The Austinot

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The Hills of Milk and Honey Educates Austin’s Next Generation of Farmers

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Dripping Springs Farm Hills of Milk and Honey

Amy Milliron, founder of The Hills of Milk and Honey in Dripping Springs

Guest article by Michelle Lozano

Farmer Amy Milliron of The Hills of Milk and Honey wondered about the intrinsic value of beekeeping, when she discovered livestock guardian dog Bo’s favorite place to nap: 10 feet away from the bees he protects, where the humming lulled him to sleep.

As a farmer on an educational mission, Milliron brought a glimpse of beekeeping to her educational programs using an observational hive, which gave her students a closer look into the lives and work of bees. “Bo loves the sound of the buzz, the kids are connecting…there is something awesome about that. And they will not view bees the same again.” [Read more…]

Atx&o Showcases Austin’s Small Businesses

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Brown Sisters atx&o Austin, Texas

Meet the Brown sisters, the creatives behind atx&o (Credit: Erica Tello)

Here at The Austinot, we highlight local businesses, events, and movers and shakers. So it makes sense for us to acknowledge those with a similar mission.

Few do local story sharing as well–or with as much style–as atx&o, the brainchild of sisters Ashley and Becky Brown. Whether through curated web series, quick hit spotlights, or events, atx&o is making waves and bringing people together.

I recently sat down with the Browns to flip the script and shine a spotlight on them, and the work they do.

[Read more…]

You Won’t Believe the Heart Behind This Yellow Building in East Austin

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Altatudes Boutique in East Austin

Altatudes is the first high-end boutique located in east Austin (Credit: Dwayne Hills/DHills Photography)

Wander down East 12th Street and you’ll find your eye drawn to a bright, yellow storefront close to Chicon Street. When you step through the front door, you shouldn’t be surprised to find an interior just as cute as the exterior of the building. This east Austin high-end boutique, Altatudes, is owned and operated by Alta Alexander, who is as charming as she is passionate and giving. [Read more…]

Shine Bright in LED Firefly Cloak by Austin Bright Light Design

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Firefly Cloaks by Austin Bright Light Design

Firefly Cloaks by Austin Bright Light Design (Credit: George Trent Grogan/Mountain Trout Photography)

“What can we do to make you smile today?” Austin Bright Light Design founders, Gerry Gilligan and Jason Balcauski, asked themselves. The answer? Firefly Cloaks. These brightly lit garments bring smiles to faces, curiosity followed by intrigue, chased with a shot of glee. Austin loves its dance floors, festivals, and moments of abandonment. So what makes this local company so special?

[Read more…]

How ZilkerBark’s Viral Dog Photography Grew From Nothing

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ZilkerBark Austin Dog PhotographyGuest article by Steven Souza

Alex Hopes is living the Austin-American dream. If you’re one of the 138,000 people who follow his Instagram account, ZilkerBark, then you know him as the guy who takes photos of dogs in Austin.

As popular as he’s become in the past few years, the life he has today has only been possible through a lot of hard work. I got to spend an afternoon with Hopes, two of his dogs, and his camera in–where else–Zilker Park.

Here’s a glimpse into how Austin’s most famous dog photographer got to where he is today. [Read more…]

CLEAN Cause: Fighting Addiction With Sparkling Yerba Mate

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CLEAN Cause’s new sell-out product, peach-flavored sparkling yerba mate (Credit: CLEAN Cause)

The Hercules of Teas has arrived.

The newest member of CLEAN Cause’s arsenal of delicious drinks is a game-changing sparkling yerba mate with a life-changing mission, the brainchild of a man who triumphed over monstrous obstacles and survived a trip to the underworld. [Read more…]

Care2Rock Provides Music Lessons and Mentorship to Foster Kids

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Care2Rock Music Lessons for Foster Kids in Austin

Care2Rock provides mentorship and music lessons for children in foster care (Credit: Care2Rock)

For a child, music education can make all the difference in the world. Not only can the experience improve academic performance, but it’s also known to build self-esteem. Music therapy can even help children who have experienced trauma or abuse. For all of these reasons, Care2Rock, a social enterprise business born in Austin, is providing access to music lessons and mentorship for children in foster care.

Kids in foster care often don’t have access to music, but Care2Rock is working to change this. Care2Rock allows anyone, nationwide, to take online music lessons. When you purchase a music lesson, you are providing a child in foster care at least one year of mentorship and music education. With over 400,000 children in foster care across the United States, Care2Rock stands to make a huge impact.

[Read more…]

Spendindie Creates Online Marketplace for Local Businesses

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Spendindie Online Marketplace for Independent Businesses

Shop on Spendindie and support small businesses (Credit: Spendindie)

Guest article by Janet Lee

Online shopping has become normal in this ever-growing digital age. It’s usually corporate businesses that drive products through digital marketplaces, attracting consumers through convenience. But where is our money going when we make purchases from large companies? This was the problematic question Thad Beversdorf dissected and acted upon. He’s the CEO of Spendindie, an online marketplace founded and based in Austin that exclusively supports independent businesses.

Launched during the 2018 SXSW Festival, where Spendindie was the presenting sponsor of SXSW Marketplace, the Austin business not only provides a convenient way to shop local, but opportunities to get paid to promote and discover local products.

With a mission to “create a convenient and engaging way for people to make more conscious spending choices,” Spendindie wants to change the way people spend, ultimately fueling a stronger community and economy. [Read more…]

5 Austin Makeup Brands to Try as You Shop Local

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Austin Makeup Brands

When I first got into makeup, I experimented with some of the now cringe-worthy trends of the early 2000s. Fast forward to today, and I’ve managed to fill my bathroom cabinets with more makeup than any one person could actually need. And while my skills aren’t Instagram-worthy just yet, I can appreciate finding a new beauty line as much as the next beauty junkie. So when I stumbled upon an Austin makeup brand last year, it got me thinking. What other Austin makeup brands are out there?

[Read more…]

Top 3 Austin Nurseries to Nurture Your Spring Garden

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Best Austin Nurseries Spring GardeningGuest article by C. Cimmone

Here in Central Texas, we never really put away what little winter-wear we own. But we do burst out the door at spring’s first light and sigh, “Ahhhh…” Flowers are blooming in the Texas sun; mulch needs refreshing after winter freezes; and pesky weeds need pulling between sips of iced tea.

In between all of that hard work, I urge you to make a day trip out of visiting Austin’s best, local nurseries, which not only provide beautiful additions to your landscape, but may actually do the landscaping for you!

Here are my top three Austin nurseries, all locally-grown, just for you. [Read more…]

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-The Austinot Team