Joleen Jernigan - The Austinot

Austin Mural Artists Reveal Origins and Inspiration, Part 2

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Joleen Jernigan

Mila Sketch’s Austin Music mural speaks to the heart of our city (Credit: Mila Sketch)

Austin’s artists impress us with their creativity and love for our city. Week after week, month after month, they’re out there, combining designs and colors that make us do a double-take.

Whether to express their own creative vision or fulfill a commission, Austin artists take to the streets to paint something that speaks to someone. To connect, perhaps. To inspire, surely, even if unintentionally. Or because they are unable not to paint, sketch, put their ideas out into the world. [Read more…]

Austin Mural Artists Reveal Origins and Inspiration, Part 1

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Joleen Jernigan

Artist Mez Data painted this scene from the iconic “Dazed and Confused” film with Austin’s sweetheart, Matthew McConaughey, aka Wooderson

Austin’s colorful, painted walls, with their murals, signatures, and sayings, can’t be missed during any exploration of our city. You can see these large pieces downtown, on the east side and south side, and even at The Domain. Whether with beautiful murals, cheerful street art, or classic graffiti, Austin treats the casual spectator to the urban art of their dreams. [Read more…]

Microsessions Pairs Speed Dating Format With Live Music in Austin

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Joleen Jernigan

Sydney Wright performs a set during Microsessions (Credit: Ben Porter Photography)

Speed dating for live music? Microsessions presents a novel way to discover more Austin musicians to love. Participate in a round-robin-style series of intimate mini-concerts, followed by a longer set of your choosing.

Once every month, you can check out four different acts during this fast-paced, lively night of music that’s also affordable and fun. [Read more…]

6 Austin-made Beauty and Wellness Gifts That Won’t Break the Bank

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Grab a cold beer and a beach balm inspired by beer (Credit: Aromaholic)

Indulge your inner flower child with local, handmade bath and beauty products, all for under $50. Austin’s love of all things natural and creative comes together in these divine bath, beauty, and wellness products.

My nickname among my friends is “Lotions and Potions,” meaning I do NOT leave home without them. Resisting the urge to read every description on every bottle, smell, and try out each tester on the shelf is a constant struggle. The good news: Austin makers offer an abundance of lotions and potions. While they are perfect stocking stuffers or host gifts at Christmas, they make excellent presents year-round.

Who doesn’t love finding a magical product that makes the hair, skin, or face radiant, lustrous, and beautiful? Here I share some of my favorite local goodies, so you can stock up on gifts. We won’t tell anyone if you buy them for yourself, either. We don’t judge. [Read more…]

Leap Into Action With Austin Sports & Social Club

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Every Sunday is a Funday with Austin Sports & Social Club (Credit: ASSC)

Want to meet new people? Seeking a not-too-boring, not-too-hard New Year’s resolution? Austin Sports & Social Club is here for you! [Read more…]

Indulge in Fine Wine and Local Food at Big Reds & Bubbles

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Enjoy a wine-oriented night at The Driskill Hotel (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)

Cheers! Austin’s most anticipated and absolutely fabulous wine event, Big Reds & Bubbles, is right around the corner. This annual celebration of red and sparkling wine, put on by Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, goes down on Nov. 17, 2017, at The Driskill Hotel. Local chefs will be making food on site; live music will set the rhythm for the evening; and the wine will be flowing like a river.

[Read more…]

Harvest Local Goodness at Mueller Farmers’ Market

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Gray Gardens Vegetables at Mueller Farmers Market

Cherry tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers from Gray Gardens add vibrancy to Mueller Farmers’ Market
(Credit: @dollarsaenz)

Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller, known by locals as Mueller Farmers’ Market, is a slice of farm-fresh heaven in east Austin. The setting alone is dreamy, as the market sits in and around Austin’s first airplane hangar in a charming waterfront park. Though harvest season is upon us now, the market overflows with freshly-reaped goodness year-round. [Read more…]

Austin Food Trucks Compete for Prize Money and Charity at Trucklandia

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Trucklandia founder Case Erickson awards the 2016 $10,000 grand prize to Saigon le Vendeur (Credit: Trucklandia)

Texas Trucklandia Fest, Austin’s food truck taste-off for charity and a sweet $10,000 prize, is holding its 5th annual competition Oct. 21, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Austin-American Statesman grounds. This time, they’re adding live music, a full bar, and a reality TV star’s truck.

The winner will walk with $10,000 and bragging rights for the next year, and local charity Keep Austin Fed takes home a portion of the ticket sale earnings. More than 24 food trucks have signed up for this year’s event.

Trucklandia has morphed over the years, but this year promises to be a full day of eating, drinking, dancing, and overall revelry.

[Read more…]

That’s Not All! The Yard Overflows With Cool Hangouts in South Austin

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Spokesman Coffee serves coffee, beer, and cider at The Yard (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

The Yard, Austin’s home to the next generation of local movers, shakers, and—above all—makers, makes the quick trip south of Ben White worth it. Whether you crave high quality coffee, award-winning wine, a place for your band to jam, or a beach volleyball haven, you’ll find what you want a mere 10 minutes from downtown. Not to mention whiskey, beer, and Thai food. This is the second installment in my series highlighting the talented people setting up shop at this development in south Austin. [Read more…]

3 Food and Drink Hot Spots at The Yard in South Austin

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Silos at Still Austin Whiskey Co. hold regional grains for whiskey production (Credit: @dananddog)

What endears Austin to its people? I suggest it’s outdoor spaces and creativity, tied together with a steadfast devotion to community. The Yard, south Austin’s revitalized community of makers, embodies these Austin virtues.

This is the first installment in a series of articles about The Yard, a seductively made-over industrial district. Spend an entertaining day-into-evening at The Yard, discovering these stellar spots. [Read more…]

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