane thing to do!