Celebrate the changing seasons, Halloween or just an excuse to go shopping, with store parties all weekend.

Enjoy a taste of India during the India Fall Festival at Marigold Gateway to India (2200 S. Lamar Blvd. 442-6600) tonight at 6. There will be live music by the Sangeet Millennium Ensemble (www.sangeetmillennium.org) led by sitarist Amie Maciszewski and a percentage of sales from the evening will benefit the nonprofit Helping Austin.

La Luz (2009 S. First St. 326-8384) is having a pre-Halloween party on Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. Groove to the Early Tapes, playing along with several other musicians, and enjoy refreshments, a "spooky" photo booth, games (pi?atas and bobbing for apples) and prizes. Costumes are encouraged.

Drop by the shops on North Loop for another Halloween Block Party on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be live music including the Thunderchiefs from 2 to 4 p.m. at Austin Modern (306 E. 53rd St. 419-0488), a costume parade at 4 p.m., Halloween movie screenings starting at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Parlor (100 E. North Loop Blvd. 454-8965), a carved pumpkin contest and sidewalk sales at the vintage shops.

Texas design duo introduces first bags

Designers Julie Thayer and Beth Younger, who grew up in Tomball, outside Houston, recently introduced selections from their first handbag collection, called JulieBeth (www.julie-beth.com). The Virginia ($650) is a Longhorn homage with handles serving as the horns. The Anna ($350) is croc-embossed lambskin with a paisley lining, and the Victory ($550) is a large bag fit for a laptop or an overnight trip. JulieBeth wares are sold at Cowboy Cool (217 W. Second St. 708-9000).

Make tracks for vintage boots at trunk show

Before you hit the town to do some boot scooting, perhaps you should update your footwear with a pair of designer cowboy boots. Drop by Adelante Boutique (1206 W. 38th St. 452-5322), which recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, for the Old Soles Boot Co. Trunk Show. The annual event is a showcase for hundreds of vintage boots in various styles and colors. The show is from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. While you're shopping for boots, check out the women's clothing selections, jewelry and home goodies.