Cris Mueller - The Austinot

The Ultimate Guide to Cozy Coffee Date Spots in Austin

December 30, 2013 by Cris Mueller 3 Comments

Photo credit: Jodi Bart via Flickr CC

As I begin to celebrate my fifth year in Austin, I’m realizing many things about my life here and the spaces I choose to live it in. One piece of this Austin-based life I’ve mastered is finding the most satisfying places to test out my humor, palate and taste in men…and the venues they choose for our dates.

I have a string of top notch date spots to share, as I bare my soul to Austinot readers. Today, I’ll begin by presenting a few of my most memorable, cozy coffee date spots in Austin. [Read more…]

Everything You Need to Know About Decorating Holiday Trees on 360

December 16, 2013 by Cris Mueller 19 Comments

Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the city were cars full of laughter and bags of bows, so pretty. The Austin holiday elves wasted no time, loading trees full of decor pasted with glitter so fine!

Christmas, as most things, is bigger in Texas. Austinites have one, giant-sized holiday tradition that looks like a cheery cup of creativity poured all over the cedars that line 360 Loop, Capital of Texas Highway.

Capitol of Texas Highway Tree Decoration

Enjoying tree decoration with my mom

Each year beginning in November, the beautifully decorated trees along 360 become a sparkly focal point of holiday cheer, almost as if by magic.

While this decorating tradition continues to expand each year, there are a few unanswered questions that arise from the masses of people who are new to Austin each year. Keep in mind, this tradition stemmed from sheer holiday cheer, so there is no organized website, Facebook page or phone hotline you can call to get logistics. With that said, here are some answers to frequently asked questions. [Read more…]

Best Brunch in Austin: Deals and Special Events You Won’t Want to Miss

November 26, 2013 by Cris Mueller 5 Comments

Photo credit: Antoine Le

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then having a list of go-to’s for brunch in Austin is a must. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite brunch spots around town, and they all have deals, fun events or unique activities to attract you through the door.

Try them all out and let me know which place becomes your local brunch favorite. [Read more…]

Tour of Beauty360 Expo for Women’s Health at Palmer Events Center

November 15, 2013 by Cris Mueller 3 Comments

Baubles, bows and beauty at Beauty360 expo

Interested in fighting the good fight against cancer and looking beautiful while you do it? Austin Beauty Guide and the Austin chapter of Susan G. Komen® joined forces on November 9-10, 2013 at the Palmer Events Center, and came out swinging in pink for the inaugural Beauty360 Expo.

Founder and Organizer of Beauty360, Meredith Davis, and over 50 vendors spent two days sharing the complete experience of inner and outer beauty and wellness. In an effort to raise awareness for screenings, raise funds and simply to make people feel beautiful, many of Austin’s local businesses were accounted for, offering mini beauty treatments, pop-up fitness classes, product samples and more.

If you didn’t make it to this year’s event, take this virtual tour with me and learn about health and wellness companies that are active year-round. [Read more…]

Join in the Big Sing at Blanton Museum of Art

October 14, 2013 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

The Blanton Museum of Art (Photo credit: BlantonMuseum.org)

Have you ever been caught singing in public, in your car, in the grocery store, at work? Now’s your chance to belt out melodies in participation with the Austin community, at Big Sing – where the audience is the choir!

Grammy-nominated Conspirare will be hosting this season’s first Big Sing event on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 6:30 PM. The free event will take place at The Blanton Museum of Art, located at 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Big Sing & Carillon 09 034 - Copy sm man & music fr back

Photo credit: E. Stuart Phillips

Emphasizing the current installment of artwork on display at The Blanton, this edition of the beloved and free Big Sing event invites Austin locals to participate in the singing of songs from the German Renaissance era, featuring Hans Leo Hassler, Johann Walter, and Martin Luther.

There will also be popular music featured from other times and places. In the past, Big Sings have included familiar rounds, spirituals, Beatles songs, the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, and popular 20th century standards from the Great American Songbook. [Read more…]

Pieous Chooses Fresh for Love of Food and Family

September 30, 2013 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Charming and inviting exterior at Pieous

Editor’s Note: As of July 23, 2018, Pieous has relocated to Belterra Village in Dripping Springs.

In just under one year, Josh and Paige Kaner introduced Pieous to a city full of experienced palettes and made their mark at the top of the Austin restaurant ranks, mastering the trade of pizza art.

Located west of the city at 12005 Highway 290 W, tucked under a handful of Texas live oaks, the Kaners created a living, breathing kitchen built with a complete vision of connectivity between food and human that any foodie or cook would cling to. [Read more…]

Escape City Bustle with Charming Krave Wine Bar in Round Rock

September 12, 2013 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Historic exterior of Krave Wine Bar in Round Rock

Take a trip to see our northern neighbors, down the humble, brick lined Main Street of Round Rock’s up and coming town center. There you’ll find Krave Wine Bar & Bistro on a bustling block of inviting, dimly lit picture windows overflowing with the warmth and charm you would expect from one of America’s safest and fastest growing cities.

Sister act Susan Mendenhall and Kim Hiler began scouting for this perfectly placed gem in 2011 with visions of a pastry shop venture.

Instead, the two conjured up a different kind of sweet spot. Krave Wine Bar & Bistro offers quality cuisine and a thoughtful menu of wine and craft beers that challenge downtown Austin wine rooms and leave the commute and overzealous crowds behind. [Read more…]

Cocktails with Somersault at The Domain Will Make You Flip

August 15, 2013 by Cris Mueller 3 Comments

Mixologist Ryan Baird at Somersault at The Domain

Mixologist extrordinaire, Ryan Baird

In cocktail terminology, the word “flip” is one that has been in use since 1695. But when you want to turn that flip into a sexier, hand-crafted cocktail of 2013, you’ll find it at 11601 Domain Drive at Somersault.

Still in its early stages of creating innovative cocktails for fans of infusions, molecular cocktail gastronomy and gourmet edibles, Somersault is far from adolescent. With the creativity and sheer skill of Bar Manager and mixologist Ryan Baird, you are in for a unique and sometimes upside-down cocktail experience. [Read more…]

Take Fitness Outside the Box With Sky Candy Aerial and Circus Arts

July 29, 2013 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Sky Candy Aerial and Circus Arts in Austin

Photo credit: Geoff Hammond, Hammondovi Photography

At least once in every kid’s life, they hold a glimmer of hope that someday they’ll run away and join the circus. Sky Candy Aerial & Circus Arts offers Austinites the next best thing at their east-end training and performance studio.

Located at 507 Calles #117, this all-inclusive aerial arts school was set up by Winnie Hsia, Andy Agne, Chelsea Laumen and Amy Hayes. They welcome all ages and levels of performers, and everyone eager to learn. For some, it’s a recreational activity. For others, Sky Candy is a training facility that will springboard them to the next level of their circus and aerial arts professional career. [Read more…]

Tough Love: My Favorite Fitness Gurus in Austin

July 17, 2013 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

A day in the life (Photo credit: Miles McGriff)

How does fitness fit into your world? In mine, it’s made up of a hundred different choices every day. It’s peaceful, competitive, motivating, social, personal, healing and sometimes a struggle.

Based on several years of fitness coaching and Crossfit in Austin, I’m giving you the quick and dirty intro to three of my favorite fitness business minds. These three are not afraid to kick your butt right into shape. They’re friends to everyone, involved in health and the community, and always prepared to motivate their clients, support local nonprofits, and volunteer their time. They have also each seen me in a moment when I’m “glistening” and probably not feeling very fond of them. Without further ado, here’s my trio of choice. [Read more…]

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