I was determined things were going to change. Six weeks ago, I walked through the doorway of a little blue cottage on the east side of Austin. A wooden sign spelled out in two words what I was in desperate search of: Nutritional Wisdom.

My family history health report card does not warrant gold star stickers or words of kudos. Heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes course through our veins. These unwanted, persistent medical terms run rampant through our medical history, wreaking havoc and leaving chaos in their wake. [Read more…]

“The word that is heard perishes, but the letter that is written remains.” -Anonymous

It’s the time of year when chocolate and roses replace eggnog and pine needles. Grade-schoolers are giving empty shoe boxes second life, sprucing them up with glitter, stickers and cutout hearts. This cardboard box becomes a whimsical vessel carrying notes more precious than any pair of patent leather Mary Janes.

Handwritten notes and letters have become rare objects in the 21st century. But old and young, regardless of race or nationality, enjoy being on the receiving end of a letter. Thankfully, Austin is home to Paper Place, a local institution since 1979. Inside, you’ll find a treasure trove of pulp to satisfy those who appreciate the art of letters. [Read more…]

Editor’s Note: Coterie Market closed product sales in January 2016.

Coterie Market owner, Chelsea Staires Sun, embodies the girl next door. A sprinkling of freckles dances across her nose, and her alert blue eyes and relaxed ease make her genuine and approachable.

She’s a wife, mother and small town southern girl. She’s also been successful in corporate and creative America, a highlight includes interning on the documentary film Fast Food Nation, directed by Austin’s own Richard Linklater.  Her positions were rewarding and intense. But they deprived her of a luxury many yearn for but struggle to grasp: time.   

Shop Local

Coterie Market stemmed from her desire to discover the mom and pop businesses that make Austin unique. Her mission is simple: to expose Austin’s creative artisans to consumers who want to support local vendors. [Read more…]