Pops of Pink & Barragán: a Mexican Barbie Dream Closet

Speaking of Contemporary Mexican art and the upcoming festivities at Art Pace's the Happening next week, I forgot to mention that one of this year's honorees is Eugenio López, President and Founder of Fundación Jumex Arte Contemporáneo. Much like golf, there's not much wisdom I can impart on the ins and outs of this genre. But being that the par-tay is themed on our contemporary artists and architects making magic south of the border (and that I surround myself with really cool, in-the-know peeps to make up for said lack of expertise), I've recently been schooled on the fascinating work of Luis Barragán - and I went full-frickin'-throttle on this notorious Mexican architect and engineer. 

Barragán is regarded as having revolutionized modern architecture in Mexico with his use of bright and vivid colors - but what really sparked my interest were his pink walls (cue the wails from the Barragán-thesis-writers), as they are essentially a Mexican Barbie Dream House aka my dream house (see more pics below). Recognized by UNESCO in 2004 as part of its World Heritage list, Casa Luis Barragán and its creator are the inspiration behind today's post - because no Dream House is complete without a fully stocked Dream Closet. Barragán has been quoted as saying “the ideal space must contain elements of magic, serenity, sorcery and mystery,” and I'll argue the same can be said about the ideal wardrobe (with a heavy emphasis on the sorcery part).

Earrings - Mignonne Gavigan// Clutch - Ana Mari Ortega// Flower Heels - Sophia Webster// Sheer Tulle Top - Paskal// Pleated Metallic Skirt - eBay// Off the Shoulder Gown - Markarian NYC// Silk Top - Emerson Thorpe// Pink Culottes - Tibi// Necklace - Lizzie Fortunato// Neon Stripe Clutch - Clare V.// Pom Pom Heels - Loeffler Randall

Casa Luis Barragán, in Miguel Hidalgo district, Mexico City.

Master the Masters

I may portray a inordinate amount of self-assurance when it comes to many a topic on this blog (who was is that said a healthy young woman should always exude confidence? Freud? Oprah? Oh that's right, me!), but I have no problem admitting (or shouting from the rooftops) that I don't know jack about golf. Be it that my Cuban father never took to the sport or that the only clubs in my house were kept underneath our beds to be used as weapons against the imaginary intruder - golf just has never been my jam. 

But that isn't to say I can't conceive of what one should wear to the Masters, should one be in attendance next week (like my cousin, who sparked the idea behind this post). If you're joining the yearly pilgrimage to Augusta, perhaps you already know that there's a dress code: "Appropriate clothes and shoes should be worn at all time." Well say no more, vague and ambiguous answer to the Frequently Asked Questions, because appropriate is my middle name (not really - well, not at all, but I won't lead you astray). There's a way to nail the "golf casual" look while not looking like your Gramps - take some tips with the pieces below and enjoy some pimiento sandwiches and azalea cocktails for me while you're there (your girl does her research).

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Golf Purse - Kate Spade// Striped Dress - Veronica Beard// Headband - Missoni// Pink Sunglasses - Fendi// Citrus Loafers - Stubbs & Wootton// White Top - Equipment// Parrot Skort - Maje// Leather Espadrilles - Soludos// Hat - Michael Stars// Black Sunglasses - Krewe// Rattan Bangles - Cult Gaia// Crossbody Capsule Purse - Paravel

The Technicolor Dream Clutch: Sarah Sharp

It's high time you learn about Sarah Sharp Leatherwood and her magical, multicolored, mexi-inspired clutches. Just like all the things they bring to mind (rainbows, your last trip to psychedelic city, your Latino unicorn Twinkle Tamarindo), these accessories also carry a bit of superpowers. Sarah partners with artisans around the world to source all the materials and a percentage of the proceeds from each purchase supports local and global non-profit organizations (don't blame the girl for being an overachiever - she's a fellow TFA alum so she can't help it). In fact, Sarah Sharp was conceived out of a desire to mix the designer's undergrad fashion studies with her passion for educational and employment equality - and I think we can all agree the world is a better and brighter place because of her brainchild. 

