HOLIDAY HINTS With all the invitations rolling in, I knew that I couldn’t waste a moment preparing myself for the onslaught. I’ve always considered My Birthday, which I subjected you to last week, to be the kickoff of the social season, but getting ready for the season can be no easy chore. For several years I’ve been a devoted client of Vickmay Quinn at Vickmay Skin & Body Spa, and I don’t begin my holidays without going there first. Her new spa (1715 W. 35th Ste. 103, 478-1915) is lovely – warm and chic and very personal. Vickmay was booked already, but I was happy to put myself in the very capable hands of Cristobal, who has also worked on me for years. We don’t even talk about what he’s going to do anymore – I just come in, lie down, and he goes to work. The facials are marvelous; the wraps and peels and massages and Botox, heavenly. I picked up a couple of gift certificates for Christmas while I was there; Vickmay offers an excellent array of packages that make fabulous gifts (www.austin-day-spa.com). I walked out feeling totally relaxed, plucked, prodded, pampered, and prepared to “Sparkle, Neely, sparkle!”… Speaking of sparkling, Cristobal and I visited our friends Tracie and Mimi at the beautiful new location of Wardrobe – right next door to Vickmay – and the store’s sophisticated selection of women’s wear (sizes 2 to 20) is always wonderful. Cristobal bought me a dazzling brooch of starburst crystals for my birthday, one of several jewelry gifts I got for my birthday. Joel Mozersky and Ted Allen gave me a gaw-geous golden branch dripping with rubies and diamonds (I wish I could say they were real!), and Hedda Layne and her husband Troy Lee Warden gave me a glorious brooch of white stones. I was blessed by such generosity, but I digress … Upon leaving Wardrobe, we simply had to stop by Dr. Chocolate. Omigod, the place is heaven! Time to get out the credit card. The chocolate-covered strawberries are superior, the chocolate-covered popcorn is a religious experience, but the chocolate-covered Rice Krispies Treats are absolute nirvana. Owners Glenn Scott and James Reaser are deeply creative and clever, and manager David Hernandez runs a great shop. A real Austin treasure and excellent gift-giving. Glowing skin, glittering jewels, and magnificent chocolates? Now I’m really ready for the holidays.
MASTERS OF THE RODEO I was so excited about moderating the Texas Book Festival panel I See by Your Outfit: The History of Western Wear that I rehearsed for days in front of the mirror, prancing back and forth in a variety of outfits, brandishing a hairbrush like a microphone as I pointed out into the invisible audience, taking questions, “Yes, ma’am. You in the orange chiffon …” When it came time, I was smooth as shorn sheep. A brief technical difficulty inspired us to present an impromptu fashion parade, making the “models” (authors) take a spin to show off their authentic finery. I did actually get to take questions from the audience; my favorite interaction was with a little girl who said that the reason she was there was because she liked sparkly things. “Oohhh, I do too,” I cooed to her, wishing I were wearing my birthday jewels. The panel was very cool. It was especially fun to meet lovely Jamie Nudie, granddaughter of Nudie, the most famous rodeo tailor of all. He was the man behind Elvis‘ legendary gold lamé suit in 1957, Porter Waggoner‘s star-crossed threads, and was the first to put a rhinestone on a Western shirt. Jamie was wearing one of her grandfather’s own suits that had been altered to fit her; the detailing was breathtaking. She’s an amazing and modest woman who is truly Western-wear royalty. Her new book, Nudie: The Rodeo Tailor, is a wonderful history of Nudie’s empire as well as a loving tribute to her grandfather. Ms. Nudie laughed as she told the story about how her grandfather’s original Russian name had been mangled by immigration officials and how the appellation stuck. She was accompanied by her (also) splendidly dressed co-author Mary Lynn Cabrall. The charming Steve Weil of Rockmount Ranch Wear is also Western-wear royalty, being the grandson of Rockmount’s founder (the elder Mr. Weil is 103 and still goes to work every day). Steve’s comprehensive book Western Shirts: A Classic American Fashion is enchanting. Boot expert Tyler Beard discussed his newest work Cowboy Boots, along with the effervescent and deeply knowledgeable Holly George-Warren, author of How the West Was Worn, which inspired the marvelous exhibit of the same name at the Bob Bullock Museum. Beard, Warren, and Weil also appeared for a booksigning and receptionat Blackmail, which had just unveiled its brilliant sister-store-next-door, Vivid (1202 S. Congress, 326-3095) the night before. Gail Chovan scores another, as the store is delightfully chic and brimming with colorful merchandise, from fresh flowers to feather headdresses. Vivid, like Blackmail, also carries Rockmount Ranch Wear as well as Evan Voyles‘ expert collection of vintage boots.
This article appears in November 12 • 2004.