the decorating dish

Design darling Alyson Fox debuts delightful holiday collaboration with West Elm

Alyson Fox at her West Elm launch
Photo by Jessica Pages
The collection includes pillows, rugs, a chair and pendant
Photo by Jessica Pages
Alyson Fox items displayed in the store
Photo by Jessica Pages
Shoppers admire Fox's collection
Photo by Jessica Pages

Alyson Fox is basically every indie-designer-fashion-girl's idol. In 2009 she collaborated on a fashion line titled FOX in MOCIUN; she released a beauty-centric photography book, A Shade of Red, in 2011; and the necklaces recently designed for Of a Kind were a quick sell-out.

Now, she's charmed mega-corp, West Elm, with her neutral but eye-catching patterns, and her exclusive homewares collaboration with the company will be released in stores nationwide October 23.

"I had so much fun working with textiles and patterns and thinking about things layering up in a space." - Alyson Fox

Though officially deemed a 'holiday line,' geometric shapes in sunset hues proliferate the pillows, rugs, pendant and chair Fox designed for West Elm, and blogs have gone wild for the slight nod to art deco. Like Fox herself, the designs are demure, understated and quietly assert their power.

At the line's launch party on Friday, Fox told CultureMap that the experience was "awesome, exciting and a bit of unknown territory."

"I had so much fun working with textiles and patterns and thinking about things layering up in a space," she said of her concept. "I had been working on designs for my line, so it was such an honor to work with West Elm first. It's something I really want to work on more."

With so many fangirls across the worldwide interwebs, these limited-edition pieces are bound to sell out before the holidays even roll around. If you fancy anther piece of Alyson Fox history — this time, one that can be featured at the center of your home — better place that order now.

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Brunchy Business

Mimosa Walk returns to Austin's South 1st Street for sips and shopping

Blue Suede/Instagram

Businesses along South 1st Street are welcoming shoppers with mimosas on Saturday, November 16.

Perhaps no other drink has the mimosa's power to draw people out on the weekend, and one Austin neighborhood is harnessing it for a leisurely tour of local businesses. The Austin Mimosa Walk: South 1st Fall Festival is scheduled for November 16, and will stop at local businesses, each with complimentary drinks.

The tour will include some shopping, some casual snack spots, and even some wellness stops. Although not every business mimosa walkers will pass is participating, the tour will pass lots of local eateries, making it easy to tack on a lunch when the Champagne starts making itself known.

The following eight businesses are participating as stops on the self-guided tour:

Austin Salt Room — a spa-like environment for salt therapy, essentially hanging out near tons of salt while breathing in microscopic salt particles, which are said to improve respiratory health
Blue Suede Austin — a cool women's shoe boutique (with a wine bar!) that specializes in semi-casual styles at mid-range prices, featuring brands like Sam Edelman, Jeffrey Campbell, and Cecelia
Devil’s Details Boutique — formerly Bloomers and Frocks, this vintage shop has rebranded and shifted its focus to jewelry, often in bold and unique styles
Glint Dental — a dental office specializing in aesthetic procedures like veneers and whitening, but also offering general and preventative care
Golden Mean — early holiday shoppers should keep friends and family in mind at this gift shop, which carries unique goods ranging from soaps and blankets to kitchen goods and avant-garde decor.
Once Over Coffee— an unassuming-on-the-outside, artsy-on-the-inside coffee shop serving Wild Gift Coffee and less common coffee shop finds like kombucha and Italian soda
Package Austin — a queer menswear store for harnesses, underwear, accessories, toys, and community events
Sugar Mamas Bakeshop — a colorful bakery specializing in fantastically decorated cakes, often with a sarcastic or funny twist

The listing on Eventbrite promises a hydration station by Topo Chico, a collector's glass, and that the event will sell out. It requires that tickets ($32) be purchased in advance online. [Update: An event organizer says the ninth business on the Eventbrite list is still under construction, and will not be participating.]

The walk will take place from noon to 3:30 pm. Guests will receive a "passport" to help navigate between tour stops. A check-in tent will get guests started at 1628 S. 1st St.

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