It goes without saying (but I'mma let me finish) that companies that effectively integrate a charitable dimension to their retail modus operandi are my favorites, since they circumvent the buy-what-you-need-not-what-you-want game I make feeble attempts to play. When a purchase not only gives you what you want, but also gives others what they need, it's justified (period. end of story. throw away the receipt).  But what makes Sarah Sharp a cut above the rest is that the clutches are really cute, made well and by hand, and exactly what you've been missing your whole life but didn't know until this moment. 

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I paid a visit to the Sarah Sharp headquarters (which, b-t-dubs, has all the over-the-rainbow vibes you'd think it would) a couple weeks ago and got way overwhelmed with all the options. So Sarah tugged on my little-bitty heartstrings when she suggested I consider making a custom clutch out of a fabric of my choosing. From the enchanted wall of Peruvian blankets (stacks on deck, y'all) I selected my fabric after what seemed like a 15 min. monologue of asking myself what my favorite color is (at age 27 one easily forgets such things) and then picked the fixin's (zipper color, liner color, leather color, etc.).

Ta-da! Here's my baby - ain't she pretty? Oh the adventures we will go on together. Next on the to-do list is to order some custom Sarah Sharp pillows for my couch (what's my favorite color again?).   

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Q: What do I wear to a Contemporary-Mexican Themed Party? A: To better your chances of survival, go all out

There's something in the San Antonio water that gets you dreamin' and schemin' of all the vibrant and festive Tex-Mex-themed ensembles you can whip together. I liken it to a type of human mimicry, which (for those fungus-among-us who didn't overdose on Animal Planet as undergrads) is the term for the resemblance of one organism to another or to an object in its surroundings for concealment or protection from predators. Here, the better and brighter and more jovial the outfit, the better your chances of ensuring your Marg is always refilled, the Mariachis play yo' song, and your queso bowl never goes empty - aka survival in Texas. 

The next Alamo City shin-dig on the agenda is Artpace's annual party, The Happening, a yearly gala celebrating San Antonio's "laboratory of dreams," a nonprofit art gallery that doubles as an art lab and community center for contemporary artists. This year's theme is "Contemporary Art of Mexico City," which aims to honor the strong presence of artists and architects from Mexico who have passed through Artpace’s programs (more info below). I look forward to this event every year because the magic of gathering a bunch of artsy-fartsy Texans together to par-tay is not lost on me: the conversation, the clothing, and the consumption (these are a few of my favorite things) is just that much more wild and colorful. Which brings me back to the dreamin' and schemin'...

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Cactus Purse - Charlotte Olympia// Off the Shoulder Dress - Del Pozo// Pink Earrings - Ranjana Kahn// Green Shoes - Aquazzura// Flower Headband - Etsy// Black Eyelet Romper - Nightcap Clothing// Red Clutch - Cleobella// Pom Pom Bag - Serpui// Mexican Slides - Schutz// Neon Cactus Earrings - Etsy// Strapless Dress - Del Pozo// Silver Pom Pom Clutch - Loeffler Randall// Cactus Wedges - Charlotte Olympia

To purchase tickets to the event, click here. 

Rock the Sabah, Rock the Sabah

It's the weekend and it's going to be a real good one so I'm keeping it simple n' sweet. I attended a Sabah trunkshow at FOUND yesterday where I met the Sabah Dealer, who convinced me to jump on the Turkish slipper bandwagon. Jump I did, and I haven't looked back since - I suggest you do the same. Stitched by the hands of Gaziantep craftsmen, each pair has the style, durability and comfort to become your everyday-for-ma-whole-life shoe. I know the rose colored ones I treated myself to will be just that - go getcha' some (deets below). 

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Shoes - Sabah// Pants - J. Crew// Top - Mango// Sunglasses - Celine// Bag - Shuviluna

S/S '17 Collection trunkshow goes on at FOUND (3433 W Alabama St.) today (3/24) & tomorrow (3/25) from 11-5.